Raw Intel

Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has begun testing two foreign-made unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) as part of its effort to enhance unmanned defense capabilities under its ongoing initiative for the “Fundamental Reinforcement of Japan’s Defense Capabilities.” According to an official post published by the JGSDF on October 3, 2025, the service is currently evaluating the […] The post Japanese military evaluates foreign robotic vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Germany’s Bundestag Budget Committee has approved a multi-project defense package to equip the Bundeswehr’s Special Forces with new air-transportable light combat vehicles, mid-range operational boats, and high-frequency radios. The acquisitions aim to strengthen the mobility, communication, and maritime capability of Germany’s elite units, according to hartpunkt. Both the Budget Committee and the Defense Committee endorsed […] The post Germany approves new FTS/IAI ZD vehicles for Special Forces first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Taiwan will construct a dome-like air defense network to strengthen its protection against “hostile threats,” President William Lai announced Friday, describing the system as a national security priority amid rising military pressure from China. Lai, speaking during Taiwan’s National Day, stopped short of naming China directly. But the statement came just one day after Taipei’s […] The post Taiwan announces “T-Dome” defense shield first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

From the better-late-than-never file: after waiting for well over a decade, this is simply the correct call here. U.S. President Donald Trump and Finnish counterpart Alexander Stubb will meet on Thursday at the White House to sign a pact for the U.S. Coast Guard to buy up to four icebreaker ships from Finnish shipyards, the White House and Stubb said. … A White House official earlier said Trump would sign a memorandum of understanding with Finland to build four “Arctic security cutters” at shipyards in Finland, calling the plan a national security necessity to permit foreign construction. … The 11 Arctic security cutters - new medium icebreakers to be used by the U.S. Coa…

A Kremlin-linked media outlet has published rare footage reportedly showing a Russian air-defense drone intercepting and destroying a Ukrainian long-range loitering one-way attack drone, best known as a kamikaze drone. The interception highlights a new layer in Russia’s evolving counter-drone strategy amid continued long-range strikes by Ukraine. The video shows the downing of two different Ukrainian drones: one […] The post Russian drones shoot down Ukrainian “kamikazes” first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Hacker group Black Mirror has released a new cache of intercepted internal documents allegedly tied to Russia’s state defense conglomerate Rostec, including never-before-seen photographs of the assembly and testing process for the 1RL257 Krasukha-4 electronic warfare system. The materials appear to be part of a formal production report created for a foreign customer—possibly Serbia—and provide […] The post Leak reveals production photos of Russia’s secret EW system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A new leak by the hacker group Black Mirror has exposed internal Russian documents detailing persistent technical problems with the Zhuk-ME radar system installed on the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB carrier-based fighter jets. The document — titled “Report on the Reliability and Performance of the Zhuk-ME Radar in MiG-29K/KUB Aircraft of the Indian Navy” […] The post Leak exposes radar failures in India’s MiG-29K fighters first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

AimLock, a developer of autonomous targeting and engagement systems, announced a new partnership with Overland AI, the leading provider of ground autonomy for defense, to integrate AimLock’s systems into Overland’s ULTRA autonomous ground vehicle. The collaboration aims to deliver modular, multi-mission capabilities for the modern battlefield using a human-in-the-loop approach. According to the companies, the […] The post U.S. companies unite to bring AI targeting to future combat vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Raytheon, an RTX business, has been chosen by the German government to supply its SPY-6(V)1 radar system for installation on eight F127-class frigates, under a proposed foreign military sales contract with the U.S. Navy. The deal would make Germany the first international customer for Raytheon’s SPY-6 radar, the cornerstone of the U.S. Navy’s next-generation air […] The post Germany to equip new frigates with Raytheon’s SPY-6 radar first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Show LinksIan Ellis’s outline of Caribbean U.S. Navy deployment The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century, by Kenneth F. McKenzie SummaryIn this conversation, Sal discusses various geopolitical issues, including a potential peace deal in Israel and Gaza, the implications of Iran’s weakened position, reflections on General McKenzie’s book… Read more View the full article

Rightfully, over the last week there’s been a fair bit of chatter about TLAM going to Ukraine. The United States is considering Ukraine’s request to obtain long-range Tomahawk missiles for its effort to push back against Russian invaders, Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has asked the United States to sell Tomahawks to European nations that would send them to Ukraine. Vance said on “Fox News Sunday” that U.S. President Donald Trump would make the “final determination” on whether to allow the deal. ISW, where the above graphic came from, had a solid thread over at X on the implications, but it could use a little bit of a wet b…

The United States Space Force has released a Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP) for its Space-Based Interceptor (SBI) program. The solicitation was issued by Space Systems Command’s Space Combat Power Program Executive Office and seeks multiple industry partners to design and deliver prototype interceptor systems. According to the Department of War, the awards will be […] The post U.S. Space Force launches competition for space-based interceptor first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

China’s hypersonic ambitions are taking shape in new ways as Lingkong Tianxing Aerospace marked its seventh anniversary with a promotional video highlighting several of its ongoing advanced projects — including next-generation hypersonic missiles and a high-speed aircraft designed to operate in near-space. The video, shared this week by the company, includes multiple glimpses of prototype […] The post China moves closer to operational hypersonic capability first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia’s once-deep reserves of armored vehicles are shrinking rapidly, with new open-source assessments showing dramatic reductions in stored tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and artillery systems since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine. Yet analysts caution that the data should not be interpreted as evidence that Moscow has run out of equipment altogether. OSINT […] The post OSINT data shows Russia’s tank reserves shrinking but far from exhausted first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

U.S. soldiers from the 1-16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division carried out live-fire exercises in Bulgaria from September 29 to October 5, 2025, conducting a week of intensive training with Abrams tanks aimed at enhancing precision, maneuvering, and team effectiveness on the battlefield. The training focused on engaging tactical targets […] The post U.S. Abrams crews sharpen skills in Bulgaria live-fire drills first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Air Force has acquired the wreckage of a downed UH-1 Iroquois helicopter and transported the iconic airframe to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, where it will serve as a hands-on teaching platform for accident investigation and flight safety courses. The helicopter, nicknamed “Huey,” crashed during a training mission at the Wyoming Air National […] The post U.S. Air Force buys crashed UH-1 helicopter first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Pentagon’s No.1 weapons supplier Lockheed Martinis rapidly expanding production of some of the most critical missile and launcher systems in the U.S. arsenal — from PAC-3 and GMLRS to HIMARS, Javelin, PrSM, and JASSM/LRASM — as demand for precision strike capabilities grows amid rising global security challenges. The company said the scaling effort reflects both […] The post U.S. missile production surges as Lockheed ramps up for future wars first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

As the war in Ukraine continues into its fourth year, one lesson stands out for militaries worldwide: even the simplest weapons can have a place on the modern battlefield. Among them is the shotgun — a smoothbore firearm long dismissed as outdated, yet now proving its worth against one of the most difficult threats facing […] The post Shotguns return to relevance in drone warfare first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Mack Defense has received an initial order for 86 M917A3 Heavy Dump Trucks (HDTs) from the U.S. Army as part of a new five-year contract valued at up to $221.8 million. The order marks the first delivery under the new agreement, which was awarded on June 24, 2025, and follows the successful completion of the […] The post Mack Defense secures new U.S. Army order for 86 M917A3 trucks first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Hard moments in history are clarifying events. The more difficult, the clearer they can make things for you. As I have mentioned before, one of the big wake-up calls I received after October 7th, 2023 was how much very real Jew-hate was in modern Western society. Not just there, but excused by a large part of our cultural and political system. People and institutions revealed themselves to us. Distressing, but clarifying. Don’t look away when you see what is being said and done today. No. Look closer. Remember. Note. Act. Don’t forget. Politicians, academics, media, entertainment, and just the people down the street revealed themselves. The mask did not slip, for many it …