Raw Intel

The U.S. military has selected Zone 5 Technologies as one of two companies to participate in its Counter NEXT program, an initiative launched by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to rapidly field new systems capable of shooting down or disabling hostile drones — a growing threat in conflicts from Eastern Europe to the Red Sea. […] The post Zone 5 interceptor selected by Pentagon for counter-drone program first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Going from east to west, with a few precious exceptions at the far eastern end at St. Petersburg and occupied Königsberg, the Baltic Sea is not just a NATO lake; NATO controls the gate. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Denmark, and Norway—all NATO members, and yet as we are in the 4th year of the Russo-Ukrainian War of 2022 and all the sanctions against Russia, like a drug-addicted cop won’t bust his dealer, the path to the open seas and cash to feed its war remains wide open. However slowly, Western Europe is slowly weaning itself off of its addictions to and fear of Russia. Back in February, you can see the opening play of the latest developments. Denm…

Global Military Products will participate in the U.S. Army’s upcoming Transformation in Contact (TiC) 2.0 event with its Scorpion Light 81mm mobile mortar system, part of an ongoing effort to modernize indirect fire capabilities under the Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP). The trials, conducted under a contract with the Product Manager for Artillery Mortars and Precision […] The post U.S. Army to test new Scorpion light mortar system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Saab Inc. has been awarded a $46 million contract to deliver its Giraffe 1X radar systems to the U.S. Army. According to a Pentagon announcement, the contract was awarded to Saab Inc., based in East Syracuse, New York, for the procurement and delivery of Giraffe 1X radars. Bids were solicited online, with one received. Work […] The post U.S. Army buys lightweight surveillance radars from Saab first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Russian military is reintroducing horseback units to the battlefield, turning to centuries-old tactics. According to Russian media reports, newly formed cavalry units riding actual horses were observed during training exercises with assault troops from the 9th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces. The initiative was launched by the commander of the “Shtorm” […] The post Russia trains cavalry units for battlefield operations first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russian forces are converting Chinese-made all-terrain vehicles into remotely operated battlefield systems, including cable-laying platforms and logistics carriers, as they seek to reduce troop exposure and adapt commercial technology for use in the war against Ukraine. Troops from the 36th Guards Combined Arms Army of the “Vostok” grouping are now fielding a remote-controlled fiber-optic cable-laying […] The post Russia converts Chinese “golf carts” into battlefield robots first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pentagon announced that Maryland-based defense contractor Mistral Inc. has been awarded a $982 million contract to supply lethal unmanned systems to the U.S. Army. According to the Department of War, Mistral Inc., headquartered in Bethesda, was awarded the hybrid cost-no-fee and firm-fixed-price contract to “provide Lethal Unmanned Systems.” Work locations and funding will be […] The post U.S. Army buys kamikaze drones in nearly $1 billion contract first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pentagon announced Monday that Raytheon has been awarded a $5.04 billion contract to supply the U.S. Army with its Coyote missile system, a combat-proven counter-drone weapon designed to intercept and destroy unmanned aerial threats, including drone swarms. According to the Department of War, Raytheon Co. of Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for […] The post Pentagon awards $5B deal to Raytheon for Coyote drone interceptors first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

German defense company Rheinmetall has been commissioned to supply a large volume of artillery ammunition to an Eastern European customer under a U.S. government program, underscoring the growing transatlantic demand for heavy munitions amid the ongoing conflict-driven rearmament push in Europe. As a subcontractor to Global Military Products (GMP), a U.S.-based defense supplier awarded a […] The post U.S. taps Rheinmetall to supply artillery shells for Eastern Europe first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

European missile manufacturer MBDA has signed a production contract with Italy’s National Directorate of Naval Armaments for the TESEO MK2/E, a new-generation anti-ship missile that will become a core weapon system aboard the Italian Navy’s future surface fleet. The agreement covers the supply of TESEO MK2/E missiles, which will be deployed on new naval platforms […] The post MBDA to deliver new anti-ship missiles for Italy first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Canadian armored vehicle giant Roshel has released new video footage offering a rare look inside its production facilities, underscoring its growing role as a key supplier of advanced armored platforms to government agencies, law enforcement, and allied militaries around the world. The company, headquartered in Ontario, operates more than 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space […] The post Roshel offers rare glimpse inside its production facilities first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have introduced a new logistics unit designed to deliver supplies, transport equipment, and even detonate enemy infrastructure — all without putting soldiers in harm’s way. The unit, named “Taltan,” integrates drones, robotic vehicles, and autonomous platforms into its operations to support troops in challenging environments. Created just four months ago, […] The post Israel deploys drone unit to supply frontline forces first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Israel’s Elbit Systems Ltd. announced it has been awarded a contract worth approximately $120 million to supply its Hermes 900 unmanned aerial system (UAS) to an international customer for long-range maritime surveillance operations. The company described the deal as part of growing global demand for advanced unmanned capabilities as nations seek to strengthen their intelligence, […] The post Elbit sells Hermes 900 drone to mystery customer first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukrainian troops have carried out an unconventional special operation on the Kharkiv front — evacuating a cat from near the line of contact using a ground robotic vehicle. The unusual mission, conducted by the “Khartia” Brigade, highlights the growing use of unmanned ground systems (UGVs) in Ukraine not only for combat tasks but also for […] The post Ukrainian troops use ground robot to rescue cat from frontline first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukraine expects to receive additional fighter jets from its Western partners in the near future, including Swedish Gripens, French Mirages, and American F-16s, a senior defense official has confirmed. The deliveries, once completed, will mark a new stage in Kyiv’s efforts to modernize its air force and strengthen its ability to counter Russian air superiority. […] The post Ukraine to receive Gripen fighter jets first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukraine launched a precision missile strike on a key defense enterprise in Russia’s Bryansk region, targeting a facility that plays a critical role in supplying components for the Kremlin’s missile and drone programs. According to Ukrainian naval officials, the strike was carried out using the domestically produced Neptune missile, marking another attack on the infrastructure […] The post Ukraine launches missile strike on key Russian defense plant first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukrainian forces have shot down a Russian Mi-8 transport helicopter with a kamikaze drone, marking only the second time such a strike has been successfully carried out since the start of the full-scale invasion. According to Militarnyi, the shootdown occurred on the morning of September 29, 2025, when an FPV drone from the 1st Battalion […] The post Ukrainian FPV drone shoots down Russian Mi-8 helicopter first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

One topic I didn’t expect us to dive into on yesterday’s Midrats with Dean Cheng was the growing nuclear capability of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Once the show was over, I figured I needed to pull Rebeccah Heinrichs’s article from Friday up from my ‘read later’ tab. She gives a solid review of the state of play and offers three suggestions, two of which I generally endorse, and the third a firm non-concur. First, let’s review the table she sets. Just three years ago, China denied it was rapidly building up its nuclear arsenal. In 2022, Fu Cong, then the director-general of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s arms control department (now China’s permanent representat…

For decades, while the rest of the world’s powers have distracted and tangled themselves with wars of choice and blunder, the People’s Republic of China has been watching, learning, and building. To what end? Returning to Midrats to discuss this and more will be Dean Cheng. You can listen live here, today from 5-6 pm Eastern. If you are reading this after the show, refresh the Substack page later Sunday evening for all the podcast links. Dean Cheng, Senior Advisor, United States Institute of Peace; Non-resident Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies; Non-resident Fellow, George Washington University Space Policy Institute. He recently retired after 13 years …

Italian firearms manufacturer Fabarm S.p.A. has introduced a new variant of its widely used STF/12 shotgun specifically configured for counter-drone missions. The STF/12 Compact XL Range 22″, presented as a specialized upgrade of the platform already fielded by the German Bundeswehr as the Mehrzweckflinte 5 (MZF 5), is engineered to engage fast, low-flying aerial targets […] The post Italy’s Fabarm launches extended-range shotgun for drone defense first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article