Raw Intel

U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers from the 307th Bomb Wing, based at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, arrived in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2025, to take part in Cobra Warrior 2025, a multi-nation air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Air Force. The large-scale exercise, designated CW 25-2, is led by […] The post U.S. sends heavy bombers for NATO drill first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Alaskan Command and the Canadian Armed Forces completed a multi-day joint maritime operation in the Bering Sea earlier this month, showcasing the growing importance of bi-national coordination and air-sea integration in the defense of the Arctic region. From September 3 to 5, 2025, U.S. and Canadian forces carried out combined joint maritime operations under the […] The post U.S. and Canadian forces conduct Arctic strike exercise first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

NATO allies and European defense leaders are moving to reduce reliance on vulnerable global supply chains by prioritizing stockpiles, acquisition, and control of critical raw materials (CRMs) vital to modern military systems. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has reported that these efforts reflect a growing recognition of how supply chain weaknesses can affect […] The post NATO focuses on rare earths for defense first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pentagon’s research and technology arm is preparing to launch a new program that aims to fundamentally alter the role of human red blood cells through synthetic biology. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced the forthcoming Smart-Red Blood Cells (Smart-RBC) initiative in a special notice released by its Biological Technologies Office on September […] The post Pentagon develops ‘smart’ blood for battlefield use first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army is calling on defense contractors to propose solutions for the development of an extended-range 155mm projectile as part of its Next Generation Rocket Assisted Projectile (NGRAP) program. The request, issued through a sources sought notice by the Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ), supports efforts led by the Project Manager for Combat Ammunition […] The post U.S. Army looks to expand artillery range first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is seeking industry feedback on a future mobile ground-based radar system intended to strengthen U.S. homeland defense against advanced missile threats. The request, issued as a formal Request for Information (RFI), calls for input on capabilities to support the development of a new radar system under the Mobile Land-Based […] The post Pentagon pursues new radar to track glide and cruise missiles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Air Force has announced the arrival of a second B-21 Raider flight test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base. According to a Department of the Air Force release on September 11, the new test asset will allow engineers and flight crews to move beyond initial flight performance checks and into more advanced phases […] The post U.S. Air Force adds second B-21 to accelerate testing first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The ADS Group, the United Kingdom’s trade association for aerospace, defense, security, and space, has formally opened its membership to Ukrainian defense companies for the first time. Calibre Defence reports that the announcement was made during DSEI 2025 in London and coincided with a Taskforce KINDRED-led briefing marking the “UK/Ukraine 100-Year Partnership.” Within 48 hours […] The post UK opens ADS Group to Ukrainian defense industry first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia’s state defense conglomerate Rostec has delivered a new batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to the Russian Ministry of Defense, equipped with upgraded modular armor and electronic warfare systems. The announcement was made by the corporation’s industrial director for its weapons cluster, Bekhan Ozdoev, who also confirmed the handover of overhauled BMD-2 airborne vehicles […] The post Russian army receives upgraded fighting vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s defense industry has significantly expanded its armored vehicle output, with one manufacturer confirming record deliveries to frontline units. On September 10, Vladislav Belbas, director of the company Ukrainian Armor, announced that his firm has supplied more than 1,000 Novator armored vehicles to Ukraine’s Defense Forces. […] The post Ukraine ramps up production of armored vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Poland has taken delivery of another shipment of American-made Abrams tanks. According to Defence24, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the arrival of 52 armored vehicles purchased from the United States. The shipment includes 38 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks and 14 M88A2 HERCULES armored recovery vehicles. The latest […] The post Poland receives new batch of Abrams tanks first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Azerbaijan is moving to expand its long-range strike capabilities with interest in acquiring Slovakia’s AM-120 automated mortar system and the 155 mm EVA self-propelled artillery system, according to Baku-based policy analyst Fuad Shahbazov. “In 2024, Azerbaijan and Slovakia agreed to establish joint manufacturing facilities with investments,” Shahbazov said, noting that cooperation has advanced beyond purchases […] The post Azerbaijan looks to buy Slovak rapid-fire mortar first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Amid heightened tensions in Eastern Europe and the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus on September 12 launched their strategic exercise Zapad-2025. The drills, billed as a test of the Union State’s ability to “repel possible aggression,” are taking place across training grounds in both countries and extending into the Baltic and Barents Seas. […] The post Russia, Belarus begin large-scale drills near NATO first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

I just finished with Xenophon's Anabasis on audio. Wow ... just wow. Almost 2,400 years old and its lessons on leadership are timeless. There is really nothing new under the sun. This book is a perfect example of the critical importance of a classical education. We wouldn't have to learn the hard way if we realized the truth that has been there from the dawn of history ... not to mention the lessons of 20 years ago ... move the decimal place two spots over. Here is just one bit. Rely upon this then, all you who are here assembled, now is your great opportunity. The soldiers outside have their eyes fixed upon you; if they think that you are faint-hearted, they will turn …

Russia’s National Guard (Rosgvardiya) has been observed operating new armored vehicles manufactured by the UAE-based Streit Group, confirming deliveries of foreign-built platforms to Moscow despite ongoing sanctions and export restrictions. During recent training exercises, Rosgvardiya units fielded multiple Spartan SUT armored vehicles, some of which were fitted with additional protection systems designed to counter drone […] The post Russia receives UAE-made armored vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

In what has become and will remain a yearly tradition. As I saw it, that afternoon in the C5F AOR, morning in America.. Share Leave a comment This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. View the full article

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the deployment of three Rafale fighter jets to Poland in response to recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace. The move is part of a broader effort to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank and demonstrate unity among European allies. “I have decided to deploy three Rafale fighters to help protect Polish […] The post France sends Rafale fighters to Poland first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia’s military has unveiled its updated Courier robotic combat platform. According to Russian state media, an uncrewed ground vehicle, or UGV, is being tested at a rear-area training ground where operators are practicing target engagement with several mounted weapons, including an automatic grenade launcher, a heavy “Kord” machine gun, and a Kalashnikov tank machine gun. […] The post Robot gunner joins Russian assault units first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

At the DSEI 2025 defense exhibition in London, Moog and General Dynamics Land Systems UK (GDLSUK) unveiled a new short-range air defense (SHORAD) configuration of the British Army’s Foxhound 4×4 patrol vehicle. The vehicle now features Moog’s Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP), a modular system already in U.S. Army service for counter-UAS and SHORAD missions. The […] The post British Foxhound transforms into mobile air defense platform first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Czech Republic will deploy a special operations helicopter unit to Poland to help counter the growing threat of Russian drone incursions near NATO’s eastern flank. The decision follows a direct request from Poland after a phone call between Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová and her Polish counterpart, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. According to a statement released […] The post Czech Forces to aid Poland in drone defense operations first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article