Raw Intel

Semiconductor Devices (SCD), a leading Israeli maker of infrared sensors, has signed a multi-year strategic contract with the Ministry of Defense under the “Blue & White” initiative. The agreement, valued at approximately $115 million, aims to strengthen Israel’s domestic defense industry while advancing its technological independence in the critical field of infrared systems. According to […] The post Israel signs $115M deal to expand IR production first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Finnish technology company Kelluu announced that its autonomous hydrogen-powered airship will take part in NATO’s upcoming REPMUS 25 exercise, one of the alliance’s largest and most demanding defense trials focused on unmanned systems. Kelluu described its platform as a 12-meter-long autonomous aerostat combining artificial intelligence and modern sensor technology with the century-old concept of lighter-than-air […] The post Finnish hydrogen airship joins NATO exercise first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Dutch Ministry of Defense announced that Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35s landed in Poland today to begin a three-month deployment securing NATO airspace over Eastern Europe. Starting Sunday, the Dutch jets will operate alongside Norwegian F-35s, carrying out round-the-clock patrols under NATO command. The aircraft departed this morning from Volkel Air Base in the […] The post Dutch F-35s arrive in Poland for NATO air policing mission first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Northrop Grumman announced that it has delivered the Mk44 Bushmaster Chain Gun for Poland’s next-generation Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle. In a post, the company said: “Bringing the Boom to Borsuk. We’re delivering the Mk44 Bushmaster Chain Gun to Huta Stalowa Wola S.A./HSW S.A.’s next-generation Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle, bringing legendary reliability and precision to Polish […] The post Northrop delivers Bushmaster guns for Polish new fighting vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Alaskan Command announced that U.S. and Canadian forces executed a joint sail through the Bering Sea beginning August 25, 2025, under Operation LATITUDE, an exercise designed to deepen cooperation and strengthen Arctic security. The operation brought together the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District, and […] The post U.S., Canada strengthen presence in Bering Sea first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Defense analyst Fabian Hoffmann has released a detailed study tracing the trajectory of Ukraine’s missile programs from 2014 to 2025, highlighting the country’s efforts to transition from limited post-Soviet capabilities to a diverse but still developing long-range strike arsenal. In his latest Missile Matters post, Hoffmann examined the rise, setbacks, and future of Ukraine’s deep-strike […] The post Analysis: Ukraine builds future strike arsenal first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Naval News reported on August 30 that Lockheed Martin has installed a Patriot launcher on the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Montgomery (LCS-8). The test aimed to demonstrate a concept of expeditionary air defense, allowing ships operating far from shore and outside carrier strike groups to be reinforced with existing surface-to-air systems. According to the […] The post Patriot launcher mounted on Littoral Combat Ship first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (GUR) has released footage showing its drones destroying two Russian helicopters at Simferopol airbase, along with a strike against a tugboat. The video, published on August 31, corresponds with a drone attack carried out on the morning of August 30 that triggered a large fire at the facility. Earlier, satellite images circulated […] The post Ukraine releases video of strikes on Simferopol airbase first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukraine’s General Staff said on August 31 that radiation reconnaissance units of the Armed Forces are operating inside the Chernobyl (Chornobyl – Ukrainian transliteration) Exclusion Zone to monitor safety conditions near the damaged sarcophagus covering Reactor No. 4. Specialists from the 704th Separate Brigade of Radiation, Chemical, and Biological (RCB) Defense are conducting detailed inspections […] The post Ukrainian troops monitor Chernobyl site first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

For the first time in history, the United States Air Force has selected a NATO partner nation to provide pilot training. On August 22, the Italian Air Force and the U.S. Air Force signed an agreement that will bring American pilot trainees to the International Flight Training School (IFTS) in Decimomannu, Sardinia. The “Concept of […] The post U.S. Air Force pilots set for training in Italy first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Polish defense company Mesko, in partnership with France’s Eurenco, has announced the start of production of modular propelling charges for 155 mm artillery. The new assembly line is located in Pionki, Poland, and is expected to produce up to 100,000 charges annually. The development was reported by Adam Swierkowski of Defence24. The project began in […] The post Poland begins 155mm artillery charge production first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russian forces are adopting a new infantry doctrine that places greater reliance on drones and robotic systems due to manpower challenges, according to an analysis by the DeepState OSINT project in cooperation with the Telegram channel Mannerheims son. The report said the Russian military is increasingly turning to unmanned ground systems, loitering munitions, and heavy […] The post Russia adopts new infantry doctrine amid manpower strain first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Satellite images have confirmed the destruction of Russian helicopters at an airbase in occupied Crimea following a Ukrainian drone strike. The attack targeted the airport near Simferopol on August 30, Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi reported. According to the report, satellite photos published by the AviaVector community showed two helicopters destroyed on the airfield. The images, comparing […] The post Satellite photos show Russian helicopters destroyed in Crimea first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Raytheon Missiles and Defense has received a $1.7 billion contract modification to continue production of the U.S. Army’s Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), the Pentagon announced. According to the Department of Defense, the $1,700,200,000 modification to contract W31P4Q-24-C-0024 will support the low-rate initial production of the LTAMDS program. The award raises the […] The post Raytheon to expand production of LTAMDS radars first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Warfare Systems, based in Hudson, New Hampshire, has been awarded a $1,7 billion contract for the production and delivery of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS) rounds, the Pentagon announced. According to the Department of Defense, the contract covers up to 55,000 APKWS units under Full Rate Production Lots […] The post Pentagon awards $1.74B contract for APKWS rockets first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft conducted a surveillance mission near Russia’s northern region on August 28, according to a report from the defense outlet Militarnyi. The Boeing RC-135V Rivet Joint was detected on the online flight tracking platform Flightradar24 as it operated close to the Murmansk area. The aircraft, equipped with advanced sensors and […] The post U.S. Air Force spy plane tracked off Russia’s northern coast first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

"Like who?" That is a tough question; it seems easy, but it isn't. What defines a leader and what qualities should a young leader emulate? Books have been and will be written about such things - but often it is better just to point at a man and say, "This." A dozen or so years ago when I first published this story, friend to the blog who sneaks into comments now and then, URR, reminded me that we lost one of "them." Someone who inspired people throughout his life. The core of his character is perhaps best discovered in one of his best-known acts. For the full story of The Warriors of Hill 881S, spend some time here. Like many of his generation - proper recognition of his …

NATO Air Command said on August 28 that two Italian F-35 fighter jets scrambled from Amari Air Base in Estonia to intercept a Russian military aircraft operating near Alliance airspace. According to the command, the jets were deployed under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission after radar systems detected the approach of a Russian An-124 Condor […] The post Italian F-35s intercept Russian An-124 heavy transport aircraft first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

At U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico last week, Global Military Products and Polaris Government and Defense joined a live-fire event showcasing the Scorpion Light mobile mortar system, also known internationally as the Alakran. The demonstration took place during the Marine Gunners Symposium and was observed by a group of Marine gunners. The Scorpion Light system, […] The post U.S. Marine Corps tests Scorpion light mortar system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukraine’s defense technology incubator Brave1 has launched a renewed grant program aimed at accelerating the development of advanced weapons, including ballistic and surface-to-air missiles. The initiative, announced at the recent event “Decisive Innovations: Ukraine’s Next Steps in the Technological War”, provides up to 150 million hryvnias ($3.6 million) for projects focused on explosives, missile systems, […] The post Ukraine targets new HIMARS-style weapons with $3.6M grants first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article