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Israel’s Elbit Systems Ltd. has reported a sharp rise in second-quarter revenues and earnings, citing strong domestic and international demand for its defense technologies. The Israeli defense company posted revenues of $2.0 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, up 21% from the same period last year. According to the company’s earnings release, GAAP […] The post Israeli defense giant reports 21% revenue growth first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Israel’s Elbit Systems Ltd. announced it has secured a $1.635 billion contract to provide a broad range of advanced defense systems to an undisclosed European country. The contract, set to run over five years, encompasses long-range precision strike capabilities, unmanned aerial systems, and state-of-the-art intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) technologies. According to the […] The post Israel’s Elbit wins $1.6B deal from undisclosed European buyer first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Mack Defense will continue building the U.S. Army’s M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck under a new five-year contract worth up to $221.8 million for as many as 450 vehicles. The award, finalized on June 24, 2025, follows the completion of the company’s initial 2018 contract and comes just three months after Mack marked the rollout of […] The post U.S. Army to receive more heavy dump trucks first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A critical navigation component used in Shahed-series attack drones is now openly available for purchase on a major Chinese e-commerce platform, according to Ukrainian electronic warfare specialist Serhiy Beskrestnov, widely known by his callsign “Serhiy Flesh.” Beskrestnov wrote that a Chinese-made, 11-element anti-jamming antenna — long identified as a core part of the Shahed’s guidance […] The post Shahed drone navigation brain now sells online first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Lithuania’s government is preparing to allocate €461 million ($540 million) for an advance payment on its planned acquisition of German-made Leopard 2 main battle tanks, according to a draft proposal registered by the Finance Ministry on Monday. The funds will be borrowed by the state to finance the first stage of the program. Minister of […] The post Lithuania sets $540M advance for Leopard 2 tank purchase first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has released the first images of its newly acquired Dassault Rafale. The aircraft, a two-seat Rafale B carrying tail number T-0301, represents the first of 42 jets ordered by Indonesia under a 2022 contract with Dassault Aviation. According to TNI AU, the photographs were taken in Mérignac, France, where […] The post Indonesia unveils first Rafale fighter jet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukraine has released detailed footage for the first time showing Army Aviation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces intercepting Russian Shahed-type loitering munitions during nighttime operations. The video highlights a coordinated air defense tactic in which helicopter formations intercept enemy drones during recent large-scale night attacks. In the operations shown, a pair of helicopters takes off […] The post Ukrainian helicopters hunt Shahed drones in night operations first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has handed over new Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers to the Russian Ministry of Defense. According to UAC, the aircraft completed the full cycle of factory testing, were verified across multiple operating modes, and have already flown to their home airfield. The Su-34 is designed to strike ground, surface, and air targets — […] The post Russian Air Force receives new Su-34 combat aircraft first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Alas, poor American icebreakers! I knew them, Shipmate: a fellow of infinite use, of most excellent capability: he hath borne me honor, commerce, and discovery a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it! -Apologies to the Bard When you have the world’s largest navy, you soon realize you can be everywhere, all at once, because you want to. We all had fun at the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) navy and coast guard’s expense yesterday in Operation Bumper Boats, but now it is time to get back to serious things. As we discussed six months ago, the PRC is not an Arctic nation. It has, at best, a tertiary concern with the Arctic. Jus…

Russia has built a rapidly growing and effective drone industry in a short period of time, despite facing international sanctions and political pressure from Europe and the United States. By focusing on proven, low-cost, and serially produced designs, the Kremlin has been able to quickly increase output of a wide range of systems, including loitering […] The post Russian drone industry gains speed first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Israeli defense technology firm SMARTSHOOTER has secured a new order for hundreds of its SMASH 3000 fire control systems from an undisclosed Asia-Pacific customer, the company announced. The systems will be used for counter-small unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS) missions and precision engagement of ground targets. The contract follows what SMARTSHOOTER described as a period of […] The post Mystery Asian customer buys Israeli-made computerized rifle sights first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

It was only a matter of time until there was a serious incident involving Chinese bullying in the South China Sea, but I didn’t have a Red-on-Red on my betting card. “The [Chinese coastguard vessel] CCG 3104, which was chasing the [Philippine coastguard vessel] BRP Suluan at high speed, performed a risky manoeuvre from the [Philippine] vessel’s starboard quarter, leading to the impact with the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] Navy warship,” spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a statement. “This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel’s forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy,” he said. The incident occurred as the Philippine coastguard escorted boats distributing…

This fall, the U.S. Army will launch a new online marketplace for purchasing unmanned systems — an “Amazon-like” platform that will allow units to select vetted solutions by price and performance, bypassing the lengthy bureaucratic acquisition process. The U.S. Army will roll out a new online platform designed to classify and purchase unmanned aerial systems […] The post U.S. Army to launch ‘Amazon-like’ drone marketplace first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $160 million Foreign Military Sale to Canada for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and associated equipment, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced. The agency has delivered the required certification to Congress, clearing the way for the proposed transfer. According to the DSCA, the Government of Canada […] The post U.S. approves $160 million sale of JLTVs to Canada first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The United States Coast Guard has officially brought the medium icebreaker USCGC Storis (WAGB-21) into service at its Juneau, Alaska, base, marking the first acquisition of a new polar icebreaker in more than a quarter century. The ship was commissioned on August 10 as part of the Coast Guard’s effort to expand its polar fleet, […] The post USCG commissions first new polar icebreaker in 25 years first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia’s defense industry has been rocked by another corruption scandal, with federal security agents detaining a former senior manager at the country’s primary infantry fighting vehicle manufacturer, AO “Kurganmashzavod.” According to the Federal Security Service (FSB) branch in the Kurgan region, the former head of the plant’s metals department is suspected of abuse of official […] The post Russian defense industry hit by new corruption arrests first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed development trials of its new-generation Zorawar light tank and will begin user trials in September 2025, DRDO chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat said. The Zorawar, developed jointly by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), is designed to meet the Indian Army’s requirement for a highly mobile, […] The post India prepares to field new Zorawar light tank first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel sustained heavy damage Monday following a collision with a Chinese Navy warship during a tense maritime encounter with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) near Bajo de Masinloc, also known internationally as Scarborough Shoal. According to the PCG, the incident occurred as it carried out its “Kadiwa Para sa Bagong […] The post Chinese warship, Coast Guard vessel collide near disputed shoal first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

There is no better way to stay out of the summer heat than to take an hour to join us for a Midrats Podcast melee! Mark has my list of maritime and national security issues he wants to chat about, I have mine, and while we’re live you can join us in the chat room and propose your own. The best hour in national security returns live at 5pm Eastern this Sunday. You can join us at this link. If you miss the live show, check this page later Sunday on Substack and I’ll update with the podcast audio. See you soon! Leave a comment Share This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. View the full article

A British Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning II fighter jet made an emergency landing at Kagoshima Airport in southern Japan on Saturday morning after the pilot reported a potential technical issue. No injuries were reported, and the airport has since resumed normal operations. According to Kagoshima Airport officials, the incident occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. […] The post British F-35B makes emergency landing in Japan first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article