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Germany’s Bundeswehr has commissioned Rheinmetall to deliver more than 1,000 new logistics vehicles under a procurement package valued at approximately €770 million ($891million). According to a company statement, the order includes 963 swap-body trucks—some equipped with protected driver cabins—and an additional 425 unprotected transport vehicles (UTVs) in both 4×4 and 8×8 configurations. In total, the […] The post Germany orders around 1,400 military trucks from Rheinmetall first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Slovakia-based defense manufacturer DefTech has released a new image of its Wolf 25 AD counter-drone combat vehicle, positioning the platform as a critical solution for today’s fast-evolving air threat environment. The company said the system has already completed successful trials and is currently deployed in Ukraine, where it continues to receive positive operational feedback. In […] The post DefTech releases new image of its drone hunter vehicle first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed Monday that its special operations unit “A” conducted a drone strike on the Russian-occupied Saky military airfield in Crimea overnight, damaging and destroying multiple combat aircraft and a stockpile of aviation munitions. According to an official statement released on August 4, unmanned aerial vehicles operated by the SBU successfully penetrated […] The post Ukrainian strike destroys Russian fighter jet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A new image circulating on Chinese social media appears to show another next-generation combat aircraft undergoing flight testing—marking the third such design spotted in recent months, and underscoring China’s rapid expansion of its advanced airpower programs. The photo, which lacks a confirmed location or timestamp, shows a sharp-edged delta-wing aircraft with a distinct elongated nose […] The post New Chinese stealth aircraft spotted in test flight first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Shield AI is expanding its presence in Ukraine, where its autonomous systems are being tested under live combat conditions. In a recent message, James Lythgoe, Shield AI’s Ukraine managing director and a former U.K. Royal Marin, outlined the company’s efforts to support Ukrainian forces through on-the-ground operations, combat-driven innovation, and close cooperation with frontline units. […] The post Shield AI expands frontline role in Ukraine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea’s military is under investigation over allegations that armed Apache helicopters conducted provocative flight operations near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) last year, accompanied by false radio transmissions suggesting imminent strikes on North Korean territory. The operations, reportedly ordered by higher command, are now part of a broader probe into whether Seoul sought to […] The post Seoul accused of using Apache helicopters to provoke North Korea first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The United Arab Emirates is reportedly supplying Chinese-made FK-2000 short-range air defense systems to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) via Chad, according to a report published Sunday by Clash Report. The FK-2000, developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), is designed to counter a variety of aerial threats, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise […] The post UAE sends Chinese air defense systems to Sudan’s RSF first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Despite acquiring hundreds of M1 Abrams main battle tanks over the past two years, Poland currently lacks the infrastructure to maintain the fleet’s gas turbine engines—a critical shortfall that defense officials now acknowledge was not fully addressed during the procurement process. In an interview with Gazeta Prawna, Dr. Jacek Goszczyński, Director of Military Aviation Plant […] The post Poland faces Abrams engine maintenance gap first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

It’s time to catch up on the latest issues on the maritime and national security front and get out of the summer heat. Midrats goes LIVE today at 5pm Eastern in our free-for-all format. Hop in the show chat room and offer your topics and question…or observations of the topics we’ll discuss. You can join live at this link, but if you are reading this after the show, just check this Substack post later Sunday when I’ll update this page with the podcast. COME JOIN US! 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

New images of the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), a Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer, have reignited scrutiny across social media over the operational condition and long-term viability of the U.S. Navy’s most advanced surface combatant. Photos taken during a recent port visit to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Japan show extensive discoloration, corrosion streaks, and visible […] The post U.S. stealth destroyer’s condition shocks social media first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea’s domestically developed KF-21 Boramae is emerging as a potential candidate for India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, as New Delhi looks to address ongoing gaps in its combat air fleet. According to Indian defense media reports published on August 1, the KF-21 is being evaluated amid growing interest from the Indian Air Force […] The post India may buy South Korea’s KF-21 fighter jet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea’s Army has conducted a live demonstration of an airborne FPV kamikaze drone launch from a KUH-1 Surion helicopter, testing its ability to intercept aerial targets in flight. The drill involved ejecting an FPV (First-Person View) drone, equipped with a live explosive charge, from a Surion utility helicopter. Once airborne, the drone was remotely […] The post South Korea tests kamikaze drone launch from helicopter first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pakistan Army has formally inducted its first batch of Chinese-made Z-10ME attack helicopters during a ceremony held at the Multan Army Aviation Base. Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir oversaw the ceremony and personally inspected one of the newly delivered helicopters. During the event, he was seen warmly greeting Chinese personnel involved […] The post Pakistan inducts Chinese-made Z-10ME attack helicopters first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a $139.6 million contract modification for continued production of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), a key platform replacing aging M113s across Armored Brigade Combat Teams. The award, announced under contract W56HZV-23-C-0024, brings the total value of the AMPV program to over $2.28 billion. According to the Department of […] The post U.S. Army buys more AMPV tracked vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army has awarded software firm Palantir a $10 billion enterprise agreement aimed at consolidating and expanding its role across multiple defense programs involving artificial intelligence, data integration, and digital battlefield systems. The firm-fixed-price contract was issued on July 31 by Army Contracting Command at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, under solicitation number W519TC-25-D-0039. The […] The post Palantir wins $10B U.S. Army AI contract first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a $9.5 billion contract to increase production of its AGM-158 series of long-range missiles. According to a company statement issued on July 31, the contract supports increased deliveries of both the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), two of the U.S. military’s most […] The post Pentagon awards $9.5B to Lockheed for long-range missiles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The KHAN ballistic missile system, developed by Türkiye’s Roketsan, was spotted at an Indonesian Army installation in East Kalimantan. The missile platform, identified as the ITBM-600, was seen at the Raipur A base of the 18th Field Artillery Battalion (Yonarmed 18/Buritkang Tenggarong) on August 1, 2025. This was first reported by the defense-focused platform Sahabat […] The post Indonesia receives first KHAN ballistic missile system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

In the early hours of August 2, a wave of explosions rocked several Russian regions as Ukraine launched a retaliatory drone strike against military and strategic industrial targets deep inside Russian territory. The operation, reportedly in response to a deadly Russian missile barrage on Ukrainian cities on July 31, targeted oil refineries, electronics manufacturing sites, […] The post Massive Ukrainian strike hits deep inside Russia first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia’s Su-57 Felon stealth fighter has been armed with hypersonic weapons, according to a senior military official. Speaking to the state-owned Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, Lieutenant General Alexander Maksimtsev, Chief of the Main Staff and First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, said the fifth-generation Su-57 is now equipped with “modern aviation strike systems and […] The post Russia arms Su-57 fighter with hypersonic weapon first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

While following a series of posts on X by Dr. Phil Weir about the last couple of decades’ struggle in the Royal Navy’s frigate programs, I remembered a 2011 post of mine about the 2011 foolishness in Libya that, in a way, read like an OG FbF ... and figured, let's bring the story of HMS Liverpool (D92), a little more than a year before her decommissioning to the Front Porch so we can see the proper use of a main gun for all the new readers. Often here we have comments about how, "nAvAl GunZ uR oBSolEt3" ... well, of course they are not — as the recent events in the Red Sea against attack drones proved. Let's head off the coast of Libya ... and do so with a 2011 mindset; Commander Colin Williams said: ‘It was a good old fashioned ding-dong. The enemy fire was coming in pretty close. It was fairly close-range stuff but we’ve trained for this and we were ready to win the fight. Repeat after me: "There is no more important weapon on a warship than its main gun battery." Translate that into Latin and we'll put it in to Autotune for 'ya and make it a Gregorian Chant. Heck, we'll put it on t-shirts and sell them. The Portsmouth-based destroyer was just six miles off the coast of Gaddafi-held territory when she came under a barrage of rockets and heavy calibre machine gunfire yesterday. But the Libyan forces were no match for her 4.5in gun, which silenced the attack within half an hour with no casualties or damage to the ship. ... Cdr Williams said: ‘We had a couple of contacts moving down the coast. The other two ships went in to investigate and we sent up our helicopter in support. ‘Then they started getting fired on by the vessels and from the shore and it all got a bit hairy from there.’ As her helicopter dodged gunfire, Liverpool fired an opening salvo and manoeuvred into position to take on the shore battalion. The captain said: ‘It took us about 20 or 30 minutes to bring it to an end. ... He revealed he was actually asleep when the attack began at 2am yesterday. He said: ‘I was woken as we prepared and it was very humbling to see my ship’s company working so calmly and quietly. Exactly. Though the shore-duty theorists with their transformationalist fetish continue to ignore facts that interfere with their religion - history & reality - their worst enemy - continue to tell us what you need to get right in your warships. This time it is Libya - and again - it is the Royal Navy (what is left of her) that tells us what we need to know. Other things to go with our chant: 1. As Seaman Murphy gundecks PMS and his brother at the factory has quality control issues - it is best à la SPRUANCE & TICO to have two main batteries. 2. Larger isn't better, it is essential. Beancounters, men insecure with their manhood, and the non-battleminded like small caliber weapons. Those who need to kill or be killed know that if a 3" will do - a 5" is needed. If a 5" will fit, an 8" should be there instead. If you think I am nuts, just ask a Marine. If you think he is nuts - tell him to his face, please. You will close the shore - you will be shot at - you will need to shoot back. Make sure those who have a comfortable commute and a comfortable home build you the ships you need - not the ones they think are neat. 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

Poland has signed an executive agreement with South Korea to deliver 180 K2 main battle tanks to the Polish Armed Forces, marking a pivotal step in the reestablishment of tank manufacturing within the country after more than a decade. According to Poland’s Ministry of National Defense, the agreement includes the first batch of tanks in […] The post Poland signs K2 tank localization deal with South Korea first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A new prototype aircraft spotted at Hongdu Aviation Industry Group’s facilities in Nanchang has fueled speculation that China is developing a naval variant of an advanced jet trainer modeled after the U.S.-built T-7A Red Hawk. Images and recently published design patents from China’s National Intellectual Property Administration indicate that the new jet, while externally resembling […] The post China develops new carrier-based jet trainer first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

MBDA, Europe’s largest missile maker, has completed delivery of the first batch of ASTER air defense missiles under a high-priority accelerated production program, fulfilling urgent operational needs for France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. According to OpexNews, this milestone comes just under 30 months after the initial order, well ahead of standard pre-war production […] The post Europe’s top missile maker ramps up production first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The French defense procurement agency, Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), has conducted a new series of trials aimed at validating software upgrades to the MURIN battlefield surveillance radar developed by Thales. According to a public release by DGA, the testing campaign took place at the DGA Maîtrise de l’information test center and utilized the mobile […] The post French military tests upgraded Murin radar first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The German government has announced plans to deliver two additional Patriot air defense batteries to Ukraine. The first components, including launchers, are set to arrive within days, with complete system elements to follow in the next two to three months. According to a press release from the German Ministry of Defense, the delivery is structured […] The post Ukraine to receive more Patriot systems from Germany first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article