Analysis & Reports

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) deployed a unified force of 5,000 to 6,000 fighters in December 2025 to combat jihadist insurgency in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced plans for a larger regional anti-terrorist force comprising 260,000 soldiers, supported by a $2.5 billion annual budget. This situation highlights the political divide between the military juntas in the Sahel and the broader ECOWAS community.

Marie DuboisThu Mar 12 2026Loading...

Iran has begun mining the Strait of Hormuz, utilizing rocket-deployed mines and small boats, with estimates of 2,000 to 6,000 mines available. The Iranian Navy and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are actively involved in this operation, which poses a significant threat to maritime traffic. U.S. intelligence confirms the ongoing mining activities as part of Operation Epic Fury, while U.S. forces have targeted Iranian naval assets in response.

Current and former military lawyers are questioning the motives of the Secretary of Defense regarding a review of Judge Advocate Generals (JAGs). Some perceive this review as an attempt to evade accountability, with concerns raised about the timing of the action.

Taiwan's ROCS Hai Kun (SS-771) is operational in the Taiwan Strait, designed to deter potential Chinese invasions. Equipped with advanced stealth technology, it integrates Mark 48 torpedoes and Harpoon missiles for maritime defense. The submarine's capabilities enhance Taiwan's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance efforts against the People's Liberation Army Navy.

Lawmakers in the U.S. Congress introduced bipartisan legislation to fast-track medical care for veterans experiencing infertility linked to hazardous exposures during military service. The proposed bill would recognize infertility as a presumptive condition under the PACT Act, expediting access to in vitro fertilization and other treatments. This initiative aims to address the significant infertility rates among military women and reduce the lengthy claims process for veterans seeking care.

The U.S. Army is developing a weapons catalog for international sales, focusing on integrated air and missile defense, long-range fires, drones, and counter drone systems. This initiative aligns with President Trump's executive order on foreign arms sales, aiming to restructure how the U.S. sells weapons abroad. Senior Army officials are evaluating international demand and production capacity to finalize the catalog's contents.

Saab signed new collaboration agreements with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa and WB Group in Poland to enhance defense capabilities. The agreements focus on submarine maintenance and autonomous systems, contributing to security in Europe and the Baltic Sea region. This follows earlier agreements made in September 2025.

U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six is preparing for a potential raid on Kharg Island, Iran's key oil export terminal, to disrupt 90% of the country's oil exports. This operation, which may involve HALO jumps and SEAL Delivery Vehicles, poses significant risks of U.S. casualties and could impact global oil prices. The mission aims to leverage control over Iran's energy lifeline amid ongoing military operations in the region.

The Kazan submarine of the Russian Northern Fleet launched an Onyx cruise missile during a training exercise in the Barents Sea, successfully hitting a target 300 kilometers away. This event is part of the fleet's operational training plan. The Kazan is the first improved Yasen-class nuclear submarine, commissioned in May 2021.

Taiwan's Army conducted a drone combat training exercise on March 10, 2026, involving the 58th Artillery Command's UAV battalion. Soldiers utilized first-person-view attack drones in a simulated urban environment, practicing reconnaissance and precision strikes. The exercise aimed to improve drone operators' skills and develop operational concepts for unmanned systems in urban combat scenarios.

Canada is transitioning from its aging Victoria-class submarines to a new fleet of 12 submarines, evaluating options from Germany's TKMS Type 212CD and South Korea's Hanwha KSS-III. The Canadian government plans to award a contract by the end of the year, with the first deliveries expected in the 2030s. This procurement aims to enhance Canada's naval capabilities, particularly in the Arctic region.

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Ursa Major conducted a successful test flight of the Affordable Rapid Missile Demonstrator (ARMD) in the United States, achieving supersonic speeds. This flight validated operational concepts for the missile powered by the Draper liquid rocket engine, emphasizing advancements in rapidly deployable missile technologies. The project showcases collaboration between AFRL and private industry to develop cost-effective missile systems.

Four Skydio X10D drone systems were stolen from the 326th Division Engineer Battalion at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, between November 21 and 24, 2025. The Army Criminal Investigation Division announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. Investigators released images of two suspects and two vehicles potentially involved in the theft.

The USS George H.W. Bush is set to deploy to the eastern Mediterranean, joining the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln in operations against Iranian military infrastructure. This deployment enhances U.S. naval capabilities in the region, allowing for hundreds of strike sorties daily and increasing deterrence against Iranian actions, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.

Damen Shipyards Group and FN Herstal signed a memorandum of understanding in Herstal, Belgium, on 12 March 2026, to collaborate on developing advanced maritime defense solutions, including unmanned surface vessels. This partnership aims to meet the operational requirements of the Belgian and Dutch navies and support NATO and European defense initiatives. The agreement reflects a commitment to innovation and sustainable industrial growth in the defense sector.

Russia's Progress helicopter plant evaluated the production of 48 Ka-52M helicopters for a foreign customer, identified only as '156', potentially linked to China. Internal documents detail production schedules, component supply, and pricing for the helicopters, with a planned manufacturing timeline from 2025 to 2027. The inquiry remains unverified, and the specific identity of the foreign customer has not been confirmed.

The USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125) became operational on October 25, 2023, marking a significant milestone for the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers. These advanced warships, equipped with the Raytheon AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar and Aegis Baseline 10 combat system, enhance U.S. naval capabilities. A total of 24 Flight III destroyers have been ordered, with 15 under construction, reinforcing the Navy's surface dominance in maritime operations.

Anduril is prototyping the Dive-XL autonomous submarine for the US Navy as part of the Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform Project (CAMP) in Washington. The contract requires a long-range demonstration within four months. The Dive-XL is similar to the Ghost Shark XL-AUVs being delivered to the Royal Australian Navy and aims to enhance interoperability with allied forces.

The B-21 Raider successfully completed an aerial refueling operation with a KC-135R Stratotanker on March 10, 2026, marking a significant milestone in its preparation for active duty in 2027. The U.S. Air Force plans to station the B-21 at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, with an expected production of at least 100 units, each costing $550 million and capable of nuclear and conventional strikes.

The US Army has approved the M111 Offensive Hand Grenade for full material release, marking the first new lethal hand grenade to reach this stage since 1968.