Analysis & Reports

Elbit Systems announced a $750 million contract to supply PULS artillery rocket systems to the Hellenic Armed Forces, with the contract set to last four years and include ten years of support. The systems will be produced in collaboration with local Greek industries, enhancing military cooperation between Israel and Greece. This contract underscores the growing reputation of the PULS system among NATO countries.

Elbit Systems has been awarded a $750 million contract to supply the Precise & Universal Launching System (PULS) artillery to the Hellenic Armed Forces in Greece.

Russia continues its offensive operations against Ukraine as of April 2026, launching missile barrages and artillery fire while sustaining significant equipment losses. NATO has reinforced its eastern flank with military exercises involving 15,500 troops in Northern Europe and 32,500 troops in the Arctic. Ukrainian forces have regained territory through counteroffensive operations, despite heavy personnel losses. The expiration of the New START treaty has further complicated the strategic landscape.

Dmitri VolkovTue Apr 07 2026Loading...

Raytheon was awarded a contract worth up to $708.9 million on April 6, 2026, to produce the Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (StormBreaker) for eight NATO partners and South Korea. The production will take place in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by March 6, 2030. This precision-guided weapon is designed to engage moving targets in poor weather, enhancing the operational capabilities of allied air forces.

France and Germany are in a critical dispute over the leadership of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, which has 2-3 weeks to resolve differences or face collapse. Dassault Aviation's CEO warned that the project is 'dead' without Airbus's cooperation. The initiative aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet to enhance European defense capabilities by 2040, amidst ongoing tensions and differing military requirements between the nations.

Israel will supply PULS rocket artillery systems to Greece for $750 million. The deal includes dozens of launchers and rockets with ranges of 25 to 186 miles and is part of a growing defense cooperation between the two nations. The PULS systems are expected to be delivered over the next four years, along with support and maintenance services from Elbit Systems.

Leopard 2 tanks are underperforming in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, due to the effectiveness of drone warfare. These tanks have faced significant losses from drones, artillery, and anti-tank guided munitions. The ongoing conflict highlights a gap between traditional tank capabilities and modern battlefield requirements, necessitating a shift towards integrated military systems.

Greece formally acquired the PULS rocket artillery system from Israeli defense firm Elbit in a $750 million deal. The agreement, signed by the Israeli and Greek defense ministries, includes launchers, precision-guided rockets, and loitering munitions, and reflects a strengthening of military cooperation between the two nations. The contract also involves a ten-year support period and local production collaboration with Greek industries.

The Israeli Air Force struck Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps helicopters at Fat’h Heliport in Karaj, Iran, using Delilah cruise missiles. The strikes destroyed Mi-17V-5 and Mi-171E helicopters, including at least one that was non-operational. This operation demonstrates Israel's capability to target military assets deep within Iranian territory, impacting the IRGC's rotary-wing capacity.

Britain is converting 148 Challenger 2 tanks into Challenger 3 tanks, with live-fire trials completed in January 2026. The British Army anticipates Initial Operating Capability by 2027 and full operational capability by 2030. The strategic context is shifting as discussions about U.S. withdrawal from NATO raise concerns about Europe's need for increased armored capabilities.

Fire Point is developing a new air defense system aimed for launch by 2027, targeting a cost reduction for intercepting ballistic missiles. The company is also advancing its missile production, including the FP-7 and FP-9, while seeking investment from a Middle Eastern firm. This initiative is part of Ukraine's broader strategy to enhance its defense capabilities amid ongoing conflicts.

Fire Point is developing a new low-cost air defense system and two supersonic ballistic missiles, aiming for deployment by 2027. The company is in discussions with European firms for collaboration and is awaiting government approval for a significant investment from a Middle Eastern conglomerate. Fire Point's innovations are driven by battlefield experience and aim to provide alternatives to existing systems like the Patriot.

Airmen from the 39th Security Forces Squadron completed CROWS certification training at Aviano Air Base on March 26, 2026, adding ten qualified operators to Incirlik Air Base's defense network. This training enhances the unit's combat readiness and allows for improved engagement of threats from a protected position. The CROWS system increases the lethality and survivability of security forces, addressing evolving threats, including small unmanned aerial systems.

Russian forces intensified their offensive operations in the Donbas region, achieving significant territorial gains, particularly in the Luhansk People's Republic, as of April 2026. The Russian Defense Ministry announced the completion of the 'liberation' of Luhansk, with over 99% under their control. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces executed successful strikes against Russian positions, demonstrating resilience despite facing overwhelming odds.

Dmitri VolkovMon Apr 06 2026Loading...

Saab has secured a $273 million order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration for a mobile and modular counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) in Sweden. This procurement highlights the ongoing development and enhancement of Sweden's defense capabilities against unmanned aerial threats.

Greece secured a $750 million contract with Elbit Systems to acquire PULS rocket systems, enhancing its long-range artillery capabilities. The contract spans four years, with an additional ten years of support, and includes cooperation with Greek industry for production. This acquisition aligns with NATO's modernization efforts amid rising interest in precision artillery systems following the war in Ukraine.

The UK Ministry of Defence has launched a market engagement activity to find technologies capable of detecting and defeating fibre-optic controlled drones, with submissions due by April 21, 2026. This initiative marks the first public acknowledgment of the operational threat posed by these drones, which are immune to conventional countermeasures. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the effectiveness of this technology, prompting the UK to seek innovative solutions.

The British Army is initiating a procurement process for approximately 60 vehicle-mounted 120mm hinged mortar systems under Project STOKES, with the Jackal 3 Extenda as the assumed platform. The Request for Information outlines timelines for supplier engagement, including a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire in December 2025 and an Invitation to Tender in January 2026. This project aims to enhance the fire support capabilities of infantry units in the UK.

Fire Point is developing an air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) based on its FP-9 platform in Ukraine. This new missile will enhance the strike range beyond the existing 800 kilometers of the ground-launched version. The ALBM's design aims to protect Ukrainian aircraft from Russian air defenses by allowing strikes from standoff distances. This development highlights the growth of Ukraine's defense industry since the onset of the conflict with Russia.

Russian forces struck Ukrainian military airports and infrastructure on the 5th, while Ukrainian forces reported shooting down over 2000 drones and attacking Russian troop concentrations. The Russian military claimed to have downed 5 guided bombs and 293 drones during these operations. Ukrainian military operations have reportedly made progress in the Alexandrovsk direction since late January.