Analysis & Reports

On June 2, 2025, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced that defense exports reached a record high of approximately $19.2 billion, a nearly 30% increase from 2024. Intergovernmental sales constituted over half of this total, amounting to around $10 billion. This marks the fifth consecutive year of record sales, with European countries being the largest purchasers of Israeli defense products.

The U.S. Navy awarded a $100 million contract to Northrop Grumman for the GQM-163A Coyote supersonic sea-skimming target missile program, ensuring realistic training against threats from China and Russia through May 2031. The program, which began in 2000, is crucial for maintaining naval readiness and includes operational support and flight trajectory planning. The Coyote missile simulates the attack profiles of modern anti-ship missiles, enhancing the effectiveness of U.S. and allied naval defense systems.

A cargo ship named 'Sparta' transported military supplies from St. Petersburg to Tartus, Syria, arriving in May 2024. This marks the first supply delivery to the Hmeimim Air Base since the regime change in December 2024. Russian naval vessels provided escort for the ship during its transit through the Mediterranean Sea.

Britain ordered hundreds of Lightweight Multirole Missiles from Thales to enhance air defense capabilities in the Middle East. The contracts, worth £36 million, were placed by the National Armaments Director Group, with deliveries expected to start soon and continue through 2026. The LMM has proven effective in combat, successfully intercepting over 100 drones in recent months.

The U.S. Navy's USS Millius is actively participating in a maritime blockade against Iran as of May 31. This operation has forced 118 commercial vessels to alter their routes and incapacitated 5 vessels, impacting a total of 123 vessels.

NATO is enhancing its communications strategy to ensure resilience and interoperability among its forces on the Eastern Flank. This involves integrating private 5G networks within a hybrid communications ecosystem to address challenges posed by uneven infrastructure and electromagnetic warfare. The focus is on maintaining command and control continuity as forces operate across diverse environments and technologies.

The European Aspides mission is expanding to include four ships to enhance protection for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as of May 28, 2026. This expansion aims to address the challenges posed by Iranian military threats and ensure freedom of navigation in a critical global energy corridor. The mission currently operates with limited naval assets, highlighting the logistical difficulties faced by European forces in the region.

Ahmed Al-RashidSat May 30 2026Loading...

The U.S. Army is sending jailbroken systems to the Middle East as part of Operation Jailbreak, an ongoing hackathon aimed at improving interoperability among military systems. This initiative, which began in early May and will conclude on June 6, involves the integration of 23,000 pieces of equipment to enhance command and control capabilities. The effort is influenced by lessons learned from Ukrainian military operations and aims to rapidly deploy new technologies in response to ongoing conflicts.

Lockheed Martin was awarded a $180 million contract to provide maintenance and support for HIMARS and MLRS systems to foreign military customers. This contract, announced on May 28, 2023, will run through May 30, 2031, and aims to ensure operational readiness for countries including Ukraine, Poland, and Australia. The HIMARS system has significantly impacted modern warfare, particularly in Ukraine, leading to increased global demand for the artillery system.

The U.S. is pausing foreign military sales to Taiwan, impacting its air defense capabilities amid ongoing military operations in the Middle East. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported increased PLA aircraft activity near the island, raising concerns about its defense readiness. The U.S. received 172 Patriot interceptors in FY 2026 but has expended over 1,000 in the Iran conflict, highlighting a significant logistical challenge for Taiwan's defense strategy.

Marcus ChenFri May 29 2026Loading...

The Pentagon and SpaceX are engaged in a dispute over increased fees for satellite services during the Iran conflict. SpaceX has proposed higher charges for military-grade Starlink services, which the Pentagon ultimately accepted, nearly doubling the costs for LUCAS drones. This situation highlights the Pentagon's growing reliance on SpaceX for critical military communications.

The Gulf states are facing a significant missile defense gap due to the depletion of U.S. stocks of Patriot and THAAD missiles after the Iran war, with replenishment not expected until 2029. Saudi Arabia has a pending order for 360 THAAD missiles, while the UAE has purchased 96 Patriot missiles, both of which have been heavily utilized. This situation raises concerns about the Gulf's defense capabilities and reliance on U.S. military support.

Ahmed Al-RashidFri May 29 2026Loading...

The U.S. conducted a 38-day bombing campaign against Iran, hitting over 12,000 targets and depleting its munitions stockpiles, including over 1,000 Tomahawk missiles and up to 290 THAAD interceptors. The Center for Strategic International Studies estimates it will take at least three years to restore these critical weapons systems to prewar levels, creating a window of vulnerability for potential conflicts. The Pentagon has acknowledged the significant costs and the ongoing need to expand production capacity.

IMCO Group announced advancements in defense technologies on 27 May 2026 in Caesarea, Israel. The company is enhancing its Situational Awareness Video System (SAVS) and developing new user interfaces for armored vehicles. Additionally, IMCO is expanding its Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) and optimizing designs for better production scalability.

The Israeli Air Force received its first KC-46 tanker today, enhancing its air refueling capabilities. This delivery is part of a larger order of six KC-46 tankers, with the remaining expected by 2027. The upgrade is critical for Israel's operations against regional threats, particularly in light of its aging refueling fleet and the need for increased domestic capabilities.

Elbit Systems acquired Blue White Robotics to enhance its military and security vehicle autonomy capabilities. The acquisition focuses on converting conventional vehicles into unmanned platforms, leveraging over 100,000 autonomous operating hours. This move aims to integrate various robotic systems into a unified command-and-control framework, addressing the growing demand for scalable, AI-powered autonomy in defense applications.

SpaceX increased the monthly service fee for LUCAS drones used by the U.S. military from $5,000 to $25,000 amid ongoing military operations in Iran. The U.S. Department of Defense agreed to the price hike, which raised operational costs significantly. SpaceX's Starshield service, intended for military use, is distinct from its civilian Starlink service, and the Pentagon is exploring additional orders for Starshield terminals.

Global peacekeeping personnel numbers have dropped to 78,633 by December 2025, marking a 25-year low, primarily due to funding crises and geopolitical tensions. The United Nations remains the main organizer of peacekeeping efforts, leading 18 missions, while regional organizations struggle with capacity and funding issues. The US has taken significant actions questioning the future of several UN missions, exacerbating the situation.

The Pentagon agreed to increased payments to SpaceX for Starlink services used in military operations against Iran, following disputes over pricing. As of February 28, 2023, the Pentagon is considering purchasing over 3,500 Starshield terminal subscriptions, including higher-priced options for aviation use. Starlink technology has become essential for U.S. military operations, particularly in supporting drone systems like the LUCAS.

The U.S. Navy is quietly assisting ships, including a Greek oil tanker carrying 2 million barrels of oil, through the Strait of Hormuz. This operation involves over a dozen vessels and is part of ongoing U.S. military efforts in the region. However, the U.S. Central Command has clarified that the previously announced 'Freedom Plan' for stranded ships has not been resumed, despite earlier reports.