Analysis & Reports

Rheinmetall Naval Systems Division has been awarded a multi-year maintenance contract for four LNG-powered customs vessels. The maintenance will take place at berths in Lubmin, Neustadt i.H., Wilhelmshaven, and Emden, ensuring comprehensive support for technical issues. This contract strengthens Rheinmetall's service business and enhances cooperation with the Federal Customs Administration.

Advanced Navigation secured an $18.5 million supply agreement with KONGSBERG on September 22, 2026, to provide hundreds of Boreas Fiber-Optic Gyroscope Inertial Navigation Systems for integration into KONGSBERG’s PROTECTOR Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems. These systems will be delivered to the Polish Armaments Agency, enhancing air defense capabilities against low-cost drone attacks in contested environments.

BAE Systems delivered two Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles (AMPVs) equipped with 30mm cannons to the U.S. Army's Transformation in Contact (TiC) unit in April 2023. These vehicles were developed in six months and are designed for advanced battlefield capabilities, including counter-drone systems and enhanced situational awareness. The TiC unit has begun rigorous field evaluations to assess their performance.

Gogo Special Missions and Insitu announced the successful completion of testing a new high-speed satellite connectivity solution for Group 3 Uncrewed Aerial Systems in Broomfield on 22 September 2026. The Gogo Galileo HDX antenna has been optimized for the Integrator UAS, enhancing command and control capabilities and enabling efficient data transmission. This collaboration aims to meet the demands of the expanding Group 3 UAS market with a turnkey solution.

Houthi forces regained control of strategic coastal areas in Yemen, including the Bab el Mandeb Strait, in September 2023. They are employing advanced drone tactics against Saudi Arabia, which has failed to effectively counter these advances. This situation has disrupted global shipping routes and highlighted the weaknesses of the Saudi-led coalition.

Australia plans to allow Japan's Self-Defense Forces to use its test ranges for missile testing, including hypersonic weapons, following an agreement made in August 2026. This move reflects a deepening defense cooperation between the two nations amid Japan's concerns over U.S. reliability. The Woomera test range in South Australia is expected to be a key site for these tests, as Japan develops advanced long-range strike capabilities.

The United States plans to establish two new military bases in Greenland, Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, to enhance NATO's operational capabilities in the Arctic. This agreement, signed on September 22, 2026, during the UN General Assembly, aims to redistribute Arctic responsibilities among NATO allies. Currently, approximately 150 U.S. military personnel are stationed at Pituffik Space Base, which will remain the primary U.S. military site in Greenland.

Dr. Klaus WeberWed Sep 23 2026Loading...

Roketsan's KARAOK anti-tank missile successfully struck a target drone in Türkiye on September 23. This marks the first time the missile, designed for ground targets, has been adapted for aerial engagement. The KARAOK missile can be launched from a turret on a light tactical vehicle, enhancing its operational flexibility. Malaysia has contracted to purchase the KARAOK system, indicating international interest in this new capability.

NATO is conducting large-scale naval exercises in the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, involving the UK Carrier Strike Group and other allied forces. The exercises, named 'Strike Warrior', focus on the coordinated use of unmanned systems, including surface vessels, submersibles, and drones. These operations aim to protect undersea infrastructure and prepare for potential engagements with Russian naval forces. The exercises began on September 21, 2023.

Ukrainian forces achieved victories in counteroffensive operations, regaining control of two villages north of Lyman on September 20, 2023. They targeted Russian drone operators and supply lines, disrupting logistics and enhancing their own air defense and electronic warfare capabilities. This led to a temporary 'anti-drone dome' that hindered Russian reconnaissance and attack capabilities.

Representatives from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso unified their military efforts under the Sahel Alliance (AES) on September 22, 2026. Turkey is supplying Bayraktar drones to enhance AES's military capabilities, aiming to provide a visible military presence without the political costs of Western deployments. However, the effectiveness of these drones is contingent on integrated intelligence and ground operations to counter groups like JNIM and ISIS.

Marie DuboisWed Sep 23 2026Loading...

Creotech Instruments plans to quadruple its satellite production capacity from 10 to over 40 satellites per year by 2029 in Warsaw, Poland. The company has secured a significant contract for the MikroGlob program, which includes the delivery of four earth observation microsatellites. Creotech is also building a new factory to support this expansion and is closely involved with the European Space Agency.

Russia urged Japan to withdraw the U.S. Tienfeng missile system following the conclusion of the 'Orient Shield 26' joint military exercise on September 24, 2023. Japan confirmed that the Tienfeng system will remain in the country, raising concerns about regional security and a potential arms race in Northeast Asia. The Tienfeng system, capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, has been a point of contention between Russia and Japan.

Japan is planning to construct 130 new ammunition depots between 2027 and 2032, primarily in Hokkaido, Kyoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, and Okinawa. These depots will store new missile systems, including the Type 25 glide missile and Tomahawk cruise missiles, indicating a significant shift in Japan's military posture. This expansion is viewed as a response to regional tensions and reflects Japan's growing military ambitions.

Global Military Products was awarded a $19.5 million contract by U.S. Special Operations Command on September 21 to supply non-standard weapons and equipment. The contract allows GMP to compete for delivery orders over five years, focusing on foreign-made military equipment, including Soviet-era arms. This follows their previous successful contract with USSOCOM, highlighting their capability in sourcing and delivering critical defense equipment.

Oshen is testing six C-Star sailboats equipped with hydrophones during the REPMUS26 exercise in Portugal to establish an acoustic picket line for submarine detection. This innovative approach aims to enhance undersea surveillance capabilities, particularly in the strategically important GIUK Gap. The exercise also evaluates the integration of these systems with NATO command and control.

BAE Systems delivered two AMPV 30 prototypes armed with Kongsberg’s Medium Caliber Turret to the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, in April 2023. The prototypes underwent field evaluations, including live-fire testing, by the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment. These vehicles feature advanced systems such as counter-drone detection and a 360-degree camera system, but the Army has not yet committed to purchasing them.

Nine Chinese military aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line on September 23, entering Taiwan's air defense identification zone. In response, Taiwan deployed its own aircraft and naval vessels, activating coastal missile systems for monitoring. This incident reflects a pattern of increasing military pressure from the PLA, with Taiwan facing heightened operational demands.

Li MinghuiWed Sep 23 2026Loading...

Ukrainian drones struck Russian oil refineries in Moscow and Samara in September 2026, disrupting production and logistics. This campaign is part of a broader strategy to target Russian fuel infrastructure, increasing operational challenges for the Russian military. The effectiveness of Russian air defenses is questioned as they struggle to protect multiple facilities simultaneously.

Dmitri VolkovWed Sep 23 2026Loading...

European air forces are shifting their focus towards unmanned systems, moving away from manned sixth-generation fighters. This trend reflects a growing interest in drone technology and its potential impact on military operations. Experts from Breaking Defense highlight this evolution in airpower strategy.