Analysis & Reports

The U.S. military is exploring the Squire Autonomous Seaglider for military and humanitarian operations, focusing on its capabilities for cargo delivery and multi-mission support. Developed by REGENT, the seaglider can operate in contested maritime environments, enhancing logistics and special operations without relying on traditional infrastructure. It features a top speed of 70 knots and an operational range of about 100 nautical miles, making it suitable for remote coastal areas.

Napoleon's Grande Armée, consisting of around 600,000 men, faced significant logistical challenges during his military campaigns from 1812 to 1815. Key defeats at the Battle of Leipzig and the Battle of Waterloo led to the collapse of his empire. The retreat from Russia was catastrophic, with severe losses due to hunger and disease. Ultimately, coalition forces and strategic miscalculations contributed to his downfall.

DRASS delivered two Swimmer Delivery Vehicles to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia on 27 February 2026. This delivery marks a significant enhancement of the Indonesian Navy's underwater capabilities, featuring advanced autonomous systems and comprehensive training for operators. The successful execution of this delivery involved collaboration with partners CSG and Republik Palindo, emphasizing DRASS's commitment to modern naval solutions.

The keel-laying ceremony for the first U212NFS submarine for the Italian Navy took place at the Muggiano shipyard on February 2, 2026. This event marks the beginning of a program to construct four submarines, with delivery expected by 2029. The U212NFS class introduces advanced technologies aimed at enhancing stealth and operational capabilities.

Lockheed Martin demonstrated its Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) prototype at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, on February 27, 2026, during the Lightning Surge 2 exercise. The U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division utilized the NGC2 capabilities to execute live fire operations with HIMARS rockets and M777 howitzers, integrating various data sources for enhanced targeting and logistics. This exercise showcased the effectiveness of AI-powered systems in real-time military operations.

Ukrainian Armed Forces have received over 2,200 Senator armored vehicles, which are being used for troop movement and logistics protection in Ukraine. The procurement of these vehicles is influenced by their battlefield performance and operational flexibility. The Senator's design accommodates lower-quality fuel, enhancing its utility in wartime conditions, while its rapid production supports ongoing military needs.

ST Engineering announced a €315m contract with Barzan Maintenance Shield to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for military land platforms supporting the Qatar Emiri Land Forces. The contract, which will commence in the second quarter of 2026, includes the implementation of digitalized MRO processes and aims to enhance operational readiness through improved lifecycle management.

Hanwha Aerospace delivered the first AS9 self-propelled howitzers from its facility in Geelong, Australia, on February 26, 2024. This marks the beginning of a total delivery of 30 AS9 howitzers and 15 AS10 ammunition resupply vehicles, part of Australia's modernization efforts for long-range fire support. The H-ACE facility is designed to enhance local production capabilities and support defense needs across the Indo-Pacific region.

The British Army continues to maintain its Watchkeeper drone fleet, with maintenance costs approaching 75% of the budget allocated for its replacement. This decision reflects ongoing financial concerns regarding military equipment retention.

ST Engineering secured a €315 million contract to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for military land platforms to the Qatar Emiri Land Forces, commencing in the second quarter of 2026. The contract includes the implementation of digitalized MRO processes and aims to enhance operational readiness and lifecycle management of military equipment in Qatar.

Rheinmetall Mobile Systeme GmbH signed a contract with the Danish Ministry of Defence for five Role 2 field hospitals at the end of 2025. The contract, valued in the mid double-digit million euro range, includes three Role 2B and two Role 2E hospitals, with delivery scheduled within two years. These hospitals are designed for rapid deployment and include advanced medical capabilities suitable for military operations.

Ukrainian forces executed successful counteroffensives, liberating approximately 183 square kilometers in the Kupyansk area and gaining 165 square kilometers in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia oblasts between mid-December 2025 and late February 2026. Russia's military faces increasing vulnerabilities, with casualty rates surpassing recruitment for the first time since 2022, while the Kremlin continues to allocate significant resources to sustain its war effort. Ukraine has also strengthened defense industrial cooperation with European partners.

Dmitri VolkovFri Feb 27 2026Loading...

The U.S. has deployed its largest military presence in the Persian Gulf since 2003, including two aircraft carrier strike groups and over 150 combat aircraft, amid escalating tensions with Iran. Concurrently, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps conducted military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, demonstrating missile capabilities. Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have stated they will not permit their territory to be used for U.S. strikes on Iran, complicating the regional security landscape.

Ahmed Al-RashidFri Feb 27 2026Loading...

The United States Marine Corps implemented new body composition standards requiring Marines to maintain a waist-to-height ratio of 0.52 or less, effective January 1, 2024. Marines will be evaluated biannually, and those who meet high fitness scores may receive allowances despite not meeting the new ratio. The changes aim to balance health and performance among Marines, with a transition to bioelectrical impedance analysis for body fat evaluation.

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) reported significant cost overruns and delays in its major construction projects, with costs rising to $4.8 billion and delays extending to 30 years as of June 2025. NNSA is currently managing 28 projects, with nine expected to exceed budget by at least 20 percent. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has made multiple recommendations to improve project management, many of which remain unaddressed.

The 25th Infantry Division is enhancing its command-and-control platform to better manage battlefield data and automate processes. This initiative includes collaboration with Lockheed Martin and Palantir to improve data flow control. The division aims to streamline operations, reducing the time from adversary detection to action to under four minutes. Upcoming exercises, including Lightning Surge 3 in April, will further test these advancements.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, positioned for a potential strike on Iran after arriving in Haifa. The carrier has been at sea since June 24, 2025, and is facing challenges related to extended deployment, including low sailor morale and equipment failures. The expected return is in late April or early May 2026, which may set a new record for deployment duration.

The U.S. Air Force is restructuring the Sentinel ICBM program in Aurora, Colorado, with construction already underway. Cost estimates for the program will not be available until the end of the year, and a test launch is planned by 2027. The Government Accountability Office has expressed concerns about the program's timeline and risk management, indicating potential delays in transitioning from the Minuteman III to the Sentinel ICBM.

Ukrainian Armed Forces conducted a drone strike against an ammonium nitrate production plant in Dorogobuzh, Russia, destroying key industrial infrastructure. The attack targeted areas associated with ammonium nitrate manufacturing, crucial for both civilian and military applications. Satellite imagery confirmed extensive damage, including secondary explosions that affected surrounding logistics and storage areas. This facility represented about 10 percent of Russia's ammonium nitrate production capacity for 2024.

France is transitioning from the Charles de Gaulle to the new PANG nuclear aircraft carrier, expected to enter service in the late 2020s. This shift aims to maintain operational independence at sea, but the single carrier operation poses vulnerabilities during maintenance. France must enhance its supporting logistics and military capabilities to protect the PANG against modern threats.