Analysis & Reports

Israel is evacuating civilian aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport as part of emergency measures linked to Operation 'Roaring Lion'. The evacuation aims to protect critical aviation assets amid heightened regional tensions. Operations at Haifa Airport have been completed, and the aircraft involved are empty. Additionally, GPS functionality has been degraded nationwide, indicating potential electronic warfare activity.

The U.S. Army awarded three contracts exceeding $1.27 billion for the development, production, and testing of Binocular Night Observation Devices on Feb. 27, 2026. Contracts were given to L3 Technologies Inc., Elbit Systems of America, and Photonis Defense Inc., with performance expected to last until Feb. 27, 2033. The new devices aim to improve nighttime vision for soldiers using advanced optical systems.

The U.S. Navy awarded Textron Systems a $32 million contract modification to continue the development of the Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM USV). Work will primarily take place in Hunt Valley, Maryland, with additional efforts in Panama City, Florida, and Arlington, Virginia, and is scheduled for completion by February 2027. The MCM USV aims to enhance mine countermeasure capabilities while reducing risks to sailors in mine-threat environments.

A U.S. official confirmed that no casualties occurred following a missile strike near the U.S. military installation in Juffair, Bahrain, on Saturday. Explosions were reported close to the naval support facility, with smoke seen rising from the area. The missile reportedly hit an unoccupied section of the base, indicating effective defensive measures were in place during the incident.

Russian forces are preparing for a major spring offensive against Ukraine's Fortress Belt, conducting artillery and drone operations in February 2026. However, they face significant personnel losses, with battlefield casualties exceeding recruitment targets for the first time since the invasion began. Ukrainian forces have demonstrated resilience, launching successful counterattacks and maintaining control over key positions despite Russian pressure. The situation is further complicated by logistical challenges and reliance on foreign fighters.

Dmitri VolkovSat Feb 28 2026Loading...

On February 28, 2026, US and Israeli forces conducted joint airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure in Tehran, targeting regime facilities and officials. This operation threatens Iran's ability to supply drones to Russia, impacting the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia condemned the strikes but is unlikely to intervene militarily, while China expressed support for Iran without direct military involvement.

Dmitri VolkovSat Feb 28 2026Loading...

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, ensuring self-sufficiency in the field.

USS Gerald R. Ford is deployed in the Middle East for over 230 days, facing readiness issues and crew mental health concerns. The carrier's extended deployment has led to maintenance bottlenecks and operational challenges, while Iranian anti-ship ballistic missiles pose a significant threat. The U.S. Navy is concerned about the implications of the carrier's readiness on future military operations.

A Marine faced significant challenges accessing mental health services in North Carolina, spending 90 minutes navigating automated phone systems without receiving help. Frustrated and feeling hopeless, he ultimately contacted a suicide hotline for support. This experience highlights systemic issues within military mental health care.

Poland will receive over €43.7 billion from the EU's SAFE instrument for defense spending, aimed at rapid military modernization from 2026 to 2030. The funding will support various military systems, with a requirement for a significant portion of components to come from EU countries. Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted the necessity of this funding for national security, despite political opposition regarding its implications for Polish sovereignty.

The U.S. Marine Corps revised its body composition rules to require a waist-to-height ratio of 0.52, effective January 1, 2026, which is stricter than the Pentagon's 0.55. Marines will be evaluated biannually, and those exceeding the standard will undergo further body fat assessments. The Corps plans to replace the tape test with bioelectrical impedance analysis for evaluations and will conduct a comprehensive study on body composition this year.

The Air Force announced a new policy on February 1, 2023, aimed at improving health care access for reservists and Air National Guardsmen injured on duty. However, veterans and advocates claim the policy fails to address significant barriers to obtaining benefits, including frequent reversals of In Line of Duty determinations. Approximately 130,000 Guardsmen and Reservists currently lack consistent health insurance, and the new guidance adds further complications to the benefits process.

Celebrity chef Robert Irvine is actively overseeing food quality at new Army dining halls, starting with the opening of 42 Bistro at Fort Hood on February 18, 2023. He is monitoring soldier dining habits and ensuring accountability for food quality. Five additional dining locations are planned to open by 2027, aiming to provide healthier options and a university-style dining experience. Irvine emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards and is committed to using data to monitor performance.

Russia revealed the production process of the Khishchnik 4×4 armored vehicles at the Remdiesel facility in Naberezhnye Chelny during a visit by elite military units and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. The vehicles are designed with advanced radio monitoring systems to enhance survivability against drone threats, and testing preparations for the new model are currently underway.

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.