Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Navy's Seawolf-class submarines, including USS Seawolf, USS Connecticut, and USS Jimmy Carter, face operational challenges and maintenance issues. USS Connecticut is currently out of service due to a grounding incident in the South China Sea, while USS Seawolf is undergoing maintenance after a successful deployment in the Indo-Pacific. The Navy originally planned to build 29 submarines but only completed three, leading to concerns about their operational readiness in the face of rising global threats.

U.S. and Philippine forces conducted Exercise Balikatan 2026 in April 2026, involving over 17,000 troops, including approximately 10,000 from the U.S. The exercise featured the deployment of advanced military equipment, such as the Oshkosh ROGUE-Fires launcher and HIMARS, to enhance operational readiness against potential threats. Additionally, defense ministers from the Philippines and Japan reaffirmed their military cooperation during this period.

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The U.S. Senate passed the Maverick Act on May 1, 2023, to preserve three retired F-14 Tomcats at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The act includes provisions to potentially restore one of the aircraft to airworthy status. The F-14s are currently stored at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.

The U.S. Senate passed the Maverick Act on May 1, 2024, allowing the transfer of three retired F-14 Tomcats to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for preservation. The act includes provisions to potentially restore one of the aircraft to flight status. These F-14s are currently stored at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.

Israeli Air Force F-35I Adir stealth fighters conducted airstrikes on Iran's S-400 air defense network on October 25-26, 2024, successfully destroying the systems without suffering any losses. The airstrikes resulted in significant damage to Iran's military capabilities, despite initial claims of minimal impact. The S-400 systems failed to engage the Israeli aircraft effectively.

The U.S. Department of Defense is developing AI-enhanced target recognition systems to improve the effectiveness of troops and vehicles in destroying drones. The project includes multiple phases, focusing on remote weapons stations and small arms, with a prototype submission deadline of May 15. The initiative aims to enhance detection and engagement capabilities while ensuring human oversight in the targeting process.

Ukrainian defense forces struck a Russian Karakurt-class missile corvette at its base in Kaspiysk, Republic of Dagestan, overnight on May 7. The attack utilized FP-1 drones and represents a significant extension of Ukrainian strike capabilities into the Caspian Sea, targeting a vessel capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles. The extent of the damage is currently being assessed.

On March 26, 2026, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that all 32 member states achieved the 2% defense spending target in 2025, initiating a significant arms buildup in Europe. The report highlights a 14% increase in European military spending, with Germany and Spain surpassing the 2% GDP threshold. NATO aims to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, while the EU is enhancing its defense capabilities and joint procurement efforts.

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The U.S. Army plans to develop affordable interceptors by partnering with nontraditional entities to secure intellectual property. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll announced that the Army will break down the interceptor into subsegments and acquire them separately, aiming for a cost of less than a quarter million dollars per unit. An official announcement is expected in the next four to six weeks, with a prototype ready within a year.

Northrop Grumman and Boeing are engaged in a competitive bid for the U.S. Navy's F/A-XX sixth-generation stealth fighter contract. Northrop leverages its experience with the F-14 Tomcat and stealth technologies from the B-2 and B-21, while Boeing highlights its successful upgrades to the F/A-18 and F-15 platforms. The outcome of this competition could significantly impact future U.S. naval air power.

Saab unveiled a new tank-killer round for the Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifle, aimed at defeating explosive reactive armor. This development enhances anti-tank capabilities in military operations.

Patria signed memorandums of understanding with three Czech state enterprises regarding the Czech Armed Forces' plans to acquire a new 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicle.

HAVELSAN signed a contract amendment for the Version 3 configuration of the BARKAN Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) at SAHA Expo 2026. The BARKAN UGV, first inducted into the Turkish Armed Forces in 2023, has evolved based on operational feedback. BARKAN 3 features modular capabilities for various missions and is designed to operate alongside other systems, enhancing its effectiveness in complex operational scenarios.

Celebra Tech has integrated its Tryzub laser system into a mobile counter-drone platform in Ukraine, capable of engaging various drone types. The system can reportedly engage targets at distances up to 5 kilometers, addressing threats from Shahed-type drones. Its first public demonstration took place in April 2025, showcasing its capabilities against FPV drones and ground targets. The Tryzub features advanced AI guidance and radar integration for improved target acquisition and tracking.

New Zealand is evaluating Japan's Mogami-class frigate and Britain's Type 31 frigate as candidates for its naval frigate replacement program, announced by Defence Minister Judith Collins on May 7, 2026. This decision follows Australia's selection of a Mogami-derived design for its SEA 3000 program. The evaluation aims to replace aging Anzac-class vessels in the Royal New Zealand Navy, with a recommendation expected by the end of next year.

The U.S. Navy's F/A-XX fighter program is at risk of delays or cancellation due to budget constraints, while the Chinese J-36 and J-50 sixth-generation fighters are actively being tested. Navy leaders stress the urgent need for the F/A-XX to maintain competitive air capabilities against emerging Chinese threats. Without the F/A-XX, future U.S. carrier air wings may be inadequately equipped, relying only on existing F-35C and F/A-18 aircraft.

A Chinese vehicle-mounted laser weapon system designed for counter-drone operations was spotted at Dubai International Airport in 2022. The system, resembling the Guangjian-21A, has not been officially acknowledged by either Chinese or Emirati authorities. It offers high precision and low operating costs, making it suitable for air defense against drone threats.

Rheinmetall AG successfully integrated its Naval Systems segment, achieving record order books of €5.5 billion and an 8% increase in sales to €1,938 million in the first quarter of 2026. The company anticipates stronger growth in sales and order intake in the upcoming quarter, bolstered by significant military contracts. Rheinmetall's overall backlog has risen to €73 billion, reflecting its expanding role in defense technology across various sectors, including maritime and land systems.

Balikatan 2026 concluded with over 17,000 troops from the U.S., Philippines, and four other nations participating in extensive military exercises from April 20 to May 8. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force launched Type 88 missiles at a decommissioned Philippine Navy vessel in the South China Sea, marking a historic first. The exercise showcased advanced military capabilities, including the NMESIS and BrahMos systems, and emphasized multinational cooperation in regional security efforts.

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At least 228 U.S. military assets were damaged in the Iran conflict from February 28 to April 14, with significant losses reported at bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. The damage includes hangars, barracks, and critical military equipment. U.S. personnel have been evacuated to safer locations outside of Iranian strike range due to the ongoing threat. Experts suggest that the U.S. underestimated Iran's capabilities and failed to adapt to modern drone warfare.