Analysis & Reports

On July 6, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the selection of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems as the preferred supplier for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, aiming to procure up to 12 modern submarines. This initiative is part of Canada's largest defense procurement project in history, intended to replace the aging Victoria-class submarines. The first four submarines are expected to be delivered by 2034, with contract negotiations to be finalized by the end of 2027.

On July 7, 2026, the People's Liberation Army Navy conducted a training missile launch from a nuclear submarine in the West Pacific at 12:01 PM. The missile successfully landed in a designated area, marking the first known submarine-launched missile test by China since 1982. The Chinese government characterized the event as a routine military training exercise, emphasizing compliance with international law.

Li MinghuiTue Jul 07 2026Loading...

On July 7, the Chinese Coast Guard expelled the Japanese fishing vessel "Ruibao Maru" from Chinese territorial waters near Chiwai Island. The Coast Guard issued warnings and took necessary control measures, asserting China's sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and surrounding waters. China emphasized its commitment to maintaining territorial integrity and maritime rights in the region.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired at least two missiles at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on July 6, causing severe damage to the vessels. No casualties were reported from the incident.

The German Federal Cabinet approved the 2027 federal budget, planning total expenditures of 555.4 billion euros. The defense budget will rise to approximately 109.7 billion euros, marking a one-third increase from 2026. This decision has drawn criticism from leftist parties and industrial sectors regarding the prioritization of defense spending over public welfare and climate initiatives.

Ten Chinese Navy vessels, including Type 055 destroyers, passed through the Miyako Strait, Osumi Strait, and between Amami Oshima and Yokoto Island from June 26 to July 1, 2023. This movement increased surveillance pressure on Japan's first island chain. The vessels included various classes, indicating a coordinated naval operation. Chinese experts described the passage as a routine training exercise.

Tanaka TakashiTue Jul 07 2026Loading...

Russian forces conducted large-scale airstrikes on Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast from July 5 to 6, 2023, resulting in at least 24 deaths and 106 injuries. Ukrainian air defense intercepted 326 drones and 37 missiles during the attack. Rescue operations are ongoing in the affected residential areas.

The U.S. Navy's A-12 Avenger II program was terminated in 1991 due to a fixed-price contract that failed to account for immature technology. This procurement failure resulted in nearly $3 billion spent without producing a flyable aircraft. Boeing has since faced similar issues with fixed-price contracts, leading to significant financial losses.

Canada has selected ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) as the preferred supplier for its next-generation submarine fleet, with negotiations set to begin. This procurement is expected to be the largest in Canadian history, with plans to reserve costs for 12 submarines in the federal budget. The contract is anticipated to be signed by the end of 2027, and the first four submarines are expected to be delivered by 2034.

The Soviet Navy developed the Kirov class, a 28,000-ton nuclear battlecruiser, originally intended as an 8,000-ton submarine hunter, during the 1960s to 1990s. This evolution was driven by changing military needs and the influence of Admiral Sergey Gorshkov. The Kirov class became the largest surface warship built since World War II, incorporating advanced anti-ship and air-defense capabilities.

China is developing the H-20 stealth bomber, which has faced delays since its announcement in 2016, with production timelines pushed to the 2030s. The Chinese military relies on land-based missiles for its strategic needs, making the urgency for the H-20 less critical. The bomber could enhance China's nuclear capabilities and provide flexibility in military operations, but its development is not prioritized over existing missile systems.

The Pentagon is reviewing its troop posture across Europe ahead of the 2026 NATO summit, which will be held in Ankara, Turkey. This review could have significant implications for trans-Atlantic relations as NATO member states prepare for the summit.

Thales announced its acquisition of a controlling stake in Exail Technologies, a French maritime drone maker, as part of its expansion in undersea warfare. Concurrently, Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilder, revealed plans to acquire four underwater technology firms for about €600 million. These strategic moves aim to enhance capabilities in the underwater domain and strengthen technological sovereignty in Europe.

Canada has selected Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems to build a new fleet of up to a dozen Type 212CD submarines, replacing the aging Victoria-class submarines. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the decision in Halifax, Nova Scotia, stating it would be the largest defense procurement in Canadian history. The contract is estimated to be worth between $20 billion and $30 billion, with the first four submarines expected to be delivered by 2034.

On March 18, 1965, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov conducted the first spacewalk outside the Voskhod 2 spacecraft. He faced significant challenges as his spacesuit stiffened in the vacuum of space, requiring him to vent oxygen to regain mobility. The mission marked a pivotal moment in the Space Race, demonstrating both the capabilities and limitations of early space exploration technology.

U.S. airmen and Marines are assisting in air traffic control operations at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Venezuela as part of earthquake relief efforts. Approximately 2,000 U.S. troops are involved, with the 621st Contingency Response Wing managing logistics and air traffic. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is also delivering supplies and providing humanitarian support following the earthquakes that occurred on June 24, 2026.

Ukraine launched large-scale drone attacks on Russian energy facilities across Leningrad, Bryansk, Belgorod, and Yaroslavl Oblasts from July 4 to 6, 2023, using 625 drones. In response, Russia conducted airstrikes on July 6 against Ukrainian military-industrial and energy facilities in Kyiv and Kherson, resulting in casualties. The attacks included targeting oil refineries and logistics routes.

The International Maritime Organization reported that 44 crew members are being held hostage by Somali pirates and armed groups in Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. The Secretary-General called for urgent international action to secure their release, highlighting the severe humanitarian conditions faced by the hostages. Recent data indicates a rise in piracy incidents in the region, with 24 reported cases in the last three months.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged member countries on July 6, 2023, in Ankara to fulfill their commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. He called for clear and credible plans from member states to achieve this target, highlighting the need to invest in key areas such as missile and interception systems. Internal disagreements on how to reach this goal persist among NATO members.

Russia has been unable to replace the MiG-31 for over 30 years, with five successor projects failing before entering service. The MiG-31BM and MiG-31K continue to operate, launching long-range missiles, while the MiG-41 remains unprototyped. The Russian Air Force relies solely on the MiG-31, which is now the last interceptor of its kind in service.