Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Air Force is developing the B-21 Raider, a long-range stealth bomber, with plans to acquire 100 units. The B-21 is designed for high survivability and operational capability in contested environments, building on the successful operational history of the B-2 Spirit during recent conflicts. Testing of the B-21 is ongoing, with significant advancements in stealth technology and integration with other military platforms.

U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers successfully conducted intercontinental round-trip combat sorties from Missouri to Iran during Operation Epic Fury, delivering precision-guided munitions without sustaining any losses. The B-2's ability to evade Iranian air defenses and operate under contested conditions demonstrated its unmatched survivability and effectiveness in modern combat. This operation also highlighted the importance of stealth and tactical integration with other military assets, paving the way for the upcoming B-21 Raider.

The Pentagon's DARPA launched the O-Circuit program in Arlington, Virginia, on April 10, 2023, focusing on using living neural tissue for drone navigation and other military applications. The initiative aims to develop biological processing units (BPUs) that can operate efficiently in low-power environments. The program will be tested in both simulated and real-world settings, with the first phase expected to start in November 2026.

The French Navy ordered five additional CAMCOPTER® S-100 systems, increasing its total fleet to eight. This order, announced on April 9, 2026, will enhance the Navy's unmanned aviation capabilities and is part of its ongoing unmanned aviation programme. The systems will be integrated on FREMM frigates and are expected to be delivered progressively starting in 2026.

Havelsan has partnered with VN Maritime and Piloda Defence to co-produce unmanned and hybrid surface vessels for Italian law enforcement in Naples, Brindisi, and Torre Annunziata. The agreement aims to enhance the capabilities of Italian security institutions, with the first purchase order expected in the first half of 2026. This collaboration marks a significant development in Turkish defense technology integration into European markets.

The U.S. Space Force awarded a $1.843 billion contract to 14 companies for the Andromeda program, aimed at enhancing space domain awareness. This contract, announced on April 7, 2026, will support the development of systems to track and monitor objects in orbit. The work will be conducted at various facilities across the United States, reflecting a strategic investment in military space capabilities.

The U.S. Marine Corps opened a new integration lab in Charleston, South Carolina on March 17, 2025, to enhance the installation of systems on its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle fleet. The lab, operational since December 2025, aims to streamline the integration process, allowing for concurrent work on over 50 programs. It features dedicated testing bays and rapid prototyping tools to facilitate faster upgrades and reduce logistical burdens.

The French Navy ordered five additional CAMCOPTER® S-100 systems, increasing its total fleet to eight. The systems will be integrated on FREMM frigates and are expected to enhance the Navy's unmanned aviation capabilities. Deliveries will begin in 2026, following the operational use of the S-100 since 2012.

BAE Systems Australia was awarded a $163 million contract to sustain and upgrade the Royal Australian Navy's Anzac class frigate fleet, primarily from the Henderson shipyard in Perth. This seven-year contract, in partnership with BMT, positions them as the principal design authority for the fleet of ten frigates. The award signifies a commitment to enhancing Australia's naval capabilities and developing local industrial capacity.

The Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon Stealth Fighter has undergone significant upgrades, particularly with the introduction of the WS-15 engine, enhancing its performance for air superiority. It is designed to engage high-value targets and is integrated into China's A2/AD system. However, while improvements have been made, the J-20's stealth and data fusion capabilities still do not match those of US fifth-generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35.

USS Tripoli (LHA-7) conducted flight deck operations with 20 F-35B Lightning II jets at Naval Air Station North Island on April 7, 2022. The America-class amphibious assault ships, including USS Tripoli, are engineered for advanced airpower projection and can deploy with up to 15 F-35Bs. These ships are evolving to support multi-domain operations and unmanned systems in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. Air Force is developing the B-21 Raider Bomber, designed with open architecture to integrate future weapons and technologies. This bomber will control drones, relay satellite data, and serve as a command-and-control hub. Enhanced data analytics capabilities will support rapid decision-making in combat. Cyber resilience measures are being implemented to secure the aircraft's data networks.

On April 9, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced enhancements to its anti-secession capabilities, particularly regarding Taiwan. The Changying-8 drone successfully completed its first flight, which is seen as a potential new tool against aircraft carriers. The PLA reiterated its commitment to preventing any attempts at Taiwan's independence and maintaining national sovereignty.

U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers conducted airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure during the Iran War, demonstrating their capability to penetrate defenses and strike high-value targets. The conflict highlighted the limitations of the aging B-2 fleet and underscored the need for the next-generation B-21 Raider, which is designed to enhance operational capacity in future conflicts. The U.S. plans to acquire at least 100 B-21 aircraft to address these challenges.

Hanwha Aerospace signed a memorandum of understanding with Indra Group in Santiago, Chile, on April 8, 2026, to jointly offer armoured vehicle solutions for the Chilean Army. The agreement includes Hanwha supplying Tigon armoured vehicle platforms and Indra providing Mission System Equipment. This partnership aims to enhance defense capabilities in Latin America, starting with Chile.

Japan's Ministry of Defense completed the initial deployment of the Type 25 anti-ship guided missile and Type 25 hypersonic glide missile at Kumamoto and Shizuoka on March 31, 2026. This marks a significant shift in Japan's defense policy, enhancing its long-range strike capabilities. The Type 25 anti-ship missile has a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers, allowing coverage of extensive maritime areas. However, delays in acquiring Tomahawk cruise missiles have been reported due to U.S. military operations affecting delivery schedules.

Tanaka TakashiThu Apr 09 2026Loading...

Green Berets conducted Exercise Deep Strike in Hohenfels, Germany, in February, testing their ability to infiltrate over 90 miles of simulated enemy territory undetected. The exercise involved teams of eight or more personnel operating without weapons and utilizing drones under harsh winter conditions. This training reflects the challenges of modern warfare, particularly in adapting to advanced surveillance technologies.

U.S. and Israeli forces have conducted extensive airstrikes in Iran, destroying significant portions of its military infrastructure, including 80% of air-defense systems and 90% of its naval fleet. Concerns arise over Iran's ability to rebuild its military with support from China, Russia, and North Korea. The U.S. aims to ensure that Iran cannot easily recover its military capabilities, emphasizing the need for continued pressure and strategic isolation of Iran.

The U.S. Air Force conducted extensive airstrikes against Iran, targeting at least 11,000 locations during Operation Epic Fury. Despite no permanent pilot losses, two were rescued after an F-15E was shot down. The operation revealed vulnerabilities in U.S. air defenses, prompting Chinese military analysts to reassess their strategies.

A Romanian deep-tech company is preparing to mass-produce the STUD drone in Bucharest, capable of intercepting Russian Shahed UAVs, with production expected to reach 2,000 to 3,000 units monthly by summer. The drone, developed by Qognifly Systems in partnership with XDOWN, is designed for low-cost, multi-role operations and can be launched from various platforms. This initiative aims to enhance air defense capabilities against drone threats.