Analysis & Reports

Edgewing has been awarded a £686 million contract for the design and development of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) in Belfast, UK, which will run until June 2026. This contract aims to accelerate the development of next-generation fighter aircraft and unmanned platforms, with a projected service entry in 2035. The project is a collaboration between the UK, Italy, and Japan, with other nations expressing interest in joining.

The Ukrainian 1st Assault Regiment is enhancing its 49 ex-Australian M1A1 Abrams tanks to improve their resistance to drone attacks. On March 30, 2026, these modified tanks were observed engaging Russian infantry near Pryluky in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. This upgrade follows significant losses of tanks due to drone warfare, prompting the regiment to adapt its equipment for better survivability in combat.

ST Engineering secured a six-year subcontract to design and supply systems for eight Missile Gun Boats for the Kuwaiti navy. The contract, valued at 600 million Singapore dollars, includes building three vessels in Singapore. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in mid-2027, following a previous deal for eight offshore patrol vessels between EDGE Group and the Kuwaiti government.

China is currently assessing its military capabilities and strategies regarding Taiwan, drawing lessons from recent conflicts, including the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran. The U.S. intelligence community has revised its assessment, indicating that no invasion of Taiwan is expected in 2027. China's People's Liberation Army is preparing for potential military action, with three operational aircraft carriers and a significant number of advanced fighter jets.

The US Department of State authorized a potential Foreign Military Sale to Singapore, involving the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System-Alternative Warhead (GMLRS-AW) valued at $83.14 million.

A Chinese submarine, Type 035 hull number 361, was found adrift with approximately 70 crew members dead at their posts. The incident, occurring in the early 2000s, is suspected to be linked to a failed Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) test or mechanical failure, with no evidence of the crew attempting to surface. The Chinese government has not provided full disclosure regarding the circumstances of the disaster.

U.S. forces conducted airstrikes in Iran targeting an Iranian Shahed-171 Simorgh stealth drone as part of Operation Epic, now in its fifth week. The strikes reportedly destroyed the drone at a military site, contributing to the degradation of Iran's military capabilities, including its air and missile defense systems. U.S. Central Command stated that they are making undeniable progress in the operation.

General Dynamics Land Systems UK is conducting rigorous testing of the Ajax combat vehicles, despite concerns from DE&S. The Ajax is highlighted as one of the most tested combat vehicles produced, indicating a focus on reliability and performance in military applications.

Ukrainian forces conducted a strike on Kirovske airfield in Crimea on April 2, 2023, destroying a Russian An-72P patrol aircraft and facilities for Orion drones. The operation was executed by the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces in collaboration with Ukraine’s military intelligence agency. The strike utilized Ukrainian-made FP-2 systems.

U.S. Air Force students at Air University are developing counter-drone solutions through the Alpha Blue program to address the growing threat of small unmanned aerial systems. The initiative involves collaboration with military operators and academic institutions, resulting in a software prototype capable of distinguishing between different drone classes. The project emphasizes a distributed approach using commercial devices and includes legal safeguards for operations within U.S. airspace.

The Indiana National Guard fast-tracked the LUCAS drone from demonstration to operational use within seven months, with deployment occurring in February 2026. This rapid transition was facilitated by the T-REX framework, which emphasizes direct operator feedback and accelerated testing. The LUCAS drone represents a low-cost autonomous combat system, reflecting a broader shift in U.S. military priorities towards integrating advanced technologies quickly into operations.

The U.S. Army awarded a contract worth approximately $41 million to Colt's Manufacturing for the production of M4 and M4A1 carbines for Foreign Military Sales to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, North Macedonia, and Tunisia. The contract is set to run through March 31, 2031, supporting interoperability with U.S. and NATO-aligned forces and contributing to the modernization of ground forces in the recipient countries.

The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $900 million contract for the sustainment of the T-38C Talon avionics system, extending support through March 31, 2036. This contract ensures the aircraft remains airworthy and capable of meeting mission requirements, with work conducted at multiple Air Force bases across the U.S. The T-38C serves as a critical training platform for future fighter and bomber pilots, maintaining continuity in pilot training as the Air Force transitions to the T-7A Red Hawk.

The U.S. Army awarded a $146 million contract to BAE Systems for the production of M776 cannon tubes to support the M777A2 howitzer. This contract, valued at $462.77 million in total, will continue through March 31, 2031, reflecting ongoing demand for artillery components among allied forces. The M777A2 is recognized for its mobility and effectiveness in modern combat environments.

A Swedish defense company is constructing a major 155mm artillery shell factory in Põhja-Kiviõli, Northeastern Estonia, with an investment of at least €300 million. The Estonian Defense Minister confirmed the agreement, which is expected to be finalized by mid-April. This facility will enhance Estonia's defense capabilities by producing short-, medium-, and long-range munitions as part of a broader effort to strengthen the national defense industry.

China's J-20 fighter is now equipped with the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile, enhancing its ability to engage high-value aerial targets from distances exceeding 125 miles. This missile, developed by the People's Liberation Army Air Force, represents a significant advancement in China's aerial combat capabilities, comparable to the U.S. AIM-120D missile. The PL-15 entered service between 2016 and 2018, marking a key development in China's military aviation.

X-Bow Systems and UNION Technologies announced a partnership to establish adaptive, surge-capable manufacturing for propulsion systems in Albuquerque on April 2, 2026. This collaboration aims to enhance the defense industrial base by leveraging modular manufacturing and software-defined processes to enable rapid reconfiguration and scaling of production capabilities. The initiative is designed to meet modern defense needs and is supported by strategic government partnerships and venture investment.

NP Aerospace has announced that its production line for 87 Light Tactical Transport Vehicles (LTTV) for the Belgium MOD is fully operational and accelerating. The first full-production batch was accepted in February 2026, and all vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026. The company is also set to provide lifetime in-service support for the LTTV fleet, utilizing its UK-based supply chain.

Saab received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for a mobile and modular counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) to enhance airspace security in Sweden. The order, valued at approximately SEK 2.6 billion, aims to protect the Swedish Armed Forces and civil infrastructure from drone threats, with deliveries expected between 2027 and 2028.

Sweden signed air defense contracts worth 8.7 billion kronor for rapid drone defense, with deliveries scheduled for 2027 and 2028. The agreements include Tridon gun systems and Trackfire systems, aimed at protecting critical infrastructure against drone threats. This procurement is part of Sweden's broader military rearmament in response to an uncertain security environment. The Swedish Armed Forces will implement a mobile defense concept to quickly deploy anti-drone capabilities as needed.