Analysis & Reports

On March 17, 2026, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) placed initial call-off orders for ANAFI UKR micro-UAV systems, with shipments expected in Q1 2026. The orders include 100-500 units initially, scaling into thousands, and involve the Finnish Defence Forces as one of the end-users. The ANAFI UKR is designed for rapid deployment and effective operation in challenging environments.

Norway is seeking to acquire additional anti-tank mines, specifically the German-origin DM22 munition. This move indicates an effort to enhance its military capabilities in response to evolving defense needs.

U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers conducted airstrikes against Iranian missile production sites and military infrastructure during Operation Epic Fury. Operating from RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom, nearly a dozen B-1B bombers utilized precision munitions, including GBU-31 JDAMs, to target key military assets in Iran. These operations aim to degrade Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and command-and-control networks.

China's H-6 bomber threatens U.S. Navy aircraft carriers with advanced missile systems, including the YJ-21 hypersonic missile and YJ-12 supersonic missile. This capability is designed to restrict U.S. military operations within the First Island Chain, undermining American deterrence and regional alliances. The H-6's strategic role highlights China's focus on combining older aircraft designs with modern weaponry to enhance its military effectiveness.

U.S. Air Force B-52H bombers conducted airstrikes against Iranian ballistic missile production sites and command-and-control centers during Operation Epic Fury. The B-52H, known for its long range and payload capacity, continues to play a crucial role in U.S. military operations. Recent missions underscore its effectiveness in applying sustained pressure on distributed targets in contested environments.

SCATA unveiled the SCATA Mk1 armored vehicle in Jakobstad, Finland, in mid-March 2026. This 18-ton 4x4 vehicle, based on the Texelis Celeris platform, marks a significant collaboration between Finnish and French defense industries. SCATA aims to produce 60 to 150 vehicles annually and is exploring various configurations, including an armored personnel carrier and a light air defense variant. The vehicle will be showcased at the Eurosatory exhibition in June 2026.

Rheinmetall Nordic showcased the 120 mm Ragnarok mortar system and Mortar Mission Module during a live demonstration in Rena, Norway, in Winter 2026. The demonstration highlighted the system's speed, precision, and reliability, even in adverse weather conditions. The Mortar Mission Module enables quick repositioning after firing, enhancing operational effectiveness for European armed forces. Rheinmetall emphasized the need for effective, user-oriented systems to meet current security demands.

The Pentagon increased its Golden Dome spending plan by $10 billion to enhance space capabilities for homeland defense against aerial threats. U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein emphasized the need for scalable and affordable solutions. The initiative, which now totals $185 billion, involves nine companies working on the command and control layer, with recent demonstrations showing comparable effectiveness to legacy systems.

The U.S. Navy has extended the service lives of the USS Ohio and USS Florida to maintain undersea strike capabilities amid delays in the Columbia-class submarine program. The USS Georgia successfully launched over two dozen Tomahawk missiles at Iranian nuclear sites during Operation Midnight Hammer, demonstrating the effectiveness of Ohio-class submarines. This extension aims to prevent a capability gap while the Navy evaluates the future roles of these submarines.

The U.S. Navy is retiring Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Ohio-class SSGNs, significantly reducing missile launch capacity in the Pacific Ocean. Each Ticonderoga-class cruiser has 122 VLS cells, while the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer has only 96. This retirement creates a long-range strike gap at a critical time for U.S. military operations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where missile capabilities are essential for deterrence against China.

A Russian analysis compares the cost of heavy FPV drones to various armored vehicles, revealing that a BTR-82A can be exchanged for 300 drones, while a T-90M can be traded for 3,200 drones. This highlights the increasing significance of low-cost unmanned systems in modern warfare. The report suggests that traditional armored vehicles are becoming less effective in mechanized assaults.

Elbit Systems of America secured a contract to deliver Head-Up Displays (HUDs) for the Army’s Air Soldier System. This contract indicates a commitment to enhancing the Army's capabilities with new technology. The specific details regarding the contract's value or timeline were not disclosed.

The United States Marine Corps announced that Marines can now complete handgun qualifications using M17 Romeo red dot optics, provided they are issued by their unit. This policy change is part of a broader initiative to enhance marksmanship training and combat effectiveness. Additionally, select Marines may qualify with Glock pistols instead of the standard M17 or M18 handguns.

Rheinmetall conducted a live-fire demonstration of its 120mm Ragnarok mortar system and Mortar Mission Module in Rena, Norway, showcasing the system's capabilities under Arctic conditions. The event highlighted the system's high target accuracy and rapid response capability, emphasizing its 'shoot-and-scoot' feature to reduce vulnerability. Military and industry representatives from Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, and Germany attended the demonstration, which aimed to validate the system's reliability for northern European forces.

Ukrainian long-range drones now threaten the Ural region of Russia, according to Sergei Shoigu. He stated that the effectiveness of these drones has changed the security environment, with the Ural region, previously considered safe, now in the zone of immediate threat. This area is vital for Russia's defense and economic infrastructure, prompting a reassessment of air defense strategies.

Diehl Defence signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ripo Remonta Centrs to establish a service hub in Latvia for the maintenance and repair of ground-based air defense systems. This hub will support customers in Latvia and Estonia, who utilize the IRIS-T SLM system, and will enhance logistical capabilities for the German Armed Forces brigade being deployed in Lithuania.

Pegasus Arms is collaborating with Rohde & Schwarz to develop new airborne reconnaissance and electronic support systems for military drones in Ukraine. This partnership aims to enhance the capabilities of over 1,500 heavy drones currently deployed, allowing them to perform reconnaissance tasks and improve situational awareness. The integration of advanced technologies is expected to expand the operational role of these drones beyond logistics and strike missions.

Ireland's government pledged to increase defense spending to €1.5 billion by 2028, enhancing the Irish Air Corps' capabilities. The Air Corps is expanding into a fully-fledged Air Force by 2027, focusing on air surveillance and training new pilots. Recent acquisitions include Airbus C295 aircraft and H145M helicopters, while challenges in personnel retention are being addressed.

Iranian forces launched a massive campaign of drone and missile strikes against Gulf Cooperation Council states from February 28 to March 15, 2026, resulting in over 2,000 projectiles intercepted by Gulf air defense systems. The UAE engaged 165 ballistic missiles, 2 cruise missiles, and 541 drones in the first 24 hours, achieving an intercept rate exceeding 93 percent. This conflict has prompted significant military spending and a shift in regional security dynamics among GCC members, who are now more openly coordinating their defense efforts.

Ahmed Al-RashidTue Mar 17 2026Loading...

U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers conducted airstrikes against Iranian military targets in 2026, utilizing AGM-158 JASSM-ER standoff missiles to strike from over 1,000 kilometers away. This strategy allows the bombers to avoid Iranian air defenses while delivering precision strikes on ballistic missile facilities and command-and-control nodes.