Analysis & Reports

The USS Ford's deployment is likely extended until May 2023, following a fire incident on March 12 that affected over 600 crew members. Two personnel were treated for injuries, and many suffered from smoke inhalation. Currently in its 10th month of deployment, the USS Ford may set a record for the longest single deployment since the Vietnam War if it remains at sea past mid-April.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was killed in an Israeli military strike on March 17 in Jerusalem, Israel.

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.

Swedish pilots and officers are conducting an air policing mission in Iceland, utilizing fighter jets. The mission is part of NATO operations, highlighting Sweden's involvement in regional security efforts.

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.

At least 200 U.S. service members were wounded during Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28, 2023. The majority of the wounded have returned to duty, but 10 have serious injuries. Combat operations continue in the Middle East, with U.S. forces engaged in strikes and Iran retaliating against U.S. bases in multiple countries. Thirteen American service members have died since the conflict began, with ongoing investigations into the causes of these casualties.

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.

The U.S. Navy sent the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) to sea trials from Naval Station Norfolk, marking its first time underway since 2014. The trials aim to verify the ship's upgraded systems and combat readiness following a multi-year modernization program. The vessel's certification for operational deployment will depend on the successful completion of these tests.

The US military redirected critical assets from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East due to the ongoing war with Iran, withdrawing THAAD interceptors from South Korea and depleting munitions stockpiles. Approximately 140 US service members were wounded, and 6 were killed in action. This shift has raised concerns among US allies in the Indo-Pacific about America's commitment to regional security, as the Pentagon executes around 1,000 strikes daily.

Marcus ChenTue Mar 17 2026Loading...

On March 16, the Chinese Coast Guard took necessary control measures and warned the Japanese fishing vessel 'Chao Maru' that had illegally entered Chinese territorial waters near Diaoyu Island. China maintains that Diaoyu Island is its inherent territory and urges Japan to cease all provocative actions in the area.

The AES Unified Force, comprising 6,000 troops, was launched in December 2025 in Niamey, Niger, to counter jihadist violence in West Africa. This force represents a shift towards strategic autonomy, moving away from reliance on external funding and partnerships. Concurrently, the ECOWAS Rapid Deployment Force plans to mobilize 2,000 soldiers by the end of 2026 to address the growing threat from armed groups. Recent attacks by JNIM in Burkina Faso highlight the ongoing security challenges in the region.

Marie DuboisTue Mar 17 2026Loading...

Rheinmetall demonstrated the capabilities of the 120 mm Ragnarok mortar system and the Mortar Mission Module during a live event in Rena, Norway, on March 17, 2026. The demonstration showcased the system's speed, precision, and shoot/scoot capability, emphasizing its integration into existing platforms. Adverse weather conditions did not hinder the demonstration, highlighting the system's reliability and effectiveness in challenging environments.

Polish Air Force MiG-29 fighter jets intercepted and escorted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea on March 13, 2026. The Russian aircraft was conducting its ninth reconnaissance mission of the year without a filed flight plan and with its transponder off. This interception reflects NATO's ongoing efforts to monitor airspace activity near allied territories, ensuring safety and situational awareness.

Ukrainian forces advanced in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, liberating over 400 square kilometers and forcing Russian units to shift to defensive operations. Elements of the 39th Motorized Rifle Brigade and other units are redeploying to respond to the Ukrainian counteroffensive. The Russian military is also expanding its drone capabilities amid ongoing operational challenges.

Dmitri VolkovTue Mar 17 2026Loading...

Ukrainian long-range drones struck the Aviastar aircraft plant in Ulyanovsk and the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa in recent days. These attacks targeted critical facilities for military transport aircraft production and maintenance, aiming to disrupt Russian military aviation capabilities. Reports indicate that two A-50 airborne early warning aircraft were present at the Staraya Russa facility during the strikes, highlighting the operational significance of the targets.

The U.S. Army deployed the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Inc 2 (IFPC) air defense system at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, on March 16, 2026, during the Freedom Shield 26 exercise. This deployment aims to enhance the protection of forward-deployed forces against various aerial threats and is integrated into the Army’s Integrated Battle Command System for improved coordination.

Russian air defense systems shot down 38 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow on March 17, 2023. This follows a series of interceptions that began on March 14, with 206 drones intercepted across Russia on March 16-17. The Moscow region saw 43 drones shot down, including 40 aimed directly at the city.