Analysis & Reports

MARSS has been awarded a £370m ($489m) contract to deliver a nationwide counter-drone defense system in Kuwait. This contract highlights Kuwait's investment in enhancing its defense capabilities against drone threats.

BIRD Aerosystems installed its Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS) on a Bombardier Global 7500 business jet, receiving certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on October 12, 2023. This system provides protection against shoulder-fired, heat-seeking missiles, enhancing the safety of high-value aircraft used for transporting heads of state. The Global 7500 is now part of a growing list of aircraft equipped with AMPS, which is also utilized by military and government agencies.

Leonardo DRS received a $63 million production order from the U.S. Army for its Family of Weapon Sights–Individual (FWS-I) on October 13. The FWS-I is a clip-on thermal sight that wirelessly connects to soldiers' night vision goggles, improving target acquisition and situational awareness. This order is part of an existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for thermal weapon sights used by dismounted troops.

Israel Aerospace Industries and SIG SAUER conducted a live-fire test of the FIRE STORM 250 drone in Washington on October 13. The drone, equipped with the M250 machine gun, demonstrated its targeting capabilities and accuracy during the trial. Designed for small tactical units, it offers close air support and border security with a flight endurance of up to three hours.

BAE Systems unveiled two new defense solutions designed to counter the growing threat of mass drone swarms and missile attacks. The new systems, MDACS and HPM, aim to enhance defense capabilities against these emerging threats.

The U.S. Army is establishing an advanced manufacturing hub in Korea to enhance logistics and supply capabilities for troops in the Indo-Pacific region. Col. Scott Carpenter aims to make Korea the advanced manufacturing center for INDOPACOM, utilizing both additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques. The Eighth Army is set to receive significant funding for advanced manufacturing machines to support local and regional military operations.

Leonardo DRS has received a U.S. Army award to enhance dismounted soldier modernization. This initiative focuses on delivering advanced Family of Weapon Sights and improving soldier connectivity and mission-ready sensing capabilities.

Teledyne FLIR Defense unveiled the Ranger R10-3DX, a compact counter-UAS radar system, in Washington. This radar is designed for various missions, including counter-drone operations and security, capable of detecting threats at significant distances. It employs advanced technology for tracking multiple targets and can be installed in fixed or mobile configurations.

Northrop Grumman and Barrett Firearms announced their collaboration to manufacture a 25 mm grenade launcher for the Precision Grenadier System during the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting in Washington on October 12, 2023. This system is designed to enable infantry squads to effectively target enemies behind cover and engage small drones. Barrett will produce the launcher in Nashville, while Northrop Grumman leads the overall system development and ammunition production.

A heavy-duty quadcopter equipped with Sig Sauer’s M250 light machine gun successfully completed a test in Israel, demonstrating its ability to identify and engage targets from the air. The drone, developed in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries, can operate in austere environments and is designed for tactical units. Fielding of the M250 is anticipated to start in the first half of next year.

Kongsberg announced plans to build a counter-drone manufacturing facility in the Pomeranian region of Poland, investing over 200 million zlotys. The factory will create over 100 jobs and is expected to begin construction in early 2027, with production starting in the first half of 2028. This facility will support the Polish SAN counter-drone program and strengthen defense cooperation between Poland and Norway.

Antonio J. Belfiore, a former Italian Navy commander, launched Sentiq Defence in Bordighera, Italy, on October 13, 2023. The company specializes in providing uncrewed boats, underwater surveillance sonars, and aerial drones to navies and coast guards. Sentiq aims to streamline technology integration for military and civilian applications, addressing the need for efficient maritime surveillance. The company will showcase its offerings at the EURONAVAL exhibition from November 3 to 6, 2023.

Sentiq Defence launched operations in Bordighera, Italy, on October 13, 2026, as an integrator of autonomous maritime systems. The company offers uncrewed surface vessels, underwater surveillance sonars, remotely operated vehicles, and unmanned aerial systems, targeting defense, security, and the blue economy. Founded by a retired Italian Navy Commander, Sentiq aims to enhance maritime security through integrated technology solutions.

MARTAC integrated SEA.AI's maritime machine vision system into its unmanned surface vessels, enhancing their ability to autonomously classify and monitor other vessels. This integration was announced on October 13, 2023, and is part of the U.S. Navy's efforts to improve operational capabilities in surveillance and security missions. The Devil Ray T38 successfully completed an eight-day autonomous mission off California, demonstrating the effectiveness of this technology in real-world scenarios.

Echodyne and Allen Control Systems signed a collaboration agreement to integrate EchoShield radar with the Bullfrog autonomous weapon station for counter-drone operations. This partnership aims to enhance the capabilities of U.S. forces by providing advanced tracking and engagement systems for drones. The Bullfrog system is already in service with U.S. military branches and has been selected for various defense contracts, including a $6.2 million deal with the U.S. Marine Corps.

MKE successfully destroyed a drone at a distance of 760 meters using a 20-kilowatt fiber laser weapon during the Ateş Serbest-2026 live-fire demonstration in Polatlı, Turkey, on October 13, 2023. This event showcased the capabilities of the TOLGA close-in air defense system, which is designed to counter various aerial threats. MKE aims to enhance its defense technologies further.

Oshkosh Defense began production of the Kaaiman vehicle prototype for the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps on October 13, 2025. The Netherlands Ministry of Defence ordered 150 units, with deliveries expected in 2028. The Kaaiman is tailored for coastal operations and features enhancements for off-road mobility and maritime use.

Dozens of Turkish-made BMC AMAZON 4×4 armored vehicles were spotted in Libya, operated by elite units. These vehicles are equipped with remote-controlled weapon stations and jamming systems, enhancing their operational capabilities. The specific Libyan faction using them remains unidentified, and no official export contract has been announced by BMC.

On October 12, 2023, Russian forces launched five ballistic missiles at Kyiv and conducted a simultaneous drone attack involving 417 UAVs targeting the Moscow region. Ukrainian Air Force officials confirmed that alerts were issued only during the attack, highlighting significant delays in their warning systems. This situation underscores the operational challenges faced by Ukraine in responding to rapid attacks.

Dmitri VolkovTue Oct 13 2026Loading...

Czech air defense troops tested a remotely operated twin machine gun mounted on the Mars 4×4 armored vehicle against small drones at the Boletice military training area. The trials, conducted by the 25th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Gladius Twin weapon station for close-in air defense. The tests confirmed the system's capability to detect and engage drones effectively.