Analysis & Reports

Sweden announced plans to sell 20 Gripen E/F aircraft to Ukraine and donate 16 C/Ds. Saab signed a contract for 16 Gripen Es, with deliveries expected between 2029 and 2030. The Gripen is designed for operations from short, rough airstrips, enhancing its combat versatility. Current operators include Sweden, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa, and Thailand, with ongoing interest from Canada.

US President Trump announced a reduction in military exercises with South Korea, citing costs and the message it sends to North Korea. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise is scheduled to begin and run through August 27, but Trump instructed a substantial reduction in participation. Lawmakers expressed concerns about the impact on military readiness and the US-South Korea alliance.

M1 Support Services has been awarded a $10 billion contract to provide Initial Entry Rotary Wing training for the US Army over a 26-year period.

President Trump proposed the establishment of a fifth public shipyard in Washington to enhance the U.S. Navy's repair capacity for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines. The initiative aims to address ongoing maintenance delays and is expected to cost between $10 and $20 billion. However, analysts warn of logistical challenges and workforce shortages that could hinder the project's success. Congressional approval will be necessary for funding the initiative.

President Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) with older steam catapults for the Ford-class aircraft carriers. This decision could delay the construction of the USS Doris Miller and increase costs significantly. General Atomics cautioned that changing course now, with nearly half of production complete, would introduce substantial risks and expenses.

President Trump ordered a substantial reduction of joint military exercises with South Korea in August 2023, citing costs and political disagreements. Approximately 18,000 South Korean military personnel were scheduled to participate in the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. The decision reflects ongoing tensions regarding defense costs and North Korea's missile activities, as well as Trump's desire to engage diplomatically with Pyongyang.

The U.S. Space Force successfully launched a Space Domain Awareness sensor aboard Japan’s QZS-7 satellite on August 10, 2023, from Tanegashima Space Center. This launch enhances space surveillance capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region and is part of a bilateral effort with Japan. The sensor will provide near-real-time data to the Space Surveillance Network, improving the understanding of activities in geosynchronous orbit.

Terma has acquired Dencrypt A/S, enhancing its secure communications capabilities in Denmark. This acquisition aims to provide advanced encryption technology for defense organizations and allied nations, ensuring secure communication across various platforms. Dencrypt's technology allows for end-to-end encryption on standard commercial devices, reinforcing Denmark's position in sovereign encryption.

The Russian Navy's Akula-Class submarines, numbering nine, face significant operational challenges, with only a few deemed deployable as of mid-August 2026. The class, originally designed to counter U.S. submarines, has suffered from industrial issues since the Soviet collapse, impacting maintenance and readiness. India has leased some Akula-Class submarines for training purposes, highlighting their role in regional naval capabilities.

U.S. intelligence support to Ukraine is contingent on the country's battlefield successes, with the CIA providing real-time intelligence and targeting data for attacks on Russian positions. This relationship has evolved since the breakdown of cooperation in February 2025, and Ukraine has increased its drone production significantly. The U.S. perceives this partnership as strategically valuable, linking intelligence support to Ukraine's military achievements.

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Joint military exercises named 'Eulji Freedom Shield' commenced on August 17, 2023, between South Korea and the United States. President Trump requested a significant reduction in the scale of these exercises, citing their high costs and perceived hostile signals to North Korea. Despite this, South Korean military officials confirmed that the exercises are proceeding as planned, with a reported reduction in the number of field maneuvers from 44 to 14 compared to the previous year.

On August 13, 2026, 82 Malian soldiers were released by the JNIM and FLA in Bamako after being held since April 25, 2026. The release was facilitated by Algerian mediation, marking a significant shift in relations between Bamako and Algiers. The FLA indicated that approximately 118 other soldiers remain in captivity, highlighting ongoing tensions and the complex nature of negotiations in the region.

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U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine has fully rebounded, significantly aiding Ukraine's military operations against Russian targets, including the oil industry. The CIA has collaborated with Ukrainian intelligence for over a decade, enhancing their capabilities. Recent successes on the battlefield have improved the perception of Ukraine in Washington, leading to a stronger partnership. Zelenskyy has also indicated that Russia is providing intelligence to Iran.

The Space Force awarded contracts worth $12 million each to five companies, including Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, for the development of its Space Data Network in Huntsville. This initiative aims to establish connectivity between various commercial satellite networks and support military operations, particularly the Golden Dome missile defense initiative. The project involves a two-step process focusing on data transport and the operationalization of connections in orbit.

Debra Tice is actively seeking information about her son Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria in 2012. She is advocating for U.S. government engagement with Iran regarding his potential status and has expressed concerns over the handling of information related to his case. Tice plans to meet with the new Director of National Intelligence, Jay Clayton, to discuss her son's situation further.

Iran and Oman established a new shipping route agreement in the Strait of Hormuz following the expiration of a U.S.-Iran memorandum on August 17. The U.S. has threatened military action against Oman if it interferes with negotiations with Iran. The situation has heightened tensions in the Gulf, with increased risks for shipping and oil prices rising.

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The Wallonia Export & Investment Agency hosted a defense-related event in Liège during the summer of 2023, focusing on the region's role in the defense industry and its gunmakers.

The Navy 83 Fleet successfully completed a long-distance comprehensive training mission on August 17, covering over 11,000 nautical miles. The fleet, consisting of the Qijiang Ship and Kunlun Mountain Ship, included 970 trainees and 19 foreign military personnel. During the 64-day mission, the fleet conducted training exercises and made friendly visits to Russia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Indonesia.

U.S. President Trump reiterated on August 17 in Washington that the primary goal of the United States is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He emphasized that this goal will remain unchanged. The U.S. and Iran are currently in a stalemate regarding negotiations outlined in a memorandum of understanding, which includes a 60-day negotiation period.

The U.S. Navy has decided to retire the USS Nimitz, allocating $562 million for its inactivation. The carrier, which completed its last combat deployment in December 2025, will serve as a training vessel until March 2027. Following this period, it will undergo defueling and dismantlement as it has reached the end of its nuclear life cycle.