Analysis & Reports

Rheinmetall is delivering artillery ammunition, including RH1412 projectiles, to Ukraine from Unterlüß for the first time. This initial shipment consists of a low five-figure number of projectiles and propellant charges, with over half already delivered. The remaining supplies are expected to arrive by the end of 2026, as Rheinmetall expands its production capacity to meet growing demand.

Ukraine has agreed to acquire 16 Rafale fighter jets and SAMP/T NG air-defense systems from France. This agreement includes training for Ukrainian pilots and the establishment of local production for various military systems. A coalition of nine countries, including France, is also working on developing an anti-ballistic air-defense system. The first Rafale jets are expected to be operational by 2028 or 2029.

France announced it will provide Ukraine with 16 Rafale fighter jets starting in 2028 and will allow Ukraine to manufacture its own French-designed missiles and guided bombs. This decision marks a significant shift in France's military support strategy, enabling Ukraine to produce weapons domestically. Training for Ukrainian personnel is set to begin soon, and a joint anti-ballistic missile system named Freyja is also in development with European partners.

In July 2026, Ukraine and nine European nations announced the formation of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition in Paris, aiming to enhance missile defense capabilities against Russian threats. Following this announcement, Russia launched 134 long-range drones and three guided missiles targeting Ukraine. The coalition seeks to leverage Ukraine's combat experience to develop a more cost-effective missile defense system, addressing the challenges posed by Russian ballistic missile attacks.

Dmitri VolkovTue Jul 14 2026Loading...

Babcock International Group completed the delivery of 123 Jackal 3 and Jackal 3 Extenda vehicles for the British Army in Devonport. The final vehicle, a six-wheeled Extenda variant, is currently undergoing testing. This program enhances the Army's capabilities in reconnaissance, patrol, and logistics, demonstrating effective collaboration between Babcock and Supacat.

Ukrainian President Zelensky announced that Ukraine and the United States have reached an agreement on the production license for the Patriot air defense system on October 13. This agreement was confirmed during the 'Alliance of Will' summit, although specific details regarding the license remain unclear. Experts suggest that the establishment of production facilities will take time, thus having limited immediate impact on the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Nine nations formed an anti-ballistic coalition with Ukraine to expedite the production of the Freyja interceptor system, aiming for operational capability within a year. This initiative, announced by President Zelenskyy during a meeting in France, addresses a global shortage of anti-ballistic interceptors amid ongoing conflicts. The coalition includes Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the UK, with Ukraine leading the project and providing the interceptor.

The Kilo-class submarines, integral to the Russian Navy, have faced significant vulnerabilities from modern drone technology, with incidents in 2023 and 2025 resulting in severe damage and sinking. Despite their historical success and ongoing production, these submarines are now at risk from inexpensive drone strikes while still being utilized by various navies worldwide. Russia continues to enhance their capabilities, but the design's limitations are becoming apparent as more advanced alternatives emerge.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet has been forced to adapt by fitting counter-drone cages on its Kilo-class submarines in Novorossiysk due to significant losses inflicted by Ukrainian naval drones. Approximately one-third of the fleet has been destroyed or rendered inactive, leading to a retreat from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk. Ukraine's innovative use of low-cost naval drones has changed naval warfare dynamics, prompting global naval powers to reassess their strategies.

The U.S. Air Force developed the Rusty Dagger cruise missile for Ukraine, completing the program in under 16 months. A live-fire demonstration occurred at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, on January 21, 2026. The missile is designed to be affordable and mass-producible, with a range exceeding 930 kilometers, aimed at enhancing Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities against Russia. Ukraine is authorized to purchase thousands of these missiles.

NATO announced plans to purchase up to five MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicles during its summit in Turkey last week. This acquisition aims to enhance NATO's ISR capabilities, particularly in maritime surveillance. Denmark, Finland, Germany, and Norway will lead the procurement, which is seen as a strategic move to reduce reliance on U.S. surveillance. However, concerns about personnel shortages and the need for additional drone types were also raised.

Ukrainian drone strikes targeted Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov, resulting in the closure of the maritime corridor by Russia. Over a recent eight-day period, Ukraine reportedly struck 105 vessels, including 10 tankers and 4 ferries. The attacks have raised concerns in Russia regarding their naval defense capabilities and have impacted logistics in occupied Crimea.

Europe selected the HYDIS hypersonic interceptor program on July 10, 2023, as its preferred design for future missile defense. The program, managed by OCCAR and supported by France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, will focus on technology maturation over the next year. This development highlights Europe's ongoing efforts to enhance its defense capabilities against hypersonic threats, amidst competition with the HYDEF program for funding and resources.

Alexandra ReevesMon Jul 13 2026Loading...

Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH has assumed full responsibility for the InterRoC VII research project, focusing on the development of autonomous military logistics systems. The project aims to enhance convoy management and interoperability among different vehicle platforms. Rheinmetall showcased its capabilities at the ELROB 2026 event in Thun, Switzerland, demonstrating advanced automated convoy control technologies.

Belgium's Ministry of Defence placed its first order for MRZR D4 tactical off-road vehicles on July 13, 2026, through a NATO contract valued at $10.6 million. This acquisition aims to replace the aging Groundhog vehicle fleet and enhance operational capabilities. The MRZR D4 vehicles are designed for rapid response and special operations, supporting Belgium's military mobility in challenging conditions.

Ukrainian drone strikes recently killed three and wounded five in Pionersky, Moscow region. The strikes also caused a fire in Stavropol and temporarily disrupted operations at Moscow airports. Ukrainian drones flew 1,500 miles to hit an oil refinery in Omsk, marking the longest-range strike of the war. These actions are testing Russian air defenses and have led to significant operational disruptions.

The HYDIS hypersonic defense interceptor system, led by MBDA and involving France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, passed its Final Concept Review on July 10, 2026. The program aims to develop an interceptor against hypersonic threats, with a budget of around 100 million euros for the next steps. Competing with the HYDEF program, the report emphasizes the necessity for a unified European air defense strategy to address emerging threats effectively.

Dr. Klaus WeberMon Jul 13 2026Loading...

Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH has assumed full responsibility for the InterRoC VII project, focusing on the development of autonomous military logistics systems. The project was highlighted during the ELROB 2026 event in Thun, Switzerland, where Rheinmetall showcased its capabilities in autonomous convoy management. The HX vehicle family is the technological foundation for this initiative, which aims to enhance military logistics efficiency and safety, even in challenging environments.

Helsing raised $1.8 billion in Series E funding on July 13, 2026, in Munich, enhancing its defense AI capabilities. The investment, which values the company at $18 billion, was driven by strong demand from investors, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase. This funding will support the integration of new AI platforms into defense technologies for partner nations.

Auterion has partnered with Skyfall to supply 50,000 FPV drones to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with deliveries starting this week. The drones, equipped with autonomy software, are designed to strike moving targets and have been used effectively in combat. The contract is believed to be funded by Germany, and the total order exceeds previous deployments to Ukraine.