Analysis & Reports

The Pentagon's acting chief financial officer announced that $153 billion has been allocated from the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, with a $1.5 trillion defense spending proposal for 2027 under consideration. The funding will focus on essential military needs and readiness, with discussions ongoing about a $50 billion supplemental for U.S. strikes on Iran. The DOGE entity is assisting in budget management to eliminate unnecessary expenditures.

An airstrike in Tehran on March 18 resulted in the deaths of Ali Larijani, secretary of the Iranian National Security Council, his son Morteza Larijani, and deputy Ali Reza Bayat. The Iranian National Security Council confirmed the casualties in an official statement.

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was confirmed dead following attacks attributed to the U.S. and Israel. The announcement was made on March 18 via his social media account, indicating the incident's significance in the context of Iranian national security.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to temporarily pull into Souda Bay, Crete, after a fire on board resulted in nearly 200 sailors being treated for smoke-related injuries. The fire, which occurred in the ship's main laundry area, took hours to control and affected approximately 100 sleeping berths. The carrier, with over 5,000 sailors and 75 military aircraft, has been deployed for nine months, participating in operations against Iran and Venezuela.

During a recent hearing on Capitol Hill, U.S. Southern Command leaders addressed questions regarding military orders related to 'no quarter' in the context of strikes against alleged drug traffickers. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's comments on the U.S. war on Iran raised concerns about legality, with military leaders asserting they would not follow unlawful orders. The hearing highlighted ongoing debates about the legality of military actions and the adherence to the Law of Armed Conflict.

The Pentagon's assessment revealed that the F-35 program delivered no new combat capability in 2024 due to significant issues with the TR-3 upgrade, which was found to be predominantly unusable. This delay in software and hardware upgrades poses readiness risks for over 800 F-35s currently in service, particularly as U.S. Marine Corps F-35s continue operations in Iran using older software. The Block 4 modernization is now expected to be delayed until 2031, raising concerns about the aircraft's future combat effectiveness.

82% of U.S. Navy warships under construction are behind schedule due to strategic drift and procurement issues. The U.S. Navy is facing challenges in defining its mission and fleet requirements, leading to delays in shipbuilding. This situation contrasts with China's consistent naval strategy aimed at contesting U.S. dominance in the Western Pacific.

U.S. officials confirmed that weapons shipments to Taiwan have not been delayed due to the ongoing war on Iran. The U.S. is facing a multi-billion-dollar backlog of arms shipments to Taiwan, with a significant arms package ready for approval. Concerns were raised about the defense industry's ability to meet demand amid the conflict, but the administration is exploring ways to expedite shipments. Additionally, President Trump postponed a trip to China that was expected to discuss Taiwan.

U.S. officials confirmed that weapons shipments to Taiwan have not been delayed due to the ongoing war on Iran. A significant arms package, including advanced interceptor missiles, is prepared for approval. The U.S. faces a multi-billion-dollar backlog of arms shipments to Taiwan, which is under increasing military pressure from China. Additionally, President Trump postponed a trip to China that was expected to address Taiwan-related discussions.

The U.S. Space Force announced that the projected cost of the Golden Dome missile defense project has risen to $185 billion, with experts warning that total expenses could reach up to $3.6 trillion over 20 years. The project aims to develop advanced missile defense technologies by 2028, with a focus on space-based interceptors, which are expected to be a major cost factor. A total of 2,440 applicants have been approved to compete for related contracts.

China is reportedly nearing the finalization of a sale of CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles to Iran, which could significantly enhance Iran's naval capabilities against U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf. Despite Beijing's denials, multiple sources indicate that a contract for the missile is close to completion. The CM-302, an export version of the YJ-12 missile, poses a threat to U.S. naval assets due to its advanced capabilities.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan was killed in a drone attack in Kuwait on March 1, along with five other soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command. Marzan was known as a mentor and father figure to many in his unit, prompting fundraising efforts to assist those wishing to attend his funeral. The attack, which involved an Iranian drone, is under investigation.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan was killed in a drone attack in Kuwait on March 1, along with five other soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command. Marzan was a significant mentor to many in his unit, prompting fundraising efforts to support those attending his funeral in California. The attack, which involved an Iranian drone, is under investigation.

South Korea's Defense Minister announced that the country has not received a formal request from the United States to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz and has not discussed sending naval vessels to the Middle East. He emphasized that any troop deployment would require approval from the National Assembly. President Trump had previously called for allied nations to contribute naval support in the region.

Northrop Grumman is accelerating the production of the B-21 Raider, with an investment of over $5 billion in manufacturing infrastructure. The U.S. Air Force has set a target of at least 100 airframes to replace aging bombers, with the first delivery scheduled for Ellsworth Air Force Base in 2027. This new sixth-generation stealth bomber is intended to enhance the U.S. Air Force's capabilities in high-end threat environments.

The U.S. Navy is currently enhancing Virginia-class submarines with the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), which adds 28 Tomahawk missiles per submarine. However, workforce shortages and a convoluted acquisition process prevent the expansion needed to match the Ohio-class SSGNs' capacity of 154 Tomahawk missiles. The USS Arizona (SSN 803) is the first Block V submarine under construction, aimed at supporting special operations and strike missions.

UK Ministry of Defence officials criticized Boeing for significant delays in the E-7 Wedgetail program during a hearing in Belfast. The expected delivery timeline has shifted to 2026, with the UK reducing its order from five to three aircraft due to cost concerns. The program has faced scrutiny over Boeing's internal difficulties and challenges in the global supply chain, leading to a capability gap since the retirement of the E-3D aircraft in 2021.

The U.S. Space Force has established seven new acquisition portfolios focused on space control and orbital warfare in Washington. These portfolios aim to implement reforms in military procurement and enhance capabilities, including missile warning, infrastructure, and battle management. The Space Force plans to integrate cislunar capabilities and collaborate with NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory for technology advancements.

The U.S. Space Force has established nine Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs) to enhance its capabilities in space control and orbital warfare. Four PAEs have been officially announced, focusing on areas such as Missile Warning and Tracking and Infrastructure. The Integration PAE will develop new technologies, including cislunar capabilities, in collaboration with NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

China has developed a comprehensive anti-access/area-denial strategy over the past three decades, focusing on long-range anti-ship weapons and enhanced reconnaissance capabilities. This strategy aims to limit the operational effectiveness of U.S. aircraft carriers by forcing them to operate at greater distances from Taiwan. Key systems include the DF-21D and DF-26 missiles, supported by advanced surveillance and targeting networks.