Analysis & Reports

India and the Philippines are in final-stage negotiations to expand the BrahMos missile inventory, potentially valued at $800 million. This expansion aims to enhance the Philippines' sea denial capabilities against the Chinese navy. The package may include additional missiles, launch vehicles, and command-and-control equipment, although the deal has not yet been finalized as negotiations continue.

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Canada purchased four used British Victoria-class submarines in 1998 for $896 million, but only one, the Corner Brook, is operational as of 2026. The submarines have faced numerous operational challenges, including maintenance delays and supply issues. Canada plans to replace them with Type 212CD submarines, expected to enter service in the mid-2030s.

On November 7, 2026, Russian forces launched a night strike on Kyiv, deploying 36 ballistic missiles and 172 drones. Ukrainian Air Force intercepted 149 drones and 4 missiles. The attack targeted energy infrastructure, aiming to disrupt power supply and test the limits of Ukrainian air defense. Russian claims of extensive damage remain unverified.

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The Eurofighter consortium is actively pursuing orders for over 200 Eurofighter Typhoon multirole fighter jets from countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Austria, and Portugal. The consortium is in negotiations to replace Portugal's aging F-16 fleet and has secured a significant order from Turkey for 44 Typhoons. Production is ongoing at a rate of 60 aircraft per year, with recent orders totaling 89 jets.

France is pursuing the development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft under the ACF program after the collapse of the FCAS program. Dassault Aviation aims to have a demonstrator aircraft ready for flight by 2031, with a budget of approximately €2.7 billion. The program is currently French-only, although France is open to international partnerships to share development costs. The previous FCAS program was terminated due to disagreements over intellectual property and workshare between Dassault and Airbus.

The United Kingdom launched the Titania military satellite into orbit on November 7. Built by BAE Systems, Titania will enhance the UK's ability to observe military activities from space. This satellite is part of the ISTARI program, which aims to establish a constellation of reconnaissance satellites. Additionally, Project Inaros is being tested to monitor movements of satellites in orbit, improving the UK's surveillance capabilities.

Ukrainian armed forces struck two Russian Iskander ballistic missile launchers and a Pantsir-S1 air defense system in the Bryansk region on November 7. This attack followed a significant Russian missile and drone barrage aimed at Ukraine, particularly targeting Kyiv. The destruction of these launchers is expected to reduce Russia's capability to conduct ballistic strikes on Ukrainian cities.

The U.S. Navy awarded Vigor Marine a $222.5 million contract for the overhaul and modernization of the USS Gridley (DDG 101) in Seattle, Washington. This overhaul will take the destroyer out of service for approximately two years following its recent deployments to the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and Latin America. The modernization is expected to be completed by December 2028, with the potential for additional funding.

ShinMaywa Industries will construct a factory on Kobe Airport Island to assemble US-2 flying boats for Japan's Ministry of Defense, with operations expected to begin in 2029. The company plans to invest several billion yen and may also produce other aerospace components at the site. The US-2 aircraft is utilized by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for long-range search-and-rescue missions over the ocean.

The U.S. Marine Corps has more than doubled its contract ceiling with Heckler & Koch for M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles, raising it from $39.2 million to $84.6 million. This modification adds $45.4 million for ongoing purchases of rifles and associated equipment, with work primarily conducted in Oberndorf, Germany. The contract's ordering period extends to April 27, 2028, and the M27 has been standard issue for Marine infantry since 2010.

The U.S. Army is expanding its artillery production capabilities at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant by adding $105.8 million to a contract for a new 155mm shell loading complex. This modification raises the total contract value to $741 million, with completion scheduled for August 10, 2029. The facility is designed to produce up to 36,000 projectiles per month, supporting the Army's goal of increasing munitions output in response to wartime needs.

The People's Liberation Army Navy successfully conducted the first takeoff and landing of the 'Attack-21' drone on the 076 amphibious assault ship in late October. This event signifies a major advancement in the operational capabilities of China's naval forces, particularly in deploying fixed-wing stealth drones from large maritime platforms.

The 'Attack-21' stealth drone successfully completed its first takeoff and landing on the 'Sichuan' amphibious assault ship in Sanya, Hainan, on November 5, 2025. This event marks a significant advancement in China's naval capabilities, showcasing the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles with large naval platforms. The 'Sichuan' ship, which features advanced technologies, is part of ongoing joint training exercises with aircraft carrier formations.

On November 7, 2026, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported intercepting and destroying 411 Ukrainian drones over Russian territories and the Azov and Black Seas. Concurrently, Russia launched strikes on energy facilities in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, resulting in civilian casualties. This exchange highlights the evolving nature of the conflict, with both sides increasing the scale and range of their attacks.

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On November 5, the People's Navy celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Fujian aircraft carrier's commissioning. The carrier is now equipped with a complete set of five core components, including advanced fighter jets and early warning aircraft, significantly enhancing its operational capabilities in air, sea, and land engagements.

The Fujian Aircraft Carrier was commissioned on November 5, 2025, and immediately began flight training exercises with multiple aircraft, including the J-35 and J-15T. The J-35, a stealth fighter, is tasked with air superiority, while the J-15T focuses on precision strikes against coastal targets. This training enhances the carrier's operational capabilities in naval engagements.

The U.S. Navy has contracted Hanwha Group's Philadelphia shipyard to construct the 'McLain' class amphibious ships, with an initial order of 1 ship and options for 3 more. The contract, valued at approximately $269 million, aims to enhance the Navy's capabilities for transporting Marines and equipment. Construction is set to begin in Q4 2027, with a target delivery date of 2030.

The DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missile has entered routine training with the PLA Rocket Force as of November 5, 2026. This marks a transition from public display to operational readiness, enhancing China's nuclear capabilities. The missile is estimated to have a range of approximately 15,000 kilometers, although this has not been officially confirmed. The training signifies a significant step in integrating the missile into the PLA's operational framework.

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Two missiles struck Geshm Island on November 7, confirmed by Iranian military sources. An MQ-9 drone belonging to the U.S. was shot down by Iranian air defense systems during the incident. Reports indicate explosions occurred on the island, but no casualties have been reported.

The U.S. Air Force built only 187 F-22 Raptors instead of the planned 750, limiting operational flexibility and maintenance. This small fleet size raises concerns about sustaining air superiority, especially with China's military advancements. The Air Force is developing the F-47 to address future threats, but budget constraints may impact procurement.