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Italy to start building first F-35 Pilot Training Center outside the United States

As reported by La Sicilia on January 7, 2026, Italy’s Ministry of Defense has approved €112.6 million to establish a multinational F-35 Lightning II pilot training center at Trapani-Birgi Air Base in Sicily. The facility, the first dedicated F-35 training facility located outside the United States, will serve both as Italy’s third operational F-35 base and as an international training site for NATO and European Joint Strike Fighter partner nations. Initial training capability is scheduled for 2028, with full operational status planned for 2029.  Read full defense news at this link... An F-35 Pilot Training Center is a dedicated facility where military aviators from the United States and allied nations learn to fly, operate, and employ the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet in real-world mission scenarios. (Picture source: Italian Air Force) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/jlkBreQ via IFTTT
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UK Confirms INTEL Support for U.S. Special Forces Seizure of Russian-Linked Tanker BELLA

The United Kingdom played a decisive behind-the-scenes role in a recent US military operation that led to the seizure of the tanker BELLA 1, a vessel assessed as Russian-linked and operating in violation of Iran sanctions, according to information released by the UK Ministry of Defence on January 7. While US forces conducted the physical interception and boarding northwest of Britain and Ireland, the operation relied heavily on UK-provided basing access, intelligence sharing, surveillance coverage, and maritime logistics support, highlighting the integrated nature of US-UK military enforcement activities in the North Atlantic. Read more .  Screenshot from a video released by the US Coast Guard showing USCGC Munro approaching the Russian oil tanker M/V Marinara (BELLA 1) after the operation. (Picture source: U.S Coast Guard) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/S1sAUKb via IFTTT

Thai Army reviews Chinese VT-4 tank reliability after issues during Cambodia border clashes

A series of videos and images circulating across social media platforms in December 2025 suggests that the Royal Thai Army is facing mounting technical issues with its Chinese-made VT-4 main battle tanks during activities near the Cambodian border. The material, later acknowledged by Thai military officials, shows at least one 125 millimeter smoothbore gun suffering a catastrophic barrel rupture, alongside separate reports of powerpack and engine-related failures during sustained operations, raising concerns beyond a single isolated malfunction. Read more .  Introduced into Thai service in 2017, the VT-4 was selected to replace aging U.S.-built M48 and M60 tanks, as well as to supplement the limited fleet of Ukrainian-origin T-84 Oplot-Ts (Picture source: X Account @TheDeadDistrict) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/wS8rl4L via IFTTT

US to deliver 75 F-35 fighter jets to the UK by 2033 to shape Britain's future air force

In a written parliamentary answer dated January 5, 2026, UK Defence Minister Lord Coaker stated that the Ministry of Defence expects delivery of its 75th F-35 fighter jet by the end of 2033. The response clarifies the long-term delivery schedule without changing the minimum fleet commitment of 74 units. It confirms a phased acquisition approach rather than an accelerated procurement cycle.  Read full defense news at this link... The United Kingdom has played a structurally important role in the development of the F-35 from its earliest stages, entering the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in 1995 as the only Level 1 international partner. (Picture source: US Air Force) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/4YhEaeA via IFTTT

Baykar to deliver first Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet to Turkish Air Force in early 2026

As reported by the Ihlas News Agency (IHA) on January 5, 2026, Baykar announced that deliveries of the first serial-production Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet to the Turkish Armed Forces will begin in the first quarter of 2026. The delivery follows the completion of prototype testing, weapons integration trials, and radar and sensor evaluations conducted throughout 2025.  Read full defense news at this link... The Kizilelma employs a broad spectrum of air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions, giving the Turkish Air Force its first unmanned system capable of both radar-guided air combat and low-observable strike missions. (Picture source: Baykar) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/bipHfRa via IFTTT

Russia arms Shahed drone with Igla-S air defense missile to shoot down Ukrainian helicopters

On January 4, 2026, the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces stated that fighters from the Darknode Battalion of the 412th Nemesis Brigade intercepted a Russian Shahed-type kamikaze drone fitted with an Igla-S man-portable air defense system. This variant, observed for the first time during the war, carried a camera and a radio modem, allowing the missile to be launched remotely by an operator located on Russian territory to threaten Ukrainian helicopters and low-flying aircraft involved in counter-drone interception.  Read full defense news at this link... Ukraine may now have to allocate more air defense assets and counter-UAS resources to deal with such a threat, as MANPADS-armed drones could potentially serve as a decentralized air defense layer for Russia's advancing forces. (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/QWRXPO8 via IFTTT

Lithuania Approves 100 CV90 MkIV Infantry Fighting Vehicles for NATO Force Modernization

Lithuania has formally endorsed the purchase of 100 CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles, tying the buy to a six-nation allied procurement framework that includes Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands, according to a Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence readout that cites the State Defence Council’s approval. Officials have signaled that the deal is not only about platforms, but also about sustainment and industrial resilience. Lithuania is pushing to include the local production of some technical components and a domestic CV90 MkIV maintenance capability in follow-on contracts as the program heads toward a main agreement expected in early 2026. Read more .  The CV90 MkIV is the first Western infantry fighting vehicle to integrate a qualified Active Protection System (APS), the Iron Fist APS, delivering 360-degree protection by detecting and intercepting incoming threats through a combination of radar and infrared sensors. (Picture source: Army Recognition...

British Typhoon FGR4 Fighter Jets Strike Daesh Tunnel in Syria Using Paveway IV Bombs

British Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 jets carried out a high-precision airstrike against a fortified Daesh tunnel complex in eastern Syria on Saturday evening, January 3, 2026, according to UK defence sources familiar with the operation. Conducted under Operation Shader, the long-running UK campaign against Islamic State remnants, the strike was flown in coordination with French aircraft. It employed Paveway IV precision-guided munitions to neutralise hardened underground infrastructure in complex terrain. Read full Defense Aerospace News at this link ... Illustrative image: RAF Typhoon FGR4 multirole fighter jets equipped with Paveway IV precision-guided bombs during combat operations similar to the January 3, 2026 strike on a fortified Daesh tunnel complex in eastern Syria. (Picture source: UK MoD) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/uZPE0sO via IFTTT

BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Special Forces Delta Force conduct historic operation to capture Venezuela’s president

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during a covert U.S. military operation, according to reporting published by the BBC on January 3, 2026, and confirmed by its U.S. news partner CBS. While the U.S. Department of War did not formally identify the forces involved, CBS reported that the mission was carried out by Delta Force, the U.S. Army’s premier counter-terrorism and direct-action unit operating under U.S. Army Special Operations Forces. The operation was later confirmed publicly by U.S. President Donald Trump in a video posted to the official White House X account, in which he announced that Maduro and Flores had been apprehended and placed into U.S. custody. Read full Defense News at this link ... Illustrative image – U.S. Army special operations forces conducting a nighttime direct action mission. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/zWqnvaj via IFTTT

France Orders Two Counterdrone Systems After Surge in Drone Threats

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has placed an urgent order for two counterdrone systems after a sharp increase in unidentified drone activity near highly sensitive military and industrial sites, according to information published by the DMAé, the Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique, on December 26, 2025. The decision, announced through an official LinkedIn communication, was taken under an operational emergency procedure, underscoring mounting anxiety within defense circles over the exposure of key infrastructure to small, difficult-to-trace aerial platforms. Read more.   During the open days at Orange Air Base 115, TrustComs deployed its counterdrone systems to discreetly and effectively secure the perimeter despite extreme weather conditions. (Picture source: TRUSTCOMS) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/HkCRfSl via IFTTT

US-built first Saudi MMSC frigate HMS Saud launched at Fincantieri’s shipyard

According to information published by the Saudi Ministry of Defense on December 18, 2025, the first Multi-Mission Surface Combatant frigate constructed in the United States for the Royal Saudi Navy has been officially launched at Fincantieri Marinette Marine’s shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin. The ship, designated HMS Saud with pennant number 820 and also known as Jalalat Al-Malik Saud in honor of King Saud, is the lead vessel in a four-ship program ordered under Project Tuwaiq through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales framework, a deal that defense officials have repeatedly described as a cornerstone of bilateral naval cooperation. Read more.   The HMS Saud (820) has an overall length of approximately 118 meters, in some sources detailed as 118.6 meters, with a beam of 17.6 meters, a draft of about 4.3 meters, and a full-load displacement estimated at roughly 3,600 tonnes. (Picture source: Saudi MoD) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift....

Iranian Mohajer-6 Drone Deployed in Venezuela at El Libertador Air Base Increasing Risks to U.S. Forces

Images shared on social media on December 30, 2025, appear to confirm that Venezuela has taken delivery of the Iranian-built Mohajer-6 unmanned aerial vehicle, marking the first public evidence of an armed reconnaissance drone in Venezuelan service. According to information published by the X account El Inquisidor, the aircraft was photographed at El Libertador Air Base, the Venezuelan Air Force’s primary operational facility, underscoring a deepening defense relationship between Caracas and Tehran and directly implicating U.S. military operations in the Caribbean. Read full Defense Aerospace News at this link ... An Iranian-made Mohajer-6 unmanned aerial vehicle was spotted on the tarmac of El Libertador Air Base in Venezuela, confirming the drone's operational deployment by the Venezuelan Air Force. The image, published on December 30, 2025, marks the first visual evidence of Mohajer 6's presence in Latin America. (Picture source: El Inquisidor X account) Read Mor...

Happy New Year 2026 and Thank You from Army Recognition.

As we enter 2026, the entire Army Recognition group team would like to sincerely thank all our customers, readers, and partners for their continued trust and collaboration throughout the past year. Your loyalty and engagement have been the driving force behind our work, and we are deeply grateful for your support. Read full Defense News at this link ... Army Recognition Group wishes all its readers, partners, and members of the defense community a Happy New Year 2026. May the year ahead bring strength, security, and continued collaboration across the global defense sector. (Picture source: Army Recognition) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/JSaF4W6 via IFTTT

U.S. Army To Invest in XM30 in 2026 to Develop Next-Generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle Prototypes

 The U.S. Army's ground modernization strategy advances decisively in Fiscal Year 2026 with a continued infusion of development funds for the XM30 Combat Vehicle program. The Department of Defense’s FY2026 budget request, released in July 2025, allocates approximately $386.4 million in Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) for XM30, sustaining momentum for the Bradley replacement effort without initiating procurement. This funding supports the transition from Preliminary Design Review (PDR) to Critical Design Review (CDR), marking a pivotal shift from concept development to hands-on prototyping and integration.  Read Full Defense News At This Link.  Concept models based on Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF41 and General Dynamics’ Griffin III are shown for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the final XM30 design (Picture source: Army Recognition Group / General Dynamics) from World Defence News https://ift.tt/tRqDdh0 via IFTTT

Spain Selects Turkish HÜRJET Jet Trainer and Light Combat Aircraft in €2.6bn Deal

 Spain has officially selected the Turkish-built HÜRJET advanced jet trainer for its next-generation pilot training program, marking a seismic shift in NATO defense dynamics and signaling Türkiye’s arrival as a trusted aerospace supplier to Western European militaries. The historic agreement, publicly announced by Turkish defense leaders including Dr. Mehmet DemiroÄŸlu and Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, includes the acquisition of 30 HÜRJET aircraft as part of a 2.6 billion euro contract that spans aircraft, simulators, integrated ground systems, and long-term operational support.  Read Full Defense News At This Link.   Spain’s selection of Türkiye’s HÜRJET advanced jet trainer in a €2.6 billion deal marks a major NATO-aligned export breakthrough, signaling Ankara’s emergence as a trusted aerospace supplier to Western European air forces (Picture Source: Turkish Aerospace Industries) from World Defence News https://ift.tt/9ALEabU via IFTTT

Kim Jong Un orders North Korea artillery reorganization around long range rocket forces

Kim Jong-un has directed North Korea’s military to reorganize its artillery forces around long-range rocket systems, a shift that state media described as central to future conventional and nuclear strike plans. The inspection of a major munitions industry enterprise producing multiple rocket launcher systems took place on December 28 and was publicly reported on December 30 by official outlets, as Pyongyang steps up preparations for the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, where a new phase of defense development is expected to be endorsed. Read more .  The system in question is widely believed to be the 600 mm multiple rocket launcher, a heavy rocket artillery platform that occupies a doctrinal space between traditional MLRS and short-range ballistic missiles (Picture source: KCNA). Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/IYRmr2s via IFTTT

Rafael Delivers Israel’s First Operational Iron Beam Laser Shield to Revolutionize Air Defense Era

 On December 28, 2025, Israel’s Ministry of Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced the delivery of the first operational Iron Beam high-power laser air defense system, designated in Hebrew as “Or Eitan”, to the Israel Defense Forces. The transfer, which followed a formal ceremony at Rafael’s headquarters in northern Israel, was communicated through official statements by Rafael, the Ministry of Defense and the IDF. Iron Beam has now moved from a long development and testing phase into service within the Israeli Air Force’s air and missile defense structure. In a global context where short-range rockets, mortars and unmanned systems are central elements of contemporary threats, the introduction of a high-power laser interceptor as an operational layer is presented by Israeli authorities as a significant step in the evolution of layered air defense.  Read Full Defense News At This Link.  Israel has fielded its first operational Iron Beam high-p...

North Korea Conducts Upgraded Hwasal-1 Strategic Cruise Missile Drill Over Yellow Sea

 North Korea carried out a long-range strategic cruise missile launch drill on December 28 using what is assessed to be an upgraded variant of the Hwasal-1 long-range strategic cruise missile, according to information released by the Korean Central News Agency. Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the exercise. It involved two missiles launched from the country’s western coastline, flying for nearly three hours along preprogrammed routes over the Yellow Sea before striking designated targets, a demonstration Pyongyang said was intended to verify the readiness and reliability of its strategic counterstrike forces. Read more .  Two strategic cruise missiles were launched from North Korea’s western coastline and flew along preprogrammed trajectories over the Yellow Sea before striking their designated targets (Picture source: KCNA) Read full Defense news.   from World Defence News https://ift.tt/E08dMQH via IFTTT

U.S. Army MV-75 Future Aircraft Enters Production Readiness in FY26 as Medical Evacuation Advances

The U.S. Army’s MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft program reaches a defining moment in Fiscal Year 2026 as it moves from intensive prototyping into production readiness, according to budget and program planning documents. Funding in FY26 supports completion of the aircraft’s Critical Design Review, continued prototype assembly and flight testing, early production planning, and refinement of its digital open-systems architecture, while also initiating development of a fully integrated MEDEVAC variant to ensure the MV-75 is adaptable across combat and lifesaving missions from its earliest fielding. Read full Defense News at this link ... Bell Textron's V-280 Valor, developed under the JMR-TD Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator program, was selected by the U.S. Army on December 5, 2022, as the basis for the MV-75, its next-generation assault aircraft. (Picture source: Bell Textron) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/OIcBA3L via IFTTT

South Korea Tests Anti-Drone Cage Armor on K2 Black Panther Tanks Amid FPV Drone Threat

  Open-source imagery circulating on South Korean social media since 25 December, in the absence of any official confirmation from the authorities, appears to depict Republic of Korea Army K2 Black Panther main battle tanks equipped with improvised anti-drone protective cages during a recent armored training activity. These photos, shared across local defence forums and social platforms, place the K2 in a live-fire environment, suggesting that the modification is being evaluated under realistic conditions rather than as a static concept. At a time when inexpensive first-person-view (FPV) drones and loitering munitions are inflicting heavy losses on armored vehicles in multiple theaters, any visual sign that Seoul is adapting its premier main battle tank is of particular interest. The imagery provides a rare window into how the ROK Army may be translating lessons from current conflicts into rapid, field-level counter-drone measures, even in the absence of an official announcement. ...

Russian Patent Signals Effort to Adapt Tank Active Protection Systems to FPV-Type Drone Threats

  On 24 December 2025, documentation published by the Federal Institute of Industrial Property (FIPS) indicated that the Kolomna-based Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (KBM) has received a patent for an active protection system (APS) method capable of engaging not only missiles and projectiles but also attack drones. This development comes after several years in which Russian tanks, including the T-90M “Proryv”, have suffered heavy losses to first-person-view (FPV) drones and precision-guided munitions in Ukraine. The patent, registered as No. 2853544 with a validity start date of 23 May 2025, formalises a technical approach that seeks to address one of the most critical vulnerabilities of modern armour: very small, slow, and low-cost drones operating at short range. Against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing efforts to integrate the Arena-M APS on T-72B3M and T-90M tanks, the filing signals an attempt to move away from improvised anti-drone cages toward a more integrated and ...

FLASH NEWS: UK and Germany sign deal to test RCH 155 8x8 self-propelled howitzer

The British and German governments confirmed on December 28, 2025, that both nations have agreed to a £52 million joint contract to procure and evaluate the RCH 155 wheeled 155mm artillery system, marking a notable milestone in bilateral defense cooperation. Under the Early Capability Demonstrator program, the UK will receive one prototype system while Germany will field two units, allowing both militaries to pool testing data, technical expertise, and operational feedback as they move toward potential future procurement decisions. Read full Defense News at this link ... German-developed KNDS RCH 155mm L52 wheeled self-propelled howitzer during live-fire training at the Klietz military range, Germany. (Picture source: UK MoD) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/jw8Cbgd via IFTTT

India Tests K-4 Long-Range Nuclear Missile From Newly Commissioned INS Arighaat Submarine

India has conducted a test launch of its K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile from the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Arighaat, marking what Indian sources describe as the first time the missile has been fired from that platform. The test took place in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Visakhapatnam on December 25, 2025, according to reporting by the Times of India, with no immediate public confirmation from the Ministry of Defence. Defense analysts view the launch as a meaningful step toward operationalizing the sea-based leg of India’s nuclear posture. Read more... The K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile is a solid-fuel, two-stage nuclear-capable weapon with a range of around 3,500 km, designed to be fired from Arihant-class submarines, allowing India to conduct survivable second-strike nuclear deterrence patrols far from adversary coastlines (Picture source: Weibo). from World Defence News https://ift.tt/doZ5pka via IFTTT

Turkish Akinci Drone Demonstrates Precision Strike Using Three Distinct Guidance Technologies

 On 26 December 2025, Baykar announced via its official X account that the Bayraktar AKINCI unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) had successfully completed live munition firing tests with three Turkish-made precision weapons: the MAM-T smart munition, the LAÇİN-82 guidance kit and the TEBER-82 Winged Guidance Kit, all achieving what the company described as “bull’s eye” hits. Shared first on social media by Baykar, these firings confirm that AKINCI can now employ a broad family of Roketsan-guided munitions, from lightweight stand-off weapons to winged 500 lb class bombs. The tests come as Türkiye continues to consolidate its position in the UCAV domain, where indigenous drones and munitions are a central component of its deterrence posture and export strategy. The announcement signals that AKINCI is transitioning from a platform in incremental qualification to a mature, multi-weapon system integrated with the latest national guidance technologies. Read Full Defense News At This Li...

Israel Fields SIGMA 155 Roem Automated Artillery System as M109 Replacement for Faster Fires.

The Israel Defense Forces Artillery Corps has received the first SIGMA 155 Roem, an Israeli-produced self-propelled 155 mm artillery system delivered by Elbit Systems. The handover marks the opening move in a phased replacement of the U.S.-made M109 fleet that has underpinned Israeli tube artillery since the 1980s. Beyond being a new gun, Roem signals a deliberate pivot toward automation, faster kill chains, and manpower efficiency at a time when Israel’s ground forces are under constant pressure to generate massed fires quickly, then relocate before enemy counterfire arrives. Read more... SIGMA 155 Roem self-propelled howitzer of the IDF Artillery Corps, featuring a 155 mm gun with up to 40 km range, fully automatic shell loading, a reduced three-soldier crew, and advanced digital command-and-control enabling rapid, networked fire missions and high-tempo shoot-and-move operations (Picture source: Israel MoD). from World Defence News https://ift.tt/fr3dBW9 via IFTTT

China’s J-10 Fighter Seen With Possible YJ-21E Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile in New Images.

Photos published on December 26, 2025, by China Military Online show a PLA Air Force J-10 fighter lifting off for what is described as a routine training sortie, but analysts quickly focused on the jet’s centerline payload. The weapon’s size, shape, and mounting geometry closely resemble open-source depictions of the YJ-21E export hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile, prompting renewed debate among regional defense observers about whether China has succeeded in adapting a weapon once limited to heavy bombers for use on a frontline multirole fighter. Read more... YJ-21E hypersonic air-launched anti-ship ballistic missile, assessed up to 1,500 km range with Mach 6-plus flight and a Mach 10-class terminal dive, built to hit major warships with minimal warning and stress shipboard defenses (Picture source: China Military/Weibo). from World Defence News https://ift.tt/wv5kb2f via IFTTT

U.S. Launches Airstrike on Nigeria Likely Using Tomahawk Missile from Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer

According to information published by the U.S. Department of War, the United States conducted a precision strike on December 25, 2025, targeting Islamic State positions inside Nigeria, as part of ongoing counterterrorism operations in West Africa. The announcement was accompanied by video footage of a missile launch from a U.S. Navy surface combatant operating offshore, prompting defense analysts to assess that the strike likely involved a Tomahawk cruise missile fired from an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, although the U.S. military has not formally confirmed the weapon system or the vessel involved. Read full Naval News at this link ... Still image from video footage released by the U.S. Department of War on December 25, 2025, showing the launch of a possible Tomahawk Land Attack Missile from a U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer during a strike operation targeting ISIS elements in Sokoto State, Nigeria.  (Picture source: U.S. Department o...

U.S. Air Force expands MQ-9A Reaper drone presence in Caribbean for counter-narcotics operations

The U.S. Air Force has quietly expanded its unmanned aerial presence in the Caribbean, with newly released imagery confirming the deployment of a seventh MQ-9A Reaper operating from Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Defense officials have long pointed to the strategic value of the former military airfield, known locally as BQN, as a forward hub for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions supporting counter-narcotics operations across the Caribbean basin and along maritime routes linked to Venezuela. Read full Defense Aerospace News at this link ... An MQ-9A Reaper from the 163d Attack Wing, California Air National Guard, taxis during routine operations. This aircraft type is now deployed from Puerto Rico to support expanded U.S. Air Force ISR missions against drug trafficking in the Caribbean. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/e6MLkPs via IFTTT

North Korea Discloses Ongoing Construction of an 8,700-Ton Nuclear-Powered Strategic Submarine

On December 25, 2025, North Korean state media KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un had inspected the construction of an 8,700-ton “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine” at a domestic shipyard. According to the KCNA report and the photographs released with it, the vessel is intended to serve as a strategic nuclear attack submarine within the country’s naval modernization plans. The images show a large hull on a building cradle in red anti-corrosion primer, indicating a project that has progressed beyond the conceptual stage but is still under construction. KCNA describes the submarine as nuclear-powered, though the existence and maturity of any naval reactor have not been confirmed from open sources. The appearance of such a platform is relevant because it suggests a move toward a more survivable, sea-based component of North Korea’s nuclear forces, with potential consequences for deterrence and crisis stability on the Korean Peninsula. Read Full Defense News At This Link. ...

Analysis: China Adapts Russia-Ukraine War Lessons to Shape Taiwan Invasion Planning

China has drawn key lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war that it now applies to a potential Taiwan conflict, according to a December 2025 report by the U.S. Department of War. After analyzing Russia’s failures in logistics, joint operations, and urban combat, the PLA has shifted from expecting a quick invasion to preparing for a prolonged, high-intensity campaign focused on sustained logistics, joint force integration, and information warfare. Based on this, Army Recognition assesses that a likely Chinese invasion would begin with cyber and missile strikes to paralyze Taiwan’s defenses, followed by amphibious and airborne assaults, and end with intense urban combat to seize key population centers. Read full Naval News at this link ... On November 14, 2025, China's first new-generation amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan (Hull 51), set sail from the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, heading to designated sea areas to conduct its first navigation test mission. (Picture sou...

Spain Strengthens Air Defense With $1.7bn Deal For Four Raytheon Patriot Fire Units

  On December 23, 2025, Reuters reported that RTX subsidiary Raytheon secured a $1.7 billion contract to deliver four Patriot air and missile defense systems to Spain. The announcement comes as European governments accelerate investment in air and missile defense to address a wider range of threats, from cruise missiles and ballistic missiles to large-scale, mixed raids. In Raytheon’s framing, the purchase is directly tied to national readiness and sovereignty, and it is structured as a U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case that also brings Spanish industry into the supply chain. Read Full Defense News At This Link. Spain is moving to strengthen its national air and missile defense with a $1.7 billion agreement for four Raytheon Patriot fire units, reflecting Europe’s accelerating focus on countering advanced aerial and missile threats (Picture Source: RTX) from World Defence News https://ift.tt/APWkYCD via IFTTT

Belgian Special Forces receive first Polish-made Piorun portable air defense missile system

Belgium has formally introduced the Polish-made Piorun man-portable air defense system into its Special Operations Regiment, marking a notable upgrade to the country’s short-range air defense posture. According to information released by the Belgian Ministry of Defence, the first system was handed over on December 23, 2025, during an official ceremony in Heverlee, underscoring growing concern among NATO militaries about the vulnerability of dismounted forces to drones and low-flying aircraft. Read full Defense News at this link ... Belgian Special Forces operators conduct a static demonstration of the Piorun man portable air defense system during an integration event in Heverlee, showcasing handling procedures and sighting systems without live missile firing. (Picture source: Belgian MoD) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/ZHqOhg2 via IFTTT

Kosovo Security Force Takes Delivery of German Panzerfaust 3 Anti-Tank Weapons

On 22 December 2025, Anadolu Agency reported that the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is to be equipped with German-made Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank weapons, a transfer confirmed by acting Minister of Defence Ejup Maqedonci in Pristina. The Albanian Post and Telegrafi later detailed that the Ministry of Defence has completed the procurement procedures with Germany, underlining that the weapons are already bought and now only await transport and handover. Subsequent local reporting indicates that Kosovo has now officially taken delivery of the Panzerfaust 3 systems from Germany, within the framework of their bilateral defence cooperation. The transfer is presented by the authorities in Pristina as a concrete step in the modernisation of the Kosovo Security Force and its alignment with Euro-Atlantic standards, at a time when security dynamics in the Western Balkans remain fragile and under close international scrutiny. Read Full Defense News At This Link. Germany’s delivery of Panzerfa...

Exclusive Analysis: U.S. Trump-Class Warship Introduces Next-Generation Stealth and Combat Systems.

Through U.S. President Donald Trump's statement on December 22, 2025, the U.S. Navy announced its intent to construct a new Trump-class guided missile battleship, starting with the future USS Defiant (BBG-1), as the centerpiece of a wider “Golden Fleet” buildup. The move revives the battleship label, but the hardware being proposed is closer to a missile-heavy large surface combatant built to fight inside a saturated anti-ship missile environment, while also acting as a fleet command node. The War Department’s Pentagon News account describes the ships as 30,000-to 40,000-ton combatants now in the design phase, with construction of the lead ship targeted for the early 2030s. Read more... Trump class battleship concept is a 35,000-ton missile-heavy flagship built for hypersonic strike, dense air defense, and layered self-protection with deep magazines and advanced sensors (Picture source: U.S. DoW). from World Defence News https://ift.tt/nWKQMNg via IFTTT

Indonesian Navy Receives Second Italian-Built PPA-Class Multipurpose Combat Ship

According to information released by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri on December 22, 2025, the Indonesian Navy formally accepted KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 during a ceremony at the company’s Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia. The delivery completes Jakarta’s acquisition of two Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) class vessels, originally designed for the Italian Navy, and reflects Indonesia’s growing emphasis on flexible, multi-mission surface combatants capable of operating across a wide range of maritime security scenarios. Read full Naval News at this link ... The PPA-class (Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura) is a new-generation multipurpose offshore patrol vessel designed by Fincantieri, combining high-end combat capabilities with modular flexibility for missions ranging from maritime patrol and sea rescue to full naval warfare. (Picture source: Fincantieri) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/ucwMKoa via IFTTT

Lithuania Orders 100 CV90 MkIV Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Bolster Baltic Mechanized Defense

 On 15 December 2025, Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence reported that the State Defence Council approved the purchase of 100 Swedish CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles under a joint procurement with five other NATO Allies. The decision is framed as more than a platform buy, linking new tracked combat power to industrial participation, with Lithuania seeking to include domestic production of technical components and in-country maintenance support in follow-on acquisition contracts. With the Nordic-Baltic security environment shaped by Russia’s war against Ukraine and a wider push for faster NATO readiness, the programme also signals an intent to shorten the path from political approval to fielded capability through multinational coordination.  Read Full Defense News At This Link.  Lithuania has approved the purchase of 100 CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles through a NATO joint procurement, tying expanded mechanized combat power to regional interoperabil...