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Germany Receives First 5 Patria 6x6 Armored Vehicles Under €2B NATO Modernization Plan

The German Army has taken delivery of its first five Patria 6x6 armored vehicles, a seemingly modest handover that nevertheless signals the opening move in a wider transformation of how the Bundeswehr’s combat support units will deploy, survive, and sustain tempo under NATO’s renewed focus on high-intensity land warfare. These initial platforms are pre-series vehicles, delivered early to begin operator training, maintenance familiarization, and the technical verification work needed before serial production ramps. Handed over at the Zeithain material depot by Patria Deutschland leadership under the oversight of the Bundeswehr procurement agency BAAINBw, the first tranche is designed to seed the training pipeline and accelerate readiness, ensuring that crews, mechanics, and unit commanders can validate tactics, mission-kit integration, and sustainment routines ahead of the larger fleet that will follow. Read more... Germany’s Patria 6x6 delivers protected, amphibious mobility with mo...
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Iran signs secret €500M Verba air defense deal with Russia as U.S.–Iran nuclear talks intensify

On February 22, 2026, the Financial Times revealed that Iran finalized a secret €500 million agreement with Russia’s Rosoboronexport for 500 9K333 Verba MANPADS launchers, 2,500 9M336 surface-to-air missiles, and associated night vision equipment. The contract was reportedly signed in Moscow in December 2025 and foresees deliveries between 2027 and 2029, although a smaller number of systems may have been transferred earlier. The purchase follows recent U.S.–Israel strikes, heightened U.S. military buildup in the Middle East, and ongoing U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations.  Read full defense news at this link... The Russian-made 9K333 Verba MANPADS is a shoulder-fired air defense system designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and UAVs at ranges of 500 m to 6–6.5 km and altitudes up to 4.5 km, with reaction time under 8 seconds and average speeds exceeding 600 m/s. (Picture source: Russian MoD) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/xIafR7c...

Turkish AKINCI Drone Achieves First Air-to-Air Kill Using EREN Loitering Munition Against Shahed-Type UAV

  On 21 February 2026, footage and statements released by Baykar Technologies on its official X account confirmed that the Bayraktar AKINCI Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle had carried out its first successful air-to-air engagement using the EREN High-Speed Multi-Purpose Loitering Munition, destroying a target drone over the Black Sea off Sinop. The test comes at a moment when Türkiye has consolidated its position as the world’s leading exporter of armed UAVs and when allied airspace is increasingly challenged by massed kamikaze drones and cruise-missile-like threats on the eastern flank. By transforming a long-endurance strike UCAV into a cost-effective “drone killer” equipped with a turbojet-powered interceptor, Ankara has taken a visible step in rewriting the economics and tactics of air defence. For NATO planners, the demonstration points to a future in which persistent unmanned patrols complement manned fighters and ground-based air defence systems in a layered, networked shield...

U.S. Navy Taps L3Harris to Strengthen Nuclear Submarine Communications for Strategic Deterrence

L3Harris Technologies announced on February 18, 2026, that it secured its largest full-rate production contract for U.S. Navy submarine communications systems, following an award from General Dynamics Electric Boat. The agreement calls for delivery of 26 shipsets for Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines and Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, with production extending through 2033. The communications suites, which enable secure, survivable connectivity between submerged platforms and national command authorities, form a critical part of both conventional undersea operations and the sea-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad. Read more.   Pre-Commissioning Unit New Jersey (SSN 796), a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, arrives at Naval Weapons Station Earle on September 6, 2024 (Picture source: US DoD) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/BDXjJFS via IFTTT

Australia Receives First 2 of 29 U.S. AH-64E Apache Helicopters to Replace Tiger Fleet by 2028

The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command on February 20, 2026, delivered the first two AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Australia, initiating a 29-aircraft procurement under Project Land 4503, as reported by Terri Stover. The transfer, executed through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales framework, formalizes the Australian Army’s shift from the Airbus Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter to Boeing’s latest Apache Guardian configuration. The handover comes as Canberra accelerates land force modernization with a focus on long-range precision strike, improved networked targeting, and expeditionary operations across the Indo-Pacific littoral environment. Read more.  Australia’s first AH-64E Apache attack helicopters commenced flying operations in Townsville on 27 November 2025 (Picture source: Australian MoD) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/nfxJDN9 via IFTTT

France Deploys Dixmude Amphibious Assault Ship to Indo-Pacific for Power Projection Mission

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces and the Marine nationale confirmed on February 19, 2026, that the Jeanne d’Arc 2026 task group has sailed from Toulon for a five-month deployment stretching from the Mediterranean into the Red Sea, East Africa, the Indian Ocean and onward to the Indo-Pacific. Built around the Mistral-class amphibious assault ship Dixmude (L9015) and escorted by the La Fayette-class stealth frigate Aconit (F713), the mission blends the traditional formation of naval officers with a more pointed operational signal: France is rehearsing joint power projection under the same maritime security pressures that now define key sea lanes across three continents. Read more... Dixmude is a Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, combining a six-spot flight deck and hangar for a mixed helicopter and drone air wing with a well deck for EDA landing craft, while also serving as a floating command post and hospital for expeditionary operations (Picture source: Marine Nationale)...

Russia Sends Upgraded BREM-80 Recovery Vehicles with Anti-Drone Protection to Ukraine Front

Rostec disclosed on February 20, 2026, that Uralvagonzavod has delivered a new batch of modernized BREM-80 armored repair and recovery vehicles to Russia’s Ministry of Defense ahead of Defender of the Fatherland Day. The company frames the upgrade package as a direct response to battlefield realities in Ukraine, where recovery crews operate under constant pressure from drones, artillery, and loitering munitions. The most consequential changes center on improved crew protection and a mechanized coupling system that lets operators attach, hook up, and begin towing damaged armor without stepping outside the vehicle, reducing exposure during the most vulnerable moments of a recovery mission. Read more... Modernized BREM-80 T-80-based armored recovery vehicle with heavy winches, a 18-ton-class crane, a dozer-spade anchor, and a mechanized coupling for rapid under-armor towing and extraction under drone and artillery threat (Picture source: Army Recognition Group). from World Defen...

Germany Tests FV-014 Loitering Munition with 100 km Strike Range and 600 mm Armor Penetration

Rheinmetall released live-fire footage on February 19, 2026, highlighting its FV-014 loitering munition during a customer-facing trial at Germany’s National Test Centre for Unmanned Aerial Systems in Cochstedt. The 20-kilogram fixed-wing drone carries a 5-kilogram high-explosive dual-purpose warhead capable of penetrating more than 600 millimeters of rolled homogeneous armor and striking targets at ranges up to 100 kilometers. Designed for brigade and battalion-level operations, the system demonstrated dynamic strike profiles against armored vehicles, artillery, and command posts while maintaining human-in-the-loop control. Rheinmetall says the FV-014 is engineered to operate in GNSS-denied and electronically contested environments, reflecting battlefield lessons from Ukraine. The company also emphasizes scalable production using modular architecture and commercial components, signaling Europe’s intent to field sovereign, high-volume loitering strike capabilities aligned with NATO doct...

Denmark Awards Ammo Deal to Rebuild 155mm & 120mm War Stocks for ATMOS and Cardom 10 Artillery

Denmark has quietly taken another step away from the post-Cold War comfort zone and back toward the hard mathematics of industrial war. A contract notice published on the European Union’s Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) on February 17, 2026, shows the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) awarding EUR 213.7 million to Excalibur International a.s. for 120 mm mortar ammunition and 155 mm artillery ammunition. The procurement was handled under an accelerated process justified on essential national security grounds, with Copenhagen prioritizing delivery speed, operational suitability and ammunition-technical quality, and price after receiving bids from three economic operators in autumn 2025. Read more... Denmark’s DALO awarded Excalibur a EUR 213.7 million deal for 120 mm and 155 mm ammunition to rebuild war reserves for Cardom 10 mortars and ATMOS howitzers, mirroring Europe’s push to restock for high-intensity conflict (Picture source: Army Recognition Edit). ...

Israel to Deploy Arrow 4 Air Defense System in 2026 After Iran Threats

Israel Aerospace Industries is preparing to bring the Arrow 4 interceptor into operational service within the coming months, according to CEO Boaz Levy, who spoke at a defense conference in Tel Aviv on February 17, 2026, as first reported by The Jerusalem Post. Levy linked the program’s progress to Israel’s preparation for future high-intensity conflict, citing the ballistic missile exchanges with Iran in 2024 and 2025 as a catalyst for accelerating advanced air defense capabilities. His remarks indicate that major development benchmarks have been achieved and that integration with the Israel Defense Forces air defense command network is moving toward field readiness, positioning Arrow 4 as the next layer in Israel’s multi-tiered missile shield alongside Arrow 2 and Arrow 3. Read more.  The Arrow 4 is intended to counter advanced ballistic missile threats, including maneuvering reentry vehicles and potentially certain hypersonic glide vehicles (Picture source: IAI) Re...

Greece's Theon International reports record revenue and 182 percent order growth in 2025

On February 16, 2026, the Greek company Theon International Plc reported its preliminary financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, confirming record revenue and profit in its 28-year history. Order intake increased 182 percent to €1.3139 billion, while revenue rose 25.9 percent to €443.5 million. The company entered 2026 with a backlog of €1.4143 billion and revenue guidance of €570 to €600 million.  Read full defense news at this link.... Theon International Plc reported its preliminary financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, in which order intake increased 182 percent to €1.3139 billion, while revenue rose 25.9 percent to €443.5 million. (Picture source: Theon) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/aexpYD1 via IFTTT

Russia Unveils KH-UAV Guided Missile for Precision Strikes by Combat Drones at World Defense Show 2026

 On 9 February 2026, Russia’s KBP Instrument Design Bureau presented the KH-UAV air-launched guided missile for unmanned aerial vehicles at the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The biennial exhibition, organized under the authority of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, is positioned as a platform for defense procurement dialogue and industrial cooperation across air, land, sea, space, and security domains. The KH-UAV’s presence reflects the continuing shift toward UAV-enabled precision strike, where armed forces seek persistent surveillance paired with rapid, controlled engagement options. In a regional market shaped by multi-domain modernization and high readiness requirements, compact UAV munitions have become a key indicator of how suppliers intend to address operational demand for scalable precision effects.  Read Full Defense News At This Link.  Russia’s KBP Instrument Design Bureau unveiled the KH-UAV, a compact ...

Russia Increases BMP-3 IFV Production With New Drone and Mine Protection for Ukraine War

Rostec, the Russian state-owned industrial conglomerate, has confirmed a fresh shipment of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to Russia’s Ministry of Defence, dated 28 January 2026, and framed the delivery as part of an accelerated production tempo, with January output reportedly running 40 percent above plan. The state conglomerate says these vehicles reflect direct battlefield feedback from Ukraine, integrating a newer onboard electronic warfare suite, strengthened underbody protection, and improved anti-fragment resistance to the hull’s front and rear arcs. In Rostec’s telling, the “standard configuration” now leaving the factory floor is no longer the pre-war BMP-3 baseline, but a wartime-evolved package shaped by four years of attrition, drones, mines, and artillery fragmentation. Read more... BMP-3 armament pairs a 100 mm gun-launcher firing HE rounds and guided missiles with a 30 mm autocannon and 7.62 mm machine guns, giving Russian crews a single platform for close infantry s...

Belgium to order 11 additional F-35A fighter jets in 2026 with final assembly in Italy

In an interview with Breaking Defense on February 13, 2026, Belgium's Defence Minister Theo Francken confirmed that Belgium intends to sign a contract this year with Lockheed Martin for 11 additional F-35A fighter jets, raising the total planned fleet to 45 units. The procurement builds on the 34 F-35As acquired through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales mechanism and incorporated into the government’s July 2025 strategic defence vision for 2026 to 2034. Belgian authorities are assessing final assembly at Cameri Air Base in Italy to increase European industrial participation and align with EU defence financing criteria.  Read full defense news at this link... Within the global F-35 supply chain, Belgian companies supply structural components, titanium fittings, horizontal tail elements, fuselage longerons, engine components, and logistics software. (Picture source: Belgian Air Force) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/8Nfu2SL via IFTTT

First US-Made Stryker Armored Vehicles Delivered to Bulgaria Under NATO Modernization Plan

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defense announced that the first shipment of Stryker armored combat vehicles reached the Port of Burgas on February 14, marking a significant milestone in the restructuring of the Bulgarian Land Forces. The initial batch includes five Stryker vehicles delivered from the United States and Canada under intergovernmental agreements tied to Sofia’s long-planned modernization strategy. Officials described the arrival as a concrete step toward standardizing equipment with NATO allies, replacing legacy Soviet era platforms and enhancing interoperability within multinational formations. Read more.  U.S. Army M1296 Stryker Dragoon from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment establishes a screening position during Dragoon Ready 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, January 27, 2023. Bulgaria’s future fleet will include 90 XM1296 Dragoon variants armed with a 30 mm cannon. (Picture source: U.S DoD) Read full Defense news.  fr...

Australia Invests $3.9B to Launch AUKUS Nuclear Submarine Construction Yard

On February 15, 2026, the Australian Government confirmed a USD 3.9 billion investment to launch full-scale construction of the future AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarine Construction Yard at Osborne in South Australia, a cornerstone facility for building the nation’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the funding as a decisive step from design and workforce preparation into physical delivery, positioning Osborne as the industrial heart of Australia’s SSN AUKUS program under the trilateral partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom. Read full Naval News at this link … Australia launches full-scale construction of the AUKUS Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne with a 3.9 billion dollar down payment to support future SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarine production. (Picture source: UK MoD) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/FV2y1rc via IFTTT

UK Deploys HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group to High North To Deter Russian Maritime Activity

  The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a 2026 carrier deployment led by HMS Prince of Wales will operate across the North Atlantic and into the High North under Operation Firecrest, a mission portrayed by London as a calibrated response to a maritime environment increasingly shaped by Russian military activity and emerging risks to critical undersea infrastructure such as fiber-optic cables and energy pipelines. Government communications position the deployment squarely within NATO planning frameworks, describing it as a major contribution to collective deterrence and Euro-Atlantic security. Read Full Defense News At This Link. The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed that HMS Prince of Wales will lead a Carrier Strike Group across the North Atlantic and High North in 2026 under Operation Firecrest, reinforcing NATO deterrence amid heightened Russian maritime activity and growing concern over critical undersea infrastructure (Picture Source: Royal British Navy) ...

Germany deploys first Eurofighter Typhoons to Iceland for NATO Arctic Sentry air policing mission

As reported by the Spiegel on February 11, 2026, Germany confirmed that it will deploy four Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Iceland for NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission, becoming the first nation to do so. The Eurofighter Typhoons will operate as two Quick Reaction Alert pairs tasked with intercepting and identifying unknown aircraft. Germany’s contribution may expand beyond four fighters to include tanker aircraft, maritime reconnaissance assets, and A400M airlift support, depending on NATO requirements in the Arctic region.  Read full defense news at this link... The Typhoon carries a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 internal cannon and up to 13 external hardpoints for air-to-air missiles such as Meteor, AIM-120 AMRAAM and IRIS-T, as well as precision-guided air-to-surface weapons. (Picture source: German Armed Forces) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/GTU869y via IFTTT

L3Harris successfully fires Belgium's FZ275 laser rocket from VAMPIRE counter-drone system in Poland

On February 12, 2026, L3Harris conducted a live-fire test of its VAMPIRE counter-drone system in Poland, firing the Thales Belgium FZ275 70 mm semi-active laser-guided rocket. The test marked the first launch of the FZ275 from the FZ605 launcher integrated with VAMPIRE, and was part of an ongoing effort to expand compatible precision munitions for counter-UAS and ground engagements.  Read full defense news at this link... The VAMPIRE is a portable, self-contained intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and precision-strike system designed to counter small unmanned threats and also engage ground targets at ranges up to 7 km with the Belgian FZ275 rocket. (Picture source: L3Harris) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/qbBe4m3 via IFTTT

Australia begins sea trials of Stern Landing Vessel Matilda 1 for U.S. Indo-Pacific operations

As reported by the Australian Defence Magazine on February 11, 2026, the Australian company SeaTransport has commenced sea trials of the 73-meter Stern Landing Vessel (SLV) Matilda 1 off Batam, Indonesia. The trials precede a three-year charter to the U.S. military forces for Indo-Pacific expeditionary operations. The vessel, which possesses a 550-tonne beaching load, 4,000-nautical-mile range, and diesel-electric propulsion, will likely inform the U.S. Marine Corps' future littoral logistics and Landing Ship Medium requirements.  Read full defense news at this link... SeaTransport states that its SLV concept, which includes small modifications to its commercial designs, can achieve 90% of the logistic requirements of similarly sized naval vessels at less than a quarter of the capital cost. (Picture source: SeaTransport) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/c0pZtMr via IFTTT

India Approves 114 French Rafale Fighter Jets to Counter China-Pakistan Threats

India has taken a decisive procedural step toward what could become its largest-ever Western fighter acquisition, setting the Rafale on course for a 114-jet expansion that would reshape the Indian Air Force’s frontline combat inventory and deepen New Delhi’s industrial bargaining power with Paris. On February 12, 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity for a Multi Role Fighter Aircraft requirement identified as “MRFA {Rafale}”, alongside associated combat missiles and a high-altitude pseudo-satellite program. In its official communication, the Indian Ministry of Defence presented the move as an operational answer to air-dominance requirements across the spectrum of conflict and, just as importantly, signaled an industrial red line by stating that the majority of the MRFA fleet is to be manufactured in India. Read more... Rafale multirole fighter featuring RBE2 AESA radar, SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, and ...

UK to deliver 1,000 Martlet missiles to Ukraine in £500M air defence package

The United Kingdom announced on February 12, 2026, a new £500 million air defence package for Ukraine, including 1,000 additional Martlet Lightweight Multirole Missiles. The package also allocates £150 million to NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List mechanism and includes further missile and artillery deliveries. The announcement was made during the 33rd Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels.  Read full defense news at this link... The Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM), also known as Martlet, was developed to complement the heavier Sea Venom missile on the United Kingdom’s AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat helicopter fleet. (Picture source: UK MoD) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/C8AWvaI via IFTTT

U.S. Marines Select GA-ASI YFQ-42A Drone for MUX Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced on February 10, 2026, that it has been competitively selected by the U.S. Marine Corps for evaluation under the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft, or MUX TACAIR, Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, launching integration of a government-provided mission package into its YFQ-42A platform to assess manned-unmanned teaming with Marine Corps fighters. Read full Naval News at this link … GA-ASI’s YFQ-42A takes to the skies during flight testing, demonstrating the autonomy and modular architecture now being evaluated by the U.S. Marine Corps under the MUX TACAIR CCA program. (Picture source: General Atomics) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/wcrVHUY via IFTTT

WDS 2026: Saudi F-15SA Fighter Jets Demonstrate Combat-Ready Capabilities

The Royal Saudi Air Force’s F-15SA fighter jets performed during aerial demonstrations at the World Defense Show 2026, underscoring the aircraft’s central role in the Kingdom’s air power structure. The advanced Boeing-built variant, acquired through a major U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, remains a cornerstone of Saudi air defense planning and a visible symbol of the long-standing defense relationship between Riyadh and Washington. Read more. The F-15SA during the aerial demonstrations at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh (Picture source: Army Recognition) Read full defense news .  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/atbGCLM via IFTTT

WDS 2026: Türkiye’s ASELSAN Layered Air & Missile Defense in Focus

At the World Defense Show held in Riyadh this February, Türkiye’s defense electronics firm ASELSAN detailed its Steel Dome architecture, an integrated air and missile defense concept intended to counter threats ranging from low-cost drones to cruise missiles and ballistic projectiles. Company officials said the architecture brings together sensors, effectors, command and control, and electronic warfare into a single operational framework, reflecting a shift toward multi-layered, networked defense solutions that can be adapted to national and regional requirements. Read more.  Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/0H1JBpq via IFTTT

WDS 2026: Singapore Showcases Hybrid-Electric Rhino MRAP for Manned-Unmanned Teaming

At the World Defense Show 2026, ST Engineering Land Systems showcased an updated Rhino armored vehicle configured for manned-unmanned teaming, or MUM T, positioning the platform as a next step in the mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle lineage. Company officials described the vehicle as a hybrid electric, multi-role system designed to pair a human crew with unmanned ground and aerial assets, while maintaining mission flexibility across combat operations, peacekeeping deployments, and border security tasks. Read more.  ST Engineering Land Systems’ Rhino MUM-T hybrid vehicle on display at the World Defense Show 2026 (Picture source: Army Recognition) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/P5zLsUw via IFTTT

Sweden’s Gripen Fighter Jets Deployment to Iceland Deepens NATO Air Policing and Arctic Deterrence

 On February 4, 2026, the Swedish Armed Forces announced that six JAS 39 Gripen fighters from Skaraborg Air Wing F 7 had landed at Keflavík Air Base in Iceland to support NATO Air Policing during February and March 2026. The deployment, marks the 55th air policing rotation over Iceland, but the first led by the Swedish Air Force since Sweden joined NATO. A complementary announcement by NATO Allied Air Command on February 6 described the mission as a historic moment for the Alliance’s newest Ally, underlining how Stockholm’s accession has already translated into concrete operational commitments. In a context of heightened tension with Russia and growing military activity in the Arctic and North Atlantic, the move has implications that go well beyond Icelandic airspace alone.  Read Full Defense News At This Link.  Six Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters have deployed to Iceland for NATO air policing, marking Sweden’s first operational contribution to Alliance air defense...

U.S. Navy and Industry Push Carrier-Based Unmanned Combat Aircrafts Toward Deployment.

The U.S. Navy’s push to put an armed, carrier-capable unmanned combat aircraft on the flight deck is sharpening into a real contest, as General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. and Anduril Industries used the Singapore Air Show to preview early thinking for the service’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Their message was consistent: the Navy’s version will not be a simple derivative of the Air Force effort, but a purpose-built design shaped by catapult launches, arrested recoveries, deck-spotting constraints, and the unforgiving math of wartime attrition, all while operating as a combat multiplier alongside the F-35C and F/A-18E/F. Read more... A carrier-capable unmanned combat jet designed to launch and recover from carriers, then team with F-35C and Super Hornets to extend range, add sensors and jamming, and carry extra weapons for air defense or strike using task-based autonomy with human control and lethal actions (Picture source: U.S. DoW). from World Defence News https:/...

U.S. Air Force Tests New ERAM Extended Range Attack Munition With Live Warhead

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed it successfully carried out a live-warhead flight test of the Extended Range Attack Munition, or ERAM, on the Eglin Test and Training Range in Florida, marking a significant milestone for the service’s next generation of air-launched strike weapons. Conducted on January 21, 2026, the test concluded with a complete warhead detonation on a designated target, less than 16 months after the program’s initial contract award, an unusually rapid timeline by Pentagon standards, according to Air Force officials familiar with the effort. Read full Defense Aerospace News at this link … A U.S. Air Force Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) cruise missile flies its planned trajectory during a live-warhead flight test over the Eglin Test and Training Range in January 2026, validating long-range standoff strike capability against ground targets. (Picture source: U.S. Air Force) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/nSFQD58 via IFTTT

U.S. Clears $185M Support Package to Keep Ukraine’s Abrams, Bradley and HIMARS in Combat.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) disclosed on February 6, 2026, that the State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine for Class IX spare parts and related support, estimated at $185 million. Logged under DSCA case 25-105 and sent to Congress, the package is not a dramatic new missile tranche or a fresh armored battalion in a box. Instead, it targets the unglamorous choke point that decides whether Western-provided platforms remain combat-relevant: the ability to keep them running, repaired, and mission-capable under relentless battlefield wear. In DSCA’s framing, the request is designed to strengthen Ukraine’s local sustainment capacity and sustain higher operational rates for U.S.-provided vehicles and weapon systems. Read more... A 185$ million U.S. Class IX spare-parts FMS aims to keep Ukraine's Western armor and artillery mission-ready, boosting repair speed and operational availability for Abrams, Bradley, HIMARS, and M777 sys...

Japan Deploys U.S.-Made F-35B Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing Fighter Jets in First Operational Service

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force formally placed the U.S.-made F-35B Lightning II into frontline service on February 7, 2026, holding a deployment commemoration ceremony at Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. According to information published by the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the operational introduction of the short takeoff and vertical landing variant reflects Tokyo’s accelerating focus on distributed and survivable air operations amid a tightening regional security environment. Read full Defense Aerospace News at this link … Japanese defense officials and Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel attend the F-35B deployment commemoration ceremony at Nyutabaru Air Base on February 7, marking the STOVL stealth fighter's official entry into frontline service. (Picture source: Japan MoD) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/4NAFd3H via IFTTT

U.S. Navy Completes Final Harpoon Block II Missile Update Test for Littoral and Land-Strike Operations

  On February 5, 2026, Naval Air Systems Command announced that the U.S. Navy had carried out the third and final planned flight test of the Harpoon Block II Update (HIIU) Obsolescence Update program, closing a key chapter in the life-extension of one of its most widely used anti-ship missiles. Conducted in mid-January over ranges in California, the event confirms that the upgraded missile can still prosecute demanding coastal and land-attack profiles despite the age of the original design. In an era of contested littorals and dense coastal defenses, ensuring that an affordable, mature weapon like Harpoon remains credible is strategically significant for both the United States and allied fleets. Read Full Defense News At This Link. The U.S. Navy has completed the final flight test of its Harpoon Block II Update missile, confirming the upgraded weapon can still perform demanding coastal and land-strike missions despite the system’s aging design (Picture Source: NAVAIR) ...

U.S. Navy Approves Full-Rate Production of BQM-177A Aerial Targets in $61M Kratos Contract

The US Department of Defense announced that Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc of Sacramento, California, has received a 61 million dollar firm fixed price contract modification from Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River Maryland, to support US Navy training and test activities. The modification authorizes full-rate production of Lot Seven BQM 177A surface-launched aerial targets, along with 70 rocket-assisted takeoff kits and associated technical and administrative data, according to Navy contracting officials. Read more .  The BQM-177A can carry internal and external payloads, including Identification Friend or Foe IFF transponders passive and active radio frequency augmentation infrared augmentation through fixed flares or plume pods and electronic countermeasure packages.(Picture source: Kratos) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/A2ytBEL via IFTTT

Taiwan Begins Receiving Land-Based Harpoon Missile Systems for Mobile Coastal Defense

Taiwan has quietly crossed an important threshold in its defense modernization as the first components of the land-based Harpoon Coastal Defense System arrived on the island this week, according to imagery published February 5 by local observers on social media. The photographs show convoys transporting missile launchers, radar vehicles, and command and control units associated with the U.S.-supplied system, signaling the opening phase of a program under which Taiwan has ordered 100 Harpoon missile system sets to strengthen its coastal and naval defense posture. Read more.   The Harpoon Coastal Defense System represents a land-based adaptation of Boeing’s established anti-ship missile architecture, configured specifically for deployment on mobile tactical vehicles (Picture source: Telegram Channel @china3army) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/0ABPwEU via IFTTT

Israel Approves Early Combat Systems Integration for CH-53K Pereh Heavy-Lift Helicopters.

Israel is moving to harden and missionize its next-generation heavy-lift fleet before the first aircraft even reaches an operational squadron. On February 5, 2026, the Israel Ministry of Defense’s Procurement Directorate signed an approximately $130 million agreement with Elbit Systems to integrate advanced Israeli command-and-control, avionics, electronic warfare, and a directed infrared countermeasure capability onto the Israeli Air Force’s incoming CH-53K helicopters. The deal covers 12 aircraft, the future CH-53K “Pereh” fleet, slated to replace the long-serving CH-53 “Yas’ur” that has anchored Israel’s most demanding assault, recovery, and special-mission lift for decades. Read more... Israel's CH-53K Pereh will field a missionized Israeli cockpit with enhanced command-and-control, advanced avionics for low-visibility and night operations, integrated electronic warfare, and DIRCM active anti-missile protection, enabling safer heavy-lift insertions, rapid obstacle and landin...

Sweden hosts French Amiral Ronarc’h FDI frigate as Luleå-class decision enters final phase

On February 2, 2026, the Swedish Älvsborg Amphibious Regiment (Amf 4) confirmed that the French Navy FDI frigate Amiral Ronarc’h (D660) entered the port of Gothenburg and moored at Arendal for a scheduled visit through February 5. The port call coincided with Sweden’s final evaluation phase for its Luleå-class frigate procurement, in which France participates. Expected in early 2026, the procurement choice, valued at approximately $5 billion, represents Sweden’s first acquisition of large warships since the early 1980s.  Read full defense news at this link... The port call of the Amiral Ronarc’h took place as Sweden evaluates three competing offers for the Luleå-class frigate program, which is estimated at roughly $5 billion and foresees the delivery of two ships by 2030, followed by two additional units by 2035. (Picture source: Ambassade de France en Suède) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/DoHvWfQ via IFTTT