MTQ News

Airbus Helicopters announced on 3 February 2026 that France’s Directorate General of Armament (DGA) has formally amended its ongoing SMDM contract to include a vertical take-off and landing variant of the Aliaca unmanned aircraft system for the French Navy. Ordered through Airbus Helicopters' subsidiary Survey Copter, the updated agreement makes France the first operator of the VTOL Aliaca, with deliveries scheduled to begin in May 2026 following a DGA-led qualification campaign. Read more.  The Aliaca VTOL is positioned as a tactical mini-drone rather than a long-endurance MALE asset (Picture source: Army Recognition) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/nJRhrSA via IFTTT

On February 2, 2026, the French Armament General Directorate confirmed the award of the Syfrall heavy light crossing system framework contract to a consortium formed by CNIM Systèmes Industriels, CEFA, and Soframe. The decision follows a notification issued on December 30, 2025, and activates a contract with a maximum value of €697,254,995 excluding tax over a duration of 120 months. The program falls under the 2024–2030 French military programming law and allows acquisitions for partner nations. Read more.  The Pont Flottant Motorisé (PFM), composed of powered floating modules that can be assembled into ferries or continuous bridges, remains the primary floating bridge system in the French Army, notably in the PFM F2 configuration. (Picture source: CNIM Systèmes Industriels) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/rZvuA0V via IFTTT

Speaking in Singapore, Boeing executives confirmed that the MQ-28 Ghost Bat program is shifting from its origins as a technology demonstrator toward an operational combat aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force, with initial service targeted before the end of the decade. According to Aviation Week reporting on February 2, 2026, the company is also shaping a Block 3 configuration designed specifically for international customers, as global air forces seek lower-cost, attritable platforms capable of operating alongside fighters such as the F-35 and future sixth-generation aircraft. Read more.  Boeing is accelerating MQ-28 Ghost Bat service with the RAAF by 2028 while developing an export-ready Block 3 variant for allied air forces. (Picture source: Australian MoD) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/ZRTCVbF via IFTTT

On January 13, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia confirmed the transfer of a C-130H Hercules tactical transport aircraft to the Tunisian Air Force during a ceremony at Sidi Ahmed Air Base. The delivery marked the fourth C-130 military transport aircraft provided to Tunisia since 2021, as part of ongoing bilateral military cooperation. U.S. and Tunisian officials stated the aircraft will be used for transport, security operations, joint exercises, and regional response missions.  Read full defense news at this link... Developed in the early 1950s, the C-130 entered service in 1956 and has since become one of the most widely used military transport aircraft globally, with more than 2,700 Hercules produced to date. (Picture source: U.S. Embassy in Tunisia) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/gCBZ98I via IFTTT

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense confirmed on February 1, 2026, that Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov held high-level talks in Kyiv with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson on a sweeping new security assistance package, described by Ukrainian officials as both a political signal and an industrial breakthrough. According to official messaging, the discussions covered Saab-produced air defense systems and radars, expanded electronic warfare support, and multiple categories of drones, while also opening a parallel aviation dialogue on the possible transfer of JAS 39 Gripen fighters and Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. Read more.   Meteor is designed specifically for Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) combat, with an emphasis on maintaining lethality at extended distances (Picture source: Army Recognition) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/UfBlw0D via IFTTT

The Taiwanese Army is set to close out its long-awaited M1A2T Abrams tank program, with Taiwan’s Liberty Times reporting on 1 February that the final batch of 28 vehicles has completed production in the United States. According to the report, attributed to defense correspondent Tu Ju-min in Taipei, the tanks are expected to be transported by sea to Taiwan before the end of March, completing a 108-vehicle procurement that has been central to Taipei’s effort to restore credible heavy armor capability at the brigade level. Read more.  Taiwan’s final 28 M1A2T Abrams tanks have completed U.S. production, closing a 108-vehicle program to modernize the Taiwanese Army. (Picture source: Taiwan Military News Agency) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/S6TxVh3 via IFTTT

On January 30, 2026, the United States approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Israel covering 3,250 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and related equipment, with an estimated value of $1.98 billion. The vehicles are intended to replace part of the Israel Defense Forces' light tactical fleet, including a large number of Humvees.  Read full defense news at this link... The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) was developed to address shortcomings in protection, payload, and durability identified during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and by mid-2023, more than 20,000 JLTVs had been manufactured. (Picture source: U.S. Army) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/pQBW6uT via IFTTT

According to a February 1, 2026, report by South Korean outlet MAEIL Business Newspaper, Canada has intensified high-level engagement with South Korea as part of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), a program described domestically as a 60 trillion won (USD 45 billion) acquisition. Stephen Poirier, identified as Canada’s Minister of National Defence Procurement, is expected to tour major shipyards this week to review submarine construction capacity and assess conditions for industrial cooperation, a move widely viewed by defense industry observers as late-stage due diligence before final proposals are locked in. Read full Naval News at this link … Launch ceremony of ROKS Jang Yeong-sil, the first South Korean KSS-III Batch-II submarine, at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard, representing the next-generation 3,600-ton-class design officially offered by South Korea to Canada under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. (Picture source: Wikimedia) Read More from World D...

On January 30, 2026, the British government announced that the Ministry of Defence intends to commission MBDA UK Limited to deliver a detailed technical report on the compatibility of the Aster missile family with the Mk41 Vertical Launching System, a widely used US naval launcher. The proposed one-year contract, valued at an estimated £2,000,000, is expected to be awarded under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023, citing a single-supplier justification based on the proprietary and highly specialized nature of the missile and launcher technologies involved, according to MoD documentation. Read full Naval News at this link … British Royal Navy HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 Daring-class air-defense destroyer, equipped with the Vertical Launching System (VLS) firing Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles as part of the UK’s principal naval area air defense capability. (Picture source: UK MoD) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/Xre7s5W via IFTTT

 The British Royal Navy confirmed on 30 January 2026 that it has carried out a series of integration trials at the National Drone Hub at Predannack Airfield on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula, testing how crewed aircraft can work more closely with uncrewed systems. During the activity, known as Eagles Eye, an AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA2 from 815 Naval Air Squadron conducted simulated Martlet missile engagements against moving targets, using live targeting data supplied by two light drones and ground-based sensors, according to a Navy statement. Read more.  In British service, the Wildcat HMA2 is configured for anti-surface warfare and the engagement of fast threats, including light craft, mobile coastal targets, and asymmetric threats (Picture source: UK MoD) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/mKg9IUL via IFTTT

 Türkiye’s defense software firm HAVELSAN has taken a significant step toward operationalizing autonomous warfare, unveiling a live field demonstration of its Digital Troops concept using a coordinated swarm of POYRAZ quadcopter drones. Conducted in front of senior civilian and military officials, the exercise focused on autonomous mission execution, kamikaze-style attack profiles, and simultaneous multi-target engagement, underscoring HAVELSAN’s claim that its distributed swarm architecture is now resilient enough for real-world combat conditions rather than controlled test environments. Read more .  HAVELSAN showcases a live POYRAZ drone swarm, signaling Türkiye’s move toward deployable autonomous Digital Troops combat systems.(Picture source: Havelsan) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/QWINb1j via IFTTT

The Australian Government on 30 January 2026,  confirmed the delivery of a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, marking the latest milestone in Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Program. The vessel, commissioned as RMIS Jelmae, was handed over at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, with Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko accepting the ship on behalf of the government. Australian officials described the transfer as part of a sustained effort to support maritime sovereignty, law enforcement, and regional stability across the Pacific. Read more.   The Guardian‑class Patrol Boat, RMIS Jelmae, alongside HMAS Stirling, marking its formal handover to the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) in Western Australia. (Picture source: Australian MoD) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/LznFvhm via IFTTT

On January 28, 2026, The Telegraph reported that China supplied Russia with at least $10.3 billion in advanced machinery and electronics since 2022. The deliveries included CNC machine tools, microchips, and testing equipment identified at the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant, where the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile is produced. China denied providing military support, stating exports were civilian and commercial.  Read full defense news at this link... The Oreshnik, also designated SS-X-31B or SS-X-34, is an intermediate-range, ground-launched ballistic missile developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, with ranges between 800 km and 5,000 km depending on payload mass and trajectory. (Picture source: Russian MoD) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/znsBLel via IFTTT

 During a formal ceremony marking the opening of newly constructed military barracks on January 24, 2026, the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan publicly showcased two newly inducted military systems, offering a rare glimpse into the country’s defense modernization efforts. The equipment presented included the JN1101 vehicular comprehensive anti-UAV system developed by the 36th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation and the HZ emergency powered pontoon bridge manufactured by Hubei Huazhou Heavy Industry Emergency Equipment Co., Ltd. Public disclosures of new capabilities remain uncommon in Turkmenistan, making the event a notable indicator of evolving procurement priorities. Read more.  Taken together, the unveiling of the JN1101 anti-UAV system and the HZ powered pontoon bridge highlight Turkmenistan’s growing reliance on Chinese defense and emergency equipment suppliers (Picture source: Weibo Channel 疯子白杨) Read full Defense news.  ...

According to a January 21, 2026, report by Reuters, Germany is preparing to procure at least three MEKO A-200 frigates for the German Navy, as delays continue to affect the F-126 frigate program. The ships would be built by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, with first deliveries planned from 2029 under a parallel procurement framework approved by parliamentary budget authorities.  Read full defense news at this link... The MEKO A-200 frigate has a length of 121 meters, a beam of 16.4 meters, and a design draught of about 4.4 meters, with a full-load displacement of roughly 3,950 tonnes. (Picture source: TKMS) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/5ca0Jeq via IFTTT

On January 28, 2026, the future aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) departed Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding facility to begin builder’s sea trials. The underway period marks the supercarrier’s transition from dockside testing to open-water evaluation under the shipbuilder's responsibility. Trials follow initial nuclear propulsion testing conducted in the James River in September 2025.  Read full defense news at this link... The construction of the USS John F. Kennedy began on July 20, 2015, at Newport News Shipbuilding, where structural assembly continued through 2019. The ship was launched on October 29, 2019, and christened on December 7, 2019, after which extensive outfitting followed over several years. (Picture source: HII) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/BXTOS9F via IFTTT

North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea early Monday, triggering swift condemnations from South Korea and Japan, which said the activity violated United Nations Security Council resolutions banning the regime’s ballistic missile testing. Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff and Japan’s Coast Guard confirmed the launches originated near Pyongyang, as U.S., South Korean, and Japanese defense officials moved to share tracking data and assess what they described as another deliberate signal from Kim Jong Un’s leadership amid stalled diplomacy. Read more.  At this stage, the exact model has not been officially confirmed, but the technical and visual indicators released by North Korean media suggest it could plausibly be the KN-25, a system that deliberately blurs the boundary between rocket artillery and ballistic missiles (Picture source: KCNA) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/DuJ4BZr via IFTTT

On January 27, 2026, the Italian Army received the first four Lynx KF-41 infantry fighting vehicles at the Army Multifunctional Experimentation Center in Montelibretti. The delivery formally initiated the Army Armoured Combat Systems (A2CS) program and followed the signature of an initial contract for 21 vehicles at the end of 2025. The program plans to acquire up to 1,050 tracked vehicles in multiple variants to replace the VCC-80 Dardo, modernize Italy’s heavy brigades, and rationalize its armored fleet.  Read full defense news at this link.... The first four Lynx infantry fighting vehicles delivered to the Italian Army were fitted with Rheinmetall’s Lance 30 mm turret as an interim solution, but will later be retrofitted with Leonardo’s Hitfist 30 mm turret. (Picture source: Italian Army) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/BeyAwZN via IFTTT

Russia’s state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec announced on January 22 that units of the Russian Armed Forces will soon be equipped with a new type of rifle-calibre ammunition intended to engage small unmanned aerial systems at close range. The munition, developed under Rostec’s High Precision Systems holding company and designated Mnogotochie, is designed for use with standard Kalashnikov assault rifles, giving ordinary infantry units an organic and, immediately available option for responding to FPV strike and reconnaissance drones operating at low altitude. Read more .  Test footage shows Mnogotochie ammunition engaging a drone with a standard AK rifle. (Picture source: TASS) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/I20zSpk via IFTTT

As reported by HotNews on January 26, 2026, Romania has detailed the structure of its €16.6 billion Security Action For Europe (SAFE) financing package, which includes the procurement of seven complete Rheinmetall Skynex very short-range air defense batteries. The programs funded under SAFE are scheduled for completion by 2030 and are financed through long-term EU-backed credit conditions.  Read full defense news at this link... A standard Skynex air defense system consists of four 35 mm Revolver Gun Mk3 unmanned turrets, one Skynex Control Node CN-1 command-and-control post using the Skymaster battle management system, and at least one X-TAR3D X-band radar for airspace surveillance. (Picture source: Army Recognition) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/AYqZb4V via IFTTT

Northrop Grumman has released new details and video footage of its Jackal turbojet-powered precision strike missile, shedding light on a system designed to bring speed, autonomy, and adaptable effects to frontline units operating in increasingly contested air and electromagnetic environments. Unveiled in late August 2025, Jackal reflects a deliberate shift toward weapons that can survive jamming, operate with limited human control, and deliver precision effects at scale without relying on traditional air superiority. Read more... Northrop Grumman's Jackal is a turbojet-powered autonomous precision strike missile designed for multi-domain launch, capable of high-speed standoff attack, limited loiter, GPS-denied navigation, and modular payloads for strike, ISR, or electronic warfare, with architecture aligned for future swarm-enabled operations in contested environments (Picture source: Northrop Grumman). from World Defence News https://ift.tt/Gi5s2rf via IFTTT

Speaking to students at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology on January 23, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that the nuclear-powered icebreaker Lider, described by him as a 150 MW vessel with no global equivalent, is progressing on schedule at the Zvezda shipyard and is expected to be completed by 2030. The announcement was used to underscore Moscow’s broader strategic intent in the High North, where the Arctic is increasingly treated not as a remote periphery but as a core national interest linking economic development, infrastructure expansion, and long-term security posture. Read more... Lider (Project 10510) is a nuclear-powered, up to 120 MW at the shafts, built to break over 4 meters of ice and open a roughly 50-meter channel for year-round Arctic escort and sustained Russian presence (Picture source: Screenshot from Rosatom video). from World Defence News https://ift.tt/MI476Px via IFTTT

A blunt statement posted this week by the Department of War’s Chief Technology Office on X signaled a shift in tone from experimentation to execution. “Yes, the Department of War has directed energy weapons. Yes, we are scaling them,” the message read, leaving little ambiguity about intent. In Washington’s current branding, “Department of War” functions as a secondary designation for the Department of Defense under a 5 September 2025 executive order, but the language matters. It frames lasers and high-power microwaves not as futuristic research projects but as warfighting tools moving toward broader operational use. The question now confronting U.S. planners is whether these systems can transition from limited prototypes and niche shipboard installations into dependable defensive firepower capable of restoring magazine depth as cheap drones and massed cruise-missile salvos increasingly define modern battlefields. Read more... Mounted on a Stryker M-SHORAD vehicle, the U.S. Army'...

On January 22, 2026, maintainers from the U.S. Air Force 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base carried out a high-intensity readiness drill that brought a U-2 Dragon Lady to launch under simulated contested conditions during Exercise DRAGON SHIELD, with ground crews operating in austere circumstances that included Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear. The scenario was designed to validate the Air Force’s ability to generate intelligence sorties even when bases are under threat, communications are degraded, and personnel are forced to work masked, restricted, and under time pressure. At its core, the exercise delivered a clear operational signal: in a high-end conflict, the United States intends to keep its most valuable intelligence aircraft flying on demand. Read more... The U-2 Dragon Lady is a high-altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft capable of operating above 70,000 feet, equipped with advanced imagery and signals intelligence se...

 Recent public statements by Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu, Chief Executive Officer of Turkish Aerospace Industries, suggest that the ANKA III unmanned combat aerial vehicle has entered a decisive phase of maturity as Türkiye approaches what he described as an exceptionally demanding year for its national aerospace programmes in 2026. Speaking against the backdrop of a broad industrial mobilisation encompassing both manned and unmanned platforms, Dr. Demiroğlu indicated that the ANKA III programme has successfully completed its critical design review, that its configuration has now been frozen, and that production-related activities have already commenced. Within this context, he stated that the Turkish Air Force is expected to place an initial order exceeding 50 aircraft during 2026, signalling a transition from a design-driven development effort toward procurement planning, industrial execution, and long-term integration into the country’s future force structure.    Read Full De...

Army Recognition teams reporting from DIMDEX 2026 in Doha observed a Royal Saudi Naval Forces MH-60R Seahawk secured on the flight deck of the Al Jubail-class corvette Onaizah, offering visitors a rare close-up of the aviation component that transforms the ship from a missile-armed surface combatant into a true multi-domain naval platform. Held from 19 to 22 January at the Qatar National Convention Centre, with visiting warships moored at Hamad Port, the exhibition placed the Saudi corvette and its embarked helicopter among the most closely examined displays of the show. Read more... Royal Saudi Navy Al Jubail-class corvette Onaizah combines anti-surface and air defense missiles with advanced sensors and a full-flight deck, enabling it to project surveillance, strike, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities far beyond the horizon through its embarked MH-60R helicopter (Picture source: Arùy Recognition Group). from World Defence News https://ift.tt/l9mBpSE via IFTTT

 On 19 January 2026, new test footage emerged showing Estonian company Frankenburg Technologies’ Mark I mini-missile intercepting a Shahed-type one-way attack drone. The demonstration highlights the rapid pace at which Europe’s counter-drone ecosystem is adapting to the growing operational pressure posed by low-cost, mass-employed aerial threats. The engagement reflects two years of Russian Shahed use against Ukrainian critical infrastructure, where the cost balance has often favoured the attacker. By demonstrating a very small, low-cost guided interceptor against a Shahed-class target, the test addresses the core question of whether missile defences can be scaled for daily drone raids rather than rare high-end threats.    Read Full Defense News At This Link.  Newly released footage shows Estonia’s Frankenburg Technologies Mark I mini-missile successfully intercepting a Shahed-type attack drone, highlighting a push toward lower-cost, scalable air defense agai...

 On 22 January 2026, a French Navy task group operating in the western Mediterranean intercepted and boarded the crude oil tanker Grinch, a Comoros-flagged vessel that had sailed from Murmansk and was suspected of belonging to Russia’s sanctions-evading “shadow fleet”. Conducted on the high seas between Spain and Morocco, the operation was ordered at the highest political level, with President Emmanuel Macron announcing that the ship was “subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag” and vowing that France “will not tolerate any violation”. Official communiqués from the French presidency and the armed forces, relayed by maritime authorities and international agencies, describe an action carried out in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and supported by allied intelligence. Beyond the diplomatic signal, the imagery released by the French Navy and by President Macron on X reveals the central role of naval aviation, in particular an NH90...

As reported by Reuters on January 21, 2026, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems formally advanced an investment-linked proposal for Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. The approach combines submarine procurement with long-term industrial commitments intended to meet Canada’s offset and domestic economic requirements. A final government decision on the program is expected in 2026.  Read full defense news at this link... The German effort is centered on negotiations with industrial partners in Germany and Norway, as the Type 212CD is a joint project between the two countries, to assemble a multi-billion-dollar investment package directly linked to the submarine tender. (Picture source: TKMS) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/PbnZSp8 via IFTTT

BAE Systems disclosed on 21 January 2026 that the US Army has confirmed a $473 million contract for the production of 40 additional M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer sets, along with the associated M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracked vehicles. The award, announced through the company’s Combat Mission Systems business line and updated later the same day, reflects the Army’s continued focus on sustaining heavy artillery capability within armored brigade combat teams rather than expanding overall fleet size. Beyond new vehicle production, the contract also funds technical support packages, post-production refurbishment, and welding compliance activities, signaling an emphasis on readiness, safety, and long-term sustainment. Read more .  A US Army M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer reflects ongoing production under a $473 million BAE Systems contract to sustain modern armored artillery firepower. (Picture source: US DoD) Read full Defense news.  from World Def...

The Finnish Air Force confirmed Tuesday that its first F-35A Lightning II has arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, following a ferry flight from Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft, tail number JF-501, represents the first tangible step in Finland’s long-planned modernization of its combat aviation fleet, replacing aging Hornets with a stealth-capable platform designed for high-threat environments and NATO-integrated operations. Read more .  The Finnish Air Force’s first F-35A Lightning II arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 20, 2026. (Picture source: US DoD) Read full Defense news.  from World Defence News https://ift.tt/YbnlmxK via IFTTT

On January 19, 2026, at DIMDEX 2026 in Doha, Qatari shipbuilder Performance Marine unveiled the Ghost 7 unmanned surface vessel. The seven-meter USV is scheduled to enter sea trials during 2026 as part of a proof-of-concept phase. The company stated that initial operational use is planned for a Qatari customer, with export discussions underway in the Gulf region.  Read full defense news at this link... The Ghost 7 USV was shown in two main configurations at DIMDEX 2026; the first variant is oriented toward naval combat, while the second focuses on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. (Picture source: Army Recognition) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/ylaZc5i via IFTTT

At DIMDEX 2026 in Doha on 20 January 2026, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) unveiled a full-scale YFQ-42A, placing a U.S.-designed uncrewed fighter concept at the center of an exhibition traditionally dominated by maritime security. Displayed on the floor of the Qatar National Convention Centre, the real-size airframe conveys a level of ambition no brochure can match: this is not a lightweight attritable drone, but a jet-sized combat aircraft conceived around manned-unmanned teaming and the delivery of massed air-to-air firepower in high-threat environments. Read more... The YFQ-42A uncrewed fighter features an internal weapons bay designed to carry air-to-air missiles such as AIM-120 AMRAAM, enabling it to act as a forward “missile truck” that extends the reach, firepower, and survivability of manned fighters by delivering additional shots deep into contested airspace while reducing risk to human pilots (Picture source: Army Recognition Group). from World Defenc...

DIMDEX opened its ninth edition in Doha on January 19, 2026, turning the Qatar National Convention Centre into a focal point for regional and international defense attention. This year’s exhibition, traditionally anchored in naval security, carried a distinctly air and missile defense character as delegations assessed systems shaped by current Middle Eastern threat realities. On the Qatar Emiri Air Defence Forces stand, Army Recognition observed and photographed a Patriot launching station displayed as an operational asset rather than a conceptual exhibit, with a clearly visible identification plate confirming it as an M903 launcher modified for PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement. Read more... Patriot M903 launcher equipped with PAC-3 MSE interceptors provides Qatar with a highly mobile, networked air and missile defense capability, designed to defeat ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft through hit-to-kill precision and high interceptor density, while integrating seamle...

 On 18 January 2026, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announced that its MQ-20 Avenger unmanned combat air vehicle had completed a new mission autonomy flight from San Diego featuring a live aerial intercept against a crewed aggressor aircraft. In this company-funded test, the jet-powered drone used a government reference autonomy stack to plan, execute and adapt its mission while managing air-to-air manoeuvres with minimal human input. The demonstration illustrates how quickly mission autonomy and sensor-driven decision-making are moving from simulation into realistic combat scenarios. The event, underscores the importance that industry and the U.S. Air Force now attach to collaborative autonomous combat aircraft.    Read Full Defense News At This Link.  General Atomics has demonstrated a major leap in air combat autonomy after its MQ-20 Avenger drone successfully flew a live aerial intercept against a crewed aircraft with minimal human co...

On January 19, 2026, the Philippine Navy confirmed the arrival of the future BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20), the first of six offshore patrol vessels ordered from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, after completing its delivery transit from Ulsan, South Korea. The ship will undergo inspection and acceptance procedures before commissioning, marking the first completed delivery under the ₱30 billion offshore patrol vessel contract signed in 2022.  Read full defense news at this link... The Rajah Sulayman can remain at sea far longer and further from home ports than older Jacinto-class patrol vessels, enabling sustained maritime domain presence, surveillance, and interdiction operations in the country’s expansive archipelagic waters. (Picture source: Philippine Navy) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/m7nJ9jt via IFTTT

On January 18, 2026, the Israeli Air Force announced that three new F-35I Adir fighter jets arrived at Nevatim Air Base, increasing the IAF's F-35I fleet to 48 aircraft. The aircraft were assigned to the 116th Squadron “Lions of the South” and the 140th Squadron “Golden Eagle,” both operating from Nevatim, and immediately entered service, as the F-35I fleet has remained continuously operational since October 7, 2023. Israeli officials reiterated the role of U.S.-Israeli defense cooperation in sustaining fleet readiness.  Read full defense news at this link... Israel’s F-35I “Adir” (Hebrew for “Mighty One”) is a unique variant of the F-35A Lightning II, with modifications spanning across command and control, electronic warfare (EW), communications, and weapons integration. (Picture source: IAF) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/UEd8B30 via IFTTT