Weapons & Technology

Russia quietly puts up to nine secret satellites into orbit

Russia launched a classified Soyuz-2-1b rocket from the Plesetsk military cosmodrome in the early hours of April 17, 2026, deploying what tracking data now suggests may be as many as nine military spacecraft across two distinct orbital planes. The U.S. Space Force has since catalogued a total of 10

U.S. Disables, Seizes Iranian Container Ship Attempting to Run Strait of Hormuz Blockade

U.S. Central Command forces boarded and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury, as it attempted to sail into an Iranian port, CENTCOM announced Sunday. USS Spruance (DDG-111), a destroyer in the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, intercepted container ship MV Tous

Fincantieri in Malaysia: integrated naval solutions for a changing maritime landscape

In the context of the Indo-Pacific’s growing geopolitical centrality, Fincantieri is progressively strengthening its presence in Malaysia, seizing the opportunities created by rising defense spending and the increasing demand for advanced naval capabilities. Sponsored content by Within this framewor

U.S. Navy Destroyer Disables Iranian-Flagged Cargo Vessel

U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19. U.S. CENTCOM press release Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian S

USS Gerald R. Ford is Now Operating in the Red Sea

Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is now operating in U.S. Central Command, two defense officials confirmed to USNI News on Friday. Ford departed the Eastern Mediterranean Sea late last week and is now in the Red Sea after a Suez Canal transit. Destroyers USS Mahan (DDG-72) and USS Winsto

French Army tests drone-armed autonomous combat cells

France’s 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade is using the ORION 26 exercise to test and implement a series of tactical modules designed to advance the brigade’s thinking on light mobility and decentralized combat, the unit announced April 18, 2026. The exercise represents a significant doctri

Chinese new DF-27 hypersonic missile launchers spotted in urban area

Videos and images circulating on the Chinese social media platform Weibo show a convoy of multiple mobile missile launchers traveling through what appears to be a Chinese city, with open-source analysts identifying the vehicles as probable transporter-erector-launchers associated with the DF-27 anti

U.S. firm unveils Comet drone boat armed with air defense missiles

Baltimore-based BlackSea Technologies publicly unveiled its Comet unmanned surface vessel at the Sea-Air-Space exposition, displaying the platform armed with missiles for both air defense and surface strike missions. The company announced its presence at Dock D2, making Comet one of the most heavily

U.S. Army launches CASEVAC drone program to evacuate wounded under fire

The U.S. Army’s Capability Program Executive for Mission Autonomy has issued a formal solicitation asking defense industry to develop an unmanned ground vehicle capable of evacuating wounded soldiers and delivering supplies through the most dangerous stretch of the modern battlefield — the zon

U.S. approves $11.9B Aegis combat system sale to Germany

The U.S. Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Germany valued at an estimated $11.9 billion, covering eight complete shipsets of Aegis-based Integrated Combat Systems along with a comprehensive package of weapons, sensors, and support equipment. The determination, whic

Norway scrambles F-35s to intercept Russian patrol aircraft

A Norwegian passenger jet from the airline Norwegian was placed in a holding pattern on the evening of 15 April while two Norwegian Air Force F-35 fighters scrambled from Evenes Air Station to intercept an unidentified aircraft approaching Norwegian airspace. The military alert took priority over ci

What’s next for the Thales sonar systems destined for cancelled U.S. Navy frigates?

In an interview with Naval News, Vice President for naval programs at Thales Defense & Security Inc. RADM Tony Lengerich (Ret.) and Vice President for strategy at Advanced Acoustic Concepts (ACC) Mark Bock, gave insights into the CAPTAS-4 Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) systems once destined for the

Ukraine becomes first to intercept Shahed using naval drone launch

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces have announced a combat milestone with no documented precedent in modern warfare — operators from the Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) division of the 412th Nemesis Brigade successfully intercepted a Russian Shahed attack drone using an interceptor drone launched

Taiwan eyes Japan’s New FFM as frigate option

According to media reports in Taiwan, the Republic of China (ROC) Navy is reportedly considering Japan’s New FFM (also known as Upgraded Mogami-class or 06FFM) design as a possible frigate candidate. On April 15, 2026, UP MEDIA quoted an anonymous source, saying that because Taiwan and Japan a

U.S. Army Secretary says Ukraine changed how humans fight wars

U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll publicly acknowledged before Congress that the American military is actively adopting lessons from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, calling Ukraine’s wartime innovations a fundamental transformation of how humans engage in armed conflict. Driscoll made the remarks d

U.S. Army teases next-generation armor trials

The U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division has dropped a pointed teaser on social media, posting a close-up image of an armored vehicle turret alongside the phrase “Coming soon…” and a string of hashtags — #XM30, #M1E3, #PegasusCharge, #TiC, and #CavCountry — that together signal t

US Approves Possible FMS of AEGIS/SPY-6 Package to Germany

As part of a process started two years ago, the United States have now approved a German request for purchase of the AEGIS/SPY-6 AAW suite. Germany will purchase eight complete sets intended to fit out the future F127 AAW combatants. Official Release by US State Department “The U.S. Department

Spanish Army tests Destinus interceptor container launch system

King Felipe VI of Spain visited the Spanish Army’s Third Tactical Experimentation Campaign — known as TEC 3 — at Base Álvarez de Sotomayor in Viator, Almería this week, where aerospace company Destinus conducted a live container-launched interception demonstration with its Hornet B1 counter-dr

Northrop Grumman runs YFQ-48A ‘fighter drone’ engine for first time

Northrop Grumman announced Friday that its YFQ-48A Talon Blue autonomous combat aircraft completed its first engine run, a key developmental milestone achieved in collaboration with Pratt & Whitney and the U.S. Air Force. The announcement was brief but pointed. “YFQ-48A Talon Blue started

U.S. Army tests drone and EW tactics in cold-weather operations

U.S. Army soldiers from the Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division conducted Operation Arctic Tech at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, from April 7 to April 10 — a weeklong field exercise designed to fuse unmanned aircraft

U.S. Navy completes final deliveries of 300 Harpoon missiles

The U.S. Navy has completed delivery of the 300th and final Harpoon missile under its Lot 91 multi-year production agreement with Boeing, closing out a significant chapter in one of the Western world’s most widely fielded anti-ship weapon programs. The milestone caps a production run primarily

OneArc update on latest deals and a new FPV drone trainer

OneArc executive Oliver Arup detailed ongoing developments - VBS4 and Flowstate - during the ITEC exhibition in London.

Iran reimposed Strait of Hormuz closure hours after brief reopening

Iran’s military has reimposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, closing the critical waterway to shipping just hours after briefly allowing transit, according to Iranian state media. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Saturday that control of the strait had returned “to

Russia bolsters Air Force with new Su-35S batch

Russia’s state defense conglomerate Rostec announced that the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has delivered another batch of new production Su-35S multirole fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces. Vladimir Artyakov, First Deputy Director General of Rostec, praised the aircraft’s batt

Australia Announces Contract For First Three ‘Upgraded Mogami’ General Purpose Frigates Under SEA 3000

The government of Australia has today, Saturday 18 April 2026, announced contracts with the Japanese government and shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for the purchase of three “Upgraded Mogami” general purpose frigates. The event is a first step in an overall effort under SEA

U.S. Navy begins search for Mk 41 VLS-launched hypersonic weapons

A new Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) program is looking to advance the service’s hypersonic portfolio by combining its past investments and prior applied research into a combined effort that will field low-cost hypersonic boost-glide missiles in Mk 41 VLS cells. The U.S. Navy unveiled its Fl

Marine Corps Awards Contracts for Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle Prototypes

The U.S. Marine Corps awarded contracts to General Dynamics Land Systems and Textron Systems Corporation earlier this month, moving forward with the second phase of rapid prototyping for the service’s Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle.  Both GD Land Systems and Textron will build and deliver their res

Chantiers de l’Atlantique Launches 3rd BRF Supply Ship for the French Navy

The third French Logistic Support Ship (LSS, known in French as BRF), Émile Bertin, was officially launched today at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, marking a major milestone in the Franco‑Italian Logistic Support Ship (LSS) Programme managed by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-oper

Ukraine confirms Gripen pilot training to start this year

Ukraine expects its pilots to begin training on Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets as early as 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, signaling a new step in efforts to rebuild the country’s air force during the war. In remarks cited by Militarnyi, Zelenskyy pointed to a growing partnership

Bell Textron creates Ukraine subsidiary for helicopter support

Bell Textron Inc. said Friday it has set up a subsidiary in Ukraine and is preparing to open a dedicated office, laying the groundwork for a long-term partnership with the country’s defense industry. The new unit, Bell Textron Ukraine, will act as the company’s base for work inside the country. Whil

PlanetiQ secures $15m US Air Force STRATFI contract

PlanetiQ has secured a $15m contract with the US Air Force (USAF) to enhance its satellite-based weather data capabilities over the next 48 months.

INS Aridhaman strengthens India’s at-sea deterrence, reports GlobalData

The recent commissioning of INS Aridhaman by India is set to advance the Indian Navy’s transition to a continuous at-sea deterrence posture, according to data and analytics firm GlobalData. The post INS Aridhaman strengthens India’s at-sea deterrence, reports GlobalData appeared first on Naval

L3Harris to expand solid rocket motor output with $1.27bn investment

L3Harris Technologies and the Orange County Board of Supervisors have reached an agreement to expand L3Harris’ solid rocket motor production in Orange County, Virginia.

Spain buys 34 SUPERAV 8×8 amphibious vehicles

Indra Land Vehicles and IDV, a Leonardo Company, signed a strategic agreement on April 17, 2026, to deliver the new Marine Infantry Amphibious Combat Vehicle — known by its Spanish acronym VACIM — to the Spanish Armed Forces under a Special Modernization Program commissioned by the Spanish Ministry

Germany fields kamikaze drone batteries in army artillery battalions

The German Army is moving to equip its corps-level artillery formations with long-range loitering munitions capable of striking targets between 200 and 300 kilometers away, according to remarks delivered by Lieutenant General Heico Hübner, Deputy Inspector of the Army and Commander of the Military B

Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open to commercial vessels

U.S. President Donald Trump amplified the news within minutes, stating on social media that Iran had announced the strait “is fully open and ready for full passage.” Yet Trump simultaneously made clear that the American naval blockade of the waterway would “remain in full force&#82

Construction begins for German Navy’s final Class-424 intelligence vessel

Rheinmetall Naval Systems has commenced construction of the third and last vessel in the German Navy’s Class-424 intelligence fleet at the Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast, Germany. The post Construction begins for German Navy’s final Class-424 intelligence vessel   appeared first on Naval Technology

Ukraine, Diehl Defence formalise air defence, F-16 missile cooperation

Ukraine and German defence firm company Diehl Defence have agreed on “concrete solutions” to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence and advance joint projects.

US Army Chinook completes first automated landing with Boeing A2X

A US Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter has performed its first “fully automated approach and landing” using Boeing’s Approach-to-X technology.

Data-centric security and NATO confidentiality labelling: Securing information in modern defence networks

2026 Australian National Defence Strategy

The following is the 2026 Australian Government National Defence Strategy, released on April 16, 2026. From the report Australia’s strategic environment The deteriorating trends in our strategic environment that were identified in the 2024 National Defence Strategy have broadened and intensified. Ne

Italian Navy commissions Tritone vessel for seabed warfare

The commissioning of Tritone (A 5341) marks more than the addition of a new multi-purpose support vessel to the Italian Navy’s fleet; it reflects a notable shift in how the service approaches capability acquisition. By sourcing a commercial platform and adapting it rapidly for naval use, Italy is ad

US Navy uses MQ-4C drone for 12 hour surveillance mission near Cuba

A U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone carried out a more than 12-hour reconnaissance flight off the coast of Cuba, flying repeated patterns over the Gulf of America and the northern Caribbean, based on flight tracking data and open-source reporting. The aircraft, using the callsign BLKCAT6, op

Israel uses Roem howitzer in first combat strikes in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces has used its new Ro’em self-propelled howitzer in combat for the first time, firing the system during artillery strikes in southern Lebanon. Units from the 282nd Artillery Brigade brought the wheeled system, also known as the SIGMA 155, into action to support ground operati

Spanish Army tests armed robotic ground vehicles

Spain’s EM&E Group has carried out live-fire trials of its Aunav robotic ground vehicles equipped with Guardian Aspis remote weapon stations during a Spanish Army experimentation campaign, showcasing their ability to engage targets while on the move. The testing took place from April 7 to April

AV develops next-gen MAYHEM 10 kamikaze drone with 100 km range

AeroVironment, better known as AV, has introduced a new launched effects system, expanding its portfolio of loitering munitions with the debut of the MAYHEM 10, a multi-role platform built for use across air, ground, and maritime operations. The system builds on the company’s Switchblade family but

AIR launches heavy lift cargo drone with 550 pound payload capacity

Florida-based aerospace company AIR says it has begun flight operations with its new heavy-lift cargo unmanned aircraft, marking the first public confirmation that the platform has moved into active flying status. The aircraft, which the company describes as one of the largest in its category, is bu

U.S. Air Force tests YFQ-44A ‘fighter drone’ with minimal crew using laptop

The U.S. Air Force and Anduril Industries completed the first experimental testing of the YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft with the Air Force’s newly stood-up Experimental Operations Unit last week, conducting a series of daily flight operations at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Th

Japan’s MHI awarded contract to build three Upgraded Mogami-class Frigates

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has been awarded a contract by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) to build three upgraded Mogami-class multi-mission frigates (FFM), with a total contract value of 128.6 billion yen ($806 million). The award was recently disclosed by ATLA.

U.S. Army awards $1 million contract for 15 eBee VISION drones

The U.S. Army awarded a contract to German drone distributor DRONIVO GmbH on April 2, 2026, for 15 EAGLE NXT eBee VISION small unmanned aerial systems, six ground control stations, and a pilot training package to equip the 2nd Cavalry Regiment ahead of the Saber Strike 26 exercise. The contract, val