Daily briefing
September 28, 2026
Executive summary
Air and drone reporting dominated today's 48-item feed, followed by naval and industrial-base activity, with North America and Europe accounting for 40 items and no cyber-tagged developments. The most consequential development is the UK's £6 billion plan backing BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce to start SSN-AUKUS production in 2027 and double submarine output, reinforced by the decision to reserve Faslane docks for British shipyards. In Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov stated that drones now account for more than 95% of Ukrainian strikes, Brave1 orders have passed 590,000 drones with interceptors in the lead, and Kyiv is pressing allies to accelerate air defense deliveries before winter. In the United States, reporting on Operation Epic Fury shows $44.5 billion in Middle East arms agreements competing with allied commitments and delaying partner deliveries, even as Northrop Grumman delivered the first 21 of 150 SDA Transport Layer satellites and SpaceX's Starship reached orbit for the first time. The connective thread is industrial capacity and supply-chain sovereignty, running from General Dynamics' Arkansas solid rocket motor campus and Amprius' up-to-$75 million drone battery grant to Taiwan's drone park built to shed Chinese components and Ukraine's auction-free Defence City leases. For decision-makers, the signals to watch are whether Gulf delivery priority further delays allied orders, how MQ-9 combat losses shape the Reaper successor requirement, and whether Starship's orbital debut translates into defense launch business, since no contract accompanied the flight.
◆ Articles covered
- NavalDefence Industry EuropeBritain backs BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce expansion with £6 billion plan to start SSN-AUKUS production in 2027 and double submarine output
The UK government has committed £6 billion to support BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce in expanding submarine production capacity, with SSN-AUKUS construction scheduled to begin in 2027 and a stated objective of doubling submarine output. The investment will fund facility upgrades at Barrow-in-Furness and propulsion manufacturing at Rolls-Royce's Derby and Bristol sites. The plan is central to Britain's obligations under the AUKUS trilateral agreement and represents the largest single commitment to UK submarine industrial capacity in decades, with implications for both domestic naval procurement and Australia's future submarine fleet.
- SpaceDefence Industry EuropeNorthrop Grumman delivers first 21 of 150 planned satellites for U.S. military communications and missile defense network
Northrop Grumman has delivered the first 21 satellites of a planned 150-satellite constellation supporting U.S. military communications and missile defense tracking to Vandenberg Space Force Base. The satellites form part of the Space Development Agency's Transport Layer, which is designed to provide low-latency, jam-resistant data relay and missile warning coverage for joint force operations globally. Delivery of the initial tranche represents a significant production milestone for one of the most consequential U.S. military space programs currently underway, with the full constellation intended to provide continuous global coverage.
- NavalDefence Industry EuropeFaslane submarine docks to be reserved for British shipyards
The UK government has decided to reserve submarine docking facilities at Faslane for British shipyards, excluding foreign competitors from the upcoming procurement. The decision forms part of a broader industrial strategy to protect and develop domestic submarine construction and maintenance capacity. This policy directly supports the AUKUS submarine program and the UK's ambition to double submarine output, reinforcing the national industrial base ahead of SSN-AUKUS production.
- DronesArmy RecognitionU.S. Air Force Moves to Strengthen Expeditionary Airfields With 54 Counter-Drone Systems
The U.S. Air Force is seeking up to 54 compact, man-portable counter-small UAS systems for the 621st Contingency Response Group to protect expeditionary airfields. The initial requirement calls for 12 C-UAS systems, alongside passive RF detection, portable electronic-warfare defeat and kinetic-defeat systems, with options that could expand the inventory. The requirement is designed to provide rapidly deploying Airmen with layered protection against Group 1 and Group 2 drones in austere or contested operating locations.
- InstitutionalArmy RecognitionOperation Epic Fury exposes pressure on U.S. arms supply amid $44.5 billion in Middle East deals and delayed allied deliveries
Operation Epic Fury has highlighted acute strain on U.S. defense industrial supply chains, as $44.5 billion in Middle East arms agreements compete with commitments to allied nations for delivery priority. The reporting reveals that deliveries to allied customers have been delayed as the U.S. prioritizes fulfilling large Gulf state contracts, generating friction within NATO and partner procurement pipelines. The situation exposes structural capacity constraints across the American defense industrial base at a time of simultaneous high demand from multiple theatres and customers.
- NavalDefence Industry EuropePlymouth-built uncrewed boat armed with Sea Venom missile
A Plymouth-built uncrewed surface vessel has been armed with the Sea Venom anti-ship missile, demonstrating the integration of a modern precision-guided weapon onto an autonomous naval platform. Sea Venom is a fire-and-forget anti-ship missile developed jointly by MBDA and originally designed for helicopter launch, making its integration onto an uncrewed boat a notable capability extension. The development points toward a future operational concept in which low-cost autonomous surface vessels can deliver lethal anti-ship effects without risking crewed assets, consistent with NATO's evolving maritime drone strategy.
- IndustryArmy TechnologyGE Aerospace names Poland's WZL-1 licensed engine maintenance provider for Apache, Black Hawk, AW149 and AW101 helicopter fleets
GE Aerospace has designated Poland's WZL-1 military aviation works as a licensed maintenance provider for turboshaft engines powering the Apache, Black Hawk, AW149 and AW101 helicopter fleets. The arrangement establishes WZL-1 as a regional MRO hub for GE-family military rotorcraft engines in Central and Eastern Europe, supporting NATO allies that operate these platforms. The partnership enhances Poland's sovereign maintenance capacity while enabling faster turnaround times for allied helicopter fleets without requiring engines to be shipped to facilities outside the region.
- NavalDefence Industry EuropeFincantieri and PT PAL Indonesia sign agreement for the modernization of ex-Giuseppe Garibaldi
Fincantieri and Indonesia's state shipbuilder PT PAL have signed an agreement to modernize the former Italian Navy aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, recently commissioned into the Indonesian Navy. The collaboration will cover upgrades needed to adapt the vessel to Indonesian operational requirements and integrate it into national naval doctrine. The partnership also positions PT PAL to develop domestic shipbuilding expertise through the modernization process, potentially strengthening Indonesia's indigenous naval industrial capacity for future programs.
- DronesNaval NewsUkraine's Brave1 Market Tops 590,000 Drones Ordered as Interceptors Lead
Ukraine's Brave1 defense technology marketplace has surpassed 590,000 drones ordered through its platform, with interceptor-type counter-UAS systems emerging as the leading category by order volume. The figure reflects the extraordinary scale of Ukraine's wartime drone procurement effort and the central role that unmanned systems play in the conflict across both offensive and defensive missions. The dominance of interceptor orders highlights the priority Ukraine places on defeating Russian drone threats, including the large-scale FPV and Shahed-series campaigns targeting Ukrainian infrastructure and frontline forces.
- AirJanesUkraine's cheap Patriot rival now has a two-mode seeker
Ukrainian missile maker Fire Point has updated the published specifications of its FP-7.x Freyja anti-ballistic interceptor to list a combined infrared and radar seeker instead of the infrared-only seeker previously described. Using both infrared and radar can allow the missile to continue tracking when one sensing mode is degraded by factors such as weather, decoys or target characteristics. The change is part of the Freyja project to develop a lower-cost ballistic-missile defense system, with Fire Point planning its first ballistic-target interception around July 2027.
- Dronesdefensewarroom.comDrones accounting for over 95% of strikes: Ukraine's Fedorov
Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov has stated that drones now account for more than 95% of all Ukrainian strikes, a figure that underscores the transformative shift in the character of modern warfare toward unmanned systems. The statistic provides authoritative confirmation of the operational primacy of UAS in the conflict and has direct implications for how allied militaries evaluate future force composition, procurement priorities and doctrine. The statement also reinforces Ukraine's push to dramatically scale domestic drone production and international procurement through platforms such as Brave1.
- IndustryDefence BlogGeneral Dynamics nears completion of Arkansas solid rocket motor campus to meet rising demand across multiple U.S. defense programs
General Dynamics is nearing completion of a new solid rocket motor production campus in Arkansas, designed to address growing demand for propulsion components across multiple U.S. defense programs. The facility is intended to relieve capacity constraints in the U.S. solid rocket motor industrial base, which supports programs including tactical missiles, strategic systems and space launch vehicles. Completion of the campus would represent a significant expansion of domestic munitions and propulsion manufacturing at a time when Pentagon demand for missiles and guided weapons is at historically elevated levels.
- AirArmy TechnologyFeature: G2E consortium kicks off development plan for GCAP sensing and communications
The G2E consortium has commenced formal development planning for the sensing and communications architecture of the Global Combat Air Programme, marking a concrete engineering milestone for the UK-Japan-Italy sixth-generation fighter initiative. G2E brings together key sensor and communications technology companies from the three partner nations to define the integrated sensor suite, datalink architecture and electronic warfare systems that will equip the GCAP platform. The kick-off of this development plan advances GCAP from concept definition toward systems engineering, with the program targeting an initial operating capability in the mid-2030s.
- AirDefence Industry EuropeHurkus-II Enters Turkish Air Force Fleet
The Turkish Air Force has inducted the Hürkuş-II next-generation advanced trainer aircraft into its fleet, marking the entry into service of Turkey's domestically developed turboprop trainer. The aircraft is produced by TAI and represents a key component of Turkey's strategy to replace aging trainer platforms with indigenously designed systems. Aviation Week reporting confirms the formal induction of the first aircraft, with the Hürkuş-II intended to cover both basic and advanced training phases and to reduce Turkish dependence on foreign-sourced training aircraft.
- Landaviationweek.comMystery Shoulder-Fired Surface-To-Air Missile Appears In Russian Service
An unidentified shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile has appeared in Russian service, with visual analysis suggesting that it may be of Chinese or Iranian origin or derived from designs from either country. The weapon does not closely match known Russian MANPADS families, and features of the launcher have prompted comparisons with Chinese QW-series systems and Iranian Misagh variants. Its exact model, origin and route into Russian service remain unconfirmed.
- AirJanesUSAF Plans Participation of Early CCA Production Aircraft In Emerald Flag
The U.S. Air Force plans to include early production Collaborative Combat Aircraft in Emerald Flag exercises, accelerating the operational integration of autonomous wingman platforms into combat training scenarios. The decision to use production-representative aircraft rather than purely developmental prototypes in a major exercise marks a significant maturation of the CCA program. Emerald Flag is a large-scale electronic warfare and contested environment exercise, making it a demanding operational test environment for CCA autonomous teaming concepts alongside crewed fighters.
- IndustryThe War ZoneV2X Wins $46 Million Air Force Contract Supporting B-52 LRSO Integration
V2X has been awarded a position on a $46 million U.S. Air Force delivery order supporting the B-52 Long Range Standoff cruise missile program. Under the award, V2X will provide carriage equipment production needed to support integration of the LRSO weapon system on the B-52 Stratofortress. The LRSO is being developed to replace the Air Force's existing Air-Launched Cruise Missile as part of the modernization of the air-launched leg of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
- DronesDefense DailyHeavy losses of MQ-9 Reaper to factor in future plans to divest, replace aircraft
Significant combat losses of MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft will be incorporated into U.S. Air Force planning for the platform's divestiture and replacement, according to Military Times reporting. The Reaper has suffered attrition from adversary air defense systems in contested operating environments, accelerating reassessment of its survivability in high-end conflict. The losses add urgency to the Air Force's search for a successor platform capable of operating in denied airspace, and are expected to influence both the pace of MQ-9 retirement and the requirements for its replacement.
- InstitutionalJanesRolls-Royce to invest $398 million in UK manufacturing
Rolls-Royce will invest £300 million ($397.9 million) to expand and upgrade UK manufacturing and engineering facilities supporting its civil aerospace and defence businesses. More than £140 million will fund new facilities and aftermarket capacity in Derby, with completion planned for 2028, while over £90 million will modernise Bristol’s defence-propulsion site and expand maintenance, repair and overhaul capability by 2031. Further spending includes £43 million at Inchinnan for engine-component machinery, £19 million at Rotherham’s blade-casting facility and £5 million at Ansty. The Rotherham work, supported by an additional £2 million from the regional authority, is intended to double advanced turbine-blade output by 2030.
- AirReutersChina's KJ-500 El Alamein Debut in Egypt Marks Its First Airshow Abroad
China's KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft made its first international airshow appearance at Egypt's El Alamein Air Show, marking a significant step in Beijing's effort to market the platform to potential export customers. The KJ-500 is China's most advanced operational AEW&C platform, featuring an active electronically scanned array radar housed in a fixed triangular rotodome. Its debut abroad signals Chinese intent to compete in the Middle Eastern and African AEW market, where Egypt operates as a potential operator.
- Dronesdefensewarroom.comTaiwan builds drone industry park to shed Chinese supply chain
Taiwan is establishing a dedicated drone industry park designed to develop a domestic unmanned systems supply chain independent of Chinese-sourced components. The initiative responds to security concerns about the infiltration of Chinese parts into military-grade drone platforms and aims to build sovereign production capacity for UAS hardware, including sensors, electronics and structural components. The move aligns with Taiwan's broader defense industrial strategy to reduce strategic dependency on adversary-linked supply networks amid growing cross-strait tensions.
- IndustryDefence BlogLithuania leads Baltic states with about €2 billion in U.S. arms purchases and seeks closer ties with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman
Lithuania has accumulated approximately €2 billion in U.S. arms purchases, leading the Baltic states in American defense procurement, and is actively seeking to deepen industrial partnerships with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The procurement portfolio reflects Lithuania's accelerated defense buildup in response to the regional security environment and its growing integration into U.S.-supplied weapons ecosystems. Closer ties with the two major U.S. primes are intended to improve sustainment, technology transfer and local industrial participation over the long term.
- Airaviationweek.comUS Air Force Extends B-1B Sensor Sustainment to Keep Aging Bomber Fleet Mission Ready Through 2031
The U.S. Air Force has extended the sensor sustainment program for the B-1B Lancer bomber fleet to maintain mission readiness through 2031. The extension covers maintenance and support for onboard sensor systems critical to the aircraft's targeting and situational awareness capabilities. The decision reflects the Air Force's need to bridge the gap until the B-21 Raider achieves sufficient operational numbers, keeping the B-1B viable for conventional long-range strike missions despite the platform's advancing age and the prior reduction in fleet size.
- InstitutionalDefence Industry EuropeUkraine lets Defence City arms makers lease state and municipal property without auctions to expand wartime weapons production
Ukraine has enacted a policy allowing arms manufacturers operating within its Defence City cluster to lease state and municipal property without competitive auction, streamlining access to production facilities to accelerate wartime weapons output. The measure removes a key bureaucratic barrier that had slowed the expansion of domestic arms production capacity. It applies specifically to manufacturers in the Defence City framework and reflects Ukraine's broader strategy of rapidly scaling industrial output for drones, artillery, ammunition and other priority systems amid continued high-intensity combat.
- NavalArmy RecognitionU.S. Navy decommissions Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Erie and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown in San Diego
The U.S. Navy has decommissioned the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie and the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown in ceremonies held in San Diego. USS Lake Erie was notably used for ballistic missile defense tests, including the 2008 Operation Burnt Frost engagement of a malfunctioning satellite. The retirement of both vessels reflects the ongoing drawdown of the Ticonderoga class as the Navy prepares to transition cruiser-equivalent air defense functions to the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and future platforms.
- LandJanesBAE Systems looks beyond the M113 replacement as it tests 30mm AMPV
BAE Systems is testing an Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle variant fitted with a 30mm cannon, looking beyond the platform's baseline M113 replacement mission toward a more capable protected fighting vehicle. The 30mm armed configuration would significantly expand the AMPV's lethality beyond its current unarmed troop carrier role, positioning it to compete for future missions requiring direct fire support. Testing is ongoing, and no production decision for the armed variant has been confirmed, but the development signals BAE Systems' intent to grow the AMPV program's scope within the U.S. Army's modernization portfolio.
- Institutionaldefensewarroom.comArmy launches 'night court' review of weapons systems
The U.S. Army has launched a two-month 'sustainment night court' review of weapons platforms focused on logistics support, organic repair capability and responsibility for sustaining systems. Army leaders are examining right-to-repair and intellectual-property arrangements, including whether soldiers and Army depots have sufficient ability to repair equipment close to the point of need. The service has not yet determined whether the review will result in systems being retired or abandoned.
- DronesShephard MediaRedwire has sent Ukraine more than 300 Penguin drones
Redwire has delivered more than 300 Penguin unmanned aerial systems to Ukraine, according to Defence Blog reporting. The Penguin is a small reconnaissance and tactical drone used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions at the unit level. The confirmed delivery figure of over 300 systems provides a concrete indication of the scale of Western commercial and defense-sector UAS transfers to Ukrainian forces and the operational demand for small tactical drones in the ongoing conflict.
- Landmilitarytimes.comLiminal's mass-producible UGV heads to Pentagon trial
Liminal's unmanned ground vehicle, designed with mass producibility as a core design requirement, has been selected for evaluation in a Pentagon trial. The platform is intended to provide the U.S. military with a scalable, cost-effective ground autonomous system capable of logistics, reconnaissance or direct-action missions. The trial represents an early but concrete step toward potential procurement, and the emphasis on manufacturability at scale positions the vehicle within the broader DoD push for attritable autonomous ground systems.
- IndustryDefence BlogKorte Construction Awarded $52.4 Million Contract For Nuclear Command Facility
Korte Construction has been awarded a $52.4 million firm-fixed-price contract to construct a nuclear command, control and communications acquisition management facility in Bedford, Massachusetts. The Defense Department contract calls for work to be performed in Bedford, with completion estimated for June 6, 2029. The project is funded through fiscal 2026 defense-wide military construction appropriations and supports U.S. NC3 infrastructure.
- NavalDefence BlogShield AI's Hivemind Used In Autonomous USV Teaming In U.K. Demo
Shield AI's Hivemind autonomous AI software was used to coordinate unmanned surface vehicle teaming in a demonstration conducted in the United Kingdom. The exercise showed multiple USVs operating collaboratively under AI-driven coordination without continuous human control, a capability with direct relevance to naval mine countermeasures, surveillance and distributed maritime operations. The UK demonstration advances the concept of autonomous naval swarms and validates Hivemind's applicability beyond its established use in unmanned aerial platforms.
- DronesJanesAmprius wins up to $75m US DoW grant for drone battery production
Amprius Technologies has been awarded a grant of up to $75 million from the U.S. Department of War through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program to expand domestic production of high-energy-density batteries for unmanned aerial systems. The funding will support conversion of an existing U.S. electric-vehicle battery production line operated by a major South Korean manufacturer. The project is intended to establish high-volume U.S. production of NDAA-compliant battery cells for Group 1, 2 and 3 drones.
- AirJanesRoyal Thai Air Force to procure Indra's long-range radar
The Royal Thai Air Force has decided to procure a long-range ground-based radar system from Spanish company Indra, strengthening Thailand's air surveillance and air defense capability. Indra's long-range radar portfolio includes advanced 3D systems capable of detecting and tracking aircraft, UAVs and cruise missiles at extended ranges. The procurement adds a modern European radar solution to the Thai Air Force's sensor network, expanding its detection coverage in a region where airspace monitoring has become increasingly relevant given the proliferation of advanced aerial platforms.
- AirJanesZulu Pods Tests Attritable-Engine Lubrication System At Altitude
Zulu Pods has conducted altitude testing of a novel engine lubrication system designed for attritable jet engines, a critical technology required to enable affordable, single-use or limited-reuse propulsion for next-generation expendable air vehicles. The test validates the system's performance under reduced atmospheric pressure conditions representative of operational flight altitudes. Reliable low-cost lubrication systems are a key enabling technology for the production of affordable cruise missiles and collaborative combat aircraft at the quantities required by emerging U.S. Air Force attritable platform concepts.
- Airdefensewarroom.comUSAF's Increased F-15 Buy An Opportunity To Explore New Capabilities
The U.S. Air Force's decision to increase its F-15EX procurement provides an opportunity to incorporate additional capability upgrades into the new-build aircraft, according to Aviation Week analysis. The expanded buy offers the service leverage to invest in enhanced avionics, weapon carriage, electronic warfare and sensor integration beyond the baseline configuration, potentially accelerating the introduction of technologies otherwise planned for later block improvements. The F-15EX's large payload capacity and open mission system architecture make it a flexible platform for hosting new capabilities alongside the stealthy F-35 in the mixed fleet strategy.
- Airaviationweek.comBoeing's T-7A Red Hawk advances to flight training after first instructor class completes 31-day simulator course at Texas air base
Boeing's T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer program has reached a new operational milestone as the first class of U.S. Air Force instructors has completed a 31-day simulator training course at a Texas air base, enabling the program to advance to live flight training. The completion of instructor qualification is a prerequisite for stand-up of the operational training unit and marks a transition from aircraft development and testing toward full fielding. The T-7A is intended to replace the T-38 Talon and introduce a modern fly-by-wire training platform for the next generation of USAF fighter and bomber pilots.
- Spaceaviationweek.comSpaceX's Starship Reaches Orbit For First Time In Historic Flight 14
SpaceX's Starship vehicle achieved orbital flight for the first time during Flight 14, a milestone with significant implications for both commercial space and U.S. defense launch capabilities. The fully reusable super-heavy launch system has been identified as a potential platform for rapid global payload delivery and large-scale satellite constellation deployment supporting military missions. Reaching orbit confirms the maturation of a vehicle that could transform the cost and frequency of heavy-lift space access for Department of Defense programs, though no defense contract was announced in connection with this flight.
- DronesDefence Industry EuropeDenmark buys Ukrainian-founded firm's ground drones
Denmark has purchased unmanned ground vehicles from a company founded by Ukrainians, marking a concrete procurement decision that reflects both the operational credibility of Ukrainian-derived drone expertise and NATO allies' growing interest in UGV acquisition. The specific platform, contract value and delivery schedule were not disclosed in the Defence Blog reporting. The purchase signals Denmark's intent to integrate ground autonomous systems into its force structure and adds to the growing list of NATO members acquiring UGVs influenced by combat experience from the Ukraine conflict.
- Airforbes.comUkraine urges allies to accelerate air defence deliveries ahead of winter, with drones and long-range artillery also top priorities for 2026
Ukraine has urged allied nations to accelerate both decisions and deliveries of air defence systems ahead of winter, identifying air defence, drones and long-range artillery as its top capability priorities for 2026. Deputy Defence Minister Serhii Boiev warned that the timing of support would affect Ukraine's position after the winter. Kyiv is also seeking foreign investment and joint production to expand its domestic defence industry, including in unmanned systems, ammunition and other modern weapons.
- DronesDefence BlogSouth Korea eyes Turkish engines for its drones
South Korea is exploring the acquisition of Turkish-made engines to power its domestically developed unmanned aerial systems, according to Defence Blog reporting. The interest indicates a potential gap in South Korea's indigenous drone propulsion supply chain and reflects the growing international reputation of Turkish defense industry suppliers in the UAS segment. No formal agreement or contract has been confirmed, and the reported discussions remain at an exploratory stage.
- NavalDefence Industry EuropeU.S. Navy's newest destroyer arrives in Alaska
The future USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, arrived in Whittier, Alaska, on September 27 ahead of its commissioning ceremony scheduled there for October 3, 2026. The visit marks the first U.S. Navy commissioning ceremony in Alaska since 2013. The ship will not be permanently based in Alaska: its homeport is Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, and the Navy has not announced its first operational deployment.
- AirArmy TechnologyNASA Asked Several Former SR-71A Staffers To Help Secret Restart
NASA reportedly contacted several former SR-71A Blackbird program personnel to assist with what Aviation Week describes as a secret restart effort, suggesting interest in reviving or leveraging knowledge from the high-speed reconnaissance aircraft program. The SR-71A was retired in 1999 and remains the fastest air-breathing crewed aircraft ever built, capable of sustained flight above Mach 3. The engagement of former program staff points toward classified high-speed aircraft development work, though the scope, funding and operational objectives of the reported effort were not disclosed.
- InstitutionalDefence BlogPentagon creates permanent team to hunt down waste
The U.S. Department of War has established the permanent Force Agility and Streamlining Team (FAST) inside the Pentagon comptroller's office to identify wasteful, inefficient or duplicative programs and processes. FAST will recommend eliminating, consolidating, realigning or modifying programs and administrative processes, with final decisions remaining with department leadership. The team will report to the department's comptroller, while its director, staffing level, savings target and schedule for initial recommendations have not been publicly disclosed.
- LandDefence BlogInstead of soaking up blood from a wound, new device pumps it back in to a patient
A new medical device designed for combat casualty care is capable of collecting blood from a wound and re-infusing it directly into the patient, rather than absorbing it. The technology addresses a critical survivability gap in battlefield trauma management by enabling autotransfusion in austere forward environments where blood products may be unavailable. The device is intended to improve survival rates from severe hemorrhagic wounds, which remain a leading cause of preventable death in combat, and is reportedly under evaluation for military medical application.
- IndustryJanesKongsberg Wins $404M Naval Strike Missile Launcher Deal for USMC NMESIs
Kongsberg has signed a framework agreement with the United States Marine Corps worth up to $404 million for Naval Strike Missile equipment supporting the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS). The scope covers production and sustainment of the NSM launcher unit, weapon-control system and associated support equipment, rather than a fixed purchase of missiles under a single order. Deliveries may run through 2034, with quantities and firm order values to be determined through future call-offs. NMESIS pairs the land-based NSM launcher with an unmanned ROGUE Fires vehicle to provide expeditionary anti-ship strike capability.
- AirJanesRussia Takes Su-57 Delivery in Combat-Driven Configuration After Plant Fire
United Aircraft Corporation delivered an undisclosed number of new Su-57 multirole fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces on September 24, 2026, describing them as a new technical configuration. UAC said the aircraft completed factory testing, were evaluated in multiple operating modes by Russian Defence Ministry pilots and then flew to their assigned base. The manufacturer linked the configuration to operational experience and said it expands mission options and compatibility with new air-launched weapons, but released no detailed modification list. The handover followed an April fire at workshop 46 of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant, whose effect on Su-57 production was not publicly established.
- NavalNaval NewsPakistan Navy's First Hangor-class Submarine Performs First Live Firing in North Arabian Sea
Pakistan Navy's first Hangor-class submarine has conducted its maiden live anti-ship missile firing in the North Arabian Sea, marking an important step in the boat's operationalization. The Hangor class is an export derivative of China's Type 039B Yuan-class submarine family, but Pakistan has not publicly disclosed the class's propulsion system or detailed subsystem configuration. The successful firing validated the submarine's weapon systems and demonstrated a new operational anti-ship strike capability for Pakistan's subsurface force.
- LandDefence Industry EuropeUS Army to Return Abrams Tanks to Lithuania as Vilnius Seeks Permanent Base
U.S. Army Abrams main battle tanks are being returned to Lithuania as part of NATO's continued reinforcement of its eastern flank, with Vilnius seeking to formalize the arrangement into a permanent basing structure. The redeployment signals a deliberate effort to maintain heavy armour presence in the Baltic states as a deterrent against potential Russian aggression. Lithuania's push for a permanent U.S. base reflects broader Baltic efforts to move beyond rotational deployments toward enduring NATO force posture commitments in the region.