Land

Ukraine deploys FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat for first time, Zelenskiy says

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine used its domestically developed FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat for the first time. He did not identify the target, launch location, damage assessment, or operational circumstances, leaving the strike’s military effect unverified in public reporting. The announcement nevertheless indicates that Ukraine is expanding its indigenous long-range strike portfolio as it seeks weapons less dependent on foreign release conditions and supply constraints. Further launches, production data, and independent evidence will be needed to assess the missile’s reliability, accuracy, and sustainable availability.

ReutersOct 1

Inside Ukraine's First Combat Deployment Of Robotic Amphibious Vehicles

Ukraine's 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade described the first combat logistics deployment of an amphibious uncrewed ground vehicle developed or modified for frontline operations. The UGV travelled 40 kilometres one way and roughly 70 kilometres in total, carrying food and other supplies across mixed land and water terrain while surviving Russian fire. The system uses separate control modes for land and water, and the operator currently controls it fully manually; no AI was used on the mission. The report shows a fielded amphibious logistics capability, but it does not disclose enough information to assess fleet scale, payload limits or long-term reliability.

The War ZoneOct 1

Finland and Sweden Order First Patria TRACKX Tracked APCs for Arctic Mobility

Finland and Sweden placed their first orders for Patria’s TRACKX tracked armoured personnel carrier for national field evaluations. Deliveries are due to begin in 2027 under the two countries’ Common Arctic Mobility cooperation, which is intended to develop a shared vehicle suited to snow, extreme cold, soft ground, and other demanding terrain. Public announcements did not identify quantities, values, or a full production commitment. The initial vehicles will therefore support testing and requirement refinement before either government decides on larger fleet procurement and national configurations.

Defense WarRoomOct 1

Italian Army tests Ukrainian gun-armed robots in assault drill

The Italian Army evaluated two Ukrainian-developed, gun-armed unmanned ground vehicles during the AEGIS 26 exercise in a simulated assault with Italian robotic systems and infantry. The platforms were connected to a NATO-compatible battlefield information network, allowing commanders and observers, including Italy’s president, to follow the operation. Ukrainian participants also shared lessons from wartime use, giving the exercise practical context for tactics and integration. The event was a demonstration and assessment, not evidence that Italy has selected, purchased, or fielded the Ukrainian vehicles for operational service.

Naval NewsOct 1

KNDS and Patria prepare German assembly of 6×6 armored vehicles, building local production capacity for the CAVS program in Freisen

KNDS Deutschland and Patria are preparing to assemble Patria 6×6 armoured vehicles in Freisen, Germany, under the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System programme. Initial series vehicles will come from Finnish production, while technology transfer, kits, final assembly, and progressively deeper local work are planned to build German capacity by the end of 2026. The arrangement follows an August framework agreement and identifies KNDS as a German industrial partner. Public announcements did not state vehicle quantities, contract value, or the exact pace at which domestic content will increase.

Army RecognitionOct 1

Hanwha says Chunmoo offers 290 km strike capability and flexible rocket loads for NATO countries modernising their artillery

Hanwha Aerospace is promoting the K239 Chunmoo multiple-launch rocket system to NATO customers seeking longer-range and more flexible artillery. Its launcher carries two independent pods that can mix guided rockets and missiles, including 80-kilometre rockets and the CTM-290 missile with a stated 290-kilometre reach, while an automated system supports reloading. Poland has already selected a localized Homar-K configuration, and other European states are evaluating options. The announcement describes available capability and market positioning, not a newly signed NATO-wide contract or procurement decision for any alliance member.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 1

Rheinmetall opens new defence facility in Norway to expand production, systems integration and long-term military customer support

Rheinmetall Nordic opened a 4,579-square-metre facility in Skoppum, Norway, to expand production, systems integration, and long-term customer support. The site initially accommodates about 100 employees and has capacity for 127, with an option to add roughly 5,000 square metres under the company’s 15-year lease. Work will cover electro-optics, fire-control equipment, situational-awareness systems, weapon accessories, integration, and maintenance. The investment increases Rheinmetall’s Norwegian industrial footprint and support proximity, but no separate procurement contract or guaranteed production volume for new customer orders was announced with the opening.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 1

Azerbaijan Unveils BMP-1TA TURAN Upgrade With 30mm Counter-Drone Turret

Azerbaijani companies MKA and MIRAS unveiled the BMP-1TA Turan upgrade, replacing the vehicle’s 73 mm gun turret with a stabilized, remotely operated mount. The new system combines a dual-feed 30×165 mm 2A42 cannon, a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, electro-optical and thermal sights, wide elevation, and automatic target tracking. Developers say those features could support engagements against low-flying drones, particularly with suitable ammunition, but the counter-drone claim remains a proposed capability. A cooperation memorandum supports further work; broad fleet adoption has not been confirmed by Azerbaijan.

Defense WarRoomOct 1

Canik demonstrates BMP-1 rearmament concept

Canik displayed a proof-of-concept BMP-1 modernization at MSPO 2026 that replaces the original turret with Unirobotics’ Trakon Core 30 remote weapon station. The installation carries an AEI Systems 30×113 mm Venom LR cannon with 150 ready rounds and permits the operator to remain under armour. Weighing about 650 kg when loaded, the turret is intended as a relatively low-cost upgrade for large fleets of stored or ageing vehicles. The exhibit demonstrated technical feasibility on a tracked chassis, but no customer order or fielding programme was announced.

JanesOct 1

USMC Orders 32 ACV Recovery Vehicles as Final Variant Enters Production

The U.S. Marine Corps is moving the Amphibious Combat Vehicle Recovery variant into production with an objective of 32 vehicles. The ACV-R adds recovery and field-maintenance equipment, including a turret-mounted crane, so Marine units can support disabled vehicles during amphibious and land operations without relying on unrelated platforms. Representative vehicles are undergoing testing before operational introduction, with initial operational capability planned for fiscal 2028. The recovery model is the fourth and final planned ACV family variant, complementing personnel, command, and 30 mm gun configurations in deployment.

Defense WarRoomOct 1

Bulgaria's $2 billion military modernization brings 183 new Stryker vehicles and local assembly to strengthen NATO's eastern flank

Bulgaria's roughly $2 billion modernization program will introduce 183 Stryker armored vehicles along with Javelin missiles, ammunition, training and support, with deliveries expected by the end of 2028. The package includes local assembly and maintenance work intended to build Bulgarian industrial capacity and improve long-term sustainment. Eight vehicles transferred through the U.S. Excess Defense Articles program arrived in February 2026, helping the 61st Mechanized Brigade begin familiarization as the larger fleet is prepared to strengthen NATO forces on the alliance's southeastern flank. The program is among Bulgaria's largest recent defense investments.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 30

Belgium Orders NASAMS Air Defense, First Medium-Range GBAD in 20 Years

Belgium ordered Kongsberg's NASAMS in a contract valued at NOK 10 billion, approximately €918 million, using the Netherlands' procurement authority to support the acquisition. The system will provide Belgium's first medium-range ground-based air-defense capability in roughly two decades and will be operated by the Belgian Air Force. Public announcements did not identify battery numbers or delivery dates, but the purchase represents a substantial rebuilding of national air defense and should improve interoperability with other NATO users of the networked, missile-based architecture. It also deepens regional supply and training relationships with Kongsberg.

defensewarroom.comSep 30

Thailand plans third batch of Chaiseri amphibious vehicles

Thailand plans to order a third batch of seven Chaiseri 8x8 Amphibious Armored Vehicles for about THB 504 million, bringing the Royal Thai Navy and Marine Corps total to 21 against a stated requirement for 36. The 25.7-ton vehicle carries a crew of three and up to 11 troops, with a 711-horsepower engine, amphibious propulsion and NATO-standard protection. The procurement continues gradual fleet expansion while sustaining a domestic armored-vehicle producer and improving marine mobility across coastal, riverine and land operations. Follow-on batches remain necessary to meet the full requirement.

JanesSep 30

Poland and Türkiye Team Up on TOLGA Air Defense to Strengthen NATO's Eastern Flank

Türkiye's MKE and Poland's PGZ signed a memorandum of understanding at MSPO 2026 to study cooperation on short-range air defence, with emphasis on integrating systems and non-kinetic solutions associated with MKE's TOLGA concept. The cooperation is intended to address capability gaps, improve interoperability and explore opportunities in the Turkish, Polish and export markets. The memorandum is not a procurement or production contract: no value, quantity, manufacturing commitment or delivery timetable was announced.

Army RecognitionSep 30

U.S. Army Taps GD to Prototype Autonomous Networked Obstacle Munitions

The U.S. Army selected General Dynamics to prototype a networked anti-vehicle obstacle munition that can be remotely controlled as part of a distributed defensive field. The concept is intended to engage armored vehicles while allowing operators to activate, deactivate and potentially recover unfired munitions, reducing exposure for soldiers who would otherwise manage conventional obstacles in contested terrain. The prototype supports the Army's broader move toward common, command-linked terrain-shaping weapons, but the award remains a development step and does not yet represent a production decision or fielded autonomous mine system.

defensewarroom.comSep 30

US Army PrSM Increment 4: Five Firms Race for 1,000 km HIMARS Missile

The U.S. Army awarded five prototype agreements for Precision Strike Missile Increment 4 to Anduril, Castelion, Lockheed Martin, Mach Industries and RTX. Competitors are developing HIMARS-compatible weapons intended to reach at least 1,000 kilometers and attack moving maritime or relocatable land targets, with a competitive fly-off and down-selection planned for fiscal 2027. Agreement values, test-round quantities and detailed seeker and warhead specifications remain undisclosed, leaving the awards as an early technology competition rather than a commitment to purchase any particular missile design. The competition is intended to accelerate experimentation before formal acquisition.

defensewarroom.comSep 30

Mack's hybrid tractor aims to replace U.S. Army's M915 trucks

Mack Defense will display a hybrid-electric line-haul tractor prototype for the U.S. Army's Common Tactical Truck program at AUSA 2026 in Washington from October 12 to 14. The on-road design is aimed at replacing older M915 tractors while reducing fuel demand and supporting electrical power needs through a modern commercial-derived drivetrain. CTT could eventually replace about 35,000 heavy tactical vehicles across several roles, but the prototype is an industry offering for evaluation rather than an awarded production vehicle or a confirmed selection by the Army.

Defence BlogSep 30

Latin AmericaLand

Argentine troops get first Israeli ARAD rifles

Argentina's armed forces formally received their first Israeli-made IWI ARAD 5 and ARAD 7 rifles, beginning a program to replace FN FAL and M-16 rifles across the Army, Navy and Air Force. The ARAD 5 uses 5.56×45 mm NATO ammunition, while the ARAD 7 uses 7.62×51 mm, and both are supplied with MEPRO M5 red-dot sights. IWI is scheduled to train personnel from all three services in October, with a second batch expected in the first quarter of 2027. The Argentine Defense Ministry did not disclose the total quantity ordered.

Defence BlogSep 30

Australia Adapts South Korea Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle for Passive Counter-Drone Warning

Hanwha Defence Australia and Visionary Machines are evaluating the Pandion Sentinel passive optical sensing system for integration on the AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicle. The concept would give crews automated detection, tracking and warning of nearby drones without emitting radar energy that could reveal the vehicle's position. The activity is an integration assessment rather than a procurement announcement, but it reflects the Australian Army's growing requirement to provide armored formations with organic counter-drone awareness before selecting or cueing electronic and kinetic defeat systems. Further trials will determine detection performance in demanding field conditions.

Army RecognitionSep 30

Raytheon expands Lyntris cooling orders for U.S. Army's LTAMDS radar through 2028 as Patriot radar replacement enters full-rate production

Raytheon placed additional orders for Lyntris cooling equipment supporting Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor production through 2028. LTAMDS uses gallium-nitride active electronically scanned arrays to provide 360-degree coverage and is replacing the Patriot system's sector-limited legacy radar as production expands. The follow-on demand strengthens a critical component supply chain, although neither the number of cooling units nor the financial value of the orders was publicly released. Reliable thermal management is necessary to keep the radar's high-power electronics operating within temperature limits during sustained missions.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 29

Netherlands Signs LOI on 100 kW Apollo Laser Weapon, Eyes Dutch Production

The Netherlands signed a letter of intent with Electro Optic Systems concerning the 100-kilowatt Apollo high-energy laser and possible Dutch industrial participation. The parties plan further development work and will explore a domestic supply chain for a directed-energy system intended primarily to defeat drones at low cost per engagement. Because the document is an expression of intent, it should not be read as a completed procurement contract, and final quantities, funding, production locations, and fielding dates remain unsettled. Further negotiation and testing will determine whether Apollo progresses from cooperative development into an operational Dutch weapons program.

defensewarroom.comSep 29

Ukraine asks EU states to release Patriot missiles from stockpiles now in exchange for future deliveries to counter ballistic threats

Ukraine asked European governments to release Patriot interceptors from existing inventories immediately and accept replacement missiles from later production or future orders. Kyiv argues that Patriot is uniquely important for defeating ballistic threats and that an exchange mechanism could bridge the period before new manufacturing catches up with demand. The proposal offers partners replenishment rather than a permanent loss of stock, but each transfer still requires national approval and no collective European commitment was announced with the request. The exchange model attempts to balance Ukraine's urgent survival needs with allies' obligations to maintain national readiness levels.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 29

September land forces roundup: DVD 2026 puts British Army requirements in the spotlight

September land-warfare activity centered on Defence Vehicle Dynamics 2026 at UTAC Millbrook, where companies presented options for current British Army requirements. A central focus was the Land Mobility Programme's Light Mobility Vehicle segment to replace Land Rover and Pinzgauer fleets, alongside air-defense and counter-drone offerings; the month also brought a US Army search for a tracked 155-millimeter cannon. These developments reveal market activity and capability priorities rather than contracts for every system displayed or discussed. The mix shows emerging requirements and competitors, but it does not amount to a definitive procurement forecast.

Shephard MediaSep 29

British Commandos called in air strikes alongside Navy SEALs

Royal Marines from 148 Battery trained with US Navy SEALs during Exercise Resolute Strike at the Navy Dare Bombing Range in North Carolina. Over three weeks, the British personnel practiced directing F/A-18 Super Hornet strikes and supported maritime takedown scenarios, demonstrating joint terminal attack control and special-operations interoperability. The activity was a bilateral training exercise designed to sharpen procedures and readiness; it was not an account of British commandos calling strikes during live combat operations. The exercise strengthened common procedures for finding targets, clearing strikes, and coordinating aircraft with small ground and maritime teams.

ukdefencejournal.org.ukSep 29

U.S. Army Selects Ballistic-Protected Humanoid Robot for High-Risk Battlefield Mission Experiments

The US Army selected the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition's Alex humanoid as one of the winners of its xTechHumanoid competition for further experimentation. Alex combines impact-resilient actuators, protective features, and hybrid human-machine control intended to explore dangerous tasks such as urban entry, reconnaissance, or work under fire. The decision funds evaluation and mission experiments rather than fielding a combat unit, and the Army has not announced production quantities or an operational deployment date. Successful trials would still require safety validation, reliable communications, doctrine, and evidence that the machine improves mission outcomes.

Army RecognitionSep 29

Northrop Grumman to develop ramjet propulsion for U.S. Army counter-drone missile prototypes aimed at extending air defense range

Northrop Grumman received a US Army award to develop solid-fuel ramjet propulsion for prototype counter-drone missiles intended to engage threats at greater range. A ramjet can sustain powered high-speed flight after launch, potentially widening the protected area and giving mobile formations more time to defeat incoming unmanned aircraft. The effort is a propulsion-development and prototyping activity within layered air defense, not a confirmed production order, and the Army did not disclose the contract value or eventual interceptor quantity. If successful, the technology could complement cheaper guns and electronic warfare while reserving costly interceptors for harder targets.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 29

Instead 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.

Defence BlogSep 28

BAE 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.

JanesSep 28

Mystery 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.

aviationweek.comSep 28

US 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.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 28

Liminal'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.

militarytimes.comSep 28

U.S. Army tests battlefield data network in Hawaii jungle

The U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division tested next-generation command-and-control software during the two-week Nakoa Fleek exercise in Hawaii, which concluded Lightning Surge 5 and certified the 2nd Mobile Brigade. Soldiers connected radios, sensors and command posts, fought a defensive scenario and conducted an air assault while engineers assessed latency, power and connectivity in field conditions. The experiment seeks to deliver a shared battlefield picture from cloud services to small units even when links degrade, with further decision-support and autonomous-network testing planned for Lightning Surge 6.

Defence BlogSep 27

British Army Pairs U.S.-made M270A2 Rocket Launcher System With 250-Km Nyan Drone for Deep Strikes

The British Army displayed Callen-Lenz’s jet-powered Nyan one-way effector alongside an M270A2 launcher at DVD 2026 as part of its expanding deep-strike architecture. Nyan is designed to deliver precision effects beyond 250 kilometers, depending on mission profile, and to complement costlier GMLRS, Extended Range GMLRS and future PrSM missiles with additional magazine depth. The British Ministry of Defence has purchased Nyan for Field Army use, and the system entered service in 2026 with 26 Regiment, Royal Artillery; it is not physically launched from the M270A2 and instead uses its own pneumatic catapult.

Army RecognitionSep 27

U.S. and Indian armies close Yudh Abhyas 2026 after three weeks of joint air assaults, drone training and HIMARS live fire

U.S. and Indian Army forces have concluded Yudh Abhyas 2026 after nearly three weeks of bilateral training at Auli and the Mahajan Field Firing Range. At Auli, troops trained in jungle warfare, rappelling, counterterrorism, building clearance, long-range marksmanship, combined air assaults and the use of U.S. and Indian drone platforms. At Mahajan, the two armies conducted precision-fire training that included HIMARS, Stinger and M-LIDS live-fire events, strengthening interoperability across maneuver, air assault, air-defense and fires missions.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 27

ASELSAN demonstrates KORKUT 35 against drones and a moving ground target for defence delegations from 12 countries

ASELSAN demonstrated the KORKUT 140/35 air-defense system during live firing in Konya for delegations from 12 countries. Mounted on an Otokar ARMA II 8x8 vehicle, the system engaged a small fixed-wing drone, a target representing the Shahed or Geran class and a moving ground target while the platform itself was in motion. The event showcased the mobility, fire-control and 35 mm airburst capability of Türkiye’s latest KORKUT configuration, but it was a customer demonstration and did not itself announce a new export order for any participating nation.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 26

KNDS delivers first R3-standard Jaguar armoured vehicles to French Army, adding full combat capability under SCORPION programme

KNDS France has begun delivering EBRC Jaguar reconnaissance and combat vehicles in the R3 standard, the configuration intended to provide the platform's full planned combat capability. By September 18, nearly 25 vehicles had either been delivered in the new standard or upgraded from earlier configurations, giving French Army units improved system maturity and mission functionality. The milestone advances the SCORPION modernization program, under which Jaguar combines reconnaissance sensors, networked command systems, a 40 mm cannon, anti-tank missiles, and a remote weapon station in a highly mobile wheeled vehicle.

Naval NewsSep 25

Romania gets its first South Korean K9 howitzers

Romania has received its first South Korean-built K9 self-propelled howitzers, K10 ammunition resupply vehicles, and K12 recovery vehicles under a nearly $1 billion agreement with Hanwha Aerospace. The 2024 contract covers 54 K9s, 36 K10s, ammunition, support, and about 18,000 rounds, with the first 18 howitzers and 12 resupply vehicles produced in South Korea. Subsequent production will shift largely to a new Romanian facility at Petresti, supporting Bucharest's goal of obtaining most program value from domestic manufacturing, maintenance, technical training, workforce development, and supply-chain participation.

Naval NewsSep 25

Zelenskyy says Trump approved Patriot production licenses for Ukraine as Kyiv confronts interceptor shortages and escalating Russian strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said U.S. President Donald Trump approved licenses that would allow Patriot air-defense systems and interceptors to be produced in Ukraine. Zelenskyy described the decision as final after talks in New York, but detailed industrial agreements with Lockheed Martin and RTX still have to be negotiated, and the companies or U.S. government had not publicly confirmed a production contract. Kyiv says its available interceptor supply meets only a fraction of current demand, while establishing licensed manufacturing would take more than two years.

asianmilitaryreview.comSep 25

Taiwan's 105mm Wheeled Armored Vehicle Signals a New Era in Indigenous Armored Warfare

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense publicly demonstrated the mass-production configuration of its indigenous 105 mm wheeled armored vehicle at an Army training area in Tainan on September 23. The event showed a program moving beyond prototypes and operational evaluation toward series production planned for 2027. Designed as a mobile direct-fire platform, the vehicle combines a large-caliber gun with a wheeled chassis for rapid road movement and dispersed operations, supporting Taiwan's effort to build and sustain greater sovereign armored combat capability through its domestic industrial base.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 25

AfricaLand

Chinese copy of Russia's Tor air defense system seen in Algerian colors

Photographs circulating on Chinese social media show an HQ-17 short-range air-defense vehicle in camouflage matching Algerian military equipment, with Chinese sources claiming it is destined for Algeria. Neither Algeria nor manufacturer CASIC has confirmed a sale, and the quantity and delivery date remain unknown, so the imagery indicates a possible acquisition rather than proven operational service. Developed from Russia's Tor-M1 concept, the mobile system carries its own radar and eight missiles and is designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, guided bombs, and air-to-surface weapons.

aviationweek.comSep 25

Few platform changes made as UK forces in Estonia seek to shed armour

UK forces deployed in Estonia are exploring ways to reduce the weight and armour burden on their ground platforms, though few concrete platform changes have been implemented so far. The effort reflects broader NATO adaptation to the operational lessons of the war in Ukraine, where heavy armour has proven vulnerable to drone and precision-guided munitions. The article notes the tension between protection requirements and the need for greater mobility and logistics efficiency on NATO's eastern flank.

JanesSep 25

U.S. Army tanks return to Lithuania months after pullout

US Army tanks have returned to Lithuania months after a previous pullout, restoring armoured presence on NATO's northeastern flank. The redeployment addresses a capability gap that had drawn attention from Baltic allies concerned about the continuity of US ground force commitments in the region. The return of heavy armour to Lithuania reinforces the Alliance's forward posture against potential Russian aggression and signals a reassertion of US commitment to collective defence on the eastern flank.

Defence BlogSep 24

Greek-operated air defence system shoots down ballistic missile, drone over Saudi

A Greek-operated air defence system has successfully intercepted a ballistic missile and a drone over Saudi Arabia, according to Reuters, providing rare operational confirmation of the system's multi-threat engagement capability in a live combat environment. The engagement demonstrates the effectiveness of the deployed battery against two distinct threat categories simultaneously. The event carries significant implications for allied air defence cooperation and for the evaluation of European-operated air defence systems in high-threat theatres.

ReutersSep 24

Special Report: Taiwan advances Cheetah 105 mm vehicle towards production

Taiwan is advancing its Cheetah 105 mm wheeled mobile gun system toward production, according to a Janes special report, with the vehicle representing a domestically developed light armoured fire-support platform intended for rapid-reaction operations. The 8×8 vehicle mounts a 105 mm gun and is designed to provide mobile direct fire support to ground forces in terrain suited to wheeled platforms. The move toward production marks a significant step in Taiwan's effort to expand indigenous armoured vehicle capability under its broader defence self-sufficiency drive.

JanesSep 24

North Korea tests a guided rocket built like America's GMLRS

North Korea has tested a guided rocket with a configuration closely resembling the US-developed Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, according to Defence Blog. The weapon appears to replicate the GMLRS form factor, suggesting North Korea has developed or acquired a precision-guided artillery rocket capable of engaging targets at extended range with terminal accuracy. The test adds a new dimension to Pyongyang's growing precision-fires capability and has direct relevance for the defence of South Korea and US forces on the peninsula.

Defence BlogSep 24

FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands

FNSS completed and trialled the first Kaplan armoured personnel carrier in Türkiye before sending it to Indonesia for qualification testing. A second vehicle is being built in Indonesia under the programme's local-production and technology-transfer arrangements. The two vehicles therefore represent separate Turkish-built and Indonesian-built stages of the programme.

Shephard MediaSep 24

AfricaLand

Ethiopia appears to receive Chinese FK-2000 air defense systems

Social-media footage appears to show at least two Chinese-built FK-2000 short-range air-defence systems moving toward Ethiopia's Amhara region, possibly after delivery through the United Arab Emirates. Each system combines 12 surface-to-air missiles with a stated range of about 25 kilometres and twin 30 mm guns. Open-source analysts assess that the units may be intended to protect Bahir Dar Airport, where Ethiopian and reportedly UAE-operated drones are based.

militarytimes.comSep 24

Rafael's SPIKE SR Shoulder-Launched Guided Missile Advances Toward U.S. Qualification for Dismounted Forces

Rafael's SPIKE SR shoulder-launched guided missile is advancing toward US military qualification for dismounted infantry forces, according to Army Recognition. The SPIKE SR is a short-range, man-portable anti-tank guided missile designed for individual soldiers and small teams, and its progression through the US qualification process could open a significant new market for the Israeli weapon. Qualification would position the system to compete for US Army and Marine Corps programmes seeking a lightweight guided anti-armour capability for dismounted operations.

ReutersSep 24

Türkiye's Roketsan says its Karaok system hit aerial target for 1st time

Roketsan reported that its KARAOK short-range anti-tank guided missile struck an aerial target for the first time, demonstrating a potential secondary role beyond its original anti-armor mission. KARAOK is a shoulder-launched, fire-and-forget weapon designed to attack armored vehicles, so the test indicates that its existing seeker and launcher can engage at least some airborne targets. The company did not disclose the target type, engagement range, test geometry or probability of kill, leaving the operational limits of this application unconfirmed.

dailysabah.comSep 23

Lockheed Martin Advances Javelin Dual-Launcher Integration on KONGSBERG Medium-Caliber Turret

The Javelin Joint Venture completed a simulation-based demonstration of a two-missile Javelin launcher integrated with a Kongsberg medium-caliber turret prototype in Norway. The configuration places two ready-to-fire anti-armor missiles alongside a stabilized 30- or 40-millimeter cannon, giving a future vehicle crew more engagement choices without leaving protection. The event established digital and mechanical integration in an initial development phase, while formal qualification and planned live-fire testing remain necessary before the dual launcher can be treated as an operationally available future turret option for armored vehicles.

Army RecognitionSep 23

Why Ukraine Now Prefers Unguided 155 mm Artillery Shells Over Guided Ones

Some Ukrainian artillery units increasingly favor conventional 155-millimeter shells for many missions because they are cheaper, more available and suitable for sustained fires than scarce precision-guided rounds. Commanders are shifting part of the accuracy burden to improved guns, digital fire control and drone observers that detect targets and correct impacts, allowing standard ammunition to achieve useful effects through repeated adjustment. The choice also reflects the vulnerability of satellite-guided projectiles such as Excalibur to Russian electronic warfare, but guided ammunition still retains value for targets and conditions where its precision can be exploited.

quwa.orgSep 23

U.S. Army and Singapore Conduct Rocket Artillery Live Fire to Improve Long Range Strike Coordination

Singaporean and U.S. Army artillery crews conducted combined rocket live fire at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on September 22 during Exercise Daring Warrior 2026. The event paired Singapore's M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System with U.S. multiple-launch rocket capabilities and rehearsed common fire-mission procedures, communications and long-range strike coordination. Large U.S. training areas are particularly important for Singapore because the small city-state cannot routinely fire long-range rockets at home, making the annual exercise both a readiness event and a venue for sustained bilateral interoperability between forces.

Army RecognitionSep 23

The Evolving Role Of Ukraine's Artillery In The Age Of Drones

The War Zone examines how Ukrainian artillery is adapting its tactics, targeting methods and employment doctrine in response to the pervasive drone environment on the modern battlefield. The analysis draws on operational evidence from the conflict to describe how artillery units are integrating drone reconnaissance and targeting data while simultaneously managing their own vulnerability to counter-battery drone strikes. The assessment has direct relevance for Western armies reviewing artillery doctrine and the role of fires in high-intensity peer conflict.

forbes.comSep 23

Ukraine conflict: Milrem expects to deliver over 150 THeMIS UGVs for Ukrainian army by end of 2026

Milrem Robotics expects to deliver more than 150 THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles to the Ukrainian Army by the end of 2026, according to Janes reporting. The THeMIS is a tracked UGV platform used for logistics, casualty evacuation and armed support roles, and has accumulated extensive operational experience in the Ukraine conflict. The delivery target of over 150 units by year-end represents a substantial scale of autonomous ground system deployment and provides the Ukrainian military with a growing robotic force multiplier across multiple mission categories.

JanesSep 23