🎯Today's Defense Pulse
Updated 21m agoWhat's happening: U.S. Navy issues Sources Sought for next‑gen anti‑radiation missile
NAVAIR has released a Sources Sought notice for an Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM) that would surpass the range of the current AGM‑88G and add capability to engage both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground targets. The missile must be compatible with the F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet, EA‑18G Growler and F‑35C, featuring a broadband seeker, GPS/INS guidance and robust ECCM.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Anthropic secures $30B funding round at $380B valuation
News•Feb 9, 2026
Bangladesh Navy Acquires Ex-Royal Navy Vessel HMS Enterprise
The United Kingdom and Bangladesh have finalized a government‑to‑government deal to transfer the former Royal Navy Echo‑class survey vessel HMS Enterprise to the Bangladesh Navy. The ship, decommissioned in March 2023 after two decades of service, will be rechristened and integrated into Bangladesh’s fleet. Equipped with multibeam sonar, thermographic imaging and a 9,300‑nautical‑mile range, the 90.6‑metre vessel will bolster hydrographic and oceanographic capabilities. The agreement underscores deepening defence ties between the two nations and aims to enhance maritime security in the Bay of Bengal.
By Naval Technology
News•Feb 9, 2026
C3BM Takes Lead on Joint Fires Network
The Department of the Air Force’s Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management (C3BM) has created an integrated program office to lead the Joint Fires Network (JFN). The JFN will synchronize fire‑support capabilities across the services and...
By U.S. Space Force – News (All Entries)
![The Downlink [Feb 08, 25] Space Money: The Space Force Budget And A New Leader](/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/b15d6f1cb9aee2070efecd81eec3386a.webp)
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
The Downlink [Feb 08, 25] Space Money: The Space Force Budget And A New Leader
The U.S. Congress approved and President Donald Trump signed the Space Force’s FY 2026 budget of $26 billion. The allocation marks a modest increase over the previous year and underscores continued investment in space‑based defense capabilities. At the same time, the Space...
By Defense & Aerospace Report
News•Feb 9, 2026
World Defense Show 2026: Rostec Unveils New Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Russia’s state‑owned Rostec introduced the BTR‑22 infantry fighting vehicle at the World Defense Show in Riyadh. Branded as a “Kalashnikov on wheels,” the IFV incorporates a V‑shaped hull and anti‑traumatic seating to boost crew survivability. Its internal layout reflects combat...
By Shephard Media
News•Feb 9, 2026
Kroenig on BBC on US Escalating Pressure Against Cuba
Atlantic Council vice‑president Matthew Kroenig appeared on the BBC on February 8 to discuss the United States’ intensifying pressure on the Cuban regime. He outlined a multi‑pronged strategy that includes expanded sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and support for civil‑society actors. Kroenig emphasized...
By Atlantic Council
News•Feb 9, 2026
ADSB Launches First Al-Dorra-Class Patrol Vessel for Kuwait at Company’s 30th Anniversary
On February 3, 2026 Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB) launched the first Al‑Dorra‑class 62‑metre patrol vessel, AL NOUKHITHA, during its 30th‑anniversary ceremony. The launch marks the execution of a record‑breaking $2.45 billion contract, subcontracted by EDGE Group, to supply advanced missile boats to...
By Naval News
News•Feb 9, 2026
Maryland National Guard Participates in Crossed Swords 25 with Estonian Partners
The Maryland National Guard joined NATO’s Crossed Swords 25 cyber‑defense exercise with Estonian partners at the CCDCOE in Tallinn, Oct. 27‑Nov. 7, 2025. The drill hosted 240 participants from roughly 45 countries and focused on strategic command, AI‑assisted tactical operations, multi‑domain integration, public‑private coordination,...
By U.S. Army – News
News•Feb 9, 2026
Mining without Rules: The Risky US Bet on the Deep Sea
In April 2025 President Trump issued an executive order authorizing U.S. companies to mine critical minerals in international waters, directly contravening the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The move aims to secure rare‑earth supplies amid...
By Atlantic Council
News•Feb 9, 2026
U.S. Army Taps RSGS for IFPC Inc 2 Air Defense Interceptor Program
Rafael Systems Global Sustainment has been awarded Phase 1 of the U.S. Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) Second Interceptor program, positioning its Iron Dome‑derived technology as a core element of the Army’s layered air‑defense strategy. The program will integrate the...
By Defense Update
News•Feb 9, 2026
At 100, WWII Veteran Celebrates a Life of Service Aboard Battleship New Jersey
WWII veteran John “Johnny Q” Quinesso celebrated his 100th birthday aboard the Battleship New Jersey in Camden, New Jersey. The ceremony honored his three‑year Pacific service and more than two decades as a volunteer guide at the museum, where he...
By Military.com (Navy News)
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
The Former Head of NSA on the Future of U.S. Cybersecurity
Retired Gen. Paul Nakasone, former NSA director and U.S. Cyber Command commander, discussed his doctrine of persistent engagement, its role in safeguarding recent U.S. elections, and the evolving cyber threat landscape. He highlighted the need for broader public‑private partnerships, a...
By The Cipher Brief
News•Feb 9, 2026
Why Missile Defense Now Raises the Risk of War
The article argues that modern missile‑defence systems, once seen as purely defensive, now embolden states to take greater offensive risks. It cites Ukraine’s 2022 invasion, Israel’s 2024‑25 conflicts, and U.S. plans for a "Golden Dome" as examples where perceived invulnerability...
By Foreign Policy
News•Feb 9, 2026
US Backs Altona’s Mozambique Rare Earths Project
Altona Rare Earths announced that the U.S. Trade & Development Agency will support its Monte Muambe project in Mozambique, prompting a 76% surge in the company's London‑listed shares. The backing aims to map technical and financial routes for extracting rare‑earth...
By MINING.com
News•Feb 9, 2026
Estonia Accelerates Defence Modernisation Amid Growing Security Threats
Estonia unveiled an accelerated defence modernization plan, shifting conscripts to a 12‑month service model with 4,100 recruits starting in 2027 and boosting pay by 30%. The navy will receive four new vessels and upgraded minehunters, while the Baltic Defence Line...
By Defence24 (Poland)
News•Feb 9, 2026
How a Tiny Plasma Device Could Reduce Drag and Make Future Aircraft Faster and Cleaner
University of Notre Dame researchers demonstrated that a thin plasma‑actuator strip can slash skin‑friction drag on aircraft surfaces. Laboratory tests showed up to an 80% reduction in turbulent drag on flat plates and a 44% cut on a half‑meter airfoil,...
By AIAA – Industry News (Aerospace)
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
What the Royal Thai Navy’s Offshore Fire Support Reveals About Its Approach to Littoral Warfare
The episode examines the Royal Thai Navy’s use of offshore fire support during the 2025 Cambodia‑Thailand border conflict, focusing on the patrol gunboat HTMS Thepa’s naval gunfire missions. It highlights how small navies like Thailand’s shift fluidly from constabulary duties...
By CIMSEC
News•Feb 9, 2026
Berlin Ready to Choose GCAP over Franco-German Project SCAF?
Berlin is weighing a switch from the Franco‑German Future Combat Air System (SCAF) to join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a move that would signal a major shift in European defence collaboration. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly raised the...
By Defence24 (Poland)
Social•Feb 9, 2026
Weekly Update: New PC Stream, Cybercrime
Weekly update is up! Home Sweet Home; First Stream From the New PC; Law Enforcement and Cybercrime Prevention; The Betterment Data Breach https://www.troyhunt.com/weekly-update-490/
By Troy Hunt
News•Feb 9, 2026
Europe Needs an Army
Max Bergmann argues that Europe can no longer rely on the United States for security, citing the Trump administration’s hostile stance toward NATO, reduced aid to Ukraine, and tariff wars. The piece warns that the transatlantic alliance is fraying and that...
By Foreign Affairs
News•Feb 9, 2026
The UK Whole of Society Defence and the Reality of Modern War
The article argues that Britain must move from a whole‑of‑government to a whole‑of‑society defence model, redefining the citizen‑soldier for 21st‑century threats. It highlights the armed forces’ high public trust but notes a widening civil‑military gap, with only about 7% of...
By RUSI
News•Feb 8, 2026
Singapore Airshow 2026 – Indo-Pacific Strategic Realignments
The Singapore Airshow 2026 confirmed that drone‑centric forces are now the operational baseline across the Indo‑Pacific, highlighted by the RSAF’s rollout of Orbiter 4 and Hermes 900 UAVs. Indonesia abandoned the US F‑15EX program, opting for a mixed fleet anchored by 42...
By Defense Update
Blog•Feb 8, 2026
New 39th Regiment Formed in the National Guard
Ukraine’s National Guard officially created the 39th Regiment on 15 January 2026, assigning it unit number 3117 and basing it in Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad Oblast. The regiment reports to the Central Directorate and is tasked with maintaining public order in designated cities while...
By MilitaryLand.net
Blog•Feb 8, 2026
How Will the Type 26 Frigates Be Shared Between the Norwegian Navy and Royal Navy?
The UK has confirmed that at least one Type 26 frigate, currently being built for the Royal Navy, will be transferred to Norway, fulfilling a 2029 service‑entry target. This allocation is presented as a boost to NATO’s northern flank, with a...
By Navy Lookout
News•Feb 7, 2026
Trump Turns to US Military Leaders for Diplomatic Efforts on Iran and Ukraine
President Donald Trump has turned to senior military officials to spearhead high‑stakes diplomatic talks on Iran’s nuclear program and the Russia‑Ukraine war. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, joined indirect Iran negotiations in Oman, while Army Secretary Dan...
By Military.com (Navy News)
News•Feb 7, 2026
Death by Cold: Russia Is Attempting to Freeze Millions of Ukrainian Civilians
Russia has intensified a winter bombing campaign that systematically strikes Ukraine’s power plants, transmission lines, and heating infrastructure, leaving millions without essential energy amid sub‑zero temperatures. Analysts label the strategy a modern "kholodomor," echoing the Soviet‑era famine, and argue it...
By Atlantic Council
News•Feb 7, 2026
From Disinformation to Espionage – Russia’s Hybrid Actions Against Poland
Russia has intensified a hybrid campaign against Poland, combining espionage, large‑scale cyber attacks, sabotage, and disinformation. Recent intelligence uncovered Russian spies inside the Ministry of National Defence and daily cyber assaults reaching up to 3,000 incidents. Moscow’s political elites have...
By Defence24 (Poland)
News•Feb 7, 2026
Security Measures Undertaken by International Organizations with Regard to Central and Eastern Europe - Part I
International organizations have deepened security engagement in Central and Eastern Europe through NATO enlargement, EU diplomatic and financial tools, and coordinated sanctions. NATO’s 1999‑2004 accession of nine states bolstered collective defence, while the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy drives...
By Defence24 (Poland)
News•Feb 7, 2026
USS Arleigh Burke Sailors Awarded Armed Forces Service Medal for ‘12-Day War’ Operations
The guided‑missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke awarded its sailors the Armed Forces Service Medal for participation in ballistic‑missile‑defense operations in late 2024 and the June 2025 “12‑Day War” between Iran and Israel. Eligibility covers service from Aug 15‑Dec 16, 2024, and from June 12‑24, 2025,...
By Military Times
News•Feb 6, 2026
Tech Bills of the Week: Restricting Biometric Use; Expanding the Quantum Workforce; and More
This week’s technology‑focused legislation spans biometric privacy, quantum workforce planning, robotics oversight, digital‑ID security, AI‑driven telecom protection, biosecurity safeguards, and defense‑technology hubs. A bipartisan bill would bar ICE and Customs from acquiring or using facial‑recognition systems and require deletion of...
By FCW (GovExec Technology)
News•Feb 6, 2026
U.S.-Iran Talks Make Little Headway
U.S. and Iranian officials held indirect nuclear talks in Muscat, Oman, marking the first formal diplomatic engagement since the June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The United States sent Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, underscoring the military...
By Foreign Policy
News•Feb 6, 2026
U.S.-Iran Indirect Nuclear Talks Fail to Make Significant Progress
Indirect nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran convened in Muscat, Oman, marking the first formal dialogue since President Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. Both sides described the meeting as a "good start," but...
By Foreign Policy
News•Feb 6, 2026
Defense Watch: MQ-25 Taxiing, Harpoon Testing, Machina Raise, TNT Awards
The Defense Watch roundup spotlights several pivotal milestones: HII’s Newport News division completed builder’s sea trials of the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN‑79) with delivery now targeted for March 2027; Boeing’s MQ‑25A Stingray unmanned tanker performed its first low‑speed taxi; the Navy concluded...
By Defense Daily
News•Feb 6, 2026
National Defense Areas Expanded, Established Along Texas Border
The Department of the Air Force is expanding National Defense Area 3 and creating a new NDA 6 along the Texas‑Mexico border. NDA 3 now stretches roughly 250 miles west of the Gulf of America, while NDA 6 covers a 150‑mile segment from Falcon...
By U.S. Air Force – RSS (Top Stories)
News•Feb 6, 2026
How the British Empire Chose Canada Over Guadeloupe
During the Seven Years’ War, Britain faced a heated debate over whether to retain the newly captured Canadian territories or the sugar‑rich island of Guadeloupe. Financial officials highlighted Guadeloupe’s immediate profitability, while strategists argued Canada offered long‑term security for the...
By Foreign Policy
News•Feb 6, 2026
Now Accepting Applications — for Classified Intel
Federal layoffs have left thousands of former U.S. officials vulnerable to foreign recruitment, and Chinese intelligence services have seized the opportunity by creating a network of fake consulting firms and job‑platform outreach. The scheme relies on classic human intelligence tactics—email...
By FCW (GovExec Technology)
Blog•Feb 6, 2026
OHA Reminder: Compliance with SBA Joint Venture Requirements Is Determined at Final Proposal Revisions
The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) clarified that compliance with joint‑venture requirements under 13 C.F.R. § 128.402(c) is judged at the date of a final proposal revision, not the initial offer. In the GSA‑led protest VSBC‑459‑P, OHA ruled that MindVen’s SDVOSB...
By SmallGovCon
![Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Feb 06, ’26 Washington Roundtable]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/d39aba0f7693213c0ffdf769e4ffd100.webp)
Blog•Feb 6, 2026
Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Feb 06, ’26 Washington Roundtable]
The Defense & Aerospace Report’s Washington Roundtable brought together senior defense analysts to assess the latest U.S. security agenda. Lawmakers restored full Department of Homeland Security funding after a partial shutdown, while the administration pushes a large defense reconciliation bill...
By Defense & Aerospace Report
News•Feb 6, 2026
DRMC Airmen Support Certification of Instrument Landing Systems
U.S. Air Forces Central’s Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (DRMC) Airmen completed the commissioning and flight‑inspection of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s instrument landing systems (ILS). The teams verified glide‑slope antenna heights and overall system performance, confirming compliance with safety standards...
By U.S. Space Force – News (All Entries)
News•Feb 6, 2026
DRMC Airmen Support Certification of Instrument Landing Systems
Air Forces Central’s Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (DRMC) Airmen finalized the commissioning and FAA flight inspection of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s instrument landing system (ILS) glide slope in the U.S. Central Command area on Jan. 29, 2026. The effort involved adjusting...
By U.S. Air Force – RSS (Top Stories)
News•Feb 6, 2026
Iran Can Still Normalize Its Economy—But the Path Will Be Painful and Slow
Iran’s inflation, hovering around 20% and spiking above 40% during sanctions, has become a structural feature of its macro‑economy. The country’s fragmented exchange‑rate system, fiscal deficits financed by the central bank, and dominant state‑linked enterprises perpetuate price pressures. Analysts argue...
By Atlantic Council
News•Feb 6, 2026
Shipbuilding Drives HII’s Revenue and Income Gains for 2025
HII reported FY25 revenue of $12.5 bn, an 8.2% rise year‑over‑year, driven by a 14% increase in shipbuilding throughput. Ingalls Shipbuilding and Newport News Shipbuilding posted revenue gains of 11.2% and 9.0% respectively, while Mission Technologies contributed $3.0 bn, up 3.6%. Operating...
By Naval Technology
News•Feb 6, 2026
Thomas Countryman on New START Expiry and the Value of Arms Control
Thomas Countryman, chair of the Arms Control Association, warned that the New START treaty will soon expire and urged the United States to negotiate a replacement with Russia while opening consultations with China. He highlighted the loss of experienced negotiators...
By Arms Control Association
News•Feb 6, 2026
Air National Guard Base Takes Stage Ahead of Super Bowl LX
Moffett Air National Guard Base will host a joint U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy flyover that will streak across the sky during the national anthem of Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8. The championship pits the Seattle Seahawks against the...
By U.S. Space Force – News (All Entries)
News•Feb 6, 2026
Airbus, DSTA Demonstrate HTeaming with Flexrotor and H225M
Airbus and Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) completed the first flight demonstration of HTeaming, integrating the Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system with an H225M Super Puma helicopter. The trial, conducted in January at a Singapore airbase, showcased real‑time data...
By Airforce Technology
News•Feb 6, 2026
New UK Defence Procurement Plan Due for April Fool’s Release
The UK Ministry of Defence will unveil a new "segmented approach" to defence procurement on April 1, 2026, coinciding with April Fool’s Day. The model splits contracts into three tiers—major platforms within two years, upgrades within one year, and rapid commercial...
By Airforce Technology
News•Feb 6, 2026
Israel’s Blunt Warning To Terrorists & Their Sponsors — “Those Who Play With Fire Will Be Burned”
Israel’s ambassador to India warned that any state tolerating jihadist proxies jeopardizes its own security, emphasizing the need to dismantle Hamas as part of President Trump’s 20‑point Gaza plan. The U.S.‑led "Board of Peace" now includes Pakistan, Turkey and Qatar,...
By Eurasian Times – Defence
News•Feb 6, 2026
72 Hours in the Gulf: Inside Chancellor Merz’s Mission to Wean Germany Off US Dependence
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spent three days in Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi to secure Gulf energy, investment and defence deals aimed at reducing Berlin's reliance on the United States and China. After the 2025 loss of Russian pipeline gas, Germany imported...
By Defence24 (Poland)
Blog•Feb 6, 2026
Xi Jinping Tightens Grip as China’s Military Purge Deepens
Chinese President Xi Jinping intensified his anti‑corruption and loyalty campaign by dismissing two of the People’s Liberation Army’s top commanders in January 2026. General Zhang Youxia, senior vice‑chairman of the Central Military Commission, and General Liu Zhenli, head of the...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Feb 6, 2026
Competitive Intervention, Proxy War, and Military Assistance: Anderson, Eyre, and Kuhlman
Episode 146 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores how external military assistance reshapes civil wars. The hosts and guests highlight that 75% of post‑World War II civil conflicts have received foreign aid, with weapons transfers being the most common form. Competitive...
By Irregular Warfare Podcast
News•Feb 6, 2026
Slow Launch Tempo Clouds Long-Term Role of Space Launch System
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) has now been in development for 15 years, accumulating more than $30 billion in taxpayer spending. The program’s launch cadence remains painfully slow, with fewer than one flight per year, undermining its intended role in deep‑space...
By AIAA – Industry News (Aerospace)