Today's Defense Pulse
UK MOD issues new RA 5219 rules for flight‑test instrumentation and data recorders
Regulatory Article 5219 now mandates specific sensors, recorder capacities, data‑retention periods and compliance procedures for UK military air‑system flight trials. The latest Issue 8 revision was released on 29 May 2026, replacing earlier versions dating back to 2014. The rule applies to all future flight‑test programs of air platforms.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Disciplined Growth Acquisition Corp raises $150M in IPO
U.S. Air Force Plans to Expand Use of Portfolio Acquisition Executives over the Next Year
The U.S. Air Force will expand its portfolio acquisition executive (PAE) model to about 18 leaders within the next year, replacing the traditional program executive officer structure. PAEs will directly control contracting, finance and sustainment functions, aiming to embed lifecycle considerations early in development. The Space Force is following suit, targeting nine PAEs after initially naming two. Full implementation across both services is expected within 12‑18 months, aligning with the Pentagon’s broader acquisition overhaul.
Ukraine as a Laboratory of Internet Resilience
Four years into Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s Internet has not collapsed despite extensive damage to its telecom infrastructure. Roughly 25 % of cables and equipment were destroyed, representing a $1.6 billion loss, yet service persisted through rerouting, redundancy and rapid repairs. The resilience...
Acknowledging Amendments: When Is an Amendment Material to an Invitation for Bids?
The GAO’s Morrish‑Wallace Construction decision clarified that an amendment to an Invitation for Bids is material when it adds new performance requirements, even if the price impact is negligible. In the case, a revised sheet‑pile cap size increased material costs...
Kongsberg Maritime Expands Offerings in Indonesia with PT PAL MoU
Kongsberg Maritime has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PT PAL, Indonesia’s largest state‑owned shipyard, to deepen collaboration on marine technology solutions. The ceremony in Surabaya was attended by senior officials from both companies and the Norwegian ambassador. The MoU follows...
Takaichi Draws a Red Line on Nuclear Sharing Amid Japan’s Security Review
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi publicly rejected a NATO‑style nuclear‑sharing arrangement with the United States, reaffirming Japan's Three Non‑Nuclear Principles during a House of Representatives debate. Her statement comes amid a comprehensive review of Japan's National Security Strategy, Defense Strategy,...
Korea’s Demographic Crisis Has Come for Its Military
South Korea’s shrinking birthrate—down to 0.75 children per woman—has cut the pool of eligible male conscripts, driving a 20% drop in active‑duty troops from 560,000 in 2019 to 450,000 in 2025. The Defense Ministry projects the force could shrink to...
In Guinea, the US Has a Rare Opportunity to Gain an Edge over China
Guinea’s newly elected president Mamady Doumbouya hosted a high‑profile inauguration attended by U.S. officials and a Chinese envoy, underscoring the country’s strategic importance. With roughly a quarter of global bauxite reserves and emerging lithium, uranium and iron‑ore projects, Guinea sits...
DeltaQuad – Design / Creative Engineer
DeltaQuad, a pioneer in long‑range electric VTOL drones, is hiring a Design / Creative Engineer for its Resilience Department. The role focuses on designing, prototyping, and validating mechanical components that improve UAV reliability and field reparability, using advanced materials and...
The Kremlin Announces the Continuation of the War
On the fourth anniversary of its invasion, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Russia will continue its "special military operation" in Ukraine. He said Moscow’s objectives remain unmet and that Western support has turned the conflict into a broader confrontation...
How to Maximize DDoS Readiness with Proactive Protection Strategies
Cyber Security Intelligence reports a surge in DDoS attacks in 2025, with assaults escalating from gigabyte to terabyte volumes. The article outlines proactive protection steps, starting with comprehensive risk assessments that inventory public‑facing assets and establish traffic baselines. It then...
U.S. Marine Corps Buys Scorpion Light Mobile Mortars
The U.S. Marine Corps awarded Global Military Products a $4.9 million firm‑fixed‑price contract to deliver its Scorpion Light mobile mortar system for live‑fire testing. The platform mounts a mortar on a Polaris MRZR Alpha 6×6 vehicle, offering rapid “shoot‑and‑scoot” capability for dispersed infantry....
Tanks Cut Infantry Deaths 60% with Trophy Protection
“Are tanks in urban warfare a burden or benefit? - Israel's experience” https://t.co/HdURRIxWhW After‑action reports from the IDF’s Ground Forces Command noted that armored units reduced infantry fatalities by more than 60% compared with operations where tanks were absent or delayed. Since...
Danish Air Force Establishes 729 Squadron for MQ-9B SeaGuardian Drones
Denmark’s Royal Danish Air Force activated 729 Squadron on 16 February to operate four General Atomics MQ‑9B SeaGuardian UAVs. Ordered in 2025 with deliveries beginning in 2028, the drones will be based at Aalborg Air Base and tasked with high‑endurance surveillance...
The Commercial Space Federation Releases New White Paper “Perfecting Public-Private Partnerships”
The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) released a new white paper titled “Perfecting Public‑Private Partnerships: The Future of Government Space Contracts.” Authored by Rational Futures, the report offers a playbook for government buyers to maximize outcomes on space PPPs, stressing that...
New Trade Association Aims to Give Domestic SMBs a Shot in Canada’s “Defence Renaissance”
The Alliance of Canadian Defence Companies (ACDC) launched today as a coalition of emerging defence technology firms seeking a unified voice in Ottawa. Co‑chairs Eliot Pence and Paul Ziadé argue that Canada’s ambitious procurement targets require clear representation from Canadian‑owned...
The National Security Case for Judicial Review | Lawfare
Lawfare’s new article argues that judicial review of executive national‑security claims enhances democratic legitimacy and strengthens defense outcomes. The authors contend courts can competently assess sensitive security matters without compromising classified information, preventing abuse and improving decision‑making. They link judicial...
Ukraine Pushes Tighter Telegram Regulation, Citing Russian Recruitment of Locals
Ukrainian officials are urging tighter regulation of Telegram after Russian intelligence allegedly used the app to recruit saboteurs for attacks, including a deadly Lviv strike that killed a police officer. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and SBU deputy head Ivan Rudnytskyi...
Seizing the High Ground: The Case for U.S. Leadership in Space Mining
The article argues that the United States must seize early leadership in space mining to secure economic, energy and geopolitical advantages as extraction technologies become viable. It highlights the trillion‑dollar profit potential of asteroid resources and the strategic value of...
Freire Signs Deal with Sweden’s FMV for Four Naval Support Vessels
Spanish shipbuilder C.N.P. Freire has secured a contract with Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to build four 47‑meter naval support vessels. The ships are designed for harsh weather and ice, carrying 16 crew, reaching 12 knots and sustaining up to...
EU Warns Russia’s African Recruitment in Ukraine Resembles “Modern Slavery” Exploiting Migration and Tourism Routes
European investigators warn that Russia’s recruitment of African migrants and students for the Ukraine war amounts to a new form of modern slavery, exploiting tourism visas, student exchanges and fake job offers. At least 171 African fighters, many aged 18‑25,...
At Colorado Space Firms, Hegseth Casts Pentagon Bureaucracy as the Enemy
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth used a Colorado stop at True Anomaly and Sierra Space to denounce the Pentagon’s acquisition bureaucracy as a "giant swamp" that favors entrenched prime contractors. He framed commercially driven space firms as essential antidotes that...
BAE Systems to Upgrade US Navy’s Amphibious Assault Ship for Joint Strike Fighter Ops
BAE Systems secured a $204.1 million contract from the U.S. Navy to perform maintenance and system upgrades on the Wasp‑class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD‑7). The selected restricted availability work, slated to start in August at BAE’s Norfolk shipyard, will modify...
Indian Navy to Commission Latest ASW-SWC Corvette
The Indian Navy will commission the ASW‑SWC corvette Anjadip on 27 February 2026, the third vessel of an eight‑ship anti‑submarine warfare shallow‑water craft program. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata, the 77‑metre ship was delivered in December 2025 and...
Philippine Navy Commissions Two Naval Vessels
The Philippine Navy commissioned the offshore patrol vessel BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS‑20) and the fast‑attack interdiction craft BRP Audrey Bañares (PG‑910) at Subic on February 24. The OPV, built by South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries, arrived five months ahead of...
U.S. Skips Ukraine Invasion Anniversary, Offers No Statement
The U.S. administration did not send a single representative to the official commemoration events marking the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, nor did it issue a single word through its embassy in Kyiv -- not even a standard...
AI Enables F‑35 to Rapidly Identify Enemy Defenses
AI Is Now Helping The F-35 Spot Enemy Air Defenses New artificial intelligence technology is giving the F-35 the ability to pick out confusing threat emissions and get them properly identified faster. https://t.co/Kq5RxLhQzc
Europe Is Helping Ukraine Resist a US Push for Peace at Any Price
European governments are stepping up to shield Ukraine from a U.S. push for a rapid peace settlement that would require territorial concessions. While Washington seeks a quick ceasefire, the EU has increased military aid by 67 percent in 2025 and approved...
Russia’s Self‑inflicted Wars Sow Generational Military Decay
Four years ago: Russian personnel fumbles then and it’s only grown worse over time. The violence they commit against their own will ricochet through the Russian military for another generation to come, as it did from their wars in...
Merchant Marine Essential for Rebuilding US Industrial Base
“We can not rebuild our industrial base without the US Merchant Marine. They are critically important,” @PeteHegseth in a news conference yesterday.
GitHub Issues Abused in Copilot Attack Leading to Repository Takeover
Security firm Orca disclosed a critical vulnerability in GitHub Codespaces that lets attackers exfiltrate the automatically generated GITHUB_TOKEN and seize full control of a repository. The exploit, dubbed RoguePilot, leverages malicious content hidden in a GitHub issue, symbolic links, and...
Leonardo Proteus UAV: 15‑Minute Flight Limits Hype
"Wait and sea" - genius headline for this report on Leonardo Proteus UAV from @fg_domperry - but only 15 mins flight time so far? #avgeek https://t.co/fuWDNu7sFH https://t.co/SoGUaRJTZX
Cyber Supply Chain Security Is Essential for National Resilience
Cyber supply chain security is no longer optional—it’s essential for resilience, innovation, and national security. Read the full piece: The Cybersecurity Challenges of the Supply Chain by @ChuckDBrooks https://t.co/THnR3VKAJx #cybersecurity #technology #supplychain
Notice: Competition: Innovation Support to Operations Phase 3 (Cycle 7)
The UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) programme has opened Phase 3, Cycle 7, inviting proposals that can be manufactured, cost‑competitive and reach Technology Readiness Level 6 within twelve months. Submissions must not exceed £350,000 in funding (with a ceiling of £1 million per project) and...
Taiwan Security Firm Confirms Flaw Flagged by CISA Likely Exploited by Chinese APTs
TeamT5, a Taiwan‑based cybersecurity firm, confirmed that CVE‑2024‑7694 – a privilege‑escalation flaw allowing malicious file uploads and arbitrary command execution – was likely weaponized by Chinese advanced persistent threat groups Slime57 and Slime62. The vulnerability, patched in August 2024, was exploited...
Retired Vice Admiral William Hilarides Finds Calling as PE Backs Defense Industry
Retired Vice Admiral William Hilarides has taken a senior role at Ventus Industrial, a private‑equity‑backed firm targeting the defense industrial base. He says his mission is to accelerate shipbuilding capacity and help portfolio companies produce at the pace the Navy...
Ireland Predicted to Make French Connection for Vehicle Buy
Ireland is preparing to replace its aging RG‑32M 4×4 armoured patrol vehicles and Piranha III 8×8 personnel carriers with platforms from France’s Scorpion programme. French media suggest the deal could also bundle CAESAR 155 mm self‑propelled artillery, even though Ireland has not...
Identity Prioritization Isn't a Backlog Problem - It's a Risk Math Problem
Identity programs still rank remediation like IT tickets, ignoring context. The article argues that true prioritization must treat identity risk as a function of controls posture, hygiene, business impact, and user intent, not just checklist completion. When these factors align,...
Japan's New Rare Earth Find Won't Shift Global Supply
Japan has identified a large rare earth deposit of its own, but it's not going to change global supply dynamics. Here's the situation... #rareearths #japan #geopolitics https://t.co/2WX7oeO6Jm
How the EU Is Deregulating Arms-Control to Be Like Any Other Industry
EU lawmakers are advancing the Defence Readiness Omnibus, a legislative package that would replace traditional export licences with General Transfer Licences, allowing unlimited, multi‑year transfers of military goods. The proposal also expands exemptions for intra‑EU and cross‑border partnerships, potentially covering...
Global Defence Spending Hits 2.63 Trillion Dollars
Global defence spending reached $2.63 trillion in 2025, a 2.5% year‑on‑year increase driven by heightened great‑power rivalry. The United States shifted its strategy toward homeland defence and burden‑sharing, proposing a multi‑layered “Golden Dome” missile shield while scaling back direct aid to...
NNSA, Sandia and Kansas City National Security Campus Open CAMINO Facility
On February 12, the National Nuclear Security Administration, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Kansas City National Security Campus inaugurated the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation (CAMINO) at the Science and Technology Park near Kirtland Air Force Base. The new...
USS Kennedy Excels With Computer Automation Ot Sea Trials
The U.S. Navy’s next‑generation carrier USS Kennedy completed its inaugural sea trials, showcasing a suite of computer‑driven automation tools. Integrated flight‑deck, propulsion, and logistics software reduced manual inputs and accelerated mission‑ready timelines. Early data indicates a 15‑percent drop in crew workload...
Ukrainian Startup Launches Production of Segmented Combat Wheels
Ukrainian startup Qirim Technology has begun production of segmented airless wheels for military ground drones and vehicles. The modular design replaces traditional pneumatic tires with interchangeable rubber segments mounted on a steel frame, eliminating punctures. Wheels are supplied free to...
Russia Lures African Recruits as Ukraine War Reaches Fourth Year
Russia, facing mounting casualties in its fourth year of the Ukraine war, has turned to African recruits to replenish its ranks, with Ukrainian intelligence estimating more than 1,400 individuals from 36 African nations have been enlisted. Kenya reports roughly 200...
Taiwan’s Layered Air Defence and the Calculus of Deterrence
Taiwan’s integrated, multi‑layered air‑defence system is designed to detect, track, and engage ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, and aircraft across the Taiwan Strait. The architecture combines early‑warning radars such as Pave Paws, airborne E‑2K Hawkeyes, and a network of fixed and...
North Korean Lazarus Group Linked to Medusa Ransomware Attacks
North Korean state‑backed Lazarus group has been linked to recent Medusa ransomware attacks targeting U.S. healthcare providers. Symantec’s report identifies a Lazarus sub‑unit, possibly Andariel/Stonefly, using the Medusa RaaS platform, which has affected more than 380 organizations since its 2021...
Join RUSI Talk on Whitehall Statecraft, March 19
If you are a @RUSI_org member and in London on 19 March, I will be discussing my forthcoming book 'Statecraft' with David Hogan-Hern on Whitehall, 1730-1830: https://t.co/xgrWvqlY5x
UK’s Destroyer Trains with French Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle
HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 destroyer, spent seven days training with the French nuclear‑powered carrier Charles de Gaulle during Operation Orion, a phase of the French Carrier Strike Group Lafayette 2026. The exercise involved 12,500 personnel, 25 ships and 140 aircraft, covering anti‑air, surface...
U.S. Army Chief Scientist Inspects Counter-Drone Platform at MSI Facility
U.S. Army Chief Scientist Dr. David Gorsich toured MSI Defense Solutions in Mooresville, North Carolina to assess the company’s ground‑vehicle integration and its EAGLS modular counter‑UAS platform. The demonstration highlighted MSI’s ability to fuse sensors, command‑and‑control software, and kinetic or...
Ukraine's Drone Revolution Turns War Tide, Proves Victory Possible
Four years have passed since Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia was supposed to win in three days. Instead, Ukraine reinvented modern warfare, built a drone industry, and can destroy a thousand Russian soldiers in a day. Ukraine can...