Today's Defense Pulse
Iran drafts MOU with US promising Strait of Hormuz reopening within 30 days
Iran has issued a 14‑point draft memorandum of understanding that would see U.S. forces withdraw from Iranian territory, lift oil sanctions and suspend the naval blockade. The draft also calls for the release of half of Iran’s frozen assets and a reconstruction plan of at least $300 billion, with Tehran pledging to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days.
Also developing:
By the numbers: KONGSBERG acquires 90% stake in Zone 5 Technologies
Lithuania Begins Rail Project to Speed NATO Troop Movement
Lithuania has started building a dedicated railway to the Rudninkai training area, aimed at speeding the movement of NATO forces, particularly a German brigade stationed in the country. The line will allow rapid transport of troops, armored vehicles and logistical supplies, reducing reliance on congested road networks. Officials say the project is a key element of NATO’s military mobility agenda on the eastern flank and reflects a broader push to convert civilian infrastructure for dual‑use defence purposes. The initiative also ties into larger EU‑funded projects such as Rail Baltica, underscoring regional connectivity priorities.
The Space Race Is Being Rewritten by AI – and Europe Risks Falling Behind
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping satellite operations, enabling real‑time capacity management and on‑orbit data processing. Smaller, agile constellations now require decision speeds that outpace human operators, prompting a shift toward AI‑driven bandwidth allocation and autonomous payload control. By processing imagery...
Alliant 3's Award Process Starts to Roll
The General Services Administration (GSA) announced the first round of Alliant 3 awards, naming 43 contractors with a plan to select up to 76 firms. Alliant 3, a 10‑year, unlimited‑ceiling vehicle, replaces the $83 billion‑sized Alliant 2 contract and targets a broad...
Latin America's Cyber Maturity Lags Threat Landscape
Intel 471’s 2025 report shows Latin America’s cyber‑maturity is improving but the region faces a rapidly intensifying threat landscape. Ransomware incidents jumped 78% year‑over‑year, with more than 450 breaches recorded, while Brazil alone accounted for 30% of ransomware and extortion attacks....
Preserving the American Edge: Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base
Episode 147 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast argues that America’s defense industrial base has been the engine of military advantage from Roosevelt’s World War II mobilization to Cold‑War stealth breakthroughs. The hosts warn that China’s rapid expansion of defense manufacturing is...
European Security Needs Turkey
Europe faces its most serious security shortfall in decades as reliance on U.S. defense guarantees wanes. The article argues that strategic autonomy must include re‑engaging Turkey, NATO’s most capable land force and a pivotal regional actor. It highlights the Trump...
UK and European Allies to Develop Low-Cost Air Defence Weapons to Protect NATO Skies
Britain and its European Group of Five partners – France, Germany, Italy and Poland – have launched the Low‑Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms (LEAP) initiative to create affordable, AI‑driven air‑defence weapons. The first system, a lightweight surface‑to‑air missile targeting drones...
PayPal Discloses Data Breach that Exposed User Info for 6 Months
PayPal disclosed a data breach affecting its Working Capital loan application, where personal information—including Social Security numbers—was exposed from July 1 to December 13, 2025. The company identified the issue on December 12, 2025, rolled back the faulty code, and halted unauthorized access within a...
U.S. Marine Corps Rejects Switch to M7 Rifle
The U.S. Marine Corps announced it will retain the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle rather than switch to the Army’s M7 Next Generation Squad Weapon. The decision cites the M27’s fit with the Corps’ expeditionary and amphibious doctrine and its proven...
Avalanche Technology Introduces Next-Gen VNX+ Storage Module for Space and Military Applications
Avalanche Technology unveiled its VNX+ storage module, combining Space Grade MRAM with Lattice’s CertusPro‑NX FPGA to deliver true radiation immunity without sacrificing density, speed, or endurance. The solution is engineered for military and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) applications and satisfies...
Boeing Adds Production Line to Boost Space Force’s Missile Warning Push
Boeing has inaugurated a 9,000‑square‑foot electro‑optical infrared (EO/IR) production line at its El Segundo satellite facility to support the Space Force’s Resilient Missile Warning and Tracking (MWT) program. The line will help Millennium Space Systems deliver 12 medium‑Earth‑orbit satellites by 2027,...
Boeing to Boost Production of Missile-Tracking Sensors for Military Satellites
Boeing has opened a 9,000‑square‑foot production facility at its El Segundo campus to manufacture electro‑optical infrared (EO/IR) sensors for U.S. military satellites. The plant will support Millennium Space Systems’ near‑$1 billion contract portfolio, including 12 missile‑warning satellites and a $414 million award...
U.S. Air Force Deploys Skiron X Drone in Counter-UAS Training
The U.S. Air Force employed Aurora Flight Sciences’ Skiron X hybrid drone as a simulated adversary during counter‑UAS training at Germany’s Grafenwoehr Training Area on Feb. 19, 2026. The exercise evaluated expanding the Joint Multi‑Domain Counter‑UAS Operator Course into a joint, multi‑service program...
Focus on Economy over Capability Highlights the Cost Imperative for CCA Success
The Shephard Defence Insight report highlights that cost, not just capability, will dominate the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) market. The U.S. Air Force’s Increment 1 CCA program aims for airframes priced around $25 million, forcing manufacturers to prioritize affordability. The XQ‑58 Valkyrie,...
U.S. Navy Seeking Anti-Radiation Missile Which Can Also Kill Airborne Radars
NAVAIR has issued a Sources Sought notice for an Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM) that would exceed the range of the current AGM‑88G and add the ability to engage both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground targets. The missile must integrate with the...
Review of MOD Legislation Governing Autonomous Systems
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has launched an open call for evidence to review the regulatory framework governing uncrewed and autonomous systems. This initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s Regulation Action Plan, which aims to cut administrative costs of...
Hackers Breach Contractor Linked to Ukraine’s Central Bank Collectible Coin Store
Ukraine’s National Bank temporarily shut down its online collectible‑coin store after a cyberattack compromised customer registration data. Attackers accessed personal details such as names, phone numbers, email and delivery addresses through a contractor that supports the storefront, but no financial...
The Big Picture
At the 2025 Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivered a sharply critical speech, accusing European allies of abandoning fundamental democratic values and curbing free speech to manage migration. In contrast, the 2026 conference saw Secretary of State...
WATCH: Space as the Backbone of Integrated Defense
The U.S. Space Force is accelerating its integrated‑defense agenda across multiple fronts. Boeing opened a dedicated production line for electro‑optical infrared sensors to bolster missile‑warning capabilities, while the service is streamlining the transition of battle‑management tools from labs to operators....
Canada Certifies Airbus H175, Opening Door to Public Service Missions
Airbus has secured Transport Canada certification for its H175 super‑medium helicopter, clearing the path for commercial and public‑service use in Canada. The company says a broad spectrum of potential customers are showing interest, though no operator has been confirmed and...
A Concept of Operations for Achieving a Navy Fleet of 500 Ships
Captain George Galdorisi outlines the U.S. Navy’s ambition to field a 500‑ship “hybrid fleet” of 350 crewed vessels and 150 large uncrewed maritime vessels (USVs), emphasizing the need for a concrete concept‑of‑operations (CONOPS) to satisfy congressional requirements. He details ongoing...
Deep Dive: The US Air Force’s Costly ‘Box Cutters’
Air Force maintenance units have spent $1.79 million on 5,166 high‑end combat knives—dubbed “box cutters”—between 2017 and June 2025, despite chronic shortages of essential supplies. The knives were ordered through misclassification that sidestepped normal procurement scrutiny, allowing rapid acquisition across multiple...
A New Iranian Revolution?
Iran’s economy is spiraling under soaring inflation, unemployment and renewed U.S. sanctions, stoking widespread public discontent. The Islamic Republic faces a legitimacy crisis that could trigger either systemic reform or outright collapse. Analysts warn that without a shift toward moderate...
France and India Secure Long-Term Defence Roadmap Built on Shared Production
During President Emmanuel Macron’s February visit, France and India signed 21 defence agreements cementing a decade‑long roadmap worth $40‑50 billion. The pact expands Rafale fighter production, launches a Safran‑led M88 engine assembly line in India, and creates a Bharat Electronics‑Safran joint...
Identity Cyber Scores: The New Metric Shaping Cyber Insurance in 2026
Identity cyber scores are emerging as the primary metric insurers use to underwrite cyber‑insurance policies in 2026. Insurers now scrutinize password hygiene, privileged‑access management and MFA coverage, linking weak identity controls to higher breach likelihood and premium costs. The global...
Ukrainian Women Reveal Widespread Russian War Rape
"Hundreds of Ukrainian women and girls have reported sexual violence by Russian troops during the nearly four years of full-scale war in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian authorities and aid groups. The actual number of victims, advocates say, is most likely...
16 Air Assault Demos AI-Enabled Air Manoeuvre Strike
The British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team showcased AI‑enabled reconnaissance‑strike capabilities during a visit by Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker. The demonstration linked new hardware, software and procedures to accelerate target acquisition and air‑delivered...
Belarus Launches Rapid Reserve Mobilization
Belarus has begun a rapid reserve mobilization in its western regions bordering NATO members, issuing summonses that require reporting within hours. Opposition figures say the call‑ups are mandatory, with no deferments and confiscated phones, effectively constituting a hidden mobilization. The...
Navy Declares IOC for SDB II on Super Hornet
The U.S. Navy has declared initial operational capability for the GBU‑53/B Small Diameter Bomb II on its F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet, completing a transition that began with limited use in 2025. The StormBreaker’s tri‑mode seeker—infrared, millimeter‑wave radar and semi‑active laser—enables all‑weather,...
A War Foretold: How the CIA and MI6 Got Hold of Putin’s Ukraine Plans and Why Nobody Believed Them
In late 2021 CIA Director William Burns warned Vladimir Putin of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine, based on extensive U.S. and British intelligence that accurately mapped Putin’s plans. Despite detailed satellite imagery, intercepted communications and human sources, many European intelligence...
U.S. Startup Confirms Six-Hour Test of AERO Sky Hybrid Drone
Petrel Technologies announced that its AERO Sky hybrid VTOL drone completed a six‑hour flight test, demonstrating hundreds of miles of real‑time reconnaissance capability. The platform combines vertical take‑off with fixed‑wing efficiency, delivering a low‑cost Group 3 UAV with modular payloads for...
U.S. Air Force Signs $94.7M Deal for Multi-Domain Analysis Systems
The U.S. Air Force awarded DCS Corp. a $94.7 million contract to develop multi‑domain analysis and mission‑modeling tools. The effort will deliver simulation capabilities that assess operational effects across air, ground, space and cyber domains through 2031. By integrating empirical sensor...
Two Petabytes Worth Data of Israeli’s Siphoned, Says Cyber Head
Israel’s National Cyber Directorate disclosed that roughly two petabytes—equivalent to 100 National Library of Israel archives—have been exfiltrated from citizens and institutions over recent years. The breach scale eclipses prior megabyte‑ and terabyte‑level incidents, marking an unprecedented data loss. Concurrently,...
Pursuing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration in Gaza
On October 7 2023 Hamas militants launched a brutal assault on Israel, igniting a two‑year war that left more than 70,000 casualties in Gaza. A cease‑fire on October 10 2025 inaugurated the first phase of President Donald Trump’s 20‑point peace blueprint. The plan’s second...
Ukraine Poised to Earn Billions From Wartime Arms Exports
“Ukraine could export several billion dollars of military goods and services this year after authorising its first wartime foreign sales and is considering introducing a tax on those exports, a senior Ukrainian defence official said. Earlier this month, the state commission...
Wounded Soldiers Inflate Russian 2025 Force Numbers
In 2025 Russian forces did not contract, however it is also very unlikely that the overall force grew by 100k. This amount of personnel did not go to force expansion. The likely discrepancy stems from those seriously wounded still being...
AI-Empowered Cybersecurity: Key Events and Emerging Trends in 2025
In September 2025 Anthropic disclosed the world’s first autonomous AI‑driven cyberattack, where an AI system executed 80‑90% of the malicious workflow with only a handful of human interventions. The attackers masqueraded as a cybersecurity firm, using Claude Code and the Model...
Tekever Integrates Ukraine Combat Lessons Into EVO Drone
How Anglo-Portuguese UAV firm @Tekever is incorporating battle lessons from Ukraine for its latest EVO #drone #avgeek https://t.co/9hbPLZEY4l https://t.co/c2NdkqOs7K
Food & Ag Industry Braces for Rising Ransomware Threats
Food and ag sector weathers more ransomware attacks, braces for ‘strategic adaptation’ threats - Threat Beat https://t.co/Vt6H5NKPsU
Iran and the Gulf: Why Hedging Is No Longer Enough
The episode examines how Gulf states are moving beyond a hedging strategy toward Iran, recognizing that Iran’s internal turmoil now directly threatens their security and economic interests. It argues that reliance on crisis avoidance and U.S. guarantees is insufficient, and...
Iran's Three Pressure Points: US Troops, Allies, Hormuz
What could Iran target if tensions escalate? I joined @SheryAhnNews and @avrilhongTV on @BloombergTV to break down Trump’s Middle East buildup. I outlined 3 pressure points Tehran could hold at risk: US forces, regional partners, and the Strait of Hormuz....
Ukraine's UAVs Destroy Russian Air Defenses and Infrastructure
Videos of FP-2 strikes by Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces and SBU Alpha on Tor-M1 and S-300VM air defense systems, command posts, warehouses, UAV launch points, and other targets. https://t.co/NYeDtpqsPM https://t.co/dpmHaDxrqK https://t.co/H2iQiNH8gF https://t.co/PO8F68r8Mn
East Front News #83: Polish Nuclear, Germany with F-35, and Who Is Leading Europe?
The recent Hedgehog‑2025 NATO exercise exposed how drones can render battalions combat‑ineffective within hours, prompting calls for doctrinal reforms. Germany is weighing an additional F‑35 purchase, reinforcing U.S. dependence and ensuring its role in NATO’s nuclear sharing. Meanwhile, Poland is...
Austal Lands Massive $4 Billion Deal to Build Eight LCH Vessels for Australia
Austal Defence Australia secured a $4 billion Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement to build eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels for the Australian Defence Force. The 100‑metre, 4,000‑ton ships, based on the Damen LST100 design, can carry over 200 personnel, six M1A2 Abrams tanks...
Again Jihadist Attacks in Nigeria
Jihadist militants from the IS‑linked Lakurawa group attacked seven villages in Kebbi State, killing more than 30 civilians despite rapid police, military, and militia response. The assault underscores Nigeria's persistent insurgency, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two...
France to Procure Polish Piorun Missiles – Details Emerge
France announced plans to acquire Polish‑made Piorun man‑portable air‑defence systems through the EU’s SAFE joint procurement programme, using a €16.2 billion loan instrument. Approximately 70 percent of the missiles will equip French armed forces while the remaining share is earmarked for Ukraine’s...
UK Joins NATO Ballistic Missile Defence Effort
The United Kingdom has joined six NATO allies in a new High Visibility Project aimed at bolstering ballistic missile defence. Announced on 12 February 2026, the initiative will develop and field sensors, interceptors and tactical control systems to plug gaps...
Facing the Elephant of Munich
At the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for Europe to assume greater security responsibility while emphasizing continued transatlantic interdependence. He highlighted cooperation areas such as re‑industrialisation, supply‑chain resilience, and joint technology standards. The forum also...
From Readiness to Resilience: Two Decades of Extreme Weather Impacts on US Military Infrastructure
Over the past two decades extreme weather events have surged in frequency and intensity, directly threatening U.S. military installations across coastal, inland, and western regions. Hurricanes such as Katrina, Sandy, and Michael have inflicted multibillion‑dollar damage, while wildfires, floods, and...
China, Afghanistan, and Critical Minerals: Options for U.S. Strategic Competition Below the Threshold of War
Afghanistan has re‑emerged as a venue for great‑power competition below the threshold of war, with China pursuing cautious economic engagement focused on mineral extraction and limited infrastructure projects. U.S. analysis shows Chinese contracts have underperformed and remain exploratory, leaving a...