🎯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 17, 2026
Trump’s Diego Garcia Fears Miss the Strategic Point
On February 5 President Trump said talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on returning the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius were productive. The pending May 2025 agreement would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while granting the UK a 99‑year lease of Diego Garcia to the United States for roughly $100 million annually. Although Trump warned he could militarily secure the base if threatened, analysts argue the deal gives the United States legal certainty and limits unfounded Chinese security fears. The article contends Washington should fully endorse the pact to preserve the UK‑US partnership and avoid over‑reacting to speculative geopolitical risks.
By Asia Times – Defense
News•Feb 17, 2026
Leonardo Funding Development of Earth Observation Constellation
Leonardo is investing roughly €500 million to develop a 20‑satellite Earth observation constellation slated for launch in 2027‑28. The system will combine high‑resolution optical, synthetic‑aperture radar and communications payloads, built by Thales Alenia Space using its NIMBUS modular bus. The project...
By SpaceNews
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
Building the Royal Navy’s General Purpose Frigates: Type 31 Programme Update
Britain’s Type 31 frigate programme has entered serial production, with multiple hulls now being built in parallel at Rosyth. The first ship, HMS Venturer, serves as a prototype, while HMS Active and HMS Formidable represent pre‑production and reference models, incorporating process improvements such as...
By Navy Lookout
News•Feb 17, 2026
Trump’s New Arms Rules Will Hit Southeast Asia
President Trump issued an executive order establishing an “America First” arms export strategy that rewards allies who invest in self‑defense, occupy critical geography, or contribute to U.S. economic security. The rubric pushes the Philippines, Singapore and Cambodia toward priority status...
By Foreign Policy
Podcast•Feb 17, 2026•33 min
Protecting Stadiums in the Age of Drone Incursions: Melissa Swisher, CRO at SkySafe
In this episode, Melissa Swisher, CRO of SkySafe, explains how airspace intelligence is evolving to protect large venues like stadiums from unauthorized drones. She highlights the biggest gaps in current drone defense—lack of real‑time detection, attribution, and actionable analytics—and how...
By Drone Radio Show
News•Feb 17, 2026
Udtara Ventures Announces Rs 250 Cr Growth Fund
Udtara Ventures has launched a Rs 250 crore Udtara Growth Fund aimed at taking sizable ownership stakes in defence, deep‑tech and frontier engineering firms. The fund will back 8‑10 growth‑stage companies with proven product‑market fit and existing order books, using a blend...
By Entrackr
![Chabelley Airfield Adds On-Site Firearms Training Capability [Image 2 of 4]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2602/9523568/250w_q95.jpg)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Chabelley Airfield Adds On-Site Firearms Training Capability [Image 2 of 4]
The U.S. Air Force inaugurated the first on‑site small‑arms range at Chabelley Airfield in Djibouti on Jan. 31 2026, four months ahead of schedule. The facility provides dedicated capability for weapons qualification, sustainment training, and forward‑deployed mission rehearsals. Its rapid completion underscores...
By U.S. Marine Corps – News
![Chabelley Airfield Adds On-Site Firearms Training Capability [Image 3 of 4]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2602/9523569/250w_q95.jpg)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Chabelley Airfield Adds On-Site Firearms Training Capability [Image 3 of 4]
The U.S. Air Force has opened a new small‑arms range at Chabelley Airfield in Djibouti. The $1.6 million facility provides on‑site handgun and rifle training for the 776th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron and partner forces. By bringing live‑fire capability to the...
By U.S. Marine Corps – News
![Chabelley Airfield Adds On-Site Firearms Training Capability [Image 4 of 4]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2602/9523570/250w_q95.jpg)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Chabelley Airfield Adds On-Site Firearms Training Capability [Image 4 of 4]
The U.S. Air Force has opened a new small‑arms range at Chabelley Airfield in Djibouti, four months ahead of its planned schedule. The facility enables the 776th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron to conduct handgun qualification, sustainment training, and forward‑deployed mission...
By U.S. Marine Corps – News
News•Feb 17, 2026
AI Is the Future of Warfare and US Is in the Lead
Artificial intelligence is reshaping modern warfare, with the United States far ahead in funding, infrastructure, and operational deployment. The Pentagon now spends at least $2 billion annually on AI‑enabled weapons and billions more indirectly through procurement, while private investment tops $109 billion....
By Asia Times – Defense
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
AI-Intelligentized Naval Mines and U.S. Subsea Access in the Paracel Islands
China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy is modeling AI‑intelligentized seabed mines that could hide in the Paracel Islands’ acoustic shadow zones, creating a persistent anti‑access/area‑denial (A2/AD) field. The concept builds on an estimated 50,000‑100,000 existing Chinese naval mines, adding adaptive target...
By Small Wars Journal
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
Chemical Weapons by Violent Non-State Actors in Combat
The paper reviews chemical weapon use by violent non‑state actors, highlighting the Tamil Tigers’ 1990 chlorine attack and Islamic State’s 76 documented chlorine and mustard strikes between 2014‑2017. It notes the relative ease of acquiring industrial chemicals and the primitive...
By Small Wars Journal
News•Feb 17, 2026
Expectations Are Low for the Latest US-Brokered Talks Between Russia and Ukraine
Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Geneva for U.S.-brokered talks, but expectations are low that they will produce a breakthrough before the war's fourth anniversary. Both sides remain entrenched on territorial demands, with Russia insisting on broader land claims and...
By Manila Bulletin – Business
News•Feb 17, 2026
How Red Teaming Reduces Breach Risk?
Red Teaming, also known as adversary simulation, pits authorized security experts against an organization’s defenses to expose real‑world attack gaps. By mimicking the full cyber kill chain—from OSINT‑driven reconnaissance to covert data exfiltration—teams reveal weaknesses that traditional scans miss. The...
By Security Boulevard
News•Feb 17, 2026
Lebanon Says Four Months Needed for Second Phase of Hezbollah Disarmament
Lebanon’s government announced that its army will need at least four months to complete the second phase of the five‑stage plan to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenals south of the Litani River. The phase targets the corridor between the Litani and Awali...
By Al Jazeera – All News (includes Economy)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Russia-Ukraine War: List of Key Events, Day 1,454
Ukraine reclaimed roughly 201 sq km of territory after a Russian Starlink communications outage, while Russia reported downing 345 Ukrainian drones and launching 62 long‑range strike drones overnight. The Czech Republic supplied 4.4 million rounds of large‑calibre ammunition to bolster Kyiv’s firepower. Diplomatic...
By Al Jazeera – All News (includes Economy)
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Ukraine Deploys Drone‑Delivered Swedish 155mm Smart Shells
Ukraine's New Weapon: Dropping Swedish 155mm Smart Shells from Drones https://t.co/T0uD6pHKW8 There has been a technical and tactical shift in the Ukrainian conflict, where heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been adapted to deliver 155mm ordnance, including the sophisticated Swedish-designed 155...
By John Spencer
Social•Feb 17, 2026
U.S. Buildup Highlights Iran’s Ignored Missile Threat
Great analysis by @brett_mcgurk U.S. military forces continue to conduct build up and readiness to provide the President with the most options, Islamic Regime in Iran not taking the military threat seriously, and Iran's missile program should definitely be included...
By John Spencer
News•Feb 16, 2026
Time for the eBuy Wall to Come Down, Once and for All
The author urges federal leaders to eliminate the GSA eBuy firewall that limits RFI visibility to schedule contractors. Recent RFIs—2GIT II and TTS’s NEXT program—highlight the need for broader industry input on emerging IT services. Simultaneously, OFPP is revising the FAR...
By Federal News Network
Social•Feb 17, 2026
U.S. Unready for Potential GPS Attack, Warns Former NSA Chief
"America is dangerously unprepared for a GPS attack," Adm. Michael Rogers, U.S. Navy (ret.), former commander of the U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency. https://t.co/hYWXOZoxEZ
By John Spencer
Social•Feb 16, 2026
F-16 Scramble Finds Balloons, Not UFOs Over Nevada
F-16s Find Balloons, Not UFOs, After Sunday Scramble: NORAD Alert F-16s out of California scrambled to hunt down mysterious targets over Nevada and California twice on Sunday. Story: https://t.co/oQhqC5oK7H
By Tyler Rogoway
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News•Feb 16, 2026
CYRIL’S ARMY: Ramaphosa’s Decision to Deploy the SANDF Is Deeply Flawed. Here’s Why
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the withdrawal of roughly 700 South African soldiers from the MONUSCO mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, ending a 27‑year peace‑keeping presence. He simultaneously ordered the South African National Defence Force to support the police...
By Daily Maverick – Business
News•Feb 16, 2026
Sovereign AI Is a Geopolitical Reset — and Telcos Need to Deliver It
Telcos are positioned to deliver sovereign AI, a shift from centralized models to on‑prem, edge‑based intelligence that stays within national borders. By leveraging regulated infrastructure and privacy mandates like CPNI, they can host domain‑specific models that keep data local and...
By Federal News Network
News•Feb 16, 2026
Russia Rattled by America’s Nuclear Move in Armenia
The United States and Armenia signed a nuclear cooperation agreement on February 9, committing to American modular reactor technology for Armenia's next plant. Moscow responded with a public backlash, accusing the U.S. of untested designs and offering lucrative financial and infrastructure...
By OilPrice.com – Main
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Pentagon Reverse‑engineers GBU‑57 Using ATACMS Tech to Break Contractor Lock‑
New GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Parts Reverse Engineered From ATACMS Ballistic Missile Tech Replacing GBU-57s dropped on Iran highlights issues that come from being locked into a single contractor, a which the Pentagon is trying to change. Story: https://t.co/P7JyrN8lCZ
By Tyler Rogoway
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Possible China Nuclear Test Detected, Seismology Needed
I wonder if this event is the alleged China nuclear test: 22 June 2020/0 depth/41.27, 90.75/~150 km from the test site, just outside error ellipse. The P/S amplitude ratio might show if it was an explosion--need a real seismologist for...
By Jeffrey Lewis
News•Feb 16, 2026
SpaceX to Compete in Pentagon Contest for Autonomous Drone Tech
SpaceX and its AI subsidiary xAI have entered a classified Pentagon competition to develop voice‑controlled, autonomous drone‑swarming systems. The contest, part of a broader push for AI‑enabled weapons, pits the two Musk‑owned firms against other defense contractors. Musk announced a...
By Bloomberg — Business
News•Feb 16, 2026
Vigor Marine Wins $73m Contract for USS Emory S. Land Overhaul
Vigor Marine secured a firm‑fixed‑price $73.42 million contract to overhaul the U.S. Navy’s submarine tender USS Emory S. Land, covering a 215‑day dry‑dock period from 1 May to 1 December 2026. The agreement includes five unexercised options that could raise the total value to $74.81 million. Funding combines...
By Naval Technology
News•Feb 16, 2026
Why a Resurgent Japan Is Good for Asia
Japan’s newly elected prime minister Sanae Takaichi secured a landslide victory, bringing a right‑wing nationalist agenda to the forefront. Beijing responded with a stark warning, urging Tokyo to pursue peaceful development rather than a return to militarism. Takaichi’s stance on...
By RealClearWorld – Security/Defense (alt aggregation)
News•Feb 16, 2026
Rubio Reassures Europe — but Only if They Change Course
Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a high‑profile speech at the Munich Security Conference, reassuring European leaders that the United States remains committed to the transatlantic partnership. He emphasized continuity in security cooperation while simultaneously urging Europe to adjust its...
By RealClearWorld – Security/Defense (alt aggregation)
News•Feb 16, 2026
Autonomy, Anxiety, and the Twilight of Transatlantic Order
The Munich Security Conference underscored a growing crisis in transatlantic relations, with European leaders expressing anxiety over perceived U.S. disengagement. Discussions centered on the EU’s push for strategic autonomy and the broader erosion of the post‑Cold‑War order. Bilateral meetings highlighted...
By RealClearWorld – Security/Defense (alt aggregation)
News•Feb 16, 2026
Munich Security Conference and Europe's Future
Representatives from more than 115 countries convened at the Munich Security Conference this weekend. While the gathering traditionally produces few concrete outcomes, it serves as a snapshot of the issues occupying global leaders. This year, the dialogue centered on Europe’s...
By RealClearWorld – Security/Defense (alt aggregation)
Social•Feb 16, 2026
EU
AT @MunichSecConf, French minister says @defis_eu 2028-34 space budget to be ~ EUR 40B, less than Commission's 50B target; German minister says space and defense ministries now trade personnel as the missions are inseparable. @DLR_SpaceAgency @CNES.https://t.co/BjLtUUtIdc https://t.co/fQXynwvDtW
By Peter B. de Selding
News•Feb 16, 2026
Keir Starmer Urges Faster Defence Spending Push Amid Russia Threat
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged a faster acceleration of defence spending, citing the growing Russian threat. Britain currently spends 2.3% of GDP on defence, above NATO’s 2% guideline, and plans to reach 2.5% by 2027 and 3% by the...
By BusinessLIVE (South Africa) – RSS hub
News•Feb 16, 2026
Our Network Can't Be the First Obstacle in the Fight
The Army’s command and control (C2) network has evolved through incremental add‑ons rather than a cohesive design strategy. This patchwork architecture limits real‑time decision making and exposes the force to cyber vulnerabilities. Defense leaders now argue that a purpose‑built, integrated...
By RealClearDefense
News•Feb 16, 2026
Every Marine a Rifleman and Now, a Drone Operator
The U.S. Marine Corps has unveiled a new training initiative that equips hundreds of Marines with small‑drone operating skills. The program builds on the Corps’ long‑standing “every Marine a rifleman” doctrine, adding a second specialty as unmanned‑aircraft operators. Training combines...
By RealClearDefense
News•Feb 16, 2026
USAF Integrates Open-Architecture for Mission Autonomy on CCAs
The U.S. Air Force announced that its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program has incorporated an open‑architecture framework to support mission‑autonomous capabilities. The new architecture allows software modules to be added, updated, or replaced without redesigning the airframe, accelerating the deployment...
By RealClearDefense
News•Feb 16, 2026
Munich Security Conference. What Was Said About Russia?
The Munich Security Conference highlighted growing diplomatic leverage for Russia, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warning that Moscow may gain more at the negotiating table than on the battlefield. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio expressed uncertainty about Russia’s willingness...
By Defence24 (Poland)
Blog•Feb 16, 2026
Mapping Weaponized Drone Attacks Attributed to Mexican Drug Cartels
The NCITE research center documented 221 weaponized drone incidents in Mexico between 2021 and 2025, with 27 attacks killing 77 people. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) accounted for the largest share, linked to 42 attacks, while La Nueva Familia...
By Small Wars Journal
News•Feb 16, 2026
The Space Nuclear Power Bottleneck — and How to Fix It
Nuclear power is poised to transform U.S. deep‑space and lunar missions, with NASA targeting a nuclear propulsion test by 2028 and a surface fission reactor on the Moon by 2030. While reactor designs and fuel supplies are mature, the real...
By SpaceNews
News•Feb 16, 2026
US Coast Guard Commissions Sixth Arctic District Fast Response Cutter
The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned USCGC Frederick Mann (WPC 1160), its sixth fast response cutter (FRC) assigned to the Arctic District and the 60th FRC overall. The vessel was placed in service at Kodiak on Feb 13, 2026 and will operate around the Aleutian Islands,...
By Naval Today
News•Feb 16, 2026
Norway, Germany Deepen Defence Cooperation with Hansa Arrangement
At the Munich Security Conference, Norway and Germany signed the Hansa Arrangement, a bilateral defence pact covering maritime security, space‑based surveillance, combined‑arms land warfare, rapid reinforcement and defence‑industry collaboration. The agreement builds on prior high‑level talks and includes joint development...
By Naval Technology
News•Feb 16, 2026
Shield AI Joins USAF CCA Programme as Mission Autonomy Provider
Shield AI has been chosen to supply mission‑autonomy software for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme, entering the Technology Maturity and Risk Reduction (TMRR) phase after a competitive evaluation. Its Hivemind AI pilot has been integrated into...
By Airforce Technology
![Operation Windlord Cargo Load [Image 6 of 7]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2602/9523289/250w_q95.jpg)
News•Feb 16, 2026
Operation Windlord Cargo Load [Image 6 of 7]
U.S. Air Force airmen from the 452nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Aerial Port Flight loaded a next‑generation nuclear reactor onto a C‑17 Globemaster III for Operation Windlord on 15 Feb 2026. The load was coordinated with the 15th Airlift Squadron and the 62nd Airlift Wing,...
By U.S. Marine Corps – News
![Operation Windlord Cargo Load [Image 1 of 7]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2602/9523288/250w_q95.jpg)
News•Feb 16, 2026
Operation Windlord Cargo Load [Image 1 of 7]
U.S. Air Force airmen from the 452nd Logistics Readiness Squadron loaded a next‑generation nuclear reactor onto a C‑17 Globemaster III for Operation Windlord on Feb. 15, 2026. The aircraft, coordinated with the 15th Airlift Squadron and the 62nd Airlift Wing, flew the reactor from...
By U.S. Marine Corps – News
News•Feb 16, 2026
Low-Profile Chinese Launch Firm Conducts First Stage Static Fire
Zenk Space performed a first‑stage static‑fire test of its Zhihang‑1 rocket on Feb. 11 from a mobile sea platform off Shandong, confirming engine ignition and thrust stability. The 50‑metre, three‑stage vehicle uses four CASC‑developed YF‑102 kerolox engines and can deliver 4,000 kg...
By SpaceNews
News•Feb 16, 2026
Active Vehicle Protection Comes to the Forefront as Trophy and Iron Fist Secure Contracts
Israeli active protection systems Trophy and Iron Fist have secured new contracts, underscoring a rapid shift toward vehicle‑centric defense solutions. Originating from Russian concepts in the 1970s, APS technology matured in the 2000s thanks to Israeli innovation. Both systems are modular...
By Shephard Media
News•Feb 16, 2026
Republicans and Democrats Unite to Condemn Trump’s Attacks on Allies
At the Munich Security Conference, both Republicans and Democrats openly condemned President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda, unpredictable foreign‑policy moves, and his claim over Greenland. High‑profile figures such as Hillary Clinton, Governor Gavin Newsom, Senator Elissa Slotkin and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez...
By The Guardian – UK Defence
Blog•Feb 16, 2026
Greens Demand US Military Flights Be Barred From Prestwick
The Scottish Greens have demanded that the Scottish Government evict US military forces from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, citing over 550 landings since April 2025 as evidence of routine use. They plan to raise the issue in a parliamentary debate, arguing...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 16, 2026
Reintegrating the Western Balkans: EU and NATO Strategy
The EU and NATO are urged to accelerate Western Balkan integration to close a major security gap and curb Russian, Chinese, and Turkish influence. Persistent governance deficits, economic under‑development, and fragmented NATO membership leave the region vulnerable to external manipulation....
By Defence24 (Poland)