Defense News and Headlines

Air Force Scales Back B-52 Radar Upgrade Program, Plans New Engine Testing
NewsMar 17, 2026

Air Force Scales Back B-52 Radar Upgrade Program, Plans New Engine Testing

The Air Force is scaling back the B‑52 Radar Modernization Program, delivering a minimum‑viable product and postponing the new wideband nose radome. It will continue testing the Raytheon AN/APQ‑188 radar with the legacy radome, aiming for a low‑rate production decision...

By Air & Space Forces Magazine
BAE Systems Secures U.S. Air Force Contract to Modernize U-2 Advanced Defensive System
NewsMar 17, 2026

BAE Systems Secures U.S. Air Force Contract to Modernize U-2 Advanced Defensive System

BAE Systems has secured a contract from the U.S. Air Force to sustain and modernize the AN/ALQ‑221 Advanced Defensive System on the U‑2 Dragon Lady fleet. The agreement covers field service support, repairs, and software upgrades to counter evolving electronic threats....

By SatNews
CISA Official Advises Agencies Not to Get Too Hung up on Who Takes Lead in Critical Infrastructure Sectors
NewsMar 17, 2026

CISA Official Advises Agencies Not to Get Too Hung up on Who Takes Lead in Critical Infrastructure Sectors

Acting CISA director Nick Andersen told an Auburn University event that agencies should stop rigidly adhering to the traditional sector risk‑management agency (SRMA) designations when engaging with critical infrastructure. Instead, the lead should be the entity with the strongest relationship...

By CyberScoop
The Dangerous Logic of the Joe Kent Letter
NewsMar 17, 2026

The Dangerous Logic of the Joe Kent Letter

National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent resigned in protest of the U.S. war against Iran, issuing a letter that blamed high‑ranking Israeli officials and the American media for steering President Trump into conflict. The article dismantles Kent’s narrative, showing that...

By The Atlantic – Work
Trump Says NATO's Refusal to Help on Iran Is "Very Foolish Mistake"
NewsMar 17, 2026

Trump Says NATO's Refusal to Help on Iran Is "Very Foolish Mistake"

President Donald Trump criticized NATO allies for refusing to join the U.S.–Israeli military effort against Iran, calling the decision a “very foolish mistake.” He urged nations to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran’s attacks have threatened a key...

By Daily Maverick – Business
Lawmakers Press SOUTHCOM on Hegseth’s ‘No Quarter’ Rhetoric
NewsMar 17, 2026

Lawmakers Press SOUTHCOM on Hegseth’s ‘No Quarter’ Rhetoric

During a House Armed Services Committee hearing, lawmakers questioned Southern Command leader Gen. Francis Donovan about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s “no quarter” rhetoric and whether any orders to deny survivors of strikes had been issued. Donovan affirmed no such directive exists...

By Defense One
CBA Builds Two AI Agents to Boost Cyber Defences
NewsMar 17, 2026

CBA Builds Two AI Agents to Boost Cyber Defences

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has deployed two custom AI agents to augment its cyber‑defence operations. The threat‑hunt agent automates up to 70% of routine investigations, shrinking a multi‑day analysis to roughly 30 minutes and even launching hunts overnight. A second...

By iTnews (Australia) – Government
Pentagon Says Lethal Boat Strikes Are ‘Just the Beginning’ in South, Central America
NewsMar 17, 2026

Pentagon Says Lethal Boat Strikes Are ‘Just the Beginning’ in South, Central America

The Pentagon announced that Operation Southern Spear, a six‑month campaign of lethal boat strikes against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, is only the beginning of a broader counter‑narco effort. Since September, 157 people have been killed...

By Politico Europe
A Top Official Just Quit in Protest of the Iran War. His Resignation Letter Reveals One of the Biggest Fallacies...
NewsMar 17, 2026

A Top Official Just Quit in Protest of the Iran War. His Resignation Letter Reveals One of the Biggest Fallacies...

Joe Kent, the Senate‑confirmed director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on Tuesday, citing conscience objections to the Trump administration’s war in Iran. His departure, the most high‑profile protest resignation of the second Trump term, underscores a growing rift within...

By Slate (Music)
Iran War Is Not Delaying US Weapons Shipments to Taiwan, Officials Say
NewsMar 17, 2026

Iran War Is Not Delaying US Weapons Shipments to Taiwan, Officials Say

U.S. officials told Congress that the ongoing war with Iran has not delayed weapons shipments to Taiwan, and U.S. policy toward the island remains unchanged. The conflict, which began with airstrikes on Feb. 28, raised concerns about a potential backlog,...

By Defense News
Evolve Dynamics Appoints Paul Finn-Kelcey as Chief Product Officer to Scale British Uncrewed Systems
PodcastMar 17, 2026

Evolve Dynamics Appoints Paul Finn-Kelcey as Chief Product Officer to Scale British Uncrewed Systems

Evolve Dynamics has hired former Dyson product leader Paul Finn‑Kelcey as its inaugural Chief Product Officer. The move is aimed at industrialising the company’s small uncrewed aerial systems—FOXE, WOLFE and SKY MANTIS 2—for the British Armed Forces and NATO allies. Finn‑Kelcey will...

By sUAS News
Israel Says It Has Killed Iran’s De Facto Leader Ali Larijani
NewsMar 17, 2026

Israel Says It Has Killed Iran’s De Facto Leader Ali Larijani

Israel announced that its jets struck a Tehran suburb, killing Ali Larijani, Iran’s de‑facto security leader, along with Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani in separate raids. The Israeli government framed the operation as part of a broader campaign to destabilise Tehran and...

By The Irish Times – Business
How Will the Iran War End? Even Trump May Not Really Know
NewsMar 17, 2026

How Will the Iran War End? Even Trump May Not Really Know

President Donald Trump has presented a shifting set of justifications for a military strike on Iran, ranging from nuclear threats to regime change. The article argues that these contradictory goals reveal a lack of strategic clarity and an over‑reliance on...

By The Walrus (General feed)
F-47 Won’t Be Available Until Mid-2030s, Top Lawmaker Says
NewsMar 17, 2026

F-47 Won’t Be Available Until Mid-2030s, Top Lawmaker Says

The Air Force’s sixth‑generation F‑47 and the Navy’s F/A‑XX will not be operational until the mid‑2030s, according to Rep. Rob Wittman. In the interim, the services must keep legacy platforms such as the F‑18 and F‑22 flying to bridge the...

By Air & Space Forces Magazine
Golden Dome Cost Estimate Rises to $185 Billion as Pentagon Expands Space Layer
NewsMar 17, 2026

Golden Dome Cost Estimate Rises to $185 Billion as Pentagon Expands Space Layer

The Pentagon has lifted the Golden Dome missile‑defense program’s cost estimate to $185 billion for the next ten years, adding $10 billion to accelerate space‑based satellite procurement and data‑link networks. The initiative aims to integrate ground, air and space sensors, interceptors, and a...

By SpaceNews
First NATO Support and Procurement Agency(NSPA) Call-Off Orders Placed for Parrot ANAFI UKR Micro-UAV Systems
PodcastMar 17, 2026

First NATO Support and Procurement Agency(NSPA) Call-Off Orders Placed for Parrot ANAFI UKR Micro-UAV Systems

Parrot announced that NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has issued its first call‑off orders for the ANAFI UKR micro‑UAV, with deliveries scheduled for Q1 2026 in batches of 100‑500 units and potential scaling to thousands. The initial orders serve the Finnish...

By sUAS News
419th Fighter Wing Reservists Support First-Ever Microreactor Airlift
NewsMar 17, 2026

419th Fighter Wing Reservists Support First-Ever Microreactor Airlift

On February 13, 2026, the 419th Fighter Wing Reservists executed Operation Windlord, the first-ever military airlift of a containerized microreactor. The mission moved a reinforced steel‑framed nuclear power unit from March Air Reserve Base, showcasing the Department of War’s ability to...

By U.S. Space Force – News (All Entries)
How Washington Can Help Lebanon
NewsMar 17, 2026

How Washington Can Help Lebanon

The United States faces a historic chance to revive its relationship with Lebanon by mediating a cease‑fire and supporting the Lebanese government’s push to curb Hezbollah’s armed influence. The article argues that robust, sustained diplomacy—including a new special envoy, LAF...

By The Atlantic – Ideas
UAE Reports 304 Ballistic Missiles Engagement Amid Ongoing Iran Strikes
NewsMar 17, 2026

UAE Reports 304 Ballistic Missiles Engagement Amid Ongoing Iran Strikes

The United Arab Emirates’ air‑defence forces have engaged 304 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,627 UAVs since Iran’s attacks began, part of the wider Operation Epic Fury conflict involving Israel and the United States. On 16 March, UAE interceptors shot...

By Airforce Technology
UK MoD Selects Threod Cata Launcher for British Army’s ASGARD Programme
NewsMar 17, 2026

UK MoD Selects Threod Cata Launcher for British Army’s ASGARD Programme

The UK Ministry of Defence has selected Threod Systems’ Cata aircraft launcher for the British Army’s ASGARD one‑way effector programme. A £4.99 million contract will see the first units delivered in the first quarter of 2026 after successful 2025 mobility, safety...

By Army Technology
US Air Force Seeks Capabilities to Improve C3 for Aircraft Fleet and Warfighters
NewsMar 17, 2026

US Air Force Seeks Capabilities to Improve C3 for Aircraft Fleet and Warfighters

The U.S. Air Force issued three Request for Information (RFI) notices to find technologies that will strengthen command, control and communications (C3) after losing four aircraft during Operation Epic Fury under non‑hostile, unclear circumstances. The losses—three F‑15 fighters and a KC‑135 tanker—highlighted...

By Shephard Media
Norway Could Re-Enter Anti-Tank Mine Market
NewsMar 17, 2026

Norway Could Re-Enter Anti-Tank Mine Market

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) issued a request for information (RfI) on anti‑tank mines, with supplier responses due by 7 April 2026. The move builds on a joint procurement with Germany and Latvia for DM‑22 mines expected to arrive around 2027....

By Army Technology
The War with Iran Is So Absurd That the Head of the National Counterterrorism Center Just Resigned
NewsMar 17, 2026

The War with Iran Is So Absurd That the Head of the National Counterterrorism Center Just Resigned

Joseph Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on Tuesday, citing conscience objections to the U.S. war in Iran. Kent argued Iran posed no imminent threat and accused the administration of yielding to Israeli lobby pressure. The resignation...

By Esquire – Men’s Fashion
Israel Says Killed Iran's Security Chief Larijani
NewsMar 17, 2026

Israel Says Killed Iran's Security Chief Larijani

Israel announced it eliminated Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani, describing him as the head of a "gang of gangsters" that runs Tehran. The claim, made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, has not been confirmed by...

By New Straits Times (Malaysia) – Business
Michigan Guard Unit Validated for National Guard Response Force Mission
NewsMar 17, 2026

Michigan Guard Unit Validated for National Guard Response Force Mission

The Michigan Army National Guard’s 246th Transportation Battalion completed a multi‑day validation exercise at Camp Grayling, earning certification as a component of the state’s National Guard Response Force (NGRF). The validation, part of a nationwide effort mandated by Executive Order...

By U.S. Army – News
The Iranian Proxy War the World Is Missing
NewsMar 17, 2026

The Iranian Proxy War the World Is Missing

Iran is deepening its proxy relationship with the Polisario Front, the Sahrawi separatist movement fighting Morocco over Western Sahara. Tehran has supplied the group with weapons, training and ideological support since recognizing the self‑declared SADR in 1980. This partnership gives...

By Semafor – Business
Chadian Troops to Replace Kenyans in Haiti Security Mission
NewsMar 17, 2026

Chadian Troops to Replace Kenyans in Haiti Security Mission

UN‑backed Gang Suppression Force will replace Kenyan police with Chadian troops in Haiti. Chadian soldiers are currently training in the United States, and Kenya will begin a phased withdrawal in April. The force aims to reach 5,500 personnel by October...

By The East African
Russian Strategic Offensive in the Donbas Foiled
NewsMar 17, 2026

Russian Strategic Offensive in the Donbas Foiled

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on 16 March that Kyiv had thwarted Russia’s planned strategic offensive in the Donbas. Leaked Russian operational plans for 2025‑2027 outlined unrealistic goals, including full control of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Odesa. Intensive Ukrainian assaults...

By Army Technology
Young "Bug Bounty Hunter" Bags $6M Pre-Seed Round for Security Startup
NewsMar 17, 2026

Young "Bug Bounty Hunter" Bags $6M Pre-Seed Round for Security Startup

French cybersecurity startup Lupin & Holmes, founded by 23‑year‑old former bug bounty hunter Roni Carta, closed a $5.9 million pre‑seed round led by 20VC and Seedcamp. Carta, who earned nearly $800,000 hunting vulnerabilities for FAANG firms, built Depi, an upstream security...

By Tech.eu
Humanoid Military Robots Deployed to Ukraine for Battlefield Testing
NewsMar 17, 2026

Humanoid Military Robots Deployed to Ukraine for Battlefield Testing

US robotics startup Foundation sent two Phantom MK-1 humanoid robots to Ukraine in February for battlefield testing. The robots, 5'9" tall and weighing 175‑180 lb, are tasked with reconnaissance to evaluate performance under combat conditions. This marks the first known front‑line...

By eWeek
Kudos to Kent for Resigning Counterterrorism Post
NewsMar 17, 2026

Kudos to Kent for Resigning Counterterrorism Post

Joe Kent announced his resignation as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, citing conscience objections to the ongoing war in Iran, which he argues poses no imminent threat to the United States. In his X post, Kent blamed a misinformation...

By O’Dwyer’s PR
Warlock Ransomware Group Augments Post-Exploitation Activities
NewsMar 17, 2026

Warlock Ransomware Group Augments Post-Exploitation Activities

Warlock ransomware group is expanding its post‑exploitation tactics, leveraging a bring‑your‑own‑vulnerable‑driver (BYOVD) exploit against Microsoft SharePoint servers and deploying tools such as TightVNC and the Yuze reverse‑proxy. The group now uses the NSecKrnl.sys driver to disable security products at the...

By Dark Reading
Russia Backs Havana After Trump Says He Will ‘Take Cuba’
NewsMar 17, 2026

Russia Backs Havana After Trump Says He Will ‘Take Cuba’

Russia’s foreign ministry declared unwavering solidarity with Cuba after President Donald Trump publicly said he would "take" the island and hinted at further pressure. Trump’s rhetoric follows a renewed U.S. oil embargo that has crippled Cuba’s aging power grid and...

By BusinessLIVE
UK-Ukraine Joint Statement: Enhanced Security and Defence Industrial Collaboration Declaration
NewsMar 17, 2026

UK-Ukraine Joint Statement: Enhanced Security and Defence Industrial Collaboration Declaration

The United Kingdom and Ukraine signed a joint declaration to deepen security and defence industrial cooperation. The pact formalises joint R&D, co‑production of systems such as the Octopus interceptor drone, and the Lyra programme covering drones, air‑defence and long‑range effectors....

By UK Ministry of Defence (GOV.UK)
Finland and Sweden Bolster NATO’s Northern Flank
NewsMar 17, 2026

Finland and Sweden Bolster NATO’s Northern Flank

Finland and Sweden are accelerating NATO’s northern‑flank defence by advancing the Forward Land Forces (FLF) initiative on Finnish soil. During the Cold Response 26 exercise, the three Nordic defence ministers pledged to formalise the multinational land force by the NATO summer...

By Defence24 (Poland)
Fourth Company Looks to Texelis Celeris Chassis to Develop a New 4x4 Vehicle
NewsMar 17, 2026

Fourth Company Looks to Texelis Celeris Chassis to Develop a New 4x4 Vehicle

Finnish defense firm SCATA announced that its upcoming SCATA Mk1 4x4 will be built on Texelis’s Celeris rolling chassis. The vehicle is slated for unveiling at the Eurosatory 2026 exhibition. This marks the fourth international partnership leveraging the Celeris platform,...

By Shephard Media
Trump Faces “All-In” Moment on Iran
NewsMar 17, 2026

Trump Faces “All-In” Moment on Iran

President Donald Trump confronts a pivotal "all‑in" decision as the United States deepens its military engagement with Iran. The resignation of the National Counterterrorism Center director underscores growing fissures within the U.S. security establishment, with dissent now spilling over from...

By Defence24 (Poland)
4 KVM Vendors, 9 Vulns – Including an Unfixed CVSS 9.8
NewsMar 17, 2026

4 KVM Vendors, 9 Vulns – Including an Unfixed CVSS 9.8

Researchers at Eclypsium uncovered nine security flaws across consumer‑grade IP KVM devices from four vendors, including two critical vulnerabilities rated CVSS 9.8 and 8.8 that remain unpatched. The affected products range from single‑port, $30 units popular with homelab enthusiasts to...

By The Stack (TheStack.technology)
KakaoTalk Weaponized in Konni Spear-Phishing Campaign
NewsMar 17, 2026

KakaoTalk Weaponized in Konni Spear-Phishing Campaign

North Korean APT group Konni weaponized South Korea's KakaoTalk in a sophisticated spear‑phishing campaign. The group sent emails posing as a lecturer on North Korean human‑rights issues, tricking recipients into running a malicious shortcut that installed remote‑access malware. After compromising...

By SC Media
Snorkeling in the Strait of Hormuz
NewsMar 17, 2026

Snorkeling in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s recent drone strikes and naval posturing have effectively shut down most commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil conduit. While the United States and Gulf allies scramble to keep energy supplies flowing, the Omani...

By The Atlantic – Work
SecurityInfoWatch and SecureXperts Launch CSfC Certification Program
NewsMar 17, 2026

SecurityInfoWatch and SecureXperts Launch CSfC Certification Program

SecurityInfoWatch and SecureXperts have unveiled Cybersecure, a training initiative that launches with an NSA‑backed Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) Trusted Integrator Workshop at ISC West. The program targets the chronic shortage of qualified integrators capable of designing CSfC‑compliant architectures for federal...

By SecurityInfoWatch
XPONENTIAL Europe 2026 to Showcase Autonomous Defense & Start-Up Innovation
NewsMar 17, 2026

XPONENTIAL Europe 2026 to Showcase Autonomous Defense & Start-Up Innovation

XPONENTIAL Europe 2026, running March 24‑26 in Erding, gathers defense ministries, industry leaders, and start‑ups to showcase autonomous systems, robotics, and AI. The event highlights the XPO+ Launcher, a dedicated zone where emerging companies pitch to investors and secure commercial...

By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
Trump Is Spending Tomorrow’s Security Today
NewsMar 17, 2026

Trump Is Spending Tomorrow’s Security Today

Donald Trump has launched a war despite clear warnings that critical weapon stockpiles are dangerously low, reflecting a broader pattern of consuming present resources at the expense of future capacity. Throughout his presidency, fiscal policy, science funding, and alliance management...

By Project Syndicate — Economics
Top 5 Things CISOs Need to Do Today to Secure AI Agents
NewsMar 17, 2026

Top 5 Things CISOs Need to Do Today to Secure AI Agents

Agentic AI is reshaping enterprises by giving autonomous software agents the ability to write code, move data, and execute transactions without human oversight. Traditional AI security relies on prompt filtering and output monitoring, which only constrain behavior after access is...

By BleepingComputer
Seasats Quickfish USV Completes 8-Day Continuous Sea Trial
NewsMar 17, 2026

Seasats Quickfish USV Completes 8-Day Continuous Sea Trial

Seasats announced that its Quickfish autonomous surface vessel successfully completed an eight‑day continuous sea trial, demonstrating over‑35‑knot top speed and multi‑week on‑station endurance. The hybrid jet‑electric propulsion and a dedicated payload bay for UAV launch set it apart from other...

By Marine Log
A Military-Industrial-Financial Complex Is Rising in America
NewsMar 17, 2026

A Military-Industrial-Financial Complex Is Rising in America

President Eisenhower’s warning about the military‑industrial complex is being revisited as venture capitalists, private‑equity firms, and Wall Street banks pour capital into defense innovation. A new Pentagon investment‑banking unit is courting financiers, while Silicon Valley’s a16z launched a defense‑focused fund...

By Semafor – Business
NEWSMAKER | Denmark Premier’s Greenland Stand Faces Election Test
NewsMar 17, 2026

NEWSMAKER | Denmark Premier’s Greenland Stand Faces Election Test

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is making her defiant stance against U.S. President Donald Trump over Greenland the centerpiece of her campaign for the March 24 election. After a historic defeat in municipal polls, her Social Democrats have rebounded from a...

By BusinessLIVE
Norway and UK Plan Joint Acquisition of up to 30 New Joint Commando Craft
NewsMar 17, 2026

Norway and UK Plan Joint Acquisition of up to 30 New Joint Commando Craft

Norway and the United Kingdom are evaluating a joint purchase of up to 30 new Joint Commando Craft for coastal operations in the North Atlantic and High North. The 24‑meter, 60‑ton vessels will provide greater speed, endurance, survivability and sensor...

By Naval News
Top Aces Wins $33.2m Contract for Argentina F-16 Pilot Training
NewsMar 17, 2026

Top Aces Wins $33.2m Contract for Argentina F-16 Pilot Training

Top Aces’ U.S. subsidiary won a $33.2 million contract to train Argentine Air Force pilots on the newly acquired F‑16 fleet. The two‑year program, managed by the U.S. Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron, includes classroom instruction, simulator work and live‑fly...

By Airforce Technology