Chinese Hackers Target Southeast Asian Militaries with AppleChris and MemFun Malware
Unit 42 has identified a China‑backed espionage campaign, designated CL‑STA‑1087, that has been infiltrating Southeast Asian military organizations since at least 2020. The operation deploys two custom backdoors, AppleChris and MemFun, alongside a credential‑harvesting tool called Getpass, using techniques such as DLL hijacking, Pastebin dead‑drop resolvers, and process hollowing to maintain stealth. AppleChris delivers commands via reverse shells and can enumerate files, processes, and C4I systems, while MemFun acts as a modular platform that fetches additional payloads in memory. Researchers note the attackers’ operational patience, with dormant access lasting months and sophisticated sandbox‑evasion timers.
U.S. Tech Giants Flocked to the Persian Gulf. Now They Are Targets.
U.S. tech giants including Amazon, Google, Microsoft and OpenAI have poured billions into data center projects across the Persian Gulf to support AI development. Iranian drone attacks in early March damaged Amazon’s facilities in Bahrain and the UAE, disrupting services...
UK and Ireland Agree Updated Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Defence Cooperation
The United Kingdom and Ireland have signed a refreshed Memorandum of Understanding to deepen bilateral defence cooperation. The updated MoU emphasizes maritime security, cyber defence, air‑domain information sharing, and joint procurement of military equipment. It also reinforces collaboration on UN...
Citigroup Sticks by Three Missile and Defense Companies as Iran War Rages
Citigroup reaffirmed its bullish stance on three defense manufacturers—Karman Holdings, L3Harris Technologies, and RTX—amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Analysts highlighted a slowdown in Iranian drone and missile attacks but said the long‑term demand for missile defense, munition replenishment,...
Cyberattackers Don't Care About Good Causes
A Dark Reading roundtable highlighted that nonprofit organizations, despite being critical infrastructure, are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals because they store sensitive personal and operational data while operating with limited security budgets. Panelists including Wendy Nather of 1Password and Sightline Security’s...
China “Intercepts” B-2 Bomber’s Signals on Return From Iran? PLA-Linked Firm Claims Radio Unlock
Chinese defence firm Jingan Technology announced it intercepted radio transmissions from U.S. B‑2 stealth bombers returning from strikes on Iran on March 1, 2026. The claim, posted on social media, includes alleged flight‑path reconstruction and an audio recording, though no independent...
Poland's Nuclear Research Centre Targeted by Cyberattack
Poland’s National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) detected and blocked a cyberattack on its IT infrastructure before any damage occurred. The institute’s security systems and rapid response prevented compromise of the MARIA research reactor, which continued operating at full power....
Washington Designates Sudan Militia Foreign Terrorist Organization
The U.S. State Department designated Sudan’s Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organization, a move praised by the United Arab Emirates and prompting calls to label the Rapid Support Forces similarly. Sudan responded by hiring Washington lobbying firm The Williams Group...
Hormuz Bypass Infrastructure Was Sized for a Short Disruption. This Is Not That.
The Saudi Petroline and the UAE Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline were constructed as short‑term workarounds for potential closures of the Strait of Hormuz, providing a combined capacity of roughly 4‑5 million barrels per day. The strait itself moves about 20 million barrels daily,...
European Space Agency Taps Terran Orbital Subsidiary for Defense Deal
Terran Orbital’s subsidiary Tyvak International secured a contract with the European Space Agency to build Farinella, a 6U CubeSat for the RAMSES planetary‑defense mission. The spacecraft will study near‑Earth asteroid Apophis during its close approach on 13 April 2029, providing data to...
Will AI Save Consumers From Smartphone-Based Phishing Attacks?
The Omdia 2025 Mobile Device Security Consumer Survey finds phishing to be the top smartphone threat, affecting 27% of users and 40% of Americans. Google’s on‑device AI scam detection is available in 27 countries but still misses sophisticated attacks, while...
Dispute over SAFE in Poland. What Is the Situation Like in Other Countries?
Poland’s veto of legislation needed to tap the EU Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme has ignited a political storm, as the country stands to receive the largest loan of €43.7 billion for European‑made defence equipment. By contrast, France, Italy and...
The Pentagon Is Moving Additional Warships to the Middle East
The Pentagon has approved the forward movement of the USS Tripoli, an America‑class amphibious assault ship, and its attached Marine expeditionary unit toward the Middle East. The deployment adds an amphibious ready group of several warships and roughly 5,000 Marines...
Trump Says US Will Hit Iran ‘Very Hard’ for Another Week
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will intensify attacks on Iran for the next week, following a partial 30‑day waiver for Russian oil purchases aimed at easing soaring fuel prices. The statement came as Brent crude hovered around...
US Says Iran’s New Supreme Leader Likely ‘Wounded’, Dismisses Strait of Hormuz Concerns
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly wounded and possibly disfigured, casting doubt on his legitimacy. Hegseth warned that the United States will launch the highest volume of air strikes ever over...
Ovzon Receives $1.3M US Defense Contract
Swedish satellite communications firm Ovzon secured a $1.3 million, three‑month contract from the U.S. Defense Department for sat‑com services and technical support, with work commencing immediately. The agreement builds on a relationship dating back to 2014, during which the Pentagon has...
Following Congressional Rebuke, Air Force Awards E-7 Contracts
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing two sole‑source contracts— a $2.3 billion option and a $99.3 million radar‑source modification— pushing the E‑7 Wedgetail program’s total value above $5 billion. The awards implement the FY 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which directed the service to continue...
Trump Says War Will End when He Feels It "in My Bones"
Former President Donald Trump told The Brian Kilmeade Show he will know the Iran conflict is over when he feels it "in his bones," implying a near‑term end. He also suggested the war may not last much longer, despite the...
Iran's Drones Highlight Infrastructure Vulnerability: Researcher
Researcher Fabian Hoffmann warns that long‑range drones expose critical infrastructure in Europe and the Gulf to new vulnerabilities. Iran’s recent attacks on Dubai’s financial district and its pledge to target Western tech firms illustrate the growing threat. Existing air‑defence systems,...
So What’s the Strategy on Iran?
The Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center released a new "So What’s the Strategy?" podcast episode featuring former National Security Council chief of staff Alex Gray. Host Matthew Kroenig and Gray dissect Washington’s approach to the ongoing Iran war, referencing the 2020...
45,000 Malicious IP Addresses Taken Down in International Cyber Operation
An INTERPOL‑coordinated effort, Operation Synergia III, dismantled more than 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers between July 2025 and January 2026. Law enforcement from 72 countries arrested 94 suspects and seized 212 devices, while investigations continue against another 110 individuals. The operation uncovered extensive...
The Broken Records: Tracing the Human Cost of the 2022 British MoD Leak
In February 2022 the UK Ministry of Defence inadvertently released personal data on roughly 18,700 Afghan nationals who had supported British forces and were seeking protection. The breach remained undisclosed for almost two years, and a High Court super‑injunction in September 2023...
The US and Cuba Are Talking
Mexico's president helped broker the first confirmed talks between the United States and Cuba, with Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel confirming a dialogue aimed at resolving long‑standing bilateral differences. The discussions are in an early phase and follow reports that the Trump...
U.S. Army Tests Polaris Autonomous Ground Vehicles in Germany
The U.S. Army’s xTech|Edge Strike: Ground competition in Germany showcased autonomous variants of Polaris’s MRZR D4, RANGER XD 1500 and RZR XP 1000, integrated by Dataspeed, Forterra and Overland AI. The demonstrations focused on logistics, reconnaissance and casualty‑evacuation missions, proving that commercial off‑road platforms can be...
The Ukraine War and the Need for Active Protection Systems
The Ukraine‑Russia conflict has exposed the vulnerability of modern armored vehicles to ATGMs and one‑way effectors, prompting a surge in demand for active protection systems (APS). Hard‑kill solutions, especially Israel’s Trophy, dominate the market, while competitors like Iron Fist and emerging...
AF Week in Photos
U.S. Air Force showcased a week of diverse operations, from F‑35A combat missions in the Middle East supporting Operation Epic Fury to Arctic F‑22 sorties defending North American airspace. Joint exercises highlighted B‑2, Navy F‑35C and F/A‑18E maritime strikes, while...
Daimler Truck 'Well Positioned for Defense Growth,' CFO Says
Daimler Truck Holding AG announced its strategy to capitalize on rising European defense spending, aiming to double its defense segment by 2030. CFO Eva Scherer highlighted the company's capability to quickly scale production, leveraging its experience managing cyclical markets. The...
Pentagon: Iran's Missiles, Not Mines, Pose Main Threat to Hormuz Shipping
The Pentagon has concluded that Iran’s missile arsenal, rather than naval mines, represents the chief danger to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts note that Iran’s short‑ and medium‑range ballistic missiles can reach vessels transiting the narrow waterway,...
Six Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft crashed over western Iraq on March 12, 2026, killing all six crew members. The loss occurred during Operation Epic Fury and was confirmed not to be the result of hostile or friendly fire. The...
Rolls-Royce to Lead Powertrain Development for MGCS in Important Step for the Programme
Rolls‑Royce Power Systems has been appointed general contractor to develop the drive system for the Franco‑German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS). The contract pairs its 1,400 kW MTU199 ten‑cylinder engine with ZF’s eLSG5000 electrified powershift steering transmission, creating the world’s first...
Russia’s Relentless Interference Since Start of Ukraine War Has Failed to Break Moldova
Four years after Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, Moldova has withstood Moscow’s destabilisation campaign and moved forward on its EU accession path. The country secured candidate status in 2022 and opened accession negotiations in 2024, while President Maia Sandu won...
Intercepting Shahed and Other Strike UAVs — a New Stage in the Evolution of Air Defense Technologies
Drone Fight Group, Bat Drones and Ukrainian maker PG Robotics have begun serial production of the Angel Spire interceptor drone, aimed at neutralising Shahed‑type loitering munitions and other hostile UAVs. The platform can cruise between 150 and 290 km/h and reach targets up...
Canada Announces $40 Billion Plan to Strengthen Arctic Security, Infrastructure, and Development
Canada announced a $40 billion Arctic strategy, allocating over $35 billion in federal funds to boost security, infrastructure, and economic development. The plan earmarks $32 billion for forward operating locations in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Iqaluit, plus $2.67 billion for new support hubs and nodes....
Vietnam and the Geopolitics of Critical Minerals
Vietnam has tightened restrictions on raw rare‑earth exports to force domestic refining, positioning itself as a niche superpower in critical minerals. Meanwhile, the United States is building a broad coalition of more than 50 partners through initiatives like the Critical...
High-Density Thick Film Substrates
Remtec announced its high‑density thick‑film multilayer ceramic substrates, targeting military, avionics, space and industrial markets. The product line offers 6‑8 conductor layers on alumina, aluminum nitride or beryllia, with either gold or low‑cost silver interconnects delivering 1‑3 mΩ/sq conductivity. Features include...
PrSM Increment 2 Takes Flight and Advances Army’s Moving-Target and Maritime Capability
Lockheed Martin announced the successful first flight test of the Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 on March 12, 2026, launching from a HIMARS and flying 350 km. The test demonstrated a new multi‑mode seeker capable of locking moving maritime targets, expanding the missile’s mission...
Police Sinkholes 45,000 IP Addresses in Cybercrime Crackdown
Operation Synergia III, an Interpol‑led crackdown from July 2025 to January 2026, sinkholed roughly 45,000 malicious IP addresses and seized 212 servers across 72 countries. The operation resulted in 94 arrests, with another 110 suspects under investigation, and uncovered over 33,000 phishing and fraudulent...
NATO Intercepts Third Iranian Missile Heading Toward Turkey
On Friday, NATO’s eastern Mediterranean defense systems shot down a third ballistic missile launched from Iran that was heading toward Turkish airspace, marking the latest interception in just over a week. The alliance emphasized its vigilance in protecting all members,...
France's Position in Middle East Is Defensive, Macron Says, After Attack on Its Soldiers
President Emmanuel Macron condemned a drone attack in northern Iraq that killed one French soldier and wounded six, calling it "unacceptable" and stressing France's defensive posture in the Middle East. He announced a request for a full military analysis of...
Hegseth Says US Military Has Designated Officer to Complete Probe on Iran School Strike
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that an officer outside of U.S. Central Command has been appointed to complete a command investigation into the strike on a girls' school in southern Iran. The investigating officer is a general officer, underscoring...
What Rob Jetten’s New Minority Government Means for Dutch and European Defense
Rob Jetten leads the Netherlands’ first minority coalition, formed by D66, CDA and VVD, holding only 66 of 150 parliamentary seats. The government’s agenda emphasizes a stronger European pillar within NATO, a 3.5% of GDP defence spending target, and joint...
Pete Hegseth on Strait of Hormuz: 'Don't Need to Worry About It'
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters the United States is not worried about a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war, despite recent spikes in oil prices. He emphasized that the Pentagon already has contingency...
French Soldier Dies After a Drone Attack in Iraq
A drone strike on 12 March hit the French‑run Mala Kara base near Erbil, killing one French soldier and wounding several others. The attack, claimed by the pro‑Iranian Islamic Resistance Movement in Iraq, coincided with a simultaneous drone hit on an...
FN and Damen to Develop Next-Generation Maritime Defense Solutions
Damen Shipyards Group and FN Herstal have signed a memorandum of understanding at the BEDEX exhibition to jointly develop next‑generation maritime defence solutions. The partnership will integrate FN’s weapons and sensor technologies into Damen vessels, including unmanned surface vessels, to...
Italy Weighs Options as Damaged Russian LNG Tanker Drifts in the Mediterranean
A Russian LNG tanker, the Arctic Metagaz, was struck by Ukrainian naval drones and left drifting in the Mediterranean between Italy and Malta. The vessel’s 30 crew were evacuated, and while the hull remains afloat, the amount of LNG on board...
Mercury Systems Acquires SolderMask to Support Higher Rate Production
Mercury Systems announced the acquisition of SolderMask, Inc., securing its dry‑film solder mask technology, intellectual property, and a five‑person team. The deal, closed on March 3, 2026, integrates SolderMask’s capabilities into Mercury’s Huntington Beach site while a parallel line is built in...
US Sanctions on Rwanda’s Military Begin to Bite
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force and four senior officials on March 2, accusing them of actively supporting the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The sanctions have already...
Airbus Prepares Valkyrie Combat Drone for German Air Force
Airbus is preparing flight tests of a Kratos XQ‑58A Valkyrie‑based uncrewed combat aircraft equipped with its European‑developed MARS mission system for the German Air Force. The two Valkyrie prototypes, being readied at Airbus’ Manching facility, are slated for maiden flights...
Dragon No Longer in the Cab: Senator Cotton and Rep. Stefanik Quietly Move to Eject China From American Trucking
Rep. Elise Stefanik introduced the Trucking Security and CCP Disclosure Act of 2026, mandating that every carrier in the Department of Defense freight chain certify it has no ownership or control ties to Chinese military‑linked entities. The bill creates a...
EU Leaders Push Visa Crackdown on Russian War Veterans
EU leaders including Germany’s Friedrich Merz and Poland’s Donald Tusk have urged the European Commission to tighten visa rules for Russian nationals with combat experience in Ukraine. In a joint letter they warned that demobilised fighters, many recruited from prisons,...