Defense News and Headlines

Every Marine a Rifleman and Now, a Drone Operator
NewsFeb 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
USAF Integrates Open-Architecture for Mission Autonomy on CCAs
NewsFeb 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
Munich Security Conference. What Was Said About Russia?
NewsFeb 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)
Passwords to Passkeys: Staying ISO 27001 Compliant in a Passwordless Era
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Passwords to Passkeys: Staying ISO 27001 Compliant in a Passwordless Era

Organizations are rapidly replacing passwords with passkey authentication to curb the 49% of security incidents tied to compromised credentials. Passkeys, built on FIDO2 and WebAuthn, satisfy AAL2/AAL3 standards and are already deployed in billions of accounts, including Google’s 800 million users....

By BleepingComputer
Blue Water Autonomy Unveils Liberty Class Autonomous Ship for U.S. Navy
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Blue Water Autonomy Unveils Liberty Class Autonomous Ship for U.S. Navy

Blue Water Autonomy, a Boston‑based tech and shipbuilding firm, announced the Liberty class, a 60‑metre autonomous vessel built on Damen’s Stan Patrol 6009 platform. The ship features the proven Axe Bow hull, can carry over 150 tonnes, and boasts a...

By Overt Defense
The Space Nuclear Power Bottleneck — and How to Fix It
NewsFeb 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
260K+ Chrome Users Duped by Fake AI Browser Extensions
NewsFeb 16, 2026

260K+ Chrome Users Duped by Fake AI Browser Extensions

Researchers at LayerX uncovered 30 malicious Chrome extensions masquerading as AI assistants, collectively amassing over 260,000 downloads. These extensions embed attacker‑controlled iframes that capture user prompts, emails, and webpage data, then relay them to remote servers while returning plausible AI...

By Dark Reading
US Coast Guard Commissions Sixth Arctic District Fast Response Cutter
NewsFeb 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
Norway, Germany Deepen Defence Cooperation with Hansa Arrangement
NewsFeb 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
Shield AI Joins USAF CCA Programme as Mission Autonomy Provider
NewsFeb 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
Iran Says US 'More Realistic' On Nuclear Issue, as Guards Begin Drills in Hormuz Strait
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Iran Says US 'More Realistic' On Nuclear Issue, as Guards Begin Drills in Hormuz Strait

Iran’s foreign ministry said the United States has moved to a more realistic stance on Tehran’s nuclear programme ahead of a second round of indirect talks in Geneva, mediated by Oman. The Revolutionary Guard Corps launched naval drills in the...

By Al-Monitor
Operation Windlord Cargo Load [Image 6 of 7]
NewsFeb 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]
NewsFeb 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
CISA Gives Feds 3 Days to Patch Actively Exploited BeyondTrust Flaw
NewsFeb 16, 2026

CISA Gives Feds 3 Days to Patch Actively Exploited BeyondTrust Flaw

U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has ordered all federal agencies to patch the actively exploited BeyondTrust Remote Support vulnerability (CVE‑2026‑1731) within three days. The flaw, an OS command‑injection that enables unauthenticated remote code execution, affects Remote Support 25.3.1...

By BleepingComputer
When Second Best Is Good Enough: The Initial Defense Satellite Communications System
NewsFeb 16, 2026

When Second Best Is Good Enough: The Initial Defense Satellite Communications System

The U.S. Air Force launched the Initial Defense Satellite Communications System (IDSCS) as a low‑cost, quickly fielded alternative after the ambitious Advent program was cancelled. Program 369 employed small 45‑kg Philco satellites, initially designed for medium‑altitude orbits and later placed in...

By The Space Review
Tame the Wolf, Release the Panda: The Case for US-China Space Cooperation
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Tame the Wolf, Release the Panda: The Case for US-China Space Cooperation

The Space Review argues that the United States should repeal the Wolf Amendment and open a cooperative space relationship with China. It contends that China’s space ambitions are driven primarily by prestige and a desire for status recognition rather than...

By The Space Review
Low-Profile Chinese Launch Firm Conducts First Stage Static Fire
NewsFeb 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
Active Vehicle Protection Comes to the Forefront as Trophy and Iron Fist Secure Contracts
NewsFeb 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
Leonardo to Provide Four C-27J MPAs for Saudi Arabia
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Leonardo to Provide Four C-27J MPAs for Saudi Arabia

Leonardo has secured a contract to deliver four C-27J maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense, marking the first C-27J variant equipped with integrated maritime weapon systems. The order follows Saudi’s earlier acquisition of two C-27Js for...

By Naval Today
Republicans and Democrats Unite to Condemn Trump’s Attacks on Allies
NewsFeb 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
Rheinmetall CEO Warns Funding Slows Ukraine Aid
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Rheinmetall CEO Warns Funding Slows Ukraine Aid

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger warned that a lack of funding is curbing the German defence group’s ability to increase ammunition, air‑defence systems and tanks for Ukraine. He emphasized that production capacity remains ample and that additional weapons could be delivered...

By Defence Blog
U.S. Air Force Releases Details of APKWS Air-to-Air Conversion
NewsFeb 16, 2026

U.S. Air Force Releases Details of APKWS Air-to-Air Conversion

The U.S. Air Force approved a $145 million contract to develop an air‑to‑air Dual‑Mode APKWS, targeting Group 3 unmanned‑aerial‑system swarms. The effort will produce 300 prototype rounds—100 for integration testing and 200 for operational evaluation—featuring a nose‑mounted LWIR seeker that can inherit...

By Defence Blog
Reintegrating the Western Balkans: EU and NATO Strategy
NewsFeb 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)
DARPA Launches Biomass-to-Chemicals Fleetwood Program
NewsFeb 16, 2026

DARPA Launches Biomass-to-Chemicals Fleetwood Program

DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office has issued a special notice to start the Fleetwood program, a 24‑month effort aimed at creating novel catalysts that transform lignocellulosic biomass, especially lignin, into carbon‑based industrial chemicals. The initiative will fund multidisciplinary teams to develop...

By Defence Blog
Indian Air Force Instructors Teach Fast Jet Training at RAF Valley
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Indian Air Force Instructors Teach Fast Jet Training at RAF Valley

The UK Ministry of Defence will temporarily assign three qualified flying instructors from the Indian Air Force to RAF Valley to teach fast‑jet training on the Hawk T2 and Texan T1. The move addresses a severe shortage of UK instructors while leveraging...

By Airforce Technology
World Defense Show 2026: Airbus Details A400M Upgrade as Second Indonesia Aircraft Delivery Looms
NewsFeb 16, 2026

World Defense Show 2026: Airbus Details A400M Upgrade as Second Indonesia Aircraft Delivery Looms

Airbus announced a major A400M upgrade at the World Defense Show 2026, targeting a payload increase from 37 tonnes to 40 tonnes through software and trim‑flight‑control enhancements. The company highlighted that 137 aircraft have already been delivered to ten customers, with 41...

By Shephard Media
Google Patches First Chrome Zero-Day Exploited in Attacks This Year
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Google Patches First Chrome Zero-Day Exploited in Attacks This Year

Google has issued emergency updates to patch CVE‑2026‑2441, a high‑severity use‑after‑free flaw in Chrome’s CSSFontFeatureValuesMap implementation. The vulnerability, confirmed to be exploited in the wild, can cause crashes, rendering issues, or data corruption. Google back‑ported the fix to stable desktop...

By BleepingComputer
Terra Now Valued at over $100 Million, as It Extends Funding to $34 Million
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Terra Now Valued at over $100 Million, as It Extends Funding to $34 Million

Terra Industries, an African defence‑technology startup, extended its Series A round to $34 million after adding $22 million in fresh capital, pushing its valuation past the $100 million mark. The round was led by Lux Capital and attracted new angel investors such as actor...

By Techpoint Africa
Cellula Robotics Among Shortlisted Companies for Vimy Forge Black Flight Cohort I
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Cellula Robotics Among Shortlisted Companies for Vimy Forge Black Flight Cohort I

Cellula Robotics, a maker of fuel‑cell powered autonomous underwater vehicles, has been shortlisted for Vimy Forge’s inaugural Black Flight Cohort I. The accelerator, Canada’s sovereign defense‑innovation hub, helps SMEs overcome market entry barriers such as limited end‑user access and fragmented...

By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
Ukrainian Civilian Casualties Surged by 26% in 2025, Say Researchers
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Ukrainian Civilian Casualties Surged by 26% in 2025, Say Researchers

Researchers at Action on Armed Violence reported a 26% increase in Ukrainian civilian casualties in 2025, with 2,248 deaths and 12,493 injuries attributed to Russian explosive attacks. The average strike wounded or killed 4.8 civilians, 33% higher than the previous...

By The Guardian – UK Defence
Lotus Blossom Hackers Breach Official Notepad++ Hosting Infrastructure
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Lotus Blossom Hackers Breach Official Notepad++ Hosting Infrastructure

Between June and December 2025, the state‑sponsored Lotus Blossom group compromised the shared hosting provider that delivered Notepad++ updates, turning the popular text editor into a covert espionage conduit. By exploiting weaknesses in the older WinGUp updater, attackers redirected update...

By GBHackers On Security
The Price of Peace in Ukraine
NewsFeb 16, 2026

The Price of Peace in Ukraine

Four years after Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s original goal of restoring its 1991 borders has become unattainable following the stalled 2023 counteroffensive. Western leaders now accept Russia’s de facto control of Crimea and most of the Donbas, yet they continue to...

By Foreign Affairs
Canada Goose Investigating as Hackers Leak 600K Customer Records
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Canada Goose Investigating as Hackers Leak 600K Customer Records

Canada Goose disclosed that a 1.67 GB dataset containing over 600,000 customer records was posted by the ShinyHunters extortion group. The leak includes personal identifiers, shipping details, IP addresses and partial payment‑card information, but the company says it found no evidence...

By BleepingComputer
Windows 11 KB5077181 Fixes Boot Failures Linked to Failed Updates
NewsFeb 15, 2026

Windows 11 KB5077181 Fixes Boot Failures Linked to Failed Updates

Microsoft has released Windows 11 update KB5077181, fully fixing the UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME boot failure that struck some enterprise machines after recent security patches. The bug, linked to a failed December 2025 update and exacerbated by the January 13, 2026 KB5074109 rollout, affected devices running 25H2...

By BleepingComputer
Simulation Shows That Nuking Earth-Bound Asteroids Might Be Safe
NewsFeb 15, 2026

Simulation Shows That Nuking Earth-Bound Asteroids Might Be Safe

Researchers from the University of Oxford and deflection startup OuSoCo used the HiRadMat particle accelerator to expose a Campo del Cielo iron meteorite sample to intense radiation, mimicking a nuclear blast. The sample first softened, then flexed and ultimately restrengthened,...

By Orbital Today
CTM360: Lumma Stealer and Ninja Browser Malware Campaign Abusing Google Groups
NewsFeb 15, 2026

CTM360: Lumma Stealer and Ninja Browser Malware Campaign Abusing Google Groups

CTM360 uncovered an active campaign that hijacks more than 4,000 Google Groups and 3,500 Google‑hosted URLs to distribute credential‑stealing malware. The threat actors deliver Lumma Info‑Stealer to Windows devices and a trojanized “Ninja Browser” to Linux systems, embedding organization‑specific keywords to boost...

By BleepingComputer
Trump's Greenland Grab Is Part of a New Space Race – and the Stakes Are Getting Higher
NewsFeb 15, 2026

Trump's Greenland Grab Is Part of a New Space Race – and the Stakes Are Getting Higher

President Trump’s push to expand U.S. presence in Greenland highlights the island’s emerging role as a strategic gateway for space operations. High‑latitude launch sites in Greenland enable efficient polar and sun‑synchronous orbits, making the territory attractive to private launch firms...

By Space.com
U.S. Air Force T-7A Program Raises Cost Concerns
NewsFeb 15, 2026

U.S. Air Force T-7A Program Raises Cost Concerns

The U.S. Air Force is scrutinizing the T‑7A Red Hawk trainer program’s cost structure as it nears the Milestone C decision that will trigger full‑rate production. The $9.2 billion fixed‑price contract has generated over $2 billion in Boeing‑reported losses due to engineering and...

By Defence Blog
UK Reports Progress on Challenger 3 Tank Export Talks
NewsFeb 15, 2026

UK Reports Progress on Challenger 3 Tank Export Talks

The UK Ministry of Defence announced that it has made "significant progress" in exploring export opportunities for the Challenger 3 main battle tank, though it did not identify any prospective customers. Challenger 3 is an extensive upgrade of the Challenger 2 fleet, featuring...

By Defence Blog
U.S. Military Advances Compact Nuclear Reactor Program
NewsFeb 15, 2026

U.S. Military Advances Compact Nuclear Reactor Program

The U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Energy airlifted Valar Atomics' compact WardZero nuclear reactor to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, for testing. The effort fulfills Executive Order 14301, which mandates domestic nuclear innovation and sets a July 4 2026 deadline...

By Defence Blog
4X Hiroshima Blast: How U.S. Humiliation at Suez Forced France To Go Nuclear with “Gerboise Bleue”
NewsFeb 15, 2026

4X Hiroshima Blast: How U.S. Humiliation at Suez Forced France To Go Nuclear with “Gerboise Bleue”

In 1960 France detonated Gerboise Bleue, a 60‑70 kiloton device that made it the world’s fourth nuclear power. The test was accelerated after the 1956 Suez Crisis, which exposed French reliance on U.S. approval and spurred a push for strategic autonomy....

By Eurasian Times – Defence
Russian Military Aircraft Maker Reports Heavy Financial Losses
NewsFeb 15, 2026

Russian Military Aircraft Maker Reports Heavy Financial Losses

TANTK Beriev, Russia’s premier airborne early‑warning aircraft manufacturer, posted a 2025 net loss of roughly $65 million after revenue collapsed to $49 million, a 3.8‑fold year‑over‑year decline. Production costs fell more slowly, squeezing gross profit to just $3 million. The firm’s debt rose to...

By Defence Blog
Russia Destroys Ukraine’s Cruise Missile Production
NewsFeb 15, 2026

Russia Destroys Ukraine’s Cruise Missile Production

Ukraine’s domestically‑developed FP‑5 Flamingo cruise missile production line was hit by a Russian missile strike, temporarily halting output. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the damaged facility has been relocated and production has already resumed. The Flamingo, touted for a 3,000‑kilometre range, has...

By Defence Blog
Ukraine’s Political and Military Presence in Africa
NewsFeb 15, 2026

Ukraine’s Political and Military Presence in Africa

Ukraine is rapidly expanding its political and military footprint across Africa, building on decades of UN peacekeeping deployments and a post‑Soviet non‑aligned foreign policy. After Russia’s full‑scale invasion, Kyiv announced plans for roughly twenty new embassies and a Ukraine‑Africa summit...

By Defence24 (Poland)
Trump, Netanyahu Back Plan for US Pressure on Iran to Cut Oil Sales to China, Agree to Go ‘Full Force’...
NewsFeb 15, 2026

Trump, Netanyahu Back Plan for US Pressure on Iran to Cut Oil Sales to China, Agree to Go ‘Full Force’...

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to intensify economic pressure on Iran by targeting its oil exports to China, which account for more than 80% of Tehran’s sales. The coordinated effort is intended to force...

By Mint (India) – Economy
China Expanding Aid for Russia’s War, Western Officials Say
NewsFeb 15, 2026

China Expanding Aid for Russia’s War, Western Officials Say

China has stepped up its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, expanding exports of dual‑use components and critical minerals that fuel Russian drone production. Western officials say Beijing’s assistance is now essential for Moscow to sustain its military effort, describing...

By Fortune – All Content
Elbridge Colby: ‘NATO Is Actually Stronger Than Ever.’
NewsFeb 14, 2026

Elbridge Colby: ‘NATO Is Actually Stronger Than Ever.’

Elbridge Colby, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, told the Munich Security Conference that NATO is stronger than ever and is evolving into a "NATO 3.0" model that shifts conventional defense responsibility to Europe while the United States underwrites the...

By Foreign Policy
Russia ‘Not Serious’ About Peace Deal, Lindsey Graham Says
NewsFeb 14, 2026

Russia ‘Not Serious’ About Peace Deal, Lindsey Graham Says

Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters at the Munich Security Conference that Russia is not serious about a peace deal, contradicting President Donald Trump’s optimism. Graham argues Moscow believes it can win the Donbas militarily and will only negotiate after securing...

By Foreign Policy
Snail Mail Letters Target Trezor and Ledger Users in Crypto-Theft Attacks
NewsFeb 14, 2026

Snail Mail Letters Target Trezor and Ledger Users in Crypto-Theft Attacks

Physical letters masquerading as official communications from Trezor and Ledger are being used to lure hardware‑wallet owners into scanning QR codes that lead to counterfeit setup sites. The sites prompt victims to enter their 12‑, 20‑, or 24‑word recovery phrases...

By BleepingComputer