Tuesday, March 10, 2026

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World Defense News. . .Scroll down . the first newly approved M111 OFFENSIVE lethal U.S. Army hand grenade since 1968

U.S. to Build Bell X-76 High-Speed Vertical Takeoff Aircraft for Runway-Independent Combat

DARPA has pushed Bell’s X-76 into construction, giving the United States its clearest path yet to a runway-independent aircraft that could move troops, special operations teams, rescue forces, or urgent cargo at jet-like speed from sites where conventional transports would be exposed or unusable.

More than another X-plane, the program attacks one of combat aviation’s oldest constraints: aircraft that move fast usually need prepared runways, while aircraft that can land almost anywhere usually sacrifice range, payload, and reaction time.

DARPA disclosed the milestone after Bell completed critical design review, moving the joint SPRINT effort with U.S. Special Operations Command from concept work into manufacturing, integration, assembly, and ground testing ahead of a planned flight-test phase in early 2028.

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DARPA’s X-76 aims to combine helicopter-like vertical takeoff with jet-speed cruise, giving U.S. forces a future aircraft designed for fast operations from austere or runway-denied environments

(Picture source: U.S. DoW).

Mar

China Commissions Two New Type 055 Destroyers Assigned to Eastern Theater Command Near Taiwan

On 8 March 2026, Chinese state broadcaster Xinwen Lianbo on China Central Television showed for the first time the Type 055 destroyers Dongguan (Hull 109) and Anqing (Hull 110) conducting joint training at sea, confirming their entry into active service with the People's Liberation Army Navy.

The commissioning of these two 10,000-ton-class guided-missile destroyers, formally announced in an official notice on the Ministry of National Defense website, raises the number of operational Type 055s from eight to ten and extends the class’ presence to all three naval theater commands.
This development is significant both in capability terms, given the Type 055’s role as a multi-mission, cruiser-scale surface combatant, and in geostrategic terms, as the two ships are assigned to the Eastern Theater Command Navy, the formation responsible for operations in the East China Sea and around Taiwan.

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China has commissioned two additional Type 055 guided-missile destroyers, bringing its fleet of the advanced cruiser-scale warships to ten and strengthening naval operations in the East China Sea and around Taiwan (Picture Source: CCTV 13)

Mar

Canada to upgrade five Portuguese P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft under $39 million defense deal

Canada and Portugal signed a $39 million government-to-government contract to modernize five Portuguese Air Force P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. The upgrade will replace communications systems, mission electronics, and data management equipment to extend Atlantic maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare operations. Read full defense news at this link...

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Mar

Russia Reinforces Short-Range Air Defense With New 9M333 Missile Deliveries For Strela-10 Systems

On March 10, 2026, Kalashnikov Concern announced on its official website that it had shipped the first batch of 9M333 high-precision surface-to-air guided missiles of the year to a government customer, signaling the continued replenishment of Russian short-range ground-based air defense inventories. The delivery is relevant because the 9M333 remains tied to the Strela-10 air defense missile system and its upgraded variants, which Kalashnikov says are in high demand in combat zones.

Mar

U.S. Air Force Reveals F-47 6th-Gen Fighter Will Deploy SiAW Stand-In Strike Missile

On March 4, 2026, the U.S. Air Force issued a sources-sought notice on SAM.gov, signaling its intent to expand industrial capacity for the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW). In the same notice, the service identified the forthcoming F-47 among the prospective launch platforms, alongside the F-35, F-16, and B-21.

Mar

Australia deploys E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to UAE and helps stop Iranian drone and missile attacks

Australia deploys an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft to the United Arab Emirates to help detect drones and cruise missiles approaching across the Persian Gulf. The deployment follows large-scale Iranian strikes that forced the UAE to intercept more than 1,500 rockets and drones, while regional radar infrastructure suffered damage. Read full defense news at this link...

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Mar

Romania Faces Pressure for Transparency in Major Infantry Fighting Vehicle Procurement

Romania’s effort to acquire a new generation of infantry fighting vehicles is entering a critical phase as government officials, military planners, and defense industry stakeholders intensify debate over how the procurement should be structured. The competition, expected to replace much of the Romanian Army’s ageing mechanized fleet, is emerging as one of Eastern Europe’s most significant land modernization initiatives.

Mar

How Türkiye’s MKE Is Expanding from Counter-Drone Systems to Full Defense Manufacturing

During Enforce Tac 2026 in Nuremberg, Army Recognition interviewed Ödül Öden, Regional Manager for Europe and the Americas at Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE), Turkey’s state-owned defense manufacturer operating under the Ministry of National Defense.

Mar

Australia reinforces UAE air defense with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles to counter Iranian drones

Australia announced the transfer of AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to the United Arab Emirates as Iranian missile and drone attacks expand across the Middle East. The country will also deploy an E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to support the Gulf airspace monitoring. The Australian government presented these measures as defensive assistance, without involvement in offensive operations against Iran. Read full defense news at this link...

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Mar

Brazil prepares two Tupi-class submarines as targets for future SINKEX sinking exercise

The Brazilian Navy is preparing two decommissioned Tupi-class submarines, Timbira (S32) and Tapajó (S33), for use as naval targets in a future SINKEX sinking exercise. The Timbira and Tapajo are currently moored at the Arsenal de Marinha do Rio de Janeiro, and show visual markings consistent with previous Brazilian vessels targeted during such exercises. Read full defense news at this link...

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Mar

Serbian MiG-29 Fighter Jet Seen With Chinese CM-400AKG Missiles Reshaping Balkan Airpower Balance

As of 9 March 2026, a single image circulating on social media has drawn sustained attention to what appears to be a Serbian Air Force MiG-29SM carrying Chinese CM-400AKG long-range air-to-surface missiles, a configuration that, if confirmed, would represent a notable evolution in Belgrade’s combat aviation posture.

Mar

U.S. Army Approves New M111 Offensive Hand Grenade Designed for Close-Quarters Urban Combat

On March 10, 2026, the U.S. Army approved the M111 Offensive Hand Grenade for Full Material Release, introducing a new close-combat munition specifically designed to increase lethality and safety in confined urban environments.

Developed by the Capabilities Program Executive Office Ammunition and Energetics in partnership with the DEVCOM Armaments Center at Picatinny Arsenal, the new grenade replaces the aging Mk3A2 series and represents the first newly approved lethal U.S. Army hand grenade since 1968.

The decision directly addresses lessons learned from urban combat operations while providing infantry units with a more specialized tool for room-clearing operations and close-quarters engagements.

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US Army Approves M111 Offensive Hand Grenade First New Lethal Grenade Cleared For Service Since 1968

ENERGY SECRETARY WRIGHT: One Large Tanker 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴‍☠️

AI OVERVIEW: Energy SecretaryChris Wrighthas recently addressed the security of oil tankers following military escalations and maritime sinkings in early March 2026.

Key Developments (March 2026)

Wright's Statements: On March 8, 2026, Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that a "large tanker" successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, downplaying fears that the critical waterway was completely closed due to Iranian threats.
Tanker Incidents:
- The Prima: A commercial oil tanker was struck by an Iranian suicide drone and set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz on March 7, 2026, after allegedly ignoring warnings.
- Arctic Metagaz: A Russian-flagged LNG tanker exploded and sank in the Mediterranean Sea on March 3, 2026. Russia blamed Ukrainian sea drones for the attack.
Military Actions: U.S. forces have reportedly "struck or sunk" over 20 Iranian vessels, including the warship IRIS Dena, which was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Economic Impact: Despite Wright's optimism, tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted by approximately 90%, causing concerns about a global energy supply shortage and rising fuel prices.