Following recent pictures published on social networks, in August 2025, Ukrainian forces have begun applying field upgrades to U.S.-donated M1A1 SA Abrams tanks, equipping them with explosive reactive armor (ERA) and improvised anti-drone structures to address critical protection gaps.
The modifications come in response to mounting losses attributed to new battlefield threats such as FPV kamikaze drones, loitering munitions, and top-attack anti-tank guided missiles, which have exposed the vulnerabilities of the base M1A1 SA configuration in the Ukrainian theater.
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| Ukrainian-upgraded US M1A1 SA Abrams tank fitted with Kontakt-1 ERA blocks and turret cage armor to counter modern battlefield threats, including drones and top-attack munitions. (Picture source: Ukraine MoD) |
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AeroVironment and SNC partner to develop next-generation Golden Dome air defense system for U.S..
According to information published by AeroVironment on August 8, 2025, the company has entered into a strategic partnership with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to co-develop a multi-domain, integrated air and missile defense system in support of the Golden Dome for America (GDA) initiative.
The collaboration aims to develop a scalable and layered defense architecture that can protect U.S. critical infrastructure from a wide range of modern and emerging aerial threats, including advanced cruise missiles and drone swarms.
U.S. Companies AeroVironment and Sierra Nevada Corporation join forces to develop the Golden Dome for America, an integrated air and missile defense system to protect key U.S. assets from evolving aerial threats (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Gr
This newly announced alliance aligns AeroVironment's expertise in precision unmanned systems and tactical ISR technologies with SNC’s deep experience in mission systems integration and national security platforms.
- The companies aim to accelerate the deployment of an open-architecture, rapidly configurable air defense solution that can provide localized “under-dome” protection, with the potential to scale outward as new sensor and interceptor technologies, including space-based assets, are brought into the kill chain.
- The system is designed to neutralize Group 1 to Group 4 unmanned aerial systems (UAS), next-generation cruise missiles, and hybrid aerial threats using an integrated mix of kinetic, directed energy, radio frequency, electronic warfare, and cyber tools.
The Golden Dome for America is a strategic homeland defense initiative modeled loosely after Israel’s Iron Dome but adapted to the broader and more complex threat environment confronting the United States. While the Iron Dome has demonstrated high effectiveness in intercepting short-range rockets and artillery shells, the GDA aims to deliver a far more versatile and layered solution.
- It is specifically engineered to counter a spectrum of threats that includes low-flying cruise missiles, coordinated drone assaults, and advanced aerial systems deployed by peer and near-peer adversaries.
- Designed with modularity and open architecture at its core, the GDA focuses on protecting high-value and limited-area targets such as military bases, nuclear power facilities, ports, and airfields, while remaining capable of integration with future space-based surveillance and intercept platforms.
Fatih Ozmen, CEO of SNC, described the scale and ambition of the project as comparable to the Manhattan Project, emphasizing the necessity for unprecedented industry collaboration and innovation.
- He underlined SNC’s legacy in integrating complex systems and highlighted the opportunity to merge SNC’s open architecture solutions with AeroVironment’s precision technologies to create a truly next-generation defense system.
To enhance the GDA’s space-domain capabilities, Sierra Space, a sister company to SNC, is exploring avenues of cooperation with AeroVironment. Their joint work aims to leverage orbital platforms for early warning, target tracking, and guidance of future interceptors.
- This space-based layer is envisioned as a crucial component of the system, especially in light of evolving threats such as maneuverable reentry vehicles and hypersonic glide vehicles, which demand real-time detection and rapid-response interception across multiple domains.
The development of the Golden Dome for America represents a critical transformation in how the United States approaches homeland defense. As adversaries accelerate development of more advanced aerial attack systems, including drone swarms, hypersonic weapons, and electronic warfare tactics, the need for a flexible, layered, and modular air and missile defense solution becomes paramount. The partnership between AeroVironment and SNC marks a strategic step toward delivering a cost-effective, rapidly deployable, and technology-driven defensive shield capable of evolving with the threat landscape. The GDA initiative has the potential to serve as the backbone of future U.S. air defense operations, providing vital protection to national infrastructure and reinforcing American deterrence in an increasingly contested global security environment.
Aug
8
During the large-scale Pegasus Forge exercise on August 6, 2025, the US Army tested the direct integration of reconnaissance drones with armored units as part of the Transformation in Contact initiative. Conducted within the 1st Cavalry Division, the exercise aimed to assess under realistic conditions the contribution of unmanned aerial systems to the tactical coordination of tank formations.
Aug
8
According to information published by BAE Systems on August 6, 2025, the company announced a strategic investment program to equip the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) with advanced capability kits and mission-ready effectors. This initiative is based on the use of the AMPV’s modular chassis and internal funding to develop a series of technologically advanced prototypes designed to meet future combat requirements.
Aug
8
According to information published by NHK World Japan, on August 6, 2025, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) confirmed that the bilateral military exercise Resolute Dragon 2025 will be conducted from September 11 to 25 across several key regions of Japan. This large-scale training operation, jointly executed with the United States Armed Forces, will center on integrated defensive scenarios designed to protect Japan’s remote southwestern islands from potential maritime threats.
Aug
8
According to information published by Anadolu Agency on August 7, 2025, Türkiye has developed what it describes as its most powerful non-nuclear bomb to date, named Gazap, a term meaning “wrath” in Turkish. Designed by the National Defense Ministry’s research and development center and unveiled for the first time at IDEF 2025, this aerial munition weighs 970 kilograms and has completed all phases of design, testing, and certification, making it fully operational.
Aug
8
From July 14 to 28, 2025, the United States Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted the 2025 edition of the 2JA mine warfare exercise in Mutsu Bay, northern Japan. This annual training aims to enhance proficiency in mine countermeasure operations between the two navies. Over fifteen days, participating units worked together to clear navigation routes through a simulated minefield, employing unit-level tactics for mine detection, hunting, and neutralization. Read more.
Aug
8
An export-configured Su-34M, featuring an unusual desert-tone camouflage, has been spotted at Zhukovsky Airport near Moscow. These images, notably shared on X by @OsintWarfare, have fueled the view that Russia is preparing to deliver its first examples of this new-generation tactical bomber to Algeria. The paint scheme observed does not match any standard used by the Russian Aerospace Forces, suggesting it is intended for a foreign customer.
Aug
8
According to information published by Lockheed Martin on August 7, 2025, the company’s Radar Center of Excellence has officially delivered its 500th ground-based radar system, a highly advanced AN/TPQ-53 (Q-53) radar. This milestone underscores Lockheed Martin’s sustained role as a key provider of battlefield-proven sensor technology for the U.S. Army and allied nations.
Aug
8
According to information published by Reuters on August 7, 2025, Canadian defense authorities have confirmed their intent to proceed with the full procurement of 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, despite sharp increases in program costs and mounting internal debate.
Aug
8
According to information published by the Moscow Times on July 25, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during a high-level meeting in Severodvinsk that the expansion of Russia’s nuclear-capable submarine fleet is essential to ensuring the country’s sovereignty and maintaining both regional and global stability. The announcement marks a continued strategic focus on reinforcing Russia’s underwater nuclear deterrent capabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Aug
8
According to information published by IDRW on August 6, 2025, Russia is prepared to offer India a second Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) during President Vladimir Putin’s forthcoming visit to India. This proposal is intended to compensate for the multi-year delay in the delivery of INS Chakra III, originally leased under a 2019 agreement but now postponed until 2028 due to complications arising from Western sanctions and disrupted logistics chains.
Aug
8
According to information published by Textron Systems on August 5, 2025, the company has completed the delivery of its second Systems Integration Lab (SIL) for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) program. Delivered in May 2025, the SIL is designed as a mission-representative testbed that replicates the interior architecture, digital backbone, and operator workflow of the C4UAS variant of the Cottonmouth ARV.
Aug
8
According to information published by the Bulgarian National Radio on August 7, 2025, the production of the first Stryker 8x8 armored combat vehicles for the Bulgarian Land Forces has officially commenced in the United States and is proceeding in line with the contractual timeline. This key development was confirmed by Brigadier General Stoyan Shopov, Chief of Staff of the Bulgarian Land Forces, in an interview with the Bulgarian Army newspaper.
Aug
8
According to information published by the American Company Skydio on August 4, 2025, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has selected American autonomous drone manufacturer Skydio, in collaboration with Belgian partner COBBS BELUX BV, to deliver and support uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in the nano category under 2.5 kg.
Aug
7
According to information published by the U.S. Northern Command on August 6, 2025, a high-altitude balloon was launched on August 4 from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s Malemute Drop Zone in Alaska as part of the large-scale military exercise ARCTIC EDGE 2025. This operation, conducted with the support of Aerostar, is aimed at reinforcing U.S.
Aug
7
On August 5, 2025, APDR reported that Electro Optic Systems (EOS) had secured a strategic order for a counter-drone capability based on high-power laser technology. The contract represents a global first: it is the world’s first export order for a 100-kilowatt-class laser defence system. This development comes amid the growing tactical and operational relevance of drone swarms for numerous NATO member states and beyond. Read more.
Aug
7
In a Europe facing a major strategic upheaval, France and the United Kingdom signed on July 10 a joint declaration on nuclear deterrence.
Aug
7
According to Mehr News on July 27, 2025, Iran may have developed or prepared for testing its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), designated Khorramshahr-5. This missile is reportedly capable of a range up to 12,000 kilometers, a speed of Mach 16 (approximately 20,000 km/h), and the ability to carry a warhead weighing around two tons.
Aug
7
On August 6, 2025, Austal USA began construction of the Icarus (WMSM 920), the second Stage 2 Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) for the United States Coast Guard (USCG), following the award of a $273 million contract option. This option, which also includes funding for long lead-time material (LLTM) for a third Stage 2 OPC, is part of a broader agreement allowing up to 11 vessels to be constructed, with a total value of $3.3 billion. Read full defense news at this link...
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Aug
7
As reported by David Wang on August 6, 2025, a vehicle identified as the HTF 5750 HEV was photographed at a highway service area, marking its first known public appearance since 2022. This 12x12 heavy hybrid-electric wheeled chassis appears to be a new-generation platform developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) for potential use as a transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle. Read full defense news at this link...
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Aug
7
According to El Pais on August 6, 2025, Spain has formally ended all ongoing efforts to acquire the U.S.-built Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet, including both the conventional takeoff F-35A for the Air and Space Force and the short takeoff and vertical landing F-35B variant for the Navy. Government sources confirmed in early August 2025 that preliminary contacts had been indefinitely suspended.
Aug
7
According to a statement issued by the British Embassy in Japan on August 6, 2025, the British Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, is set to make a port call in Tokyo between late August and early September. This visit is part of an eight-month mission in the Indo-Pacific, named “Operation HIGHMAST,” aimed at reaffirming the United Kingdom’s commitment to regional stability and strengthening its strategic partnerships in this geopolitically significant area. Read more
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