U.S. Central Command confirmed that American forces commenced a large-scale retaliatory operation against Islamic State strongholds in central Syria at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 19, 2025, acting under direct orders from the Commander in Chief.
According to CENTCOM, Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched following an earlier attack on U.S. and partner forces. .
- It involved coordinated airstrikes, helicopter assaults, and artillery fire against more than 70 ISIS positions, with support from Jordanian fighter aircraft.
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| A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II taxis on the runway at a forward base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on December 19, 2025, preparing for strike missions over central Syria as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike. (Picture source: U.S. CENTCOM) |
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Dec
20
Germany Launches €4.2B Program to Modernize and Expand Puma IFV Fleet with 200 New Vehicles
On 19 December 2025, Rheinmetall reported that the German Bundeswehr has signed an amendment to its Puma programme to substantially expand the fleet through PSM, the Rheinmetall–KNDS Deutschland joint venture. The agreement, signed at the Bundeswehr procurement office BAAINBw in Koblenz, formalises a large-scale procurement that will take legal effect in January 2026 and is intended to translate current force-planning priorities into delivered platforms from 2028 onward.
Dec
20
Paraguay's Army To Field Brazilian M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzers For The First Time
On 16 December 2025, Radio Nacional AM announced that Paraguay’s Army is preparing to introduce 105 mm self-propelled artillery for the first time in its history, following a planned donation from Brazil announced by Army Commander General Manuel Rodríguez. According to the statement broadcast on the Paraguayan public radio, Brazil intends to transfer six M108 tracked self-propelled howitzers, a move that would mark a significant shift in the structure of Paraguay’s land-based fire support.
Dec
20
U.S. Navy Advances FF(X) Frigate Program to Serve as a Critical Component of Trump’s Golden Fleet
According to information published by Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan on X on December 19, 2025, the U.S. Navy is moving to acquire a brand-new frigate class for President Donald Trump’s Golden Fleet, built on a proven American design in American shipyards with an American supply chain and driven by one priority: getting combat power to sea fast.
Dec
20
U.S. Army Takes Delivery of First JLTV-Mounted LOCUST High-Energy Laser Counter-Drone System
On December 18, 2025, AeroVironment (AV) announced it had delivered two Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)-mounted LOCUST Laser Weapon Systems to the U.S. Army under the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototyping effort.
Dec
20
ALERT: Russia Deploys Chinese Silent Hunter Laser in Ukraine to Counter Drones
Russian military units operating in Ukraine have begun using the Chinese-developed Silent Hunter laser air defense system, according to information published on multiple social media platforms and reviewed by Army Recognition’s open-source monitoring team.
Dec
19
INTEL: Japan Joins U.S. and UK Navies in Deploying Laser Weapons on Warships
Japan has crossed a major threshold in maritime defense with the first-ever installation of a high-energy laser weapon aboard a naval warship. Defense officials confirmed that a 100-kilowatt-class laser system has been mounted on the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force testbed destroyer JS Asuka, marking the country’s most advanced step yet into shipborne directed-energy technology.
Dec
19
U.S. Raytheon wins $168M contract to supply Patriot air defense systems to Romania
American Company Raytheon, an RTX business, announced on December 19, 2025, that it had been awarded a $168 million Foreign Military Sales contract to supply Romania with additional equipment for its Patriot air defense missile system, according to the company. The U.S.
Dec
19
U.S. Approves $4.03B M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer Sale to Bolster Taiwan’s Artillery Forces
On December 17, 2025, Washington approved a new Foreign Military Sale notification for Taiwan centered on tracked 155 mm self-propelled artillery, as reported by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The U.S. has approved the $4.03 billion sale of M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzers to Taiwan, presented as a possible deal to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington.
Dec
19
British Navy activates first MTU generator on new HMS Glasgow Type 26 anti-submarine frigate
According to information released by the British Royal Navy on December 18, 2025, engineers at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard on the River Clyde have powered up the first of four MTU diesel generators installed on HMS Glasgow. The achievement marks the first time electrical power has flowed through the hull of the Type 26 frigate. This foundational step enables testing of propulsion, combat systems, and onboard networks as the ship moves closer to sea trials. Read full Naval News at this link .
Dec
19
Germany Orders 84 RCH 155 Boxer Howitzers to Reinforce Artillery Capabilities.
Germany’s Bundeswehr is moving to modernize its artillery arm with a major purchase of the RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled howitzer, following an order placed by ARTEC, the Boxer joint venture between KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall Landsysteme.
Dec
19
Australia Completes Armored Aid Package With Delivery of 49 M1A1 Abrams Tanks for Ukraine
On 19 December 2025, Australia announced it had completed the transfer of 49 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine, finalising a heavy-armour delivery intended to reinforce Kyiv’s ground combat power. The handover matters because armoured fleets are under constant attrition and replacing losses is central to sustaining manoeuvre units over time.
Dec
19
Egypt in Talks With China’s State-Owned Company CASIC Over WJ-700 Strike Drone Procurement.
Egypt has been engaged in talks with the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) over the WJ-700 medium to high altitude long endurance strike drone since late 2024. Tactical Report is a subscription-based defense intelligence publication, and neither the Egyptian Ministry of Defense nor CASIC has publicly confirmed the discussions.
Dec
19
Greece Takes Delivery of Its First French-made FDI HN Frigate Advancing Hellenic Navy Modernization
The Hellenic Navy has formally taken delivery of HS Kimon, its first French-made Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention FDI frigate, during an official handover ceremony held on December 18, 2025, at Naval Group’s shipyard in Lorient, France.
Dec
19
Germany Orders 876 Patria 6x6 CAVS Vehicles With NEMO Mortar and Kongsberg RS4 Remote Weapon Station.
Patria Group announced on 18 December 2025 that Patria and Germany concluded two serial procurement contracts within the Common Armoured Vehicle System programme worth more than 2 billion euros, combining a firm order valued at over 1 billion euros with options. The package covers up to 876 Patria 6x6 armoured vehicles in four variants, including configurations fitted with the Patria NEMO 120 mm turreted mortar and the Kongsberg PROTECTOR RS4 remote weapon station.
Dec
19
Australia Orders Heavy Landing Craft to Move Tanks and HIMARS Launchers Across Littorals.
Austal Defence Australia announced on December 18, 2025, that it has been awarded a 1.029 billion Australian dollar Design and Build contract to deliver 18 Landing Craft Medium vessels for the Australian Army under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement.
Dec
19
U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship USS Santa Barbara Tests LUCAS Unmanned Combat System for First Time
On December 16, 2025, in the waters of the Arabian Gulf, the U.S. Navy conducted its first-ever launch of a one-way attack drone from a surface combatant, as reported by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet through the DVIDS portal. The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) launched a Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) from its flight deck, turning a concept that had been discussed for years into an operational reality at sea.
Dec
19
Czech Republic Rises as Key Tank Manufacturing Hub with Tatra to Build Leopard 2A8 Hulls for KNDS
On December 18, 2025, KNDS Deutschland and Czech manufacturer Tatra Defence announced a major industrial agreement for the production of Leopard 2A8 main battle tank hulls, as reported by KNDS Deutschland in an official press release. Under the contract, Tatra will build 150 hulls with an option for up to 300 additional units, elevating the Czech Republic to the rank of core production site within the pan-European Leopard 2A8 programme.
Dec
19
Spain Redefines Air Power with 100 Airbus Helicopters in Landmark Defense Renewal Initiative
In a major step toward strengthening its national defense capabilities, Spain’s Ministry of Defense has finalized firm orders for 100 Airbus helicopters under the National Helicopter Plan announced in May. According to a press release issued by Airbus Helicopters on December 18, 2025, the Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM) signed four contracts constituting the largest helicopter acquisition in its history.
Dec
19
ALERT: Russian New Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile to Enter Combat Service by End of 2025
Russia will place its new medium-range missile system, equipped with the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, on official combat duty before the end of the year, President Vladimir Putin confirms during a high-level Ministry of Defense meeting. The statement, reported by the Russian state news agency TASS on December 17, 2025, clarifies the system’s operational status and marks a significant milestone in the modernization of Russia’s missile forces. Read full Defense News at this link ...
Dec
18
U.S. Now Has Two Aircraft Carrier Strike Groups in Western Pacific to Deter China
The United States has significantly strengthened its naval posture in the Indo-Pacific following confirmation by the U.S. Pacific Fleet that the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in Guam on December 11, 2025. With Lincoln joining another U.S. carrier already operating in the region, the Navy now has two carrier strike groups deployed concurrently in the Western Pacific, a move widely seen as a deliberate signal to deter China and reinforce regional stability.
Dec
18
U.S. Approves $4 Billion HIMARS Missile Sale to Bolster Taiwan Against China
The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Taiwan valued at an estimated $4.05 billion, covering M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and a large inventory of guided rockets and missiles, according to information released by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on December 17.
Dec
18
U.S. Army Advances Capital Defense With Sentinel A4 Radar Deployment in Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Army is moving closer to fielding its next-generation Sentinel A4 air defense radar in a real-world homeland security role, with plans to deploy the system as part of the National Capital Region Integrated Air Defense System.
Dec
18
U.S. Clears $375 Million Javelin Missile Sale to Strengthen Taiwan’s Anti-Armor Défenses
On December 17, 2025, the US State Department cleared a potential Foreign Military Sale of Javelin anti-tank missile systems worth an estimated 375 million dollars to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), as reported by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
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