Saturday, January 24, 2026

World Defense News

 

Stavatti Aerospace has unveiled a detailed proposal positioning its SM-39 Razor as a candidate for the U.S. Navy’s Next Carrier Air Dominance (NCAD) requirement, presenting one of the most ambitious independent entries to date in the emerging debate over sixth-generation fighters. 

Released in January 2026, the proposal outlines a notional procurement of 600 aircraft at a stated flyaway cost of $85 million per jet, for a headline program value of $51 billion. 

  1. It envisions deliveries between 2031 and 2037 and includes a supporting training architecture with 50 full-mission simulators. 
  2. The announcement stands out not only for its scale and performance claims, but also for its timing, as it surfaces while the Navy’s own F/A-XX program is being re-energized after a period of budgetary uncertainty and congressional pressure to accelerate decisions. Read more...
The SM-39 Razor proposes an internal 20 mm cannon and large internal bays for stealth carriage of multiple BVR missiles or 2,000-pound precision bombs, with optional external hardpoints for heavier strike and anti-ship loads (Picture source: Stavatti).

SM-39 Razor. An optionally piloted triple fuselage supersonic stealth air superiority fighter concept with a folding v-tail. (Circa 2017) : r/WeirdWings

 

Shield AI attended DIMDEX 2026 in Doha to showcase the latest block upgrade of its combat-proven V-BAT unmanned aircraft, highlighting a configuration centered on heavier-fuel propulsion, SATCOM connectivity, and Hivemind autonomy for operations in GPS- and communications-denied environments.
 

At DIMDEX 2026 in Doha, the Russian Navy has chosen a high-visibility setting to underline its maritime ambitions, bringing the modernized Pacific Fleet frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov alongside at Hamad Port for visiting delegations.
 

Army Recognition teams reporting from DIMDEX 2026 in Doha observed a Royal Saudi Naval Forces MH-60R Seahawk secured on the flight deck of the Al Jubail-class corvette Onaizah, offering visitors a rare close-up of the aviation component that transforms the ship from a missile-armed surface combatant into a true multi-domain naval platform.
 

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed on January 22, 2026, that it has awarded a £453.5 million contract to BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, and Parker Meggitt for the full-rate production of 40 ECRS Mk2 active electronically scanned array radars.
 

France and Belgium are exploring the possibility of jointly developing a new light armored combat vehicle equipped with a 105mm gun, according to a January 14, 2026, report by the French economic newspaper Les Echos.
 

Italy’s Army has officially inducted the SAMP/T New Generation (NG) and GRIFO air defense missile systems into frontline service, marking a key milestone in the country’s ongoing military modernization effort. Defense officials held the handover ceremony at the Santa Barbara barracks in Sabaudia, Lazio, where the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command (COMACA) is based.
 

On 23 January 2026, the Royal British Navy confirmed it had deployed a mix of surface vessels and maritime aviation assets to closely monitor the transit of Russian naval and auxiliary ships through the English Channel, one of the busiest and most strategically sensitive waterways in the world.
 

On 22 January 2026, Swedish quick reaction alert (QRA) fighters were scrambled over the Baltic Sea to identify and shadow a formation of Russian military aircraft detected near NATO airspace. According to imagery and information released by the Swedish Air Force and Försvarsmakten on their official X accounts, the intercept involved two Su-35S fighters escorting a Tu-22M bomber flying in international airspace over the Baltic.
 

During UMEX 2026, held from January 20 to 22 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in the United Arab Emirates, the Ukrainian company Piranha Tech unveiled its Riki interceptor drone on the international stage for the first time. This presentation marked the debut of a combat-derived Ukrainian counter-UAS solution at one of the world’s most prominent showcases for unmanned and autonomous systems.
 

 

 

The United States is repositioning the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) carrier strike group toward the Middle East as tensions rise over Iran’s nuclear program, indirect confrontation with Israel, and growing unrest inside Iran, according to statements by President Donald Trump and US defense officials on Friday.
 

The French armed forces have taken delivery of their first MX-10 DAMOCLES short-range remotely operated munition, the Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans confirmed on 22 January 2026. The system, developed by KNDS France in partnership with French drone specialist DELAIR, received qualification of its initial standard from the Direction générale de l’armement on 21 November 2025, clearing the way for operational integration.
 

Preparations are accelerating across northern Norway as U.S. Army and Norwegian defense officials confirm a significant American role in Exercise Cold Response 26, a large-scale NATO winter warfare drill scheduled for March. Announced by the U.S. Army on January 22, the Norway-led exercise will involve more than 25,000 troops from twelve allied nations, including roughly 3,000 U.S.
 

U.S. autonomous systems company Shield AI has formally confirmed that its V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicle will be equipped with South Korean guided missile weapons, marking a notable evolution in the platform’s operational role.
 

The British Army is preparing to enter a new phase of artillery modernisation as it plans to take delivery of its first RCH 155 mobile artillery demonstrator in 2028, Defence Minister Luke Pollard confirmed in a January 2026 parliamentary disclosure.
 

On 22 January 2026, France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement and MBDA formalised a first contract covering the development and production of the One Way Effector, a new sovereign long-range solution designed to saturate enemy air defences. Unveiled during the Paris Air Show in June 2025, the programme reflects the evolution of high-intensity warfare, where the balance between cost, volume and operational effectiveness has become central.
 

The Philippine Air Force has officially accepted five new S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters, according to a January 23, 2026, post on the Para Bellum X account.
 

On 19 January 2026, new test footage emerged showing Estonian company Frankenburg Technologies’ Mark I mini-missile intercepting a Shahed-type one-way attack drone. The demonstration highlights the rapid pace at which Europe’s counter-drone ecosystem is adapting to the growing operational pressure posed by low-cost, mass-employed aerial threats.
 

On 22 January 2026, a French Navy task group operating in the western Mediterranean intercepted and boarded the crude oil tanker Grinch, a Comoros-flagged vessel that had sailed from Murmansk and was suspected of belonging to Russia’s sanctions-evading “shadow fleet”.
 

Army Recognition observed at DIMDEX 2026 in Doha a full-scale Mission Master UGV configuration presented inside the Barzan Holdings hall that pairs an uncrewed ground platform with a roof-mounted drone-launch and recovery module. Unveiled on January 22, 2026, the system reflects a growing emphasis on persistent unmanned surveillance and distributed sensing in contested environments.
 

On 21 January 2026, Huntington Ingalls Industries confirmed the completion of builder’s sea trials for USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) following a prolonged modernization period at its Ingalls Shipbuilding yard in Pascagoula. According to the company, the trials mark the successful conclusion of a post-availability testing phase and represent the ship’s first return to sea after extensive structural and systems modifications.
 

On 21 January 2026, MBDA announced that Germany had signed a new contract for additional Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles for the Bundeswehr. The order comes as European air forces increasingly prioritise stock depth for high-end air policing and deterrence missions that can escalate rapidly from routine patrols to contested intercepts.
 

U.S. Marines CH-53 Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopters conducted flight operations aboard the America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) on January 20, 2026, as part of routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, according to information released by the U.S. Department of War.
 

On January 21, 2026, Lockheed Martin confirmed that the Mexican Air Force had acquired its first C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft, introducing the C-130J variant into Mexican service. The acquisition supports the recapitalization of the Fuerza Aérea Mexicana transport fleet for military logistics, humanitarian assistance, and domestic disaster response missions. Read full defense news at this link...

Read more...
 

At the UMEX 2026 unmanned systems exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Schiebel presented the Camcopter S-301 for the first time in the Middle East, marking a significant step in the platform’s evolution from surveillance-focused UAV to armed system.
 

The United States has quietly started repositioning high-value air defense missile systems and naval assets to the Middle East, underscoring a renewed readiness posture as tensions with Iran intensify.
 

In a statement released on January 21, 2026, the Dutch Ministry of Defense confirmed that the offshore patrol vessel DSS Galatea of the Royal Netherlands Navy conducted an escort of the Russian Steregushchy-class frigate Boiky and the fleet oiler General Skobolev during their transit through the Dutch sector of the North Sea.
 

As reported by Reuters on January 20, 2026, Pakistan confirmed it is holding defense export talks with 13 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, including Morocco, covering JF-17 fighter jets, training aircraft, and unmanned systems. The JF-17 Thunder gained traction following its operational use in 2025 against India. Officials also cited cost factors and shifting global procurement conditions as key drivers. Read full defense news at this link...

Read more...
1
 

During UMEX 2026, held at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, Russian manufacturer Zala Aero showcased the ZALA T-16 unmanned aerial system as part of its established portfolio of tactical fixed-wing drones. Rather than unveiling a new platform, the company used the exhibition to underline the operational maturity of the system and its integration within Russia’s broader ecosystem of short- and medium-range unmanned aircraft.
 

Royal British Air Force Chinook helicopters from RAF Odiham have deployed to northern Norway and are now operating from Bardufoss, more than 200 nautical miles inside the Arctic Circle, as part of Operation CLOCKWORK.
 

On 19 January 2026, as Dimdex 2026 opened its doors at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Turkish unmanned systems manufacturer Solid Aero used its first appearance at the show to spotlight TALAY, a sea-skimming unmanned aerial vehicle designed for maritime strike and surveillance.
 

On 21 January 2026, Babcock International announced that it had secured the first concrete agreement under its £4 billion Maritime Partnership Programme with Indonesia, covering the sale of two additional Arrowhead 140 frigate design licences. The development, disclosed through an official company statement, gives operational substance to the framework agreed in late 2025 and links British naval design expertise to Indonesia’s long-term maritime ambitions.
 

In January 2026, TAIS Shipyards displayed a scale model of its LCT-80 Landing Craft Tank at DIMDEX 2026 in Doha. The vessel is a medium-sized amphibious transport designed for coastal access, beach landings, and regional logistics operations without relying on established ports. The design emphasizes vehicle and troop lift, sustained coastal endurance, and dual-use applicability for military transport and humanitarian support missions. Read full defense news at this link...

Read more...
 

On January 20, 2026, the Russian Kalashnikov Group publicly presented the Goliath 2.0 and Karakurt 2.0 unmanned aerial systems at UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The two tactical drones are configured as optoelectronic reconnaissance drones, emphasizing encrypted communications, electronic warfare resilience, and continuous transmission of surveillance data to command posts. Read full defense news at this link...

Read more...
 

As reported by Reuters on January 21, 2026, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems formally advanced an investment-linked proposal for Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. The approach combines submarine procurement with long-term industrial commitments intended to meet Canada’s offset and domestic economic requirements. A final government decision on the program is expected in 2026. Read full defense news at this link...

Read more...
 

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces confirmed that the French Army has taken delivery of the first 30 Serval Appui SCORPION armored vehicles, marking the formal entry of the platform into operational service. The handover represents a decisive milestone in the SCORPION modernization program, as the Serval Appui transitions from a production effort into a frontline capability tailored for high-intensity conflict and networked, collaborative ground combat. Read more. 

Read full Defense news.
 

BAE Systems disclosed on 21 January 2026 that the US Army has confirmed a $473 million contract for the production of 40 additional M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer sets, along with the associated M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracked vehicles.
 

The Finnish Air Force confirmed Tuesday that its first F-35A Lightning II has arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, following a ferry flight from Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft, tail number JF-501, represents the first tangible step in Finland’s long-planned modernization of its combat aviation fleet, replacing aging Hornets with a stealth-capable platform designed for high-threat environments and NATO-integrated operations.
at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)