U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel has called for strict punitive measures against defense firms that miss deadlines or inflate costs, including banning such firms from bidding on contracts and imposing a five-year prohibition on stock buybacks until obligations are fulfilled. In his Tokyo Takes newsletter, Emanuel criticized the “big five” contractors—Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman—and emphasized the need to revitalize America’s “atrophied defense industrial base” to counter China’s growing ambitions. He advocated for greater inclusion of startups and small firms in defense contracts to enhance competition and innovation. Emanuel also stressed the importance of “economic […]
Tag: News
Denmark boosts Greenland defence after Trump repeats desire for US control
Denmark has unveiled a 12-15 billion kroner ($1.5 billion USD) defense package for Greenland, including inspection ships, long-range drones, expanded Arctic Command staffing, and upgrades to accommodate F-35 jets. Announced by Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, the investment coincides with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump reiterating his interest in purchasing Greenland, which he called “an absolute necessity” for U.S. national security. Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede reaffirmed the territory is “not for sale” but emphasized its openness to trade and cooperation. Poulsen acknowledged years of underinvestment in the Arctic, with the new package reflecting increased concerns over Chinese and Russian […]
Anduril Challenges Defense Giants with Vision for Modernizing U.S. Military Procurement
Anduril, a defense tech firm, has released a mission document, Rebooting the Arsenal of Democracy, advocating a shift from traditional defense contractors to tech-focused companies like itself. The document critiques legacy giants like Lockheed Martin as outdated and calls for streamlined Pentagon procurement processes that prioritize agile, innovative firms. Anduril argues that civilian technologies, such as AI in Teslas and computer vision in Snapchat, often surpass military systems in efficiency and capability. Proposals include reforms like transparent pricing data to combat price gouging in defense contracts. With significant contributions like unmanned underwater vehicles for the AUKUS pact, Anduril is part […]
Ukraine Bets a Free Market for Weapons Production Can Out-Innovate Russia
Ukraine is fostering an open market for weapons production to counter Russia’s military advantage, leading to the emergence of over 200 new munitions companies since 2022. Ark Robotics, a prominent player, has raised over $1 million and developed 20 drone variants, showcasing the sector’s rapid growth. Ukrainian Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov highlighted the need for innovation, stating, “In order to defeat Russia, we can’t just do what they do.” Despite obstacles like power outages and limited infrastructure, the government supports defense startups through grants and platforms like Brave1 to attract foreign investors. This initiative underscores Ukraine’s strategic reliance […]
Lockheed Martin UK CEO Defends F-35 Amid Criticism from Elon Musk
Lockheed Martin UK CEO Paul Livingston has defended the F-35 program against claims by Elon Musk that it is obsolete due to advancements in unmanned drones. Livingston highlighted the F-35’s unmatched capabilities, its central role in NATO’s defense, and its projected £45 billion contribution to the UK economy by 2046. He countered Musk’s critique by emphasizing the F-35’s ability to execute complex missions efficiently and integrate seamlessly with unmanned systems. Livingston stated that Musk lacks access to classified threat assessments and concluded, “On this subject, he’s wrong.” He added that by 2035, 650 F-35s will be operated by European nations, […]
Spain signs for Halcon II Eurofighters
Spain has signed a contract for 25 new Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft under the Halcon II program, announced on December 20. The agreement includes 21 single-seat and four twin-seat jets, with deliveries set to commence in 2030. The aircraft will be assembled at Airbus’s Getafe facility near Madrid in the advanced Tranche 4+ configuration, featuring the European Common Radar System Mark 1 radar. The Spanish Air Force is also evaluating future acquisitions, including a potential Tranche 5 Halcon III or Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. This deal underscores Spain’s commitment to modernizing its air combat capabilities and maintaining a competitive […]
Poland declares capability for Wisła medium-range air defence system
Poland’s Ministry of National Defense announced the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of the first battery of the Wisła medium-range air defense program on December 18. The system is built around Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), chosen in 2018 to modernize Poland’s air defense capabilities. A second battery is expected to achieve IOC by the end of 2024, further enhancing Poland’s defense posture. In addition, the US and Polish governments signed an agreement in February to integrate IBCS into Poland’s Narew short-range air defense program. These developments signify Poland’s commitment to strengthening its air defense systems and NATO interoperability.Original […]
US Space Force Seeks Satellite Refueling Capability
The US Space Force is advancing satellite refueling technologies to improve national security and operational flexibility in space. Gen. Stephen Whiting of US Space Command underlined the importance of “dynamic operations and on-orbit logistics,” while Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess emphasized preparing spacecraft to “dogfight in space.” The Space Force has allocated $16 million over five years for research, but experts advocate for $200 million annually over three years to establish a functional refueling system. This initiative reflects the Space Force’s focus on sustaining and extending the capabilities of its satellite assets amid growing space competition. Satellite refueling is seen […]
SpaceX, Palantir, and OpenAI Reportedly Teaming Up
SpaceX, Palantir, OpenAI, and Anduril are reportedly in talks to create a consortium aimed at bidding for U.S. government defense contracts, directly challenging legacy companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing. The group plans to announce its membership by January, seeking to disrupt the traditional defense procurement landscape. Palantir, with its advanced AI systems, and Anduril, known for autonomous weapons, bring cutting-edge technology to the consortium, which could reshape defense contracting. Gizmodo highlighted Peter Thiel’s influence on these companies, describing him as a driving force behind their operations, though raising concerns about his controversial ideology and approach to progress. If […]
Italy inks deal to buy up to 24 more Typhoons
Leonardo announced that Italy will purchase up to 24 additional Eurofighter Typhoons to replace its Tranche 1 Eurofighters. The agreement, facilitated by the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium, which includes Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, was made in collaboration with the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency. These new aircraft will feature advanced avionics, enhanced weapon systems, and improved connectivity. Simon Ellard, general manager of the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, emphasized that the order will strengthen Italy’s air combat capabilities and support the security of Italy, Europe, and NATO. This acquisition underscores Italy’s commitment to modernizing its defense forces and […]
Slovakia to purchase Israel’s Barak MX air defense system for €560 million
The Slovak Defense Ministry announced the purchase of the Barak MX air defense system from Israel for €560 million, marking a significant boost to its defense capabilities. This is Israel’s third sale of the system, following agreements with Cyprus and Azerbaijan. Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Barak MX counters a range of threats, including drones, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. The deal is seen as a “landmark” step in bolstering Slovakia’s air defense and strengthening defense ties between Israel and Slovakia, according to the Israel Ministry of Defense. This acquisition reflects Slovakia’s commitment to modernizing its military in […]
With S-400s Out, Russia’s Days Of Controlling Syria’s Airspace Are Ove
Russia has removed its S-400 and S-300 air defense systems from Syria, signaling the end of its significant control over the country’s airspace. According to The Wall Street Journal, the systems have been relocated to eastern Libya, where Russian-allied warlord Khalifa Haftar holds power. This withdrawal follows the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the rise of anti-Assad groups in several regions. Analyst Anton Mardasov from Al-Monitor suggested the move could indicate preparations for a full evacuation of Russia’s Hmeimim air base. The shift marks a strategic realignment in Russia’s regional military posture.Original news
Lockheed Martin UK CEO Defends F-35 Amid Criticism from Elon Musk
Lockheed Martin UK CEO Paul Livingston defended the F-35 program after Elon Musk claimed it was obsolete due to advancements in unmanned drones. Livingston highlighted the F-35’s unmatched capabilities, its critical role in NATO’s defense, and its economic impact, projecting £45 billion in contributions to the UK economy by 2046. He emphasized the aircraft’s ability to handle complex missions with fewer planes while integrating with unmanned systems, countering Musk’s remarks as lacking informed context. Livingston stated, “By 2035, there’ll be 650 of them flown by European nations,” adding that the F-35 continues to dominate European fighter competitions. His comments underscore […]
Spain signs for Halcon II Eurofighters
Spain and Eurofighter have signed a contract for 25 new combat aircraft under the Halcon II program, announced on December 20. The deal includes 21 single-seat and four twin-seat Eurofighters, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2030. The aircraft will be assembled at Airbus’s Getafe facility near Madrid in the Tranche 4+ configuration, featuring the advanced European Common Radar System Mark 1. As part of its long-term modernization strategy, the Spanish Air Force is also evaluating future acquisitions, including a potential Tranche 5 Halcon III order or the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. This contract marks a key step in […]
Ukraine Spurs Weapons Innovation with Growing Defense Tech Industry
Ukraine is cultivating an open market for weapons production to counter Russia’s military advantage, with over 200 new munitions companies established since 2022. Among these, Ark Robotics has emerged as a leader, raising over $1 million and developing 20 drone models. Ukrainian Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov highlighted the need for entrepreneurial innovation, asserting, “To defeat Russia, we can’t just do what they do.” Despite obstacles like power outages and limited manufacturing infrastructure, the government is supporting defense startups with grants and initiatives such as the Brave1 platform to attract foreign investors. This approach underscores Ukraine’s reliance on technological […]