Other Regional Defense Updates:
Algeria | Bahrain | Cyprus | Egypt | Iran | Iraq | Israel | Jordan | Kuwait |
Lebanon | Libya | Morocco | Oman | Qatar | Saudi-Arabia | Syria | Turkey |
Tunisia | UAE | Yemen.
- U.S. Accelerates Drone and eVTOL Integration: What the New Executive Order Means for America Jun 10, 2025
President Trump’s June 6, 2025 executive order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” sets an aggressive timeline for FAA BVLOS rulemaking, launches an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, and prioritizes domestic manufacturing and export of U.S. drone technologies—aiming to modernize logistics, public safety, and defense while securing global leadership in advanced air mobility. - DefenseTech Weekly Brief Jun 10, 2025
This week in the defense technology sector is marked by significant international partnerships, advancements in unmanned systems, and substantial investments in next-generation capabilities. From major naval contracts in the Middle East to the expansion of fifth-generation fighter jet fleets in Asia, these developments underscore key trends for industry stakeholders, highlighting the growing importance of interoperability and strategic industrial partnerships. Revamping UAS & eVTOL Market Dominance? On June 6, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order that marks a decisive shift in the United States’ approach to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)—commonly known as drones—and the emerging field of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The order, titled “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” is designed to accelerate the safe commercialization and integration of these technologies into the national airspace while strengthening the domestic industrial base and expanding the export of trusted, American-made drone technologies. In our coverage, we discuss the goals, timeline, and implications of this action. (Read our analysis) Aerospace & Counter-UAS In the air domain, several procurements and upgrades reflect the growing emphasis on fifth-generation platforms, tanker capacity, and counter-UAS munitions. FC-31/J-35A Fifth-Gen Fighters for Pakistan China is reportedly finalizing delivery of its Shenyang FC-31 (J-35A) fifth-generation fighter jets to Pakistan within months, marking Islamabad’s first operational stealth-capable platform. According to some sources, these aircraft will carry PL-17 air-to-air missiles with a maximum range of 400 km, exceeding the PL-15 that successfully debuted in recent engagements with Indian fighters. The J-35A reportedly features an internal weapons bay, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and low-observable coatings, making it the most modern combat jet in Pakistan’s inventory. Pakistan is also seeking to acquire long-range air defense systems from Turkey and China to improve its air defense by adding a higher tier against Indian missile attacks. Indonesia Considers Used Chinese J-10 Fighters Indonesia is evaluating the procurement of ... - Rafael Unveils New Laser Beam Director for Iron Beam HELWS Jun 4, 2025
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveils its new IRON BEAM 450 HELWS with an upgraded laser beam director at the Paris Air Show. The system features a 450mm aperture with Coherent Beam Combining technology, enabling precision targeting of coin-sized objects beyond 10km while maintaining speed-of-light threat neutralization capabilities. - DefenseTech Weekly Brief Jun 2, 2025
The first week of June 2025 marked significant defense technology milestones, including Ukraine’s 4,300km drone strikes, Israel’s operational laser weapon deployments, and major AI partnerships. Capital markets showed strong confidence with over $6 billion in investments and acquisitions, while localized manufacturing accelerated across European and Middle Eastern markets. - Barrett Develops a New Precision Grenade Rifle System (PGS) Jun 2, 2025
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing has been selected as the winner of the U.S. Army’s xTech Soldier Lethality competition, securing a contract to develop an advanced 30mm precision grenade rifle system. The new system features programmable air-bursting capabilities and specialized ammunition designed to provide tactical advantages on modern battlefields. The Tennessee-based firearms manufacturer, working alongside partners MARS Inc, AMTEC Corp, and Precision Targeting, successfully designed and demonstrated the Precision Grenadier System (PGS) in just six months. The shoulder-fired, semi-automatic weapon system is designed to engage personnel targets behind cover and counter unmanned aerial systems at close range. The PGS represents a significant advancement in soldier-portable weaponry, combining a magazine-fed launcher with integrated fire control systems and a new family of 30mm ammunition types, including high-explosive rounds and close-quarter battle variants. - Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 1 hypersonic demonstrator Achieves First Flight at Edwards AFB Jun 2, 2025
Hermeus Corporation achieved the first flight of its Quarterhorse Mk 1 hypersonic demonstrator on May 27, 2025. Quarterhorse Mk 1 went from a clean sheet to flight-ready in a little over a year. The primary focus of the test campaign was to validate the high-speed takeoff and landing of a large uncrewed aircraft. The first flight was short but proved the aircraft behavior in transition and the short flight modes. The aircraft’s unique configuration — driven by high-speed flight — makes basic operations of takeoff and landing distinctly challenging. Data from the campaign has validated design and performance models, including aerodynamics, stability, and control. Testing also validated the performance of vehicle subsystems, including propulsion, fuel systems, hydraulics, power, thermal management, avionics, flight software, telemetry, flight termination, and command and control. Quarterhorse Mk 1 is the first in a series of uncrewed aircraft on Hermeus’ iterative development roadmap. The approach emphasizes ‘hardware richness’ – building multiple prototypes in quick succession, allowing the team to take well-managed technical risk. The team is actively reviewing data and integrating lessons learned into Hermeus’ next iteration, Quarterhorse Mk 2, currently being manufactured at Hermeus’ headquarters in Atlanta. The scale of an F-16, Quarterhorse Mk 2 is a high-Mach aircraft designed to de-risk uncrewed supersonic flight. It is on-track to fly late this year. Hermeus is a venture capital-backed aerospace and defense technology company founded to radically accelerate aviation. In the near-term, the business is focused on building high-speed products that sustainably deliver asymmetric advantage to the Department of Defense and allied partners. Utilizing an iterative development approach to aircraft, Hermeus’ high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft aim to deliver capabilities at a pace not seen in the U.S. since the 1950s. - India Embarks on Ambitious 5th GEN Fighter Jun 2, 2025
India formally approved its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, officially joining the fifth-generation stealth fighter market with a stealth, twin-engine advanced fighter jet. The new development, approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will follow a new path, departing from the mandatory development of the aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and opening the bid to private sector companies, introducing competitive bidding opportunities to the development process. The timing of the decision is critical, following the recent conflict with Pakistan that resulted in losses of advanced fighter aircraft in long-range aerial engagements with Pakistani fighters. Without 5Gen fighters, India could find itself severely inferior to Pakistani and Chinese 5Gen fighters, like the J-20, J-35A, and J36. Relying on Western 5th-generation aircraft, such as the US F-35, the British-Italian-Japanese Tempest, Russian Su-57, or the Korean KF-21, will leave India dependent on foreign support, which Delhi is determined to end in the foreseeable future. The roadmap for AMCA is ambitious – the first of five prototypes is expected to be completed in 2027 at a target cost of ₹1,000 crore ($115 million). The first flight is scheduled for 2028, and serial production is anticipated to begin in 2034 at a unit cost below $100 million. This seems an ambitious plan that couldn’t be realized with public sector companies. Whether the private sector can achieve it remains an open question. The program’s emphasis on indigenous development supports India’s objectives of self-reliance while building domestic technological capabilities that can be leveraged for future aerospace projects. The successful implementation of the AMCA program will establish India as a significant player in the global fifth-generation fighter market while reducing dependence on foreign military aircraft imports. However, dragging it for decades, as previous programs did, could expose the country to serious challenges. - Modular Turrets for Localized AFV Manufacturing Jun 2, 2025
European defense manufacturers are accelerating domestic production capabilities of Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV) amid ongoing regional security tensions. Patria and General Dynamics European Land Systems initiated 42 ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) assembly in Latvia under a €373 million contract, while Tatra Defence Vehicle unveiled its PANDUR II 8×8 EVO at IDET 2025 in the Czech Republic, anticipating domestic procurement plans. Both utilize Elbit Systems’ UT30MK2 turrets, integrating a 30mm canon, countermeasures including Iron Fist active protection systems, optronic systems, and missile launchers on board. These developments reflect a broader trend toward technology transfer models and geographic diversification of armored vehicle production, even in small-scale procurement plans. The emphasis on NATO-standard systems with local assembly capabilities addresses both supply chain resilience and domestic job creation imperatives. European defense Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) benefit from government policies favoring domestic production. Revenue projections for 2026-2027 should reflect higher-margin local assembly operations and sustained government support. While most nations insist on local production of the vehicles, the mission systems of AFVs, and the most complex part is centered at the turret, often delivered by specialist manufacturers such as Israeli companies Rafael and Elbit Systems, German Rheinmetall, Italian Leonardo, and Turkish Aselsan. Such a move has been recently taken by Morocco, which opted to locally produce The Indian WhAP 8×8 IFVs developed by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and match Elbit Systems’ Elbit turrets, including the UT30MK2 30mm and possibly the Crossbow 120mm mortar. This choice reflects the expanding defense relationship between Israel and Arab states following the Abraham Accords framework. The contract, covering approximately 150 Wheeled Armoured Platform vehicles manufactured by India’s Tata Advanced Systems, builds upon Elbit’s previous $370 million ATMOS howitzer deal with Morocco. This trend highlights how Israeli defense firms are successfully competing against traditional European suppliers such as Nexter and Thales in North ... - Operation “Web”: Ukraine’s FPV Drone Strike on Russian Strategic Airbases Jun 1, 2025
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine’s Security Service launched “Web,” a covert FPV drone operation targeting four Russian airbases. Containerized launch modules smuggled drones deep into Russia, striking more than 40 bombers and AEW&C platforms. This unprecedented long-range attack signals a shift in drone warfare and compels Russia to rethink rear-area air defenses. - Israel Achieves World’s First Operational Combat Interceptions with Iron Beam Laser Prototypes May 28, 2025
Israel has crossed a historic threshold by becoming the first nation to successfully deploy laser weapons in actual combat. During the Swords of Iron War, Israeli forces used Rafael’s high-energy laser systems to intercept enemy threats, marking the transition from experimental technology to operational directed energy warfare.
