XRGL40 40mm extended range multi-shot grenade launcher. The XRGL40 can be used with both standard types of 40x46mm low-velocity (LV) and medium velocity (MV) 40x51mm ammunition.
A single-shot 40mm grenade weapon, UBL40 is primarily designed for assault rifles upgraded with the Rippel Effect Upgrade kits, and for use with the Rippel Effect CRAR-32 reflex sight. Besides being able to fire all standard Low Velocity (LV) ammunition on the market, the Rippel Effect UBL40 was certified to also fire the latest less-lethal / riot control ammunition. The current cooperation will Diehl will expand the ammunition range to include MV ammunition.
Diehl Defence signed an agreement with the South African company Rippel Effect Systems (PTY) Ltd. covering joint marketing of grenade launcher systems. The agreement initially focuses on qualification of Diehl’s new 40 mm – Medium Velocity ammunition for the grenade launchers XRGL40 and UBL40 of the weapon specialist from Pretoria.
XRGL40 40mm extended range multi-shot grenade launcher. The XRGL40 can be used with both standard types of 40x46mm low-velocity (LV) and medium velocity (MV) 40x51mm ammunition.
The agreement paves the way for the two companies offering complete weapon systems, consisting of the grenade launcher and ammunition, in certain core markets.
The opening week of 2026 has been defined by a singular, paradigmatic shift in modern warfare: the "catastrophic failure" of Venezuela's integrated air defense network during a U.S. special operation. The operation succeeded not through brute force, but by rendering Venezuela's Russian S-300VM and Chinese "anti-stealth" radars effectively blind, validating the supremacy of advanced electronic warfare over legacy kinetic defenses. This failure has sent shockwaves through the global defense market, underscoring why nations like Spain and Germany are rushing to modernize their air defense architectures with Western alternatives, while massive procurement programs exceeding $301 billion signal an accelerated transformation toward unmanned systems, directed energy weapons, and indigenous production capabilities.
Turkey's defense industry transformation extends far beyond its celebrated drones. Now ranking 11th globally in defense exports, Turkey is executing a comprehensive strategy to become a top-tier arms supplier. With 75% of exports flowing to Western markets and five firms in Defense News' Top 100, Turkey is methodically building a complete defense ecosystem through combat-proven systems, integrated defense diplomacy, strategic self-reliance, and real-world R&D in active conflict zones.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® and XTEND have achieved a major milestone in JADC2 by integrating the XOS operating system with the MDCX™ autonomy platform. This technical breakthrough enables a single operator to simultaneously command multiple drone classes, eliminating the friction of mission handoffs. From "marsupial" drone deployments to operating in GPS-denied environments, explore how this collaboration is abbreviating the data-to-decision timeline and redefining autonomous mission execution.
As traditional defense primes face mounting competition from agile “neoprimes” such as Anduril, Palantir and Helsing, the balance of innovation is shifting toward software-defined warfare and scalable, dual-use technologies, while global industry consolidation—marked by Boeing’s integration of Spirit AeroSystems and other strategic mergers—signals an intensified race to secure control over the defense technology value chain. Our Defense-Tech weekly report highlights these trends.
In early October 2025, a coordinated wave of unmanned aerial system (UAS) incursions—widely attributed to Russia—targeted critical infrastructure across at least ten European nations. The unprecedented campaign exposed the fragility of Europe’s air defenses...
Executive Summary
The past week (September 18-25, 2025) represents an inflection point where strategic defense concepts have transitioned from doctrine to tangible reality. An analysis of global events reveals four primary, interconnected trends shaping an...
At the 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference, U.S. Air Force and Space Force leaders unveiled major updates on next-generation fighters, bombers, unmanned systems, and space initiatives, highlighting both rapid innovation and critical readiness challenges as the services race to outpace global competitors. A short version is available here, with a more detailed version for subscribers.
