Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles and Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi sign a contract for three Mogami-class frigates. (ADF)Australia has signed an A$10 billion (US$7 billion) contract with Japan for upgraded Mogami-class frigates, the deal covering an initial three ships under Project Sea 3000.The agreement was concluded between the Australian government, Japan and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), marking a major step forward in Canberra’s surface fleet recapitalisation plans.In total, Australia intends to acquire eleven “general-purpose” frigates, with the remaining eight ships to be constructed domestically. The lead ship is scheduled for delivery in 2029.The contract was signed aboard the Mogami-class…

In recent months, Ukraine has intensified its strategic bombing campaign against Russia’s oil industry with a series of drone strikes on key infrastructure including ports, pipelines, and refineries. Priority targets have included the oil terminals that serve as the gateway for Russian energy exports to global markets. These attacks have inflicted significant damage on Moscow’s war economy, while also underscoring the expanding reach of Ukraine’s domestically developed long-range drone fleet. This approach is not new. Ukraine has been bombing Russian energy infrastructure since the early months of the war as Kyiv seeks to cut the Kremlin’s primary source of revenue.…

Credit: NVL GroupDefense Feeds, Wolgast – Germany has accelerated production of a critical maritime intelligence capability. Rheinmetall Naval Systems moved into early construction of the country’s third Class 424 intelligence vessel, cutting steel at Peene-Werft shipyard on April 16, 2026, ahead of original schedule.The Germany Class 424 Intelligence Ship Enters Early Production program signals Berlin’s determination to modernize maritime intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance capabilities with platforms designed for persistent collection, enhanced situational awareness and effective operations in increasingly contested waters.This strategic acceleration keeps the Bundeswehr on track to field new intelligence platforms that sharpen Germany’s ability to monitor activity in contested naval environments…

Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), a leading provider of advanced shipbuilding solutions for the U.S. Navy, announced today it plans to construct Saildrone’s Spectre, a new class of high-speed unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed for multi-mission naval operations. The Spectre program represents a significant opportunity to apply Fincantieri’s proven expertise in the serial production of aluminum vessels to a next-generation autonomous platform. Purpose-built to support a range of maritime missions, Spectre reflects the growing demand for scalable, unmanned capabilities within modern naval fleets. Construction will take place within Fincantieri’s Wisconsin shipyard system, leveraging established production infrastructure and workforce expertise. The program…

Urijah Faber has unexpectedly expressed gratitude to Arman Tsarukyan for launching him off the stage during their recent wrestling match. Faber squared off against Tsarukyan in the main event of RAF 08 on Saturday night at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after the card was reshuffled due to Henry Cejudo’s withdrawal from his scheduled bout with Merab Dvalishvili. “Ahalkalakets” secured a technical fall victory, but the match was ultimately overshadowed by a chaotic moment in which both fighters crashed into the crowd, creating a viral scene that drew mixed reactions from combat sports fans. The No. 2-ranked UFC lightweight…

Ulm/Heidenheim, Germany, 20 April 2026 – The sensor system house HENSOLDT and the technology company Voith have signed a cooperation agreement. The aim is to create career opportunities for employees as part of Voith’s transformation and to actively support transitions into fields of work where demand is above average. Due to high demand in the defence industry, HENSOLDT is currently significantly expanding its supply and production capacities and is seeking new skilled workers. By 2025, HENSOLDT will have recruited around 1,200 employees and plans to hire 1,600 new staff in 2026, primarily in Germany. The sites in Ulm, Oberkochen/Aalen and…

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down by enemy fire during Operation Epic Fury over southwestern Iran on April 3.Two crew members ejected, landing miles apart from one another. While the U.S. was able to locate and rescue the pilot that same day, the weapon systems officer aboard remained unaccounted for. A mad dash to save him ensued.The officer, call sign Dude 44 Bravo, marched several kilometers, significantly injured and bleeding, evading the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps headhunting him. The airman found refuge in a mountain crevice, hoping American troops would make it to him before…

The leaders of the General Services Administration and Office of Personnel Management on Monday announced that their agencies will co-locate in the same renovated Washington, D.C., headquarters building beginning in December 2028 as part of the Trump administration’s initiative to reduce the amount of real estate that the federal government occupies. “This is bigger than a relocation. This is a blueprint,” said GSA Administrator Edward Forst at a press conference. “It’s a blueprint for a government that takes responsibility, that works collaboratively and delivers results. At GSA that’s our mission, and today we’re going to lead by example.”In July, GSA staffers…

The United States Air Force will keep the A-10 Thunderbolt II, known as the “Warthog,” in service until around 2030, extending the lifespan of a close air support aircraft that has been slated for retirement for years. The decision was announced by the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, which confirmed the move […]

At Defence Services Asia (DSA), ASELSAN (Askerî Elektronik Sanayi A.Ş.) from Turkey delivered a highly technical showcase centred on its integrated C4ISR architecture and advanced radar portfolio, underlining its ambition to position itself as a systems-of-systems integrator rather than a standalone equipment supplier. The Turkish defence electronics specialist presented a layered, network-enabled ecosystem designed to operate across multi-domain environments, with a particular emphasis on sensor fusion, real-time data exploitation and electronic resilience At the core of ASELSAN’s offering is its scalable C4ISR backbone, engineered to support joint and coalition operations. The architecture enables seamless interoperability between land, air and naval…