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First CV9035 Mk IV Infantry Fighting Vehicle for Slovakia Unveiled to Replace BMP-1 and BMP-2
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BAE Systems Hägglunds unveiled the first CV9035 Mk IV infantry fighting vehicle for the Slovak Armed Forces on February 20, 2026, in Sweden, marking the start of deliveries under a 152-vehicle agreement. The program signals Slovakia’s decisive move away from legacy BMP-1 and BMP-2 platforms toward a fully NATO-interoperable mechanized force.
BAE Systems Hägglunds, on February 20, 2026, ceremonially unveiled the first CV9035 Mk IV tracked infantry fighting (IFV) vehicle destined for the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, formally launching deliveries under a 152-vehicle government-to-government agreement with Sweden. The rollout represents a pivotal phase in Bratislava’s long-planned replacement of its Soviet-era BMP-1 and BMP-2 fleet with a modern, NATO-standard mechanized platform. Designed around a 35 mm Bushmaster III cannon, advanced digital architecture, and modular protection, the CV9035 Mk IV is intended to anchor Slovakia’s heavy brigade modernization and improve interoperability with allied forces. The program stands as one of the country’s most significant defense transformations since its accession to NATO, reshaping both operational capability and long-term industrial cooperation with Sweden.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkBAE Systems Hägglunds unveils the first CV9035 Mk IV infantry fighting vehicle for the Slovak Armed Forces during a ceremonial rollout in Sweden, marking a major step in Slovakia’s NATO-aligned mechanized modernization program to replace legacy BMP-1 and BMP-2 fleets. (Picture source: BAE Systems)
The ceremony at BAE Systems’ facility in Örnsköldsvik, attended by Swedish Minister of Defence Pål Jonson and Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák alongside senior military officials, symbolized a strategic shift rather than a simple production achievement. For Slovakia, a NATO member since 2004, the acquisition of the CV9035 Mk IV marks a decisive step toward aligning its heavy ground forces with alliance standards in firepower, survivability, digital integration, and logistical interoperability.
For decades, Slovakia’s mechanized units have relied on BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles inherited from the former Czechoslovak arsenal. Although maintained and partially upgraded, these platforms were designed for a different era of warfare. Their limited armor protection, vulnerability to mines and improvised explosive devices, analog targeting systems, and absence of networked battlefield management capabilities increasingly restricted operational effectiveness. Recent conflicts, particularly in Eastern Europe, have demonstrated the vulnerability of legacy IFVs against precision-guided munitions, loitering drones, and modern anti-tank weapons.
The CV9035 Mk IV introduces a comprehensive generational upgrade. The Slovak configuration is armed with the 35 mm Bushmaster III cannon, offering enhanced range, penetration, and programmable airburst capability compared to the BMP-1’s 73 mm gun and the BMP-2’s 30 mm autocannon. Integrated with an advanced digital fire control system and stabilized turret, the weapon system enables accurate firing on the move and effective engagement in low-visibility conditions. This dramatically improves the lethality and flexibility of Slovak mechanized infantry formations.
Beyond the main gun, the integration of an advanced anti-tank guided missile system gives the CV9035 Mk IV the capacity to defeat contemporary main battle tanks at extended distances. This capability strengthens Slovakia’s contribution to NATO’s collective defense posture, particularly along the Alliance’s eastern flank, where armored maneuver warfare remains a core contingency scenario.
Protection has also been fundamentally redefined. The CV90 Mk IV features modular enhanced ballistic armor, improved mine and blast resistance, and an active protection system solution capable of intercepting incoming anti-tank projectiles. Such layered protection addresses threats that the BMP-1 and BMP-2 were never engineered to counter. In modern high-intensity combat environments, crew survivability and vehicle resilience are central to sustaining operational tempo, and the CV9035 Mk IV was designed with precisely these conditions in mind.
Mobility improvements further underscore the modernization leap. Powered by an engine delivering up to 1,000 horsepower, the CV9035 Mk IV provides significantly greater power reserves than its Soviet-era predecessors. This ensures superior maneuverability and future growth potential, enabling the integration of additional armor packages, sensors, or electronic warfare systems without compromising performance. The digital architecture embedded in the Mk IV platform also enables seamless integration into NATO command-and-control networks, enhancing real-time situational awareness and coordinated fires.
Industrial cooperation forms a strategic backbone of the program. Slovak companies account for more than 40 percent of the contract’s total value, with nearly 30 domestic firms involved in production and support activities. The supply chain expanded in 2025 to include Hriňovské Strojárne, Konštrukta-Defense, MSM Land Systems, and S.M.S. spol. s r.o., STV Machinery, and ThyssenKrupp Rothe Erde Slovakia. This broad industrial participation strengthens national resilience, ensures security of supply, and positions Slovak industry to engage in future CV90-related programs beyond national deliveries.
Participation in the CV90 User Club further enhances Slovakia’s modernization pathway. By joining a community of European operators, Slovakia gains access to shared operational experience, coordinated upgrades, and harmonized sustainment strategies. This collective framework reduces lifecycle costs while maintaining technological relevance as threats evolve.
The unveiling of the first CV9035 Mk IV for Slovakia, therefore, reflects more than the introduction of a new vehicle. As a NATO member state, Slovakia has taken a concrete and strategic step toward modernizing its heavy mechanized forces with a platform designed for 21st-century combat. The gradual replacement of the BMP-1 and BMP-2 fleets with 152 advanced CV9035 Mk IV vehicles will reshape the operational profile of the Slovak Armed Forces, strengthen their role within NATO’s collective defense architecture, and solidify the country’s integration into Europe’s next-generation armored warfare capabilities.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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U.S. Navy EOD Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 8 Trains for Arctic Mine Warfare Above Arctic Circle
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U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eight trained with Norwegian and Swedish forces during Exercise Arctic Specialist 26 from February 3 to 12, 2025, above the Arctic Circle. The drill sharpened expeditionary mine countermeasure and land-based EOD skills in extreme cold, reinforcing allied readiness in the strategically vital High North.
According to U.S. Navy information published on February 18, 2025, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit Eight participated in Exercise Arctic Specialist 26 with Norwegian and Swedish forces from February 3 to 12 above the Arctic Circle. Hosted annually by Norway, the exercise concentrated on expeditionary mine countermeasure missions and land-based explosive ordnance disposal under severe Arctic conditions. Sailors operated in subzero temperatures, limited daylight, and snow-covered terrain that tested mobility, communications, and the reliability of sensitive EOD equipment. The training unfolded amid rising military activity across the High North, where cold-weather proficiency and allied interoperability are increasingly central to deterrence strategy.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkU.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eight execute a rapid airfield damage repair scenario during Exercise Arctic Specialist 2026 in Arctic conditions. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)
Arctic Specialist 26 exercise brought together U.S., Norwegian, and Swedish EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) forces in one of NATO's most operationally demanding environments. Temperatures well below freezing, limited daylight, unstable sea ice, and rapidly shifting weather systems created a complex battlespace in which even routine explosive-disposal tasks became technically challenging and potentially life-threatening. For the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed EOD capability under Commander, Task Force 68, the exercise represented a critical validation of Arctic-specific tactics, equipment, and sustainment procedures.
Over ten days, participating units executed underwater demolitions in ice-affected waters, mine identification and exploitation drills, trench clearance, conventional munitions disposal, and rapid airfield damage repair scenarios. These mission sets are central to expeditionary mine countermeasure operations designed to secure sea lines of communication and ensure access to ports, chokepoints, and coastal infrastructure. In Arctic conditions, underwater visibility is degraded, sonar performance can be affected by ice layers, and explosive charges must be calibrated to account for temperature-related material changes. Training under these constraints is essential to guarantee reliability during real-world contingencies.
The importance of such readiness has grown markedly as the Arctic transitions from a peripheral theater to a strategic frontline. Russia continues to maintain and modernize its Arctic military infrastructure, including air bases, radar networks, long-range missile systems, and ice-capable naval assets along its northern coastline. The reopening of Soviet-era facilities and expanded patrol activity in the Barents and Kara Seas underscore Moscow’s determination to secure its northern approaches and assert control over emerging maritime routes. At the same time, increased NATO presence following Finland’s and Sweden’s accession has reshaped the regional security architecture, turning the High North into a zone of direct Alliance-Russia proximity.
In this evolving environment, the ability to detect, identify, and neutralize naval mines or unexploded ordnance is not a niche capability but a strategic enabler. Mines remain a cost-effective asymmetric weapon capable of denying access to key waterways, constraining amphibious operations, or disrupting commercial shipping along newly accessible Arctic sea routes. Expeditionary EOD units such as EODMU-8 provide the technical expertise to counter these threats, enabling carrier strike groups, amphibious task forces, and logistics vessels to operate safely in contested waters.
Arctic Specialist 26 also evaluated the performance of specialized cold-weather dive systems, portable sonar platforms for under-ice detection, and modular demolition kits adapted for sub-zero operations. Batteries, detonating cord, and electronic firing systems behave differently in extreme cold, requiring rigorous testing and procedural refinement. Logistics chains were stress-tested to ensure the sustainment of small, highly specialized teams in remote and austere locations where infrastructure is limited, and weather can isolate units for extended periods.
Airfield damage repair scenarios conducted during the exercise highlighted another critical dimension of Arctic operations. Northern air bases serve as strategic hubs for surveillance, air defense, and rapid reinforcement. In a crisis scenario, the rapid clearance of unexploded ordnance and repair of runway surfaces would be essential to restoring sortie generation and maintaining air superiority. EOD teams trained to integrate with engineering units under Arctic conditions provide a key capability for ensuring operational continuity.
The broader political context reinforces the urgency of these preparations. As climate change incrementally opens Arctic maritime corridors, competition over natural resources, seabed claims, and shipping lanes is intensifying. Increased commercial traffic through the Northern Sea Route and other high-latitude passages raises the risk that state and non-state actors will exploit the environment for strategic leverage. In parallel, NATO’s northern flank has expanded, requiring seamless interoperability among Allied forces to deter aggression and respond rapidly to potential crises.
Commander, Task Group 68.1, which includes EODMU-8, remains a core component of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force Europe-Africa. Its ability to locate, identify, render safe, recover, and dispose of explosive ordnance across maritime and land domains under Arctic conditions directly supports deterrence by denial. By demonstrating credible mine countermeasure and explosive disposal capabilities in the High North, the United States and its Allies signal that attempts to restrict freedom of navigation or disrupt critical infrastructure will face a prepared and technically proficient response.
Exercise Arctic Specialist 26, therefore, extends beyond routine multinational training. It represents a deliberate investment in Arctic combat readiness at a time when strategic competition is intensifying, and the margin for operational error is shrinking. In a region where geography amplifies both opportunity and risk, the capability to execute precise EOD missions in snow, ice, and freezing seas has become a cornerstone of NATO’s northern defense posture.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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Türkiye Deploys ASLAN Combat UGV in NATO’s STEADFAST DART 26 to Advance Robotic Warfare Integration
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NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum confirmed on 20 February 2026 that Turkish forces deployed the ASLAN Unmanned Ground Vehicle during Exercise STEADFAST DART 26 in northern Germany. The move places a weaponised Turkish UGV inside NATO’s new Allied Reaction Force framework, signaling how unmanned systems are moving from experimentation to frontline combined arms integration.
On 19 February 2026, NATO’s Joint Force Command Brunssum reported that Turkish forces had deployed the ASLAN Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) during exercise STEADFAST DART 26 in northern Germany. As one of NATO’s major manoeuvre exercises of the year, STEADFAST DART 26 serves as a key testbed for the new Allied Reaction Force and for emerging robotic and autonomous systems on the land domain. By fielding a weaponised UGV within this high-intensity, multinational framework, Türkiye demonstrates how land forces intend to integrate unmanned platforms into combined-arms operations. This development was detailed in NATO’s article “Innovative Technologies put to the test during STEADFAST DART 26” published on the Joint Force Command Brunssum website, which highlighted ASLAN as one of the exercise’s emblematic innovative technologies.
Türkiye deployed its ASLAN combat unmanned ground vehicle during NATO’s STEADFAST DART 26 exercise in Germany, showcasing brigade-level integration of armed robotics into multinational high-intensity operations (Picture Source: NATO / Avionot)
Within this framework, the Turkish 66th Mechanised Brigade, serving as part of the Allied Reaction Force, employed ASLAN during land manoeuvres and live demonstrations at the Bergen Training Area in northern Germany. The brigade has been operating the system for around three years, indicating that ASLAN is already embedded in existing concepts of operation rather than being limited to experimental units. In Germany, the vehicle is being used in conjunction with mechanised infantry, armoured vehicles and supporting fires to validate procedures for integrating a UGV into high-tempo, combined-arms manoeuvres under NATO command. For Allied planners, this offers a realistic picture of how a national unmanned ground capability can be plugged into a multinational force package while maintaining interoperability and robust command and control.
Designed, developed and manufactured by ASELSAN, ASLAN is a Medium Class Level 1 unmanned ground vehicle designed primarily for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition missions, with the ability to carry a wide range of payloads. The compact tracked platform measures roughly 1.85 metres in length, 1.35 metres in width and about 1.45 metres in height, with a combat weight of up to 750 kilograms including mission equipment. It can be operated by remote control or in autonomous modes, enabling it to conduct patrols, approach suspected enemy positions or provide close support in urban environments while keeping operators under cover. Within Turkish doctrinal thinking, ASLAN is conceived as a forward robotic scout and remote weapon carrier that extends the brigade’s situational awareness and firepower into high-risk areas where human exposure would be unacceptable.
The platform’s modular architecture is central to this concept and allows a wide range of configurations. ASLAN can be fitted with the SARP-L stabilised remote weapon system armed with a 7.62×51 mm NATO FN MAG machine gun, providing day and night engagement of stationary or moving targets with “shoot-on-the-move” capability and automatic target tracking. Integrated electro-optical and thermal imaging sensors in the weapon station support observation and engagement at typical infantry combat distances, while a surveillance mast and panoramic camera suite can provide 360-degree situational awareness for overwatch or perimeter defence tasks. Additional payload options include a tethered drone system for elevated, long-endurance ISR, a long-range acoustic system for hailing and non-lethal effects, and a laser-guided mini-missile system, such as the METE precision munition, giving the UGV a short-range, line-of-sight strike capability against point targets like light vehicles, firing positions or weapon emplacements. This modularity allows the same base vehicle to be configured for reconnaissance, force protection, precision fire support or public-order missions, depending on operational requirements.
From a mobility and survivability standpoint, ASLAN combines a low silhouette with tracked running gear and electric propulsion, providing quiet movement and the ability to negotiate complex terrain. It reaches speeds of around 10 km/h and is designed to cross gaps of approximately 60 centimetres, climb longitudinal slopes of up to 60%, traverse lateral slopes of 30% and overcome vertical obstacles of around 20 centimetres, while fording water obstacles to a depth of about 40 centimetres. The platform’s endurance on internal power is reported to be up to seven hours, enabling sustained missions without frequent resupply. Front and rear LED headlights, infrared illumination, forward and rear driving cameras and a 360-degree surround-view system support day and night driving in confined or cluttered spaces. Two-way audio, with an onboard microphone and loudspeaker, allows remote interaction with friendly troops or civilians. Command and control are provided through a portable operator control unit that can be connected by cable or operated wirelessly at typical ranges of around 1.2 kilometres, with the ability to exploit 4G/LTE networks where available. ASLAN also incorporates functions such as sensor fusion, passable-area detection and dynamic path planning, allowing it to maintain movement and avoid obstacles autonomously, including during short-term GNSS or communications interruptions, which is critical for operations in contested electromagnetic environments.
Operationally, ASLAN’s introduction into Turkish service predates its NATO-level deployment. After factory and field trials, the system was first presented at national technology and defence exhibitions before, according to open sources, being deployed for border security missions. In those roles, the UGV has reportedly been used along Türkiye’s frontiers to patrol, detect and warn irregular movements, sometimes equipped with a long-range acoustic system to deliver instructions or warnings without placing personnel in harm’s way. NATO’s indication that the 66th Mechanised Brigade has been using ASLAN for about three years suggests that the platform has already been woven into standard tactics, techniques and procedures, including integration into mechanised company and battalion-level operations. During STEADFAST DART 26, these procedures are being tested and refined in a multinational environment, where ASLAN must operate in concert with allied reconnaissance assets, artillery, aviation and electronic warfare capabilities.
For NATO, the tactical significance of fielding ASLAN during STEADFAST DART 26 lies in the normalisation of armed unmanned ground systems within combined-arms manoeuvre, beyond traditional explosive ordnance disposal and logistics roles. The exercise scenarios stress rapid deployment, cross-border movement and high-tempo operations under a near-peer threat, forcing commanders and staffs to address concrete questions of connectivity, deconfliction and integration of robotic sensor feeds into multinational command-and-control networks. In practical terms, ASLAN can be sent ahead of infantry units to probe suspected enemy positions, detect ambushes, and provide immediate suppressive or precision fire through its remote weapon station or mini-missile payloads, reducing the exposure of dismounted soldiers during tasks such as route clearance, strongpoint reduction or urban breaching. In a broader strategic perspective, NATO’s decision to highlight ASLAN among the “innovative technologies” at STEADFAST DART 26 underlines the Alliance’s recognition that land robotics, inspired in part by the mass employment of unmanned systems in recent conflicts, is becoming a core component of future force structures.
The presence of ASLAN on German training grounds under NATO command goes well beyond a simple technology demonstration: it illustrates the transition of unmanned ground platforms from experimental projects to routine tools within high-readiness manoeuvre units. As STEADFAST DART 26 progresses, feedback on ASLAN’s performance in joint and combined scenarios, from reconnaissance and fire support to border-style security tasks, will inform future NATO concepts for integrating unmanned ground systems, influencing doctrine, interoperability standards and national procurement priorities. In a security environment characterised by rapid technological change and the imperative to reduce human exposure in high-threat environments, the Turkish ASLAN UGV provides a concrete glimpse of how NATO land forces may increasingly manoeuvre and fight with robotic systems at the forefront of the battlefield in the coming decade.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.
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U.S. and Canada Scramble F-35 and F-16 to Intercept Russian Tu-95 Bombers Near Alaska
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NORAD on February 19, 2026, detected a Russian air formation, including Tu-95 bombers and Su-35 fighters, operating inside the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone and launched a multi-aircraft intercept. The response underscores continued U.S. vigilance in the Arctic as Russian long-range aviation activity remains steady near North American airspace.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command announced February 19, 2026, that it detected and tracked a five-aircraft Russian formation operating within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, prompting the launch of two F-16 Fighting Falcons, two F-35 Lightning II fighters, an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, and four KC-135 Stratotankers to identify and escort the aircraft. According to NORAD, the formation included two Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bombers, two Sukhoi Su-35fighters, and one Beriev A-50 airborne early warning aircraft. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter the United States or Canadian sovereign territory, but their presence triggered a coordinated response designed to monitor and deter potential threats in the increasingly strategic Arctic region.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkNORAD deployed F-35s and F-16s after Russian Tu-95 bombers entered the Alaska ADIZ on February 19, 2026. (Picture source: RussianPlanes)
Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.
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Rheinmetall’s CT-025 Turret Chosen for Germany’s Future Luchs 2 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles
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Rheinmetall will supply its CT-025 unmanned turret, 25 mm main armament and simulators for Germany’s future Luchs 2 reconnaissance vehicles under a contract signed in February 2026. The award strengthens the Bundeswehr’s push to rebuild high-end land combat capabilities with digitally networked, survivable reconnaissance platforms built for NATO interoperability and long-term upgrades.
On 20 February 2026, Rheinmetall announced that General Dynamics European Land Systems, as prime contractor for the Bundeswehr’s next-generation Luchs 2 reconnaissance vehicle, has commissioned the company to supply the turret, main armament and corresponding simulators. The contract was signed in Kaiserslautern at the beginning of February 2026 and its value is in the mid three-digit million-euro range, covering the turret, weapon and training package. Set within Germany’s broader effort to rebuild high-end land capabilities after decades of expeditionary focus, the choice of a digitally networked unmanned turret, a NATO-standard 25 mm weapon system and an integrated simulation suite signals an emphasis on reconnaissance forces that can survive, share data and, when required, fight for information in contested environments. With deliveries due to start from 2029 onwards, the Luchs 2 configuration also underlines a wider intent to field platforms designed for long-term software-driven upgrades, faster sensor-to-decision cycles and improved interoperability with allied formations.
Rheinmetall has secured a mid three-digit million-euro contract to equip Germany’s future Luchs 2 reconnaissance vehicles with its CT-025 unmanned 25 mm turret and integrated training systems, with deliveries beginning in 2029 (Picture Source: GDELS / Rheinmetall)
The Luchs 2 programme is positioned as one of the German Army’s major land modernisation efforts, aimed at renewing armoured reconnaissance capacity and building a reconnaissance fleet suited to higher-intensity, networked operations. In its own October 2025 announcement, GDELS said Germany’s procurement authority BAAINBw had commissioned the company to deliver 274 next-generation reconnaissance vehicles for the German Army Reconnaissance Corps under the designation Luchs 2, with a contract value of approximately €3 billion. GDELS also stated that the reconnaissance vehicle will be based on the most modern PIRANHA 6x6 wheeled vehicle variant with amphibious capability and will succeed the light 4x4 Fennek reconnaissance vehicle.
Alongside the platform renewal, the programme also reflects a broader shift toward digitised land operations, where reconnaissance vehicles are expected to act as sensor nodes as much as protected mobility assets. Germany’s Digitalization of Land-Based Operations initiative is intended to integrate and standardise land-force IT and communications across vehicle and platform systems, and Rheinmetall has previously described its role in that programme as a major IT integration effort for the Bundeswehr’s land forces. In Luchs 2 terms, this strategic direction makes architectural choices around open interfaces, interoperability and software upgradability particularly relevant, because the reconnaissance value of the vehicle increasingly depends on how quickly it can collect, process and share data across formations and joint networks.
Within that framework, Rheinmetall described its contract package as comprising 274 CT-025 medium-calibre turrets and the Oerlikon KBA 25 mm automatic cannon, plus modern simulation systems. The company stated that the largest share of the contract package will be fulfilled by Rheinmetall Electronics in Bremen, and it characterised the order as the first major series contract for its newly developed CT-025 modular unmanned turret family. Rheinmetall further stated that the 274 turrets are to be delivered by 2031 and that Luchs 2 will receive a modified CT-025 version compliant with Bundeswehr requirements.
Rheinmetall’s description of the Bundeswehr-specific turret configuration underlines how the CT-025 is being adapted for a reconnaissance role that must balance automation, protection and crew situational awareness. According to the company, the turret combines state-of-the-art sensor technology and digital networking, with a stabilised vision system intended to enable precise engagement against ground and air targets, including drones, and a fully digital fire-control system incorporating inertial weapon stabilisation, a ballistic computer and GVA/NGVA-compatible interfaces to maintain accuracy while the vehicle is moving. Rheinmetall also highlighted a distinctive Bundeswehr feature: a turret hatch supplemented by ballistic protection, allowing an open, protected position while commanding the vehicle in motion. To meet maximum weight requirements, Rheinmetall stated that the ammunition supply has been adapted to the mission and the height profile optimised to ensure compatibility with other platforms.
A central element in Rheinmetall’s positioning of the CT-025 is its software-driven growth model. The company stated that the turret’s open modular framework enables full integration into Rheinmetall Battlesuite, described as the group’s digital “capability store,” allowing functions such as AI-supported target tracking or mission-specific software upgrades to be integrated quickly without hardware modifications. In practical terms for Luchs 2, this approach supports an upgrade path where new algorithms, interfaces and mission functions can be fielded in response to evolving threats and changing rulesets, without requiring a turret redesign cycle.
For armament, Rheinmetall stated that Luchs 2 will use the proven Oerlikon KBA 25 mm automatic cannon in the NATO-standard 25 x 137 calibre, manufactured by Rheinmetall Italia in Rome. Rheinmetall said the weapon has been manufactured more than 6,000 times and identified three firing modes: single shot, rapid single fire at around 175 rounds per minute and burst fire at around 600 rounds per minute, with a dual-belt feed and a range of up to 2,500 metres. The company stated the weapon can penetrate the armour of most modern armoured personnel carriers and emphasised that new 25 x 137 proximity-fuse ammunition improves effectiveness against drones, reinforcing the gun’s relevance for reconnaissance vehicles operating under persistent UAS surveillance and attack risks.
Rheinmetall also argued that the KBA’s low recoil enables integration across a wide range of platforms, from heavy tracked vehicles to light armoured reconnaissance vehicles, and across manned and unmanned turrets as well as anti-aircraft mounts and naval applications. The company explicitly linked that versatility to the prospect of a cross-platform main-weapon approach for the Bundeswehr, which would create synergies in training, maintenance and logistics if applied beyond Luchs 2.
The programme’s reconnaissance effect is designed to come not only from mobility and protection, but also from sensor performance and mission-system integration. In November 2025, Hensoldt announced that it had received a major order worth just under €1 billion from GDELS to equip the German Armed Forces’ Luchs 2 with sensor technology and the CERETRON mission system over the next seven years. Hensoldt described CERETRON as the central mission system in Luchs 2, integrating multiple sensors across spectra, processing data in real time to generate a consistent tactical situation picture, and using AI-supported image processing to automatically detect, identify and track objects and persons. Hensoldt also stated that the mission system includes a radio direction finder, a laser warning system and acoustic sensors, supporting sensor fusion and rapid threat cueing, and that CERETRON’s NGVA-compliant, software-defined architecture is designed to remain scalable across the vehicle life cycle.
Training and simulation are embedded in Rheinmetall’s scope, reflecting the need to build readiness for crews expected to operate forward, dispersed and under time pressure. Rheinmetall stated that GDELS has commissioned the development and delivery of six combat simulation training devices for vehicle-based reconnaissance troops, with the reference system scheduled for delivery in mid-2028 and later upgraded to the same standard as the other five series devices. Rheinmetall described AGFS as replicating vehicle logic, sensor technology and ballistics to support realistic training aligned with the “train as you fight” concept, and designed for networking with other simulators or compatible systems. Rheinmetall also stated that AGDUS, its laser-based live simulation system, will be fully integrated into the future fleet, enabling realistic training from firing exercises to large-scale combat training centre activities using original display and control elements, drawing on an installation approach proven in the Puma and Lynx programmes.
Strategically, Luchs 2 is relevant because it strengthens Germany’s ability to generate and sustain reconnaissance mass for collective defence, while improving how quickly information can be turned into decisions across the land domain. A fleet of 274 reconnaissance vehicles, combined with a mission system built around automated sensor fusion and a turret architecture designed for digital networking and software upgrades, supports shorter sensor-to-decision cycles and more resilient reconnaissance under electronic warfare pressure. For NATO, a modern German reconnaissance capability contributes to a more credible posture on the Alliance’s eastern flank by improving early warning, target-quality situational awareness and the ability to sustain reconnaissance in contested environments, while interoperability-oriented standards such as NGVA support multinational integration as formations train and deploy together.
Looking ahead, the Luchs 2 package illustrates how armoured reconnaissance is being redefined by the convergence of persistent drone surveillance, electronic warfare and faster artillery kill chains. In this environment, reconnaissance vehicles are increasingly required to operate as survivable, networked collectors that can sense, classify and transmit faster than an adversary can locate and strike, while retaining enough organic firepower to suppress threats and break contact without waiting for heavier forces. By combining an unmanned, software-upgradable turret architecture, a 25 mm system explicitly framed around counter-drone effectiveness, and a training ecosystem designed to accelerate readiness before large-scale fielding, Luchs 2 is positioned as a practical answer to the “fight for information” problem now shaping land operations, with direct implications for how Germany generates reconnaissance capacity for NATO’s deterrence posture.
Rheinmetall quoted Timo Haas, Head of its Digital Systems Division, describing the Luchs 2 contract package as a significant success for Rheinmetall’s Bremen site and its colleagues in Rome, and as a signal in favour of European defence cooperation. With vehicle deliveries due from 2029 onwards, turret deliveries planned by 2031, and simulator delivery milestones set ahead of fleet fielding, the programme now has defined industrial and schedule anchors for the turret, weapon and training ecosystem that will shape how quickly Luchs 2 can translate its sensor and networking ambitions into operational readiness for German forces and NATO commitments.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.
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Russia Sends Upgraded BREM-80 Recovery Vehicles with Anti-Drone Protection to Ukraine Front
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Rostec announced on February 20, 2026, that Uralvagonzavod delivered a new batch of modernized BREM-80 armored repair and recovery vehicles to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, highlighting upgrades shaped by combat in Ukraine. The changes, especially a mechanized under-armor coupling system and added anti-drone protection, underscore how sustainment under fire has become central to modern armored warfare.
Rostec disclosed on February 20, 2026, that Uralvagonzavod has delivered a new batch of modernized BREM-80 armored repair and recovery vehicles to Russia’s Ministry of Defense ahead of Defender of the Fatherland Day. The company frames the upgrade package as a direct response to battlefield realities in Ukraine, where recovery crews operate under constant pressure from drones, artillery, and loitering munitions. The most consequential changes center on improved crew protection and a mechanized coupling system that lets operators attach, hook up, and begin towing damaged armor without stepping outside the vehicle, reducing exposure during the most vulnerable moments of a recovery mission.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkModernized BREM-80 T-80-based armored recovery vehicle with heavy winches, an 18-ton-class crane, a dozer-spade anchor, and a mechanized coupling for rapid under-armor towing and extraction under drone and artillery threat (Picture source: Army Recognition Group).
The BREM-80 is best understood as a recovery system built around the mobility and automotive baseline of the T-80family. Rostec confirms the vehicle uses a T-80 chassis and a gas turbine powerpack, emphasizing rapid start-up and high mobility, including in extreme cold. In practical terms, that turbine architecture is valued for acceleration and cold-weather responsiveness, qualities that matter when an ARV has to sprint forward under fire, winch a disabled tank free, and reverse out before counter-battery or FPV drones arrive. The GTD-1250 class turbine associated with later T-80 variants is typically rated around 1,250 hp, enabling road speeds in the 70 km/h range on the parent platform, and giving the recovery vehicle enough power reserve to work while carrying heavy specialist equipment.
The recovery suite is where the BREM-80 earns its keep. Open technical descriptions of the BREM-80U configuration, widely associated with the T-80-based recovery concept, describe a main hydraulic winch rated at roughly 35 ton-force, rising to about 140 ton-force with a pulley block arrangement, plus an auxiliary winch around 1 ton-force for line handling and lighter tasks. Reported cable length is about 160 meters, with a high payout speed that is useful when working from defilade or when the ARV must stay behind cover while the tow line reaches forward. A hydraulic crane in the 18-ton class supports powerpack swaps, suspension work, and turret handling in controlled conditions, but on the front, it is more often used for rapid component replacement, obstacle clearing, and battlefield expedients that keep a vehicle mobile enough to self-recover or be towed.
Rostec also underlines two pieces of kit that are directly shaped by Ukraine’s threat environment: hydraulic winches integrated with a bulldozer-type spade, and the mechanized coupling system. The dozer-spade is more than a blade. When dropped, it anchors the vehicle so the winch can develop maximum pull without dragging the ARV forward, and it also helps clear rubble, berms, and collapsed structures that increasingly define the battlefield around fortified villages and industrial zones. The mechanized coupling, meanwhile, is a tactical answer to a grim reality: in drone-saturated areas, the most dangerous moment for a recovery crew is often stepping outside to attach shackles and tow bars. If the coupling mechanism can be engaged from under armor, it compresses the exposure timeline and reduces the signature of a recovery effort, which in Ukraine is frequently hunted within minutes.
Imagery associated with the program hints at how protection is being treated as a system rather than a single fix. A Rostec-released photo shows a BREM-80 fitted with an overhead protective framework and netting above the superstructure, consistent with the broader Russian trend of adding improvised or semi-standard anti-drone screens to blunt top-attack FPV profiles and disrupt munition flight paths. While such add-ons are not a guarantee against shaped charges, their spread across multiple Russian vehicle types suggests commanders are willing to trade some height and convenience for a small but meaningful improvement in survivability during the slow, deliberate work of towing and winching. Combined with smoke grenade launchers visible on the vehicle, the direction is clear: recoveries are expected to take place under observation and threat, not behind a tidy rear-area perimeter.
Rostec’s claim that the BREM-80 can tow not only Soviet and Russian vehicles but also heavier Western tanks is operationally significant. On the Ukrainian front, recovery is not just about saving one hull. It is about preserving combat power, denying the enemy intelligence windfalls, and keeping repair cycles short enough to sustain tempo. The company points to a dramatic demonstration from the Rembat-2018 competition, where a BREM-80 reportedly evacuated six coupled T-80 tanks with a combined mass exceeding 270 tons, a spectacle intended to validate reserve traction, cooling margins, and drivetrain durability under extreme drawbar loads. Whether that scenario is typical or not, it speaks to the design intent: this is an ARV expected to deal with worst-case extractions, including bogged vehicles, damaged tanks with locked tracks, and multi-vehicle recovery trains in poor terrain.
So why does Russia need the BREM-80 now, and why rush it toward the Ukrainian battlefront? Because armored warfare in Ukraine has become a contest of sustainment under fire as much as a contest of gunnery. Tanks and IFVs are routinely disabled by mines, artillery fragments, FPV strikes, and mobility kills that are repairable if the vehicle can be pulled out quickly, but irrecoverable if abandoned. Every hull left forward risks capture, exploitation, or destruction by follow-on fires. Recovery units, therefore, sit at the center of force regeneration, and Russia’s modernization emphasis on protected coupling is a tacit admission that legacy recovery tactics are no longer survivable when drones can cue artillery and guide attackers onto a stationary ARV.
For Russian formations that still rely heavily on the T-80 family, a T-80-chassis ARV also solves a practical problem: matched mobility. Recovery vehicles must go where the tanks go, at the same speed, across the same soil, and through the same obstacles. A slower, lighter ARV becomes a bottleneck or a casualty. The turbine-powered BREM-80, with its cold-start advantage and high acceleration, is tailored to keep pace with T-80 units in winter and in the muddy shoulder seasons that define much of eastern and southern Ukraine. Rostec’s separate emphasis on Arctic suitability is not a distraction, but it doubles as an argument for responsiveness and readiness, the same qualities that matter when recovery windows are measured in minutes on the frontline.
The renewed push behind BREM-80 deliveries highlights a mature adaptation cycle inside Russia’s armored-industrial ecosystem: protection upgrades are no longer confined to tanks and IFVs, but are propagating into the enabling fleet that actually keeps battalions in the fight. If the mechanized coupling performs as advertised under combat conditions, it will not merely save vehicles. It will save trained specialists, reduce recovery times, and tighten Russia’s repair-and-return loop, which in Ukraine can translate directly into more armor available for the next assault cycle.
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Poland Demonstrates SAN Short-Range Air Defense as Drone Threat Grows
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Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa unveiled key components of its SAN short-range air defense system on February 19, 2026, at the Military Institute of Armament Technology in Zielonka, outlining plans to deploy it along Poland’s eastern border by year’s end. The move strengthens Warsaw’s low-altitude defense posture as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to reshape NATO’s eastern flank security environment.
Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, the state-owned Polish Armaments Group, publicly presented core elements of its new SAN short-range air defense system during a demonstration on February 19, 2026, at the Military Institute of Armament Technology in Zielonka, signaling Warsaw’s intent to field the system along Poland’s eastern border before the end of the year. Officials framed the rollout as a direct response to the evolving aerial threat landscape driven by Russia’s war against Ukraine, particularly the growing use of low-flying drones, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions. The SAN system is designed to reinforce short-range, low-altitude protection, complementing Poland’s layered air and missile defense architecture that includes Patriot and Narew programs. By accelerating deployment timelines, Warsaw is underscoring the urgency of bolstering territorial air defense across NATO’s eastern flank.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkSAN short-range air defense moves toward deployment as Poland strengthens protection against evolving aerial threats. (Picture source: Poland MoD)
The event at WITU brought together an extensive display of aerial and land-based unmanned systems covering strike, reconnaissance, and transport roles. Companies from PGZ presented their solutions alongside military and civilian research institutes, including WITU, ITWL, WITPiS, and the Łukasiewicz Research Network PIAP. The demonstration was framed not only as a technical showcase but as a strategic signal. Polish officials stated that the development of drone forces and the construction of the SAN shield are now considered a duty and a priority, emphasizing that the war in Ukraine has fundamentally altered the way deterrence and defense operations are conducted.
According to officials present in Zielonka, building capabilities to counter unmanned aerial vehicles is a task that involves the Polish Armed Forces, state and private defense companies, and the national scientific community. They underlined that technology in this domain increasingly determines battlefield superiority and the safety of the civilian population. In that context, reference was made to the SAFE program, designed to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies and to supplement Poland’s defensive capabilities in a compressed timeframe.
SAN is conceived as a short-range, battery-level counter-uncrewed aerial system architecture optimized for low-altitude threats. While detailed procurement data were not reiterated during the February 19 presentation, earlier information indicated that 18 SAN batteries are to be fielded, structured around three fire platoons and one support platoon per battery. This modular organization allows dispersion along vulnerable sectors of the eastern frontier while maintaining centralized coordination through the support element.
Technically, SAN integrates specialized counter-small UAS radars operating in the X-band, optimized for detecting targets with very low radar cross-sections such as micro and mini UAVs flying close to the ground. These sensors are designed to detect and track drones at tactically relevant distances despite ground clutter and terrain masking. Dedicated tracking radars then refine target data, shortening the sensor-to-shooter loop and enabling rapid engagement in complex environments.
The effector layer combines 35 millimeter air defense gun systems equipped with programmable airburst ammunition and 70 millimeter guided rockets. The 35 millimeter systems, developed by PIT-RADWAR, fire programmable rounds that detonate at a pre-set point along the projectile’s trajectory, dispersing fragments to increase the probability of kill against small and fast-moving aerial targets. This approach is particularly suited to countering drone swarms at a lower cost per engagement than missile-based interceptors. The 70 millimeter guided rockets extend the engagement range to several kilometers and provide a precision option against individual drones or small groups operating beyond the effective envelope of guns.
Remote weapon stations from Kongsberg’s PROTECTOR family are integrated into the system, offering digitally controlled, unmanned turrets capable of sustained firing while crews remain under armor. All components are mounted on wheeled platforms, largely based on domestically produced Jelcz and Legwan chassis, enhancing mobility and survivability. This mobility is critical for covering dispersed infrastructure and adapting to shifting threat axes along the eastern border.
Within each battery, the support platoon incorporates longer-range three-dimensional radars with 360-degree coverage and Identification Friend or Foe capability. This broader surveillance layer provides early warning against loitering munitions and one-way attack drones before they penetrate inner defensive rings. It also contributes to disciplined fire allocation by reducing the risk of engaging false tracks, an issue that becomes acute under sustained drone activity.
Operationally, SAN is designed to create overlapping short-range defensive zones capable of protecting maneuver units, logistics hubs, airfields, and critical infrastructure. The autonomous fire platoons can operate independently if required, ensuring continuity of defense even under electronic warfare pressure or degraded communications. By combining rapid detection, layered effectors, and networked command and control, the system seeks to mitigate the economic and operational asymmetry posed by low-cost drones deployed in large numbers.
The emphasis placed in Zielonka on both drone development and counter-drone protection reflects a broader transformation of Poland’s defense posture. The experience of the war in Ukraine has demonstrated that unmanned systems shape reconnaissance, targeting, and strike operations at every echelon. In response, Warsaw is investing simultaneously in offensive unmanned capabilities and in defensive architectures such as SAN. The deployment of this short-range shield along NATO’s eastern flank signals a strategic intent to harden national territory and reinforcement corridors against persistent aerial threats, reinforcing deterrence through resilience and technological adaptation.
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Iran Builds Layered Missile and Mine Shield Against U.S. Carriers in Strait of Hormuz
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Iran has built a layered anti-access strategy centered on mines, submarines, anti-ship missiles, swarm craft, and air defenses to complicate any U.S. campaign in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. The design is less about decisive victory and more about stretching U.S. missile defenses, logistics, and political tolerance long enough to shape escalation on Tehran’s terms.
Iran’s defensive design for a clash with the United States is built less around winning decisive naval or air battles and more around manufacturing sustained friction at every layer of the campaign. The intent is to pull U.S. forces into a dense, overlapping threat environment where time, interceptor inventories, and political tolerance become the real centers of gravity. Tehran’s architecture aims to force carrier air wings, Aegis destroyers, and regional airbases to fight for access step by step, while its most survivable launchers keep operating after fixed sites and static radars have been hit. The decisive question is not whether Iran can reliably sink a carrier or permanently bar stealth aircraft, but whether it can keep the Strait of Hormuz unsafe, keep U.S. strike packages stressed, and keep U.S. missile defense magazines bleeding long enough to shape escalation on Iran’s terms.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkIran's naval and air defense strategy fuses mines, submarines, coastal anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles, swarm tactics, andlayered SAMs to turn the Strait of Hormuz into a high-risk "magazine-drain" fight, designed to pressure U.S. carriers, Aegis destroyers, tankers, and supporting ISR and tanker aircraft through saturation and dispersed, survivable launchers (Picture source: Tasnim).
At the core is an institutional split that is operationally meaningful in wartime: the regular Navy for a broader Gulf of Oman presence, and the IRGC Navy for the Persian Gulf and Strait fight, paired with “mosaic” decentralization meant to keep local commands lethal even under heavy electronic attack and decapitation pressure. This matters because U.S. plans rely on compressing the battlespace through rapid suppression of air defenses, maritime surveillance dominance, and the destruction of launchers. Iran’s answer is dispersion, redundancy, and volume: many small launch points, many cheap shooters, and enough mid-tier systems to complicate every phase of a U.S. air-sea campaign.
The fastest way Iran changes the war’s geometry is mining. Open-source and intelligence-linked estimates commonly place Iran’s stockpile in the thousands, often cited in the 5,000 to 6,000 range, including bottom and influence mines that are slow to clear and disproportionately disruptive. Iran does not need a “perfect” minefield; it needs doubt. Even suspected mines can pause commercial traffic, surge insurance rates, and force the U.S. Navy into a time-consuming mine countermeasures campaign under missile threat. The practical U.S. targets are not only carriers but the connective tissue: tankers, fast sealift routes, and the MCM force itself. In a Hormuz contingency, Iran’s midget submarines and small craft are optimized to seed chokepoints quickly while coastal missiles and drones attempt to keep helicopter-borne and surface mine countermeasure units at arm’s length.
Under the surface, Iran’s submarine mix is designed for ambush rather than sea control. Its three Russian-built Kilo-class derivatives, known locally as the Tareq class, are equipped with standard 533 mm torpedo tubes, capable of firing heavyweight torpedoes and laying mines. Their endurance and relative quiet make them credible ambush platforms in the Gulf of Oman, though they are constrained by shallow waters and persistent U.S. anti-submarine warfare coverage in the Persian Gulf. More relevant in confined waters are Iran’s smaller Ghadir and Nahang-class midget submarines. These boats are optimized for short-range surprise, mine insertion, and special operations. In a U.S. fight, their job is to force P-8A Poseidon patrol patterns, MH-60R dipping sonar cycles, and escort screens to stay tight, reducing U.S. freedom to reposition and sustain operational tempo. That defensive effect can be more valuable to Tehran than a single torpedo hit, because it stretches U.S. decision time and complicates the choreography of strike and resupply.
Where Iran becomes most technically dangerous to U.S. surface forces is the coastal anti-ship missile belt and its expanding reach into the Gulf of Oman. The Noor and Qader families, derived from Chinese C-802 technology, are sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missiles with reported ranges between 200 and 300 kilometers and warheads of around 200 kilograms in the Qader configuration. They are deployable from mobile coastal launchers, surface vessels, and selected aircraft. More strategically significant is Iran’s push toward longer-range anti-ship cruise missiles in the 1,000-kilometer class, exemplified by systems such as the Ghadr-380. Even if real-world wartime accuracy proves lower than claimed, extended reach forces U.S. naval planners to assume that ships operating in the Sea of Oman can be held at risk while Iranian launch crews remain under hardened cover deep inland.
These cruise missiles are designed to stress Aegis-equipped destroyers and cruisers armed with SM-2, SM-6, and ESSM interceptors. A coordinated salvo of sea-skimming missiles approaching at low altitude compresses radar reaction time and forces escorts to commit valuable long-range interceptors before transitioning to point-defense systems such as SeaRAM and Phalanx. Iran’s concept is to mix missile profiles, altitudes, and azimuths, possibly combined with electronic attack and decoys, to complicate fire control solutions and create opportunities for leakers.
Iran’s anti-ship ballistic missile narrative centers on systems derived from the Fateh-110 family. The Khalij Fars is assessed as having a range of approximately 300 kilometers and a maneuvering reentry vehicle equipped with an electro-optical seeker for terminal guidance against moving ships. The Hormuz-2 variant is described as a radar-homing or anti-radiation missile intended to target emitting warships or shore-based radars. A ballistic terminal dive at high supersonic speed drastically shortens engagement timelines. For U.S. naval forces, this means compressed decision cycles and reliance on layered missile defense, including SM-series interceptors, electronic warfare, decoys, and strict emission control. For Iran, the value lies in saturation and ambiguity, pairing ballistic threats with cruise missiles, drones, and swarming surface craft to overload sensors and deplete magazine depth.
The swarm layer is central to IRGC naval doctrine. Fast attack craft armed with short-range anti-ship missiles, rockets, and heavy machine guns are intended to operate from cluttered coastlines and island positions, exploiting geography that is difficult to surveil continuously. These craft are not expected to duel a destroyer in open water. Their role is to force U.S. escorts into defensive counter-swarm cycles, draw helicopters and fighters into protective orbits, and complicate rules of engagement in traffic-dense waters. When combined with unmanned surface vehicles and one-way attack drones, the swarm concept also introduces unfavorable cost exchange ratios, with high-end U.S. interceptors expended against relatively low-cost threats.
Iran has invested in over-the-horizon radar systems such as Ghadir and Sepehr to extend early warning and maritime domain awareness. While actual wartime performance under electronic attack remains uncertain, these sensors are intended to provide initial cueing for long-range missile engagements. Iran has also experimented with forward base ship concepts capable of deploying unmanned aerial vehicles, offering persistence and reconnaissance in areas beyond the immediate coastline. Together, these elements aim to tighten the sensor-to-shooter chain against U.S. surface groups or, at a minimum, maintain contact long enough to launch coordinated salvos.
Iran’s air defense network forms the second pillar of its denial strategy, intended to blunt the U.S. air campaign that would otherwise dismantle its maritime threat. The system is organized under a centralized air defense headquarters with a layered architecture. Long-range assets include the Russian-supplied S-300PMU2 and the indigenous Bavar-373, reportedly armed with Sayyad-4B interceptors with engagement ranges approaching 300 kilometers and altitudes exceeding 30 kilometers. These systems are designed to threaten high-value support aircraft such as tankers, ISR platforms, and non-stealth strike aircraft operating near the periphery of Iranian airspace.
Mid-range systems such as the 3rd Khordad and Khordad-15 families provide mobility and multi-target engagement capability. The 3rd Khordad system demonstrated its lethality in 2019 with the shootdown of a U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk, underscoring Iran’s ability to target high-altitude ISR platforms under favorable conditions. Khordad-15 is reported to detect and track multiple targets beyond 100 kilometers and is optimized against cruise missiles and low-observable targets at shorter ranges. In operational terms, this layer is meant to complicate U.S. stand-off strike campaigns employing Tomahawk cruise missiles and air-launched weapons such as JASSM-ER, forcing greater allocation of suppression assets and decoys.
Short-range defenses, including Tor-M1 and various indigenous systems, provide point protection for key installations, air bases, and missile sites. However, recent combat experience has exposed vulnerabilities in network integration, redundancy, and resilience under sustained precision strike. A determined U.S. campaign blending stealth aircraft, cyber operations, electronic warfare, and precision munitions would likely degrade fixed radar sites and command nodes in the opening phase.
Iran’s most credible path to success, therefore, is not to maintain an intact air defense umbrella across its territory. It is to preserve enough mobile launchers, dispersed missile batteries, and decentralized command elements to keep pockets of risk alive long enough for its maritime denial strategy to take effect. Mines in chokepoints, cruise and ballistic missiles threatening surface combatants, and layered air defenses challenging ISR and support aircraft together form a unified anti-access and area-denial construct.
The United States retains overwhelming superiority in ISR, precision strike, and battle management. Yet Iran’s defensive architecture is designed to exploit geography, compress engagement timelines, and impose cumulative cost. In a conflict defined by escalation management and political thresholds, Tehran’s objective is clear: not a decisive battlefield victory, but the creation of sustained operational friction that forces Washington to reconsider the price of prolonged intervention in the Gulf.
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U.S. Army Fields 3 Millionth M734A1 Mortar Fuze Boosting 60–120mm Airburst Power
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L3Harris Technologies has delivered its three millionth M734A1 multi-option mortar fuze to the United States Army, marking a major production milestone for a safety-critical component used across 60 mm, 81 mm, and 120 mm mortar systems. The delivery underscores sustained U.S. munitions base capacity and reinforces the Army’s ability to tailor airburst, impact, or delay effects for safer and more adaptable close support fires.
Precision in mortar fire is often determined not by the tube, but by the fuze that governs when and how the round functions at the target. In its February 17, 2026, press release, L3Harris Technologies announced delivery of its three millionth M734A1 Multi-Option Fuze for Mortars to the U.S. Army, a production threshold that signals sustained capacity in a safety-critical component central to close support fires. The company positions the M734A1 as the latest NATO-standard fuze for U.S. 60 mm, 81 mm, and 120 mm high-explosive mortar cartridges, enabling crews to select proximity airburst, impact, or delay effects to match terrain and target posture while maintaining interoperability with allied ammunition stocks. L3Harris also highlights overhead safety refinements intended to reduce risk when mortar sections fire in proximity to friendly maneuver elements.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkL3Harris has delivered its three millionth M734A1 multi-option mortar fuze to the U.S. Army, expanding a NATO-standard capability that lets 60 mm, 81 mm and 120 mm crews select proximity airburst, impact, or delay effects for safer, more adaptable close-support fires (Picture source: U.S. Army).
Mortars remain the most responsive indirect-fire tool inside infantry formations, and the fuze is the component that determines whether a round becomes a precise, terrain-adapted effect or an imprecise blast. The M734A1 sits at the nose of the projectile and gives crews a practical set of choices at the point of employment, without changing the weapon or the ammunition body. L3Harris describes the fuze as combat-proven and emphasizes its multi-option capability as a way to increase operational flexibility, particularly when U.S. and NATO formations operate side by side and need predictable effects from shared logistics.
The M734A1 is a compact, standardized assembly built for the realities of mortar handling and rapid setting under pressure. Published data lists a 20-year shelf life and operating temperatures spanning roughly -40 C to +63 C, a range aligned with global deployment cycles rather than garrison storage. The fuze incorporates two environmental safety features and is compliant with key U.S. military standards and NATO STANAG requirements, reinforcing that the design is engineered as much for safe storage, transport, and handling as for terminal function.
The heart of the capability is the selectable function set, especially the height-of-burst. The M734A1 provides proximity height-of-burst modes at 7 feet for 60 mm and 81 mm mortar cartridges and 14 feet for 120 mm cartridges, alongside point detonating and delay options. Those numbers matter because fragmentation effects are often maximized by detonating above the ground rather than inside it, particularly against exposed infantry, troops in shallow fighting positions, and dismounts moving between cover. A low airburst can push fragments laterally across a target area, while delay can help defeat light cover, thin roofs, or fieldworks that would otherwise shield the enemy from surface bursts.
L3Harris also highlights an apex sensor for improved overhead safety and improved proximity accuracy compared to the legacy M734 fuze. In U.S. Army terms, the safety problem is not hypothetical: mortar sections routinely fire in support of maneuver elements at ranges where friendly forces may be forward and sometimes close. Army program documentation for 120 mm mortar ammunition credits the M734A1 with improving safety by eliminating up-leg early functions, a blunt phrase for a failure mode that every mortar commander fears. The M734A1’s published arming behavior reinforces that intent, with no arm indicated at 100 meters and all arms at 300 meters, alongside setback and airflow safety thresholds designed to prevent accidental initiation during handling or abnormal launch conditions.
Where the fuze becomes operationally decisive is the way it standardizes effects across the Army’s three mortar calibers that anchor infantry and Stryker formations. For company mortars, the 60 mm M720A1 high-explosive cartridge is explicitly described in Army program material as a multi-option fuze round designed for the M224 and M224A1 Lightweight Company Mortar System in light infantry battalions, delivering fragmentation and blast effects out to 3,400 meters. At the battalion level, the 81 mm M821 series is similarly paired with the M734A1, designed for use in the M252 and M252A1 mortar system against personnel and light materiel, with a published maximum range of 5,859 meters and a sustained rate of fire that supports high-tempo suppression.
At the heavy end, the M734A1 is tied to the 120 mm M934A1 high explosive cartridge, fired from the M120A1 towed and M121 carrier-mounted battalion mortar systems, with Army documentation listing a 7,200-meter maximum range and a maximum rate of fire of 16 rounds per minute. The same program source notes that the 120 mm M929 white phosphorous smoke cartridge also exists in configurations using the M734A1, linking lethal and obscuration missions to a common fuze family. In practice, that commonality reduces training friction and simplifies ammunition management, especially for units preparing for combined arms training rotations or forward deployments where load plans and resupply are constrained.
The M734A1 supports how the U.S. Army actually fights with mortars in 2026: distributed teams, rapid sensor-to-shooter cycles, and constant trade-offs between lethality, collateral risk, and time. Height-of-burst is often the first lever a mortar leader pulls when the target is dismounted infantry, because the effect can be decisive without requiring perfect impact placement. Near-surface and impact functions remain valuable for adjustments and for targets where a hard signature is needed for observers and fire correction. Delay becomes the more surgical choice when enemies use vegetation, berms, or light construction to mask themselves from fragments, allowing mortar sections to create effects that feel closer to a shaped battlefield tool than a blunt explosive.
The industrial signal in the three-million figure is also worth reading carefully. A fuze is not a commodity component; it is a controlled, safety-critical device that must survive years in storage, rough transport, and the unique acceleration and airflow environment of mortar launch. L3Harris positions the milestone as an indicator of experience and quality, with Missile Solutions President Scott Alexander stating that the company has delivered mortar fuzing solutions for more than 25 years and describing the three millionth M734A1 as a reflection of expertise and commitment to the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and NATO allies. In an era when the U.S. munitions base is under scrutiny for capacity and consistency, sustained delivery of modern fuzing is one of the quiet prerequisites for credible readiness.
In the field, the value of the M734A1 is ultimately measured by how often it gives commanders the effect they intended, at the range and timing they expected, with safety margins that stand up to real-world pressure. The three million delivery milestone does not change how mortars are aimed or how rounds are carried, but it reinforces something more fundamental: the U.S. Army’s most routinely used indirect-fire weapon is being paired, at scale, with a fuze built to make its effects more adaptable, more interoperable, and safer to employ in the close fight.
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Lithuania Finalizes Receipt of 500 U.S.-Made JLTVs Becoming Largest Operator Outside the United States
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Lithuania confirmed it received the final two U.S.-made Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, completing a 500-vehicle JLTV fleet under a long-running procurement effort. The milestone strengthens Vilnius’ division-level force ambitions and deepens defense ties with Washington through a government-to-government acquisition model.
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence, Lithuania on 18 February 2026 formally completedthe delivery of 500 U.S.-made Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, after receiving the final two units of the fleet. The program, executed through U.S. government-to-government cooperation, represents one of Vilnius’ most significant recent modernization efforts and replaces legacy light utility vehicles across multiple formations. Officials frame the JLTV acquisition as central to Lithuania’s push toward division-level capability and enhanced NATO interoperability, particularly along the alliance’s eastern flank. The steady delivery cadence culminating in mid-February underscores both industrial reliability and Lithuania’s sustained investment in high-mobility, protected platforms suited for Baltic terrain and deterrence missions.
Lithuania has completed delivery of a 500-vehicle fleet of U.S.-made Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, marking a major step in its push to strengthen division-level capability and NATO interoperability (Picture Source: Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence)
The ministry states the JLTV acquisition project began in 2019, when it signed a procurement contract with the U.S. Government. Manufacturing was carried out by Oshkosh Defense, and deliveries were executed in two stages, 200 vehicles first and 300 in the second tranche, bringing the total to 500 advanced armored vehicles now in Lithuanian Armed Forces service.
Lithuania’s defence leadership ties the fleet directly to operational utility rather than symbolism. Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas said the completion marks a strategic stage of capability enhancement supporting development of the national division and deterrence, emphasizing the platform’s high crew safety and mobility features and its role across reconnaissance, fire support, and command operations. In practice, that language signals the JLTV as a connective tissue vehicle, the kind that helps units move, see, and command under pressure while keeping crews protected.
Air defence is deliberately stitched into the JLTV story. Kaunas noted that, because air defence remains a top priority, part of the purchased vehicles are RBS70 NG short-range air defence system-capable. The ministry repeats the same point in its technical description, presenting compatibility with the RBS70 NG as an embedded feature of the fleet rather than a separate add-on, indicating that at least a portion of Lithuania’s JLTVs are intended to move and support short-range air defence teams as a mobile element of the force.
U.S. diplomatic messaging in the release pushes the scale of the fleet as a benchmark. U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Kara C. McDonald said that with deliveries complete, Lithuania becomes the largest JLTV operator outside of the United States, describing it as a historical achievement that highlights American engineering and Lithuania’s NATO-wide commitment as a leading defence spender. She added that the JLTV will strengthen rapid response capability and improve interoperability with Allies, framing the program as a tangible example of burden-sharing and the strength of the U.S.-Lithuania bond.
The ministry’s own characterization of the platform centers on three traits: crew security, mobility, and versatility, calling the JLTV an efficient choice for complex operations. It describes the vehicle as a platform supporting reconnaissance, fire support, operational command, and other tasks, which aligns with Lithuania’s broader goal of fielding forces that can move quickly and coordinate effectively under NATO standards, especially as it modernizes across multiple lines of effort.
Vilnius situates the JLTV procurement within a wider modernization curve aimed at full national division development by 2030 and stronger comprehensive deterrence. The ministry notes that the armed forces modernization is ongoing, with more planning expected in the coming year, and states that approximately 60 percent of the defence budget is earmarked for modernization this year, a signal that platforms like the JLTV and RBS70 NG-capable variants are being funded as part of a sustained, not episodic, investment pattern.
Lithuania’s completion of the 500-vehicle JLTV fleet is presented by the Ministry of National Defence as both a finished procurement milestone and a functional step toward division-level readiness, with the vehicles assigned to reconnaissance, fire support, and command roles. The explicit inclusion of RBS70 NG short-range air defence system-capable variants reinforces the government’s stated priority on air defence and suggests a force design where mobility and protection are meant to travel with key battlefield enablers, tightening Lithuania’s rapid response posture and its interoperability narrative with NATO partners.
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Morocco receives first Treva-30 tactical recovery vehicles from Czech Republic
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Morocco has begun receiving Treva 30 heavy recovery and evacuation vehicles developed by Excalibur Army and mounted on the Tatra Force 8x8 chassis.
On February 14, 2026, Defense Atlas revealed that Morocco had begun receiving Treva30 heavy recovery and evacuation vehicles developed by the Czech company Excalibur Army and mounted on the Tatra Force 8x8 chassis, and they were observed in Moroccan service without prior official announcement. The Treva-30 recovery vehicle integrates a 30-tonne dual crane, 25-tonne main winch, and NATO-compliant underlift system for towing armored vehicles up to 50 tonnes.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkThe main lifting capability of the Treva-30 is provided by a two-reel crane with a maximum lifting capacity of 30 tonnes and a horizontal outreach of 12 meters. (Picture source: Excalibur Army and X/DefenseAtlas)
The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces began receiving the first Treva-30 heavy recovery and evacuation vehicles developed by the Czech company Excalibur Army and mounted on the Tatra Force 8x8 chassis, equipped with a 25-tonne winch and a dual crane rated at 30 tonnes for towing armored vehicles, tanks, and various weapon systems. The vehicles were observed on Moroccan territory without prior official announcement, consistent with Rabat’s established discretion in defense procurement matters. These systems are expected to accompany Moroccan ATMOS artillery units installed on Tatra trucks from the same manufacturer, ensuring integrated recovery capability within wheeled artillery formations.
Specialized accounts, such as Komarmies, further indicated that the vehicles could be assigned to 8x8 formations such as WhAP infantry fighting vehicle units, which require dedicated heavy recovery support adapted to multi-axle platforms. The acquisition takes place within Morocco’s broader modernization effort and reinforcement of logistical capacity, in a context where the national defense budget reached $5.4 billion in 2025. It also reflects sustained cooperation between Moroccan and Czech defense industries, including previous contracts involving T-72 tank modernization to the M1 CZ format, KPV heavy machine gun supply, and Tatra truck deliveries for the PULS artillery system.
The Treva-30 Tactical Recovery and Evacuation Vehicle was first publicly introduced at Eurosatory 2022 in Paris and is built on the Tatra Force 8x8 chassis family. It is intended for recovery of stranded or damaged equipment, removal of disabled armored vehicles, evacuation and rescue work, crane operations, engineering terrain modification, and obstacle clearance in operational environments. The vehicle is also suitable for civil rescue missions, firefighting operations, and heavy engineering support tasks beyond military use. Propulsion is provided by an engine rated at nearly 400 kW, enabling the handling of heavy loads under desert, off-road, and uneven terrain conditions. The 8x8 drivetrain and independent suspension architecture associated with the Tatra chassis support mobility across soft ground and rugged surfaces.
The Treva-30 is conceived as a new-generation Czech recovery vehicle designed to restore disabled equipment to rear areas for repair and re-entry into service. The main lifting capability of the Treva-30 is provided by a two-reel crane with a maximum lifting capacity of 30 tonnes and a horizontal outreach of 12 meters. The crane incorporates two independent hoists, each generating 80 kN of pulling force, for a combined 160 kN that can be increased to 320 kN when pulleys are used. This configuration allows independent or synchronized operation for extrication, multi-point recovery, or recovery over obstacles requiring controlled repositioning of loads. Stability during crane operations is ensured by four hydraulic supports, with the front pair extendable and the rear pair rotatable 45 degrees to each side, and each support controlled independently.
The Treva-30 possesses a maximum recovery force configuration reaching up to 750 kN when pulley systems are fully employed. This lifting and stabilization arrangement allows manipulation of armored vehicles under asymmetric load and uneven ground conditions. The primary winch provides a basic pulling force equivalent to 25 tonnes, with a 100-meter rope for long-distance recovery operations. Two separate pulley-enhanced figures are referenced, one indicating up to 57 tonnes when using two pulleys and another indicating up to 75 tonnes when using two pulleys, reflecting different configurations. In force-based specifications, the main winch is rated at 250 kN direct pull, increasing to 500 kN with pulleys and up to 750 kN with double pulley setups.
An auxiliary winch is used to transport the main rope to the recovery point and to position pulleys during assembly of complex recovery systems. A secondary auxiliary winch is specified at 6 kN with a 220-meter rope to support rigging and positioning tasks. In conventional towing mode, the Treva-30 can tow vehicles weighing up to 50 tonnes, covering tanks and heavy armored wheeled vehicles immobilized in sand or mud. At the rear, the Treva-30 integrates a hydraulically operated suspended towing device, or underlift, rated at 12 tonnes. This system allows a perpendicular suspension force of 12 tonnes and supports the recovery of heavy 8x8 military vehicles through half-lift procedures aligned with NATO STANAG 4478.
The underlift can be lifted by wheels, axle, or towing eyes and provides multiple degrees of freedom during the evacuation of immobile vehicles. It enables rotation around the longitudinal axis, reducing mechanical stress caused by uneven terrain during towing operations. This configuration facilitates the rapid removal of damaged multi-axle vehicles without complex external equipment. Complementing this capability, the vehicle includes a multifunctional dozer blade for terrain preparation, obstacle removal, anchoring of snatch blocks, and optional installation of an additional 80 kN winch with a 30-meter rope. Crew protection is ensured by the Puma L2 Long armored cabin, specifically developed and manufactured by Excalibur Army for the Tatra Force chassis series.
This four-door, five-seat cabin provides ballistic protection at STANAG 4569 Level 2 and accommodates a standard operating crew of two plus up to three additional personnel. The arrangement allows the evacuation of the crew of a disabled vehicle under armored protection during recovery missions. The cabin integrates a digital dashboard with two display units and an onboard infotainment system designed for integration of additional control subsystems for superstructure management. An alternative configuration includes a standard analog dashboard supplied for the Level 2 armored Tatra Force chassis. The cabin configuration supports operations in contaminated environments while maintaining space for both operators and evacuated personnel.
In Moroccan service, the Treva-30 strengthens operational availability by enabling rapid recovery and return to service of damaged or immobilized vehicles within armored, artillery, and mechanized formations. The vehicles are intended to tow armored vehicles, tanks, and diverse weapon systems, directly supporting heavy fleet sustainability. Their expected integration alongside ATMOS artillery units and 8x8 WhAP formations links recovery assets to newly introduced wheeled combat systems. The acquisition aligns with Morocco’s objective of reinforcing logistical resilience within combined arms operations across varied terrain conditions. The Treva-30 also forms part of Excalibur Army’s broader export activity, including deliveries associated with a 200-vehicle Tatra contract for the United Arab Emirates.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
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U.S. Deploys M1A2 Abrams and Bradley IFVs in Germany for NATO Readiness Exercise Combined Resolve 26-05
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U.S. M1A2 Abrams tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles trained at Germany’s Hohenfels Training Area during Combined Resolve 26-05, according to imagery released February 19, 2026. The exercise underscores NATO’s push to sustain heavy armored maneuver capability as European land forces adapt to increasingly contested and sensor-dense battlefields.
On February 19, 2026, imagery released via the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service showed American armored vehicles operating at the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany during Combined Resolve 26-05. The visuals capture an M1A2 Abrams positioned just beyond a treeline while U.S. forces from 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division engage simulated opposing elements. Conducted at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, the exercise reflects ongoing efforts to maintain armored maneuver readiness within U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s area of operations. The training holds particular relevance as NATO continues adapting land force doctrine to contested and sensor-saturated operational environments.
U.S. M1A2 Abrams tanks and Bradley IFVs conducted armored maneuver training at Germany’s Hohenfels Training Area during Combined Resolve 26-05 to reinforce NATO combat readiness (Picture Source: DVIDS)
Combined Resolve 26-05 represents the latest iteration of recurring multinational training designed to prepare rotational armored brigade combat teams for high-intensity operations across the European theater. Conducted at the JMRC in Bavaria, the exercise integrates mechanized formations against a dedicated opposing force capable of replicating reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and indirect fire threats. Recent DVIDS releases show Abrams tanks maintaining security postures while U.S. soldiers maneuver through forested terrain, reflecting tactical scenarios in which line-of-sight is constrained and engagements may occur at short range.
The M1A2 Abrams remains the core of U.S. heavy maneuver capability, built around a 120mm smoothbore cannon supported by advanced thermal imaging systems and stabilized fire control architecture. Its composite armor configuration is designed to provide survivability against kinetic and chemical energy threats, while its mobility allows armored formations to rapidly reposition under contested conditions. In restrictive woodland environments such as Hohenfels, Abrams crews are required to adopt reduced exposure profiles by utilizing terrain masking, treelines, and short tactical bounds in order to limit detection from aerial reconnaissance platforms and loitering munitions.
Operating alongside the Abrams, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles contribute protected mobility for dismounted infantry and provide suppressive fire through their autocannon armament. In forested terrain, Bradleys support maneuver elements by securing flanks, enabling infantry deployment, and acting as sensor nodes capable of maintaining battlefield awareness in cluttered environments where traditional long-range surveillance is degraded. Their role in rapidly transitioning troops between mounted and dismounted operations is particularly relevant in scenarios involving ambush threats or restrictive maneuver corridors.
Both platforms carry operational legacies from previous deployments that continue to shape their tactical employment in modern training contexts. Experience gained from sustained combat operations has reinforced the need for armored survivability to extend beyond passive protection alone. Current doctrine increasingly emphasizes dispersion, deception, emissions discipline, and integration with short-range air defense and counter-reconnaissance assets in order to mitigate the growing presence of unmanned aerial systems on the battlefield.
The Abrams–Bradley pairing enables armored formations to maintain tempo while addressing close terrain challenges presented by woodland combat. Tanks provide overwatch and direct fire support while Bradleys facilitate infantry maneuver necessary to clear restrictive terrain and prevent adversaries from establishing defensive kill zones. The exercise scenarios conducted at Hohenfels illustrate how armored units must now coordinate movement and concealment simultaneously in order to survive under persistent surveillance conditions.
From a strategic standpoint, training rotations such as Combined Resolve are directly tied to the United States’ broader force posture in Europe, including rotational armored brigade deployments and prepositioned equipment stocks intended to support rapid reinforcement along NATO’s eastern flank. The continued presence of Abrams tanks and Bradley IFVs in Germany highlights the role of heavy mechanized formations in deterrence planning, particularly in scenarios requiring immediate ground maneuver capability in response to potential regional escalation.
The Combined Resolve 26-05 rotation demonstrates how U.S. armored forces are refining fieldcraft, concealment, and coordination practices in environments designed to replicate contemporary battlefield constraints. As NATO land forces adjust to threats ranging from aerial reconnaissance to precision fires, exercises conducted at Hohenfels reinforce the importance of maintaining deployable heavy armor capable of operating effectively under contested European terrain and weather conditions.
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U.S. Positions Massive Naval and Air Power Across Middle East in Full-Scale Iran Deterrence Posture
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As of February 18, 2026, open-source reporting and U.S. defense briefings indicate Washington has assembled one of its largest force concentrations in the Middle East in recent years, spanning naval strike groups, combat aircraft, missile defense units, and ground forces. The buildup signals a deliberate strategy of escalation dominance, designed to deter Iran while preserving the capacity for rapid, sustained combat operations if deterrence fails.
Open-source flight tracking data and recent Pentagon briefings indicate that as of February 18, 2026, the United States has positioned a substantial mix of naval, air, missile defense, and ground forces across the Middle East, marking one of its most significant regional force concentrations in years. The posture includes carrier-based strike assets, long-range bomber coverage, integrated air and missile defense systems, and forward-positioned ground units, according to defense officials. Analysts assess the deployment as a calibrated show of force aimed at reinforcing deterrence against Iran while ensuring the U.S. retains the ability to execute rapid, sustained strike operations across multiple domains if required.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkUSS Abraham Lincoln, escorted by destroyers USS Michael Murphy and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., support ships USNS Henry J. Kaiser and USNS Carl Brashear, and Coast Guard cutters Robert Goldman and Clarence Sutphin Jr., sails in formation in the Arabian Sea as Carrier Air Wing 9 aircraft fly overhead on Feb. 6, 2026. (Picture source: US DoD)
At sea, the centerpiece of the U.S. posture is a potentially three-carrier configuration. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) has been operating in the Arabian Sea since late January, positioned roughly 700 kilometers from Iranian shores. A Nimitz-class carrier typically embarks around 70 to 75 aircraft, including F/A-18E/F Super Hornet multirole fighters with a combat radius exceeding 700 kilometers, F-35C Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighters capable of penetrating contested airspace, EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft designed to suppress enemy air defenses, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning platforms, and MH-60 helicopters for anti-submarine warfare and logistics.
The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the lead ship of the Ford class, has reportedly been transiting from the Atlantic, with an estimated arrival window of less than a week. The Ford class integrates the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, allowing higher sortie generation rates than previous classes, a critical factor in sustained strike campaigns. Preparatory activity around USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) in Norfolk suggests that a third carrier could be surged if escalation intensifies, potentially committing close to one-third of the U.S. carrier fleet.
Supporting this carrier presence is a surface force estimated at between 25 and 35 vessels. Around a dozen Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers equipped with the Aegis Combat System provide layered air and missile defense while carrying Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles. A single Flight IIA destroyer can carry dozens of Tomahawk missiles with a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers, allowing deep strike options against fixed infrastructure. Aggregate estimates suggest that more than 600 Tomahawk missiles could be available across the deployed fleet. Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), including USS Canberra, USS Tulsa, and USS Santa Barbara, are reportedly assigned to Gulf security and mine countermeasure missions, a critical capability in the confined waters of the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Coast Guard cutters forward deployed to Bahrain reinforce maritime security and patrol operations.
Subsurface forces further complicate Iran’s defensive calculations. Each Carrier Strike Group typically includes at least one nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), optimized for anti-ship warfare, intelligence collection, and land attack missions using Tomahawk missiles. Reports of USS Georgia (SSGN-729), an Ohio-class guided missile submarine, in the Mediterranean are particularly notable. An SSGN can carry up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, providing a massive salvo capability from a covert platform.
In the air domain, the combined U.S. and allied presence in the region is estimated at 450 to 500 combat aircraft. U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighters deployed to Jordan enhance stealth strike and suppression of enemy air defense missions. F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, with long-range strike capacity and heavy payload, remain positioned at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. Additional F-16 Fighting Falcon squadrons, F-22 Raptor air superiority fighters, and A-10C Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft provide layered tactical options across the escalation spectrum.
Strategic bombers, including B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, and B-52H Stratofortress aircraft are reportedly staged or on alert in Europe, Diego Garcia, the continental United States, and other regional locations. The B-2 Spirit, with its stealth profile and ability to carry the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), is uniquely suited for hardened and deeply buried targets, including fortified nuclear facilities.
The intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance architecture is equally dense. E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft provide theater wide airspace management. U-2 high altitude reconnaissance aircraft, RC-135 Rivet Joint signals intelligence platforms, MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial systems, and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft contribute persistent ISR coverage. The E-11 Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) enhances connectivity between platforms, mitigating communication gaps in complex strike environments.
Sustaining such a force requires substantial tanker and airlift support. More than 20 KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-46 Pegasus aircraft are reportedly deployed to enable extended sortie cycles. Heavy airlift assets, including C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft have supported over one hundred transport flights involving munitions, spare parts, and troop rotations. Regional U.S. troop levels are estimated at approximately 40,000 personnel across key installations such as Al Udeid in Qatar, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Muwaffaq Salti in Jordan, and naval facilities in Bahrain.
Missile defense assets form the defensive backbone of this posture. Patriot PAC-3 batteries in Qatar and Bahrain, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems in Jordan, and Aegis-equipped destroyers armed with SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors create a multi-layered shield against ballistic and cruise missile threats. THAAD, for example, can intercept short to intermediate range ballistic missiles at altitudes above 150 kilometers, while SM-6 provides both anti-air and limited ballistic missile defense roles.
Allied forces add further weight. The United Kingdom has deployed Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 aircraft, while Israel maintains its own advanced fleet including F-35I Adir stealth fighters and upgraded F-15 and F-16 platforms capable of long range strike missions.
The estimated cost of maintaining this posture approaches 300 million dollars per month, reflecting the expense of carrier operations, strategic bomber readiness, and extensive airlift activity. Yet the structure of the deployment suggests an intent to sustain pressure over weeks rather than days.
Collectively, the current configuration combines forward strike capability, deep precision firepower, air dominance, and layered missile defense. Whether intended primarily as coercive signaling or as preparation for contingency operations against Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, the scale and integration of U.S. and allied forces underscore a deliberate move toward maximum credible military pressure in the region.
Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay is a Master’s graduate in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.
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U.S. Army Advances LTAMDS Radar Integration with PAC-3 Missiles for 360° Patriot Defense
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Lockheed Martin received a $33.8 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract on Feb. 18, 2026, to support U.S. Army ground and flight testing that integrates the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor with PAC-3 interceptors. The award advances Patriot modernization by validating the 360-degree LTAMDS radar and ensuring reliable sensor-to-shooter performance before broader fielding through 2027.
Lockheed Martin has secured a $33.8 million cost-plus-incentive-fee award dated Feb. 18, 2026, to provide Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) PAC-3 system ground and flight test support for the U.S. Army under Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal. More than a routine line on a contracts page, the deal is a deliberate push to harden the Army’s next Patriot-era sensor-to-shooter chain just as LTAMDS transitions from engineering promise to operational proof. Under the award, work will be ordered as needed with locations and funding defined per task order, and performance is scheduled to run through March 31, 2027.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkLockheed Martin is supporting U.S. Army ground and flight tests to validate LTAMDS 360-degree radar integration with PAC-3 interceptors, strengthening Patriot's sensor-to-shooter performance against cruise missiles, drones, and ballistic threats ahead of wider fielding through 2027 (Picture source: U.S. DoW).
On paper, the contract line is short. In practice, it sits at the hinge point between a new radar and a proven interceptor family that U.S. forces and allies depend on daily. LTAMDS is Raytheon’s next-generation Patriot radar replacement, designed from the outset to provide full-sector coverage and better performance against the threat set that now dominates air defense planning: low-flying cruise missiles, maneuvering ballistic and quasi-ballistic missiles, drones operating in clutter, and raid-scale attacks arriving from multiple azimuths. Raytheon describes LTAMDS as a three-array design, with a main front array and two rear arrays that work together for 360-degree detection and engagement support, and claims the primary array delivers more than twice the power of the legacy Patriot array while preserving customers’ investment in the Patriot ecosystem.
The Army’s decision to place a dedicated testing support award with Lockheed Martin rather than treating radar trials as a purely sensor-side activity reflects how Patriot has evolved. PAC-3 is not simply a missile; it is an integrated engagement stack where track formation, target discrimination, uplink timing, missile fly-out support, and terminal seeker behavior must align across radar, command-and-control, launchers, and interceptor software builds. LTAMDS is integrated through the Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System, enabling the radar to feed an operator's decision loop and then support the interceptor through fly-out to the engagement. That is exactly the seam where ground and flight test support becomes decisive: proving that track custody is continuous, that engagement-quality data arrives on time, and that the system behaves predictably under stress, clutter, and maneuver.
From an operational standpoint, LTAMDS paired with PAC-3 is aimed at restoring overmatch in the lower-tier fight, the critical terminal layer defending maneuver forces, air bases, logistics nodes, and high-value infrastructure. The shift to 360-degree sensing is not cosmetic. It closes a tactical vulnerability adversaries have studied for years: exploiting coverage gaps and geometry to saturate or confuse a defended sector, then forcing defenders into radar repositioning, sector management compromises, or late engagements. The Army’s emphasis on realistic test events is consistent with the broader LTAMDS maturation story, including multiple missile flight tests and thousands of hours of environmental and operational stressing intended to ensure the radar can survive real soldier handling, mobility demands, and harsh conditions.
PAC-3 MSE is a high-velocity hit-to-kill missile designed to defeat tactical ballistic missiles and air-breathing threats, with improved capability achieved through a higher-performance solid rocket motor, a modified lethality enhancer, more responsive control surfaces, upgraded guidance software, and other survivability and safety improvements. These upgrades are not abstract enhancements: they are specific design changes intended to expand battlespace performance against complex threats, while requiring only minor launcher modifications and benefiting from software upgrades such as Post Deployment Build-8.
Industry details underline why integration testing must be relentless. The PAC-3 seeker uses Ka-band millimeter-wave technology to provide active guidance for target acquisition, aim point selection, and terminal guidance, a demanding set of functions that depends on the quality and continuity of the engagement track delivered by the broader system. The PAC-3 MSE’s two-pulse motor and the role of attitude control motors enable precise endgame course refinement to ensure body-to-body impact. Those features deliver their promised advantage only if the radar and battle management chain provide stable handoff, accurate prediction, and robust midcourse support under operational conditions.
Why award this contract now, and why structure it as cost-plus-incentive-fee? The Army is moving LTAMDS into a period where schedule pressure collides with the need for proof, not promise. The service is preparing for initial operational test and evaluation and broader fielding, while pushing radars into demanding operational environments for evaluation. That timeline makes 2026-2027 the window where test data must harden into confidence, because every unresolved integration issue becomes exponentially more expensive once fielding and allied production lines accelerate. Incentive-fee mechanisms, used carefully, give the government a tool to reward measurable outcomes like test readiness, data delivery, defect closure rates, and on-time execution, rather than simply reimbursing effort.
U.S. force posture is increasingly shaped by the need to keep airfields, ports, and expeditionary nodes alive under precision strike pressure, especially in the Indo-Pacific and in Europe’s extended air defense contest. A modern radar that can see and fight in full sector, tied into a networked command system and paired with an agile hit-to-kill interceptor, is central to deterrence because it complicates adversary targeting math and raises the risk that a cheap saturation theory fails at the moment of execution. LTAMDS is advancing toward fielding as a 360-degree radar integrated into the Army’s broader air and missile defense architecture, with live-fire events guiding Patriot interceptors against representative threats.
Finally, the contract notice offers one additional clue that seasoned acquisition watchers do not ignore: only one bid was received. That is often what happens when the government is buying specialized integration knowledge, test tooling, and engineering support closely tied to proprietary interfaces and prior program work, not commodity services. In other words, this award is less about buying testing in the abstract and more about buying down the last pockets of uncertainty in a specific kill chain that must work on demand, under raid pressure, with soldiers operating the system and adversaries actively trying to break it. With March 2027 set as the completion marker, the Army is effectively paying to ensure that when LTAMDS and PAC-3 are asked to defend a runway, a brigade, or a critical node with seconds to spare, the system response is not a laboratory success story but a repeatable combat function.
Written by Evan Lerouvillois, Defense Analyst.
Evan studied International Relations, and quickly specialized in defense and security. He is particularly interested in the influence of the defense sector on global geopolitics, and analyzes how technological innovations in defense, arms export contracts, and military strategies influence the international geopolitical scene.
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Denmark Awards Ammo Deal to Rebuild 155mm & 120mm War Stocks for ATMOS and Cardom 10 Artillery
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Denmark’s Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation awarded EUR 213.7 million to Excalibur International for 155 mm artillery and 120 mm mortar ammunition under an accelerated national security procedure. The deal replenishes war reserves for ATMOS howitzers and Cardom 10 mortars, reinforcing Denmark’s readiness for high-intensity NATO operations.
Denmark has quietly taken another step away from the post-Cold War comfort zone and back toward the hard mathematics of industrial war. A contract notice published on the European Union’s Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) on February 17, 2026, shows the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) awarding EUR 213.7 million to Excalibur International a.s. for 120 mm mortar ammunition and 155 mm artillery ammunition. The procurement was handled under an accelerated process justified on essential national security grounds, with Copenhagen prioritizing delivery speed, operational suitability, ammunition technical quality, and price after receiving bids from three economic operators in autumn 2025.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkDenmark's DALO awarded Excalibur a EUR 213,7 million deal for 120 mm and 155 mm ammunition to rebuild war reserves for Cardom 10 mortars and ATMOS howitzers, mirroring Europe's push to restock for high-intensity (Picture source: Army Recognition Edit).
The award notice is sparse on the details that gunners care about most, including quantities, projectile families, fuze types, or delivery phasing. That absence is telling in itself. Across Europe, ministries are increasingly treating ammunition as a strategic commodity whose exact mix signals plans and vulnerabilities. Denmark’s own rationale in the TED text is explicit: the ammunition is intended to fill readiness and war reserve magazines, and the timetable attached to the notice runs from a contract conclusion date of 24 November 2025 through 7 December 2026, pointing to near-term replenishment rather than a distant modernization effort.
Understanding how this ammunition will be used requires looking at Denmark’s current indirect fire architecture, which has been rebuilt at pace since 2023. Denmark fields two modern systems directly relevant to the contract: the Israeli-designed ATMOS 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer and the Cardom 10 120 mm mortar integrated on the Piranha 5 8×8. Those platforms are not boutique capabilities. They are designed for the sort of fire and move tempo that dominates contemporary counter-battery contests, where drones, radars, and electronic warfare compress the time a gun can safely remain in a firing position.
On the artillery side, Denmark is fielding ATMOSas its principal 155 mm tube system after donating its CAESAR wheeled howitzers to Ukraine. ATMOS is a self-propelled gun mounted on a MAN 8×8 chassis, firing 155 mm rounds to a maximum range of approximately 40 km depending on ammunition type, with a semi-automatic loading system capable of up to six rounds per minute and an on-board capacity of roughly 30 to 36 projectiles. Denmark ordered 19 ATMOSsystems, with full operational capability planned for the mid-2020s, underscoring that ammunition procurement now becomes the limiting factor for training density and sustained readiness.
This means the contract supports a 155 mm NATO-standard ecosystem built around modular charges, fuzes, and projectiles tuned for 52-caliber-class guns. Even if Denmark is buying primarily high-explosive rounds, the tactical value is far from basic. A modern 155 mm battery lives on responsiveness: rapid occupation of a firing point, digital fire mission processing, short intense salvos, then immediate displacement before enemy sensors can cue loitering munitions or counter-battery fire. In that construct, ammunition reliability and ballistic consistency become operational attributes. They determine how quickly a fire direction center can shift between charge zones, how confidently a battery can execute time-on-target effects, and how safely it can fire at high rates in harsh Nordic conditions without unpredictable pressure behavior.
The mortar portion is equally consequential, especially for brigade maneuver. Denmark’s heavy mortar capability is embodied in the Cardom 10, a 120 mm system installed in the Army’s armored Piranha 5, crewed by five soldiers and designed to deliver fast, mobile close support. The system can engage targets out to approximately 10 km, is ready to fire in under 30 seconds, and can shoot a rapid burst before relocating in little more than a minute, enabled by an autonomous navigation suite paired with a modern fire control computer and a semi-automatic loading arrangement. A heavy mortar platoon typically fields four Cardom 10 systems, aligning with NATO practice of concentrating mortars as a battalion or brigade-level asset to mass fires quickly.
In tactical terms, 120 mm mortar ammunition is Denmark’s near fight volume fire. It enables rapid suppression of enemy infantry and anti-armor teams, smoke screens to break line of sight for drone observers, and precision munitions, illumination for winter darkness, and high-angle engagement into dead ground where direct fire cannot reach. The emphasis on speed from halt to first round is precisely the survivability currency in a drone-saturated battlefield. If ATMOSextends the brigade’s reach and counter-battery punch, Cardom 10 gives maneuver battalions a fast-reaction hammer that can move with them, fire from covered positions, and relocate before return fire arrives.
The supplier choice also fits the wider European pattern of diversifying sources while rebuilding mass. Excalibur International operates within a Czech defense-industrial ecosystem that has positioned itself as a vertically integrated large-caliber ammunition player, controlling significant segments of the production chain from energetics to finished 155 mm and 120 mm rounds across multiple European facilities. For Denmark, that kind of industrial footprint matters as much as price, because the central lesson of the war in Ukraine has been that ammunition supply is not simply a procurement issue but an endurance challenge.
At the strategic level, Denmark’s move is part of a continental reversion to Cold War arithmetic. European governments are ramping up 155 mm production, refilling national stocks while sustaining support to Ukraine, and treating ammunition capacity as a pillar of readiness for high-intensity war. Recent reporting and policy initiatives across the European Union reflect the same underlying anxiety: stockpiles that appear adequate in peacetime planning can collapse quickly under sustained artillery rates measured in thousands of rounds per day. Denmark’s justification, centered on urgent replenishment of readiness magazines, reads like a national translation of that broader NATO problem set.
The headline figure of EUR 213.7 million is therefore less about a single purchase than about Denmark buying back time. Training cycles for new ATMOScrews, live-fire qualification for Cardom 10 units, and the credibility of a brigade’s fire support plan all hinge on having enough rounds to shoot, not merely enough guns to display. In Europe’s renewed era of industrialized warfare planning, Denmark is treating ammunition not as an accessory to modernization, but as the modernization itself.
Written by Evan Lerouvillois, Defense Analyst.
Evan studied International Relations, and quickly specialized in defense and security. He is particularly interested in the influence of the defense sector on global geopolitics, and analyzes how technological innovations in defense, arms export contracts, and military strategies influence the international geopolitical scene.
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North Korea Formally Hands Over 50 KN-25 600mm Rocket Systems to Combat Units
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North Korea publicly handed over fifty 600 mm KN-25 super large multiple launch rocket systems to Korean People’s Army units ahead of the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea. The high-profile delivery highlights Pyongyang’s accelerating artillery modernization and reinforces the political messaging surrounding strategic weapons development.
On the eve of the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Pyongyang staged a formal transfer of fifty 600 mm super large multiple launch rocket systems, known in the West as the KN25, to frontline Korean People’s Army units, according to state media photographs showing rows of heavy wheeled launchers presented as a symbolic gift from defense industry workers. The event blended military procurement with political theater, underscoring the system’s role in North Korea’s broader force modernization campaign, where the KN-25 occupies a gray zone between traditional rocket artillery and short-range ballistic missile capabilities, offering extended range and precision compared with legacy tube artillery.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkThe KN-25 is assessed to be a single-stage solid propellant missile with a reported diameter of 600 millimeters, or 0.6 meters, and an estimated length of approximately 8.6 meters(Picture source: KCNA)
Pyongyang consistently describes the KN-25 as a super-large multiple launch rocket system. The United States Forces Korea categorizes it instead as a short range ballistic missile, citing its size, range, and quasi-ballistic flight profile. First tested on August 25, 2019, the system has demonstrated a range of around 380 kilometers. During the initial test from North Korea’s east coast, two projectiles reportedly flew approximately 380 kilometers and reached a maximum altitude of about 97 kilometers before impacting in the Sea of Japan. Subsequent tests in September, October, and November 2019 showed ranges between 330 and 380 kilometers and varying apogees, confirming a trajectory that is higher and longer than conventional artillery rockets.
The KN-25 is assessed to be a single-stage solid propellant missile with a reported diameter of 600 millimeters, or 0.6 meters, and an estimated length of approximately 8.6 meters. Relative to its caliber, this makes it closer in scale to a short-range ballistic missile than to legacy multiple launch rocket systems. The missile appears equipped with four fixed rear fins and four forward control surfaces, indicating in flight, maneuverability and guided impact capability. While detailed data on circular error probable remain unavailable, North Korean references to an autonomous precision guidance flight system suggest the integration of inertial navigation potentially supported by satellite updates, as well as measures designed to resist electronic interference.
The system is deployed on a road mobile transporter erector launcher concept, typically featuring four launch tubes mounted on a heavy multi-axle wheeled chassis. This road mobility enhances survivability by enabling rapid displacement after firing. The interval data from 2019 tests, including salvo intervals as short as 30 seconds on November 28 and 20 seconds on March 2, 2020, illustrate an ability to conduct rapid successive launches. Such shoot-and-scoot tactics complicate counter-battery detection and preemptive targeting, particularly when launchers operate from dispersed, pre-surveyed positions.
The current launch is the second known ballistic missile event attributed to North Korea in 2026, following a January 4 firing in the same general direction. In recent years, Pyongyang increasingly-blends, technical experimentation with political choreography, using missile launches not only to refine capabilities but also to punctuate diplomatic calendars and domestic milestones. South Korean reporting notes that the January 4 launch occurred as President Lee Jae Myung was preparing to travel to Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, reinforcing a pattern in which North Korean tests are timed to remind regional actors that any broader Northeast Asian agenda remains constrained by the peninsula’s military dynamics.
While Seoul and Tokyo describe the January 28 weapons as ballistic missiles, North Korean state media frame the event as a test fire conducted by the Missile General Bureau to verify a new upgraded large caliber multiple rocket launcher system using new technology. In the North’s narrative, Kim Jong Un personally observes the test and emphasizes improvements in mobility, accuracy, and the system’s ability to withstand external interference, while linking the program to nuclear deterrence objectives. The state account claims that four rounds strike a sea target at a range of 358.5 kilometers, a distance consistent with publicly cited South Korean figures and with a KN-25 class weapon operating below its maximum envelope.
The KN-25 offers the Korean People’s Army a layered strike option between long-range tube artillery and traditional short-range ballistic missiles. Its 350 to 380 kilometer range permits engagement of air bases, logistics hubs, and command facilities across much of South Korea, depending on launch location. The combination of heavy payload mass and guided quasi- ballistic flight enables runway cratering, disruption of fuel storage sites, or targeting of hardened shelters. Salvo firing from multiple road mobile launchers can increase threat density during the opening phase of a crisis, stressing interceptor inventories associated with systems such as Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. At the same time, the physical size of the missile and the limited number of tubes per launcher impose logistical demands for reload operations, which may constrain sustained high-tempo employment.
The delivery of fifty additional launchers in a single ceremony indicates industrial scaling rather than isolated production. It suggests that the KN-25 has moved from developmental trials to structured fielding within rocket or missile formations of the Korean People’s Army. Beyond the peninsula, the continued expansion of large-caliber guided rocket artillery complicates regional security calculations. By blurring the distinction between multiple launch rocket systems and short-range ballistic missiles, North Korea multiplies strike, vectors available in a contingency. For South Korea, Japan, and the United States, this evolving arsenal reinforces the need to adapt missile defense architectures, early warning networks, and counter strike planning to a threat environment in which political signaling and operational capability are increasingly intertwined.
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U.S. Marines Test CH-53K Helicopter Heavy Lift for Contested Refueling Operations in California
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A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion from HMH-461 conducted heavy lift operations at Twentynine Palms during Service Level Training Exercise 1-26, while MWSS-272 established a forward arming and refueling point under simulated contested conditions. The exercise highlights how the Marine Corps is refining expeditionary aviation logistics to sustain operations inside surveillance-heavy, high-threat battlespaces.
At Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, a CH-53K King Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 lifted clear of a desert drop zone during Service Level Training Exercise 1-26, while Marines on the ground worked an improvised forward refueling site designed for operations under threat. The sequence is a compact illustration of what the Marine Corps is trying to institutionalize in 2026: assault support aviation that can keep moving, keep fueling, and keep delivering heavy lift even when the battlespace is saturated with surveillance, long-range fires, and electronic attack. In that construct, the helicopter is only the visible edge of the capability; the decisive factor is the expeditionary aviation ground support that builds, defends, and rapidly displaces the refueling and servicing nodes that make sustained sortie generation possible.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkA U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion from HMJ-461 lifts off at Twentynine Palms during SLTE 1-26 as MWSS-272 establishes a forward arming and refueling point, rehearsing rapid, low-signature sustainment and heavy-lift support in a simulated contested environment (Picture source: U.S. DoW).
The exercise is built to pressure-test Marine Air Ground Task Forces on the mechanics that decide large-scale outcomes: command and control discipline, maneuver timing, sustainment endurance, and the safe integration of live-fire in a realistic battlespace. At Twentynine Palms, the Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group operates behind the curtain as designer, referee, and stressor, using a professional opposition force and emerging threat injects to simulate the kinds of detection, fires, and disruption a peer fight would impose. The desert is not chosen for aesthetics. It is chosen because it is unforgiving: dust and heat punish engines and filtration, distances punish fuel math, and open terrain punishes sloppy signature management.
The main actor in this exercise is the Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, whose mission is to provide aviation ground support enabling a composite Marine Aircraft Group and supporting Marine Air Control Group elements to conduct expeditionary operations. MWSS-272’s portfolio is the unglamorous backbone of sortie generation: expeditionary fuel and ground refueling, engineer services, motor transport, internal airfield communications, expeditionary firefighting and rescue, expeditionary airfield services, and explosive ordnance disposal. In a distributed campaign, those functions stop being “support” and start being the decisive maneuver that determines whether a forward arming and refueling point exists at all, and whether it survives long enough to matter.
The exercise imagery shows MWSS-272 Marines pulling fuel and building out a forward arming and refueling point under simulated contested conditions. In practical terms, a FARP is a time-and-risk trade. It compresses the turnaround cycle for aircraft so they do not have to retreat to a fixed base, but it also creates a temporary logistics beacon that an adversary would love to find with drones, signals collection, or pattern analysis. That tension is the point of the training. The goal is not merely to refuel faster. It is to refuel while managing signatures, moving sites before they become predictable, integrating local security, and recovering from interruptions that would be routine in a modern weapons engagement zone: small unmanned aircraft system harassment, indirect fire, electronic warfare-induced communications friction, or a sudden requirement to displace with minimal notice.
That is why SLTE wraps aviation logistics into a broader set of base defense and recovery problems. Marines involved in SLTE 1-26 also rehearsed base recovery after attack tasks, a reminder that an expeditionary air point is only as useful as its ability to keep operating after being hit. For MWSS units, that translates into a mindset shift: the fuel site is also a fighting position, and the ability to repair, reroute, and continue is the measure of success.
The squadron’s mission is to provide timely and effective CH-53K combat assault transport of heavy equipment, personnel, and supplies in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force and other directed units. In a contested scenario, time becomes a planning discipline: fuel windows, landing zone control, escort coordination, and deconfliction with fires all have to align, because a heavy-lift helicopter is both a logistics solution and a high-value target. What the Marine Corps is practicing at Twentynine Palms is the choreography required to keep heavy lift viable when the traditional sanctuary of rear areas is no longer guaranteed.
The CH-53K is the right platform for this problem set precisely because it was designed for heavy lift at reach. The aircraft is engineered to carry approximately 27,000 pounds at a 110 nautical mile mission radius in high and hot conditions, with a maximum external lift of up to 36,000 pounds depending on configuration. That performance is not an abstract statistic. It underpins a concept of operations where distributed ground forces, sensors, and air defense elements can be repositioned or sustained without building a large fixed footprint. The aircraft’s survivability architecture includes advanced infrared countermeasures, radar warning receivers, countermeasure dispensing systems, and enhanced armor and fuel system protections tailored for operations in threat environments.
So what conflict configurations are they preparing for? The clearest answer is high-intensity, multi-domain combat against a peer adversary, where long-range fires, ubiquitous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and unmanned systems blur the line between close and rear areas. Under current Marine Corps force design concepts, dispersed units are expected to operate inside heavily contested weapons engagement zones, where drones, precision rockets, and electronic warfare compress the battlespace. In that environment, forward arming and refueling points become transient nodes in a moving network, not mini-bases, and the aviation ground support unit becomes a signature management and displacement specialist as much as a fuel provider.
Twentynine Palms is a fitting rehearsal space because it forces the Marine Corps to confront a hard truth: logistics under surveillance is combat. A CH-53K can move the weight, but it cannot invent fuel, security, communications, or runway services in the dirt. That is MWSS-272’s prerogative, and SLTE 1-26 is where that skill set is measured at speed, under pressure, and in front of evaluators whose mission is to break assumptions before an adversary does.
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Australia Tests ATLAS Autonomous Driving System on 8x8 Armored Vehicle
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BAE Systems Australia demonstrated its ATLAS autonomous driving system on an 8x8 armored test vehicle during live mobility trials, according to a February 17, 2026, video release on its official X account. The milestone advances the company’s push to field scalable autonomy for future human-machine teaming in armored formations.
BAE Systems Australia has successfully demonstrated its ATLAS autonomous driving system during live mobility trials on an 8x8 armored test vehicle, as shown in a February 17, 2026, video released via the company’s official X account. The footage depicts the ATLAS autonomy core controlling steering, speed, and navigation in a realistic field environment designed to mirror operational conditions faced by armored units. According to the company, the trial marks a key technical milestone in maturing the ATLAS autonomy architecture and validating its performance beyond controlled test settings. The demonstration supports BAE’s broader strategy to position ATLAS as a scalable autonomy solution for future human-machine teaming concepts within mechanized and armored forces.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link8x8 armored vehicle equipped with the ATLAS autonomous driving system, is undergoing mobility trials during BAE Systems Australia testing, demonstrating driverless maneuver capability in support of future crewed and uncrewed armored operations. (Picture source: BAE Systems Australia)
The vehicle seen in the February demonstration serves as a test platform for the autonomy system and should not be confused with the Autonomous Tactical Light Armour System Collaborative Combat Variant itself. The ATLAS CCV, unveiled in Melbourne in September 2024, is a distinct, purpose-built, modular 8x8 uncrewed ground vehicle designed from the outset as an armed collaborative combat platform. It is not derived from any in-service armored vehicle and represents a separate vehicle architecture developed specifically for uncrewed operations.
The autonomy system at the heart of ATLAS is engineered to “drive” the vehicle, avoid obstacles, conduct route planning, and support tactical maneuver decisions. Designed for both on-road and off-road operations, the system enables high levels of autonomy while maintaining supervisory human control. This approach reflects the evolving doctrine of modern land warfare, where autonomy is increasingly seen as a force multiplier capable of generating combat mass while reducing the exposure of soldiers to high-risk missions.
When BAE Systems Australia introduced ATLAS CCV in September 2024, the company described it as a cost-effective, mission-configurable 8x8 UGV that leverages more than three decades of expertise in complex autonomous systems and armored vehicle engineering. Developed in collaboration with Supacat in the UK and Australia, Valhalla Turrets in Slovenia, and Australian manufacturer Marand, ATLAS CCV is positioned as the first uncrewed ground vehicle of its kind to be developed in Australia.
Andrew Gresham, Managing Director Defence Delivery at BAE Systems Australia, stated at the unveiling that ATLAS was designed to deliver the “dull, dirty and dangerous” tasks expected in combat environments. He emphasized that the system would enable the Australian Army to remain fit to fight in littoral operations, enhancing maneuver and survivability against both conventional and unconventional threats. His remarks framed ATLAS not as a technology demonstrator but as a practical capability aligned with the Australian Army’s modernization priorities.
The ATLAS CCV platform integrates the VANTAGE ATS turret, a lightweight, highly automated medium-caliber turret system specifically designed for uncrewed platforms. Importantly, the turret incorporates a human-in-the-loop targeting system, ensuring that lethal engagement decisions remain under operator authority even as mobility and navigation functions are automated. This architecture reflects a deliberate balance between autonomy and operational accountability, addressing both tactical effectiveness and rules-of-engagement considerations.
Strategic mobility has also been engineered into the design. ATLAS CCV is transportable within a standard 20-foot ISO container or flat rack, facilitating rapid deployment by land, sea, or air. In operational terms, this enhances its potential role as a logistics multiplier and collaborative combat partner capable of extending the endurance of infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks, and reconnaissance elements by carrying ammunition, sensors, or other mission payloads.
The February 17 autonomy demonstration underscores the modularity of the ATLAS autonomy core. By validating the software stack on an 8x8 armored test vehicle, BAE Systems Australia is proving that its autonomy system is platform-agnostic and scalable across multiple vehicle types. For Army Recognition readers, the distinction is critical. The autonomy system demonstrated in the video is the technological “brain,” while ATLAS CCV is the dedicated uncrewed “body” designed to operationalize that capability in combat roles.
As Western armies accelerate investment in robotic combat vehicles and human-machine teaming concepts, Australia’s ATLAS program positions the country within the broader shift toward distributed, autonomous-enabled maneuver forces. The combination of a sovereign-developed UGV platform, modular autonomy architecture, and armed turret integration signals that ATLAS is evolving from concept to credible capability.
With autonomy trials now visibly progressing and the ATLAS CCV platform maturing through industry collaboration, BAE Systems Australia is steadily building an ecosystem that could redefine how armored units generate combat mass, conduct high-risk tasks, and sustain tempo in contested environments. For mechanized forces operating under the constant threat of precision fires and persistent surveillance, such developments are not incremental. They are foundational to the next phase of land warfare.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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U.S. Army Approves $73.5M Merkava Power Pack Deal to Sustain Israel’s Tank Fleet Through 2032
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The U.S. Army has awarded a $73.5 million Foreign Military Sales contract to Rolls-Royce Solutions America Inc. to supply Merkava tank power-pack kits and engineering support for Israel through 2032. The deal reinforces long-term armored readiness by sustaining the 1,500-horsepower propulsion modules that underpin Israel’s frontline heavy combat fleet.
The U.S. Army’s latest Foreign Military Sales action for Israel quietly signals something bigger than a spare-parts purchase. On February 17, 2026, a notice released by the U.S. Department of War showed Rolls-Royce Solutions America Inc. awarded a $73,528,916 firm-fixed-price contract for Merkava Power Pack Less Transmission full and lite kits, metal containers, and contractor engineering technical services, with work centered in Graniteville, South Carolina, and scheduled through December 31, 2032. Framed inside a broader cumulative program value of $462,947,478 and managed by Army Contracting Command at Detroit Arsenal under contract W912CH-26-C-0019, the award points to a long-horizon sustainment pipeline designed to keep Israel’s heavy armor fleet moving, not a one-time replenishment.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkA $73,5 million U.S. Foreign Military Sale contract will supply Rolls-Royce-built Merkava power-pack kits and engineering support through 2032, strengthening Israel's ability to keep its frontline tanks and heavy armored fleet mission-ready by sustaining the 1,500 hp-class propulsion modules that underpin Merkava mobility, survivability, and high-tempo armored operations (Picture source: Israel MoD).
For Israel's heavy tracked fleet, propulsion is the pacing item that determines how many tanks are available on short notice, how long they can remain forward, and how quickly battle damage can be repaired. In late January, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible $740 million sale to Israel for Namer Armored Personnel Carrier APC-MT883 power packs, less transmissions in full and lite configurations, plus tools, diagnostics, publications, containers, technical assistance, and non-recurring engineering. The February 17 Army award closely mirrors that construct, but applied to the Merkavaecosystem, suggesting a synchronized effort to keep both the tank and its heavy armored companion vehicles moving through the same logistics throat.
A power pack is more than an engine in a crate: in modern armored design, it is a modular drop-in module built around a high-power diesel, cooling group, filtration, wiring, sensors, and ancillaries, engineered to be swapped as a unit to compress downtime from days to hours. The MT883-class V12 diesel frequently associated with the Merkava Mk4 and Namer propulsion family sits in the 1,500-horsepower category, and U.S. Army testing literature describes the MT883 Ka-500 as a turbocharged V12 delivering 1,500 hp, built for military adaptability and sustained heavy loads. That matters tactically because it underwrites acceleration, obstacle negotiation, and the ability to pivot from slow, deliberate urban movement to high-tempo maneuver in open terrain without immediately punishing the drivetrain.
The contract’s split between full and lite kits points to two different sustainment rhythms. Full kits typically align with depot-level resets and major overhauls, while lite kits are optimized for field maintenance, rapid replacement of high-wear components, and configuration standardization across sub-variants. The inclusion of metal containers is not a footnote: containers enable prepositioning, corrosion control, and predictable transport, turning expensive propulsion modules into managed inventory that can be surged to a brigade repair area or a rear logistics hub as operational tempo spikes. Rolls-Royce’s Graniteville site in South Carolina offers the geographic anchor for that pipeline.
Zooming out, the engine only matters because the Merkavaitself is designed around a very Israeli set of battlefield assumptions. The Merkava family prioritizes crew survivability and the brutal realities of close terrain. Its front-engine layout adds mass between the crew and frontal threats, while enabling a rear compartment and ramp that can be used for emergency evacuation, resupply under armor, or carrying a small number of dismounts in specific missions. In tactical terms, this gives Israeli armored formations unusual flexibility in dense urban fights, where tanks frequently operate in tight coordination with infantry, engineers, and drones, and where the ability to recover wounded under fire can influence tempo and morale as much as a few extra millimeters of armor.
Firepower and protection remain the core. The Merkava Mk4 lineage centers on a 120 mm smoothbore gun for armored engagements and fortified positions, backed by a suite of secondary weapons suited to suppressing anti-tank teams at close range, including an internal mortar concept that is particularly relevant in urban canyons where high-angle effects are needed without calling for indirect fire. Protection is layered, combining heavy passive armor with active protection such as the Trophy system, whose sensor and countermeasure architecture has become a defining feature of Israel’s approach to defeating modern anti-armor threats before impact.
The newest modernization narrative reinforces why propulsion sustainment is being treated as strategic plumbing rather than routine spares. In an official Israel Defense Forces profile of the Merkava Mk4 Barak, an Armored Corps official highlights AI-enabled mission management, updated sensors, and a helmet system intended to let crews see the outside environment from inside the combat vehicle, while also pointing to logistical improvements enabling missions up to 30 percent longer than current ones. Endurance gains of that kind are only real if the fleet can keep power packs healthy and available, and if maintenance organizations can cycle engines through reset without starving frontline units.
Institutionally, the Merkava is not merely a platform; it is the armored backbone around which the Israeli Ground Forces have organized their heaviest combined-arms formations for decades. Israel’s Ministry of Defense notes that the Merkava and Armored Vehicles Directorate is responsible for the design, development, and production of Israel’s tanks and for building the supporting industrial ecosystem. That ecosystem is often cited as a pillar of wartime resilience: Israel can modify protection packages, integrate new sensors, and adapt tactics quickly because so much of the engineering authority is domestic.
And yet, this contract is a reminder that even the most national tank is not entirely national. The Merkava Mk4 powertrain is widely linked to a pairing of the GD883 or MT883 diesel with a Renk RK 325-class automatic transmission. The February 17 award is explicitly less transmission, which implies parallel sourcing and separate sustainment tracks for the gearbox and related components.
That division of labor carries geopolitical weight. Assembling or producing key tank propulsion elements outside Israel is a tangible expression of deep, confident state-to-state relationships, particularly when executed through U.S. Foreign Military Sales channels that bind financing, contracting oversight, and delivery mechanisms into a single framework. The benefit is resilience through scale: Israel taps a mature industrial base and a structured pipeline that can outlast short-term budget turbulence. The risk is dependence: export controls, political friction, or supply chain shocks can ripple straight into armored readiness. In practice, Israel appears to be hedging. It keeps design authority, protection philosophy, and much of the integration at home, while outsourcing a critical but modular subsystem that can be stocked, containerized, and rotated through a controlled sustainment loop. The 2032 horizon in the Army award suggests both sides expect the Merkava family to remain a frontline instrument for years, and they are investing accordingly in the unglamorous component that decides whether a tank is a symbol in a parade or a weapon that actually rolls when the call comes.
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U.S. Puts Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Back on Track for 2027 Launch
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The U.S. Air Force said February 17, 2026, that the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM program is back on track, aiming to regain Milestone B approval by year's end and conduct its first missile pad launch in 2027. The update signals renewed discipline after a 2024 Nunn-McCurdy breach and reinforces the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad for the early 2030s.
The U.S. Air Force on February 17, 2026, signaled it has put the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program back on a disciplined path to complete its ongoing restructure in 2026, regain a Milestone B decision by year's end, and preserve an initial operational capability target in the early 2030s. The service framed Sentinel as a pace-setting modernization effort for the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad and pointed to the next visible leap as a first missile pad launch planned for 2027, a key precursor to an eventual flight test campaign from Vandenberg.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkLGM-35A Sentinel is a next-generation, three-stage solid-fuel U.S. ICBM replacing Minuteman III, designed for prompt intercontinental nuclear strike from hardened silos with upgraded command-and-control and a more resilient, upgradeable architecture (Picture source: U.S. Air Force).
That confidence matters because Sentinel is not simply a new missile body. In July 2024, the Department of Defense certified the program to continue after a critical Nunn-McCurdy breach, rescinded Sentinel’s earlier Milestone B approval, and directed a full restructuring to address the sources of cost growth. DoD concluded that the largest driver sat in the command-and-launch segment, the expensive, manpower-heavy ecosystem of launch facilities, launch centers, and the conversion process required to transition from Minuteman III to a new architecture. The 2026 Air Force update now positions that corrective work as largely maturing into an acquisition plan designed to reduce decision latency and tighten enterprise alignment.
Sentinel remains a three-stage, solid-propellant ICBM, but the Air Force is careful to emphasize test evidence and integration steps rather than hard performance numbers that remain sensitive. The service released imagery of a Sentinel test booster assembled with stages one, two, and three and both interstage mechanisms, with the booster intended to be integrated with the missile’s forward section to create a fully assembled ground-test missile used for transportation, emplacement, and other pathfinder activities. In parallel, the propulsion stack is being de-risked through full-scale qualification of the stage-two solid rocket motor in July 202,5 following a stage-one qualification in March 2025, plus earlier developmental work on the stage-two motor. This is the kind of engineering cadence that matters for a weapon expected to sit on alert for decades, where reliability and predictable maintenance cycles are strategic effects in their own right.
Payload and reentry integration are equally central to Sentinel’s operational credibility. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center notes the program is replacing the aging Minuteman III force across the three existing missile fields at F.E. Warren, Malmstrom, and Minot, with the number of land-based missiles on alert intended to remain the same. Sentinel is planned to deploy initially with the W87-0 warhead now associated with Minuteman III, while the National Nuclear Security Administration develops the W87-1 modernization, which is slated for deployment in the FY2031 to FY2032 window. NNSA has already verified completion of the first production unit plutonium pit for W87-1 and is rebuilding pit manufacturing capacity, underscoring that Sentinel’s schedule is inseparable from the broader nuclear enterprise’s production throughput.
The Air Force pitch is about decision advantage and resilience more than raw throw-weight. Sentinel is described as a full-scale replacement of missile, launch systems, and command-and-control infrastructure with adaptability for the digital era, an overt nod to cyber hardening, modular upgrades, and tighter integration with modern nuclear command, control, and communications. U.S. Strategic Command leadership has repeatedly argued that a modern, reliable ICBM force complicates adversary decision-making and preserves credible presidential options. In practical terms, that translates into hundreds of hardened aimpoints across the northern tier of the United States, continuous alert posture, and prompt global reach, even as the U.S. emphasizes submarines and bombers for survivability and signaling flexibility.
Where Sentinel becomes most tactical in a day-to-day military sense is in the infrastructure and the way it is operated. The restructure leans into a crawl, walk, run approach for flight test campaigning, while investing early in the plumbing that makes a missile wing function: wing command centers, launch support systems, and secure corridors. The Air Force says it is building new silos rather than excavating and retrofitting 450 unique Minuteman-era structures, citing cost unpredictability and safety hazards. It also confirms that Air Force Global Strike Command took the first Minuteman III silo offline last fall as a sequenced step in transition planning, managed through Site Activation Task Force detachments at the three missile wings and at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The near-term development roadmap is now clearer than it has been in months. In February 2026, teams are set to break ground on a prototype launch silo at Northrop Grumman’s Promontory, Utah, site, to validate modern construction techniques before full field work accelerates. This summer, prototyping at F.E. Warren is intended to validate utility corridor construction methods designed to streamline the installation of thousands of miles of secure infrastructure. The Air Force also highlights a critical design review for the Sentinel Launch Support System completed in September, and states that the first of three new wing command centers is taking shape at F.E. Warren while test facilities rise at Vandenberg to support the future launch campaign, culminating in a first missile pad launch planned for 2027.
Sentinel is being built into a world where other nuclear powers are modernizing in ways that stress missile defense and compress warning timelines. Russia’s RS-24 Yars is a three-stage solid-fuel ICBM deployed in both mobile and silo variants and assessed to carry multiple reentry vehicles plus penetration aids out to roughly 10,500 km. Moscow is also pursuing the heavy, liquid-fueled RS-28 Sarmat, which is silo-based with a payload on the order of 10,000 kg and a range band up to 18,000 km, marketed for multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles or glide vehicles. China’s DF-41 is designed around mobility and scale, with a reported 12,000 to 15,000 km range and the ability to carry multiple warheads, while North Korea’s solid-fueled Hwasong-18 reflects a different kind of threat: a cold-launched, road-mobile ICBM concept intended to reduce pre-launch signatures and shorten decision time for defenders.
Allies, by contrast, generally anchor deterrence at sea rather than on land. The United Kingdom’s future Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarines are designed to launch Trident II D5 missiles, and London continues to participate in the U.S. Trident life-extension effort that could keep the missile viable into the early 2060s. France is modernizing the oceanic leg as well, with the M51.3 version of its submarine-launched ballistic missile entering operational service after a decade of development. This broader NATO reality means America’s land-based leg remains a unique contribution that underwrites extended deterrence even for allies whose national forces do not field ICBMs.
The propulsion milestones and ground-test assembly work suggest the air vehicle is moving, but the 2024 Nunn-McCurdy findings are a warning flare that the hardest part is concrete, cabling, staffing, and command-and-control modernization at scale. The schedule hinge points now sit in three places: the reconstituted Milestone B decision at the end of 2026, the 2027 pad launch as a proof of integrated readiness, and the nuclear enterprise’s ability to deliver W87-1 components on time. If those align, Sentinel will not just replace Minuteman III, it will reassert the logic of a dispersed, always-ready land deterrent in an era defined by mobile missiles, multi-warhead buses, and shrinking strategic warning.
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UK Awards Hypersonic Missile Design Contract to US Firm Amentum
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Team Hypersonics UK has selected U.S. Company Amentum within the Ministry of Defence to deliver missile design engineering and program management support for Britain’s emerging hypersonic strike capability. The award strengthens London’s push for a sovereign hypersonic demonstrator while reinforcing trilateral AUKUS cooperation with the United States and Australia.
U.S. Company Amentum announced on February 17, 2026, that it has been chosen by Team Hypersonics UK, part of the British Ministry of Defence, to provide missile design engineering and program management expertise for the United Kingdom’s developing hypersonic strike capability. The Industry Mission Partner contract supports London’s goal of fielding a sovereign hypersonic weapon system demonstrator and aligns technical development efforts with AUKUS partners, particularly the United States and Australia. The move reflects growing integration among the three nations on advanced strike technologies, including high-speed propulsion, guidance, and systems integration, as Western allies accelerate efforts to counter emerging hypersonic threats from peer competitors.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkU.S. Company Amentum engineers and UK Ministry of Defence officials collaborate on the design of a hypersonic weapon system under the AUKUS framework. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group editing)
The 15-month contract, with options for a three-year extension, is designed to accelerate development timelines and structure a national industrial ecosystem capable of sustaining advanced missile production.
For Army Recognition, this development signals more than a routine industrial award. It reflects a strategic recalibration within the UK’s defence establishment, where hypersonic weapons are increasingly viewed as essential to credible deterrence against peer adversaries that field maneuverable, high-speed strike systems. Russia’s Avangard and Kinzhal programs and China’s DF-17 have reshaped the strategic debate in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Britain’s entry into this domain, in partnership with the United States and Australia, aligns its modernization trajectory with AUKUS Pillar II priorities, which emphasize advanced capabilities such as hypersonics, quantum technologies, and undersea systems.
Under the IMP framework, Amentum will establish a Joint Programme Office and a System Engineering Delivery Advisory Team to conduct detailed engineering design work for the MOD’s hypersonic weapon system demonstrator. The focus extends beyond theoretical design. The teams will refine system-level requirements, integrate sensor platforms, assess flight-test configurations, and evaluate propulsion and thermal protection constraints associated with sustained hypersonic flight. While the UK has not publicly confirmed whether its demonstrator will rely on a boost-glide vehicle or air-breathing scramjet propulsion, officials close to the program indicate that multiple architecture pathways are under examination to ensure sovereign design flexibility.
The contract tasks Amentum with delivering comprehensive lifecycle solutions that span systems engineering, mission planning, test design and execution, safety systems integration, and cost modeling. Such a cradle-to-grave advisory role positions the company at the core of Britain’s effort to compress development cycles while maintaining compliance with strict safety and airworthiness standards. Hypersonic systems impose unique engineering burdens, particularly in materials science, where thermal loads can exceed 2,000 degrees Celsius, and in guidance and control algorithms capable of maneuvering at Mach 5 and above under plasma-induced communication constraints.
Loren Jones, senior vice president and head of Amentum’s Energy and Environment International business, emphasized the global dimension of the undertaking. He noted that Amentum’s expertise in state-of-the-art engineering solutions and its technology partnerships would drive innovation across the supply chain. In conversations with industry observers, this supply chain integration is seen as central to Britain’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which seeks to anchor advanced weapons production domestically while leveraging transatlantic technology flows.
Rupert Pearce, the MOD’s national armaments director, framed the IMP contract as emblematic of a new acquisition philosophy. By breaking down traditional organizational boundaries between government, primes, SMEs, and academia, the model aims to deliver at pace. Analysts familiar with UK procurement reform efforts say the IMP approach resembles U.S. rapid-capability office structures, in which cross-functional teams streamline decision-making and reduce bureaucratic friction. If successful, it could serve as a template for other high-technology programs.
Subcontractors Ebeni Ltd and Synthetik Applied Technologies UK Ltd will support Amentum’s effort, reinforcing the domestic industrial footprint. Ebeni brings experience in complex defense program advisory services, while Synthetik Applied Technologies has specialized in advanced simulation and digital engineering environments. Their inclusion suggests that digital twin modeling and high-fidelity simulation will underpin the UK’s hypersonic demonstrator development, reducing reliance on costly live testing during early phases.
From a military-technical perspective, the demonstrator’s ultimate configuration will determine its operational impact. Hypersonic strike systems can penetrate advanced air and missile defense networks thanks to their speed, maneuverability, and depressed flight trajectories. For the British Armed Forces, such a capability could be integrated into Royal Air Force platforms, maritime launch systems, or potentially ground-based configurations aligned with NATO deterrence planning. The engineering advisory phase now underway will clarify integration pathways and examine compatibility with existing command-and-control architectures.
The AUKUS dimension adds further weight. Washington has already advanced several hypersonic initiatives, including the U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon and the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike program. Australia is simultaneously investing in its own hypersonic research infrastructure. By aligning design standards and testing methodologies, the UK positions itself to benefit from shared experimentation data and potentially interoperable missile technologies. Defense officials privately acknowledge that collaborative flight testing arrangements, possibly involving U.S. ranges, are under evaluation.
Amentum’s expanding footprint in the UK defense sector provides a foundation for this role. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, the company employs approximately 50,000 personnel worldwide. It has been deeply embedded in British defense programs, including advisory support for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine enterprise and engineering contributions to the Atomic Weapons Establishment. Its selection underscores the transatlantic character of Britain’s modernization drive, blending sovereign ambition with allied industrial expertise.
For Army Recognition readers, the significance of this award lies in the convergence of policy, technology, and alliance strategy. Hypersonic weapons are not merely faster missiles. They represent a transformation in strike doctrine, compressing response times and challenging traditional missile defense paradigms. The UK’s decision to accelerate its program through an Industry Mission Partner model suggests that London views time as a strategic variable in an increasingly contested security environment.
The coming 15 months will determine whether Britain can translate ambition into demonstrable hardware. If the engineering advisory phase proceeds as planned and transitions into extended development under the optional three-year extension, the UK could emerge as a credible European contributor to hypersonic deterrence within NATO and AUKUS frameworks. In a defense landscape defined by speed and technological rivalry, the race is no longer theoretical. It is operational, industrial, and geopolitical.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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U.S. to Deploy Additional Typhon Missile Systems to Philippines in 2026
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The United States plans to deploy additional Mid-Range Capability Typhon missile systems to the Philippines, expanding a posture first established in Northern Luzon in April 2024, according to an Associated Press report on February 17, 2026. The move signals deeper U.S. force integration under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and sharpens deterrence against China’s growing military pressure in the South China Sea.
The United States intends to send additional Mid-Range Capability, or MRC, Typhon missile systems to the Philippines, reinforcing a deployment that began in Northern Luzon in April 2024, The Associated Press reported on February 17, 2026. The announcement followed annual alliance talks in Manila under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, where U.S. and Philippine officials condemned China’s coercive actions in the South China Sea and confirmed plans to expand joint exercises and increase forward positioning of advanced missile and unmanned systems. Philippine officials said upgraded Typhon configurations could arrive in 2026, a step that may open the door to eventual local acquisition and longer-term basing arrangements.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkOn July 16, 2025, the United States conducted its first Typhon live-fire exercise outside the continental United States in Australia’s Northern Territory, launching a Standard Missile-6. (Picture source: US DoD)
The current posture rests on the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile system developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Army as part of the 2018 National Defense Strategy modernization effort. Designed to bridge the gap between shorter-range tactical fires and longer-range strategic strike assets, the MRC provides a mobile, ground-launched precision strike option suited to contested anti-access and area-denial environments. The first battery was delivered in December 2022 and entered service in 2023. On April 8, 2024, Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, assigned to the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, deployed the system to Northern Luzon.
The Typhon launcher is mounted on a trailer towed by the M983A4 prime mover, a variant of the Oshkosh Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck configured in 8x8. The vehicle reaches speeds of up to 80 to 96 km per hour on paved roads and offers an operational range of roughly 480 kilometers, allowing repositioning across austere terrain. Each launcher integrates four vertical launch cells capable of carrying either Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) or Tomahawk Land-Attack Missiles in sealed canisters. The system travels in a horizontal configuration and erects vertically before firing, reducing exposure during movement while preserving rapid launch capability.
The SM-6 measures approximately 5.9 meters in length, with a diameter of 30 centimeters and a launch weight of nearly 1,000 kilograms. Guided by active radar homing combined with inertial navigation and Global Positioning System updates, it can engage aerial and surface targets at ranges estimated between 240 and 320 kilometers. The Tomahawk, about 6.1 meters long and weighing around 1,300 kilograms, uses inertial navigation, satellite guidance, and terrain-contour matching to strike targets between 500 and 1,500 kilometers, depending on variant. Recent iterations incorporate anti-ship functionality, extending its role beyond traditional land-attack missions.
An MRC battery includes a Battery Operations Center connected to the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System and the Joint Automated Deep Operations Coordination System, enabling integration into joint command-and-control networks. A dedicated reload trailer carries additional missile canisters, while a Battery Support Vehicle provides maintenance and logistical sustainment. This architecture allows the battery to operate as part of a broader sensor-to-shooter network, linking targeting data from maritime patrol aircraft, space-based assets, or allied platforms to land-based launchers.
Operational validation occurred on July 16, 2025, when the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force conducted the first live-fire of the MRC outside the continental United States during Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 in Australia. A ground-launched SM-6 struck and sank a maritime target, demonstrating land-based precision maritime strike capability and confirming joint targeting interoperability with Australian forces. The event underscored the viability of distributed land-based fires against naval formations operating in contested littorals.
Alongside the Typhon, the U.S. Marine Corps has deployed the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System armed with the Naval Strike Missile (NSM). With a range of roughly 185 kilometers and an imaging-infrared seeker optimized for terminal target discrimination, the NSM follows a sea-skimming flight profile and performs evasive maneuvers during its final approach. Positioned in the Batanes islands facing the Bashi Channel, it strengthens anti-ship coverage across a maritime corridor linking the Pacific Ocean to the South China Sea.
Together, these deployments establish a layered land-based strike architecture along the northern Philippine arc. Mobile launchers complicate adversary targeting cycles and impose operational uncertainty on surface combatants transiting the Luzon Strait. The ability to hold high-value assets at risk, from air-defense nodes to logistics hubs, contributes to a deterrence posture anchored in precision, mobility, and networked command-and-control.
For the broader Indo-Pacific security environment, the decision to expand MRC Typhon deployments illustrates a shift toward distributed, ground-based long-range fires within allied territory. It reinforces the credibility of U.S. commitments to Manila while signaling to Beijing that maritime pressure campaigns will be met with tangible military countermeasures. As regional states assess their own force structures, the integration of mobile, land-based missile systems into alliance frameworks is likely to shape deterrence dynamics and strategic calculations across the Western Pacific in the years ahead.
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France Orders SHARD 120mm Arrow APFSDS to Replace Leclerc Tank Rounds by 2030
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France’s procurement agency, the Direction générale de l’armement, has ordered several thousand KNDS SHARD 120 mm APFSDS rounds under a multi-year framework reportedly worth over EUR 100 million. The move is designed to restore anti-armor overmatch for French and NATO tanks while strengthening Europe’s ammunition industrial base for high-intensity conflict.
KNDS Group signaled a major step in France’s armored lethality drive on 17 February 2026, after the Direction générale de l’armement notified KNDS Ammo France of an order for several thousand SHARD new-generation “obus flèche” rounds intended to sharpen the punch of French armored forces. KNDS presents SHARD as a high-intensity combat answer: a NATO-standard 120 mm kinetic-energy round designed to improve accuracy, increase penetration against modern main battle tanks, and reduce gun tube wear, with firing trials validated on both Leclerc and Leopard 2 platforms.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkSHARD is a NATO-standard 120 mm "arrow" APFSDS round delivering higher long-range armor penetration and accuracy, with reduced barrel wear for high-intensity combat (Picture source: KNDS).
French defense observers report a seven-year framework arrangement valued at more than EUR 100 million, with production work shared with Eurenco for energetic materials such as the double-base propellant powder and other components. The notification is described as having been issued on 24 December 2025 and later made public, with first serial rounds expected in the 2029 timeframe and broader fielding before 2030, aligning with the longer arc of France’s armored force refresh.
SHARD is an armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot round, the NATO workhorse category for tank-on-tank engagements at distance. KNDS lists the complete round at 22 kg and 984 mm in length, built around a combustible case with a double-base propellant and an electric primer architecture, details that matter because they must interface cleanly with modern fire-control timing, breech sealing, and the ammunition handling constraints of autoloaders and bustle racks.
The manufacturer’s own data sheet frames SHARD as “Solution for Hardened Armor Defeat,” and the design choices track that mission. The round pairs a next-generation elongated tungsten-alloy penetrator with a high-mechanical-strength aluminum sabot. In performance terms, KNDS states an operational range of 2,500 m, a maximum range of 4,000 m, and a muzzle velocity of 1,720 m/s when fired from an L52-class 120 mm smoothbore gun. Compatibility is explicitly anchored to NATO standards, with compliance cited against STANAG 4385 and MOPI AEP 26, as well as Leopard 2 interface requirements, positioning SHARD as a true coalition-ready cartridge rather than a national outlier.
An “obus flèche” is not a classic full-bore shell in the historical sense; it is closer to a launched dart. The sabot allows a sub-caliber, very slender penetrator to be accelerated by a 120 mm gun, then discarded moments after muzzle exit, leaving a fin-stabilized rod to fly with low drag and high retained velocity. That architecture focuses the destructive effect into kinetic energy delivered on a tiny impact area. In simple terms, it is the difference between punching with a needle and hitting with a hammer: the needle concentrates force to defeat armor rather than relying on blast or fragmentation.
Compared with classic high-explosive or multi-purpose shells, the tactical use case is narrower but decisive. HE rounds are optimized for blast and fragments against soft targets, infantry positions, and structures, where armor penetration is secondary. Shaped-charge HEAT rounds can defeat armor through a metal jet, but their performance is heavily influenced by standoff, impact geometry, and countermeasures such as explosive reactive armor. A modern APFSDS “arrow” round like SHARD is built to restore overmatch against heavy armored threats by maximizing long-rod penetrator efficiency, pushing high muzzle velocity, and controlling dispersion so that first-round hit probability remains credible at the ranges where a tank duel is often decided.
SHARD’s claimed advantages go directly to those battlefield fundamentals. KNDS-affiliated reporting from 2024 described a 15 percent penetration gain while keeping dispersion low, alongside a 25 percent reduction in barrel wear, and higher velocities on longer guns such as Leopard 2’s L55, reported at 1,734 m/s. The same reporting emphasizes a numerically optimized design, a lighter aluminum sabot, and a new high-performance tungsten alloy penetrator developed with Plansee, plus an ITAR-free positioning intended to ease export and coalition supply without U.S. regulatory friction.
The NATO compatibility point is operationally significant: KNDS states SHARD can be fired from main battle tanks equipped with NATO 120 mm smoothbore guns, and independent reporting has repeatedly highlighted a cross-platform ambition that spans Leclerc, Leopard 2, and M1 Abrams families. That matters in a European theater where ammunition stocks, training pipelines, and wartime resupply plans increasingly assume multinational pooling and rapid redistribution under pressure. A common kinetic round reduces the risk that a battalion arrives with tanks but without the right anti-armor cartridge for the gun system at hand.
For France specifically, SHARD is also about replacing aging reference rounds and keeping the Leclerc credible against the newest generation of threat tanks. Open reporting on Leclerc’s current 120 mm portfolio has cited legacy kinetic rounds such as the OFL 120 F1-A alongside other natures of ammunition for lighter armor and fortifications, and the DGA-linked timeline suggests SHARD is intended to succeed earlier “flèche” stocks as the force modernizes. From a tactical standpoint, the combination of increased penetration and reduced dispersion translates into a wider engagement envelope: more confidence at longer range, better performance through unfavorable angles, and less reliance on multiple shots that expose a firing tank to counterfire and drones.
The “high-intensity” framing in the KNDS announcement should be read in the context of NATO’s post-Ukraine planning assumptions, where mass, tempo, and sustainment are back at the center of land combat. High-intensity conflict is unforgiving to barrels, logistics chains, and training cycles. A round that delivers higher terminal effect while lowering propellant pressure and tube wear is not merely a maintenance savings; it is a readiness multiplier when units must fire more often, stay lethal longer between depot-level interventions, and conserve scarce spare parts in prolonged operations. In that sense, SHARD is less about a single spectacular penetration statistic and more about building a sustainable anti-armor advantage that can survive the grind of a major war, which is exactly the scenario NATO members, including France, now plan for explicitly.
Written by Evan Lerouvillois, Defense Analyst.
Evan studied International Relations, and quickly specialized in defense and security. He is particularly interested in the influence of the defense sector on global geopolitics, and analyzes how technological innovations in defense, arms export contracts, and military strategies influence the international geopolitical scene.
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Japan Reviews Long-Range Upgrade for 155mm Artillery Vehicles Under Counterstrike Strategy
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Japan is examining options to extend the range of its Ground Self-Defense Force artillery as it revises its national security strategy and five-year Defense Buildup Program, according to a February 18 report by The Japan Times. The move reflects Tokyo’s effort to strengthen deterrence against North Korean missile launches and mounting Chinese military pressure around the Nansei island chain.
Japan is reviewing plans to enhance the range and role of its Ground Self-Defense Force artillery as part of an upcoming update to its core national security documents and five-year Defense Buildup Program, The Japan Times reported on February 18. The discussion centers on whether existing 155 mm platforms, such as the tracked Type 99 and wheeled Type 19 self-propelled howitzers, can be adapted for longer-range missions or integrated into Japan’s evolving counterstrike concept. The debate unfolds against a backdrop of repeated North Korean missile activity and sustained Chinese military operations near the Nansei island chain, where Japan has steadily reinforced its southwestern defenses. Officials are weighing not only new munitions procurement but also doctrinal shifts that could reposition conventional artillery as a contributor to stand-off and island defense missions.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkThe newer Type 19 155mm self-propelled howitzer, mounted on an 8x8 wheeled platform, offers improved strategic mobility and digital fire-control, enabling rapid displacement and shoot-and-scoot tactics (Picture source: Telegram Channel @JapanMilitary)
The Ground Self-Defense Force operates roughly 300 155 mm systems, procured over decades with a focus on repelling a large-scale landing on the main islands. The Type 99 155mm self-propelled howitzer, introduced in 1999, uses a 52-caliber barrel mounted on a tracked chassis and can fire conventional high-explosive rounds to ranges of about 30 kilometers, depending on ammunition type. The newer Type 19 155mm self-propelled howitzer, mounted on an 8x8 wheeled platform, offers improved strategic mobility and digital fire-control, enabling rapid displacement and shoot-and-scoot tactics. Yet both platforms remain constrained by the ballistic limits of standard projectiles.
Precision-guided artillery has partially addressed this constraint. Italy’s Leonardo supplies the Vulcano 155 mm guided artillery shell, which the Ground Self-Defense Force has tested since 2025 on both Type 99 and Type 19 platforms. In its extended-range configuration, Vulcano can reach approximately 70 to 75 kilometers and uses guidance options that combine inertial navigation and satellite positioning to reduce circular error probable to a few meters under optimal conditions. However, even these capabilities may prove insufficient in a scenario where adversary forces deploy long-range anti-access and area-denial networks across the East China Sea.
This requirement explains growing foreign interest in Japan’s artillery modernization. U.S.-based Tiberius Aerospace is offering the Sceptre 155 mm ramjet-propelled artillery round, designed to extend the effective reach of conventional howitzers to around 150 kilometers. By integrating a ramjet engine into the projectile body, Sceptre sustains propulsion after launch, rather than relying solely on the initial propellant charge. According to company statements, the munition is precision-guided with an advertised accuracy of roughly 3.5 meters and is undergoing verification processes in the United States. The firm also proposes local licensed production in Japan, a factor that aligns with Tokyo’s objective of reinforcing its defense-industrial base.
Norwegian group NAMMO is reported to be discussing similar arrangements with Japanese partners for its own ramjet-based 155 mm concept. In parallel, research programs in Japan and abroad explore rotating-detonation-engine propulsion, a technology that uses continuous detonation waves to generate thrust and could theoretically extend artillery ranges to several hundred kilometers. While these projects remain developmental, they illustrate the extent to which traditional tube artillery is being reconsidered as a long-range strike asset rather than a purely tactical support weapon.
Despite record defense allocations, inflation and currency depreciation constrain procurement flexibility, particularly as Tokyo finances stand-off missiles, air- and missile-defense upgrades, and next-generation aircraft programs. The three Self-Defense Force branches will compete for funding when the new Defense Buildup Program is drafted later this year, and the Ground Self-Defense Force must justify investments that repurpose legacy platforms instead of replacing them outright. Adapting the Type 99 and Type 19 fleets to fire advanced guided munitions may therefore appear more cost-effective than acquiring entirely new launch systems.
Extended-range 155 mm munitions would alter Japan’s deterrence posture along its southwestern islands. From positions on Kyushu or Okinawa, a 150 kilometer artillery round could hold at risk amphibious staging areas, logistics nodes, and surface combatants operating within contested littoral zones, provided targeting data is available through joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance networks. Integration with satellite communications, ground-based radars, and potentially maritime-patrol aircraft would be essential to generate accurate fire solutions at such distances. At the same time, survivability depends on mobility and counter-battery resilience, since adversaries equipped with long-range rockets and drones will seek to suppress fixed artillery positions.
Foreign firms now view Japan not only as a buyer but also as a production partner capable of licensed manufacturing and co-development. This trend reflects Tokyo’s gradual shift away from its traditionally restrictive defense-export posture and toward deeper industrial cooperation with like-minded nations. If Japan integrates long-range guided artillery into its counterstrike concept, it will further blur the line between defensive denial and offensive reach in Northeast Asia. Such a shift may reinforce deterrence, yet it will also contribute to a regional competition in range, precision, and industrial capacity that increasingly defines the security order of the Indo-Pacific.
Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.
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Greece's Theon International reports record revenue and 182 percent order growth in 2025
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Theon International Plc reported its preliminary financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, confirming record revenue and profit in its 28 year history.
On February 16, 2026, the Greek company Theon International Plc reported its preliminary financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, confirming record revenue and profit in its 28-year history. Order intake increased 182 percent to €1.3139 billion, while revenue rose 25.9 percent to €443.5 million. The company entered 2026 with a backlog of €1.4143 billion and revenue guidance of €570 to €600 million.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkTheon International Plc reported its preliminary financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, in which order intake increased 182 percent to €1.3139 billion, while revenue rose 25.9 percent to €443.5 million. (Picture source: Theon)
Theon International Plc announced its preliminary results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, confirming record revenue and profit in its 28-year history and stating that performance met the upgraded FY 2025 guidance issued in November 2025. The company reported that it entered 2026 with historically high backlog levels, expanded framework agreements extending visibility toward 2029, and a broadened product portfolio following acquisitions and strategic investments completed or finalized around year-end. It also reiterated that small bolt-on acquisitions are envisaged in FY 2026 without the need for a new share capital increase, while maintaining a capital structure supported by the December 2025 rights issue and a €300 million revolving credit facility signed in October 2025.
The €150 million rights issue was supported by majority shareholders, who subscribed pro-rata for approximately €107 million of the offering. Order intake for FY 2025 reached €1,313.9 million, compared with €466.0 million in FY 2024, representing a 182.0 percent increase driven in part by a firm order routed through OCCAR for night-vision man-portable equipment for the German Armed Forces, identified as the largest single order in the company’s history in this segment. Revenue increased to €443.5 million from €352.4 million, up 25.9 percent, while adjusted EBITDA rose to €120.1 million from €93.3 million and adjusted EBIT to €116.1 million from €90.8 million, corresponding to a 26.2 percent adjusted EBIT margin versus 25.8 percent in FY 2024.
In the fourth quarter alone, revenue amounted to €164.2 million versus €129.8 million a year earlier, adjusted EBIT was €46.7 million versus €38.6 million, and the adjusted EBIT margin stood at 28.4 percent versus 29.7 percent. The company linked profitability to disciplined expense management, operational leverage, and improved performance at Harder Digital following active management measures. The group indicated that profitability margins exceeded internal expectations during the year. Backlog and option metrics reflected the expansion of long-term agreements, with soft backlog reaching €1,414.3 million at December 31, 2025, compared with €654.0 million a year earlier, and options totaling €856.4 million versus €298.2 million.
The company stated that soft backlog now provides visibility beyond the typical 18-month horizon and, in some cases, spans to 2029, supported by longer-term framework agreements with key customers and expected orders for platform-based systems that follow longer equipment life cycles. Net working capital absorption declined to 41.0 percent of revenues from 44.2 percent, while capital expenditure increased to €18.6 million from €10.7 million, and cash conversion, defined as (adjusted EBITDA minus capex) divided by adjusted EBITDA, stood at 84.5 percent versus 88.5 percent. Net cash at year-end was €126.9 million compared with €41.9 million at December 31, 2024, reflecting operating cash flow and the net proceeds of €147.7 million from the €150 million rights issue completed in December 2025.
On a pro-forma basis, including the rights issue proceeds and deducting €69.9 million for the acquisition of Kappa Optronics and €268.7 million for the 9.8 percent stake in Exosens, the group would have reported net debt of €211.7 million with leverage of 1.8x last-twelve-month EBITDA. The acquisition of Kappa Optronics GmbH, completed following an August 4, 2025, agreement for an enterprise value of €75 million, adds about 200 employees, including 60 engineers, and was projected to generate more than €37 million in revenue in fiscal year 2025 with EBITDA of about €8 million. Kappa’s integration is intended to expand production capacity for land and aviation electro-optics, including driver vision systems and visual components for MRTT aircraft, and is expected to contribute approximately €40 million to FY 2026 revenues.
The 9.8 percent stake in Exosens was signed subsequent to the reporting period and is intended to secure a long-term supply of 16 mm image intensifier tubes and foster collaboration on new ITAR-free technologies. The industrial footprint expanded across Europe and the United States during 2025, including the creation of Theon Belgium as a wholly owned subsidiary with a 420 square meter production site in Zaventem and a liaison office in Brussels, designed to support export-oriented electro-optical systems and local customer needs and expected to employ up to 12 staff initially. The group invested €1.1 million for a 10 percent stake in Andres Industries AG with an option to increase to 24.99 percent within two years for a total of €4.5 million, and relocated its German headquarters to Berlin within the Andres premises to support operational alignment and maintenance activities.
A strategic investment was also completed in Baltic Photonics in Riga to strengthen access to optics and photonics manufacturing, and capacity increases were implemented at Harder Digital and Exosens. In the United States, following Direct Foreign Investment approval on October 16, 2025, the company confirmed the establishment of a facility in Reston, Virginia, in partnership with Kopin Corporation to produce and integrate thermal and augmented vision systems incorporating Kopin’s DarkWave module. The expansion of the global footprint also included a more meaningful operational presence in Denmark, alongside Latvia and South Korea. Contract activity during 2025 included an OCCAR agreement for the supply of 100,000 Mikron night vision goggles to the German Armed Forces valued at approximately €500 million, with Belgium converting an option into a firm order for 4,000 units, and involving 200,000 compact 16 mm image intensifier tubes produced by Exosens.
In December 2025, a contract revision between OCCAR and the THEON/Hensoldt consortium formalized what the company identified as the largest single procurement of night vision goggles in the history of a European NATO member. A separate OCCAR contract signed on September 24, 2025, covered the IRIS-C thermal clip-on system for Germany and Belgium with an initial value of about €50 million and an embedded option of around €150 million, with deliveries mainly scheduled for 2026 and 2027 and maintenance handled by Andres Industries. IRIS-C is designed as a clip-on compatible with both Theon and third-party night vision devices, providing fused intensified and thermal imagery and, when integrated with the Smart Battery Pack or Smart Gateway, augmented reality overlays and connectivity to battle management systems, including ATAK.
The product portfolio also includes Orion fused binoculars, THEA head-up display, Thermis thermal sights in Medium, Long, and Extra-Long Range variants, and the TALOS and TRITON ISR electro-optical families for land and maritime surveillance across patrol boats, OPVs, corvettes, and frigates. Under the THEON NEXT initiative, the company aims to increase the share of digital, thermal, and augmented systems from below 10 percent of revenue in 2025 to about 20 percent in 2026 and toward 50 percent in the mid-term, while maintaining demand for night vision products where penetration remains limited in many markets.
For FY 2026, revenue guidance is set at €570–600 million (an expected revenue increase of approximately 30 percent compared with FY 2025) with organic growth above 15 percent per annum supported by bolt-on M&A, adjusted EBIT margins in the mid-twenties, capex of €30 million including construction of a new facility in Greece for vehicle-mounted stabilized systems following a first order from a leading armored vehicle manufacturer, and a dividend payout ratio of 20–30 percent of net income. The €30 million capex guidance represents approximately 4 percent of projected revenue.
For FY 2025, the company maintained a dividend distribution equivalent to 35 percent of net income, while the FY 2026 payout ratio is guided at 20 to 30 percent. More than 20 percent of this projected growth is expected to be organic, with the remainder driven by consolidation effects, including Kappa Optronics. The company stated that this organic growth trajectory exceeds the expected annual growth rate of defense spending among major NATO member states. Following foundational work undertaken during 2025, the company was accepted as a member of the United Nations Global Compact on January 6, 2026.
Order intake is projected to more than cover deliveries with a book-to-bill ratio above 1.0x, and the company stated that acceleration of investment in Harder Digital was announced in January 2026 to respond to global demand for image intensifier tubes exceeding current supply. Theon reiterated its medium-term ambition to reach €1 billion in revenue ahead of the original 2030 projection and to expand from leadership in night vision into the broader defense optoelectronics sector, supported by more than 250,000 systems in service in 72 countries, including 26 NATO members, and a listing on Euronext Amsterdam since February 2024.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
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Israel to Deploy Arrow 4 Air Defense System in 2026 After Iran Threats
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Israel Aerospace Industries CEO Boaz Levy said on February 17, 2026, that the Arrow 4 interceptor could enter operational service within months, following key development milestones. The deployment would strengthen Israel’s upper-tier missile defense at a time of heightened concern over Iranian ballistic missile threats and regional escalation.
Israel Aerospace Industries is preparing to bring the Arrow 4 interceptor into operational service within the coming months, according to CEO Boaz Levy, who spoke at a defense conference in Tel Aviv on February 17, 2026, as first reported by The Jerusalem Post. Levy linked the program’s progress to Israel’s preparation for future high-intensity conflict, citing the ballistic missile exchanges with Iran in 2024 and 2025 as a catalyst for accelerating advanced air defense capabilities. His remarks indicate that major development benchmarks have been achieved and that integration with the Israel Defense Forces air defense command network is moving toward field readiness, positioning Arrow 4 as the next layer in Israel’s multi-tiered missile shield alongside Arrow 2 and Arrow 3.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkThe Arrow 4 is intended to counter advanced ballistic missile threats, including maneuvering reentry vehicles and potentially certain hypersonic glide vehicles (Picture source: IAI)
The Arrow 4 forms part of the broader Arrow weapon system, developed jointly by Israel Aerospace Industries and the United States Missile Defense Agency. It is designed to replace the Arrow 2 interceptor for endo-atmospheric engagements while complementing the Arrow 3, which conducts exo-atmospheric intercepts. This tiered configuration allows Israel to engage ballistic threats at multiple altitudes, thereby increasing engagement opportunities and improving overall interception reliability against complex salvos.
The Arrow 4 is intended to counter advanced ballistic missile threats, including maneuvering reentry vehicles and potentially certain hypersonic glide vehicles. While official performance parameters remain classified, the system operates within the Earth’s atmosphere, unlike Arrow 3, and is expected to feature improved kinematic performance and a more advanced seeker. The Arrow family relies on a two stage interceptor architecture and a hit to kill mechanism, designed to neutralize incoming warheads through direct impact rather than fragmentation. Engagements are coordinated through the Citron Tree battle management center and supported by the EL/M-2080 Green Pine radar, an L-band early-warning and fire-control radar capable of detecting ballistic launches at ranges reportedly exceeding 500 kilometers, depending on target profile.
Arrow 3, already operational and exported to Germany, intercepts ballistic missiles in space at altitudes above 100 kilometers, allowing debris to fall outside national territory. By contrast, Arrow 2 and Arrow 4 operate within the upper atmosphere, providing a final defensive layer should exo-atmospheric interception fail or prove unfeasible. Levy indicated that the new interceptor will enhance the probability of kill against evolving threats, particularly those designed to evade traditional tracking and interception envelopes.
Development of Arrow 4 was first publicly announced in 2021, yet no firm deployment date had been disclosed. The acceleration of timelines now hinted at by Levy reflects both operational necessity and accumulated experience. During the 12 day conflict with Iran, the Israel Defense Forces reportedly expended dozens of interceptors to counter ballistic missile barrages. That episode underscored the importance of interceptor stockpiles, production capacity, and layered redundancy. Levy stated that Israel Aerospace Industries is delivering the quantities required by the Israeli Air Force and, concurrently, to the German Air Force under Berlin’s Arrow 3 procurement program.
Germany has already committed to acquiring Arrow 3 as part of its European Sky Shield Initiative, and senior German officers signaled in late 2025 their intention to consider future Arrow 4 and Arrow 5 systems once available. Such interest reflects a broader European reassessment of missile defense requirements amid the proliferation of longer range and maneuverable missile systems across Eurasia.
Arrow 4 strengthens Israel’s ability to absorb and defeat saturation attacks combining ballistic missiles with varying trajectories and speeds. Its endo atmospheric engagement envelope provides flexibility against targets that evade or survive earlier interception attempts. Integration within Israel’s multilayered network, which includes David’s Sling and Iron Dome systems, allows command authorities to allocate interceptors according to threat type and trajectory, preserving higher tier assets for longer range or more destructive payloads. This architecture also mitigates the risk posed by hypersonic or quasi ballistic systems that may maneuver unpredictably during terminal phases, compressing decision timelines and stressing radar discrimination.
The system’s deployment occurs within a shifting strategic landscape. Iran continues to expand its ballistic missile inventory, and regional actors are investing in more agile delivery systems capable of challenging existing defenses. At the same time, Russia and China pursue hypersonic technologies that alter traditional assumptions about missile warning and interception windows. By fielding Arrow 4, Israel signals its determination to maintain qualitative superiority in missile defense and to adapt to these emerging vectors.
The maturation of Arrow 4 carries implications beyond Israel’s borders. European states observing the performance of Israeli systems during recent conflicts may weigh deeper cooperation, particularly as NATO members confront renewed missile threats. The integration of advanced interceptors into allied architectures could reshape deterrence dynamics, reinforcing defensive shields while also prompting adversaries to refine offensive capabilities. In this environment, missile defense is no longer a peripheral insurance policy but a central component of national resilience and alliance strategy, and Arrow 4 is poised to become one of its most closely watched elements.
Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.
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U.S. Army Tests Drone to Generate Smoke Screen to Protect Bradley M2A4 IFVs in Field Exercise
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U.S. Soldiers from 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division deployed drone-enabled smoke screens while operating Bradley M2A4 infantry fighting vehicles during Exercise Spartan Focus at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The demonstration underscores how the U.S. Army is pairing unmanned aerial systems with armored units to improve reconnaissance, concealment, and battlefield survivability.
According to information published by the U.S. Department of War on February 13, 2026, U.S. soldiers assigned to 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division integrated drone-enabled smoke screens into maneuver operations during Exercise Spartan Focus at Fort Stewart, Georgia, while operating Bradley M2A4 tracked infantry fighting vehicles. The training event showcased how armored formations are incorporating small unmanned aerial systems to extend reconnaissance reach and deploy obscurants beyond the line of sight of ground vehicles. By combining upgraded M2A4 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), which feature improved survivability and digital networking, with aerial smoke delivery, the unit demonstrated a layered approach to concealment and force protection designed to complicate enemy targeting and enhance operational flexibility.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkU.S. Army tests drone-deployed smoke screen to shield M2A4 Bradley IFVs during live field exercise. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)
During the field exercise, Dog Face Soldiers used small tactical drones to detect simulated enemy movements beyond the Bradley crews' direct line of sight. By extending reconnaissance range, the squadron improved its ability to anticipate threats, coordinate maneuvers, and protect mechanized infantry formations operating in contested terrain.
The integration of drones into armored operations marks a significant evolution in U.S. Army doctrine. Traditionally reliant on ground scouts and vehicle-mounted optics, mechanized units are now leveraging aerial platforms to gather real-time intelligence. This expanded situational awareness enables commanders to make faster, data-driven decisions while maintaining operational tempo.
A key component of the demonstration involved deploying smoke screens using drone coordination. By synchronizing unmanned aerial observation with ground-based smoke systems, Soldiers created layered obscuration effects designed to disrupt enemy targeting systems and surveillance assets. The tactic complicates adversary use of precision-guided munitions and drone reconnaissance, a growing threat in modern combat environments.
The Bradley M2A4 infantry fighting vehicle serves as the backbone of the operation. As the latest modernization variant, the M2A4 features upgraded power generation, improved suspension, enhanced networking capabilities, and advanced digital architecture. These improvements allow the vehicle to integrate seamlessly with external sensors, including unmanned aerial platforms, reinforcing the Army’s broader network-centric warfare strategy.
Equipped with a 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun, TOW anti-tank guided missiles, and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, the Bradley M2A4 provides both mobility and lethal firepower for mechanized infantry units. Its improved electrical systems support advanced communications equipment and battlefield management tools, enabling better coordination between mounted forces and drone operators.
Leaders participating in Spartan Focus emphasized that the exercise reflects lessons learned from contemporary conflicts where drones play a decisive role in detection and targeting. By training in integrated drone and smoke tactics, the 3rd Infantry Division is adapting to evolving battlefield realities in which survivability depends on speed, concealment, and technological integration.
Officials also highlighted the importance of continuous modernization across armored brigades. The Army’s push to field upgraded Bradleys and expand unmanned systems training ensures that mechanized formations remain prepared for large-scale combat operations against near-peer adversaries.
Strategically, the integration of drone-enabled obscuration with armored maneuver demonstrates how the U.S. Army is modernizing for multidomain operations. By combining robotics, advanced sensors, and legacy armored platforms, the service enhances its ability to counter emerging threats while preserving battlefield dominance. This approach underscores the Pentagon’s commitment to ensuring U.S. military forces retain a decisive edge in reconnaissance, protection, and rapid maneuver.
As Spartan Focus continues at Fort Stewart, the 3rd Infantry Division’s experimentation with drone-assisted smoke screens illustrates a broader transformation in Army doctrine, one that blends traditional armored strength with next-generation defense technology to secure U.S. operational superiority.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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Türkiye’s TAYFUN Block 4 Hypersonic Missile Enters Serial Production in 2026
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A February 15, 2026, update posted on X by defense analyst Turan Oguz states that Türkiye’s TAYFUN Block 4 hypersonic ballistic missile will enter serial production later this year. The announcement, reinforced by ROKETSAN leadership, underscores Ankara’s accelerating push to operationalize long-range hypersonic strike systems.
According to an update published February 15, 2026, on his official X account, defense analyst Turan Oguz reported that Türkiye’s next-generation TAYFUN Block 4 hypersonic ballistic missile will move into serial production later this year, a statement later reinforced by ROKETSAN General Manager Murat İkinci during a Habertürk TV interview. İkinci confirmed that following the missile’s successful Block 4 test, production will begin in 2026. The update signals a significant milestone for Türkiye’s indigenous missile program, marking the transition from developmental testing to industrial-scale manufacturing and strengthening Ankara’s long-range precision strike posture.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkTAYFUN Block 4 hypersonic ballistic missile displayed at IDEF 2025 in Istanbul, showcasing Türkiye’s next-generation long-range strike system developed by ROKETSAN prior to its transition into serial production in 2026. (Picture source: Turan Oguz X account)
The move from testing to serial production signals that the Turkish Armed Forces have validated the missile’s operational parameters and that ROKETSAN’s production infrastructure is ready to scale output. While official technical data remain classified, defense sources in Ankara indicate that TAYFUN Block 4 incorporates substantial upgrades over previous variants in propulsion efficiency, guidance precision, and terminal flight performance.
The original TAYFUN ballistic missile, publicly tested in 2022, achieved a range exceeding 560 kilometers, establishing it as Türkiye’s longest-range indigenous ballistic missile at the time. Block 4 is widely assessed to extend this range envelope further, potentially approaching or exceeding the 1,000-kilometer threshold depending on payload configuration. Such a range would significantly enhance Türkiye’s capacity for deep precision strikes against high-value strategic targets.
Technically, the classification of TAYFUN Block 4 as a hypersonic ballistic missile is notable. Conventional ballistic missiles reach hypersonic speeds during their midcourse phase. However, what distinguishes advanced hypersonic systems is sustained high-speed maneuverability, especially during terminal descent. Turkish defense analysts suggest that Block 4 may feature a refined solid-fuel propulsion system delivering higher thrust-to-weight efficiency and enabling a depressed trajectory profile. This trajectory reduces detection windows and compresses adversary reaction times.
Moreover, improvements in guidance architecture are expected. TAYFUN Block 4 is believed to combine advanced inertial navigation systems with satellite-based correction, increasing accuracy against fixed and potentially relocatable targets. Some industry observers speculate that the missile could incorporate a maneuverable reentry vehicle or enhanced aerodynamic control surfaces, enabling limited course correction in the terminal phase. If confirmed, this would complicate interception by modern missile defense systems such as Patriot, S-400, or similar layered architectures.
The transition to serial production also reflects Türkiye’s expanding domestic missile industrial base. ROKETSAN has invested heavily in solid rocket motor production lines, composite material manufacturing, and high-precision electronics assembly. These investments not only support TAYFUN but also strengthen Türkiye’s broader missile ecosystem, including short- and medium-range systems such as BORA and other tactical strike platforms.
Strategically, the implications are significant. By entering serial production of a hypersonic-class ballistic missile, Türkiye joins a select group of nations that have developed and fielded hypersonic weapons. To date, only a limited number of countries, including the United States, Russia, China, and a few others, have demonstrated operational or near-operational hypersonic capabilities. Türkiye’s entry into this domain signals both technological maturity and strategic ambition, reinforcing its position as an emerging missile power.
For Ankara, hypersonic capability serves multiple objectives. First, it enhances deterrence by presenting adversaries with a fast, hard-to-intercept strike option capable of penetrating advanced air defense networks. Second, it reinforces strategic autonomy, reducing dependence on foreign-supplied long-range strike systems. Third, it sends a political signal across the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Middle Eastern theaters that Türkiye is prepared to protect its national interests with indigenous high-end capabilities.
Operationally, TAYFUN Block 4 is expected to be deployed on mobile transporter-erector-launcher platforms, ensuring survivability through mobility and dispersal. Road-mobile basing complicates targeting and increases second-strike resilience. Such mobility is a critical factor in modern missile doctrine, particularly in environments where precision surveillance and long-range counter-strike capabilities are proliferating.
The confirmation by Murat İkinci on national television underscores the confidence of both industry and government in the program’s maturity. Public acknowledgment of serial production typically follows a series of successful validation tests, including propulsion reliability, guidance accuracy, and structural endurance under extreme thermal stress generated by hypersonic flight.
From a NATO perspective, Türkiye’s advancement into hypersonic missile production adds complexity to alliance dynamics. While Ankara remains a key NATO member, its indigenous development of advanced strike systems strengthens its independent deterrent posture. Regionally, this capability could alter strategic calculations, particularly in contested maritime zones and along sensitive border regions.
Although detailed production numbers and deployment schedules have not been disclosed, Army Recognition understands from defense industry contacts that initial production batches will prioritize strategic rocket units responsible for long-range conventional deterrence missions. Additional variants within the TAYFUN family could follow, potentially offering different payload configurations or extended-range options.
With the launch of serial production in 2026, TAYFUN Block 4 transitions from an experimental program to an operational pillar of Türkiye’s missile force. In doing so, Ankara firmly positions itself among the nations capable of designing, testing, and producing hypersonic missile systems, marking a new chapter in its defense industrial evolution and reshaping the strategic balance across its surrounding regions.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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Germany Eyes Acquisition of Polish Piorun MANPADS Portable Air Defense Missile to Counter Drones
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Germany has expressed initial interest in acquiring Poland’s Piorun Man Portable Air Defense System, according to a February 13, 2026, report by Defence24. The move signals growing NATO urgency to bolster short-range air defense against drones, cruise missiles, and low-altitude aircraft.
Germany has signaled preliminary interest in procuring Poland’s Piorun Man Portable Air Defense System, according to a February 13, 2026, report by the Polish defense outlet Defence24. This development could deepen European cooperation on short-range air defense at a critical moment for NATO. The shoulder-fired Piorun missile, produced by Poland’s Mesko, has gained combat credibility in Ukraine for its ability to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and small unmanned aerial systems at ranges of up to 6.5 km and altitudes around 4 km.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this linkThe Polish-made Piorun man-portable air defense missile system was displayed at the World Defense Show 2026 in Saudi Arabia. Germany has expressed preliminary interest in acquiring the combat-proven short-range missile system to reinforce the German Army’s very short-range air defense capabilities. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The announcement was made during a press conference at the Prime Minister's Chancellery in Warsaw, where Polish Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk confirmed that Berlin had expressed preliminary interest in the system. He clarified that discussions remain unofficial and require further refinement before any formal procurement procedure can begin. Still, he acknowledged that Germany’s approach highlights the increasing international recognition of Poland’s defense industrial capabilities.
The Piorun MANPADS (Man-portable air-defense systems), developed and manufactured by Mesko under the Polish Armaments Group PGZ, represents one of the most advanced European-designed man-portable air defense systems currently in production. It is a shoulder-fired, infrared-guided surface-to-air missile optimized to engage helicopters, low-flying aircraft, cruise missiles, and a wide spectrum of unmanned aerial systems. As an evolution of the earlier Grom MANPADS, Piorun incorporates a significantly upgraded seeker with improved sensitivity, enhanced discrimination capability, and increased resistance to infrared countermeasures and electronic jamming. The missile offers an effective engagement range of approximately 6.5 km and can intercept targets at altitudes up to 4 km. Equipped with both impact and proximity fuzes and a modernized high-explosive fragmentation warhead, the system is designed to defeat small, maneuverable targets, including loitering munitions and low-signature drones that have reshaped modern battlefields.
Weighing roughly 16.5 kg in firing configuration, Piorun can be operated by a single soldier or mounted on light tactical vehicles and short-range air defense platforms. Its modular design allows integration into networked air defense architectures, providing flexibility for both territorial defense formations and expeditionary units. The system’s mobility and rapid deployment profile make it particularly suitable for protecting maneuver brigades, logistics hubs, and critical infrastructure against sudden low-altitude incursions.
Germany’s interest in Piorun MANPADS must be viewed within the broader context of Berlin’s ongoing reconfiguration of its air defense posture. Since the launch of its Zeitenwende policy, Germany has accelerated investments in advanced systems such as the Patriot and IRIS-T SLM to strengthen its medium- and long-range coverage. However, the resurgence of high-intensity warfare in Europe and the rapid proliferation of drones and cruise missiles have exposed persistent capability gaps at the very short-range level. Mobile, soldier-portable systems remain essential to provide the final protective layer for ground forces and sensitive sites, especially in scenarios where radar coverage is limited or saturation attacks occur.
Operational use in Ukraine has significantly elevated the Piorun’s profile. Since 2022, the system has reportedly demonstrated effectiveness against helicopters, close air support aircraft, and various unmanned threats in a contested environment characterized by heavy electronic warfare and countermeasure deployment. Its battlefield record has reinforced confidence among NATO planners seeking combat-proven and rapidly deployable solutions.
If the German request is formally confirmed and translated into a contract, Berlin would join a growing group of Piorun operators, including Belgium, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, the United States, and Ukraine. The expansion of this user community would enhance interoperability within NATO, particularly along the Alliance’s eastern flank, where short-range air defense has become a strategic priority.
Beyond the purely operational dimension, a potential German acquisition carries notable industrial and political implications. For decades, Central and Eastern European countries were primarily defense importers from Western Europe and the United States. A German procurement decision would mark a reversal of traditional procurement flows within NATO, highlighting Poland’s emergence as a credible supplier of advanced air defense technologies. It could also open avenues for bilateral industrial cooperation, including maintenance frameworks, joint production arrangements, or future development of next-generation short-range interceptors under European defense initiatives.
The timing aligns with Poland’s broader defense expansion strategy. Warsaw has increased defense spending to historic levels and continues to modernize its armed forces with new armored platforms, artillery systems, combat aircraft, and layered air defense solutions. The Piorun stands out as one of the few fully indigenous Polish systems to achieve sustained export success, reinforcing the country’s ambition to position itself as a central defense industrial hub in Eastern Europe.
At a strategic moment when drone swarms, precision-guided munitions, and low-altitude strike capabilities are reshaping operational planning across Europe, very short-range air defense systems have regained decisive importance. Germany’s expressed interest in the Polish Piorun reflects both a practical military requirement and a broader shift in European defense dynamics. Should negotiations advance, the move would not only strengthen the Bundeswehr’s tactical air defense layer but also underscore a new balance of defense innovation and industrial cooperation within NATO.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
