Americas
The Canadian Department of Defense is planning to acquire a fleet of tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to complement the armed forces’ incoming F-35 combat aircraft. Ottawa is now laying the groundwork to adopt systems in line with the military’s requirements, according to unclassified papers obtained by The Canadian Press. The program could be worth up to $11.6 billion and require hundreds of personnel, with the platforms expected to serve as a force multiplier and enhance interoperability with allied forces.
The US Navy plans to build two repair facilities for smaller vessels operating in the western Philippines, the US embassy said Wednesday, with one about 240 kilometers east of a fiercely contested reef in the South China Sea. Located in the Spratly archipelago, the Second Thomas Shoal hosts a small detachment of Philippine forces aboard a grounded navy vessel and has been the site of clashes with Chinese ships.
Middle East & Africa
Israel said it bombed Syrian army headquarters in Damascus on Wednesday after warning the Islamist-led government to leave the Druze minority alone in its Sweida heartland, where a monitor says sectarian clashes have killed nearly 250 people. Syrian government forces entered the majority-Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday with the stated aim of overseeing a ceasefire agreed with Druze community leaders after clashes with local Bedouin tribes left more than 100 people dead.
Europe
Denmark has contracted Finnish firm Patria to deliver 129 Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) 6×6 platforms. Delivery will start this year to train Danish soldiers to operate the vehicle from 2026. The order follows Copenhagen signing the last three agreements at once to join the multi-nation CAVS program, which includes Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Germany. The agreements — research and development, framework, and life cycle management — are essential to join the program.
Asia-Pacific
New Zealand has committed around 300 army personnel, plus more from the navy and air force, to Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, held in and around Australia from 13 July till 4 August. The Kiwi contingent includes three of eight NH90 helicopters belonging to No. 3 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). New Zealand’s NH90s are performing missions such as troop movements during the massive multilateral exercise. Two years ago, in the previous edition of Talisman Sabre, an Australian Army MRH90 (the Australian name for the NH90) crashed, causing four fatalities. That accident led to the grounding and eventual scrapping of Australia’s entire MRH90 fleet, even though a subsequent crash investigation cleared the aircraft itself of any blame.