Americas
Lockheed Martin, Rotary and Mission Systems won a $18.7 million cost-plus-incentive-fee modification for the development, implementation, and integration of a system security solution for the Australia Surface Combatant baseline configuration of the AEGIS combat system. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the government of Australia. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by September 2031. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.
The US Coast Guard has completed operational testing of the V-BAT unmanned aerial system (UAS), paving the way for its future deployment aboard the service’s cutter fleet. The demonstration, led by the force’s Research and Development Center, confirmed that the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) system meets required benchmarks with no critical issues. Investment in the V-drone and corresponding full lifecycle support was awarded to California-based autonomous developer Shield AI in July 2024.
Middle East & Africa
Israel has debuted an AI predictive tool at an exhibit in Osaka, Japan, marking a significant milestone in Tel Aviv’s use of emerging trends and foresight to shape national strategy and drive innovation. The system, called “Horizon Scan,” was built by Israel’s Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology and is described as the first national tool to fully tap into AI and big data to track and forecast global trends, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Europe
Brazilian defense contractor Embraer is expanding its presence in Europe through long-term industrial cooperation with Lithuania. The partnership builds on Vilnius’ June 2025 decision to procure Embraer’s proprietary C-390 Millennium cargo aircraft to modernize its military transport capabilities. It aligns with the country’s strategic push to build a resilient, future-ready defense industry, as highlighted by its national defense and economic agencies. The effort also aims to strengthen collaboration with academic and research institutions.
Asia-Pacific
Australia has recorded its highest level of armed forces recruitment in over a decade, with targeted ads on platforms like TikTok and online games credited for the boost, according to government figures. Data shows that the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) permanent, full-time personnel now exceed 61,000 through the approach, Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. This translates to an annual increase of nearly 1,900 personnel or a 17-percent jump, marking the strongest recruitment rate in 15 years.
Today’s Video