DefenseNews

Babcock, Frankenburg plan launcher for ‘smallest’ anti-drone missile

PARIS — British defense firm Babcock plans to develop a containerized launch system for low-cost missiles manufactured by Estonian startup Frankenburg Technologies, with the goal of providing cheap maritime defenses against one-way attack drones. Babcock and Frankenburg signed a memorandum of understanding to explore development of a “new and affordable” maritime counter-drone air-defense…
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DefenseNews

Ukraine’s allies praise major progress on defense guarantees

PARIS (AP) — Ukraine’s allies said they made major progress Tuesday toward agreeing on how to defend the country if a peace deal is struck with Russia, saying they were ready to provide international guarantees to deter Moscow from attacking its neighbor again. Plans…
DefenseNews

India boosts Southeast Asia military ties, Indo-Pacific role

NEW DELHI — India is tightening military ties with Southeast Asian countries with deals to sell advanced missiles and enhancing security cooperation in a region where several countries are involved in maritime disputes with China in the South China Sea. Analysts say New Delhi’s outreach to countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam marks its growing strategic role in the…
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DefenseNews

Thailand’s tilt toward China tests treaty alliance with US

BANGKOK — On paper, the U.S. security alliance with Thailand is one of the strongest in Asia, dating back seven decades and backed up by military exercises each year with thousands of troops from both countries and many others. Thailand’s drift toward China over the past…
DefenseNews

Philippine Navy scrambles to shield vital undersea cables from spies

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy is exploring ways to monitor subsea cables as part of larger efforts to protect underwater infrastructure from sabotage and spying. Numerous submarine cables crisscross the Philippines’ underwater domain, including cables that connect Southeast Asia to the United States, India and Hong Kong. Data that passes through these channels is vital for…
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DefenseNews

Venezuela’s Maduro never escaped his predecessor’s shadow

Nicolás Maduro, who rose from unionized bus driver to Venezuelan president and oversaw his country’s democratic undoing and economic collapse, was captured Saturday during an attack by U.S. forces on his capital. U.S. President Donald Trump, in an early morning social…
DefenseNews

US Air Force eyes autonomous Northrop Grumman drone for CCA program

The Air Force in December said Northrop Grumman’s new autonomous drone wingman, known as Talon, is a leading contender to join its collaborative combat aircraft program. The service also said in a Dec. 22 release that it gave Northrop’s Talon drone the designation YFQ-48A, making it the third CCA to receive an official designation. The Air Force in early 2025 dubbed the first round of CCAs…
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