DefenseNews

Patriot missile involved in Bahrain blast likely US-operated, analysis finds

An American-operated Patriot air defense battery likely fired the interceptor missile involved in a pre-dawn explosion that injured dozens of civilians and tore through homes in U.S.-ally Bahrain 10 days into the war on Iran, according to an analysis by academic researchers examined by Reuters. Both Bahrain and Washington have blamed an Iranian drone attack for the March 9 blast, which the Gulf…
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DefenseNews

Dutch armed forces to add drone operators to combat brigades

PARIS — The Netherlands will add specialized drone operators and counter-drone units to its combat brigades starting in April, according to Dutch Chief of Defence Gen. Onno Eichelsheim, who said the country is the first to take that step. The Dutch armed forces already…
DefenseNews

Oil prices, fear of Trump? China mysteriously reduced warplane activity near Taiwan

NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan — Could it be high fuel prices, or a desire to avoid upsetting U.S. President Donald Trump? What about China’s annual political confab in early March? Analysts have offered different explanations for a recent trend: a net reduction in daily Chinese fighter plane activity near Taiwan over the past three weeks. While the People’s Liberation Army has said nothing of the…
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DefenseNews

US strikes Iranian underground missile storage with 5,000-pound penetrator

The U.S. military employed 5,000-pound penetrator weapons against underground Iranian storage facilities holding coastal defense cruise missiles and related support equipment during the latest phase of Operation Epic Fury, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine confirmed Thursday. “As reported by U.S. CENTCOM yesterday, the US military dropped 5,000 pound penetrator weapons into underground…
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DefenseNews

US assesses China not planning to invade Taiwan in 2027

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) — China does not currently plan to invade Taiwan in 2027 and seeks to control the island without the use of force, the U.S. intelligence community said on Wednesday, striking a measured tone on one of the world’s biggest potential…
DefenseNews

The Pentagon wants to field laser weapons at scale within 3 years

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. Subscribe here. For decades, the U.S. military’s dream of high-energy laser weapons has been perpetually “five years away.” Now, the Pentagon says it wants to finally make them an operational reality within the next three. Speaking on a panel at…
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