Author: Defenceline Webdesk

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan August 31-September 1 marked a quarter century since the organization’s founding. Its anniversary motto, “Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity,” hinted at ambitions considerably grander than the institution’s record. The SCO now encompasses ten member states, including China, India, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, and four Central Asian republics – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan – representing nearly half of humanity and a substantial share of global economic activity. Yet headlines emerging from Bishkek often highlighted the organization’s internal dynamics and differing national priorities. Unlike last year’s summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping…

MILAN and KEILCE, Poland — Europe’s leading defense industry group is urging companies, governments, and security agencies to “work closely together” to anticipate sabotage threats after a string of mysterious fires and explosions, often at defense-linked sites across the continent. “Reports of an increasing number of sabotage incidents and attempted sabotage targeting [European] defense-related organisations underline the need for vigilance across the sector,” a spokesperson from the Aerospace, Security & Defense Industries Association (ASD) of Europe, told Breaking Defense.  The spokesperson added that in this context that “it is more important than ever that industry, governments and security authorities work closely together…

MILAN — Canada and Ukraine have signed a long-term defense agreement to jointly produce uncrewed technologies, counter-drone systems, and munitions, as Kyiv’s need for more weaponry grows amid intensifying Russian attacks. During a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Calgary, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Thursday a series of deals to support the war-torn country as part of a “100-year partnership.”  “Canada and Ukraine are forging a long-term, government-to-government partnership to jointly produce uncrewed systems, counter-drone technologies and priority munitions — combining Ukrainian battlefield experience with Canadian manufacturing, software and AI,” Carney’s office said in a statement.…

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has turned the US-Mexico border into a testbed, of sorts, for emerging tech like high-energy lasers and unmanned systems. It’s the kind of experimentation the DoD would like to expand, a senior official told Breaking Defense — if there’s sufficient funding on the way from lawmakers. “We want to do as much as we can. I would love to continue to bring on new projects, new programs to the border and try it out, but we want to do it in a responsible way that’s safe,” Mark Ditlevson, assistant secretary of defense for Homeland Defense and…

A US Army Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk utility helicopter. Credit: viper-zero/Shutterstock.com. The US Department of State has cleared a possible $140m Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of four UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters and associated equipment to Argentina. The proposed deal, which also includes two spare T700-GE-701D engines and a range of communications, navigation, and support systems, now proceeds to Congressional review as part of the US FMS process. Discover B2B Marketing That Performs Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms. Find out more According to the State Department, the transaction aims to bolster…

Since the start of 2026, two key pillars buttressing NATO deterrence have taken a hit. The first is the ongoing rapid and deep deterioration of US munitions stockpiles resulting from the war with Iran, and the second is the May announcement of immediate and substantial limitations on US contributions to NATO’s Force Model in the event of a future conflict. Now, the Pentagon has launched a European force posture review. The Secretary of War will be briefed on a few sets of options for the size and distribution of US forces in Europe in early November, with the process ending in early…

As Air Force One returned to Washington, D.C., on the night of Sept. 11, 2001, Michael Morell looked out a window and saw an F-16 off the aircraft’s wingtip. Beyond it, the Pentagon was smoldering.Morell, then-President George W. Bush’s intelligence briefer, had spent the day answering the president’s questions and relaying intelligence as the country tried to understand the attacks that had hit the Pentagon and the World Trade Center in New York City. A quarter-century later, that view from the window remains one of his most vivid memories.At the National Security Agency, Rick Ledgett recalled colleagues weeping in the…

WASHINGTON ― The Space Force has selected Lake Kickapoo, Texas, as the “preferred” location for the third and final site of the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) space tracking network. “Pending final planning approvals,” construction at the site “is expected to begin in 2027 following contract award and completion of required approvals,” according to a Space Force press release on Wednesday. “The site is projected to complete civil construction in 2029, followed by technical testing and evaluation, with operational acceptance planned for 2030.” The planning approval process includes getting a certification from the Federal Aviation Administration that the radar…

Twenty-five years ago, the September 11 attacks transformed Pakistan’s relationship with the United States. Almost overnight, Pakistan went from facing American sanctions and limited diplomatic attention to becoming a frontline partner in the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan. In its counterterrorism cooperation, Pakistan offered vital ground-and air-based logistical transit to Afghanistan as well as intelligence and military action. In return, the United States provided financial reimbursement and military assistance in the form of subsidized sale of military hardware and technology.  The relationship became increasingly strained as the two sides accused each other of failing to deliver what had been promised. Yet…

The first major trade show of the fall kicks off on Monday, with the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference at scenic National Harbor, Md. The Space Force has a new chief. The Air Force and Navy are burning through munitions with the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran. And the Air Force is looking for a new, high-end drone platform after suffering the loss of MQ-9 Reapers over the Middle East. Breaking Defense’s Aaron Mehta and Michael Marrow talk through those and other key considerations before the conference kicks off. Watch the video above to find…