Silent Dossier: Defense

Ansurullah Missiles Target Aden Airport Twice in One Day as Saudi Military Aircraft Takes Off Unharmed

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:56:13 GMT

Yemen news: Houthi missiles targeted Aden airport twice on October 28, the first while a Saudi military plane was on the ground; it left unharmed, police said.

F-35 vs F-22: How America's Two Stealth Fighters Differ

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:04:33 GMT

F-35 vs F-22: the F-22 Raptor is faster and built purely for air combat; the F-35 is cheaper, multirole and still in production, with over 1,375 delivered.

Ethiopia Receives First 12 Su-35 Fighters a Year Early With Four S-400 Batteries to Follow

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:57:47 GMT

Ethiopia has received its first 12 Su-35 fighters from Russia a year early, Abiy Ahmed said on October 28, and will buy four S-400 air defence batteries.

S-400 vs Patriot: Which Air Defense System Is Better?

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 07:01:47 GMT

S-400 vs Patriot: Russia's S-400 reaches farther, up to 400 km on paper, while the US Patriot has the stronger record against ballistic missiles and 19 users.

South Korea Completes Development of Marine Attack Helicopter With Air-to-Air Missile Capability

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:48:36 GMT

South Korea's Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH), built on the Marineon, has finished development with a 20 mm gun, Cheongeom missiles and air-to-air capability.

China Sends Only Its Defence Attaché to ADMM-Plus in Cebu in Lowest-Level Showing Since 2010

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 03:31:04 GMT

China is sending only its Manila defence attaché to ADMM-Plus 2026 in Cebu, its lowest-level showing since 2010, as Dong Jun stays away amid the sea row.

Castelion to Integrate Blackbeard Hypersonic Missile on U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighters

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:33:20 GMT

The Blackbeard missile, Castelion's low-cost hypersonic strike weapon, is heading to the F-16 under an AFRL contract after Navy orders worth up to $200 million.

How Many Submarines Does China Have? 2026 Count

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 19:30:22 GMT

China has about 60 submarines: 6 Jin ballistic-missile subs, 6 nuclear attack subs and 48 diesel boats in the latest Pentagon count, with 80 forecast by 2035.

Poland Chosen to Host European PAC-3 Missile Maintenance Facility for NATO's Patriot Operators

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 18:35:47 GMT

The U.S. has picked Poland to host Europe's PAC-3 MSE missile maintenance facility, where Lockheed Martin will repair and recertify NATO's Patriot interceptors.

How Many F-35s Does Israel Have? The F-35I Adir Fleet in 2026

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 12:52:56 GMT

Israel has 48 F-35I Adir jets as of 2026, from a first order of 50. Another 25 are due from 2028, and a fourth squadron would take the fleet to 100.

Boeing Moves Second MQ-25A Stingray Carrier Tanker Drone to Illinois for Final Assembly

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 12:52:11 GMT

The MQ-25 Stingray's second airframe has moved to MidAmerica Airport for final assembly as the Navy's carrier tanker drone program runs four years late.

How Many Nuclear Weapons Does Israel Have? 2026 Estimates

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 06:49:47 GMT

Israel has about 90 nuclear warheads, SIPRI and FAS estimated in January 2026, for Jericho missiles, F-15 and F-16I jets and submarines. It admits none.

First Two FA-50M Light Fighters to Reach Malaysia on October 30 Under RM4 Billion Deal

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 06:40:17 GMT

Malaysia's first two FA-50M Block 20 jets arrive at Kuantan on October 30, opening an 18-aircraft, RM4 billion order from KAI that runs to March 2028.

U.S. Air Force Orders AGM-183A ARRW Hypersonic Missile Into Production With $694 Million Contract

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 00:42:01 GMT

The AGM-183 ARRW is the U.S. Air Force's boost-glide hypersonic missile. A $694 million Lockheed Martin contract moves it into production after failed tests.

Helsing Unveils AD-1 Inferno and AD-2 Ambush Interceptors to Hunt Russia's Jet-Powered Geran Drones

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:09:46 GMT

Helsing Contra pairs AI air defence with two interceptors, the jet AD-1 Inferno and Mach 2.5 AD-2 Ambush, priced under €100,000 to hunt Russia's jet Gerans.

PrSM Missile Range: How Far Can the Precision Strike Missile Fly?

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 18:50:39 GMT

PrSM missile range: Increment 1 reaches 60 to 499+ km, against 300 km for ATACMS; Increment 4 aims for 1,000 km, with prototype fly-offs in 2027 and 2028.

Saudi Arabia vs Houthis: Which Side Has the Stronger Military?

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:59:36 GMT

Saudi Arabia vs Houthis military power: Riyadh spent $83.2 billion in 2025 and flies hundreds of jets; the Houthis have no air force but hundreds of missiles.

Ansurullah Claims Drone Strikes on Saudi East-West Pipeline as Coalition Destroys Launchers in Sanaa

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:58:44 GMT

Houthis claim drone strikes on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline and a missile at Riyadh on October 26 as the coalition says it destroyed launchers in Sanaa.

Satellite Imagery Shows China Building 2,700 Metre Runway on Antelope Reef in the Paracels

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 07:41:39 GMT

Antelope Reef, China's newest artificial island in the Paracel Islands, is getting a runway of about 2,700 metres that could host bombers, tankers and fighters.

How Much Does an F-35 Cost? Price per Jet and per Hour in 2026

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:48:19 GMT

An F-35A costs about $92 million in 2026, the F-35B $121.4 million and the F-35C $110.8 million. Here is what each jet costs to buy, fly and keep flying.

Russia to Unveil Anti-Drone Dome Built Around Pantsir-SMD-E for African Buyers at Moscow Summit

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 01:12:15 GMT

Russia's Anti-Drone Dome pairs Pantsir-SMD-E, Pantsir-S1M, Verba and Citadel guns with jammers. Rosoboronexport will pitch it to Africa on October 28-29.

How Much Does a Patriot Missile Cost? PAC-3 MSE, PAC-2 and Battery Prices

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:49:22 GMT

A Patriot missile costs about $4 million to $5.3 million for a PAC-3 MSE and just over $2 million for a PAC-2 GEM-T; a new battery costs about $1.1 billion.

How Many Missiles Does Iran Have Left in 2026?

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 18:58:17 GMT

Iran has between several hundred and about 2,000 ballistic missiles left as of October 2026, and about 400 launchers. Pre-war stock, missiles fired, output.

Cruise Missile Aimed at Khamis Mushait Downed as Ansurullah Fires Ten Ballistic Missiles at Southern Saudi Arabia

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 18:47:11 GMT

Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia: the coalition says it downed ten ballistic missiles and a cruise missile aimed at Khamis Mushait on October 25, injuring two.

Four KJ-3000 AWACS Jets Spotted at Xi'an Factory as China Moves Toward Serial Production

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 14:16:27 GMT

The KJ-3000 is China's Y-20B-based AWACS jet. Satellite imagery of four at Xi'an points to serial production, ending reliance on four Il-76-based KJ-2000s.

How Many Aircraft Carriers Does China Have in 2026?

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 13:00:59 GMT

China has three aircraft carriers as of October 2026: Liaoning, Shandong and Fujian. A fourth, likely nuclear, is being built at Dalian. The U.S. has 11.

How Much Does a Shahed Drone Cost, and How Far Can It Fly?

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 06:51:17 GMT

A Shahed-136 drone costs about $20,000 to $50,000 and flies 1,000 to 2,500 km at 180 km/h. Russia's Geran-2 price, warhead and the cost to shoot one down.

RAF Typhoons Escort French Rafale Nuclear Strike Package in First Joint UK-France Deterrence Exercise

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 06:36:11 GMT

In the first UK-France nuclear exercise, RAF Typhoons escorted French Rafale jets from Saint-Dizier on a simulated nuclear strike over the Mediterranean.

What Is Iron Beam? How Israel's Laser Compares With Iron Dome

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 00:51:26 GMT

Iron Beam is Israel's Rafael laser that downs drones, rockets and mortars at up to 10 km for a few dollars a shot. Iron Dome's Tamir missiles cost $40,000+.

Ukrainian Missiles Hit Oryol Plant Supplying Parts for Iskander-M Ballistic Missiles and Pantsir-S1 Systems

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 00:46:48 GMT

Oryol strike: Ukraine says missiles damaged the Proton plant that supplies Iskander-M, Kover and Pantsir-S1 parts; Oryol's governor reports three people killed.

Saudi-Led Coalition Intercepts Ansurullah Missiles Aimed at Taif and Yanbu as Alerts Sound Over Mecca

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 19:09:29 GMT

Houthi ballistic missiles fired at Taif and Yanbu on October 24 were intercepted, but the Burkan, Toofan and Palestine-2 now reach almost all of Saudi Arabia.

How Much Does a THAAD Missile Cost? Interceptor, Battery and Radar Prices

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 14:48:48 GMT

A THAAD missile costs about $12.7 million per interceptor, and a full battery with 192 interceptors about $2.73 billion. Radar, budget and stockpile costs.

Engine Faults Leave Around 30 Polish K2 Black Panther Tanks in Workshops Near Kaliningrad - Reports

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 12:52:34 GMT

K2 Black Panther problems in Poland: about 30 tanks sit in workshops at Braniewo with faults, some in the engine, as Warsaw says the failure rate is normal.

Four Philippine Air Force Pilots Killed as Two SF-260 Trainers Collide Over Fernando Air Base

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 08:53:05 GMT

An SF-260 crash at Fernando Air Base killed four Philippine Air Force pilots on October 23 when two trainers collided; the whole SF-260 fleet is now grounded.

Su-57 vs F-35: How Russia's Stealth Fighter Compares With America's

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 03:08:48 GMT

Su-57 vs F-35: the F-35 leads on stealth, sensors, numbers and combat use; the Su-57 is faster and more agile, but Russia has built only a few dozen.

General Atomics Brings In Boeing's Spirit Defense to Build FQ-42 Vengeance Fuselages

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 01:03:45 GMT

The FQ-42 Vengeance drone gets a second builder: General Atomics picks Boeing's Spirit Defense to make fuselages in Wichita as the Air Force targets 500 CCAs.

How Many Patriot Missiles Does the US Have?

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 20:47:17 GMT

The US has an estimated 759 to 827 PAC-3 Patriot interceptors left, about a third of its pre-Iran war stock of 2,330. Output, costs and rebuild time.

Royal Navy Down to Five Anti-Submarine Frigates Against a Requirement for Eight, Parliamentary Inquiry Finds

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 18:52:01 GMT

Only five Type 23 frigates still in service carry the towed array sonar the Royal Navy needs eight of, a Commons Defence Committee report found on October 22.

Bribery Ban on LIG Defense & Aerospace Throws KF-21 Long-Range Missile Program Into Doubt

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 13:22:57 GMT

LIG Nex1, now LIG Defense & Aerospace, faces a two-year South Korean bidding ban over bribery, putting the KF-21's 1.9 trillion won long-range missile in doubt.

Denmark Buys Joint Strike Missiles and Anthem Cruise Missiles in First Long-Range Strike Purchase

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 07:38:48 GMT

Denmark is buying Kongsberg's Joint Strike Missile for its F-35As and Covenant's ground-launched Anthem cruise missile, its first long-range strike weapons.

New Batch of Tayfun Block 2 Ballistic Missiles Delivered to Turkish Army

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 01:03:11 GMT

Turkey's army has received another batch of Roketsan Tayfun Block 2 ballistic missiles, its third this year, though the missile's range is still undisclosed.

Pentagon and Lockheed Martin Agree Framework for 850 F-35 Fighters Over Next Decade

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 18:36:23 GMT

The Lockheed Martin F-35 deal is a 10-year framework for 850 U.S. jets across Lots 21 to 30, but it is not an order until Congress grants multiyear authority.

Russia Fires Zircon and Oniks Missiles at Kiev as Ukraine Reports Cluster-Armed Iskander-M Strike

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 13:01:58 GMT

Russia fired Zircon, Oniks, S-400 and Iskander-M missiles, one reportedly cluster-armed, at Kiev alongside 210 drones overnight on October 21-22, Ukraine said.

At Least Two KC-135 Tankers Damaged in the Iran War Are Still Being Rebuilt

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:47:16 GMT

At least two KC-135 tankers damaged in the Iran war are still being rebuilt in U.S. depots, AFMC chief Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry said on October 21, seven months on.

Finland to Buy One Million Domestically Made Anti-Personnel Mines as Russian Threat Grows

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:55:04 GMT

Finland landmines: the Defence Forces plan to buy about one million domestically made anti-personnel mines for €100 million, with production due in 2028.

Baltic Fleet Su-30SM Fighter Crashes in Kaliningrad as Crew Ejects During Training Flight

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 18:53:21 GMT

A Russian Su-30SM crashed in Kaliningrad's Chernyakhovsk district on October 21; the Defence Ministry says both crew ejected during an unarmed training flight.

U.S. Air Force Targets 1,509 Fighters by 2035 With F-35 to Form 40 Percent of Fleet

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:39:22 GMT

The U.S. Air Force wants 1,509 combat-coded fighter jets by 2035, with F-35s at 40 percent and F-47s replacing F-22s, but its 2027 budget asks for only 62 jets.

Japan Fields Type 25 Long-Range Missile in Keen Sword as U.S. Sends NMESIS to Yonaguni

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:46:08 GMT

The U.S. is sending NMESIS anti-ship missiles to Yonaguni, 110 km from Taiwan, for Keen Sword 27 as Japan takes its Type 25 missile off base for the first time.

Musk Ordered Speed Cap on Ukraine's Military Starlink Network That Hobbled Interceptor Drones - Reports

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:53:26 GMT

Starlink Ukraine: Musk ordered the Starshield speed cap that cut drone links at about 160 km/h, the Wall Street Journal reports, as Hegseth denies any US order.

Britain Deploys RAF Typhoon Fighters to Defend Saudi Cities From Houthi Missiles and Drones

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 18:44:48 GMT

RAF Typhoon jets will fly defensive missions over Saudi Arabia against Houthi drones and missiles, Britain said on October 20, after the Riyadh airport strike.