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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
06 Nov 25. Britain looking to buy 20 new naval drone vessels. The Royal Navy has launched early market engagement for a new fleet of 20 uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) as part of its shift toward a hybrid naval force, according to a Ministry of Defence notice published on 5 November. Known as Project Beehive, the initiative aims to support training, tactics, and warfare development while providing an experimental platform for autonomous systems. The vessels will be used by the Surface Flotilla (SURFLOT) in UK and overseas operations, serving as testbeds for emerging technologies and new operational concepts. According to the notice, “these platforms will be utilised for training, tactic development, warfare development, capability development, and operations in the UK Area of Responsibility and beyond.” The project will be run as a spiral development programme, with the first USVs expected to reach technology readiness levels 4 to 5 and to feature open architecture systems for future upgrades. The Ministry of Defence stated that the USVs are “key to maintaining operational relevance against peer threats.” The new fleet will allow the Navy to trial advanced autonomous and hybrid capabilities under its ongoing “Hybrid Navy” transition, which aims to combine crewed and uncrewed systems across surface, subsurface, and air domains. Work on the project will focus primarily in southern and southwestern regions of the UK. Engineering support for original equipment manufacturer integration and spiral upgrades will form part of the procurement process. The estimated value of the contract is £10 m, including VAT, with funding to be drawn partly from UK Defence Innovation. The MOD added that while the participation phase is moving forward, no tender will be issued until final spending approval is granted. This follows a major trial in which five uncrewed boats, remotely piloted from over 500 miles away, surrounded HMS Tyne during a three-day demonstration off the Scottish coast. The exercise, led by the Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities and Technology Office and the Fleet Experimentation Squadron, marked what the service called a milestone in its move toward a Hybrid Navy of crewed and uncrewed platforms. During the trial, live data and video from the 7.2-metre Rattler vessels were transmitted to controllers aboard the research ship Patrick Blackett in Portsmouth, enabling real-time coordination with HMS Tyne, HMS Stirling Castle, HMS Biter, and a Merlin helicopter. Commander Michael Hutchinson, who leads the Fleet Experimentation Squadron, said it was “a really important moment for the Royal Navy as we progress towards a Hybrid Navy of crewed and uncrewed platforms.”
Brigadier Jaimie Roylance, the Royal Navy’s Chief Technology Officer, described the event as “the first time we have been able to field a capable, mission-ready, deployable uncrewed system at sea.” He called it “an important moment in the history of the Royal Navy” and said that uncrewed systems will be vital for maintaining the UK’s maritime edge against evolving threats. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
04 Nov 25. Tech challenge launched to counter drone threats in prisons. A new innovation challenge aimed at combatting the growing threat of drones to prisons has been launched by the Ministry of Justice through His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre Co-Creation.
- Industry challenge to find innovative solutions to tackle drone scourge
- £60,000 funding prize to develop proposal
- Builds on £40m investment to bolster prison security, part of Plan for Change
A new innovation challenge aimed at combatting the growing threat of drones to prisons has been launched by the Ministry of Justice through His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC) Co-Creation. The Counter-Drone Challenge invites industry to find cutting-edge solutions to detect drones designed by criminals to evade current detection methods available on the market. Successful applicants will receive £60,000 funding to develop proof-of-concept systems over a 12-week period.
It comes as the number of incidents at prisons involving drones skyrocketed by over 770% between 2019 and 2023, with the devices increasingly being used by organised crime groups to smuggle contraband like drugs and phones into jails.
The Government is already investing £40 m this year to bolster prison security, including £10 m on anti-drone measures such as exterior netting and reinforced windows.
Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord Timpson, said: “We have taken decisive action to combat the scourge of drones in prisons – investing heavily in physical security and cutting-edge technology.
This challenge will help us harness innovation to keep staff safe, disrupt criminal networks and support prisoner rehabilitation.
Solutions put forward for the challenge must be simple to use and legally compliant.
This challenge is part of the Ministry of Justice’s wider ambition to engage with industry to source innovative security solutions.
It follows a July showcase where businesses presented cutting-edge technologies to ministers, aimed at tackling prison violence, improving monitoring, and strengthening frontline safety.
Further information
- For more information about the challenge, please contact HMGCC.
- HMGCC Co-Creation is a partnership with the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), created to deliver a new bold and innovative way of working with the wider UK science and technology community.”
- It works by sharing OpTech challenges with wide-ranging networks of academia and industry, then working closely with them on solutions.
- The idea is about using networks to tap into a huge pool of expertise, to help wider government keep pace with rapid advances in technology.
- Businesses showcase tough justice tech to Government ministers – GOV.UK (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE
06 Nov 25. Portugal wants US, European fighter jet makers to compete for future deal. Portugal wants to foster competition between makers of U.S.-made F-35s and European advanced fighter jets in the replacement of its ageing fleet of F-16s in order to maximise benefits, Defence Minister Nuno Melo said on Wednesday. His latest remarks appeared more open to a possible deal with the U.S. than comments in March, when he suggested President Donald Trump’s unpredictable policy shifts towards NATO and Europe could make Portugal pick a European fighter. Trump has since reaffirmed commitment to NATO while forcing the alliance’s European members to up military spending. Melo told a parliamentary committee the process to select new jets was yet to kick off, and when it does, the government will consult the Air Force and take into account “returns for the country and its industries”. Benefits to both manufacturers and purchasing countries can include industrial participation, technology transfers and financing. (Source: Reuters)
03 Nov 25. Norway reaches settlement with Airbus-led NHIndustries in NH90 helicopter case. Norway and three leading European aerospace groups have reached a settlement over the country’s 2.86 bn euro ($3.3 bn) damages claim following its cancelled order for NH90 submarine-hunting helicopters, the Norwegian government and the companies said. The settlement with NHIndustries and owners Airbus (AIR.PA), Leonardo (LDOF.MI), and GKN Fokker will avoid a rare public trial over defence procurement as well as a countersuit by the manufacturers for hundreds of ms of dollars. Norway will now receive 305 m euros from NHI in addition to amounts previously paid of around 70 m euros, the government said in a statement. The Norwegian defence ministry has said the delivery of the 14 helicopters ordered in 2001 should have been completed by the end of 2008 but that it faced more than a decade of delays and missing parts. The government cancelled the order in 2022 and had been seeking damages and compensation from NHIndustries and its shareholders in a case that had been due to begin in Oslo on November 10. NHIndustries will take back the NH90 helicopters it had delivered, along with associated spare parts, tools, and mission-specific equipment, Norway said. (Source: Reuters)
USA
03 Nov 25. Give ’em E-HEL: Army seeks industry ideas for counter-drone laser systems. The Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program is the Army’s first program of record for a new family of high-energy lasers. In the Army’s latest step to beef up its counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities, the service has formally asked industry for ideas to field high-energy laser systems capable of blasting small- to medium-sized drones out of the sky. According to a request for information filed late last week, the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) is seeking solutions to protect “semi fixed” and maneuver forces from Group 1 and 2 drones and Group 3 “one way attack” drones for its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, the Army’s first program of record for a new family of high-energy lasers. RCCTO said it’s looking to acquire 20 E-HEL systems using a modular open systems approach, with an award expected to be “initiated” in the second quarter of fiscal year of 2026 “or later.”
“Interested sources responding to this RFI must have demonstrated expertise in the production of technically sophisticated laser weapon system components, supply chain management, integration, and assembly, a secret facility clearance, strong configuration management and quality controls, HEL weapon system experience, test experience, and the ability to support multiple concurrent weapon system integration activities,” the RFI read.
In addition to the E-HEL having to protect “semi fixed” and maneuver forces, it also must be able to mount on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and be deployed as a “palletized” unit. It must also be ground transportable and meet requirements for C-17 transport. Vendors will have to demonstrate their solutions in front of the Directed Energy Project Office (DEPO), which is under RCCTO, if they do not have recent government-witnessed test data, per the RFI. The demonstrations are taking place at the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah from Dec. 8-19 and Jan. 5-30. Responses to the RFI are due Nov. 21.
“DEPO will also witness the key attributes of fluence, tracker performance, engagement track range and laser quality track to determine if systems that do not achieve a hard kill on Group 3 UAS have the potential to scale and be lethal against Group 3 OWA [one way attack] threat UAS,” the RFI read.
Though the RFI does not guarantee solicitations, it does signal that the Pentagon is moving forward with its plans to field more directed energy weapons, which have long held hope that they could serve as a more affordable solution to shooting down drones. However, the Defense Department has struggled to bring the technology past initial development and demonstrations. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
03 Nov 25. US working overtime to speed up delayed F-16 deliveries, Taiwan says.
- Summary
- Companies
- Taiwan has long complained of weapons delays by US
- Taiwan waiting for 66 new F-16V fighter jets
- US is Taiwan’s main international arms supplier
- HIMARS delivery running ahead of schedule, Taiwan minister says
The United States is working overtime to speed up the production of delayed F-16V fighter jets to Taiwan, while advanced U.S.-made glide bombs have also been delayed due to supply-chain issues, the island’s defence ministry said on Monday. Taiwan, which faces a rising military threat from Beijing, has complained of repeated delays to weapons ordered from the United States, the Chinese-claimed island’s most important international backer and arms supplier. (Source: Reuters)
REST OF THE WORLD
06 Nov 25. Australian navy sizes up high-risk submarine transitions under AUKUS. Australia has its work cut out keeping aging Collins-class diesel-electric submarines in service as it transitions to nuclear-powered submarines, firstly to second-hand Virginia-class boats from the United States, and then to SSN-AUKUS submarines designed and built in conjunction with the U.K. Asked about the risks for the Collins-class life extension and the SSN programs, Rear Adm. Stephen Hughes, head of naval capability for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), said he holds a “half-glass-full view” about the path ahead. “There are always the naysayers, but you’ve got to remember we’re pretty focused on delivering both outcomes.” Hughes spoke to Defense News at the Indo-Pacific 2025 naval exhibition, held in Sydney from Nov. 4-6.
“Are they high risk? Sure – schedules, demanding technologies, the workforce is demanding,” he added. “I can list all the things that could go wrong, but one thing we’re really good at in Defence, despite maybe some other commentators’ views, is we’re really good at risk management.”
Defense officials have taken an “integrated approach” to orchestrating the two programs, from legacy submarines to nuclear-powered boats, which puts the spotlight on getting the transition right, he said.
Australian industry excitement
Much attention was paid at the Indo-Pacific 2025 event here to agreements over potential involvement in the SSN-AUKUS submarine program. One announcements was about a teaming arrangement on Nov. 5 by four major primes to compete for the SSN-AUKUS combat system.
The team comprises BAE Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Raytheon Australia and Thales. The quartet stated they would design a trinational command system as a “shared solution for Australia and the U.K.,” building on General Dynamics’ existing AN/BYG-1 system.
Incidentally, the AN/BYG-1 is already installed on Australia’s six Collins-class submarines.
Another announcement on Nov. 4 covered a strategic agreement paving the way for South Australian firm PMB Defence to supply nickel zinc batteries. PMB Defence is working with BAE Systems, designer of the SSN-AUKUS boat, to enable potential integration of its batteries. Contracts between the two are already valued in excess of $22 million.
Certifiable progress
With Australian companies hoping to seize a slice of the submarine pie, the Australian navy remains optimistic of the capability it will obtain.
“My view is, based on what Trump said publicly, he’s committed to the AUKUS program,” said Hughes, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose government had initiated a review of the tri-national program. “We’re investing in the U.S. industry base, the U.S. is driven to ensuring we have the best capability, because it’s in their benefit to have us with a submarine that can survive in the future threat.”
HII and Babcock have joined forces to support the AUKUS submarine endeavor, creating a joint venture called H&B Defence in June 2024. To qualify Australian businesses as suppliers for the U.S. nuclear submarine enterprise, it issued an expression of interest to which 378 Australian companies responded. A handful have already been validated against HII’s standards.
Eric Chewning, HII’s executive vice president for maritime systems and corporate strategy, said the company has increased throughput at its shipyards by 15%.
“We’re continuing to hit that acceleration,” he said. “One of the important strategies we have to do that is the distributed shipbuilding model where we’re outsourcing.”
Industry experts have suggested that some bottlenecks in U.S. production could be alleviated by help from new Australian suppliers.
Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce, the only private company in the world producing nuclear reactors for submarines, is providing PWR3+ power plants for SSN-AUKUS boats.
Steve Carlier, Rolls-Royce Submarines president, told Defense News that the improved PWR3+ provides greater operational flexibility since it gives crews more options in how to use the energy, plus it brings greater safety levels.
Carlier also confirmed the SSN-AUKUS’s preliminary design review is expected to be achieved in September 2026.
Hughes confirmed the first Collins-class submarine, HMAS Farncomb, will enter a two-year life-of-type extension (LOTE) program next year. The effort is designed to stretch the life of boats by ten years, as the new SSN fleet is gradually slated to arrive. (Source: Defense News)
05 Nov 25. India and Israeli boost defence cooperation with new MoU. The MoU sets a framework and policy for expanded cooperation in strategic talks, training, defence industry, R&D, and AI. India and Israel have formalised a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding their defence, industrial, and technological cooperation. The MoU was signed at the annual meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) in Tel Aviv, Israel, on 4 November 2025, which was co-chaired by Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Major General (Res) Amir Baram, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMoD). The newly signed MoU provides a policy direction and vision to guide both countries in deepening their existing partnership in defence. It identifies several specific areas for expanded cooperation, including strategic dialogues, training arrangements, defence industrial initiatives, science and technology efforts, research and development activities, AI, and cyber security collaboration. The agreement will enable technologies sharing and encourage co-development and co-production. During the JWG meeting, delegates reviewed ongoing defence projects and existing initiatives between India and Israel. Both sides noted that past and present cooperation has been mutually beneficial. Discussions included potential areas for further collaboration in advanced technologies and steps to improve operational capabilities within both defence sectors. Participants also addressed shared concerns such as terrorism, underlining a coordinated commitment to addressing security threats. A dedicated panel involving chief executives of major Israeli defence industries was also convened during the visit. Industry leaders presented recent technological developments and proposed collaborative projects intended to further strengthen industrial-defence partnerships between Israeli firms and Indian counterparts.
Major general (Res) Amir Baram said: “This strategic dialogue with India takes place at a critical juncture for both countries. Our strategic partnership is based on deep mutual trust and shared security interests. We view India as a first-rate strategic partner and are determined to continue deepening cooperation in the fields of defence, technology, and industry.”
Representation at the meeting included high-ranking officials from both governments. The Israeli side comprised senior members from the Political-Military Bureau, Directorate of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D), Directorate of Security of the Defence Establishment, International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), as well as participants from the IDF Planning Directorate and other defence officials.
The Indian delegation included senior representatives from India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Armed Forces.
In a post on X, India’s Ministry of Defence said: “Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh called on Israeli Defence Minister Mr. Israel Katz and briefed him on the key outcomes of the Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting, aimed at further strengthening the robust and enduring defence cooperation between India and Israel.”
Earlier in 2025, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and DCX Systems established a new joint venture named ELTX, aimed at bolstering the Indian government’s self-reliance initiative, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, and its ‘Make in India’ campaign. (Source: army-technology.com)
05 Nov 25. ASC and BAE Launch Joint ICN Portal for the Nuclear – Powered Submarine Program. Australia’s sovereign submarine partners ASC and BAE Systems today announced a new-look Industry Capability Network (ICN) Portal for Australian businesses seeking to participate in the Nuclear-powered Submarine Program (NPS). The NPS ICN Portal information has been transferred from the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) and is now jointly managed by the sovereign submarine partners. The portal provides a central hub for suppliers to register their interest, showcase their capabilities, and access upcoming opportunities across the program. Under ASC and BAE Systems’ joint management, the portal will deliver continuity for the hundreds of companies already registered, while opening new pathways for small and medium enterprises to qualify for work packages in one of the most complex industrial programs in Australia’s history.
ASC Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Stuart Whiley: “This portal is a gateway for Australian industry to play a direct role in our nation’s nuclear-powered submarines. By working with our partners at BAE Systems, we are ensuring suppliers have a clear, simple, and continuous pathway to engage with the program and be part of Australia’s sovereign submarine capability.”
BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Officer, Craig Lockhart: “Australian industry will be at the heart of delivering the SSN-AUKUS submarine enterprise. The transition of the ICN Portal ensures Australian businesses can register once and remain connected as opportunities grow, giving them the confidence to invest in the skills, standards and innovation needed to succeed in global submarine supply chains.” (Source: ASD Network)
05 Nov 25. Turkey, UAE and China expand influence in Africa’s defence market. The shifting dynamics of Africa’s defence procurement landscape came under the spotlight at the recent Global Industrial Cooperation Association (GICA) 2025 Conference in Cape Town, where Erwan de Cherisey, Principal at Janes Strategic Services, presented an in-depth analysis titled “Major Players in Africa – A Look at the Defence Equipment Suppliers Active on the Continent.” His research painted a picture of an African continent where traditional non-African suppliers are being displaced by new entrants offering cheaper, more adaptable, and politically neutral alternatives.
“In the last 10 to 20 years, there’s been a real shift in suppliers when it comes to defence equipment throughout Africa,” de Cherisey told delegates.
“Countries that previously did little defence trade have become significant players, while historical suppliers have moved away or been pushed out,” he explained
He attributed the shift to a combination of cost, capability, and political pragmatism.
“African countries are seeking suppliers able to deliver cost-effective solutions without imposing constraints on their use,” he clarified. “There’s also a growing desire for localisation, offsets, and industrial return to help build domestic defence capacity.”
Among the fastest-growing suppliers is Turkey, whose defence industry has expanded its reach from a handful of niche sales before 2015 to supplying more than 20 African nations today. Turkish companies are delivering a diverse portfolio of products, from armoured vehicles and UAVs to helicopters, ships, communication systems, and small arms.
Key customers include Nigeria, Rwanda, and Morocco, with Nigeria emerging as a flagship client, operating Turkish UAVs, attack helicopters and patrol vessels.
“Turkey offers the right balance between technological sophistication and ruggedness,” said de Cherisey. “It comes without colonial baggage and is seen as an affordable, dependable partner that respects African sovereignty.”
He added that Turkey’s success has also been fuelled by favourable financing terms and its ability to engage diplomatically through cultural and religious ties, particularly with Muslim-majority countries.
The United Arab Emirates has likewise expanded its role, blending arms exports with diplomatic outreach. Once limited to a few sales in North Africa, the UAE now supplies armoured vehicles, drones, ammunition, and small arms across the continent, with growing footprints in Uganda, Nigeria, and Egypt.
“The UAE is using defence cooperation as a diplomatic tool,” de Cherisey observed. “It provides donations, financing, and even establishes local production partnerships to strengthen long-term ties.”
Companies such as Streit Group have established manufacturing operations in Uganda, with discussions underway in Tanzania to expand joint vehicle production. Some of these deals, he noted, are part of broader political strategies to deepen bilateral relationships rather than strictly commercial transactions.
Despite growing competition, China remains the single largest supplier of defence equipment to Sub-Saharan Africa and is steadily increasing its footprint in North Africa. Chinese defence exports include tanks, artillery, drones, ships, and combat aircraft, often bundled into broader infrastructure and investment packages.
“Chinese equipment may offer 75% of Western capability at 50% of the price,” de Cherisey said, quoting feedback from African militaries. “For many countries, that trade-off is good enough.”
Malian CS/VP14 MRAPs.
China’s approach relies heavily on long-term, low-interest loans backed by its export-import banks, with arms sales serving as an extension of its wider foreign policy objectives.
The war in Ukraine has placed significant pressure on Russia’s ability to supply new equipment or even maintain existing systems in Africa. Spare parts shortages and sanctions have disrupted logistics, prompting African operators of Russian hardware to seek alternative sources. Still, Russia maintains a presence through symbolic deliveries, bilateral defence agreements, and its close alignment with military regimes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia.
Israel continues to be a visible player, particularly in small arms, communications, and intelligence systems. It has successfully displaced the AK-series rifle in several countries and supports local assembly through technology transfer deals in Rwanda and Zambia.
Meanwhile, the United States remains focused on capacity building rather than large-scale arms sales, providing donated equipment such as ISR aircraft and mine-resistant vehicles to partners in West and East Africa. France, once dominant in its former colonies, has refocused its efforts on North Africa, notably through recent helicopter and patrol vessel sales to Morocco and Egypt, while pulling back from the Sahel following political upheavals.
De Cherisey concluded that Africa’s defence market mirrors the continent’s evolving geopolitical landscape.
“China will remain difficult to dislodge because its defence sales are part of a wider foreign policy strategy,” he said. “Russia seeks to retain relevance, while the US and France are recalibrating their approach to focus on specific strategic partners. Meanwhile, Turkey and the UAE have demonstrated that agility, flexibility, and respect for sovereignty can be just as influential as technology.” (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
04 Nov 25. All apparently not well with new SA Army border patrol APC tender. Fingers are being pointed at State-owned defence and security procurement company Armscor for the way it handled what is apparently a R500 m tender to improve SA Army mobility on the country’s land borders. One of the people doing the pointing is Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentarian Chris Hattingh who, along with two other MPs from the same party, are delegated as oversight watchdogs on Parliament’s two defence committees. He has it South Africans have reason to be alarmed by what he’s found out about the acquisition. This, he maintains, is because the R500 m Armscor tender for new troop carriers seems to be plagued by the same lack of accountability and transparency that doomed past defence projects. His reaction comes after DefenceWeb last month made public that Centurion-based defence equipment manufacturer and supplier Milkor was confirmed as the “winning bidder” for the border control armoured personnel carrier (APC) tender issued by Armscor. The confirmation was contained in what was called a “media response” by Armscor to reports in this publication and Johannesburg daily The Citizen regarding the tender. Hattingh and party researchers investigated the project, reaching the conclusion that the evaluation process for the new APCs was compromised. This was because, among others, field trials meant to verify vehicle performance were “cancelled without explanation”.
“Several local defence companies, including Paramount, SVI and DCD Protected Mobility, had already deployed their vehicles for testing when the process was abruptly halted. The eventual winner, Milkor SA, did not participate in the trials and has only limited experience in armoured vehicle production. Aside from a small sale of five vehicles to Namibia, the company has no operational record.
“It is even more concerning that Milkor’s vehicle has not undergone comparative land mine blast testing — a basic requirement for mine resistant troop carriers. Without such tests, there is no evidence that the vehicles meet the protection standards needed to keep SANDF members safe during deployment. Despite this, Armscor has approved the project and awarded Milkor a contract worth half a bn rand,” he said in a statement.
Hattingh notes the “situation” around the latest landward force acquisition by Armscor “mirrors the R7 bn Project Hoefyster fiasco”.
“Not a single Badger infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) was delivered after nearly two decades of broken promises and ballooning costs. The same acquisition authorities – Armscor and the Department of Defence (DoD) – oversaw that project,” he said adding “warning lights are flashing again”. These he identifies as untested products, shifting evaluation rules and a lack of accountability.
“South Africa cannot afford another costly procurement failure while soldiers patrol our extensive borders, often on foot or in bakkies, due to the lack of suitable vehicles. Public funds, soldier safety and the integrity of our defence industry are at stake.”
First up in attempting to establish what did – or didn’t – happen with the border APC tender will be a call for a full investigation into Armscor’s handling of it. Hattingh also wants access to all evaluation and testing records as part of an effort to press for defence procurement reform to make acquisitions transparent, technical sound and accountable. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
04 Nov 25. Indo Pacific 2025: Japan, New Zealand begin talks on potential frigates acquisition. Japan and New Zealand have begun government-to-government talks on the improved Mogami-class frigate and how it might fulfil the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN’s) requirements. A representative from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) who spoke to Janes at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2025 on 4 November in Sydney confirmed that the talks centre around the frigate’s capabilities and a potential acquisition. Confirmation of the government-to-government discussions comes on the back of a statement issued by the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) on 2 November. In the statement, which was issued after the meeting between Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi and his New Zealand counterpart Judith Collins in Malaysia during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), the Japanese MoD said that Tokyo is aware of “New Zealand’s intention to replace their naval frigates and agreed to remain in close communication going forward”. Meanwhile in response to questions from Janes, a spokesperson from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) clarified that while there was also a discussion between the RNZN’s Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding and Koizumi on the Mogami-class frigate, among other topics, no decisions have been made.
“As outlined in New Zealand’s 2025 Defence Capability Plan (DCP), most of the Royal New Zealand Navy fleet will reach their end of life by the mid-2030s, which is why a maritime fleet renewal programme has been established,” the NZDF spokesperson said in a reply that was issued just ahead the Indo Pacific 2025. (Source: Janes)
03 Nov 25. Brazilian lawmakers eye additional BRL30 bn for military modernisation. The Brazilian National Congress is soon expected to approve a bill aimed at delivering significant additional funding for the modernisation of the armed forces. Complementary Law Project No 204/2025 (Projeto de Lei Complementar n° 204/2025: PLC n° 204/2025) would provide an additional BRL30bn (USD5.6bn), or BRL5 bn annually over the next six years, exclusively for the modernisation of the army, navy, and air force, according to the Federal Senate. The bill is designed to establish a budget programme that is not subject to fiscal targets, enables funds from part of a specific federal tax to be used for defence acquisition, and prohibits limitations on commitments to strategic projects for national defence, the Federal Senate said. The measure was formally approved by the Federal Senate on 22 October and submitted to the Chamber of Deputies on 27 October for review. Once approved at the National Congress level, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has 15 business days to approve or veto it.
Minister of Defence José Múcio Monteiro Filho has welcomed the legislation, stressing that it would help boost the modernisation of the armed forces and strengthen the Brazilian defence industrial base.
The BRL30 bn is intended to fund acquisition programmes, including the SISFRON (Sistema Integrado de Monitoramento de Fronteiras) border monitoring system, construction of the nuclear-powered attack submarine SNCA Almirante Álvaro Alberto by Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN), development of cruise missiles, and the procurement of Saab F-39E/F Gripen fighter jets and surface ships. (Source: Janes)
03 Nov 25. Pakistan eyes 2026 launch for first Chinese submarine in $6.5bn arms deal. The Pakistan navy expects its first Chinese-designed submarine to enter active service in 2026, the country’s top admiral told the Chinese state media, bolstering Beijing’s bid to counter regional rival India and project power towards the Middle East. A deal under which Islamabad will take delivery of eight Hangor-class submarines by 2028 is “progressing smoothly”, Admiral Naveed Ashraf told the Global Times in an interview published on Nov 2, adding that the submarines would boost Pakistan’s ability to patrol the North Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. The update on the Chinese submarine deal follows Pakistan’s air force using Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets in May to shoot down an Indian Air Force Rafale aircraft, made by France. The altercation between the nuclear-armed neighbours surprised many in the military community and raised questions over the superiority of Western hardware over Chinese alternatives. Under the terms of the submarine agreement – reportedly worth up to US$5 bn (S$6.5 bn) – the first four diesel-electric attack submarines will be built in China, with the remaining vessels assembled in Pakistan to improve the South Asian nation’s technical capabilities. Pakistan has already launched three of the submarines into China’s Yangtze River from a shipyard in the central province of Hubei.
“Chinese-origin platforms and equipment have been reliable, technologically advanced and well-suited to Pakistan navy’s operational requirements,” Adm Ashraf told the tabloid, which is published by the ruling Communist Party’s People’s Daily.
“As modern warfare evolves, emerging technologies such as unmanned systems, AI (artificial intelligence) and advanced electronic warfare systems are becoming increasingly important. The Pakistan navy is focusing on these technologies and exploring collaboration with China,” he was also quoted as saying.
Islamabad has long been Beijing’s top arms customer, and over the 2020 to 2024 period bought more than 60 per cent of China’s weapons exports, data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute showed.
Billon-dollar build-up
Along with billions in arms sales, Beijing has heavily invested in building out its connections to the Arabian Sea through a 3,000km economic corridor stretching from China’s Xinjiang to Pakistan’s deep-water port of Gwadar. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of President Xi Jinping’s flagship Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, aims to secure a route for the world’s largest energy importer to bring in supplies from the Middle East, bypassing the Strait of Malacca – a strategic chokepoint between Malaysia and Indonesia that could be blocked in wartime. The initiative also extends China’s sphere of influence towards Afghanistan and Iran and onto Central Asia, and effectively encircles India, given Beijing’s ties to the junta in Myanmar and good relations with Bangladesh. India currently operates three indigenously developed nuclear-powered submarines, along with three classes of diesel-electric attack submarines acquired or developed over decades with France, Germany and Russia.
“This cooperation (with China) goes beyond hardware; it reflects a shared strategic outlook, mutual trust and a longstanding partnership,” Adm Ashraf said. “In the coming decade, we expect this relationship to grow, encompassing not only shipbuilding and training, but also enhanced interoperability, research, technology sharing and industrial collaboration.” (Source: News Now/https://www.straitstimes.com/)
03 Nov 25. Indonesia may buy four more Airbus A400M military planes, president says. Indonesia may start negotiations to buy four more units of Airbus’ A400M military aircraft, President Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday, as the country continues to revamp its ageing military through a string of hardware deals. The purchase of military equipment has picked up since Prabowo, a former special forces commander, became defence minister in 2019 and then president last year, with multiple deals struck for new fighter jets as well as submarines.
“We may negotiate so we can sign for four more units,” Prabowo told reporters after a ceremony to inspect the arrival of the first of two new A400s at an air force base in Jakarta. He did not provide further details on the timeline of the planned negotiations. The second plane in the deal, signed in 2021 when Prabowo was the Minister of Defence, is expected to arrive next year, Airbus said in a statement.
The A400M is a large airlifter able to deliver heavy loads such as fuel trucks and excavators, food, clothes and medical supplies and can use damaged or short runways, Airbus says on its website. (Source: Reuters)
02 Nov 25. Russia Receives Sixth Su-35S Fighter Jet Batch in 2025 Signaling Rapid Combat Fleet Expansion. United Aircraft Corporation, part of Rostec, delivered another batch of Su-35S fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces on November 1, according to TASS. Open-source tallies indicate this is at least the sixth Su-35S delivery reported in 2025, a faster tempo with implications for force readiness and procurement timelines. On 1 November 2025, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of the state tech conglomerate Rostec, delivered another batch of Su-35S multirole fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces, according to the Russian news agency Tass. This delivery is at least the sixth Su-35S transfer to Russian units reported since the start of the year and reflects a clearly accelerated production rhythm aimed at reinforcing frontline airpower. This tempo, noticeably higher than the one publicly reported in 2024, has immediate consequences for force readiness, procurement timelines and regional airpower balances, making the development relevant for military planners, intelligence communities and policymakers following Russia’s wartime industrial output. The Su-35S is Russia’s advanced multirole fighter jet featuring supermaneuverability, long-range sensors, and powerful air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities (Picture Source: Russian MoD/Rostec) The Su-35S is a deeply modernized evolution of the Su-27 family, optimized for air superiority while retaining significant capabilities for strike missions and maritime target engagement. Powered by twin engines with thrust-vectoring nozzles, featuring long combat radius and high maneuverability across the envelope, the aircraft combines a high-performance radar and sensor suite with the ability to employ long-range air-to-air missiles and precision-guided surface-attack weapons. Rostec’s statement emphasized the aircraft’s capacity to operate day and night, in adverse weather and at extended ranges from home bases. Russian pilots and officials have repeatedly described the type as a reliable and versatile platform suited to the wide mission set currently required of operational-tactical aviation, from air defense of key regions to combat sorties in expeditionary theaters.
The Su-35S program followed a pragmatic path that reused a proven airframe while integrating updated avionics, improved propulsion, and modernized weapons, reducing time to serial production and limiting costs compared with designing a new platform from scratch. In operational service, the aircraft has been employed in homeland air defense, long-range patrols, deterrent shows of force and combat support roles, including air-to-air engagements and missions against enemy air defenses. The current rise in output points to an industrial shift from a steady, moderate production rate to a sustained higher one, enabling faster squadron formation, replenishment of aircraft lost or worn in operations, and a larger pool of mission-ready fighters available to commanders. Compared with earlier Su-27/Su-30 derivatives, the Su-35S offers significantly improved sensor range, more capable onboard electronics and a broader weapons integration portfolio, which together increase situational awareness and engagement flexibility. In comparison with fifth-generation aircraft, it deliberately accepts higher observability in exchange for immediate availability, larger payload capacity and lower unit cost, positioning the Su-35S as a practical solution for generating massed combat aviation. When set against contemporary Western fourth-generation fighters such as the F-15 or Rafale, the Su-35S remains competitive in thrust-to-weight ratio, range and maneuverability, while differences persist in areas such as sensor fusion, data-centric sustainment, networked operations and interoperability with allied air forces. Its key operational advantage lies in the combination of high sortie generation, integration of long-range weapons and the existence of a mature domestic industrial base capable of scaling deliveries on short notice. The strategic implications of six publicly reported deliveries in a single year are non-trivial. At the regional level, a faster-growing fleet of high-performance fighters improves Russia’s ability to impose air denial, protect critical infrastructure and project power into contested or NATO-proximate airspaces, complicating air defense planning in neighboring states. At the broader geostrategic level, building up a large non-stealth but powerful fighter inventory supports a layered deterrence posture: it raises the number of credible interceptors and long-range strike platforms available for both defensive counter-air and offensive strike taskings. From a force-generation standpoint, concentrated deliveries shorten the time needed to field complete units, facilitate rotational deployments, and mitigate the operational effects of attrition, enabling Russian planners to maintain more resilient and dispersed air groupings. Overall, the pattern of deliveries signals a choice to prioritize numbers alongside capability, a choice that will influence operational doctrine and regional airpower calculations. Financial and contracting specifics in the latest disclosure remain deliberately general. Rostec and UAC framed the handover as part of the ongoing state defense order without indicating the exact number of aircraft delivered in the batch or the specific recipient regiments. UAC leadership has, however, repeatedly underlined the goal of meeting elevated production targets for operational-tactical and transport aviation in 2025, which suggests high state prioritization of combat aircraft output. Although the Su-35 family has been the subject of export interest and previous foreign contracts, current official reporting is focused on domestic deliveries to the Russian Aerospace Forces, with no new export transactions announced in connection with this latest batch. The renewed, high-frequency deliveries of Su-35S fighters over the past year therefore represent more than an industrial milestone; they amount to an operational shift that materially increases the number of modern, mission-capable aircraft available to Russian air commanders. This increase will shape squadron basing and deployment options, accelerate replacement of aircraft lost in ongoing operations, and feed into deterrence calculations in Europe, the Arctic and adjacent theaters. For defense ministries, intelligence services and allied air forces, the Su-35S production surge will remain a key indicator of Russia’s ability to regenerate and sustain tactical aviation despite sanctions and wartime expenditure and will continue to be monitored accordingly. (Source: Google/armyrecognition.com)
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