LOCATIONS
LAND
06 Oct 25. Combat robotics firm and drone makers sign production deal for Dutch site. Estonian defence firm Milrem Robotics and several Dutch drone companies have signed deals to use space at a factory owned by Dutch industrial firm VDL, the Netherlands Defence Ministry said on Monday. The companies were expected to host hundreds of workers at the site in Born and fulfil orders for both the Dutch and Ukrainian militaries, a spokesperson said. Milrem, which makes unmanned ground vehicles, was joined by Dutch dronemaker DeltaQuad, a supplier to the Dutch Air Force, and Tulip Tech, which makes technology to improve battery efficiency and extend drone range. (Source: Reuters)
MARITIME
08 Oct 25. Initial sea trials for USS Massachusetts completed at NNS. The testing programme will proceed at NNS in anticipation of the vessel’s handover to the US Navy. HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has completed the first set of sea trials for the Virginia-class attack submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798). The trials, which took place over several days at sea, were a collaborative effort between NNS and the US Navy. During this critical phase, the team tested various systems and components of the submarine. Key aspects of the evaluation included the vessel’s first submersion and execution of high-speed manoeuvres both on the surface and while submerged. The testing programme will advance at NNS as it prepares for the eventual handover of this potent vessel to the US Navy. NNS president Kari Wilkinson said: “Our entire team at Newport News Shipbuilding understands the importance of delivering capability to our fleet. Proving capabilities through this first sea trial for Massachusetts is an important step in demonstrating this and we are honoured to support the mission.” The Massachusetts is the 25th Virginia-class submarine and represents the 12th delivery by NNS. It was launched into the James River in February 2024. The Virginia-Class submarines are built by a partnership between NNS and General Dynamics Electric Boat. The Virginia-class submarines have a standard length of 377 feet (ft,) a beam of 34ft, and a submerged displacement of around 7,800 tonnes. The submarines come equipped with four 21-inch diameter torpedo tubes and have a payload capacity for about 25 torpedoes. Designed for a wide range of missions in both deep ocean and near-shore environments, these submarines are set to replace retiring Los Angeles-class submarines. The Virginia-class submarines incorporate technologies that boost their firepower, manoeuvrability, and stealth capabilities, significantly enhancing their combat effectiveness. (Source: naval-technology.com)
06 Oct 25. Indian Navy commissions second anti-submarine vessel Androth. Built by GRSE in Kolkata, West Bengal, Androth incorporates more than 80% indigenous content. The Indian Navy has commissioned Androth, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on 6 October 2025. The event was attended by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. Androth was built by Indian defence shipyard Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), under the supervision of the Directorate of Ship Production and the Warship Overseeing Team in Kolkata. The vessel contains more than 80% indigenous content and has been constructed to meet the Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The vessel was handed over to the navy on 13 September 2025. Androth is equipped with weapon and sensor suites, communication systems, and waterjet propulsion designed to detect, track and neutralise underwater threats. The ship is also configured for maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations and coastal defence tasks. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) supplied the complete requirement of special grade steel for Androth. The public sector steel producer delivered all required HR sheets and plates for eight ASW-SWC, including both Arnala and Androth. SAIL produced and delivered the steel from its facilities in Bokaro, Bhilai, and Rourkela. The induction of Androth forms part of a series of recent ship additions to the fleet intended to enhance capability and increase indigenous production. The ASW-SWC vessels are intended to replace the Abhay-class corvettes that entered service in 1989. These ships measure about 77 metres and use a diesel engine–waterjet propulsion arrangement. The first vessel in the series, Arnala, was launched in December 2022; Androth was launched in March 2023 and a third ship in the series was launched in June 2023. The Ministry of Defence stated: “Together, these inductions in recent months — Arnala, Nistar, Udaygiri, Nilgiri, and now Androth — reflect the Navy’s balanced growth across the spectrum of maritime operations. Above all, they embody the spirit of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), with a high percentage of indigenous content, design expertise and home grown innovation coming from Indian shipyards and industries.” (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
06 Oct 25. UAC Delivered New Su-35S to the MoD of the Russian Federation. The aircraft is designed to gain air superiority, in particular in severe weather conditions and at long distances from the home airfield. Rostec’s United Aircraft Corporation has manufactured and delivered new Su-35S to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation under the state defence procurement program. The multifunction aircraft systems are intended for the Russian Air Force.
“To achieve the targets set out by the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation concerning the provision of troops with ammunition and equipment, our special task fighter air group has received a new batch of the Su-35S multifunction fighters. The Su-35S fulfills all missions set out for us to the fullest extent and at the highest quality,” said a Su-35S pilot of the Russian Air Force.
The Su-35 is designed to gain air superiority, in particular in severe weather conditions and at long distances from the home airfield. It is a transition link to the fifth generation aircraft systems.
“Our aircraft plants operate at full capacity and consistently maintain high rates of combat aircraft delivery to the field. The Su-35S combines the modern ammunition power, advanced electronics and unique maneuverability, making it a ‘one man army’ for fulfillment of the most complex missions: from protection of aircraft groups and ground objects to killing air and ground enemy targets,” said Rostec’s representatives. (Source: ASD Network)
PLANT CLOSURES, STRIKES AND JOB LOSSES
05 Oct 25. Hegseth fires USN chief of staff. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Navy chief of staff in a sudden shakeup following the confirmation of Hung Cao as the new Navy Under Secretary.
“Jon Harrison will no longer serve as the Chief of Staff of the Secretary of the Navy. We are grateful for his service to the Department,” a Pentagon spokesman told Military Times in a statement on Saturday.
At the time of publication, Harrison had not provided a comment about his ousting. Harrison was a political appointee of President Donald Trump who had worked with Navy Secretary John Phelan on efforts to streamline the Navy’s policy and budgeting offices after coming into their posts with many of the Navy’s biggest programs years behind schedule. Politico was first to report on the ouster. (Source: Defense News)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
06 Oct 25. The International Institute for Strategic Studies announced the appointment of Dr Daniel Salisbury as Senior Fellow for Nuclear Arms Control, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. Daniel joins the IISS–Asia team following previous positions as Senior Research Fellow at King’s College London, Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow at Harvard University and Postdoctoral Fellow at the James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Studies, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Daniel will take up the position at IISS–Asia in Singapore and lead the Nuclear Arms Control, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament research programme from mid-October. The programme was established following a generous endowment from the Government of Japan to strengthen IISS research on global nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and arms-control issues.
09 Oct 25. Christophe Muratet Joins Milrem Robotics to Drive Product Innovation and Growth. Milrem Robotics, a global leader in the development of autonomous robotic systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of Christophe Muratet as Chief Product Officer. In this new role, Muratet will oversee product strategy, development roadmaps, and execution across the company’s growing mission-critical robotics portfolio. Muratet is an experienced product leader and AI strategist with extensive expertise in innovation, digital transformation, and designing scalable B2B and B2G solutions. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of Thales Digital Factory North America, where he led ventures and product innovation in defence, aerospace, security, and artificial intelligence.
06 Oct 25. Santander has hired the former head of the British Army to boost defence lending amid a spending boom since the start of the Ukraine war. General Sir Patrick Sanders, who was chief of the general staff in the British Army from 2022 to 2024, will join Santander to help steer its approach to working with the defence industry. The former army chief will advise the bank on lending to arms companies at a time when European governments are looking to pour hundreds of bns into the defence industry to help protect against the threat from Vladimir Putin. (Source: Daily Telegraph)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
28 Sep 25. Kratos appoints a new Chief Information Officer. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets, recently announced that Brian Shepard has been appointed as Chief Information Officer of the Company and he will be responsible for all information technology of the Company, including information security, information compliance and data communications. Mr. Shepard has more than 30 years of experience in the information technology field, including the last 20 years working in various capacities at Kratos. Since 2021, Mr. Shepard has held the position of Vice President of Information Technology, where he has led the growth and maturation of the Company’s IT organization and has worked closely with Corporate personnel and each of Kratos’ business units to build results-focused IT solutions that align with the Company’s mission, vision and values. (Source: Satnews)
07 Oct 25. Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) (“Redwire” or the “Company”), a global leader in space and defense technology solutions, today announced a planned Board of Directors refreshment. Redwire’s Board of Directors has appointed General (RET) James McConville and Dorothy D. Hayes as new independent directors. Jonathan Baliff and John S. Bolton, who joined the Board as part of Redwire’s combination with Genesis Park Acquisition Corp. in 2021, have stepped down from the Board. These Board changes are effective immediately. General McConville was previously the 40th Chief of Staff of the United States Army, leading an organization of 1.2 m personnel, an annual budget of $185 bn and operations in over 140 countries around the globe. He led combat organizations from the platoon to the division level and was the longest serving commander of the famed 101st Airborne Division (AASLT). He is currently an operating partner at AE Industrial Partners and is a Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center at Harvard University and a member of the Georgia Tech Research Institute External Advisory Council. Ms. Hayes brings extensive experience as a financial executive and seasoned board member. A former executive at Intuit, Agilent Technologies, Hewlett-Packard, and Apollo Computer, she is a recognized expert in audit, risk management, corporate governance, and financial controls, and currently serves on the board of BigBear.ai, where she chairs the Audit Committee. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)