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13 Nov 25. Sig Sauer Launches SIG516 G3. SIG SAUER, industry-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, optics, and ammunition, introduced the SIG516 G3. Designed as the ultimate battle rifle, the SIG SAUER SIG516 G3 extends the legacy of the 516 series, bringing new technology to the venerable weapons system. Tested around the world and perfected in New Hampshire, the SIG516 G3 brings a decade of internal engineering know-how on similar rifle projects to create the most rugged, durable platform in its class. Capable of performing under the harshest conditions, the SIG516 G3 utilizes premium components and an innovative feature set to deliver uncompromising reliability. Inside the rifle, a short-stroke piston with an adjustable gas system keeps the SIG516 G3 in flawless operation with the ability to tune settings to meet the mission at hand. Chambered in 5.56 NATO, the SIG516 G3 is standard with a 16-inch cold hammer forged barrel with a 1:7-inch twist rate. The intuitive design of the SIG516 G3’s unique rear and side non-reciprocating charging handle allows the rifle to be easily operated in any manner, in any condition. To support long-term operational use and extended reliability, the rifle features steel-reinforced components for high-wear areas. The SIG516 G3 is standard with fully ambidextrous controls and premium features, including a SIG Matchlite DUO curved trigger, SIG flash hider compensator, and a free-floating M-LOK handguard. With its proven performance capabilities, upgraded features, and history of durability in the field, the SIG516 G3 continues to raise expectations for an AR-15 piston system. (Source: ASD Network)
13 Nov 25. Thailand to produce KB family of loitering munitions. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has developed prototypes of two new loitering munitions known as the KB-10G and KB-5E kamikaze drones. The KB-family munitions, which are about to be produced for operational deployments, were unveiled at the Defense & Security 2025 show in Bangkok, which concluded on 13 November. The RTAF said that the systems are intended to provide capability to perform medium-range and long-range suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) missions. Intended targets for the loitering munitions, which are both integrated with a combined GPS/inertial navigation system (INS), include radar systems, armoured vehicles, airstrips, and “other significant military locations”, RTAF said. The weapons were developed jointly by the RTAF’s Research and Development Center for Space and Aeronautical Science and Technology; its Directorate of Armament, which is responsible for the warheads; and engineers at its Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj academy. An RTAF spokesperson told Janes that a total of 40 KB-10G/KB-5E units will be built following a series of evaluations undertaken by the RTAF over the past year. The munitions have been in development for about three years. Janes understands that the loitering munitions will be produced by the RTAF’s Thai Aviation Industries (TAI), starting from December 2025. The KB-10G has a wingspan of 1.7 m and a total weight of 40 kg, which includes its 10 kg warhead. It is powered by a petrol piston-driven engine and can achieve a speed of 120 km/h and a range of 500 km. The RTAF said its terminal diving speed is 220 km/h and that it has a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 3 m. (Source: Janes)
13 Nov 25. MBDA, NIOA sign MoU for production of Mistral missile in Australia. The agreement also outlines plans to assess options for assembling or manufacturing Australian-made warheads for the Mistral missile suite. MBDA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Australian munitions company NIOA to explore the manufacturing of its Mistral missiles in Australia. The MoU was signed during the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition in Sydney on 5 November 2025. The agreement also sets out plans to examine options for assembling or producing Australian-made warheads for the Mistral suite of missiles. The goal is to incorporate Australian industry into the global supply chain for this system. NIOA Group CEO Rob Nioa said the collaboration aligns with the Australian Government’s Defence Industry Development Strategy and its drive for greater industrial cooperation with trusted international entities.
Nioa said: “MBDA are world leaders in the missile industry. With the Australian Government’s focus on domestic manufacturing of a wider range of munitions and the expansion of partnerships with industry, the timing is right for NIOA and MBDA to take this first and significant step.”
The Mistral missile, developed in France, is a very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) missile system. It is designed to operate on a “fire-and-forget” mode and is claimed to reach supersonic speeds with high manoeuvrability. These capabilities allow it to intercept threats, including aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, naval gunboats equipped with missiles, and loitering munitions. Mistral can be used in land, maritime and air domains, supporting flexibility in deployment through man-portable launchers or platform integration. Recent increases in demand from European customers led MBDA to deliver its 2,000th Mistral 3 missile. MBDA business development executive Pierre-Marie Belleau said: “Mistral is a class leading VSHORAD capability, ideally suited as an effector in a multi-layered and integrated air defence.” In April2025, the Philippine Navy’s guided-missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), successfully conducted its inaugural test firing of two MBDA Mistral 3 surface-to-air missiles (SAM). (Source: naval-technology.com)
13 Nov 25. USAF’s New Low-Cost Anti-Air Missile Program Aims for $500K Target Price. The U.S. Air Force has put out a new call for concepts for a future anti-air missile that costs no more than $500,000 and that could be built at a rate of at least 1,000 per year. The service says the planned Counter-Air Missile Program (CAMP) will build upon frameworks it has been using to develop cheaper cruise missiles for striking targets on land and at sea. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Armament Directorate recently released a contracting notice regarding CAMP. The directorate has stressed that it is still in the very early stages of laying out the effort. However, “the United States Government has identified a need … for the development, procurement, and integration of a low-cost counter-air capability as a future class of the Affordable Mass Munitions portfolio,” according to the notice. “It is the Government’s expectation that the initial CAMP system will provide a ground-launched capability that is a viable pathway to a low-cost air-to-air missile.”
“Low-cost” here is defined as less than $500,000 per unit for a production run of at least 1,000 complete missiles. The target annual production rate is between 1,000 and 3,500 of the CAMP munitions.
“The highest priority of this effort is the development and demonstration of an affordable, open system, modular, and highly producible ground-launched capability. Ground-launch efforts will serve as a risk reduction effort expediting missile design maturation and evaluation for future affordable air-to-air missile capabilities,” the contracting notice adds. “A ground-launch system will also serve as a new weapon class of Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV), providing a lower cost, rapid capability to integrate and demonstrate future sub-systems and components in a relevant environment prior to integration into a Program of Record weapon.”
In June 2024, the Air Force and the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) announced they had hired four companies – Zone 5 Technologies, Anduril, Leidos subsidiary Dynetics, and Integrated Solutions for Systems, Inc. – to design and deliver prototype ETVs. Ostensibly low-cost cruise missiles, the designs in question skirt an increasingly blurry line separating traditional cruise missiles from uncrewed aerial systems, especially longer-range kamikaze drones, as well as decoys. (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)
13 Nov 25. French Navy inducts upgraded air-launched nuclear missile. The French Navy has received into service the Air-Sol Moyenne Portée Amélioré Rénové (ASMPA-R) upgraded air-launched nuclear missile, it was disclosed on 13 November. Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin said that the missile carried by the Dassault Rafale combat aircraft was now operational with the Nuclear Aeronaval Force (Force Aéronavale Nucléaire: FANu), following its introduction into service with the Strategic Air Forces (Forces Aériennes Stratégiques: FAS) of the French Air and Space Force two years earlier. “Operation ‘Diomede’, a Marine [French Navy] Rafale successfully conducted [on 13 November] an evaluation firing of the improved medium-range air-to-surface strategic missile renovated (ASMPA-R), without onboard [nuclear] payload, at the end of a flight representative nuclear raid. This is the second firing of the ASMPA-R, and the first carried out by the FANu. This firing takes place only a few days after the operational service entry (OSE) of the ASMPA-R missile within the FANu. This missile has already been in service in the FAS since 2023,” Vautrin said. “Long planned, this successful operation fulfils the ambition set by the President of the Republic and completes the manoeuvre to renew the capabilities of the airborne nuclear component as planned by the Military Programming Law [Loi de Programmation Militaire: LPM] (2024-2030).” The ASMPA-R is one of the two legs of France’s strategic nuclear deterrent to be modernised in the LPM 2024–30 published in July 2023, alongside the Sous-Marin Nucléaire Lanceur d’Engins de Troisième Génération (SNLE 3G) third-generation nuclear ballistic missile submarine. (Source: Janes)
12 Nov 25. BAE Systems prepares M777 bid in Thailand. BAE Systems is closing in on an opportunity to supply its M777 155 mm/39 calibre lightweight howitzer to Thailand. An official from the UK company told Janes at the Defense & Security 2025 show in Bangkok that the M777 has been proposed to meet a Royal Thai Army (RTA) requirement for lightweight towed artillery. The BAE Systems official said that while the initial requirement is not expansive, likely featuring a procurement of six units, the programme could expand in the future. Janes understands talks between BAE Systems and the RTA are ongoing in response to a recently released request for information (RFI). The procurement is expected to proceed in 2026. China is also thought to be preparing bids to meet the RTA’s towed lightweight howitzer requirement. The RFI is a response to a requirement to replace some of the RTA’s ageing 155 mm towed artillery, which includes about 32 Soltam M-71s procured in the 1970s and more than 100 US-made M198 howitzers the service acquired from the early 1980s. BAE Systems developed the M777 from the 1980s to replace the M198. To date, the M777 howitzer has been fielded by United States, Canadian, Australian, and Indian armed forces, with total orders exceeding 1,200 units. BAE Systems’ last major M777 sale in Asia-Pacific was to the Indian Army, which ordered 145 locally manufactured units for INR50 bn (USD564 m). (Source: Janes)
13 Nov 25. Senegalese Navy tests anti-ship missile for the first time. The Senegalese Navy has carried out its first anti-ship missile test firing, it was announced on 9 November. Radio Television Senegal (RTS) showed offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Cayor launching a small anti-ship missile at a target that appeared to be one of the navy’s decommissioned CTM landing craft loaded with shipping containers to enlarge its radar signature. The containers were clearly hit by a live warhead, although the landing craft was not sunk. RTS reported that the target was 15 km away from the vessel and its coverage included a view from a camera on another vessel that was transmitted back to Cayor to show the impact. The screen gave the time and date of the test as the morning of 9 November. Commissioned in October 2024, Cayor was the last of three 58 m OPVs that Kership, a joint venture by the French shipyards Pirou and Naval Group, built for Senegal. While the first, Walo, was commissioned in August 2023, RTS reported that this was the first such test carried out by the Senegalese Navy. “This is historic,” Rear Admiral Abdou Sène, the chief of staff of the Senegalese Navy, said in the RTS coverage. “The navy has entered the select circle of navies that are capable of implementing such a complex and modern weapon system in a sovereign manner. Everything that has been done in this context, whether the preparation, the logistics, [or] the security measures for clearing the area, the whole process has been carried out in a sovereign manner.” (Source: Janes)
12 Nov 25. UK confirms US control of nuclear weapons for F-35A role. The UK’s planned air-launched nuclear capability for its F-35A Lightning II aircraft will rely on US-controlled weapons under NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements, the Ministry of Defence confirmed. Responding to a parliamentary question from Conservative MP Mike Wood, Minister of State for Defence Luke Pollard reiterated that the nuclear weapons assigned to NATO’s dual capable aircraft mission are United States assets and remain under US control and custody. “As confirmed when the Ministry of Defence announced our intention to participate in NATO’s nuclear mission, the nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO dual capable aircraft nuclear mission are United States nuclear weapons and the US retains control and custody over them, as the UK does with its own nuclear weapons,” Pollard said in his written response. He added that any potential UK participation in the NATO mission would be subject to political authorisation. (Source: UKDJ)
12 Nov 25. Thailand expands mortar capability. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has integrated its M132 A1 drop-fired mortar onto a 4×4 Tata truck to enhance its ongoing border protection effort. The integrated system – dubbed the M132 A1 self-propelled mortar – was displayed for the first at the Defense & Security 2025 show in Bangkok. A representative of the Thai Ministry of Defence (MoD) told Janes that initial development of the self-propelled mortar system started in 2023 but was accelerated as a result of Thailand’s five-day conflict with neighbouring Cambodia in July 2025. Development of the first prototype is led by the RTA’s Weapon Production Centre (WPC) in Lopburi, central Thailand, and the MoD’s Defence Industry and Energy Centre. French group Thales is also involved in the development project, supplying its TopAxyz inertial navigation system (INS). The core of the INS is its inertial measurement unit (IMU), which consists of a PIXYS ring laser gyroscope (RLG) and an accelerometer. The INS is intended to provide operators with assured position, navigation, and timing (PNT) capability in global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-denied or -challenged environments. The MoD official said the initial M132 A1 self-propelled mortar prototype has passed RTA acceptance trials and will be produced in larger numbers once an official procurement programme has been established by the RTA. The official indicated that the procurement requirement could be expansive, given the RTA’s expanding requirements for short-range mobile mortar capability. (Source: Janes)
12 Nov 25. MKE debuts Boran howitzer at Exercise ‘Ates Serbest 2025′. Making its debut at Türkiyeʼs Exercise ‘Ateş Serbest 2025ʼ near Polatlı, Ankara-headquartered company MKEʼs Boran air transportable light towed howitzer (ATLTH) demonstrated its capabilities in a live-fire exercise. The exercise, held from 6 to 11 October, was intended to demonstrate the level of firepower achieved by the Turkish Armed Forces, as well as testing personnel on reaction and firing, and familiarising them with systems and fire co-ordination. The Boran has a 105 mm, 30 calibre barrel, and weighs approximately 1,720 kg including its fire-control system (FCS). It has a maximum range of 17 km at sea level, with an elevation range of -3° to +70° and a traverse of 8° to either side. The system can be fully deployed in under one minute. It is light enough to be carried to the battlefield as an external load by general purpose helicopters. The gun is fitted with Aselsanʼs Volkan 230/105 FCS. This FCS provides the gun crew with information such as continuous position and barrel orientation data via an inertial navigation system (INS), measures muzzle velocity with an Initial Velocity Measurement Radar (IVMR), and enables target detection and direct (day/night) fire through a laser rangefinder combined with a thermal camera. The power infrastructure supports up to eight hours of continuous operation and offers flexible supply options, including power from the grid or vehicles, onboard battery usage, and portable generator charging. Operated by a crew of five, the Boran achieves a firing rate of six rounds per minute and is capable of sustained operation in ambient temperatures ranging from -32 °C to +44 °C. (Source: Janes)
12 Nov 25. Leidos Australia and Kongsberg Sign MOU to Advance USV Strike Capability. Leidos Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the integration of Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM) with Leidos’ next-generation uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), Sea Archer and its larger variant, Longbow. Building on Leidos’ proven success in launching missiles from unmanned vessels, the partnership aims to demonstrate how integrating the NSM with advanced USVs could extend the reach, responsiveness and adaptability of maritime strike possibilities. Kongsberg’s ship-based NSM is a sea-skimming, precision-guided cruise missile capable of engaging targets at a range of more than 300 km. Designed for survivability, the NSM features autonomous target recognition and advanced terminal manoeuvres to evade modern defences. Sea Archer, currently under construction in Australia, is a high-speed, long-range USV designed to support modular payloads for strike, electronic warfare, logistics resupply and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Equipped with Leidos’ advanced autonomy software and AI-powered battle management technologies, the vessel reaches speeds up to 40 knots, has a range of 1,500 nautical miles and supports a payload of over 900 kg. The larger Longbow variant has an increased payload capacity of 3,000 kgs and is powered by four (4) OXE marine diesel engines with 300 horsepower supporting a range in excess of 2,750 nautical miles. Currently at the proof-of-concept stage, there is potential to explore NSM integration with a variety of Leidos USVs. Further development and integrated payload capabilities are being trialled both in the US and in Australia in 2026.
“This MOU represents a significant step forward in exploring a mission-ready, sovereign maritime strike capability for Australia,” said Paul Chase, chief executive of Leidos Australia. “By combining the proven performance of the NSM with the flexibility and endurance of a Longbow Sea Archer, we are offering Defence a potent, adaptable and locally supported solution for future operational needs.” (Source: ASD Network)
12 Nov 25. north.io, the ocean big data specialist, has demonstrated a transformational capability in naval mine countermeasures (MCM) during the REPMUS 2025 exercise in Portugal. The company reduced data processing times from days to minutes and enabled high-resolution operational pictures of the seabed to be generated in near real-time. During the four-week NATO-led exercise, which combined the annual REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) exercise with Dynamic Messenger 2025, the company’s Ocean Data Platform served as the digital backbone for the German Navy’s Mine Countermeasures Task Unit, processing terabytes of sonar and sensor data from multiple autonomous uncrewed systems into a unified operational picture.
Quantum leap in data processing speed
The Ocean Data Platform addressed one of the most critical bottlenecks in MCM operations. Traditionally, the evaluation of sonar and sensor data required days or even weeks, significantly delaying operational decision-making. At REPMUS 2025, north.io’s technology compressed these timeframes dramatically – initially reducing post-processing from days to hours and ultimately delivering actionable intelligence to analysts’ desks in minutes.
“The Ocean Data Platform was the missing piece,” emphasised Commander Andreas Montag, Mine Countermeasures Commander Task Unit (CTU) during the exercise. “It allowed us to bring sensor data directly into the staff picture with unprecedented speed and precision. As the person responsible for the situation picture, I always had a quick, up-to-date, high-resolution and accurate picture of the seabed.”
MCMs operations were overseen from the fishing port of Sesimbra. There, north.io specialists operating from the so-called Data Fusion Cell, worked alongside the 3rd Minesweeping Squadron, experts from NATO’s Centre of Excellence for Mine Warfare (Belgium) and NATO’s Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (La Spezia).
Strategic integration with NATO systems
A milestone achievement at REPMUS 2025 was the first-time integration of the Ocean Data Platform with Systematic’s SitaWare command and control (C2) software, which is used internationally and by the German Navy for operational command pictures.
“Not only is a central ocean data management system necessary, but the agnostic connection to a combat management system (CMS) was also established for the first time during the exercise by north.io,” noted Commander Guy Phlippo, Director of Maritime Unmanned Systems Integration and Industry Engagement at NATO in Brussels.
This integration enabled underwater data from autonomous drones and sensors to flow directly into the German CTU’s operational command picture – a decisive step toward fully networked, multi-national MCM operations, improved percentage clearances and shorter detect-to-engage timelines.
Application beyond MCM
The platform’s capabilities extended beyond mine countermeasures. Commander Nadia Rijo from NATO’s Maritime Geospatial Centre of Excellence in Lisbon, whose group conducted Rapid Environmental Assessment during the exercise, stated: “The Ocean Data Platform technology far exceeded our expectations. The system delivered more than we had requested, especially in terms of the rapid processing and visualisation of large amounts of environmental data. We immediately recognised the added value this platform offers for future NATO operations.” The Ocean Data Platform’s versatility was further demonstrated through its integration with Rheinmetall’s Harbor Protection Container system, where it consolidated all operational data for sea and air surveillance in a port protection scenario. This highlighted the system’s potential as a backbone for comprehensive maritime security solutions protecting critical national infrastructure.
Strategic importance for European security
north.io’s successful demonstration has immediate operational relevance for securing NATO’s ‘Q routes’ – shipping routes essential for the resupply of northern Germany and the Baltic states during periods of tension or conflict.
Rear Admiral Dirk Gärtner, Head of Planning and Design at the Naval Command in Rostock, who visited the exercise and received briefings at the Sesimbra situation centre, concluded, “The exercise impressively demonstrated how the German Navy, together with industry partners and allies, is digitally advancing its mine defence capabilities into the future. The networking of systems-of-systems and the speed with which data can be processed and made available today are particularly significant advances.”
Innovation from Germany
“We have proven how innovative and mature our technology readiness is – and also how young, innovative companies in particular can make a very significant contribution to the further development of capabilities in the navy,” said Jann Wendt, founder and co- CEO of north.io. “The milestones reached at REPMUS could be a real game-changer.”
11 Nov 25. PERCH module, equipped on combat vehicles, can launch loitering munitions.
Built and tested on the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams and Stryker, the beyond-line-of-sight strike capability could be integrated on LAV and AJAX too.
Pictured is the PERCH modular unit displayed at AUSA 2025 in Washington DC. It designed to deploy loitering munitions from the side of armoured vehicles. Credit: John Hill/Army Technology.
- GDLS unveiled PERCH module to deploy loitering munitions from tanks and combat vehicles last month
- The system is designed to fire Aerovironment Switchblade 300 and 600 loitering munitions
- Built and tested on M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams and Stryker, a company spokesperson told this reporter it could integrate with LAV and AJAX too
One concept that may have been overlooked in the thick of the AUSA 2025 exhibition last month is the Precision Effects and Reconnaissance, Canister-Housed (PERCH) module developed by US defence prime General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and drone builder AeroVironment (AV). PERCH is a drone-launched effect that can be integrated onto the side of an armoured vehicle. The containerised weapon is designed to fire Switchblade 600 and three Switchblade 300 loitering munitions. At its unveiling, Army Technology spoke to Geoff Norman, director for US strategy and growth at GDLS, who emphasised the simple integration of the component onto the M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 main battle tank (MBT) and Stryker armoured vehicles in service with the US Army.
“We’re able to remove a storage box that’s currently on the [Abrams] tank called a ‘loader sponson box’ [an external storage compartment at the back of the platform], pop that out with two bolts, drop this launcher canister in, and you’re off to the race,” Norman instructed.
BLoS capability
The US Army has not procured the PERCH module just yet but the system provides a coveted beyond-line-of-sight (BLoS) capability. Currently, armoured units coordinate and share real time intelligence with a number of assets including radios and distinct ISR platforms to paint a picture of the changing battlespace. But AV’s Switchblade drones offer combat vehicles a BLoS strike capability as they can fly to a distant location, locate targets using their own electro-optical and infrared sensors, and engage threats.
PERCH appears to meet the US government’s ambitions to invest in more lethal programmes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has repeatedly stressed that existing resources are prioritised to improve long-range precision fires and air and missile defense including through the ‘Golden Dome’, among other capabilities. When it comes to the ill-defined Golden Dome air and missile defence network, numerous defence contractors are coming up with their respective strategies for different layers of the system. This already includes AV, who are working with a commercial uncrewed aerial systems supplier, GRANDSKY, to formulate the inner layer, or as AV puts it, the limited area defense architecture.
At the GDLS stand during AUSA, the PERCH module was displayed nearby the Pandur short-range air defence (SHORAD) system. Applying PERCH to mobile SHORAD could enhance inner layer air defence with yet another no-fuss, modular strike capability.
PERCH on AJAX, LAV
Although the system was displayed with a US Army focus, built and tested on the M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 MBTs and Stryker combat vehicles, Norman alluded to the possibility of integrating PERCH onto other armoured vehicles, namely the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) and the British Army’s AJAX armoured fighting vehicle. Another GDLS representative, Mark Hu, manager for US business development, told this reporter that many allied forces expressed interest in integrating the module unit during the trade show in Washington when it was unveiled for the first time. The engineering design work had the Stryker, the LAV, and the AJAX in mind, he said, adding that “given time and the right industry partners, we could adapt this powerful capability to other allied tanks and infantry combat vehicles.” (Source: army-technology.com)
10 Nov 25. Small arms trafficking is a transnational threat: UK statement at the UN Security Council. Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Small Arms. As the Secretary-General’s report highlights, diversion of illicit small arms and light weapons persists across the entire weapon lifecycle – from the point of manufacture, transfer, and storage, to their eventual use or disposal. This is exacerbated by porous borders, poor stockpile management, and emerging challenges such as 3D printing. Disrupting this pattern is critical to protecting lives in conflict zones and preventing armed violence.
I will make three points.
2First, illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons is a transnational threat. The UK supports capacity-building and cross-regional collaboration to enforce arms embargoes, improve tracing, and strengthen stockpile management. Through the UK-supported AmTag pilot programme, Somalia has become the first country to deploy chemical taggants which will begin to render its national ammunition stockpiles fully traceable. We commend and support regional and sub-regional approaches, including the African Union’s Silencing the Guns initiative. The UK is proud to fund the Nairobi Protocol review, led by the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA) and the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), underlining our commitment to tackling this threat at the regional level. Second, multilateral instruments and transparency mechanisms remain vital. The Programme of Action, the Arms Trade Treaty, the Global Framework, and the UN Register of Conventional Arms all play a role in preventing diversion, promoting responsible transfers, and strengthening national controls. The UK looks forward to contributing to the Programme of Action’s expert group on emerging technologies to address challenges posed by polymer, modular, and 3D-printed weapons and to explore opportunities for improved marking and tracing. Finally, illicit weapons diversion disproportionately affects women and girls. The UN estimates that 70 to 90 percent of conflict-related sexual violence incidents involve weapons and firearms. As we commemorate this year the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, effective conventional arms control can play a vital role in prevention. Women should be at the centre of these efforts. The UK remains committed to working to strengthen sanctions enforcement, enhance arms control, and support disarmament and post-conflict stabilisation efforts. ” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
11 Nov 25. Philippines deploys first BrahMos battery. The PMC published footage on its social media commemorating its 75th anniversary on 7 November, which showed a battery of BrahMos ASMs being operated by the service’s Coastal Defense Regiment. Two 12×12 autonomous launcher vehicles each fitted with twin canisters, a mobile command post, a maintenance vehicle, and a missile replenishment vehicle were seen in the footage. The deployment follows a notice of award that the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) issued to India’s BrahMos Aerospace in 2021 to supply three BrahMos ASM batteries to the PMC. These missiles are intended to improve the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP’s) anti-access/area-denial capabilities in the South China Sea against perceived naval threats from China. The BrahMos ASM was developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture (JV) between India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM). BrahMos ASM is a ground-launched supersonic cruise missile that has a maximum range of 290 km. It features a two-stage solid-propellent rocket booster and a ramjet engine. Janes analysis of the footage of the BrahMos ASM suggests that the Philippines received an export variant of the BrahMos Block I. (Source: Janes)
10 Nov 25. Driving Precision and Readiness: LM Delivers 750th HIMARS. On Nov. 5, Lockheed Martin delivered the 750th HIMARS – a tangible reminder of how a small-town factory is powering U.S. and allied forces across the globe. When the U.S. Army first fielded HIMARS in 2005, it marked a shift toward a more transportable long-range system that delivers precision fires with minimal crew requirements. Today the launcher is the cornerstone of the service’s long-range precision fires strategy, a capability that has been proven in more than two decades of combat operations and is evolving to integrate next generation munitions.
“HIMARS embodies what modern fires demand – reliability, accuracy and survivability,” said Carolyn Orzechowski, vice president, Lockheed Martin Precision Fires Launchers and Missiles. “It shows what American industry can achieve when we innovate in lockstep with the U.S. Army’s needs.”
Supporting Army Modernization
The Army’s modernization roadmap places long-range precision fires at the forefront of readiness and overmatch. To keep pace, Lockheed Martin has expanded capacity, accelerated production timelines and applied advanced manufacturing techniques that boost speed, scale and sustainability.
“We’re aligning our operations with the Army’s need to build faster, integrate smarter and keep the force ready by scaling production, strengthening the supply chain and maintaining the highest standards of quality,” Orzechowski said.
Building at Speed and Scale
Last fall, the Camden plant increased annual HIMARS production from 48 to 96 launchers, achieving the increase two months ahead of schedule. The expansion is backed by $2.9 bn U.S. Army contracts, which funded new tooling and additional workstations and streamlined the supply chain. This diligent approach enables us to continue innovating while delivering critical systems to the warfighter faster and more efficiently. Recent contracts and targeted investments give the program predictable demand, allowing the Camden plant to increase throughput while preserving quality. Collaboration with the U.S. government and industry partners has hardened the supply chain, delivering more launchers to soldiers and allies faster than ever.
“Speed matters—not just in the field but on the factory floor,” said Adam Bailey, Lockheed Martin Camden site director. “By streamlining processes and empowering our workforce, we’re getting capability into the hands of those who need it most.”
Evolving for What’s Next
As the Army prepares to operate seamlessly across domains, HIMARS continues to evolve with enhanced capability that allows it to fire next-generation munitions like the Precision Strike Missile and Extended Range GMLRS – integrating into a networked fires architecture. The system’s modular design lets the Army add new munitions without replacing proven hardware.
“HIMARS was built to move, shoot and survive—and it was built to grow,” said Orzechowski. “We’re working hand in hand with the Army to ensure the system keeps pace with emerging threats through the next decade and beyond.”
American Manufacturing with Global Impact
The Camden workforce—generations of skilled machinists, assemblers and engineers – turns raw material into launchers that protect soldiers worldwide. Their craftsmanship flows through a nationwide supply chain that includes small business precision component makers and major electronics suppliers.
“Every bolt, wire and weld connects our workforce here in the U.S. to soldiers and allies overseas,” said Bailey. “What we build in Arkansas makes a difference worldwide.”
Today, 14 partner nations operate HIMARS, expanding interoperability and deterrence across Europe and the Indo-Pacific. The same production line that equips American brigades is reinforcing international stability through trusted partnerships.
Linked to the Mission
As the Army advances modernization efforts, HIMARS will continue to embody innovation, industrial strength and allied unity. From the factory floor to the battlefield, the system links the hands of those that build it to the mission of global stability. (Source: ASD Network)
10 Nov 25. IWI (Israel Weapon Industries), an SK Group company and a global leader in small arms manufacturing, has launched the BOOST system, a compact, rugged power system engineered to turn AR-15/ M4 rifles into self-sustaining tactical power hubs. Developed to meet the demands of sustained, electronics-intensive operations, BOOST replaces the need for disposable batteries by delivering continuous, mission-grade power to every energy-dependent device on the rifle. Persistent power platforms replace disposable batteries for optics and ancillary devices. Integrated directly into the rifle’s buttstock, BOOST preserves natural handling, sight picture and firing ergonomics while adding less than 340 grams to the weapon. It houses a field-replaceable rechargeable Li-Ion battery supported by an internal backup power bank, ensuring uninterrupted power delivery, even if the primary battery is depleted. The result is a 3-5x increase in operational runtime, reducing the number of batteries soldiers must carry and lightening their overall load. BOOST supports thermal sights, night-vision devices, laser designators, and other electronic systems commonly relied upon in the theater. A plug-and-play power designated harness enables seamless integration with a wide range of optics and accessories. Devices switch automatically and intelligently between internal and external power sources, ensuring uninterrupted function without disrupting the sight picture of requiring operator intervention. Engineered for frontline infantry and special operations forces, BOOST is a complete system kit that includes the buffer-tube energy assembly, harness cabling, charger, and spare battery. Installation is conducted at the unit armory level, requiring no additional operator trainer or changes in field behavior. The system is designed to withstand harsh field conditions with military-grade connectors, ruggedized construction, and integrated thermal management for operation in extreme temperatures. A built-in failsafe mode ensures the rifle retains full conventional functionality even if the energy system is damaged or fully depleted.
“For today’s soldiers, every gram matters, every second counts and every watt of power can make the difference between mission success and failure,” said SK Group’s Vice Chairman Ronen Hamudot. “BOOST is a tactical leap forward, delivering energy autonomy, reducing logistics and keeping soldiers focused on the mission rather than power management. We’re proud to deliver a system that enhances operational endurance without compromising weapon performance.”
For commanders, armories and logistics units, BOOST offers immediate operational impact – longer on-station endurance, fewer battery resupply requirements and increased payload capacity for ammunition, medical gear, or mission-specific equipment.
IWI (Israel Weapon Industries), part of the SK Group, is the main supplier to the Israeli Army and Israeli Police, with combat-proven products used by military, law enforcement and special forces in over 60 countries across diverse operational environments. Renowned for developing the iconic UZI, IWI continues to set benchmarks in firearm innovation and reliability, developing advanced systems like the ARAD rifles, the NEGEV light machine gun, and the TAVOR. For more information, visit: https://iwi.net.
07 Nov 25. Aussie research sees breakthrough as Raytheon, Northrop prepare to deliver first HACM. The US Air Force has picked Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Northrop Grumman to build the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), developed alongside the Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment, a joint US–Australia collaboration. Under the contract, the Raytheon–Northrop team will deliver operationally ready HACM rounds to the USAF. The missile uses a scramjet engine that compresses air at very high speed for combustion, allowing sustained flight at hypersonic velocities (Mach 5+). That speed shortens flight time and complicates enemy defences’ ability to intercept it.
“Raytheon Missiles & Defense continues to be at the forefront of hypersonic weapon and air-breathing technology development,” said Wes Kremer, president of Raytheon Missiles & Defense. “With advanced threats emerging around the globe, the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile will provide our warfighters a much-needed capability.”
Mary Petryszyn, corporate vice-president and president of Northrop Grumman Defence Systems, said the weapon represented “a new class of strategically important weapons for the US military” and hailed Northrop’s scramjet work as ushering in “a new era for faster, more survivable and highly capable weapons”.
Raytheon and Northrop Grumman have partnered since 2019 to fit Northrop’s scramjet engines to Raytheon’s air-breathing hypersonic designs, a collaboration which they said will produce the next generation of tactical missile systems.
The program aims to field a fast, precise and difficult-to-intercept strike option capable of hitting high-value or time-sensitive targets at long range. Unlike ballistic hypersonic systems, the HACM is launched from a fighter or bomber and powered by a scramjet engine that sustains speeds above Mach 5 while flying at low altitude and along unpredictable trajectories. That combination of speed, manoeuvrability and air-breathing propulsion gives the HACM the ability to outpace and outmanoeuvre most current air defence systems, offering a potent new strike capability for the US and potentially Australia in the future. (Source: Defence Connect)
06 Nov 25. As part of the Franco-British Maritime Mine Counter Measures MMCM programme, Thales has announced the delivery to the French Navy of a surface naval drone equipped with a TSAM towed sonar and on board the SAMDIS multi-view sonar. This new step marks the company’s commitment and industrial dynamic in this strategic programme, managed by OCCAR with the support of the French Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). This delivery follows the first production system delivered in December 2024, consisting of the surface drone (USV) equipped with the towed sonar TSAM, data analysis software using Artificial Intelligence (AI), MiMap and the M-Cube mission management system. This unmanned system was designed to improve the operational performance of navies that are leaders in mine countermeasures, by minimising personnel exposure to hazardous environments. It provides a sea mine detection rate over 99% and thus guarantees naval forces operational superiority in the face of increasingly complex threats. In close collaboration with Couach shipyard, Thales is upgrading the initial prototypes of surface drones, which have been tested by the French Navy and Royal Navy since 2021, thus demonstrating its expertise as a systems integrator. End user feedback, and more than 3,000 hours of sea trials, have been taken into account to adapt the systems to fully meet operational needs.
The autonomous surface drone system delivered represents a first-of-its-kind capability for maritime defence operations, integrating a range of advanced technical and software innovations developed by Thales:
- very high-performance sensors, notably the world’s unique ‘multi-view’ SAMDIS antenna, which optimises operational performance;
- a surface drone operated without a crew by the French Navy;
- a system of drones that is resilient to cyber threats, approved for sensitive operations;
- a robust and cyber resilient communication system in the face of threats;
- unique mission planning and sonar data analysis software designed to optimise the work and workload of operators.
“Thales is supporting the French Navy to meet the challenges of the transition towards a new operational concept for mine countermeasures. The autonomous system developed by Thales significantly improves mission efficiency while limiting the exposure of crews to mine-related risks. The MMCM programme increases the operational superiority of naval forces, with its M-Cube software at core, designed for fast integration of heterogeneous drones, its high-performance sensors and innovative AI algorithms, reducing operators’ cognitive load. This programme, a world first, is the result of unwavering commitment and a source of pride for our teams,” said Sébastien Guérémy, Vice-President in charge of the Underwater Systems activities at Thales.
(Source: joint-forces.com)
07 Nov 25. UK minister cites “operational security” for sniper rifle query snub.
Using publicly available information, Army Technology is able to answer the question posed by the UK parliamentarian.
- The UK wants to replace the L115A3 sniper rifle with an as yet undecided system under Project Shamer
- Acquired during counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan in 2008, the weapon system is now outdated
- The UK’s firearms are increasingly obsolete compared to European peers and the post-peer forces of Russia and China
The UK government has cited “operational security” as to reasons why it cannot provide details of the full scope of Project Shamer, revealed earlier this year as a programme to replace the in-service L115 sniper rifle. Responding to a UK parliamentary question, UK Minister for Defence Readiness Luke Pollard merely outlined that Project Shamer was a “defence procurement project”, citing operational security as to why further details could not be provided.
However, Army Technology reported earlier this year that Project Shamer was part of a multi-pronged approach to increase lethality in the British Army, valued in the region of £24m ($31.4m) with a planned contract start date of March 2026. However, given that a tender is yet to be issued for Project Shamer, with interaction limited to the earlier pre-qualification questionnaire, it is unlikely the UK Ministry of Defence will be unable to meet the Q1 contract start date.
The current variant of the L115 sniper rifle, the A3 version, was first deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 as part of the Sniper System Improvement Programme (SSIP). Designed to achieve a first-round hit at 600 metres and harassing fire out to 1,100m, Accuracy International’s L96 sniper rifle was teamed with a new x3 x12 x50 sight and spotting scope. Manufactured by Accuracy International, the L115A3 long range rifle fires an 8.59mm bullet which is heavier than the 7.62mm round of the L96 system. Other elements of the SSIP included night sights, spotting scopes, laser range finders and tripods. Publicly available information shows that the UK military had 600 L115A3 sniper rifles in service in 2015, along with 1,200 L129A1 sharpshooter rifles. A UK order for a replacement under Project Shamer would likely be for around 500 units at most, given the reduction in size of the UK military in the years since. With the expected £24m contract value, each replacement of the L115A3 sniper rifle would cost around £48,000 for a 500-unit procurement. The US military is introducing the new MK22 Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) into service, produced by Barrett Firearms, with the US Army in 2021 awarding a five-year $50m deal for 2,800 units. This equates to around $62,500 per unit, or around £47,000. The MK22 PRS is capable of shooting effectively out to ranges of 1,500m, significantly farther than the UK’s L115A3 system.
UK small arms are now obsolete
Concern is also growing of the UK’s lack of lethality on the battlefield as the British Army contends with an ageing inventory still several years away from replacement. The main assault rifle, the 5.56mm calibre SA80A2/3, is due to be replaced under Project Grayburn, which is still likely not due to start delivering until late-2026 or early-2027. Increased sophistication in body armour could render the UK’s small arms obsolete, with the Nato standard 5.56mm munition lacking penetration, with tests indicating that modern generation of Russian and Chinese personal protection can defeat such calibres. (Source: army-technology.com)
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About Galvion:
Galvion designs, develops, and delivers mission critical head, face, and torso protective solutions as well as intelligent power and data management systems for the world’s most demanding military and tactical teams. Founded in 2002 as Revision Military, a foundational belief in calculated investment and capability expansion led to a strategic refocus, resulting in the divestiture of the protective eyewear business, along with the Revision name, in 2019. Rebranded as Galvion, the company’s products and technology continue to evolve beyond purely passive protection, focusing instead on active systems that enhance performance and survivability, with an eye to the ever-changing demands of the modern battlefield. Through advanced design, keen end-user insight and intelligent integration, Galvion engineers uniquely customized solutions that go beyond what was once thought possible.
Privately owned with ISO 9001:2015 certified facilities in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the US, Montreal in Canada and Bristol in the UK, Galvion’s team of 400+ employees work proactively to solve the problems left unsolved by others.
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