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04 Dec 25. South Korea starts work on new air‑to‑air missile.
Key Points
- South Korea launched a $296 million program to develop short‑range air‑to‑air missiles for the KF‑21 fighter by 2032.
- The Agency for Defense Development will lead the project with participation from LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Aerospace.
South Korea has officially launched a 435.9bn-won ($296m) project to develop indigenous short-range air-to-air guided missiles for its domestically produced KF-21 fighter jets. According to a statement from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the missile development initiative is scheduled for completion by 2032. The effort aims to provide the KF-21 with domestically developed weapon systems, reducing reliance on foreign technology and supporting broader defense export goals. “This project is aimed at developing guided missiles for homegrown fighter jets by 2032, in our bid to diversify weapons systems and increase arms exports,” DAPA said. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) will lead the program, with local defense contractors, including LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Aerospace, expected to participate. In a statement, a DAPA official said the missile “is expected to mark a key milestone in advancing Korea’s airborne weapons systems and expanding the nation’s defense industry in the aviation sector.” The missile is expected to be integrated with the KF-21 Boramae, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight in 2022 and is currently undergoing a series of development and evaluation stages, with operational deployment projected for the latter part of the decade. Equipping the KF-21 with a domestically developed short-range missile complements ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on U.S. and European missile technologies, such as the AIM-9X Sidewinder or IRIS-T, both currently considered for integration into the Boramae. DAPA emphasized that indigenizing air-to-air missile capabilities is “essential for ensuring strategic autonomy” and enables more flexible arms procurement options amid evolving geopolitical pressures and shifting export control regulations. LIG Nex1, one of the firms expected to join the development effort, has previously led missile programs including the Chiron MANPADS and the medium-range surface-to-air missile system (KM-SAM). Hanwha Aerospace, meanwhile, is a key supplier of aircraft engines, avionics, and other aerospace systems for both domestic and export-oriented platforms. As South Korea continues to expand its footprint in global defense markets, the KF-21 program has drawn interest from potential partners and customers, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Adding an indigenous missile system is seen as an asset for countries looking for a complete weapons package not constrained by third-party export licenses. (Source: Google/defence-blog)
04 Dec 25. Türkiye’s 8×8 T-155 Panter SPH enters service. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced on 27 November that the first 8×8 T-155 Panter self-propelled howitzer (SPH) has entered into service with Türkiye’s land forces. The aim of the project was to mount the 155 mm gun, originally the towed Panter howitzer, onto an 8×8 tactical wheeled vehicle indigenously developed by BMC. The weapon system was upgraded by MKE, while the fire-control system was developed by Aselsan. All integration was carried out by Türkiye’s 2nd main maintenance factory directorate. A contract for the project was signed in 2020 between the General Directorate of Military Factories (AFGM) and Asfat. The project began in November 2021 and prototype integration activities were completed in November 2022. The first live-fire tests with the prototype were conducted in December 2022. According to Asfat, the vehicle has a combat weight ranging from 32 to 38 tons, depending on the configuration. Its overall length is 13 m, height is 3.46 m, and width is 3.24 m. It has a paved road range of 600 km and can reach a maximum road speed of 80 km/h. Its maximum offroad or trail speed is 50 km/h. The vehicle is capable of climbing gradients up to 31° and can safely traverse side slopes of 30°. It can ford water up to a depth of 1 m and cross trenches up to 1.5 m wide. The primary weapon is a 155 mm/52-calibre gun equipped with a 23-litre chamber compliant with the NATO Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMOU). Ammunition loading can be performed either manually or semi-automatically. (Source: Janes)
03 Dec 25. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has opened a Hypersonics System Integration Lab (SIL) at its Huntsville campus, introducing enhanced capabilities for deterrence and defense innovation in North Alabama. Completing construction in just over one year, the $17.1m capital investment underscores Lockheed Martin’s commitment to maintaining U.S. strategic superiority in hypersonic technology by delivering rapid, reliable solutions to defense partners.
“Lockheed Martin’s commitment to North Alabama is stronger than ever, and this new facility is a clear demonstration of that dedication,” said Jim Romero, vice president of Hypersonic Strike Weapon Systems for Lockheed Martin Space. “Built to house advanced engineering and integration capabilities, it will play a pivotal role in positioning Lockheed Martin as the industry leader in hypersonic defense and deterrence technology. We’re proud to celebrate the addition of this advanced hub to our Huntsville campus.”
Advancing Hypersonic Technology
As global threats evolve at unprecedented speed, the defense community is turning its focus to technologies that can outpace and outmaneuver potential adversaries. Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling at five times the speed of sound, have become a central pillar of that modernization effort. The 17,000-square-foot integration facility will bring together advanced test equipment, state-of-the-art simulation tools and a world-class integration environment under one roof. The new facility enables reinforcement of a deterrent posture that protects our nation and allies while dramatically shortening development cycles and fielding higher performance systems for the U.S. Army.
“Hypersonic weapons are reshaping the future of military defense by delivering unmatched speed and maneuverability that outpace traditional threats,” said Holly Molmer, program management director for Lockheed Martin. “Their rapid response capability strengthens deterrence, ensuring potential adversaries understand that any aggression can be met instantly and decisively. As the pace of conflict accelerates, hypersonic systems become essential to preserving peace and protecting national security.”
Facility Investments
Since 2021, Lockheed Martin’s Strategic and Missile Defense (SMD) Systems division has invested more than $185 m to add nearly 408,000 square feet of new and upgraded space. The effort is part of a larger capital program that now totals roughly $529 m and 719,000 square feet of facilities under construction or planned. In the last five years, Lockheed Martin Strategic and Missile Defense has spent about $200 m on over 400,000 square feet of infrastructure and is poised to commit another $500 m to further expand its capabilities.
“Our continued investment in world‑class facilities underscores Lockheed Martin’s commitment to providing the engineers, scientists and partners with the space, tools and collaborative environments they need to stay ahead of emerging threats,” said Johnathon Caldwell, vice president and general manager of Strategic and Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin. “By expanding our footprint today, we are building the foundation for the next generation of defense solutions that will protect our nation tomorrow.”
02 Dec 25. Germany to activate Arrow 3 missile shield this week. Germany’s first long-range missile shield will enter service in an initial configuration on Wednesday, based roughly 40 miles south of the capital, Berlin, German media reported today. The declaration of initial operational capability is expected to draw top defense officials to the interceptor host airbase of Fliegerhorst Holzdorf/Schönewalde, which straddles the states of Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt, on Dec. 3, newspaper Tagesspiegel reported on its website. A German Air Force spokesperson declined to confirm the pending deployment when asked by Defense News, citing a policy of not commenting on future events. The government in 2023 decided to buy a total of three batteries of the Israeli-American Arrow 3 system as one of the most significant defense procurements following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Berlin’s subsequent rearmament. Every battery contains four launchers, which are each in turn loaded with six fire-ready missiles.
The total contract is worth around $4bn.
The first battery will be deployed in line with the accelerated schedule outlined at the time of procurement, executives at manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries have said. In its envisioned final setup, the missile shield will consist of additional batteries in the very north of the country, in Schleswig-Holstein, and one in Bavaria, covering the south of Germany, by the end of the decade, the news service RND reported shortly after the 2023 deal. This week’s envisioned activation marks the first deployment of Arrow 3 outside of Israel. It also allows Germany to further stake its claim as the champion for Western Europe’s air defense, after launching the European Sky Shield Initiative − a joint procurement and interoperability push for air defenses − in 2022. ESSI now counts 24 member states stretching from the Arctic Ocean to the Middle East. Arrow 3’s interceptor missiles reportedly have a flight range of 2,400 kilometers and an operating ceiling of 100 km. They intercept incoming ballistic missiles during their travel time through space, a capability proven effective on several occasions in the Middle East. For example, an Israeli Arrow 3 intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen on Nov. 9, 2023, marking the first wartime use of the system. It has also shot down Iranian ballistic missiles, according Israeli officials. Its predecessor, Arrow 2, was used in the first exoatmospheric combat engagement in history. (Source: Defense News)
02 Dec 25. Brazilian Air Force conducts METEOR missile firings with Gripen E. The METEOR Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) first firing in Brazil underscores Gripen E’s long-range air combat capability. In November, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) achieved a major milestone by completing the first firings of the METEOR BVRAAM from Gripen E, strengthening Brazil’s air-defence deterrent power. Two missiles precisely hit their designated targets, while demonstrating the weapon’s accuracy against long-range threats. The launches took place during the BVR-X Technical Exercise, at Natal Air Base in Rio Grande do Norte. With the participation of the First Air Defence Group (1º GDA), the Technical Exercise brought together four Gripen E fighters in a large-scale operation that, for the first time, allowed FAB technicians and pilots to handle and employ the METEOR in combat-like conditions.
“The BVR-X was a crucial step in expanding the capabilities of the F-39E Gripen. The Gripen and METEOR combination projects Brazil’s combat power and strengthens the deterrence required by our Air Force and, above all, by the country. With advanced sensors, mission systems and electronic warfare capabilities, combined with a missile designed to make evasion virtually impossible, this combination provides a decisive advantage in air combat,” said Air Major General Breno Diogenes Gonçalves, Commander of Natal Air Base and Director of the Technical Exercise.
“The success of this operation reflects the strong partnership between the Brazilian Air Force, Saab and MBDA. Through this close collaboration, we are bringing cutting-edge technology to Brazil. The Gripen and METEOR combination places the country among the few nations worldwide with access to this level of air combat innovation,” said Peter Dölling, Managing Director at Saab Brasil.
“METEOR is one of the best examples of what is at the core of MBDA’s DNA: cooperation. It is the result of the joint effort of six European nations, led by MBDA, to create the most sophisticated air-to-air weapon system in operation today. The missile, already certified for use with Gripen E in Sweden, is a game-changer that ensures air superiority for its operator. Brazil now benefiting from this capability is an element of pride for MBDA,” explained Ricardo Mantovani, Vice President Export Sales Americas at MBDA.
METEOR’s ramjet motor provides thrust all the way to its threat interception, creating the most extensive No Escape Zone of any medium range air-to-air missile. Its endgame kinematics and blast fragmentation warhead ensure maximum effectiveness. METEOR can engage a wide variety of targets, day or night, in any weather conditions, and in intense electronic warfare environments too. Preparations for BVR-X Technical Exercise took place with support from Saab, MBDA and several FAB units, including the Operational Applications Institute, which received key knowledge transfer on missile employment. Patrol aircraft also helped secure the maritime area to ensure safe launch conditions. The targets were two manoeuvrable Mirach 100/5 drones specifically designed for this exercise. They replicated the speed and altitude profile of modern fighter aircraft, creating a demanding environment to demonstrate the missile’s precision, adding realism to the evaluation. The outcome of the exercise highlighted the highly effective performance of Gripen E paired with the METEOR missile, underscoring its importance within the Brazilian Air Force’s air-defence capability.
01 Dec 25. New British frigates to be armed with STRATUS strike missile. The UK Government has confirmed for the first time that the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 frigates are planned to carry the STRATUS LO strike missile, following a written parliamentary reply outlining how the service intends to meet its Future Offensive Surface Weapon requirement. Responding to a question from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the Royal Navy has “a requirement called the Future Offensive Surface Weapon (FoSUW) which will provide a long range anti-ship strike weapon with land attack capabilities, compatible with the Mk41 Vertical Launch System.” He stated that this requirement “will be met through the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon (FCASW) programme, which comprises two concept solutions, STRATUS LO and STRATUS RS.” Pollard confirmed explicitly that “the STRATUS LO concept is planned to be integrated onto the Type 26 frigate to meet the Royal Navy FoSUW requirement.” The confirmation places the Type 26 at the centre of the UK’s adoption of the STRATUS missile family, a UK–France programme rebranded from FC/ASW in 2025 and joined by Italy. STRATUS LO is a subsonic, low-observable cruise-strike weapon designed for long-range engagements against land or maritime targets, intended to provide a modern replacement for older systems including Storm Shadow, SCALP, Harpoon and Exocet. The wider STRATUS programme will field two complementary missiles: the stealth-optimised STRATUS LO and the high-speed STRATUS RS, the latter focused on rapid supersonic engagements. Both are intended for deployment across air and maritime platforms, with integration centred on Mk41-equipped vessels such as the Type 26. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
02 Dec 25. Brazilian Marine Corps adds armoured mobile anti-tank capability. The MAX 1.2 AC, jointly developed by the Brazilian Army Technological Center and Edge Groupʼs SIATT – Engenharia, Indústria e Comércio, has a maximum range of 3 km. (Victor Barreira) The Marine Fleet Force of the Brazilian Navyʼs Marine Corps is to receive the SMACE (Sistema de Mísseis Anticarro Expedicionário) expeditionary anti-tank missile system from the United Arab Emiratesʼ Edge Group for an undisclosed amount, according to a contract placed on 19 November by Marine Materiel Command, Janes has learnt. The main role of the SMACE system will be to engage main battle tanks (MBTs) – one of the biggest threats to Marine Corps troops in amphibious operations – Commander of Marine Materiel Command Rear Admiral Cláudio Lopes de Araujo Leite told Janes on 25 November. The SMACE system seeks to add capabilities to the missileʼs use that it does not yet possess, such as mobility, protection, situational awareness, and network operation, Rear Adm Cláudio Leite said. The SMACE consists of two GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility 4×4 protected vehicles, each mounting tactical communications equipment, one QX-2 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) made by Adasi equipped with an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payload and associated radio frequency communications antenna, as well as the MAX 1.2 AC medium-range anti-tank guided missile system. The SMACEʼs enhanced mobility and the use of UAVs for situational awareness allow the system to locate and engage armoured vehicles with precision, Rear Adm Cláudio Leite said. The expectation is that the marine corps will receive the two vehicles intended for the SMACE integration and evaluation in the second half of 2026, Rear Adm Cláudio Leite said. (Source: Janes)
30 Nov 25. Turkish jet KIZILELMA becomes first to fire air-to-air missile at jet-powered target.Bayraktar KIZILELMA hits jet-powered aircraft with GOKDOGAN missile in historic test off Sinop coast. KIZILELMA’s low radar cross-section and advanced sensors enable it to detect enemy aircraft from long distances without being seen. Türkiye’s first uncrewed fighter jet, Bayraktar KIZILELMA, made aviation history by becoming the world’s first UAV to successfully fire a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile at a jet-powered target aircraft during a test off the coast of Sinop. According to a statement from the Turkish defence company Baykar on Sunday, KIZILELMA launched the locally developed GOKDOGAN air-to-air missile, striking the high-speed jet target with pinpoint accuracy. The missile was fired from under the wing of the uncrewed fighter jet after the target was detected and tracked using ASELSAN’s MURAD AESA radar. This marked the first time in Turkish aviation history that a national aircraft fired a domestically produced air-to-air missile, guided by a national radar, at an aerial target. The successful engagement established KIZILELMA as the first and only uncrewed platform worldwide with verified air-to-air combat capability. The test also featured five F-16 fighter jets from Merzifon Air Base conducting formation flights with KIZILELMA in a joint crewed-uncrewed operation, demonstrating future air combat concepts. A Bayraktar AKINCI UAV accompanied the mission, recording the event from the air. KIZILELMA’s low radar cross-section and advanced sensors enable it to detect enemy aircraft from long distances without being seen. The platform integrates cutting-edge technologies such as the MURAD AESA radar, and TOYGUN targeting system and can deploy a wide range of domestically produced munitions. In earlier tests, KIZILELMA had achieved direct hits with TOLUN and TEBER-82 munitions. The latest air-to-air strike demonstrates its operational capability for both air-to-ground and air-to-air missions, further expanding its role in Türkiye’s defence strategy. Baykar, which has fully self-financed its UAV projects since 2003, has become a global leader in drone exports. The company generated $1.8bn in export revenue in 2023 and repeated the figure in 2024, with 90% of its total income from exports. Baykar has signed export agreements for its Bayraktar TB2 UAV with 36 countries and for the Bayraktar AKINCI with 16 countries. According to official data, the company has been the top defence and aerospace exporter in Türkiye for the last four years. (Source: https://www.trtafrika.com/)
28 Nov 25. Anduril promotes new AI-based combat helmet for Australia. US-based Anduril Industries’ Australian subsidiary displayed one of its latest products – an artificial intelligence (AI)-based combat helmet with an augmented reality heads-up display (HUD) – at the Military Communications and Information Systems (MilCIS) 2025 exhibition held in Canberra in November. Speaking to Janes, David Goodrich, CEO of Anduril Australia, said that this product, named EagleEye, has been designed to meet the US Army’s requirements of a Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) system. The US Army will test EagleEye in 2026, Goodrich added. According to the US Army, the SBMC system is expected to employ mixed reality tools, and ensure networked information sharing, to improve a soldier’s situational awareness, enabling timely identification and elimination of potential threats. EagleEye also has the potential to be employed by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), as it aligns with the ADF’s focus on incorporating more AI technologies to enhance the lethality of dismounted soldiers and deepen interoperability with the US and other allies. Goodrich said EagleEye has the potential to be considered for the ADF’s Land 300 and Land 4140 programmes. Land 300 aims to enhance the ADF’s close combat capabilities, while Land 4140 aims to bolster the ADF’s communications and decision-making capabilities in contested environments. “We think there is room for an approach under Land 4140 to explore how the ADF can aggregate data from its various dismounted systems as the initial step and get it built into a common experience,” Goodrich added. (Source: Janes)
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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.
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