One of the lessons most commonly lost on those who make procurement decisions is that the purchase of a weapon system that represents a leap in technological capability does not translate into some instant, magical uptick in combat power.
The quality of the operator, their training, the command environment and the degree to which the pilot, submarine captain or infantry officer has freedom to make their own decisions – all these factors make as much or more of a difference than the technology level of weaponry.
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is a perfect example of this truism.
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The DroneShield US subsidiary is rapidly expanding its manufacturing footprint in the country and has expedited the process to double its domestic production capacity in at least four months.
The Pentagon has sent an amendment to the Office of Management and Budget, according to Pete Hegseth, including funds for the procurement of E-7 Wedgetails in FY2027.
As Europe confronts its most unstable security environment since the Cold War, defence planners recognise that advanced, dependable and flexible Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) are central to a force that competes and prevails on today’s battlefield.
The country could be on the cusp of finalising an historic deal with Saab for up to 150 aircraft, with Belgium also increasing its number of donated F-16 aircraft to 53 with refreshed delivery timelines.
The USAF intends to conduct the second phase of the DRAGON programme from FY2026 to FY2030, while the future of the E3 replacement remains unknown.
Indonesia’s purchase of 12 drones with options for an additional 48 is the third deal in as many years between Indonesian and Turkish defence industries, bolstering the former’s plans to strengthen its own domestic production and defence industry.
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