Air

The Return of the “Integrated Dome”: Between Industrial Concept and Operational Reality

Thales’ announcement of the SkyDefender system on March 11, 2026 illustrates the return of the “integrated dome” concept in both strategic and industrial debate, with the system presented as an architecture capable of coordinating multiple layers of defense against a range of threats. This proposal is part of a broader trend aimed at responding to […]

Land

155 mm Ammunition Standardization Is Becoming as Critical as Production in Europe

Europe is increasing 155 mm ammunition output, but production is no longer the main bottleneck. Testing, certification and fragmented national standards are now slowing deliveries across the continent. Since 2022, European countries have moved to sharply expand artillery ammunition output, particularly 155 mm rounds, which have become central to high-intensity warfare. Several manufacturers have announced […]

Air

LUCAS: the American response to mass low-cost drone warfare

Since 2022, the conflict in Ukraine has fundamentally reshaped the balance between offense and defense by demonstrating the operational effectiveness of low-cost drones used at scale. Systems such as the Shahed 136, estimated to cost between $20,000 and $50,000 per unit according to multiple open-source analyses, have enabled the saturation of air defense systems whose […]

Cyber

Quantum in 2026: Cyber Defense Shifts From “Awareness” to “Execution”

In October 2025, post-quantum cryptography (PQC) still felt like a strategic warning, serious, but easy to postpone. In 2026, the framing is changing. Not because a “break-everything” quantum computer is already online, but because the prerequisites for a real transition are finally lining up: standards, policy timelines, and, most importantly, industrial proof points that address […]

Air

Loyal Wingmen Are Coming: Europe’s Hard Part Might Be the Cloud 

The Netherlands’ recent engagement with the U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative reflects more than an interest in a new generation of uncrewed combat platforms. It also highlights a deeper shift in how Western air forces are approaching manned–unmanned teaming, and exposes a growing divergence inside Europe over how the next generation of combat air power […]

Naval

Mine Warfare Goes Global: Chokepoints, Infrastructure, and Low-Cost Maritime Denial

Naval mines are often described as simple weapons. In practice, they remain one of the most effective tools for denying access to ports, disrupting trade routes, and slowing naval operations. Designed to control maritime access and constrain movement, mines are particularly effective in confined waters, where even a small number of devices can create a […]

Air

The STING Drone: A Low-Cost Ukrainian Interceptor Against Shahed Drones

Since 2022, the war in Ukraine has profoundly transformed the military use of drones. Russian forces regularly use Shahed-type attack drones to strike energy infrastructure, military installations, and urban areas. In response to these repeated attacks, Ukraine has sought to develop interception solutions that are less expensive than traditional air defense systems. The STING drone, […]