Military News

Multinational Armor Conducts Live-Fire Exercise in Estonia U.S. M1 Abrams, UK Challenger 2, and French AMX-10 RC vehicles participated in a combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) in Estonia on February 28, 2026, according to imagery released by the French Armed Forces’ official operations account. The drill formed part of NATO’s ongoing training cycle along its eastern flank and emphasized armored interoperability and collective defense readiness near the Russian border. The live-fire phase followed progressive integration training and culminated in coordinated armored–infantry maneuvers and a tank gunnery challenge held in recognition of International Ta…

Pentagon Reports No Confirmed U.S. Casualties After Initial Strikes The U.S. Department of Defense has reported no confirmed American casualties following the opening phase of Operation Epic Fury, a U.S.-led strike campaign targeting Iranian assets on February 28, 2026. According to official statements from the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), no U.S. service members have been reported killed or wounded during the initial operation or its immediate aftermath. The announcement follows a series of coordinated strikes against Iranian military targets and subsequent retaliatory actions by Iran across the region. Standard Casualty Reporting Procedures…

Operation Epic Fury Targets Iran’s Senior Leadership Operation Epic Fury, launched on 28 February 2026 as a joint U.S.–Israeli offensive, marked a significant escalation in hostilities with Iran. U.S. officials described the campaign as “major combat operations” aimed at dismantling the core of the Islamic Republic’s political and military command structure. Strikes reportedly focused on leadership compounds, military headquarters, and intelligence facilities in Tehran and other strategic locations, signaling a deliberate decapitation strategy intended to disrupt centralized control. Senior IRGC and Defense Officials Reported Killed Among the most consequenti…

$186 Million Delivery Order Under Existing LUS Contract AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) has received a $186 million delivery order from the U.S. Army for Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition systems. The order was issued under the Army’s five-year, $990 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS), awarded in August 2024. This marks the Army’s first procurement of the company’s next-generation Switchblade variants under the LUS contract. It is also the first Army order of a Switchblade system equipped with an Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) payload. Switchblade 600 Bloc…

Missile Strikes Target US Facilities in Bahrain and Qatar Iran launched ballistic missiles toward United States military installations in Bahrain and Qatar early February 28, according to official statements and regional reporting. The strikes marked a significant escalation involving US assets in the Gulf, with air defense systems activated across multiple locations. In Bahrain, Iranian ballistic missiles targeted a US Navy logistics facility that supports operations of the US Fifth Fleet. Explosions were reported in the capital, Manama, as defensive systems engaged incoming projectiles. The installation serves as a central logistics and operational hub for Amer…

Operation Epic Fury Launched After Iranian Missile Strike On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel initiated Operation Epic Fury, a coordinated multi-domain strike campaign targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure. The operation was followed by Iranian missile launches toward Israeli territory earlier in the day, according to Reuters and U.S. defense officials. The Pentagon confirmed the operation’s designation and stated that its objectives include dismantling Iran’s ballistic missile architecture and disrupting elements of its nuclear program that could support weapons development. President Donald Trump said the strikes were intended to …

AI Models Escalate to Nuclear Use in Majority of War Simulations Leading artificial intelligence models deployed nuclear weapons in 95% of simulated geopolitical conflicts, according to new research from King’s College London. The study found that OpenAI’s GPT-5.2, Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4, and Google’s Gemini 3 Flash escalated to nuclear use in nearly every scenario tested, raising questions about the risks of integrating advanced AI systems into high-stakes military decision-making. Researchers conducted 21 simulated war games, with each model playing six matches against rival systems and one against itself. The models assumed the roles of national leaders c…

Kremlin Acknowledges Unmet Objectives Four Years Into War Four years after launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has publicly acknowledged that its primary objectives remain unfulfilled. On Feb. 24, presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia has not yet achieved the goals it set at the outset of the war, marking a rare admission of limited progress in a conflict initially expected to be swift. Peskov said the “main goal is to ensure the safety of people who lived and live in eastern Ukraine,” but conceded that “the objectives have not been fully achieved.” The statement underscores the prolonged and costly nature of the war, no…

Medvedev Issues Nuclear Warning Over Alleged Arms Transfers Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Feb. 24 that Russia would consider using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine and potentially against France and the United Kingdom if the two NATO members were to provide Kyiv with nuclear weapons technology. Medvedev, who serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, made the remarks on Telegram on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He stated that any transfer of nuclear weapons or related delivery systems to Ukraine would “radically change the situation” and constitute a violation of the Treaty on the Non-Pr…

F-22 Raptors Deploy from RAF Lakenheath to CENTCOM Twelve U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors departed RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom on 24 February 2026, heading toward the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility amid escalating tensions with Iran. The movement follows the collapse of nuclear negotiations with Tehran and signals a reinforcement of U.S. airpower in the Middle East. Open-source flight tracking data and defense OSINT accounts indicate the fighters were supported by three KC-46A Pegasus tankers—ROMA02 (21-46095), ROMA03 (22-46100), ROMA05 (21-46093)—and one KC-135 Stratotanker, ROMA04 (57-1440). The deployment appears to be part of …

The recent fall of Pokrovsk marks a notable development in eastern Ukraine, but it does not resolve the larger military or political questions shaping the war. Instead, it sharpens them. As Russian forces consolidate control over the city, attention is increasingly shifting beyond the battlefield to the negotiating table, where troop withdrawal, fortified cities, and security guarantees have emerged as some of the most contentious issues in any prospective peace talks. This is not a story of imminent collapse or decisive victory. It is a story about limits: the limits of force, the costs of attrition, and the narrowing space between what can be taken militarily and w…

Ukrainian Forces Reclaim 400 Square Kilometers in Southern Operations Ukrainian forces have regained control of approximately 400 square kilometers (154 square miles) of territory and retaken eight settlements from Russian occupation since the end of January 2026, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. The update was provided on Feb. 23 following his visit to Ukraine’s Southern operational zone. Syrskyi stated that Airborne Forces, along with adjacent units, led the operations in the Oleksandrivka direction. The area lies at the intersection of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, a strategically significant junction along the southern f…

Sweden Announces $1.42 Billion Military Aid Package Sweden has approved a new military assistance package for Ukraine valued at 12.9 billion Swedish crowns (approximately $1.42 billion), with a primary focus on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. The Swedish Defense Ministry confirmed the package on Feb. 19, describing advanced short-range air defense as its largest single component. According to the ministry, the air defense capability will feature a modular design integrating gun and missile systems, interceptors, electronic warfare assets, active and passive sensors, and command-and-control systems. While the government did not formally name the …

Open-Source Data Indicates F-16CJ Movement Toward Middle East Open-source flight tracking information and air traffic control communications on February 19, 2026, indicated that multiple U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons redeployed from Europe toward the Middle East. Washington has not formally confirmed the movement. The reported aircraft include F-16CJ variants configured for the “Wild Weasel” suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) mission, drawing attention amid heightened regional tensions involving Iran. Accounts citing tracking data suggested that as many as 36 F-16s were involved, with approximately 24 configured for SEAD/DEAD (destruction of enemy ai…

Large-Scale E-3 Deployment to CENTCOM The U.S. Air Force has deployed six of its 16 remaining Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to Europe and the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran and ongoing nuclear negotiations. The movement represents 37.5% of the total E-3 inventory and more than half of the fleet’s statistically mission-capable aircraft. Two E-3Gs departed Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and transited through RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom before continuing toward Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. Four additional aircraft flew from Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, to Ramstein Air Base, Germany,…

Production Pace Surpasses United States China has outpaced the United States in submarine production between 2021 and 2025, according to research published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and reported by Breaking Defense. The London-based think tank found that China launched 10 submarines during the period, representing an estimated 79,000 tonnes of displacement. By comparison, the United States launched seven submarines totaling approximately 55,000 tonnes. The findings, detailed in the IISS Military Balance blog by Senior Fellow Henry Boyd and Research Fellow Tom Waldyn, indicate that China’s shipbuilding expansion has accelerated th…

$73.5 Million FMS Contract Supports Merkava Fleet Sustainment Through 2032 The U.S. Army has awarded Rolls-Royce Solutions America Inc. a $73,528,916 firm-fixed-price contract to provide Merkava tank power-pack kits, metal containers, and contractor engineering technical services for Israel under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Graniteville, South Carolina, with completion scheduled for Dec. 31, 2032. The award, issued by Army Contracting Command at Detroit Arsenal under contract W912CH-26-C-0019, is funded with fiscal 2026 FMS funds for Israel. The contract carries a cumulative face value of $462,947,478, indicating a long-ter…

Iran Positions Ghadir Mini Submarines as Asymmetric Counter to U.S. Carrier Presence Iran has deployed more than 20 Ghadir-class midget submarines in the Persian Gulf as U.S. carrier strike groups operate in the region, according to Army Recognition reporting. While these vessels cannot rival U.S. naval power directly, their design and employment doctrine are intended to complicate carrier operations in confined and shallow waters. Open-source assessments estimate Iran’s submarine fleet at roughly 28 to 30 boats, the majority of which are small coastal submarines optimized for Gulf conditions. With at least one U.S. aircraft carrier operating in the Middle East a…

U.S. Troops Deploy to Nigeria for Counterterrorism Training Mission Approximately 100 U.S. service members have arrived in Nigeria to train and support the country’s military, U.S. and Nigerian officials confirmed. The deployment follows a formal request from the Nigerian government for assistance in training, technical support, and intelligence sharing aimed at countering extremist threats. A spokesperson for Nigeria’s armed forces said the U.S. personnel arrived at Bauchi Airfield in northern Nigeria. Their mission is to assist Nigerian forces in identifying and neutralizing extremist groups operating within the country. Nigerian officials emphasized that …

U.S. Authorizes Major Arms Sales Amid Regional Tensions The United States on Friday approved multibillion-dollar weapons sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia, moves that come amid elevated tensions with Iran and ongoing instability across the Middle East. The approvals were announced by the State Department, which said the transactions align with U.S. national security interests and long-standing defense partnerships in the region. Israel: Apache Helicopters and Tactical Vehicles For Israel, the State Department authorized a $3.8 billion sale of 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, along with a separate $1.8 billion package for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. U.S. …

Upcoming Talks Scheduled in Abu Dhabi Ukraine, the United States, and Russia are set to convene in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 4–5 for a new round of peace negotiations, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The talks are intended to continue diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war and follow earlier meetings held in the United Arab Emirates. Zelensky said Ukraine is prepared for a substantive dialogue focused on achieving a durable and dignified resolution to the conflict. Format and Timing Uncertainty Zelensky’s announcement came after uncertainty over whether talks initially planned for Feb. 1 would proceed and whether they would be conducted bilat…

Former Advisory Unit Receives New Mission in Panama An Army unit originally created to train Afghan security forces has been redesignated and assigned a new role focused on jungle warfare training in Central America. The 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade formally ceased operations this week and was reconstituted as Army Security Cooperation Group – South. The newly named organization will operate the Combined Jungle Operations Training Course in Panama, marking a significant shift in mission from advising foreign forces to providing specialized terrain training for U.S. and partner militaries. The change was announced during a ceremony on Tuesday at Fort Ben…

Renewed U.S. Pressure on Iran’s Nuclear Program U.S. President Donald Trump issued a new ultimatum to Iran on Jan. 28, stating that military strikes remain an option if Tehran does not agree to limits on its nuclear weapons program. The warning followed weeks of unrest inside Iran and stalled diplomatic discussions over nuclear and ballistic missile constraints. Trump reiterated that Washington’s objective is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while signaling that negotiations remain preferable to force. Nationwide Protests and Violent Suppression Iran experienced widespread protests earlier in January, initially driven by high inflation and the …

U.S. Launches Strikes in Venezuela, Trump Claims Maduro Captured The United States conducted large-scale military strikes across Venezuela in the early hours of Jan. 3, with President Donald Trump stating that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured by U.S. forces and removed from the country. Trump announced the operation on Truth Social, describing it as a coordinated action involving the U.S. military and law enforcement. He said additional details would be provided at a news conference later in the day. Explosions were reported in Caracas beginning around 1:50 a.m. local time, with airstrikes lasting roughly an hour. Power outages …

U.S. Threats Amid Escalating Unrest in Iran U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Friday that Washington could intervene if Iranian security forces fired on protesters, as demonstrations over economic hardship continued across Iran. In a social media post, Trump said the United States was “locked and loaded and ready to go,” though he did not specify what form any action might take. His remarks came days into unrest that has left several people dead and is viewed as one of the most serious internal challenges faced by Iranian authorities in recent years. Iranian Response and Security Warnings Senior Iranian official Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s National …