Tessera

First time the JSDF air-launched variant of Type 25 SSM (AShM, aka "Type 12 Upgraded") is seen in the wild, here on one of the original F-2 double seater prototypes now used for various testing. Image via @AKEBOVO/X.

The US DoD (*sigh* "DoW") has awarded shipbuilding contracts worth U$ 76.6 bln for construction of five more Columbia-class SSBN (now seven on order) and nine more Virginia-class SSN (Blk VI) covering FY25 to FY29. www.navy.mil/Press-Office...

Ich sags mal so. Grundsaetzlich sind Sorgen stets gerechtfertigt, was Bedarfsdefinition & -ausfuehrung angeht. Aber das Niveau, auf dem solche Bedenken formuliert werden, zeigt, warum deutsche Verteidigungspolitik weiterhin eher Hobby als Berufung ist. www.welt.de/politik/deut...

F127: Warum jetzt Zweifel an Deutschlands Riesenfregatten-Projekt laut werden - WELT

Bis zu 12.000 Tonnen schwer: Die Regierung plant die Anschaffung der Fregatte 127 – die größer als die Zerstörer anderer Marinen ist. Doch jetzt zeigen sich Haushalts- und Verteidigungspolitiker skept...

welt.de

Weil jetzt hierzu starke Meinungen kommen nach dem Schema "Wir brauchen so etwas, und nicht zb Tomahawk.", ein paar Randnotizen zu technischen und operativen Aspekten, die derartige Argumente scheinbar ignorieren... 🧵 www.militarytimes.com/news/2026/07...

Pentagon calls for cheaper long-range strike weapons, with testing in just 3 months

The Pentagon is seeking long-range weapons that cost less than $250,000 each and can be ready for demonstration within three months.

militarytimes.com

"...the purchase order covers the supply of HY80 steel plate for Virginia-class submarine production. The order represents the first time Australian-made submarine-grade steel will be incorporated into the US Navy's Virginia-class submarine program..." www.navaltoday.com/2026/07/29/a...

Australia's Bisalloy to supply submarine-grade steel for US Navy Virginia-class subs

Australian-made submarine-grade steel will be used in the construction of US Navy Virginia-class submarines for the first time after Australian...

navaltoday.com

Brief comments by myself via @navalnews.com on the Australian announcement this morning picking Leidos Gibbs & Cox as design lead on a new floating dock for the Henderson Defence Precinct & related AUKUS-requirements. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Australia advances AUKUS with dry dock design appointment

The Australian government has announced the selection of Leidos Gibbs and Cox to design a floating dry dock supporting AUKUS infrastructure.

navalnews.com

Another day, another (heavily "cleaned up") image of the new large replenishment ship for PLAN produced at COMEC Guangzhou. I intend to write about it once there's meaningful things to say other than "Whoa, big 'un!". Via "2=GT"/SDF.

Very neat summary by @corporalfrisk.com of where the Polish/Swedish submarine cooperation currently stands. The delivery schedule appears ambitious, considering Sweden only has two boats on order & may need to divert the second hull to Poland to meet deadlines. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Poland’s A26 Submarine Deal: Details on Weapons Package, Interim Boat, and Delivery Schedule

Following Poland’s order for Saab A26 submarines, Naval News breaks down the weapons package, undisclosed missile integration, HMS Södermanland lease, and 2031 delivery timelines.

navalnews.com

I have written an outline for @navalnews.com on the Cairncross Dockyard in Brisbane. The Queensland government since 2025 pitches the graving dock as a relatively speedy solution adding meaningful capacity for Australian naval infrastructure requirements. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Cairncross Dockyard Brisbane And Australian Naval Infrastructure

Naval News provides an overview on Queensland government plans revitalising the Cairncross Graving Dock for Australian Defence needs.

navalnews.com

We got a new shot of the recently launched very large new replenishment ship for PLAN, at COMEC in Guangzhou. Image via 琴石2022/Wb.

New images from Hudong/Changxing, showing side by side construction of two Type 071 LPD and a further yet to be identified large hull in the smaller drydock. Via lyman2003/Wb (highlights not mine).

Queensland winter how its supposed to be.

STC PLAGF brigade sealift exercise involving civilian ferry capacity. Images via 琴石2022/Wb.

PLAN Type 055 Dongguan (109) together with Sovremenny-class Hangzhou (136). Both units are assigned to ETC, which only became an 055 operator with the recent commissioning of Dongguan & Anqing (110). Image via 追风少年小白鲨/Wb.

The notable piece of info in this article is Boeing tying up with Hensoldt for the German Luftwaffe CCA requirement. This is interesting because Hensoldt also has an existing arrangement with Helsing for their CA-1 "Europa" CCA, for the same effort. breakingdefense.com/2026/07/boei...

Boeing mulls building 'many' Ghost Bat production hubs overseas - Breaking Defense

The US airframer also announced that Hensoldt has been added to its German MQ-28 supplier base, in support of a bid to land Berlin’s CCA requirement.

breakingdefense.com

Rather unsurprisingly TKMS will no longer consider acquisition of GNYK (German Naval Yards Kiel), rescinding their non-binding offer. TKMS had floated a purchase last year primarily under spectre of then unresolved, now shelved F126 procurement. www.hartpunkt.de/tkms-zieht-a...

TKMS zieht Angebot zur Übernahme von GNYK zurück

Der deutsche Werftkonzern TKMS hat sein nicht-bindendes Übernahmeangebot für die Kieler Werft German Naval Yards Kiel (GNYK) zurückgezogen.

hartpunkt.de

According to German media "Welt" Bundeswehr plan for quick acquisition of collaborative combat aircraft (CCA, ie combat drones) for IOC by 2029 is now out of the question, with a delay of "several years" almost certain. (paywalled, details below) www.welt.de/politik/deut...

Unbemannter Luftkrieg: „Nicht realisierbar“ – Kampfdrohnen-Projekt der Bundeswehr muss verschoben werden - WELT

Bewaffnete Kampfdrohnen sollten ab 2029 in der Bundeswehr einsatzbereit sein. Interne Dokumente zeigen, wie sich das Verteidigungsministerium bei dem Schlüsselprojekt festgefahren hat. Nun soll eine „...

welt.de

Courtesy of this Japanese media report we have a previously (publicly) unseen satellite image of the Type 09X in Jiangnan, when it was launched beginning of June. The boat is still on the launch barge, which moved it from the assembly hall to the fitting out berth. www.asahi.com/articles/ASV...

How low can you go? Twenty years ago (18/07/06) an RAAF RF-111C performed an emergency wheels up landing at RAAF Amberley. No injuries, though the aircraft was a write-off. Images via Air Force Association - SA Division FB account.

Koizumi referred only to a “fast landing craft,” and his description does not indicate whether the future platform will be an air-cushion vehicle, a conventional waterjet-powered landing craft, or another configuration. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Japan, Vietnam to Jointly Develop Fast Landing Craft - Naval News

Japan and Vietnam launch talks on the joint development and production of new fast landing craft, marking a major shift in Tokyo's Indo-Pacific defense strategy.

navalnews.com

Saab has signed a contract worth €787 Mln to provide the 9LV CMS, Sea Giraffe 4A & 1X radars and composite superstructure elements (integrated mast) for the new German F128 frigates, four of which are on order for delivery from 2029 to 2032. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Saab receives order to equip the German Navy's new F128 frigates - Naval News

Saab has signed a contract with the German naval defence company TKMS and received an order to deliver and integrate combat systems, composite structures and sensors onto four of the German Navy’s new...

navalnews.com

Stimmige Einordnung seitens @hartpunkt.bsky.social hinsichtlich des neuen Drohnen-Videos aus Ukraine. Das Potential neuer unbemannter Technologien ist prinzipiell unstrittig, aber ebenso in der realen Umsetzung bei weitem nicht so klar definiert wie oft behauptet. www.hartpunkt.de/amphibischer...

Amphibischer UxS-Einsatz der ukrainischen Streitkräfte – Viel Hype um nichts?

Ein jüngst veröffentlichtes Video der ukrainischen Streitkräfte, das die Anlandung eines bewaffneten ukrainischen UGV mittels eines unbemannten Bootes auf einem Strandabschnitt der von Russland besetz...

hartpunkt.de

China Is Building A Monster Supply Ship For Its Carrier Groups What looks to be the largest at-sea replenishment ship anywhere in the world is taking shape at a Chinese shipyard. Story: https://www.twz.com/sea/china-is-building-a-monster-supply-ship-for-its-carrier-groups

Courtesy of @twz.com we have a new image of the large new PLAN fleet replenishment ship launched a few days ago at COMEC Guangzhou. RAS gantries have a similar, but not identical setup vs Type 901 Interestingly, the propulsion arrangement also seems similar, ie likely CODAD.

TWZ@twz.com · 3w ago

New satellite imagery of Bohai submarine shipyard, courtesy of @type36512.bsky.social. Of immediate interest is side by side comparison of recently produced SSN, ie Type 095/09V and the newer Type 09X/New SSN. I increasingly lean towards the new boat being, effectively, an 095A.

At this stage you gotta ask whether sales such as this arent a wasteful drain on American industrial resources, given the dubious quality of Gulf militaries, and political reluctance committing them to meaningful effect. www.twz.com/air/saudis-c...

Saudis Cleared To Buy A Whopping 20,000 Laser-Guided Rockets

The Saudis are clearly arming themselves to defend against a massive number of drones in future conflicts.

twz.com

This is not a realistic idea. Sounds great in theory. But the reality of development across platforms makes integration challenging even for single operators like the US. Similar pitches let FCAS limp on as "system of systems" long past its industrial shelf life. www.challenges.fr/entreprise/d...