Welcome to Defense Update's weekly defense tech review. This week, we're diving into a landscape in flux — where software-first startups are outmaneuvering defense giants, and hypersonic missiles are no longer tomorrow’s weapons, but today’s race.

From the frontlines of Ukraine to the Pacific flashpoints of Taiwan and Japan, defense modernization is accelerating. And it’s not just about hardware anymore — it’s about speed, data, and decisive control of the electromagnetic spectrum.

In this episode, we unpack why counter-UAS has become a core national defense priority, how companies like Anduril are disrupting decades-old contracts, and what the rise of neoprimes means for traditional primes like Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. We’ll also break down the latest in U.S. hypersonic development and what Europe’s new ‘drone wall’ tells us about the future of coalition warfare.

Stay with us — the battlefield has changed, and so has the business of defense.

Download the full report on Defense-Update

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In early October 2025, a coordinated wave of unmanned aerial system (UAS) incursions—widely attributed to Russia—targeted critical infrastructure across at least ten European nations. The unprecedented campaign exposed the fragility of Europe’s air defenses and triggered a continent-wide response now known as the “Drone Wall” initiative.

This podcast is based on our new report, Drone Wall: Europe’s Response to the October 2025 Drone Incursions, offers a detailed account of these events and their far-reaching implications for defense strategy, procurement, and industry dynamics. The report traces the evolution from initial attacks to the rapid formation of a unified European effort to counter the growing drone threat. 

The full report is available here

The Weekly DefenseTech Brief is published by Defense-Update

The past week represents an inflection point where strategic defense concepts have transitioned from doctrine to tangible reality. An analysis of global events reveals four primary, interconnected trends shaping an increasingly contested international order. 

#1 - European defense postures are materially hardening, with a strategic shift from deterrence by reinforcement to deterrence by denial, led by Germany's military expansion and a firmer NATO stance on airspace violations. 

#2 - The character of future warfare is rapidly maturing, driven by the industrial-scale development of collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), the democratization of long-range precision strike capabilities, and a doctrinal revolution in armored warfare inspired by the conflict in Ukraine. 

#3 - The Middle East is undergoing a profound realignment of security partnerships, catalyzed by Israeli technological breakthroughs in laser defense and a crisis of confidence in the U.S. security umbrella, culminating in a historic mutual defense pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. 

#4 - The Indo-Pacific theater is characterized by a sharpening of strategic competition, with the U.S. and its allies operationalizing new trilateral security structures. At the same time, China intensifies its multifaceted campaign of coercion against Taiwan. Underpinning these shifts is a renewed global focus on the industrial and organizational foundations of military power, signaling that nations are now making the hard investments and difficult choices required to posture for a more dangerous and uncertain future.

You are invited to listen to the overview of this week's report in the podcast. Subscribers are invited to download the 10-page PDF report.

The Weekly DefenseTech Brief is published by Defense-Update

At the 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference, U.S. Air Force and Space Force leaders unveiled major updates on next-generation fighters, bombers, unmanned systems, and space initiatives, highlighting both rapid innovation and critical readiness challenges as the services race to outpace global competitors. This  short version and podcast are available here. A more detailed version is available for Defense-Update subscribers. 

The Weekly DefenseTech Brief is published by Defense-Update

The Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) 2025 crystallized around four dominant strategic themes that collectively illustrate Taiwan's comprehensive approach to defense modernization amid escalating regional tensions. The most prominent theme was Taiwan's accelerated pursuit of defense self-sufficiency, showcased through historic indigenous achievements, including the unveiling of the Hai Kun submarine by CSBC Corporation - Taiwan's first domestically designed and built defense submarine. Unmanned platforms emerged as the exhibition's centerpiece, representing Taiwan's strategic pivot toward asymmetric warfare capabilities across all domains. The transformative integration of Taiwan's world-class electronics sector into defense applications demonstrated how civilian technological prowess translates into military-grade capabilities. Listen to the report on our podcast or read the highlights on Defense-Update.

The Weekly DefenseTech Brief is published by Defense-Update

בעקבות המחסור המתמשך בסוגי תחמושת רבים שצה״ל חווה במהלך הלחימה ישראל משקיעה מיליארדי ש״ח בהקמת תשתיות יצור ורכש מלאי חימוש מסוגים שנוים. בפרק זה אנו דנים בכמה פנים של הבעיה - כמה ואיזה סוגי תחמושת צרכה מדינה כמו ישראל? האם צריך מעט תחמושת מדויקת מאוד או הרבה תחמושת זולה ש׳עושה את העבודה׳? 

The Weekly DefenseTech Brief is published by Defense-Update

מערכת ההגנה הרב-שכבתית של ישראל הולכת ומתפתחת בעקבות סבבי הלחימה בשנים האחרונות, והאתגרים בפניהם עמדה בהצלחה יתרה במהלך הלחימה. בפרק זה אנו דנים בכמה מהאתגרים וכיווני ההתפתחות הצפויים.

The Weekly DefenseTech Brief is published by Defense-Update

MSPO 2025 in Kielce is the premier showcase of Poland's historic military expansion. Driven by a defense budget exceeding 4.7% of GDP, the exhibition highlights Warsaw's ambition to become a leading European military power through its "Polonization" industrial strategy, a pivot to unmanned systems, and diverse global partnerships that are reshaping NATO's eastern flank.

Read the full MSPO Preview on Defense-Update 

The Weekly DefenseTech Brief is published by Defense-Update

This week in the defense technology sector is marked by significant international partnerships, advancements in unmanned systems, and substantial investments in next-generation capabilities. From major naval contracts in the Middle East to the expansion of fifth-generation fighter jet fleets in Asia, these developments underscore key trends for industry stakeholders, highlighting the growing importance of interoperability and strategic industrial partnerships. Read the full report in Defense-Update

The Weekly DefenseTech Brief is published by Defense-Update

This week's briefing highlights critical defense technology developments that are reshaping modern warfare. Read the article.

Key highlights: Ukraine's 4,300km precision drone strikes destroying $2 billion in Russian assets, Israel's operational laser weapon deployments, and major AI partnerships including Anduril-Meta and Lockheed Martin's intelligent swarms.

We examine the acceleration of localized manufacturing across Europe and the Middle East, India's fifth-generation fighter program, hypersonic breakthroughs, and over $6 billion in defense acquisitions.

Essential insights for defense professionals, investors, and technology analysts tracking military innovation. 

The Weekly DefenseTech Brief is published by Defense-Update