Estonia is actively seeking to bolster its military capabilities by exploring the possibility of acquiring combat-proven weapons from Ukraine, particularly long-range missiles. This move comes despite Ukraine’s current restrictions on arms exports due to legal obligations that require its defense companies to prioritize deliveries to the Ukrainian Armed Forces amid ongoing conflict with Russia.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur recently indicated his country’s interest in specific weapons, notably the R-360 Neptune subsonic cruise missile developed by the State Kyiv Design Bureau Luch. His comments came during a visit to Ukraine last month, emphasizing that Estonia aims to establish agreements with the Ukrainian government that would allow for arms purchases.

According to Eleka Rugam-Rebane, a spokesperson for the Estonian Ministry of Defence, there is potential for bilateral agreements that could permit allied nations like Estonia access to Ukraine’s military products. She highlighted that the “value and quality” of these weapons are significant, owing to their effectiveness in combat scenarios.

Rugam-Rebane further reassured that export bans would not necessarily hinder cooperation if mutual agreements are reached. She articulated the benefits of such partnerships, stating that they would support both the Estonian and Ukrainian defense sectors. “Our defense industries already have a solid working relationship,” she mentioned, citing the active participation of Estonian companies in Ukraine. Additionally, she expressed support for Ukrainian firms engaging in public tenders in Estonia and beyond.

The potential for even a limited easing of Ukraine’s export ban could yield significant financial benefits for the Ukrainian economy, which relies heavily on its defense sector amid the ongoing crisis. During a recent session in Ukraine’s parliament, lawmaker Halyna Yanchenko pointed out that the nation’s defense industry has the capacity to produce outputs valued at approximately $20 billion each year. However, she voiced concern that current state purchases, capped at about $6 billion and inclusive of foreign contracts, are hampering the growth of this crucial industry due to export restrictions.

As discussions continue between Estonian officials and their Ukrainian counterparts, the prospect of collaborative defense efforts appears promising, fostering a relationship that could enhance military capabilities and economic resilience for both nations.

The Department of Defense has taken a significant step in advancing military capabilities by awarding Raytheon a contract focused on developing directed energy wireless power technologies for the U.S. Army. This contract involves the design and manufacture of transmitters and receivers, which will be essential for conducting long-range tests that align with the Army’s requirements for both manned and unmanned systems.

Raytheon emphasized that this initiative is a critical component of the Pentagon’s overarching strategy to ensure the efficient distribution and availability of energy during combat operations, logistics, and troop security in what has become increasingly complex modern warfare scenarios. The company articulated that the implementation of wireless power-beaming technology is set to streamline military operations by reducing the necessity for soldiers to carry traditional fuel and battery supplies. This innovation is expected to extend operational time significantly and diminish reliance on concentrated fuel depots, which can be susceptible to enemy attacks.

Colin Whelan, the President of Raytheon Advanced Technology, reflected on the transformative potential of this technology, stating, “Wireless power and data can provide enhanced capability in the future manned and unmanned teaming battlespace.” He highlighted the importance of this advancement, particularly in environments characterized by high levels of threat where operational challenges are heightened.

In a related move, Raytheon also secured a $10 million contract in December 2023, aimed at developing a wireless airborne power-generating capability under DARPA’s Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program. This initiative, launched in 2022, seeks to explore innovative solutions to resolve the traditional energy source challenges faced by military operations by utilizing optical wireless energy technologies. Collectively, these efforts illustrate a concerted push toward integrating advanced energy solutions within military frameworks, reshaping how energy is utilized on the battlefield.

The US Space Force has made a strategic decision to establish Fort Detrick in Maryland as the permanent training hub for personnel tasked with managing the military’s satellite communications (SATCOM) capabilities. This move is designed to enhance the training and operational readiness of guardians through the Wideband Transmission Controller Operator Course (WTCOC), which focuses on controlling and transmitting data across critical satellite communication systems.

The WTCOC offers specialized instruction concerning the Wideband Global SATCOM and Defense SATCOM System constellations, which are integral to maintaining robust communication networks for US joint forces. These systems serve as essential links not only within the military but also extend to various governmental agencies and international partners, including NATO, ensuring that vital information flows seamlessly across different operational theaters.

Fort Detrick will leverage advanced technologies in its curriculum, utilizing real-time mission monitoring tools and high-fidelity simulators that are unique to Wideband Global SATCOM facilities. This upgrade in training infrastructure underscores the importance of creating a “first line of defense” for the sustainment and support of military SATCOM links. Previously, such specialized instruction was provided solely at the US Army Cyber Center of Excellence situated at Fort Eisenhower in Georgia.

The responsibilities of conducting lessons under the WTCOC will fall to several key organizations, including the 53rd Space Operations Squadron from Colorado, Space Delta 8, and the Army Wideband Control Systems Project Office. A notable aspect of this transition is that the entire program, encompassing training materials and methodologies, is expected to be fully transferred from the Army to the US Space Force by 2026.

The WTCOC spans 86 days and includes around 686 training hours, culminating in a rigorous evaluation process. Successful guardians completing the course will qualify for assignments at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado, as well as five additional locations in Maryland, Hawaii, Japan, and Germany, providing them with diverse operational experiences.

The significance of wideband military SATCOM capabilities cannot be understated, as these systems deliver essential long-haul communications, enabling the Joint Force and its partners to effectively operate in various environments and against diverse adversaries. Lt. Col. Patrisha Knight, Deputy Director for Military Communications and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Programs, emphasized that access to live Wideband Satellite Operations Management System (WSOMS) nodes allows students to gain valuable exposure to realistic operational scenarios, thereby enhancing their readiness to manage global military SATCOM operations.

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of its Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM). The test took place on Tuesday, with the missile launched from a mobile land platform off the coast of Odisha. This significant milestone showcases India’s advancements in indigenous missile technology.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Defence, the LRLACM exhibited impressive maneuverability at various altitudes and speeds during the flight test. All sub-systems operated as expected, achieving the primary mission objectives. The missile adeptly followed its intended trajectory through way point navigation and demonstrated its capability to execute various maneuvers throughout the flight.

The development of the LRLACM involved contributions from several DRDO laboratories, with the Aeronautical Development Establishment leading the project. State-owned defense firms, Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, also played critical roles in the missile’s development and integration, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense technology.

The Indian government’s Defence Acquisition Council has already approved and allocated funds for the missile’s acquisition, which marks a significant step in enhancing the country’s defense capabilities.

The LRLACM is an enhanced version of the Nirbhay long-range cruise missile, which was first tested back in 2013. The DRDO completed the Nirbhay project in 2023 after finishing its sixth development trial, paving the way for the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) project. This project features a domestically-developed turbofan engine, referred to as Manik, which is integral to the new missile.

The LRLACM’s design allows for launch from both land and sea-based platforms, boasting an impressive reported range of over 1,000 kilometers (approximately 621 miles). Its precision targeting capabilities are geared towards high-value enemy targets, including command and control centers and weapons depots located deep within enemy territory.

In the coming months, DRDO plans to conduct approximately 20 additional flight trials of the LRLACM before the missile enters into production, further solidifying India’s position in advanced missile technology development.