Breaking Defense

Australia to get 40 more Bluebottle unmanned surface vessels Australian navy chief Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said that the Bluebottle was an extremely durable asset, noting that “these things have remained on station as the cyclones have rolled through, and they've remained operational.”

Australia to get 40 more Bluebottle unmanned surface vessels
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/australia-to-get-40-more-bluebottle-unmanned-surface-vessels/

Germany’s Rheinmetall predicts $16.8B annual order boom, will ‘focus entirely’ on defense The “tense security situation underpins the promising position of the Group," said the European prime.

Germany’s Rheinmetall predicts $16.8B annual order boom, will ‘focus entirely’ on defense
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/germanys-rheinmetall-predicts-16-8b-annual-order-boom-will-focus-entirely-on-defense/

A two-front war should be no problem for Israel, analysts say “The understanding in the IDF always was that in a war with Iran, Hezbollah would be involved," says Yaakov Katz, fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute.

A two-front war should be no problem for Israel, analysts say
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/a-two-front-war-should-be-no-problem-for-israel-analysts-say/

Powering up: Air Force eyes ‘broad reaching’ battery, energy storage research The Department of Energy is also pursuing its own effort to boost battery technologies through the JOULES-1K program.

Powering up: Air Force eyes ‘broad reaching’ battery, energy storage research
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/powering-up-air-force-eyes-broad-reaching-battery-energy-storage-research/

Europe leads global arms imports market as demand surges: SIPRI report Ukraine, Poland and the United Kingdom were the three biggest European weapon system importers between 2021 and 2025, said SIPRI.

Europe leads global arms imports market as demand surges: SIPRI report
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/europe-leads-global-arms-imports-market-as-demand-surges-sipri-report/

2nd Cavalry tests ground robots for xTech contest, struggles with ‘navigating’ UGV costs The Army’s largest combat formation in Europe has been testing over 17 UGVs as part of the service’s xTech Edge Strike Ground competition.

2nd Cavalry tests ground robots for xTech contest, struggles with ‘navigating’ UGV costs
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/2nd-cavalry-tests-ground-robots-for-xtech-contest-struggles-with-navigating-ugv-costs/

Unmanned in the air and at sea at World Defense Show 2026 Days before the first shots were fired in the Iran conflict, defense firms around the world gathered in Riyadh to show off their latest wares.

Unmanned in the air and at sea at World Defense Show 2026
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/unmanned-in-the-air-and-at-sea-at-world-defense-show-2026/

How technology, strategy and industry are shaping the next fleet Unmanned systems, digital integration, and emerging technologies are transforming U.S. naval operations. Breaking Defense’s new eBook takes a deep dive into these innovations and what they mean for the future of naval power.

How technology, strategy and industry are shaping the next fleet
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/how-technology-strategy-and-industry-are-shaping-the-next-fleet/

Swiss cutting F-35 order by six, facing up to five year Patriot delay By deciding against a request to secure funding for all 36 jets and move ahead with a reduced buy, the Swiss Federal Council accepted that “negative consequences” are to come.

Swiss cutting F-35 order by six, facing up to five year Patriot delay
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/swiss-cutting-f-35-order-by-six-facing-up-to-five-year-patriot-delay/

Pentagon’s new chief data officer to push ‘AI capabilities to warfighters’ The Pentagon announced two key hires for data and cybersecurity positions.

Pentagon’s new chief data officer to push ‘AI capabilities to warfighters’
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/pentagons-new-chief-data-officer-to-push-ai-capabilities-to-warfighters/

US sinking of Iranian navy ship stirs controversy in Australia, India Australia has confirmed that three of its sailors were on board the nuclear-powered attack submarine when it struck the Iranian frigate, though Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has denied that they took part in the action.

US sinking of Iranian navy ship stirs controversy in Australia, India
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/us-sinking-of-iranian-navy-ship-stirs-controversy-in-australia-india/

‘New status quo’: Germany reaches for European conventional military dominance Analysts noted that after decades of underinvestment, Berlin is flipping the script by moving ahead with a seismic increase in defense spending, set to hit a high mark in 2029 of €150 billion a year.

‘New status quo’: Germany reaches for European conventional military dominance
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/new-status-quo-germany-reaches-for-european-conventional-military-dominance/

How RAFT is approaching AI at the edge breakingdefense.com/2026/03/how-...

UAE’s defense giant EDGE Group to equip Ecuador with border protection systems “Given the high demand for internal security in Latin America, EDGE’s approach in the region is emphasizing border control, surveillance, drones and anti-drone systems, cybersecurity, and non-lethal ammunition, rather than more traditional types of military equipment," a defense analyst said.

UAE’s defense giant EDGE Group to equip Ecuador with border protection systems
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/uaes-defense-giant-edge-group-to-equip-ecuador-with-border-protection-systems/

Hegseth: US can sustain fight with Iran for as long as it needs to

Navy’s Kilby signals USS Ford could see 11-month deployment, approaching record length During the Vietnam era, the USS Midway set the record for longest at-sea deployment at 332 days.

Navy’s Kilby signals USS Ford could see 11-month deployment, approaching record length
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/navys-kilby-signals-uss-ford-could-see-11-month-deployment-approaching-record-length/

Defense execs invited to White House to talk munition production amid Iran strikes While Gen. Dan Caine said the US has "sufficient precision munitions for the task at hand," lawmakers are considering a high-dollar supplemental infusion to backfill missile supplies.

Defense execs invited to White House to talk munition production amid Iran strikes
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/defense-execs-invited-to-white-house-to-talk-munition-production-amid-iran-strikes/

Dassault CEO: FCAS jet program ‘dead’ if clash with Airbus not resolved After Germany’s chancellor said Berlin and Paris may need different capabilities, Dassault’s Eric Trappier said France will push forward with or without Airbus.

Dassault CEO: FCAS jet program ‘dead’ if clash with Airbus not resolved
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/dassault-ceo-fcas-jet-program-dead-if-clash-with-airbus-not-resolved/

Pentagon plans for reconciliation slush fund make a perfect case against another round The Pentagon’s plan to spend all $152 billion from reconciliation by end of year diverges from its budget request.

Pentagon plans for reconciliation slush fund make a perfect case against another round
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/pentagon-plans-for-reconciliation-slush-fund-make-a-perfect-case-against-another-round/

Key questions, and an expert take, after US strikes Iran - Breaking Defense What is the US trying to accomplish with continued, massive military strikes in Iran? The Center for New American Security's Stacie Pettyjohn joins host Aaron Mehta to dive into the most critical ques...

Key questions, and an expert take, after US strikes Iran breakingdefense.com/2026/03/key-...

Hegseth: No boots on the ground in Iran right now, but “we’re not going to go into the exercise of what we will or will not do.”

How tanking, airlift could be strained by Iran ops Stacie Pettyjohn, director of the defense program at the Center for a New American Security, told Breaking Defense that “the longer and more demanding the operation, the more likely tanker availability and airlift throughput become binding constraints on the overall campaign.”

How tanking, airlift could be strained by Iran ops
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/how-tanking-airlift-could-be-strained-by-iran-ops/

‘Simple plans, violently executed’: One Army unit’s old-school counter to high-tech chaos When drones can watch your every move and jammers scramble your communications, you need to keep your battle plans and your org chart simple, say officers from the Army’s National Training Center.

‘Simple plans, violently executed’: One Army unit’s old-school counter to high-tech chaos
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/simple-plans-violently-executed-one-army-units-old-school-counter-to-high-tech-chaos/

How Congress is reacting to the Iran conflict Breaking Defense's Aaron Mehta is joined by Stacie Pettyjohn of the Center for New American Security to discuss Sen. Tim Kaine's push for a war powers vote and how it might play out.

How Congress is reacting to the Iran conflict
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/how-congress-is-reacting-to-the-iran-conflict/

Caine: US objective is to keep Iran from projecting power outside own borders “We're not going to go into the exercise of what we will or will not do,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters.

Caine: US objective is to keep Iran from projecting power outside own borders
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/caine-us-objective-is-to-keep-iran-from-projecting-power-outside-own-borders/

Army invites private industry to co-invest in installations, modernization plans “We’re not just seeking funding,” said David Fitzgerald, who is performing the duties of the deputy under secretary of the Army. “We’re seeking creative, out-of-the-box financial and business models that break the mold.

Army invites private industry to co-invest in installations, modernization plans
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/army-invites-private-industry-to-co-invest-in-installations-modernization-plans/

UK awards Leonardo $1.3B AW149 New Medium Helicopter contract The new AW149 fleet is desperately needed to plug a rotary capability gap left by retirement of the Puma HC2 fleet in March 2025.

UK awards Leonardo $1.3B AW149 New Medium Helicopter contract
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/uk-awards-leonardo-1-3b-aw149-new-medium-helicopter-contract/

Iran conflict expands in Lebanon, Beirut demands Hezbollah ‘hand over its weapons’ Retired Lebanese armed forces general Maroun Hitti said that Hezbollah’s missiles has “instantly transformed Lebanon from fragile bystander to active battlefield,” describing the situations as “harsh and asymmetric.”

Iran conflict expands in Lebanon, Beirut demands Hezbollah ‘hand over its weapons’
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/iran-conflict-expands-in-lebanon-beirut-demands-hezbollah-hand-over-its-weapons/

Kaine to force Senate vote on Iran war, which Trump warns could last ‘weeks’ Kaine said even an unsuccessful vote could put pressure on the White House to change its behavior or yield more information about the attacks to the public.

Kaine to force Senate vote on Iran war, which Trump warns could last ‘weeks’
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/kaine-to-force-senate-vote-on-iran-war-which-trump-warns-could-last-weeks/

‘Nightmare scenario’ for GCC countries, region as Iran unloads drones and missiles “If Iranian attacks continue throughout this week, I would expect the Gulf Arab states to eventually participate in counter-attacks on Iran," one defense expert told Breaking Defense.

‘Nightmare scenario’ for GCC countries, region as Iran unloads drones and missiles
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/iran-attacks-uae-saudi-missiles-drones-gcc-air-defense/