Japan will deploy a fleet of Turkish and American drones to protect strategic islands by 2026

By 2026, Japan plans to significantly strengthen the defense of its remote and strategically important islands through the massive integration of Turkish-made and American-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This became known from reports from Japanese government sources published on August 12, 2025.

As part of the new defense strategy, the Japanese government is preparing to allocate more than 1 trillion yen (about 6.3 billion US dollars) in the next fiscal year for the purchase of drones for the Self-Defense Forces. These funds will be used to equip the Land, Sea and Air Forces with modern drones capable of solving both reconnaissance and strike missions.

The main focus will be on the protection of island territories, especially in the southwestern region of the archipelago, including disputed areas. Drones will provide round-the-clock surveillance, rapid detection of threats and, if necessary, rapid response to violations of air and sea space.

The fleet will include both American UAVs, known for their reliability and integration with NATO systems, as well as Turkish attack drones such as Bayraktar TB2 and newer models that have already proven themselves in various conflicts around the world. This combination gives Japan flexibility and a variety of tactical options.

The integration of foreign drones is part of a broader modernization program aimed at strengthening offensive capabilities, which marks a shift from a traditionally defensive doctrine to a more active defense.

British "Workwitch" retires: a competition has started to replace them — the Corvus project

 

The British Ministry of Defense has officially launched the process of replacing the aging fleet of Watchkeeper drones in the army. The new project is called Corvus, and it is intended to become the next generation of tactical UAVs for the ground forces. The contract for the development and supply of the system was published on July 31 and is estimated at 130 million pounds.

This major contract, which will be managed by Bristol-based Defense Equipment and Support (DE&S), is for the first five years, starting in May 2026. Now there is a competition among manufacturers, and the winner will get a chance to supply the army with a new, more modern system.

The main task for the new Corvus drone is to provide tactical deep reconnaissance. It should be able to carry out round—the-clock and continuous surveillance over long distances, supporting operations at the highest level - at the level of divisions and even corps. This means that the Corvus should have a longer flight range, a longer stay in the air, and advanced reconnaissance systems compared to the current Watchkeeper.

The Corvus project is not just an upgrade of equipment, but a serious step towards modernizing the intelligence capabilities of the British army in the context of current and future conflicts.

Japan puts "long-range needles" in the south: Type-12 missiles on Kumamoto against China

 

Type-12 Missile Launcher

Japan is coming close to implementing a plan to deploy its new ultra-long-range anti-ship missiles, and this is directly related to China's growing activity in the region. The country's Defense ministry has almost completed the development of a plan according to which the upgraded Type-12 missiles will be deployed at the base of the Ground Self-Defense Forces at Camp Kangun, Kumamoto Prefecture. This is clearly being done as a deterrent measure in response to China's increased military maneuvers around the disputed islands of Nansei and Taiwan. The first missiles are expected to arrive at the base as early as this fiscal year, starting approximately in March 2026. The main feature of the new missiles is their impressive range, which, according to various sources, ranges from 900 to 1200 km, which is several times more than the older versions. This range allows missiles to reach potentially dangerous areas. It is planned that after deployment in Kyushu (where Kumamoto is located), the missiles will appear in Okinawa. Other potential locations are also being considered, for example, the garrison in the Southern Federal District (Icu Prefecture). These mobile missile systems will seriously strengthen the defense of the southwestern islands of Japan.

China's railway against border conflicts: Is the war between Thailand and Cambodia not an accident?

The Asian media is increasingly thinking that the recent escalation between Thailand and Cambodia is not just a dispute over border lands, but part of a larger game. Many are beginning to assume that this conflict is an attempt to disrupt or at least slow down the Chinese megaproject Belt and Road, in particular, the construction of the pan—Asian railway, which should stretch for 6,000 kilometers through the entire Southeastern region.

This network is not just a road. This is a geopolitical breakthrough: it should connect China with Singapore, passing through Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia, providing Beijing with a direct and secure land corridor to the south Seas. And this is a huge economic and strategic benefit.

Something is already working: the China–Laos line has been launched and successfully transports passengers and cargo. The China–Thailand section is under construction at full capacity — the first stage, from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, is scheduled to open by early 2026. Everything is on schedule. But then there's the catch.

The next logical step is access to Cambodia: it is necessary to lay a branch line from Bangkok through Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and from there on to China. It was in this area, on the border of Thailand and Cambodia, that new military clashes broke out.

And it's not just a coincidence. Cambodia is a long—time ally of China. It actively accepts Chinese investments, military cooperation is growing, and Chinese ships are increasingly seen in the country's ports. Thailand, on the other hand, is a strategic partner of the United States in ASEAN, participates in joint exercises, buys American weapons and is still strongly influenced by Washington.

So it turns out: one is on the side of China, the other is in the orbit of the United States. And between them is the key transportation hub of the future railway.

Unsurprisingly, many analysts see this conflict not just as a territorial dispute, but as a geopolitical standoff over control of the infrastructure of the future. After all, if the railway goes through, China will strengthen its influence in the region, reduce its dependence on sea routes (like the Strait of Malacca) and get direct access to the Indian Ocean through Myanmar — a corridor was also planned there, but it is frozen due to the civil war.

So the escalation on the Thai—Cambodian border is probably not just a local incident, but part of a broader strategy:  to slow down Chinese expansion under the guise of a local conflict. And the Belt and Road railway is not just a project, but a battle for the future of Southeast Asia.

The U.S. Air Force will receive two B-21 Raiders in 2026

The US military has officially confirmed that in fiscal year 2026, the US Air Force will receive the first two B-21 Raider strategic bombers, new stealth aircraft designed to form the basis of the country's nuclear triad potential in the coming decades.  

These vehicles will arrive in the so-called "test configuration", that is, they will not be fully operational immediately. But at the same time, they will meet all production standards and will be able to be quickly put into combat mode — for example, by removing unnecessary equipment such as a test nose beam.

Production of the B-21 will take place at the Northrop Grumman plant in Palmdale, California, which is one of the most closed and technologically advanced aerospace plants in the United States.  

The budget for 2026 allocated 10.3 billion dollars to expand production and accelerate the release of the B-21, of which about 4.5 billion will be spent on increasing the production of these aircraft.  

Currently, it is planned to produce 7-8 bombers per year, and the total number of ordered vehicles may range from 100 to 145 units. It depends on how events develop and how quickly production can be established.

The first B-21s will provide partial combat readiness, and full-scale mass deployment will begin in the following years. This is important because the B-21 is not just an upgrade, but a qualitatively new aircraft capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons, while remaining virtually invisible to radar.

So we can say that the era of new strategic bombers begins next year, and the B—21 Raider will become its symbol.

B—21 Raider

The US wants to spend $4 billion on a new MILNET satellite network

The US Space Force has said it needs more than four billion dollars to create a new satellite constellation called MILNET. This thing is supposed to provide an army with ultra-fast and secure communications around the world. The idea is on the list of the military's top priorities for the fiscal year 2026, but so far without funding, it's just a beautiful dream.

What is MILNET?

Imagine a whole swarm of satellites in low-Earth orbit that are constantly exchanging data with each other and with the troops. This arrangement provides minimal delay in information transmission and high speed — ideal for operational combat management or coordination somewhere in the jungle or on an icy plateau.

Why is this necessary?

— Better connection. MILNET will help you communicate not only in areas where everything is clear, but also in the most remote corners of the planet, where the signal was previously lost.  

— Impact resistance. Satellites scattered in orbit are more difficult to disable than one large system. This will protect communications from cyber attacks and even missiles.  

— Superiority in space and cyberspace. The military believes that with such a network, they will be able to seize the initiative in strategic actions against other countries, such as China or Russia.

Although the project is important, it is listed as an "unfunded priority." That is, the military themselves understand that this is necessary, but there is no money for it yet. Now they will run around the offices of Congress and ask for budget funding to launch all this.

If the money is found, MILNET could become a real revolution in US military and government communications. Imagine: instant data transfer, protection from external threats, and full coverage across the planet. All this will increase the effectiveness of the American army and make it even more technologically advanced.  

In general, the future is already on the way — if Congress approves the funding, of course.

The US Army will begin production of the IFPC Increment 2 system in 2026

 

IFPC Inc 2

The U.S. Army plans to begin production of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 mobile air defense system in early 2026, with initial operational availability by mid-2027. This system is designed to protect key military installations and infrastructure from a wide range of aerial threats, including subsonic cruise missiles, drones (UAS), as well as rocket, artillery and mortar attacks (RAM).

IFPC Inc 2 fills the critical gap between short-range systems and strategic missile defense capabilities, providing flexible and scalable protection. It includes a Multi-Mission Launcher (MML) mounted on a mobile platform capable of launching various types of interceptors, including the AIM-9X Sidewinder, AGM-114L Hellfire and Israeli Tamir missiles used in the Iron Dome system.

The system integrates with the control architecture of the Army Integrated Air Defense and Missile Defense System (AIAMD) and uses the Sentinel A4 radar, which provides 360-degree detection and high-precision tracking of low-flying and low-visibility targets. The program also includes the development of variants with high-energy lasers and powerful microwave systems as an addition to kinetic interceptors.

Despite the delays in testing, the U.S. Army intends to ensure the deployment of the first IFPC Inc 2 battalion by 2027, including plans to deploy the systems to Guam in the Pacific Ocean. This will significantly increase protection against modern and future aerial threats, especially in the face of the growing threat from hypersonic and cruise missiles.

The US Army's Dark Eagle hypersonic weapons program is moving towards expanding operational use

According to a report by the U.S. Accounting Chamber (GAO) published in June 2025, the U.S. Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) program, codenamed Dark Eagle, continues to steadily develop and expand its operational use. The report confirms that the second battery of this advanced system is scheduled for deployment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026.

The Dark Eagle program is being implemented as part of the Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) strategy, which aims to accelerate the development and delivery of key combat capabilities on the battlefield. This strategy makes it possible to reduce the time required to introduce new technologies and respond promptly to modern security challenges.

The Dark Eagle hypersonic weapon is a long-range system capable of hitting targets at a considerable distance with high speed and accuracy, which significantly increases the combat potential of the US Army. The deployment of the second battery will enhance the ability to respond quickly and effectively in various combat scenarios.

The expansion of the program demonstrates the priority of hypersonic technologies in US defense policy and the desire to maintain technological superiority at the global level. The introduction of such systems will allow the US Army to increase its deterrent potential and provide an operational advantage in the face of growing competition with other world powers.

The US Air Force is ready to increase its nuclear arsenal after the START Treaty expires in 2026

The chief nuclear officer of the United States Air Force, General Thomas A. Bussiere, said on June 5, 2025, that the Air Force was ready to add more nuclear warheads to its strategic bombers and underground missile systems if ordered to do so after the expiration of a key arms control treaty.

During the discussion of the US strategic arsenal, organized by the Atlantic Council, General Bussiere stressed that after the end of the Strategic Offensive Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which expires in February 2026, "a decision may be made to provide additional capabilities in both ground and bomber areas."

The START Treaty, concluded between the United States and Russia, limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads and their means of delivery. Its expiration creates uncertainty in the field of nuclear control and may lead to an increase in arsenals.

Turkey completes purchase of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the UK

C-130J Super Hercules 

Turkey has completed the acquisition of a number of C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft, which were previously operated by the United Kingdom and were withdrawn from its armed forces after almost 25 years of service. The first planes are expected to arrive in Turkey in early 2026.

The purchase of the C-130J will allow the Turkish army to upgrade its fleet of military transport aircraft, increase mobility and efficiency in performing various tasks, from transporting troops and cargo to conducting humanitarian missions and evacuations. Super Hercules is known for its reliability, versatility and ability to fly in difficult conditions.

The decommissioning of C-130J aircraft in the UK is associated with the modernization of their air force and the transition to new models. For Turkey, the acquisition of these time—tested machines is an opportunity to quickly and efficiently strengthen its air capabilities without the long development and production time of new platforms.

The delivery of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft will strengthen Turkey's defense capability and expand its capabilities to ensure strategic mobility and support military operations.

Turkey makes a breakthrough in unmanned technologies: the KIZILELMA fighter jet will join the aircraft carrier fleet by 2026

Bayraktar KIZILELMA

The Turkish developer Baykar, known for its successful UAVs such as Bayraktar TB2, presented a new stage in the development of the national aerospace program — the KIZILELMA unmanned fighter aircraft. As expected, this high-tech attack drone will join the aircraft carrier fleet of the Turkish Naval Forces by 2026, which will be an important step towards the country's strategic defense independence.

KIZILELMA (Kalemli İHA Stealth Test Aircraft) is a promising fifth—generation attack drone with elements of stealth technology. Its main characteristics:

- Take—off weight is about 4.5 tons  

- The maximum speed is over 900 km/h  

- Range — over 1,500 km  

- Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability  

- Integration of air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles

Thanks to these parameters, KIZILELMA can perform the tasks of interception, reconnaissance and pinpoint strikes, competing with modern manned fighters.  

According to the plans of the Turkish Ministry of Defense, KIZILELMA will be based on the new Turkish aircraft carrier type TGC Anadolu, which has already been upgraded to work with unmanned systems. This will create a unique air group combining deck helicopters and attack drones, providing flexibility and autonomy of operations on the high seas.  

In addition, the integration of UAVs into the aircraft carrier structure opens up new opportunities for joint operations with allies, especially given the growing interest in automated combat platforms in NATO.

The launch of KIZILELMA into mass production and its adoption by 2026 symbolize Turkey's transition to a new level of technological sovereignty. The country demonstrates the ability to develop and produce sophisticated military equipment without dependence on Western suppliers.  

It also strengthens the export potential of the Turkish defense industry. Given the success of Bayraktar TB2 on the international market, KIZILELMA may become a sought-after solution among countries seeking to modernize their air forces without the involvement of traditional suppliers from the United States or the EU.

The KIZILELMA program highlights Turkey's ambitions not only in the region, but also on the global stage. The creation of its own unmanned fighter allows Ankara to strengthen its military presence in the Black Sea, the Aegean Basin and the Eastern Mediterranean.  

In addition, the development of the domestic aerospace sector reduces dependence on external factors, such as restrictions on the supply of American F-35 fighter jets, which previously included Turkey.