Germany has announced a €35 billion ($41 billion) investment in military-space projects by 2030 to strengthen its ability to protect satellites and build technological independence amid growing threats in orbit. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius unveiled the plan at Berlin’s Space Congress, highlighting that satellite networks are critical vulnerabilities, referencing a Russian cyberattack on ViaSat before the Ukraine invasion. The initiative will fund hardened satellite systems, expanded orbital surveillance, “guardian satellites,” and a Bundeswehr-run military satellite operations center. Pistorius identified Russia and China as potential space adversaries, citing Russian satellites shadowing German-linked Intelsat systems, and declared that Germany must consider developing offensive space capabilities, marking a significant policy shift from its historically defensive stance. With this move, Germany solidifies its position as the world’s fourth-largest defense spender, behind the U.S., China, and Russia. Click here to read more.

The U.S. Military Sealift Command confirmed that the MV Ocean Trader, a merchant vessel outfitted as a floating mothership for special operations, is operating in the Caribbean, though officials declined to disclose its mission. Analysts say the ship—capable of housing up to 159 special operators and a 50-person crew for 45 days at sea—serves as a low-visibility base of operations, blending in with civilian shipping while supporting counter-narcotics efforts and maritime intelligence missions. Having been converted from a commercial roll-on/roll-off ship, it features a helicopter hangar, advanced communications gear, and boat-launch capabilities, enabling it to support covert operations in the region as U.S. forces ramp up military activity in the Caribbean. Click here to read more.

During Iran’s massive April 2024 drone and missile attack on Israel, U.S. Air Force F-15 crews ran out of air-to-air missiles after downing numerous drones, forcing them to improvise by attempting to use bombs against aerial targets. According to Lt. Gen. Derek France, commander of Air Forces Central, one F-15 had only a GBU-54 laser-guided JDAM left and tried to drop it on an Iranian drone—a highly unusual tactic since JDAMs lack the proximity fuzes that make air-to-air missiles effective. The bomb missed, as did two other F-15 attempts, but France called it “innovation on the fly” under extreme conditions. The engagement occurred during a coordinated Iranian strike involving 170 drones, 120+ ballistic missiles, and 30 cruise missiles launched by Iran and Houthi allies. Although dropping bombs on flying targets is rare, there is precedent: in 1991, an F-15 successfully destroyed an Iraqi helicopter with a laser-guided bomb. Since then, the Air Force has fielded the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)—a cheaper, laser-guided rocket with a proximity fuze—allowing F-15Es to carry up to 42 rockets and better handle mass drone swarms in the future. Click here to read more.

President Donald Trump declared at the United Nations that he now believes Ukraine, with the support of NATO and the EU, can reclaim all territory lost to Russia—a sharp reversal from his past calls for concessions to end the war. The statement followed a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who urged continued U.S. backing as Ukraine faces relentless missile and drone strikes. Trump emphasized that Russia’s prolonged failure in the war made it appear like a “paper tiger,” while pushing Europe to cut off Russian oil imports and pledging support for NATO allies confronting Russian provocations. His remarks came as the U.N. detailed widespread human rights abuses in occupied Ukraine and reported surging civilian casualties amid intensified Russian attacks. Click here to read more.

U.S., Japanese, and Australian troops are conducting joint drills in Japan’s Orient Shield exercise, marking the first time Australia has formally joined the annual training amid growing tensions with China. Running from September 16–24 across multiple prefectures, the exercise includes infantry assaults, mortar fire, logistics, and medical evacuations, with around 2,100 troops participating. The expansion follows a reciprocal access agreement allowing Japan and Australia to train on each other’s soil, reflecting deeper trilateral security ties alongside the U.S. Brig. Gen. James Dooghan of U.S. Army Japan called Australia’s inclusion a sign of strengthened alliances, while Japanese and Australian commanders emphasized enhancing operational effectiveness and readiness. The exercise comes as China steps up naval activity near Taiwan and Japanese-controlled islands, and as the U.S. deploys new missile systems to the region. Click here to read more.