Explore every episode of the podcast Defense Brief

The British Armed Forces have successfully tested a revolutionary Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) capable of neutralizing drone swarms at a fraction of conventional defense costs. The system, developed by a UK-based consortium led by Thales, can disable multiple unmanned aerial systems for as little as 10 pence per engagement.

https://defense-update.com/20241223_rfdew.html

The Israeli XTEND company, an AI-driven drone technology innovator, has secured an $8.8 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) for the supply of "Precision Strike Indoor & Outdoor" drones (PSIO). These small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) offer transformative capabilities for small combat teams, with their ability to unrestricted operations indoors and outdoors. Domestic production will occur in the U.S., with initial deliveries planned for Q1 2025.

Read the full Post on Defense-Update 

The US Department of Defense's annual report on Chinese military and security developments was presented to Congress today. In this post and podcast, we dissect the report, which isn't just another geopolitical overview. It’s a deep dive into the PRC's strategic ambitions as viewed by the West, a review of China's military modernization efforts and implications for the international order.

https://defense-update.com/20241218_dod-2024-report-on-china.html

This episode focuses on Greece's recent defense acquisitions and their strategic implications, particularly in the context of support for Ukraine. 
Greece is actively modernizing its military capabilities with two significant procurements. Firstly, the Government Council for Foreign and Defense Affairs, known as KYSEA, has approved the purchase of approximately 590 U.S.-made Switchblade loitering munitions, commonly called "kamikaze drones." These include the Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 models, designed for precision strikes against personnel, light vehicles, and armored targets. This acquisition costs around €75.2 million, with Greece contributing €25 million and the remainder financed through U.S. foreign military funding. 

In addition to the drone procurement, Greece is in advanced discussions to acquire 36 PULS rocket artillery systems from Israel. The PULS, or Precise and Universal Launching System, is a versatile rocket artillery platform capable of launching various rockets with ranges up to 300 kilometers. This deal, estimated between €600 and €700 million, also includes provisions for constructing components within Greece, fostering local industry collaboration. 

Gathering the most interesting news this week, we fed it all into an AI processing and turned it into a conversation - here is the result.