weapons – The Defense Post

May- 2026 -

13 May

211214-M-HB658-1322 GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 14, 2021) Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducts a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration on a static surface training target, Dec. 14, while sailing in the Gulf of Aden. During the demonstration, the Solid State Laser – Technology Maturation Laser Weapons System Demonstrator Mark 2 MOD 0 aboard Portland successfully engaged the training target. The photograph was captured utilizing a short wave infrared lens and optical filter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Holbert)

US Navy Opens Laser Weapons Course for Sailors

The US Navy has launched a new training program for sailors operating laser weapons at its Directed Energy Systems Integration Laboratory in California.

12 May

Americas

Personnel targeting a drone with fire control-equipped weapon

Rojoef Manuel

US Army Orders More Fire Control Devices From SMARTSHOOTER

Israeli defense firm SMARTSHOOTER has signed a $10.7-million follow-on contract to provide its proprietary SMASH 2000LE fire control systems for the US Army, further expanding its position in the American market.

12 May

Air

Cadets of the University of Guam’s U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps view a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system assigned to Task Force Talon as part of leader development partnership at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. (U.S. Army Photo)

Rojoef Manuel

Lockheed Wins $407M Contract to Boost Guam’s Missile Defense System

The US Missile Defense Agency has awarded Lockheed Martin a $407-million contract modification to continue the development of the primary missile defense system in Guam.

11 May

Americas

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Colombia Rolls Out Its First Locally Built Assault Rifle, ‘JAGUAR’

After five years in development, Colombian forces are set to receive an assault rifle built entirely on home soil.

11 May

Air

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Pakistan Debuts ‘Fatah-3’ Cruise Missile Channeling China’s HD-1

The Pakistan Army is bolstering its long-range strike capabilities with the Fatah-3, a supersonic cruise missile believed to be derived from China’s HD-1 missile family.

6 May

Air

Rojoef Manuel

S. Korea Army to Standardize Drones as Core Soldier Weapons

Seoul plans to adopt unmanned aerial systems as standard equipment for Republic of Korea Army warfighters, expanding drone use across combat roles and units.

5 May

Americas

Rojoef Manuel

Raytheon to Supply Patriot Interceptors for Operation Epic Fury

Raytheon has signed a $441.6-million contract to provide Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical missiles in support of Operation Epic Fury, Washington’s ongoing military campaign against Iran.

4 May

Arms

A French F-2 Rafale flies over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Jan. 8, 2016. OIR is the coalition intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb)

Rojoef Manuel

France Steps Up Missile Output After Middle East Ops Drain Stockpiles

France is accelerating missile production after operations in the Middle East exposed shortages in its ammunition stockpiles.

Apr- 2026 -

24 April

Americas

Rojoef Manuel

Taiwan Unveils $6.6B Arms Sale, Joint Large Ammo Production With US

Taipei has confirmed six weapons procurement contracts with the US worth $6.6 billion, including a joint production agreement for large-caliber ammunition.

24 April

Arms

Rojoef Manuel

LIG D&A Inks First Haegung Naval Missile Export Deal With Malaysia

LIG Defense & Aerospace has signed a $94-million contract to export its Haegung ship-launched surface-to-air missile to Malaysia, marking the system’s first overseas sale.

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