2026 • Page 399 of 572 • The Defense Post

Mar- 2026 -

25 March

Arms

A U.S. Marine with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), fires an M18 pistol during a qualification range aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Feb. 22, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

US Marine Corps Approves Optical Device on Pistol Qualification

The US Marine Corps has greenlit the use of optical sights during the Combat Pistol Program qualification, marking the first time the accessory is permitted for the certification.

25 March

Americas

Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis remove a RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile from a NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System

Giulia Bernacchi

CACI Secures $85M US Navy Contract for Fleet Engineering Support

CACI International has secured an $85-million contract to continue providing engineering and technical support for the US Navy’s fleet.

25 March

Technology

Saudi Arabia soldier talks to UAE soldier

Giulia Bernacchi

LIG Nex1, Palantir Expand Defense Cooperation in UAE

LIG Nex1 and Palantir signed a deal to collaborate on the development of integrated air defense systems and unmanned platforms for the UAE.

25 March

Air

KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. Photo: Korea Aerospace Industries

Rojoef Manuel

South Korea Rolls Out First KF-21 Boramae Fighter Jet

State-run Korea Aerospace Industries has unveiled the first mass production model of the Republic of Korea Air Force’s KF-21 Boramae combat aircraft.

25 March

Arms

Rojoef Manuel

Indra, Hanwha to Manufacture Self-Propelled Artillery for Spain

Indra Group and Hanwha Aerospace have signed a memorandum of understanding for the joint development of self-propelled artillery systems for the Spanish Armed Forces.

25 March

Commentary

Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessels BRP Suluan and BRP Cabra sail with Philippine Navy frigate BRP Miguel Malvar and USS Curtis Wilbur during a joint maritime activity in the South China Sea, July 16, 2025.

Muhammad Izzuddin Al Haq

Why ASEAN Can’t Secure the South China Sea Alone

South China Sea security cannot be handled by ASEAN alone or by external powers alone but it requires a coordinated, layered approach combining both.

25 March

Americas

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

US Army Demos Launched Effects From Apache in Warfighting Experiment

The US Army is boosting the lethality of its AH-64 Apache helicopters by integrating a next-gen capability in a recent warfighting experiment.

25 March

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

Poland PLargonia fixed-wing combat drone loaded on a green catapult launch system, highlighting Poland's push to field a domestically developed national UAV capability

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Poland Unveils ‘National Combat Drone’ Resembling Iranian Shahed

Poland is moving closer to fielding its own version of the Iranian Shaheds, with final preparations for official deployment now underway.

25 March

Americas

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

America’s Microwave Weapon Now Paired With Self-Driving Truck for Drone Defense

Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Kodiak AI are bringing autonomy and high-power microwave effects together in a mobile system designed to counter evolving drone threats.

25 March

Europe

Christine Casimiro

Volkswagen Eyes Production Shift From Cars to Parts for Israel’s Iron Dome

German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen is reportedly planning to shift one of its factories from producing cars to manufacturing components for Israel’s Iron Dome.

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