Arms • Page 36 of 368 • The Defense Post

Mar- 2026 -

26 March

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael deliver remarks to the press while touring multi-domain autonomous displays at the Pentagon, July 16, 2025.

Pentagon Orders More Missiles for Mideast War

Pentagon announced agreements with defense contractors to put missile production "on a wartime footing" as the Mideast war leads to rapid use of munition stocks.

25 March

A soldier standing on shallow waters is seen wearing a helmet and fatigues and holding a Steyr GL-40 grenade launcher. The weapon is a portable capability smaller than an automatic rifle. The background is the water's shores made up of light brown sand and rock.

Rojoef Manuel

Germany Begins Receiving Steyr GL-40 Grenade Launchers Under Expanded Order

The German Armed Forces has begun receiving the first batch of GL-40 grenade launchers from Austrian manufacturer Steyr Arms, following a new order that expands a 2024 contract.

25 March

Rojoef Manuel

Irish Aluminum Materials Plant Tied to Russia’s Military Supply Chain

An Irish alumina plant has been found to have ties to Russia’s defense supply chain despite operating within current EU rules, according to a cooperative review by the US-based Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and The Irish Times.

25 March

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)

Rojoef Manuel

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

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

L3Harris' VAMPIRE platform and its MX-10D camera system with a clear sunny background

Christine Casimiro

L3Harris Scales VAMPIRE Counter-Drone System Production

L3Harris has begun “high-volume production” of its VAMPIRE counter-drone system at its Huntsville, Alabama, facility.

25 March

Christine Casimiro

Italian Navy Test-Fires Aster 30 Missile From P432 Offshore Patrol Vessel

The Italian Navy has conducted a live-fire test of an MBDA-made Aster 30 missile from the Raimondo Montecuccoli (P432) multi-purpose offshore patrol vessel (OPV).

24 March

A US soldier is participating in a counter-drone training.

Rojoef Manuel

US Air Force Expands Push for Anti-UAS, Kamikaze Drone Tech

The US Air Force has issued three requests for information to industry covering unmanned aerial system detection, counter-UAS weapons, and offensive one-way attack drones.

24 March

Rojoef Manuel

Canada to Replace Aging C7, C8 Rifles With 65,000+ New Firearms

Ottawa has contracted Colt Canada to supply 65,402 assault rifles under the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle program, replacing the Canadian Armed Forces’ C7 and C8 systems after more than 35 years in service.

24 March