Iran war is not delaying US weapons shipments to Taiwan, officials say

The Iran war has not delayed shipments of weapons to Taiwan, Trump administration officials said Tuesday, despite the demands of the intense air campaign.
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https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/03/17/iran-war-is-not-delaying-us-weapons-shipments-to-taiwan-officials-say/

Golden Dome’s projected cost just jumped $10 billion. Experts fear that’s just for starters.

Three prime contractors have been named to build the project's command and control layer.
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https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/03/golden-domes-projected-cost-just-jumped-10-billion-experts-fear-s-just-starters/412179/

US Navy taps Gecko Robotics to help remedy maintenance headaches

Gecko deploys AI and robotics on 18 ships assigned to the Navy’s U.S. Pacific Fleet
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https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/03/17/us-navy-taps-gecko-robotics-to-help-remedy-maintenance-headaches/

Patriot air defense interception is costly: Here’s how it works

The system has become a key tool for protecting bases and infrastructure from aerial attacks, but at a high cost.
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https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/03/17/patriot-air-defense-interception-is-costly-heres-how-it-works/

European allies tell Trump ‘nein,’ ‘non’ and ‘no’ on help to force open Hormuz Strait

Trump in recent days explicitly linked U.S. involvement in NATO and support to Ukraine to efforts by allies to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.
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https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2026/03/17/european-allies-tell-trump-nein-non-and-no-on-help-to-force-open-hormuz-strait/

US counterterrorism chief resigns over Iran war

Joe Kent said Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation” and that the attack was launched after pressure from Israel.
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https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/03/counterterrorism-center-head-resigns-over-iran-war/412171/

Russian analysis compares tank cost to FPV drone swarms

A Russian-affiliated analytical channel has published a cost comparison showing how many heavy FPV drones could be purchased for the price of key armored vehicles, highlighting the growing role of low-cost strike systems in modern combat. According to the published data, the analysis is based on an estimated unit cost of about $1,200 per h…
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https://defence-blog.com/russian-analysis-compares-tank-cost-to-fpv-drone-swarms/

Rheinmetall tests truck-mounted mortar system in Norway

German defense conglomerate Rheinmetall conducted a live-fire demonstration of its 120mm Ragnarok mortar system and a new Mortar Mission Module during a multinational event in Norway, the company said, showcasing the system under Arctic conditions. The demonstration comes as European militaries seek mobile, rapidly deployable indirect fire…
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https://defence-blog.com/rheinmetall-tests-truck-mounted-mortar-system-in-norway/

Russia confirms Ukrainian drones can reach Ural region

Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said during an off-site meeting in Yekaterinburg that Ukrainian long-range drones now pose a direct threat to regions deep inside Russia, including the Ural industrial area. The statement reflects growing concern within Russia over the expanding range and effectiveness of Ukrainian strike cap…
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https://defence-blog.com/russia-confirms-ukrainian-drones-can-reach-ural-region/

Ukraine develops new ISR drones with German electronic systems

Ukraine’s Pegasus Arms has signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany’s Rohde & Schwarz to jointly develop new airborne reconnaissance and electronic support systems for military drones, the companies announced. According to the companies, the partnership will combine Pegasus Arms’ drone platforms with Rohde & Schwarz …
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https://defence-blog.com/ukraine-develops-new-isr-drones-with-german-electronic-systems/