Japan's latest defence white paper emphasizes asymmetric capabilities, including drones and AI, to counter China, drawing lessons from Ukraine's conflict, indicating a strategic shift towards exploiting vulnerabilities through innovation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced major military leadership changes, appointing Colonel General Andrey Ivanayev to head battlegroup Center and Lieutenant General Pyotr Bolgarev to lead battlegroup East.
Russia's Navy is developing a cutting-edge, large-displacement unmanned vessel to detect submarines and underwater objects, marking the first of its kind under the state armament program.
Russia reports liberating two Ukrainian communities, over 500 casualties inflicted on Ukrainian troops, and destruction of three armored vehicles. Meanwhile, Iran considers responses to a sailor's killing, and the US acknowledges over 600 service members injured since February in the Iran operation.
Russian forces conducted a group strike on a facility near Kiev, targeting a site where drones used in attacks on Russian civilian targets were demonstrated. The Russian Defense Ministry stated drone developers and Ukrainian special services were present, while Ukrainian officials opened a criminal case and denied responsibility, stating it was a private event.
Ukrainian forces have intensified strikes on civilian transport, including passenger buses, in the Zaporozhye Region, according to Oleg Murachev, the region’s deputy regional security minister. He claims the Kiev regime and its Western handlers view these as legitimate targets, with several incidents involving AI-powered drones causing damage but no reported casualties.
Hero of Russia Yevgeny Poddubny states that the upcoming battle for the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration will determine the fate of Donbass, predicting heavy fighting as Ukraine amasses forces and utilizes advanced weaponry.
Russian and Chinese naval forces conducted live-fire exercises in the Yellow Sea as part of the Joint Sea 2026 drills. Warships practiced repelling simulated attacks by unmanned aerial drones and surface vessels, utilizing artillery, machine guns, and electronic warfare systems.
Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian shadow tankers supplying Crimea and refineries deep within Russia, including the Omsk refinery. These strikes aim to worsen an energy crisis on the peninsula and deny Russia fuel and export revenue, with significant damage reported to Russia's refining capacity.
Defense sector investors should reconsider valuations due to evolving warfare and AI, according to Panmure Liberum strategist Joachim Klement. He notes a shift from legacy platforms to AI-enabled systems and drones, suggesting defense companies may need to be valued like tech firms.
The Russia-China Joint Sea 2026 exercise, held in the Yellow Sea from July 6-13, will focus on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and naval drones, with a specific scenario dedicated to fighting these systems. The drills will also cover joint maneuvering, artillery firings, anti-submarine warfare, and rescue operations.
Taiwan's KMT party rejected the government's drone program funding proposal, instead submitting its own NT$240 billion budget over six years through the regular annual budget, differing from the cabinet's NT$210 billion special budget plan.
India and Russia are developing smaller and hypersonic versions of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. These new variants aim to enhance the Indian armed forces' strike capabilities, with a focus on lighter designs, increased speed, and advanced targeting systems.
Russia's Unmanned Systems Group has started delivering upgraded Supercam S350 reconnaissance drones to Belarus. The deliveries include versions with mobile control posts mounted on pickup trucks, indicating significant interest from Belarusian security and defense agencies.
Ukraine launched long-range missile and drone attacks deep inside Russia, hitting a military factory in Cheboksary and oil refineries in Samara and Vladimir regions. President Zelenskyy declared a new 'Day of the Unmanned Systems Forces'. Meanwhile, Russia reported arrests in Moscow car bombings and continued attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea ports.
A Russian Ministry of Defense report indicates a growing interest among university students in joining the unmanned systems forces, which operate drones and military robots. Young men are voluntarily enlisting in this new branch of the military.
A Russian military unit claims to have destroyed approximately 600 Ukrainian 'Baba Yaga' heavy hexacopters using unmanned systems. The 114th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade's unit stated their efforts support offensive operations and counter enemy drones.
China's PLA is distributing new unmanned and intelligent weapons, but faces challenges in technical expertise for effective operation and integration, risking reduced combat effectiveness.
South Korea’s military is exploring a strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor to potentially deploy robotics to the front lines as Seoul accelerates investment in AI-powered, unmanned systems to tackle a deepening troop shortage. The defence ministry said it was discussing cooperation with Hyundai as part of efforts to respond to changes in the battlefield environment and develop a “hi-tech, science-driven force”, though specific details have yet to be finalised. The Korea Economic Daily first...
The Moscow Military District's Counter-UAV Training Center has successfully trained over 1,000 specialists in drone operations, maintenance, and repair since its inception to support Russian military units.
Unmanned systems troops destroyed six Starlink terminals and four ground robotic systems
Spokesperson for the Unmanned Systems Group Yekaterina Zgirovskaya noted that the Supercam S350 is resistant to adverse weather conditions, high humidity, and high temperatures
Russia’s Unmanned Systems Group has expressed readiness to localize the production of its Supercam drones in Malaysia, aiming to support the country's national drone technology plan and provide cost-effective solutions for border and maritime security.
