The Sultan’s Armed Forces, the official name of the armed forces of Oman, have procured laser weapons as part of the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation SkyShield system, with photos published by Al Badr Transport LLC showing several mobile laser systems in the country in desert camouflage. The SkyShield systems combines radar and optical sensors for detection and tracking with both electronic warfare and laser-based weapons, and is built around a layered defence concept integrating both “soft kill” and “hard kill” options within a single battery.

Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Alexander Moiseyev has confirmed plans to construct two additional Lada class diesel-electric attack submarines, with these intended to be laid down at the JSC Admiralty Shipyards in 2026. “We have commissioned another vessel, and two more are at various stages of construction. Contracts have already been signed under the current state defence order for two more [Lada class ships]. And I think we will be participating in the keel-laying ceremony of these vessels very soon, early next year.

The Army is on the hunt for a new, large drone it hopes to equip its first unit with by fiscal 2028, according to government contracting documents and a service official, an ambitious effort that may replace a more than decade-old platform.
The Army posted a request for information on Friday outlining half a dozen “desired characteristics” for a short/vertical takeoff and landing (S/VTOL) drone.

One of World War II’s legendary figures, Gen. George S. Patton, loomed large in the war’s narrative for many reasons.
While no one would accuse the great general of being humble or unassuming, his ego and pride are well-deserved, to the betterment of mankind and the Allied cause. Patton, with his ivory-handled revolvers and propensity to quote the Hindu scripture of “The Bhagavad Gita,” was as eccentric in life as he was effective in combat. No example of this was more telling than his belief in reincarnation and his own numerous past lives.

If you spent 2025 watching the news, you probably need a drink (go ahead, we’ll wait, you deserve it). Between the political BS and the ouroborous of “breaking news” that wasn’t actually breaking anything except our patience, it was easy to miss the stuff that actually mattered.
But while the rest of the country was doomscrolling through another argument with country-sponsored bots, there were our veterans and those currently serving, in the mud, the water, and the labs, doing what they do best: helping others.

All medical shaving waivers issued to airmen and Space Force guardians before March will be invalidated at the end of January 2026, according to a new policy released by the service’s Surgeon General. 
The move does not apply to religious waivers, a Dec. 15 memo from the surgeon general says. The memo appeared on social media on Monday.
“Airmen and guardians who have medical shaving profiles issued prior to March 1, 2025, should schedule an appointment with a military health care provider for further evaluation before the January deadline,” an Air Force news release says.

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The Navy is delving into the issue of whether to privatize some of its shore-based dining facilities while considering how such a move might disadvantage the service’s cooks, according to the Navy’s top enlisted sailor. 
In a Dec. 11 interview, Task & Purpose asked Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman if the Navy will continue to have sailors operate its dining facilities, known as galleys, or privatize them.
“I think that’s an open question,”  Perryman said. “I think we’re trying to work our way through, which is the best way to do that.

A new Desert Shield and Desert Storm memorial i

On Dec. 4, the Trump administration released a new National Security Strategy. The strategy strikes a notably different tone than previous national security strategies — including the 2017 strategy released during President Donald Trump’s first term, though both the 2017 and 2025 strategies emphasize “America First” and related themes. The purpose and value of developing and publishing a national security strategy is debatable, but these documents provide useful insights into how a particular administration views the world and U.S. interests.

Russian Shahed drones have attacked ships in th

The UK’s sons and daughters need to be pr

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Many creatures have served beside American warriors, from the nation’s earliest conflicts to the modern battlefield. Their roles have changed across the centuries as new technologies, landscapes, and missions emerged, but their loyalty and impact remain constant.
Related: American sailors enlisted a cat aboard a battleship during World War II
Some carried soldiers into battle, others delivered lifesaving messages through gunfire, and many served as watchful guardians, mine detectors, trackers, and silent scouts.

The UK will not look to reopen negotiations to join Europe’s SAFE defence funding programme in 2026, it can be revealed.

President Donald Trump has nominated Gen. John Lamontagne to serve as the next vice chief of staff of the Air Force, according to a notice posted to Congress.gov. 
Lamontagne is currently the commander of Air Mobility Command — the service’s component to U.S. Transportation Command responsible for airlift, aerial refueling and other airborne logistics operations. Prior to taking the helm of AMC in 2024, Lamontagne served as the deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa and as chief of staff for U.S. European Command.

KNDS and Leonardo signed a letter of intent to build a mobile artillery platform intended to fill a gap in the Italian Army fleet.

Built for Pressure, Not Comfort | Military Moti

In the early years of nuclear development, as atomic bombs and nuclear power made their way into the American military arsenal, companies in the defense industry sometimes got weird with them.
They developed nuclear air-to-air missiles, portable nuclear launch devices, tried to create nuclear death clouds in the atmosphere and nukes small enough for Special Forces soldiers to parachute with. They even considered nuclear-powered bases on the Moon that would be able to repel enemy spacecraft.

Germany has expanded its procurement of H145M light combat helicopters by acquiring 20 additional units from Airbus.

European defence contractor KNDS has named Nicolas Groult as CEO of KNDS France, with his tenure scheduled to begin on 5 January 2026.

Every December, the History Channel hits the spam button on the Battle of the Bulge. You know the script by heart (because it is, objectively, awesome): McAuliffe said “Nuts,” Patton drove really fast, and the 101st Airborne froze in foxholes while waiting for the weather to clear.
But the Bulge wasn’t just a story of paratroopers and tanks. It was an unpredictable, desperate, and technologically experimental battlefield that probably looked more like sci-fi than the World War II movies you grew up on.

Dipl.
Taliban officials admit that at least half of the stockpile is now “unaccounted for.” Many of those weapons ended up with militant groups operating across Afghanistan’s borders.

R.

Gary Warner, Stars and Stripes
For the 30th time in half a century, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is coming home.

IntEng
Previous Pentagon disclosures had put Dark Eagle’s range at a minimum of 1,725 miles.

Jan Tegler, National Defense Magazine
A Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency X-plane employing bursts of air to initiate climbs, turns and descents rather than traditional flight…

The Chengdu Aircraft Corporation has for the first time been confirmed to have flown its two known very heavy ultra long range sixth generation fighter flight prototypes in formation, as the program approaches one year since its unveiling to the world. The first prototype was unveiled on December 26, 2024, making it the first fighter of its generation confirmed to be in flight testing worldwide. This was followed hours later by the release of footage of a lighter sixth generation fighter prototype developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence plan to increase the production of ‘Horoshok’ anti-drone ammunition to 400,000 rounds per month.

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U.S. Army has confirmed plans to develop a new variant of the MIM-104 Patriot long range surface-to-air missile system, which appears intended to address many of the system’s shortcomings that became clear during its recent deployments by the Ukrainian Army.Details regarding the new variant, which appears poised to be the most revolutionary since the Patriot first entered service in 1981, were provided Product Manager for Lower Tier Interceptors Army Lieutenant Colonel Steven Moebes, who discussed its planned capabilities with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Since the release of the U.S. 28-point draft peace plan in late November, many officials and observers have suggested that a ceasefire in Ukraine may be on the horizon. Undergirding this view is a growing consensus that Ukraine is losing the war as its troops cede territory and its economy and political order come under increasing strain. Indeed, as the war approaches its fourth year, Kyiv faces mounting attacks on critical infrastructure, recruiting challenges, and a corruption scandal that already forced the resignation of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff.

there is danger in simplicity

Today, let’s pick up where we left off yesterday and return to a discussion of the Western Pacific.
More often than not, things devolve into a discussion of island chains. They are easy to draw and explain—and the First and Second Island Chains have become an expected understanding of the geography of the area.

The U.S. Navy supercarrier USS Gerald Ford and its strike group have repositioned to approximately around 600 kilometres south-southwest of Puerto Rico, placing them within much closer proximity to Venezuela, amid speculation that Washington could initiate attacks on its southern neighbour. Hours after the ships were repositioned, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the initiation of U.S. ground operations targeting transnational drug cartels operating from within Venezuelan territory.

New footage has confirmed that an entirely new type of Chinese medium weight military transport aircraft, the Y-30, has conducted its first flight on December 16. The aircraft is widely reported by Chinese sources to have been developed to fill a gap between the lighter Y-9, which is also a turboprop aircraft, and the heavier jet powered Y-20 which is currently the world’s largest transport in production worldwide.

The South Korean K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer has emerged as a frontrunner for the Swedish Defence Ministry’s selection of a new artillery system to modernise its ground force capabilities.Swedish defence planners studying options for acquiring tracked self-propelled artillery are expected to select the system to complement the indigenous Archer wheeled 155mm howitzer, providing an ability to operate in deep snow and other difficult terrain in ways the Archer cannot.

Following the Pentagon’s provision of new insight into how the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is expected to utilise its missile, anti-space and cyber assets to engage and destroy the most advanced U.S. Navy carrier groups, the capabilities of China’s most advanced anti-ship ballistic missile assets have gained growing attention from analysts. The leaked Overmatch Brief concluded based on simulations of multiple engagement scenarios that Chinese forces could, under a wide range of scenarios, successfully sink the Navy’s newest Gerald Ford class supercarriers and their strike groups.

The U.S. Army has announced that a new variant of the MIM-104 Patriot long range surface-to-air missile system will be able to engage targets that are not directly in front of its launchers, with the lack of such a capability having previously been a leading shortcoming of the system compared to its rivals developed abroad. This capability will be facilitated by the development of both new launchers and new missiles, allowing threats behind a system to be fired on, including ballistic or cruise missiles which have already passed overhead.

The father of our country was famous for his moderation, but when he did imbibe, he made sure his drink packed the punch of a Brown Bess. Not only did Washington keep a healthy supply of imported Madeira, but he also distilled his own distinctive rye whiskey, and the Commander-in-Chief always made sure his troops were well-lubricated when on the march.
Related: George Washington spent thousands on alcohol in a single (crazy) night
The most potent weapon in his cellar came only once a year, and the general’s eggnog made its presence felt.
“I cannot tell a lie, I’m totally wrecked.

As the Navy’s new Rapid Capabilities Office hustles to identify and field urgently-needed technologies at a speedier pace than ever before, senior leaders recognize how the plans have potential to introduce or magnify security, operational and ethical risks that can accompany experimental acceleration.
“I actually think we have to be more disciplined,” Vice Adm. Seiko Okano told DefenseScoop last week.

In the midst of the Great Depression and rising political tension, President Franklin D. Roosevelt found an unexpected and unforgettable way to lighten the national mood and cleverly poke fun at his critics.
Related: FDR’s home away from home was the ‘Little White House’ in Georgia
On January 30, 1934, the White House transformed into a lively, theatrical scene from ancient Rome as FDR celebrated his 52nd birthday with a private toga-themed party unlike anything the executive mansion had ever witnessed.

A moving candlelit ceremony remembering those w

Finnish and Swedish fighter jets displayed spec

Spending Christmas apart is tough. Period. This is why a holiday care package is a must. There is nothing like spreading holiday cheer to your service member in a perfectly curated box just for them. Care packages are a lifeline, bringing comfort and reminders of home. Creating a care package goes beyond just putting things in a box. It is time, presence, tradition, support, and, of course, love that go into all the steps to make it all happen.

The Defense Department is moving with urgency to achieve an all-out transformation of its acquisition system. Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed leaders to reward outcomes over process and accelerate delivery of capabilities to the warfighter. That push aligns with reforms included in the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), creating a rare moment of unity to revitalize and streamline how the department equips the force.
Delivering on that vision requires an equally modern approach to the acquisition workforce through investment in talent development.

Could this be the only Multiple Launch Rocket S

A new Desert Shield and Desert Storm memorial i

If the Global War on Terror was a long, hot trudge through the desert in an air-conditioned MRAP, a potential conflict in Venezuela would be a knife fight in a YMCA sauna, if the sauna were filled with sewage and swarming with malaria, drones, bugs that poop in your mouth, cartel-funded soldiers of fortune, grandmothers giving up your position, and Russian-trained militias.
For the last 20 years, we’ve conditioned an entire generation of warfighters to rely on three things: air superiority, clear comms, and the “Golden Hour” for MEDEVAC.

The Army shared the names of the Iowa National Guardsmen killed this weekend in Syria, identifying them as Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29 and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25.
Both were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division of the Iowa National Guard, Boone, Iowa, an Army news release said.
Tovar, of Des Moines and Howard, of Marshalltown, died on Saturday in Palmyra, Syria, from “injuries sustained while engaged with hostile forces,” the news release says. The incident is currently under investigation.

We broke down why the Army is cutting hundreds