Sweden has approved more than SEK 4 billion, about $440 million, to rapidly acquire a new family of unmanned combat and support systems for the Swedish Armed Forces, with deliveries scheduled from 2026 through 2028. The move prioritizes immediate battlefield capability, signaling a shift away from slow modernization cycles toward accelerated force readiness. A statement published by the Government Offices of Sweden on 12 January 2026 indicates that Stockholm approved more than SEK 4 billion, roughly $440 million, to rapidly acquire a new family of unmanned military systems for the Swedish Armed Forces, with deliveries planned between 2026 and 2028. The package spans loitering munitions, reconnaissance drones, unmanned airborne electronic warfare capabilities, and unmanned vehicles for multiple marine missions, reflecting a deliberate effort to strengthen combat units through accelerated capability delivery rather than gradual modernization. The political framing behind the decision is unusually explicit. Defence Minister Pål Jonson directly links the investment to battlefield lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine, describing drone warfare as no longer auxiliary but central to modern combat. He argues that unmanned systems and space-based surveillance are now essential for force resilience, rapid decision-making, and effective cooperation with Allies, a message aligned with Sweden’s evolving role inside NATO and the tightening security environment in the Baltic region. Loitering munitions stand out as the most urgent element of the investment. The Government acknowledges that this capability is being advanced by five to six years compared to earlier plans, a clear indication that existing procurement timelines no longer match operational realities. For Swedish ground forces, loitering munitions offer more than an additional strike option. They provide a means to collapse the sensor-to-shooter chain, engage time-sensitive targets, suppress enemy air defenses and emitters, and impose constant pressure across wide operational areas where conventional fires alone may be too slow or too exposed.

A Syrian official claims that the Turkish government is considering selling Bayraktar TB2 drones to Syria, a report that remains unconfirmed but may signal shifting bilateral relations. According to Syria Retold Daily on January 11, 2026, a senior Syrian military official claimed the Turkish government is considering the sale of Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles to the Syrian Arab Army, though no procurement step or public interest has been confirmed to date. If accurate, the information would indicate a possible shift in the relations between the two countries, as Türkiye and the Syrian transitional authorities signed a memorandum of understanding in August 2025 that formalized Ankara’s military support. Following the fall of Assad, Türkiye signed a formal military cooperation agreement with the new Syrian authorities in August 2025 that covers training, logistics, advisory support, and the supply of selected military equipment, including drones, marking a clear break from the hostile relationship that existed during the Assad era. Under this framework, Syrian soldiers have begun training in Turkish military facilities, Syrian cadets have been admitted to Turkish military academies across land, air, and naval tracks, and Turkish officers have provided institutional guidance on command structures, logistics, and force organization. The agreement also foresees the delivery of weapons systems and equipment, including armored vehicles and support assets, making Ankara the most influential external partner in the rebuilding of Syria’s armed forces, although quantities and timelines remain undisclosed. The Syrian Arab Armed Forces today remain large on paper but uneven in real capability after more than a decade of war and division. Manpower is still estimated in the low hundreds of thousands when regular units, reserves, and affiliated formations are combined, but readiness differs widely by unit and region. Ground forces remain the core of the military forces, relying mainly on old Soviet tanks such as the T-55, T-62, and T-72, BMP infantry fighting vehicles, and a broad mix of towed and self-propelled artillery. Air force capabilities persist, but with reduced aircraft availability, limited pilot training cycles, and constrained maintenance capacity. Air defense forces retain legacy systems, though coverage and effectiveness differ by area. As a result, overall strength is inconsistent and closely tied to logistics and local conditions.

Egypt is continuing negotiations with Saab over a potential acquisition of the GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft to replace its aging E-2C Hawkeye fleet. On January 8, 2026, Tactical Report noted that Egypt is continuing negotiations with Saab over a potential acquisition of the GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to replace its aging E-2C Hawkeye fleet, following exploratory talks that began in mid-2025. The assessment reflects broader efforts to sustain airborne early warning coverage amid aging platforms and expanding air and maritime surveillance requirements. Egypt continues the negotiations with Saab regarding a possible acquisition of the GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, as part of an effort to replace the Egyptian Air Force’s aging U.S.-made E-2C Hawkeye. The talks originated during contacts at the Paris Air Show in late June 2025, where an Egyptian military delegation examined Saab’s airborne surveillance systems and subsequently pursued follow-on exchanges. These contacts evolved into a government-to-government scoping phase overseen by the Egyptian Armed Forces Armament Authority in coordination with the Egyptian Air Force command. As of early January 2026, no contract signature, aircraft quantity, delivery schedule, or finalized financial arrangement had been announced, although some regional reporting has referred to a potential interest in a limited number of aircraft.

The UK has launched Project Nightfall, a program to develop new ground-launched tactical ballistic missiles for Ukraine aimed at enhancing long-range strike capabilities against Russian forces. The missiles are designed to carry a 200-kilogram (440-pound) high-explosive warhead and strike targets at ranges exceeding 500 kilometers (310 miles), even in high-threat environments with intense electronic jamming and electromagnetic interference. Nightfall will be mobile and highly flexible, able to launch from multiple vehicle types, fire several missiles in rapid succession, and redeploy within minutes, allowing Ukrainian forces to strike key targets before Russian units can respond, the UK Ministry of Defence said. The program targets rapid prototyping and scalable production, with an initial goal of 10 systems per month and a maximum unit price of 800,000 pounds ($1.07 million) per missile. The initiative extends ongoing allied aid to Ukraine, such as deep-strike drones, and will contribute to defining the armed forces’ future long-range strike capability needs. Three industry teams will each be awarded a 9-million-pound ($12.1 million) development contract to design, develop, and deliver the first three missiles within 12 months for initial test firing. Detailed requirements were shared with select industry partners last month, and development proposals are due by February 9. Contracts are expected to be awarded in March. London’s Support for Kyiv The UK is one of Ukraine’s most significant military supporters, having pledged billions of pounds in assistance since the start of the war in 2022. London has committed to provide 3 billion pounds ($4 billion) in annual support for Kyiv “for as long as it takes,” in addition to financial instruments and defense cooperation initiatives. Beyond financial and military aid, the two countries have begun cooperating on joint defense production and technology development, including projects focused on drone manufacturing.

The Croatian Navy plans to procure two corvettes at an estimated cost of between 660 million euros ($768 million) and 1.6 billion euros ($1.86 billion). Once acquired, the warships will be the largest vessels in the navy’s fleet, which currently consists of five missile boats and six patrol vessels. The Croatian Ministry of Defence is in discussions with up to 12 shipyards from eight countries that have met the preliminary requirements to build the vessels, according to Croatian news outlet Jutarnji. Likely Contenders The shortlisted shipyards are from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea, Turkey (two shipyards), Spain, and the US. Likely contenders include Italy’s Fincantieri, the Netherlands’ Damen, Germany’s Lürssen, and South Korea’s Hyundai. Among the proposed designs, Turkey’s low-cost MİLGEM ADA-class corvette and South Korea’s larger, heavier light frigate stand out, alongside France’s Gowind, Germany’s K-130, Italy’s EPC and Al Zubarah, the Netherlands’ Sigma, Spain’s Avante 2200, and the US Littoral Combat Ship. The vessels would displace between 1,000 and 3,500 tons and measure roughly 80 to 120 meters (262 to 394 feet) in length, with multiple configuration options.

On January 10, 2026, Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations said Iraq formally expressed interest in acquiring the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet during senior-level air force talks held in Baghdad. On January 10, 2026, Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Iraq formally expressed interest in acquiring the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet during meetings between the Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff and Iraqi Air Force Commander in Baghdad. The discussions linked any potential JF-17 acquisition to pilot training, maintenance support, and institutional cooperation as Iraq seeks to diversify its combat aircraft fleet beyond the F-16IQ. Iraq formally expressed interest in acquiring Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet during senior-level air force talks held in Baghdad, following Libya, Bangladesh, and Saudi Arabia in this path. The signal was delivered during an official visit by Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, who met Lieutenant General Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, at Iraqi Air Force Headquarters. The visit included a Guard of Honour and focused on operational cooperation, training, and capacity building, but the JF-17 emerged as the principal platform of interest. During the meeting, the Pakistani delegation emphasized long-standing religious, cultural, and historical ties between Pakistan and Iraq as a foundation for expanded military cooperation, indicating that any future acquisition would be tied to sustained cooperation rather than a stand-alone purchase. Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to support the Iraqi Air Force in training and institutional development, including pilot instruction and professional exchanges. Both commanders agreed to pursue joint exercises and structured training initiatives aimed at improving operational coordination and shared procedures. For its part, Lieutenant General Al-Asadi expressed an explicit interest in both the JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter jet and the Super Mushshak basic trainer aircraft. He also conveyed interest in benefiting from Pakistan Air Force training systems and institutional experience.

Germany’s move to buy Israel Aerospace Industries’ Arrow missile defence system became public in mid-2023 with approval from the US government shortly after. The first operational system is expected to be in service before 2030. Germany has expanded its deal with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for Arrow Weapon System (AWS) missile defence systems, only a month after the country deployed the system.   The new US$3.1 billion contract brings the total value of the procurement to $6.5 billion and follows the Israel Ministry of Defence’s (IMoD) announcement on 17 December of the signing of an agreement with the German government pre-empting the deal. These two milestones came after the IMoD handed over the first operational Arrow 3 system to the German Army on 3 December although there is still some work to be done before it becomes operational. IAI is prime contractor for the system’s radar, interceptors and detection systems, with Elbit Systems providing the C2 system. Tomer, a government-owned company, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems are key subcontractors for the development and production of the Arrow-3 interceptor. It is jointly developed and produced by the IMoD’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development and the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the latter being notable as that country begins to pursue the creation of its own missile defence system. Germany already has lower-level protection through systems such as MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile systems but AWS will provide exo-atmospheric protection against intercontinental ballistic missiles, specifically from an adversary such as Russia or further away. In Israeli service it operates alongside the medium-range David’s Sling and short-range Iron Dome protection systems which work against rockets and missiles.

Bangladesh and Pakistan opened formal air force-level talks in Islamabad on January 6, 2026, examining the possible acquisition of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets alongside training and maintenance cooperation. On January 6, 2026, Bangladesh and Pakistan formally opened high-level talks in Islamabad that included detailed discussions on a possible Bangladeshi procurement of the JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jet. The meeting involved the chiefs of air staff of both countries and covered aircraft acquisition, training cooperation, and sustainment support, as Bangladesh reviews options to replace aging combat aircraft under its long-term air force modernization plan. The meeting brought together Bangladesh Air Force Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Pakistan Air Force Headquarters, combining ceremonial protocol such as a guard of honour with substantive exchanges on operational cooperation. Beyond aircraft acquisition, the talks addressed training pipelines, long-term sustainment, and institutional cooperation, reflecting Dhaka’s continuing reassessment of its air combat modernization options amid evolving regional and political conditions.   During the meeting, both air chiefs focused on strengthening operational cooperation and institutional synergy, with an emphasis on training, capacity building, and aerospace collaboration. Pakistan reaffirmed its willingness to support the Bangladesh Air Force through a comprehensive training framework covering basic, advanced, and specialized flying courses across Pakistan Air Force institutions. A key element of the discussion involved assurances related to fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, coupled with a broader training and long-term support ecosystem intended to ensure continuity in pilot training and aircraft availability. The Bangladeshi side also sought assistance in maintenance support for its aging fleet and in the integration of air defense radar systems to improve national air surveillance coverage.

The Brazilian government approved the sum of 142 billion reais (approximately 26,319 million dollars) for the budget allocation foreseen by the Ministry of Defense in the General Budget of the Union for the year 2026, approved by the National Congress with a long delay. This value places the portfolio as the fourth with the highest budget allocation among the ministries of the Executive Branch. For the 2025 fiscal year, the value allocated to the Ministry of Defense was R$133.6 billion.   The defence budget is mostly made up of mandatory expenditures, such as salaries and pensions, and has been the subject of recent discussions in Congress on the need to guarantee a minimum annual budget for the sector, equivalent to 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In fact, a recently approved proposal will allow, as of 2026, up to R$5 billion for strategic defense projects to be left out of the fiscal target, with the aim of guaranteeing investments in the area and the continuity of deliveries of the Strategic Projects of the Navy, the Army and the Air Force. This measure, valid for five years (until 2030), aims to allow greater investments in strategic projects without affecting the fiscal surplus goal. The Army's expectation, for example, is to go from a budget that has ranged between R$1.2 billion and R$1.4 billion per year, within the framework of the PAC (Growth Acceleration Program), to an annual volume of R$3 billion in the period between 2026 and 2031.

On January 6, 2026, the LinkedIn account U.S. Army - Speed to Delivery published what is possibly the first images of the M1E3 early tank prototype delivered by General Dynamics Land Systems (GLDS) to the U.S. Army in December 2025. On January 6, 2026, the LinkedIn account U.S. Army - Speed to Delivery published what is possibly the first images of the M1E3 early tank prototype delivered by General Dynamics Land Systems (GLDS) to the U.S. Army in December 2025. The prototype is more of a technology demonstrator rather than a finalized vehicle, with testing scheduled to begin in early 2026 and a public display planned at the Detroit Auto Show shortly afterward. Visible features include what appears to be a redesigned turret, a camera linked to a distributed vision system, new LED lights, and additional sensors that may support autonomous or assisted driving functions The limited imagery of the M1E3 early prototype (produced by the Roush company) suggests a turret that may be based on the M1A1, while appearing to have a slightly lower profile and a prominent sensor window to the left of the mantlet that is not present on earlier Abrams variants. The main gun appears externally consistent with the 120 mm M256 smoothbore used on current Abrams tanks, even as the U.S. Army has left open the possibility of examining alternative calibers or gun architectures later in development. The Army has confirmed its intent to integrate an autoloader, enabling a reduction in crew size from four to three and supporting a reorganization of internal volume. The U.S. Army has also indicated that future armament options could include the ability to deploy loitering munitions, while acknowledging that autoloader development remains a technically demanding element that could influence schedules and configuration choices. However, the U.S. Army already developed the MEGGITT autoloader in 1996, a fully automatic system capable of storing around 34 ready 120 mm rounds in a compact magazine behind the gun and loading them at rates between 10 and 12 rounds per minute. More substantial changes appear in the M1E3's hull design, as the prototype shows two prominent forward hatches instead of the traditional single driver hatch, suggesting a revised crew seating arrangement with positions moved forward and potentially placed side by side. Visible features include what appears to be a camera linked to a distributed vision system, new LED lights, and additional sensors that may support autonomous or assisted driving functions. Observers have also noted indications that fuel tanks traditionally positioned near the driver may have been relocated or removed, aligning with broader efforts to improve survivability, internal volume management, and ergonomics. These changes contrast sharply with existing Abrams variants, whose rear sections are dominated by the gas turbine powerpack and whose crews are largely concentrated in the turret.