Spanish army's engineers' Material Park and Maintenance Centre (Pcmmi) have taken the first steps towards the development of homemade drones. The Army's Logistics Support Command (MALE) has taken advantage of a recent visit by the Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, to present the first versions: loitering ammunition, grenadier drone and anti-tank mine-dispersing drone. The three models on display have been developed within a project that seeks to demonstrate the ability to design and manufacture this type of drone with its own material resources and with the knowledge of the Army's polytechnic engineers.   The Army proposes that the three models developed for the moment can be reusable with a price from 500 euros (marauder), to 1,000 (grenadier) and 1,500 euros (disperser). In a second phase, it also contemplates incorporating GPS into each version.

According to information published by the Swiss Government on July 3, 2025, Switzerland has officially taken a decisive step in bolstering its national air defense capabilities by signing a programme agreement with Germany for the cooperative procurement of IRIS-T SLM medium-range ground-based air defense (GBAD MR) systems. The agreement, signed by Swiss Armaments Director Urs Loher and German National Armaments Director Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, is a cornerstone element within the framework of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The Swiss Federal Council had approved the agreement on June 20, 2025, clearing the way for future procurement contracts that will strengthen the country’s defensive posture through multinational cooperation and interoperability. Switzerland’s decision to join the cooperative ESSI (European Sky Shield Initiative) procurement effort enables it to benefit from economies of scale and shared technical standards with European partner nations, which enhances cost-efficiency and system integration. The procurement involves five IRIS-T SLM GBAD MR systems developed by the German defense firm Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG. With negotiations between armasuisse, the Swiss Federal Office for Defence Procurement, and the manufacturer nearing conclusion, the contract is expected to be signed during summer 2025. A guarantee credit of 660 million Swiss Francs was previously allocated to this acquisition in the 2024 armament programme, demonstrating Switzerland’s strategic commitment to modernizing its air defense network.

Egypt has acknowledged its deployment of the Chinese HQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missile system, confirming a procurement that had been subject to speculation since 2017. The announcement came from retired Major General Samir Farag during an interview on Sada El-Balad TV, where he stated that Egypt’s air defense network includes modern systems such as the HQ-9B, described as comparable to the Russian S-400. This follows earlier reports that Egypt was operating the system, including observations of logistical movements involving Egyptian Il-76MF aircraft returning from China via Pakistan in July 2025. The HQ-9B is now officially acknowledged as a component of Egypt’s multi-layered air defense system, which includes Russian, Western, and now Chinese assets. Mounted on Taian 8x8 trucks, the HQ-9B possesses a maximum engagement range of up to 260 kilometers, while its effective intercept altitude exceeds 27 kilometers. Security concerns in the region have also contributed to this procurement; tensions with Israel, especially over Gaza, Turkish interference in Syria and Libya, and long-standing memories of the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya have all shaped Egypt’s pursuit of independent air defense capabilities, especially given the HQ-9B’s purported ability to track stealth aircraft and intercept precision-guided munitions. The HQ-9B is also part of a broader reorientation toward Beijing, which also includes the acquisition of Wing Loong-1D drones and potential interest in Chinese-made stealth fighters. This trend allows Egypt to recalibrate its relations with traditional Western partners, possibly increasing its leverage to renegotiate access to restricted technologies while maintaining operational flexibility through non-Western platforms.

Saab announced a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the supply of the RBS 70 NG ground-based air defence system. The order includes missiles and equipment intended to support future integration into Saab’s Mobile Short-Range Air Defence (MSHORAD) platform. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027 and continue through 2028. According to FMV, the acquisition is intended to enhance the Swedish Armed Forces’ capacity to counter airborne threats and to guarantee long-term access to the necessary systems and components. The total value of the contract is approximately SEK 1.5 billion (roughly $157.842.399), and it was booked in Saab’s second-quarter 2025 financial results. The RBS 70 NG system is already in service with the Swedish military, and this order expands its deployment while including future vehicle-based integration components.

Australia said it’s a$2 billion ($1.3 billion) purchase of supersonic missiles from the United States underscores its commitment to defence spending, though Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has resisted U.S. calls to agree to a target of 3.5%. Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy on Thursday confirmed the purchase of AIM-120C-8 and AIM-120D-3 missiles, developed by American defence company Raytheon Technologies. They will be used by Australia's F/A-18 and F-35 fighter jets and a new army brigade focused on striking aerial targets up to 500 kilometres away, he added. Albanese, who is yet to meet President Donald Trump, has rebuffed a U.S. request to agree to lift long-term defence spending to 3.5% of gross domestic product. It's forecast to rise to 2.3% by 2033. Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who met with her U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio on Tuesday in Washington, said Australia took a "capability approach" and had already committed to the largest peacetime increase in defence funding. The sale of 400 missiles to Australia through the U.S. foreign military sales program was notified to the U.S. Congress in April. A further $2 billion proposed sale of U.S. electronic warfare systems and equipment for Australia's F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18 Growler fighter jets was notified in June.

Brazil has expressed interest in adopting the Indian-made Akash surface-to-air missile and Garuda self-propelled howitzer, according to local media. The move supports the South American government’s ongoing modernization of its armed forces and diversifies related equipment by partnering with international contractors. New Delhi verified that its foreign affairs ministry is now discussing the terms with Brasília for the potential sale. If approved, the acquisition will cover technology exchange, joint research, training, and co-production. Aside from the Akash and Garuda, India and Brazil will explore cooperation involving the development of battlefield communication systems, coastal surveillance capabilities, and new offshore patrol vessels. Both countries will also examine the feasibility of a joint sustainment operation for the French-designed Scorpène-class submarines employed under their respective maritime forces.

India is moving forward with the development and upcoming testing of the K-6 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), a new strategic missile system under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The existence of this missile was publicly acknowledged during a panel discussion at the Kerala Spacepark (KSPACE) foundation stone laying ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram. A former BrahMos Aerospace scientist stated that DRDO had already completed development of the K-5 SLBM and that the K-4 missile had entered service with the Indian Navy. The K-6, with a planned range of 8,000 kilometers and a speed of Mach 7.5, is being designed to enhance the sea-based leg of India's nuclear triad. The missile will arm the upcoming S5-class submarines, which are expected to surpass the Arihant-class in terms of size and missile capacity. These developments form part of India’s broader efforts to maintain a credible second-strike capability and support the “no first use” nuclear doctrine. The K-6 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is being developed by DRDO’s Advanced Naval Systems Laboratory (ANSL) in Hyderabad. It is a three-stage, solid-fuel missile that incorporates multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), which enable it to strike several targets in one launch. The missile exceeds 12 meters in length and over 2 meters in diameter, and it is designed to carry a payload of up to 3 tonnes. Its reported range of approximately 8,000 kilometers allows it to cover most of Asia and large parts of Europe and Africa when launched from secure patrol zones in the Indian Ocean. With a terminal reentry speed of Mach 7.5, equivalent to roughly 9,200 kilometers per hour, the missile reduces adversary response time and makes interception by missile defense systems more difficult. Its high velocity and trajectory characteristics increase the likelihood of penetrating multi-layered defenses and striking targets at intercontinental distances.

The Peruvian government, under President Dina Boluarte, has confirmed its decision to acquire 24 Gripen E/F fighter jets from Swedish manufacturer Saab, at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. The selection concludes a multi-year evaluation process involving various international manufacturers and marks the beginning of a two-phase procurement program to replace the aging fleets of Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 aircraft operated by the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP). The first phase will be financed by a $2 billion domestic loan from Banco de la Nación already included in the 2025 national budget, while the second phase, valued at $1.5 billion, is scheduled for 2026. The acquisition is part of the Ministry of Defense's long-term plan to restore and expand operational airpower capabilities, and it follows the approval of the 2025 Debt Law by the Peruvian Congress. The decree of national interest authorizing the purchase is expected to be signed in the coming days, and the Swedish Minister of Defense, Pål Jonson, is scheduled to arrive in Peru on July 10, 2025, for a bilateral meeting with his Peruvian counterpart, Walter Astudillo Chávez, in a visit expected to finalize the intergovernmental agreement for the acquisition of these 24 Gripen E fighter jets. The Swedish delegation’s presence is regarded as a key step toward sealing the $3.5 billion deal, following extensive technical and political consultations between Saab and Peruvian authorities. While Saab representatives have confirmed they will not participate in the meeting due to its state-to-state nature, the visit is considered critical for formalizing the terms of defense cooperation and confirming the structure of technology transfer and offset commitments included in the proposed agreement. Notably, two Gripen E fighters will reportedly be exhibited with the support of the Brazilian Air Force during this visit.

An image that surfaced online shows an M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle in Russia equipped with a Soviet-made 2A72 30-millimeter cannon, replacing its original Bushmaster M242 25-millimeter gun. The vehicle, seen in good condition, is presumed to be a Ukrainian Armed Forces platform captured by Russia. It’s unclear whether the 2A72 integration is intended for combat operations, military testing, or other applications, but similar unconventional alterations to armored vehicles have surfaced throughout Moscow’s now three-year invasion of Ukraine. Estimates say that Kyiv has more than 300 Bradleys in its inventory — all donated by the US government in response to Russia’s aggression. Last June, sources said that the war-torn country lost over 170 vehicles in the conflict, with some captured by Russian forces.

On June 30, 2025, the French Air and Space Force officially retired its last three KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft at Airbase 125 in Istres-Le Tubé, near Marseille. The event included a flyover by a KC-135 and the Patrouille de France. This retirement concludes 61 years of French KC-135 operations, which began in 1964. Alongside the withdrawal of the aircraft, the French aerial refueling squadron 4/31 “Sologne” was also inactivated. France is replacing the KC-135 fleet with the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), known in French service as Phénix. By mid-2025, 12 out of 15 ordered MRTTs had entered service. The 13th was delivered in parallel with the KC-135 retirement, and the final two are scheduled for delivery by 2028. The A330 MRTT will now carry out France’s aerial refueling and transport missions, including support for nuclear deterrence.