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ANNO 2025

 

 

Germany Begins Work on Arrow 3 Missile Defense System
Da defesemirror.com del 24 febbraio 2025

Israeli-built system aims for initial operational capability by 2025

Seminar on Arrow 3 for senior German military delegation on February 24, 2025 @Israel MoD

Arrow-3 missile @Israel MoD

Germany has started building infrastructure for the Arrow 3 missile defense system at Holzdorf Airbase, about 75 kilometers south of Berlin,aiming to achieve initial operational capability by 2025.

The system, developed by Israel in cooperation with the United States, is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes over 100 kilometers—beyond the Earth's atmosphere. A spokesman for Germany’s military procurement agency said full operational readiness is expected by 2030,
asper Israeli media.

The Arrow 3 system is part of Germany’s effort to rebuild its air defense capabilities, which were reduced after the Cold War. It will address gapsin defending against long-range missile threats. Construction at Holzdorf Airbase is scheduled for completion by 2028, while planning foradditional bases in northern and southern Germany is ongoing.

Israel’s defense ministry confirmed that a seminar on the Arrow 3system was held on February 24 for a German military delegation led by General Lutz Kohlhaus, the Deputy Commander of the German Air Force.

Germany’s investment in the Arrow 3 system is part of the European Sky Shield Initiative, launched in response to security concerns after Russia’sinvasion of Ukraine. The Bundestag approved the agreement in June 2023.

The deal, valued at over $3.5 billion, received approval from theUnited States in August 2023 and is the largest defense purchase in Israel’s history, according to Israel’s defense ministry.

 

Turkey’s Aselsan Conducts First Firing of Tolun Missile for Ground-to-Ground Engagements
Da defesemirror.com del 21 febbraio 2025

The Tolun has similar features as the Boeing-Saab Small Diameter Bomb which was adapted for artillery role and given to Ukraine.

Turkey’s Aselsan conducted the first live-fire test of the Tolun guided missile from the Goktan system to achieve ground-based precision strike capabilities similar to advanced artillery rockets.

The Tolun has similar features as the Boeing-Saab Small Diameter Bomb which was adapted for ground-to-ground role and given to Ukraine for use as a long range artillery weapon fired from the the HIMARS launcher.

Originally designed to integrate air-launched munitions, Goktan has now enabled the ground-launch adaptation of Tolun, reinforcing Türkiye’s advancements in guided munition capabilities.

Developed under ASELSAN’s leadership in collaboration with DELTA-V, Goktan system enhances precision engagement through integrated command-and-control and fire control systems, enabling mission planning and optimized firing sequences, an ASELSAN release said.

This test validated the adaptation of TOLUN to a ground-launched configuration, enabling its use as an artillery weapon.

During the test, after separating from DELTA-V rocket, Tolun successfully deployed its wings, transitioning into a guided flight mode before strikingits designated target with pinpoint accuracy.

The range of the Tolun when launched from an aerial platform is 55 nautical miles. Its ground-to-ground range has not been specified.

GÖKTAN system enables 360-degree firing capability, allowing engagement of critical targets without platform maneuvering. The system also supports waypoint-defined targeting, independent and centralized operation modes, multi-target engagement, and sequential firing, ensuring high effectiveness in dynamic combat environments.

ASELSAN President & CEO Ahmet Akyol emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating: “We have reached a key milestone in equippingTolun with ground-launch capability. As we continue to develop force-multiplier systems, this advancement enhances Türkiye’s precision-strike capabilities and expands its operational flexibility.”

 

New Chinese Spy-Cam Can Spot Satellites in Orbit, Read Their Serial Numbers
Da defesemirror.com del 20 febbraio 2025

Chinese scientists have achieved millimeter-level clarity from 100 km using the new laser camera

The device was set up on the north shore of Qinghai Lake @CAS

The scientists used a laser module to send chirped signals with various frequencies @CAS

A powerful new laser camera developed in China can track foreign military satellites—and even read their serial numbers from over 100 km away.

Created by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Aerospace Information Research Institute, the system captured millimeter-level resolution imagesduring tests at Lake Qinghai, a breakthrough that challenges the limits of long-range surveillance, writes
South China Morning Post.

The device uses a synthetic aperture lidar system, combining a 103-watt laser with real-time digitalprocessing to achieve detail 100 times finer than conventional telescopes. It can detect objects as small as 1.7 mm and measure distances with anaccuracy of 15.6 mm.

Unlike traditional cameras, which rely on lenses, this system splits a laser beam across a 4x4 micro-lens array, expanding its optical aperture from17.2 mm to 68.8 mm. Scientists also introduced chirped laser signals exceeding 10 GHz bandwidth for ultra-precise range resolution, while adaptivealgorithms filtered out optical noise by a factor of 10,000—making distant images sharper than ever.

“This isn’t just about spotting a satellite—it’s about reading its serial numbers,” said a Beijing-based imaging scientist.

Seeing the Unseen—From 100 km Away

The findings, published in the Chinese Journal of Lasers , highlight how the system performed in real-world conditions. During field tests,researchers positioned the device on the northern shore of Qinghai Lake and successfully imaged reflective prism arrays 101.8 km away.

The implications are vast. China could use this technology to inspect satellites for micrometeoroid damage, identify specific sensor payloads, oreven adapt it for high-resolution Earth observation. Some researchers suggest that with further improvements, it could distinguish human facesfrom low-Earth orbit.

This new system builds on microwave synthetic aperture radar principles but operates at optical wavelengths, delivering far sharper images thanradar-based alternatives. It also outperforms past long-range imaging attempts: in 2011, U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin reached a 2 cmazimuth resolution from 1.6 km, while later Chinese research improved resolution to 5 cm from 6.9 km. Now, China has achieved millimeter-levelclarity from 100 km.

However, challenges remain, including sensitivity to weather conditions and the difficulty of tracking moving targets with such extreme precision.Achieving such clarity at this distance was once considered impossible due to atmospheric interference.

Still, this technology marks a major shift in how satellites—and possibly even objects on Earth—can be monitored. As laser imaging capabilitiescontinue to evolve, the ability to see distant details with unparalleled clarity is no longer science fiction—it’s here.

 

Edge, Leonardo Partner on Radar, Missile Defense,Counter-Drone Tech
Da defesemirror.com del 19 febbraio 2025

EDGE and Leonardo have signed an agreement at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi to develop defense solutions in sixareas, including radar for multi-mission aircraft, missile defense, counter-drone systems, and naval combat management.


The agreement (https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/18-02-2025-edge-group-andleonardo-sign-groundbreaking-collaboration-agreement) sets a framework for cooperation in the U.A.E. and global exports, focusing on knowledge exchange, resource optimization, and joint marketing. It also includes shared intellectual property and future innovations.

EDGE and Leonardo aim to expand capabilities in airborne, naval, and cyber systems, supporting defense needs in the U.A.E. and other markets.

 

Raytheon Completes Subsystem Tests for U.S. Army’s Stinger Missile Replacement
Da defesemirror.com del 19 febbraio 2025

Next phase includes soldier evaluations and flight test demonstration

Raytheon has completed 10 subsystem demonstrations for the U.S. Army’s Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI), which is set to replace the Stinger surface-to-air missile.

The tests (https://www.rtx.com/news/news-center/2025/02/18/rtxs-raytheon-completes-10-subsystem-demonstrations-for-u-sarmys-next-generat) included evaluations of the NGSRI seeker, rocket motor, command launch assembly, and warhead.

The seeker demonstrated extended acquisition range, while the rocket motor showed increased intercept capabilities. The command launch assembly enhanced target detection in low-visibility conditions, and warhead tests confirmed effectiveness against aerial threats.

The remaining six demonstrations addressed critical missile functions, including tracking, guidance, aerodynamic control, fuzing, and safety.

The NGSRI is designed to fit the existing Stinger Vehicle Universal Launch system and the man-portable system.

The program now moves to soldier touchpoint exercises, where U.S. Army and Marine Corps personnel will assess the system.

Aflight test demonstration is also planned for later this year. Raytheon is integrating advanced manufacturing techniques to accelerate production and meet performance requirements.

 

 

Iran Unveils New Air Defense Missile Mounted on Old Truck
Da defesemirror.com del 19 febbraio 2025

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force has unveiled the Qaem-118 air defense missile, launched from trucks, during the latest phase of the “Payambar-e Azam (The Great Prophet) 19” war game in south western Iran.

The missile system features a truck-mounted firing unit with five launchers. It has a range of 25 kilometers and can be guided using radar, electro-optical, or thermal tracking methods.

The system’s fire control radar can be linked to multiple launchers to engage more targets, as per Iranian statemedia (https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2025/02/19/3260984/irgc-unveils-portable-air-defense-missile)
.
The trucks appear to be old civilian vehicles strengthened to carry the load of the missile launchers.

Old Nissan and Toyota trucks are the favourite in the Middle East and North Africa to carry heavy machine guns. However, this is one of the few modifications of these pick-up trucks used as SAM launchers.

The IRGC has been showcasing domestically developed military equipment during the drill, which began on Monday

 

Thales, Ukrainian Defence Industry to Establish JV for Air Defense,Radar and Electronic Warfare
Da defesemirror.com del 17 febbraio 2025

Agreement aims to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities with radar, tactical communications, and optoelectronics

Ground Master 200 radar @Thales

French defense company Thales and Ukraine’s Joint Stock Company "Ukrainian Defence Industry" (UDI) have signed an agreement to create a jointventure focused on air defense systems, radars, electronic warfare systems, tactical communications, and optoelectronic solutions.

The agreement, signed during theMunich Security Conference, was attended by Ukraine’s Minister for Strategic Industries, Herman Smetanin. The joint venture aims to provide Ukraine with advanced technological solutions while enhancing operational support for its military.

UDI General Director Oleg Hulyak stated that the collaboration with Thales will strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities against Russian threats and provide local defense firms with access to new technologies. Smetanin highlighted the long-standing cooperation between UDI andThales and expressed appreciation for the company’s commitment to working in Ukraine.

Thales has already supplied Ukraine with Ground Master 200 radars, Arabel radars for the SAMP-T air defense system, HPD mod. F2 anti-tankmines, and NightRise night vision systems. In November, Thales signed a memorandum with an unnamed Ukrainian company to jointly produceanti-UAV missiles.

Thales is a key manufacturer of the SAMP-T air defense system, which uses Aster-30 interceptor missiles equipped with AD4A active radar homing heads and PIF-PAF transverse control engines for high-speed target engagement.

The SAMP-T system’s Arabel radar offers 90-degree elevation coverage, eliminating blind spots and improving targeting against ballistic threats. Itcan engage up to 10 targets at once, with a firing rate of up to 48 interceptions per minute. The AD4A homing head tracks small, high-speedtargets with radar cross-sections as low as 0.007-0.01 square meters at distances of 5-7 km. The PIF-PAF engines allow the missile to maneuverwith up to 62G overloads during interception, even against highly maneuverable targets.

The SAMP-T system is capable of targeting tactical aircraft, cruise missiles like the Kalibr-NK/PL and Kh-101, and quasi-ballistic missiles like the9M723-1 Iskander-M.

 

Northrop Grumman Wins $1.4B Contracts for U.S. and Poland Air Defense
Da defesemirror.com del 13 febbraio 2025

Contracts cover software development, integration, and air defense command system deployment

Northrop Grumman has received two contracts worth $1.4 billion (https://news.northrop grumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-secures-1-4-billion-in-contracts-to-modernize-global-air-and-missile-defense) to advance air and missile defense capabilities for the U.S. Army and Poland,focusing on the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS).

The first contract, valued at $481 million over five years, was awarded by the U.S. Army’s Aviation Missile Technology Consortium. It includes $347.6million for Poland’s defense initiatives and $133.7 million for the U.S. military and the Guam Defense System. Northrop Grumman will expand IBCSsoftware development and integrate Polish sensors and the United Kingdom’s Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) system. Artificial intelligence and model-based systems engineering will be used to enhance system capabilities.

The second contract, worth $899.6 million, covers the deployment of IBCS as Poland’s central command and control system for the WISŁA medium-range and NAREW short-range air defense programs. The NAREW program, developed by MBDA UK and Poland’s Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, incorporates the CAMM-Extended Range missile.

Northrop Grumman delivered the first full set of IBCS components to the U.S. Army in 2024, supporting early fielding. The system has demonstrated interoperability with emerging sensors and effectors through tests involving the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), PatriotAdvanced Capability–3 (PAC-3), and Integrated Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2).

IBCS enables integration of multiple sensors and weapons into a unified network, providing real-time decision-making tools. Poland’s adoption ofthe system strengthens interoperability with U.S. forces, enhancing its overall air and missile defense capabilities.

 

Australian Army Procuring 14 Multi-mission Phased Array Radars
Da defesemirror.com del 12 febbraio 2025

Canberra commits $272M to enhance long-range fires capability

CEAOPS radar

The Australian government is investing $272 million to procure 14 multi-mission phased array radars (MMPARs) for the Army, with Canberra-basedCEA Technologies set to manufacture them.

The radars will support long-range fires and integrated defense monitoring, with deployment planned at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct in SouthAustralia under the 10th Fires Brigade. The first regiment will operate Lockheed Martin's M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS),while the second will use either additional HIMARS or the Thales Australia/Kongsberg Strikemaster in a maritime strike role.

The first radars are expected to be delivered in 2027.

CEA Technologies' work also includes radars for the Navy’s Hunter class frigates, the Air Force’s Joint Air Battle Management System, and Project Air5349 Phase 6 - Advanced Growler. The company supplies phased array radars, known as CEAFA, to Royal Australian Navy Anzac class frigates for 3Dsearch, fire control, and target classification.

 

L3Harris Unveils Software for Controlling Large-Scale Autonomous Systems
Da defesemirror.com del 12 febbraio 2025

New platform enables U.S. and allied forces to manage diverse uncrewed assets through a single interface

L3Harris Technologies has introduced
AMORPHOUS (https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/press-release/2025/02/l3harris-launches-newtechnology-control-autonomous-swarms), a software platform designed to control thousands of autonomous assets through a single user interface.

The system features an open architecture, allowing the U.S. and allied militaries to manage a mix of uncrewed platforms, payloads, and systems,regardless of manufacturer.

AMORPHOUS, short for Autonomous Multi-domain Operations Resiliency Platform for Heterogeneous Unmanned Swarms, provides a distributed command-and-control interface. This design supports the coordination of multiple autonomous systems across different domains, enabling complexmilitary operations. The software facilitates collaborative autonomy, allowing warfighters to integrate various uncrewed assets into missionplanning and execution.

L3Harris is developing AMORPHOUS-based prototypes under contracts with the U.S. Army and the Defense Innovation Unit. The software has demonstrated interoperability by managing multiple vehicle types in government-led tests. Its decentralized decision-making capability allows individual uncrewed systems to operate independently, making tactical decisions in real time.

With an increasing reliance on autonomous systems, AMORPHOUS aims to enhance operational flexibility and support military forces in executingmulti-domain missions.

 

UK Ministry of Defence Awards £127 Million Contract to Airbus for Oberon Satellite System
Da defesemirror.com del 10 febbraio 2025

The program includes the construction of two advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, with a launch scheduled for 2027.

Airbus has secured a £127 million ($158 million) contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to develop the Oberon satellite system.

The program includes the construction of two advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, with a launch scheduled for 2027.

The Oberon satellites, equipped with ultra-high-resolution SAR sensors, will enhance the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)capabilities by enabling day-and-night Earth imaging.

Building on the success of the Tyche satellite, launched in August 2024, Oberon will support military operations and government tasks such asdisaster management and climate monitoring.

As part of the ISTARI program, Oberon will offer superior Earth observation using SAR to capture high-quality images in any weather, strengtheningglobal defense and environmental efforts.

According to Airbus (https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-02-airbus-awarded-oberon-satellites-contract-by-uk-mod), the 400kg Oberon satellites' antennas will be supplied by Oxford Space Systems, which has developed carbon-fiber structures that stow in compact volumes for launch but deploy once in orbit. The ‘wrapped rib’ design will transmit and receive radar pulses used to map the Earth's surface.

 

Airbus Launches SpainSat NG Satellites to Increase Spain's Communications Capacity Ten Folds
Da defesemirror.com del 30 gennaio 2025

The SpainSat NG constellation boosts Spain's and Europe's secure communications sovereignty, enhancing defense and emergency capabilities.

The SpainSat NG-I satellite, launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, U.S., will deliver a tenfold increase in communication capacityover its predecessors for Spain.

Operated by Hisdesat for the Spanish Armed Forces, the satellite is set to provide secure communications in UHF, Ka, and X bands and will enterservice in geostationary orbit in 2025.

The satellite, operated by Hisdesat for the Spanish Armed Forces, will provide secure communications in UHF, Ka, and X bands. It is expected toenter service in geostationary orbit in the second half of 2025, following initial testing and commissioning.

The satellite features an innovative payload, with over 45% of it developed by the Spanish space industry, led by Airbus. Airbus Defence and Space, the prime contractor, designed, integrated, and tested the satellite at its facilities in Toulouse.

Among the key innovations is the X-band active antenna system, which offers flexibility and resilience, allowing the satellite to adapt its coverage up to 1,000 times per second and mitigate interference with high precision.

SpainSat NG-I will deliver a tenfold increase in communication capacity over its predecessors, facilitating faster data transmission with coverage over two-thirds of the Earth's surface. Additionally, the satellite is radiation-hardened to with stand potential nuclear threats.

The second satellite, SpainSat NG-II, is currently being constructed and tested at Airbus Defence and Space facilities and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Both satellites are part of the broader Pacis 3 ESA-Hisdesat Partnership under the ESA ARTES programme, supported by the Spanish Space Agency.

 

Fincantieri Acquires Leonardo's Underwater Armaments & Systems Business
Da defesemirror.com del 15 gennaio 2025

Strategic move aims to strengthen Fincantieri's position in naval defence and underwater technology sectors

Fincantieri has finalized the acquisition (https://www.fincantieri.com/en/media/press-releases/2025/fincantieri-completes-the-acquisition-ofleonardos-uas-underwater-business/) of Leonardo S.p.A.'s Underwater Armaments & Systems (UAS) business, securing full control of the newly established WASS Submarine Systems S.r.l. (WASS).

This move is valued at up to €415 million. As part of the deal, Fincantieri paid €287 million, which covers the fixed price component of theacquisition. A variable component, tied to the performance of the UAS business line in 2024, will be determined once the fiscal year results are approved.

The acquisition brings together Fincantieri’s expertise with WASS's advanced underwater acoustic and weapons systems.

 

China Launches Shijian-25 Satellite to Test Orbital Refueling Technologies
Da defesemirror.com del 7 gennaio 2025

Mission focuses on satellite fuel replenishment and life extension in geostationary orbit

Long March-3B rocket launches Shijian-25 test satellite from Xichang, China, on Jan. 7, 2025 @via China Military

 

China's first rocket mission of 2025 launched the Shijian-25 satellite to test orbital refueling and life extension technologies for sustainable space operations.

The satellite, carried by a Long March 3B rocket, lifted off at 4:00 a.m. Beijing time from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province.

Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), the satellite reached its geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) approximately anhour after launch, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

The Shijian-25 satellite is designed to demonstrate fuel replenishment systems that could extend the operational lifespan of satellites already inorbit. This capability reduces the need for new satellite launches, offering cost and environmental benefits.

The Long March 3B rocket, China’s workhorse for GTO missions, was used for the launch. This marks the 555th mission for the Long March rocket family.

While the mission is officially described as a civilian project, international analysts note the dual-use potential of orbital refueling technologies.These capabilities, which allow for the servicing and relocation of satellites, could be applied to both civilian and military purposes.

China's earlier Shijian-21 mission demonstrated advanced debris management, docking with and relocating a defunct satellite to a graveyard orbit.The current mission builds on these capabilities.

China’s advancements in satellite servicing come amid growing global interest in the field. The U.S.-based Northrop Grumman plans to launch its Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) in 2026 to provide similar on-orbit servicing capabilities. As major space powers focus on extending satellite life spans, the field is becoming a key area of competition.

CASC has announced plans for over 10 Long March 3 series launches in 2025, alongside other missions, including crewed flights to the Tiangongspace station and the Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission.