aircraft intended for use without onboard human crew members
Iran rebuilding military industrial base faster than expected, already producing drones, according to US intel
cnn.com/2026/05/21/politics/iran-military-rebuild
Russia fires drones armed with radioactive missiles at Ukraine: Ukraine reports that Russia is using radioactive missiles, which are now reportedly being ...
n-tv.de/politik/Russland-feuert-Drohnen-mit-radioaktiven-Raketen-auf-Ukraine-id30842516.html
Key FactsRadioactive Missiles Found in Ukraine Conflict
6 hours ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
- Ukraine's domestic intelligence reported elevated radiation on debris from a Shahed drone armed with an R-60 missile fired in April.
- Gamma radiation measured 12 microsieverts per hour, significantly above natural levels but not immediately harmful during short exposure.
- The missile's warhead contains depleted uranium rods, chemically toxic and now stored as radioactive waste.
- Weekly discoveries of such uranium-equipped missiles increase hazards for specialists handling the fragments.
This is a very old Soviet missile, and the warhead of this missile uses special rods of depleted uranium. They are very dangerous.— Serhii 'Flash' Beskrestnow, adviser to Ukraine's Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, told the news agency Unian
The War Zone 15h
The White House Ballroom Is A Deep Fortress In Disguise: We now know the building goes six floors underground and will have "the greatest drone empire ...
twz.com/news-features/the-white-house-ballroom-is-a-deep-fortress-in-disguise
Key FactsTrump Defends $400M White House Ballroom Project
1 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: thedailybeast.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: thedailybeast.com
- Donald Trump claims the White House ballroom is a vital security asset featuring six underground levels and military-grade protections.
- He insists the facility is intended mainly for future presidents, combining social needs with enhanced security features.
- The project's price has quadrupled since initial estimates, raising questions about its financial backing and justification.
- A proposed $1 billion federal security funding was blocked by the Senate for violating budgetary procedures.
This is really being built for other presidents; it’s not being built for me.— Donald Trump, speaking to reporters outside the demolished East Wing about the White House ballroom.
defence-blog.com 21h
Northrop Grumman shows AiON counter-drone system at SOF Week: Northrop Grumman brought its AiON counter-drone command and control system to SOF Week 2026 in ...
defence-blog.com/northrop-grumman-shows-aion-counter-drone-system-at-sof-week/
F-15s, F-35, MQ-9 Reaper Drones: US Report Says 42 Aircraft Lost In Iran War: The CRS, which provides policy and legal analysis to the US Congress and committees ...
ndtv.com/world-news/f-15s-f-35-mq-9-reaper-drones-us-report-says-42-aircraft-lost-in-iran-war-11522243
Putin is in trouble as the war finally comes to Moscow: The Kremlin has managed to largely protect the capital over more than four year of war, until now
inews.co.uk/news/world/putin-trouble-war-finally-comes-moscow-4426652
Baltics on alert over Ukrainian drones and Russian electronic warfare: Around a dozen attack aircraft have crossed into or struck territory in the eastern ...
english.elpais.com/international/2026-05-21/baltics-on-alert-over-ukrainian-drones-and-russian-electronic-warfare.html
The War Zone 17h
Navy Working On Teaming SEALs In Mini-Submarines With Underwater Drones: Pairing uncrewed underwater vehicles and SEALs in submersibles opens the door to new ...
twz.com/sea/navy-working-on-teaming-seals-in-mini-submarines-with-underwater-drones
HII showcases REMUS and ROMULUS at CNE: HII is showcased its REMUS and ROMULUS at #CNE2026, marking 25 years of the REMUS UUV family and highlighting its role in ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hii-showcases-remus-and-romulus-at-cne/
NATO’s Baltic flank rattled by drone incidents as VDL blames Russia: Lithuanian officials instructed children in schools to take shelter after an unmanned ...
politico.eu/article/lithuania-air-alert-stray-drone-nato-eu-russia-tensions/
Ontario to ban use of Chinese-made drones for ‘highly sensitive’ police operations
cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/05/20/ontario-to-ban-use-of-chinese-made-drones-for-highly-sensitive-police-operations/
Oil Refinery in Syzran Burns After Drone Strike: A fire erupted at an oil refinery in Syzran, in Russia’s Samara region, after a drone strike ...
militarnyi.com/en/news/oil-refinery-in-syzran-burns-after-drone-strike/
defence-blog.com May 20
Redwire wins NATO drone contract for next-gen Penguin Mk3 system: Redwire Corporation landed a multi-year contract worth tens of millions of dollars from an ...
defence-blog.com/redwire-wins-nato-drone-contract-for-next-gen-penguin-mk3-system/
Taiwan drone sector sees NT$1.3 billion in Xponential opportunities | Taiwan News | May. 21, 2026 17:51
taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/6367348
Georgia Today 22h
Commenting on cases of Ukrainian drones entering the airspace of the alliance’s member states, Rutte noted that "if drones come from Ukraine ... Show more
Trump brags his ballroom to be topped by ‘greatest drone empire’: With his approval ratings hitting a second-term low in recent polling, President Donald ...
asiatimes.com/2026/05/trump-brags-his-ballroom-to-be-topped-by-greatest-drone-empire/
After incident in the Baltics: Latvia fumes over Russia’s drone narrative: Once again, a drone—likely Ukrainian—has entered the airspace of a Baltic state ...
n-tv.de/politik/Lettland-schaeumt-wegen-Russlands-Drohnen-Erzaehlung-id30838613.html
Key FactsLatvia Condemns Russian Drone Disinformation Claims
1 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
- Latvia rejects Russian accusations that Baltic states facilitate Ukrainian attacks on Russia.
- Ukraine admits Russia uses electronic warfare to redirect drones into Baltic airspace.
- NATO jets in Estonia shot down a suspected Ukrainian drone after it entered restricted airspace.
- Recent drone incidents in Latvia caused the defense minister and prime minister to resign.
Russia has been spreading for several weeks the lie that the Baltic states and Finland would make our airspace available for Ukrainian strikes.— Foreign Minister Baiba Braze, after a meeting with her Canadian counterpart Anita Anand.
Taiwan aims for monthly drone output of 100,000 units by 2030 | Taiwan News | May. 21, 2026 15:45
taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/6367254
Radar signal from Belarus: Drone alert sends shockwaves through all of Lithuania: Lithuania activates NATO air surveillance following a suspicious signal over ...
n-tv.de/politik/Drohnenalarm-laesst-ganz-Litauen-aufschrecken-id30840780.html
Key FactsDrone Alert Triggers Major Security Response in Lithuania
1 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
- An unidentified radar signal resembling a drone was detected over Belarus, prompting an air raid alert in Lithuania.
- Citizens were urged via mobile alerts to seek shelter while top officials were secured in safe locations.
- Air and train traffic in Vilnius was temporarily suspended in response to the alert.
- NATO air surveillance was activated, but the drone’s origin remained unknown and it was not located.
"that exhibits the typical features of an unmanned aerial vehicle"— Lithuanian Army; statement about a radar signal in Belarus showing UAV characteristics
Taiwan’s Winmate projects drone controller board shipments to rise tenfold | Taiwan News | May. 21, 2026 10:27
taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/6367019
The War Zone May 19
BlitzBox Packs 100 Weaponized Drones Into An Unassuming Container: DZYNE's BlitzBox is the kind of containerized drone launcher the U.S ...
twz.com/news-features/blitzbox-packs-100-weaponized-drones-into-an-unassuming-container
sabcnews.com May 20
WATCH | SABC News reporter Jayed Paulse is outside the Diakonia Centre in Durban, where dozens of foreign nationals spent the night after being dispersed from ... Show more
Ukraine’s Deep Strikes Target Russian Drone Industry, Hitting Factory and Training Facility
united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/ukraines-deep-strikes-target-russian-drone-industry-hitting-factory-and-training-facility-18992
Latvia deploys soldiers to border, NATO fighter jets scramble: “Seek shelter indoors”
welt.de/politik/ausland/article6a0c341e9abebff50a970051/lettland-verlegt-soldaten-an-grenze-nato-kampfjets-steigen-auf-suchen-sie-schutz-in-innenraeumen.html
defence-blog.com May 19
Crane Aerospace brakes help Northrop’s combat drone pass key test: Northrop Grumman's YFQ-48A Talon Blue autonomous combat aircraft completed its first taxi test ...
defence-blog.com/crane-aerospace-brakes-help-northrops-combat-drone-pass-key-test/
defence-blog.com May 19
German firm builds self-operating naval drone hangar: A German autonomous systems company has demonstrated what it claims is the world's first fully automatic ...
defence-blog.com/german-firm-builds-self-operating-naval-drone-hangar/
U.S. lost 42 aircraft, including fighter jets, MQ-9 Reaper drones in Iran war: report
thehindu.com/news/international/us-lost-42-aircraft-including-fighter-jets-mq-9-reaper-drones-in-iran-war-report/article71001941.ece
Royal Navy tests killer drone-helicopter team in Norway: Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters teamed with drones from 700X Squadron to hunt fast attack boats and ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-navy-tests-killer-drone-helicopter-team-in-norway/
Turkey expands drone footprint in Central Asia with joint production deal - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2026/05/turkey-expands-drone-footprint-in-central-asia-with-joint-production-deal/
Su-57 Felon goes dual-seat: Russia tests stealth jet designed for drone warfare: Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation has started flight tests of the two-seat ...
wionews.com/photos/russia-tests-two-seat-su-57d-stealth-fighter-for-drone-warfare-missions-1779273044922
militarnyi.com May 20
Drones Strike Southern Russia’s Largest Chemical Plant: Ukrainian attack drones struck Nevinnomyssky Azot, the largest chemical plant in southern Russia ...
militarnyi.com/en/news/drones-strike-southern-russia-s-largest-chemical-plant/
Lai says drones vital to defense, urges nonpartisan budget review | Taiwan News | May. 20, 2026 17:07
taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/6366383
Africa Intelligence May 20
MOROCCO | The newly established manufacturer Aerodrive Engineering Services has just secured a contract to supply 500 kamikaze drones to the Royal Armed Forces ... Show more
Morocco • Rabat working hard to attract kamikaze drone industry
Morocco • Rabat working hard to attract kamikaze drone industry
defence-blog.com May 19
AimLock, FN America team up on AI drone-killing weapon system: AimLock and FN America unveiled a joint counter-drone weapon system at SOF Week 2026 in Tampa on ...
defence-blog.com/aimlock-fn-america-team-up-on-ai-drone-killing-weapon-system/
Lai says Taiwan won't 'relinquish freedom,' vows new drone budgets: TAIPEI -- Taiwan's future will only be decided by its people, not foreign powers ...
asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/taiwan-tensions/lai-says-taiwan-won-t-relinquish-freedom-vows-new-drone-budgets
TVP World May 20
Lithuania issues brief 'air danger' warning, shuts airport after drone incursion: he alert was issued in response to a drone in neighbouring Belarus that was ...
tvpworld.com/93349848/lithuania-army-issues-air-danger-warning-vilnius-airport-suspends-flights
defence-blog.com May 19
Russia brings Shahed-type drones to Mali conflict: Wreckage identified near the central Malian city of Sevare confirmed what analysts had been watching for: ...
defence-blog.com/russia-brings-shahed-type-drones-to-mali-conflict/
UNITED24 Media May 20
Russia Just Used a Radioactive Drone in Ukraine for the First Time—Here’s What We Know
united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/russia-just-used-a-radioactive-drone-in-ukraine-for-the-first-time-heres-what-we-know-18991
Bluesky May 19
🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social): RAROG operators shot down Russian Shahed drones using interceptors with automatic target acquisition ...
bsky.app/profile/specialkhersoncat.bsky.social/post/3mm7xpv7qq22m
"A massive disruption to air traffic" - | Drone from Belarus approaches Lithuania Air raid alert in Vilnius: "A massive disruption to air traffic" - | Drone from Belarus approaches Lithuania - | Video - | WELT
Airspace violation: NATO fighter jets shoot down drone over Estonia: NATO fighter jets have shot down a drone over Estonia. The aircraft may have originated in ...
spiegel.de/ausland/estland-nato-kampfjets-schiessen-drohne-ab-a-0fecb621-4348-4180-9991-9e8d2bebe4b7
Trump Brags $1 Billion Ballroom Will Be Home to 'Greatest Drone Empire' Ever Seen to 'Protect Washington'
commondreams.org/news/trump-ballroom-drone-empire
US Wants Access to Ukrainian Drone Technology in Proposed Defense Deal: The United States is seeking access to Ukrainian drone technology and intellectual ...
kyivpost.com/post/76461
youtube.com May 19
Ukraine's $2,000 Drone Is Destroying Russia's $50,000 Shaheds. And Everyone Wants It
Drone video shows assault suspect hiding from police in Pickering moments prior to arrest
cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/05/19/drone-video-shows-assault-suspect-hiding-from-police-in-pickering-moments-prior-to-arrest/
First Sea Lord: drones are now ‘dominant and decisive’: Drones and autonomy have rapidly become the dominant and decisive factor in the modern battlefield says ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/first-sea-lord-drones-are-now-dominant-and-decisive/
Crashed drone in Lithuania was loaded with explosives: Ukraine is fighting back against Russia’s invasion—and in the process, misdirected drones are increasingly ...
n-tv.de/politik/Abgestuerzte-Drohne-in-Litauen-war-mit-Sprengstoff-bestueckt-id30832888.html
Key FactsExplosive Drone Incidents Escalate Baltic Security Concerns
2 days ago · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
- A drone carrying explosives crashed in northeastern Lithuania and was safely defused by special forces without causing casualties.
- Authorities remain uncertain about the drone’s origin and flight path but suspect it came from Ukraine.
- Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene assured there is no immediate threat to civilians while highlighting growing security challenges.
- Related drone crashes in Latvia recently triggered a government crisis, illustrating the broader impact of the Ukraine-Russia drone conflict in the Baltics.
defence-blog.com May 19
U.S. Air Force special ops MQ-9 drones now cleared to use GBU-39B glide bomb: U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command's MQ-9 Reaper fleet at Cannon Air Force ...
defence-blog.com/u-s-air-force-special-ops-mq-9-drones-now-cleared-to-use-gbu-39b-glide-bomb/
UAE says drones that targeted Barakah nuclear power plant came from Iraqi territory
apnews.com/article/iran-us-uae-nuclear-drones-uae-gulf-46f5023dc480c3fbe8061c2ed6a94a5c
Key FactsDrone Strike Near UAE Nuclear Plant Raises Security Alarm
2 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: aljazeera.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: aljazeera.com
- Barakah, the UAE’s first nuclear power facility, supplies around 25% of the nation’s electricity through four advanced reactors.
- A single drone strike ignited a blaze at an electrical generator outside the plant perimeter, with no injuries or radiation impact reported.
- The UAE strongly condemned the attack and affirmed its sovereign right to defend national security under international law.
- The IAEA expressed serious concern over the incident and noted that one reactor temporarily relied on emergency diesel generators.
The terrorist targeting of the Barakah clean nuclear power plant, whether carried out by the principal perpetrator or through one of its agents, represents a dangerous escalation and a dark scene that violates all international laws and norms, in criminal disregard for the lives of civilians in the UAE and its surroundings.— Anwar Gargash, adviser to the UAE’s president, in an X post on Sunday about the Barakah attack.
Ukraine’s drones are devastating Russian targets from 60 miles away: Ukraine’s drone fleet is causing significant damage on the battlefield and deep inside ...
nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/ukraines-drones-are-devastating-russian-targets-60-miles-away-rcna344708
Russia’s spy agency accuses Latvia of aiding Ukrainian drone strikes amid rising Baltic tensions
wionews.com/world/russia-s-spy-agency-accuses-latvia-of-aiding-ukrainian-drone-strikes-amid-rising-baltic-tensions-1779193079875
The War Zone May 18
‘Cheap’ Patriot Interceptor Costing Under $1 Million Now Being Sought By Army: The Army knows it needs a more affordable and producible Patriot option as enemies ...
twz.com/land/cheap-patriot-interceptor-costing-under-1-million-now-being-sought-by-army
Ukrainian drones slip through Moscow’s defensive rings: The Russian capital’s air defense systems are failing to stem the tide of Ukrainian strikes ...
english.elpais.com/international/2026-05-19/ukrainian-drones-slip-through-moscows-defensive-rings.html
arabtimes May 19
UAE thwarts fresh drone attacks, intercepts 6 UAVs in 48 hours: ABU DHABI, May 19: The Ministry of Defence announced that UAE air defence systems intercepted six ...
arabtimesonline.com/news/uae-thwarts-fresh-drone-attacks-intercepts-6-uavs-in-48-hours/
Taiwan military to establish east coast drone units | Taiwan News | May. 19, 2026 14:35
taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/6365355
CiS unveils autonomous drone dock for moving ships: CiS claims a world first at #CNE2026, a fully autonomous drone dock that can launch and recover a UAS from a ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/cis-unveils-autonomous-drone-dock-for-moving-ships/
🛢️ 150 drones a day. Oil refineries burning on the Black Sea. A Russian general killed by a car bomb in the heart of Moscow.
💣 Three years after the war began ... Show more
Suddenly it becomes dangerous for Putin
Suddenly it becomes dangerous for Putin
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said that long-range drones have hit the Moscow region.
Defence firms left waiting as investment plan delay bites: A defence company in West Sussex developing counter-drone and air defence technology has been left on ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/defence-firms-left-waiting-as-investment-plan-delay-bites/
Polish economic official tours drone center in Chiayi County | Taiwan News | May. 19, 2026 11:31
taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/6365183
Ukraine’s HUR Says Stepnohirsk Back Under Ukrainian Control: Ukraine’s intelligence said special forces from the Artan unit pushed Russian troops out of key ...
kyivpost.com/post/76374
Trump warns Iran 'clock is ticking' after drone strike near UAE nuclear plant
wpde.com/news/nation-world/president-donald-trump-warns-iran-clock-is-ticking-after-drone-strike-near-uae-united-arab-emirates-nuclear-plant-fragile-ceasefire-war-nuclear-weapons-diplomacy-prime-minister-netanyahu-national-security-team-gas-o
U.S. weighs drone threat from Cuba: report: Cuba has obtained more than 300 military drones and recently began discussing plans to use them to attack the US base ...
cp24.com/news/world/2026/05/17/us-weighs-drone-threat-from-cuba-report/
Key FactsCuba Signals Severe Risks Amid US Military Threats
2 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: cnn.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: cnn.com
- President Díaz-Canel declared that Cuba poses no threat and reserves the right to defend itself against any US military action.
- Bilateral relations have deteriorated sharply, compounded by an ongoing energy crisis and intensified US sanctions.
- The US imposed new penalties targeting Cuba’s intelligence and interior ministries, sanctioning eleven officials in total.
- Cuba’s Civil Defense has issued guidelines instructing citizens on how to respond in case of a military attack.
will cause a bloodbath with incalculable consequences— Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned in a post on X that a US military assault on Cuba will cause a bloodbath with incalculable consequences.
“Was a terrible mistake made?”: Ukraine mocks after drone attack on Chinese ship: A Russian drone hits a Chinese cargo ship in the Black Sea. Zelenskyy speaks of ...
op-online.de/politik/russland-knall-im-schwarzen-meer-drohne-trifft-chinesisches-handelsschiff-zr-94311492.html
Florida Keys sheriff urges calm following report Cuban drones could hit Key West: Monroe County Sheriff Ridk Ramsay called for calm after Axios reported Cuba has ...
miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article315797244.html
