Global Scans · Military · Weekly Summary

• [New] Gulf Cooperation Council nations alone have committed significant defence spending to address the drone threat following repeated attacks on infrastructure, naval assets, and civilian targets. The National Law Review
• [New] The global defence community has recognized that the most practical, scalable, and affordable answer to the drone threat is not another expensive missile - it is a better, smarter, faster drone. The National Law Review
• [New] Ukrainian specialists will travel to the Middle East to help regional partners counter Iranian loitering munitions, while ensuring Ukraine's own defence is not weakened. Presage Global
• [New] Ambitious Modernization and Multi-Domain Defence Lithuania's defence industry is committed to NATO interoperability and rapid military modernization, supported by a projected national defence expenditure of 5.38% of GDP in 2026. rebecca.gladen@trade.gov
• [New] The Defence Innovation Unit, the Pentagon organization serving as a bridge between Silicon Valley and the military, has fast-tracked contracts for experimental drone technology, which the DIU promises will make combat operations less expensive and put fewer people in the line of fire. Brennan Center for Justice
• [New] Lessons from Ukraine for Defending Gulf Airspace from Shaheds; Ukraine Produces Three Flamingo Missiles a Day; Drone Warfare in Ukraine: Key Updates; Why Drone Operators Will Be in High Demand in Civilian Life; and 20+ additional developments in Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine's Arms Monitor
• [New] The US military might use generative AI systems to rank targets and recommend which to strike first. MIT Technology Review
• [New] Ukrainian forces are intensifying their theater-wide, mid-range strike campaign against Russian logistics, military equipment, and manpower, which will likely also interfere with the Russian spring-summer 2026 offensive. Kyiv Post
• [New] The United States and Israel's military operation against Iran could drive defence and military spending. Arkansas Online
• [New] Current war costs: Analysts estimate that the United States' military campaign in Iran could be costing $1 billion per day once all operations, airstrikes, munitions, and defence costs are included. Modern Ghana
• [New] The North American Aerospace Defense Command successfully intercepted two Russian Tu-142 Bear-F aircraft within the Alaskan Air Defence Identification Zone using F-35 and F-22 fighters, showcasing the U.S. military's readiness to respond to aerial threats. Aerospace & Defense News
• [New] The focus on autonomous systems and missile defences will likely intensify, driving both competition and collaboration within the global defence framework. Aerospace & Defense News
• [New] A & D companies, characterized by a planned €10 billion expenditure from 2026-2029 that will push defence spending above 5% of GDP. rebecca.gladen@trade.gov
• [New] If Iranian weapons appear to have struck Turkish soil, NATO's mutual defence clause could be triggered. Middle East Monitor
• [New] By disrupting navigation systems in the Strait of Hormuz - a chokepoint through which about 20% of global oil passes - Iran can signal that it has the capability to threaten global trade and energy flows without immediately launching a full military blockade. CYFIRMA
• [New] The US and Israeli combined force has advanced to the next phase of their campaign, which will focus on targeting Iranian defence industrial assets, especially missile production facilities. Critical Threats
• [New] Due to US military operations, the price of oil will likely exceed $81. LiteFinance
• [New] The military continues to actively use Anthropic's AI for intelligence assessments and battle scenarios in the war with Iran, making the supply chain risk designation look even more specious and retaliatory. Tech Policy Press
• The US Defense Intelligence Agency released a public assessment in 2025 that Iran has the capability to develop an ICBM by 2035. Critical Threats
• Russian forces used incursions into NATO airspace to plan strikes against logistics routes in both Ukraine and Poland to cut flows of Western military assistance to Ukraine. Critical Threats
• Global defence spending is expected to reach record levels in 2026, with estimates pointing to approximately US$ 2.6 trillion worldwide. BNN Bloomberg

Last updated: 19 March 2026