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Ukrainian defense company Fire Point is in talks with European partners to develop a new air defense system aimed at providing a more affordable alternative to the Patriot system, according to Reuters on April 6.
Fire Point, known for producing the Ukrainian cruise missile “Flamingo,” is seeking to significantly reduce the cost of intercepting ballistic threats. Co-founder and chief designer Denys Shtiliierman said the company’s goal is to bring the cost of intercepting a single ballistic missile to under $1 million.
Currently, Ukraine and many Western allies rely heavily on US-made Patriot systems for ballistic missile defense. However, these systems are increasingly difficult to obtain, partly due to their deployment in other regions, including the Persian Gulf, in response to Iranian threats.
Shtiliierman noted that intercepting a single ballistic target with Patriot often requires two or three interceptor missiles, each costing several million dollars.
“If we can decrease it to less than $1 million, it will be ... a game changer in air defense solutions,” he said. “We plan to intercept the first ballistic missile by the end of 2027.”
The company has not disclosed the names of the European firms involved in the negotiations. However, Shtiliierman said Fire Point is “deeply interested” in cooperation in areas such as radar systems, missile guidance, and communications—fields where the company is seeking to strengthen its expertise.
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Ukrainian 🇺🇦 Company Develops Lower-Cost Alternative to Patriot Air Defense System
Foreigners boost US Treasury holdings to record highs in February
Foreigners boost US Treasury holdings to record highs in February
Japan orders 3 Upgraded Mogami-class frigates to carry more missiles in Pacific operations.
Japan orders 3 Upgraded Mogami-class frigates to carry more missiles in Pacific operations.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has ordered three Upgraded Mogami-class (New FFM) multi-mission frigates from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, expanding missile capacity and multi-role naval power for operations in the Pacific.
The contract, covering hulls three through five, reinforces Japan’s effort to field more heavily armed, flexible surface combatants capable of enhanced air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and long-range strike. Finalized on February 16, 2026, the order forms part of a broader 10–12 ship acquisition plan under the New FFM program, supporting rapid fleet modernization and distributed lethality. By doubling vertical launch capacity and improving strike reach compared to the original Mogami-class, the program directly strengthens Japan’s maritime deterrence, operational readiness, and interoperability in high-threat regional scenarios.
The integration of the improved Type 12 anti-ship missile into the Upgraded Mogami class extends the engagement envelope beyond that of previous Japanese escort ships, introducing a stand-off strike capability that changes how these vessels can be employed.
https://youtu.be/Wphob_EDETI?si=dDlsyRmiMCam42j9
As reported by Maritime Press Online on April 15, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Defense formalized a shipbuilding contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for three Upgraded Mogami multi-mission frigates, identified as hulls three through five of the New FFM program, with a total value of 128.6 billion yen, or roughly $850 to $900 million. The agreement was signed on February 16, 2026, and follows a prior contract awarded in fiscal year 2025 covering the first two ships of the class, establishing a sequential procurement pattern. This order is part of a defined acquisition window running from fiscal year 2024 through fiscal year 2028, during which Japan plans to procure approximately 10 to 12 ships of this type.
The New FFM program replaces the originally planned continuation of the Mogami-class beyond 12 hulls, down from an initial target of 22, indicating a structural adjustment in the Japanese Navy fleet composition. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries remains the prime contractor, with Japan Marine United acting as a principal subcontractor under an arrangement decided in August 2023. The financial structure of the February 2026 contract produces an average unit cost of 42.9 billion yen per ship, which is less than half of the 104.9 billion yen per unit estimated in the fiscal year 2025 budget request for three comparable ships totaling 314.8 billion yen.
This discrepancy indicates that the signed contract likely covers hull fabrication, propulsion systems, and basic onboard architecture, while high-cost subsystems such as the vertical launch system modules, missile inventories, radar suites, and combat management systems are procured under separate budget lines. The separation of costs allows the Japanese Ministry of Defense to distribute expenditures across multiple fiscal years and to align system integration with evolving requirements. The designation of this order as a second production batch, following hulls one and two, confirms a block procurement structure with annual or near-annual contracting cycles.
This pattern supports steady industrial output while preserving flexibility for design modifications between batches, like South Korea's KDX destroyers. For Japan, the transition from the Mogami-class to the new FFM reflects a shift in operational requirements and ship design priorities. The Mogami-class, with a standard displacement of approximately 3,900 tons and a length of about 133 meters, was optimized for anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, and low-intensity patrol missions, with a limited vertical launch system of 16 cells and restricted air defense capability. The new FFM increases this standard displacement to between 4,800 and 4,880 tons and extends the ship's overall length to approximately 142 meters, representing an increase of about 25 percent in hull volume.
https://youtu.be/Xr3J0KKR9i8?si=UGpPKla6kup2o93C
This additional space is used to accommodate a larger missile battery, expanded sensor arrays, and increased onboard power generation capacity. The 2023 decision to shift procurement from the Mogami-class to the FFM was also tied to the need for ships capable of performing broader escort roles, including contributions to air defense and long-range strike missions. The propulsion configuration of the new FFM uses a combined diesel and gas turbine arrangement, with one gas turbine and two diesel engines driving twin shafts, enabling speeds exceeding 30 knots while maintaining fuel efficiency for extended deployments. Crew size is maintained at approximately 90 personnel, consistent with the Mogami-class, through extensive automation in engineering, combat, and navigation systems.
The primary weapons configuration includes a 32-cell Mark 41 vertical launch system installed forward, doubling the missile capacity of the previous class, and designed to carry Type 23 surface-to-air missiles and 07VLA anti-submarine rockets. The ship is also equipped with an improved Type 12 anti-ship missile capable of extended stand-off engagement, a 127 mm Mark 45 naval gun, a RIM-116 SeaRAM close-in defense system, and two 324mm torpedo tubes. The sensor suite is centered on a multifunction radar derived from the OPY-2, with planned upgrades, and a combined sonar system integrating anti-submarine and mine detection functions, while the flight deck supports one SH-60 helicopter or an unmanned aerial system.
Compared to Mogami-class frigates such as the JS Yoshii, the increase from 16 to 32 vertical launch cells represents a quantifiable expansion in missile capacity, allowing the new FFM to carry a mix of surface-to-air, anti-submarine, and potentially land-attack munitions, thereby extending its operational role beyond self-defense. The integration of the upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship introduces a stand-off strike capability with ranges significantly exceeding those of earlier anti-ship systems in Japanese service. The larger hull provides additional displacement margin for future upgrades, including higher-energy sensors or directed energy weapons, without requiring structural redesign. Despite the increase in size and capability, the crew complement remains unchanged, indicating that automation offsets the added system complexity.
The retention of mine warfare capability alongside anti-submarine and surface combat functions maintains a multi-role profile that reduces the need for specialized vessels in certain mission areas. The production schedule requires construction to begin between fiscal years 2024 and 2025, with the first ships expected to enter service around 2028. The program’s objective of delivering up to 12 ships within a five-year period implies an average annual output of two to three vessels, distributed across shipyards operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan Marine United. The use of batch procurement, beginning with two ships and expanding to five in the second phase, allows for incremental funding approvals and phased integration of systems.
This approach also provides opportunities to incorporate lessons learned from earlier hulls into subsequent units, reducing technical risk and improving production efficiency. The compressed timeline indicates a prioritization of rapid fleet renewal in response to evolving regional security requirements. Budget allocations show that 314.8 billion yen was assigned in fiscal year 2025 for three FFM hulls under a separate funding line, reinforcing the conclusion that the 128.6 billion yen contract excludes major combat systems and other high-cost equipment. The program is intended to replace older destroyer escorts and to assume some roles currently performed by larger destroyers, particularly in routine escort, patrol, and anti-submarine missions.
This redistribution of roles reduces operational demand on high-end assets such as Aegis-equipped destroyers, allowing them to focus on ballistic missile defense and other specialized tasks. The introduction of a larger number of mid-tier ships with expanded capabilities alters the balance of the fleet, increasing flexibility in force deployment without a proportional increase in overall fleet size. The selection of the same FFM design by Australia in 2025 for its future frigate program, with a planned acquisition of up to 11 ships, introduces an export dimension for Japan that affects both production planning and system configuration.
Australian variants are expected to integrate different missile systems, including ESSM and NSM, and to adapt combat system interfaces to national requirements, while retaining the core hull and propulsion design. The requirement to support both domestic and export production may constrain Japanese shipyard capacity, and budget projections indicate that domestic procurement quantities could be reduced in later fiscal years to accommodate export commitments. This program constitutes the first large-scale export of Japanese-designed surface combatants and has also generated interest from New Zealand, indicating potential for additional foreign orders.
The introduction of 10 to 12 New FFM within a five-year period will directly affect the distribution of missions across the Japanese Navy fleet by shifting routine escort, patrol, and anti-submarine tasks away from larger destroyers. Existing destroyer escorts and older units are progressively replaced, while high-end Aegis destroyers are freed from secondary roles and can be concentrated on ballistic missile defense and integrated air defense missions. With a displacement of about 4,800 tons and a 32-cell vertical launch system, each Upgraded Mogami frigate provides a higher level of combat power than previous destroyer escorts, allowing fewer ships to cover equivalent operational requirements. This redistribution reduces wear on larger units and increases availability rates for high-intensity contingencies, while maintaining coverage across Japan’s maritime approaches and surrounding sea lanes.
荷蘭砸下超過86億台幣，竟然跟烏克蘭「聯手開產線」全用來造無人機？！
荷蘭砸下超過86億台幣，竟然跟烏克蘭「聯手開產線」全用來造無人機？！
沒錯，現代戰爭的打法早就跟你想的不一樣了。
荷蘭這次直接掏出天價軍援，而且不只給錢，還要跟烏克蘭「聯手開產線」。
在這場看不到盡頭的消耗戰裡，歐洲國家的支援模式正在悄悄升級。荷蘭國防部長在近期的防務會議上霸氣宣布，將豪砸2.48億歐元（約合台幣86.5億元）在無人機計畫上。
這筆錢可不是拿來買現成裝備就了事。她強調：「這些無人機將由我們兩國共同生產。這不僅能強化我們雙邊的合作與國防工業，最重要的是，能真正幫助擊退俄羅斯的攻擊！」
為什麼大家現在全把資源砸在無人機和防空系統上？看看烏克蘭交出的最新防空成績單就知道。💥
烏克蘭國防部長透露，他們現在的防空網已經越編越密：面對俄軍射來的巡弋飛彈，攔截率已經高達80%；而針對無人機的攔截率，更是狂飆到90%。這等於天上飛過來的威脅，幾乎絕大多數都被當成活靶硬生生攔截下來。
眼看每天都需要大量的飛彈和無人機來扛住空襲，澤倫斯基現在的策略很清晰：與其苦等別人施捨，不如把整個歐洲拉進來一起開工廠。除了荷蘭，德國最近也剛敲定了一筆高達40億歐元（約1400億台幣）的超大防衛禮包。
反觀俄羅斯陣營，根據烏克蘭向德國議會提交的報告，俄軍在戰場上的兵力損耗已經創下新高，消耗殆盡的速度，甚至遠遠超過了他們每個月徵召新兵的數量。簡單來說，就是前線「掉血的速度比補血還要快」。📉
從單純的「接受武器捐贈」，進化到跨國「聯合生產無人機與飛彈」。這場仗打到現在，考驗的早就不是誰的常備軍隊多，而是誰的國防工業產能與後勤韌性，能真正撐到最後一刻。
Cheap Interceptor Drones Proven In Ukraine Protected U.S. Troops Against Iranian Shaheds
Cheap Interceptor Drones Proven In Ukraine Protected U.S. Troops Against Iranian Shaheds
The Merops is a small, relatively inexpensive drone built specifically to zip through the skies and intercept long-range one-way attack drones. As we have previously reported, Ukraine has been using several locally produced drones, as well as Merops, to counter Russian Shaheds successfully for some time now, proving-out the concept.“When the conflict kicked off, within about eight days, we were able to purchase…13,000 Merops, which are incredible,” Driscoll exclaimed. “They’re about $15,000 a piece right now. We think as they scale, they’ll get less than [$10,000] and we’re able to take Shaheds down that cost $30,000 to $50,000, which is amazing because that puts us on the right end of the cost curve, and we will make that trade all day long.”
The U.S. has its own interceptors that have been in service for years, such as Raytheon’s Coyote, but they cost roughly 10 times more.As we noted in a story last month, the Pentagon sent thousands of these drone interceptors to the Middle East. Iranian strikes on U.S. military facilities killed U.S. troops and caused damage to bases and equipment. Driscoll did not offer more specifics about how often they were used, how many Shaheds they downed or exactly where they were deployed.
Merops was “developed as part of the US-backed Project Eagle initiative, which includes contributions from Swift Beat, a company associated with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt,” according to the Ukraine Defense Tech Community (DTC), a marketplace for modern weaponry. “The system is built around Surveyor drones, which act as airborne interceptors capable of destroying enemy UAVs mid-flight.”
A U.S. Army soldier launches an AS3 Surveyor interceptor drone, part of the U.S. counter-drone system known as ‘MEROPS,’ during a live-fire demonstration at the Deba training grounds in Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Poland, on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Artur Widak/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu
Each Merops unit “includes a command station, launch platforms, and a fleet of Surveyor drones,” DTC explained. “These interceptors can operate autonomously or be remotely piloted and are equipped with onboard sensors for target tracking.”
While full technical specifications remain undisclosed, they can reportedly reach speeds of over 280 km/h (175 mph). “The platform is considered fast enough to intercept jet-powered drones such as the Russian Geran-3, which can exceed 300 km/h,” DTC pointed out.
The interceptor can carry an explosive warhead and destroys targets either through a direct collision or a proximity detonation.
A Polish soldier launches an interception drone of the American MEROPS counter drone system during tests at the Nowa Deba military training ground, south-eastern Poland, on November 18,
Driscoll said the ability to field Merops so quickly is because the Army streamlined its acquisition process.
“Fundamentally, one of the core problems was our own bureaucracy, our own infrastructure, our own decision-making organizations had decayed from any sort of speed and rationality,” he testified. “The reason we’ve been able to move fast since the conflict in Iran started is because of work 10, 12, 14 months ago to reorganize our acquisitions department.”
“And practically,” he added, “what that did is it took us from a 16-step decision-making process – where each of the bodies along those 16 steps could veto it and start it back over, and it could take two to seven years to purchase something.”
“We put everybody into a group who could make decisions on the fly,” the secretary noted. “And so a lot of the things the Army has worked on in the previous year are paying dividends as we try to make decisions quickly.”
In Ukraine, Merops has proven to be a far cheaper alternative to munitions like Patriot interceptors and even far less advanced missiles for downing Shahed drones which have caused widespread destruction across that country. While these drones have neither the payload nor range of the far more expensive Patriot munitions, they can be deployed in great numbers giving them the ability to cover larger geographical areas. That helps keep the magazine depth of more sophisticated effectors from being quickly depleted and turns the disastrous ‘exchange ratio’ between cost of target versus effector on its head. In many cases, these systems would still need to be part of a layered defense, especially when used as point defense at high value installations and infrastructure.
Now that these weapons have helped save American lives and equipment, Merops success means we will likely be seeing more low-cost drone interceptors like it in the future.
US allies race to Japan’s advanced submarines and jets as Tokyo opens floodgates on arms exports since World War II
US allies race to Japan’s advanced submarines and jets as Tokyo opens floodgates on arms exports since World War II
The move, expected to be formally adopted within weeks, reflects Tokyo’s intent to enter the global defence market in a meaningful way after years of near-isolation.
A historic policy shift takes shape
Japan is preparing its most significant overhaul of arms export rules since World War II, marking a decisive turn from decades of self-imposed restraint. The move, expected to be formally adopted within weeks, reflects Tokyo’s intent to enter the global defence market in a meaningful way after years of near-isolation.
Allies seek alternatives amid US uncertainty
The shift comes as US allies reassess their dependence on Washington. Strained weapons supplies due to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, coupled with concerns over fluctuating US security commitments, have prompted partners from Europe to Asia to explore alternatives. Japan’s emerging role is increasingly seen as part of that diversification.
From pacifism to production power
Despite its pacifist constitution, Japan already maintains a substantial defence industrial base, supported by annual military spending of around $60 billion. This enables domestic production of advanced systems, including submarines and fighter aircraft. The new policy framework aims to convert this capability into export potential. Japan’s move to ease arms export rules has sparked wide interest, from Warsaw to Manila, according to Reuters.
New rules widen export pathways
The revised regulations will allow Japan to export defence equipment produced under foreign licence, including finished systems, to partner nations and potentially onward to third countries. The Polish military and Philippine navy have emerged as potential buyers, as both accelerate modernisation amid rising regional security pressures, Reuters reported, citing Japanese officials and diplomats in Tokyo.
Growing interest from Europe and Asia
One of the first agreements likely to be approved by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government is the export of used frigates to the Philippines, according to Japanese officials cited by Reuters. The move comes as Manila faces ongoing maritime tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea, adding urgency to its naval modernisation efforts. At the same time, Japan is exploring deeper defence cooperation with European partners such as Poland, particularly in areas like anti-drone and electronic warfare systems, as both sides look to address capability gaps and strengthen their defence industries. European diplomats also see Japan’s entry as a chance to reduce reliance on US defence supply chains, which is strained by conflicts.
Industry prepares for expansion
Japanese
firms are beginning to respond. Mitsubishi Electric and Toshiba are
expanding hiring and production capacity. “Offers are coming from
everywhere,” said Masahiko Arai of Mitsubishi Electric. Toshiba plans to
recruit hundreds of staff, signalling growing confidence within an
industry once wary of reputational risks tied to arms exports.
Why allies are diversifying beyond the United States
Concerns over policy unpredictability under Donald Trump have accelerated efforts by US allies to diversify defence partnerships. Diplomatic unease, ranging from threats to reassess NATO commitments to broader strategic ambiguity, has coincided with long-standing frustrations over Washington’s foreign military sales system, often criticised for delays, rising costs and strict technology controls. While successive US administrations, including Trump’s, have encouraged allies to shoulder greater defence responsibility, these constraints have pushed countries to seek alternative suppliers. Japan’s policy shift aligns with this need, aiming to build more resilient and diversified defence supply chains, particularly across Asia, rather than relying overwhelmingly on the United States.
What SIPRI data reveals about global defence dependence
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) hihlights the scale of US dominance in global arms supply. Between 2021 and 2025, the United States accounted for 95 per cent of Japan’s arms imports and remained the primary supplier to several key allies. Japan, despite its industrial strength, ranked only sixth among global arms importers and did not feature among the top exporters, even as its imports rose sharply by 76 per cent from 2016-20. However, its defence industry is comparable in scale to major producers such as South Korea, Germany and Israel. Reuters noted that South Korea is now a leading defence supplier to Poland and the Philippines, but Japan’s larger economy gives it greater potential.
‘No it is not US, UK or Russia’: which country has been involved in the most wars in history
‘No it is not US, UK or Russia’: which country has been involved in the most wars in history
France holds the global record for the most wars fought, participating in over 250 conflicts. Driven by a central European location, massive colonial ambitions, and the Napoleonic era, France surpasses both the US and the UK in historical warfare.
France
France holds the definitive global record, having participated in an estimated 250 military engagements since 387 BC. From the Hundred Years' War to both World Wars, France has continuously stood at the epicentre of global combat.
A Legacy of Major Victories
Despite modern misconceptions, France boasts the highest number of military successes in recorded history. Historians calculate that the French armed forces have secured over 110 major battlefield victories across centuries of continuous warfare.
The European Epicentre
France's geographic location made it the unavoidable crossroads for continental power struggles. Sharing borders with historical rivals like Germany, Spain, and Italy forced the nation into constant territorial defence and aggressive expansion.
The Napoleonic Machine
Under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte, France radically transformed the scale and intensity of modern warfare. The devastating Napoleonic Wars forced French armies to simultaneously fight and defeat multiple powerful European coalitions.
Global Colonial Wars
Beyond Europe, France’s aggressive push for overseas territories triggered dozens of brutal international conflicts. The nation fought heavily across the Americas, Africa, and Asia to establish one of the largest colonial empires in human history.
Where Do Rivals Rank?
The United Kingdom takes second place globally, having engaged in approximately 160 major conflicts largely driven by naval and colonial dominance. Meanwhile, the United States ranks significantly lower with roughly 113 conflicts, limited by its relatively brief existence since 1776.
A Modern Powerhouse
While the era of endless European conquest has ended, France remains a formidable global military force. Today, the nation operates an advanced, nuclear-armed military and stands as one of the world's largest exporters of sophisticated defence technology.
