African Security Trends 2025: Drones Reshape Battlespace

Strix Air has announced a programme to modernise FPV drones for combat units of Ukraine’s Defence Forces. As the company told Defender Media, this is a systematic offer designed to adapt unmanned systems to the conditions of modern electronic warfare. The updated programme targets FPV drones that have lost effectiveness due to changes in the frequency environment and the intensive use of electronic warfare systems. It includes technical upgrades such as replacing video transmitters and control receivers with units operating on current frequency bands, installing antennas optimised for the new frequency grid, and updating software. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d7rdu2GR

🚀 NATO plans an automated defense zone along its borders with Russia and Belarus, using robots, drones, and sensors to stop attacks early and protect soldiers. 🛡️ The Eastern Flank Deterrence Line (EFDL) will create a multi-layer system with unmanned tech, AI monitoring, and larger weapon stockpiles in frontline countries, aiming for completion by 2027. 🤖 High-tech features include surveillance sensors, armed drones, semi-autonomous vehicles, and automated air defenses, with humans always making final decisions on weapon use. 📍 Pilot projects are underway in Poland and Romania, as part of efforts to deter Russia amid ongoing tensions from the Ukraine conflict. #NATO #Russia #DefenseTech Join my Telegram for free daily market news, hidden gems & insanely profitable insights you won't find anywhere else! 👇 https://lnkd.in/gaKD956m

AD HOC AIR-TO-AIR: Russia has recently begun modifying Geran-2 (Shahed-136) one-way attack drones by equipping them with man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). The 9K338 Igla-S is the latest iteration to serve as an improvised air-to-air platform. The chance of it actually functioning is remote.

The United States has achieved a significant milestone in modern warfare, marking the first confirmed large-scale combat use of kamikaze-style #drones during Operation “Absolute Resolve” in Caracas on January 3. Local video evidence captured the distinctive high-pitched engine sounds of LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) drones moments before impact, confirming their deployment during the strikes. The audio signature closely resembles that of Iran’s Shahed-136 loitering munitions. This operation represents a major shift in US military strategy. While the US has long relied on reusable platforms like MQ-9 Reaper drones, this marks the first time the #military has employed expendable loitering munitions at scale in real combat conditions. The LUCAS drone costs approximately $35,000 per unit and was designed specifically for distributed operations with minimal logistical requirements. The system can be launched from various platforms, including ships and ground-based catapults.

The software and hardware that will control tomorrow's combat drones got a workout on January 18, as a General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger showed off its capability by autonomously intercepting a crewed aggressor aircraft in an air combat exercise. The world's air forces and navies are betting heavily on combat drones in the near future. The tricky bit is getting them to actually work. The airframes are relatively far along because drones have been flying by remote control ever since some clever clock decided to install radios in planes, but what's needed today are the sensor kits and software that will allow a robotic drone to engage hostile aircraft with minimal human oversight.

Seven companies to compete to equip the British Army’s AH-64E Apaches with new collaborative combat drones With the release of an official statement on January 24, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that seven companies will compete to develop and produce new collaborative combat drones, which are intended to operate alongside the British Army’s AH-64E Apache helicopters. The initiative, referred to as Project NYX by the ministry, aims to advance the acquisition of an unmanned platform capable of complementing attack helicopters in reconnaissance and surveillance missions, target acquisition, and electronic warfare....

UK's Babcock International Group and Estonia’s Frankenburg Technologies partner on new maritime counter-drone air defence system. The aim is to deliver scalable, kinetic protection against one-way attack drones for deployed forces and critical infrastructure across Europe.

India building joint counter-drone grid under Mission Sudarshan Chakra to boost air defence As part of a push to modernise India’s air defence network against hostile and rogue drones, the Indian armed forces are developing a joint Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) grid that will integrate anti-drone capabilities across all three services, defence officials said. The proposed CUAS grid will function separately from existing air defence networks such as the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which officials said would be overburdened if tasked with tracking small drones alongside conventional aerial threats....

Taiwan is reshaping its ground forces with a forward-looking strategy that merges cutting-edge technologies — from AI-driven command systems to advanced drones and specialized Abrams tanks. This modernization aims to create a more adaptive, tech-enabled defense force ready for tomorrow’s challenges. #DefenseInnovation #AI #MilitaryTechnology #Taiwan https://lnkd.in/eQzT6R4V

Germany to acquire MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones - Germany has agreed to procure eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.