Defense Intelligence
for Decision Makers

Dutch defense technology startup Intelic launched BASE, a European military drone marketplace designed to expedite procurement by connecting drone manufacturers from nine European countries through interoperable systems, the company announced May 4, 2026. The platform allows defense ministries to evaluate unmanned aerial vehicles from multiple vendors that integrate with Intelic's Nexus command-and-control software, according to CEO Maurits Korthals Altes....

Israel's government approved procurement of additional Lockheed Martin F-35I fighters and Boeing F-15IA aircraft, marking the first phase of a ten-year modernization program with a total budget of ₪350 billion ($118 billion), the Israeli Defense Ministry announced May 4, 2026. The ministerial committee for acquisitions authorized purchase of a fourth F-35I squadron and a second F-15IA squadron, with combined costs estimated in the tens of billions of shekels....

U.S....

Japan Deploys US-2 Aircraft, Combat Forces to Balikatan Exercises in Philippines Japan deployed a ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft and approximately 1,400 personnel to the 2026 Balikatan exercises in the Philippines, marking the first deployment of Japanese combat troops to Philippine territory since World War II. The deployment represents the first operation under the reciprocal access agreement between Tokyo and Manila that entered force in 2025....

The U.S....

The United States will withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany as tensions escalate between President Donald Trump and European allies over the Iran war, the Pentagon announced May 1, 2026. The drawdown follows criticism from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who stated Iranians were humiliating the United States in negotiations to end the two-month conflict and questioned Washington's exit strategy....