L-boat submarine

The USS Hornet’s 40  millimetre anti-aircraft guns deployed against Japan in 1945

The USS Hornet's 40  millimetre anti-aircraft guns deployed against Japan in 1945

submarines

British Mark IV tank

gas mask

French soldiers

US Army soliders drive a captured German Kübelwagen in 1944

US torpedo bomber

Biplane

A WWII German submarine being lifted out of the water near the harbour in Rotterdam  in 1990

CONFLICT ZONE: World War I & II

Business Standard

Ukraine

Israeli company Orbit Communication Systems secured a $2.4 million contract from a European company to supply satellite communication (Satcom) systems for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s naval platforms this year, according to the company’s

Israeli company Orbit Communication Systems secured a $2.4 million contract from a European company to supply satellite communication (Satcom) systems for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's naval platforms this year, according to the company's

US vessel USS Lake Erie (CG-70), a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, which completed almost a year of deployment in the US Fourth Fleet and returned to Naval Base San Diego in June, houses the Aegis combat system, integrating advanced radar a

USS Lake Erie (CG-70)

Germany

Russian state-owned company Rostec manufactured an aerostat in April to provide stable mobile communication for  the armed forces, according to a media statement. The radio module mounted on the balloon is equipped with an omnidirectional  antenna (P

Insitu

The US Space Systems Command’s commercial space office awarded a contract worth $307 million to Viasat in May to provide satellite communication services to the Marine Corps. The five-year deal aims to integrate multi-orbit and multi-band services fo

US Space

From resilient battlefield communication, naval network to two-way tactical communication

Communication Systems

The Nigerian Air Force’s A-29 Super Tucano aircraft firing machine guns (Photo: US AIR FORCE)

The Nigerian Air Force's A-29 Super Tucano aircraft firing machine guns (Photo: US AIR FORCE)

A Nigerian soldier on a military truck with a machine gun in Nigeria in November 2025

The Chinese Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicle used in counter-insurgency strikes (Photo: US ODIN)

The Russian surface-to-air missile system used by insurgents in Sahel (Photo: US ODIN)

A Libyan joint forces soldier with an AK-103 assault rifle during Exercise Flintlock led by US Africa Command in Libya in April 2026 (Photo: US Africa Command)

Conflict Zone: Sahel region

Naval fleet (PHOTO: German Navy)

Advances in engines (PHOTO: Pratt & Whitney)

AI-targeting system (PHOTO: REUTERS)

Improving stealth operations

Robotic boost (PHOTO: HDT Robotics)

Autonomous UAV (PHOTO: SENSER)

Indigenous jets (PHOTO: Turkish Aerospace Industries)

Largest warship (PHOTO: DPRK)

Canada’s weapon expansion (Photo: Reuters)

Canada's weapon expansion (Photo: Reuters)

SCALP’s production boost (PHOTO: AXIOS)

SCALP's production boost (PHOTO: AXIOS)

Next-gen strike capability (PHOTO: MBDA)

Zumwalt-class upgrade (PHOTO: RAYTHEON)

China enhances J-20 (Photo: Reuters)

From stealth fighters and hypersonic missiles to AI-enabled drones and robotic vehicles, global powers are accelerating the development of next-generation weapon systems.

Power arcade: Stealth weapon systems

All-terrain vehicle Canadian Armed Forces deployed MTT-154, an all-terrain remotely operated electric unmanned tracked vehicle, above the Arctic Circle during Operation Nanook drills in Cambridge Bay, Canada, in March. The vehicle is designed to carr

Radio-controlled system  Ukrainian servicemen launched radio-controlled and optic fibre-operated first-person-view drones from a remotely-operated ground-based robotic complex, part of the “Gnom” UGV series, in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, in Ap

‘Personnel’ shield A Ukrainian soldier remotely controls an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) during testing at a training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, in April.  These systems are increasingly deployed on the frontline to shield infantry

‘Personnel' shield A Ukrainian soldier remotely controls an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) during testing at a training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, in April.  These systems are increasingly deployed on the frontline to shield infantry

CROWS for defence missions The US Air Force is seen using a common remotely operated weapon station (CROWS) with an attached M240B machine gun during a certification training in Italy in March. The CROWS is a vehicle-mounted turret system that assist

Aerial supremacy A US soldier pilots a DJI Matrice 300 RTK drone during the US Army Combined Resolve exercise in Germany in April. The remote controlled drone is used for aerial surveillance and inspection, and  boasts extreme durability and enduranc

All-weather robot dog The United States (US)-based robotics firm Ghost Robotics’ Vision 60 robot dog participated in a military drill by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force in Japan in January. The robot is a  remotely operated mid-sized,  high-en

All-weather robot dog The United States (US)-based robotics firm Ghost Robotics' Vision 60 robot dog participated in a military drill by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force in Japan in January. The robot is a  remotely operated mid-sized,  high-en

Ukraine sharpens firepower Ukraine regiment reportedly transported an infantry fighting vehicle with an unusual turret configuration, likely to be equipped with the Spanish Guardian 30 remotely controlled weapon station (RCWS), in June. The infantry

Next-generation interceptor The P1-SUN middle strike drone interceptor was launched by Ukraine this year. It is a remotely controlled next-generation drone designed to intercept airborne targets, including fast-moving jet-powered drones. It also cons

Underwater inspection Oceanbotics has launched the SRV-8C, a compact, remotely operated vehicle specialising in professional-grade underwater inspection. It has advanced manoeuvrability and software interface features and can perform critical underwa

Safeguarding soldiers A soldier of a Ukrainian forces seen preparing a Kalashnikov tank machine gun, part of a domestically built RCWS named ShaBlya (Sabre) for a mobile air defence unit, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, last year. This system safeguards

Subsea platform Italian firm Saipem’s maiden resident underwater intervention drone, Hydrone-R, concluded a latest autonomous survey operation over the Arctic coral area of ​​Njord, Norway, in February. The drone serves as a remotely operated subsea

Subsea platform Italian firm Saipem's maiden resident underwater intervention drone, Hydrone-R, concluded a latest autonomous survey operation over the Arctic coral area of ​​Njord, Norway, in February. The drone serves as a remotely operated subsea

Drone-hunting robot A fighting robot named Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) is seen in action during army training in Munster, Germany, in April. Manufactured by Milrem Robotics, the vehicle specialises in combat, transport, and reconn

Mine disposal device The Royal Navy, in June, announced that a submersible, remote-controlled mine disposal system, known as Video Ray Defender-Viper, previously tested and used in Ukraine, is now ready for deployment in the Strait of Hormuz. The por

Below are pictures of the latest remotely operated weapons as featured in Blueprint July 2026

Power arcade: Remotely operated systems

An explosion of what appears to be white phosphorus fired by the Israel Defense Forces on the Lebanese side of the Israel-Lebanon border on May 10, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Israeli tanks on the border with Lebanon in northern Israel on March 21, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS

A variant of Hermes 900 deployed by Israel against Hezbollah in 2026. Photo: Elbit Systems

A first-person view drone with fibre optic cable over the border from Lebanon to Israel on May 19, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Israeli tanks on the border with Lebanon in northern Israel on March 21, 2026. Photo: Reuters

A Hezbollah anti-tank missile launcher and missiles found by Israeli troops in southern Lebanon on April 15, 2026. Photo: Israel Defense Forces

Conflict zone: Israel-Lebanon

MiG 23

A destroyed tank on a field, following a fight between the Ethiopian and the Tigray forces in Afar region, Ethiopia, on February 25, 2022 (Photo: Reuters)

ethiopia war

drones

assault rifles

PHL 03

Conflict zone: Ethiopia

Iran

Hypersonic weapons

Dark Eagle

VMAX glider

ESSM missile

The UK upgrades its rocket systems

engine

Below are pictures of hypersonic and supersonic weapons as featured in Blueprint June 2026

Hypersonic and supersonic weapons

Electro-optical system

US vessels

Greece ordered next-generation RAM Block 2A missiles to boost its fast attack missile craft in March

‘Warfighter' fast-attack submarine

The US Navy announced that its latest nuclear-enabled aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78)

The United Kingdom (UK) Royal Navy has bolstered its mine-hunting capabilities by integrating modern uncrewed equipment into the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Lyme Bay in March.

Jump naval drones

The UK granted Teledyne Marine a contract to deliver several autonomous ocean observing systems to the Royal Navy, including Sentinel and Slocum gliders​ and APEX floats in March

The largest military hovercraft China is producing a distinctive Zubr-class hovercraft, the largest ever built. It can carry 500 troops, or 10 lighter armoured vehicles, at speeds of over 55 knots, according to the Naval News report in March. They pr

Russian Navy’s RFS Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky B-274 diesel-electric attack submarine docked in North Jakarta

Russian Navy's RFS Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky B-274 diesel-electric attack submarine docked in North Jakarta

The largest military hovercraft

Below are pictures of naval technology and modern defence maritime weapons as featured in Blueprint May 2026

Power arcade: Naval technology

A F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force. Photo: Lockheed Martin

A F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force

The Taliban’s rocket launcher in a vehicle near the Torkham border in Afghanistan. Photo: Reuters

The Taliban's rocket launcher in a vehicle near the Torkham border in Afghanistan. Photo: Reuters

A Pakistan Army soldier with a rifle, in Chaman, Pakistan, on February 27, 2026

Taliban soldiers using anti-aircraft gun in Khost province, Afghanistan, on February 27, 2026

Conflict zone: Pakistan-Afghanistan

US Navy sailors move ordnance on the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier (Photo: Reuters)

The Israeli ballistic missile, Blue Sparrow (PHOTO: Israeli Air Force)

Hermes 900 used by Israel against Iran (PHOTO: ELBIT System)

Kheibar, Iran’s Khorramshahr ballistic missile (PHOTO: IRNA)

Kheibar, Iran's Khorramshahr ballistic missile (PHOTO: IRNA)

B-52 Stratofortress bombers used for precision strikes (PHOTO: AFGSC.AF)

The US Army’s high mobility artillery rocket system (PHOTO: CENTCOM)

The US Army's high mobility artillery rocket system (PHOTO: CENTCOM)

CONFLICT ZONE: US-Israel-Iran

Boost for VAMPIRE (Photo: L3HARRIS)

Israel’s unprecedented Oron (Photo: IAI)

Israel's unprecedented Oron (Photo: IAI)

Space-based ISR (Photo: IAI)

Japan eyes strategic ISR (Photo: IAI)

Ground vehicle (Photo: ARX Robotic)

Underwater surveillance (Photo: IAI)

Electronic warfare drones (Photo: AIRO Group)

Helicopter-drone team (Photo: Airbus)

Ukraine sharpens precision (Photo: Reuters)

Maritime display

Poland gets tactical edge (Photo: Reuters)

The US intelligence mission (Photo: LOCKHEED)

Australia’s airborne warfare (Photo: Australia MOD)

Australia's airborne warfare (Photo: Australia MOD)

The latest military weapons from around the world

Power Arcade: ISR weapons and platforms

US receives new ‘ring’ (Photo: LEONARDO DRS)

US receives new ‘ring' (Photo: LEONARDO DRS)

Soft-kill ship (Photo: US Navy)

Ukraine approves new EW system (Photo: TAF)

Viper shield for F-16 (Photo: L3Harris)

Fighting radio threats (Photo: Unwave)

Enhanced lethality (Photo: NORTHROP GRUMMAN)

Next-generation boost (Photo: ASELSAN)

Growler leads US mission (Photo: Reuter)

Iran uses Russian tech (Photo: US ODIN)

Radio for modern warfare (Photo: Pacific Defence)

Aerial electronic intelligence (Photo: SNC)

Frontline defence (Photo: EPIRUS)

Power Arcade: New-age electronic warfare

An STC’s military police unit guards a patrol vehicle mounted with a heavy machine gun in Aden, Yemen

An STC's military police unit guards a patrol vehicle mounted with a heavy machine gun in Aden, Yemen

The STC forces execute an operation against Saudi-PLC coalition in Abyan, Yemen, in December 2025

Israel’s F-15 Eagle fighter, which hit Houthi infrastructure in Sanna, Yemen, in September 2025 (Photo: IDF)

Israel's F-15 Eagle fighter, which hit Houthi infrastructure in Sanna, Yemen, in September 2025 (Photo: IDF)

Iranian ballistic missile parts, smuggled in a fishing boat to the Houthis in Yemen, were caught in 2025 (Photo: US Department of Justice)

The small arms and assault rifles of Houthi supporters during a rally to show solidarity with Palestinians in Sanaa, Yemen, in April 2025 (Photo: Reuters)

CONFLICT ZONE: Yemeni civil war

An armed M23 rebel at the Grande Barrier border amid clashes, in Rwanda, in January 2025 (Photo: Reuters)

The FARDC’s Chinese-made CH-4B Rainbow combat drone, which was reportedly downed by rebels in late 2025 (Photo: US Odin)

The FARDC's Chinese-made CH-4B Rainbow combat drone, which was reportedly downed by rebels in late 2025 (Photo: US Odin)

Abandoned rocket-propelled grenades of the FARDC lie at Goma airport in March 2025 (Photo: Reuters)

The Russian-made Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft, belonging to the FARDC, which was seized by M23 rebels at Goma airport, in January 2025 (Photo: TASS)

Congolese soldiers guard a military vehicle in Muadiamvita, North Kivu, in February 2025 (Photo: Reuters)

CONFLICT ZONE: Democratic Republic of Congo

Unleashing laser-guided bombs (Photo: Raytheon)

Flight trials (Photo: BAE Systems)

Bangladesh’s push for precision (Photo: Roketsan)

Bangladesh's push for precision (Photo: Roketsan)

Faster than lightning (Photo: Reuters)

Smart munition (Photo: Safran Group)

‘Networked' glide bomb (Photo: RTX)

Australia’s new missile facility (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

Australia's new missile facility (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

A highly ‘survivable’ stand-in (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

A highly ‘survivable' stand-in (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

US showcases surgical precision (Photo: Raytheon)

Deep-strike firepower (Photo: Hanwha)

Fire-and-forget Javelin missile (Photo: Reuters)

The latest precision weapons from around the world

Power Arcade: Precision weapons

A Bedouin fighter with a Soviet-made rifle after clashes resumed with Druze gunmen in Sweida in July 2025 (Photo: Reuters)

Syrian security forces after clashes between Syrian troops and Druze fighters in Sweida, Syria, in July 2025 (Photo: Reuters)

A BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle in Qusayr in 2025 (Photo: Reuters)

A Russian Pantsir-S1 air defence system captured by rebels (Photo: US ODIN)

The Soviet-era Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan military cargo jet, one of the world's largest planes (Photo: Antonov)

CONFLICT ZONE: Crisis in Syria

World’s maiden laser-armed tank (Photo: FNSS)

World's maiden laser-armed tank (Photo: FNSS)

US’ next-generation aerial defence (Photo: US Army)

US' next-generation aerial defence (Photo: US Army)

Combat-ready Iron Beam (Photo: Rafael)

Germany to get naval energy weapon (Photo: Rheinmetall)

AI-powered bomb disposal system (Photo: Parsons)

‘RapidDestroyer’ undergoes tests (Photo: UK MOD)

‘RapidDestroyer' undergoes tests (Photo: UK MOD)

US gets high-energy boost (Photo: AeroVironment)

Japan’s 100 kW fiber weapon trial (Photo: AGC)

Japan's 100 kW fiber weapon trial (Photo: AGC)

A microwave to ‘fry’ drones (Photo: Epirus)

A microwave to ‘fry' drones (Photo: Epirus)

The latest directed-energy military weapons from around the world

Power Arcade: Directed-energy military weapons

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