$7 Million russian Reconnaissance Platform Could Not Escape Ukrainian Paratroopers' Response (Video)
Paratroopers of Ukraine's 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade have destroyed a high-value russian Forpost reconnaissance drone during a recent engagement, then, in the fighters' words, "went looking for a new target". The strike was announced on the Brigade's official page and hailed by the unit as another successful strike against enemy intelligence assets.
Following Ukraine's Success With the Vampire Air Defense System, Taiwan Unveils Its Own Rapid-Fire Solution
In response to Ukraine's success using the low-cost Vampire air defense system to counter drone threats, Taiwan has unveiled its own rapid-fire rocket-based air defense platform. The new system, designed for both aerial and maritime drones, can fire one missile every 1.5 seconds, engage targets up to 8 km away, and integrate with existing radar networks to enhance Taiwan's layered drone defense.
Read more: Defense Express' Weekly Review: Ukraine's Black Raven Strikes, EU Air Defense Debate, Mirage Jets Transfer, and Denmark's Patriot Rejection
Ukrainian Drones Deliver Unprecedented Blow to the Iskander System Brigade
Ukrainian long-range drones have delivered a powerful strike on the Molkino training ground in Krasnodar Krai, destroying six vehicles belonging to the Iskander short-range ballistic missile system. The attack, which took place in the latter part of August with the use of 14 drones, was documented by photos taken by russian troops themselves and later published by the Dosye Shpiona project.
Germany Pays More for the AIM-120 Missile Than Its Own Meteor Unit But There's No Other Option
Germany is paying more than $3 million per one AIM-120D-3 missile, a price higher than that paid by Finland for the same missile type, and significantly above the roughly $2.2 million unit cost of its domestically-produced Meteor long-range missile. Despite Meteor missile being cheaper and developed in Europe, Germany sees no viable alternative but to acquire the AIM-120D missiles for its new F-35 fleet, as the Meteor missile is not expected to be compatible with the aircraft until the early 2030s.
Iran Launches Its First ICBM Capable of Reaching the USA
Iran has claimed a successful test of its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), reportedly capable of striking any point in the United States. Named Khorramshahr-5, the missile is said to have a range of roughly 12,000 km, carry a two-ton warhead, and reach speeds of up to Mach 16, though the test's published imagery raises doubts over whether it actually achieved full ICBM altitudes or behaved as claimed.
Read more: Defense Express' Weekly Review: Bayraktar TB2 Drone Strikes, RAM-2X Drone Sneak Behind Lines, and Ukraine Targets Crimea's RT-70 Radio Telescope
