DEFENSE PULSE Weekly \\ 0070

Germany's parliamentary budget committee approved its largest defense modernization wave in decades, transforming the Bundeswehr with AI-powered battlefield surveillance, extended autonomous drone operations, and long-range strike capabilities as the country positions for Russia's assessed NATO conflict readiness by 2029. The procurement package spans next-generation infantry weapons, artificial intelligence reconnaissance networks, and the missiles needed for Germany's incoming F-35A fleet to execute NATO's nuclear-sharing mission starting 2027.

The centerpiece is the Uranos AI battlefield surveillance system, which fuses data from air and ground sensors to provide real-time tactical reconnaissance using machine learning. Eight complete systems deploy to Germany's NATO eastern flank brigade in Lithuania between 2026-2028, marking Germany's first operational AI-integrated battlefield awareness network. The approval extends operations of Israel's Heron TP long-endurance drones while adding hundreds of lightweight ALADIN reconnaissance drones that frontline units can deploy in minutes for real-time video without exposing soldiers.

Germany is accelerating its transition from Cold War-era Tornado aircraft to F-35As with approved cruise missiles and Joint Strike Missiles (partnered with Norway) for land and sea targets, providing the Bundeswehr with modern standoff strike capabilities it has lacked for decades. The package includes upgraded maritime radar processors for NH90 helicopters (shared development with Belgium, Italy, Netherlands) and modernized Eurofighter radar systems, positioning Germany as a more capable NATO partner as European defense spending surges in response to the Ukraine war and shifting U.S. security guarantees. Read the full breakdown

\\ Deftechtimes

Northrop Grumman unveiled Project Talon CCA demonstrator after losing Increment One to General Atomics and Anduril, claiming the design is "cheaper and better" with 50% fewer parts, 1,000 lbs lighter, and 30% faster to produce than their original offering. Northrop emphasizes the program as "an experiment in new methodology" applicable across the company, not just another CCA entry. Company officials say high interest exists from services and foreign buyers despite not targeting Increment Two specifically.

China's Xi'an H-20 stealth bomber remains missing in action despite March 2024 promises it was "almost here" with no technological bottlenecks. US intelligence now projects 2030s debut (not imminent) and Pentagon officials dismissed it as "not really a concern," citing engineering design challenges making it "nowhere near as good" as B-2 or B-21 low-observable platforms. The new GJ-X flying wing spotted in 2025 turned out to be a drone, not the strategic bomber.

Italy's Defense Minister confirmed Germany is assessing entry into the UK-Italy-Japan GCAP program as the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS partnership hits breaking point over workshare disputes and intellectual property access. Dassault Aviation's push for 80% workshare on the Next Generation Fighter sparked German concerns, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius publicly stating he would end FCAS if unresolved challenges persist. The shift would mark a major realignment in European defense cooperation, with Germany's comprehensive fighter production capabilities potentially redirecting from Paris to the GCAP tri-continental partnership.

India's DRDO successfully flight-tested morphing wing technology using shape-memory alloy actuators that achieve 6-degree leading-edge droop in 0.17 seconds, tracking continuous geometry changes at one cycle per second under full airflow loading. The system uses adaptive power distribution that doubles actuation speed with only 5.6% energy increase, replacing traditional hydraulic actuators with lightweight smart metals (6 grams electronics per segment) that eliminate radar-reflective hinges and gaps. Next steps target multi-axis coordinated morphing for AMCA and future Indian fighters, marking India's entry into sixth-gen continuous-surface flight control alongside US and European programs.

Robotic submarines face the century-old submarine stealth challenge, staying silent against improving sonar as navies shift toward AUV-heavy fleets like Royal Navy's Atlantic Bastion. EDA's €4.8M SPHYDA project builds digital noise models addressing hull turbulence, propeller cavitation (vacuum bubbles collapsing with loud pops), machinery vibration, and pipe gurgling through solutions including pump jets, skewed propeller blades, rubber-mounted equipment, sound-absorbing tiles, and integrated hull-rudder-propulsion geometry. The four-year initiative addresses growing naval reliance on autonomous underwater vehicles.

Airbus and Saab are discussing loyal wingman drone development for Eurofighter Typhoon and Gripen E as European defense giants rush into CCA partnerships amid FCAS program uncertainty. The collaboration joins emerging European CCA alliances including Anduril-Rheinmetall, General Dynamics-GA Aerotec, and Airbus-Kratos (XQ-58A Valkyrie for Germany), all targeting European air forces adopting manned-unmanned teaming. The partnership builds on existing ties (Saab's Arexis electronic warfare equips German Eurofighters) and follows Saab's 2023 exit from UK-led Tempest/GCAP, while Airbus already unveiled its Wingman concept at Berlin Airshow 2024 and partnered with Kratos on XQ-58A Valkyrie for Germany's 2029 target.

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