Andreas Michaelides’ Post

NexDef Analysis | Turkey's HAKİM System, or Steel Dome System Türkiye is moving from siloed point-defences to a layered, networked national air-defense architecture: short-range guns/SHORAD, mobile point-defence, medium- and long-range SAMs, linked by tactical datalinks (RADNET/T-LINK) and national C2. The goal is to detect early, pass tracks to the right shooter, and keep reloads & sustainment local. Pieces • Short-range / gun systems: KORKUT / GÜRZ class SPAAGs (35 mm, ~1,100 rpm combined) and multi-sensor turrets for point defence against UAS and cruise threats—ideal for shoot-down density around maneuver units. • SHORAD & CAMM-style elements (ALP / İHTAR / ŞAHİN): mobile launchers to give brigade/formation level coverage and quick relocation. These fill the “defeat inbound swarms / MANPADS gaps” role. • Medium-range: HİSAR family. HİSAR-A (short/point) and HİSAR-O (medium) provide beyond-visual-range intercepts for aircraft & cruise missiles—key to protecting airbases and localized defense bubbles. (The program is publicly fielded with iterative capability increases.) • Long-range: SİPER, Turkey’s strategic, long-range surface-to-air missile to contest high-altitude, long-range threats and complicate adversary strike corridors (public reporting cites long-range engagement ambitions of the >100 km class). • Unmanned vessels / UUVs & naval sensors: It ties maritime sensors and unmanned effectors into the same RADNET—a sign of cross-domain sensing/sharing (air/sea under a common picture). Numbers & industrial context • ASELSAN / Turkish firms have accelerated sensor, turret, and CUAS production lines; KORKUT’s 35 mm twin barrels can sustain ~1,100 rpm and use programmable airburst rounds for UAS defeat. • Roketsan’s SİPER and the HİSAR family are domestic missile efforts intended to reduce foreign dependence and give Turkey sovereign reload/manufacture options at multiple ranges. Public reporting puts SİPER in the >100 km class ambition, while HİSAR variants cover the short→medium bands needed for layered defence. Operational Adv Kill-chain compression. A combined RADNET + T-LINK picture forces attackers to achieve longer detection denials (EW, loitering strike) or accept attrition from layered interceptors. Magazine & logistics warfare. Guns and short missiles burn rounds fast; Turkey’s investment in local manufacture (rocket motors, warheads, and fuzes) matters as much as the launcher counts. Expect emphasis on energetics lines and load-onshore contracts. A2/AD at scale, but mobile. This isn’t static Soviet-style belts—it’s mobile, distributed, and built to protect maneuver brigades, bases, and sea approaches. That increases resilience to strike and complicates targeting. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d5AQpM9q

More excellent commentary from SLD's Dr Robbin Laird on 🇦🇺's Maritime Border Command's approach to transforming maritime security by rapidly dev'ing uncrewed systems that extend surveillance capabilities. This is a detailed discussion about what force multiplication looks like, beyond changing out people for machines.

Unique evacuation from 20 meters away from Russian positions: Brave1 participant’s UGV withstood bullet hits, shell bursts, a mine explosion, and a drone attack Evacuation from the front line is one of the most dangerous operations. But the technologies developed by participants of the BRAVE1 defense innovation cluster help rescue soldiers under heavy fire, right next to Russian positions. In the Pokrovsk direction, the Zmiy Logistic unmanned ground vehicle evacuated a severely wounded soldier from the 11th Separate Assault Battalion of the 59th Brigade Steppe Predators. The robot picked up the serviceman directly from the forwardmost position, under intense enemy fire, from positions just 20 meters away. During the operation, Zmiy came under heavy enemy fire. The UGV withstood hits from 5.45 mm bullets, nearby 152 mm shell bursts, a mine explosion, and an enemy FPV drone attack,  losing connection only temporarily. The signal was restored, and the robot successfully delivered the wounded soldier to the evacuation point, where medics were already waiting. The fighter survived and is now undergoing rehabilitation. Technology is both an advantage on the battlefield and a way to save the lives of heroic soldiers.

🪖🛰️ 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗘𝗮𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗘𝘆𝗲 — 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗜-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨.𝗦. 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 Anduril has introduced EagleEye, a next-generation modular helmet that merges AI, augmented reality, and ballistic protection to transform how soldiers perceive, communicate, and operate on the battlefield. The system features a heads-up display delivering real-time tactical data, integrated drone and artillery controls, and a 360-degree sensor array, all linked through a rugged mesh network built to maintain connectivity under fire. By connecting to Anduril’s Lattice AI system, EagleEye fuses data from drones and ground sensors, overlaying it in real time to reveal enemy movements—even those hidden behind obstacles—creating what soldiers describe as a “wallhack” view of the battlefield. The first production units are slated for delivery to the U.S. Army next year. #defence #defense #miltech #AI #Anduril

Sigma Defense Systems has acquired Aries Defense, a company specialising in tactical video and sensor integration, to expand its command-and-control and ISR capabilities at the tactical edge. Aries’ technology connects UAVs, cameras and unattended sensors in secure, low-connectivity environments — systems already used by the US Marine Corps. Sigma plans to fold these capabilities into its Olympus platform, enabling more resilient, software-defined CJADC2 operations and improved situational awareness where connectivity is limited or contested. It’s Sigma’s third acquisition in two years focused on CJADC2 integration — following Juno Technologies and EWA — signalling a clear bet on multi-domain data fusion as the future of military command networks. How soon before such integrated architectures reach coalition partners too? #defence #commandandcontrol #isr #technologyintegration #cjadc2

Brightcom Partners with CQT for AI-Powered Defence Tech Advancements Brightcom Group has taken a bold step into the defence technology sector, signing a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US-based CQT Weapon Systems. This partnership marks a pivotal moment for Brightcom's defence vertical, Brightcom Defe https://lnkd.in/ewupiMuE

𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬 🛍️ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 📥𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐏𝐃𝐅 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐞: https://lnkd.in/dtCtFFe7 📊 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐳𝐞 & 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡: Air Defense System Market refers to the global industry of products, systems, technologies, and services aimed at detecting, tracking, intercepting, and neutralizing aerial threats (e.g. aircraft, missiles, drones, UAVs) before they reach their targets. It spans radars, command & control, interceptors, counter-UAS systems, electronic warfare, sensors, and supporting subsystems. Global Air Defense Systems Market size is estimated at USD 46.48 Bn in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 67.74 Bn by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.82% during the forecast period (2024-2032). 📈 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬: ▪️ Rising defense budgets – fueled by geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, South China Sea, and Middle East. ▪️ Escalating air & missile threats – including drones, hypersonic weapons, and cruise missiles. ▪️ Technological innovation surge – AI/ML-powered radars, high-power microwave systems, quantum detection. ▪️ Multi-domain integration – land, sea, air defenses converging with networked C2 systems. ▪️ Directed-energy & non-kinetic solutions – growing interest in laser-based defenses like Iron Beam. 🏭𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬: Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Hanwha Vision, Saab, Rheinmetall, MBDA, Leonardo, Thales Alenia Space, Aselsan, IAI - Israel Aerospace Industries, KONGSBERG, BAE Systems, Elbit Systems, General Dynamics and others. 📊 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: ▪️ By System: Missile Defense System, Anti-aircraft System, Counter Rocket, and Artillery & Mortar (C-RAM) System) ▪️ By Application: Land, Naval, and Airborne ▪️ By Region: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and South America 🌍 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬: ▪️North America: Largest share (~38% in 2024), driven by U.S. defense procurement . ▪️Asia-Pacific: Fastest-growing (~7.9% CAGR), with China, India, SK, Japan expanding air defense arsenals ▪️Europe: Rising investment post-Ukraine crisis; projects like SAMP‑T NG and European Sky Shield Initiative indicate strategic autonomy ▪️MEA & LATAM: Gradual growth driven by regional security objectives. #IMIR #IMIRMarketResearch #AerosolPaints #SprayPaint #CoatingsMarket #DIYTrends #EcoFriendlyPaint #LowVOC #AutomotiveCoatings #ConstructionCoatings #APACGrowth #MarketReport2025

Every major leap in technology — from GPS to the internet — began as a defense project. Today, breakthroughs in AI-driven threat detection, unmanned systems, and quantum-secure communications are reshaping not only how nations defend themselves, but also how industries innovate. History shows that defense innovation often becomes tomorrow’s commercial disruption. The line between military R&D and civilian progress has never been thinner. The real question is: Are we investing enough in dual-use innovation — technologies that protect and empower society at the same time? #DefenseTechnology #Innovation #DualUseTech #AIDefense #FutureOfSecurity #TechnologyLeadership

"Iron Beam" ##Iron Beam is a cutting-edge, ground-based high-energy laser air defense system developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems, built to intercept and destroy aerial threats like rockets, mortars, artillery shells, and drones using direct laser energy. #Key Features Laser Power and Range: Iron Beam uses a 100 kW class fiber laser, enabling it to neutralize targets up to 7–10 km away almost instantaneously. Target Types: It destroys short-range rockets, artillery shells, mortar bombs, UAVs, and can be adapted for counter-drone and counter-missile operations. Cost Effectiveness: Each interception costs a few dollars—significantly less than traditional missile interceptors, thanks to unlimited laser “ammunition” and no need for projectiles. Complementary Role: Iron Beam works alongside Iron Dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling systems as Israel’s innermost defense layer for short-range aerial attacks. #Deployment and Testing The system was successfully field-tested against drones, rockets, mortars, and anti-tank missiles and is expected to be operationally deployed in late 2025. Naval adaptations are also in development to protect ships from drone swarms and anti-ship missiles. Smaller versions like “Lite Beam” are being designed for mobile units, with reduced output and shorter range for anti-drone and point defense roles. Operational Advantages and Limitations Unlimited Firing Capacity: As long as energy is available, Iron Beam can fire repeatedly without running out of ammunition. Rapid Response: The system targets threats at the speed of light, typically neutralizing them within seconds once locked on. #Environmental Sensitivity: Performance is affected in adverse weather—fog, heavy dust, or rain can reduce effectiveness because water particles and atmospheric conditions absorb some laser energy. #IronBeam #LaserDefense #MissileDefense #Rafael #IsraelDefense #HighEnergyLaser #AirDefense #DefenseTechnology #AntiMissile #MilitaryTech

Evacuation from the front line is one of the most dangerous operations. But Ukrainian developments give the military a chance to bring their comrades back alive even under heavy fire. In the Pokrovsk direction, a member of the Brave1 cluster, the ZMIY Logistic ground robotic complex from Rovertech LLC, evacuated a seriously wounded soldier from the 11th separate assault battalion of the 59th brigade, STEPOVI KHIZHAKI. The robot picked up the soldier directly from the front line, under intense enemy fire, whose positions were only 20 meters away. The UGV withstood hits from 5.45 caliber bullets, close explosions of 152 mm shells, a mine explosion, and an attack by an enemy FPV drone. The massive shelling that ZMIY came under caused a temporary loss of communication with it. For an hour and a half, the crew and the development team tried to restore control. Eventually, communication was restored, and the robot successfully transported the wounded soldier to the evacuation point, where medics were waiting for him. The soldier is alive and currently undergoing rehabilitation. This operation is an example of how technologies from Brave1 participants and the military work together to save lives.