Russia is preparing 200-missile salvos. Ukraine's interceptor reserve has never been this low.
Top story
Ukraine warns of Russian salvos up to 200 missiles as Kyiv strike kills 15. An overnight Russian missile strike on Kyiv killed 15 people, while Ukrainian officials warn that Moscow is preparing combined salvos of up to 200 missiles. Russia is ramping up missile production as Ukraine’s ballistic missile interceptor stocks hit multi-year lows. The combination of dwindling Ukrainian air defenses and expanding Russian production capacity is shifting the calculus of urban targeting. Why it matters: Europe’s air-defense transfers to Ukraine have opened a gap Moscow can now exploit at scale — and Kyiv’s interceptor reserve has never been this exposed. (Corroborated) Defense News →
The rundown
DRONES — The US Army will disband its experimental drone battalion in Europe following Exercise Saber Junction in August and September, returning the unit to its airborne infantry mission. The battalion had been testing drone integration at scale in a European theater setting. (Corroborated) Defense News → · C4ISRNET →
MUNITIONS — The US Navy has contracted Zone 5 Technologies, a Kongsberg subsidiary, to build its combat-proven Rusty Dagger low-cost cruise missile for the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) program. The $65 million deal is the second CHAOS contract awarded. Rusty Dagger has already seen operational use. (Corroborated) Naval News → · Hartpunkt →
DRONES — Ukraine’s Defense Forces have deployed the Alexa Spatium, a domestically developed turbojet-powered interceptor drone designed to counter fast, low-flying threats including Russia’s Shahed-type loitering munitions. The jet-powered aircraft can engage aerial, ground, and surface targets. (Corroborated) Defence Blog → · Defence Industry Europe →
DRONES — The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration has awarded Danish company Nordic Wing a 350 million SEK ($37 million) contract for reconnaissance and strike drones. Delivery to Swedish forces is scheduled for Q2 2027. This is Sweden’s first procurement of strike drones for its armed forces. (Single source) Defence Blog →
DRONES — Ukrainian drone manufacturer Airlogix has signed a letter of intent with Finnish technology company Innokas to establish a joint-venture production facility in Finland. The agreement was signed at DALO Industry Days 2026 in Denmark. (Single source) Defence Blog →
DRONES — German aerospace startup POLARIS Spaceplanes has completed the first flight of its COBRA unmanned missile-carrier prototype, flying more than 20 km over the Baltic Sea. The aircraft, developed in cooperation with Diehl Defence, is designed to carry IRIS-T air-to-air missiles. Additional test flights are planned in coming months. (Corroborated) Defence Blog → · Hartpunkt →
NAVAL — Naval Sea Systems Command has issued a sources-sought notice for a replacement to the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM), the ship-defense weapon used by a dozen NATO navies to intercept anti-ship missiles and aircraft. The Navy is seeking companies capable of designing, building, and supporting a next-generation system. (Single source) Defence Blog →
By the numbers
8 events in this issue · 5/8 corroborated · €62m in stated deal values · 7/8 European · busiest beat: drones
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