Brussels just bought €6.1 billion of air-defence kit for Ukraine. London handed over Storm Shadow blueprints.
Top story
UK secures access to Ukraine’s Avengers AI Labs under new tech partnership. Britain and Ukraine announced a new partnership granting the UK access to Ukraine’s Avengers AI Labs, the UK Ministry of Defence said. The move is intended to accelerate joint development of battle-tested technology, leveraging Ukraine’s frontline experience. No financial value was disclosed. Why it matters: London is treating Ukraine’s combat lab as a strategic asset worth buying into — a reversal of the usual donor-recipient dynamic. (Single source) UK MOD →
The rundown
DRONES — The Italian Air Force is considering the purchase of U.S. technology that converts cheap unguided missiles into precision weapons for counter-drone missions, Defense News reports. No supplier, system name or budget was disclosed. (Single source) Defense News →
DRONES — Newly released footage marking Ukraine’s Independence Day shows dozens of Behemoth mid-range one-way attack drones in production, mounted wingtip to wingtip on wooden and metal stands. The black, Shahed-shaped airframes offer the clearest public look yet at how many Ukraine is building at once. (Single source) Defence Blog →
MUNITIONS — Poland’s defence agency signed a framework contract with state-owned Mesko for several thousand Piorun shoulder-launched air-defence systems, the Polish Defence Ministry said. The deal, worth up to €1.86 billion, includes launchers, missiles and simulators. Customers are Poland, Norway, Latvia and Lithuania. (Single source) Hartpunkt →
DRONES — Ukraine held what organizers described as the world’s first military parade composed entirely of unmanned systems on August 24, 2026. Dozens of ground robotic systems moved down Kyiv’s main street, built for logistics, reconnaissance and combat. The display marked Ukraine’s Independence Day. (Single source) Defence Blog →
MUNITIONS — A Swedish Gripen C fired a KEPD-350 Taurus long-range cruise missile for the first time, Opex360 reports. Despite Saab’s involvement in developing the missile alongside MBDA Deutschland, Sweden only ordered Taurus in 2024 after the war in Ukraine prompted the ministry to acquire deep-strike capabilities. (Single source) Opex360 →
INDUSTRY — Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH signed a seven-year contract with the German armed forces to maintain NH90 helicopters, the company said. The first helicopters are expected at the Dresden site shortly. EFW previously conducted NH90 maintenance work as a subcontractor. (Single source) Soldat & Technik →
DRONES — The cooperation between Israeli loitering-munition specialist UVision and German defence group Rheinmetall could be heading for another expansion, with HERO 1250 potentially becoming the next major joint project, Soldat & Technik reports, citing Israeli sources. (Single source) Soldat & Technik →
Signals
PROCUREMENT — The second Boeing KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tanker ordered by Israel landed in the country last week, European Security & Defence reports. No further details were disclosed. (Single source) European Security & Defence →
By the numbers
9 events in this issue · 0/9 corroborated · €1.9bn in stated deal values · 8/9 European · busiest beat: drones
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