Germany just test-fired a 400 km Israeli strike missile from a warship. The Bundesmarine doesn't own that capability—yet.
Top story
German Navy fires Israeli LORA ballistic missile from operational vessel in dual test. The German Navy successfully completed a dual firing trial of Israel Aerospace Industries’ Naval LORA ballistic missile, launching from an operational German vessel and hitting targets with precision in both scenarios. The trial was part of the German Navy’s Marine 2035 Operational Experimentation (OPEX) program. The missile was launched from a configuration comprising a command trailer and launcher mounted on the vessel. Why it matters: Germany testing a 400 km-range precision strike weapon signals interest in long-range maritime fires—capability the Bundesmarine currently lacks and NATO’s Baltic flank needs. (Corroborated) Naval News → · Defence Blog → · Defence Industry Europe →
The rundown
MUNITIONS — US forces carried out a wave of strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets inside Iran, hitting air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets and other military facilities. Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US sites across the Middle East the following day. At least four people were killed and 35 wounded when a US strike hit a home hosting a wedding ceremony in southern Iran, according to a provincial official. (Corroborated) UK Defence Journal → · Daily Sabah defense → · Daily Sabah defense →
PROCUREMENT — Egypt formally requested information from Dassault Aviation on acquiring another 24 Rafale fighters, which would bring Cairo’s total fleet from 54 already ordered to 78. The request follows Egyptian Rafales training against Chinese J-16s during the Eagles of Civilization 2026 exercise, while Beijing simultaneously tries to expand its position in the Egyptian defense market. (Corroborated) Defence24 → · Daily Sabah defense →
NAVAL — German shipbuilder TKMS delivered the submarine INS Drakon to the Israeli Navy, completing the third and final boat of the HDW Dolphin class equipped with air-independent propulsion. The vessel has departed Kiel and is en route to Israel. (Single source) Hartpunkt →
NAVAL — Ukraine’s Navy destroyed a Russian uncrewed surface vessel near Snake Island in the Black Sea after detecting it with an unmanned aerial vehicle. Footage shows the drone boat struck by a precision munition dropped from above; the vessel caught fire and detonated. (Single source) Defence Blog →
NAVAL — USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in Thailand on Wednesday morning after more than 200 days at sea. The Navy pulled a cruiser from the George Washington Carrier Strike Group to escort Abraham Lincoln into the South China Sea under unclear circumstances, according to The War Zone. (Corroborated) Defense News → · The War Zone →
By the numbers
6 events in this issue · 4/6 corroborated · 4/6 European · busiest beat: naval
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