- Despatches Today
Rheinmetall's Romanian Windfall: A New Chapter in European Arms Race?
Today's blockbuster weapons package for Rheinmetall signals a surge in European defense spending and a new chapter in the great power competition. Key finding: The $6.6 billion deal between Rheinmetall and Romania is not only the largest international contract for Rheinmetall but also an acceleration of Europe's arms race, with a 52% increase in story volume over the past week.
- Despatches Yesterday
AUKUS Drone Deal Kicks Off Submarine Race Acceleration
Yesterday's AUKUS underwater drone announcement accelerates a 30-day trend of increased focus on unmanned systems and submarine capabilities. Key finding: The AUKUS partners' joint development for underwater drone payloads signals an acceleration in their efforts to enhance deterrence against growing underwater threats, aligning with the 30-day trend of increased focus on unmanned systems.
- Despatches 1 Jun 2026
UUVs Surge: AUKUS Accelerates Underwater Drone Development
Yesterday's AUKUS news signals an acceleration in underwater drone development, with potential implications for maritime surveillance and warfare. Key finding: The announcement of a joint AUKUS project to develop cutting-edge payloads for uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) is not isolated; it's the latest in a series of collaborative efforts among the trio, marking an acceleration in their underwater drone ambitions.
- Despatches 31 May 2026
Space Race Accelerates as U.S. Boosts Orbit Tracking, Russia Plays Dirty with Drones
Yesterday's space and drone headlines converge with 30-day trends, signaling accelerating arms races and evolving threats. Key finding: The Pentagon's $4B SpaceX deal marks the third major space-related contract awarded in the past month, indicating an escalating pace of investment in orbital capabilities.
- Despatches 30 May 2026
Space, Spoofing, and the Gripen Gamble
A $6.45 billion SpaceX double-header, GPS spoofing dragging NATO into the Ukraine war, Ukraine's Gripen acquisition, and serious questions about US readiness for a Pacific conflict.