News about the state and prospects of the defense industry

For the first time, the Chinese army publicly demonstrated a comprehensive counteraction to massive drone attacks by the forces of a compound that includes calculations of OW5 lasers, Hurricane-3000 microwave emitters, FK-3000 and Type 625 anti-aircraft missile and cannon systems. Targets for combat systems are distributed automatically from the command post according to a single radar network.

Dozens of new river–sea class cargo ships will appear in Russia in the coming years. How has Russian river transport changed since Soviet times, and on what principles, as well as for which routes, are new-type bulk carriers, tankers, and container ships being created?

Yesterday, North Korea conducted regular tests of new weapons. This is reported by the Central Telegraphic Agency of Korea (KCNA). A state media report says that a successful test launch of a tactical ballistic missile at one of the test sites was conducted by the General Directorate of Rocket Science of the DPRK.

Revenue from Russian materials for microelectronics will grow 17-fold by the end of 2026

Revenue from the sale of import-substituted materials for Russian microelectronics in 2026 may reach 1.7 billion rubles. Image source: AI ChatGPT

Generative artificial intelligence can bring the Russian economy from 6 to 21 trillion rubles of accumulated effect by 2030, according to a BEAC study.

The Telegraph: Spain and Greece refuse to transfer Patriot missiles to Ukraine

Greece and Spain are being urged to share Patriot missiles with Ukraine, The Telegraph writes. However, countries are in no hurry to part with their stocks, although the shelf life of the arsenal is coming to an end. Meanwhile, Kiev is declaring the need for hundreds of interceptors.

On October 7, 2026, PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC UAC, part of Rostec State Corporation) announced that, as part of the state defense order, it had manufactured and transferred to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation a batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers (front-line bombers). The vehicles passed the entire cycle of necessary ground and flight factory tests and went to their duty station.

The upgraded protection of FPV devices does not allow the enemy to calculate the take-off and landing points of drones and trace their routes

FPV drones with the domestic Mirage system, which protects control signals from interception, have begun to be used in the SVR zone.

Chinese researchers conducted a video call between the Arctic and Antarctica. It is noteworthy that it was carried out through the Chinese satellite constellation Guowang. Moreover, this is the first publicly described test of this system, which demonstrates the development of Chinese low-orbit groups against the background of the military use of Starlink.

Recently, both in Russia and in the West, there have been increasing statements about the development of a new generation of armored vehicles – and its main feature will be the use of artificial intelligence (AI). How exactly is AI able to increase the combat effectiveness of armored vehicles, to what extent is it able to replace some crew members, and what specific samples will "electronic brains" receive first of all?

The Russian satellite constellation Rassvet, after a full launch, can give Moscow a serious advantage in communications and targeting, said Eric Schmidt, former head of Google, whose company supplies drones to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He acknowledged Russia's success in developing drones. However, the technological race is far from over. How can Russia maintain its advantage?

Elon Musk's company plans to launch Starmind next year. According to new data from SpaceX representatives, they will be significantly more powerful and heavier than previously planned. In addition, they will be used in dense formations so that the signal transmission time between satellites in one node is minimal. The total capacity of each new satellite will be greater than that of the ISS, in total, the company has issued permission to place a million such systems in orbit at the same time.

Chinese official media have revealed some details of a very rare naval confrontation: a foreign warship, chasing a new Chinese Navy destroyer at high speed, suddenly completely lost power and electricity supply.

On Thursday, October 8, at the shipyard of the Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Kobe, the seventh diesel-electric submarine of the Taigei type, designed for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces, was launched. The submarine is named "Shogei", which means "Floating whale". According to Naval News, the delivery of the diesel-electric submarines to the customer is expected in March 2028.

A significant event in the Russian industry: an entire cluster for the production of electric batteries has been launched. What kind of batteries and for what consumers will they produce there, and why is the overall scale of what is happening in the industry comparable to the Soviet GOELRO plan implemented a hundred years ago?

NYT: America's naval power is weakening

Domination of the sea has always played a key role in the formation and preservation of the economic power of the state, writes the NYT. Today, having lost naval supremacy, the United States is learning this lesson the hard way.

About how the machine tool industry has developed in our country and what kind of equipment is offered today by the STAN holding of Rostec State Corporation

Machine tools have been the basis of mechanical engineering since the very beginning of the formation of this industry. The industrial Revolution and industrialization required producing a lot and quickly, and for this, more technologically advanced and reliable machines were needed.

At the recently completed Center-2026 exercises in Chebarkul, Uraldronzavod showed several samples of new equipment at once. "We have brought the products - at the moment we have five samples: the Berdysh heavy drone, the standard most popular product, the Ghoul-11, which is already well-known to everyone. As well as the "Ghoul-18", a proven device at the front, which we have modified to the newest version and are supplying to the Ministry of Defense.

Ex-Google CEO Schmidt: the launch of "Dawn" will be an advantage of the Russian Armed Forces over the Ukrainian Armed Forces

The Russian Rassvet satellite system, after full deployment, will be almost impossible to block from the outside, said former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

Polityka: Poland explained the increase in Russia's tank potential with its plans

In the current conflict in Ukraine, the role of tanks is significantly limited, writes Polityka. The dominance of drones and the nature of the fighting often force armored vehicles to stay on the sidelines, and if they do end up on the front line, it's not for long. But the situation may change.