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Quantum Systems Selected as Founding Member of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026

The European Commission has selected Quantum Systems as one of the founding members of a new European industrial alliance for drone and counter-drone technologies. The company will contribute more than five years of operational experience in Ukraine to help shape the future direction of the initiative.

Kyiv, Ukraine, 14 July 2026 – Quantum Systems has been selected by the European Commission as a founding member of the newly established EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance. Announced during the 3rd EU-UA Defence Industry Forum in Kyiv, the Alliance aims to accelerate the development of a strong European ecosystem for drone and counter-drone technologies.

For the first time, the initiative brings together leading drone manufacturers, technology companies, start-ups, research organisations and military end users from the European Union, the EEA-EFTA countries and Ukraine within a single industrial platform. As a founding member, Quantum Systems will play an active role in shaping the Alliance’s strategic direction, priorities and governance.

The appointment reinforces Quantum Systems’ position as a leading force in the European drone industry and as a flagship of European-Ukrainian industrial cooperation. Since establishing operations in Ukraine in 2022, the company has continuously expanded its local footprint by building manufacturing capacity, integrating Ukrainian suppliers and software expertise, and deepening industrial collaboration. With Quantum Frontline Industries (QFI), Quantum Systems co-founded the first ever European-Ukrainian joint venture under the defence industry cooperation framework “Build with Ukraine”, with multiple new Joint Ventures between Quantum Systems and Ukrainian industry partners recently announced.

“This Alliance validates a model we have been building for years,” said Matthias Lehna, Vice President Business Development at Quantum Systems and Managing Director of Quantum Frontline Industries. As Quantum Systems’ representative within the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance, he embodies European-Ukrainian industrial cooperation and stated: “We manufacture with Ukraine, not just for Ukraine. Together, Europe’s industrial strength and Ukraine’s battlefield innovation enable us to deliver capabilities at the speed of modern warfare while strengthening European sovereignty.”

The EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance aims to accelerate the transition of new technologies into operational capabilities, deepen industrial cooperation between Europe and Ukraine, expand manufacturing capacity, and improve interoperability across future European drone systems. Comprising nine leading Ukrainian and European companies, the initiative forms part of Europe’s broader effort to build a resilient and sovereign defence industrial base. It complements initiatives including the European Drone Defence Initiative and the Drone and Counter-Drone Capability Coalition led by European member states.

As a founding member, Quantum Systems will help translate operational lessons from Ukraine into scalable industrial capabilities and next-generation European defence technologies, strengthening Europe’s ability to respond to rapidly evolving security challenges.

Posted in Drone, International, Press Release | No Comments »

As Europe Faces Rising Heat Waves, Gear Town Named Exclusive EU Distributor for Qore Performance Cooling & Hydration Equipment

Tuesday, July 21st, 2026

The Netherlands — July 16, 2026 — Gear Town, a premier European supplier of professional-grade equipment, has been awarded Exclusive Distribution rights for the complete Qore Performance ICEAGE ECOSYSTEM of thermoregulation technology across the European Union. Operating from their centralized fulfillment hub in The Netherlands, Gear Town manages all retail sales and government procurement pipelines across the EU, with the exception of the Czech Republic, which is served by Rigad.

This exclusive distribution footprint ensures immediate, local inventory within the EU, eliminating transatlantic freight costs, unpredictable delivery timelines, and import customs barriers. As Europe navigates demanding summer heat waves, Gear Town is positioned to provide rapid, localized access to critical cooling and hydration gear when environmental demands are at their highest.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Qore Performance as their exclusive EU distributor. At Gear Town, our mission has always been to make the world’s best tactical and professional-grade equipment more accessible to European military, law enforcement, government, and industrial end users,” said Marc Mentasti, owner of Gear Town EU. “With Qore Performance’s ICEAGE ECOSYSTEM, we can now provide European customers with direct access to proven cooling, heating, hydration, and thermoregulation solutions from local EU inventory. This partnership allows us to reduce lead times, simplify procurement, remove import barriers, and deliver the level of service and support our customers expect from Gear Town, especially as heat stress and extreme working conditions become an increasing challenge across Europe.”

Dual-Line Solutions for Tactical and Workforce Safety

Through this exclusive channel, Gear Town will support both the defense sector and commercial safety industries with two dedicated product configurations:

Military & Tactical Line: Gear Town currently stocks and distributes Qore Performance’s full tactical suite, including ICEPLATE® Gen 3 hard cell 1.55L cooling, heating, hydration bladders, ICEFLASK® 0.5L low-profile hydration canteens, ICEPLATE EXO® plate carrier systems, and ICEVENTS® ventilation pads. These systems integrate directly with standard body armor and combat gear to offload weight and weaponize temperature management during training and deployments in extreme temperatures.

HiVis Safety & Industrial Line: To protect industrial laborers, emergency first responders, and aviation ground crews working in extreme conditions, Gear Town also carries the dedicated Qore Performance Safety line. This includes high-visibility, reflective-striped ICEPLATE EXO® HiVis safety vests, the ICEPLATE® Driver Harness, and their ICEPLATE® Gen 3 hardcell thermoregulation and hydration bladders to reduce heat stress injuries and on-the-job fatigue while meeting rigorous safety standards.

Local EU Sourcing and Procurement

Gear Town streamlines the procurement process for large-scale agency contracts, unit orders, and commercial safety acquisitions in Europe. European organizations can bypass the complex international logistics hurdles for sourcing Qore Performance’s American-made thermoregulation technology.

To browse local inventory and explore the product lines for tactical or industrial teams, visit the official Gear Town website..

Posted in Advertiser, Hydration, Industry, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Arcani’s Acoustic Sensor Featured on General Dynamics New LAV SPH

Monday, July 20th, 2026

ARCANI’s HARK Acoustic Sensor Featured on General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada’s Grizzly LAV Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) Platform to Enhance Counter-Drone Situational Awareness

[CANSEC, Ottawa] — [14 July 2026] — Arcani Systems today announced that its HARK acoustic sensing system was featured on the recently unveiled Grizzly LAV Self-Propelled Howitzer vehicle, showcasing a passive 360-degree situational awareness layer designed to detect and alert crews to incoming drone threats.

The Grizzly LAV Self-Propelled Howitzer, unveiled by General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada at CANSEC 2026 for the Canadian Army’s Indirect Fires Modernization project, combines a Canadian designed LAV armoured combat vehicle platform with KNDS automated 155mm Artillery Gun Module. The platform has been presented as a highly mobile, survivable artillery system designed for fire-on-the-move operations across contested battlefield environments.

Arcani’s HARK sensor is designed to address one of the most urgent battlefield challenges facing armoured and artillery units: the proliferation of small unmanned aerial systems, including FPV drones, reconnaissance drones, and other low-signature aerial threats. Using acoustic sensing, HARK listens passively for the distinctive sound signatures of drones and provides early warning without emitting radio frequency energy.

Unlike active sensors, HARK does not rely on radar emissions or RF detection. This allows it to contribute to vehicle protection even when hostile drones are operating autonomously, flying pre- programmed routes, or using low-emission tactics. The system is designed to provide 360-degree awareness around the vehicle, supporting crew survivability, tactical decision-making, and integration with wider battlefield command-and-control systems.

“Modern artillery platforms are no longer threatened only by counter fire,” said Harry Howe, Founder and CEO of ARCANI. “They must also survive in an environment saturated with small drones that can locate, track, and strike high-value assets. HARK gives crews an additional passive layer of awareness, helping them detect drone threats earlier and maintain mobility in contested environments.”

This capability demonstrates how compact acoustic sensing can complement existing vehicle protection, electronic warfare, and battlefield management systems. For self-propelled artillery platforms such as the Grizzly LAV, which are designed to fire, move, and reposition rapidly, passive counter-drone awareness can help reduce exposure time and support survivability during manoeuvre.

HARK has been developed as a lightweight, modular sensor package for defence applications across land, maritime, and fixed-site environments. The system is designed to detect, classify, and report drone activity, helping operators understand the exact position and nature of nearby aerial threats before visual contact is made.

ARCANI believes that passive acoustic sensing will become an essential part of layered counter-UAS defence. As drones become smaller, cheaper, and more autonomous, platforms operating close to the front line will require sensor systems that can detect threats without revealing their own position.

Posted in International, Press Release, Sensors | No Comments »

Nokia and NestAI build Capability for AI-Enabled Defense Operations with Resilient Connectivity in Denied Environments

Thursday, July 16th, 2026

Integrates AI, deployable 5G and sensing into a single defense capability

Accelerates sovereign European defense technologies for the next generation of military missions

9 July 2026, Espoo, Finland – Nokia Defense and NestAI, one of Europe’s fastest-growing AI labs for defense, are advancing their technology partnership with the first operational capabilities being developed under the collaboration established alongside Nokia’s and Tesi’s €100 million joint investment in NestAI in November 2025.

As European defense investment reaches its highest level in decades, defense forces are accelerating the integration of AI-enabled capabilities into their operations. A defining challenge is ensuring resilient, trusted connectivity in denied environments, where communications, sensing and mission-planning must work seamlessly together for AI-enabled operations to succeed in the field.

The partnership is delivering three integrated operational capabilities:

AI-enabled command-and-control on deployable 5G networks: bringing together Nokia’s deployable 5G networks with NestOS, NestAI’s adaptive operating system for modern battlefield operations, to help European forces maintain command and control, support autonomous systems and reduce reliance on fixed communications infrastructure.

Mission planning with assured connectivity: integrating Nokia’s radio-network planning models into NestOS mission-planning tools, enabling forces to assess, plan and adapt connectivity as part of the mission while reducing the risk of coverage gaps during fast-moving multidomain operations.

Earlier threat detection and response: combining Nokia’s Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) early-detection capability with NestAI’s multi-sensor tracking to provide operators with earlier, wide-area threat awareness and support faster, more informed decision-making in, even in contested environments with limited connectivity.

These capabilities are built for the conditions modern forces now face: denied communications, active electronic attack and emerging drone threats that must be detected before dedicated sensors acquire a target. The partnership addresses all three with European-developed technologies built to NATO operational requirements.

“Defense is moving quickly to adopt AI-enabled capabilities, from mission planning to unmanned operations. But AI only works in the field when it has secure, resilient connectivity behind it. Together with NestAI, Nokia is accelerating the sovereign technologies NATO needs to operate, decide and act in the next generation of missions,” said Mikko Hautala, Chief Geopolitical & Government Relations Officer and Chairman, Nokia Defense.

“Most defense AI is built on assumptions about connectivity, sensor access, and infrastructure that do not hold in contested environments. What we are building with Nokia addresses the real conditions European forces face, from the network underneath to the threats at the edge, on technology that Europe develops and controls,” said Peter Sarlin, Founder and Executive Chairman, NestAI.

Nokia Defense provides secure, intelligent connectivity for defense in the AI era. Built on Nokia’s global leadership across fixed, mobile, and transport networks, it delivers resilient, mission-ready communications solutions that strengthen national security and support critical operations worldwide. For more information: www.nokia.com/defense-communications

Posted in Admin, AI / ML, Comms, International, Press Release | No Comments »

UK MoD Publishes Guide for Servicewomen Preparing for Special Forces Selection

Wednesday, July 15th, 2026

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence recently published “Science of Human Performance: A guide for servicewomen preparing for arduous courses” a handbook for females training for selection for that nation’s Special Forces units. However, while it’s obvious this is the intent of the handbook, they never come out and say it. Instead, the Minister for Veterans and People, the Right Honourable Calvin Bailey MP mentions, “Opening Ground Close Combat (GCC) roles to women.” I’ll point out that Mr Bailey is a retired RAF Wing Commander.

Subjects in the handbook include Endurance, Strength and Load Carriage Training as well as Injury Prevention, Nutrition, and Supplements. There are additional chapters on physiological issues peculiar to the female such as hormones.

Get your copy here.

Posted in For the Ladies, Human Performance, International, Warrior Athlete | 1 Comment »

Quantum Systems selected for Japan’s Counter-UAS Proof-of-Concept Program

Wednesday, July 15th, 2026

Quantum Systems has been selected by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) to participate in Japan’s Counter-UAS Proof-of-Concept Program, supporting the evaluation of next-generation interceptor drone capabilities.

Tokyo/Japan, 15 July 2026 – Quantum Systems has been selected by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) to participate in Japan’s Counter-UAS Proof-of-Concept Program. The initiative forms part of ATLA’s Early Acquisition Program, which aims to accelerate the evaluation and deployment of next-generation interceptor drone capabilities for the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Quantum Systems’ selection reflects the company’s internationally sought-after expertise in counter-UAS technologies and expands its engagement with allied defence stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region.

Martin Karkour, Chief Revenue Officer at Quantum Systems, said:

“Our selection by ATLA reflects the growing international demand for interoperable counter-UAS capabilities. Participating in ATLA’s programme allows us to contribute our operational expertise while deepening long-term industrial and defence cooperation. We look forward to further strengthening our long-term partnership with one of the Indo-Pacific’s most important defence innovators.”

The programme represents another milestone in Quantum Systems’ international growth and reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering interoperable autonomous capabilities that address rapidly evolving airborne threats.

Posted in C-UAS, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Belgium Places First Order of Polaris MRZR D Tactical Off-Road Vehicles Through NATO Contract

Tuesday, July 14th, 2026

MINNEAPOLIS – July 13, 2026 – Polaris Government and Defense, a division of Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), has secured an order for MRZR D4 vehicles from the Belgium Ministry of Defence, leveraging the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract. The contract is valued at $10.6 million and is the first call order from the NSPA framework contract, which was first awarded to Polaris in September 2025. This procurement approach fulfills competition requirements, streamlines the acquisition process and eliminates the need for additional, time-consuming and costly trials and competitions. In addition to bulk pricing benefits and expedited acquisition, NSPA enables interoperability, standardization and a reduced logistics footprint across NATO members and partners.

“The Belgium Ministry of Defence helped establish the MRZR D on the framework contract, with additional partner countries including the United Kingdom,” said Steve Canner, senior manager, EMEIA, Polaris Government and Defense. “The vehicle’s capabilities and commonality with other NATO nations will serve Belgium forces very well and we’re proud to support them.”

The Belgium MoD managed the acquisition of Polaris ATVs through the NATO Logistics Stock Exchange (NLSE) platform, considered as a secured, web-based marketplace application allowing the users to directly explore and order the purchase of systems and mission related configurable items. The NLSE platform provides NATO National Ministries of Defence access to validated and quality assured products easily, including cargo and transportation kits, parts and service kits and maintenance and operator training courses.

“With these new vehicles, we are significantly increasing our mobility and operational capabilities,” said Colonel Kristof Van Poecke, Commander, Belgium Special Operations Regiment. “They enable our operators to respond more quickly and flexibly in challenging conditions, where speed and manoeuvrability make the difference. This is an important step to maintain our operational capacity at the highest level.”

Belgium joins more than 50 other military and security forces worldwide who field MRZR D tactical off-road vehicles from Polaris to support expeditionary, rapid response and special operations missions. The MRZR D’s modular payload design, diesel powertrain, air and sea transportability make it a trusted platform for tactical mobility in complex terrain and contested zones. The acquisition of the MRZR D4 will support the replacement of Belgium’s aging Groundhog vehicle fleet which have been in service since 2009.

Polaris first introduced the MRZR platform in 2012 and has continued to enhance the vehicle to meet the mission demands of the U.S. military, delivering gas and diesel variants to more than 50 allied forces worldwide. MRZRs feature a mission-flexible modular design, collapsible roll cage for internal tactical air transport, one meter fording capability, greater payload and extended range over commercial platforms. The MRZR D is combat-proven and transportable inside AW101 Merlin, CH-47 Chinook, V-22 Osprey and most in-service fixed wing aircraft, as well as maritime vessels, enabling rapid deployment and dispersal of forces from aircraft or ship-to-shore platforms into theater. It is a highly configurable platform that supports personnel transport, casualty evacuation, command and control and light cargo roles — all with a focus on speed, versatility and off-road capability.

Since their introduction, MRZRs have been outfitted with counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), weapons and high-energy laser systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, expeditionary command and control systems, autonomy packages, litters for medical and casualty evacuation, aircraft refueling systems and communication equipment.

The MRZR D is part of Polaris Government and Defense’s broader portfolio of off-road mobility solutions that include the MRZR Alpha, MV 850, DAGOR and militarized snowmobiles.

Posted in Contracts, International, Mobility, NSPA, Press Release | No Comments »

Contract Worth Almost €1 billion: Rheinmetall Takes on a Key Role in the Digitalisation of British Army Combat Training

Monday, July 13th, 2026

Rheinmetall Electronics UK is playing a key role as a member of Omnia Training, the consortium selected to deliver the Army Collective Training Service(ACTS) as part of the British Army’s Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP). Led by Raytheon UK as the prime contractor, Omnia Training brings together a range of leading industry partners to deliver a transformative collective training capability for the British Army. Raytheon is an RTX business.

Rheinmetall, as the Land Collective Training Partner, supports the design and delivery of key elements of the programme. Rheinmetall’s share of the contract, worth just under €1 billion, The consortium will begin operational implementation in summer 2026, and the service contract is for 15 years.

The substantial project volume and extensive scope of services will enable Rheinmetall to expand its local sites, workforce, and industrial supply capacities sustainably in the United Kingdom. Over the 15-year contract period, the project will secure and create numerous skilled jobs. This applies not only to the Rheinmetall Electronics UK headquarters on the Isle of Wight and the Southampton site, but also to other key strategic locations such as Bristol and Warminster, where new employment opportunities will be created.

Omnia Training and its industry partners will be responsible for integrating and delivering modern live, virtual and constructive simulation systems. As the Land Collective Training Partner, Rheinmetall will support the delivery of these capabilities, as well as managing physical training infrastructure, system configuration and logistical aspects in support of Army Collective Training.

The UK is one of Rheinmetall’s core strategic markets in Europe, where the company has a strong presence through its subsidiaries and joint ventures. In addition to Rheinmetall Electronics UK, Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land plays a key role in the British Army’s platform modernisation programmes. This strong local presence ensures the armed forces receive seamless support and strengthens local value creation.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, Training | No Comments »