Offered in AMC or MultiCam, Australia’s Blanchwater Gear is making a run of Legionnaire Caps complete with full neck flap which can form a shroud.
Stock should be completed mid to late January and will ship ASAP.
www.blanchewatergear.com.au/products/legionnaire-hat-amc
Photos of this have been floating around for quite awhile but I just saw them. This is a prototype pouch from Orion Defence for the new Danish handgrenade M85A3. I always appreciate the staple fasteners.
Manufactured by Rheinmetall the grenade is available in both offensive and defensive versions. Phots from Danish Defence Material and Procurement Agency.
Vienna, 18 December 2025: Schiebel has successfully completed the first CAMCOPTER® S-300 flight test campaign in France, marking an important milestone in the programme’s progression. The flights were conducted at the CESA Drones test site in Sainte-Hélène near Bordeaux, where the S-300 further expanded the operational envelope, reaching a total of 100 flight hours.
The flight activities in France build on previous experience gained with the CAMCOPTER® S-300 and represent a further step in expanding the aircraft’s operational flight envelope. Conducted in a military environment, the flights focused on verifying key flight characteristics and overall system performance.
“France has been a trusted partner for Schiebel for many years, making it a natural location for the next phase of CAMCOPTER® S-300 flight activities,” said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group. “Our long-standing relationship with the French Navy and our local presence through Schiebel Aéronaval SAS reflect our deep roots in France, while the S-300 is being developed to meet the requirements of international military and government users worldwide, building on Schiebel’s global experience in unmanned aviation.”
During the flights, the CAMCOPTER® S-300 demonstrated stable and controlled behaviour while undergoing typical evaluations for an unmanned air system at this stage, including handling qualities, flight control response and overall aircraft performance.
The CAMCOPTER® S-300 builds directly on Schiebel’s extensive experience with the CAMCOPTER® S-100, a maritime-proven unmanned helicopter with several hundred thousand flight hours accumulated worldwide. Drawing on this operational heritage, the S-300 is designed to deliver increased payload capacity, extended endurance and enhanced mission flexibility for demanding military and government applications.
The technology group Rheinmetall, based in Düsseldorf, and SATIM Monitoring Satelitarny, a Polish deep-tech company specialising in the AI-supported analysis of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, have signed a technology supply contract. The content is the support of the German customer’s satellite-based reconnaissance program. The agreement formalises SATIM’s role as a technology supplier to Rheinmetall for the delivery of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for the Bundeswehr.
Under the contract, SATIM will supply AI-based capabilities that transform large volumes of complex radar imagery into actionable information. The agreement supports SPOCK-1, the German satellite reconnaissance program awarded to Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions. SATIM will provide its technology as a supplier within the European Union, while Rheinmetall will operate the system independently in Germany.
Timo Haas, CEO of Rheinmetall Electronics: “Our partnership with SATIM marks another important milestone in advancing Rheinmetall’s strategy to strengthen our capabilities and footprint in an increasingly digital and connected battlespace. By combining our expertise and technologies, we are building a powerful foundation for faster, data-driven decision-making and superior situational awareness for our customers. This collaboration is another example of cutting-edge and combat-ready solutions at speed.”
Jacek Strzelczyk, CEO of SATIM: “The contract between SATIM and Rheinmetall combines the agility and innovation of a deep-tech start-up with the scale and mission experience of a global defence prime. Together, we will deliver effective solutions that support Germany’s national security priorities and will strengthen allied defence capabilities. This milestone demonstrates the maturity of our technology and its alignment with Germany’s ISR requirements.”
The technology supply contract brings together Rheinmetall’s system integration expertise and its established position in the German defence market with SATIM’s AI-based data analysis capabilities. The collaboration is intended to enhance situational awareness, support informed decision-making, and enable timely operational responses in a complex and evolving security environment.
Image: DroneShield DroneSentry-X Mk2 as part of NATO Exercise Bold Machina 25 in the Netherlands
DroneShield Limited (ASX:DRO) (DroneShield of the Company) is pleased to announce it has received a standalone contract for $6.2 million from an in-country reseller for delivery to a military end-customer in an Asia Pacific country. The reseller is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a multi-billion dollar, global, publicly listed customer that is contractually required to distribute solutions to a major Asia Pacific military government department. The solutions include selected 3rd party hardware, interoperable with DroneShield’s command-and-control software platform, DroneSentry-C2. DroneShield expects to complete the delivery and receive payment in 2026.
Handover to the Italian Army at the Sabaudia base has been completed
The Italian Army has received its first Skynex air defence system from Rheinmetall. On 18 December 2025, the first Skynex battery was handed over to the Italian Army at the Comando Artiglieria Controaeri (Air Defence Artillery Command) in Sabaudia. This gives the Italian Army the capability to defend against air attacks at close and very close range. In particular, it will enable effective countermeasures against drones, which – as seen in the war in Ukraine – are playing an increasingly important role in current and future conflicts and are bringing warfare into cities.
It was only in January 2025 that Rheinmetall Italia S.p.A., Rome, received the order to deliver the first system with a total value of €73 million. The contract also includes an option for three additional systems.
Italy is the first NATO member state to introduce Rheinmetall’s Skynex technology Skynex technology including the Revolver Gun Mk3 35mm. The order is thus an important corner stone in Rheinmetall’s strategy of establishing a new standard in the field of cannon-based air defence for international armed forces. NATO member Romania also recently opted for Skynex in combination with another type of gun already in service there (GDF-009 twin guns). Skynex air defence systems are already proving their quality to the Ukrainian armed forces in the harsh conditions of war, protecting people and property from airborne threats.
The Skynex Air Defence System
Skynex is a cannon-based air defence system and is therefore especially suitable for close-range protection where guided weapons cannot operate effectively. The 35mm Revolver Gun Mk3 cannons have a cadence of 1,000 rounds per minute and a range of up to 4 kilometres. The system uses programmable Ahead ammunition that is resistant to electronic countermeasures and ensures precise target engagement. In terms of cost-effectiveness, the ammunition is significantly more efficient than comparable missile-based systems.
Operational successes in the Ukraine underline the efficiency with which the cannon-based air defence system can defend against air targets – especially cruise missiles and drones.
Skynex is based on the concept of separating the airspace surveillance from the effectors. Italy has opted for the configuration with the XTAR 3D radar from Rheinmetall, which can monitor the airspace in a radius of up to 50 km.
Thanks to its existing modularity, the required resources can be connected to the command-and-control network depending on the mission. Skynex offers great autonomy in terms of sensors and effectors, as to integrating a wide range of modern air defence systems into the system. The only requirement is the presence of a dedicated tracking unit.
In addition to individual sensors and effectors, existing air defence systems such as Rheinmetall’s Skyshield and Skyguard families can also be integrated into the new architecture as firing units. The detected air situation is displayed in a remote command-and-control centre on a map with the sensors and effectors positioned in the field, thus easing a target assignment to the air defence assets connected to the system.
FULDA, GERMANY (22.12.2025)
As 2025 draws to a close, Mehler Systems reflects on a year defined by structural strengthening, continued innovation, and the delivery of large-scale protection programmes across global markets. Throughout the year, the group focused on expanding its capabilities, increasing production capacity, and reinforcing long-term partnerships with defence and security organisations worldwide.
During the year, Mehler Systems expanded its technological base through the acquisition of a majority stake in Stilmotor Extra Protection Srl (SXP), adding specialised expertise in body armour and riot protection. The group now comprises eight companies with more than 1,600 employees across Europe.
Production capacity was further increased through infrastructure investments, including a new production hall in Zrenjanin and upgrades to sewing operations. These investments supported higher output while maintaining consistent quality standards across product categories. Testing and validation remained a core focus, with extensive internal ballistic testing and certification activities conducted in cooperation with specialised laboratories.
Product development continued at high intensity, resulting in the introduction of hundreds of new solutions across ballistic protection, load-bearing systems, and tactical clothing. A key milestone was reached as more than one million Mehler Systems protective vest systems entered operational use worldwide, reflecting long-term programme continuity.
Several major programmes underscored the group’s ability to deliver at scale. The MOBAST programme for the German Armed Forces was completed fully on time with zero rejected units, requiring rapid scaling of production capacity and close coordination across the group.
Alongside operational achievements, Mehler Systems invested in leadership development and talent, with key management appointments and continued workforce growth across the group. The company also maintained an active international presence through trade shows, partner engagement, and professional exchange.
Looking ahead, Mehler Systems remains focused on strengthening its foundations, advancing development, and delivering reliable protection solutions for defence and security professionals operating in demanding environments.
For further details, visit the Mehler Systems 2025 Yearly Review.
Army’s newest drone and robotics talent went head-to-head at Victoria Barracks last month in the finals of Rise of the Drones and War of the Machines.
The culmination of months of training, designing and testing at Battle Lab’s MakerSpace sites across the country had finals competitors assembling, configuring, flying and repairing first-person-view (FPV) drones and robotic ground systems.
The event represents a step forward in building Army’s uncrewed systems capability, with 161 new FPV drone pilots and 98 uncrewed ground vehicle operators trained through the MakerSpace program.
Commander Battle Lab Colonel Pete Allan said the competitions played an important role in supporting Army’s future capability needs.
“We’re clearly seeing that robotics and automated systems are reshaping how militaries fight, so activities like Rise of the Drones and War of the Machines are part of how Army rapidly adapts at the forward edge,” Colonel Allan said.
The Battle Lab MakerSpace training model, originally conducted over six weeks, was condensed to four weeks to demonstrate the ability to accelerate capability when required.
‘There are lessons to be learned from Ukraine and the Middle East. Innovating in the FPV space is critical.’
Participants received instruction and mentorship as they progressed from assembly to simulation to live flights. Some completed the initial training in less than three days.
Competitor Captain Jesse Wood, of Headquarters 7th Brigade, said the training was highly relevant to contemporary warfare.
“There are lessons to be learned from Ukraine and the Middle East. Innovating in the FPV space is critical,” Captain Wood said.
“The course stepped us through UAV fundamentals, flight characteristics, basic controls and customising the software and settings. We also spent time in simulation before our first flight.”
Private Dan Leeks, a competitor from the 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, said the program armed him with the skills and confidence to employ FPV drones.
“We learned how to solder the boards and motors, program the drones and test-fly them. I started with no experience, but now I’d be confident employing them in my job,” Private Leeks said.
By Captain Andrew Lee, ADF
