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Mehler Protection Returns to MSPO with Advanced Personal Protection Solutions

August 18th, 2026

FULDA, GERMANY, 10 August 2026

Mehler Protection, a leading provider of ballistic protection solutions and part of Mehler Systems, will return to the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, Poland, from 8–11 September 2026. Following its last appearance at MSPO in 2024, Mehler Protection will once again present a broad portfolio of personal protection solutions for military, law enforcement and security professionals.

At Hall 4, Booth 4-D09, visitors will be able to explore solutions covering different operational requirements, including modular body armour, plate carriers, ballistic helmets, riot protection, ballistic shields and load-distribution systems.

Among the key systems on display will be M.U.S.T., Mehler Protection’s modular, scalable protection system. Its modular design allows the protection configuration to be adapted according to different operational requirements, providing users with the flexibility to adjust their equipment to the mission at hand.

Another highlight will be ExoM II, the latest generation of Mehler Protection’s passive exoskeleton technology. Designed to redistribute the load of heavy protective equipment away from the shoulders, ExoM II helps reduce the physical burden associated with carrying ballistic protection and additional equipment for extended periods. The system will be displayed together with the Omega Jaw ballistic protection solution.

For public-order and riot-control applications, Mehler Protection will showcase the Riot II protective system.

Together, the three complete configurations will demonstrate different approaches to protecting personnel across a range of operational environments and requirements.

The presentation will be complemented by a selection of plate carriers and body armour systems alongside hard- and soft-ballistic protection solutions. Visitors will also be able to explore several ballistic helmet configurations, as well as flexible and rigid ballistic shield solutions designed to provide additional protection in high-risk situations.

The 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition brings together armed forces, government representatives, procurement organisations and defence industry professionals in Kielce, providing an important meeting point for the defence sector in Central and Eastern Europe.

Learn more about Mehler Protection: mehler-protection.com

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

Your Collection Deserves a Book – Safar Publishing Is Looking for Authors

August 18th, 2026

Every collector knows the feeling. You go looking for a reference on something specific — the production variants of one camouflage pattern, the kit carried by one unit in one campaign, the evolution of a service rifle across four decades — and the book simply doesn’t exist. What exists instead is a forum thread from 2011, a few blurry auction photos, and somebody’s half-remembered account of what his uncle wore.

That gap is why Safar Publishing exists, and it’s why we’re writing this.

Who we are

We are a specialist publishing house built around highly illustrated books on collections of military items. Our major titles cover uniforms, equipment, ordnance and the conflicts they belong to: Uniforms and History of the Soviet Airborne in Afghanistan, Soviet Weapons of the Afghan War, Guardians of Neutrality: Swiss Rifles Through the Ages, and forthcoming work on the Bosnian War of 1992–1995.

What runs through all of it is the same principle: original items, photographed properly, documented by people who actually handle them. Not scanned catalogue plates. Not stock imagery.

And while military subjects are our core, we are not limited to them. If your subject is material culture, a personal archive, or a serious collection of almost any kind, which is visually rich and well researched — we want to hear about it.

What we’re looking for

A subject you know and access to the physical objects – enough material to carry a book that is meant to be looked at as much as read.

You do not need a finished manuscript. A clear proposal, a subject outline and a sense of what you can photograph is enough to start a conversation. You do not need previous publishing credits either — several of our authors came to us as collectors first and writers second.

What is not a fit: text-only military history with no visual dimension. There are excellent publishers for that, and we can advise on that.

What we bring

We produce books end to end rather than simply printing them. That means an in-house photographer who can shoot your collection to reference standard, professional layout and typesetting, editorial support, collector-grade print production, and global distribution and marketing. We also have real crowdfunding experience, both our own campaigns and others’ — which for niche subjects is often the difference between a book that happens and a book that stays a folder of photos on a harddrive.

Pitch us

If you’ve been sitting on a collection and a subject nobody has covered properly, send us an outline: www.safar-publishing.com/write-with-us or simply email safar.publishing@gmail.com.

The reference book you can’t find might be the one you’re supposed to write.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, History | No Comments »

Arbor Arms – TradesMed Modular Assault Pack

August 18th, 2026

New from Arbor Arms is the TradesMed Modular Assault Pack.

Designed to meet the specific needs of several mission sets where organizing and managing a large number of small to medium size tools and equipment is critical to mission success. Examples include Medics, EOD Technicians and Drone Operators just to name a few.

The TradesMed Pack has a 3/4 zipper closure allowing you to fully open “book style” the pack and access all your tools quickly and efficiently.

The modular internal Checkmate and Loop Velcro organization system allows you to choose the internal organizer pouches, elastic loop widgets or Velcro One-Wraps to perfectly organize and secure your mission critical equipment. It has an outside center flat zipper pocket with tie down for small and or sensitive items.

Internally there are front and rear channels that allow for storage of flat items as well as hydration bladders. The top of the bag has 2 drink tube ports and the side carry handles allow you to grab it and displace immediately without having to fully repack the bag if you’re under fire.

Offered in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

arborarmsusa.com/shop/tactical-back-packs/tradesmed-modular-assault-pack

Posted in Medical, Packs | No Comments »

Department of War Orders Research Security Audits at 30 Academic Institutions

August 18th, 2026

The Department of War has issued formal notifications to 30 domestic academic institutions, directing them to initiate immediate and comprehensive reviews of their academic, financial and research collaborations with foreign entities of concern.

These notifications address active institutional ties and collaborations with foreign entities identified under Section 1286 of the FY19 NDAA, as well as organizations associated with rebranded Confucius Institutes. Executed by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, this action is designed to protect American taxpayer-funded research investments from unauthorized technology transfer, intellectual property theft and adversarial exploitation.

“The Department of War has zero tolerance for academic partnerships that compromise our national security,” said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. “Institutions that receive funding from American taxpayers must uphold the highest standards of research security, and these mandated audits will ensure accountability across the board.”

To maintain eligibility for future federal research funding, the notified universities must complete a comprehensive audit of all identified foreign collaborations, assess the exposure of sensitive or export-controlled research, and implement strict mitigation plans, including the termination of problematic partnerships. Institutions are required to report their findings and actions directly to the Department no later than August 31, 2026.

“Universities are critical partners in executing a wide range of Department of War research programs, and the Department must therefore ensure that our research investments are well protected from foreign exploitation,” said Dr. Joseph Jewell, Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology.

Through these audits, the Department of War will better anticipate emerging threats, adapt to evolving adversarial tactics and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation. The Department is pursuing this effort alongside partners in Congress.?Together with the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, the Department continues to build a robust research ecosystem that protects critical discoveries from exploitation.

Posted in Department of War, Industry, Press Release | No Comments »

Rheinmetall Establishes UK-Based Autonomous Systems Centre of Excellence, Increasing Cooperation with Canada

August 17th, 2026

Rheinmetall is preparing for the next generation of warfare, while delivering world-class technology. To expedite the delivery and meet the demand for autonomous systems, Rheinmetall has opened a new Advanced Land Autonomy Centre of Excellence (ALACOE) in the United Kingdom, enhancing operational effectiveness across the region. The initiative is part of a wider network of centres localizing autonomy across Europe, USA, and Australia.

Rheinmetall PATH

At the heart of this effort lies the Rheinmetall PATH technology, Rheinmetall Canada’s AI enabled autonomy kit developed in Canada, which provides perception, navigation, and decision making across complex, GPS degraded, and contested environments. PATH is platform agnostic and has been demonstrated on more than 40 wheeled and tracked vehicles, enabling autonomous navigation, leader follower convoy operations, and dynamic obstacle avoidance in dense terrain, littoral zones, and harsh climates.
Its maturity has been validated through demanding multinational trials and competitions, including NATO linked experimentation and the European Land Robot Trials (ELROB), where PATH enabled Rheinmetall systems achieved top performance in automated convoy operations, demonstrating readiness for real world deployment.

Strengthening NATO’s readiness through Canadian innovation

As countries strengthen and modernize their defence capabilities, the creation of this network of centres will also amplify Canada’s leading role in autonomous ground autonomous systems across Europe. ALACOE UK will serve the local market, bringing world leading ground autonomy directly to the UK market and surrounding regions while reinforcing the collective security across NATO members.

Significant industrial and economic benefits for future missions

Through this ALACOE, Rheinmetall is actively integrating UK-based companies into the supply chain to localize advanced technologies. By serving as a hub for integration, testing, and deployment of autonomous land systems, it will strengthen British sovereignty while creating high-value engineering and technology jobs in the UK and sustaining advanced manufacturing production in Canada. The Centre will hence deliver significant economic benefits on both sides of the Atlantic.
Rebecca Richards, Managing Director Rheinmetall UK, said, “The establishment of the Centre of excellence in the UK reflects the growing importance of autonomy in delivering more agile and resilient land capabilities. As forces adapt to increasingly complex and dynamic threats, the ability to integrate and scale these technologies will be critical.”

President and CEO of Rheinmetall Canada Pietro Mazzei said, “Deploying the Canadian expertise and localizing the capability accelerates the delivery of advanced solutions, enhances long-term industrial resilience, and maximizes economic returns by expanding domestic participation in high growth defence technologies”.

Posted in Admin | No Comments »

ARO – Omnivore Wrap

August 17th, 2026

As part of the first of a series of new product launches, ARO has released a Wrap model for the Blackhawk! Omnivore. The Wrap is designed to allow the user to mount pouches to their retention holster.

Extremely low profile the Wrap is constructed from polypropylene sheets woven together for maximum strength and weight savings. By wrapping around the holster body, the bulk added to the holster is virtually zero. Weighing less than an ounce, the Wrap is lighter than the competition. The Wrap is the most modular solution enabling pouches on every face of the holster.

The Wrap is designed to use your existing retention holster hardware.

ARO has produced exceptional instruction materials available at:

The Wrap is currently available for Safariland 6000/7000 series & Safarivault series holsters, AlienGear RapidForce Levels 3&4 WML Holsters and now, Blackhawk! Omnivore WML Holsters.

www.aroproducts.com

Posted in Holsters, Press Release | 3 Comments »

MATBOCK Monday: Tarsier Eclipse Pro

August 17th, 2026

The Tarsier Eclipse Pro — the next generation of the NVG iris protective cover that lets you see near and far without ever losing clarity.

It keeps everything that made the original a staple: a protective “otter-box” rubber housing, a mil spec Gorilla Glass sacrificial lens and an easy lens swap design. Now it adds a smooth, fully closing, anti-reflective coated iris and integrated kill flash.

Smaller profile, same weight updated features. We are taking pre-orders now: www.matbock.com/products/tarsier-eclipse-pro

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Optics | 1 Comment »

Why Arktis Invests in Developing Its Own Camouflage Systems

August 17th, 2026

At Arktis, camouflage development is part of the wider capability we offer military organisations, government agencies and defence brands.

The COMB family demonstrates this approach.

Rather than creating a single “do everything” pattern, COMB was developed as an environmental system. COMB Arid addresses grassland, semi-arid, and rocky terrain, while COMB Blizzard focuses on alpine and winter operations. Additional variants like COMB Urban, or the separate French Desert Noir, and Tundra developments further showcase Arktis pattern development capabilities.

Camouflage and colourway development
Pattern scaling and repeat optimisation
Garment integration across complete clothing systems
Manufacturing across combat apparel, insulation, waterproofs and load carriage
Low-volume specialist development through to large-scale manufacture

For organisations looking to develop proprietary camouflage or launch exclusive product lines, these capabilities form part of Arktis’ wider OEM and manufacturing services.

With more than 40 years of experience designing and manufacturing tactical clothing for military and law enforcement customers worldwide, Arktis supports partners from initial concept through to production-ready solutions.

If you’re developing a new capability, launching a specialist product range or looking for an experienced manufacturing partner, we’d welcome the conversation.

Learn more about Arktis’ manufacturing capabilities: Arktis Endurance Textiles.

View the COMB collection: COMB Family Collection

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