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Pentagon says US industry still years from matching Ukraine's wartime drone output

Pentagon says US industry still years from matching Ukraine's wartime drone output

(Corrects to add "drone" to headline) By Mike Stone WASHINGTON, July 27 (Reuters) - The Pentagon official tasked with building a domestic drone industry said on Monday the United States is still in the earliest, hardest phase of that effort, acknowledging output remains a fraction of Ukraine's
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Pentagon says US industry still years from matching Ukraine's wartime output

Pentagon says US industry still years from matching Ukraine's wartime output

By Mike Stone WASHINGTON, July 27 (Reuters) - The Pentagon official tasked with building a domestic drone industry said on Monday the United States is still in the earliest, hardest phase of that effort, acknowledging output remains a fraction of Ukraine's production even as the government tightens
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U.S. Forces Use Merops Drone to Intercept Iranian Shahed for First Time

U.S. Forces Use Merops Drone to Intercept Iranian Shahed for First Time

American forces stationed in Kuwait have successfully intercepted an Iranian 'Shahed' drone using the U.S.-made Merops system, marking the first combat use of this technology. The Merops system, which has been tested in Ukraine, is designed to operate effectively amid dense electronic jamming and is noted for its cost-effectiveness, with each interceptor priced at $15,000. The deployment of Merops systems in the Middle East began in March, coinciding with the onset of hostilities with Iran. Since then, U.S. troops have been training to utilize these systems. The interception highlights the ongoing military tensions in the region and the strategic deployment of advanced drone technology by the U.S.
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Middle East Arms Factories Shift U.S. Security Focus Amid Strategic Changes

Middle East Arms Factories Shift U.S. Security Focus Amid Strategic Changes

The U.S. is witnessing a strategic shift in the Middle East, where the focus is moving from traditional military engagements to the capacity for arms production and self-sustainability. This change is highlighted by the increasing importance of manufacturing agreements, ammunition plants, and component supply chains in the region. Countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in localizing their defense industries. Turkey has transformed into a major exporter of military equipment, while Saudi Arabia is working towards localizing over half of its military spending under its Vision 2030 initiative. This shift is not just about economic diversification but also about gaining strategic autonomy. The U.S. has been involved in supporting these developments, as seen in a recent civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, which underscores the strategic importance of these capabilities.
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Trump may need to allow Chinese minerals as US industry struggles to meet 2027 deadline

Trump may need to allow Chinese minerals as US industry struggles to meet 2027 deadline

By Ernest Scheyder and Jarrett Renshaw July 27 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's push to end Washington's reliance on Chinese critical minerals by January is colliding with a stark reality: American miners and processors aren't ready.
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The Latest: Trump praises his sweeping tariffs while in Michigan for a speech on the economy

The Latest: Trump praises his sweeping tariffs while in Michigan for a speech on the economy

A federal appeals court has upheld a ruling that halted President Donald Trump’s executive order to create a federal list of eligible voters and limit delivery of mail ballots only to people on that list
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Ukraine Offers Intelligence to U.S. Amid Escalating Tensions with Iran

Ukraine Offers Intelligence to U.S. Amid Escalating Tensions with Iran

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to share intelligence with the U.S. and its allies, alleging Russian assistance to Iran in targeting U.S. military facilities. Zelenskyy claimed that Russian satellite surveillance data was used by Iran to prepare and assess attacks on U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf. This development follows Ukraine's reported strikes on vessels in the Caspian Sea linked to Iranian military cargo. The Ukrainian government is positioning itself as a key player in the U.S.-led efforts against Iran, leveraging its expertise in countering Russian and Iranian military strategies.
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Pentagon Revises Iran War Casualty Reporting Amid Controversy

Pentagon Revises Iran War Casualty Reporting Amid Controversy

The Pentagon has updated its casualty database, revising the number of U.S. troops killed in the Iran war from 18 to 14 and removing dozens of wounded from the tally. This change is part of a broader reclassification under a new category labeled 'Overseas Operations.' The revision has sparked questions about transparency and accountability, as it appears to reset the accounting of casualties in the ongoing conflict. The change may be linked to the Trump administration's stance that the initial phase of the war ended in May, thus resetting the 60-day limit for military action without congressional approval.
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MP Materials to Boost Rare Earth Production for U.S. Defense Needs

MP Materials to Boost Rare Earth Production for U.S. Defense Needs

MP Materials to Boost Rare Earth Production for U.S. Defense Needs
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Pentagon Attributes Troop Deaths Data Disappearance to 'Data Disruption'

Pentagon Attributes Troop Deaths Data Disappearance to 'Data Disruption'

The Pentagon has reduced the reported number of U.S. service members killed in the Iran war from 18 to 14, citing 'temporary data disruptions' as the reason for the change. However, military officials have suggested that the Trump administration removed four service members from the count because their deaths occurred after a declared ceasefire. The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has since collapsed, leading to renewed tensions. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell criticized media reports suggesting manipulation of casualty data, calling them 'fake news.' The situation has sparked criticism from lawmakers and former officials, who accuse the administration of downplaying the conflict's impact.
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Iran says Ukrainian attack on vessel in Caspian Sea killed sailor

Iran says Ukrainian attack on vessel in Caspian Sea killed sailor

July 25 (Reuters) - Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned on Saturday a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, saying it resulted in an explosion that killed one sailor and injured another.   
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Pentagon Faces Scrutiny Over Discrepancies in Iran War Casualty Data

Pentagon Faces Scrutiny Over Discrepancies in Iran War Casualty Data

The Pentagon's public casualty database has come under scrutiny after discrepancies were found in the reported number of U.S. military casualties in the Iran war. The Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) showed a sudden drop in the number of reported deaths and injuries, which the Pentagon attributed to technical issues. The database, which serves as the federal government's authoritative public record of war dead, has not been updated to reflect recent increases in casualties. This has raised questions about the transparency and accuracy of the Pentagon's casualty reporting, especially in light of recent U.S. airstrikes in Iran following the collapse of a ceasefire.