Latest news with #DefenseIntelligence
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Russian Drone Made Completely Of Chinese Components: Ukrainian Intelligence
Russia is now using decoy drones with 100% of its components made in China, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) claimed on Tuesday. While Russian weapons have long contained parts from China as well as many other nations, this marks likely the first time one of its drones is completely made up of Chinese parts. The discovery is additional proof of Beijing's growing support for Moscow's war in Ukraine. The drone in question is a new decoy Russia is using to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses, according to GUR. The delta-winged weapon loosely resembles the infamous Shahed-136 drone, but is much smaller, according to GUR. In addition to serving as a decoy, this drone may also pack a warhead weighing up to 15 kilos (about 33 pounds). As we reported yesterday, Russia is already overwhelming Ukrainian air defenses with more drones and improved tactics. 'All components and blocks [in the new drones] are of Chinese origin,' according to GUR's War&Sanctions project, which maintains a database of thousands of foreign components found in Russian weapons. ❗ GUR publishes components of a new Russian UAV used as a decoy and reconnaissance, it can also carry a warhead weighing up to 15 kg. ▪ All components and blocks are of Chinese origin. ▪ The UAV is also equipped with a Chinese copy of Australian RFD900x data transmission… — MAKS 25 ���� �� (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) July 22, 2025 GUR recovered at least two of these drones, the second of which contained two components of unknown origin. Nearly half of the parts in the first drone come from one company, CUAV Technology. Those parts include a flight controller with an autopilot, navigation modules and antennas, and an airspeed sensor with a pilot tube, GUR stated. The company is 'a National High-Tech Enterprise and Guangdong Provincial Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative Enterprise specializing in open-source unmanned systems technology,' according to the CUAV Technology Co. website. 'It integrates R&D, production, and sales.' The discovery of these CUAV Technology Co. components came even though the company announced restrictions on the supply of products to Ukraine and Russia in October 2022. The stated goal was to prevent their use for military purposes, GUR noted. 'However, in 2023, the Russian Federation presented a vertical take-off UAV of allegedly its own design, which turned out to be a CUAV Technology product available on AliExpress,' GUR added. The new Russian decoy drone is different because instead of being an off-the-shelf purchase, it represents a new method of indigenous production. The War Zone cannot independently verify these claims. We've reached out to CUAV Technology Co. and GUR for more details and will update this story with any pertinent information provided. Some of the Chinese components found in a new Russian decoy drone. (GUR) GUR's findings about the new Russian decoy drone come as Moscow is increasingly relying on Beijing to provide technology for its drones, especially artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Last month, GUR found that a Russian V2U barrage drone used in the Sumy region could autonomously search and select targets using AI. The V2U relied on the Chinese Leetop A203 minicomputer and a central processor with an American NVIDIA Jetson Orin module. We first wrote about how AI would make drones even deadlier last year, which you can read about here. Russia is also relying on China to help extend the range of its fiber-optic controlled drones by providing spools allowing those weapons to reach as far as 50km (about 31 miles). The increased reach gives the Russians a big advantage for a system that is already creating havoc for Ukrainian forces. Fiber optics are used by both sides because it makes drones impervious to jamming and other forms of electronic warfare and helps mitigate the effects of terrain that can also interfere with radio control. Chinese working on Russian drones say they now have 50km fiber optic cables. Ukraine is fighting every enemy of western civilization while the US is increasingly on the side of the bad guys. — Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) June 5, 2025 This new decoy drone is one of many Russian weapons relying on foreign parts. However, previous recoveries by GUR show a wider range of origin for components. For instance, a Russian Shahed-136 strike drone GUR obtained contained dozens of components from the U.S. as well as parts from Iran, Taiwan and other nations. Last year, we noted that GUR found dozens of foreign components in a Russian S-70 Okhotnik-B (Hunter-B) flying wing unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) downed in a case of friendly fire. S-70 Okhotnik-B (Hunter-B) flying wing unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV). Russian MOD Screenshot/via Other Russian weapons, like the Banderol S-8000 cruise missile, contain parts from Switzerland, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea as well as the U.S. and China, according to the GUR database. In the very early days of the all-out invasion, GUR shared with us a list of several weapons packed with foreign chips. They were found inside a recovered example of the 9S932-1, a radar-equipped air defense command post vehicle that is part of the larger Barnaul-T system, a Pantsir air defense system, a Ka-52 'Alligator' attack helicopter, and a Kh-101 (AS-23A Kodiak) cruise missile. These parts all found their way into Russian weapons despite international sanctions designed to prevent that from happening. Beyond components, China appears to have provided Russia with at least some complete weapons systems. In May, we reported that Russia was using a new Chinese laser system to shoot down Ukrainian drones. The system seen in a video posted to Telegram appeared to be at least extremely similar to a system Beijing has apparently already provided to Iran, which you can read more about here. However, it remains unclear how widely this system is being fielded by Russia. You can see images and video of those systems below. While the sensor arrangement seems to have been altered, the system observed in Russian service strongly resembles the Chinese Shen Nung 3000/5000 anti-drone laser. — Fabian Hinz (@fab_hinz) May 31, 2025 Russia's growing reliance on China for technology comes as the two nations are drawing closer in what can be described as a relationship of convenience to challenge the U.S. and its allies. Officially, China has expressed neutrality in this conflict; however, its actions say otherwise. Earlier this month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the European Union's top diplomat that Beijing can't accept Russia losing its war against Ukraine because it could allow the U.S. to turn its full attention to China, CNN reported. The network cited an official briefed on the talks. The Chinese foreign minister's admission came during what the official said was 'a four-hour meeting with EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas' in Brussels that 'featured tough but respectful exchanges, covering a broad range of issues from cyber security, rare earths to trade imbalances, Taiwan and Middle East.' The official said Wang's private remarks suggested Beijing 'might prefer a protracted war in Ukraine that keeps the United States from focusing on its rivalry with China,' CNN added. 'Wang's comments echo concerns of critics of China's policy that Beijing has geopolitically much more at stake in the Ukrainian conflict than its admitted position of neutrality.' China's assistance to Russia differs from what North Korea is providing in terms of missiles, artillery, millions of rounds of shells and more than 11,000 troops fighting against Ukraine. However, the electronics flowing from China are critical to Russia's military-industrial complex. Given that Russia has had time to shift its supply chain to Chinese sources while simultaneously spinning up its economy into a wartime configuration, it is likely we will see many more of these components installed throughout Moscow's arsenal. Contact the author: howard@
Bloomberg
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
North Korea Supplies Russia With 12 Million Shells, Seoul Says
North Korea has continued to supply millions of artillery shells and other munitions to Russia since the start of Moscow's war in Ukraine, according to military data submitted to a South Korean lawmaker. Pyongyang is believed to have shipped more than 28,000 containers loaded with artillery shells and other munitions to Russia, South Korea's Defense Intelligence Agency said in response to an inquiry from lawmaker Kang Daeshik. The shipments are estimated to exceed about 12 million rounds when converted into 152-millimeter (6 inch) artillery shells, the DIA said.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Planet Labs to Host Business Momentum Update
SAN FRANCISCO, June 26, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a leading provider of daily Earth imaging and geospatial solutions, today announced it will host a press conference to provide an update on recent business momentum in the Defense & Intelligence sector. What: "Business Momentum Update" Who: Co-founder & CEO Will Marshall, President & CFO Ashley Johnson and additional executives will deliver remarks and be available for questions. When: Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 9:00 AM PT Where: Virtual press conference via webcast. Details on how to access the webcast will be provided upon RSVP. RSVP: Media interested in attending the virtual press conference must RSVP to be admitted. All questions will be taken and responded to in English. Attendees can pre-register for the press conference at You will receive your access details via email. The webcast replay will be available at the same URL approximately two hours following the event, and will remain accessible for playback. For media inquiries, contact press@ About Planet Labs PBC Planet is a leading provider of global, daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. Planet is driven by a mission to image the world every day, and make change visible, accessible and actionable. Founded in 2010 by three NASA scientists, Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest Earth observation fleet of imaging satellites. Planet provides mission-critical data, advanced insights, and software solutions to customers comprising the world's leading agriculture, forestry, intelligence, education and finance companies and government agencies, enabling users to simply and effectively derive unique value from satellite imagery. Planet is a public benefit corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange as PL. To learn more visit and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) or tune in to HBO's 'Wild Wild Space'. View source version on Contacts Press Contact Trevor HammondPlanet Labs PBCpress@ Investor Contact Cleo Palmer-PoronerPlanet Labs PBCir@
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Intercepted Iranian communications downplay damage from US attack, Washington Post reports
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Intercepted Iranian communications downplayed the extent of damage caused by U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program, the Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing four people familiar with classified intelligence circulating within the U.S. government. A source, who declined to be named, confirmed that account to Reuters but said there were serious questions about whether the Iranian officials were being truthful, and described the intercepts as unreliable indicators. The report by the Post is the latest, however, to raise questions about the extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear program. A leaked preliminary assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency cautioned the strikes may have only set back Iran by months. President Donald Trump has said the strikes "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, but U.S. officials acknowledge it will take time to form a complete assessment of the damage caused by the U.S. military strikes last weekend. The White House dismissed the report by the Post. "The notion that unnamed Iranian officials know what happened under hundreds of feet of rubble is nonsense. Their nuclear weapons program is over," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was quoted as saying by the Post. In an interview broadcast on Sunday on Fox News, Trump reiterated his confidence that the strikes had destroyed Iran's nuclear capabilities. "It was obliterated like nobody's ever seen before. And that meant the end to their nuclear ambitions, at least for a period of time," he said on the "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo" program.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hegseth defends Iran strike amid doubts over Trump's ‘obliteration' claims
The US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, has defended the US strikes on Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities and said that Donald Trump had 'decimated … obliterated' the country's nuclear program despite initial intelligence assessments that last week's strikes had failed to destroy key enrichment facilities and they could resume operations within just months. But he and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen Dan Caine, largely based that assessment on AI modeling, showing test videos of the 'bunker buster' bombs used in the strikes and referred questions on a battle damage assessment of Fordow to the intelligence community. Speaking from the Pentagon briefing room, Hegseth cast doubt on an initial assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency, noting it was 'preliminary' and 'leaked because someone had an agenda to try to muddy the waters and make it look like this historic strike wasn't successful'. Hegseth also said he was unaware of any intelligence suggesting Iran had moved any of its highly enriched uranium. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that Iran's 400kg stock of 60% enriched uranium could no longer be accounted for. 'I'm not aware of any intelligence … that says things were not where they were supposed to be, moved or otherwise,' Hegseth said. Hegseth also targeted the press for using leaked information in reports, as the Trump administration has indicated that it could target or even depose individual reporters for publishing the results of the initial assessment. Related: US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites only set program back by months, Pentagon report says 'Time and time again, classified information is leaked or peddled for political purposes to try to make the president look bad, and what's really happening is you're undermining the success of our incredible pilots,' Hegseth said. Caine said the strikes were successful insofar as the attack matched a model developed by the Pentagon that he said predicted the destruction of the Fordow site. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claimed that the US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites 'did not achieve anything' and Donald Trump had 'exaggerated' their impact, in his first public comments since the ceasefire with Israel was declared. The country's foreign minister later called the damage 'serious' but added that a detailed assessment was under way. Abbas Araghchi also shut down what he said was 'speculation' that Tehran would come to the table for new talks with the US and said it 'should not be taken seriously'. He also said a bill suspending cooperation with the IAEA was now 'binding' after being passed by Iranian lawmakers and approved by a top vetting body. During the US briefing on Thursday, Caine said that the strikes targeted two ventilation shafts leading into the Fordow underground complex. The first weapons were used to demolish concrete caps designed to prevent a similar attack, and then successive 'bunker buster' bombs were aimed down the shafts on each side in order to target the 'mission space', where Iranian centrifuges were located. The weapons were 'built, tested, and loaded properly'; they were 'released on speed and on parameters'; and the 'weapons all guided to their intended targets and to their intended aim points for the weapons function as designed, meaning they exploded'. 'The majority of the damage we assess based on our extensive modeling of the blast,' Caine said. 'The primary kill mechanism in the Mission Space was a mix of over-pressure and blast ripping through the open tunnels and destroying critical hardware.' Hegseth and Caine's appearance came one day after Trump faced questions over the strike at a Nato summit at The Hague and lashed out at reporters for publishing the results of the initial intelligence assessment that he claimed had denigrated the pilots of the B-2 bombers that led the attack. The report, which was published by the Defense Intelligence Agency, said that the US strike using 14 30,000lb 'bunker buster' GBU-57 bombs did not destroy the key components at the nuclear enrichment sites and probably only set back the Iranian nuclear program by a few months. Senior Trump intelligence officials on Wednesday claimed that there was 'new evidence' that showed the sites had been destroyed. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select 'Secure Messaging'. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post See our guide at for alternative methods and the pros and cons of each. The CIA director, John Ratcliffe, in a statement said that new intelligence from a 'historically reliable' source indicated that 'several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years.' The director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, also said that 'new intelligence' showed that three nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan would take years to rebuild. Trump announced that Hegseth would give the press briefing to 'fight for the Dignity of our Great American Pilots'. 'These Patriots were very upset!' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'After 36 hours of dangerously flying through Enemy Territory, they landed, they knew the Success was LEGENDARY, and then, two days later, they started reading Fake News by CNN and The Failing New York Times. They felt terribly!' Caine called operation Midnight Hammer, the codename for the strike against the Iranian nuclear sites, the 'culmination of 15 years of incredible work' by officers at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Related: Trump weighs Iran strike as Pentagon officials privately divided over 'bunker buster' bombs 'In the case of Fordow, the Dtra team understood with a high degree of confidence the elements of the target required to kill its functions, and the weapons were designed, planned and delivered to ensure that they achieve the effects in the mission space,' Caine said. Yet the Guardian has previously reported that Dtra had briefed senior Pentagon officials that using conventional bombs, even as part of a wider strike package of several GBU-57s, would not penetrate deep enough underground and that it would only do enough damage to collapse tunnels and bury the Fordow enrichment site under rubble.
