North Korean forces deployed to help Russia’s war against Ukraine are now operating surveillance drones, removing mines and executing artillery strikes, roles that illustrate the advancement in their combat skills https://t.co/p3otE8ptxf ...

We got access to one of the most secretive and deadly drone centers in the world. My name is Beny Solomon. I'm a video journalist and correspondent with the Wall Street Journal.I've been going to Ukraine since 2014 covering the conflict. This was by far one of the craziest things I had ever seen. This is a Ukrainian military unit called the Lazar Group and they're a drone unit who specifically flies drones remotely.What they've created is what the commander is calling a McDonald's of drone attacks. fastpace ...

- [Narrator] In a secret Ukrainian bunker, dozens of Ukrainian drone pilots are attacking Russian targets 24 hours a day across the country. This is the first time cameras have been allowed inside. The Wall Street Journal was given exclusive access inside the command center of the Drone Unit, Lasar's Group, where their industrial scale operation works to wipe out Russian equipment and kill as many soldiers as possible.- [Narrator] Nearly four years into the war in Ukraine, drones have gone from battlefield ...

Core Insights - Defence stocks on the ASX have gained significant attention due to rising geopolitical tensions and advancements in military technology, leading to substantial capital inflow and sharp increases in share prices over the past year [2][15]. Company Summaries Droneshield Limited (ASX: DRO) - Droneshield's share price has surged by 348% in the past year, driven by a major European military contract worth $49.6 million and a strong pipeline of international orders [3][5]. - The company specializes in technology for detecting and neutralizing hostile drones, which are increasingly relevant in modern conflicts [4]. - Despite its growth, Droneshield's earnings are volatile, with potential sharp pullbacks following periods of high expectations [6][7]. Electro Optic Systems Limited (ASX: EOS) - Electro Optic Systems has experienced a remarkable share price increase of over 668%, attributed to large international contracts, including an $80 million deal for high-energy laser weapons in South Korea [3][8]. - The company has improved its operational execution, leading to better margins and clearer earnings visibility after previous challenges with cost overruns and delays [9]. - However, the company faces high expectations and is sensitive to long procurement cycles and geopolitical factors [10]. Austal Limited (ASX: ASB) - Austal's share price has risen by nearly 118%, supported by long-term contracts, including billion-dollar deals related to US naval expansion [12][13]. - The company focuses on designing and building naval vessels, providing more stable revenue visibility compared to its peers [12]. - Austal's business model offers exposure to defence spending through industrial execution, which entails steady cash flows but also risks related to cost control and project management [14]. Industry Overview - The ASX defence sector reflects a structural shift in defence spending and technology evolution, with Australian capabilities becoming increasingly relevant to allied nations [15]. - Investors are advised to understand the business models and contract flows of defence companies, as volatility can create opportunities for those familiar with the sector [15][16].

Industry Trend - Small drones have revolutionized warfare in the Russia-Ukraine conflict [1] - The US needs to catch up in drone technology [1] Policy & Advocacy - One US advocate suggests creating an "NRA for drones" [1]

Military & Defense - Israel has not lost a single plane in the past two years of aerial warfare in the Middle East [1]

Geopolitical and Technological Shifts - The world is moving away from American unipolarity, with China emerging as a near-peer or potentially stronger adversary [1] - A revolution in artificial intelligence (AI) technology is underway, poised to transform all aspects of life, including defense and military, within 5-10 years [2][3] Palantir's Role and Technology - Palantir provides a software layer for deploying AI models securely, auditably, and transparently, maximizing their value [4] - Palantir's software aims to replace daily tasks involving human cognition, enhancing productivity and efficiency for allies [5][6] - Palantir emphasizes the importance of keeping humans in the loop in automated defense systems, while acknowledging the technological trend towards increased automation [7][8] - Palantir's software acts as a "harness" for AI models, enabling transparent, secure, and auditable decision-making processes [9] AI in Military Context and Ukraine - Ukraine has become a real-world R&D lab for AI in a military context, experiencing rapid advancements in military technology [11][12] - Military technology in Ukraine is experiencing major leaps every 6-8 weeks, necessitating frequent changes in tactics and procedures [14] UK Investment and Expansion - The UK is considered a prime location outside the US and China for engineering talent needed to build Palantir's software [16] - Palantir aims to significantly grow its presence in the UK, building upon its existing 1,000-person office in London, which is its second-largest globally [17] - The UK is viewed as a key military power in Europe, a pillar of NATO, and a potential bridge to the rest of the continent [17][18]

Massachusetts entrepreneurs and politicians see an opening to make the state more of a military technology powerhouse and blunt the economic damage caused by the loss of federal support for industries such as life sciences and clean energy https://t.co/1TkWS57Dou ...

Geopolitical & Supply Chain Concerns - China's restriction on rare earth mineral exports is viewed as a threat to the global supply chain [1] - China restricted seven rare earth materials initially, and added five more recently [3][4] - These restricted rare earths, critical for commercial and military tech, constitute only about 1% of a rare earth deposit [4] - The move may indicate China's intention to retain these materials long-term, potentially impacting the US [5] - China may be using rare earth restrictions as leverage in trade disputes [6] Market & Economic Impact - China's potential reduction of serium, lanthanum, neodymium, and praodmium prices (the bulk of rare earth deposits) could negatively impact the profitability of new and existing rare earth mines [8] - This could necessitate US government subsidies to maintain operations like the Mountain Pass mine [8][9] - Restrictions will impact electric car production due to the use of dysprosium in neodymium boron magnets [16] - China has historically manipulated rare earth pricing to achieve strategic goals, including attracting foreign investment [16] US Response & Strategic Considerations - The US government may need to subsidize the Mountain Pass mine to secure turbium, dysprosium, scandium, and yttrium, essential for military technologies [10] - The US possesses sufficient heavy rare earth deposits to support military applications, particularly from Mountain Pass and Lionus' Mount Weld mine in Australia [13] - Government involvement and subsidies are likely needed to develop domestic rare earth resources in Wyoming, Alaska (UKORB site), and potentially Greenland [19] - There's a trend towards sovereign control over these materials [19]

Nato chief jokes about 'limping' Russian submarine https://t.co/dzz2JubgVn ...