Ammunition Sovereignty: France picked an FN Herstal-led consortium to restart domestic NATO-caliber small-arms cartridge production in Clérieux, targeting 75 million rounds a year from 2029 to rebuild a capability lost since 1999. Gulf Arms Push: The US cleared about $1.96B in APKWS-II precision-guidance sections for Saudi Arabia, with launchers, warheads, motors, training and support—part of a broader push as tensions with Iran and Houthi-linked threats intensify. Regional Security Package: Washington also approved a wider Saudi-and-Kuwait package totaling roughly $2.44B, including Kuwait sustainment support for C-17s. Ukraine Command Shake-Up: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after six months, triggering rare wartime protests and renewed debate over drone-driven reforms and unity with top commanders. EU Innovation Funding: EU negotiators agreed on a €115M short-term AGILE grants programme to help smaller defence firms scale disruptive tech fast, with rapid access to drone testing sites. Naval Mine Countermeasures: Exail won a European navy contract for three rapid-deploy light MCM systems using RHIB-launched modular vehicles. US Industrial Base Momentum: CSG broke ground on Iowa’s Future Artillery Complex to modernize 155mm loading capacity, aiming to replace aging lines and boost output. Cyber Procurement Crackdown: Research says China’s military procurement has suspended or blacklisted over a dozen cybersecurity vendors since 2024 over bidding misconduct. AUKUS Shipbuilding Supply Chain: WeldQC expanded its naval welding compliance platform for NAVSEA qualification workflows to help defence suppliers manage traceable documentation. Defense Tech Market Signals: Investors and analysts highlighted new defence-linked manufacturing and materials activity, including a Silicon Ridge critical-minerals PEA and growth in defence-focused sensing brands.