BLUF:
Britain’s Royal Navy commissioned its first autonomous boat squadron this week. It’s part of a long-term plan to create a ‘hybrid navy’ by integrating uncrewed systems into core operations.
Veterans and industry insiders say uncrewed systems can help counter threats such as hypersonic missiles, reduce operational costs and ease crew shortages. Designers say Britain’s rough seas and defense needs require larger uncrewed vessels than those in use now. New approaches to engineering are also needed for lengthy patrols without on-board maintenance personnel.
France’s long-held preference for defense procurement sovereignty is struggling to keep up with new miltech, according to analysts at Keen Venture Partners. However, European startups with unique technologies can succeed in France if they complement French primes.
Lithuanian-Danish startup Monopulse has developed Hydrohex, a jamming- and spoofing-resistant aerial-maritime drone hybrid for underwater surveillance. The drone comes in two sizes, for use on inland waters by police forces and in coastal waters by military personnel and port authorities.
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This (uncrewed) ship is England
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1. French procurement struggles between sovereignty and innovation, says VC firm
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Jaakko Oivanen has been appointed business development director for the Nordics and Baltics at South Korean defense prime Hanwha, based in Finland. He was previously at Finnish-Norwegian ammunition manufacturer Nammo.
Thales UK has promoted Kieran Smith to interim director for the air sector in Reading, Berkshire. The former Royal Air Force helicopter pilot was previously business lead for airborne defensive aids systems.
Wolfgang Kaiser has taken on the role of senior director for German government and Bundeswehr business development at satellite firm Eutelsat.
The German defense ministry has announced that Lt. Gen. Christian Freuding will be the new head of the Bundeswehr, Germany’s combined armed forces, from February. Lt. Gen. Freuding is currently head of the army. He will replace Gen. Carsten Breuer, who will become chair of the NATO Military Committee.
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France will procure a new version of its missile de croisère naval (MdCN), a long-range sea-launched cruise missile, from MBDA, Reuters reports.
European machinery firms supplying the defense industry expect to at least double their defense-related revenue by 2030, due to increased military spending in Europe, Reuters reports.
Polish drone manufacturer WB Electronics is targeting an up to €7 billion valuation for its initial public offering, the Financial Times reports
Rheinmetall’s share price fell 17 percent on Thursday (5 November), after delays to a German order of its Boxer armored vehicles forced it to cut its 2026 revenue forecast, Euronews reports.
Denmark and Lithuania are placing orders for Finnish Blocker naval mines, Defense News reports.
The EU will help finance Black Sea security costs amid drone attacks on civilian vessels, Politico reports.
Europe’s reliance on American technology to maintain air superiority over Russia is a “major strategic liability,” analysts Alexandr Burilkov, Javier Ospital and Guntram B. Wolff write for the think tank Bruegel.
