Global

Defence Tech · News

Missile Defense Agency awards $75 million to Long Wall for Cyclops interceptor testing

The US Missile Defense Agency has awarded California startup Long Wall $75 million to complete testing of its self-funded Cyclops low-cost midcourse interceptor.

Why it matters: The development highlights a shift toward low-cost, mass-producible interceptors utilising commercial off-the-shelf components and 3D printing for long-range missile defence, addressing emerging threats through public-private funding models.

breakingdefense.com 22 Oct Global

Photo: Aaron Burden / Unsplash

Drones & Autonomy · News

Skyeton Turns Combat-Proven Raybird Into Stormbird FPV Mothership

Skyeton has adapted its combat-proven Raybird into the Stormbird FPV mothership to address a middle-strike gap following Starlink disruptions.

Why it matters: This development addresses operational gaps in middle-strike capabilities and communications resilience for European defence markets affected by Starlink disruptions.

Defense Express 22 Oct Ukraine Global

Drones & Autonomy · Industry

GDLS Unveils Upgraded PERCH 2.0 System for Abrams SEPv3 and Stryker Platforms

General Dynamics Land Systems has introduced the PERCH 2.0 modular kit, developed with AeroVironment to integrate tube-launched loitering munitions onto heavy armored platforms like the Abrams SEPv3 and Stryker.

Why it matters: The integration of mature loitering munitions into heavy armor formations provides mechanized maneuver forces with immediate standoff lethality and multi-domain situational awareness, reflecting broader industry trends in fielding unmanned strike systems onto land battle platforms.

militaryleak.com 22 Oct Global

Drones & Autonomy · Investment

Arke Telekom secures €1M from ACT Venture Partners for drone communications

Arke Telekom has raised €1 million in funding from ACT Venture Partners to advance its drone communications technology.

Why it matters: This investment provides capital to develop communications infrastructure specifically for drones, highlighting ongoing private sector backing for uncrewed aerial systems technology.

Tech.eu 22 Oct Global

AI-generated illustration

Defence Tech · Policy

U.K. House of Commons Committee Releases Report on Defense in the High North

The U.K. House of Commons has publicly released the 'Defense in the High North' report, which provides recommendations regarding security concerns in the Greater Arctic and North Atlantic regions.

Why it matters: The report highlights strategic security concerns in the Greater Arctic and North Atlantic, addressing how climatic changes and increased access to raw materials and transit routes impact U.K. defense policy.

news.usni.org 22 Oct United Kingdom Global

Drones & Autonomy · News

Germany pulls out of Boeing Ghost Bat deal

Germany has withdrawn from Boeing's Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft project, raising questions over strategic mistrust.

Why it matters: The cancellation impacts European defence procurement choices regarding uncrewed systems and international collaboration with major US defence primes.

The Times of India 22 Oct Germany Global

Space · Industry

Orange to test D2D service next year pending satellite coverage

French telecommunications operator Orange plans to test a direct-to-device service next year, awaiting necessary satellite coverage.

Why it matters: Direct-to-device satellite connectivity underpins resilient communications infrastructure, offering potential applications for secure connectivity and emergency response where terrestrial networks fail.

Light Reading 22 Oct Global

Drones & Autonomy · News

Could India Build Europe’s Next Drones?

A media report raises the prospect of India manufacturing drones for the European market.

Why it matters: Exploring potential manufacturing partnerships for uncrewed systems highlights ongoing efforts to secure production capacity and supply chains for European defence and dual-use markets.

Times Now 22 Oct Global

Semiconductors · Industry

TSMC Seeks Alternatives to China-Controlled Rare Earths for Chip Production

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is seeking alternatives to China-controlled rare earth materials in order to safeguard its semiconductor production processes.

Why it matters: Securing uninterrupted access to rare earth elements is critical for semiconductor manufacturing and the broader European tech supply chain, given global dependencies on China-controlled materials for chip production.

Modern Diplomacy 22 Oct Global

AI & Compute · Analysis

The Endless Chip War and the Geopolitics of Semiconductors

An expert interview details how historical semiconductor rivalries, supply chain vulnerabilities, and geopolitical leverage continue to shape modern competition in advanced chips and artificial intelligence.

Why it matters: Understanding historical patterns in semiconductor supply chains, geopolitical weaponisation, and legacy chip phase-outs is critical for policymakers and industry leaders navigating current U.S.-China technology competition and advanced AI scaling.

warontherocks.com 22 Oct United States China

Quantum · Investment

RhymeQ emerges from stealth with $2.2M to simplify quantum programming

Quantum programming startup RhymeQ has emerged from stealth after securing $2.2M in funding to simplify the development process.

Why it matters: Funding for startups simplifying quantum programming highlights ongoing investment in developer tools within the quantum sector, which holds long-term dual-use significance for European security and advanced computing capabilities.

Tech.eu 22 Oct Global

Photo: Homa Appliances / Unsplash

Defence Tech · Industry

Thales Q3 2026 Order Intake Jumps 15% Amid Defence Surge

Thales reported its Q3 2026 financial slides, highlighting a 15 percent increase in order intake driven by a surge in the defence sector.

Why it matters: This significant increase in defence orders reflects strong ongoing demand within the European defence market, impacting industry growth and prime contractor performance.

Investing.com 22 Oct Global

Photo: Toon Lambrechts / Unsplash

Semiconductors · Industry

Infineon and Nvidia to develop gallium nitride power conversion tech

Infineon and Nvidia are partnering to develop gallium nitride power conversion technology specifically for 800VDC data centre racks.

Why it matters: This collaboration combines semiconductor expertise with computing infrastructure to advance power conversion technology for data centre racks, relevant to the broader technology and semiconductor sectors.

Data Center Dynamics 22 Oct Global

Quantum · News

Vietnam Gets Its First Quantum Computer With Quandela’s MosaiQ

Vietnam has acquired its first quantum computer, featuring Quandela’s MosaiQ system.

Why it matters: This deployment marks the introduction of Quandela's MosaiQ quantum computer to Vietnam, establishing the country's first quantum computing capability.

Quantum Zeitgeist 22 Oct Global

Photo: Toon Lambrechts / Unsplash

AI & Compute · Industry

Infineon Collaborates with NVIDIA on Gallium Nitride-Based Power Conversion Systems for AI Data Centres

Infineon has announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to develop gallium nitride-based power conversion systems tailored for 800 VDC AI data centres.

Why it matters: This collaboration advances power conversion technologies for AI data centres, which are critical infrastructure supporting high-performance compute workloads relevant to the dual-use technology ecosystem.

Bisinfotech 22 Oct Global

AI-generated illustration

Cyber & Comms · Industry

Toshiba Launches Platform to Protect Networks from Future Quantum Attacks

Toshiba has launched a new platform designed to protect networks from future quantum attacks.

Why it matters: Network protection against future quantum attacks is critical for European digital infrastructure and security as quantum computing capabilities advance.

Quantum Zeitgeist 22 Oct Global

Quantum · Investment

QuantrolOx raises €12M to automate quantum computer tuning

QuantrolOx has raised €12 million in funding to focus on automating the tuning of quantum computers.

Why it matters: Automation of quantum computer tuning addresses critical development challenges within the quantum sector, potentially accelerating progress for European quantum technology capabilities.

Dealroom 22 Oct Global

Space · News

Starlink switch off: Europe looks to the skies for an alternative to Elon Musk

Following a Starlink switch off, Europe is looking to the skies to find an alternative to Elon Musk's satellite network.

Why it matters: Identifying alternative satellite communication providers is critical for European strategic autonomy and resilient infrastructure in the space and communications sectors.

The Observer 21 Oct European Union Global

Photo: Timothy Holmes / Unsplash

Defence Tech · News

Any Decision To Buy New-Build F-16s Not An Urgent Priority: USAF

The U.S. Air Force states that any decision regarding the acquisition of new-production F-16 Viper fighters is at least a year away, as leadership considers a spectrum of capabilities to replace aging aircraft.

Why it matters: Long-term force structure planning by the U.S. Air Force highlights ongoing questions regarding industrial capacity, production bottlenecks, and budget constraints that directly affect military procurement timelines and defense industrial base output.

twz.com 21 Oct Global

Quantum · Industry

qBraid Announces qBraid OS for Operating Quantum Computing Services

qBraid has announced the launch of qBraid OS, a new operating system designed for running quantum computing services.

Why it matters: The introduction of a dedicated operating system for quantum computing services represents a development in quantum software infrastructure, which is relevant for the advancement of computational capabilities.

VMblog 21 Oct Global