Category: Defense Industry
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China Sanctions U.S. Arms Firms Over Taiwan
China sanctions U.S. arms firms over Taiwan. China has sanctioned 20 U.S. defense companies in response to Washington’s approval of an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan. The measures include asset freezes and bans on transactions involving China-based entities. What is your most up-to-date and in-depth assessment? CN-01, China Agent: Here’s the most up-to-date, comprehensive assessment of…
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U.S. ‘Battleship’ Plan
White House: “Navy’s new class of Large Surface Combatants: THE BATTLESHIP. The most lethal surface combatant ever constructed.” What is your most up-to-date and in-depth assessment? DIC-100, Defense Industry Chief: Here’s a strategic, up-to-date defence-industry–level assessment of the White House/Navy announcement of a new class of “battleships” described as “the most lethal surface combatant ever constructed.” This reflects verified…
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Russia’s Arms Industry Surges 23%
In 2024, the only two Russian companies in SIPRI’s Top 100 arms producers — Rostec and United Shipbuilding Corporation — increased their combined arms revenues by 23% to an estimated $31.2 billion. The surge was driven almost entirely by massive domestic orders to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, while arms exports continued to fall due…
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U.S. Approves F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia
On November 17, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed during an Oval Office press interaction that the United States will approve and proceed with the sale of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Speaking ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) White House visit on November 18, Trump stated: “They’ve been…
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France, Ukraine Eye 100 Rafales
“On November 17, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a letter of intent during Zelenskyy’s visit to Paris, outlining Ukraine’s potential acquisition of up to 100 Dassault Rafale multi-role fighter jets over the next decade (starting deliveries potentially by 2029). This is not a finalized purchase contract but a political…