BI-WEEKLY MARKET INTELLIGENCE REPORT 01.06.2025 to 14.06.2025
- harrygeisler2
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Welcome to the latest edition of Dual-Use Dispatch – your bi-weekly briefing on the intersection of commercial innovation and national security.
In this issue: Israel–Iran tensions erupt into open drone warfare, Anduril Industries raises $2.5B to redefine defence autonomy, and Southeast Asia accelerates fighter procurement amid regional power plays. From mixed-reality helmets to AI-enabled interceptors, we track the contracts, startups, and strategic signals shaping the next phase of global security.
INTEL SNAPSHOT: MAJOR PROCUREMENT DEVELOPMENTS
US–Middle East Arms Deals
The US Senate cleared more than $3 billion in arms sales to Gulf partners, overriding attempts to block the deals. This includes a $1.9 billion package of MQ-9B armed drones for Qatar and a $1.6 billion sale of CH-47F Chinook helicopters and other equipment to the UAE.
In a related move, the State Department approved a $325 million Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for M1A2 Abrams tank support and spare parts to bolster Kuwait’s armoured force sustainment. These deals underscore sustained US defence support for Middle Eastern allies despite political scrutiny.
Fighter Jet Acquisitions in Asia
US allies in Asia advanced major combat aircraft procurements. Thailand announced an order for four Saab JAS-39E/F Gripen fighters (the first tranche of a planned 12-jet program) to modernise its air force, alongside Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles and upgrades to its airborne early-warning fleet. Meanwhile, the Philippines signed a $712 million contract with South Korea defence company, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for 12 additional FA-50PH Fighting Eagle light attack aircraft. The new Philippine jets will feature AESA radars and in-flight refuelling capabilities, with deliveries by 2030 to boost Manila’s air defence as regional tensions rise. These acquisitions reflect a broader trend of Southeast Asian militaries upgrading their air combat and surveillance capabilities.
Other Global Procurement Highlights
In Europe, the Netherlands received approval to buy a new batch of Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGMs) and related equipment for an estimated $215 million. The deal, formally notified on June 12, is aimed at enhancing Dutch strike capabilities with advanced precision munitions. These systems will be employed by AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.
Across NATO’s eastern flank, Poland moved forward on acquiring additional JASSM air-launched cruise missiles and Small Diameter Bombs, while Türkiye secured US approval to purchase AIM-120C8 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Block II air-to-air missiles to refresh its fighter armament. These procurement developments, from the Middle East to the Far East, illustrate a global upswing in defence acquisitions driven by heightened regional security needs.
STARTUP RADAR: DUAL-USE IN FOCUS
Anduril Industries (USA) – Autonomy & Defence at Scale
US defence tech startup Anduril closed a massive $2.5 billion funding round led by Founders Fund, more than doubling its valuation to $30.5 billion. This war chest will accelerate deployment of Anduril’s AI-enabled autonomous systems – from counter-drone networks to unmanned vehicles – and scale up manufacturing for U.S. and allied militaries.
The investment coincided with Anduril taking over Microsoft’s augmented-reality headset program for the US Army and partnering with Meta on military mixed-reality devices, signalling its expansion into defence training and mission systems. Anduril’s executive chairman Trae Stephens noted it was the fund’s largest-ever single investment, underscoring confidence that tech startups can rival traditional defence primes.
Recent developments (June 2025): Beyond the landmark funding, Anduril’s momentum has yielded significant contracts and partnerships. In early 2025 it won a 10-year, $642 million US Navy/Marine Corps contract to install counter-drone defences at bases worldwide, and it joined forces with Palantir and others in a new consortium bidding on Pentagon programs as the US Department of Defense seeks lower-cost, AI-driven solutions.
In June 2025, Anduril and Meta formally announced their partnership to build military mixed-reality systems without direct government R&D funding. This reflects Anduril’s dual-use ethos – adapting cutting-edge commercial tech (from Oculus VR and Silicon Valley AI) to military needs – and further solidifies its role as a non-traditional prime contractor for next-generation training and mission support.
Company snapshot:
Name: Anduril Industries, Inc.
HQ: Costa Mesa, California, USA
Founded: 2017
Funding: $2.5 billion Series G (June 2025)
Investors: Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, 8VC, Valor Equity Partners, Lux Capital, D1 Capital
Website: https://www.anduril.com
MISSION DEBRIEF: GLOBAL NEWS
Major Defence and Security Developments
Israel–Iran Escalation: A major Middle East flashpoint erupted as Israel launched wide-scale strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 13, claiming it aimed to pre-empt Tehran’s atomic weapon ambitions. Iran’s leadership vowed “harsh” retaliation and responded by launching around 100 armed drones toward Israeli territory. The unprecedented Israeli attack – coming days before a planned new round of nuclear talks – has sharply escalated regional tensions, forcing neighbouring states to close airspace and prompting global calls for restraint.
US Moves and Gulf Warnings: With conflict fears rising, Washington pulled back non-essential personnel from its embassies and bases in the Middle East as a precaution. President Donald Trump bluntly reiterated that the United States will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, even as diplomatic efforts falter. Iran, for its part, warned it would target U.S. military installations in the region if war broke out. The Pentagon put air defences on high alert, and Jordan, Iraq, and Israel temporarily curtailed civilian air traffic amid the “complex and severe” security situation.
Chinese Carrier Operations Stir Tensions: In East Asia, China deployed two aircraft carriers for simultaneous drills in the Pacific Ocean for the first time, a show of force that Taiwan denounced as evidence of Beijing’s “expansionist” aims. The Liaoning and Shandong carrier groups operated beyond the first island chain into waters near Guam, demonstrating China’s ability to project power far from its shores under the banner of routine training. Neighbours are on alert: Japan’s defence minister noted the carriers’ presence underscores China’s intent to extend its military reach, while Taiwan’s air force is hastening absorption of new F-16V fighter jets from the US – with a dozen of 66 on order expected to arrive by year’s end – to boost its air defences against PLA incursions.
Infrastructure Security Developments
Crimean Bridge sabotaged with underwater explosives: Ukraine’s SBU used ~1,100 kg of explosives placed underwater to damage the Kerch (Crimean) Bridge’s supports. Road and rail traffic were halted briefly. Underwater sabotage highlights a growing threat to critical transport infrastructure, especially via submersibles or sea drones.
UK trials underwater robot for pipeline/cable defence: The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory tested a reusable, sensor- and camera-equipped underwater robot that can detect and neutralise threats near pipelines and undersea cables. This demonstrates proactive, autonomous defence of critical undersea infrastructure, an emerging approach to maritime resilience.
US warns of crippling cyberattack risk on power grid: Cybernews reported that a single cyberattack could disable US power, water, and emergency services due to aging systems and insufficient security. This highlights the acute need for real-time cyber‑physical monitoring, AI‑driven anomaly detection, and integrated resilience platforms.
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