MGG Geopolitics

Defence and geopolitics in an age of great power competition.

Subscribe for independent news & analysis every week.

US Marines Test Fireteam-Level Attack Drones in South Korea

The US Marine Corps is beginning to give its smallest combat formations precision-strike power previously beyond the reach of traditional infantry weapons. Marines operating under 4th Marine Regiment have completed the Corps’ first series of live-fire first-person view attack-drone flights in South Korea. The training shows how lessons from modern drone warfare, particularly conflicts in Eastern Europe, are being incorporated into conventional American units in the Western Pacific. The series

MGG Geopolitics

Aug 5, 2026 — 3 min read

How China’s State-Owned Telecom Firms Stayed Inside America’s Internet

Analysis Technology

MGG Geopolitics

Aug 5, 2026 — 4 min read

Why the US Navy Is Reclassifying 19 Virginia-Class Submarines

Analysis Naval

MGG Geopolitics

Aug 4, 2026 — 4 min read

Why Vietnam Matters to America’s Strategy Against China

Analysis

MGG Geopolitics

Aug 1, 2026 — 4 min read

Pentagon Commits $820 Million to Performance Drone Works to Cut China Reliance

The United States Department of War has offered up to $820 million in loan financing to Performance Drone Works to build domestic manufacturing capacity for critical drone components, part of a federal push to rebuild American supply chains for unmanned systems. The Office of Strategic Capital announced the conditional loan on Friday. The money, together with private capital raised alongside it, will fund a high-volume plant supplying components to Performance Drone Works and other American man

News Aerospace

MGG Geopolitics

Aug 1, 2026 — 2 min read

Australia’s Prototype Missile Shield Could Draw on the Navy’s Arsenal

Australia’s prototype land-based missile shield could eventually fire some of the same missiles carried by the navy’s Hobart-class destroyers and planned for its future Hunter-class frigates, according to Lockheed Martin. The claim points to a potential shortcut in Canberra’s effort to build a medium-range air-defence system. Instead of introducing an entirely separate missile architecture for the land domain, Australia could move technology already funded for its warships ashore. Lockheed dis

News Naval

MGG Geopolitics

Jul 30, 2026 — 3 min read

US to Fund Philippine Coast Guard Pier and Lift Military Aid Against China

The United States will fund new port infrastructure and raise military financing for the Philippines, deepening its support for Manila as the country struggles to hold ground against China in the South China Sea. A State Department fact sheet released on 22 July committed $9 million to expand a Philippine Coast Guard pier in the western province of Palawan, work the document said would strengthen maritime law enforcement and sustain operations in the disputed waters. Washington will also alloc

News United States

MGG Geopolitics

Jul 29, 2026 — 2 min read

US Marines Test Satellite-Independent Link Between Philippines and Australia

US Marines have established a direct high-frequency radio link between the Philippines and northern Australia, demonstrating how two increasingly important forward forces could remain connected if satellite communications were disrupted. The test linked Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia in Manila with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, approximately 3,200 kilometres away. On 23 July, Marines used an AN/PRC-160 radio paired with a TRC-209 amplifier to conduct two-way voice communications betwe

News United States

MGG Geopolitics

Jul 28, 2026 — 2 min read

Indo-Pacific

Dark Eagle May Have Deployed to Guam as US Hypersonic Inventory Remains Thin

New US Army photographs have raised the possibility that America’s longest-range ground-launched weapon trained on Guam during Exercise Valiant Shield, placing mainland China within its publicly declared reach. The images show Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of US Pacific Command, observing soldiers working with the Dark Eagle Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon. The Army confirmed that the training took place during Valiant Shield, although it did not disclose the location. The five-image gallery w

News Land Systems

MGG Geopolitics

Jul 21, 2026 — 3 min read

Why Japan is Building a Missile Wall Across the Nansei Islands

Japan is turning its south-western islands into a missile screen across the routes China’s navy uses to reach the open Pacific. The Nansei chain runs for more than 1,000 kilometres from Kyushu towards Taiwan. It is broken by several navigable gaps, including the Osumi and Miyako straits and the waters around Yonaguni. The Miyako Strait has become the main route used by Chinese aircraft carriers entering the Pacific, although naval activity is spreading across the entire island arc. That geogr

Video Analysis

MGG Geopolitics

Jul 21, 2026 — 2 min read

Japan and Vietnam Explore Joint Production of High-Speed Landing Craft

Japan and Vietnam will begin talks on the possible joint development and production of high-speed landing craft, moving a defence relationship built largely around training and maritime assistance towards direct industrial cooperation. Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phan Van Giang agreed to open the discussions during talks in Tokyo on 13 July. Japan’s Ministry of Defense announced the agreement two days later, following an

News Naval

MGG Geopolitics

Jul 16, 2026 — 3 min read

Explore our archive of articles, interviews, and creative projects

US Targets PAC-3 and THAAD Propulsion Bottleneck in Missile Production Push

The United States has signed two seven-year framework agreements with L3Harris to expand propulsion production for PAC-3 MSE and THAAD interceptors, bringing a critical node in the missile supply chain into Washington’s wider production drive. The agreements extend the strategy below prime contractor Lockheed Martin and into the factories supplying the components that make each interceptor move. Higher final assembly capacity will achieve little unless rocket motors, guidance systems and other

News United States

MGG Geopolitics

Jul 27, 2026 — 2 min read

Saab Secures SEK 10.1bn GlobalEye Order From Unnamed Middle East Buyer

An unnamed Middle Eastern state has ordered two Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft, raising the possibility that the system has secured its second operator in the region. Saab values the contract at SEK 10.1 billion, around $1.04 billion, with both aircraft due for delivery in 2030. The company said national security considerations prevented it from identifying the customer or releasing further details about the order. Saab announced the contract on 27 July. The secrecy

Aerospace Defence Exports

MGG Geopolitics

Jul 27, 2026 — 2 min read

South Korea Is Rebuilding Its Marine Corps. But for Which War?

American and South Korean marines will spend 12 days conducting live-fire drills, amphibious operations and logistics training across South Korea from 28 July. The exercise, known as KMEP 26.2, is designed to improve their ability to operate together during a crisis. It comes as Seoul reverses Marine Corps command arrangements in place for more than 50 years. The overhaul will give the force greater control over its own units, but leaves a larger question unanswered: what kind of war should the

Analysis

MGG Geopolitics

Jul 27, 2026 — 2 min read

BAE Systems Unveils Brontanax as Britain Re-enters Combat Drone Race

BAE Systems has unveiled Brontanax, Britain’s first domestically designed Collaborative Combat Aircraft, with a first flight planned for 2027 and availability for Royal Air Force service targeted before the end of the decade. The aircraft gives Britain a tangible route back into a global competition it had appeared to leave behind. The RAF abandoned its earlier Project Mosquito demonstrator in 2022 before an aircraft was built. BAE now says it has completed a full Brontanax prototype at Warton

Aerospace Europe

MGG Geopolitics

Jul 22, 2026 — 2 min read