Global military technology developments: China, Ukraine, and NATO

In China, the firm LandSpace successfully completed the first land-based recovery of a reusable space launch rocket booster. The ZhuQue-3 (ZQ-3) Y2 vehicle performed a soft touchdown in Gansu Province following a mission that delivered the Honghu 03 satellite into orbit. This achievement marks a transition toward the engineering application phase of reusability, which could lower launch costs and increase the tempo for China’s military and national security space operations.

In Ukraine, the military is increasing procurement of the “Equalizer” (Vyrivniuvach), a domestically produced aerial glide bomb developed by DG Industry with support from the Brave1 incubator. The weapon utilizes guidance kits and pop-out wings to extend the range and accuracy of traditional bombs, providing a standoff capability to strike targets while avoiding air defenses.

Meanwhile, a U.S. Air Force EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft was deployed near Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave as part of a specialized NATO reconnaissance and electronic warfare flight package over the Baltic Sea. The operation, which included E-3 AWACS and ARTEMIS II surveillance planes, was described by officials as an allied-controlled activity occurring near the strategic border of Poland and Lithuania.