Global Security and Defense Developments - 10 February 2026

This daily brief examines heightened military posturing and strategic deployments amid ongoing diplomatic engagement, as major powers balance deterrence, signaling, and negotiation. It assesses force movements, operational readiness, and alliance dynamics alongside parallel diplomatic tracks, highlighting indicators that shape escalation risk and crisis management across multiple theaters. The brief is designed to support timely situational awareness by contextualizing tactical developments within broader geopolitical and security trends.

U.S. POSSIBLE ATTACK ON IRAN - MIDDLE EAST DEPLOYMENT

• Four KC-135R aerial refueling aircraft transiting via Jordan are en route to Morón Air Base in Spain. It is assessed that they may be supporting 12 F-15E fighter aircraft based at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan that are expected to return to the United States. These aircraft are likely to be rotated out with F-35A fighters previously deployed to Spain and, more recently, to the United Kingdom.

• Flights linked to the transfer of air defense systems to U.S. military bases in the Middle East are continuing. However, a noticeable decline in the number of such flights has been observed following the start of talks in Oman.

GLOBAL SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS

• Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is assessing Washington’s seriousness following nuclear talks with the United States and announced that a preliminary understanding has been reached on advancing the discussions. This indicates that both sides intend to keep diplomatic channels open.

• The talks are being conducted through diplomatic contacts mediated by Oman, with the parties seeking to resolve existing disputes through dialogue. This process carries the potential to reduce regional tensions and lower the risk of escalation into conflict.

• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said unexploded munitions remain at nuclear facilities struck by the United States in June 2025, creating safety risks for inspections, and these weapons could potentially include GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs.

• U.S. Southern Command announced that an airstrike was carried out against a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in two fatalities and one injury among those on board.

• The U.S. Department of Defense announced that U.S. forces boarded the tanker MT Aquila II, which is subject to sanctions, within the area of responsibility of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The vessel was tracked from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean before an operation was conducted to seize it.

• A report published ahead of the 62nd Munich Security Conference, to be held on 13–15 February 2026, notes that the international order is under strain and that transatlantic relations require reassessment. The conference will address key security issues including NATO, China, the Middle East, and global threats.

• A new cybersecurity report released by Google highlights an increase in state-sponsored cyber intelligence campaigns targeting defense industry personnel in the United States and the European Union. Actors linked to Russia, North Korea, Iran, and China are reported to be conducting targeted attacks against personal and corporate systems.

• In response to China’s military exercises around Taiwan, two B-52H strategic bombers based at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam conducted flights south of Taiwan.

GLOBAL DEFENSE DEVELOPMENTS

• Iraqi Army Aviation Command has moved CH-5 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles to Ain al-Asad Air Base in the western governorate of Al-Anbar, the Ministry of Defence revealed when it announced that the UAVs had been inspected by Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Abdulamir Rashid Yarallah.

• Saab proposes Gripen E jet production to India to counter its Air Force fighter shortage.

• Japan plans to join the NATO-led PURL initiative to supply Ukraine with U.S.-made weapons and equipment.

• It was reported that joint trials with Taiwan and the U.S.-based defense company Kratos Defense for the development of jet-powered attack drones have achieved successful results.

• France and Ukraine signed a letter of intent expressing their intention to launch joint defense-industrial production projects. Planned cooperation includes logistics and production related to platforms such as Aster air defense missiles, Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft, and SAMP-T systems.

• Hanwha Aerospace has signed a memorandum of understanding with Frankenburg Technologies to jointly develop counter-unmanned aircraft systems for next-generation land weapon platforms.

• Azerbaijan has ordered 96 SAM120 120 mm automatic self-propelled mortars under a contract worth €210 million, signed at the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The systems will be supplied by ZTS Special of Dubnica nad Váhom, part of the DMD Group controlled by Slovakia’s Ministry of Defence.

• The Boeing Company announced that it has received a contract award from the U.S. Air Force to keep the C-17A Globemaster III flying and mission-ready for decades. The agreement covers the design, manufacture, integration, qualification and military certification of a modernized flight deck for the aircraft.