Global Security and Defense Developments - 11 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

• Six F-35A Lightning II fighter jets that recently flew from the United States to the United Kingdom are now departing RAF Lakenheath to deploy to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The F-35s are being supported by four KC-135R aerial refueling tankers. The six F-35s departing RAF Lakenheath are expected to join another six F-35A aircraft currently stationed in Spain, replacing twelve F-15E Strike Eagles that are leaving Jordan and returning to the United States.

• Six F-35A fighter jets previously stationed at NAS Rota in Spain flew to Morón Air Base after the base resumed operations following a runway incident involving a KC-46A tanker aircraft. The F-35s are expected to be deployed to Jordan in the coming days.

• Cargo flights transporting air defense systems and related equipment to bases in the Middle East are continuing, although the overall frequency of flights has decreased. Since January, the recorded air defense and equipment transfer flights are as follows:

  • Muwaffaq Salti Air Base: 83

  • Prince Sultan Air Base: 19

  • Ali Al Salem Air Base: 13

  • Al Udeid Air Base: 13

  • Diego Garcia NSF: 9

  • Isa Air Base: 3

GLOBAL SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS

• Iran is continuing negotiations with the U.S. over its nuclear program via Oman, alongside regional actors including Syria and Lebanon. Iranian nuclear officials stated that the country’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium could be diluted, with the possible lifting of all financial sanctions being considered in return. This statement is widely interpreted as a concrete signal of flexibility from Tehran in its search for a diplomatic solution with Washington.

• The U.S. has issued new security advisories and guidance for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to mitigate risks to maritime trade amid ongoing nuclear tensions with Iran.

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he holds pessimistic expectations regarding economic cooperation with the United States; however, he noted that diplomatic channels between the two countries remain open with regard to ending the war.

• NATO is preparing to launch a new mission, “Arctic Sentry,” aimed at monitoring growing geopolitical competition in the Arctic and strengthening deterrence. The mission is expected to be formally announced at the defense ministers’ level and will focus on increasing maritime surveillance and air presence.

• Following U.S. accusations that China has conducted underground nuclear weapons tests, claims have emerged that President Donald Trump is considering expanding the United States’ nuclear arsenal and resuming underground nuclear testing.

• At United Nations and NATO forums, U.S. officials reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to alliance obligations. Despite growing debates in Western Europe over the need for greater defense autonomy, the Trump administration emphasized that its support for NATO will continue.

• Ahead of the 62nd Munich Security Conference, the 2026 security report argued that the post–Second World War international order is increasingly eroding and that the United States is no longer fulfilling the role of “guardian of the existing order.”

• Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service says Russia produced roughly 7 million artillery shells, rockets, and mortar rounds in 2025 while rebuilding strategic reserves depleted early in the Ukraine war.

• Russia has concentrated at least 15 Su-57 stealth fighter jets at the Dzyomgi air base in the Khabarovsk region, about 280 kilometers from the Chinese border

GLOBAL DEFENSE DEVELOPMENTS

• The U.S. Army has completed a key qualification event ort he Extended-Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, validating a 150 km-class precision rocket fired from the fielded M270A2 launcher.

• The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Pentagon’s research and technology arm, issued a solicitation for its Compositional Learning-And-Reasoning for AI Complex Systems Engineering (CLARA) program, inviting proposals for high-assurance artificial intelligence research.

• L3Harris announced, that it has demonstrated the integration of its Red Wolf launched effects vehicle on the AT-802U Sky Warden aircraft.

• Queensland-based Hypersonix Launch Systems announced that it has completed vibration testing of its DART AE hypersonic technology demonstrator, confirming component reliability and structural integrity ahead of flight activities.

• Armenia has acquired U.S.-made V-BAT intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance unmanned aerial system. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed the acquisition of the combat-proven V-BAT system during a visit by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to the country.

• Israel successfully completes advanced upgrade tests for David’s Sling air and missile defense system.

• Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Roketsan to collaborate on future opportunities involving integrated defence capabilities in selected markets.

• German shipbuilder TKMS said its order backlog reached a record €18.7 billion in the first quarter of 2025/26, as the group reported stable sales and adjusted earnings while raising its full-year revenue forecast.