Agnes Helou
Agnes Helou was a Middle East correspondent for Defense News. Her interests include missile defense, cybersecurity, the interoperability of weapons systems and strategic issues in the Middle East and Gulf region.
All Stories By Agnes
Saab showcases new DeployNet 5G network
DeployNet, as it’s known, is a ruggedized, 5G communication system for military and crisis operations. Unveiled by Saab during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition here, it provides 5G/LTE wireless network for challenging environments, and has high-capacity bandwidth for missions relying on information sources, sensors and user interaction.
France to test its own AI-powered battlefield command in June NATO exercise
The French Army has developed its own large-language model for staff officers, called Berthier, named after Napoleon’s chief of staff.
AI companies have a responsibility to safeguard models against exploitation, Pentagon chief technology officer says
After Trump's recent executive order on AI, Emil Michael said that the weaponization of models is concerning.
Dutch plant for combat-zone robots offers fresh supply pipeline for Ukraine
The facility has already produced its first THeMIS vehicle for the Dutch government, part of a run of more than 100 such robots pledged by the Netherlands.
Creating a separate Cyber Force would require $10 billion and a minimum of 1 year, report says
Two D.C. think tanks examined a proposed implementation plan for an independent U.S. Cyber Force as some lawmakers push for its creation.
US tells Europe, Canada to boost NATO air and naval forces
“Nations just need to assign the capabilities they have to NATO,” a spokesman for the alliance's military headquarters said.
Lockheed’s GRIZZLY C-UAS system downs attack drone in live-fire demo
The live-fire demonstration paired the radars, Sanctum software and launcher to destroy the target at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.
SOCOM wants to revive legacy M4 carbine with ‘hypervelocity’ cartridge
The elite command asked vendors to double the effective range of the M4 platform with the Hypervelocity Improved Carbine program.
At a NATO range in Latvia, hits and misses mark Europe’s counter-drone journey
Drone technology is “a couple of steps ahead” of countermeasures, one officer said, with interceptors having to work every time to prevent losses.
The US military wants to showcase battle-ready laser weapons by 2028
A directed energy demonstration is expected to occur during the summer of 2028, as part of a series of planned Golden Dome-related events.
