The ministry’s department head of ideological work Alexander Ivanov shared his suspicions on the national talk show, Po Suschestvu, during a discussion about potential targets for spies.

“Where do you think there were the most Pokémon at that time?” he asked before stating that the bulk of virtual Pokémon were present at the “territory of the 50th air base, where the runway is, where there is a lot of military aviation equipment.”

Pokémon GO relies on GPS tracking as it invites users to turn on location and use their phone camera to search their physical surroundings and collect virtual pocket monsters.

The mobile game was developed as a collaboration among Niantic Inc., Nintendo, and The Pokémon Company.

Privacy Concerns

Since the game’s release in 2016, several governments and individuals have been wary of the game’s data-gathering capabilities.

It requires uninterrupted use of user location and camera and “full access” to Google accounts on Apple devices, which garnered multiple data privacy concerns.

At the height of the game’s popularity, Indonesian State Intelligence Agency director Sutiyoso commented that the location-based mobile game poses national security risks, although security experts and analysts did not share this view.

Egypt, Kuwait, and other Middle Eastern governments echoed similar concerns and warned players to avoid sensitive sites.

The US also established procedures preventing civilians from trespassing onto military bases and preventing service members from entering restricted areas to catch Pokémons as these might expose confidential information.

In the year of its release, Russia asserted that the mobile game was a security risk, claiming that it was part of a CIA plot.

Niantic, the game’s software developer company, is headed by former Google Geo division executive John Hanke. 

Hanke was tangled up in conspiracy theories because his former company Keyhole (later acquired by Google) received funding from various sources, including the CIA’s venture capital arm, In-Q-Tel.

However, Niantic denied the allegations and informed The Register that the game “only accesses basic Google profile information (specifically, your User ID and email address) and no other Google account information is or has been accessed or collected.”

In 2022, the year Russia invaded Ukraine, Niantic shut down game operations in the Russian and Belarus markets.

“We stand with the global community in hoping for peace and a rapid resolution to the violence and suffering in Ukraine. Niantic’s games are no longer available for download in Russia and Belarus, and gameplay will also be suspended there shortly,” the company tweeted on March 11 of that year. 

The post Belarus Claims AR Game ‘Pokémon GO’ Spied on its Military Assets appeared first on The Defense Post.

In a major restructuring move, several key JMSDF units — including the Fleet Intelligence Command, Oceanography ASW Support Command, Guard Post, and Communications Command — will be merged into a single, unified entity focused on information warfare.

The new Fleet Information Warfare Command will then comprise two groups, Operational Intelligence and Cyber Defense. 

It will carry out a broad range of information warfare (IW) duties, such as enemy movement analysis, submarine sound signature analysis, cyber warfare, electronic warfare, and C4ISR. 

This reorganization will enable Japan’s Navy “to strengthen response capabilities to information warfare, including in the cognitive domain, and to establish a system capable of rapid decision-making,” according to the country’s Ministry of Defense.  

Former JMSDF intelligence officer Kenji Yoshinaga revealed to Naval News that this new command was modeled after the US Fleet Cyber Command/US 10th Fleet.

Preparations have been underway since the JMSDF conducted the first-ever joint Japan-US IW training in 2021. The plan for the command’s establishment was stated in the approved Defense Buildup Program in December 2022.

In an additional reorganization, the JMSDF’s Fleet Escort Force and the Mine Warfare Force will be replaced by a new “Fleet Surface Force” by March 2026. 

Strategic Partnerships

Last April 2024, the JMSDF, US Pacific Fleet, and Royal Australian Navy signed the Trilateral Maritime Information Warfare Memorandum.

The agreement was intended to strengthen cooperation on “non-kinetic information operations related to intelligence, communications, meteorology/oceanography, electromagnetic, cyber and space domains, in addition to kinetic operations of the three fleets, for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific.’”

Since then, the three countries have joined forces for their first information warfare event, Exercise Blue Spectrum, held in Sydney in July 2024. 

External Threats

In the 2024 Defense of Japan white paper, territorial disputes with China, North Korea’s missile tests infringing on Japanese territory, and China-Russia joint activities involving operating aircraft and vessels around Japan were identified among the country’s security threats.

Japan’s largest-ever reorganization of its maritime self-defense force and enhanced strategic partnerships are responses to the current security landscape. 

The post Japan Restructures to Create ‘Fleet Information Warfare’ Command appeared first on The Defense Post.

The deal supports the service’s efforts to employ a next-generation intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (IRS) aircraft with improved geographical coverage and faster global deployment capabilities.

SNC will take on the role for 12 years, with the agreement amounting to $991.3 million if all options are exercised.

“HADES is the centerpiece of the Army’s long-promised aerial ISR transformation strategy,” US Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Anthony Hale explained.

“HADES allows the Army to fly higher, faster and farther, which directly impacts our ability to see and sense deeper, delivering an organic capability in line with the Secretary of the Army’s number-one operational imperative – deep sensing.”

Future ISR Aircraft

The US Department of Defense first conceptualized the HADES program to replace the army’s legacy Guardrail, Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System, and Airborne Reconnaissance Low fleets in service for over 40 years.

Once operational, the HADES spy plane will fly with higher airspeeds and extended endurance compared to its predecessors. Additionally, the platform will improve the army’s readiness by enabling a transitional period of days prior to missions instead of weeks as seen in previous aircraft.

In January 2024, the Pentagon contracted Bombardier Defense to supply up to three Global 6500 business jets for the HADES prototyping phase.

The government also partnered with Leidos six months earlier to support proficiency efforts for the upcoming aircraft’s pilots.

“I am very proud of the entire HADES team, along with our intelligence, aviation and contracting enterprise partners, who have worked diligently to ensure that the Army delivers a new aerial ISR collection capability that meets the Army’s 2030 operational imperatives,” US Army Aviation Program Executive Officer Brig. Gen. David Phillips commented on SNC’s recent contract.

“HADES will allow our formations to see and sense farther and more persistently, providing an asymmetric advantage over our adversaries in large-scale operations and multidomain operations.”

The post US Army Names Sierra Nevada as Lead HADES Spy Plane Integrator appeared first on The Defense Post.

The six-year Theater Military Intelligence Support Services project will cover “all-source and single-discipline intelligence expertise” for the US European Command and US Africa Command areas of responsibility.

The initiative will incorporate flexible, scalable support for cross-functional analysis, multi-domain and information systems operations, planning, security, maintenance, and sustainment in peacetime, contingency, and crisis scenarios.

Moreover, CACI will deploy its DarkBlue Intelligence Suite, which aids users in gathering, consolidating, and analysis of appropriate open-source intelligence data from the dark web.

“The United States and its allies face increasing national security challenges across Europe and Africa, and CACI remains committed to assisting the Army in bolstering its ability to respond quickly across these theaters,” CACI President and Chief Executive Officer John Mengucci stated.

“Our extensive global presence and knowledge of these regions positions us as the leading experts who are most prepared to support intelligence operations and sensitive activities, and counter quickly evolving threats to US interests while upholding our international commitments.”

The US Army Europe and Africa is among the Pentagon’s assets to boost continental security and military partnership abroad.

The command manages strategies for armed conflict, global terrorism, human and drug trafficking, weapons of mass destruction, and infectious diseases.

The post CACI to Deliver Intel Expertise for US Army Europe and Africa appeared first on The Defense Post.

With an estimated value of $1 billion, the contract will see the delivery to Rabat of Israel’s Ofek 13 spy satellites over a period of five years.

They will replace Morocco’s existing Airbus and Thales space-based surveillance system.

Once delivered, the satellites are expected to bolster the African nation’s intelligence-gathering capabilities amid increasing geopolitical tensions.

‘Unprecedented Day and Night Surveillance’

First launched into orbit in March 2023, IAI’s Ofek 13 is equipped with synthetic aperture radar that enables precise imaging even in adverse weather conditions.

It also offers unprecedented day and night surveillance with a resolution of up to 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) and an orbit period as short as 90 minutes.

The Israeli Air Force previously described the space asset as “a tool that allows us to look beyond the horizon and investigate all areas of interest.”

Its “unique radar observation capabilities” also enable seamless intelligence-gathering in any visibility conditions.

In Morocco, the satellite can be used to monitor borders, detect potential threats, and gather critical intelligence.

The post Morocco Buys Advanced Spy Satellites From Israel appeared first on The Defense Post.

The deal orders the Terrestrial Layer System – Brigade Combat Team (TLS-BCT) Manpack which incorporates signals intelligence, electronic warfare, and cyber defense capabilities.

New York-based Mastodon will work on the procurement, training, and fielding of the backpack solutions until June 2029 in partnership with the Army Contracting Command at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

The first TLS-BCT is expected to be handed over later this year.

“The efforts to demonstrate, test, and rapidly procure a [commercial-off-the-shelf]-based product significantly accelerated the procurement timeline and will result in early capability to the field starting this year,’ US Army Electronic Warfare and Cyber Project Manager Ken Strayer stated.

“The TLS BCT Manpack is a mature, well-adopted system that will make a significant contribution to winning the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) fight.”

Terrestrial Layer System – Brigade Combat Team Manpack

The TLS-BCT enables dismounted soldiers to localize, track, and disrupt enemy attacks in multi-domain operations, further boosting situational awareness across the battlefield. It is also tailored for force protection, navigation, and scanning/surveying applications.

Furthermore, the backpacks can coordinate data between teams and centers, sustaining collection, processing, exploitation, and reporting processes with command and control elements.

CACI completed the initial tests for the TLS-BCT in December 2023. Three months earlier, Mastodon secured $1.5 million to manufacture the system’s prototype.

A larger version of the TLS-BCT is already in use with the army, mounted on the Stryker armored fighting vehicle.

During the capability’s prototyping phase, it was projected that the US Army plans to acquire approximately 56 TLS-BCTs for vehicles and about 52 of its Manpack configuration in fiscal 2024.

Counter-Drone Backpacks for Canada

Earlier this year, CACI received a similar contract to supply man-packable anti-drone devices for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Comparable to the TLS-BCT Manpack, the “Skytracker” counter-unmanned aerial system suite leverages electronic signals to identify, detect, and neutralize threats.

The post CACI Segment to Supply Electronic Warfare Backpacks for US Army appeared first on The Defense Post.

A memorandum issued last week said people linked to the military or who are knowledgeable about defense contracts may be targeted by suspicious job invitations that are typically “too good to be true.”

It further stated that foreign agents often use social media and other online networking sites such as LinkedIn, Reddit, and Discord to contact troops and civilian employees and gather sensitive information.

To lure subjects, these invites offer disproportionate payments and all-expenses-paid trips to China and other destinations.

Apart from active-duty personnel, family members are also being targeted, according to the service.

The Modus

According to the memo, most requests initiate with simple “getting to know you” questions, such as “where do you work, how old are you, and what are your hobbies.”

These usually unalarming questions increase in sensitivity over time, although the suspicious recruiter never directly or explicitly requests classified information. 

The memo noted that some questions may also involve gathering opinions on foreign policy and geopolitical concerns, such as Taiwan, Ukraine, and Israel.

The US Army is urging its members to report if a suspicious entity tries to recruit them or offer them money in exchange for information.

Chinese Recruitment Concerns

Earlier this month, the US and its allies warned that China is intensifying its campaign to recruit former Western military pilots and service members to train its own aviators.

These pilots can reportedly teach everything from air combat tactics, how to land on an aircraft carrier, and how to deal with Western counterparts.

“The [People’s Liberation Army] wants the skills and expertise of these individuals to make its own military air operations more capable while gaining insight into Western air tactics, techniques, and procedures,” a military bulletin reads.

Apart from the US, the Philippines also launched a probe into reports that a number of Chinese firms have been recruiting active and former members of the Philippine military for potential espionage.

The post US Army Warns Troops Against Job Offers Amid Chinese Espionage Concerns appeared first on The Defense Post.

The idea was floated by NATO Assistant Secretary General David van Weel amid a growing number of countries allowing the use of their donated weapons for strikes inside Russia.

Concerns are mounting that Moscow’s jamming capabilities could render some Western weapons ineffective, like what reportedly happened to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) sent by the US.

Van Weel said the alliance has invested heavily in cybersecurity deterrence and tracking Russian military tech, making the proposed information sharing relevant for both NATO and Kyiv.

Apart from Moscow’s EW capabilities, the planned intelligence sharing could cover the supply chain of Russian drones.

Expanded Military Cooperation

Speaking at the first NATO-Ukraine Defence Innovation in Poland, van Weel said the alliance wants to expand cooperation with Ukraine on defense technology.

The aim is to help make the war-torn nation a large-scale tech supplier after the war.

For NATO, the expanded military cooperation would serve as a way to replicate the rapid deployment and adoption of military technologies as observed during the conflict.

“Ukrainians are innovating at a very high speed,” van Weel stated. “But of course, the Russians are not stupid. That means innovation in the battlefield is not a static thing. It’s more like chess.”

The proposed agreements are expected to be finalized before the alliance’s summit in Washington next month.

Russia’s Growing EW Capabilities

Moscow’s sophisticated EW systems have apparently helped it gain the upper hand in Ukraine.

They have reportedly exposed flaws in some of the weapons supplied to Kyiv by its Western allies.

The US-made HIMARS and Excalibur GPS-guided artillery shells have fallen victim to persistent Russian jamming, with a recent assessment claiming these weapons have lost their “one shot, one target” reputation.

The post NATO Eyes Intelligence Sharing With Ukraine on Russia’s EW Capabilities appeared first on The Defense Post.

Under the deal, the Georgia-based firm will build, demonstrate, and deploy a next-generation training platform for the army’s Operator Maintainer Immersive Virtual Reality Environment for Intelligence Training (OMNIVORE-IT) project.

The resulting system will leverage augmented intelligence and spatial computing technologies to create a virtual training space for warfighters.

Sigma wrote that the task order confirms the company’s dedication to employing advanced solutions that amplify warfighter performance across combined joint all-domain command and control missions.

Work for the contract will be facilitated for one year in partnership with Virginia-based augmented and virtual reality developer Brightline Interactive.

“The ability … to create an ecosystem that can be instantaneously changed and deployed will provide soldiers field-level maintenance training for all emerging Intelligence Warfighting Function systems as well as some enduring systems across multiple training domains,” Sigma Defense Executive Vice President Thor James stated.

“In addition, the utilization of cloud based spatial computing, AI workflows, and augmented reality environments are innovative, next-generation technologies that further enable our vision of autonomously connecting people, systems, and data using open-source standards.”

US Army’s Latest VR Training Efforts

The US Army announced the start of tests for its Texas-based virtual indoor military training environments in March.

In February, the agency completed a virtual shooting training using an AI-enabled weapon simulator for special forces personnel in Colorado.

A month earlier, the army awarded a contract to defense industry partner CAE for simulators that will train practice pilots of the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft.

In 2021, the US Department of Defense launched a virtual reality simulation center to prepare ground troops for air defense systems operations.

The post Sigma Defense to Develop VR System for US Army Intelligence Training appeared first on The Defense Post.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) said it had recently “detected numerous signs that North Korea is preparing for terrorist attacks against our embassy staff or citizens in various countries, (such as) China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.”

“North Korea has dispatched agents to these countries to expand surveillance of the South Korean embassies and is also engaging in specific activities such as searching for South Korean citizens as potential terrorist targets,” it said in a statement.

The spy agency said it appeared linked to a wave of defections by elite North Koreans who were trapped overseas during the pandemic and are now seeking to avoid returning home after Pyongyang eased strict border controls.

Pyongyang treats defections as a serious crime and is believed to hand harsh punishments to transgressors, their families, and even people tangentially linked to the incident.

North Korean embassy officials may be submitting false reports blaming “external factors” for voluntary defections by their colleagues, in a bid to evade punishment, the NIS said.

As a result, the North may be “plotting retaliation” against South Korean embassy staff on such pretenses, NIS added.

On Thursday, South Korea’s foreign ministry said it had raised its anti-terrorism alert status for five of its diplomatic missions – embassies in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, as well as its consulates in Russian port city Vladivostok and the Chinese city of Shenyang.

Both Seoul and Pyongyang have embassies or consulates in all five locations.

North Korea has diplomatic ties with more than 150 countries, according to Seoul’s Unification Ministry, but the number of missions it maintains overseas has been shrinking since the 1990s due to financial constraints.

Late last year, North Korea shuttered a handful of embassies including in key African allies Angola and Uganda and places from Spain to Hong Kong, in what Seoul claimed was a sign of the country’s dire economic straits, but Pyongyang defended as streamlining.

According to Seoul’s unification ministry, 196 North Korean defectors arrived in the South last year, with around 10 of them being from Pyongyang’s elite class, such as diplomats and possibly their children.

This marked the highest number of defections by North Korean elites to the South since 2017, according to Seoul.

This year, Pyongyang’s leader Kim Jong Un has declared Seoul his country’s “principal enemy,” jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatened war over “even 0.001 mm” of territorial infringement.

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