TBC News

Tag: defense

  • AFAD opens 31st Defense & Sporting Arms Show Part 2 at Megamall

    AFAD opens 31st Defense & Sporting Arms Show Part 2 at Megamall

    The Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines, Inc. (AFAD) is set to open the 31st Defense & Sporting Arms Show (DSAS) Part 2 on Tuesday, November 18, at the SM Megamall Trade Hall in Mandaluyong City.

    The show runs from November 18 to 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., continuing the country’s longest-running and most recognized firearms showcase.

    Following the successful DSAS held in July at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay, this upcoming November run—now happening at the SM Megamall Trade Hall in Mandaluyong—brings together around 40 exhibitors featuring the latest firearms innovations, upgraded models, advanced accessories, and new locally manufactured products, while also reinforcing AFAD’s advocacy for responsible and educated gun ownership.

    AFAD representative Aric Topacio emphasized that the event is designed to balance cutting-edge exhibits with a renewed focus on safety, discipline, and informed ownership.

    “DSAS isn’t only a venue to showcase the latest hardware — it’s equally a platform for learning,” Topacio said. “Our goal is to help attendees build awareness, strengthen their skills, and better understand the responsibilities of gun ownership. That commitment to education is what sets this show apart.”

    During the show, DSAS will feature a series of focused talks and demonstrations on safe handling, firearm maintenance, secure storage, and responsible ownership—helping attendees gain not only familiarity with the latest products, but also the proper mindset and essential safety foundations expected of every gun owner.

    DSAS will also serve as a one-stop-shop for License to Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF) applications and Firearm Registration (FR), with law enforcement agencies on-site to assist attendees throughout the process.

    This year’s lineup of exhibitors includes leading industry names such as Trust Trade, PB Dionisio & Co. Inc., Squires Bingham International Inc., Twin Pines, Inc. (Tactical Corner Inc.), Nashe Enterprises, Hahn Manila Enterprises, Shooters Guns and Ammo Corp., Metro Arms Corporation, R. Espineli Trading, Imperial Guns, Ammo & Accessories, Jethro International Inc., Stronghand Incorporated, Final Option Trading Corporation, Force Site Inc., Lynx Firearms and Ammunition, Tactical Precision Trading, Armscor Shooting Center, Topspot Guns and Ammo, Lordman Leathercraft Guns and Ammo, Defensive Armament Resource Corp., True Weight, Tactics SOG Industries Inc., Lock and Load Firearms and Sporting Goods Corp., Santiago Fiberforce, Jordan Leather & Gen. Mdse., Speededge, Magnus Sports Shop, Greyman Elite Inc., Frontier Guns & Ammo, Jordan Guns & Ammo Trading, Raj’s Military Supplies, Vulkan Armoury, True Weight, and Secure Arms.

    Topacio noted that beyond the wide array of products and services, DSAS remains an important space that brings together the entire firearms community.

    At its heart, DSAS is about community,” he said. “It’s where curious first-timers, hobbyists, sport shooters, industry players, and public servants from relevant government agencies come together to exchange ideas and strengthen a shared culture rooted in safety, respect, and accountability.”

    The Defense & Sporting Arms Show continues to serve as the country’s leading platform promoting safety, education, and camaraderie in the firearms sector — reaffirming AFAD’s commitment to raising standards and supporting a growing community of responsible Filipino gun owners.

    Fediverse reactions
  • Palantir’s Mind-Blowing Valuation: Why Everyone’s Betting on This Defense AI

    Palantir’s Mind-Blowing Valuation: Why Everyone’s Betting on This Defense AI

    Palantir Technologies office sign with the company logo, featuring an inset image of military aircraft and a man in business attire seated indoors.

    Palantir Technologies is turning heads in the defense world, achieving a market valuation nearly equal to the combined worth of the U.S.’s three largest defense contractors, despite projected 2025 sales of just $4.2 billion.

    Retail investors poured $1.2 billion into the stock in July alone, drawn by 48% revenue growth and CEO Alex Karp’s push to expand commercial sales.

    Palantir now supports nine U.S. Army programs, a $10 billion Army consolidation deal, and NATO operations.

    While overseas growth lags due to data-sharing limits, investors are betting its AI-driven platforms will cement long-term dominance—even at extreme multiples.

  • Palantir’s Sky-High Valuation: 8 Ways the AI Defense Giant is Breaking All the Rules

    Palantir’s Sky-High Valuation: 8 Ways the AI Defense Giant is Breaking All the Rules

    Palantir Technologies logo displayed on a building with a businessman in the foreground, featuring an inset of military aircraft.

    Palantir Technologies is turning heads in the defense sector. With a valuation nearly equal to the combined worth of America’s three largest defense contractors, the AI-powered software company is rewriting the rules—despite projecting 2025 sales of just $4.2 billion.

    Here’s how Palantir is defying norms and capturing investor attention.

    1. Valuation That Stuns
      Palantir trades at nearly 90 times its projected 2025 sales, compared with just 2 times for giants like Lockheed and Northrop.
    2. Retail Frenzy
      July saw retail investors pour $1.2 billion into the stock, signaling widespread excitement for Palantir’s growth potential.
    3. Explosive Revenue Growth
      The company posted 48% year-on-year revenue growth last quarter, outpacing traditional defense contractors.
    4. Commercial Ambitions
      CEO Alex Karp predicts 10% growth in non-government revenue by 2030, showing the company’s push into enterprise markets.
    5. Major Army Partnerships
      Palantir now supports nine U.S. Army programs, secured a $10 billion decade-long consolidation deal, and expanded a $1.3 billion Maven Smart Systems contract.
    6. NATO Integration
      Its software is now used by NATO for at least five years, proving its global defense relevance.
    7. Tech That Powers Decisions
      Foundry and Gotham platforms integrate AI, data, and intelligence to provide real-time battlefield and enterprise insights.
    8. Global Expansion Challenges
      Non-U.S. revenue dropped from 36% in Q2 2024 to 27% this year due to data-sharing concerns and U.S. policy restrictions.

    Palantir’s meteoric rise shows how investors value AI-driven defense solutions, even at steep multiples.

    While international expansion faces hurdles, its integration into critical defense and enterprise systems positions the company for long-term influence—if it can navigate geopolitical and data privacy risks.

  • Six Layers Every Data Center Needs for True Security

    Six Layers Every Data Center Needs for True Security

    Step-by-Step Explainer: How to Keep Data Centers Truly Secure

    A confident individual in a gray sweater stands with arms crossed in front of a modern office space, featuring a whiteboard in the background. The right side shows a high-tech data center filled with illuminated server racks.

    Data centers are the backbone of today’s digital economy, storing sensitive information and powering critical services. But while many organizations focus on fences, cameras, and guards, experts warn that physical barriers alone are not enough to keep attackers out. True protection requires a layered approach that combines both physical and digital defenses.

    Step 1: Build the Walls
    Data centers are often surrounded by fences, monitored by security guards, and reinforced with biometric access systems like fingerprint scanners. These measures prevent unauthorized individuals from casually walking into restricted areas.

    Step 2: Lock the Digital Doors
    Firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and network segmentation serve as the digital equivalent of locks and gates. For example, separating networks into zones ensures that if hackers infiltrate one area, they cannot automatically reach critical servers.

    Step 3: Watch the Inside
    Not all risks originate from external attackers. Employees, vendors, or contractors may unknowingly click on phishing links, plug in infected USB drives, or mishandle sensitive data. Insider mistakes—or deliberate misuse—have been behind some of the most damaging breaches worldwide.

    Step 4: Track Every Move
    Modern security isn’t just about keycards and cameras. Data centers need detailed logs that show who entered, which systems were accessed, and what actions were performed. These audit trails can detect anomalies early and provide evidence during investigations.

    Step 5: Spot the Weak Link
    Every facility has vulnerabilities, whether it’s an unlocked side entrance or a server left unpatched. Attackers only need one gap to succeed, and they often look for the easiest way in, whether through a door or through the network.

    Step 6: Combine Forces
    The most resilient data centers blend physical and digital defenses into one cohesive system. A facility that focuses only on physical barriers, while ignoring cybersecurity, is just as vulnerable as one that prioritizes software but leaves its doors unsecured.

    Data centers cannot afford to treat physical and digital security as separate issues. The future of secure infrastructure lies in a holistic approach where both layers work hand in hand to protect against evolving threats.