The Latvian Ministry of Defence has chosen the Ascod infantry fighting vehicle for its land forces. Defense Minister Andris Sprūds stated that the tracked vehicle will enhance the operational capabilities of Latvia’s military. The ministry has allocated around €250 million ($265 million) for the acquisition, though the exact quantity of vehicles and total contract value remain undisclosed. Negotiations with the manufacturer, GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, are anticipated to wrap up by the end of this year or early next year. Original news
Author: Veiko Lukmann
Germany took step toward clearing Turkey’s Eurofighter jet buy
Germany has instructed its Temporary Sales Authority to advance the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey, overcoming prior objections. This decision is anticipated to streamline Turkey’s procurement of the jets, according to a Turkish defense ministry source. The Eurofighter Typhoons are developed by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy, and Spain, with companies like Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler indicated that efforts from these partner countries contributed to Germany’s shift. Additionally, Turkey recently finalized a deal with the U.S. to acquire 40 F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits for its current fleet, following extended […]
South-Korea, US, Japan to hold 2nd trilateral Freedom Edge exercise
South Korea, the United States, and Japan have commenced their second trilateral multi-domain exercise, Freedom Edge, demonstrating joint deterrence against North Korean threats. This three-day drill, occurring in international waters near South Korea’s Jeju Island, involves advanced naval and air assets, including the USS George Washington, F-35 stealth fighters, and destroyers from South Korea and Japan. The exercise focuses on areas such as air defense, ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, and cyber defense. The initiative follows agreements from high-level summits to conduct annual multidomain drills to counter evolving threats from North Korea. Amid deepening North Korea-Russia alignment, the […]
US Opens Missile Base In Poland
The United States will open a new air defense base in northern Poland on Wednesday, aimed at bolstering NATO’s security presence amid regional concerns following Donald Trump’s presidential election. Located in Redzikowo near the Baltic coast, this base has been in development since the 2000s and symbolizes Poland’s enduring alliance with the U.S. Known as “Aegis Ashore,” it is part of NATO’s missile defense system designed to intercept short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The broader defense system also includes a second Aegis Ashore site in Romania, U.S. Navy destroyers in Rota, Spain, and an early-warning radar in Kurecik, Turkey. This […]
Taiwan Defense Ministry Silent Over Ukraine Missile Gift Questions
Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense, Wellington Koo, remained reserved regarding reports of Taiwan’s military aid to Ukraine and a prospective major arms purchase from the U.S. According to Forbes, Taiwan allegedly donated surplus HAWK surface-to-air missile batteries to Ukraine, though Koo clarified these decommissioned missiles were no longer necessary for Taiwan’s defense. He also addressed speculation from the Financial Times that Taiwan may seek to purchase Aegis destroyers, E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, Patriot missiles, and F-35 jets from the U.S. Koo confirmed Taiwan’s openness to all viable defense options without specifying particular systems under consideration. His remarks underline Taiwan’s cautious approach […]
Pentagon Invests $160 Million In Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing Through CHIPS Act.
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced a $160 million investment from the CHIPS and Science Act to support the Microelectronics Commons, aiming to strengthen domestic semiconductor development. Arati Prabhakar, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, highlighted the importance of advanced semiconductor technology for U.S. military strength. The majority of the funding, $148 million, will go toward infrastructure, operations, and workforce training at eight microelectronics hubs nationwide. Another $10 million will facilitate a Cross-Hub Enablement Solution to connect these hubs, and $2 million is allocated for a prototype project at the Silicon Crossroads Hub. This investment underscores the […]
Brazil sees highest defence exports in a decade
Brazil’s defense exports hit an 11-year high in 2024, reaching BRL9.53 billion (USD1.57 billion) by the end of October, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Defence. This record surpassed the previous high of USD1.62 billion set in 2021 and easily exceeded 2023’s total of USD1.45 billion. The main exports this year included fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, light weapons, ammunition, and engineering services. Key deals featured the sale of Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft to Austria, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, along with A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to Paraguay and Uruguay. Brazil’s rising defense exports reflect its growing presence in the […]
Taiwan Contacted Incoming Trump Officials Over $15B Military Package
Taiwan is reportedly planning a substantial $15 billion military investment to demonstrate its commitment to self-defense against China to the incoming Trump administration. According to the Financial Times, officials in Taipei have already initiated informal discussions with Trump’s team. Taiwan’s potential purchases include an Aegis-class destroyer, known for its advanced air and missile defense capabilities. Additionally, sources indicate that Taiwan’s request could include up to 60 F-35 fighter jets, 10 retired warships, and 400 Patriot missiles. This package underscores Taiwan’s intent to bolster its defense with modernized and powerful military assets. Original news
U.S. will send contractors to Ukraine to help fix its weapons
The Pentagon announced Friday it will deploy a limited number of U.S. defense contractors to Ukraine to repair advanced American-made weaponry, including F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems. This move responds to concerns over President-elect Donald Trump’s uncertain stance on maintaining U.S. military and economic support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Defense officials withheld specific locations in Ukraine where contractors will be stationed, citing security reasons. They noted, however, that several U.S. companies already have personnel on the ground assisting the Ukrainian government. The contractors’ presence aims to ensure sustained functionality of critical defense systems […]
Reassessing ‘Saint Javelin’: Crunching Anti-Tank Missile Numbers
#analysis The ‘Saint Javelin’ meme, depicting a Madonna figure holding a U.S. missile launcher, has popularized the Javelin anti-tank missile as a symbol of American aid to Ukraine. While celebrated for its effectiveness against Russian tanks, the Javelin’s real impact appears limited, with data suggesting a far lower kill rate than its reputation implies. Approximately 45,000 guided missiles from the U.S., UK, and Ukraine’s own stock have been supplied, but only an estimated 20% have led to confirmed tank kills. Other weapons, like FPV kamikaze drones and artillery, have proven more decisive in destroying Russian armor. Given the high costs […]
Croatia procures Leopard 2A8 MBTs and HIMARS
Croatia is set to acquire Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as announced by Vice-President and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić on November 5. The cost of the 40-50 Leopard tanks will be offset by German financial support for Croatia’s provision of armored vehicles to Ukraine, under a recent letter of intent (LoI). Anušić and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius signed the LoI on October 28 in Berlin, outlining plans to deliver 30 M-84 tanks and 30 M-80 infantry fighting vehicles, along with spare parts and ammunition, from Croatia to Ukraine. Additionally, Croatia is slated […]
The US needs to get real about maneuver warfare in space
#analysis Christopher Stone, Senior Fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, argues for a U.S. shift toward maneuver warfare in space, advocating for the development of space-to-ground weapons (SGWs). Stone criticizes the current defensive posture, proposing more assertive tactics to address threats like China’s anti-access/area-denial capabilities. He highlights China’s advanced space deterrence strategy, which employs “rapid and destructive” maneuvers to assert dominance. Stone suggests that the U.S. Space Force should evolve from a support role to a primary offensive force to retain strategic superiority. He envisions the Space Force as providing a “decisive advantage” over enemy ground forces through […]
US to speed up interceptor missiles delivery to Ukraine
The United States plans to send over 500 interceptor missiles to Ukraine in the coming weeks, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. These shipments include interceptors for the Patriot missile defense system and NASAMS, aimed at supporting Ukraine’s air defense needs through year-end. This increase in aid comes shortly after Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the recent U.S. presidential election. In a related move, the Biden administration has introduced a policy change permitting U.S. defense contractors to operate within Ukraine for maintenance and repair of American-supplied weaponry. This shift underscores a commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defense infrastructure […]
EU Is Looking at Ramping Up Ukraine Aid If Trump Pulls Plug
European Union leaders are assessing their ability to sustain support for Ukraine’s war effort if Donald Trump were to withdraw U.S. assistance. The U.S. remains crucial for supplying advanced weapons like F-16s and ATACMs, as well as for producing essential 155mm shells central to Ukraine’s defense. In a Budapest meeting on Thursday, officials examined both financial and military ramifications of a potential U.S. shift. The EU has committed €118 billion in aid to Ukraine—nearly double the U.S. contribution of €85 billion—raising concerns about continued access to military resources primarily provided by the U.S. While Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban questioned […]
Sweden selects Embraer cargo plane, Brazil plans to buy more Saab fighters
Sweden has chosen Embraer’s C-390 Millennium as its new military cargo aircraft, while Brazil intends to expand its order of Gripen fighter jets from Swedish company Saab. This decision was formalized through a letter of intent signed by Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson and Brazilian Defense Minister Jose Mucio following in-depth discussions. Sweden’s replacement of its older Lockheed Martin C-130 fleet with the C-390 marks a deepening defense partnership with Brazil. Originally contracting for 36 Gripen jets in 2010, Brazil now seeks to increase this order by 25%. Embraer’s defense chief, Bosco da Costa Junior, praised Sweden’s choice, emphasizing the […]