Explore

Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Warns of Russian Missile Buildup Targeting NATO's Eastern Flank

Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Warns of Russian Missile Buildup Targeting NATO's Eastern Flank

Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service (SZR) has reported that Russia is accumulating approximately 400 hypersonic missiles and could produce up to 300 ballistic missiles by the end of 2026. This buildup is intended for strikes on Ukraine's critical infrastructure during the autumn and winter, as well as for potential provocations against European NATO members. Major General Oleh Luhovskyi, the first deputy head of SZR, conveyed this assessment to national security advisors of European leaders on September 6. The SZR noted that Russia has repeatedly tested NATO's eastern flank through drone incursions, airspace violations, and military activities. While no deliberate Russian missile strike on NATO territory has been established, the SZR's warning suggests a potential new form of escalation. Additionally, Russia has deployed extra launchers in the Bryansk, Kursk, and Voronezh oblasts, which border Ukraine. The SZR also highlighted that about 60% of enterprises involved in Russia's missile production are not...

Lockheed Martin Secures $732 Million HIMARS Deal with Sweden, Establishes European Maintenance Hub in Finland

Lockheed Martin Secures $732 Million HIMARS Deal with Sweden, Establishes European Maintenance Hub in Finland

Sweden has finalized a SEK 7 billion ($732 million) agreement to acquire Lockheed Martin’s M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). This procurement is a key part of Sweden's ongoing efforts to enhance its long-range strike capabilities as a new NATO member. The deal includes 'just over' ten launchers and a 'substantial quantity' of ammunition, with initial deliveries anticipated in 2027. Concurrently, Lockheed Martin is establishing Europe’s first HIMARS maintenance center in Tampere, Finland. Finland will also assist Sweden with maintenance and training for the new system, leveraging its existing experience with Lockheed's tracked MLRS variant, which uses the same ammunition family. This collaboration extends to ammunition cooperation due to the interoperability between MLRS and HIMARS.

Sweden Acquires Lockheed Martin HIMARS, Forges Artillery Pact with Finland

Sweden Acquires Lockheed Martin HIMARS, Forges Artillery Pact with Finland

Sweden has finalized a SEK 7 billion ($732 million) agreement to procure Lockheed Martin's M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). This acquisition is part of Sweden's ongoing efforts to enhance its long-range strike capabilities as a new NATO member. The deal includes over ten launchers and a substantial quantity of ammunition, with initial deliveries anticipated in 2027. The announcement was made at Ärna Air Base, Sweden, in the presence of a U.S. Army HIMARS launcher. Major General Johan Pekkari, head of the Swedish Army, emphasized that this deep-strike capability will complement the Air Force's recently operational Taurus missiles. Additionally, Lockheed Martin and Sweden's defense company Saab have signed a letter of intent to explore integrating Saab’s Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) and producing munitions for HIMARS and other systems, including the Patriot air-defense system (PAC-3). This collaboration aims to bolster European and Swedish munition production, with initial ...

Marine Le Pen Signals Reconsideration of Ukraine Support if Elected French President

Marine Le Pen Signals Reconsideration of Ukraine Support if Elected French President

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, has stated her intention to re-evaluate France's support for Ukraine if she wins the upcoming presidential election. Le Pen advocates for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and the convening of an international peace conference. She has openly criticized the current French government's approach to Russia, accusing her political adversaries of prolonging the conflict. This stance has drawn significant criticism from various French political factions. Jordan Bardella, the RN's president, has indicated that while the party would continue to support Ukraine, it opposes 'endless funding of war.' Louis Aliot, Vice President of the National Unity, further confirmed the party's intent to cease financial and military aid to Ukraine if they come to power. These statements have led to a public debate, with figures like Edouard Philippe accusing Le Pen of creating a security threat to Europe and France by potentially serving Russian interests.

The Kremlin says Putin assured Trump that Moscow doesn’t harbor aggressive intentions toward Europe

The Kremlin says Putin assured Trump that Moscow doesn’t harbor aggressive intentions toward Europe

A Kremlin official says Russian President Vladimir Putin assured U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call that Moscow doesn’t harbor aggressive tendences toward Europe

BAE Systems to Conduct Major Upgrade Refit on HMS Duncan, Enhancing Propulsion and Air Defense

BAE Systems to Conduct Major Upgrade Refit on HMS Duncan, Enhancing Propulsion and Air Defense

HMS Duncan, a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer, has returned to Portsmouth to commence a significant refit, making it the final vessel in its class to undergo extensive propulsion upgrades. The refit, to be carried out by BAE Systems, will incorporate the Power Improvement Project (PIP), which involves modifying the propulsion system with three new Rolls-Royce MTU diesel generator sets. This enhancement aims to boost electrical generating capacity and resolve long-standing reliability issues with the class's power and propulsion. Additionally, the ship will receive substantial improvements to its air defense capabilities, including the installation of 24 Sea Ceptor missiles in a new silo, allowing the main magazine to be dedicated to longer-range Aster 30 missiles. The Sea Viper Evolution upgrade will also be implemented, improving the Type 45's ability to counter ballistic missile threats through modifications to the Sampson radar, command system, and Aster 30 weapon. This refit follows HMS Duncan's recent de...

Putin assures Trump that Moscow doesn’t have aggressive plans toward Europe, Kremlin says

Putin assures Trump that Moscow doesn’t have aggressive plans toward Europe, Kremlin says

A Kremlin official says Russian President Vladimir Putin assured U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call that Moscow doesn’t harbor aggressive intentions toward Europe

Journalist Suggests Putin May Escalate Against NATO to Justify New Mobilization

Journalist Suggests Putin May Escalate Against NATO to Justify New Mobilization

Journalist Anna Danylchuk suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin might deliberately escalate tensions with NATO. This potential escalation, according to Danylchuk, could serve as a pretext for a new wave of mobilization within Russia and increased internal repression. Danylchuk notes that Russia's economy and aviation sector are currently under significant pressure due to ongoing war and sanctions. She highlights recent events such as Turkish Airlines canceling flights to Moscow, repeated drone attacks on Russian industrial facilities like a rocket engine plant near Perm, and Germany's recent direct attribution of incidents to Russia. Danylchuk believes that Putin might perceive a 'window of opportunity' due to perceived indecisiveness within NATO and potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy towards European allies. Such an action, she argues, could be framed as a victory over NATO to the Russian populace, explaining failures in Ukraine and fulfilling Putin's long-held ambition to undermine the alli...

UK Halts Large Military Exercises Due to Funding Shortfalls, Redirecting Focus to Drone Transformation

UK Halts Large Military Exercises Due to Funding Shortfalls, Redirecting Focus to Drone Transformation

The British Armed Forces have suspended military exercises involving 90 or more personnel due to budget constraints within the Ministry of Defense. Units have been instructed to cease collective training immediately, unless they are preparing for active deployment. This directive significantly reduces company-level and battle group training, impacting major events such as a six-week exercise with tanks and attack helicopters in Wales. While small squad training for basic skills like vehicle operation, physical fitness, weapons handling, and drone usage will continue, the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are also scaling back training activities. The cuts are attributed to a shortage of funds for current operating expenses, with an allocated £2 billion for training not becoming available until 2027. This financial imbalance is partly due to costly rearmament programs, including nuclear submarines and a sixth-generation fighter jet. The Ministry of Defense is now prioritizing a strategy focused on low-cost sys...

Poland Investigates Suspected Russian Sabotage in Drone Infrastructure Fires

Poland Investigates Suspected Russian Sabotage in Drone Infrastructure Fires

Poland is investigating two significant fires at facilities involved in drone production, with strong suspicions of Russian involvement. The incidents include a fire at the WB Electronics drone-components plant in Skarzysko-Kamienna and another at JFG Composites in Lublin. At WB Electronics, storage rooms containing drone components burned, with CCTV footage showing a masked individual climbing a perimeter fence. Damage from this incident is estimated at PLN15mn. The National Prosecutor's Office has initiated proceedings related to foreign-intelligence activity and a terrorist offense. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated there is no doubt these were deliberate acts of arson and sabotage, with Deputy Interior Ministry head Czeslaw Mroczek inferring a Russian trail. The JFG Composites fire destroyed a 2,000 sq m facility, causing approximately PLN21mn in damages. No arrests have been made, and no formal attribution to Russia has been made by Polish authorities, despite the strong implications from gover...

ECFR Analyst Highlights Europe's Weak Response to Russian Hybrid Warfare

ECFR Analyst Highlights Europe's Weak Response to Russian Hybrid Warfare

Fredrik Wesslau, an analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), has criticized Europe's response to Russia's hybrid warfare as 'too weak and too late.' This assessment comes amidst escalating tensions, with Russia employing various tactics short of conventional armed conflict, including sabotage of critical infrastructure, cyberattacks, airspace violations, and disinformation campaigns. The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, recently stated that Europe is in a 'new era of European security' following incidents like the drone attack at Leipzig airport, which German authorities attributed to Moscow. Wesslau argues that democratic societies cannot respond symmetrically to these attacks, citing Germany's diplomatic-only response to the Leipzig incident as insufficient. He suggests that Europe has avenues for offensive action in the cyber realm and in pursuing Russia's 'shadow fleet,' in addition to increasing aid to Ukraine.

Putin meets US envoys for 3 hours, says situation in Ukraine is 'difficult'

Putin meets US envoys for 3 hours, says situation in Ukraine is 'difficult'

By Gleb Bryanski and Anton Kolodyazhnyy MOSCOW, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin met U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for around three hours in the Kremlin on Saturday, telling them at the start of the talks that the situation in Ukraine was "difficult."