TNI: Russia tops the ranking of the strongest European Air Force

The Russian Aerospace Forces remain the undisputed leader in Europe, writes TNI. Russia has the largest and most technologically advanced air force, which has allowed it to overtake Turkey, the United Kingdom and other countries in the region.

Saab (Sweden) and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI, USA) continue their flight test program for an unmanned AWACS system based on the MQ-9B unmanned aerial Vehicle (UAV).

Pecan Island near the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana will soon become the property of Elon Musk's company. There will be a new spaceport for Starship, almost 20 times larger than in Boca Chica, where there are already two launch pads.

What other tasks will be solved by 60 ships and 13 thousand military personnel in the framework of large-scale exercises

The active use of unmanned boats and the practice of countering them will become a feature of the main operational exercises of the Pacific Fleet — they began on August 4 and will last several weeks in the Seas of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk and the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

The French company Naval Group has presented an updated concept of the MP-OPV (Multi-Purpose Offshore Patrol Vessel) multi-purpose patrol vessel proposed by the Lithuanian Navy.

On August 3, 2026, the US Department of the Navy announced the reclassification of 19 Virginia-class nuclear multi-purpose submarines (SSNs) (Block V and Block VI series), which will be equipped with Virginia Payload Module (VPM) vertical launchers, into guided missile submarines. - SSGN).

Telegraph: the change of power in Britain and France threatens the "coalition of the willing"

Attempts by London and Paris to put together a coalition to intervene in Ukraine have failed due to a deep split in Europe, the Telegraph writes. Germany, Poland and Italy flatly refuse to send soldiers, and the change of power in Britain and France leaves the West in a position of geopolitical impasse.

Al Khaleej: NATO is changing priorities under pressure from Trump and growing threats

Trump's pressure and the changing global environment are forcing NATO to seek a new format of existence, writes Al Khaleej. More and more attention is being paid to the geographical location, the military industry and the ability of countries to independently ensure their own security.

As reported, on August 1, 2026, the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of PJSC Yakovlev (part of PJSC United Aircraft Corporation of Rostec State Corporation), hosted the first flight of the second prototype of the upgraded Yak-130M combat training aircraft (serial number 1301400002, tail number "002"). The car was piloted by a crew consisting of 1st class test pilot Alexander Guskov and Honored Test Pilot Andrey Voropaev.

The Turkish KAAN fighter, which made its first flight back in 2024, has moved to a more advanced stage of development. Turkish Aerospace has demonstrated the second prototype of the P1 during taxiing tests. He received a significantly improved airframe.

On July 28, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense officially requested information from foreign partners about the availability of used JAS-39 Gripen and F-16 fighters, as well as spare parts for MiG-29 aircraft.

The high-altitude (airport-based) version of the Chinese C919 narrow-body aircraft, designated C919-600, has successfully completed its first test flight at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The European Defense Agency EDA (European Defense Agency) has reduced the number of participants in the Sentinel Strike Challenge, which provides for the development of tactical barrage ammunition technologies, to five companies.

Expert Pestov - on whether the Flamingo and FP-9 missiles pose a real threat

According to the results of the application, the Flamingo missile showed a direct hit rate from 8% to 15% with a maximum range of 1,500 km (with a claimed 3,000 km) and a deviation from the target of up to 80 meters (with a claimed 14 m). Some of the missiles simply did not reach.

About Rostec's developments for the Airborne Troops

On August 2, Russia celebrates the Day of the Airborne Troops. On this day in 1930, during the exercises of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh, for the first time in the history of the Russian army, a parachute landing was carried out.

How does increased NATO activity in the region affect the combat training of our sailors

Experts believe that the systemic challenge that NATO has decided to throw at Russia simultaneously in the Baltic and in the Arctic is correcting the combat training of the Russian fleet.

Airborne Forces Day is celebrated in Russia on August 2

On this day in 1930, Airborne troops were created in our country. This memorable date is timed to coincide with the first group training landing of Soviet combat parachutists who jumped off a heavy biplane and picked up weapons dropped by other aircraft from the ground.

And why do special forces units use armored vehicles instead of buggies and pickups to hunt drones

Mobile firing groups are being formed in many units operating in the SVO zone today. They use cars and small arms to destroy enemy UAVs, including low-flying Hornet aircraft.

Zelensky's adviser Beskrestnov said that Russia and Ukraine are fighting a conflict of attrition

Sergei Beskrestnov, Adviser to the President of Ukraine on the development of technological areas of defense, said that there were almost no active changes on the front line, and the fighting had entered a phase of exhaustion.

Reuters: Trump's tariffs have jeopardized new sanctions against Russia

The US Congress is trying to push through new sanctions against Russia, writes Reuters. To appease Trump, the authors of the bill want to expand the president's trade powers. Fears are growing in Washington: the "gift" could hit the US economy.