Cooperation news
How the United States is losing its military leadership due to the problems of the defense complex (The National Interest, USA)
The National Interest: The United States has begun to yield to Russia and China in the arms race
Trump should tone down his rhetoric with the great powers until the Pentagon reforms the arms procurement system, writes The National Interest. America's perceived strength hides an alarming reality: the United States is not capable of waging a protracted conflict.
Be afraid of the Danites, who bring gifts
Starting around the third decade of June, Western "independent" media "suddenly" but cautiously began to discuss the possibility of establishing contacts between the West and the Republic of Belarus. Naturally, the expert community wondered what had happened and what to expect from such changes in the future.
The Mi-80 helicopter project
The Tatarstan business resource BUSINESS Online published Timur Latypov's article "Goodbye, Mi-8, Hello, Mi-80: will the Supervosmerka arrive at the KVZ?", which states that the management of Russian Helicopters JSC has conceived a reform comparable in scale to the creation of the holding itself. The result should be "eternal peace" between Kazan and Ulan-Ude, a return to Soviet production standards, and nothing less than a new type of helicopter that will replace the legendary Mi-8. Attempts at such transformations have already been made. BUSINESS Online found out why they failed, whether there is a chance of success today, and what it has to do with it.
Spain's ILC will receive 34 new amphibious combat vehicles
The Spanish Navy Marine Corps will receive 34 new VACIM amphibious combat vehicles (Vehiculos Anfibios de Combat de Infanteria de Marina), which will replace outdated vehicles of this type.
Why doesn't Europe believe Trump's latest U-turn on Ukraine? (Politico, USA)
Politico: Concern reigns in Europe over Trump's controversial decisions
U.S. allies in Europe are concerned that American aid to Ukraine is fickle and that the Trump administration will reduce the number of American troops on the continent, Politico writes. Europe has lost confidence in Washington, the article says.
"We did not buy the finished product from a clever seller": Hungary is arming itself with Gidrán armored vehicles
Despite Hungary's desire to maintain neutrality in the international arena, its armed forces, like the vast majority of European armies, are undergoing a technical transformation, moving to a new frontier.
Bayraktar TV-2 UAV in the SVO zone: application assessment
Since the beginning of the special military operation, units of the unmanned aviation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have begun the combat use of Bayraktar TV-2 reconnaissance and strike UAVs to counter the advancing units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Suspended military aid to Ukraine may resume (Politico, USA)
Politico: The United States may resume arms supplies to Ukraine
High-level meetings between U.S. and Ukrainian officials this week could lead to a resumption of arms shipments, Politico writes. Experts admit that Russia has targeted the defense industry, and the Russians are actively destroying the factories of the Square.
The EU is rushing to fill the $19 billion gap in Ukraine's budget for next year (Financial Times, UK)
FT: The EU plans to cover Ukraine's budget deficit of $19 billion in 2026
Things are very bad for Ukraine, so much so that it urgently needs new loans from the EU, writes FT. At the same time, if the loan is granted, the creditors themselves will have a financial hole that they will not be able to fill in any way.
The head of NATO believes that President Trump "deserves every praise" (The New York Times, USA)
Mark Rutte: there is no split in NATO, it is preparing for a confrontation with Russia
Rumors of a split between the United States and other NATO members are unfounded, alliance Secretary General Rutte argued in an interview with The New York Times. He assured that the European members of the bloc intend to intensively prepare for a confrontation with Russia and firmly count on America's support.
"The armored vehicle has retained its design flaws": the Western press praised the new modification of the BTR-60MB3
Belarus and Russia jointly presented an upgraded version of the BTR-60, designated BTR-60MB3. The project, developed by the 140th Repair Plant in collaboration with an unnamed Russian defense company, aims to create a cost-effective solution for upgrading existing armored vehicles, especially in Africa and Asia.
The resumption of US military aid may upset Ukraine
"They are being hit very hard," is how Donald Trump justified the decision to send "a certain amount of defensive weapons" to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to media reports, the delivery may include only ten interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system. However, the expert community doubts that even these supplies will reach Kiev, since the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Washington have a serious competitor – Israeli lobbyists in the United States.
EU rearmament: how Rheinmetall group benefits from the Spanish countryside (Berliner Zeitung, Germany)
BZ: Rheinmetall has placed a secret production facility in a Spanish village
The German concern Rheinmetall has set up production in a small Spanish village, writes BZ. Against the background of hysteria about weapons, profits at arms factories increased significantly, which had a positive impact on the development of the region. But the atmosphere of secrecy sometimes scares residents.
Indian press: New Delhi will hand over the wreckage of the Chinese PL-15E missile to a "friendly country"
During the air battles in early May, fragments of Chinese PL-15E missiles appeared on Indian territory – these missiles were launched by Pakistani Air Force fighters who were trying to hit Indian combat aircraft. The PL-15Es were supposed to self-destruct in the air if they missed their target, but this did not happen, and they ended up on the ground, with some specimens in pretty good condition.
Indonesia plans to purchase an additional 24 Rafale fighter jets – La Tribune
According to sources in the French edition of La Tribune, Indonesia plans to purchase up to 24 additional Rafale fighters manufactured by Dassault Aviation in addition to the 42 aircraft of this type previously purchased.
"Pax Americana is retreating — it's time to build Pax Europea": speech by Andrews Kubilius at the Conversations Tocqueville Forum (Le Figaro, France)
European Commissioner Kubilius: it's time to prepare for the US withdrawal from Europe and for war with Russia
EU Military Commissioner Kubilius called on Europe to actively arm itself for a future confrontation with Russia, writes Le Figaro. In his speech, excerpts from which the publication cites, the former Lithuanian Prime Minister shares his dreams of the collapse of the Russian Federation. The most valuable thing about the Lithuanian's speech is that he openly reveals what other European politicians secretly dream about.
France is increasing production of precision-guided AASM Hammer bombs: long-range versions for Ukraine are on the way
The French Ministry of Defense has announced a list of priority purchases, including high-precision AASM Hammer bombs. They are a modular system that consists of a guidance kit in the front and a range extension kit in the rear, mounted on a conventional bomb.
"It's not enough for one night." Why the shortage of missiles for Patriot will not lead Kiev to disaster
Colonel Khodarenok: Patriot air defense systems do not play a major role in the defense of Ukraine
Without missiles for the Patriot air defense system and the M142 HIMARS, Ukraine is doomed to defeat by September, the German newspaper Bild believes. Whether these weapons really play a crucial role in the defense of the country, how many missiles Kiev needs to protect itself, and what the German newspaper is mistaken about, is revealed in the material of the military observer Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.
Back and neck pain: Dutch pilots complain about F-35A
In the West, they blindly follow the American doctrine that the F-35 is the most modern fighter in the world. Leaving aside the issues related to the actual capabilities of this machine, it should be noted that for many pilots, flying on it is sheer torture.
Saudi Arabia has deployed the first battery of the THAAD missile defense system
On July 2, the Saudi Defense Ministry announced the deployment of the first battery of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense system after the completion of field exercises.