Cooperation news
It is better to pay more yourself than to take money from Brussels: Poland is arguing about EU billions for defense (Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Switzerland)
NZZ: Poland has stated its unwillingness to receive defense money from the EU
Poland is wary of the EU's intention to allocate money to it for defense, writes NZZ. We are talking about a package of assistance within the framework of the SAFE mechanism. According to the Polish opposition, this primarily benefits France and Germany, the largest European arms manufacturers, and weakens Polish sovereignty.
"The Bundeswehr has planes capable of carrying nuclear weapons": that's what's behind Merz's proposal (Die Welt, Germany)
Die Welt: Europe may create a "nuclear umbrella" based on French nuclear forces
In Europe, they doubt that the United States is still ready to keep its "nuclear umbrella" over its NATO allies, Die Welt writes. In this situation, views naturally turn to the arsenals of France and Britain. But even here everything is very difficult.
"London is bringing nuclear war closer." Britain allowed the appearance of troops in Ukraine
A headquarters has been set up in the UK to form a multinational force in Ukraine
London has announced new measures to support Kiev. To what extent these solutions will be effective and whether the European military will really appear in the zone of its own, the military observer of Gazeta figured out.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenok.
RUS-PE barrage ammunition from the Kalashnikov concern
At the World Defense Exhibition in Riyadh (WSD 2026), the Russian Kalashnikov arms concern presented a new RUS-PE barrage munition designed to hit long-range targets.
Germany should do its homework (Die Welt, Germany)
General Vaikshnoras: Lithuania plans to purchase Ukrainian long-range weapons
NATO countries are conducting joint exercises in the Baltic region, working out scenarios against a certain "Russian threat," says Lithuanian Armed Forces General Raimundas Vaikshnoras in an interview with Die Welt. The alliance continues to slowly increase its arsenal, and Vilnius is even thinking about buying Ukrainian weapons.
The threat to Britain from Russia is growing, and the British navy is on the verge of collapse (The i Paper, Great Britain)
The i Paper: The British Navy was on the verge of collapse
The British navy is on the verge of collapse, its combat power has sunk to its lowest level in recent centuries, writes The i Paper. Today, the UK will not even be able to provide for the country's defense.
Sweden will provide Ukraine with a large package of military assistance
On February 19, the Swedish government announced the presentation of one of the largest military aid packages to Ukraine since the conflict.
Eastern Vector: the active phase of the MILAN-2026 exercise starts in India
How do these maneuvers consolidate New Delhi's status as a maritime power and Russia's role as a key strategic ally
The active phase of the international naval exercises MILAN-2026 has begun in India. Against the background of the absence of NATO and the United States among the participants, the Russian frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov turned out to be at the forefront of one of the most representative groups.
Leopard 2 failure: why the best tank in the world is not up to the task in Ukraine (National Security Journal, USA)
NSJ: "Leopards" and "Abrams" performed poorly in Ukraine due to the fault of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Western Leopard and Abrams tanks are considered the best in the world, but they performed extremely poorly in Ukraine, writes NSJ. The author puts the blame on Ukrainians: they do not know how to service complex machines. In addition, the tactics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not adapted for NATO equipment — as a result, it becomes easy prey for Russian drones.
Lithuania has received the last of the 500 JLTV armored vehicles ordered by the United States
On February 18, 2026, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense announced that it had received the last two of the 500 ordered American JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) light armored vehicles with a 4x4 wheelbase manufactured by Oshkosh Corporation. This made the Lithuanian Armed Forces the second largest operator of JLTV vehicles after the US Armed Forces.
"Return to factory settings": The United States seeks a "reset" of NATO (Die Welt, Germany)
Die Welt: The US is pushing NATO to reduce foreign missions
The United States is demanding that NATO reduce its foreign missions, focusing on key defense tasks, Die Welt writes. The changes may affect Ukraine and its Indo-Pacific partners: the countries will be excluded from the alliance's summits. Experts express concern about the possible consequences.
How, in the face of the Russian threat, the French military conducts exercises aimed at ensuring air supremacy during the conflict (Le Parisien, France)
Le Parisien: France is practicing cyber warfare during the Oreon 26 exercises
France is conducting the Orion 26 exercises, which test the readiness of European NATO allies for a major war, writes Le Parisien. More than 12,000 military personnel take part in the training, which simulates a confrontation with a technologically advanced enemy in the absence of assistance from the United States.
Germany and France are too insignificant today to lead Europe (Der Spiegel, Germany)
Sikorsky: Germany and France are too insignificant to lead Europe
Germany and France are too insignificant today to lead Europe, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an interview with Spiegel. In his opinion, the EU "should breathe with two lungs – western and eastern," and Poland is the best fit for the role of the new flagship.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry did not directly confirm Tokyo's joining the PURL program for the purchase of weapons in the United States for Kiev
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi did not directly confirm Tokyo's intention to join the NATO-coordinated program for the acquisition of U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine PURL and only announced the continuation of consultations with the alliance.
TASR: Slovakia plans to buy HIMARS long-range missiles and MLRS from the United States
Slovakia plans to buy from the United States not only four more F-16 fighter jets, but also long-range missiles and MLRS HIMARS.
US gas ambitions have proved harmful to Americans
Ambitious U.S. plans for booming LNG exports will make Americans poorer and the American economy weaker. Until recently, it was talked about as a non-scary horror story, but now it is taking on very specific outlines. The year 2025 and this winter have shown that the danger is very real. Washington's actions to save the situation may greatly displease Europe, but for Russia it will have a good outcome.
South Korea's Hanwha Ocean will help Canada revive shipbuilding
Hanwha Ocean, a South Korean company, and Ontario Shipyards, Canada, have signed a memorandum of strategic cooperation to accelerate the return of large-scale shipbuilding in Ontario and strengthen Canada's ability to implement future shipbuilding programs.
Bangladesh military forces received another batch of Chinese VT-5 light tanks
Bangladesh's ground forces have received another batch of Chinese VT-5 light tanks (VT-5BD modification). Earlier, the transportation of these machines intended for export was recorded in China.
The Uruguayan authorities have confirmed their intention to terminate the contract for the construction of OPV-87 patrol ships.
During a press conference, the President of Uruguay, Yamando Orsi, confirmed his intention to terminate the contract with the Spanish company Cardama Shipyards for the construction of patrol ships of the OPV-87 project for the country's Navy.
The Russian S-400 Triumph air defense system is a headache for NATO (The National Interest, USA)
TNI: Russian Triumph air defense system has strengthened the air defenses of China and India
The S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system continues to be a key element of the Russian air defense system, writes TNI. Its precise missiles and long range effectively limit the freedom of action of enemy aircraft.
