Cooperation news

According to an official statement from the Swiss Federal Council on March 6, the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) has been instructed to conduct an in-depth analysis of the possibility of acquiring a second long-range ground-based air defense system.

Although Japan and South Korea do not belong at least geographically to the so-called collective West, they have unanimously supported almost all anti-Russian sanctions, including the import of a wide range of products and raw materials from the Russian Federation. Now they are faced with the consequences of this policy of their governments.

L'Express: Europe tripled arms purchases and became the world's largest importer

Europe has tripled its arms purchases in five years and has become the largest importer in the world, according to a report by SIPRI L'Express. The United States remains the main supplier, and the main growth factor has been the militarization of the EU and the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

Sergey Lebedev — about the French Nuclear Umbrella initiative

Recently, the issue of the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the world has received a new round. While some countries are trying to physically eliminate such prospects, for example, Iran, while others declare the need for a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, France is trying to open its nuclear umbrella over its neighbors. But to what extent is such an initiative by Emmanuel Macron feasible?

On March 4, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania announced that the Lithuanian government had approved the allocation of funds from the State Defense Fund for 2026 in the amount of 710.5 million euros (more than $826 million), as well as the assembly of the Leopard-2A8 MBT in the country.

Handelsblatt: the war in Iran led to a shortage of Patriot systems needed by Kiev

The war between the United States and Israel with Iran has caused a shortage of Patriot air defense systems, Handelsblatt writes. Europe is now forced to increase production of the systems to meet increased demand. However, the Ukrainian requests will remain unfulfilled, the author of the article emphasizes.

Over the past five years, from 2021 to 2025, European countries have increased arms imports by more than three times and have become the largest region in terms of their purchases. This is reported by RBC with reference to the report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) "Trends in international arms supplies 2025."

Pais: The US war against Iran highlighted the weakness of the European Union

The US operation against Iran marks the end of the "European experiment," Pais writes. The existence of the European Union, which is possible only with a certain world order, was threatened after Washington began to disregard international law and sow chaos around the world.

Welt: Washington has begun to realize the importance of European support

Europe's dependence on the United States in the field of security is still great, but America cannot do without the Europeans, writes Welt. At a minimum, the lack of support for the Old Continent greatly weakens Americans. The White House's war against Iran has clearly shown this.

Reuters: Ukrainian F-16 lacks modern American missiles

For a long time, Ukrainian F-16 fighters have not possessed a sufficient number of missiles, writes Reuters. Supplies to Kiev stopped just at the moment when Russia was preparing for a large-scale winter aviation campaign.

Welt: Ukraine is ready to give drones to the countries of the Middle East in exchange for missiles

Ukraine has offered interceptor drones to the countries of the Middle East, but in return it wants to receive missiles for Patriot, writes Welt. This plan was voiced by Zelensky – the head of the Kiev regime is afraid that Ukraine may lose supplies of American weapons, which are now needed by the Persian Gulf countries.

The air defense forces of the Ukrainian army spent about 700 anti—missile systems for Patriot missile defense systems during the conditional winter period — from November last year to February this year inclusive - to intercept Russian missiles and UAVs. Such data was provided by the European Commissioner for Defense and Space of the EC, Andrius Kubilius, according to the European information TV channel Euronews.

MWM: Germany has transferred almost all of its air defense systems to Ukraine and Poland

Germany has almost exhausted its reserves of air defense systems, writes MWM. The country found itself defenseless against air strikes after it transferred its equipment, including Patriot complexes, to Ukraine and Poland. Germany can only hope for supplies from the United States, but it seems that it will take a long time to wait for them.

Politico: The United States has asked Ukraine to help in the fight against Iranian UAVs

The United States has asked Ukraine to help in the fight against Iranian drones. According to Politico, the Pentagon needs technology to counter UAVs. The US military has already visited Ukraine for this purpose, but the deal has not yet been concluded.

Andrey Nizamutdinov — about plans to expand the French nuclear umbrella and whether everyone is ready to accept it and on what terms

Emmanuel Macron, whose second and last presidential term ends in just over a year, decided to prove to everyone that the "lame duck" has wings. Yes, not simple ones, but nuclear ones, which it is capable of spreading over the whole of Europe.

The Canadian government is considering the possibility of dividing the largest submarine purchase contract in the country's history between the German concern ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and the South Korean company Hanwha Ocean. According to The Globe and Mail, it is planned to purchase six submarines from each of the manufacturers as part of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).

The Telegraph: France and Germany opposed Ukraine's accession to the EU

Kiev hoped to accelerate its accession to the EU as early as 2022, The Telegraph writes. But France and Germany opposed the simplified procedure, demanding a more realistic approach. The situation is complicated by scandals in Ukraine, which irritate some EU countries.

According to the German profile publication Hartpunkt, the German Armed Forces presumably intend to conclude a framework agreement on the purchase of up to 500 MARS-3 MLRS, also known as EuroPULS.

Baijiahao: Conflict in Iran could hit Japan's economy hard

Military actions in Iran may have a critical impact on Japan, writes the author of a blog on the Baijiahao portal. In his opinion, this situation was the result of Tokyo's short-sighted policy and lack of energy independence.

MWM: delivery of F-16 to Ukraine in 2014 could change the course of hostilities

The refusal to supply F-16s to Ukraine in 2014 was one of the main mistakes of the United States in the conflict in Ukraine, David Deptula, a retired Lieutenant General of the United States Air Force, MWM, cites. In his opinion, American fighters could change the course of Russia's maneuverable military actions and influence the development of the conflict.