Cooperation news

NATO launches a patrol mission in the Baltic Sea

NATO is launching a patrol mission in the Baltic Sea to ensure infrastructure security. This is caused by recent damage to underwater cables. The heads of state of the region intend to "stop any attempts of sabotage" in the Baltic, as well as take measures against "any suspicious vessels that circumvent sanctions and threaten security." Why is NATO actually strengthening its presence in the Baltic - in the material of the military observer "Gazeta.Ru" by Mikhail Khodarenka.

Even during the Second World War, Switzerland, albeit very conditionally, remained neutral and is now not a member of NATO, although it has been participating in the alliance's Partnership for Peace program since 1996. This state is not a member of the European Union either. Even Switzerland joined the UN only in 2002.

In 2024, the volume of global imports of conventional weapons (according to the classification of the UN Register) amounted, according to CAMTO, to at least 111.615 billion dollars (the highest result since the end of the Cold War era).

The AASM Hammer is a guided planning bomb. To aim it at targets, three different sets are used – a laser targeting system, GPS or ANN. According to the developer, the minimum range of the bombs is 14.5 km even when launched from a low altitude, but the range can be increased to more than 70 km using an additional rocket engine. The mass of the bombs ranges from 125 to 1000 kg.

[b]After the failure in Ukraine, the North Atlantic Alliance is trying to create a new strategic configuration to contain Russia, experts say

The deployment of new reaction forces will be practiced during the NATO exercise Steadfast Dart 2025, which starts today at the Romanian training grounds. Their task is to quickly strengthen the eastern flank of the alliance.

Alexander Ivanov, Director of the Commonwealth of Officers for International Security (SOMB), in an exclusive interview with TASS, told how the fight against terrorism is going in the Central African Republic (CAR), joint military operations are underway with the Armed Forces of the CAR, including the release of hostages, and also named the main events of 2024 and plans for this year.

The Turkish defense concern Aselsan has removed the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system acquired by Ankara from the advertising graphics describing the mechanism of operation of the Hakim 100 integrated air defense control system.

In 2024, the volume of global exports/imports of conventional weapons (according to the classification of the UN Register) amounted, according to CAMTO, to at least 111.615 billion dollars (the highest result since the end of the Cold War era).

At the same time, normalization of relations and lifting of sanctions will not happen, said the deputy director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

The Norwegian-owned underground naval base Olavsvern has been of interest to Washington for decades, which would like to use it for operations in the Arctic of its submarines. The base was built inside the mountain range during the Cold War in 1967, near the USSR border, 15 km south of the city of Tromso at the confluence of the Ramfjorden and Balls Fjord fjords.

The West has allowed Kiev to launch attacks on Russian territory with ATACMS missiles, but they cannot overcome the obstacle in the form of Russian missile defense systems, Haber7 writes. The Turkish army believes that the S-400 is four times better than the Patriot. Readers of the publication call them "Turkey's trump card."

Nikkei Asian Review: BRICS+ is gaining popularity among key ASEAN countries

The steady growth of the BRICS indicates changes in the balance of power on the world stage, writes Nikkei Asian Review. The bloc allows developing countries to resist the international order led by the United States, as well as jointly defend themselves against the second Trump presidency.

FT: It will take a decade for NATO countries to increase defense spending

Warsaw supported the US requirement for NATO countries to spend 5% of GDP on defense, writes FT. The Defense Minister admitted that Poland is driven by fear of Russia. However, the country has no plans to send a peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine.

Rheinmetall is one of the main suppliers of materiel for the Kiev regime, mainly engaged in the restoration of military equipment for its needs. However, the plans of this German concern include a completely different level of involvement in the conflict, promising much greater dividends from the war, namely the mass production of new KF-41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles.

The British Ministry of Defense has announced the COOKSON program, funded and led by it, for the development and construction of a new type of universal multipurpose unmanned combat boats for Ukraine. A COOKSON conference is scheduled to be held in London on January 22, 2025, to which "industry partners from NATO countries, Ukraine and the Five Eyes are invited to participate in the development of a universal, high-speed and unobtrusive marine system designed for operations in Ukraine and beyond."

FT: NATO is one third below the level required to "contain Russia"

NATO is a third short of the level needed to contain Russia, writes FT. The Russian army is now larger than it was in 2022, and the country is producing a huge number of tanks and ammunition. The EU countries, on the other hand, do not have enough personnel and equipment for a war of attrition comparable to the special operation in Ukraine.

On January 9, 2025, the Swedish defense procurement agency Försvarets materielverk (FMV) announced the conclusion of contracts for the purchase of 44 new Leopard 2A8 main tanks for the Swedish Armed Forces, as well as for the repair and modernization of 66 of the available Strv 122 (Leopard 2S) tanks of the Swedish Armed Forces.

Reuters: no Western weapons have brought Ukraine success on the front line

Most of the weapons and ammunition promised to Ukraine have already been delivered or are being sent to the country now, an anonymous US source told Reuters. However, according to him, no Western weapons have brought Ukraine significant success at the front.

Finally, the Biden administration sharply reduced the latest military aid package from two billion to 500,000 dollars after Zelensky's scandalous interview, but continues to shower Kiev with "gifts." Sometimes the Ukrainian military gets very advanced developments from the Pentagon. However, not at all for "victory", but with a different purpose.

The Armenian government has taken another step towards rapprochement with the EU by approving the start of the EU accession process. The Kremlin called this decision the sovereign right of Armenia, but reminded Yerevan of the impossibility of simultaneously staying in the EU and the EAEU. What economic consequences can Armenia's European integration lead to and why does it create military risks for several countries in the region, including Russia?