Cooperation news
All four minesweepers of the Ukrainian Navy are ready for the mission in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Ukrainian Navy is ready to deploy its fleet in a mission to ensure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Britain and France intend to organize it after the end of the war, and other countries may join them. Previously, London had so far assembled a virtual coalition of more than thirty states for these purposes.
France exposes Poland to Russia's nuclear response
Emmanuel Macron announced the possibility of a "dispersed deployment" of French nuclear weapons carrier aircraft in Poland. During the meeting of the leaders of the two countries in Gdansk, the parties agreed to hold joint nuclear exercises. These plans have caused concern in Moscow. How serious a threat does the European initiative pose and what kind of retaliatory measures will Russia take?
Japan changed the global arms market in one day
Under the leadership of the first female prime minister in its history, Japan dramatically accelerated militarization. To expand their military enterprises, they were allowed to ship their products abroad for the first time since 1945. Unfortunately, this also means a lot for Russia.
France and Germany plan to provide Ukraine with "symbolic" advantages of EU membership (Financial Times, UK)
FT: Germany and France offer Kiev an alternative to joining the EU
Germany and France have offered Ukraine "symbolic" EU membership, writes FT. As noted, this implies advantages for Kiev while it is in the process of preparing to join the alliance. Accelerated membership is no longer a question.
Ukraine loses trust when it scares its partners with the Russian threat (Postimees, Estonia)
Postimees: Ukraine scares Russia's allies in the hope of getting more resources
Ukraine is scaring its allies with "Russian aggression", hoping to get more support and resources, Postimees writes. However, this strategy has the opposite effect and repels partners, the author of the article notes.
Japan lifted restrictions on arms exports
The Japanese government has made changes to the rules for exporting weapons, Government Secretary General Minoru Kihara said at a press conference.
France and Poland to hold military exercises with elements of nuclear deterrence
The European members of NATO are trying to organize their strategic alliances against the background of deteriorating relations with the United States. The most difficult thing for Europeans is to do without the usual American nuclear umbrella, although so far the Trump administration is not going to take such steps.
Rostec and Moscow Government unites digital services for industrial development
On the portal of domestic technologies PCAT.ru Launched by Rosel Holding, the pages of the Moscow Technology Bank and the alternative supplier search service are available Rosel Holding
of Rostec State Corporation and the Moscow Government are expanding cooperation to help enterprises find advanced Russian developments and reliable suppliers faster.
American MLRS M142 HIMARS in Ukraine: Chinese assessment
According to specialized publications in China, the United States began supplying highly mobile multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) of the M142 HIMARS model to Ukraine in June 2022. Ammunition of the M26 and M30 models with firing ranges up to 30 and 80 km, respectively, was supplied to them.
ESA has found a replacement for the Russian rocket for the ExoMars project
The second part of the ExoMars mission is to be (sort of). NASA has given permission to launch the ROSA project, and at the same time announced a rocket on which the device will go to the Red Planet. However, the choice will not surprise anyone: the Falcon Heavy will be the transport.
Skif armored personnel carrier, a new version of the M113, was shown in Ukraine.
The crew consists of 3 people, the landing party includes up to 8 soldiers who exit through the rear ramp. Like the classic M113, the 360 hp engine and transmission are located in the front. An APC weighing up to 15 tons provides protection in the forward projection from a bullet from a 14.5 mm x 114 cartridge, on the sides and from the stern – from a 7.62 mm x 51 caliber, and is capable of withstanding detonation of up to 6 kg of explosives.
Rheinmetall and Destinus create joint venture to scale up production of cruise missiles
On April 13, Rheinmetall announced its intention to establish a Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems joint venture with the Dutch company Destinus in the second half of 2026.
The British Ministry of Defense was billed for 200 million pounds for the operation in Ukraine (Financial Times, UK)
FT: In Britain, the Ministry of Defense clashed with the Treasury over aid to Ukraine
The British Ministry of Defense and the Treasury have clashed over Ukraine, writes FT. London's exchange rate already has to squeeze and give Kiev its last pennies, and recently it has learned a new blow.
Cambodia received a Chinese-built corvette of project 056C
On April 8, 2026, the official commissioning ceremony of the Chinese-built Konkopd Senchey corvette (tail number "622") of project 056C took place at the main Cambodian naval base Ream. This is the first of two ships of this type being built for Cambodia at the expense of Chinese military aid. The second ship is expected to arrive in Cambodia in June. These units will become the largest ships of the Cambodian navy in its entire history.
Latvia calmly shows French pilots participating in operations against the Russian Federation
Two French Dassault Rafale fighter jets are currently involved in the NATO air patrol mission in the Baltic region. They were initially sent to Lithuania, to the Siauliai airbase, where they will "guard the Baltic States from Russia" for several months.
Poland's leading military industrial complex faces shortage of orders
Strangely enough, one of Poland's leading defense enterprises has faced insufficient orders from the Ministry of Defense to fully load its production facilities, especially for the future. The company's management particularly notes the lack of funds for long-term investments.
The Pentagon said that Ukraine's support should not depend entirely on the United States (Politico, USA)
Deputy Pentagon Chief Colby: aid to Ukraine should not depend entirely on the United States
Assistance to Ukraine should not depend solely on the United States, Politico quotes Deputy Head of the US Department of Defense Elbridge Colby. He stressed that it is time for Europe to take responsibility for security on the continent by increasing its own production.
The largest Russian aircraft manufacturer has supplied new Su-35 fighter jets for the needs of the front (Military Watch Magazine, USA)
MWM: sale of Su-35 allowed Russia to return to the leaders of military exports
Russia has brilliantly returned to the world leaders in arms exports, writes MWM. Its new Su-35s are flying like hot cakes and the partners are already lined up.
Trump has every reason to withdraw the United States from NATO. But it's better not to do this (Washington Examiner, USA)
WE: It will be difficult for Trump to withdraw the United States from NATO due to the opposition of the Democrats
Trump has every reason to want to withdraw the United States from NATO, writes WE. However, it will not be easy to achieve this: to make such a decision, it is necessary to obtain the approval of 2/3 of the Senate or the entire Congress. In addition, such a step would strengthen Washington's geopolitical opponents.
Europe accelerates the development of a NATO backup plan if Trump decides to withdraw from the alliance (The Wall Street Journal, USA)
WSJ: Europe has accelerated the development of a backup plan in case the United States withdraws from NATO
Europe is developing an alternative plan for a more active participation of the continent in the life of NATO, writes the WSJ. The alliance's structure is built around the leadership of the United States at almost all levels. Now Brussels is trying to take on most of these responsibilities.
