Cooperation news

On May 21, 2025, the XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025 began in Minsk. In addition to Russia and Belarus, China, India, Iran and Pakistan are participating in it. About new weapons developments in the Belarusian capital — in the material of TASS.

For the first time abroad, Russian manufacturers presented the Okhotnik combat module and the Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system

The Okhotnik combat module and the Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft missile system with short-range interception missiles to combat drones were shown for the first time outside of Russia. The premiere of the new equipment took place within the framework of the XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025, which opened on May 21 in Minsk. Experts note that most of the weapons have been upgraded taking into account the experience of the special operation in Ukraine.

Indian Express: The Arctic risks becoming a strategic hotbed of tension

The Arctic needs effective management due to the fact that the region opens up opportunities for expanding global trade, writes the Indian Express. But at the same time, it risks becoming a strategic hotbed of tension, as the Arctic Council is practically incapacitated.

The US Air Force has ordered new equipment through the NSPA procurement agency of the North Atlantic Alliance. The US Air Force is purchasing HMD Scorpion helmet-mounted sights manufactured by the French company Thales for pilots of the Block 40 and Block 50 series F-16 fighter jets.

The third batch of Sabra light tanks and a new ASCOD-2 armored recovery vehicle, purchased from the Israeli company Elbit Systems, were delivered to the Philippines by sea.

Poland has created the largest army in Europe by the number of tanks due to the acquisition of German (Leopard 2), American (M1 Abrams) and South Korean (K2 Black Panther) vehicles. The bulk of the equipment inherited by the "new democracy" after the collapse of the USSR was transferred by hundreds of copies to the Armed Forces of Ukraine after the outbreak of the Ukrainian conflict.

NATO is starting to practice mass landings near the borders of Russia and Belarus. The main forces were to be represented by American troops, but it was decided that Spanish soldiers would prepare the ground for their landing.

Rosoboronexport JSC (part of Rostec State Corporation) is organizing a joint Russian exposition at the International Exhibition of Aerospace and Naval Equipment LIMA 2025, which will be held from May 20 to 24 in Malaysia.

Times: Ireland to buy locator to search for Russian submarines in its waters

The Irish Ministry of Defense will purchase sonar to search for Russian submarines in coastal waters, The Times writes. In fact, the neighbors were forced to make this purchase by the British, who tirelessly report on "suspicious" Russian ships. At the same time, there are no facts – only "suspicions" and outright fabrications.

After 2014, the United States began systematically squeezing the Russian defense industry out of the global market. At the same time, Washington tried to inflict the main blow on the export of combat aircraft, in particular, Mi-8/17 helicopters, which are in service with many countries.

During a visit to the Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar on May 14, US President Donald Trump announced the signing of a defense agreement under which Qatar will purchase weapons and military equipment worth $42 billion.

Ukraine has acknowledged the loss of the third F-16 fighter jet transferred to it by Western countries. About how Kiev is losing its planes — in the material of TASS.

The global arms community has become more actively interested in air defense and missile defense systems, in particular, Russian complexes and air defense missile defense systems.

The Spanish company EM&E Group (Escribano) presented the new Ferox ("Furious") 6x6 armored vehicle at the FEINDEF 2025 defense exhibition. As expected, this product will go into serial production – the developer plans to produce up to 8 machines per month or about 100 copies per year.

Indonesia's expensive $8.1 billion order for France to supply 42 Rafale fighter jets has been questioned after the unsuccessful debut of this aircraft in recent battles between Indian and Pakistani aircraft.

So, a batch of new MBT arrived in the 15th mechanized brigade, "covering" the eastern flank. A tank battalion of the 20th mechanized Brigade and one of the tank battalions of the 9th Armored Cavalry Brigade had previously switched to South Korean vehicles.

On May 16, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov was received by President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk as part of an official visit to Belarus.

FT: Ukraine paid 770 million for ammunition, which it never received

During the conflict, Kiev has wasted hundreds of millions of dollars, writes FT. Feverishly trying to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with weapons, Ukrainian officials made risky deals with little-known intermediaries. As a result, Ukraine was left without money and without ammunition.

Die Welt: NATO is putting pressure on Germany to increase the Bundeswehr by 80,000 people

NATO makes new demands on Germany, writes Die Welt. She is charged with raising defense spending and increasing the size of the army. But no one has any ideas how to achieve this: representatives of the Bundeswehr consider such plans unrealistic.

Against the background of the unstable international situation and the growing threats in the field of security, the need to strengthen the defense mechanisms of the Union State is coming to the fore. At the same time, the key factor ensuring the sovereignty and independence of Belarus and Russia is the coordinated policy of the two states in this area, which makes it possible to effectively respond to external challenges and maintain stability in the region. This was recently discussed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly's commission on security and defense of the Union State, held on May 14 in Lida.