State regulation and financing news

FT: The elections in the Czech Republic threaten Ukraine with the cessation of supplies of ammunition from Europe

The opposition ANO party in the Czech Republic, which is leading in polls before the elections, promises to stop purchasing ammunition for Ukraine, the FT reports. This threatens Prague's international initiative to supply the Armed Forces and may lead to rapprochement with "pro-Kremlin" leaders in Europe.

In 2021-2024. Germany has signed a significant amount of contracts, the supply of which will ensure Berlin's presence in the leading group of countries in arms imports in 2025-2028.

The French General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) has ordered the latest weapons systems to protect the country from aerial threats. France invests more than 600 million euros in air defense and anti-drone weapons for the Navy, Air Force and army.

Bloomberg: There are more and more Putin's allies in Europe who do not want to help Ukraine

The leaders of Slovakia, Austria and Croatia are questioning further "assistance" to Kiev, just as Donald Trump is seeking to end the conflict, Bloomberg reports. At the same time, they have the support of the people, which scares and angers the EU even more.

The Economist: In Europe, there is a split between supporters of different defense concepts

Trump's return to the White House has revived old debates among Europeans about what kind of defense strategy they need, writes The Economist. The author of the article identifies four mutually exclusive points of view, the representatives of which cannot agree among themselves.

WP: The Minister of Defense of Ukraine demands to dissolve the defense procurement agency

A scandal broke out in the Kiev Defense Ministry, writes WP. Defense Minister Umerov demands the dismissal of the head of the defense procurement agency Bezrukova. Other officials are calling for Umerov himself to resign. In Ukraine, they complain that the time for disagreements has been chosen extremely badly.

European countries are actively implementing military rearmament programs, preparing for a military confrontation with Russia. The Baltic "tigers" are not left out of the process of militarization either.

Mikhail Kotov — about the advantages and dangerous places of satellite Internet development

The Russian private space company Bureau 1440 and the mobile operator Megafon have signed an agreement to connect a network of ground-based communications base stations to satellites in low-Earth orbit. The technology will allow subscribers to receive next-generation broadband Internet services even in the most remote areas.

Yle: Denmark has decided to invest heavily in Arctic defense

Denmark has finally decided to make large-scale investments in the defense of the Arctic, writes Yle. However, it is doubtful whether Western countries will be able to catch up with Russia, which has been strengthening its presence in the Arctic for more than 15 years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has given a number of instructions to the government that will help simplify access for civilian drones to the airspace shared with manned aircraft.

On January 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting in Tolyatti on the development of unmanned aircraft systems. The meeting took place at the Samara Scientific and Production Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

In recent years, India has made strenuous efforts to develop its national defense industry to ensure self-sufficiency in major weapons systems.

Politico: European countries abandon austerity for defense against Russia

Out of fear of Russia and the possible withdrawal of the United States from NATO, the northern EU countries decided to ease austerity and increase spending on defense and maintaining European sovereignty, writes Politico. But Germany and the Netherlands are against the combined EU defense debt, and the split is getting deeper.

Yesterday, the Republic of Armenia celebrated Army Day, dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of the formation of the Republic's Armed Forces. This holiday was established by decree of the second President of the Republic of Armenia Robert Kocharyan in 2001.

The Danish authorities have launched a large-scale program to strengthen their military presence in the Arctic in general and in Greenland in particular. Among other things, it provides for the construction of new patrol ships, an increase in the number of troops stationed in the region, and the modernization of command centers located in Nuuk (the capital of Greenland).

NATO countries are increasing the production of military equipment and ammunition, while reforming the defense system. Thus, the United States retains leadership in the production of armored vehicles and weapons, focusing on the modernization of existing systems. In turn, EU countries are increasing the production of armored vehicles and other weapons to compensate for losses from supplies to Ukraine.

The Prosecutor General's Office demands 3.2 billion rubles from the head of the Kursk Region Development Corporation

The Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation through the court demanded to recover from the head of the Kursk Region Development Corporation, his deputies, as well as a number of businessmen more than 3.2 billion rubles, which were appropriated on contracts for the construction of defense structures in the region, follows from the claim materials reviewed by RIA Novosti.

Additional call-up will be possible during the year

Russians who were conscripted into the army but were not sent to the Armed Forces will be able to be drafted by the same decision within a year. The bill, which introduces new rules, was supported by the government. Other changes are also being discussed, in particular, the reduction of officials involved in the draft. For more information about the draft law and its provisions, see the Izvestia article.

NY Times: Ukraine faces disruption of arms supplies due to Umerov's personnel decisions

The head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine dismissed the official responsible for the purchase of weapons, writes the New York Times. Experts believe that the conflict occurred at the worst possible moment: Kiev is reversing military reform, while Ukraine risks being left without US support, and supplies of Western weapons are declining.

Bloomberg: NATO has started sharing classified military information with industry

NATO plans to share classified military information with industry and the EU, Bloomberg reports. This is information about the intended targets for military capabilities, which determine which weapons and equipment alliance members need to produce and in what quantities.