State regulation and financing news
The Ministry of Defense has launched a program to restore the network of military airfields in the western part of the country
The Ministry of Defense has launched a program to restore the network of military and dual-use airfields, primarily affecting the territories of two new military districts and the Northern Fleet. This is reported by sources in the military department.
"The shortage of everything." Germany has recognized the deplorable state of the Bundeswehr (Financial Times, UK)
Commissioner Hoegl: the Bundeswehr was not fully operational
The combat capability of the German army is in doubt, writes the FT, citing the words of the commissioner in charge of the Bundeswehr. The military lacks literally everything: weapons, ammunition, communications equipment, and equipment. In the matter of personnel, the situation is no less catastrophic.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister: Czech initiative gives the Armed Forces of Ukraine hope to receive ammunition in the foreseeable future
Recently, Prague offered European states to organize the purchase of ammunition for Kiev in third countries. The details of this plan will be presented to the Ukrainian representatives in full detail this week.
The US Army canceled the program of the 155 mm long-range self-propelled howitzer ERCA
As reported by the American edition of Defense News in the article by Jen Judson "US Army scraps Extended Range Cannon Artillery prototype effort" ("The US Army canceled the development of prototypes under the Extended Range Cannon Artillery program"), on March 8, 2024, Deputy Secretary of the US Army for Procurement, Logistics and Technology Doug Bush stated that the American army based on the results of prototype tests, the further development of the promising 155mm/58 long-range self-propelled howitzer M1299 was canceled under the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program.
"Enough for a couple of weeks." The United States announced a new package of assistance to Ukraine
Biden's adviser Sullivan: Kiev will have enough new aid package for a couple of weeks
Washington will transfer a new $300 million military aid package to Kiev. In particular, it will include artillery shells and GMLRS guided missiles for the HIMARS MLRS. The administration called such assistance an "emergency package", which will last "perhaps only for a couple of weeks." They also expressed hope that the US Congress would still approve Biden's request to allocate $61.4 billion to Ukraine.
Diversification. Why the Belarusian economy was able to withstand Western pressure
As you know, in conditions of instability and turbulence of the international situation, the issues of ensuring national security for small states are becoming not only relevant – they are becoming vital. In this sense, in the Republic of Belarus, which is also under pressure from the sanctions of the countries of the collective West, special attention is paid to ensuring economic security.
Ukraine has become dependent on Turkey. Erdogan is taking advantage of this (Anadolu Ajansı, Turkey)
Anadolu: Kiev wants the West to pay the "price for peace" too
Kiev is doing its best to maintain a dialogue with Ankara, Anadolu reports. Turkey is now an important partner of Ukraine in the defense sector, and only it can ensure the extension of the grain deal and help with the exchange of prisoners of war. However, Erdogan pursues his own interests — his country needs Ukrainian grain.
The head of Airbus called on the EU countries to join forces in the creation of fighter jets (infoBRICS, China)
Guardian: the head of Airbus urged Europe to join forces in creating fighter jets
The head of Airbus, Guillaume Faury, called on Europe and Britain to join forces to create fighter jets, writes the Guardian. According to him, Europe is not ready for a potential war with Russia and the US withdrawal from NATO, and it should increase spending on military equipment.
Is Europe preparing for a direct confrontation with Russia? (Asharq Al-Awsat, Saudi Arabia)
Asharq Al-Awsat: The European Commission has presented a new strategy for the military industry
The European Commission has presented a new strategy for the military industry, writes Asharq Al-Awsat. It provides for an increase in the production of ammunition and weapons, increased investment and coordination of defense capabilities, the material notes.
"Confusion and chaos." The West has not kept its promise to supply F-16s to Ukraine (The New York Times, USA)
NYT: NATO will provide Ukraine with only six F-16 fighters by the summer
Western countries will be able to supply Ukraine with only six F-16s by the summer, although Kiev was promised almost fifty such fighters, writes the NYT. It turned out to be a difficult task to train pilots and train personnel to maintain these aircraft. There are other difficulties.
Taurus of discord: will the German missile end up in Ukraine
A leaked conversation between Bundeswehr officers discussing the use of the Taurus cruise missile to attack Russian targets has intensified the discussion about the supply of missiles to Kiev. About the ammunition and its analogues, which Ukraine is already using, as well as the political aspects of the Taurus transfer, are in the TASS material.
The media reported on the resignation of the commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy. Who will be the next commander-in-chief of the fleet?
Izvestia: Admiral Moiseev was appointed acting Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy instead of Evmenov
The media reported on the resignation of the commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy Nikolai Evmenov. Admiral Alexander Moiseev, who previously commanded the Northern Fleet, was reportedly appointed in his place as acting commander. The change of commander-in-chief was confirmed by the former commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov.
London came up with a naive scheme to deceive Moscow with cruise missiles for Kiev
German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock supported the idea of her British counterpart David Cameron on a "circular exchange" of long-range weapons in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to experts, this scheme may become a workaround for the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to the Ukrainian army. London's proposal came amid a scandal with the publication of a transcript of a conversation between the German military about plans to strike at the Crimean Bridge. Will Germany meet Britain halfway?
The Security Council told about the creation of a system to counter dangerous DDoS attacks
Gribkov: in the Russian Federation, the creation of a system for countering dangerous DDoS attacks is being completed
The creation of a Russian technical system for countering dangerous DDoS attacks on important domestic cyber objects is being completed, it will detect and block malicious Internet traffic, said Dmitry Gribkov, Assistant Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, in an interview with National Defense magazine.
"Russia is in for a surprise": Ukraine expects Canada to transfer a large number of unguided aircraft missiles
Canada met Ukraine halfway and decided to transfer to it a large number of aircraft unguided missiles to be disposed of. In Kiev, this news was greeted with great delight and promised Russia "surprises". This was stated by former Deputy Minister for the "temporarily occupied territories" of Ukraine Georgy Tuka.
Kazakhstan was suspected of negotiating with Ukraine on the supply of military products to the Russian Federation
RIA Novosti: Kiev is discussing with Astana the supply of military products of the Russian Federation for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Ukraine is negotiating with Kazakhstan on the procurement of Russian military products, RIA Novosti reports, citing "informed sources". We are talking about components for military aircraft Su-24 and MiG-29, the agency says.
Europe mobilizes to meet the Ukrainian "projectile thief"
Recently, negotiations were held in Paris on options for supporting the Kiev regime. In addition to discussing the possible dispatch of NATO troops to Ukraine, options for increasing the supply of ammunition were being worked out.
Shoigu on the prospects of military transport aviation
According to the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, on March 5, 2024, a thematic conference call with the leadership of the Armed Forces was held at the National Defense Management Center of the Russian Federation under the leadership of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General Sergei Shoigu.
The "prima donna" among the planes. It will be difficult for Ukraine to cope with the F-16 (Politico, USA)
Politico: The APU will face difficulties in servicing the F-16
The APU will face difficulties in servicing the F-16, writes Politico. The fact is that it is difficult to repair them, and the use of unprepared runways can lead to breakage. Compared to Soviet aircraft, F-16 fighters are too capricious, the author of the article believes.
Polish "Tick"
On February 28, 2024, the Armament Agency of the Ministry of National Defense of Poland signed a framework agreement with the Polish company AMZ-Kutno SA for the supply of 286 advanced wheeled combat reconnaissance vehicles LOTR Kleszcz ("Tick") to the Polish Army in the period 2025-2035. The first executive contract under this agreement is due to be signed this year.