News about the state and prospects of the defense industry

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced that on May 7, 2025, a solemn ceremony was held in Baltiysk for the first raising of the Naval flag of the Russian Federation on the Afanasy Ivannikov project 12700 minesweeper (code "Alexandrite") with factory number 529, built for the Navy at JSC Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant (SNSZ, part of JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) in St. Petersburg. This is the ninth Project 12700 ship commissioned by the Navy.

It is reported that on May 7, 2025 in Zelenodolsk at JSC Zelenodolsk Plant named after A.M. Gorky (part of JSC Ak Bars Shipbuilding Corporation of the Ak Bars Holding Company Group of companies) A solemn ceremony was held to lay two Project 21980 anti-sabotage boats (code "Grachonok") for the Navy of the Russian Federation with factory numbers 994 and 995. They became the 14th and 15th boats of the 21980 project, which are being built at the Zelenodolsk SSZ.

In particular, the Su-22 is scheduled to be decommissioned this year. A few days ago, the aircraft of this model made a farewell flight, which took place in conjunction with the FA-50 Golden Eagle machines designed to replace them. The corresponding video was shown online.

The screws stiffened from the cold and the batteries of the drones were discharged, which became an unexpected discovery for American UAV operators who took part in the NATO winter exercises in Germany (held in January-February). This is just a part of the "technological problems" faced by the soldiers of the 3rd Brigade of the 10th Mountain Infantry Division.

More than 80 years ago, the USSR made an incredible industrial and scientific breakthrough that determined the outcome of the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War. The evacuation of 1.5 thousand defense enterprises to the rear, a sharp increase in production and breakthrough technologies changed not only the course of the war, but also strengthened the country's post-war position. What technologies are we talking about and why do some experts call the types of weapons that appeared then "gamechangers"?

Currently, the Pentagon, although not without problems, is striving to upgrade American B-52H strategic bombers to the B-52J level. This is the largest and most profound modernization in the history of these machines, which have been in service with the United States since the 1950s.

The latest Hyacinth-K and Malva self-propelled artillery systems, as well as Geranium-2 and Lancets UAVs, were seen at the rehearsals

On the anniversary Victory Day parade on May 9, the participants of the SVO will march along Red Square. However, in general, the units involved in the special operation zone do not distract from combat work.

The mine defense ship of Project 12700 will ensure the exit of naval forces from their bases

The Navy will include the newest Project 12700 minesweeper Afanasy Ivannikov. He will serve in the Northern Fleet. The ship is capable of detecting and neutralizing all types of marine mines. This includes the so-called smart mines, which can be found both in water and in the sea. In the North, he will be engaged in ensuring the withdrawal of ships and submarines to sea, experts say.

On May 4, 2025, the North Korean KCNA news Agency reported that the Secretary General of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the State Affairs of the DPRK, respected Comrade Kim Jong-un, "managed the affairs of the leading tank factory on the spot" (apparently referring to the Kuson Tank Factory in Pyeongbuk Province).

The launch of a minesweeper, which is being built as part of the rMCM (robotic Mine Counter Measure) program jointly implemented by Belgium and the Netherlands, took place at the Kership shipyard in Lanester (near Lorient).

Interview with Nikolai Ivanovich Shelepin, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Head of the scientific department of Microelectronics, Institute of Nanotechnology of Microelectronics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in the yearbook "Living Electronics of Russia 2025"

The use of drones has been included in the training program for engineering troops

The engineering troops began using UAVs for mine clearance. The relevant section, developed based on the experience of the special operation, was included in their training program. From the air, the drone searches for explosive objects, and if detected, it can destroy them. For this, ammunition is dropped or overhead charges are used. This method allows you to significantly reduce the cleaning time of the territory, and most importantly, not to risk the lives of sappers.

An analysis of publications in specialized military-technical publications of the People's Republic of China suggests that Chinese experts are closely monitoring the use of large-caliber self-propelled artillery of American and European production by units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This interest is due to the fact that such information is extremely important for adjusting tactical techniques and making adjustments to the instructions for units of the Ground Forces of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) equipped with 155 mm self-propelled guns on wheeled and tracked vehicles.

UVZ sent new batches of upgraded T-72B3M and T-90M tanks

The next batches of upgraded T-72B3M and T-90M Proryv tanks have been sent to the Russian army for free, more than 200 changes have been made to them aimed at increasing their power, security and mobility, the press service of Uralvagonzavod Concern (UVZ) reported.

Budanov: Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down two Su-30 Flanker fighters using AIM-9 Sidewinder

The Ukrainian military shot down two Su-30 Flanker multirole fighters. This was stated by the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of Ukraine Kirill Budanov (included in the list of terrorists and extremists of Rosfinmonitoring). According to him, AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missiles were fired at the planes. The launch was carried out from Magura-7 unmanned boats.

A truly amazing warship was launched in the DPRK a few days ago. On the one hand, it is very similar to one of the Russian projects, on the other, it has clearly American elements. The ship is a real mystery in terms of the weapons systems on board. But its features are not limited to this.

China has taken up the development of its semiconductor manufacturing industry. Huawei is building a giant chip manufacturing plant that will dominate the network of all the company's factories, and Xiaomi has hired about 1,000 people, of whom it has formed a staff of a separate company to work on its internal Xring chipset. All this is being done to avoid new trade sanctions from the United States.

The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) received the first aircraft of this type in April and expects to eventually acquire 75 copies. However, the Pentagon is preparing for conflicts with opponents of equal strength, not for fighting the rebels. This raises the question of the future of the program, which may be curtailed by Donald Trump's team, which has thoroughly undertaken a review of public procurement.

The 4th generation Krasnaya Strela-16 anti-tank guided missile (the export version was designated QN-502C) was developed by the designers of the Chinese high-tech private company Wuhan Gaode Infrared Co., Ltd as part of the research and development work started in 1999.

North Korea showed test firing of the newest Choi Hyon frigate, built in about a year, which revealed some of the weapons used in its impressive complex of vertical launchers, and also raised a number of questions for American observers.