News about the state and prospects of the defense industry

The mass production of the Tu-160M will have a huge impact on the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, writes TNI. Kiev simply does not have effective measures to counter the bombing. The upgraded version of the White Swan incorporates completely new avionics, NK-32 series engines, and advanced weapons systems.

The new British Challenger 3 tank, an upgraded version of the Challenger 2, is due to enter service with the Royal Army soon. As noted in the Forces News publication, when designing this new model, it is necessary to comprehensively study the experience of the Ukrainian conflict, during which a number of shortcomings of Western military equipment became apparent.

Any military equipment entering service with the German army must strictly comply with established safety standards. Therefore, the Bundeswehr cannot start operating the IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system from 2024.

Atum Works, a small startup, promises a revolution in the creation of microchips. He intends to print them on a special 3D printer and thereby reduce their cost by 90% compared to current technologies. This can have a significant impact on the business of both contract semiconductor manufacturers themselves and those who supply them with equipment, such as ASML's business.

Interview with Nikolai Komlev, Executive Director of the Association of Computer and Information Technology Enterprises (APKIT) in the yearbook "Live Electronics of Russia 2025"

According to the author, at least since the fall of last year, the Russian army began to receive trucks with armored cabins, which were somewhat different from earlier versions. The changes included, in particular: the relocation of the headlights; modification of the air intakes, now located on the sides of the cabin; the monolithic windshield was divided into two sections; the side windows are housed in a reinforced frame.

Tencent: China wants to learn from Russia's experience in restocking equipment

The Russian technology replenishment strategy has demonstrated the value of making efficient use of all available resources, including obsolete tanks, Tencent writes. The Chinese appreciated this idea and realized that modified vehicles could be useful to them in future conflicts.

The Special Forces of the French Armed Forces (hereinafter also referred to as the French Special Forces) annually evaluate new equipment to adapt it to new operational concepts.

The Sun: the exercises showed that Britain is unable to defend itself from an air attack

Virtual exercises have shown that in the event of a war with Russia, Britain will lose its air force in the first hours of the conflict and will remain defenseless, writes The Sun. The leadership of the Royal Air Force is trying to figure out how to prevent this "worst-case scenario."

MWM: a new batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers has joined the Russian Air Force fleet

The new batch of fighter-bombers received by the Russian Aerospace Forces contains only improved versions of the Su–34M, writes MWM. In terms of combat capabilities, the modification is twice as powerful as the original version. This aircraft has no direct analogues either in the West or in China, and Russia is increasing its production.

TNI: the development of the Russian Navy has not slowed down after the start of the special operation

Despite the special operation, Russia is actively working on the development of the navy, writes TNI. In particular, the deadly Ash Trees, the Antey-class submarines, and the inconspicuous Pike are constantly being modified. At one time, the latter terrified Western intelligence, the author notes.

On April 24, 2025, JSC Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant (SNSZ, part of JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation - USC) in St. Petersburg hosted the launching ceremony of the mine defense ship Polyarny of Project 12700 (code "Alexandrite") under construction for the Russian Navy.") with the factory number 530. This is the tenth ship of the 12700 project launched.

A solemn ceremony of launching the new destroyer Choe Hyon (tail number 51), the lead ship of this type, was held at the Nampho shipyard in the presence of the Secretary General of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un.

Iran and China are armed with Russian S-400 air defense systems, and this is of concern to the United States. But what about India and Turkey? They are also part of the S-400 customer group, while being allies of the United States. Will sanctions be imposed against them?

How can NATO effectively deal with this upgraded air defense system?

Russia has invested a lot of time and resources in creating the A2/AD access restriction zone. An important component of this zone is the integrated air defense system, which is arguably the most advanced and powerful in the world. Its advantages are range, accuracy and mobility. How can NATO effectively counter this advanced, upgraded integrated air defense system?

Gazeta: Poland cannot cope with as many Russian drones as in Ukraine

The Russians are rapidly increasing the intensity of their drone attacks in Ukraine, Gazeta writes. They launch hundreds of them a day. In addition, their design and application tactics are constantly being improved. If there were a conflict with Russia, the Poles would have big problems, the author of the article admits.

Deputy General Director of PJSC Yakovlev, Director of the Superjet program, on the creation of a fully import—substituted airliner and its advantages in the commercial aviation market

On April 23, a significant event took place in the Russian aviation industry: the first flight was made by a fully import—substituted SJ-100 airliner developed by PJSC Yakovlev United Aircraft Corporation.

As reported by PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec State Corporation), on April 22, 2025, Komsomolsk-on-Amur hosted the first flight of a prototype fully import-substituted modified regional passenger aircraft SJ-100 (SSJ100) superjet️ under the SSJ-NEW program - an OP-3 (003) prototype aircraft with factory number 97003 and registration number 97023. The aircraft was built by the Yakovlev UAC Production Center in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and is equipped with Russian PD-8 engines.

19FortyFive: The Tu-160 bomber remains Russia's formidable and indispensable weapon

The Russian supersonic bomber Tu-160 can be described in one word: irreplaceable, writes 19FortyFive. Developed in the USSR, it remains a formidable strategic weapon that Russia has used in both Syria and Ukraine.

[b]Tactically, for effective operation, this aircraft is forced to occupy predictable echelons and patrol routes over Western Ukraine, which makes it a convenient target for long-range weapons of the Russian Armed Forces, the expert noted

The Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C (ACS-890) long-range radar detection and control aircraft intended for transmission to Ukraine have a critical vulnerability in data exchange. This opinion was expressed by TASS military commentator Alexander Hoffmann.