News about the state and prospects of the defense industry

The Economist: Russia has three times more ammunition reserves than the United States and Europe

Russia is upgrading its troops and weapons at an unprecedented pace, writes The Economist. Activity at the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex has increased significantly and does not plan to decrease, the publication tracked. Russia will become an example for all developed economies of the world, the author argues.

The Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has disseminated information about the new Russian small-sized aviation cruise missile S8000 "Banderol", the occasional use of which has been noted by the Ukrainian side since the beginning of this year. According to the GUR, the developer and manufacturer of the rocket is Kronshtadt JSC, and the rocket is used with Orion (Pacer) UAVs manufactured by the same Kronshtadt JSC, and in the future it is also planned to use this missile from Mi-28N combat helicopters.

The North Korean army is armed with a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, which looks like the Soviet ZSU-23-4 Shilka. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that we have a completely different car in front of us.

UnHerd: China has become a world leader in the development of artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence technologies are completely changing both production and military affairs, writes UnHerd. China is ahead of the United States in the practical application of these technologies in both areas. Plus, unlike America, he has created the potential for their further development.

Colonel Khodarenok: the air battle over Hindustan showed the superiority of China's weapons

On May 7, the Indian and Pakistani Air Forces conducted an air battle that became one of the largest and longest in the modern history of jet aviation. Which fighters participated in the battle, who can be considered the winner of this battle, and which country's military developments suffered significant reputational losses - in the material of the military observer Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.

Presidential aide Dyumin spoke about the work of Tula gunsmiths during the war

Assistant to the President of Russia, Secretary of the State Council of the Russian Federation Alexey Dyumin recalled the work of Tula gunsmiths during the Great Patriotic War and spoke about how they are bringing Victory closer today.

When launching the new Sentinel ICBM program, the Pentagon initially planned to place them in already constructed silos housing Minuteman III nuclear missiles. However, the situation has changed.

The American company Moog Inc. has announced that its "stabilizer control system" (CAS) has successfully passed comprehensive flight tests, being installed on a small Black Arrow cruise missile developed by Leidos. Testing, as explained, was conducted back in November 2024 from an AC-130J aircraft ("flying battery") of the US Air Force.

Since the beginning of the special operation, hundreds of changes have been made to the design of the products

Uralvagonzavod Production Association has sent shipments of T-90M and T-72B3M tanks to the troops. These are the main working machines in the war zone. Over the years of the special operation, hundreds of design changes have been introduced into production — in particular, protection has been noticeably strengthened. Izvestia investigated which tanks the army receives from industry and how they have changed based on its experience.

The US Navy plans to make an important decision to begin development of a new generation nuclear-powered cruise missile (SLCM-N) in fiscal year 2026. The adoption of missiles for the US Navy's Virginia-class submarines is scheduled for 2034, the author of an article in the online publication Interesting Engineering writes.

The Russian tank fleet has been replenished with updated T-90M and T-72B3M models, writes MWM. The new vehicles are equipped with a fundamentally new system of protection against drones — lattice armor above the tower caps and radar warfare antennas, explains the author of the article.

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).