News about the state and prospects of the defense industry
The Russian-Ukrainian conflict has shown China that 8,000 Chinese obsolete Type 59 tanks can be of great benefit in the future (Tencent, China)
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.
French special forces: composition and equipment. Conclusion
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.
A military simulator has demonstrated an ominous scenario of Russian missiles attacking Britain, destroying military bases and Royal Air Force fighter jets (The Sun, UK)
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."
Russia has more than doubled production of Su-34 fighter-bombers — another batch has been delivered (Military Watch Magazine, USA)
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.
These three impressive boats form the backbone of Russia's submarine fleet (The National Interest, USA)
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.
The Polar minesweeper of project 12700 has been launched.
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.
The new North Korean destroyer
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.
Why America is haunted by the Russian S-400 air defense system (The National Interest, USA)
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?
Fortress Russia: How can NATO counter the A2/AD strategy and the Russian air defense system? (The National Interest, USA)
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?
There are more and more Russian "Geraniums" in the sky over Ukraine. If this had happened to us, we would have had problems (Gazeta.pl , Poland)
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.
Alexander Dolotovsky: "Nothing was changed on the plane and everything was replaced"
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.
The first flight of a prototype fully import-substituted SJ-100 aircraft
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.
The Tu-160 supersonic bomber in one word: irreplaceable (19FortyFive, USA)
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.
Expert Hoffmann: Swedish AWACS planes have a critical flaw for 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.
The newest tugs of the Australian Navy turned out to be made in China
Last year, the Australian military signed a contract with the Dutch company Damen for the construction of naval vessels, which amounted to $ 28 million. Unexpectedly, the newest tugs of the Royal Australian Navy, ordered from the Dutch, turned out to be made in China.
Minesweeper Polyarny will serve in the Northern Fleet
The tenth ship of the series will join the Navy by the end of the year
The tenth Project 12700 minesweeper Polar, launched on April 24, will join the Northern Fleet by the end of the year, said Admiral Alexander Moiseev, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. Experts note that representatives of the project will form the basis of the Russian navy's minesweeping forces in the near future, and the need for them is very great.
Manul, the younger brother of the BMP-3, will become a dangerous opponent on the battlefield.
The third-generation infantry fighting vehicle BMP-3 was put into service in 1987. About two dozen different models of military and engineering equipment have been created on its basis.
Vladimir Putin holds a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission
On April 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission of the Russian Federation. Below is the introductory statement.Putin's statement is provided by the Kremlin's press service.
They will be replaced by "smartphones": the US Army is going to abandon the use of radio stations for tactical purposes
The US Army is considering plans for a deep reorganization of communications, during which it is planned to drastically reduce the number of familiar radio transmitters and radio stations at the tactical level — from the battalion and below. Or even completely abandon them by 2030. In return, it is planned to give each serviceman a small gadget, something like a smartphone. This is reported by the military-related magazine National Defense Magazine.
Unmanned project: Putin urges to increase production of drones
How Russia adapts weapons to new ways of warfare
More than 1.5 million drones and over 4,000 armored vehicles were received by the Russian armed forces in 2024. Vladimir Putin stated this on April 23 at a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission.