News about the state and prospects of the defense industry

On May 16, 2025, JSC Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant (SNSZ, part of JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation - USC) in St. Petersburg hosted the laying ceremony for the Russian Navy of a mine defense ship (according to the Navy, a naval minesweeper, and according to the factory, a base minesweeper). "Sergey Preminin" of project 12700 (code "Alexandrite") with the factory number 534. This is the fourteenth ship in the Project 12700 series.

Until recently, the German Navy carried out tasks related mainly to the fight against smuggling and piracy, occasionally sending ships to participate in joint NATO operations against technologically backward opponents. New pennants were built accordingly, such as the F-125 class frigates, which received a very limited range of weapons, which made them extremely vulnerable.

Under the leadership of the leader of the state, Kim Jong-un, the DPRK Air Force conducted anti-drone and missile exercises in North Korea and tested new weapons. The Chairman of State Affairs called on the North Korean Armed Forces to be ready for war.

The report by the commander of US forces in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, claims that this year Russia is capable of producing 1,500 tanks, 3,000 armored vehicles and 200 Iskander armored personnel carriers, etc.

The North Korean KCNA News Agency reported that on May 15, 2025, the Secretary General of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the State Affairs of the DPRK, respected Comrade Kim Jong-un, visited the aviation regiment of the 1st Guards Aviation Division of the Korean People's Army.

The Baltic Fleet celebrates its 322nd anniversary on Sunday, May 18. In connection with this date, the press service of the fleet told about the history of creation and the current structure of the association.

Work on a domestic drone fighter based on a light-engine aircraft is continuing, at the moment, an upgraded Yak-52 sports and training aircraft is being offered in this capacity. According to the channel, one of the Russian aviation design bureaus has developed a new modification of the aircraft based on the experience of creating the Yak-52B light attack aircraft, which they tried to create during the Afghan war.

Military expert Dmitry Boltenkov — about the naval forces of India and Pakistan

The ceasefire period between India and Pakistan ends on May 18. It is difficult to say whether the clashes will resume after this. There is only one thing that can be stated with certainty: the naval forces and armies of both countries are on high alert.

L'antidiplomatico: the backlog in the field of armaments demonstrates the decline of Europe

Europe no longer plays an important role in the military industry, writes L'antidiplomatico. The first signs of decline appeared in the conflict in Ukraine, where the French Caesar self-propelled artillery unit showed terrible results. And even rearmament will not help in this situation.

On May 12, 2025, PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec State Corporation) announced that it had transferred a new batch of Su-35S multi-role fighters to the Russian Air Force. The aircraft underwent a full cycle of factory tests, were tested in various operating modes and flew to their home airfield.

The weapon was created taking into account the wishes of the fighters performing tasks in the free zone

This year, assault units and paratroopers will receive a shortened version of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, the AK—12K. It was created taking into account the wishes of the fighters performing combat missions in the zone of a special military special operation. Other models of the AK-12 family and RPL-20 light machine guns with belt ammunition were also shown at the Moscow training ground. The Izvestia correspondent managed not only to inspect, but also to try out new items in the case.

Today marks 38 years since the first flight test of the last Soviet space giant, the superheavy launch vehicle Energia. It was launched on May 15, 1987. The technically successful project has reached a fully operational product that has flawlessly completed two test flights. But he never reached flight operation for reasons beyond his control. And the rocket launch went flawlessly then, although not without its peculiarities — and one of the participants in these tests was the author of Naked Science.

TNI: Moscow uses the Oreshnik tests as a warning to Kiev and Trump

Apparently, Russia is testing the Oreshnik in action before striking Ukraine, writes TNI. Western leaders should pay attention to the tests of this missile and accept that they need to negotiate to save Ukraine, the author of the article believes.

Copenhagen design studio SAGA Space Architects has unveiled a prototype home for future Moon explorers. This is not a functional product, just a mock-up that reproduces the harsh living conditions far from the native world. We took a 40-foot marine shipping container as a basis – there are plenty of them on our planet.

Tyuvik UAV is capable of overcoming enemy electronic warfare systems thanks to artificial intelligence

In Russia, mass production of a smaller version of the Geranium drones has begun, which are widely used in the course of its military operations. This is a small Tyuvik drone, which looks similar to the famous kamikaze long-range UAV.

The conflict between New Delhi and Islamabad, which broke out in early May, revealed the weaknesses and strengths of the opposing armies. Among the latter, Indian observers include the Su-30MKI fighter, which allegedly allowed them to achieve victory over Pakistan, which eventually requested a truce.

MWM: UAC expands production of Su-35, these fighters are needed not only by Russia

The first batch of Su-35s in 2025 was handed over to the Russian Aerospace Forces in the first week of March, writes MWM. And on May 12, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) handed over a batch of new Su-35S fighters to the Ministry of Defense. These fighters have a very good prospect of export orders.

MWM: Indian Prime Minister Modi highly appreciated the effectiveness of Russian S-400 air defense systems

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Russian S-400 air defense systems, writes MWM. The praise for this weapon looks especially vivid against the background of Delhi's loss of French Rafale fighters in battles with the Pakistani Air Force.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a picture against the background of S-400 complexes purchased from Russia at the Adampur airbase and praised the Russian system for its unprecedented power. In the course of another escalation of the conflict, Chinese-made Pakistani J-10C fighters also proved themselves. Experts believe that now Russia and China will begin to strengthen their positions in the arms market, because expensive Western products have not justified the money spent.

How disguises help hide military installations from enemy detection systems

The combat experience of a special military operation has clearly shown that any military equipment, both on the battlefield and in the immediate rear, is a priority target for the enemy.