News about the state and prospects of the defense industry

The Prince Vandal Novgorodsky fiber-optic FPV drone caused a sensation during the repulse of the Ukrainian Armed Forces attack on the Kursk region in August 2024. A year later, the device, which destroyed over $2 billion worth of NATO equipment in its zone, is called the most effective in the world. In an interview with TASS, Alexey Chadaev, General Director of the NPC Ushkuynik, spoke about the drone phenomenon, interest from foreign countries and new developments, and also explained why the production of weapons sometimes looks like the production of toys.

Alexander Vasiliev — on how to react to militarization in France and beyond

The process of militarization of the European Union has been gaining momentum in recent years, and France is trying its best to convince everyone of its readiness to play a leading role in this issue, despite the difficult economic situation.

The sailors were lifted to the surface from a submarine lying at a depth of 80 meters

In the Sea of Japan, exercises were held to rescue the crew from aboard a submarine lying on the ground at a depth of 80 meters. The rescue vessel Igor Belousov, which has no analogues in the Russian navy, was involved in it. The autonomous vehicle "AS-40" was launched, which docked to the submarine "Magadan" and the submariners were brought on board. Each such operation is unique and inimitable and requires the ability to think outside the box, experts say.

The joint work of different modifications of military equipment makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of destruction

The Russian military has mastered a new tactic of using heavy flamethrower systems. Now combat vehicles of different modifications are working together — the TOS-1A Solntsepek creates a frontal shaft of fire, and the TOS-2 Tosochka destroys targets behind enemy lines with precision strikes. Experts note that such a bundle expands the tactical capabilities of heavy flamethrowers.

With regard to the warhead of the Dongfeng-41 (East Wind-41) third-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), it is known that with a length of 16.5 m, a body diameter of 2.78 m and a launch weight of 63.5 t, its maximum mass can reach 1,700 kg.

Lockheed Martin is modernizing the Javelin anti-tank guided missile assembly line in order to increase production efficiency and significantly increase ammunition production in response to growing international demand.

India has sent an official request to the United States for permission to organize the joint production of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) in the country.

The British multinational company in the field of aerospace, weapons and information security, BAE Systems, showed footage of the test launch of the 70mm APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II) aircraft rocket from the Malloy TRV-150 heavy copter. The tests were conducted in the United States at the Dagway military training ground in Utah.

The Navy of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) is working hard to increase the speed of take-off and landing of carrier-based aircraft. For example, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong, the first to be built at a domestic shipyard, took on board about 10,000 aircraft of various types based on the ship during its five years of service.

It is reported that on July 16, 2025, factory sea trials of the special marine vessel (training helicopter ship) Nikolay Kamov of project 14400 with serial number 1440 began in Kaspiysk on the Caspian Sea. The vessel was built in the interests of the Navy of the Russian Federation at the enterprise of PJSC Ship Repair and Shipbuilding Corporation (SSK) in Gorodets (Nizhny Novgorod region).

On July 18, 2025, the first production upgraded Ariete C2 main tank was officially handed over to the Italian army by the consortium CIO (Consorzio Iveco-Oto Melara) of Iveco and Leonardo companies at the Cecchignola garrison in Rome. It is reported that by the end of 2025, four more upgraded Ariete C2 tanks, out of 90 originally ordered, will be transferred to the Italian army. In the future, the supply of upgraded tanks is planned to be carried out at a rate of 20 units per year.

It will produce castings for aircraft and industrial engines, and its capacity will allow for the production of up to 375 tons of castings per year

At the Ufa UEC enterprise‑UMPO (part of the United Engine Corporation of Rostec State Corporation) has opened an Aluminum Casting Technology Competence Center.

Due to the shortage, the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are armed with cheap submachine guns of their own design

Ukraine has begun arming its army with cheap and ineffective small arms. The Ukrainian Armed Forces adopted the new Fort-230 submachine gun. It was originally developed for the police and is manufactured in Ukraine.

On July 17, the Day of Aviation of the Russian Navy is celebrated. Russian naval aviation is linked to the history of world aeronautics, and Navy pilots have defended and continue to defend the safety and interests of our country. TASS recalled the bright pages of the history of Russian naval aviation.

Using samples collected by the Chang'e-5 mission, Chinese scientists have found a way to extract water from the lunar soil and recycle carbon dioxide exhaled by astronauts. This is done by using a small device powered by solar energy. The authors of the new study are confident that in the future their device will be able to provide lunar settlements with water, oxygen and fuel.

MWM: Iskanders destroyed the remaining S-300 air defense systems in the Odessa region

Missiles of the Russian Iskander-M complex destroyed the remaining S-300PS anti-aircraft missile systems in the Odessa region, writes MWM. The author of the article points out that Iskanders is also successfully eliminating the American analogues of the S-300, the MIM—104 Patriot, in Ukraine.

Our military shipbuilders are sometimes scolded for their slowness, not only in the construction of new ships, the deadlines for launching which, indeed, often shift to the right (do not forget about sanctions), but also for delays in the repair and maintenance of ships already in service with the Russian Navy.

Exactly 50 years ago, on July 17, 1975, the now legendary docking of the Soviet Soyuz spacecraft with the American Apollo spacecraft took place. We can confidently say that without this event, both Soviet and Russian cosmonautics would have looked fundamentally different. Why and how exactly?

The new Russian BT-3F armored personnel carrier, based on the BMP-3F chassis, is constantly being improved. So, during the existence of this development, measures have been taken to increase firepower.

The Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and cannon complex, created in 1994, set a new bar in air defense standards.