No contracts yet: UK’s plan for thousands of drones for Ukraine in ‘very early stages’

No contracts yet: UK’s plan for thousands of drones for Ukraine in ‘very early stages’
No contracts yet: UK’s plan for thousands of drones for Ukraine in ‘very early stages’

Despite the UK MoD not signing off on any orders for the latest drone package, aircraft likely to be under consideration are smaller size systems, particularly soldier portable or “over the hill” drones similar to Teledyne FLIR Black Hornets, one analyst said.

UK begins next-gen Eurofighter Typhoon radar integration, eyeing ‘powerful’ EW capabilities

UK begins next-gen Eurofighter Typhoon radar integration, eyeing ‘powerful’ EW capabilities
UK begins next-gen Eurofighter Typhoon radar integration, eyeing ‘powerful’ EW capabilities

With a first flight planned for this year, manufacturers BAE Systems and Leonardo said the advanced radar will be “able to locate and deny use of an adversary’s radar with a powerful electronic jamming attack, whilst staying beyond the reach of threats.”

Belgium’s John Cockerill to acquire French land vehicles maker Arquus

Belgium’s John Cockerill to acquire French land vehicles maker Arquus
Belgium’s John Cockerill to acquire French land vehicles maker Arquus

John Cockerill says it is targeting an annual turnover of €1 billion ($1.1 billion) with this acquisition.

Strikes in Yemen may be first for US, UK but not designed to escalate conflict: Analysts

Strikes in Yemen may be first for US, UK but not designed to escalate conflict: Analysts
Strikes in Yemen may be first for US, UK but not designed to escalate conflict: Analysts

Bryden Spurling, senior research leader for defence and security at RAND, said that there “was clearly reluctance [on the part of Washington and London] to strike the Houthis despite the threat they pose to one of the world’s most important waterways.”

Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey join forces for Black Sea mine countermeasures coalition

Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey join forces for Black Sea mine countermeasures coalition
Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey join forces for Black Sea mine countermeasures coalition

Todor Tagarev, Bulgaria’s minister of defence, directly tied the establishment of the new MCM task force to Russian actions in the Black Sea, amid Moscow’s continued blockade of maritime traffic in the area.

Lockheed Martin delivers first pair of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to Slovakia

Lockheed Martin delivers first pair of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to Slovakia
Lockheed Martin delivers first pair of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to Slovakia

Slovakia is set to become the first European operator of the Block 70-configured jets, initially agreeing to a 14 aircraft order for €1.58 billion ($1.8 billion) in December 2018.

In first, Estonian defense unit receives Polish Piorun MANPADS

In first, Estonian defense unit receives Polish Piorun MANPADS
In first, Estonian defense unit receives Polish Piorun MANPADS

“This is the first joint defence procurement between Estonia and Poland, with the advantages of quick delivery and a relatively low cost compared to the value of the destroyed target,” said the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments.

NATO signs off on $5.5 billion contract for hundreds of Patriot missiles

NATO signs off on $5.5 billion contract for hundreds of Patriot missiles
NATO signs off on $5.5 billion contract for hundreds of Patriot missiles

If all options are exercised under the contract, the European nations will buy a combined total of 1,000 Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-T), according to manufacturer RTX.

Sweden to finally enter NATO: Europe’s 2024 preview

Sweden to finally enter NATO: Europe’s 2024 preview
Sweden to finally enter NATO: Europe’s 2024 preview

Once entry has been approved, Stockholm is widely expected to make a substantial military contribution to NATO, especially across air and sea domains.

The year Russia was threatened with a coup and faced a counteroffensive: Europe 2023 in review

The year Russia was threatened with a coup and faced a counteroffensive: Europe 2023 in review
The year Russia was threatened with a coup and faced a counteroffensive: Europe 2023 in review

Russia also turned to the Middle East in November, pitching up at the Dubai Air Show to drum up business, and though no orders or contracts were publicly announced, an industrial presence featuring some of the country’s leading defense companies made a lasting impression.

Captured Russian weapons, an ammo crisis and a new NATO ally: 5 stories from Europe in 2023

Captured Russian weapons, an ammo crisis and a new NATO ally: 5 stories from Europe in 2023
Captured Russian weapons, an ammo crisis and a new NATO ally: 5 stories from Europe in 2023

Alliance expansion might force Russia to reassess a strategic calculus around a war beyond Ukraine’s borders, but tough questions around just how long Kyiv can defend itself are beginning to be asked.

British Army runs armed drone test campaign to assess urban warfare strike options

British Army runs armed drone test campaign to assess urban warfare strike options
British Army runs armed drone test campaign to assess urban warfare strike options

“This evidence will further inform the concept of recce-strike at all levels as outlined in the Land Operating Concept; urban operations doctrine development and human-machine teaming, while also acting as a technology horizon-scanning tool,” said a British Army spokesperson

Russian ‘conquest’ of Ukraine on the table if US, allied military aid falters: Study

Russian ‘conquest’ of Ukraine on the table if US, allied military aid falters: Study
Russian ‘conquest’ of Ukraine on the table if US, allied military aid falters: Study

The report offers up a detailed account of the high cost the US is likely to pay for “allowing Russia to win” in Ukraine, largely based around the Pentagon forced into bolstering defense and deterrence against a “renewed” Russian threat.

As costs rise, UK has made ‘no decision’ to ditch H-47 Extended Range helo acquisition, yet

As costs rise, UK has made ‘no decision’ to ditch H-47 Extended Range helo acquisition, yet
As costs rise, UK has made ‘no decision’ to ditch H-47 Extended Range helo acquisition, yet

The UK originally announced a £1.4 billion agreement ($1.8 billion) had been reached for the 14 H-47 ER aircraft in May 2021 with deliveries set to begin in 2026 and run until 2030, but budgetary pressures linked to COVID-19 caused London to order a three year delay.