UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine

UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine
UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine

A total of $128 million from the latest drone package will be spent on maritime capabilities so Ukraine can “turn the tide” against Russia in the Black Sea, said the UK Ministry of Defence.

Ukraine war turns 2: Lessons learned and what comes next

Ukraine war turns 2: Lessons learned and what comes next
Ukraine war turns 2: Lessons learned and what comes next

On the two year anniversary of the war, the Breaking Defense team has assembled a series of pieces on the state of the conflict across multiple domains, what might come in year three, and what lessons the US has learned from the conflict. 

Ukraine’s attack on Sevastapol ‘strikes into the heart’ of maritime ‘advantage’: UK Navy chief

Ukraine’s attack on Sevastapol ‘strikes into the heart’ of maritime ‘advantage’: UK Navy chief
Ukraine’s attack on Sevastapol ‘strikes into the heart’ of maritime ‘advantage’: UK Navy chief

Some reports indicate Ukraine damaged a Russian submarine and landing ship in the overnight strike.

Why Turkey calling it ‘war’ in Ukraine matters for the Black Sea

Why Turkey calling it ‘war’ in Ukraine matters for the Black Sea
Why Turkey calling it ‘war’ in Ukraine matters for the Black Sea

Experts say Turkey, a NATO member, is in a difficult position, caught between supporting a friend in Ukraine, but also avoiding escalating tension with Russia.

US, Russia should establish deconfliction line for air operations over the Black Sea – now

US, Russia should establish deconfliction line for air operations over the Black Sea – now
US, Russia should establish deconfliction line for air operations over the Black Sea – now

With President Joe Biden warning that war between Russia and Ukraine is potentially “days” away, the situation in Europe appears to be growing only more dangerous. Into that mix the US and other NATO allies are pushing air power to the front lines. In a new op-ed, Aaron Stein of the Foreign Policy Research Institute…

The Russian military build up near Ukraine is happening at sea too

The Russian military build up near Ukraine is happening at sea too
The Russian military build up near Ukraine is happening at sea too

Russia has “been very thoughtful about how they’ve been ramping up their level of activity” in the Black Sea, said Bryan Clark, a fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Turkey Tests Russian S-400 As Tensions With Greece, NATO Spike

Turkey Tests Russian S-400 As Tensions With Greece, NATO Spike
Turkey Tests Russian S-400 As Tensions With Greece, NATO Spike

Earlier this month, two senators — a Republican and Democrat — wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling on the administration to sanction Turkey after the S-400’s radar was turned on.

Esper and Trump At Odds — Again; This Time, Beirut Blast

Esper and Trump At Odds — Again; This Time, Beirut Blast
Esper and Trump At Odds — Again; This Time, Beirut Blast

The SecDef suggested today the US is looking to Romania and the Baltics as new places to station American forces.

JADC2: Black Sea Exercise Tests Joint Command Concepts

JADC2: Black Sea Exercise Tests Joint Command Concepts
JADC2: Black Sea Exercise Tests Joint Command Concepts

The Air Force experiment piggybacked on the annual Sea Breeze wargames, with ships, aircraft, and special operators from at least eight nations coming together to deter Russia.

EUCOM Calls For Two More Ships For Spanish Port

EUCOM Calls For Two More Ships For Spanish Port
EUCOM Calls For Two More Ships For Spanish Port

Gen. Tod Wolters reveals he’s built new infrastructure in Spain, waiting for the Navy to add two more destroyers to the four already there.

From The Baltic To Black Seas, Defender Exercise Goes Big, With Hefty Price Tag

From The Baltic To Black Seas, Defender Exercise Goes Big, With Hefty Price Tag
From The Baltic To Black Seas, Defender Exercise Goes Big, With Hefty Price Tag

The US Army is shipping 20,000 troops and their tanks to Europe in a major test of its ability to move bulk (relatively) quickly. NATO allies are helping clear the way.

Poland Struggles With HIMARS Buy

Poland Struggles With HIMARS Buy
Poland Struggles With HIMARS Buy

The $250 million package for the rocket launcher along with guided warheads and other tactical missiles was seen as a way for Poland and NATO to push back against the Russian military buildup in neighboring Kaliningrad, which gives Moscow the ability to track and knock down Polish aircraft over Polish airspace.

Outgunned Allies Must Contest Baltic, Black Seas: NATO Admiral

Outgunned Allies Must Contest Baltic, Black Seas: NATO Admiral
Outgunned Allies Must Contest Baltic, Black Seas: NATO Admiral

WASHINGTON: “When I was an ensign, a lieutenant, we knew we could beat the Russians. It was just a question of time because we were better than them,” NATO’s top admiral said. “I’m not sure we could make that assumption now.” The European allies suffer many shortfalls at sea, said Vice Adm. Clive Johnstone, the…

‘We’ve Got To Continue To Engage’ China: CNO Richardson

‘We’ve Got To Continue To Engage’ China: CNO Richardson
‘We’ve Got To Continue To Engage’ China: CNO Richardson

WASHINGTON: Despite rising tensions in the South China Sea, the US Navy’s top admiral says his Chinese counterparts “by and large” behave professionally, not provocatively, when the two nations meet at sea. And precisely because of those tensions, Adm. John Richardson said, it’s all the more important to emphasize cooperating with China, not confronting it.…