Finance

Russia to buy rockets, artillery shells from North Korea, US says

WASHINGTON — The Russian Ministry of Defense is in the process of purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea for its ongoing fight in Ukraine, according to a newly downgraded U.S. intelligence finding.

Tempest program, Russian invasion drive growth in Italy’s defense budget

ROME — Italy has hiked defense spending again as it showers cash on the Tempest fighter program in 2022 and radically upgrades its forecast for its total spending on the sixth-generation program.

Latvia requests HIMARS weapon to bolster Baltic defense

WARSAW, Poland — Latvia has sent a letter of request to buy an undisclosed number of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems from the United States, with the potential acquisition to be carried out as a joint initiative of the three Baltic states, which also include neighboring Estonia and Lithuania.

European Defence Fund unveils first round of awardees

STUTTGART, Germany — The European Union revealed last week the awardees of its first batch of European Defence Fund (EDF)-supported projects, reflecting a cumulative €1.2 billion (U.S. $1.23 billion) going to 61 defense research and development projects.

NATO touts country pairings as key to defending the eastern flank

WASHINGTON — NATO officials at the Madrid summit revived a Cold War-era concept of spelling out which alliance countries are responsible for securing specific, vulnerable European members situated closer to Russia.

Russia’s invasion could return focus on armor and artillery, away from AI and robotics

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could force governments with technologically advanced militaries to reevaluate their investments in areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence, creating a renaissance for spending on armor and artillery, a panel of military leaders said this week at the Eurosatory defense expo.

U.S., partners to supply anti-ship missiles to Ukraine

The United States is working with international partners to provide Ukraine with effective anti-ship missiles.

Norway has donated M109 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine

Ukraine received 22 M109 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers from Norway.

The Ukrainian servicemen received Pinzgauer armored vehicles

The Defense Forces of Ukraine received another type of armored vehicles. This regards to Pinzgauer vehicles.

UK to supply M270 multiple launch rocket systems, large amount of M31A1 ammunition to Ukraine

The UK will supply M270 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and a sizable amount of M31A1 munitions to Ukraine.

Ministry of Defense lists weapons Ukraine needs

The Defense Ministry of Ukraine called on Western countries to continuously supply weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine to counter Russia’s aggression.

Russia warns West of weapons repercussions, pounds Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine — Britain pledged Thursday to send sophisticated medium-range rocket systems to Ukraine, joining the United States and Germany in equipping the embattled nation with advanced weapons for shooting down aircraft and knocking out artillery.

Israel simulates long-range airstrikes over Mediterranean

JERUSALEM — The Israeli military said Wednesday that dozens of its aircraft conducted a drill simulating airstrikes on long-range targets, a thinly veiled reference to a possible attack on regional rival Iran.

India orders Astra weapon in move to break dependence on foreign missiles

NEW DELHI — India’s Defence Ministry on Tuesday awarded a $424.4 million contract to state-run Bharat Dynamics Limited to supply locally developed Astra MK-I air-to-air missiles, paving the way to end the country’s dependence on other beyond-visual-range weapons from Russia, France and Israel.

How Sweden and Finland could reshape NATO’s northern security

LONDON ― America’s top general, Gen. Mark Milley, and senior Swedish officials will open a major multinational exercise from Stockholm this Saturday as the Baltic Sea takes on a pivotal role in NATO’s northern defense calculus.

Ukraine war shows danger of unencrypted communications, says US Army secretary

WASHINGTON — There is a lot to be learned from the war raging in Ukraine, including the value of secure communications and the hazards posed by indiscriminate cell phone use on the battlefield, the U.S. Army’s top civilian said.

Russia has used 60% of its stockpiles of high-precision weapons

The first two months of the full-scale rocket attack were chaotic. Eventually, the situation changed. Russian troops are depleting their stockpiles of high-precision weapons.

Actions by Ukraine Have Limited the Activities of the russian Fleet in the Black Sea

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have forced the russian fleet to avoid approaching the coast of our state.

Ukraine to get Harpoon anti-ship missiles from Denmark

Denmark will arm Ukraine with with a modern Harpoon anti-ship launcher and missiles to protect its coasts, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday after concluding the latest U.S.-led meeting of international defense chiefs to coordinate military aid for Ukraine.

NATO launches AI initiative to ensure tech advantage

WASHINGTON — Two NATO agencies recently kicked off an artificial intelligence initiative to better understand the technology and its potential warfare applications.