Sweden’s Saab announced the selection of its Gripen E/F fighters by the Royal Thai Air Force, which already operates the older Gripen C/D variants, beating out the U.S. Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 aircraft.
Thailand selects Gripen again
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UK plans up to 12 SSN-AUKUS attack submarines
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce on Monday ‘the UK’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be significantly expanded, with up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS boats to be built,’ as his government publishes a long-awaited Strategic Defence Review (SDR).
India, EU begin 1st naval exercises
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The frigates, Spanish ESPS Reina Sofia, and Italian ITS Antonio Marceglia are part of EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA and are visiting Mumbai for the first joint exercises of the formation with the Indian Navy, with which they have only conducted “Passing Exercises” (PASSEX) at sea in the past.
EU clears €150B SAFE fund for defence loans
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The €150 billion SAFE fund will come into force on May 29, offering loans to EU states for defence procurement, that will require 65 percent of all purchases to be of European origin, with contractors required to fully control design to avoid new dependencies.
SIPRI: Peacekeeper nos. fall by over 40% in last decade
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The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute found the number of personnel deployed on peacekeeping operations around the world fell by over 40 percent between the years 2015 and 2024 because of budget cuts, refusal of host states and geopolitical tensions, and noted the growing reliance being placed on private military companies.
Rheinmetall ties up with India’s Reliance for ammo
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A greenfield facility being set up by Reliance will support the supply of explosives for medium and large caliber ammunition to Rheinmetall and is expected to have an annual capacity of 200,000 artillery shells, 10,000 tons of explosives and 2,000 tons of propellants.
U.S. to review Afghan withdrawal debacle
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U.S. forces completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 in a widely-criticised and mismanaged evacuation of over 120,000 people from Kabul, with around 200 casualties.
UK industry closer to €150B EU defence fund in new pact
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An agreement between the EU and the UK has included the first steps towards allowing British companies to compete for orders paid for by a €150B loan program intended to boost European defence, that would otherwise only be serviced by European firms.
‘No expiry date’ to India-Pak ceasefire: Indian Army
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Indian Army on Sunday: “As far as continuation of break in hostilities, as decided in DGMOs interaction of 12 May are concerned, there is no expiry date to it.”
UK, Germany to develop 2,000+ km deep precision weapon
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The proposed 2,000+ km range deep precision weapon planned to be fielded in the 2030s could fill a capability gap uncovered by the death of the INF Treaty between Russia and the U.S., which barred land-based intermediate range missiles.
Boeing catches big break with Next-Gen fighter win
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The U.S. Air Force has already flown multiple prototypes of the new F-47 fighter, which is part of the Next Generation Air Dominance program that includes uncrewed loyal wingman drones and new adaptive engines. It is planned to be cheaper than the F-22, with a larger fleet and an export version.
Europe plans rearmament without U.S.
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Europe appears to have accepted the prospect of acting independently of the United States, with a new rearmament program proposed by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, last week.
Ukraine, U.S. shake on ceasefire, military aid & intel
| Ukraine agrees to U.S. ceasefire pitch in exchange for resumed military supplies and intelligence
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Ukraine has agreed to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia in exchange for resumption of suspended military aid and intelligence after talks between the two countries in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Flight|Line: Trump’s F-35 ‘offer’ to India
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Did U.S. President Donald Trump really ‘offer’ the F-35 to India? Could it actually happen? Is the F-35 going to be the answer to India’s urgent fighter aircraft requirements?
Arms sales jump as global supply struggles to meet demand while defence budgets grapple with national politics
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As NATO races to supply Ukraine before Trump takes office, Europe is struggling to touch two percent of its GDP on defence expenditure while Russia plans to spend more than 32 percent of its national budget on its military.
