The Netherlands and Denmark will supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets to enhance the country’s combat capabilities against the ongoing Russian military aggression. American and European officials have confirmed that the U.S. authorized the F-16 donations but noted that Ukrainian pilots should first undergo six to eight months of training prior before the aircraft are...
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Tag: Defense News
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Japan’s Defense Ministry Requests $52.9B for 2024 Military Modernization Plans
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has submitted a $52.9 billion budget request for the fiscal year 2024 that outlines the country’s military modernization objectives. The spending plan, which requires the Finance Ministry’s approval, details the Japanese Armed Forces’ wish to strengthen its warfare capabilities across several domains, Defense News reported. The shopping list includes the acquisition...
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UK Report Warns RAF Fleet Would Not Survive Full-Scale War
The British Royal Air Force’s diminished aircraft fleet would not survive a full-scale war with an equally capable adversary, according to the UK parliament’s new defense committee report. The document, published on Sunday, indicated that Britain’s fleet of 169 Typhoons and F-35s is the smallest among the four major European military powers, Defense News reported....
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France to Boost Ammo, Weapons Output to Replace Capabilities Shipped to Ukraine
French defense companies have increased their production of self-propelled guns, artillery shells, fighter jets and anti-air missiles, according to Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu. In a statement on social media Tuesday, the minister said the boosted ammunition and weapons output reflects France’s shift to a “war economy.” He added that the ramped-up production...
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Italy Approves $20.6B in 2023 Budget to Fund Weapons Procurement
The Italian government has allocated around $20.6 billion of its 2023 budget to defense spending for the acquisition of new weapons. Rome’s latest budgeting document shows plans to purchase new tanks, fighting vehicles and rocket launchers. According to Defense News, officials delayed the document’s release to accommodate the military’s updated requirements following Russia’s invasion of...
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Slovenia’s C-Astral Confirms Recent Delivery of Belin Drones to Ukraine
Slovenia’s C-Astral has confirmed supplying its Belin unmanned aerial system, also known as Bramor C4EYE, to Ukraine. According to the drone maker, it recently donated several UAS units through an initiative facilitated by the Slovenian government. In an interview with Defense News at the GSOF Symposium last week, Jernej Moderc, a drone pilot for C-Astral,...
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Netherlands Lends F-16s for Training Ukraine, Romania Pilots
The Netherlands has deployed five F-16 fighter jets to train pilots at the European F-16 Training Centre in Romania. The deployment is part of the Dutch government’s collaboration with the United States and Denmark to provide Ukraine with F-16 capabilities. Under the program, the EFTC will use the aircraft to give flight instructors a refresher course,...
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Diehl Lands $650M Latvia Order to Provide Air Defense Missile System
Latvia’s Ministry of Defence has awarded Diehl Defence a $649.7 million purchase order to acquire the IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system from the German manufacturer. A framework agreement signed by Latvia and Estonia with Diehl Defence in September supports the arms procurement, the company said. Under the deal, Latvia will also receive the equipment...
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Czech Republic Partners With Germany for Joint Acquisition of Leopard 2A8 Tanks
The Czech Republic has initiated discussions with Germany about a joint acquisition of Leopard 2A8 tanks. Defence Minister Jana Cernochova told local news media CZDefence that the talks with the German government are in an advanced stage. “The negotiations are ongoing at the moment, and we anticipate that there should be clarity over the course...
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NATO To Prioritize Arms Standardization in New Action Plan
The Defence Production Action Plan that the heads of state of NATO members agreed to during their Vilnius summit in July prioritizes standardization of materials and weapons interoperability, according to Wendy Gilmour, the alliance’s assistant secretary general for defense investment. Gilmour told Defense News that the plan does not seek to have every NATO member...