UAE and Egypt poised to purchase Russian Mistrals
The United Arab Emirates has now confirmed their interest in one of two French Mistral class vessels that were built for Russia. Rumour is also circulating that Egypt will purchase the other ship. According to DefenseNews, a UAE official had this to say: "Our interest in purchasing the ship is real, it fulfils the capability requirements for our forces, the Mistral...
Trident Juncture 2015
NATO’s largest exercise in over a decade, involving 36,000 personnel from more than 30 Allied and Partner Nations. The exercise is centred around certifying Headquarters Staff from Joint Force Command Brunssum to lead the NATO Response Force(NRF), if activated, throughout 2016. Trident Juncture(TJ) will also test elements of the U.K.-led Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). The NRF is NATO’s...
Can China become the world’s largest defence supplier?
Poet Allan Ginsberg once said that 'War is a business', and in 2015, we can say without any shadow of a doubt that business is booming. Although a lull was seen after the end of the Cold War due to western budget cuts (SIPRI, 2015), for the last couple of years we have observed a significant increase in defence...
Argentine military capability almost all gone
After a significant period of decline, the Argentine armed forces will cease to become a capable military force.
Malaysia buys Starstreak Missile from UK
Malaysia has signed a deal for the procurement of the Thales Starstreak missiles. Starstreak is a British short range anti-air missile manufactured by Thales, in Belfast. Starstreak has been in service with the British Army since 1997. In 2012 Thales rebranded the system under the ForceShield banner. In 2012, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that it would be placing a...
British Army to join exercise in Ukraine
The announcement comes as the Prime Minister met with the Ukrainian Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, for bilateral talks in Downing Street. The exercise, Rapid Trident 2015, brings British soldiers together with troops from several other partner nations in the west of Ukraine. Starting on the 20th of July, the exercise is designed to promote regional stability and security, strengthen Ukraine’s...
Britain delivers equipment to Ukrainian forces
A Royal Air Force C-130J has delivered equipment in support of Ukrainian troops. The equipment includes: 1,000 individual First Aid Kits 54 helmet-mounted monocular night vision goggles (MNVGs) 2,000 Mk6 helmets The equipment is part of the package of support pledged to the Ukrainian Armed Forces by the Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon in March of this year. The specific equipment delivered is designed to...
An Essential Nuclear Alliance: NATO Nuclear Sharing
An Essential Nuclear Alliance: NATO Nuclear Sharing’s Fundamental role in British Security. On the surface, NATO’s Nuclear Sharing arrangements play a negligible role in the nuclear security of the independently nuclear armed United Kingdom. At first glimpse the programme is designed to offer extended deterrence to non-nuclear armed Alliance members, with the UK seemingly able to ensure its own nuclear...
The Dragoon Ride
10 days, 6 countries, covering 1,100 miles, 120 U.S. Army Strykers will convoy through Europe in a demonstration of solidarity with NATO allies and a show of strength to Russia. When Russia invaded Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, it sent NATO into Cold War mode. The U.S. pledged $1 billion and an entire armored battalion to protect the Baltics, along with...
Saudi Arabia purchases Meteor missiles
Saudi Arabia has signed the first export contract of the Meteor air to air missile with manufacturer MBDA, for an estimated £650M, according to French newspaper La Tribune. Meteor missiles will be fitted on the Saudi Typhoon fleet. The Meteor was initially developed by the UK, though Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and Sweden joined the project shortly at a later stage. The...
