The eastern Russian city of Belgorod, some 40 kilometres from the Urkaine was bombed accidentally by the pilot of a Russian Sukhoi-34 fighter April 20. Three persons were injured when the bombed struck an intersection next to residential buildings near the city centre. [node:read-more:link]
Having already relaxed restrictions on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in a bid to ease diplomatic tensions, Italy has lifted the UAE embargo. Announced by the Italian government April 18, the decision was due to the UAE halting its military role in the Yemen conflict and supporting reconstruction efforts. [node:read-more:link]
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has received Japanese Defence Ministry contracts value at some ¥380 billion to develop and manufacture long-range missiles for deployment as early as 2026. The contracts include enhanced Mitsubishi Type 12 missiles for surface, sea and air launch as well as a hypersonic ballistic missile for defending Japan’s remote islands. [node:read-more:link]
A day after it became the newest member of NATO, Finland has announced, subject to U.S. approval, a plan to spend some €345 million on a U.S.-Israeli long-range air defence system capable of hitting targets at an altitude of at least 15 kilometres. The defence ministry said April 5 that the David’s Sling system will enable it to intercept at altitudes of at least 15,000 metres. [node:read-more:link]
The U.S. announced today that it will send Ukraine an additional $500 million in ammunition and equipment to be followed by more than $2 billion in other weaponry and materiel as Ukraine prepares for a spring counteroffensive against Russia. Much of the ammunition will be taken from current stockpiles. [node:read-more:link]
Saab AB signed framework agreements with the NATO Support & Procurement Agency March 29 for Carl-Gustaf M4 and AT4 anti-armor weapons to replace stocks drawn down by alliance donations to Ukraine. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace then announced a £4.6-million procurement for the Army to replace its own Ukrainian donations. [node:read-more:link]
The U.S. and Russia have stopped sharing biannual nuclear weapons data as the latest arms limitation agreement falters, a State Department official confirmed March 28. The U.S. had offered to continue sharing information but that was rebuffed. “Because of Russia’s noncompliance […] the United States will not provide its biannual data exchange to Russia either,” theofficial said. [node:read-more:link]
President Vladimir Putin says Russia plans to station but control tactical nuclear weapons in neighbouring Belarus this summer, saying it would not violate nuclear non-proliferation agreements. “There is nothing unusual here,” he says. “The United States has […] long deployed their tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of their allied countries.” [node:read-more:link]
In a week when the European Union agreed to an “historic” €2-billion artillery shell deal to meet surging Ukrainian demand, NATO officials also called on the alliance to shore up anti-tank munitions and resupply lines. Ukraine’s call for 350,000 artillery shells a month, shows demand has effectively doubled since last summer. [node:read-more:link]
As Ukraine’s needs for more munitions increase, some NATO members’ concerns about their own stockpiles have prompted the U.S. Defense Department to tackle its own issues. It has proposed traditional multi-year procurements but also is examining larger core buys in a bid to reassure suppliers. [node:read-more:link]
The U.S. has offered Slovakia 12 Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters at a two-thirds discount, Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad confirmed today. He said the “hugely advantageous” US$340-million offer, which would include training, spares and munitions, would “significantly” improve his country’s air defences after it donated its retired MiG-29s to Ukraine. [node:read-more:link]
New anti-tank missiles, air defence systems and drone countermeasures for Canada’s battlegroup in Latvia are being fast-tracked, according to Defence Minister Anita Anand. “These projects will better equip our Canadian Armed Forces members deployed on NATO’s eastern flank,” she confirmed. A Request for Proposals is possibly imminent. [node:read-more:link]
Captured NATO weapons and equipment left on the Ukrainian battlefield are reportedly being sent to Iran by Russia for potential reverse-engineering as a possible incentive for Iran’s support for Russia’s invasion. They evidently include Javelin anti-tank and Stinger anti-aircraft systems abandoned by retreating Ukrainian forces. [node:read-more:link]
Mike Lee, a U.S. Republican Senator from Utah has threatened to block a $1.55-billion sale of cruise missiles to Japan unless it hands over a U.S. Navy officer imprisoned for the traffic deaths of two persons. When Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ignored an initial demand, Lee said he hoped the PM is “ready for conversations on the Senate floor that you’re not likely to enjoy” because “this issue isn’t going away, and neither am I.” [node:read-more:link]
Several drone incursions into Russia today, including one which crashed 100 kilometres from Moscow, prompted President Vladimir Putin to order that air defences should be tightened. Minor damage was reported in one area but no injuries were reported and while Russia blamed Ukraine, officials there did not immediately claim responsibility. Images of one drone showed that it was Ukrainian-made with a range of up to 800km. [node:read-more:link]
