European Security & Defence

Two United States Air Force (USAF) F-35A Joint Strike Fighters assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, based at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath in the UK, executed historic, austere landings on a pre-designated highway in Finland on 4 September 2024 during Exercise ‘Baana 2024’: the Finnish Air Force’s annual road base exercise. https://lnkd.in/eb-kbgXX

The UK Royal Navy lost a service member and one of its Merlin HC4/4A helicopters on the evening of 4 September 2024 when the aircraft was forced to ditch during a training operation. https://lnkd.in/ePgW4ubx

Thales and Polish radar specialist PIT-RADWAR S.A. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on strategic co-operation at this year’s #MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition, taking place in Kielce, Poland, from 3-6 September 2024. https://lnkd.in/eyyP6X4b

Embraer delivered the first KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft to the Hungarian Air Force on 5 September 2024. https://lnkd.in/ejX5ntYd

On 4 September 2024 UK-based radio frequency (RF) technology specialist @SPX Communication Technologies launched a new entry-level video downlink system designed for customers new to airborne surveillance or those looking to enhance their intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities without undue cost or complexity. https://lnkd.in/eH6SJA26

With the historic June 2024 signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Lithuania and Rheinmetall for the establishment of a new ammunition plant, ESD’s Stephen Barnard (SB) had the opportunity to speak with representatives of the Lithuanian government during Eurosatory 2024. https://lnkd.in/ejXPSd3T

Russia’s recent military aggression has created many problems for European leaders, and not all of them come from the most obvious direction to the East. The other growing challenge for NATO involves the vast North. https://lnkd.in/egf-KF58

Since at least late-2022, Ukraine’s ingenuity and necessity led it to experiment with maritime uncrewed systems (MUSs) or what in ordinary language are referred to as ‘sea drones’. These have had a profound impact on its efforts to combat Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. https://lnkd.in/e3VnsSpc

It will be difficult to identify true turning points in the Ukraine war. Instead, we should look to understand the trajectory of the war from multiple perspectives. This piece examines the current situation in Ukraine, and what things may begin to look like going forward. https://lnkd.in/eijFMRGY

On 6 August 2024, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) surprised many by staging a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk oblast, bringing the fight to Russian soil. https://lnkd.in/e8cDNb3v