DEFENSE MAGAZINE

Over two hundred units of Mitsubishi F-15J and F-15DJ air superiority fighters have been completed for service in the JASDF. Chinese aircraft were responsible for 392 alpha scrambles in the last nine months of 2023.

The U.S. Army has chosen Anduril Industries and Performance Drone Works to supply Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (SUAS) to its units, part of an initiative to quickly integrate advanced technology into the hands of soldiers. This move comes as the Army rapidly modernizes its forces, pivoting away from traditional, lengthy development cycles.

Over-applications for Home Guard units, strong motivation for military service, and general support for the army – this is contemporary Sweden. Although some 18-year-old Swedes have been required to re-enlist compulsorily since 2017, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine the year before last, service in the armed forces has enjoyed increased interest among young people. Each year, a conscription committee selects several thousand of the best and most motivated, an average of one-fifth of whom remain in the army after the war is over.

We bring you an interview with National Security Advisor Tomáš Pojar, not only about the Czech munitions initiative and the efforts to discredit it, but also about the importance of creating various alliances and forums to promote of Czech interests, the newly established position of the Commissioner for Strategic Communication, and the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, the outcome of which Vladimir Putin is awaiting, and which may bring a ceasefire on the Ukrainian battlefield.

Australia is currently undergoing its most extensive and significant industrial mobilization in modern history, driven by two monumental defense programs. The first is the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine initiative, a trilateral agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The second is the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, designed to enhance Australia’s capabilities in missile technology and ordnance production.

Founded in the heart of Pardubice, Retia stands as one of the most innovative and respected companies in the Czech Republic, specializing in radar technology, communication systems, and recording systems. Since its establishment in 1993, the company has grown from a local business into a global player, providing cutting-edge solutions for both civil and military sectors. With a commitment to excellence, research, and development, Retia’s impact has stretched far beyond national borders, making it a trusted partner for defense and security operations worldwide.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during his visit at the Ramstein air base, asked allies to supply long-range missiles as well as beef up air defences, which, according to him, would force Moscow to seek peace. The new appeal comes at a time of intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, which have killed dozens of people in the past week. Meanwhile, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, announced that in the direction of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, the Ukrainians had succeeded in halting the Russian advance. In addition, the news comes at a time when Iran has reportedly delivered its short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, increasing the likelihood of continued Russian strikes in the coming weeks.

Drones have repeatedly spied on an industrial site in northwest Germany, near a decommissioned nuclear power plant and a liquefied natural gas terminal. These incidents follow security breaches at the Bundeswehr barracks in Cologne and at the allied airbase Geilenkirchen. The aim of these actions is to make the German population nervous and weaken its commitment to supporting Ukraine, as well as to undermine the rules-based international order.

French arms exports fell to €8.2 billion in 2023 after reaching a record high of €27 billion in 2022. The 2022 record was due to an order for 80 Rafale fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates, worth just over €16 billion. "After an exceptional year in 2022 due to the export of the Rafale to the United Arab Emirates, 2023 was a more balanced year," commented Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

The 32nd edition of the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, Poland, made history as the largest defense expo ever held in the country. With 769 exhibitors from 34 countries, the event served as a global showcase for the latest advancements in military technology. This year, MSPO was particularly notable for featuring the United States as the lead nation, with key U.S. defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon presenting their innovations.