Portugal Jumps on the Drone Train
Portugal’s army announced the creation of dedicated drone units for offensive strike missions and anti‑drone defence, following its first combat‑drone exercises during the Strong Impact 2026 multinational maneuvers. The exercises, held with French, Romanian and Spanish forces, demonstrated strike‑drone capabilities and highlighted the need for integrated command‑and‑control with NATO allies. Domestic production of unmanned systems is slated to begin, and an anti‑drone defence unit will be stood up in the coming months. The move mirrors a wider NATO shift toward dedicated drone formations.
Early Warning Aircraft From the USA for Poland?
Poland’s air force has adopted the Saab 340B AEW‑300 as a temporary early‑warning platform, but officials stress it only bridges the capability gap until 2030. The United States, via L3Harris, is promoting its AERIS AEW system, mounted on Gulfstream G550 and Bombardier Global 6500 business...
Ukraine’s Multi-Theatre Diplomacy in Türkiye and Syria
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s early‑April visits to Turkey and Syria signal a strategic pivot toward multi‑theatre diplomacy. In Ankara, he deepened security cooperation covering military experience, energy projects and mediation, while in Damascus he discussed technology, food security and defence collaboration....
Poland Enters the European Semiconductor Race. Important Agreement with France
Poland’s CEZAMAT research centre has signed a cooperation agreement with France’s state‑owned CEA‑Leti to develop fully depleted silicon‑on‑insulator (FD‑SOI) technology. The partnership joins the European Chips Act pilot‑line network alongside IMEC and Fraunhofer, giving Polish researchers access to world‑class expertise....
![Russia’s Bases Abroad. Unrecognised States, the Former USSR and Syria [MAP]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://cdn.defence24.pl/2026/04/03/320x240px/q4m5HWXg4KF30RG5omab50q2RjkvV3INhbPaAxZD.lh8i.jpg)
Russia’s Bases Abroad. Unrecognised States, the Former USSR and Syria [MAP]
Russia maintains a patchwork of overseas bases across former Soviet states and Syria, fielding roughly 1,000 troops in Kyrgyzstan, another 1,000 in Transnistria, over 3,000 in South Ossetia, and about 4,000 in Tajikistan’s 201st Base. In Ukraine, Russian forces number...
Pakistan as the Key to US–Iran Peace. The Inside Story Revealed
Pakistan emerged as the unexpected mediator in the U.S.–Iran cease‑fire, hosting a summit on 10 April 2026 that brought Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf together in Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the two‑week cease‑fire was already...
Is Israel the Biggest Ceasefire Loser?
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid denounced the US‑Iran ceasefire agreement as a political disaster, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of strategic failure and exclusion from key security talks. Lapid’s criticism highlights growing domestic dissent over Israel’s handling of the broader...
Traffic Through the Strait of Hormuz Has Been Resumed
The Strait of Hormuz reopened after a cease‑fire between Iran and the United States, with two vessels—Greek‑owned bulk carrier NJ Earth and Liberia‑flagged Daytona Beach—transiting on April 8. MarineTraffic confirmed the movements at 06:59 and 08:44 UTC, marking the first...
Will the US Destroy Iranian Power Plants?
President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to warn that the United States could destroy Iran’s power plants, bridges and other critical infrastructure if Tehran does not meet a new ultimatum. The demand includes halting Iran’s nuclear program and...
Greece Signs €650m Deal with Israel
Greece has signed a €650 million ($710 million) contract with Israel for Elbit Systems’ PULS rocket‑artillery system, precision‑guided missiles and loitering munitions. The purchase is a cornerstone of a broader €25 billion ($27.3 billion) defence modernization programme that aims to build a layered, drone‑centric...
Rescue Mission Preceded by Bombing
The United States launched a large‑scale rescue operation for the second crew member of a downed F‑15 over Iran, preceding the effort with roughly one hundred 900‑kilogram bombs dropped by B‑1 bombers to cripple IRGC roads and garrisons. A total...
French Defence Firms Avoid Ukraine
French defence firms, led by KNDS, have yet to establish a lasting industrial footprint in Ukraine despite repeated promises from President Emmanuel Macron and Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu. While the order book for Caesar artillery systems has more than doubled...
First Defeat, Then Half a Billion Losses for Russia. Shield AI Targets Poland
Shield AI CEO Brandon Tseng admitted early UAV failures in Ukraine’s 2022‑23 electronic‑warfare environment, but the company has since fielded AI‑piloted V‑BAT drones that can operate without GPS or communications. With $1.7 billion invested, Shield AI now offers Poland a cost‑effective,...
The Role of NATO and Europe in the Sahel
The Sahel’s security situation has deteriorated sharply, yet EU and NATO initiatives were largely suspended between 2021 and 2023. Fragmented efforts among African, regional, and Western actors have left the region vulnerable to terrorism, migration, and state failure. The analysis...
Another Russian Combat Plane Has Crashed
A Russian Su‑30 fighter crashed during a training flight over Crimea on April 3, with the crew safely ejecting and later rescued. The loss marks the 19th Su‑30 lost since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and contributes to an estimated 10% shrinkage...
France Fears Drones From Belarus
French officials warn that Russian Shahed drones operating from Belarus can travel up to 2,000 km, putting Western Europe—including France—within striking range. Intelligence suggests Moscow plans to install four long‑range drone control stations on Belarusian soil, turning the country into an...
France Left to Fund Rafale F5 Alone After UAE Withdrawal
France must now fund the Rafale F5 fighter programme alone after the United Arab Emirates pulled out, citing refusal to share optronics technology. The UAE had pledged up to €3.5 billion ($3.8 billion) toward a €5 billion ($5.5 billion) development effort, leaving France to shoulder...
US–France Cooperation Beyond Political Tensions
Despite heightened political friction between President Donald Trump and President Emmanuel Macron, the United States and France conducted a high‑profile joint naval exercise in March 2026. A French nuclear‑powered attack submarine off Toulon deployed and recovered a U.S. Razorback underwater...
![From Italian Waters to Poland: Lessons From Shipborne F-35 Operations [REPORT]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://cdn.defence24.pl/2024/12/05/320x240px/jhsTg695jpHzvsajcx8StW95ecy1PUVWQ2uXmdz4.kmk1.jpg)
From Italian Waters to Poland: Lessons From Shipborne F-35 Operations [REPORT]
Italy’s lone carrier, ITS Cavour, is now a key element of NATO’s eastern‑flank deterrence, operating from the Mediterranean while supporting the Neptune Strike exercise. The light carrier, displacing roughly 30,000 tons and capable of 28 knots, hosts up to four F‑35B Lightning II fighters and...
Cubans Fighting in Ukraine
Ukrainian Military Intelligence has confirmed that Cuban citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. More than 1,000 Cubans have been identified, with estimates suggesting the total could rise to between 10,000 and 15,000. The HUR stresses that Cuban fighters...
Korean Workforce in Russia
North Korean laborers are being deployed to Russian construction, food processing and other sectors, generating roughly $30 billion for Pyongyang between 2023 and 2025. The workers, who hold student visas, earn $1,000‑$1,500 per month and remit the wages to companies tied...
Can AGILE Make Europe’s Defence Ecosystem Agile at Last?
The European Commission unveiled the AGILE programme, a €115 million (~$124 million) initiative to fast‑track funding for defence start‑ups and SMEs. It aims to award grants of €1‑5 million ($1.1‑$5.4 million) within four months, supporting 20‑30 projects by 2027 and covering up to 100 %...
Israel Raises Defence Budget
Israel’s parliament approved a massive defence budget boost, raising total spending to 142 billion shekels (about $38 billion), more than double pre‑October 2023 levels. An extra 30 billion shekels (~$8 billion) targets the initial weeks of operations against threats from Iran and Lebanon. Simultaneously, the...
Norway Boosts Defence by $12bn to Hit 3.5% of GDP for NATO
Norway announced an additional 115 billion crowns (≈ $12 bn) in defence spending through 2036, enabling it to meet NATO’s 3.5 % of GDP target by 2035. The boost builds on a previously outlined 1.62 trillion‑crown (≈ $167 bn) long‑term plan for 2025‑2036 and is financed without...
How Modular Data Centers Are Built: Inside the Factory
Modular data centers are reshaping the $275 billion construction market by delivering fully integrated, container‑sized facilities that can be deployed in roughly eight months, far faster than traditional builds. A partnership between HPE and Contour Advanced Systems combines HPE’s compute expertise...
How Lithuania Prepares for War?
Lithuania’s Deputy Defence Minister Tomas Godliauskas says the conventional threat from Russia remains low but hybrid attacks persist, prompting heightened vigilance and NATO cooperation. The deployment of Germany’s 45th Armoured Brigade strengthens forward‑defence on the eastern flank, aligning with the...
Hezbollah Like a Phoenix From the Ashes
Hezbollah rebounded from Israel’s 2024 offensive that killed Hassan Nasrallah and decimated its top command, rebuilding its military capacity in just over a year. The group abandoned centralized command, adopting decentralized cells that act on broad directives and reverting to low‑tech...
Putin Dives Into Oligarchs’ Pockets
President Vladimir Putin convened a closed‑door meeting with Russia’s top oligarchs, urging them to inject private capital into the state budget as the Ukraine war strains public finances. Billionaire Suleyman Kerimov pledged roughly 100 billion rubles, about $1.23 billion, to support the war...
Deepening of Ukrainian-British Cooperation
Ukraine and the United Kingdom signed a defence cooperation declaration in London on March 17, creating what officials describe as a de‑facto defence alliance. The pact commits Kyiv to share combat‑tested drone, electronic‑warfare and modern warfare expertise, while London will...
Less Transparency at the Pentagon. Troop Deployments Won’t Be Made Public
The Pentagon announced it will no longer publish the Global Posture Review, an annual report detailing U.S. force deployments worldwide. The decision, justified by the recent release of the National Security Strategy and National Defence Strategy, marks the first omission...
Wagner’s Legacy Is Not Gone
The Wagner Group may have dissolved after Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death, but its networks, combat experience, and influence structures persist within Russia’s security apparatus. Former fighters have been absorbed into the Russian armed forces, the African Corps, and volunteer units that still...
Poland's Dominance in the Baltic Sea. Billions Invested in New Wind Power Capacity
Poland is emerging as a dominant offshore wind investor, committing roughly $17 billion—about one‑third of the EU’s $49 billion wind‑sector investment for new capacity. The country targets 11 GW of offshore wind by 2040, backed by successful auctions and a stable regulatory framework....
Another Blow to Ukrainian Energy. Hungary Halts Gas Supply
Hungary announced it will suspend natural gas deliveries to Ukraine until crude oil flows resume through the damaged Druzhba pipeline. The halt cuts roughly 2.9 billion cubic metres of gas—about 45 percent of Ukraine’s imports and 20‑30 percent of its total consumption. The...
Germany Is Increasing Its Presence in the North Atlantic
Germany is expanding its naval footprint in the North Atlantic as part of a broader NATO response to heightened tensions in the Middle East. The frigate Sachsen has taken command of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, with the frigate Brandenburg joining...
Russia Intends to Deploy Additional Systems in Belarus
Russia plans to install four ground‑control stations for long‑range strike drones in Belarus, expanding a network first deployed in late 2025. The stations will enable rapid UAV‑guided attacks on Ukraine’s northern regions, from Kyiv to Volyn. Belarus, a long‑time Russian...
The Baltic Sea and New Strategy
The Baltic Sea has shifted from a quiet commercial corridor to a hotspot for hybrid threats, as Russian vessels increasingly operate near critical energy and communication infrastructure. Underwater sabotage incidents—targeting cables like Estlink 2 and C‑Lion 1—demonstrate the vulnerability of dense subsea...
Washington Establishes Bureau of Emerging Threats
The U.S. State Department has launched the Bureau of Emerging Threats to centralize efforts against cyber attacks, space‑domain risks, and military uses of AI and quantum tech. Led by former China chargé d’affaires Anny Vu, the bureau will employ diplomatic...
Autonomy or Alliance? Poland Between the United States and Europe
Poland is deepening its defence partnership with the United States, signing multi‑billion‑dollar contracts for Patriot missiles, HIMARS rockets, Abrams tanks and F‑35 jets. The latest M1‑A2 and M1‑A1 tank deals total $6.15 billion and will be delivered by the end of...
Take Your Own Gun and a Drone if Possible. New Guidelines for Finnish Reservists
Finland’s armed forces have revised reservist guidelines, now requiring conscripts to bring personal firearms, ammunition, a drone and a GPS device if owned. The change leverages the nation’s high civilian gun ownership—about one in three Finns and 1.5 million registered firearms—rather...
Arson of Ukrainian Facilities in Czechia
Archer‑LPP, a Ukrainian‑origin manufacturer of thermal imaging optics, saw its Pardubice, Czech Republic facility deliberately set ablaze on March 20, 2026. The CEO Oleksandr Yaremenko confirmed the arson was carried out by masked individuals, with the Earthquake Faction claiming responsibility....
Ukraine Will Stop Training Soldiers Abroad
Ukraine announced that all future soldier training will be conducted on its own territory, ending the large‑scale programs previously held in Western countries. Colonel Yevhen Mezhevikin said the shift will speed up response to frontline changes and eliminate the logistical...
Operation of the Russian Intelligence Against Hungarians in Zakarpattia Region
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) disclosed a Russian intelligence operation targeting the Hungarian minority in the Zakarpattia region. Russian agents, masquerading as Ukrainian officials, placed threatening phone calls demanding community members leave Ukraine. The campaign seeks to inflame tensions between Kyiv...
France Is Running Out of Missiles in the Middle East
France’s expanding Middle East deployment—8,000 troops, a carrier group and nearly 50 Rafale jets—has accelerated consumption of costly MICA missiles, exposing dwindling ammunition reserves. Production delays at MBDA mean replenishment cannot match daily interceptions of Iranian drones, while the €57 billion...
Gen. Philip Breedlove: Russia Wants to Rebuild a Sphere of Influence. We Must Prepare
Gen. Philip Breedlove warned that Russia is desperate to convince Washington it is winning the war in Ukraine, even as its military losses and economy suggest otherwise. He noted that higher oil prices are giving Moscow a short‑term fiscal boost, but...
Another Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker Stopped in the Mediterranean Sea
France intercepted the Russian‑linked tanker Deyna in the Mediterranean, revealing it was sailing under a false Mozambican flag after departing Murmansk. The vessel is part of Russia’s shadow fleet that evades sanctions by using counterfeit registries. French authorities have seized...
Russia Feeds Iran Intelligence — and Tactics
Recent reports show Russia is supplying satellite imagery and drone technology to Iran, transferring combat experience gained in Ukraine. The intelligence includes detailed locations of U.S. and allied assets, while Iranian Shahed‑type drones are being upgraded with Russian tactics such...
Russia Is Changing Its Drone Strike Tactics
Ukraine’s armed forces say Russia has altered its Shahed drone strike tactics, flying them at altitudes below 100 metres and deploying larger swarms. The low‑level approach hampers radar detection, while some drones are now equipped with jet engines, increasing speed....
Another Patriot System Deployed in Turkey
NATO is deploying an additional US‑made Patriot air‑defence system to Turkey’s Adana Province, joining a Spanish‑operated Patriot already stationed there. The move follows a recent decision to position a Patriot in Malatya near a NATO radar site. It comes amid...
France Drills Nuclear Deterrence, Sends Signal to Russia
France conducted the “Poker” nuclear‑deterrence exercise, simulating a strike under high‑intensity, degraded‑communication conditions. Around 40 aircraft, including Rafale, Mirage 2000, AWACS and A330 MRTT tankers, practiced against modeled Russian S‑400 air‑defences. The drill underscores President Macron’s “advanced deterrence” concept and invites European...
Finland and Sweden Bolster NATO’s Northern Flank
Finland and Sweden are accelerating NATO’s northern‑flank defence by advancing the Forward Land Forces (FLF) initiative on Finnish soil. During the Cold Response 26 exercise, the three Nordic defence ministers pledged to formalise the multinational land force by the NATO summer...