04 January 2025

World Defense News

  

Breaking News: 
Rostec Pushes to Accelerate Delivery of 2S38 Anti-Aircraft Vehicle to Russian Forces for Ukraine Deployment.

Citing information published by Russian media on January 3, 2025, Russian state defense company Rostec is pushing to accelerate the delivery of its advanced 2S38 Derivatsiya-PVO anti-aircraft gun system to the Russian Armed Forces.
Designed to enhance air defense capabilities, the system is set to be deployed in Ukraine, where its unique features will be tested in a challenging battlefield environment. The 2S38 is poised to play a key role in countering a wide range of aerial threats, including drones, cruise missiles, and aircraft, offering Russian forces a new and advanced air defense capability on the Ukrainian frontlines.
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In an exclusive development for Ukraine's defense industry, Metinvest Group, a leading Ukrainian steel producer, has successfully designed and manufactured an advanced armored shield for the command and control vehicle of the MIM-104 Patriot air defense missile system, which is now deployed in Ukraine. This new initiative marks a significant leap in protecting critical military assets, showcasing the innovation and resilience of the Ukrainian defense sector in the face of ongoing conflict. Read full Defense News at this link ...
Metinvest Group has developed and installed a custom armored shield for the MIM-104 Patriot command vehicle, enhancing crew protection and system integrity with Ukrainian-made 30KhN2MA steel. 

US Approves $78.5 Million Foreign Military Sale of MK 54 MOD 0 Torpedoes to Saudi Arabia.
On January 3, 2025, the U.S. State Department announced its approval of a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, valued at an estimated $78.5 million. The sale includes twenty (20) MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT), along with a range of associated support services and equipment. The decision was officially communicated to Congress on the same day, following the certification from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). Read full Defense News at this link ...


An exercise MK 54 Mod 0 Torpedo is launched from the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt DDG 80. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
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On January 2, 2024, MilitaryNewsUA reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Iranian sources have indicated a convoy of vehicles spotted at the port of Bandar-e Anzali, located on the Caspian Sea, is believed to be transporting advanced missile systems and air defense units to Russia. According to these sources, the shipments are said to include Fath-360 and Arman air defense systems, both of which could significantly bolster Russian military capabilities in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
 

According to information published by the UK MoD on January 1, 2025, the Royal Navy maintained a vigilant watch over a Russian naval task group passing the British Isles during the Christmas holidays. HMS Somerset, a Type 23 frigate, was mobilized on December 27 after the corvette RFS Soobrazitelny and its support vessels, MV Sparta II and MV General Skobelev, were detected in the North Sea.
 

Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, employing cluster munitions to inflict maximum damage. This development was confirmed by Ukraine's Minister of Energy, Herman Halushchenko, during a national telethon on January 3, 2025. According to Halushchenko, 2024 was particularly challenging for Ukraine’s energy network, with these strikes severely testing the country's resilience. Read more. 

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According to information published by the Indian government on January 1, 2025, the Indian Navy is set to commission three frontline combatant platforms on a single day: INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class; INS Surat, the fourth and final stealth destroyer of the Project 15B class; and INS Vaghsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class under Project 75. The ceremony, to be held at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
 

Ukrainian forces, in coordination with aerial reconnaissance, destroyed a Russian Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery system in Donetsk. The operation, carried out by the Ukrainian Defense Forces, involved the use of the American M142 HIMARS rocket system, known for its precision and destructive power.

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Estonia is advancing its air defense capabilities with the construction of a radar installation on Hiiumaa Island. This project, managed by the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) in collaboration with Mapri Ehitus OÜ, represents a key step in modernizing the country's surveillance infrastructure.
 

In 2024, the Czech Air Force took a strategic step with the acquisition and ongoing integration of fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter jets. This program, with a total cost of approximately $5.62 billion, includes the purchase of 24 aircraft along with the necessary infrastructure for their maintenance and operation.
 

In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Ukrainian special forces continue to demonstrate their ability to conduct guerrilla operations and targeted ambushes against Russian forces. A recent video shared on social media highlighted the effectiveness of the 5th Special Purpose Unit "OMEGA," which ambushed a column of Russian paratroopers using AT-4 rocket launchers.
 

The Italian Army has taken a step in modernizing its fleet of combat vehicles with the arrival of the Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) at the Army Multipurpose Testing Center near Rome. This advanced platform, developed by Rheinmetall, will undergo a rigorous evaluation phase as Italy prepares for substantial investments in next-generation military vehicles.
 

On January 2, 2025, the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) announced the acquisition of modern tactical trucks for the Estonian Defence Forces. These new vehicles, supplied by Volvo Defence in 4×4 and 6×6 configurations, are specifically designed to tackle difficult terrain and enhance operational flexibility for both logistical and frontline missions.

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On December 26, 2024, the Russian defense company Kalashnikov Group announced the successful first flight of its new loitering guided munition, the KUB-10E, marking a significant milestone in the development of the KUB family of loitering munitions. This launch underscores the Russian defense industry's continued investment in the next generation of precision strike weapons.
 

According to information published by the Turkish Ministry of Defense on January 2, 2025, Turkey has initiated the construction of three significant naval platforms: the MİLDEN (Millî Denizaltı) submarine, the TF-2000 Air Defense Warfare Destroyer, and the MUGEM-class National Aircraft Carrier.
 

According to information published by Voice of America on January 2, 2025, Philippine authorities are investigating a suspected Chinese underwater drone found in the waters off the central Philippines, citing potential national security implications. The device, discovered by local fishermen on December 30, has been turned over to the Philippine Navy for further examination.
 

The universal armored vehicle KamAZ-43269 "Vystrel" has undergone significant modernization to better meet the demands of contemporary combat. New images of this updated model have recently been released, highlighting the advanced systems integrated to enhance its operational capabilities.

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On December 30, 2024, the Iveco-Oto Melara Consortium (CIO) formalized a contract with the Direzione Armamenti Terrestri (DAT) of the Italian Ministry of Defense for the delivery of 76 VBM PLUS armored vehicles. This agreement includes 60 combat vehicles, 16 anti-tank variants, integrated logistics support, and combat support vehicles. It forms part of Phase 2 of the Italian Army's medium armored vehicle program, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of its Second Medium Brigade. Read more.
 

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has confirmed that over 1,300 samples of weapons and military equipment (WME) were approved for operational use in 2024, marking a significant milestone for the country's defense sector.

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According to information published by the Japan News on January 1, 2025, the Japanese government has decided to reintroduce a proposal for joint development of Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) frigates with Indonesia, aiming to enhance security collaboration with nations in East Asia.
 

Recently leaked Russian military documents have unveiled detailed plans for potential attacks on Japan and South Korea, targeting strategic civilian infrastructure, including nuclear power plants. These files, dated from 2013-2014 and obtained by the Financial Times through Western sources, highlight Moscow’s concerns about the vulnerability of its eastern flank in the event of a conflict with NATO and its Asian allies. Read more. 

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Kalashnikov takes another step forward by announcing the completion of tests for its latest remote-control system designed for the Konkurs M guided anti-tank missile. Developed by PJSC Kirovsky Zavod Mayak, this system is based on lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine to provide better protection for crews and significantly enhance the effectiveness of Russian troops in anti-tank missions.

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The Chinese-made FK-3 air defence missile system is now fully operational with the Serbian Armed Forces, marking a significant milestone in the country's air defence capabilities. With this new system in place, Serbia's airspace is now more secure than ever, as the FK-3 is ready to defend against a wide range of airborne threats.
 

India is on the brink of a milestone in its ambition to emerge as a major missile exporter, with a $700 million agreement to supply BrahMos missile systems to Vietnam. This initiative aligns with India's broader strategy to promote self-reliance in defense, reduce dependency on imports, and showcase indigenous technological capabilities. It also reflects New Delhi's growing role as a provider of advanced defense solutions on the global stage. Read more. 

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According to information published by the Indian MoD on December 30, 2024, the Ministry has signed two significant contracts valued at approximately $345.42 million. The agreements involve the construction and integration of the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug for DRDO’s AIP system and the integration of the Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo (EHWT) on Kalvari-Class submarines.
 

The Russian armed forces operating in Ukraine have deployed the Supercam S350, a cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) designed to transmit real-time intelligence about enemy deployment locations directly to command posts. This advanced UAV has quickly become a game-changer on the battlefield, playing a critical role in enabling precision strikes with artillery and FAB aerial bombs. Read News Russia - Ukraine War at this link ...
 

The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a $3.5 billion contract to develop and integrate mission systems for the E-130J, a next-generation airborne communication aircraft designed to replace the E-6B Mercury in the critical Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) role.
 

On December 31, 2024, Embraer announced the signing of a contract for the delivery of four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to an undisclosed customer in Africa. This agreement highlights the aircraft's versatility in carrying out various missions, including border surveillance, intelligence gathering, close air support, counterinsurgency, and advanced pilot training.

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Serbia has finalized a $335 million agreement with Israeli defense company Elbit Systems, marking a step in its military modernization strategy. According to Israeli media outlet Haaretz, the deal includes the acquisition of the advanced PULS (Precise and Universal Launching System) artillery rocket system and Hermes 900 MALE reconnaissance drones.
 

According to information published by December 28, 2024, the Russian Navy’s multirole frigate Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov, a Project 22350 warship equipped with hypersonic weaponry, has returned to its home port in Severomorsk after a long-range deployment. Over the course of 226 days, the frigate covered more than 30,000 nautical miles, navigating seven seas, two oceans, and five straits.
 

The first recorded combat use of French-made AASM-250 "Hammer" precision-guided bombs by Ukrainian Su-25 aircraft has been documented. This adaptation of the Su-25, originally designed for ground-attack missions using unguided munitions, marks a significant milestone in enhancing the Ukrainian Air Force’s precision strike capabilities.

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The Russian company Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) announced on December 31 the delivery of the final batches of T-72B3 and T-90M tanks to the Ministry of Defense. These modern armored vehicles, produced by Uralvagonzavod, reflect Russia's ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces in response to the growing challenges of contemporary battlefields. In addition to these deliveries, Uralvagonzavod refurbished 200 T-72 tanks into the T-72B3 mod.
 

Exercise Reaper Castillo, conducted from November 4 to December 18, 2024, by the 65th Special Operations Squadron, highlighted the MQ-9 Reaper's capabilities in austere environments. This training, held at Melrose Air Force Range in New Mexico, marked a significant step in the platform’s adaptability to operate beyond traditional bases.
 

The Altay is set to enter the Turkish Army’s inventory starting in August 2025. This Main Battle Tank represents the new generation of armored vehicles developed to meet the needs of modern land forces. Resulting of the collaboration of various Turkish defense companies, it relies on a modular, composite armor designed by Roketsan, which includes both passive and explosive reactive armor (ERA) elements and the Akkor active protection system developed by Aselsan.
 

According to information published by NATO on December 30, 2024, the alliance has announced plans to enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea following damage to undersea cables connecting Estonia and Finland.
 

According to information published on the X Account of AirPower 2.0 (MIL_STD), on December 31, 2024, the United States Air Force's next-generation stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, is making significant progress in its development with three aircraft actively supporting the bomber's flight test campaign. Northrop Grumman, the defense contractor behind this cutting-edge platform, has announced key updates as part of the effort to validate the Raider’s capabilities.
 

On December 29, 2024, the French Armed Forces marked a milestone in their operations against Daesh in Syria by deploying an MQ-9A Reaper drone for the first time as part of Operation Chammal. Operating from the Prince-Hassan airbase in Jordan, the drone conducted targeted strikes in coordination with Rafale fighter jets, destroying two strategic terrorist installations in central Syria.
 

As we bid farewell to 2024, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our readers, customers, and partners for their continuous support throughout the year. Your trust and collaboration have been integral to our success, and we are truly grateful for the relationships we have built. Read full Defense News at this link ...

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