Monday, May 12, 2025

WORLD DEFENCE NEWS 12 May 2025

  

According to information published on May 11, 2025, by the South Korean Yonhap News Agency, South Korea has announced a major strategic pivot in its naval modernization plans, prioritizing the development of a multipurpose command ship designed to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This decision effectively replaces the previously proposed light aircraft carrier project, which would have operated F-35B fighter jets. The move reflects the Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROKN) new focus on UAV-centric warfare, a direction strongly influenced by recent battlefield lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war and anticipated changes in future maritime combat environments. Read full Naval News at this link ...

 

In an article dated May 11, 2025, the Yonhap news agency reported that South Korea is undergoing a major transformation in its naval strategy by launching the construction of a multi-purpose command ship centered on the deployment of unmanned systems, marking the emergence of a new model of maritime power in Asia. Presented in May 2025 to the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, the program aims to equip the Republic of Korea Navy with a vessel capable of coordinating precision strikes, supporting amphibious operations, securing maritime routes, and responding to natural disasters, relying on a fleet of aerial, surface, and underwater drones. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the project's lead contractor, is currently working on the ship’s concept design, with an initial presentation expected soon before the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Read more. 

This shift in doctrine comes after South Korea officially cancelled its CV-X program, which had aimed to develop a light aircraft carrier capable of deploying up to twenty F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) fighter jets (Picture source: South Korean MoD)

 

On May 6, 2025, U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll announced a significant shift in the operational deployment of the M1 Abrams main battle tanks, acknowledging the evolving nature of modern warfare. 
Drawing lessons from the Ukraine conflict, Driscoll emphasized the need for tanks to adapt to the increasing threat posed by inexpensive drones. This strategic pivot underscores the Army's commitment to preserving its armored capabilities while addressing emerging battlefield challenges. Read more. 
The M1 Abrams is shifting from leading assaults to providing long-range fire support and entering battle only after drones have cleared threats, reducing vulnerability to loitering munitions and FPV drones. (Picture source: US DoD)

On May 8, 2025, an investigation published by Channel 24 revealed that Russia intends to manufacture up to 633Baltic borders, where Russian military posture has become increasingly aggressive. Read more.  Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles by the end of the year, marking a turning point in the scale of its long-range strike capabilities. This reported objective falls under the broader production efforts led by the Tactical Missile Armament Corporation (KTRV), as noted by Euromaidan Press. The Kh-101, a precision-guided cruise missile deployed from strategic bombers like the Tu-95MS and Tu-160, now finds itself at the center of Russia’s evolving strategy in Ukraine and beyond. 
This surge in production, driven by around-the-clock operations and circumventing sanctions through alternative component imports, signals Moscow’s intent to sustain or escalate military operations against Ukraine and possibly prepare for a broader confrontation with NATO. Western analysts warn that this missile buildup could prefigure offensive preparations along the

The missile is designed to evade radar and strike at high-value targets with a 450 kg warhead (Picture source: Russian MoD)

At the International Defence and Security Exhibition (FEINDEF) 2025 in Madrid, Spain, General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), in collaboration with KNDS, officially unveiled a groundbreaking evolution in modern artillery warfare: the NEMESIS. This newly introduced tracked self-propelled howitzer is built upon the robust and combat-proven ASCOD tracked armored vehiccle platform and incorporates the highly advanced, fully automated 155mm/L52 Artillery Gun Module (AGM) developed by KNDS. Representing the culmination of over 15 years of technological advancement since the original DONAR demonstrator, the NEMESIS marks a new chapter in the field of mobile, high-performance indirect fire systems. Read FEINDEF 2025 News at this link ...
NEMESIS 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer on display at the General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) booth during FEINDEF 2025 in Madrid, showcasing its advanced automation, 360° firing capability, and ASCOD-based tracked mobility. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
 

On May 12, 2025, images shared on the X platform by @DefencePakistan reportedly showed that Pakistan’s air defense system had successfully intercepted a French-made SCALP cruise missile, allegedly launched from a Rafale fighter jet belonging to the Indian Air Force. This event would have occurred amid heightened tensions in the Jammu and Kashmir region, reflecting an evolving phase of technological confrontation between two regional nuclear-armed powers. Read more. 

Read full Defense news.
 

According to an official statement released by the Indian Navy on May 11, 2025, the rapid deployment of its Carrier Battle Group to the northern Arabian Sea formed part of a joint operational plan coordinated with the Indian Army and Air Force, aimed at deterring further hostilities and maintaining escalation control.
 

On May 8, 2025, on the sidelines of the Aerospace Power Conference held in Rome, General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations of the U.S. Space Force (USSF), and General Luca Goretti, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, signed a statement of understanding aimed at strengthening their cooperation in space security.
 

On Monday, May 12, 2025, Taiwan conducted the first-ever live-fire test of the M142 HIMARS system during the annual "Thunder" military exercise, held at the Jiupeng military base in Pingtung County, as reported by The Liberty Times. This drill was part of a broader set of coordinated maneuvers titled "Thunder," "Divine Eagle," and "Divine Bow," aimed at testing the effectiveness of precision strike systems and interoperability between the branches of Taiwan’s armed forces.
 

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy of China has taken a new technological step by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) for the first time into a naval degaussing exercise, according to a report broadcast on May 11, 2025, by state-run China Central Television (CCTV). Conducted by a naval base under the Northern Theater Command, the drill simulated an emergency scenario in which a damaged warship required rapid degaussing to restore its magnetic stealth capabilities.
 

On May 4, 2025, the US Navy publicly displayed its AIM-174B long-range air-to-air missile for the first time during the annual Friendship Day held at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, a joint US-Japan military base. The event, designed to strengthen ties between the US forces and the local Japanese community, provided a strategic setting for revealing this capability, marking a notable step in integrating extended-range strike systems into the US Navy's carrier-based aviation arsenal.
 

On May 7, 2025, during Kazakhstan’s annual military parade, the Taymas 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle made its first public appearance, marking the official introduction of a new domestically branded combat platform blending Turkish, Chinese, and local technologies. The vehicle is built on the Turkish Otokar Arma 8x8 chassis and is equipped with a turret believed to be derived from China’s Norinco VN20 program, according to a detailed technical analysis by Army Recognition.
 

On May 6, 2025, QinetiQ, a leading UK defense technology company, secured a £160 million contract extension with the British MoD (Ministry of Defense) under the Weapons Sector Research Framework (WSRF) to accelerate the development of next-generation directed energy weapons, including the DragonFire laser and Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) systems.
 

On May 8, 2025, German Company Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin from United States formalized the creation of a new missile production hub in Germany, focused on supplying NATO forces with critical guided weapons such as GMLRS, ATACMS and Hellfire missiles. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and confirms the establishment of a European center of excellence for missile manufacturing and distribution. Rheinmetall will lead the joint venture.
 

Amid increasing naval activity by China and Russia near its maritime borders, Japan has launched the construction of a new series of next-generation patrol vessels for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The program calls for the commissioning of twelve versatile ships, with the keels of the first four laid in February 2025 at the Japan Marine United shipyard in Yokohama.
 

The Hürjet, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is undergoing a notable evolution from an advanced jet trainer into a versatile light combat aircraft. Originally intended to replace the aging T-38M and NF-5A/B fleets of the Turkish Air Force, the Hürjet is now being positioned for a broader operational role that includes naval aviation and air-to-air combat support, underscoring its growing strategic relevance. Read more. 

Read full Defense news.
 

On May 6–8, 2025, at the DEFEA 2025 defense exhibition in Athens, Greek defense firm SAS Technology once again showcased its Talos II unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), now equipped with the Thales FZ602 dual-tube launcher capable of deploying 70mm laser-guided rockets. This latest demonstration underscores SAS Technology's commitment to advancing indigenous unmanned aerial capabilities and highlights the Talos II's evolving role in precision strike missions. Read more.
 

On May 5, 2025, Raytheon RTX officially confirmed that its Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) successfully intercepted a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile on January 30, 2025, just seconds before it could strike the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Gravely in the Red Sea. This announcement, accompanied by a video testimony, provides a rare insight into the system's effectiveness during current U.S. maritime security operations near Yemen.
 

The Raven is a short-range, mobile air defense missile system developed by the British defense industry. Utilizing the ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile) in a ground-based configuration, the system is designed to counter contemporary aerial threats such as drones and cruise missiles. Raven showcases the agility of British military innovation and the adaptability of existing missile technologies for new battlefield environments.
 

Army Recognition continues its in-depth media coverage from Athens, Greece, with the video report dedicated to Day 2 of DEFEA 2025, offering viewers a detailed look at the latest defense innovations and industry developments presented at this major international defense exhibition. Read DEFEA 2025 news at this link ...
 

In a significant revelation through a video published by the British Ministry of Defence on May 10, 2025, Colonel Olly Todd of the British Royal Marines confirmed that the United Kingdom had delivered eight Raven air defense missile systems to Ukraine in 2022. He further stated that an additional five units are set for imminent delivery. This development highlights the UK’s continued commitment to reinforcing Ukraine’s air defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
 

On May 8, 2025, at Tartu Airport in Estonia, a U.S. Army M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicle from the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was staged for loading onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III. This operation marked a key phase of the Immediate Response Package (IRP), a high-readiness, multinational military exercise conducted by the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, British Armed Forces, and Estonian Defense Forces.
 

According to information shared on May 9, 2025, by Paweł Bejda, Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of National Defense, Poland has received an additional delivery of 19 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) from the United States. These tanks will soon be integrated into the Polish Army's operational formations, further strengthening the country’s armored capabilities.
 

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) has successfully completed a groundbreaking drone warfare trial dubbed "Hornets Nest," marking a significant advancement in the United Kingdom’s defense capabilities.
 

According to The New York Times (May 10, 2025), a U.S. congressional official confirmed that Washington has authorized Germany to transfer 100 Patriot air-defense missiles and 125 long-range artillery rockets to Ukraine. This development, confirmed on May 9, represents a pivotal moment in the evolving landscape of Western military assistance to Kyiv, signaling not only continued commitment but also enhanced strategic coordination among NATO allies. Read full Defense News at this link ...
 

The United States Marine Corps has deployed Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211), known as the “Wake Island Avengers,” to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen deterrence and military readiness in the Indo-Pacific.
 

Army Recognition announces its dedicated coverage of the newly emerging conflict in South Asia between Pakistan and India. As tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors spiral, we are committed to delivering timely, accurate, and in-depth reporting on the developments that could reshape regional security dynamics. Read News Pakistan - India Conflict 2025 at this link ...

No comments: