DefenseNews

Study suggests Russia could conquer Baltic states in 90 days

WARSAW, Poland — Drawing on lessons from the Iran war, a study shows how Russia could force Lithuania into capitulation in 90 days with no soldiers crossing the border. Drafted by the Baltic Defense Initiative, a small think tank based in Vilnius, the scenario exposes specific vulnerabilities of the Lithuanian defense posture, with the aim to plug gaps as soon as possible. Fast-forward almost…
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DefenseNews

Ukrainian drone makers visit Paris looking for co-production deals

PARIS — More than two dozen Ukrainian defense companies traveled to Paris this week to meet with French counterparts, laying the groundwork for co-production deals in France and seeking to bolster integration with the European defense-industrial base. French defense firms have been slow to set up joint companies with Ukrainian partners, with just one joint venture created so far, compared to 11…
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DefenseNews

France mulls fallback tank for delayed MGCS program in defense update

PARIS — France is in talks with manufacturers about an intermediary solution to replace the country’s aging Leclerc main battle tank, as a project with Germany to develop a next-generation tank is delayed, Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin told lawmakers on Wednesday. The French-German project for the future Main Combat Ground System, which was supposed to produce the Leclerc’s…
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DefenseNews

New Zealand defense minister to help shepherd military-integration push with Australia

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Chris Penk this week became New Zealand’s 44th minister of defense, replacing Judith Collins who is retiring from politics. Penk will also take over Collins’ Space, Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) portfolios. Penk is the first defense minister to have previously served with both New Zealand and…
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