DefenseNews

Rattled by Trump, US allies eye Japan’s biggest arms opening since WWII

Japan’s imminent easing of arms export rules has sparked strong interest from Warsaw to Manila, Reuters reporting found, as President Donald Trump wavers on security commitments to allies and the wars in Iran and Ukraine strain U.S. weapons supplies. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling party approved the changes this week as she tries to invigorate the pacifist country’s military…
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DefenseNews

Lebanon and Israel talks set to begin in Washington

BEIRUT, Lebanon — The first direct talks between Israel and Lebanon are set to begin today in Washington, marking a rare diplomatic engagement between two parties technically at war since 1948. The U.S.-brokered talks will be conducted through their respective ambassadors…
DefenseNews

Swedish, Polish firms invest in TNT plants to quench Europe’s ammo thirst

WARSAW, Poland — Swedish company Swebal is building the first trinitrotoluene (TNT) factory to be opened in Sweden since the end of the Cold War, aiming to expand the European-made supply of a key explosive input used to make ammunition. Meanwhile, the continent’s only major TNT plant in Poland is investing to boost its production capacity. With Russia’s manufacturing capabilities dwarfing…
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DefenseNews

US blockade of Iran will be major military endeavor, experts say

A U.S. naval blockade of Iran is a major, open-ended military endeavor that could trigger fresh retaliation from Tehran and put tremendous strain on an already fragile ceasefire, experts say. President Donald Trump, in a social media post after no deal emerged from peace talks this weekend in Islamabad, said the U.S. Navy “will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter…
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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…
DefenseNews

Italian government shakes up Leonardo leadership, replacing Cingolani as CEO

ROME — Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani is to be replaced at the helm of the Italian defense company in a surprise move by the Italian government which sources said was related to his decision to shift Leonardo’s focus away from kinetic products as wars rage around the world. At the end of his three year mandate running the Italian state-controlled firm, Cingolani appeared on course for another…
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