DefenseNews

Estonia raids combat-vehicle funds to buy more drones, air defenses

WARSAW, Poland — Estonia’s government has decided to put on hold its planned acquisition of new infantry fighting vehicles. The Baltic nation will instead direct the funds toward drones, counter-drone measures and air-defense systems, while squeezing more service life out of the country’s existing fleet of second-hand CV90 vehicles. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced the move…
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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

Australia touts first GMLRS artillery rocket assembled Down Under

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — The Australian army has test-fired its first-ever locally assembled Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, or GMLRS, a key step toward eventually producing long-range strike weapons locally rather than importing them. The milestone occurred at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia, with the rocket fired from an M142 HIMARS launcher. It was the third live-fire event…
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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 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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