DefenseNews

After Caracas stop, mysterious Russian plane flew to Cuba, Nicaragua

BERLIN — A Russian cargo plane that recently arrived in Venezuela later made several stops in other Kremlin-aligned Latin American countries, flight records show, after making a similar journey back in August. The Ilyushin Il-76, operated by the private but government-affiliated cargo charter airline Aviacon Zitotrans, arrived in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas on Oct. 26, as previously…
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DefenseNews

Ukraine gets more Patriot air defenses to counter Russian attacks

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine has received more American-made Patriot air defense systems to help it counter Russia’s daily barrages, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian drones killed a man and injured five of his family members, including two children, in the latest nighttime attack. Russia’s relentless pounding of urban areas behind the front line following its full-scale…
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DefenseNews

In rain and mud, French artillery unit shows lessons from Ukraine war

CANJUERS, France — A French Army artillery demonstration in pouring rain in the south-east of the country last week showed the limits of modern warfare: When the weather gets miserable, cannons may still fire, but drones stay grounded. It’s a lesson already learned in Ukraine, where Russian forces have been timing mechanized assaults with rain and foggy conditions, according to the Institute…
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DefenseNews

Soldiers take new mobile 81mm mortar system for test drive

The Army’s latest effort to modernize its formation took shape on the training grounds of Hawaii last week, as soldiers tested a new “shoot and scoot” mobile mortar system designed to make units more agile in combat. Members of the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment…
DefenseNews

Cuba's Military Agreements with Russia Uncovered

BERLIN — Ukraine has closed its embassy in Cuba and censured the government in Havana over allegations that the Caribbean dictatorship is complicit in sending troops to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The move comes just weeks after Russia and Cuba signed a…
DefenseNews

Italy weighs using EU defense loan on new tanks, eying Hungary team-up

ROME — Italy is considering using a European Union loan deal to pay for new tanks and armored vehicles supplied by Germany’s Rheinmetall, a source has told Defense News. The money for Lynx vehicles and Panther tanks would come from cheap so-called SAFE loans organized by the EU to help member states beef up their military strength as Russia threatens the bloc’s Eastern border. Earlier this…
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