China will ‘never commit to abandoning the use of force’ on Taiwan: Xi
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DefenceTalkPresident Xi Jinping on Sunday vowed China would “never commit to abandoning the use of force” when it comes to the issue of Taiwan, in a speech marking the beginning of the Communist Party Congress in Beijing. “Resolving the Taiwan issue is a matter for Chinese people themselves, and must be resolved by Chinese people […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-will-never-commit-to-abandoning-the-use-of-force-on-taiwan-xi-79518/
China celebrates President Xi in massive exhibition
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DefenceTalkIntercontinental missiles, disinfection robots and a piece of the Moon — China’s Communist Party on Wednesday flaunted the fruits of its decade under President Xi Jinping ahead of a key meeting expected to extend his rule. Thousands of people thronged an exhibition in Beijing celebrating Xi’s “New Era” just days before a Party Congress at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-celebrates-president-xi-in-massive-exhibition-79513/
US defense chief vows to help Taiwan defend itself
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DefenceTalkThe United States will help Taiwan “develop the capability to defend itself” from a Chinese invasion, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday, stopping short of President Joe Biden’s vow to send troops to the island. “We’re committed to helping Taiwan develop the capability to defend itself,” Austin said in an interview with CNN. Washington […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-defense-chief-vows-to-help-taiwan-defend-itself-79460/
Sweden allows military exports to Turkey after NATO application
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DefenceTalkSweden announced on Friday it had reauthorized exports of war materials to Turkey in an apparently significant concession to Ankara, which is threatening to block the Nordic country’s NATO membership. Ankara requested the lifting of the restrictions — which were introduced in 2019 following a Turkish offensive in northeastern Syria — after Sweden applied to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-allows-military-exports-to-turkey-after-nato-application-79456/
Germany military must become Europe’s ‘best equipped’: Scholz
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DefenceTalkGermany is ready to take a leading role in ensuring Europe’s security, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Friday, vowing to transform the country’s military into the “best equipped” on the continent. Branding Vladimir Putin’s Russia the “biggest threat” to NATO, Scholz said Europe had to be prepared to face up to the challenge. “We are making […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-military-must-become-europes-best-equipped-scholz-79422/
US again approves most aid to Egypt despite rights concerns
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DefenceTalkPresident Joe Biden’s administration on Wednesday approved most military aid to Egypt for a second straight year despite concerns on human rights, pointing to limited progress, officials said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken finalized a package of $1.17 billion for Egypt, which has been one of the largest recipients of US assistance since it became […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-again-approves-most-aid-to-egypt-despite-rights-concerns-79412/
Austrian arms lobbyist convicted of money laundering
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DefenceTalkA Vienna court on Monday found an Austrian arms lobbyist guilty of money laundering related to European defence giant EADS, now renamed Airbus. Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly received a six-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay 50,000 euros ($50,600), deemed to have been “ill-gotten gains”, a spokesman of the Vienna regional court told AFP. Both […]https://www.defencetalk.com/austrian-arms-lobbyist-convicted-of-money-laundering-79385/
Israel PM, standing next to F-35 jet, warns Iran of ‘long arm’
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DefenceTalkIsraeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid warned arch-foe Iran not to test his country’s “long arm” in a video on Tuesday as he stood next to an F-35 stealth bomber. Iran has been engaged in talks with major powers to restore a 2015 agreement that gave it sanctions relief in return for guarantees it would not […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-pm-standing-next-to-f-35-jet-warns-iran-of-long-arm-79359/
US approves $1.1 billion in arms for Taiwan
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DefenceTalkThe United States on Friday announced a $1.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, vowing to keep boosting the island’s defenses as tensions soar with Beijing, which warned Washington of “counter-measures.” The sale comes a month after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defiantly visited the self-governing democracy, prompting mainland China to launch a show of force that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-approves-1-1-billion-in-arms-for-taiwan-79310/
Foreign forces arrive for military drills in eastern Russia
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DefenceTalkSoldiers from several countries have arrived in eastern Russia for joint military drills that China will take part in, Russia’s defence ministry said Monday, amid tensions between Moscow and Western capitals. Servicemen from Kremlin-friendly countries including close ally Belarus, India, Mongolia and Syria will participate in the drills. The exercises will take place between September […]https://www.defencetalk.com/foreign-forces-arrive-for-military-drills-in-eastern-russia-79260/