DefenceTalkHOHENFELS, Germany:Naval Special Warfare operators from U.S. Special Operations Command along with NATO Special Operations Forces from Albania, Bulgaria and Lithuania, partnered with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment during Saber Junction 17 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, April 25 to May 19, 2017. Saber Junction 17 is the regiment’s brigade-level […]https://www.defencetalk.com/conventional-and-special-forces-partner-to-prepare-for-european-combat-operations-70000/

DefenceTalkBritish Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Monday downplayed differences with EU partners over the bloc’s military ambitions, saying London supported their efforts to bolster defence cooperation. Reports on Friday put Brexit-bound Britain in the dock for blocking the launch of an EU military headquarters because it opposed any suggestion the unit should have an active […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uks-johnson-plays-down-eu-spat-over-military-hq-69962/

DefenceTalkU.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has criticized what he called a “destabilizing” Russian military build-up near the Baltic states, as officials said the United States was considering deploying Patriot missiles in the region for military drills later this year. Mattis was speaking on May 10 at a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-may-deploy-patriot-air-defense-missiles-in-lithuania-69941/

DefenceTalkSTUTTGART, Germany: Combat-ready F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighter aircraft arrived today at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, demonstrating U.S. commitment to NATO allies and European territorial integrity. “The forward presence of F-35s support my priority of having ready and postured forces here in Europe,” said Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, the commander of U.S. European […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35a-lighting-ii-joint-strike-fighter-aircraft-arrive-in-europe-69746/

DefenceTalkLithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite on Thursday urged NATO’s top general to create new alliance command centres on its eastern flank to deter Russia, calling their current location in Europe a relic of the Cold War. “In light of the changing geopolitical dynamics, NATO is too slow; therefore, changes are needed in reforming and speeding up […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lithuania-wants-nato-command-headquarters-on-eastern-flank-69512/

DefenceTalkA team of people and vehicles from Fort Sill boarded a plane, Feb. 26, and departed for Germany to test the vehicles’ potential with an active unit. U.S. Army Europe officials requested the two vehicles after seeing their capabilities during stateside experiments against unmanned aircraft systems. “We know our enemy is using these capabilities,” said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-flies-counter-uas-vehicles-to-europe-69390/

DefenceTalkThe security environment in Europe and in Sweden’s vicinity has deteriorated and the all-volunteer recruitment hasn’t provided the Armed Forces with enough trained personnel. The re-activating of the conscription is needed for military readiness. Trained personnel are fundamental for building military capability. In 2016, the Armed Forces lacked 1,000 active squad leaders, soldiers and sailors […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-re-activates-conscription-69369/

DefenceTalkA contingent of Army AH-64 Apache helicopters, delivered by two Air Mobility Command C-5M Super Galaxies, arrived here Feb. 22 in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. OAR is a tangible demonstration of the United States’ commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region, while providing reassurance to NATO allies and regional partners. Through multinational […]https://www.defencetalk.com/usaf-c-5ms-deliver-army-helicopters-to-europe-69274/

DefenceTalkThe powerful head of Poland’s ruling party wants his country to be “included” in the US nuclear defence system, according to an interview published Wednesday. Jaroslaw Kaczynski told the Gazeta Polska daily that Warsaw “should work for the inclusion of Poland in the American nuclear defence system”, which “would be the optimal solution”. But Kaczynski […]https://www.defencetalk.com/poland-wants-us-or-european-nuclear-umbrella-kaczynski-69082/

DefenceTalkANTWERP, Belgium: The 10th Mountain Division’s 10th Combat Aviation Brigade initiated offloading more than 700 pieces of support equipment today at the seaport of debarkation, here. Nearly 2,000 Soldiers from the brigade and their equipment are being deployed as the latest unit to bolster the U.S. presence in Europe. “We’re going to be all over […]https://www.defencetalk.com/10th-combat-aviation-brigade-equipment-begins-arriving-in-europe-69069/