DefenceTalkTaiwan simulated intercepting Chinese attacks from the sea in annual war games on Tuesday, with President Tsai Ing-wen hailing the military’s “determination” as she watched from onboard a destroyer. Democratic Taiwan lives under constant threat of being invaded by China, which views the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be seized by force […]https://www.defencetalk.com/taiwan-simulates-repelling-chinese-sea-invasion-in-war-games-79133/

DefenceTalkThe United States will provide four more precision rocket systems to Ukraine to help it battle Russia’s invasion, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday. His Ukrainian counterpart had asked the day before for Washington to send more M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars) saying Kyiv’s forces have used them to destroy some 30 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-to-send-four-more-precision-rocket-systems-to-ukraine-79118/

DefenceTalkUS-made precision rockets have given Ukraine forces a major battlefield boost since they were introduced in June, tilting the balance against the Russians and possibly forcing Moscow to pause its offensive, experts said. Since mid-June, using the Himars missile systems, Ukraine has destroyed more than 20 major Russian ammunition depots and command posts that were […]https://www.defencetalk.com/himars-precision-rockets-shift-the-balance-in-ukraine-experts-79080/

DefenceTalkKey ministers from France and Niger met on Friday as French forces revamp their mission in the Sahel following a planned pullout from Mali. Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu arrived in the Nigerien capital late Thursday. Their joint visit aims to “represent the combined civilian and military” support given by France, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/french-foreign-defence-ministers-in-niger-as-mali-pullout-nears-79091/

DefenceTalkA senior US official said Tuesday that Russia’s plan to acquire hundreds of combat drones from Iran shows its urgent need to reinforce due to heavy losses four months after invading Ukraine. John Kirby, a spokesman for the national security council, said the deal, revealed by the White House on Monday, also shows Iran’s willingness […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-seeks-iran-drones-after-losses-in-ukraine-white-house-79069/

DefenceTalkNorway said Wednesday it would donate three multiple-launch rocket systems to Ukraine, following similar decisions made by Britain, Germany and the United States. Kyiv, whose forces are struggling to defend the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, has repeatedly called on its allies to provide more heavy weaponry. “We must continue to support Ukraine so that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/norway-to-send-rocket-launchers-to-ukraine-79045/

DefenceTalkBritain pledged another £1 billion ($1.2 billion) in military aid to Ukraine Wednesday to help it fend off Russia’s invasion, including air-defence systems and drones. The fresh funds will bring Britain’s total military support to Kyiv since the start of the war in late February to £2.3 billion, Downing Street said in a statement. The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/britain-boosts-military-aid-to-ukraine-79042/

DefenceTalkRussia said on Sunday its early morning strike on Kyiv had hit a weapons factory, dismissing as “fake” reports that it had struck a residential area of the Ukrainian capital. The Artyom factory “was the target, as military infrastructure” the Russian defence ministry said, adding that it had already been targeted in April. “Russian forces […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-hit-a-missile-factory-in-kyiv-defence-ministry-79039/

DefenceTalkUkraine said Thursday that it had taken delivery of precision artillery systems from the United States which is the latest country to answer Kyiv’s plea from allies for advanced weapons. “Himars have arrived to Ukraine. Thank you to my colleague and friend @SecDef Lloyd J. Austin III for these powerful tools! Summer will be hot […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kyiv-says-us-precision-artillery-systems-arrived-in-ukraine-79025/

DefenceTalkEstonia on Wednesday accused Russia of engaging in escalatory actions ahead of next week’s NATO summit, including alleged missile simulations and airspace violations. It also referenced Russia’s threat this week against Estonia’s fellow Baltic state Lithuania over its restriction of rail traffic to Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave. “Currently, there is no immediate military threat against Estonia. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/estonia-accuses-russia-of-escalatory-actions-79008/