According to Bloomberg, Russia has been spending a huge amount of secret funds on accelerating its military buildup since the Cold War. This unprecedented amount of money is hidden in the so-called black part of the federal budget. It is estimated that 60 billion dollars have been allocated to the secret funds of the federal… Continue reading RUSSIA SPENDS VAST SECRET FUNDS TO ACCELERATE BUILDUP OF MILITARY FORCES
AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI’S HEALTH MIGHT UNDERMINE THE TEHRAN – P5+1 NEGOTIATIONS
The health of the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, might undermine the ongoing negotiations between Tehran and the P5+1 over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. According to recent reports from the Iranian media, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and may only have months to live. This development has opened a power… Continue reading AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI’S HEALTH MIGHT UNDERMINE THE TEHRAN – P5+1 NEGOTIATIONS
THE US AIR FORCE COULD DEPLOY F-22A RAPTORS IN EUROPE TO COUNTER RUSSIAN THREAT
The Pentagon is considering deploying the stealth air superiority aircraft, the F-22A Raptor, in Europe – as a response to recent Russian aggression in the region. According to the Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah James, the US Air Force is increasing its presence in Europe in order to counter Russian military strength. Part of… Continue reading THE US AIR FORCE COULD DEPLOY F-22A RAPTORS IN EUROPE TO COUNTER RUSSIAN THREAT
PRINCE HARRY LEADS TRIBUTE AS AFGHAN MEMORIAL IS REDEDICATED ON UK SOIL
Last Friday Prince Harry joined the families of fallen military personnel as one of the iconic memorials to the dead of the Afghanistan war was rededicated on British soil. Nearly 2,000 people – including the Prime Minister David Cameron, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, bereaved families, veterans and current servicemen and women – gathered at the… Continue reading PRINCE HARRY LEADS TRIBUTE AS AFGHAN MEMORIAL IS REDEDICATED ON UK SOIL
CHINA SENDS TWO TYPE 094 JIN-CLASS BALLISTIC MISSILE SUBMARINES TO THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
China is planning to send two nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines to the West Philippine Sea before the end of the year, a Japanese newspaper reported. According to a Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper report, quoting Hideaki Kaneda, director of the Okazaki Institute and a former admiral in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, China will deploy at least… Continue reading CHINA SENDS TWO TYPE 094 JIN-CLASS BALLISTIC MISSILE SUBMARINES TO THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
UKRAINE TO DEPLOY S-300P MISSILES CLOSE TO THE BORDERS WITH TRANSDNIESTRIA
The Ukrainian government is planning to deploy S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems close to the borders with Transdniestria (Pridnestrovskaya Moldavskaya Respublika), a breakaway region of Moldova. According to the Odessa-based Taimer newspaper, Ukrainian Defence Ministry officials said that the S-300 antiaircraft missile systems will be deployed close to Bolhrad, in the region of Odessa. The systems… Continue reading UKRAINE TO DEPLOY S-300P MISSILES CLOSE TO THE BORDERS WITH TRANSDNIESTRIA
PAKISTAN ‘DOES NOT INTEND TO SELL NUCLEAR WEAPONS TO SAUDI ARABIA’
Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Secretary denied that his country’s nuclear programme has anything to do with any other country. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry’s comment was a direct answer to a recent report saying that Pakistan could sell an “off-the-shelf” nuclear weapon to Saudi Arabia. According to the Pakistani Minister, his country developed nuclear weapons in response to… Continue reading PAKISTAN ‘DOES NOT INTEND TO SELL NUCLEAR WEAPONS TO SAUDI ARABIA’
UK MINISTRY OF DEFENCE IS CONSIDERING THE ACQUISITION OF NEW MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT
Five years after the termination of the Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol aircraft programme, the Ministry of Defence is considering obtaining maritime patrol aircraft again according to the Minister of State, Earl Howe, during questions in the House of Lords last week. The Minister said that the forthcoming Strategic Defence and Security Review will be, “the… Continue reading UK MINISTRY OF DEFENCE IS CONSIDERING THE ACQUISITION OF NEW MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT
A TWO-YEAR REFITTING AND UPGRADING PROGRAMME FOR THE HMS ALBION (L14)
A two-year refitting and upgrading programme on the HMS Albion (L14) started this week at Babcock’s Devonport Royal Dockyard. According to Navy Recognition the programme will include a number of key upgrades, with more than 100 alterations and additions to be completed during this two year period. Furthermore the refitting and upgrading programme will include… Continue reading A TWO-YEAR REFITTING AND UPGRADING PROGRAMME FOR THE HMS ALBION (L14)
NO US NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN THE PERSIAN GULF THIS AUTUMN
For almost two months next autumn the US Navy will not have an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), which operates at the moment in the region, will have to return to its base next autumn without replacement, since the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) will arrive in the Persian… Continue reading NO US NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN THE PERSIAN GULF THIS AUTUMN