Europe (Page 7)

Latest in Europe

More North Korean Artillery Troops Heading To Russia: Ukraine Intel Chief
Russia

More North Korean Artillery Troops Heading To Russia: Ukraine Intel Chief

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) has confirmed to TWZ that four Dutch F-35A stealth fighters are now also participating in Baltic Sentry, a mission intended, among other things, to ensure the security of critical undersea infrastructure in the region. The jets were already in the region as part of the alliance’s Baltic Air Policing mission.
Baltic Sea

F-35s Now Helping Prevent Baltic Seafloor Cable Sabotage

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 22, 2025

Cheap Cruise Missile Paired With Affordable Seeker From Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Eyed By USAF
Ukraine

Cheap Cruise Missile Paired With Affordable Seeker From Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Eyed By USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

An intense video has emerged in Russia, showing a portion of a Ukrainian drone strike, including the interception of one of the drones by what seems to be a Pantsir short-range air defense system. Footage showing the successful interception of Ukraine’s long-range one-way attack drones by Russian ground-based air defenses is not generally common and this one reinforces the challenge posed by these relentless Ukrainian attacks against Russian infrastructure and military facilities.
Russia

Extremely Low Altitude Shootdown Of Ukrainian Drone By Russian SAM Caught On Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 21, 2025

Drone scare New Jersey
United Kingdom

FBI’s New Jersey Drone Scare Investigation Has No Suspects

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 21, 2025

The U.S. Army is moving to establish a second production source for barrels for 155mm M777 towed howitzers in response to what it calls "unprecedented demand" from Ukraine.
Russia

Ukraine Is Burning Through 155mm M777 Howitzer Barrels So Fast The U.S. Army Can’t Keep Up

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 21, 2025

A dramatic video has appeared showing a Russian BTR-82 8x8 armored personnel carrier firing its main gun wildly, apparently due to a malfunction after the vehicle was struck by a drone. While huge numbers of this particular model of BTR have been lost in Russian hands since the start of the full-scale invasion, this is certainly one of the most bizarre sequences we’ve seen of the vehicle in combat.
Russia

Russian BTR-82 Had A Spectacular Misfire On The Battlefield In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 20, 2025

In the coming weeks, drone boats will be plying the waters of the Baltic Sea helping to detect and deter undersea cable sabotage as part of Baltic Sentry.
Baltic Sea

Drone Boats Being Rushed To Help Prevent Baltic Seafloor Cable Sabotage

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 17, 2025

A French Navy Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft was illuminated by the fire-control radar of a Russian long-range air defense system, while flying over the Baltic Sea earlier this week, according to France’s Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu.
Baltic Sea

France Decries Russian S-400 Radar Locking Onto Its Maritime Patrol Aircraft Over Baltic Sea

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 17, 2025

A Russian decoy drone was engaged by Ukrainian air defenses over Kyiv today, close to where President Volodymyr Zelensky was meeting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leader of one of Ukraine’s staunchest military allies. The drone’s presence further underscores the threat posed by long-range Russian uncrewed aerial vehicles, and the incident coincided with Starmer announcing that the United Kingdom would provide Ukraine with additional mobile air defense systems.
Russia

This Is The Type Of Russian Decoy Drone Shot Down Over Kyiv As Britain’s Prime Minister Met Zelensky

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 16, 2025

The Ukrainian Air Force is investigating whether key personnel were sent to the front lines, a move that could drastically affect its combat capability.
Russia

Investigation Launched Into Transfer Of Ukrainian MiG-29 Maintainers, Air Defenders To Front Lines

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 16, 2025

Norwegian F-35s are in Poznań, Poland, as part of Norway's contribution to NATO's integrated air and missile defense.
Eastern Europe

Norwegian F-35s Scrambled In Poland During Russian Missile Strikes On Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 15, 2025

Saxony-Anhalt, Altengrabow: A new RCH 155 wheeled howitzer from tank manufacturer KNDS is on display at the Altengrabow military training area. Here, KNDS is using the platform of the Boxer wheeled tank as a weapon carrier for an automated and remote-controlled artillery gun. With the fully automated wheeled howitzer, which fires on the move, the tank manufacturer KNDS promises the Bundeswehr and the armed forces of partner countries an advantage on the battlefield. In addition, two soldiers are said to be sufficient as a crew, whereas previously five men were needed as driver and operator in the tracked Panzerhaubitze 2000.
Germany

Ukraine Gets First RCH 155 Wheeled Howitzer, Boxer Fighting Vehicles May Follow

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

Ukraine carried out one of its largest drone strikes in the war, hitting targets in about a dozen regions inside Russia
Russia

Mass Ukrainian Drone Onslaught Strikes Targets Across Western Russia

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

The new Tempest configuration, this time with Japan Air Self-Defense Force markings.
United Kingdom

UK Emphasizes Need To Arm Tempest Stealth Fighter With Larger, Longer Range Air-To-Air Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

A North Korean-made mobile surface-to-air missile system has appeared for the first time in the Ukraine conflict. The air defense system, the name of which remains unknown, is the latest example of Pyongyang’s military assistance for Moscow’s war. Ironically, however, its presence in the fighting was disclosed by a video shared by Russian military bloggers, showing it being attacked by a Russian drone, in an apparent ‘blue on blue’ incident.
Russia

North Korean Air Defense System Revealed In Ukraine By Russian Friendly Fire Strike

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 13, 2025

Soldiers driving Revised Weapons Mount Installation Kit (RWMIK) from Support Company, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, on their way to defensive positions during Exercise Haraka Storm, Kenya, on the 19th of July 2023. The British Army’s global response force has tested its ability to deploy and fight at short notice in some of Africa’s most challenging environments. The soldiers of 3 PARA Battlegroup honed both their fighting and fieldcraft skills on the Kenyan savannah as part of the six-week long Exercise Haraka Storm. Dealing with the rough terrain, searing heat and potentially deadly animals - ranging from lions and elephants to scorpions and snakes – troops followed a progression of training, building from polishing their individual skills and specialities to a final mission which sees the whole force operating together to assault a heavily-defended objective. The 1,000-strong battlegroup is built around the airborne infantry of Colchester-based 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, bolstered by artillery, engineers, signallers, medics, and logisticians from across 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team. Specially trained and equipped to deploy by parachute, helicopter or airlanding, the 3 PARA Battlegroup is currently held at very high readiness to respond to global crises. In April, it deployed to Sudan to provide security and logistic support to the evacuation of British civilians.
United Kingdom

Land Rover Replacement Program Kickstarted By U.K. Military After 76 Years Of Service

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 10, 2025

The Biden administration announced its last Presidential Drawdown Authority package for Ukraine, which included Sea Sparrow RIM-7 missiles.
Russia

Biden Puts Forward Final Ukraine Military Aid Package Of His Administration

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 10, 2025

The Olavsvern complex.
Northern Europe

U.S. Navy Still Wants To Operate Out Of This Norwegian Submarine Cave, But A Deal Remains Elusive

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Jan 9, 2025

Sweden is buying 44 German-made Leopard 2A8 tanks, in addition to upgrading 66 of its older models to the same standard, continuing a period of military investment for the Scandinavian country, which joined NATO last year. The decision adds another customer to a growing list of Leopard 2A8 operators, which also notably includes fellow NATO members Lithuania and Norway, also in the strategically critical Baltic region.
NATO

Sweden Buys More Leopard 2 Tanks As Part Of Major Defense Build-Up

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 9, 2025

Donald Trump has refused to rule out using the U.S. military to seize Greenland, citing economic security as a driving factor, saying that America needs it — as well as the Panama Canal — for “economic security.” Amid predictable kickback from Denmark — of which Greenland is an autonomous territory — it’s worth looking in more detail at the enormous significance of one of the world's largest islands, in economic, geostrategic and, above all, military terms.
NATO

Why Greenland Is Of Growing Strategic Significance

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 9, 2025

A strategically important fuel farm supplying Russia's Engels Air Base was struck by Ukrainian drones.
Russia

Ukraine Targets Strategic Bomber Fuel Supplies In Long-Range Strike On Russia

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 8, 2025

A new independent report says that U.S. airbases have been left worryingly vulnerable, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, by a lack of investment in new hardened aircraft shelters, or even unhardened ones.
Europe

Lack Of Hardened Aircraft Shelters Leaves U.S. Airbases Vulnerable To China New Report Warns

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 8, 2025

Ukraine has claimed that it’s successfully used uncrewed surface vessels (USV), better known as drone boats, to launch aerial drones against Russian targets for the first time. According to Ukrainian authorities, the first-person view (FPV) drones were employed in combat during strikes on Russian ground-based air defense systems. This is the latest development in Ukraine’s Black Sea drone war, which is seeing increasingly innovative use of uncrewed systems, including adapted air-to-air missiles launched from USVs against Russian aircraft.
Russia

Ukraine Claims Its Drone Boats Are Now Launching Kamikaze FPV Drones At Russian Shore Targets

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 7, 2025

NATO nations boosting naval presence and AI monitoring in response to undersea cable cuts.
Baltic Sea

NATO Boosting Naval Presence And AI Monitoring In Baltic Sea After Undersea Cables Cut

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 7, 2025

With two weeks to go before Donald Trump takes office, Ukraine launched a new offensive in Russia's Kursk region
Russia

Ukraine Launches New Offensive In Russia’s Kursk Region

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 6, 2025

The Metinvest company is beginning to add armor protection to Ukraine's Western-donated air defense systems.
Russia

New Armor Kits Being Installed On Ukraine’s Western Air Defense Systems

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

An inside look at the life of a Ukrainian Su-27 Flanker fighter pilot in the country’s war with Russia is the topic of a recently released video from the Ukrainian Air Force.
Russia

Ukrainian Su-27 Flanker Pilot’s Rare Account Of The Changing Air War

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

For the first time, Ukraine has released official video showing its Su-25 Frogfoot ground-attack jets employing French-supplied Hammer rocket-boosted precision-guided munitions.
Ukraine

Ukraine’s Su-25s Seen Launching Hammer Rocket-Boosted Bombs For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 2, 2025

The Biden administration spent the last of its funds earmarked to procure equipment for Ukraine from industry and partners.
Russia

Biden Spends Last Of Funds Set Aside To Purchase New Weapons For Ukraine

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 31, 2024

Ukrainian USV Mi-8 Hip R-73 missile kill Black Sea
Russia

Ukraine Claims Its Drone Boat Shot Down A Russian Mi-8 Helicopter With A Surface-To-Air Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 31, 2024

Signs Russian Fighter Jets Still At Syrian Base, Top Rebel Leader Pushes Back On Total Exit For Moscow
Russia

Signs Russian Fighter Jets Still At Syrian Base, Top Rebel Leader Pushes Back On Total Exit For Moscow

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 30, 2024

A Russian-connected oil tanker suspected of severing the Estlink 2 power cable running under the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia was reportedly found to be packed with spy equipment.
Baltic Sea

Russian-Linked Oil Tanker Suspected Of Sabotage Was Brimming With Spy Equipment: Report

By Howard Altman

Updated on Dec 27, 2024

Early reports indicate a Russian SAM system downed an Azerbaijanian Airlines flight Wednesday.
Russia

Everything We Know About What Led Up To The Azerbaijan Airliner Crash

By Howard Altman

Updated on Dec 26, 2024

Russian forces have begun using improvised counter-drone buggies each armed with a weapon made up of 24 barrels that fire shotgun-like ammunition, as well as six AK-series infantry rifles on a single mount.
Russia

Anti-Drone Weapon With 24 Barrels Firing Buckshot-Like Rounds Emerges On Russian Buggies

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 26, 2024

A Russian cargo ship claimed to be heading to Syria, to take part in the Kremlin’s military withdrawal from that country, has sunk in the Mediterranean. The Ursa Major went down overnight between Spain and Algeria, with 14 crew members rescued and another two still unaccounted for. The incident comes amid uncertainty over the fate of the Russian naval base at Tartous on the Syrian coast, which provides Moscow with a vital foothold on the Mediterranean.
Mediterranean

What We Know About The Russian Cargo Ship That Sank In Mediterranean

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

North Korea may be preparing to send additional troops and weapons to Russia to help its fight against Ukraine.
Russia

North Korea To Send More Troops To Fight For Russia Against Ukraine: South Korean Intel

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 23, 2024

The commander of a Ukrainian Abrams tank talked about surviving Russian FPV drone strikes.
Russia

Ukrainian M1 Abrams Commander Talks Tank’s Major Vulnerabilities, Advantages In Combat

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

Recent satellite imagery of Belbek Air Base, near Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea, shows new hardened aircraft shelters and additional construction to help shield aircraft from drone attacks and other indirect fire.
Russia

Russia’s Belbek Air Base In Crimea Is Getting Hardened Aircraft Shelters

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

Russia Pummels Kyiv In Retaliation For ATACMS, Storm Shadow Strikes On Its Soil
Russia

Russia Pummels Kyiv In Retaliation For ATACMS, Storm Shadow Strikes On Its Soil

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

A Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon participating in NATO exercise Ramstein Flag 24 flies over the west coast of Greece, Oct. 4, 2024. Over 130 fighter and enabler aircraft from Greece, Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States are training side by side to improve tactics and foster more robust integration, demonstrating NATO’s resolve, commitment and ability to deter potential adversaries and defend the Alliance.
NATO

Spanish Typhoon Buy Signals Upward Trend For Eurofighter

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted today that his country is still exploring its options for retaining a pair of bases in Syria that have uniquely strategic value following the fall of longtime ally Bashar Al Assad.
Russia

Putin Claims No Final Decision Yet On Russia’s Bases In Syria Despite Withdrawals

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Swedish defense firm Saab has presented concepts for a potential new-generation crewed fighter and a series of drones that would be intended to work alongside it.
Europe

These Are Saab’s Concepts For Its Next Generation Fighter, Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

Top Pentagon officials offered new insights into the state of play on the battlefield, the role of North Korean troops there and how it will be paid for.
Russia

Pentagon’s Assessment Of North Koreans Fighting In Kursk, Rate At Which Ukraine Is Losing Ground

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

New satellite imagery shows the continued withdrawal of Russian forces from its Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Russia is also massing units at its Tartus naval base in the country, which also points to plans for their impending departure.
Russia

Satellite Imagery Shows Ramp-Up In Russian Forces Massing At Bases In Syria For Withdrawal

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

A view of the scene after Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia's Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Defense Troops, and his assistant were killed in an explosion in Moscow, Russia on December 17, 2024. The blast was caused by an explosive device planted in an electric scooter, Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Russian Investigative Committee, said in a video statement on Telegram.
Russia

Russian General Accused Of Using Chemical Weapons Assassinated By Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

There is growing, but still circumstantial evidence that a Syrian Airlines Il-76 Candid cargo plane currently at Russia's Khmeimim Air Base in Syria is one that appeared to go missing in the final chaotic moments of Bashar Al Assad's regime.
Russia

The Mystery Of The Syrian IL-76 Cargo Jet That Went Missing As Assad Fled

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

North Korean Troops in Kursk, Russia are now fighting more actively on the front.
Russia

North Korean Troops Launched Large-Scale Combat Operations In Kursk: Officials

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

The Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Jabla in Latakia, Syria on December 15, 2024. With the Baath regime's collapse, Russia continued to transfer its troops from Damascus, Homs and other cities across Syria to the base.
Russia

Future Of Russia’s Bases In Syria Remains In Flux, Libya Possible Alternative

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

A recently released video from the cockpit of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 Flanker provides an unprecedented close-quarters view of the fighter lobbing GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) toward a Russian target.
Ukraine

Cockpit Video Of Ukrainian Su-27 Lobbing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base
Mediterranean

Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

A U.S. C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft takes off from Ramstein Air Base. A conference on the Ukraine war was held at the U.S. air base.
Germany

U.S. Air Force Confirms Drone Sightings Over Ramstein Air Base In Germany

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

We have gotten our best look at a Ukrainian 9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko) mobile short-range air defense system (SHORADS) armed with the Soviet-era R-73 (AA-11 Archer) infrared-guided air-to-air missile. While other such systems have typically integrated Western missile armament on existing Ukrainian ground-based air defense systems — known as ‘FrankenSAMs’ — this one is notable for combining a Soviet-era SHORADS vehicle with Soviet-era missiles.
Russia

Ukraine’s SA-8 Gecko ‘FrankenSAM’ Adapted To Fire Air-To-Air Missiles Seen In New Detail

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Any plans the Air Force might have for new hardened aircraft shelters or other physical defenses at bases are prominently absent from a new infrastructure modernization strategy rolled out today.
Europe

Plans For New Hardened Aircraft Shelters Notably Absent From New USAF Base Modernization Strategy

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Hysteria about drones over New Jersey obscures the fact that there is a real national security concern.
United Kingdom

Coast Guard Ship Stalked By Unidentified Aircraft, Iran Drone Mothership Claim Shot Down By DoD

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Mohamed Bashir, who heads HTS's so-called "Salvation Government", holds a press conference in the rebel-held northwestern Syrian city of Idlib on November 28, 2024. The Syrian rebels now in power in Damascus have appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as head of a transitional government that will be in place until March 1, state media said on December 10, 2024. (Photo by Omar HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)
Russia

New Syrian Prime Minister Assumes Power Amid Airstrikes, Continued Fighting

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 11, 2024

Imagery has appeared showing Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 Felon new-generation fighter fitted with a new type of thrust-vectoring engine nozzle. The radical-looking design is intended to improve the low-observable features of the Felon, although the future of the new engine nozzle is far from certain.
Russia

Su-57 Felon’s Two-Dimensional Thrust-Vectoring Engine Nozzle Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

North Korea is set to receive MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker fighter aircraft from Russia in return for Pyongyang having sent thousands of troops to fight in Moscow’s war in Ukraine. This is the assessment of the commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), after much speculation about the nature of the support that might be headed to North Korea to reward that country for its growing military backing of Russia. The prospect of fighter aircraft being transferred by Russia is something that TWZ has discussed in the past.
Russia

Russia Giving North Korea MiG-29s And Su-27s Isn’t That Straightforward

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

What will happen to highly strategic Russian air and naval bases in Syria is now very much now an open question following the downfall of long-time strongman Bashar Al Assad and his flight to Moscow.
Mediterranean

Fate Of Russia’s Prized Syria Bases: What We Know

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

The United Kingdom has taken an important step toward its Tempest next-generation fighter, with the start of a trials campaign for the Flight Test Aircraft (FTA), nicknamed Excalibur, which will serve as a flying laboratory for the new combat aircraft. Based on a Boeing 757 airliner, the FTA joins a growing band of dedicated trials aircraft that are being used to prove out technologies for current and future-generation fighter programs, also in the United States and China.
United Kingdom

UK’s 757-Based ‘Excalibur’ Avionics Testbed For Tempest Future Fighter Emerges

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 9, 2024

Ukraine’s Drone Boats Are Now Shooting Machine Guns At Russian Helicopters, Boats
Russia

Ukraine’s Drone Boats Are Now Shooting Machine Guns At Russian Helicopters, Boats

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 9, 2024

Homs, Syria.s third-largest city, is close to being captured by rebels opposed to Bashar Al-Assad.
Russia

Syrian Rebels Closing In On Homs, Cutting Off Damascus From Coast An Imminent Possibility (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised the possibility of forward deploying new conventionally-armed Oreshnik missiles capable of carrying multiple warheads in neighboring Belarus in the latter half of next year.
Russia

Experimental Ballistic Missile Russia Used On Ukraine Could Be Headed To Belarus

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

An anti-government fighter remotely fires rockets against regime forces, in the northern outskirts of Syria's west-central city of Hama on December 4, 2024. Syrian government forces pressed a counterattack against Islamist-led rebels around the key city of Hama on December 4 after suffering a string of staggering losses further north, a war monitor said.
Russia

Anti-Assad Forces’ Capture Of Strategic Hama A Critical Stop On Road To Damascus

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Dec 5, 2024