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​Defense Express Weekly Review: russia Offers Su-57 Aircraft to India, Romania Complains About F-16 Jets, Poland Has Anti-Drone Gap

The F-16 jet / open source
The F-16 jet / open source

Digest of Defense Express on the main events of the week

russia Offers India Su-57 Aircraft with Unfinished Engines and Su-35 Fighters

russia is attempting to entice India into purchasing its Su-57 and Su-35 fighter jets, despite offering the fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft with its engines still unfinished. This proposal underscores Moscow's struggle to secure foreign buyers amid waning interest and growing skepticism over the combat readiness and technological maturity of its advanced aircraft.

russian Su-57 fighter jets Defense Express Defense Express Weekly Review: russia's Struggling Su-57 Aircraft Push to India, Romania's F-16 Jets Concerns, UK's £2.5B Boost for Ukraine, Poland's Anti-Drone Gap, and North Macedonia's Tank Transfer
russian Su-57 fighter jets / open source

Romania Complains About the F-16 jets, Looks at Poland but Forgets a Key Detail

Romania has raised concerns about the readiness of its newly acquired F-16 fighter jets, drawing comparisons with Poland's fleet, but overlooking a crucial distinction. While Romania highlights limited flight hours, it fails to account for differences in how each country modernized and maintained the aircraft, revealing a gap in expectations versus reality.

Read more: ​Defense Express Weekly Review: Swedish Gripen Prospects for Ukraine, russia's Cold War Terminator Vehicle Roots, Ukrainian PROTECTOR UGV Debut, and Volgograd Airfield Strike

UK Backs Ukraine with £2.5 Billion Defense Financing for Thousands of Air Defense Missiles, Systems, and Recovery

At the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, the United Kingdom confirmed a substantial package of military and economic support for Ukraine, aimed at strengthening its air defense and aiding long-term reconstruction. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Minister for Trade and Development Gareth Thomas.

Illustrative image Defense Express Defense Express Weekly Review: russia's Struggling Su-57 Aircraft Push to India, Romania's F-16 Jets Concerns, UK's £2.5B Boost for Ukraine, Poland's Anti-Drone Gap, and North Macedonia's Tank Transfer
Illustrative image / screenshot from video

Spending Billions on Tanks and Helicopters, Poland Can't Find Money For Anti-Drone Systems

Despite spending billions on tanks and helicopters, Poland appears to be neglecting a growing threat – drones. While Warsaw invests in the M1 Abrams, K2 tanks, and AH-64 Apache helicopters, it has yet to allocate sufficient funding for anti-drone systems, revealing a significant vulnerability in its defense priorities.

Terrahawk Paladin anti-drone system with SkyCtrl SKID Defense Express Defense Express Weekly Review: russia's Struggling Su-57 Aircraft Push to India, Romania's F-16 Jets Concerns, UK's £2.5B Boost for Ukraine, Poland's Anti-Drone Gap, and North Macedonia's Tank Transfer
Terrahawk Paladin anti-drone system with SkyCtrl SKID / Photo credit: Advanced Protection Systems

North Macedonia Gave All Tanks to Ukraine, Builds New Army Around Wheeled Armor and Drones

North Macedonia has transferred all its tanks to Ukraine and is now rebuilding its military around wheeled armored vehicles and drones. This shift reflects the country's effort to modernize its forces with lighter, more mobile equipment while aligning with NATO standards.

North Macedonia's Joint Light Tactical Vehicles during exercises in 2025 Defense Express Defense Express Weekly Review: russia's Struggling Su-57 Aircraft Push to India, Romania's F-16 Jets Concerns, UK's £2.5B Boost for Ukraine, Poland's Anti-Drone Gap, and North Macedonia's Tank Transfer
North Macedonia's Joint Light Tactical Vehicles during exercises in 2025 / Photo credit: The Ministry of Defense of North Macedonia
Read more: Defense Express' Weekly Review: Private Jets for Ukraine, russia’s MiG-31K Trouble, Laser Weapons, Norway Doubles F-16 Aid to Ukraine