Sweden Unveils $1.6 Billion Military Aid Package for Ukraine, Teases Possible Gripen Jets or Saab 340 AEW&C Aircraft
Sweden has announced its largest military aid package to Ukraine, totaling $1.6 billion. This package includes armored vehicles, air defense systems, and notably, equipment and machinery for airbase operations. This inclusion has led to speculation about potential future deliveries of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets or Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft to Ukraine.
Navy Expert: russia’s Giant Warship Under Construction in Temporarily Occupied Crimea May Be Too Big to Fight
russia is building one of its largest warships since the collapse of the USSR – the Ivan Rogov (Project 23900) amphibious assault ship – at the Zaliv shipyard in temporarily occupied Kerch, Crimea. However, according to retired Ukrainian Navy Captain Andrii Ryzhenko, this ambitious project may become more of a burden than a battlefield asset.
Read more: Defense Express’ Weekly Review: Ukrainian Forces Destroy Three Rare North Korean Koksan Systems, Sweden Confirms the F-16 Fighter Mods Delay ASC 890 AEW&C Delivery, France Offers the Rafale Aircraft and SAMP/T Systems
U.S. Satellites Could Verify Whether India’s MiG-21 Aircraft Downed Pakistani F-16, but Data Remains Unreleased
In the aftermath of a 2019 aerial clash between India and Pakistan, claims that the MiG-21 aircraft downed Pakistani F-16 jet remain unverified. Despite expectations, the U.S. did not release satellite data that could confirm or deny the incident, raising questions about the role of geopolitical interests in controlling access to intelligence.
London Defends Its Decision to Order American F-35 Fighters Rather than Domestic Eurofighter
The UK is proceeding with plans to acquire more F-35 fighter jets, despite concerns about over reliance on the U.S. technology and the impact on the domestic defense sector. Critics argue that this could affect the Eurofighter and Tempest programs, but government officials believe export opportunities will support domestic production.
The Pentagon Warns of a Nuclear Alliance Between russia and China, Issuing a Pessimistic Forecast
The Pentagon warns of a growing nuclear alliance between russia and China, with China’s arsenal expected to surpass 1,000 warheads by 2030. The report also highlights russia’s vast nuclear stockpile and its ongoing development of advanced nuclear weapons, raising concerns about global security.
Read more: Defense Express’ Weekly Review: First Confirmed Strike by Ukraine’s 1,000-km Neptune Missile; russians Forced to Fly Civilian An-26s for Another Decade; Satellite Images Reveal russia’s Strategic Bombers at Olenya, Engels
