​Defense Express’ Weekly Review: Ukraine Unveils Mammoth Kamikaze Drone, russia Considers Reviving M-55 Plane, Defense Intelligence Exposes russia’s Aviation Woes

Ukrainian Company Created New Mammoth Kamikaze Drone (Video)

Ukrainian developers have created a new kamikaze drone called Mammoth. This new piece of technology has already been successfully deployed on the front lines, showcasing its effectiveness in striking targets with precision.

Russia Plans to Reintroduce M-55 Reconnaissance Aircraft For Operations Over Ukraine

Russia is likely considering bringing the Soviet-era M-55 high altitude reconnaissance aircraft back into service. With an operating ceiling of over 70,000 feet, the aircraft has been recently employed as an earth-sciences research platform. However, it has been observed carrying a military reconnaissance pod, developed for employment on Russian fighter aircraft.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine Reveals that russia’s Civil Aviation Industry Is on the Brink of Collapse

The Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has successfully executed a complex cyber operation, gaining access to the confidential documents from the russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, which is responsible for aviation safety and meticulously records all emergency incidents involving russian aircraft.

Analysis of the stolen data, spanning over a year and a half, reveals that russia’s civil aviation industry is on the verge of collapse.

Why the U.S. Have Been Making 75 M1 Abrams Tanks Per Month in the 1980s, but Now 12 is the Limit

Between 1979 and 1993, the U.S. defense industry produced 8,800 M1 Abrams main battle tanks in total. The average was 840 units annually, or 75 a month, according to public data. Moreover, the capacity could be doubled or even tripled if necessary.

However, the ongoing defense contracts indicate a reduced production rate nowadays of only 12 tanks per month or up to 135 per year.

Why Artillery Shells Germany Gives Ukraine in the New €1.3 Billion Aid Package Are More Important than IRIS-T Systems

Germany has pledged a new tranche of military aid to Ukraine, including four additional IRIS-T air defense systems and 20,000 artillery rounds in the 155 mm caliber. The artillery ammunition is expected to arrive in the short term, while the IRIS-T systems will not arrive until 2024. This is the largest one-time provision of 155 mm ammunition from Germany so far, and it is a sign that Europe is making progress in producing more artillery shells.

Read more: Chronicle of the russian federation Crimes in Ukraine (October 2023)