DefenceTalkThe world’s biggest weapons manufacturers largely avoided the economic downturn caused by Covid-19 and recorded a growth in profits last year for the sixth year in a row, according to a report published on Monday. Governments around the world have continued to buy arms during the pandemic and some also passed measures to help their […]https://www.defencetalk.com/governments-help-arms-firms-avoid-covid-slump-report-77535/

DefenceTalkRussian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in India on Monday for just his second overseas trip since the pandemic, seeking to bolster military and energy ties with a traditional ally being courted by Washington. In its efforts to address a rising China, Washington has set up the QUAD security dialogue with India, Japan, and Australia, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/putin-to-land-in-india-with-eye-on-military-energy-ties-77541/

DefenceTalkUS President Joe Biden’s top Pacific envoy on Wednesday accused China of trying to “drive Australia to its knees” through a barrage of sanctions that amounted to “economic warfare”. In remarks to the Sydney-based Lowy Institute, veteran diplomat Kurt Campbell lampooned Beijing for strong-arm tactics. Painting China as increasingly bellicose and determined to impose its […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-accuses-china-of-economic-warfare-against-australia-77523/

DefenceTalkThe US military will reinforce deployments and bases directed at China and Russia, while maintaining forces in the Middle East adequate to deter Iran and jihadist groups, the Pentagon said Monday, referencing results of a review. The US Defense Department will be upgrading and expanding military facilities in Guam and Australia, underscoring its focus on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-plans-stronger-us-posture-toward-china-russia-77519/

DefenceTalkIran’s president has assured his French counterpart that his government is serious about resumed talks on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal but stressed that lifting US sanctions is the absolute priority. President Ebrahim Raisi’s comments in a phone call with Emmanuel Macron on Monday evening were his first after the reopening of the talks in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/irans-raisi-says-ending-sanctions-key-to-vienna-talks-77512/

DefenceTalkEU and NATO leaders on Sunday vowed to counter “hybrid threats” on visits to Lithuania and Latvia dominated by the Belarus migrant crisis and Russia’s military build-up near Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also repeated his call on Russia to “de-escalate” its military build-up on the border with Ukraine and warned of “consequences” if […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-nato-vow-action-against-hybrid-threats-on-baltic-visit-77503/

DefenceTalkThe military power grab in Sudan appears to be the latest in a series of coups across the continent over the last decade: Sudan, 2021 After weeks of tensions between military and civilian figures who have shared power in Sudan since the ouster of its autocrat Omar al-Bashir two years ago, armed forces on Monday […]

DefenceTalkChinese fighter jets crowding Taiwan’s radar screens are Beijing’s latest tool to ramp up pressure on the democratic island, sparking fears that one mistake could suddenly turn a festering cold conflict into an all-out war. Self-ruled Taiwan has lived under the threat of a Chinese invasion since the two sides split at the end of […]

DefenceTalkUS Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged more defense cooperation among Black Sea allies Wednesday ahead of a NATO ministers summit. Following talks in Bucharest with Romanian Defense Minister Nicolae Ciuca, Austin said action was needed by littoral states of the Black Sea amid Russia “militarization” of the region. “The security and stability of the Black […]

DefenceTalkRussia said Monday it was suspending its mission to NATO and closing the alliance’s offices in Moscow, as relations with the Western military bloc plunged to new depths. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced the moves after NATO expelled several members of Moscow’s delegation to the alliance for alleged spying. “Following certain measures taken by NATO, […]