DefenceTalkAre the West and Russia heading for a showdown over Ukraine? The preponderance of the evidence would strongly suggest that the answer to this question is yes. Moscow-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine are intensifying their offensive against the government in Kiev. It appears as if the strategy now is to occupy a swathe of territory […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-cannot-arm-ukraine-and-also-buy-russian-rocket-motors-62613/

DefenceTalkWashington is once again considering military aid to Ukraine after fierce offensive by Kremlin-backed rebels, but defense experts fear it will only justify Russian conspiracy theories and drive East and West closer to full-blown war. The recent rebel assaults across crucial parts of the frontline in eastern Ukraine may have been timed precisely out of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-military-aid-to-ukraine-would-be-dangerous-move-62550/

DefenceTalkAt least 19 people, including 13 Ukrainian troops, have been killed in fighting with pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country over the last 24 hours, officials and rebels said Sunday. At least 20 Ukrainian troops were also wounded, said Ukrainian defence official Volodymyr Poliovyi, as separatists pushed their offensive around key transport hub […]https://www.defencetalk.com/19-die-in-east-ukraine-fighting-in-24-hours-62488/

DefenceTalkUkrainian troops are struggling to counter artillery fire and electronic jamming by pro-Russian militants, who are flying drones to target the Kiev government forces, a top US general said Thursday. The Ukrainian army’s communications are hampered by the electronic warfare carried out by the separatists and they lack equipment and training to thwart artillery barrages, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukrainian-forces-face-drones-electronic-jamming-us-62350/

DefenceTalkUkrainian forces on Thursday abandoned their defense of a long-disputed airport in the country’s separatist east and vowed a response to Russia’s escalating “aggression” in one of the deadliest days of the nine-month war. In a graphic illustration of the worsening conflict, pro-Russian rebels also paraded some 20 captured Ukrainian soldiers through the city of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-troops-abandon-airport-in-bloody-day-of-conflict-62092/

DefenceTalkLaunched four years ago by 20 participating nations, the European Air Transport Fleet (EATF) partnership has now entered its second phase. The initiative is expected to grow based on the building blocks that have already been put in place. With an objective to address the airlift shortfall in the European Union, the European Air Transport […]https://www.defencetalk.com/european-air-transport-fleet-enters-new-phase-62042/

DefenceTalkWhile the big news coming out of the Pentagon today was the closure of U.S. Air Force facilities at RAF Mildenhall, England, the Army will also consolidate or close several facilities in Europe. The Department of Defense announced changes to the U.S. military presence in Europe during a Jan. 8 press conference at the Pentagon. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-to-further-consolidate-footprint-in-europe-61855/

DefenceTalkThe Department of Defense announced today the consolidation of some U.S. infrastructure in Europe, including the return of 15 sites to their host nations. These actions, taken as part of the European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) process, will save the U.S. government approximately $500 million annually. The DoD also announced the first F-35 basing in Europe […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-announces-european-infrastructure-consolidation-actions-and-f-35-basing-in-europe-61812/

DefenceTalkRAF Lakenheath in Suffolk will become home to the first 2 US F-35 fighter jet squadrons in Europe. The US Department of Defense has announced that RAF Lakenheath will become home to the first 2 US F-35 squadrons in Europe with the first aircraft due to arrive in 2020. The announcement is part of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-announces-first-f-35-in-europe-to-be-based-in-the-uk-61343/

DefenceTalkFrance would only deliver two warships ordered by Russia if there were concrete signs of lasting peace in Ukraine, the French defence minister said Thursday. Russia has been accused by the West of arming and bankrolling a rebellion in eastern Ukraine, a charge Moscow denies. But sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-wants-firm-signs-of-ukraine-peace-before-russia-warship-delivery-61238/