DefenceTalkBowing to US demands, the Dutch government announced Friday it will take part in US-led air strikes in Syria against the Islamic State group, extending its current air support mission over Iraq. “In order to make the fight against ISIS in Iraq more efficient, it has been decided to carry out air strikes against ISIS […]https://www.defencetalk.com/netherlands-to-join-us-led-air-strikes-in-syria-66636/

DefenceTalkGermany’s military is overstretched and underfunded as its troops are engaged in anti-militant missions from Syria and Afghanistan to Mali while also aiding refugees at home, the defense commissioner said Tuesday. Plagued by a series of defense equipment failures, the military is “at a crossroads” and has reached “the limit of its capacity for interventions,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/german-military-overstretched-commissioner-66578/

DefenceTalkNATO member states are discussing a request to use the alliance’s AWACS air surveillance aircraft in the battle against the jihadist Islamic State group, an official said Friday. An AWACS commitment would mark a departure for NATO which up to now has had no direct role in combating IS but is increasingly concerned by the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-discussing-use-of-awacs-in-anti-isis-operations-66563/

DefenceTalkSyrian government forces were close to capturing a rebel stronghold in the southern province of Daraa on Monday, backed by Russian air strikes, a monitor and state media said. “Army units are continuing to progress on several axes in Sheikh Miskeen,” state news agency SANA said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/syrian-forces-near-capture-of-rebel-stronghold-in-south-66552/

DefenceTalkUS special forces and experts are setting up an airbase in northeast Syria as part of the battle against the Islamic State group, Syrian military and security sources said Saturday. They told AFP work was underway to expand an airfield in Rmeilan, in Hasakeh province, from where aircraft used to take off to spray pesticides […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-forces-setting-up-airbase-in-northeast-syria-66536/

DefenceTalkJordan’s army said border guards killed 12 people trying to enter the kingdom from Syria in a clash on the frontier on Saturday. An armed forces general command official said the 12 were killed in a clash between border guards and a group of 36 people, some armed, trying to cross from the conflict-ridden country. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/jordan-says-12-killed-in-clash-on-syria-border-66538/

DefenceTalkGerman Tornado jets deployed to Syria for reconnaissance missions can’t fly at night, Bild daily reported Tuesday in a new embarrassment for the defence ministry which has been battling equipment problems. The six aircraft sent to Syria are fitted with surveillance technology, and had been touted as being capable of taking high-resolution photos and infrared […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germanys-tornado-reconnaissance-jets-cant-fly-at-night-report-66435/

DefenceTalkAircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces over nearly four months of the operation in Syria have made 5,662 sorties. The Russian military have also launched 97 cruise missiles on terrorist targets, head of the Chief Operations Directorate of the Russian General Staff Sergei Rudskoy said on Friday. “Since September 30, the Russian Aerospace Forces in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-warplanes-in-syria-made-5662-sorties-since-operation-start-66401/

DefenceTalkFierce fighting raged Saturday between regime forces backed by Russian air strikes and Islamic State group fighters in northern Aleppo province, a monitor said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 16 IS fighters had been killed in a failed attack on a regime position near the town of Al-Bab in the northeast […]https://www.defencetalk.com/fierce-clashes-as-regime-battles-is-in-aleppo-monitor-66391/

DefenceTalkIt’s an occasional but regular sighting in Istanbul. Out of the mist on the Bosphorus that divides Europe and Asia looms the hulk of a Russian warship purposefully making its way to the Mediterranean. Most likely the ship is part of Moscow’s so-called “Syria Express”, a key supply line for naval deliveries from its Black […]https://www.defencetalk.com/despite-tensions-russias-syria-express-sails-by-istanbul-66283/