DefenceTalkThe Indo-Pacific region remains the priority theater for the Defense Department, and China remains the pacing challenge for the U.S. military, Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs, said today. The United States is a Pacific power and works with allies and partners throughout the Indo-Pacific to uphold the free and open regional […]https://www.defencetalk.com/defense-official-says-indo-pacific-is-the-priority-theater-china-is-dods-pacing-challenge-78362/

DefenceTalkBritain said Wednesday it was preparing to send more portable missile systems to help Ukrainian forces destroy Russian tanks and aircraft, but denied it was escalating the conflict. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK had so far delivered 3,615 Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapons (NLAWs) “and continue(s) to deliver more”. “We will shortly be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-readies-more-missiles-for-ukraine-to-resist-russians-78353/

DefenceTalkCanada will send an additional $50 million worth of military equipment to help Ukraine in the fight against Russia, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday in Berlin. He said he spoke with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier in the day and “told him that Canada will soon be sending highly specialised equipment to them.” Canada […]https://www.defencetalk.com/canada-pledges-more-military-gear-for-ukraine-78350/

DefenceTalkThe tinny Ukrainian voice in the supermarket’s loudspeaker urged exiting shoppers to rush home and switch off the gas. “This is a warning: turn off your electricity and gas, get your first aid kit, documents, supply of food and water, and go to your nearest bomb shelter,” the voice intoned over the wail of air […]https://www.defencetalk.com/on-edge-of-war-russian-missiles-chink-away-at-kyivs-southern-flank-78342/

DefenceTalkEuropean countries have seen stocks of iodine fly off the shelves due to fears it may be needed to counter the risks of thyroid cancer if Russia’s invasion of Ukraine causes a nuclear incident. France said it would send 2.5 million doses of the chemical compound to Ukraine after Russian forces there seized the defunct […]https://www.defencetalk.com/why-people-rush-for-iodine-tablets-over-nuclear-cancer-risk-78332/

DefenceTalkThe UN human rights chief on Thursday slammed Russia’s attack on Ukraine, warning of a “massive impact” on the rights of millions and cautioning that heightened nuclear threat levels showed all of humanity was at risk. Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Michelle Bachelet warned that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched […]https://www.defencetalk.com/all-of-humanity-at-risk-from-nuclear-threat-over-ukraine-un-78251/

DefenceTalkDemocratic countries must not “turn a blind eye to military aggression”, Taiwan’s leader said Wednesday, warning her island faces threats similar to those confronted by Ukraine at a meeting with a delegation of former US security officials. The delegation, led by ex-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and retired admiral Michael Mullen, arrived in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/taiwan-leader-warns-against-turning-a-blind-eye-to-aggression-78224/

DefenceTalkRussian airborne troops landed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Wednesday, the Ukrainian army said, adding that there were immediate clashes. “Russian airborne troops landed in Kharkiv… and attacked a local hospital,” the army said in a statement on messaging app Telegram. “There is an ongoing fight between the invaders and the Ukrainians.” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-airborne-troops-land-in-ukraines-second-city-kharkiv-army-78213/

DefenceTalkRussia and China seek to expand their military influence both regionally and globally, with Russia having invaded Ukraine and China seeking to wrest control of Taiwan.   Officials discussed the United States’, allies’ and partners’ efforts to counter those ambitions during a House Armed Services Committee today.  “The United States is at a pivotal moment […]https://www.defencetalk.com/defense-official-says-u-s-is-watching-china-while-supporting-ukraine-78199/

DefenceTalkRussia’s air force still does not enjoy total superiority in the skies above Ukraine despite its overwhelming numerical advantage, part of the reason for the army’s slow progress on the ground, experts say. According to strategic intelligence research service Janes, Russia’s air force comprises 132 bombers versus none for Ukraine, 832 fighter jets against 86 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/low-profile-russian-air-force-puzzles-western-experts-78196/