DefenceTalkThe conflict in Ukraine “has given NATO renewed purpose” and spurred Eastern Europe to ditch Soviet-era equipment, but China’s military modernization remains the United States’ chief concern, a British think-tank said Wednesday. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said that around 20 countries in Europe “announced either immediate uplifts to defence spending or a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-war-boosts-nato-but-china-concerns-the-us-think-tank-79851/

DefenceTalkTwo American F-16 warplanes intercepted four Russian aircraft near Alaska, the joint US-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said Tuesday. The “routine” intercept of the Russian planes — which included Tu-95 bomber and Su-35 fighter aircraft — occurred Monday, NORAD said in a statement. “Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-jets-intercept-russian-aircraft-near-alaska-79847/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Department today announced a new package of security assistance for Ukraine. This includes the authorization of a presidential drawdown of security assistance, valued at up to $425 million, as well as $1.75 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds. Today’s announcement includes critical air defense capabilities to help Ukraine defend its people as […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-defense-systems-long-range-fires-capability-to-be-sent-to-ukraine-79841/

DefenceTalkA majority of Finns want to go ahead and join NATO even if Sweden’s membership is delayed, a poll suggested Thursday, after Turkey said it could accept Finland without Sweden. More than half of respondents, 53 percent, replied negatively when asked “whether Finland should wait for Sweden” even “if it takes longer to ratify Sweden’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/majority-of-finns-want-to-join-nato-before-sweden-poll-79837/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon said Thursday that it was tracking a Chinese spy balloon flying high over the United States that appeared to be surveilling highly sensitive nuclear weapons sites. At President Joe Biden’s request, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and top military officials considered shooting the balloon down but decided doing so would endanger too many people […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-tracking-chinese-spy-balloon-over-us-79833/

DefenceTalkLondon’s High Court on Tuesday examined the legality of a decision by the UK to renew sales of arms to Saudi Arabia that could be used in the war in Yemen. The case has been brought by UK-based NGO, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), which accuses the government of contributing to breaches of international law […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-court-examines-legality-of-resuming-saudi-arms-sales-79829/

DefenceTalkA British AI firm said it was rethinking its “safeguards” after its audio tool was used to clone celebrity voices and have them say racist and homophobic slurs. Eleven Labs tweeted on Monday that it had been a “crazy weekend” and admitted to finding “an increasing number of voice cloning misuse cases” just days after […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ai-voice-tool-misused-as-deepfakes-flood-web-forum-79825/

DefenceTalkNATO’s chief on Wednesday applauded Japan’s plan to double its defence spending, saying that the pledge reflected the country’s resolve for greater security involvement in a volatile world. Speaking in Tokyo, Jens Stoltenberg said Japan’s renewed focus on security made the nation “even more” of a partner “for peace”. “I am glad that Japan is […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-chief-hails-japan-plans-to-expand-defence-spending-79821/

DefenceTalkFrance will ship 12 more Caesar truck-mounted howitzers and fresh air defence equipment to Ukraine to bolster the fight against Russian invaders, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said Tuesday. The artillery pieces, adding to 18 already delivered, would be financed from a 200-million-euro ($217-million) pot France set up to fund arms for Kyiv, Lecornu told a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-to-send-more-mobile-artillery-to-ukraine-79817/

DefenceTalkPoland is not in talks to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, a deputy defence minister said Tuesday, a day after the US ruled out delivering fighter jets to the war-torn country. “There are no official discussions on transferring F-16s at the moment,” Poland’s Wojciech Skurkiewicz told AFP. Poland currently has 48 American-made F-16 warplanes. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/poland-not-in-talks-to-send-f-16s-to-ukraine-79813/