Russia to receive first Tu-160M in 2021

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  It has been more than six weeks since the Irish general election. After long negotiations, a coalition of two of the three largest parties and independents has resulted in a Programme for Government (PfG) which will form the basis of a government almost guaranteed to be formed on 22 January.

• Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent

  The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.

• UK begins process on new industrial strategy

  The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.

• Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west

  Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.

• What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration

  Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.

• RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific

  The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.