Ukraine-Russia News: Technology and Equipment Spotlight

Ukraine-Russia News: Technology and Equipment Spotlight Hide

Reporting on Russia's invasion of Ukraine (podcast)

In a new-look Shephard Defence Podcast, the news team discusses the rapidly-evolving situation in Ukraine and latest developments following Russia's unprovoked invasion.
Italy may donate 155mm howitzers to Ukraine

Ukraine could obtain more 155mm howitzers — this time from Italy — as Kyiv seeks to tip the artillery balance against Russia.

Germany mulls supplying IRIS-T to Ukraine

Will Germany decide to provide ten medium-range SAM systems to Ukraine?

Reina Isabel returns to port after partial failure to complete Ukraine delivery

The Spanish Navy support vessel Reina Isabel returned to its homeport on 13 May after a mission to deliver arms, ammunition and Ukraine — although Kyiv did not receive everything it expected.

Pitfalls remain with giving Ukraine modern fighter jets

It seems appealing to fast-track pilot training by conducting most flights on simulators and omitting certain procedures if the West were to give more modern aircraft for Ukraine’s air force, but it might prove challenging in practice.

Naval Warfare

Down, but not out (Comment)

The sinking in April of the Russian Navy’s Black Sea flagship, although not evidence of a major change in the naval domain, is a far cry from the pre-emptive scuttling of Ukraine’s own flagship. The donation of increasingly advanced materiel demonstrates increased faith in Ukraine’s ability to resist the Russian invaders.

Land Warfare

Ukraine receives more Javelins and Stingers

3rd March 2022

More ATGMs and MANPADS are being shipped to Ukraine as it resists the Russian invasion.
Air Warfare

Ukraine gains combat-ready TB2 reinforcements

3rd March 2022

A new batch of combat-ready Bayraktar TB2s has arrived in Ukraine for use against invading Russian forces, the Ukrainian MoD announced on 2 March.
Air Warfare

Romanian air defence weakened by groundings after Lancer and Puma crashes

3rd March 2022

Almost 60% of the Romanian fixed-wing combat aircraft fleet is grounded pending an investigation into the fatal crash of a MiG-21 Lancer on 2 March.
Defence Notes

US postpones Minuteman III test launch in bid to ease nuclear tension

3rd March 2022

The US decision to delay a test launch of the Minuteman III land-based strategic nuclear missile was taken to de-escalate tensions with Russia, after Vladimir Putin ordered a special alert of nuclear forces last week.
Defence Notes

Russia hesitates as Ukraine grits its teeth (Opinion)

3rd March 2022

Although Russia should win the war in Ukraine with firepower alone, the latter still has a number of factors in its favour.
Defence Notes

Putin’s war in Ukraine has far-reaching implications for Asian militaries

3rd March 2022

There is potential for future Asian imports of Russian equipment to be hammered hard, and for increasing difficulties in maintaining current equipment, after Putin's ill-advised invasion of Ukraine.
Land Warfare

Croatia sends $18 million in military equipment to Ukraine

2nd March 2022

Croatia is supplying Ukraine with infantry weapons such as rifles and machine guns, associated ammunition and protective equipment.
Naval Warfare

Ukraine-UK naval projects still on despite Russian invasion

2nd March 2022

The Ukrainian Parliament ratified an agreement for naval projects in late January.
Defence Notes

US military aid to Ukraine reaches $1 billion

2nd March 2022

President Joe Biden has allocated an emergency $350 million in military aid for Ukraine against the ongoing Russian invasion, as a supplement to the more than $650 million in defensive assistance that the US provided to Ukraine in 2021.
Defence Notes

Europe scraps plan to supply Ukraine with additional fighter jets

2nd March 2022

Contrary to earlier reports, Ukraine will not be receiving additional fighter jets as it looks to stop a Russian invasion that shows no signs of relenting.
Land Warfare

Nordic countries united in providing military aid to Ukraine

1st March 2022

The four major Nordic countries have all announced the provision of military aid to Ukraine.
Defence Notes

Russian invasion of Ukraine puts a rocket under German defence spending

1st March 2022

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted a sea-change in Germany’s approach to defence spending.
Digital Battlespace

Russian EW: underused or a Potemkin capability?

1st March 2022

Have Russian EW capabilities been overestimated at this early stage of the war in Ukraine?
Land Warfare

Russian tactics in Ukraine reflect need for GBAD

1st March 2022

What should NATO planners take as initial lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war?
Land Warfare

Norway to send M72s to Ukraine

1st March 2022

In a policy U-turn, the Norwegian government is to send weapons to Ukraine.
Defence Notes

European governments offer weapons to Ukrainian ground forces

28th February 2022

Ukrainian troops will receive anti-tank weapons, Stinger MANPADS and other materiel from European allies.
Uncrewed Vehicles

Poland fast-tracks Reapers with a wary eye on its eastern border

28th February 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is directly responsible for moves in Poland to fast-track the acquisition of MQ-9A Reaper MALE UASs, with more possible under the separate Zefir programme.
Naval Warfare

To block or not to block? That is the question for Turkey (Opinion)

28th February 2022

Turkey appears to favour implementing a clause in the Montreux Convention that could limit Russian Navy movements in the Black Sea against Ukraine – the practical advantages for Kyiv would be marginal but it would score a diplomatic and political victory.
Defence Notes

Russian defence industry faces long-term damage from US sanctions

28th February 2022

It may take time, but US-imposed sanctions will prevent Russia from accessing certain essential components such as microelectronics and chips. They will also affect the capacity of Russian industry to produce cutting-edge defence systems and hinder efforts by Moscow to match the technological trajectories of the West and China.
Defence Notes

Russian equipment losses underline hardy Ukrainian resistance

25th February 2022

Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has been met with a level of resistance powerful enough to destroy a wide range of equipment from helicopters and fighter jets to armoured vehicles.