defence14.275 min read
Poland Investigates Starlink Station Fire as Suspected Russian Sabotage
15 days ago•Source: Notes From Poland
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13.915 min•1 month ago
Pakistan's Nuclear Deterrence Tested by 2025 India Clash
A US Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists report argues Pakistan's nuclear weapons did not deter India’s 2025 strikes during Operation Sindoor, highlighting a shift toward conventional military power, increased defence spending, and a diminished role for nuclear deterrence in Pakistan’s security narrative. The piece questions the effectiveness of full-spectrum deterrence, notes debates over nuclear command and control as the crisis escalated, and emphasizes the importance of diplomacy in achieving a ceasefire amid fears of miscalculation.
6.34 min•2 months ago
Parliament finds MoD data breach of Afghan relocation scheme was foreseeable
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Prince of Wales pivots from Middle East to Arctic NATO drills
UK's aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales remains on high readiness but is unlikely to sail to the Middle East; sources say it will instead take part in NATO Arctic exercises with no deployment decision yet made, as Britain has already bolstered forces around Cyprus and other regional assets amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
Europe’s E5 Nations to Develop Low-Cost Air Defense Under LEAP
Poland, Germany, France, Italy and the UK agreed at a Kraków summit to jointly develop LEAP—Low-Cost Effectors and Autonomous Platforms—aimed at fielding affordable drones and air-defense systems to counter Russian threats, boost NATO readiness, and share burdens. The first LEAP project is expected by 2027, with the five nations pledging defence spending toward roughly 5% of GDP.
FSB links Polish intelligence to Moscow assassination bid against GRU deputy head
Russia’s FSB alleges Polish intelligence aided last week’s attempt on General Vladimir Alexeyev, deputy head of Russia’s GRU, in Moscow, claiming the operation was ordered by Ukraine’s SBU; Kyiv denies involvement and Poland has not commented. A suspect, Lyubomir Korba, was detained in Dubai and handed to Russia, along with accomplice Viktor Vasin in Moscow; the FSB says both admitted their roles and that Korba’s Polish son Lubos helped recruit via Polish intelligence. No independent evidence has been released and Poland has yet to respond.
Britain Eyes Unmanned Boats to Stop Russia’s Shadow Fleet in the Channel
A Sunday Times investigation finds Russia’s sanctioned oil is shipped through the English Channel by a vast, opaque 'shadow fleet', netting about £239bn since 2022; with many vessels flouting sanctions, Britain is weighing unmanned drone-boat patrols to shadow and seize tanker loads, and debates a broader maritime ban to curb this revenue while warning of spill risks.
UK Unveils Strategic Defense Overhaul to Counter 'Deadly Quartet' Threats
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has initiated a comprehensive review of the UK's armed forces to address increasing global security threats and to plan for a 2.5% GDP defence spending target. The review, led by Defence Secretary John Healey and a team of experts, will assess current military capabilities and future needs, with findings expected by mid-2025. The initiative aims to bolster the UK's defence capabilities amid concerns over the country's reduced military strength and ongoing international commitments.