DefenceTalkThe Kremlin on Thursday rejected allegations by the United States that Russian forces had used a “chemical weapon” in Ukraine and blasted new sanctions targeting Moscow’s key trading partners. The US State Department said Wednesday that Russia used “the chemical weapon chloropicrin” against Ukrainian forces. “As always, such accusations sound completely baseless and unsubstantiated,” Kremlin […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kremlin-rejects-us-claims-russia-used-chemical-weapon-in-ukraine-80249 ..read more

DefenceTalkChina’s Fujian aircraft carrier took to the water for maiden sea trials on Wednesday, state media said, a key next step in a vast naval build-up by Beijing as it carves out a more assertive role for itself in the Pacific and beyond. The Fujian is China’s third aircraft carrier after the Liaoning and the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinas-new-aircraft-carrier-conducts-first-sea-trials-state-media-80244 ..read more

DefenceTalkIn February and March 2024, the Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) prototype, developed by Northrop Grumman, underwent comprehensive in-water testing off Southern California’s coast. The tests assessed the UUV’s hydrodynamic performance, including submerged operations employing its various propulsion and steering modes such as buoyancy, propellers, and control surfaces. “Our successful, full-scale Manta Ray testing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/manta-ray-uuv-moves-closer-to-operational-readiness-after-successful-tests-80240 ..read more

DefenceTalkCroatia took delivery Thursday of six Rafale fighter jets it has bought from France in the country’s biggest arms purchase since its 1991 war of independence. The used warplanes — the first part of a 12-jet deal — touched down in the capital Zagreb, heralding a major overall of Croatia’s air force, which is replacing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/croatia-gets-french-fighter-jets-in-major-arms-purchase-80236 ..read more

DefenceTalkBritain must strengthen its defences against economic security risks amplified by globalization, especially those emanating from China, Iran and Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden warned Thursday. Businesses and universities are “vulnerable” because of the opening up of the global economy, Dowden said in a speech to the Chatham House international affairs think-tank in London. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-aims-to-boost-economic-defences-against-security-risks-80226 ..read more

DefenceTalkA cyber group with links to Russian military intelligence is set to become a significant global threat after playing an increasing critical role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a leading cybersecurity firm warned Wednesday. Google-owned Mandiant said in a report that it is seeing nefarious operations by the group referred to as “Sandworm” in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-cyber-sabotage-a-global-threat-security-firm-80222 ..read more

DefenceTalkChina is bolstering its space capabilities and is using its civilian program to mask its military objectives, the head of the US space agency NASA said Wednesday, warning that Washington must remain vigilant. “China has made extraordinary strides especially in the last 10 years, but they are very, very secretive,” NASA administrator Bill Nelson told […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nasa-chief-warns-of-chinese-military-presence-in-space-80218 ..read more

DefenceTalkA senior Revolutionary Guards general threatened on Thursday to target Israel’s “nuclear facilities” if it strikes Iranian atomic sites, state media reported, anticipating retaliation for Tehran’s unprecedented weekend attack. Israel’s military chief has vowed a response to the Iranian aerial attack, which was mostly intercepted, while world leaders have urged de-escalation. Violence involving Iran-aligned groups […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-warns-israel-against-attacking-nuclear-sites-80214 ..read more

DefenceTalkRussia on Thursday said it had neutralized 20 drones and two ballistic missiles in areas bordering Ukraine, including Rostov where its command headquarters for the Ukraine offensive is located. “During the night, several terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime were foiled,” the defence ministry said. It said it had neutralized 20 drones — 16 of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-says-neutralised-20-drones-2-missiles-80210 ..read more

DefenceTalkVenezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday accused the United States of building “secret military bases” in Essequibo, an oil-rich region of Guyana that Caracas claims as its territory. “We have information proving that in the territory of Guyana Essequibo, temporarily administered by Guyana, secret military bases of the (US) Southern Command… a body of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/venezuela-says-us-building-secret-bases-in-disputed-essequibo-80199 ..read more