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

DefenceTalkThe Israeli army has suspended leave for its combat units, it said Thursday, amid the Gaza war and as tensions with Iran grew after a strike on Tehran’s consulate in Damascus. Israeli media reported that the military was also calling up more reservist soldiers “against the background of the visible threats from Iran”. “Leave will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-cancels-leave-for-combat-units-after-iran-consulate-strike-80194 ..read more

DefenceTalkA scathing US government report found that an intrusion into Microsoft servers by a Chinese hacking group, which breached the emails of multiple senior US officials, was due to a “cascade of avoidable errors” by the tech giant. The Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), led by the US Department of Homeland Security, conducted a seven-month […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-blames-microsoft-cascade-of-errors-for-chinese-hack-80190 ..read more

DefenceTalkThe UK government faced growing pressure Wednesday to suspend arms export licenses to Israel, after an Israeli strike killed three Britons and four others all working for a food charity in Gaza. Britain’s strategic licensing criteria states that weapons should not be exported when there is a “clear risk” they could be used in international […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-govt-under-pressure-to-suspend-israeli-arms-export-licenses-80186 ..read more

DefenceTalkJapan’s cabinet on Tuesday eased strict transfer rules for military equipment to allow the export of next-generation fighter jets being developed with Britain and Italy. The three countries are pooling their know-how in cutting-edge air combat technology to develop the jet, which they hope will be ready by 2035. Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japans-cabinet-approves-fighter-jet-exports-80163 ..read more