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Did You Know “How Africa’s Gold Still Fuels the Global Economy”
How Africa’s Gold Still Fuels the Global Economy

Africa has been known as the “Gold Continent” for centuries — from the legendary wealth of ancient empires like Ghana, Mali, and Songhai to today’s massive gold mining industries.
Yet, the story of African gold is not just about riches buried underground; it’s about how this precious metal continues to shape global markets, economies, and power dynamics today.

Africa’s Rich Gold Legacy-
For centuries, African gold attracted traders, explorers, and conquerors. The Mali Empire’s Mansa Musa famously showcased his empire’s gold wealth on his pilgrimage to Mecca in the 14th century, placing West Africa on the world map as a source of immense wealth. Gold fueled the rise of kingdoms, financed trade routes, and symbolized power.

Modern Gold Production in Africa

Today, Africa remains a major gold producer. Countries like:

South Africa — once the world’s largest producer, with famous mines like Witwatersrand

Ghana — “the Gold Coast,” rich in both alluvial and deep mines

Mali — home to large-scale gold mining projects

Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, and others — significant gold producers

Gold mining is a major source of revenue, employment, and foreign exchange for these nations.

How African Gold Fuels the Global Economy

Global Supply Chains
African gold enters complex global supply chains, eventually becoming:

Jewelry worn worldwide

Electronics and smartphones (gold is an excellent conductor used in circuits)

Financial reserves and investment assets

Foreign Investment and Control
Much of Africa’s gold mining industry is operated or financed by multinational corporations headquartered in Europe, North America, and increasingly Asia. These companies:

Extract vast quantities of gold

Export most of it for refining and manufacturing abroad

Repatriate profits, often with limited benefit to local economies

Economic Impact on African Nations
Gold mining can boost economies through taxes and jobs, but challenges remain:

-Environmental degradation and social displacement

-Revenue leakages due to corruption and opaque contracts

-Unequal wealth distribution leaving many mining communities impoverished

-Gold’s Role in Financial Markets
Gold from Africa contributes to global reserves held by central banks and private investors, impacting:

-Currency stability and monetary policy

-Wealth preservation in times of economic uncertainty

The Challenges and Opportunities-
-Transparency and Fair Trade: Efforts like the Kimberley Process for diamonds have parallels in gold to reduce illegal mining and smuggling.

-Sustainable Mining Practices: Balancing economic benefits with environmental protection is crucial.

-Local Empowerment: Increasing African ownership and control over gold resources can boost development.

-Technology and Innovation: New mining technologies and better governance could improve outcomes.

Conclusion-
Africa’s gold is more than a mineral resource — it’s a link between continents, economies, and histories. While it continues to fuel the global economy, the challenge remains to ensure that the wealth generated benefits Africans themselves, helping to build sustainable prosperity across the continent.

Quote for Thought-
“Africa’s gold shines on the world stage, but its brightest future is in African hands.”
— Voices for Change

Focus Africa-
Is cheap always better—or are we paying more in the long run for low-durability products?
No, cheap is not always better. While low-priced products offer a short-term financial gain, consumers and economies often pay a much higher price in the long run for their low durability. This is due to a cycle of frequent replacements and a host of hidden costs.

The True Cost of Cheap Goods-
The upfront price of an item is often just a small part of its total cost. The hidden costs of cheap, low-durability products include:

Frequent Replacement: Products that are not built to last break or wear out quickly. This forces consumers to repurchase the same item repeatedly. The combined cost of buying multiple cheap replacements over a few years often exceeds the initial price of a single, more durable, and higher-quality alternative. This cycle of consumption creates a financial drain on households.

Wasted Time and Effort: The time and effort spent on shopping for, purchasing, and disposing of low-durability products are significant. This includes the hassle of dealing with broken items, seeking repairs that may not be available, or waiting in queues to replace them.

Environmental Damage: The constant production and disposal of low-quality goods have a devastating environmental impact. These products are often made with cheap, non-sustainable materials and toxic chemicals, and are not designed for repair or recycling.
The resulting waste adds to landfills and pollutes local ecosystems, creating a burden on public waste management systems.

The Economic Principle of Planned Obsolescence-
This low-durability model is often driven by a concept known as planned obsolescence, where products are intentionally designed with a limited useful life.
The goal is to shorten the replacement cycle and guarantee repeat purchases, boosting sales and profits in the short term.
While this may seem to stimulate an economy, it is ultimately a flawed model that discourages innovation, creates consumer frustration, and wastes valuable resources.
This strategy works best in markets with limited competition and a large consumer base willing to accept lower quality for a lower price.

Who Owns The Future-
From Colonies to Coalitions: Can Africa Build a Unified Voice?
Africa’s history is a story of fragmentation imposed from without—borders drawn by colonial powers with no regard for people, cultures, or economic logic.
Today, the continent still wrestles with division, yet the stakes have never been higher.

As global powers jostle for influence, resources, and strategic advantage, can Africa transcend its fractured past to build a truly unified voice—one that speaks with power and purpose on the world stage?

The Colonial Legacy: A Fractured Foundation
Africa’s 54 countries were carved out in the Berlin Conference (1884-85), ignoring ethnic, linguistic, and cultural realities.

Arbitrary borders created states too small to wield global influence and often internally divided.

Colonial administrations prioritized resource extraction, not integration or development.

This legacy of division has made continental unity challenging—fostering conflict, mistrust, and fragmented policies.

Current Steps Toward Unity-
The dream of African unity is far from dead. Key initiatives include:

African Union (AU): Founded in 2001, replacing the Organization of African Unity, with a stronger mandate for political and economic integration.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Launched in 2021, aiming to create the largest free trade zone in the world, boosting intra-African commerce.

Regional Economic Communities (RECs): ECOWAS, SADC, EAC, and others work regionally on trade, security, and infrastructure.

Agenda 2063: Africa’s strategic framework for socio-economic transformation and integration over 50 years.

Challenges to a Unified Voice-
Despite progress, obstacles remain:

1. Sovereignty vs. Supranationalism
Many nations fear losing sovereignty. Leaders hesitate to cede power to continental institutions, weakening enforcement and cooperation.

2. Economic Disparities
From Nigeria’s oil wealth to Malawi’s agrarian economy, disparities create conflicting interests and competition.

3. Political Instability and Conflicts
Civil wars, coups, and political repression distract from unity goals and complicate common foreign policy.

4. External Interference
Foreign powers exploit divisions through “divide and rule,” bilateral deals, and proxy conflicts.

5. Infrastructure and Connectivity Gaps
Poor transport, energy, and digital infrastructure hinder integration.

Why a Unified African Voice Matters Now-
-Global Bargaining Power: United, Africa can negotiate better trade terms, debt relief, and technology transfers.

-Security and Peace: Coordinated responses to terrorism, piracy, and conflicts reduce human and economic costs.

-Economic Growth: Integrated markets attract investment and enable industrialization.

-Cultural Renaissance: A shared African identity can empower youth, diaspora, and global cultural diplomacy.

How Can Africa Build This Voice?
- Strengthen Continental Institutions
Empower the AU with real enforcement mechanisms

-Foster transparency and accountability in continental governance

- Promote Economic Integration
Accelerate AfCFTA implementation

Harmonize regulations and remove non-tariff barriers

- Invest in Connectivity
Build cross-border infrastructure (roads, rail, energy grids, internet)

-Support regional digital identity and payment systems

-Encourage Political Will and Vision
Cultivate leaders who prioritize continental unity over narrow nationalism

-Engage youth and civil society in pan-African projects

-Manage External Relations Strategically
Present a united front in dealing with China, the West, and others

-Develop African-led development banks and investment funds

Conclusion: From Colonies to Coalitions
Africa’s future will not be written by outsiders but by Africans themselves—if they unite.

Building a unified voice is not easy. It requires courage to overcome colonial legacies, trust to bridge diverse peoples, and vision to see beyond immediate gains.

But in this moment of global flux, a strong, united Africa could transform from a continent of fragmented colonies to a coalition of powerful nations—one that shapes its destiny and helps shape the world.

The question is not if Africa can unite—but when and how it will seize this historic opportunity.

How to Implement AI‑Powered Product Recommendations in an Amazon clone app

What if your app could predict what users want, before they even type in a search? That’s the power of AI recommendations. Do you want to know how to implement AI-powered product recommendations in your Amazon clone? Here are some steps. Let's dive in.
What is AI-Powered Recommendation?
An artificially intelligent system that makes real-time product recommendations to consumers based on their interests, behaviour, and previous purchases is known as an AI-powered recommendation system in e-commerce. AI customises the shopping experience to boost sales, engagement, and customer satisfaction rather than displaying the same product list to every user.
Types of recommendation strategies:
1. Collaborative Filtering
Collaborative Filtering is a recommendation strategy that recommends products based on user activity and preferences rather than product information in an Amazon-like app.

User-based collaborative filtering detects folks who share similar interests. If a user likes a product, it will be recommended to another person who shares their interests.

Item-based collaborative filtering: This type of filtering shows recommendations based on similarities. For example, it recommends a phone case to the people who purchased New phones.

2. Content-based Filtering:
Content-based filtering recommends products based on the traits or features that the customer has previously purchased. For example, if you frequently buy or see bags, the algorithm would suggest alternatives or products with comparable characteristics such as brand, style, price range, or material.
3. Hybrid Filtering:
Hybrid filtering blends collaborative filtering, which proposes products based on the preferences of other users, with content-based filtering, which recommends items similar to those a user has previously liked. This strategy takes advantage of both methods' strengths while correcting their faults, yielding more accurate and personalised recommendations.
4. Trending and popular items:
In an Amazon clone website, Trending or Popular Items recommendations highlight things that are currently best-sellers, most viewed, or highly rated throughout the platform or within a category. Helping consumers find popular, in-demand items while increasing interaction and revenue.
5. Personalized rankings:
Personalized rankings reorder the search results or other lists of items based on users' preferences and behaviour. Instead of showing the same products to every user, it improves the user experience and increases the platform engagement.
Implementing AI-powered recommendations in an Amazon clone app:
Implement AI-powered suggestions in your Amazon clone. You should concentrate on collecting data, selecting the best AI solution, and optimising recommendations.
1. Data Collection and analysis:
Collect vast data: Gather the users' purchase history, product preferences, browsing habits, and product interactions such as clicks, add to cart, and reviews. Collecting these diverse data points provides a detailed picture of each customer's interests and habits.

2. Choosing the Right AI Solution:
Utilise data points: Analyse individual consumer preferences, detect bigger trends across users, and create dynamic customer profiles that evolve as new data is received.

Ensure data privacy: When developing AI-powered product suggestions, you must protect the privacy and security of user data. Encryption, secure servers, and access controls can all help to protect user data from unauthorised access. This is especially important when dealing with sensitive information such as purchasing history, behaviour, or personal details.

Consider Your Needs: Before deciding on an AI recommendation, you should first understand your business goals, budget, and technical resources.

Investigate diverse AI models: There are several recommendation models, each with a unique function. There are three types of filtering: collaborative, content-based, and hybrid.

Look for user-friendly options: If you're not ready to start from scratch with an Amazon clone website, look for choices that are easy to use. Many e-commerce platforms have built-in AI recommendation algorithms or third-party applications.
3. Implementing and optimizing recommendations:

Integrate cross-platform: Ensure that your recommendations are consistent and personalised across all platforms, including the website, email marketing, mobile app, and even customer support chat. This will improve the user experience and maintain personalisation seamlessly.

Use various formats: Use several recommendation styles, such as pop-ups and inline sections, to keep shoppers' attention at different phases of their purchasing journey.

A/B testing and optimisation: Continuously monitor the performance of the recommendations and make improvements depending on data and user input.
Focus on user experience: Make sure that recommendations are not only appropriate but also easy to navigate, quick to load, and visually integrated on mobile sites.

Prioritise Explainability: Be open about how recommendations are made, and give users control over their preferences.

Begin small, then scale: Start with a pilot or test group to validate performance and get feedback. Use this feedback to develop and expand your recommendation system throughout the platform.
Benefits of AI-powered recommendations:

1. Improved conversion performance:
The AI algorithm examines clients' browsing histories and purchasing habits to help them get what they want without using their hands. This will boost your Amazon clone conversion rate.

2. Enhanced user experience:
This AI-powered customised suggestion saves users time and effort by guiding them to the proper products. The end outcome is customer satisfaction and a good purchasing experience.

3. Increased average order value:
AI-powered suggestions in your Amazon clone app encourage customers to buy complementary, upsell, and cross-sell items, which raises the overall order value.

4. Insights based on data:
Artificial intelligence (AI) recommendation systems gather and analyse consumer data to learn about preferences and purchasing habits. Businesses can use this to enhance their marketing, select better products to sell, and more effectively manage their inventory.

5. Improved customer retention:
When users consistently receive relevant product recommendations, they are more likely to return to the platform. This strengthens brand presence and generates recurring sales.

6. Enhanced marketing strategies:
AI-powered recommendations customize marketing strategies based on each customer’s individual preferences and behaviors. This personalized approach results in more relevant and engaging marketing campaigns that resonate better with customers, ultimately increasing their interest and likelihood to respond positively.

7. Reduced cart abandonment:
AI-powered recommendations lower cart abandonment by using personalized recommendations, timely reminders, and providing discounts or free shipping. These strategies help users complete their purchases and increase the overall sales rates in your Amazon clone website.

8. Real-time discovery:
This enables AI to make real-time product recommendations to users based on their interests, assisting consumers in finding things they may not have previously found. It is most helpful in vast product catalogues where customers may find manual searching daunting. AI speeds up, simplifies, and enhances the pleasure of shopping by providing timely and pertinent recommendations.

Summing up:
I hope this blog helps you understand the importance of Artificial Intelligence in product recommendations for your Amazon clone app.
It covers the implementation of AI-powered recommendation systems, different types of recommendation strategies, and their benefits.

Now is the perfect time to launch AI-powered recommendations in your Amazon clone app.
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What incentives or policies could protect and grow local manufacturing in the face of cheap imports?
To protect and grow local manufacturing against cheap imports, governments can implement a mix of protectionist policies and incentives for domestic industries. These strategies aim to either make imports less competitive or boost the capabilities and competitiveness of local businesses.

Protectionist Policies
These policies directly address the challenge of low-priced imports by raising their cost or limiting their quantity.

Tariffs: A tariff is a tax on imported goods. By increasing the price of imports, tariffs make locally produced goods more attractive to consumers. Governments can use specific tariffs (a fixed fee per unit) or ad valorem tariffs (a percentage of the item's value).

Import Quotas: This is a non-tax barrier that sets a strict limit on the volume of a specific good that can be imported over a given period. Quotas reduce the supply of foreign goods, which drives up their price and creates a market for domestic producers to fill the gap.

Anti-Dumping Duties: "Dumping" occurs when a foreign company sells its products in an export market at a price below its production cost to gain market share. Governments can impose special tariffs, known as anti-dumping duties, on these goods to level the playing field and prevent predatory pricing that could destroy local industries.

Local Content Requirements: This policy mandates that a certain percentage of a product's components or labor must be sourced locally. This measure is often used in sectors like automotive manufacturing or electronics to build a domestic supply chain and foster related industries.

Incentives and Support for Local Industry
Beyond restricting imports, governments can also take proactive steps to make local businesses more competitive.

Subsidies and Financial Support: Governments can provide financial assistance to local manufacturers through cash grants, low-interest loans, or tax breaks. These subsidies help reduce the cost of production, making local products more affordable and competitive without directly raising consumer prices.

Investment in Infrastructure and Technology: Improving a nation's infrastructure, such as power grids, transportation networks, and ports, can significantly lower the operational costs for local businesses. Governments can also fund research and development or offer tax credits for businesses that invest in new technology to improve efficiency and productivity.

Export Promotion: Policies that support local firms in selling their products abroad can help them achieve economies of scale. This includes government-sponsored trade missions, export subsidies, and assistance with marketing and logistics. A larger market allows companies to grow, become more efficient, and better withstand foreign competition at home.

"Buy Local" Campaigns: These are public awareness campaigns that encourage consumers and government agencies to prioritize purchasing locally made goods. For example, a "Buy Local" program for government procurement can guarantee a steady market for domestic producers, providing a stable foundation for growth.

Powering India’s AMCA, Will Japan’s XF9-1 Outclass GE F414, Safran M-88 To Boost IAF’s 5th-Gen Fighter:

The Economic Times on August 8 confirmed an earlier Bloomberg report that India is negotiating with aeroengine manufacturers from at least three other countries to jointly develop fighter jet engines.

The exploratory talks are aimed at expanding India’s aeroengine development partnerships beyond the US to quickly plug capability gaps in view of heightened threat perceptions.

On May 30, Bloomberg reported that India was exploring alternatives to the GE F414 engines for powering twin-engine fighter jets currently under development.

Citing a senior Indian official who asked not to be named, the report stated that HAL was considering engine offers from the UK, France, and Japan.

In a statement issued on June 5, 2025, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) clarified: “HAL reiterates that negotiations with GE are on track and progressing well, and that HAL is not in talks with any other company regarding engines for LCA Mk.2. Any information suggesting otherwise is incorrect.”

The HAL denial was cleverly worded. It reiterated HAL’s commitment to using the F414 engine to power the LCA Mk.2, which is a single-engined fighter. The Bloomberg report specifically mentioned twin-engine fighter jets.

Besides the LCA Mk.2, DRDO plans to use the GE F414 as an interim powerplant for the AMCA. An accurate interpretation of the Bloomberg report would be that HAL is looking at alternatives to the GE F414 for powering the AMCA and other future twin-engine fighter jets that the DRDO may develop, such as the TEDBF — Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter.

So, what alternatives to the GE F414 from the UK, France, and Japan is HAL considering?

Rolls-Royce Offer
During a visit by senior Indian MoD officials to the UK in April, the UK’s Rolls-Royce reportedly proposed a partnership with India to co-develop engines for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), offering full transfer of intellectual property rights to enable India’s ownership of critical engine technology.

The proposal envisages co-design, knowledge transfer, and local manufacturing.

The collaboration would be supported by the UK government under the India-UK Defence Partnership.

To sweeten the offer further, Rolls-Royce also plans to double its supply chain sourcing from India by 2030, fostering job creation and innovation.

Rolls-Royce has reportedly proposed an engine designed to deliver approximately 75 kN of dry thrust (without afterburner) and 110 kN with afterburner, with potential scalability to 120–130 kN for future variants like the AMCA Mk.2.

Rolls-Royce’s proposal reportedly involves developing a range of high-thrust turbofan engines for potential use in transport and civilian aircraft.

French Safran Offer
France’s Safran’s offer is the oldest on the table. In July 2023, the French government reportedly gave a nod to Safran to jointly design, develop, test, manufacture, and certify an engine with India that will power twin-engine advanced multi-role combat aircraft (AMCA) and the twin-engine deck-based fighter for Indian aircraft carriers.

Safran proposes to develop the AMCA engine by enhancing its proven M88 engine. Safran will enhance the M88’s core technology, which produces 50 kN dry and 75 kN with afterburner, to achieve a higher thrust output of approximately 75–80 kN dry and 110–120 kN with afterburner.

Because it leverages proven technology, the engine’s development timeframe can be aligned with the AMCA’s development timeline, with prototypes expected by 2026–27 and first flights by 2028.

Safran’s offer includes full technology transfer, covering critical technologies like single-crystal blades, thermal barrier coatings, and advanced combustors, ensuring India gains indigenous manufacturing and design capabilities.

This enhanced engine will incorporate new components, such as an improved compressor and afterburner, to meet the AMCA’s performance needs, including supercruise capability.

In addition, the offer includes Safran setting up a centre of excellence in gas turbine technology in India with full design and metallurgical precision software tools.

Japan’s Offer
Japan reportedly made its offer to co-develop an AMCA engine in May.

Unlike the UK and France, Japan does not have an aeroengine manufacturing track record. However, Japan has been actively developing a military fighter jet engine called the IHI XF9-1.

The development is spearheaded by IHI Corporation in collaboration with the Japan Ministry of Defense’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA).

The IHI XF9-1 is a low-bypass afterburning turbofan being developed for Japan’s Mitsubishi F-X (F-3) stealth fighter program, which has since been integrated into the multinational Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with the UK (Rolls-Royce) and Italy (Avio-Aero).

The XF9-1 generates 107 kN of dry thrust and 147 kN with afterburner, with potential scalability up to 196 kN for future sixth-generation platforms. It features advanced materials to withstand turbine inlet temperatures of 1,800°C, a slim design for stealth, and thrust-vectoring nozzles for enhanced maneuverability.

The XF9-1 is conceptually advanced, and its potential scalability is very impressive.

Conclusion
HAL’s commitment to the GE F414 engine as the LCA Mk.2 powerplant notwithstanding, it would be in the nation’s interest if HAL were to explore alternatives to the GE F414 as the powerplant, interim or otherwise, for the AMCA.

Both Rolls-Royce and Safran have offered to collaborate with DRDO’s Bengaluru-based GTRE (Gas Turbine Research Establishment) lab and provide full ToT and IPR, the government official said.

The Safran offer is based on proven M88 technology, so it’s less risky. However, it makes one wonder why Safran, even after being hired as consultants, didn’t help GTRE upgrade the Kaveri engine by sharing M88 technology, in which case, GTRE itself could have developed the AMCA engine leveraging Kaveri engine technology.

The proposed Rolls-Royce engine is a bit of a wild card, since it is merely a concept at this point in time. However, Rolls-Royce has upped the ante by offering to co-develop a range of high-thrust turbofan engines for potential use in transport and civilian aircraft.

Japan’s lack of an aeroengine manufacturing track record makes the XF9-1 an underdog amidst the competition. However, it’s interesting to note that the XF9-1 is conceptually advanced. Also, when it comes to the current state of development, the XF9-1 stands out amid the competition.

The XF9-1 has undergone prototype testing (2018), including conceptual design and test flights on the Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin demonstrator (2016–2018). Research from 2010–2019 focused on high-temperature combustors, lightweight compressors, and stealth-optimized inlet designs.

The big downer is the GCAP partnership. Development progress could easily fall well behind AMCA development timelines due to differing priorities among partner nations, the UK, and France.

After Combat Debut Of JAS-39 Gripens, Thailand To Add More SAAB Fighter Jets To Boost Its Air Force.
Thailand has finally approved the acquisition of four SAAB Gripen-E/F fighter jets as it modernizes its aging air force amid rising security threats, as seen in the recent border conflict with Cambodia.

What began as skirmishes between the two countries in July 2025 quickly escalated into full-scale firefights, with artillery and gunfire rattling border villages for nearly a week. The conflict lasted for about five days before the two warring sides decided to accept an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” on July 28.

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) currently operates the Gripen-C/D and the older American F-16 Fighting Falcons. Both aircraft were deployed in combat and used to launch strikes on Cambodian artillery positions.

This marked the combat debut for the Gripens anywhere in the world, 37 years after their first flight.

The conflict, rooted in a century-long border dispute, has raised concerns about further escalation. However, the purchase of Gripen-E/F was decided well in advance of this latest conflict and is not directly influenced by the hostilities with Cambodia.

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) officially announced its decision to buy a dozen Saab Gripen-E fighter jets over the American Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft in June. The Gripen-E outperformed the American F-16 Block 70/72 by offering technological and financial advantages that made its offer far more appealing and beneficial to Thailand.

The deal is a part of a long-term plan to acquire all 12 Gripen E/F aircraft by 2035 and integrate them operationally. The newly purchased Gripen-E variant will replace the archaic F-16 A/B and will be integrated into the RTAF alongside the existing SAAB Gripen jets.

Saab describes Gripen-E as “Designed to defeat any adversary. Made for forward-thinking air forces, Gripen E incorporates cutting-edge technologies, the latest systems, sensors, weapons, and pods to ensure combat advantage, delivering air superiority in highly contested environments. Silent networking and total sensor fusion across a tactical air unit to blind and confuse the enemy. One aircraft is active, the others go passive.”

The Swedish manufacturer promises that the aircraft allows the first missile launch opportunity and the first kill. Saab claims its design represents a breakthrough, allowing it to swiftly integrate new hardware and update software applications to adapt to evolving mission requirements. Further, the fighter jet incorporates more prominent air intakes and is powered by the enhanced General Electric F414-GE-39E engine.

It is designed for quick field deployment, especially at remote bases, and can be effectively maintained by a few people.

While Thailand was impressed by the cutting-edge features of the Gripen, it was the large scope of the Swedish deal, particularly the technology transfer, that mainly bore fruit. Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-16, was a lot more conservative in offering a deal to Thailand, as previously explained in detail by the EurAsian Times.

With a fighter fleet including upgraded F-16s, F-5s, and Gripens, Thailand has been steadily modernising its capabilities with multi-role platforms. That dominance became apparent during the border clashes. Cambodia, with no dedicated fighter jets in its inventory, had little ability to deter or respond to Thailand’s precision air strikes.

This may come as an added impetus to the acquisition.

However, Thailand is not the only country in the Southeast Asian region to go on fighter jet shopping in recent times. Several others, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, are exploring options and looking to sign new deals.

New And Advanced Fighter Jets In SEA
In addition to Thailand, Indonesia has been in the headlines for its intention to acquire new and more advanced combat aircraft.

The Indonesian government recently signed a contract to acquire 48 KAAN fighter jets from Turkey. The agreement covers extensive collaboration in manufacturing, technology transfer, engineering, and includes the establishment of a local aerospace infrastructure.

Indonesia is also co-developing the KF-21 4.5th generation aircraft, along with South Korea, and has a deal for 42 Rafale fighter jets with French Dassault Aviation. It could acquire an additional batch of Rafales from France, as indicated by the letter of intent (LoI) signed by the government recently.

Another Southeast Asian country, Malaysia, is building up its air power amid rising security threats in the South China Sea. On June 17, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan confirmed that Washington had approved the third-party transfer of up to 33 F/A-18C/D Hornets currently in service with the Kuwaiti Air Force (KAF). In addition to this, the RMAF is also acquiring the South Korean FA-50.

Malaysia launched the MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) program to acquire advanced fighter jets that could replace its aging fleet and help enhance Malaysia’s air power with a modern, multi-role fighter jet. This program has remained in limbo for several years. Some unconfirmed reports earlier suggested that Malaysia was interested in Russia’s Su-57 but those rumours have now fizzled out.

The most significant fighter jet acquisition in the region is the purchase of the US F-16 by the Philippines. The United States approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets worth US$5.58 billion to the Philippines in April as Manila builds capability to deter an increasingly aggressive China in the South China Sea. The Philippines Air Force (PAF), like its Thai counterpart, had earlier been examining two combat aircraft on offer, the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 and the Saab Gripen-E.

The upgrade of the PAF would be essential for enhancing the Philippines’ ability to project power beyond its territorial waters. In addition to a new multi-role fighter, the country is also considering purchasing a dozen additional FA-50 fighters from South Korea to increase its numbers and boost readiness.

Meanwhile, Vietnam has reportedly been discussing a potential purchase of two dozen F-16s from the United States, in what is being interpreted as a break in the country’s strategic alignment with Russia.

The move is aimed at deterring China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea, has several territorial disputes in the region, and has been steadily expanding its military influence in the region.

Though unconfirmed, the reports suggest that Vietnam has been on the lookout for an alternative to its retired MiG-21, the Soviet-designed supersonic jet fighter and interceptor aircraft. There is no information on which F-16 is being negotiated and whether it would be a new aircraft or a used one.

The war-torn country of Myanmar has also made a significant acquisition. In January 2025, the Myanmar Air Force took delivery of its six Su-30 SMEs from Russia.

The six Russian jets were acquired under a 2018 contract valued at US$400 million. The acquisition has been financed through a Russian loan, and the final two fighter jets were commissioned on December 15, 2024, at Meiktila Air Base in Mandalay.

These Su-30 jets will serve as Myanmar’s primary aircraft for safeguarding territorial integrity and countering terror threats, and are stationed at Naypyidaw Air Base, enabling coverage of the entire country.

The Myanmar Junta is strengthening its air capabilities to deal with the rebels. On December 15 alone, the military commissioned six Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters, six Chinese-made FTC-2000G fighter jets, one K-8W fighter jet, and one Y-8 support aircraft, as earlier reported by the EurAsian Times.

Though attention has largely been focused on the turbulence and military build-up in Asia, the above-listed acquisitions suggest that Southeast Asia is evolving and going through a catharsis of its own as new security threats emerge and existing threats become bigger and more pronounced

Russia’s “Most Daring” Operation Or Massacre? 5 Months After Op Stream, Ukraine Says ‘They Were Unprepared’.
It was compared to the biblical story where a small force of soldiers emerged from beneath the earth and surprised and overwhelmed a much larger force to save the motherland.

In Russia, the soldiers who took part in the so-called pipeline offensive in the Kursk region (Operation Stream – Potok in Russian) in March this year, became the stuff of legends and were welcomed back home as “heroes.” Russian bloggers commented that the Operation would “go down in history books,” and many of the soldiers were awarded for their bravery.

“Blow up all your pipes out of fear… We’ll still come to you from under the ground,” boasted a new Russian war song on the daring mission, first performed outside a church in central Russia, with a 50-foot replica of the pipeline in the background for the people to admire.

However, in Ukraine, the story flipped 180 degrees. The operation was termed a ‘total failure,’ which resulted in the “massacre” of hundreds of Russian soldiers. The Russian soldiers who took part in the ill-planned operation were not heroes, but victims of poor and careless military planning, Kyiv claimed.

There is little clarity on what precisely the operation achieved and whether it should be termed a success or failure. All analysts, irrespective of their nationality, agree that the mission was daring and unconventional, but did it achieve its goals?
Now, more than five months after the operation, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) finally seem to be acknowledging, though grudgingly, that they were taken by surprise and the operation might have helped Russia in taking back substantial territory in the Kursk region.

Ukraine Acknowledges ‘They Were Unprepared’
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky has admitted that the Ukrainian army did not expect Russian troops to take bold actions such as their Operation Pipeline in the Kursk Region.

“We had intelligence that they might use gas pipelines. Our forces were ordered to take those under control and monitor the areas where enemy soldiers could come to the surface. Still, we must have missed something out, or, perhaps, we did not expect them to be that bold,” Syrsky said in an interview with Ukraine’s TSN TV channel.

Further, Syrsky admitted that the Russian army’s operation had made it more complicated for Ukrainian forces to retreat from the Kursk Region.

However, despite these setbacks, Syrsky termed the Kursk operation a spectacular success.

First Anniversary Of Ukraine’s Kursk Operation
Notably, August 6 marked the first anniversary of Ukraine’s Kursk operation in which Kyiv was able to occupy hundreds of miles of Russian territory.

According to Syrsky, Ukrainian troops were able to break through Russian defense, enter deep into the Russian military’s rear, and disrupt the logistical support of the Russian forces operating in Ukrainian territory.

“During the most active period of the operation, the Ukrainian Armed Forces controlled up to 1,300 square kilometers of the territory of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation,” Syrsky claimed.

“The operation forced Russia to shift significant reserves to the north, which weakened its pressure on other sections of the front. We did not allow the enemy to carry out an offensive and created a buffer zone. It is thanks to this that Sumy and Kharkiv remain free,” Syrsky emphasized.

He also claimed that Russia lost more than 77,000 soldiers (killed and wounded) in Kursk, of which nearly 4,000 were citizens of North Korea.

“Ukrainian defenders also captured 1,018 Russian soldiers, which allowed for exchanges and the return home of hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers, including those who had been in captivity since 2022,” Syrsky said.

According to the commander-in-chief, Ukrainian forces still maintain a presence in the Glushkovsky district of the Kursk region, holding back part of the Russian offensive group.

Russian Counteroffensive In Kursk
Ukraine’s Kursk operation was a major setback for Russia, both militarily and in terms of Russian prestige.

It was the first time since the Second World War that Russia had lost part of its territory. The operation was also a big morale booster for the Ukrainian armed forces as it was the first time since the start of the war that Kyiv had taken the battle to Russian territory.

After being taken by surprise and losing hundreds of square miles of territory within weeks, Russia began its slow and grinding counteroffensive, which involved throwing thousands of soldiers into frontal meat grinder assaults.

By October-end, Ukrainian intelligence reported the presence of about 12,000 North Korean soldiers, including 500 officers and three generals, in the Kursk theatre of operation.

Despite the slow progress of Russian forces and heavy casualties, by January 2025, it became apparent that the Ukrainian troops faced imminent defeat in Kursk.

Eurasian Times reported in January this year that Kyiv faces the stark choice of choosing between swift retreat or crushing defeat in Kursk.

By March, Russia had retaken from Ukrainian forces nearly 70% of the territory they had lost in Kursk.

Op Stream: Russia’s Daring ‘Pipeline Offensive’
The Operation Stream (Potok) began on March 8.

Interestingly, the US had cut intelligence-sharing with Ukraine from March 5 to March 11, following a disastrous outing by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on February 28, where he had a public spat with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Operation Stream took place within that time frame.

The operation involved 500 to 800 Russian soldiers walking nearly 15 miles inside gas pipelines to emerge behind enemy positions in the Sudzha region of Kursk.

“We had to pump the gas out, pump the oxygen in, build extra exits to the surface, transport the ammunition, food, water, military personnel,” said a Russian commander, who uses the call sign “Zombie.” He claimed all of this was carried out without Ukrainian forces noticing. “The enemy did not see us.”

Russian soldiers had to walk in brutal conditions: pitch darkness, sub-zero temperatures, lack of oxygen, and poisonous gases. At times, they had to crawl for miles as the pipeline was too narrow for them to stand.

Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s military chief, reported that 600 troops burst from the pipe and “surprised the enemy, contributing to the collapse of its defenses and the development of our offensive.”

However, at that time, Ukrainian analysts claimed that only 100 Russians had left the pipe. Ukrainian military bloggers described it as a bloodbath and claimed “hundreds” had already suffocated or been poisoned by fumes in the pipeline.

On March 9, the Russian military claimed to have recaptured three settlements, Malaya Lokhnya, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Kositsa, all north of Sudzha.

On March 11, Russian media platform RT reported that “the dramatic shift in the situation on the front can be attributed to the success of Russia’s top-secret Operation Potok.”

By March 13, Russia claimed to have retaken Sudzha. Three days later, Ukraine confirmed that its forces had withdrawn from key positions in Sudzha.

On April 26, 2025, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Army General Valery Gerasimov, reported to President Vladimir Putin that the operation to liberate the Kursk Region was over.

According to the Russian military, Ukraine lost more than 76,500 troops in the Kursk area, the majority of them belonging to the AFU’s elite units.

In March, Ukrainian forces had claimed that they were already in the process of withdrawing from Kursk, and Russia’s operation Potok played no role in their retreat.

However, the latest remarks by Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky suggest that Kyiv is finally beginning to admit that they were taken by surprise, were unprepared for Russia’s bold operation, and that it might have played a role in their swift retreat from the Kursk region in March.

Russia’s S-500 Missiles Blinded? Ukraine Claims Eliminating S-500 AD System’s Yenisei Radar In Crimea.
Ukraine’s Prymary (Ghosts) special unit has claimed destroying a 98L6 Yenisei radar, deep inside Crimea. The system, part of Russia’s cutting-edge S-500 Prometey air defense network, is designed to track some of the most difficult aerial threats.

The Yenisei wasn’t the original target. During the operation, Ukraine’s intelligence (HUR) operators first believed they had located a component of the S-400 Triumf. Only after analysing combat footage did they realize the fact that they had eyes on one of Russia’s most valuable and elusive radar stations.

Destroying Yenisei is more than just a symbolic victory. It deprives Russia’s forces in Crimea of a crucial early warning tool. The radar not only serves the S 500 but can also be integrated with the S 400 Triumf, significantly boosting detection and interception capabilities across the peninsula.

By eliminating it, Ukraine has punched a hole in Russia’s air defense shield over Crimea, making it harder for Moscow to spot and respond to incoming threats in time.

A video released by HUR shows the strike in action, underscoring how Ukrainian forces have shifted toward precision operations designed to neutralize high-value assets that can not be easily replaced.
The S-500 Prometey: Russia’s Ambitious Shield
The S-500 Property is touted as Russia’s crown jewel in long-range air defense. After state trials in 2020-2021, it was officially accepted into service in April 2021, with Moscow presenting it as a next-generation system capable of countering virtually any modern aerial threat.

On paper, the Prometey’s mission set is ambitious. It is designed to intercept medium and intercontinental range ballistic missiles during their final flight phase, track and engage hypersonic weapons, destroy low orbit satellites, and shoot down enemy aircraft before they can approach Russian airspace.
Central to this defensive web is the 98L6 Yenisei radar, ‘Eyes’ of the S-500s. It is responsible for detecting and tracking high-speed, high-altitude targets, and without it, the system’s overall effectiveness drops dramatically.

According to Russian claims, the Yenisei’s core is a multielement active electronically scanned array (AESA) designed to resist heavy electronic jamming. It can in theory detect both aerodynamic and ballistic targets at ranges up to 600 km and altitudes reaching 100 km. The data it gathers is then fed to command posts, where other air defense assets such as missile batteries can act on it.

Visually, the Yenisei resembles the older 97L6E radar, sharing the same four axle MZKT chassis and a similar configuration, including a fully rotatable antenna unit mounted alongside an equipment container.

However, the two systems diverge in their antenna design. The 96L6E’s primary antenna is split into two sections of different sizes, while the Yenisei features a different array structure optimized for its expanded mission set.

One of Yenisei’s advantages is operational flexibility. It can scan in a full 360-degree mode for wide area surveillance, or focus on a narrow sector to improve its ability to spot ballistic threats. This makes it the standard radar for the S-500 systems and a critical component of Russia’s layered air defense network.

Yet, real-world performance tells a more complicated story. In 2024, when the S-500 was deployed to Crimea to protect the Kerch Bridge, it reportedly failed to intercept an incoming MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missile.

That failure raised uncomfortable questions about whether Russia’s most advanced air defense system can live up to its sweeping promises when facing fast, unpredictable, and well-planned attacks.

A Broader Ukrainian Strategy
The Prymary unit’s Yenisei strike is part of a larger operational pattern. Ukrainian forces have adopted a methodical approach. Identify and strike the nerve centers of the Russians’ detection network, rather than just the launch systems. By doing so, they render missile batteries less effective or even blind.

Another HUR special unit, Artan, has been conducting similar missions using FPV drones. These strikes have hit Russian vehicles, ammunition depots, and communications hubs, all documented with stark, close-up footage that shows drones weaving between obstacles before detonating on target.

The Prymary unit’s recent Yenisei strike fits into this wider strategy of targeting critical radar and missile systems that threaten Ukraine’s skies.

In one recent compilation video, HUR showcased hits on several high-value assets in occupied Crimea, including Nebo SVU, Podlet 1K, and 96L6E radars, as well as a BK 16 landing craft. Russian air defense and fighter jets scrambled to stop the drones, but they dodged missiles with near cinematic agility “like Neo in the Matrix”, as Ukrainian operators quipped.

Russia’s Radar Network Under Strain
The Prymary unit’s Yenisei strike is part of a larger operational pattern. Ukrainian forces have adopted a methodical approach. Identify and strike the nerve centers of the Russian’s detection network, rather than just the launch systems. By doing so, they render missile batteries less effective or even blind.

The Yenisei’s destruction comes at a time when Russia’s radar network is already under strain.

According to ‘Euromaidanpress’, Russia may have lost up to half of its radar capabilities since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.

One of the most costly setbacks has been the loss of Beriev A-50U airborne early warning aircraft, essential for detecting threats at long range. Ukraine has destroyed or damaged at least four of these aircraft, with the most recent hit occurring during Operation Spider Web in June 2024.

At the start of the war, Russia had an estimated seven A-50U aircraft. By winter 2024, aviation analyst Tom Cooper assessed that only four remained, and by mid-2025, possibly just three.

One surviving aircraft has been spotted in Vorkuta, far in Russia’s Arctic permafrost zone, likely to keep it out of Ukrainian strike range.

Moscow has been developing a next-generation A-100 radar aircraft, but none of the three prototypes are believed to be operational.

Strategic Implications
Each radar destroyed, whether mounted on a mast in Crimea or in the nose of an A-50U circling high above Russia, weakens Moscow’s early warning net. Fewer radars mean more blind spots, and more blind spots mean greater vulnerability for high-value targets, such as the Kerch Bridge, key air bases, naval facilities, and command centers.

This depletion also forces a change in Russian operating patterns. The remaining radar assets have become too precious to risk in exposed positions.

That means fewer sorties for the A-50Us, fewer deployments of rare ground-based systems like the Yenisei near contested areas, and an overall shift toward holding these assets in reserve. While this may protect them from destruction, it also reduces their deterrent effect and limits Russia’s ability to respond to fast-moving threats.

For Ukraine, the strategy is clear. By systematically targeting the rearrest and most capable radars, Kyiv not only weakens Russia’s current defences but also imposes a long-term cost.

The Road Ahead
If current trends continue, Russia’s radar coverage over Crimea and other contested areas will continue to thin.

Ukraine’s forces have shown they can find and hit even heavily guarded assets, and each successful strike emboldens further operations. The destruction of the Yenisei shows that no part of Russia’s high-end air defense network is beyond reach.

In modern warfare, control of the skies often comes down to who can see and act first. By dismantling Russia’s ‘electronic eye’, Ukraine is betting that blinding its adversary will open the way for strikes that could reshape the battlefield in its favour.

The loss of the Yenisei radar is one more step in that process and perhaps one of the most consequential yet.

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Iran doubles down as US signals Israel could strike despite nuclear talks
Iranian authorities have remained defiant amid concerns that Israel could launch an attack on Iran as the global nuclear watchdog adopts another Western-led censure resolution.

Even as Oman confirmed on Thursday that it will host a sixth round of talks on Sunday between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear programme, reports by outlets such as The New York Times, quoting officials in the US and Europe, warned that Israel is “ready” to attack Iran, even without military backing from Washington. Israel has long threatened to attack Iran’s nuclear sites.

The administration of US President Donald Trump also carried out a partial evacuation of embassy staff in Iraq and dependants of US personnel across the Middle East in a sign of escalating tension in the region.

“I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen,” said Trump at a White House event on Thursday, commenting on the likelihood of an Israeli strike.

“We will not give in to America’s coercion and bullying,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised speech in the western city of Ilam on Thursday, pointing out that Iran resisted eight years of invasion in the 1980s by neighbouring Iraq, which was backed by many foreign powers.

Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), told state television that if Israel attacks, it would be met with a “history-making” response that would go far beyond Iran’s two rounds of retaliatory strikes on Israel last year.

He said Iran is not “defenceless and encircled” like Gaza, where the Israeli military has killed more than 55,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023.

Speaking to a crowd in Tehran, IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani said Iran’s armed forces have made significant strides in improving their attacking capabilities in the months since the previous missile barrages launched against Israel.

“If they think the axis of resistance and Iran have been weakened and then boast based on that, it is all a dream,” said the commander, who leads the external force of the IRGC, which is tasked with expanding Iran’s regional influence.

Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, announced on Thursday that he has given the order to launch more military exercises after a series of large-scale drills were held across Iran earlier this year. An array of missiles and drones, warships, special forces and even underground missile bases featured in those drills.

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh reiterated that all US military bases in countries across the region are legitimate targets if conflict breaks out with the US.

He said Iran had successfully launched an unnamed ballistic missile last week with a 2,000kg (4,410lb) warhead and promised casualties “on the other side will be greater and would force the US to leave the region”.

Iran to build third enrichment site
After days of deliberation, the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday passed a resolution to censure Iran over its advancing nuclear programme and several outstanding cases involving unexplained nuclear materials found at Iranian sites.

The resolution was put forward in Vienna by the US along with France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the three European nations who are still party to Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which Trump unilaterally abandoned in 2018.

The global nuclear watchdog has adopted several Western-led censure resolutions against Iran over the past few years, but the one on Thursday was the most serious in nearly two decades because it alleges Iran is not complying with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations.

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs branded the accusation “completely baseless and fabricated” and said Western powers are using the international body as a tool for exerting political pressure.

Tehran’s response was also significant. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the Foreign Ministry jointly announced that the country would build its third uranium enrichment site at a “secure” location.

They added that first-generation centrifuges will be replaced with sixth-generation machines at the Fordow enrichment plant, which will considerably boost Iran’s ability to create highly enriched uranium.

The Natanz and Fordow facilities, both built deep underground to protect them against bunker-buster munitions used by the US and Israel, are currently the only facilities enriching uranium in Iran. They are both under heavy supervision by the IAEA.

Iran is now enriching uranium up to 60 percent and maintains that its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful and has civilian uses, such as power generation and the manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals. Uranium must be at 90 percent purity to build nuclear weapons.

‘Zero’ enrichment demand looms over talks
Iran and the US are once again heading to Muscat even as they still disagree over enrichment, the key issue for any potential agreement.

The 2015 nuclear deal allowed Iran to enrich uranium up to 3.67 percent under IAEA monitoring, but Trump, who now says he is less confident about a deal with Iran, has insisted on “zero” enrichment taking place inside Iran.

Tehran, which this week rejected another US proposal that included zero enrichment, is slated to offer a counterproposal soon to try to advance the negotiations.

Ideas for a nuclear consortium that includes Iran’s neighbours to bolster trust have so far failed to provide any breakthrough.

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea are expected to meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday before he heads to the Omani capital for the latest round of talks.

Tehran leans on national sentiment
In Tehran’s Vanak Square, authorities this week installed a huge sculpture of Arash Kamangir (Arash the Archer), a hero in Iranian mythology.

The story of Arash involved the hero putting his life in danger by climbing Mount Damavand – the highest peak in Iran at 5,609 metres (18,402ft) and a symbol of national pride – to use his archery skills to set Iran’s borders. In the story, his arrow flies for days before setting Iran’s boundaries with Turan, a historical region in Central Asia.

The story is one that evokes a sense of national pride among all Iranians. When images of the sculpture went viral on social media, some Iranians praised the move while others criticised it as an attempt to tap nationalist sentiment at a time when Iran may be attacked.

But even with the spectre of war seeming to loom over Iran again, markets in the country have remained relatively stable in recent weeks as they anticipate the results of negotiations with the US.

The Iranian rial changed hands in Tehran for about 840,000 per US dollar on Thursday, having only slightly dipped compared with the days before and its news of more military and political pressure on Iran.

“Most people I’ve spoken to here are following the news of the talks with the US and Israel’s threats very closely, but there’s no panic,” a 36-year-old vendor at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar told Al Jazeera, asking to remain anonymous.

After years of stringent sanctions, along with local mismanagement, Iran has been facing consistently high inflation. It currently stands above 30 percent. Iranians are also cut off from international payment networks and banned from most international services due to the sanctions.

“Nobody wants a war,” the vendor said. “We have enough problems as is. I really hope they reach a deal.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Russia makes in 3 months what NATO produces in a year.

He called for a "quantum leap" in how Europe defends itself.

NATO is seeking to boost weapons production but has struggled to boost stockpiles while arming Ukraine.

Russia produces as much ammunition in three months as NATO does in a year, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned.

Speaking at the Chatham House think tank in London on Monday, Rutte called on the alliance to urgently ramp up weapons production.

"In terms of ammunition, Russia produces in three months what the whole of NATO produces in a year," he said.

"Russia is reconstituting its forces with Chinese technology and producing more weapons faster than we thought," Rutte added.

He called for a "quantum leap" in how Europe defends itself, and said, "We must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defense plans in full."

Rutte said Russia was expected to produce 1,500 tanks, 3,000 armored vehicles, and 200 Iskander missiles in 2025.

Russia has massively ramped up its weapons and ammunition production to fuel its war against Ukraine, placing its economy on a war footing.

It's received support from allies including China, Iran, and North Korea.

Russia spent 13.1 trillion rubles, around $145.9 billion, on its military last year, a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies said. This is equivalent to 6.7% of the country's gross domestic product and a 41% annual increase in real terms, per the report.

European defense spending was $457 billion last year, the report said, a real-terms increase of almost 12% on the year before and a 50% increase in real terms from 2014 spending levels. If purchasing power parity is factored in, then Russia's expenditure is equivalent to around $461.6 billion, the report said.

The US is NATO's largest military power, and President Donald Trump has pressured European members to boost their military budgets. Rutte has backed US calls to raise the amount NATO members are required to spend on their military from 2% to 5%.

The war in Ukraine has become a gruelling war of attrition, with both sides firing thousands of rounds of ammunition daily.

But Ukraine's NATO allies have struggled to increase production to provide arms to Ukraine while rebuilding their stockpiles, amid warnings that Russia could be preparing to attack NATO in a matter of years.

"We are all on the eastern flank now. The new generation of Russian missiles travels at the speed of sound. The distance between European capitals is only a matter of minutes. There is no longer east or west. There is just NATO," Rutte added.

China has an ace up its sleeve in trade talks with the U.S. and stocks are going nowhere until Beijing plays it.

Investors seem to be in a wait-and-see mode this morning as trade talks between the U.S. and China continue in London. Stocks were largely flat in Asia and Europe, and S&P 500 futures aren’t going anywhere either.

S&P 500 futures were flat this morning, following Asian and European indexes which also moved only marginally. The lack of drama in the markets seems to be an indicator that investors are waiting to see what emerges from the U.S. trade talks with China in London.

There is no telling how the trade talks between the U.S. and China will pan out but China appears to be sitting at the table with a persuasive advantage: It has a global monopoly on samarium, a rare earth mineral that has magnetic properties and can withstand high temperatures. The U.S. military is dependent on the substance for its fighter jets.

That implies that the White House may now be more willing to make a deal with China that leads to lower tariffs—which would likely boost stocks.

The U.K.’s FTSE 100 rose 0.42% this morning, maintaining its all-time high above 8,869, on news of a major spending package proposed by Keir Starmer’s Labour government and NATO plans to increase defense spending continent-wide to 5% of GDP for each member country.

Apple’s WWDC event, which historically has delivered new-product surprises for investors in the widely held stock, was underwhelming. Apple declined 1.2% yesterday and barely moved in overnight trading.

Here’s a snapshot of the action prior to the opening bell in New York:

S&P 500 futures were flat before the market open this morning, but are still priced above the 6,000 mark.

The S&P 500 rose 0.1% yesterday. The index is up 2.1% YTD.

All the major Asian indexes closed up, with the exception of the markets in China and Hong Kong, which moved down marginally.

The Stoxx Europe 600 was down 0.1% in early trading.

The U.K.’s FTSE 100 maintained its all-time high and was up 0.42% in early trading.

Apple closed down 1.2% yesterday after its annual developer event delivered no major surprises.

People in Britain had “better learn to speak Russian” if the Government does not ramp up defence spending, Mark Rutte has suggested.

The Nato secretary general also warned that Russia could attack Nato by 2030 in a speech in London on Monday.

Asked by The Telegraph if Rachel Reeves should increase taxes to fund a defence budget of 5 per cent of GDP, Mr Rutte said: “If you do not go to the 5 per cent, including the 3.5 per cent for defence spending, you could still have the NHS…the pension system, but you better learn to speak Russian. That’s the consequence.”
The Nato secretary general has for weeks been pressuring allies to boost spending on defence and security to a combined 5 per cent in order to placate Donald Trump, who has threatened to withdraw American troops from Europe.

Mr Rutte, who also met Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street on Monday, was speaking hours after Russia launched its largest-ever drone attack against Ukraine, triggering Nato to scramble jets in Poland.

“We see in Ukraine how Russia delivers terror from above, so we will strengthen the shield that protects our skies,” Mr Rutte said.

He added that Nato needs “a 400-percent increase in air and missile defence” to maintain credible deterrence and defence.

“The fact is, we need a quantum leap in our collective defence,” he said.

He said “we are all on the eastern flank”, referring to the border with Russia, adding that the distance between European capitals is “only a few minutes” for Russian missiles.

India is set to produce surplus sugar for at least two consecutive years, as millions of farmers expand the area under sugarcane cultivation amid ample rainfall, boosting crop yields, growers and industry officials said.

The rebound in production would allow the world's second-largest sugar producer to increase exports in 2025/26, they said, after poor rainfall cut sugarcane yields and led to two years of export restrictions.

"Sugarcane usually gives us good returns, but sometimes we can't plant it due to a lack of water," said Umesh Jagtap as he planted the crop on a three-acre plot in Maharashtra, a leading sugar producing state in the west.
"This year, we had heavy rain in May, and the forecast says more rain is on the way. So we're planning to plant more than usual."

Farmers from Maharashtra and neighbouring Karnataka struggle to irrigate their sugarcane crop in May. This year, however, Maharashtra and Karnataka received 1,007% and 234% more rainfall than average, respectively.

The rainfall will benefit the crop to be harvested in the 2025/26 season, starting October, and will also support planting for the 2026/27 harvest, said Prakash Naiknavare, managing director of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF).

Sugarcane typically takes 10 to 18 months from planting to harvest. As a result, farmers who began planting this month are expected to harvest their crop during the 2026/27 season.

The NFCSF estimates gross sugar production in 2025/26 to rise by nearly a fifth from a year earlier, reaching 35 million metric tons.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated one of the most ambitious railway projects ever built in India, which will connect the Kashmir Valley to the vast Indian plains by train for the first time.

Dubbed by government-operated Indian Railways as one of the most challenging tracks in the world, the 272-kilometer (169-mile) line begins in the garrison city of Udhampur in Jammu region and runs through Indian-controlled Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar. The line ends in Baramulla, a town near the highly militarized Line of Control dividing the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan.

The line travels through 36 tunnels and over 943 bridges. The Indian government pegged the total project cost at around $5 billion.

One of the project’s highlights is a 1,315-meter-long (4,314-foot) steel and concrete bridge above the Chenab River connecting two mountains with an arch 359 meters (1,177 feet) above the water. Indian Railways compared the height to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which stands 330 meters (1,082 feet), and said the bridge is built to last 120 years and endure extreme weather, including wind speeds up to 260 kph (161 mph).

Modi visited the Chenab bridge with tight security, waving an Indian tri-color flag before boarding a test train that passed through picturesque mountains and tunnels to reach an inauguration ceremony for another high-elevation bridge named Anji.

The prime minister also helped launch a pair of new trains called “Vande Bharat” that will halve the travel time between Srinagar and the town of Katra in Jammu to about three hours from the usual six to seven hours by road.

Modi travelled to Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday for the first time since a military conflict between India and Pakistan brought the nuclear-armed rivals to the brink of their third war over the region last month, when the countries fired missiles and drones at each other.

The conflict began with a gun massacre in late April that left 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists, dead in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the attackers, a charge Islamabad denied.

Addressing a public rally in Katra, Modi lashed out at Pakistan and alleged Islamabad was behind the massacre. He said the attack was primarily aimed at Kashmir’s flourishing tourism industry and meant to fuel communal violence.

“I promise you, I won’t let developmental activities stop in Kashmir,” Modi said, adding that local industries and businesses will get a boost from the new rail connectivity.

The railway project is considered crucial to boosting tourism and bringing development to a region that has been marred by militancy and protests over the years. The line is expected to ease the movement of Indian troops and the public to the disputed region, which is currently connected by flights and mountain roads that are prone to landslides.

India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels’ goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, a charge Islamabad denies. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.

NATO's dilemma: how Zelenskiy can attend summit without provoking Trump.

Officials organising a NATO summit in The Hague this month are expected to keep it short, restrict discussion of Ukraine, and choreograph meetings so that Volodymyr Zelenskiy can somehow be in town without provoking Donald Trump.

Though the Ukrainian president is widely expected to attend the summit in some form, NATO has yet to confirm whether he is actually invited. Diplomats say he may attend a pre-summit dinner but be kept away from the main summit meeting.

Whether the brief summit statement will even identify Russia as a threat or express support for Ukraine is still up in the air.

The careful steps are all being taken to avoid angering Washington, much less provoking any repeat of February's White House blow-up between Trump and Zelenskiy that almost torpedoed the international coalition supporting Kyiv.

NATO's European members, who see Russia as an existential threat and NATO as the principal means of countering it, want to signal their continued strong support for Ukraine. But they are also desperate to avoid upsetting a volatile Trump, who stunned them at a summit seven years ago by threatening to quit the alliance altogether.

If Zelenskiy does not attend in some form, it would be "at least a PR disaster", acknowledged a senior NATO diplomat.

Since Russia's invasion three years ago, Zelenskiy has regularly attended NATO summits as the guest of honour, where alliance members pledged billions in weapons and condemned Russia for an illegal war of conquest. Leaders repeatedly promised that Ukraine would one day join NATO.

But since Washington's shift under Trump towards partly accepting Russia's justifications for the war and disparaging Zelenskiy, the 32-member alliance no longer speaks with a single voice about Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two. Trump has taken Ukraine's NATO membership off the table, unilaterally granting Moscow one of its main demands.

After dressing down Zelenskiy in the Oval Office in February, Trump cut vital U.S. military and intelligence support for Ukraine for days.

Since then, the two men publicly mended fences in a meeting in St Peter's Basilica for the funeral of Pope Francis. But mostly they have spoken remotely, with Zelenskiy twice phoning the White House on speakerphone while surrounded by four friendly Europeans -- Britain's Keir Starmer, France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Friedrich Merz and Poland's Donald Tusk.

SPENDING BOOST-
Trump is expected to come away from The Hague with a big diplomatic victory as NATO members heed his longstanding complaints that they do not spend enough on defence and agree a much higher target.

They are expected to boost their goal for traditional military spending to 3.5% of economic output from 2%. A further pledge to spend 1.5% on related expenses such as infrastructure and cyber defence would raise the total to 5% demanded by Trump.

But the summit itself and its accompanying written statement are expected to be unusually short, minimising the chances of flare-ups or disagreements. A pledge to develop recommendations for a new Russia strategy has been kicked into the long grass.

Meanwhile, Zelenskiy may have to be content with an invitation to a pre-summit dinner, hosted by Dutch King Willem-Alexander, diplomats say.

Unlike at NATO’s previous two annual summits, the leaders do not plan to hold a formal meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, the official venue for talks between the alliance and Kyiv. The senior NATO diplomat said a working dinner with either foreign ministers or defence ministers could instead serve as an NUC.

'PROPERLY REPRESENTED'
On Wednesday, NATO boss Mark Rutte said he had invited Ukraine to the summit, but sidestepped a question on whether the invitation included Zelenskiy himself.

After meeting Rutte on Monday, Zelenskiy said on X that it was "important that Ukraine is properly represented" at the summit. "That would send the right signal to Russia," he said.

U.S. and Ukrainian officials did not reply to questions about the nature of any invitation to Ukraine.

Some European countries are still willing to say in public that they hope to see Zelenskiy invited as the head of the Ukrainian delegation.

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said he would like to see a "delegation led by President Zelenskiy". Asked about an invitation for Zelenskiy, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said "I, for my part, strongly welcome the invitation" without giving further details.

But diplomats have tried to play down the importance of the formal status of Zelenskiy's role: "Many allies want to have Zelenskiy at the summit, but there is flexibility on the precise format that would allow his presence," said a second senior NATO diplomat.

A senior European diplomat said: "We should not get stuck on ‘NUC or no NUC’. If he comes to the leaders’ dinner, that would be the minimum."

Less Than 10 Russian Bombers Destroyed In Ukraine’s “Shock Attack”; Kyiv Mostly Struck Defunct Aircraft: Russian Claims

Ukraine’s recent drone attack on four Russian Air Bases, where scores of bombers were destroyed, not only shocked Moscow but also led to a rewriting of the rules of modern warfare. But, how many bombers did Russia lose?

Firstly, the Ukrainian narrative!

Kyiv used inexpensive drones at the weekend to destroy Russian nuclear-capable bombers worth billions of dollars in an operation carried out after months of planning.

“Spider’s Web” dealt a blow to Russia more than three years after it invaded Ukraine, and the operation will now be studied closely by militaries around the world as a new strategy in asymmetric warfare.

Ukraine said it destroyed $7 billion worth of Russian aircraft parked at airbases thousands of kilometres across the border, mainly Tu-95 and Tu-22 long-range strategic bombers.

While the attacks at Belaya deep in Siberia and Olenya on the Kola Peninsula in the Arctic Circle are unlikely to change the course of the war, they will limit Moscow’s ability to launch long-range missile strikes against Ukraine.

Yohann Michel, a researcher at the French university Lyon-3, said the loss of the aircraft was “a serious blow to Russian offensive capabilities”.

“The main impact could be felt in several weeks’ time with a reduction in the number of sorties by the rest of the fleet” due to difficulties in finding spare parts for the Soviet-era planes, which are no longer in production, he told AFP.

Maxim Starchak, a fellow at the Centre for International and Defence Policy at Queen’s University in Canada, said it would take Russia a long time to replace the lost aircraft.

“Russia is extremely slow and inefficient in developing new aircraft for its nuclear forces,” he told AFP.

The drones, launched from trucks near air bases deep inside Russia, destroyed or damaged aircraft parked in the open.

Congratulating Ukraine’s Security Service chief, Vasyl Malyuk, President Volodymyr Zelensky said it had taken 18 months of preparation for the 117 drones to be concealed inside trucks near the airbases, and that all the Ukrainian agents had safely left Russia.

Michael Shurkin, a former CIA officer, said Ukraine’s operation was likely to have struck fear into militaries across the world, adding that potential targets for such drone attacks could include refineries, ballistic missile silos or military bases.

“This technology is akin to stealth technology: The threat is difficult to detect both because it emerges near the target and is too small and too low to be picked up by sensors designed to catch aircraft or missiles,” said Shurkin, director of global programs for the consultancy 14 North Strategies.

Ukrainian military analyst Oleksii Kopytko said anyone delivering a pizza or driving a horse-drawn cart could present a danger. “The organisers and main perpetrators are essentially untraceable,” he said.

A French arms manufacturing executive said Ukraine could have even trained AI algorithms to recognize aircraft or guide drones in case of jamming.

“New tools are forcing us to completely rethink defence systems and how they are produced,” said the executive, who asked not to be named.

“It opens up possibilities that we hadn’t even imagined.”

Zelensky “just proved that he and Ukraine are more than able to pull aces out of their combat fatigue sleeves,” said Timothy Ash, an emerging market economist focused on Russia.

The attacks exposed Russia’s air base vulnerabilities, providing a significant morale boost for Kyiv after months of being on the defensive in the conflict.

“The protection of military air bases does not meet security requirements,” said Starchak. “The dispersal of military aircraft across different airfields did not help either.”

Russia’s vast size is also a disadvantage in this regard.

“Usually, the vastness of Russia’s territory is an advantage; you can hide your bombers thousands of kilometres away where they would be safe,” said Michel.

“The problem is that this means you have to monitor thousands of square kilometres, which is simply impossible.”

The attacks dealt a blow to Moscow’s nuclear triad of ground, sea, and air-launched missiles, said Starchak.

If it were possible to target an airbase, it is also possible to hit bases hosting nuclear submarines, Starchak said.

“An attack on long-range aircraft bases is a potential threat to the entire nuclear triad, which can be easily hit, thereby weakening it to the point that it cannot respond with a nuclear strike.”

John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, stated that Ukraine’s operation provided US President Donald Trump with leverage against Russian President Vladimir Putin in their quest for a settlement.

“It is a strong counter to the dubious ‘common wisdom’ that the war is moving inevitably in Moscow’s favour,” wrote the former US ambassador to Ukraine.

Counter Reports
Ex-IAF fighter pilot and Russia expert, Vijainder TK Thakur, believes that Ukraine might have mostly struck “Christmas Trees,” and not combat-ready Bombers.

He writes: What Zelensky touts as an 18-month masterstroke of planning is increasingly looking like a miscalculated, amateur effort.

Ukraine seems to have worked off a flawed assumption: that anything parked on a Russian tarmac was a functional military aircraft. In reality, of the ~200 Tu-95MS strategic bombers the Soviet Union built, Russia’s Aerospace Forces operate only around 60.

The rest—roughly 140—have long been relegated to open-air storage, stripped for spare parts. Ukrainian planners apparently believed these mothballed aircraft would be kept out of sight in hangars, while operational bombers would be conveniently left in the open.

The reality is precisely the opposite: Russia stores both retired and active aircraft out in the open. As a result, most of the Ukrainian drone strikes targeted what are effectively “Christmas Tree” decoys—hulks with no engines, no fluids, and no combat value.

Footage released by Ukraine itself shows hits on A-50s without engines and multiple strikes that triggered no fires, betraying the absence of combustible fluids. A real operational Tu-95MS would at least leak hydraulic or lubricating oil, even if empty of fuel.

Zelensky’s “strategic success” may have been little more than a fireworks show on a junkyard.

The following post by the FighterBomber Telegram Channel (closely linked with the Russian Air Force and the Kremlin), Google translated into English, explains what might have happened.

=== Translated Post ===

“The hohols posted a more detailed video of drone attacks on our five airfields, well, nothing new was added. As I said earlier, the number of destroyed planes is in the single digits. Not in the dozens.

By the will of fate, the overwhelming majority of planes attacked by the hohols were non-flying aircraft from the “iron row”. They could have attacked monuments on pedestals with the same success and effectiveness.

Fuel burns in planes; there is nothing else to burn. But when it burns, even the concrete nearby burns. The holes in the sides directly indicate that they are scrap metal, empty, and without fuel.

Of course, no one refuels faulty, written-off aircraft. They have the fattest layer of tires, because they are parked, the best for a photo report.

You will get tired of carrying tires on an aircraft that flies. Yes, in theory, of course, they can be restored and turned into a combat aircraft, but by that logic, monuments can also be restored. Attacked in Belarus at the beginning of the SVO by the same drone, our A-50, after a hellish explosion and a spectacular video, flew away to Russia under its power a couple of hours later and continued to carry out combat missions a little later.

Here, you only need to count those sides that are burning.” And, unfortunately, quite a few of them burned. And as I said on the stream, our long-range and strategic aviation did not receive critical losses as a result of this attack. But if such a blow is repeated…!

Israel’s Military Export Breaks Record! Arab Countries Emerge One Of Top Importers, Europe Stays No.1 Market

Russia’s arms exports have collapsed by 92% amid its war in Ukraine. However, not all countries suffer plummeting defense exports due to war.

Israel has sold more weapons to other countries in 2024 than ever, even as it fought on multiple fronts in the longest war in its history.

The country fought in Gaza and conducted air strikes and special military operations in Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Yemen. Tel Aviv also faced global isolation and mounting international pressure to end its war in Gaza.

However, despite the war on multiple fronts and increasing diplomatic isolation, the country witnessed record arms sales.

In 2024, Israel’s defense exports reached a record US$14.8 billion, breaking the previous high of US$13 billion in 2023, according to new data from Israel’s Defense Ministry. The country recorded a healthy 13% year-on-year growth in weapons sales, clearly establishing that its defense exports are insulated from its rising criticism and isolation at the global stage due to its ongoing war in Gaza and allegations of human rights abuse and even genocide.

“This is the highest figure ever recorded and the fourth consecutive year in which a new record was set for Israel’s defense exports,” the Israeli defense ministry said.

Israel’s rising arms sales amid its longest war are in stark contrast to Russia, where defense exports have been shattered amid the war in Ukraine. The data shows that Israel might have expanded into some former Russian arms export markets.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) calculated that Russian arms exports decreased by half in the period from 2019 to 2023 compared with the previous five-year period.

Other estimates have painted an even starker picture. According to The Jamestown Foundation, Russia’s arms exports dropped by 92 percent from 2021 to 2024 due to redirected resources for Ukraine, sanctions, inflation, and funding issues.

As Russia loses its legacy defense export markets in Asia, from India to Arab countries, Israel has stepped up to fill the vacuum.

The Markets For Israeli Weapons
According to the data, Europe is the largest market for Israeli arms exports, accounting for as much as 54% of Israel’s defense exports. In 2023, Europe accounted for 35% of Israeli arms exports.

In 2024, European states bought nearly US$8 billion worth of Israeli military products, compared to US$4.6 billion in 2023, according to the Ministry of Defense.

Here again, Russia’s war in Ukraine might have helped the Israeli defense industry, as Europe is boosting its defense spending and looking to replenish its diminishing military stockpiles.

Israel’s historic deal with Germany for the Arrow 3 air defense system contributed a major chunk of these arms sales. The Israel Aerospace Industries signed a US$3.8 billion agreement with Germany for the Arrow 3 missile defense system, marking the largest defense deal in Israeli history.

Notably, Israeli arms sales to Europe increased despite the fact that many European countries are openly criticizing Israel’s campaign in Gaza, now in its 20th month. Israeli firms were excluded from several major European defense exhibitions last year.

Besides, some countries have also halted previously signed defense contracts.

Earlier this week, Spain’s Defense Ministry said it had canceled a US$325 million deal for anti-tank missiles built by a subsidiary of Israel’s government-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems as part of a “gradual disconnection of Israeli technology,” the New York Times reported.

Previously, Spain had also canceled a US$6.6 million ammunition deal with Elbit Systems.

However, despite these setbacks, Europe remains an important market for Israeli weapons.

Notably, Israel is the second-largest arms exporter to the UK and Germany. According to SIPRI, during the period from 2020 to 2024, Israel supplied 13% of Germany’s arms imports and nearly 7% of the UK’s arms imports.

After Europe, Asia Pacific was the biggest market for Israeli weapons at 23%.

In Asia, India is a big market for Israeli weapons. According to the SIPRI database, India was the world’s second-largest arms importer in the period from 2020 to 2024, behind Ukraine. And Israel was the third-largest arms exporter to India after Russia and France.

Israel supplied 13 % of all Indian arms imports during this period.

Israel is also the second-largest arms exporter to the Philippines, supplying 27% of its weapons needs.

However, the biggest surprise was the rising Israeli arms sales in the Arab countries.

Israeli Arms In Arab Countries
As much as 12% of Israeli arms exports went to Arab countries, particularly the countries that normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. In 2023, the share of these countries in Israeli arms exports was a mere 3 %.

Combined arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan reached US$1.8 billion, equivalent to 12 percent of Israel’s total arms exports.

Among them, Morocco signed a deal for Elbit’s ATMOS howitzers, valued at US$229 million. It had previously purchased the PULS rocket system and, according to reports, acquired IAI’s Barak MX system and a reconnaissance satellite.

North America accounted for 9%, Latin America for 1%, and Africa for 1%. These figures have stayed relatively stable in recent years.

Israeli Air Defense Systems & Missiles Top Performers
According to Israel’s defense ministry, nearly half (48 percent) of Israel’s arms exports consist of air defense systems, missiles, and rockets, up from 36% in 2023. Exports of satellite and space systems also saw a jump, increasing from 2% of 2023 deals to 8% of 2024 deals.

Vehicles and armored personnel carriers accounted for 9% of Israel’s defense export in 2024, manned aircraft and avionics for 8%, observation and optronics for 6%, intelligence, information and cyber systems for 4%, ammunition and armaments for 3%, weapon stations and launchers for 2%, C4I and communication systems for another 2%, drones and UAVs for 1%, and maritime systems and platforms for additional 1%.

War In Gaza Boosting Israeli Exports
Unlike Russia, where arms exports have collapsed due to the ongoing war, in Israel, the ongoing war seems to be helping the country’s arms exports.

“The unprecedented operational achievements, along with the combat experience gained by Israeli developments during the war, created high demand for Israeli technology among many countries,” the ministry said.

“Notably in a difficult and complex year of war, Israel is breaking an all-time record in defense exports,” said Defense Minister Israel Katz in remarks provided by the ministry.

“This tremendous achievement is a direct result of the successes of the IDF and the defense industries against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, the ayatollah regime in Iran, and in other arenas where we operate against Israel’s enemies,” he said.

“The world sees Israeli strength and seeks to be a partner to it,” Katz added.

While Israeli arms sales have almost doubled in the last five years, globally, Israel’s share in the international arms market is relatively small.

According to the latest SIPRI report, Israel has a 3.1% share of the global arms market for the period from 2020 to 2024, with India, the United States, and the Philippines being the three largest markets for Israeli arms.

Made In India! Rafale Fighter Jet’s Fuselages To Be Produced Outside France For The 1st Time; Big Boost For India

Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have signed four Production Transfer Agreements to manufacture the Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage in India, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains.

This facility represents a significant investment in India’s aerospace infrastructure and will serve as a critical hub for high-precision manufacturing.

Under the scope of the partnership, Tata Advanced Systems will set up a cutting-edge production facility in Hyderabad for the manufacture of key structural sections of the Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section.

The first fuselage sections are expected to roll off the assembly line in FY2028, with the facility expected to deliver up to two complete fuselages per month.

“For the first time, Rafale fuselages will be produced outside France. This is a decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India. Thanks to the expansion of our local partners, including TASL, one of the major players in the Indian aerospace industry, this supply chain will contribute to the successful ramp-up of the Rafale, and, with our support, will meet our quality and competitiveness requirements“, said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, said, “This partnership marks a significant step in India’s aerospace journey. The production of the complete Rafale fuselage in India underscores the deepening trust in Tata Advanced Systems’ capabilities and the strength of our collaboration with Dassault Aviation. It also reflects the remarkable progress India has made in establishing a modern, robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem that can support global platforms.”

The signing of these contracts reflects Dassault Aviation’s strong commitment to India’s ‘Make in India’ and AtmaNirbhar initiatives. This partnership aims to strengthen India’s position as a key player in the global aerospace supply chain while supporting its goal of greater economic self-reliance.

Earlier, India signed a contract to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets from France, with the multi-billion-dollar deal to include both single and twin-seat planes.

When delivered, the jets would join 36 French-made Rafale fighters already acquired by New Delhi as part of its efforts to rapidly modernise its military hardware.

“The governments of India and France have signed an inter-governmental agreement for the procurement of 26 Rafale Aircraft,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

The jets made by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation are expected to operate from Indian-made aircraft carriers, replacing the Russian MiG-29K jets.

“It includes training, simulator, associated equipment, weapons, and performance-based logistics,” as well as 22 single-seater and four twin-seater jets, said India’s defence ministry.

“It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF).”

The Indian government announced its intention to procure 26 Rafales in 2023, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France for the Bastille Day celebrations.

Despite its historical ties with Russia as a key supplier of military equipment, India has diversified in recent years, making key purchases from France, the United States, and Israel.

Dassault stated that the jets will provide India with “state-of-the-art capabilities” and an “active role in guaranteeing national sovereignty and consolidating India’s role as a major international player.”

India’s navy is the first user outside France of the Rafale Marine jet, the company said.

The earlier contract for 36 Rafale aircraft, agreed in 2016, was worth about $9.4 billion.

Many global arms suppliers view the world’s most populous nation and fifth-largest economy as a key market.

India has become the world’s largest arms importer with purchases steadily rising to account for nearly 10 percent of all imports globally in 2019-23, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said last year.

India has also eyed with worry its northern neighbour, China, especially since a deadly 2020 clash between their troops.

That sparked a wave of defense reforms in the country, with both a push for new contracts from foreign suppliers and simplified laws to promote domestic manufacturing and the co-production of critical military hardware.

This decade, India has opened an expansive new helicopter factory, launched its first domestically built aircraft carrier, and conducted a successful test of its long-range hypersonic missile.

That, in turn, has fostered a growing arms export market, which saw sales last year worth $2.63 billion — still a tiny amount compared to established players, but a 30-fold increase in just a decade.

India has deepened defence cooperation with Western countries in recent years, including the Quad alliance with the United States, Japan, and Australia.

India is holding talks with companies to establish long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets by offering fiscal incentives for domestic production, people familiar with the matter said.

Building such a supply chain could take years, but would reduce India's dependence on shipments from China, which sent shockwaves across global industries, particularly autos, with its April 4 move to curb exports of rare earth materials.

China controls 90% of the processing of such magnets, also used in industries such as clean energy and defence.

Now Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government wants to develop domestic manufacturing capabilities and is considering offering production-based fiscal incentives to companies, said two sources who sought anonymity as the talks are private.

The scheme, being drafted by the ministry of heavy industries, also envisions partly funding the difference between the final price of the made-in-India magnet and the cost of the Chinese imports, the first source said.

This would help achieve cost parity and boost local demand, the source said, adding that funding for the scheme has yet to be decided, with the government likely to meet industry officials next week to finalise the details.

The heavy industries ministry did not respond to Reuters' queries.

Although a state-run firm, IREL, has been mining rare earth materials for years, these are mainly used by the atomic energy and defence units, with most supplies for other uses still imported from China.
India's move comes as auto companies the world over flag risks that they could face supply disruptions within days.

In Japan, Suzuki Motor, has suspended production of its Swift car because of China's curbs.

In India, auto industry body SIAM has privately told the government it expects production "to come to a grinding halt" within a timeframe starting from the end of May or early June.

The heavy industries ministry also plans to send a delegation of auto industry executives to meet officials in Beijing to push for faster approvals, with two industry officials warning that was the only near-term solution.

"The short-term solution has to be to get Chinese authorities to clear things," said one of the executives, who fears shortages at his company. "A radical shift in supply chain is not possible in the short term."

The Philippines and United States militaries have sailed together in the South China Sea for a seventh time to boost interoperability between the two sides, Manila's armed forces said on Thursday.

The exercises, held on Wednesday in waters off the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Zambales and away from contested features, included joint operations near shorelines as well as fire support.

"The MCA (maritime cooperative activity) is a demonstration of both nations' resolve to deepen cooperation and enhance interoperability in line with international law," the Philippine armed forces said in a statement.

The joint sail also showcased the Philippine vessel Miguel Malvar, a 118-metre guided missile frigate commissioned last month. It is one of two corvettes built by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries under the Philippines' military modernisation programme.
Military engagements between the treaty allies have soared under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has pivoted closer to Washington in response to China's growing presence in the South China Sea.

China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Trump ‘Pitches’ F-47 Aircraft, Golden Dome Defense Shield To Its Closet Ally In Indo-Pacific Region: Media

US President Donald Trump has reportedly discussed two big-ticket military programs with one of his closest allies in the Indo-Pacific: the Golden Dome defense shield and the F-47 sixth-generation aircraft.

Trump discussed potential collaboration with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during a phone call in May 2025 regarding the development of technology for the Golden Dome missile defense shield, Nikkei Asia reported. Japan is reportedly exploring support for the initiative, the report claimed.

Citing unidentified sources, the Japanese publication said that the two nations will likely collaborate on systems meant to intercept inbound threats. The report did not provide specific details about the discussions that took place between the two leaders.

Trump announced plans for the “Golden Dome” system in May 2025, saying it would cost around $175 billion and would become operational by the end of his term in 2029.

However, experts say the scheme faces huge technical and political challenges, and could cost far more than he has estimated in the public announcement. For instance, the Congressional Budget Office earlier estimated that the US might have to spend up to US$542 billion over 20 years to develop and launch the network of space-based interceptors under the program.

The US President may now be seeking potential partners who could share the cost of developing and operationalizing the Golden Dome, as well as developing sophisticated interceptors to counter missile threats.

Japan, on the other hand, could be a significant contributor to the system, given its previous experience in developing interceptors. Additionally, it could contribute funding or resources, such as research and development (R&D) or manufacturing, to offset costs.

Unveiling plans for the Golden Dome last month, Trump disclosed that Canada was interested in participating in the program. He said that while it “automatically” makes sense to include Canada in the new defence system, Canada will have to pay its fair share.

However, the President may have just thrown cold water over that potential collaboration by once again calling for Canada to become the 51st state of the United States of America.

“I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost 61 billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation,” Trump posted on his Truth Social network on May 29. “But (it) will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!”

For Japan, the Golden Dome would be an enticing offer, particularly since it has been grappling with an enhanced missile threat from China, North Korea, and Russia.

Japan and the US have previously collaborated on ballistic missile defense and are currently working together on the development of a hypersonic missile interceptor, known as the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI).

However, the Golden Dome might help Japan in more ways than one.

Citing unidentified sources, the report stated that Japan could use its participation in the Golden Dome initiative as a bargaining chip to obtain concessions in ongoing trade talks with Washington.

Trump has threatened to impose a 24% tariff on Japan starting next month unless a bilateral agreement can be reached.

Japan has been disgruntled by a 25% tariff on cars, trucks, and key auto parts that took effect in April. Additionally, Trump has increased the duties to 50% on all imported Japanese aluminum and steel. Both these tariffs could significantly weaken the Japanese economy.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba has stated that bilateral conversations on trade expansion, non-tariff measures, and economic security are ongoing. At the same time, the administration is also considering an increase in its purchases of US military hardware, as well as collaboration on rebuilding and repairing US warships in Japan.

The Golden Dome would, thus, fit perfectly in this scheme if the Japanese government seriously considers it.

F-47 Also On Offer To Japan
A report published in the Japanese publication Asahi Shimbun last week stated that Donald Trump randomly brought up the F-47 in a call with Shigeru Ishiba last month. Sources in the Ishiba administration told the newspaper that the call took place on May 23 and was organized at Trump’s request.

Trump said the “47” in “F-47” is a good number, and asked Ishiba to concur, in what can only be described as typical Trump fashion of conversation. He also heaped praises on the F-22, which the US never sold to Japan due to the sensitivity of that technology, even though the latter wanted it. Trump then went on to talk about the F-55, an upgraded, twin-engine F-35 variant that he proposed during a presser in Qatar recently.

The President then asked Ishiba if he wanted to see the amazing fighter jets that the United States had, adding that he would get the “best” for Japan.

The report stated that Trump only casually inquired of Ishiba whether Japan was interested in purchasing US-made fighter jets and did not explicitly urge Japan to do so.

Nonetheless, the Trump administration has made no bones about its intention to pitch the aircraft in the export market.

During the F-47 announcement, Trump said that U.S. allies “are calling constantly” to obtain an export version of the NGAD fighter. We will sell it to “certain allies … perhaps toned-down versions. We’d like to tone them down about 10 percent, which probably makes sense, because someday, maybe they’re not our allies, right?”
The F-47 offer comes as Tokyo might be unhappy with its own Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a sixth-generation combat jet being pursued jointly by Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

Reuters reported on May 30 that Japan is growing doubtful that the GCAP will meet its 2035 rollout target, potentially forcing Tokyo to fill air defense gaps with upgrading existing fighters or purchasing new jets.

The fear of GCAP delays arises as China accelerates the testing of two sixth-generation fighter jet prototypes, namely the J-36 and the J-50. If China inducts a sixth-generation fighter by 2030, the capability gap between Japan and China will widen.

According to an infographic recently posted on X by US Air Force chief, General David Allvin, the F-47 is anticipated to become operational between 2025 and 2029—more than a decade before the GCAP’s rollout date if delays are factored in.

Since the end of the Second World War, Japan has only purchased American fighter jets and has been a loyal and important customer for the US, which explains why Trump would want it to consider the American F-35s instead. A purchase of the American sixth-generation fighter would also boost interoperability between the two allies, particularly in the volatile Indo-Pacific region.

South Korea’s new President Lee Jae-myung vowed Wednesday to restart dormant talks with North Korea and bolster a trilateral partnership with the U.S. and Japan, as he laid out key policy goals for his single, five-year term.

Lee, who rose from childhood poverty to become South Korea’s leading liberal politician vowing to fight inequality and corruption, began his term earlier Wednesday, hours after winning a snap election that was triggered in April by the removal of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated imposition of martial law late last year.

In his inaugural address at the National Assembly, Lee said that his government will deal with North Korean nuclear threats and its potential military aggressions with “strong deterrence” based on the South Korea-U.S. military alliance. But he said he would “open a communication channel with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through talks and cooperation.”

He said he’ll pursue pragmatic diplomacy with neighboring countries and boost trilateral Seoul-Washington-Tokyo cooperation.

"Through pragmatic diplomacy based on national interests, we will turn the crisis posed by the major shift in global economic and security landscapes into an opportunity to maximize our national interests,” Lee said.

Security and economic challenges lie ahead

It was unclear whether Lee’s election would cause any major, immediate shift in South Korea’s foreign policy. Lee, previously accused by critics of tilting toward China and North Korea and away from the U.S. and Japan, has recently repeatedly stressed South Korea’s alliance with the U.S. as the foundation of its foreign policy and avoided any contentious remarks that would raise questions on his views on the U.S. and Japan.