Browsing: Technology & Weapons

For the first time, the Ukrainian Air Force has shared its experience operating modernized Buk-M1 air defense system, upgraded under the FrankenSAM program. This initiative adapts Soviet-era air defense platforms to fire Western missiles, enhancing Ukraine’s ability to counter aerial threats despite dwindling stockpiles of original Soviet munitions. The modified Buk-M1, unveiled in 2024, is now equipped with the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles instead of the original 9M38 units. While the RIM-7 missile has a shorter range, 20 km compared to the 9M38 missile’s 30 km, it remains an effective solution against drones and missiles. More importantly, these missiles are…

After the Defense Forces began to successfully use anti-aircraft FPV drones against Russian reconnaissance drones such as Zala or Orlan, the enemy began to discuss and look for ways to protect their reconnaissance drones, because anti-aircraft FPVs became a very effective solution, thanks to which it was possible to shoot down hundreds of enemy drones. Eventually, the enemy began to invent countermeasures, first at the level of theory, thinking about whether it was possible to effectively defend against anti-aircraft FPV drones with the help of FPV drone detectors or low-power electronic warfare. Russian drone with insignia of the Air Force…

After French President Emmanuel Macron called for offering those who buy the Patriot a new SAMP/T NG, and buyers of the F-35 – Rafale it is important to find an answer to a very important question. And no, we are not talking about technical characteristics, because the fifth-generation fighter is still at a different level compared to even the very advanced 4+. And the capabilities of the new SAMP/T NG should only reach what the Patriot PAC3 has long been able to do, for example, shoot down the Kh-47M2 “Dagger”. And not even about the price, when the new Rafale…

Recently, a video appeared demonstrating the training of the crews of the British FV107 combat vehicle. Attention was drawn to the “main caliber” FV107 Scimitar, which should be equipped with a 30-mm L21A1 RARDEN automatic cannon as standard. However, an FV107 with a 14.5 mm KPVT machine gun “lit up” in the video. And here the question immediately arises: why would such a “downgrade” seem to be? But here everything turned out to be simple. The FV107 is equipped with the L21A1 RARDEN cannon, which has a very low rate of fire of 90 rounds per minute. For comparison, the…

After the Defense Forces began effectively using anti-aircraft FPV drones to counter russian reconnaissance UAVs like the Zala and Orlan, the enemy started exploring ways to protect its drones. These anti-aircraft FPV drones have proven highly effective, downing hundreds of enemy UAVs. Eventually, the russians began developing countermeasures. Initially, they theorized whether FPV drone detectors or low-power electronic warfare systems could effectively defend against anti-aircraft FPV drones. A russian drone with Ukrainian Air Force insignia painted by the russians themselves Later, they started implementing these ideas in practice, such as installing rear-view cameras that, in theory, would allow operators to…

Ukraine’s air defense capabilities are at risk as the two SAMP/T batteries supplied by Italy and France near depletion of their Aster-30 missiles. Without additional munitions, these critical systems could soon become inoperable. Ukrainian government has been asking both nations for an urgent resupply, requesting at least fifty missiles to maintain defense operations. However, logistical and strategic challenges complicate the request. Italy’s missile stockpile is reportedly approaching a critical threshold, with remaining reserves earmarked for national security. France, on the other hand, is believed to have larger inventory, making it more viable source for additional supplies. On March 14, Rustem…

Operators of the Raid 413th Battalion of the Unmanned Systems Forces have intensified their destruction of russian military assets, delivering significant blows to enemy forces throughout February. The unit successfully eliminated four short-range air defense systems, including two Strela-10, one Osa, and one Tor. Russian armored units fared no better, losing four tanks and four armored vehicles to the Raid Battalion attacks. Additionally, four multiple launch rocket systems were neutralized. Among other notable russian losses were six artillery pieces, including modern Malva 2S43 152 mm self-propelled howitzer, 44 light and heavy vehicles, and 11 electronic warfare and signals intelligence systems.…

During one of the conferences in September 2022, former US Deputy Secretary of Defense Bill LaPlante said that when trying to deal with the supply chain for American arms manufacturers, the Pentagon initially thought that there were only 300 suppliers, but in fact there were three thousand of them. To understand a similar issue, the US Navy paid as much as $400 million in 2019 for analytics from Govini, and as a result, it turned out that 40% of this chain falls on China. This is stated in the publication War on the Rocks authored by Dr. Cristina Michienza, a…

Portugal had sent eight Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma helicopters to aid the Ukrainian Defense Forces in late 2024, the latest public release from the Portuguese Ministry of Defense confirms. The initial announcement came from the country’s Minister of National Defense, Nuno Melo. As reported by Publico, in January 2025, he retrospectively mentioned a provision of eight Puma helicopters to Ukraine, but the timeline wasn’t specified. The delivery of SA 330 Puma was part of a broader commitment by Lisbon to donate €221 million worth of military equipment to the Ukrainian forces, including Ka-32 helicopters, M113 armored vehicles, 105-millimeter howitzers, boats,…

The russian invasion army in Ukraine is actively using various types of buggy cars on the battlefield, either for assaults or non-combat missions, such as conducting rotations, delivering cargo, and similar. Since summer 2024, russia has deliberately adopted a course toward scaling up the use of buggies and ATVs and launched driving courses at military training centers. Reports by russian state media portray buggies as an indispensable means of transport on the battlefield, allowing the troops to effectively carry out missions in off-road conditions. The spread of the unconventional vehicles is also associated with the significant losses in other types…