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☆ A stalemate in the Ukraine war could now be the best-case scenario, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Ukrainian soldiers of a mortar team in 24th brigade are seen at positions near Toretsk, Ukraine on March 26, 2024. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesBefore the two-year anniversary of Russia's war against Ukraine, defense experts widely predicted that the conflict would settle into a stalemate in 2024, leading neither side to make or lose a significant amount of territory. Russia's recent momentum — and ongoing worries over Ukraine's weaponry and ammunition shortages, as well as stalled U.S. military aid — are now prompting concerns that a stalemate might even be the "best-case scenario" that Kyiv can hope for this year. At worst, Ukraine could see Russian forces breaking through Ukraine's defensive positions along parts of the front line, one defense expert noted. Ukrainian servicemen of 24th brigade operate an 82mm mortar near the frontline in Toretsk as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues in Toretsk, Ukraine on March 27, 2024.

Persons: Ben Barry, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Barry, Vladimir Putin, confidants, Evgenia Novozhenina, Ian Bremmer, Ukraine's, Metin Organizations: Anadolu, Getty, Land Warfare, Kremlin, Reuters Supply, Ukraine, Eurasia Group Locations: Toretsk, Ukraine, Moscow, Avdiivka, Russia, Russia’s, Donetsk, Luhansk, Russian, Iran, North Korea, Germany, U.S, Europe, Ukrainian, Izium, Kharkiv

☆ Von Der Leyen Says European Commission Will Seek to Boost Defence Production - FT
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

(Reuters) - Brussels should incentivise Europe's defence industry to ramp up production and promote consolidation, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the Financial Times in an interview on Thursday, warning that the "world has got rougher". Proposals in the commission's plan include using the EU budget to increase financing to supplement joint contracts for weapons signed by member states, as well as guaranteeing that production will be bought, EU officials told FT."We have a very fragmented defence market and that needs to change," FT quoted von der Leyen as saying. "What is the competence of the commission? It's industry. (Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru)Photos You Should See View All 22 Images

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, der Leyen, Disha Mishra Organizations: Reuters, Financial Times, EU Locations: Brussels, Bengaluru

☆ Australia Says AUKUS a Response to Arms Race, Not Fuel for It
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The Indo Pacific region is in the midst of a substantial arms race that Australia is responding to, not fuelling, with its planned acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said on Tuesday. The $245 billion AUKUS project with Britain and the United States to build a new class of nuclear-powered and conventionally armed submarine has been criticised by China as having the potential to spark an arms race. "The arms race is the greatest its been since 1945, and that is why I reject assertions... that Australia is somehow fuelling that arms race. "Conflict is far from inevitable," he said, adding that Australia cannot afford to under-invest in defence. Australia's nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be used for intelligence gathering in peacetime and to strike enemy targets during a war, Conroy said.

Persons: Defence Industry Pat Conroy, Conroy, AUKUS, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: SYDNEY, Defence Industry, National Press Club Locations: Australia, Britain, United States, China, Canberra, Southeast Asia, Philippines, South, Darwin

Defence Minister Yasar Guler said last week that Turkey was in talks with Britain and Spain to buy Eurofighter Typhoon jets, though Germany objected to the idea. Guler was holding talks on the issue with his British counterpart Grant Shapps in Ankara on Thursday, the source said. Turkey wants to buy the most advanced, newly built version of the Eurofighter, he added. NATO member Turkey requested in October 2021 to buy 40 Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) F-16 fighters and 79 modernisation kits for its existing warplanes. The Eurofighter Typhoon jets are built by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain, represented by Airbus (AIR.PA), BAE Systems (BAES.L) and Leonardo (LDOF.MI).

Persons: Yasar Guler, Guler, Grant Shapps, Joe Biden's, Leonardo, Tayfun Ozberk, Serhat, Huseyin Hayatsever, Jonathan Spicer, William Maclean Organizations: Eurofighter, . Defence, Eurofighter Typhoon, British, NATO, Turkey, Lockheed Martin Corp, U.S . Congress, Airbus, BAE Systems, Biden Administration, Eurofighter Typhoons, Kadir Has University, Turkish Air Force, Thomson Locations: ANKARA, Turkey, United States, Turkish, Britain, Spain, Germany, Ankara, Italy

☆ Britain to Launch South Korea Trade Talks During Yoon Visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain and South Korea will launch negotiations on a new free trade agreement (FTA) and sign a new diplomatic accord during a state visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol this week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office said on Monday. The Downing Street accord will see the countries agree to work closely on areas such as semiconductors - which South Korea is a major producer of - and artificial intelligence. Speaking to members of the South Korean community, Yoon said South Korea and Britain are partners that share universal values of freedom, human rights and rule of law, and form an economic community through trade, Yonhap news reported. The talks on a new trade deal will aim to replace the carry-over trade deal from when Britain left the European Union, which was based on replicating a deal with the EU from 2011 and reduced tariffs in a range of areas. Britain said it hoped a new trade deal would pave the way for increased digital trade and streamline currently complex procedures, and have a new rules of origin chapter.

Persons: Yoon Suk, Rishi Sunak's, Yoon's, King Charles, Charles, Yoon, Sunak, Alistair Smout, Josh Smith, Alistair Bell, Stephen Coates Organizations: South, Britain, Accord, European Union, Trans, Pacific Partnership Locations: Britain, South Korea, Downing, Korea, London, cybersecurity, United States, China, Japan, Seoul

☆ Britain to launch South Korea trade talks as president visits
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Alistair Smout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

King Charles greeted President Yoon Suk Yeol with a royal guard of honour following his arrival in London, and then rode with him by carriage to Buckingham Palace. He will hold talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday, and sign an accord on closer diplomatic ties. Under the accord, the countries will agree to work closely on areas such as semiconductors - of which South Korea is an important producer - and artificial intelligence. [1/4]Members of the Royal Air Force (RAF) welcome South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee, as they arrive at Stansted Airport, near London, Britain, November 20, 2023. "REFRESHED, MODERNISED DEAL"Under Yoon, South Korea has focused on strengthening economic, political, and military ties with the U.S. while seeking to maintain trade with China and working to overcome historical disputes with Japan.

Persons: Yoon, King Charles Yoon, King Charles, Yoon Suk, Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon Hee, Toby Melville, David Beckham, Son Heung Min, Kemi Badenoch, Alistair Smout, Kylie MacLellan, Sarah Young, Josh Smith, Alistair Bell, Stephen Coates, Timothy Heritage, David Gregorio Our Organizations: LONDON, British, Accord, Trade, Downing, North, Royal Air Force, South, Stansted Airport, REUTERS, Trans, Pacific Partnership, European Union, Thomson Locations: Britain, Korea, London, Buckingham, United Kingdom, Downing, South Korea, North Korea, U.S, China, Japan, Seoul

☆ Zelenskiy says Ukraine, US will hold military industry conference next month
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group ahead of a two-day NATO Defense Ministers Council at the alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, October 11, 2023. Olivier Matthys/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 17 (Reuters) - Ukraine and the United States will hold a military industry conference in December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday. "During my visit to Washington, President Biden and I agreed on specific steps we can take together. In October, Ukraine set up a joint defence venture with German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall AG (RHMG.DE) to service and repair Western weapons. In September, it hosted an international defence industry forum with more than 250 Western weapons producers.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Olivier Matthys, Kiyv, Zelenskiy, Biden, Yuliia Dysa, Louise Heavens, Heavens Organizations: Ukraine Defense Contact, NATO Defense, Ukrainian, Rheinmetall AG, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Brussels, Belgium, United States, Kyiv, Washington

UKRAINE DIVERSIONReuters spoke to around a half dozen Czech and Polish defence companies and government officials who described renewed efforts to carve out a bigger share of the African arms market as the Ukraine conflict diverts Russia's attention. Privately-held defence and civil manufacturing company Czechoslovak Group - the biggest Czech defence company - said its ability to maintain and modernize armoured vehicles using Soviet-era standards has helped it win business in Africa. ...in Poland where our stand was visited by numerous delegations from African countries that appeared here for the first time," WB Group spokesman Remigiusz Wilk said. The effort to supply Ukraine has pushed Czech companies to boost production and expand supply lines, something Czech-based independent defence analyst Lukas Visingr said has burnished the region's reputation. "The Czech arms industry is stepping up its efforts towards certain African countries still using Soviet-style equipment but who start to see Russia as a problematic supplier," Visingr said.

Persons: David W Cerny, Jiri Hynek, Filip Kulstrunk, Andrej Cirtek, Pieter Wezeman, Sebastian Chwalek, –, Remigiusz Wilk, Petr Fiala, Tomas Pojar, Tomas Kopecny, Kopecny, Lukas Visingr, Visingr, Michael Kahn, Anna Koper, Alex Richardson Organizations: Aero Vodochody, REUTERS, Western, Central, Russia Czech, Defence, Western NATO, Warsaw, Defence and Security Industry Association of, Reuters, Aero, Privately, Czechoslovak Group, CSG, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, WB Group, WB, Ivory, Thomson Locations: Odolena Voda, Czech Republic, Russia, Africa, PRAGUE, WARSAW, European, Western, Czechoslovakia, Czech, UKRAINE, Polish, Ukraine, Stockholm, China, Saharan Africa, Poland's, Poland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Prague, Mozambique

☆ Australia plans to boost AUKUS tech-sharing, restrict 'foreign' access
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The law is meant to replicate U.S. export controls to defence technology, seen as a key step to beginning the AUKUS plan to build a new class of nuclear-powered submarine in Australia and Britain. The proposed law creates three criminal offences, further restricts sharing of defence technology to foreign persons inside and outside Australia, while allowing licence-free sharing among the AUKUS partners. "This is pivotal legislation which is critical for establishing a seamless industrial base with our AUKUS partners," Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a statement on Tuesday. Australia needs to reform its defence industry to remove "burdensome red tape" with Britain and the U.S., he added. Australia's science academy said on Tuesday it was concerned at the impact on scientific collaboration with other nations, including China.

Persons: Richard Marles, Leon Neal, Chennupati Jagadish, Jagadish, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: UK Artificial Intelligence, Rights, U.S . State Department of, U.S . Congress, Australian Academy of Science, Thomson Locations: Bletchley, Britain, United States, Australia, Virginia, U.S, China, Canberra

☆ Australia Plans to Boost AUKUS Tech-Sharing, Restrict 'Foreign' Access
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Kirsty Needham SYDNEY, Richard Marles, Chennupati Jagadish, Jagadish, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: U.S . State Department of, U.S . Congress, Australian Academy of Science Locations: United States, Australia, Britain, Virginia, U.S, China, Canberra

Details of how Japan is paring back military procurement due to currency fluctuations have not been previously reported. China, which has not ruled out using military force to bring Taiwan under its control, has expressed concern about Japan's military spending plans, accusing it of displaying a "Cold War mentality." In December, defence ministry officials discussed an order for 34 twin-rotor Chinook transport helicopters at roughly 15 billion yen per aircraft, two of the sources said. She declined to comment on whether the defence ministry had dropped an order for the seaplane. A ministry spokesperson confirmed the companies delivered a letter on Oct 25 to Defence Minister Minoru Kihara urging the government to proceed with the defence procurement as planned.

Persons: Tomohiro, Fumio Kishida, Christopher Johnstone, Johnstone, Biden, Kishida, outlays, spender, Nancy Pelosi's, Yoji Koda, Lockheed Martin, Minoru Kihara, Kevin Maher, Nobuhiro Kubo, Takaya Yamaguchi, Tim Kelly, Yoshifumi Takemoto, Katerina Ang Organizations: Defense Force, East Fuji Maneuver, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Reuters, Bank of Japan, Center for Strategic, International Studies, National Security, East, Japan's Ministry of Defence, Embassy, Pentagon, Russian, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Boeing Co, Kawasaki, Industries, Maritime Self Defense Force, Raytheon, Lockheed, Japan Business Federation, NMV Consulting, U.S . State Department's Office, Japan Affairs, Thomson Locations: Japan, Gotemba, Shizuoka, Taiwan, Tokyo, Washington, Beijing, East Asia, U.S, East China, Ukraine, China, U.S .

[1/4] A view of the turbines at an offshore wind farm near Nysted, Denmark, September 4, 2023. Time is short: The EU has a legally binding goal to nearly double renewable sources as a share of total energy by 2030, to 42.5%, requiring a rapid expansion of offshore wind. But of the governments surveyed, only Britain and Poland said they had invested or budgeted for steps to improve the security of offshore infrastructure. It requires a lot of effort from the government side," said Mattia Cecchinato, senior adviser for offshore wind at WindEurope. It said it would establish a permanent coast guard base close to where offshore wind farms are planned.

Persons: Tom Little, Thomas Almegaard, Vladimir Putin, Mads Nipper, Orsted, Ewa Skoog Haslum, James Appathurai, Germany's RWE, Anitta, Mattia Cecchinato, Rasmus, Krzysztof Jaworski, Orsted's Errboe, Benjamin Mallet, Riham, Elizabeth Piper, Toby Sterling, Andrius Sytas, Marek Strzelecki, Sara Ledwith Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Baltic Seas, EU, NATO, NewNew, Sweden's, Soaring, Emerging, Research, Solutions, Internal, Fund, Military, Naval Operations Centre, Polish Navy, Thomson Locations: Nysted, Denmark, Europe, Baltic, Nord, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Russian, Russia, NewNew Shipping, Netherlands, Britain, Poland, Germany, North, Swedish, Copenhagen, Moscow, Sofia, European, Anitta Hipper, Belgium, Norway, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Baltic . Poland, Paris, Berlin, London, Amsterdam, Vilnius, Warsaw

☆ Ukraine plans to ramp up monthly drone output by year-end - minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An FPV (first person view) drone and additional equipment are seen at a training facility for military FPV drone pilots amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Zhytomyr region, Ukraine September 14, 2023. Kyiv has focused on increasing its output, but has relied heavily on foreign-made drone engines. Speaking at a NATO Industry Forum in Stockholm, Oleksandr Kamyshin, the minister who oversees Ukraine's defence industry, did not disclose detailed current drone production figures, but put the number in the thousands per month. Ukrainian officials hope cooperation with Western arms producers can also help revive the domestic arms industry and create an additional boost for the economy. Kamyshin said he had recently seen a "new wave of interest" in his country from Western defense industry companies.

Persons: Max Hunder, Oleksandr Kamyshin, Kamyshin, Yuliia, Tom Balmforth, Helen Popper Our Organizations: REUTERS, NATO Industry Forum, Western, Tuesday, Rheinmetall, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Zhytomyr region, Russia, Kyiv, Stockholm

☆ South Korea to hold largest defence show in bid to boost global sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Josh Smith | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] South Korea's K-2 tank is displayed at the 2023 Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) in Seongnam, South Korea, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Josh Smith Acquire Licensing RightsSEONGNAM, South Korea, Oct 16 (Reuters) - South Korea will kick off its largest-ever defence exhibition this week, as the country seeks to turbocharge its arms sales and showcase a rare appearance by a U.S. nuclear-capable bomber. "This is an opportunity for Korea's defence industry to draw international attention and take a giant leap forward," Lee said. At a South Korean military airbase south of Seoul on Monday, exhibitors made final preparations as participants in early events wandered among South Korean and U.S. military vehicles and warplanes on the tarmac, including advanced American stealth F-22 and F-35 aircraft. Under Yoon, South Korea and the United States have stepped up displays of strength, particularly U.S. nuclear-capable assets, in an effort to deter North Korea.

Persons: Josh Smith, Lee Jong, Lee, Yoon Suk Yeol, Charles Cameron, Yoon Organizations: Aerospace, Defense, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Seoul International Aerospace, South, South Korean, U.S . Air Force, Thomson Locations: Seongnam, South Korea, Rights SEONGNAM, Seoul, U.S, Poland, South Korean, American, United States, North Korea, South, Korean, Ukraine

☆ South Korea to Hold Largest Defence Show in Bid to Boost Global Sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Josh SmithSEONGNAM, South Korea (Reuters) - South Korea will kick off its largest-ever defence exhibition this week, as the country seeks to turbocharge its arms sales and showcase a rare appearance by a U.S. nuclear-capable bomber. "This is an opportunity for Korea's defence industry to draw international attention and take a giant leap forward," Lee said. South Korea has been roughly ninth in the world for defence exports in recent years, but President Yoon Suk Yeol has called for it to improve. At a South Korean military airbase south of Seoul on Monday, exhibitors made final preparations as participants in early events wandered among South Korean and U.S. military vehicles and warplanes on the tarmac, including advanced American stealth F-22 and F-35 aircraft. Under Yoon, South Korea and the United States have stepped up displays of strength, particularly U.S. nuclear-capable assets, in an effort to deter North Korea.

Persons: Josh Smith, Lee Jong, Lee, Yoon Suk Yeol, Charles Cameron, Yoon Organizations: Reuters, U.S, Seoul International Aerospace, Defense, South, South Korean, U.S . Air Force Locations: Josh Smith SEONGNAM, South Korea, Seoul, U.S, Poland, South Korean, American, United States, North Korea, South, Korean, Ukraine

☆ Slovakia's Fico strikes deal on coalition after election win
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Jan Lopatka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A Fico-led government would move Slovakia closer to Hungary at a time when the European Union and other Western countries have tried to keep unity on support for Ukraine. The memorandum did not specify any foreign policy details. He has not been specific on commercial supplies from the country's defence industry which include ammunition and heavy equipment makers. Prior to the election, also said he wanted to re-negotiate a defence cooperation treaty with Washington. Reporting by Jan Lopatka and Jason Hovet in Prague; Editing by Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Robert Fico, Zuzana Caputova, Radovan Stoklasa, Fico, Viktor Orban, Jan Lopatka, Jason Hovet, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, EU's, Ukraine Coalition, Ukraine, Democracy, European Union, Justice, SNS, NATO, Washington, EU, Hungarian, Diplomats, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Prague

That was until this week, when the company decided to pull its listing in the final hours of Wednesday, blaming market conditions. In the coming weeks, a string of European companies are slated to come to market. Among them is CVC Capital Partners, which is still planning a November listing depending on market conditions, a person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. However, the fate of Renk highlights the challenges facing new issuers, exacerbated by a recent bout of volatility in equity and debt markets. On Thursday it was trading around its opening IPO price at 30 euros, still above its issue price, a positive sign.

Persons: Andreas Bernstorff, Germany's DAX, Susanne Wiegand, Schott, Perfumery, Douglas, Emma, Victoria Farr, Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro, Alexander Huebner, Anousha Sakoui Organizations: Capital Partners, Reuters, Equity Capital Markets, BNP, Renk, Rheinmetall, Schott Pharma, DKV, CVC Capital Partners, Paris bourse, Thomson Locations: FRANKFURT, LONDON, Frankfurt, U.S, Europe, East, Africa, European, Germany, York, Lincoln

☆ EU's Borrell, in Kyiv, Says Bloc Is Preparing Long-Term Security Pledges
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) -European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said during a visit to Kyiv on Sunday that Ukraine needed more military aid and he promised ongoing EU support. "Ukraine needs more capabilities & needs them faster," he said in a statement posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. He said he had discussed "continuous EU military assistance" during his first in-person meeting with Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. "We are preparing long-term security commitments for Ukraine," Borrell added. He said their discussions of EU military aid to Ukraine covered "artillery & ammunition, air defense, EW & long-term assistance programs, trainings, and defence industry localization" in Ukraine.

Persons: Josep Borrell, Rustem Umerov, Borrell, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Elaine Monaghan, Hugh Lawson, William Maclean Organizations: Reuters, Union, Twitter, Defence, Ukraine, European Defence Agency Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Washington

☆ UK aims to offer military training inside Ukraine, minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomes British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps before a meeting, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, in this handout picture released September 28, 2023. Britain has provided five-week military training courses to around 20,000 Ukrainians over the past year, and intends to train a similar number going forward. In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, Shapps said there was scope to offer military training within Ukraine after a discussion on Friday with British military chiefs. Shapps added that he hoped British defence companies such as BAE Systems (BAES.L) would proceed with plans to set up arms factories in Ukraine. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made Shapps defence minister on Sept. 1, after the resignation of his predecessor Ben Wallace.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Grant Shapps, Shapps, Rishi Sunak, Ben Wallace, David Milliken, Daniel Wallis Organizations: British, Presidential Press Service, REUTERS, Sunday Telegraph, BAE Systems, Ukraine's, Russia, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Britain, Russia, British

☆ UK Aims to Offer Military Training Inside Ukraine, Minister Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

To date, Britain and its allies have avoided a formal military presence in Ukraine to reduce the risk of a direct conflict with Russia. Britain has provided five-week military training courses to around 20,000 Ukrainians over the past year, and intends to train a similar number going forward. In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, Shapps said there was scope to offer military training within Ukraine after a discussion on Friday with British military chiefs. Shapps added that he hoped British defence companies such as BAE Systems would proceed with plans to set up arms factories in Ukraine. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made Shapps defence minister on Sept. 1, after the resignation of his predecessor Ben Wallace.

Persons: Grant Shapps, Shapps, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Rishi Sunak, Ben Wallace, David Milliken, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Sunday Telegraph, BAE Systems, Ukraine's, Russia Locations: Ukraine, Britain, Russia, British

☆ Ukraine lures Western weapons makers to transform defence industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Olena Harmash | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Ukraine is in such a phase of the defence marathon when it is very important, critical to go forward without retreating. Results from the frontline are needed daily," Zelenskiy told executives representing more than 250 Western weapons producers. Executives from weapons producers from over 30 countries attended the forum. Ukrainian officials see the development of domestic defence production as a boost to the economy, which has shrunk by about a third last year due to the war. Several leading Western producers like Germany's weapon production giant Rheinmetall and Britain-based BAE Systems have already announced plans to team up with Ukrainian producers.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Olena Harmash, William Maclean Organizations: Puma, Rheinmetall, REUTERS, Rights, BAE Systems, Foreign Ministry, U.S, Thomson Locations: Unterluess, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Britain, Czech, Turkish

☆ South Korea holds rare military parade, warns North over nuclear threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SEOUL, Sept 26 (Reuters) - South Korea kicked off its first large-scale military parade in a decade on Tuesday, with weapons ranging from ballistic missiles to attack helicopters due to roll through Seoul in a show of force as it takes a tougher stance against North Korea. "If North Korea uses nuclear weapons, its regime will be brought to an end by an overwhelming response from the ROK-U.S. alliance," Yoon said while addressing troops in the rain. South Korea last held a military street parade in 2013. The event will also feature a joint flyover by South Korean and U.S. military aircraft to demonstrate an "upgraded" combined defence posture, the ministry said. Yoon has said that if Russia helped North Korea enhance its weapons programs in return for assistance for its war in Ukraine, it would be "a direct provocation".

Persons: Kim Jong, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Hyunmoo, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Soo, hyang Choi, Hyunsu Yim, Jack Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, country's Armed Forces, Seoul Air Base, ROK, Defence Ministry, The Armed Forces, SAM, KF, South Korean, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Seoul, North Korea, Pyongyang, Korea, South, Seoul . South Korea, Washington, Tokyo, Seongnam, U.S, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Ukraine to launch joint weapons production with US, Zelenskiy says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Olena Harmash | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Ukraine and the United States have agreed to launch joint weapons production in a step that will enable Kyiv to start producing air defence systems, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday as he wrapped up a visit to the U.S. "And a long-term agreement - we will work together so that Ukraine produces the necessary weapons together with the United States. Zelenskiy said the Ministry for Strategic Industries, which oversees weapons production in Ukraine, had signed cooperation agreements with three associations, uniting over 2,000 defence U.S. companies, on future possible work in Ukraine. The government is also implementing reforms at its main weapons production company - Ukroboronprom - to improve transparency, boost production capacity and enable it to cooperate more actively with Western producers.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Zelenskiy, Olena Harmash, Timothy Heritage, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: U.S, White, REUTERS, Rights, Ministry for Strategic Industries, Western, Thomson Locations: Washington, Ukraine, United States, Kyiv, U.S

☆ Australia boosts maritime surveillance with drones, aircraft upgrades
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft takes off from Perth International Airport, April 16, 2014. REUTERS/Greg Wood/Pool/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Australia will spend A$1.5 billion ($966 million) to boost maritime surveillance of its northern approaches, buying more long range drone aircraft and upgrading Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The fleet of 14 Boeing (BA.N) P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft will have anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike and intelligence collection capabilities upgraded, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said in a statement on Tuesday. The Triton will provide long-range surveillance of Australia's maritime region, the statement said. Conroy said the Poseidon aircraft upgrades will strengthen the protection of Australian "maritime interests".

Persons: Greg Wood, Defence Industry Pat Conroy, , Conroy, Kirsty Needham, Lincoln Organizations: U.S . Navy, Perth International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Boeing, Poseidon Maritime Patrol, Defence Industry, Northrop Grumman, Triton, United States Navy, Defence, U.S, Australian Poseidon, United Nations Security, Thomson Locations: Australia, Australia's Northern Territory, Asia, South Australia, United States, Pacific, China, Australian, South China, North Korea

Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting at the Vostochny Сosmodrome in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, September 13, 2023. DPRK is short for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's formal name. At the opening of the meeting with Putin, Kim said it was an unwavering position of the North to further develop its traditional friendship and ties with Russia. Russian media said Putin showed Kim around the building where Russia's new space launch rocket, the Angara, is assembled. Humanitarian aid to North Korea and U.N. Security Council resolutions imposed on Pyongyang may also be discussed, Russian officials have said.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, North, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Smirnov, Kim, Putin, Kim Jong, Moscow, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, KCNA, Jo Chun Ryong, Hyunsu Yim, Josh Smith, Soo, hyang Choi, Lidia Kelly, Guy Faulconbridge, Jack Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Sputnik, REUTERS Acquire, North, DPRK, Democratic People's, Russia, Kremlin, Vostochny, Munitions Industry, Thomson Locations: Amur, Russia, North Korea, South Korea, MOSCOW, SEOUL, Washington, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North, Moscow, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia's, South, United States, Korea, Seoul, Tokyo, Melbourne

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