MENADEFENSE All about defense from Marrakech to Bengladesh

OPINION: Russia’s build-up of forces on its border with Ukraine is not only a challenge to Ukraine. It also marks the latest phase of a campaign of pressure on the EU. The weaknesses and contradictions of the EU’s response have emboldened Russia to pose a more severe test now. This is a dangerous moment for Europe and the transatlantic alliance.

The American aircraft manufacturer Bell has announced that it has started assembling the first AH-1Z (Cobra Zulu) combat helicopters for the benefit of the Bahrain Air Force.

US President Joe Biden has confirmed the deal signed by the Trump administration with the United Arab Emirates for $ 23 billion. The package includes: 50 F-35A fighters valued at $ 10.4 billion, 18 MQ-9B drones valued at $ 2.97 billion, and various ammunition worth $ 10 billion.

The Egyptian Navy has received its second FREMM frigate, ENS Bernees, from Italy. The ship arrived at the military port of Alexandria on April 14th. ENS Bernees ex-Emilio Bianchi succeeds ENS Al Galala (ex Spartaco Schergat), received on December 31, 2020.

The stealth armed Drone Okhotnik, will join the fifth generation combat aircraft Su-57 beggining 2024 according to official russian sources.

At present, taking into account the high-tech nature of the latest wars and conflicts, global developers pay considerable attention to the development and production of targeting and guidance systems for the weapon systems. Within this trend, recently Ukraine has presented a line of new “thermal” targeting/guidance systems for guided missiles and an optical aiming station for various types of weapons.

Given the active use of artillery fire by the enemy, modern armies of the world, in particular Ukraine, pay special attention to the development, manufacture and combat use of acoustic and radar reconnaissance means.

August 2020 Ukrainian State company “Antonov” presented the newest multirole transport aircraft An-178, which is to be delivered to Peru in 2021. The delivery is planned within the contract to produce an unspecified quantity of the newest Antonov An-178 military transport aircraft for the Interior Ministry of Peru.