HMS Trent and a Wildcat helicopter escorted Russian warships through UK waters

The British Navy patrol vessel HMS Trent and a Wildcat helicopter escorted Russian warships in British waters during a five-day operation coordinated with NATO allies.

HMS Trent, based in the port of Portsmouth, monitored the Russian anti-submarine destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov, passing by Great Yarmouth and moving through the English Channel towards the island of Ouessant (Ushant). There, the destroyer was joined by two Russian tankers heading east. The vessels met at the island of Ouessant, after which they turned back to the east, continuing to pass through the strait.

A Wildcat helicopter from the 815th Naval Aviation Squadron supported the ship by conducting aerial surveillance of the movement of Russian vessels. At the same time, the NATO partner country monitored the actions of two Russian tankers.

This operation became part of the regular actions of the British Navy and NATO to control warships near the territorial waters of the alliance. The Russian military itself calls such observations a common maritime practice and emphasizes that the ships perform scheduled tasks.

In recent months, the British Navy has been actively using patrol ships, including HMS Trent, to monitor the actions of Russian submarines and military vessels in the English Channel and neighboring waters. However, some experts have expressed concern about the limited British fleet and its capabilities in confrontation with the Russian fleet.

The V-BAT drone has arrived in Europe: it spies from rooftops and is not afraid of the wind

Since June, a new "invisible observer" in the sky has appeared in Eastern Europe — the American V-BAT drone from Shield AI. He was hired not by the military, but by Frontex, the European border and Coast guard agency. Together with the partner Global Sat Tech, they launched a drone for surveillance along the borders, and it no longer works somewhere at the landfill, but in real conditions.

What is interesting about this UAV? Yes to everyone. Firstly, it flies like a helicopter — it takes off and lands vertically, without a runway. It can even stand on the roof of an ordinary house, on the deck of a ship, or just on a piece of mud in the middle of a forest. No preparation — I came, installed, launched.

Secondly, it is almost self-sufficient. He doesn't need a ground station, a bulky launch complex, or a team of ten people. All it takes is two operators, and they deploy the system in less than half an hour. The drone flies along a set route, returns by itself and lands — all this is completely autonomous, without constant control.

Another plus is security. The V-BAT does not have exposed propellers like the quadrocopters. Everything is hidden inside, so if you stand too close, it won't cut off your ear. And it's more stable in a storm: the JP5 jet fuel engine (the same as that of military aircraft) is powerful and reliable.

And the most delicious thing is the load capacity. It can carry up to 18 kilograms of payload: cameras, thermal imagers, radio stations, sensors. And it gives you 600 watts of power, which is a huge amount of power for a drone. This means that you can put almost anything on it, and it will pull everything.

Such a drone is an ideal spy for borders: inconspicuous, autonomous, tenacious. And now he regularly circles over Eastern Europe, counting who is going where.

The Army will decommission all turboprop reconnaissance aircraft and switch to business jets for aerial surveillance

By the end of this year, the army plans to completely decommission its fleet of turboprop reconnaissance aircraft, which have been used for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance for many years. Instead, new business jets specially adapted for aerial reconnaissance tasks will be purchased.

However, despite plans to upgrade the fleet, the army will be able to receive only six such business jets, which is significantly less than the previous number of turboprop aircraft. This is due to the abandonment of a larger fleet that provided broader coverage and exploration capabilities.

The choice in favor of business jets, such as Bombardier Global 6500 modifications, is due to their higher speed, flight range and modern equipment for reconnaissance and surveillance. These aircraft are capable of performing tasks within the framework of programs aimed at improving the efficiency and accuracy of aerial reconnaissance.

However, the reduction in the number of aerial platforms raises questions about maintaining the volume and quality of intelligence data, especially in the face of growing threats and the need for rapid response.

The transition to business jets also reflects the trend of modernization and optimization of military aviation, where mobility, adaptability and integration of modern intelligence systems play a key role.

Sweden prepares to sell GlobalEye systems to Denmark: strengthening defense cooperation in Scandinavia

GlobalEye

In its spring 2025 budget, the Swedish government has presented a proposal aimed at strengthening defense cooperation with Denmark. As part of this proposal, the Government plans to obtain a mandate to conclude a bilateral agreement for the sale of up to four early warning and Control Systems (AEW&C) S 106 GlobalEye. This deal will be a response to Denmark's stated need to improve its airborne radar surveillance capabilities.

GlobalEye is an advanced aerial surveillance and control system developed by the Swedish company Saab. It combines the capabilities of long-range detection, tracking of air and ground targets, as well as real-time operations management. Thanks to the integration of modern radars and aviation technologies, GlobalEye is a key element for enhancing the defense capability of any country.

It is assumed that the transaction will be conducted as an intergovernmental sale, which underlines the strategic importance of cooperation between Sweden and Denmark. In addition to the GlobalEye systems themselves, Denmark will receive related support equipment, including software, spare parts, and technical support. This will allow Copenhagen to integrate new technologies into its defense structure as efficiently as possible.

Denmark is actively working to modernize its armed forces, especially in the field of surveillance and intelligence. Given the growing security challenges in the region, including increased Russian military activity in the Baltic region, the need for modern surveillance systems is becoming critical. GlobalEye will provide Denmark with an opportunity to significantly improve its airspace and maritime control capabilities.

For Sweden, this deal will be not only an important step in strengthening defense cooperation with neighboring countries, but also a significant economic advantage. The sale of high-tech systems such as GlobalEye confirms Sweden's reputation as a leader in defense technology. In addition, successful cooperation with Denmark can serve as an example for other countries interested in acquiring similar systems.

Strengthening Denmark's military capabilities through the purchase of GlobalEye also contributes to strengthening collective security in the region. This is especially important in the context of growing tensions in Europe. The joint efforts of Sweden and Denmark can form the basis for broader cooperation within the framework of NATO and other defense initiatives.