Hyundai Rotem has registered the design of the new K3 tank

 Hyundai Rotem has officially registered a new design with the South Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) for the future main battle tank. The application, listed under application number 30-2024-0034192, was filed on August 26, 2024 and was examined before approval on March 21, 2025. 

The design of the registered tank, which is widely believed to be related to the next-generation K3 (NG-MBT) main battle tank program, was officially registered on April 17 and published on April 21, 2025. Hyundai Rotem paid the initial three-year registration fee of 65,000 Korean won on the same day. The protection is valid until August 26, 2044. The registered element is a single basic design for a "tracked ground combat vehicle" (classification 12), identified by the serial number M001.

Saudi Arabia to receive AIM-120C-8 missiles

 Saudi Arabia is about to receive the latest generation of advanced AIM-120C-8 (AMRAAM) medium-range air-to-air missiles, which will significantly enhance the ability of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) to counter high-speed aerial threats and maintain air superiority in one of the most unstable regions of the world. This $3.5 billion U.S. arms deal, approved and released through the Defense and Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), marks an important step in the Kingdom's ongoing modernization of its air combat capabilities, providing RSAF with a missile system that provides extended range, improved target discrimination, and superior performance in contested areas. conditions of electronic warfare.

The American company Anduril Industries has announced the production of a Roadrunner drone

 The American defense technology company Anduril Industries has announced the large—scale production of its new Roadrunner interceptor, a reusable drone designed to counter aerial threats with the ability to launch quickly.

The Roadrunner is a "reusable, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), operator—controlled autonomous aircraft (AAV)" equipped with two turbojet engines and modular payload options. These engines allow the aircraft to take off vertically without an accelerator and reach high subsonic speeds in flight.

The Roadrunner-M carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead for hitting aerial targets, the system can be safely restored if it does not reach the target. In such cases, the drone performs a controlled vertical landing powered by its own thrust, a method comparable to SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets.

Roadrunner-M — Reusable drone

A new high-precision ammunition for the MAM-L UAV has been developed

 

High-precision ammunition for the MAM-L UAV

Developed by the Turkish company Roketsan specifically for use with UAVs, the high-precision small–sized ammunition (bomb) MAM-L (SMM - Smart Micro Munition) weighing 22 kg is actually a "trimmed" version of the ATGM Roketsan L-UMTAS (weight 37.5 kg) with the removal of the rocket engine section and equipped with a laser semi-active guidance system. The length of the ammunition is 1 m, the caliber is 160 mm. A 10 kg warhead can be of two types – high-explosive fragmentation or tandem cumulative. It is claimed that when dropped from a significant altitude, the range of the MAM-L exceeds 8 km. The MAM-L (Smart Micro Munition) is a special lightweight guided munition designed for attack drones. This bomb is equipped with a high-precision laser beam guidance system and performs a gliding flight to the target. The ammunition guidance system allows you to hit with an error of no more than one meter.The combat effectiveness of the MAM-L has already been proven when using the Bayraktar TB2 by the armed forces of the Republic of Turkey. As the experience of the Turkish army has proved, high-precision guidance of ammunition and a relatively small warhead make it possible to use the MAM-L against an enemy who is hiding behind civilian objects, without risking civilian life. 

Specifications:

- Diameter: 160 mm

- Length: 1000 mm

- Weight: 22 kg

- Maximum range: 8 km

- Type of warhead: high-explosive fragmentation or tandem cumulative

- Control system: Laser beam guidance GPS

- Target type: Heavy armored vehicles and armored vehicles

- Media: UAVs, light attack aircraft.

The Taiwanese company introduced the SeaShark 800 unmanned boat

 

SeaShark 800

The Taiwanese company Thunder Tiger has introduced another crew-less boat SeaShark 800

Designed to perform reconnaissance and strike missions. It can carry explosives on board. The boat has low radar visibility. 

Control: Supports dual-mode remote control technology by both satellite signal and radio frequency, ensuring stable and reliable communication under electronic jamming conditions. 

It is equipped with a swarm control system that allows you to coordinate the actions of several backups for group attacks or distributed monitoring.

The built-in AI target identification system automatically recognizes enemy ships and other preset targets to increase accuracy during strikes.

Declared characteristics

• length — 8.1 m

• width — 2.1 m

• height — 1.9 m

• draft — 0.5 m

• total displacement — 2.7 tons

• maximum speed — over 50 knots

• Cruising range is about 324 nautical miles (600 km).

BECK will also take part in the test swims in June along with other boats.

North Korea will send troops to Russia in accordance with the agreement

 "Based on the analysis and assessment of the current situation, Comrade Kim Jong-un came to the conclusion that it falls under the scope of Article 4 of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between the DPRK and the Russian Federation, and decided to send our armed forces to participate in hostilities, notifying the Russian side."

North Korea has officially announced the dispatch of troops to Russia in accordance with the strategic partnership agreement, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports.

RIA Novosti also reports that, according to Kim Jong-un, a "monument of military glory" will soon be erected in the capital of the DPRK to honor the memory of "fallen fighters" as a sign of "eternal memory from the Motherland and the people."

The DPRK will continue to support the sacred cause of the Russian army and people, and will always remain committed to any actions based on the spirit of the interstate agreement with Russia, KCNA writes.

Putin declared a truce on the days of the 80th anniversary of Victory

 Putin declared a truce on the days of the 80th anniversary of the Victory, the Kremlin said. 

"According to the decision of the Supreme Commander-in–Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, based on humanitarian considerations, on the days of the 80th anniversary of the Victory – from zero hours from 7 to 8 May to zero hours from 10 to 11 May - the Russian side declares a truce. All military operations are stopped for this period.

Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example.

In case of violations of the truce by the Ukrainian side, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will provide an adequate and effective response.

The Russian side once again declares its readiness for peaceful negotiations without preconditions aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and constructive cooperation.

China unveils sixth-generation fighter jet J-36

J-36

 China has shown off its sixth-generation fighter jet, the J-36, in detail.

China has unveiled its new sixth-generation fighter model, the J-36, which is significantly larger and heavier than existing fifth-generation aircraft.

Possible tasks:

1. It can act as a leader for an entire combat system, which will include various unmanned vehicles, while its participation in aerial combat is "unlikely."

2. Long-range strikes (missile attacks) by enemy aircraft not only in the air, but also on the ground, as well as those stationed on aircraft carriers.

3. The center of a large combat system, which, in addition to drones, will include manned fighters such as J-20 and J-35A, AWACS aircraft and tanker aircraft.

4. A prototype for the creation of a naval version of the stealth fighter.

Length: about 23 m

Weight: from 45 to 54 tons. 

For comparison, the weight of the J-20 varies from 34 to 37 tons, and the weight of the Russian Su-57 with full ammunition is 37 tons. 

Experts believe that the demonstration of a promising aircraft that is already performing test flights is a political gesture to the United States and its allies in Southeast Asia.

"Lotos": state trials are coming

 The latest self-propelled artillery piece "Lotоs" has been sent for state testing.

Lotos is a derivative of the Zauralets project and is expected to replace it. According to the Zauralets project, it was planned to develop a new self-propelled artillery system for the Airborne Forces.

In August 2022, the preliminary tests of the 2C42 Lotоs were successfully completed. During the tests, the machine was tested on land and in water, and was also air-dropped from various heights and from different angles.

After completing the tests, the developer began to eliminate the identified shortcomings. In particular, it was necessary to improve the on-board electronics, the projectile loading system and the chassis.

In addition, the lessons learned from the military operations in Ukraine were taken into account.

In accordance with the technical parameters, the Lotоs is significantly superior to its predecessor, the Nona complex, in terms of such characteristics as movement speed, firing range and security level.

This artillery piece can be used as a mortar or howitzer. The breech-loading mortar is mounted on a chassis based on the Sprut-SDM-1 (BMD-4M) light airborne tank. Improvements were carried out in the 120 mm mortar compartment, which significantly automated the preparation and conduct of firing operations.

The rate of fire of this gun ranges from 6 to 8 rounds per minute. The firing range reaches 13 kilometers. The armor-piercing projectile is capable of piercing a 600-650 mm thick steel plate at a distance of 1,000 meters.

In addition, these weapons can use Kitolov-2M laser-guided projectiles. The maximum range of such projectiles is 10 kilometers, and the probability of hitting is about 80-90%.

The Lotоs is a waterfowl combat vehicle.

 The IL-76 military transport aircraft can accommodate two such guns with a crew.

The adaptation of the chassis after testing has improved the speed and power reserve: the car can reach speeds of up to 70 km/ h on roads and 40 km/ h on rough terrain.

Throughout 2023, the Lotоs was tested again, including in Ukraine, and in 2024, images of the Lotоs transportation to the combat area were published. In the course of recent tests, it was decided to integrate a powerful electronic warfare (EW) system into the ACS to protect against drones. Also, as passive protection, the crew can use special aerosol-forming ammunition ("Rainbow") optoelectronic countermeasures, within a few seconds a cloud is created hiding the equipment from the enemy.

The Lotоs pre-test program includes more than 80 different items. The tracked self—propelled installation must travel 600 kilometers, of which 50% of the way will have to be covered on dirt roads, 30% on roads with cobblestone and gravel surfaces, and 10% off—road. You will also need to walk 10% of the way through the water.

Specifications

- Combat weight, kg: 18,000

- Maximum speed on the highway, km/h: 40

- Power reserve on the highway, km: 500

- Armament: 1 x 120mm cannon

- Crew, people: 4

Lotоs

Chrysanthemum-S at the Army-2024 Forum

 

Chrysanthemum-S

The 9P157-2 combat vehicle of the 9K123-1 Chrysanthemum-S anti-tank missile system at the Army-2024 forum.

The Chrysanthemum self-propelled anti-tank complex is capable of hitting with high efficiency day and night, in any weather conditions and in any combat situation at a range of up to 6000 m all modern and promising tanks equipped with dynamic protection, any types of defensive structures, manpower, low-tonnage ships and boats, helicopters and low-speed, low-flying aircraft. 

▪️The complex includes: 

- combat vehicle 9P157-2, 

- A 9M123M missile with a cumulative tandem warhead, 

- A 9M123MF rocket with a high-explosive warhead, 

- means of technical control of combat vehicles and missiles, 

- educational and training facilities. 

The combat vehicle has two missile control channels: in automatic mode using radar guidance and semi - automatic mode with guided missiles in a laser beam . 

To defeat targets in both control channels, a single missile with two types of warhead is used: with a tandem cumulative warhead (with armor penetration up to 1200 mm behind dynamic protection) and a powerful high-explosive warhead.

Ukraine unveils the Bars drone rocket

 Ukraine has developed a new rocket, the Bars drone

Here's what the manufacturer says:

Bars was developed by private manufacturers. It belongs to the class of so-called cruise missile drones: it is a cross between a conventional cruise missile and a drone, more often an aircraft type with a warhead of about 50-100 kg and a small turbojet engine. Drone missiles can be launched from both ground installations and aircraft.

The range of the Leopard is approximately 700-800 km, it is a medium-range weapon. According to sources, a significant advantage of this missile is the possibility of mass production in Ukraine.

This is not the first such project, before that, we recall, there was a drone rocket "Trembita".