Britain is massively arming itself with drones: the Minister of Defense announced a breakthrough in the next 5 years

Drones instead of soldiers — where will the front be now?

The British army is preparing for a large-scale re-equipment. Defense Secretary Luke Pollard confirmed that over the next five years, unmanned systems will become a key part of the conventional armed forces. This is not just the purchase of a couple dozen drones for reconnaissance, but a systemic change. Drones and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) will enter the army in large batches, replacing people in the most dangerous tasks.

Now each battalion can receive its own "robo-squad".

Air and ground robots will join the army

So far, the details remain general, but one thing is clear: we are talking about two directions.

The first is aerial drones of all classes: from small reconnaissance aircraft to medium—range attack drones.

The second is ground—based robots (UGVs) capable of carrying cargo, clearing mines, conducting surveillance, or even launching strikes.

Such machines are already being used on a trial basis, but now their introduction will become widespread and mandatory for departments.

Why now?

The answer is simple: modern combat has become too dangerous for a living person in advanced areas. Drones allow you to take pictures of reconnaissance, adjust fire, deliver ammunition — and all this without risking your life. This is especially important against the background of a shortage of personnel and the growing threat from cheap but effective enemy drones.

Britain does not want to lag behind the United States, Israel or China. She wants to be at the forefront.

How will this change the army

In five years, the British soldier will be working not alone, but in conjunction with machines. He will be able to launch a drone to check the building, send a robot forward to investigate, use UGV to evacuate the wounded. The army will become lighter, more mobile and safer.

This is not the end of the human factor — it is its reinforcement. It's just that now a soldier is not only a shooter, but also an operator of a whole network of smart cars.

Sources

1. Lenta.ru — Luke Pollard data on massive UK UAV deliveries
2. Mail.ru News — Pollard on ramping-up British Army drone numbers
3. Gazeta.ru — Pollard announces start of bulk drone purchases
4. Interfax — UK-led coalition plan to ship tens of thousands of UAVs to Ukraine in 2025
5. SovaNews — “Drone Coalition” to begin deliveries of tens of thousands of drones in January

The European Union has invested a record 343 billion euros in defense — and is ready to spend even more

343 billion euros per year — what does it give Europe

The European Union spent a record 343 billion euros (about $402 billion) on defense last year. It's not just a number, it's a signal. According to a new report from the European Defense Agency, spending has exceeded all forecasts. And this is not a one-time surge: Europe has taken up the task of strengthening its defenses in earnest.

Now every sixth euro in the state budgets of the EU countries goes to the army, air defense, equipment and training of soldiers.

Why are they spending more than they planned?

Europe used to rely on American protection. Now the situation is changing. The conflict in Ukraine, rising tensions in Eastern Europe, and uncertainty in relations with the United States have forced countries to rethink their priorities.

Many countries — from Poland to Finland — have dramatically increased their arms purchases, are restoring stocks, and are modernizing their armies. It's not just imports: the EU is actively developing its own defense industry in order to be less dependent on supplies from overseas.

What will happen in 2025 — 381 billion in plans

The agency predicts that in 2025 the volume of expenses will grow to 381 billion euros (446 billion dollars). This is 11% more than last year. This growth is not just a reaction to the crisis. This is a long-term strategy: Europe wants to be able to defend itself, even if external support proves limited.

A lot of money is being spent not only on new tanks and planes, but also on logistics, communications, cybersecurity, and joint exercises.

The money goes not only for weapons

Part of the funds is directed to the restoration of ammunition supplies that were sent to Ukraine. Part of it is for the training of reservists, the modernization of air defense systems and the creation of fast—reacting forces. Attention is also being paid to infrastructure: roads, railways, ports — so that equipment can be quickly transferred to where it is needed.

Now Europe is building not only power, but also resilience.

Sources

1. TASS
2. Rossaprimavera
3. SOTA Project
4. RIA Novosti
5. Kommersant
6. 1Prime
7. Gazeta.ru
8. RIA Novosti (EU context)
9. Armiya.az
10. RBC

China's New Medium Tank: Adapting to drone-era warfare and Amphibious operations

A medium tank on parade is a signal of strategic restructuring

During the rehearsals for the Victory Day military parade in Beijing, prototypes of a new medium tank mounted on an 8x8 chassis were seen for the first time. His appearance in public, albeit in preparation for the parade, is seen by analysts as an important signal of shifts in the strategy of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA). The tank is probably designed for fast mobile operations, including amphibious and expeditionary missions.

This indicates a shift from an exclusive focus on heavy armored vehicles to more flexible, rapidly deployable platforms.

The lessons of the war in Ukraine in Chinese military doctrine

Analysts note that the development of the new tank reflects the lessons China has learned from the course of the special military operation in Ukraine. The vulnerabilities of heavy tanks to pinpoint strikes, including strikes from UAV-based reconnaissance and strike systems, were clearly demonstrated there. At the same time, high mobility, the ability to quickly transfer, and stealth have become crucial factors for survival and efficiency.

China is probably betting on armored vehicles that can be quickly delivered to coastal areas, islands, or mountainous areas — for example, in potential scenarios in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea.

Advantages of a medium tank in modern conditions

The medium tank combines sufficient firepower (presumably a 105mm or 125mm cannon) with high mobility and lower weight compared to heavy tanks such as the Type 99. This allows it to be transported by military transport aircraft, unloaded from amphibious ships and quickly maneuvered along difficult roads.

Its design probably includes modular armor, active protection systems and a digital fire control network, which increases survivability and combat effectiveness.

Integration with unmanned systems and air forces

According to experts, special attention is being paid to the integration of the new tank into the man-machine network. It can operate in conjunction with reconnaissance and attack drones, receiving real-time data from them and hitting targets under their guidance. This corresponds to the concept of network-centric warfare, which is actively being developed in the PLA.

This approach minimizes risks for the crew and increases the accuracy and speed of responding to a changing environment.

Israel to allocate 1.5 billion dollars for the production of tanks and armored personnel carriers

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has approved a large-scale plan to modernize and expand the fleet of armored vehicles at the expense of local production. 1.5 billion dollars will be allocated for the implementation of the program over the next five years.

The funds will be used to increase the pace of production of key types of armored vehicles developed and manufactured in the country. First of all, it is planned to increase the production of Merkava Mk.4 Barak tanks, Namer armored personnel carriers and Eitan wheeled armored personnel carriers.

Special attention is paid to equipping new vehicles with modern weapons, including turrets with 30 mm cannons, which significantly increases the firepower and versatility of vehicles in combat. Such weapons are effective against infantry, light armored vehicles, and low-flying aerial targets.

The program is aimed at strengthening the combat readiness of the ground forces, replacing outdated models and ensuring technological superiority on the battlefield. Increasing the fleet of armored vehicles will also increase the level of protection of crews and infantry in modern conflicts.

Germany plans to spend 350 billion euros to modernize the Bundeswehr by 2041

Germany intends to dramatically strengthen its army in the coming decades. The country's Defense Ministry has unveiled a large-scale arms and equipment procurement plan worth more than 350 billion euros (about 409 billion US dollars), calculated until 2041. This initiative is part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's strategic course to transform the Bundeswehr into the most powerful conventional military force in Europe.

Budget 2026: a sharp increase in funding

On Monday, the draft federal budget for 2026 was presented to Parliament. It provides 8.2 billion euros ($9.6 billion) for military procurement. However, in 2026, the volume of allocations will increase sharply to 22.3 billion euros, which will signal the beginning of an active phase of modernization.

Long-term commitments: "Verpflichtungsermächtigungen" until 2041

A key element of the plan is the so—called "Verpflichtungsermächtigungen" - permits to fulfill long-term financial obligations. These obligations, estimated at about 325 billion euros, are valid from 2027 to 2041. They allow the Ministry of Defense to conclude contracts for the supply of large systems right now, even if their actual payment and delivery will take place in the future.

Such a mechanism gives the industry confidence in stable orders and allows it to plan production taking into account long-term cycles of development and assembly of complex military platforms.

What will be purchased?

The funds will be used to upgrade all branches of the Bundeswehr.:

Ground Forces — new tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems

Air Force - fighters, drones, air defense systems

Naval forces — ships, submarines, naval aviation

Special attention will be paid to digitalization, network-centric technologies and integration with NATO, which will increase compatibility with the allied armies.

Strategic context

This ambitious plan is a response to the changed geopolitical situation. The strengthening of the German army is seen as a necessary step to ensure Europe's security, especially against the backdrop of growing threats from Russia and instability on the southern and eastern borders of the EU.

The Bundeswehr plans to increase its fleet of drones to 8,000 by 2029: ambitions and reality

Germany is taking a decisive step towards modernizing its army: the Bundeswehr has unveiled an ambitious plan to dramatically increase its fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). If today the German armed forces have slightly more than 600 drones at their disposal, then by 2029 their number should exceed 8000 units. This large-scale project is keeping pace with record growth in the defense budget and large-scale purchases of military equipment, offsetting the previously slow pace of military training.

Multi-level drone system

The program provides for the creation of a multi-level, differentiated UAV system adapted to various tasks on the battlefield.:

- 1,200 highly compact nanodrons — for exploration at minimal distances, including in urban areas and hard-to-reach areas.  

- 3028 light drones — designed to monitor and adjust fire at the tactical level.  

- 800 repeater drones will ensure stable communication between units in conditions of radio suppression.  

- Barrage ammunition — two competing systems are currently being tested, which will become part of the strike arsenal in the future.

This approach allows you to cover the entire range of operations — from individual reconnaissance to large-scale combat operations using autonomous weapons.

Operational reserve for combat conditions

Special attention is paid to the stability of the system in conflict conditions. It is planned to create an operational reserve of drones in the amount of 20-40% of the total fleet. This will make it possible to quickly replenish losses and maintain a high level of combat readiness even during intense combat operations.

The goal is leadership in Europe

Although the exact amount of funding for the program is not indicated in open sources, it is obvious that we are talking about multimillion-dollar investments. The successful implementation of the plan will provide the Bundeswehr with one of the largest and most technologically diverse UAV fleets in Europe.

However, against the background of such ambitious plans, there are also restrained assessments. The comparison with production rates in other countries raises questions: if Russia, according to some reports, produces up to 2,000 Geranium attack drones per month, then the Bundeswehr's achievement of 8,000 drones in four years looks modest, especially given the gap in speed and scale.

However, the German approach focuses not only on quantity, but also on quality, reliability, and integration of systems into a single network. This can be a key advantage in the long run.

Germany buys 1,500 Wolf 2 SUVs with digital command equipment

The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) have taken an important step in modernizing their fleet by ordering 1,500 new Wolf 2 SUVs. The agreement with the manufacturer, Rheinmetall, provides for the possibility of increasing supplies to 5,800 units, depending on the needs of the army.

The new Wolf 2 is based on the latest military version of the legendary Mercedes-Benz G-Class (464 series), which guarantees high reliability, cross-country capability and compatibility with existing infrastructure. As with the previous model, the solid ladder frame with an articulated body remains the basis of the design, providing excellent cross-country ability on difficult off-road terrain.

One of the key innovations was the standard equipment of each car with a modern digital radio and D-LBO (Digitales Leit- und Befehlsorgan) command equipment. This will allow cars to be integrated into a single digital control network, increasing the efficiency, security of communication and efficiency of interaction between departments.

Wolf 2 is designed to solve a wide range of tasks, from transporting personnel and reconnaissance to use as a mobile command post. Its high adaptability makes it a versatile means of transportation in all conditions.

Deliveries of the vehicles have already begun, and the first copies have already been delivered to the troops.

Lithuania will allocate more than 461 million euros for the purchase of Leopard 2A8 tanks

The Lithuanian government plans to significantly strengthen its ground forces by allocating significant funds for the purchase of modern combat tanks. According to the draft resolution registered by the Ministry of Finance of the country, more than 461 million euros will be allocated from the state budget for an advance payment for the supply of Leopard 2A8 tanks.

These funds were allocated as part of a large-scale army modernization program aimed at increasing the country's defense capability in a changing geopolitical environment. Leopard 2A8 tanks, which are among the most advanced in Europe, will provide Lithuanian troops with a high level of firepower, protection and mobility.

The draft document providing for financing was officially registered on Monday. Its approval will be an important step towards signing a contract for the supply of equipment.

South Korea is close to signing a $6 billion contract for the supply of 180 K2 tanks to Poland

 

South Korea is close to signing a contract worth about $6.2 billion for the supply of 180 K2 Black Panther tanks to Poland. Under the terms of the deal, the South Korean company Hyundai Rotem will produce 117 tanks, and the rest will be assembled at Polish enterprises, in particular, at the factories of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ). The supply of tanks will begin in 2026 and last until 2029.

This contract is a continuation of the already existing cooperation between the two countries: in 2022, the first major contract was signed for the supply of 180 K2 tanks, 212 K9 self-propelled artillery units and 48 FA-50 attack aircraft with a total value of about 12.4 billion dollars. The new agreement will allow Poland to significantly increase its fleet of modern combat vehicles and establish local production, which will strengthen the country's defense capability and its role in the European arms market.

Thus, South Korea is becoming a key supplier of weapons to Poland, and Warsaw plans to turn its army into one of the most powerful land forces in Europe, using modern Korean technologies and localization of production.

Poland cancelled the purchase of 32 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters due to a change in priorities

S-70i Black Hawk

The Polish Arms Manufacturing Group (PGZ) has officially stopped the procurement process for 32 S-70i Black Hawk multipurpose helicopters manufactured at the PZL Mielec plant, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The procurement procedure, which began in 2023 to equip the 6th Airborne Brigade, was canceled due to a change in the geopolitical situation and a review of the priorities of the Polish Armed Forces.

The representative of the agency for the purchase of weapons, Colonel Grzegorz Polak, explained that in a dynamically changing environment, it is necessary to optimize plans and focus on the more urgent needs of the army. As a result, the acquisition of 32 helicopters has been postponed in order to focus on other areas of development.

The purchase of S-70i helicopters, the export version of the Black Hawk, manufactured in Poland, was supposed to replenish the army's aviation fleet. However, Poland has also recently been expecting the delivery of 96 Apache AH-64D attack helicopters from Boeing, which will begin arriving in 2028 and replace the outdated Soviet Mi-24.

The decision to cancel the tender caused a different reaction: some experts consider it an attempt to restore order in the armaments, others express concern about the slowdown in the modernization of the army. In general, the cancellation of the deal reflects Poland's desire to adapt defense procurement to new challenges and financial opportunities.