Focusing in the SDR on investment to regenerate the combat power of the existing Typhoon and F-35 fleets is the quickest way for the UK to rapidly field high-end capabilities to significantly enhance NATO’s deterrence posture against Russian aggression: https://t.co/Hj3BtQ05Yb

The ‘rules‑based international order’ was underwritten—again, with exceptions—by American military restraint and structured power. That era is over. If Europeans want to preserve it, military power is like a dinner jacket: when it’s required, nothing else will do.

U.S. RQ-170 stealth drone returning to Puerto Rico this morning. This is immensely rare footage of the drone, spotted after supporting US strikes on Venezuela last night. https://t.co/XQFpWyIjiW

YJ-20 High-Speed Anti-Ship Missile Seen In Action On China’s Type 055 Super Destroyer The People’s Liberation Army Navy claims the ship-killing missile capable of hypersonic speeds has completed its “finalization test.” https://t.co/XwlUsom5BA

So far best image of the J-20A with WS-15 flown yesterday and according to some chatter, apparently 6 production J-20A (WS-15) have already completed their maiden flights. https://t.co/M7b6rwK8Sg

Reportedly the first flight test of an air-launched HF-3 supersonic AhsM was conducted today. The missile series number is said to be AX-006, pictured below. Source: https://t.co/3sFZtTeeoU

The CASC CH-7 flying wing UAV successfully performed its maiden flight. (Images via @万全)

Easily the best/most important NatSec writing of the year. Absolutely everyone concerned with defense and the Pacific needs to read this.

I wrote this for Foreign Affairs on why the US Military’s most serious Chinese capability problems in the Indo-Pacific cannot be solved with “cheap massed drones”:

“Russia signed up 403,000 recruits this year, surpassing its initial plan for 2025, Budanov said. It is also tapping a growing pool of reservists to replenish its ranks, and doling out financial incentives that lure men from its hardscrabble provinces.”

The CASC CH-7 flying wing UAV successfully made its first flight recently. Photos by wanquan

🚨NEW RUSI report, 'Disrupting Russian Air Defence Production: Reclaiming the Sky' (@Jack_Watling et al.) is out now! https://t.co/tLpkQR3H9W

Very good new RUSI report on Russian GBADs, with a focus on supply chains for select SAM systems. Figures from the report showing the supply chains for several elements of the S-400 system.

Recently, I returned from my second 2025 visit to Ukraine. It was, as always, both enlightening & inspiring to spend time with Ukrainian military personnel who are innovating & fighting to keep Ukraine free. I published several articles while in #Ukraine, linked below. In this

🚨🧵New RUSI Report, 'Emergent Approaches to Combined Arms Manoeuvre in Ukraine' by @Jack_Watling is out now. https://t.co/OuHIvQTyxo

President Zelenskyy in Sweden today: Ukraine plans to buy 100-150 JAS-39 Gripen E fighters. Certainly a positive sign for the post-war prospects of the Ukrainian Air Force. Great EW suite, modern AESA radar, Meteor missile compatible. But, it doesn't help win the war for now.

👀🔺 China’s Stealth Sharp Sword Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles Deployed To Operational Airbase The appearance of GJ-11 Sharp Sword drones at an airbase in Tibet points to the type getting closer to an operational state, if it isn't already. Story:

So to add to the excellent @CNASdc work, I would once again highlight the paper @Jack_Watling and @Justin_Br0nk wrote last year. It refers to protecting land forces, but some of the lessons are widely applicable.

https://t.co/kvbFScncuU

Sadly the TBC timeline on this looks fairly long still; more of a traditional acquisition than a donation in any immediately relevant timescale for the ongoing fight. Those of you who responded saying so; you were right!

And there it is, Ukraine will receive JAS-39 Gripen! Better late than never, I guess. The fighter that was always by far the closest fit to the Ukrainian Air Force’s operational needs is at long last officially on its way (timeline TBC for obvious reasons) https://t.co/QXluUeFoGi