Why small guns have been critical to layered CUAS architectures
Multiple countries have been deploying small arms as the last line of drone defence due to their multiple operational and tactical advantages.
Football offers NATO respite from ugly divisions
Football came to the rescue of tense NATO leaders at a summit on 11 July, providing them with a welcome diversion from the tensions roiling the transatlantic military alliance.
The group is facing one its most difficult meetings in years due to US President Donald Trump's criticism of the organisation and his targeting of German leader Angela Merkel.
But with the World Cup semi-finals in NATO's traditional adversary Russia made up exclusively of members of the western military alliance, the heads of state and government in Brussels were able to turn to football to lighten the atmosphere.
British Prime Minister Theresa May exchanged a team jersey with her Croatian counterpart ahead of the England-Croatia semi-final clash on 11 July night.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel tweeted a pictured of May smiling with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, saying that everything was ‘still all ok’ between the on-pitch rivals.
The Croatian president also gave May a shirt – and one to Trump with his surname emblazoned on the back, even though the US did not compete in the World Cup finals.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel meanwhile teased French President Emmanuel Macron about 10 July’s game between their countries that saw France win 1-0 to book a place in the final on 15 July.
Michel said with a smile: ‘Frankly Emmanuel, yesterday the French team was very lucky.’
But he suggested the sport could provide an example to the military alliance.
Michel said: ‘Like in football, fair-play and team spirit are what we need more than ever.’
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg declined to say which team he was supporting when asked by reporters.
‘Representing 29 nations I will not pick any specific team I would like to win,’ he said, adding that his own country Norway had not qualified for the finals in Russia.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Why small guns have been critical to layered CUAS architectures]()
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering hints at export success for AME assault rifle family]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering hints at export success for AME assault rifle family
The Singapore-based technology company unveiled its new rifle family at this week’s airshow. Chen Chuanren spoke with the ST Engineering’s head of small arms to find out more about how the weapons have been refined.
-
![High tension in the High North – a wake-up call for NATO’s future Arctic defence efforts?]()
High tension in the High North – a wake-up call for NATO’s future Arctic defence efforts?
Any potential ‘Arctic Sentry’ mission would be months in the planning, but with tensions high in the region given the US’s push for Greenland, NATO countries will need to continue to emphasise their commitment to the region, analysts have said.
-
![Venezuela prepares personnel and equipment for a potential second US attack]()
Venezuela prepares personnel and equipment for a potential second US attack
Defence Minister Gen Vladimir Padrino López has declared that the Venezuelan armed forces “will continue to employ all its available capabilities for military defence”.
-
![As the new year starts, the UK defence spending delay continues]()
As the new year starts, the UK defence spending delay continues
The UK’s defence spending commitments remain uncertain as the government’s Defence Investment Plan, which had been due by the end of 2025, is yet to be published.
-
![How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?]()
How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?
Disruption of infrastructure in Europe, whether by cyberattack, physical damage to pipelines or uncrewed aerial vehicles flying over major airports, as has happened more recently, is on the rise. What is the most effective way of countering the aerial aspect of this not-so-open warfare?
