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.
The UK and Ukraine have signed a new 15-year defence agreement, the UK government announced on 18 March. The agreement includes cooperation in the field of military equipment, training of Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), participation in joint exercises and the sharing of information on potential threats.
Additionally, through its ‘train the trainer’ activities, the UK will look to expand its training support to the country. The UK has trained 2,000 UAF members in the past year in urban operations, medical care, operational planning, logistics and countering IEDs. The UK has also gifted more than £1 million in equipment to Ukraine.
Michael Fallon, UK Defence Secretary, said: ‘The UK will stand firm with the Ukraine as they defend their territorial integrity. This new defence agreement sets out that commitment as we enhance our training of UAF.'
Penny Mordaunt, Minister for armed forces, the UK, said: ‘It was a great honour for me to sign the MOU on defence cooperation with Ukraine, which provides the framework for future cooperation, reiterating our support to them.
‘Meeting the UK armed forces personnel training UAF troops also reiterates the positive contribution Britain’s military makes in the world. We continue to stand side by side with Ukraine through this difficult period.’
Multiple countries have been deploying small arms as the last line of drone defence due to their multiple operational and tactical advantages.
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.
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.
Defence Minister Gen Vladimir Padrino López has declared that the Venezuelan armed forces “will continue to employ all its available capabilities for military defence”.
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.
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?