Implications of the Polish Land Forces Modernisation

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Belarus’ alignment with Russia, Poland went on a shopping spree and returned with 1.000 K2 tanks and 672 K9 self-propelled howitzers from South Korea (Dmitruk, 2022). Earlier, Poland ordered 336 M1 Abrams tanks and requested 500 HIMARS and eight Patriot batteries in the United States (Tiles, 2022). Although most contracts have yet to be approved, the announcements signal Poland’s military ambitions of becoming the foremost land army in Europe. The numbers are reminiscent of Western Germany during the Cold War. As a frontline state, Western Germany fielded over 2.000 Leopard 2 tanks and several thousand Leopard 1 tanks. Besides the sheer numbers, the choice of suppliers is equally noteworthy. What does this paradigm shift tell us and how could it affect the European security landscape and the defence industry?

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US Satellite Adaptation to Hypersonic Missile Tracking

The Pentagon's Space Development Agency (SDA) has approved a new initiative to develop satellites to track hypersonic missiles. Specifically, the agency has allocated $1.3 billion to L3Harris and Northrop Grumman to supply satellite prototypes. The two companies, winners of a Tranche 1 tracking layer tender out of seven proposals received, will respectively produce 14 prototype satellites that will become part of the US defence space architecture. Ultimately, according to the agreements, the first launch is scheduled for April 2025.

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Forming New Generation of Cyber-Fighter: How Armies Are Trying to Improve Military’s Education and Training Panoply on Cybersecurity Issues

As cyber security became a more prominent issue in modern conflict, armies must adapt education and training given within schoolhouses to their military. Some of them already reviewed their program and infrastructure to rise substantially the level of skills and knowledge detained by their soldier. Although the recent aggression of Russia gives some food for thought and helps West’s armies to incorporate lessons from the battlefield, many states did not waited for a high-intensity conflict to develop their cyber security architecture and capacities. 

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Top100 Defence Companies and the European Industrial Base: Leonardo behind the EU wheel

Last August, the American website DefenseNews released its annual ranking featuring the top 100 defence companies for 2022. With $64,458.00 in revenues in 2021, the list is led by Lockheed Martin which, followed closely by four other American companies, ensures the top five in the United States. Raytheon Technologies has in fact earned $41,852.20 in revenues in 2021, followed by Boeing with $35,093.00. The ranking reports Northrop Grumman at the fourth position with $31,429.00 revenues, while General Dynamics is closing this block with $30,800.00 in 2021. China also proves to be a fundamental presence, covering several positions starting off the sixth place thanks to Aviation Industry Corporation ($30,155.22). The English BAE System secures the seventh position with $25,775.20. It opens the ranking for European companies, even if it is the Italian Leonardo (twelfth position) to lead the European Union market in this sector. Leonardo has performed exceptionally well in 2021, increasing its revenues by 24% since 2020 (from $13,878.35 to $11,173.33). The French Airbus has, on the contrary, slipped to the fifteenth position, registering a loss of 10% compared to the previous year.Previously, the Department of Defense (DoD) said it had allocated $1.77 million for the Open6G industrial-university cooperative. This initiative is part of the ambitious Innovate Beyond 5G program, overseen by the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

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The European Union’s fight against disinformation

Disinformation is not a new phenomenon, however, digital communications have changed the speed at which information travels. The easiness with which false information can be spread has made the European Union (EU) vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, the EU has taken steps to respond to these challenges.

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