The Military Role of United States Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons in Europe

The term ‘non-strategic nuclear weapon’ (NSNW) includes nuclear warheads for all delivery systems such as gravity bombs for aircraft other than nuclear-capable heavy bombers, nuclear warheads for naval cruise missiles and torpedoes, and nuclear warheads for anti-ballistic missile (ABM) and air defence systems. The NSNWs term would also capture any nuclear warheads for surface-to-surface missiles with less-than-50 kilometres ranges, and nuclear artillery shells.

Comments Off on The Military Role of United States Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons in Europe

The Ukraine-Russia Crisis: Current Developments and Prospects for European Security

In recent months tensions between Russia and NATO have reached a critical point as Russia has mobilised more than one hundred thousand troops along Ukraine’s border. Russia wants to coerce NATO to meet its demands by mobilising these troops. One of these demands holds that NATO will not expand further and halt all new membership plans, including Ukraine. In addition, Russia wants NATO to reduce its military presence in countries close to Russia’s borders, essentially returning NATO forces to where they were stationed before 1997 (Roth, 2021). Moscow states they are not planning any invasion. However, they argue that if their security demands are not met, their next step might be a military one (Kirby, 2022). The U.S. government expects that a Russian incursion into Ukraine could lead to the deaths of roughly 50.000 civilians and cause a refugee crisis in Europe (Cooper and Sanger, 2022).

Comments Off on The Ukraine-Russia Crisis: Current Developments and Prospects for European Security

Land Force Modernisation in the Baltic Region

Recent developments in the three Baltic states point towards a large-scale effort to modernise their respective land forces. This modernisation drive encompasses purchasing new weapons systems and updating existing weaponry. Estonia, for instance, has allotted up to €40 million to acquire additional ground force vehicles, such as the Republic of Korea made K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer, of which it expects the delivery of six by next year.

Comments Off on Land Force Modernisation in the Baltic Region

Ukraine Seeking Tighter Collaboration on Cyber Defence with NATO

After last year’s denial of the formal membership to the North Atlantic Alliance’s (NATO) cooperative cyber centre of excellence (CCDOE), the Ukrainian government officials announced that they still want a closer collaboration.

Comments Off on Ukraine Seeking Tighter Collaboration on Cyber Defence with NATO

US F-16s in Poland strengthening NATO air policing mission

U.S. F-16 fighter jets landed – from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany – in Łask, Poland on January 4 to work with the Polish Baltic Air Policing F-16s in Siauliai, Lithuania and enhanced Air Policing Belgian F-16s in Amari, Estonia.

Comments Off on US F-16s in Poland strengthening NATO air policing mission