DEFENSE MAGAZINE

Czechoslovak Group (CSG), headquartered in?the Czech Republic, exemplifies industrial innovation and excellence in?Central Europe. With a?diverse portfolio spanning defense, aerospace, automotive, rail, and mechanical engineering, CSG seamlessly blends historical expertise with cutting-edge technology. In?recent years, the group has significantly contributed to?global markets and played a?pivotal role in?supporting Ukraine's defense amid ongoing conflicts.

The United States has unveiled a?new $275 million military aid package for Ukraine, underscoring its continued commitment to?supporting Kyiv in?its fight against Russian aggression. This significant assistance, approved under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, will draw directly from the Department of?Defense's stockpiles, ensuring rapid delivery of?critical equipment and weaponry to?meet Ukraine's immediate battlefield needs.

The Brazilian Armed Forces are seeking new armored combat vehicles, including Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) and Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), to?replace their aging equipment. Sweden, Spain, Singapore, China, and Poland might offer interesting solutions.

Ukraine's defenders now have new ways to?strike the Russian aggressor far beyond their shared borders. The United States has approved the use of?longer-range missiles on?Russian territory, and the Biden administration has pledged to?provide Ukraine with new anti-personnel landmines. This aid is?aimed at?slowing Russia's recent advances on?the front, which have been accelerating in?recent weeks. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky warns that the current support is?insufficient and that Ukraine could lose the war if?U.S. arms supplies are cut under a?potential Donald Trump administration.

We bring you an?interview with the former Chief of?the General Staff of?the Czech Armed Forces, General Ji?í ?edivy. As?is his custom, he?describes the reality of?the conflict in?Ukraine and the state of?Ukrainian and Russian troops without exaggeration. General ?edivy discusses, among other topics, the fundamental mistakes made by?the Ukrainian side, the futility of?the Kursk operation, and the involvement of?North Korean troops, which, in?his view, does not constitute a?significant escalation.

In a?significant policy shift, the United States has approved Ukraine’s use of?long-range American weapons to?strike targets deep inside Russian territory. This decision comes amid escalating tensions near Kursk, where a?major battle is?anticipated, and follows months of?debate within the Biden administration. President Joe Biden recently authorized the use of?the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), capable of?striking targets up?to 180 miles away. Ukraine has long sought this capability, especially after receiving U.S. approval in?May to?fire American-supplied weapons across the border. Previously, Washington had resisted granting such permissions, citing fears of?escalation and limited battlefield value.

On November 14, the Smart Industry conference was held in?the Czech republic, where companies presented their solutions and experience in?the field of?innovative, or?smart technologies, augmented reality and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies should, among other things, help to?solve one of?the most pressing problems of?representatives of?industry, which is?the lack of?qualified people, especially in?the field of?maintenance and service.

The French Ministry of?Defence is?not considering any interim solution to?replace the Leclerc tank while awaiting the entry into service of?the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), a?development project jointly undertaken by?France and Germany.

Recent Chinese sanctions targeting American drone manufacturer Skydio have underscored a?persistent challenge for the U.S. defense sector: the entanglement of?critical supply chains with Chinese entities. The move serves as?both a?warning and a?call to?action for U.S. companies to?eliminate reliance on?adversarial nations for key components, according to?David Michelson, director of?the autonomy portfolio at?the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).

Revolutionary developments in?telecommunications technology are dramatically reshaping the face of?modern warfare and cyber defence. The implementation of?5G networks and research into emerging 6G?technologies present an?exciting opportunity for NATO to?strengthen their defence capabilities, but at?the same time they bring unprecedented security challenges. Strategic adaptation to?these changes can be?an important factor in?maintaining competitiveness in?21st century military operations.