Russia Deepens Arctic Presence With Su-24M Bomber Refueling Missions Supported By Il-78 Tankers

On December 17, 2025, Russia’s Northern Fleet disclosed that its Su-24M frontline bombers had carried out night-time aerial refueling over the Far North, in complete polar darkness, as reported by the Russian state news agency TASS. Conducted with Il-78 tanker aircraft, the training targeted one of the most demanding skills in Russian military aviation: safely connecting bomber and tanker in turbulent, low-visibility Arctic conditions. Beyond the technical feat, the exercise underscores Moscow’s effort to maintain long-range strike options out of the Kola Peninsula at a time when Arctic airspace is increasingly central to strategic competition. The announcement also comes shortly after an 11-hour Tu-160 patrol over Arctic waters, documented by Army Recognition, highlighting a broader pattern of Russian air operations designed to signal endurance and reach in the High North. Read Full Defense News At This Link.

Russia’s Northern Fleet has showcased its ability to sustain long-range bomber operations by conducting Su-24M aerial refueling with Il-78 tankers in complete Arctic polar darkness, reinforcing Moscow’s focus on endurance and reach in the High North (Picture Source: TASS)

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U.S. Army Conducts Gunnery Exercise With Latest Air Defense System Sgt Stout.

U.S. Army officials confirmed that a live gunnery exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, is underway, featuring the latest-generation Sgt Stout short-range air defense system. The drills mark a significant step toward full operational integration as units across the force adapt to evolving threats from drones, rotary-wing aircraft, and low-flying munitions. It matters because Sgt. Stout enhances the Army’s ability to defend forward-deployed troops and critical infrastructure from modern aerial threats. Read full Defense News at this link ... A U.S. Army SGT Stout SHORAD air defense vehicle maneuvers into firing position during live-fire training with the 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas, on October 3, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/NYmsS1n via IFTTT

US-built first Saudi MMSC frigate HMS Saud launched at Fincantieri’s shipyard

According to information published by the Saudi Ministry of Defense on December 18, 2025, the first Multi-Mission Surface Combatant frigate constructed in the United States for the Royal Saudi Navy has been officially launched at Fincantieri Marinette Marine’s shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin. The ship, designated HMS Saud with pennant number 820 and also known as Jalalat Al-Malik Saud in honor of King Saud, is the lead vessel in a four-ship program ordered under Project Tuwaiq through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales framework, a deal that defense officials have repeatedly described as a cornerstone of bilateral naval cooperation. Read more. The HMS Saud (820) has an overall length of approximately 118 meters, in some sources detailed as 118.6 meters, with a beam of 17.6 meters, a draft of about 4.3 meters, and a full-load displacement estimated at roughly 3,600 tonnes. (Picture source: Saudi MoD) Read full Defense news. from World Defence News https://ift....

Hellfire and JAGM Missiles Confirm Their Key Role in US Strike Power with New Contract

According to an announcement from the United States Department of Defense, Lockheed Martin has received a contract modification valued at $720 million for the fourth year of production of the Hellfire and Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) systems. This award brings the total value of the agreement to approximately $1.49 billion. Work will be carried out at the company’s facilities in Ocala, Florida, with completion expected by September 30, 2028. The program is managed by the Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and is funded through the fiscal year 2025 missile procurement budget. Read more. The JAGM, designated AGM-179, builds on the Hellfire’s design with an improved guidance system that incorporates a multi-mode seeker combining semi-active laser and millimeter-wave radar (Picture source: US DoD) Read full Defense news. from World Defence News https://ift.tt/dvrFwSB via IFTTT

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