Let's all gloat a bit at Putin's expense, shall we?

Ukraine already has access to SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) via the ICEYE platform since 2022 and this can be expanded. www.iceye.com/newsroom/pre... For more on ICEYE, @so3brocktree.bsky.social spoke to them at DSEI 2025 crackingdefence.substack.com/p/eyes-in-th...

Just a few more sets before the upgrade kits of LCIP 2nd Edition get fully funded! Trust me, you want to grab one if you have a copy of the first edition. Just trust me on this. dietzfoundation.org/product/litt...

(solemnly) You've had mail.

Let's all gloat a bit at Putin's expense, shall we?

Naval warfare was ruined when aircraft and missiles became a thing and spoilt all the fun of firing big fuck-off guns from floating castles.

And there it is… Ukraine will receive JAS-39 Gripen! Better late than never, I guess. The fighter that was always by far the closest fit to the Ukrainian Air Force’s operational needs is at long last officially on its way (timeline TBC for obvious reasons). unn.ua/en/amp/minis...

Back to university and about to open the first book of the year! Absolutely buzzing - so good to be back in an nerdy intellectual environment 🤓📖

Fantastic result.

Good news. Huge well done to Maia Sandu and PAS.

Its not over until its over, of course, but it looks like PAS will clinch victory over the pro-Russia parties in Moldova! 🇲🇩

Update 🇲🇩 1,357,410 out of 1,603,682 have been counted, so approximately 84% of the votes:

I've created a short guide for the leading parties (the electoral threshold is 5%) and their political orientation.

Russian and Hungarian state propaganda has jointly accused Ukraine of planning a “false flag” operation — using refurbished Russian drones to strike targets in Poland and Romania in order to “draw NATO into war.” 🔗Read more: militarnyi.com/en/news/russ...

Very cool!

Major blow to Anglo-Japanese relations.

Rice now can be grown in the UK:

It is one of the most baffling features of British politics, and something I've never understood. Especially considering how having a unified system of ID can be so useful for more-efficient government at both the national and local level.

Shock.

A year ago a leader of a designated terrorist organisation. Now addressing the UN as president of his nation. Al Sharaa remains a contender for title of the world's most interesting man.

In which I discuss ICEYE and the potential for fully-sovereign European spacepower. Pop culture reference of the day - Red Alert 3!

This sort of threat has been known for years, and is just going to become more common. The concerns over public safety if drones are shot down is a worthwhile reminder that countermeasures that capture rather than destroy the drones may be worthwhile investments for CNI or urban protection.

A year ago a leader of a designated terrorist organisation. Now addressing the UN as president of his nation. Al Sharaa remains a contender for title of the world's most interesting man.

What a wonderful good news story.

In which I discuss the impressive growth of defence exports to Europe from Asia - a tangible example of the security links between the ‘Euro Atlantic’ and ‘Indo Pacific’.

I think this ties in on multiple levels with why phone snatching is so politically pernicious. It eats away at the perception of a low-crime high-trust society, the sense the police "don't go after criminals anymore", and the sense that organised multinational scam/criminal networks have free reign

In which I discuss the impressive growth of defence exports to Europe from Asia - a tangible example of the security links between the ‘Euro Atlantic’ and ‘Indo Pacific’.

Finally.... its done! All 1440 pages of it.... Finally conquered the beast - and, tbf, thought it was brilliant.

Finally.... its done! All 1440 pages of it.... Finally conquered the beast - and, tbf, thought it was brilliant.

Ive become more and more bullish on GCAP the more of a clusterfuck FCAS proves to be. The problem is that if FCAS collapses the European mil aircraft industry will likely remain too fragmented and unable to scale production at reasonable cost.

Honestly, I think NATO (or individual nations) need to revise rules of engagement to fire upon Russian aircraft that violate airspace and publicly announce that we are doing so. Move some GBAD up to the Baltics as well. It would be good to show some teeth rather than send strongly-worded messages.

The most irritating thing about this all is that Army officers continue to think that drones are an airpower supplement when they're really another form of fires.

I really worry we’re way over indexing the efficacy of drones to supplement other combat arms because of one conflict in one theatre with a specific problem set

Honestly, I think NATO (or individual nations) need to revise rules of engagement to fire upon Russian aircraft that violate airspace and publicly announce that we are doing so. Move some GBAD up to the Baltics as well. It would be good to show some teeth rather than send strongly-worded messages.

Three Russian Mig-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission and stayed there for a total of 12 minutes. (Guardian) #NATO

Yeah, that's not a mistake, its deliberate. NATO air defences are being tested.

🚨 BREAKING: Three Russian fighter jets flew into Estonian airspace today in a serious escalation on NATO’s eastern border. Read the developing story: ow.ly/rBwh50WZpov

'Unloved' is probably the kindest thing anyone's ever said about the SA80.

My latest report from DSEI, detailing options for a new assault rifle for the British Armed Forces to replace the unloved SA80: Pop culture references of the day: Rogue Trooper and Molesworth 💪

Das boot forever. Red October is great fun but nothing gets close to the tension of Das Boot.

I agree, and that is an important insight. In the Times article, there is no argument as to what war *is* or how it has changed, merely that this particular war is fought with different means, and these means will probably change again in the next war.

Arrgh repeat after me: the *character* of war changes but the *nature* of war does not!!!! (Rant over)

Shock, basing targets on inputs rather than outputs is a crap way of determining defence capability and deterrence. I've banged on about this for years. There are better ways of measuring capability, even if they are not as politically expedient.

'Russian forces have in recent months repeatedly struck railway hubs in frontline eastern Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, as well as in central Ukraine, in what officials and analysts have described as a campaign to degrade Kyiv’s logistics.' @jsargentr.bsky.social if you haven't seen already...

If it brings a greater sense of stability and peace, fingers crossed.

Shock, basing targets on inputs rather than outputs is a crap way of determining defence capability and deterrence. I've banged on about this for years. There are better ways of measuring capability, even if they are not as politically expedient.

My latest report from DSEI, detailing options for a new assault rifle for the British Armed Forces to replace the unloved SA80: Pop culture references of the day: Rogue Trooper and Molesworth 💪

My third report from DSEI, discussing the developments in the maritime field: lots of drones above and below the waves, but still a big role to play for classic frigates and submarines. Pop culture reference of the day: Gerry Anderson's Stingray!

For those interested, I reported back from DSEI on counter-drone developments a few days ago: