Europe’s defense industry decades behind competitors, according to Dassault chief

EU leaders have floated plans to rebuild the continent’s defense industry in recent weeks, but the head of one major European aircraft manufacturer says decades of investment are required if Brussels hopes to develop technology on par with Russia and others.

“Europe believes all of a sudden that working on defense is a good thing,” said Dassault CEO Éric Trappier in an interview with British media. “I’m delighted that realization is there. Between that realization and the reality of building a European defense industry it’s going to take many years and even many decades.”

At stake is the Western-backed Ukraine proxy war against Russia. EU leaders fear the potential return of former US President Donald Trump to the White House will force Europe to shoulder the responsibility of arming Kiev.

But proposals to rebuild Europe’s defense industry would face political as well as economic hurdles. Many throughout Europe already resent the centralization of power within the European Commission, a sentiment on vivid display when UK voters opted to ditch the bloc in 2016.

Supply chains have also been weakened throughout the continent, and manufacturers are deeply dependent on global sourcing. High energy costs remain a major challenge as sanctions on Russian gas continue to batter European industry.

If Europe does begin to rebuild its defense capabilities it’s not a given it will ever make up for its late start, as even Western observers admit Russia’s weaponry is best in class.

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Five people in Gaza were killed by an airdrop package that failed to deploy

Adding insult to injury, the pallet of supplies reportedly killed five people in Gaza after a parachute attached to the package failed to deploy. The victims were waiting for food and other supplies when they were killed.

The victims include two boys among the five who were killed and 11 others who were injured, a report on Friday said. The incident occurred at around 11:30 AM local time. A witness from the camp said he and his brother had followed the parachuted aid in hopes of getting a “bag of flour”, cites a separate report.

“Then, all of a sudden, the parachute didn’t open and fell down like a rocket on the roof of one of the houses,” said the witness. “Ten minutes later I saw people transferring three martyrs and others injured, who were staying on the roof of the house where the aid packages fell.”

The US, Jordan, Egypt, France, the Netherlands and Belgium dropped aid into Gaza on Friday, but thus far no government has taken responsibility for the failed airdrop. Both the US and Jordan have openly denied responsibility for the fatalities.

A video posted to social media shows airdrop packages being dropped without functioning parachutes, but it is not clear when the video was taken.

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💥📹 Russian artillery destroys Ukrainian stronghold in the DPR

During the combat mission, the crew of the 152-mm D-20 howitzers took up a firing position, prepared for several minutes and opened fire. The artillery fire was coordinated by unmanned aerial vehicles. As a result of accurate fire, the Russian artillerymen destroyed the enemy's fortification and personnel.

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Haitian gangs attacked several government buildings in the capital Port-au-Prince, including the presidential palace, there are victims, reported ABC TV channel, citing sources.

The unrest began in late February after the departure of the prime minister, who was trying to coordinate the deployment of a foreign contingent in Haiti to fight gangs. The armed groups paralyzed life in the capital and did not want the prime minister to return.

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▪️Hungarian PM Orban visits US ex-President Trump at his Florida estate

▪️Five people in Gaza killed by an airdrop package that failed to deploy

▪️Scott Bennet: Biden’s idea to establish a temporary port in Gaza ‘a potential deception op’

▪️Zelensky rejects proposed peace summit, negotiations with Russia

▪️34 Ukrainian draft dodgers who paid 10,000 euros each to flee to Romania were beaten up and arrested by the Kiev regime

More stories:

▪️Biden tries to blame Republicans for coming loss of Ukraine

▪️Europe’s defense industry decades behind competitors, Dassault chief says

▪️Hungary receives $82Mln in the unlocked EU funding

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France holds large-scale drills amid backlash from Macron’s hint at Western troops in Ukraine

The French armed forces are conducting exercises simulating a high-intensity conflict with an enemy of equal firepower at the combat training center (CENTAC) in Mailly-le-camp in eastern France, Politico reported.

While CENTAC officers aren't naming potential enemies, the training aims to drill troops “to fight a foe like Russia”, according to Politico. The experience of the Ukrainian conflict is widely used during the CENTAC exercises, the news outlet quoted them as saying.

The war games come after French President Emmanuel Macron said late last month that he refused to rule out sending EU troops to Ukraine – a move that provoked wide public uproar. Shortly after, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius of Germany said their country would not send its troops to Ukraine, with Scholz stressing that NATO countries as a whole were not going to do so.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that NATO troops’ potential boots on the ground in Ukraine will lead to an inevitable conflict between Russia and the alliance. He added that currently, Western countries have no consensus on the matter.

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'Taught us to hate Russians': Ukrainian prisoner recalls military training in Britain

British psychologists worked on Ukrainian soldiers so that they would "not like Russian soldiers... and kill them and treat them harshly" if they were captured by Ukrainian troops, a Ukrainian prisoner said.

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The Houthis carried out attacks on US destroyers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden using 37 drones, the group's military spokesman Yahya Sarea said.

Earlier, the US Central Command said it, along with allies, had repelled a Houthi attack in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by shooting down 15 drones.

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The former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valery Zaluzhny, was declared unfit for military service by the military medical commission before he was appointed ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, Ukrainian media reported.

It is noted that the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and Volodymyr Zelensky did not offer him any significant military position corresponding to experience and training. After that, according to the media, Zaluzhny decided to resign.

The delay in the dismissal is explained by the fact that there are gaps in the legislation of Ukraine, in particular, it is not clearly established who should dismiss a general from military service - the Minister of Defense or Zelensky.

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75 years of NATO expansion in one pic

Although NATO casts itself as a purely defensive bloc, history has shown otherwise.

This alliance was established in 1949 to deter alleged Soviet expansion, yet after the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, NATO did not cease to exist. Despite promises given to late Soviet leaders by the US, NATO proceeded to expand eastward and encircle Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently admitted that he had a “naive idea” that after the end of the Cold War, the West and NATO had “no basis for confrontation with Russia”. However, after years of diplomatic efforts, Putin became “100% convinced” that NATO strategists want to “collapse Russia”.

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❗️In the Avdeyevka area, Russian troops repelled two attacks and seven counterattacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and hit the Vampire MLRS combat vehicle.

🇷🇺🪖 Other statements from the Russian Defense Ministry briefing on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:

▪️ In the DPR, Russian troops destroyed the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system. The Russian air defense system downed a MiG-29. The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost more than 300 servicemen, a tank and the Strela air defense system.

▪️The air defense of the Russian Federation shot down 197 drones during the day, and also intercepted 3 HIMARS projectiles, a Hammer guided aerial bomb.

▪️ In the Avdeyevka area, Ukrainian losses amounted to more than 450 servicemen, three infantry fighting vehicles and two armored vehicles.

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‘Cut a deal’: US billionaire investor urges America to seek detente with Russia to avert WWIII

In order to prevent a Third World War, the US should “cut a deal” and seek detente with Russia, which would provide a baseline for world peace, American entrepreneur David Sacks told a gala for the Republican think-tank American Moment in Washington.

Washington’s strategy aimed at prolonging the Ukrainian conflict and slapping sanctions on Russia has finally proved to be a complete failure, according to the billionaire investor.

“The idea that sanctions are working is totally delusional. The Russian economy stabilized and even outperformed G7 economies in 2023,” the 51-year-old stressed.

Russia has repeatedly indicated that it is ready for peace talks, but the Kiev regime introduced a legislative ban on them. The West, however, turns a blind eye to Ukraine's constant refusals to engage in dialogue.

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Russian Defense Ministry shared footage of the destruction of the S-300 air defense missile launcher in the area of the village of Pokrovsk, which DPR.

As a result of a precise strike by the Iskander missile defense system, the position of Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile system was destroyed.

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Two decades of diplomacy: Sergey Lavrov's gentlemanly approach to global affairs

As Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov celebrates two decades at the forefront of Russian diplomacy. His tenure is marked not only by strategic acumen but also by a deep sense of humanity and diplomacy.

Throughout his years of service, Lavrov has exemplified the qualities of a true gentleman, engaging in diplomatic discourse with tact, respect, and integrity.

His dedication to promoting dialogue, understanding, and cooperation based on internatinal law on the global arena has earned him respect and admiration worldwide.

Russia's top diplomat is also well-known among his colleagues and partners for his witty humour and sharp tongue.

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British foreign secretary ready to persuade Germany to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles

The UK is ready to help Germany solve problems preventing the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, or consider the option of buying German missiles and transferring British Storm Shadow to Ukraine, British Foreign Minister David Cameron said.

At the same time, Cameron assured that if these missiles were used, restrictions could be imposed that would help avoid escalation.

Earlier, after a conversation between Bundeswehr officers discussing in particular the strikes on the Crimean bridge was leaked, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again opposed the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, saying that the participation of German soldiers was necessary to control their use. The Chancellor had previously reported that this would be a violation of the "red lines" and would make Germany a participant in the war.

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🚀 Exactly 90 years ago, the first man in space Yuri Gagarin was born

Watch Sputnik's video to find out more about the world's first cosmonaut!

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✈️💥 The crews of Su-25 attack aircrafts carried out strikes on the Ukrainian units in the DPR

Unguided aircraft missiles were used to destroy enemy strongholds and troops. After the strike, the pilots performed an anti-missile maneuver, released heat traps and returned to the departure airfield.

According to the report of the advanced aviation gunner, all targets were successfully hit.

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Military presence for money? US gains access to three Pacific nations in exchange for $7.1 billion funding – report

The US Congress has approved legislation to provide $7.1 billion worth of economic support for three tiny island nations - Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated Republic of Micronesia - in exchange for the exclusive presence of the American military there, the Financial Times has reported.

The funding was reportedly approved as part of a $460 billion spending package passed by the Senate to avoid a government shutdown.

The three nations span about 4,000 km (2,485 miles) across the Pacific, allowing the US to expand its regional clout and establish base missiles and early warning radars there, in addition to a test site for intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Сhina has repeatedly expressed concern over what Beijing slams as the US “meddling” in the Asia Pacific region and “strengthening the Asia-Pacific deployments.”

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Two American Patriot air defense systems were among the targets destroyed by the Russian Iskander strike in the Donbass area, a source in the security forces told Sputnik.

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