Author: Asif Shahid

Asif Shahid brings twenty-five years of journalism experience to his role as the editor of Defense Talks. His expertise, extensive background, and academic qualifications have transformed Defense Talks into a vital platform for discussions on defence, security, and diplomacy. Prior to this position, Asif held various roles in numerous national newspapers and television channels.
drone carrier Shahid Mahdavi
DEFENCE

Iranian drone carrier Shahid Mahdavi has arrived in Malaysia for an operational visit

A significant milestone was achieved as, for the first time, two warships from the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) docked in Malaysia, an event characterized by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) as an “operational visit.” An official announcement shared on the RMN’s Facebook page indicated that the Iranian naval vessels making their debut in Malaysia are the auxiliary ship Shahid Mahdavi and the frigate … Continue reading Iranian drone carrier Shahid Mahdavi has arrived in Malaysia for an operational visit

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DEFENCE

Putin highlights the significant thermal advantage of the Oreshnik ballistic missile

Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted that the warheads of the “Oreshnik” missile system are capable of withstanding temperatures comparable to those found on the sun’s surface, a development he credits to innovative materials created by Russian experts. During his address at the “Technologies of the Future” forum in Moscow on February 21, 2025, Putin emphasized the distinctive characteristics of these warheads, particularly their resilience … Continue reading Putin highlights the significant thermal advantage of the Oreshnik ballistic missile

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Starlink logo is seen on a smartphone in front of displayed Ukrainian flag in this illustration.
DISPUTES

US may restrict Ukraine’s access to Starlink internet services due to mineral concerns, according to sources

U.S. negotiators have been urging Kyiv to grant access to Ukraine‘s essential mineral resources, suggesting that the country could face restrictions on its use of Elon Musk‘s crucial Starlink satellite internet service, according to three sources familiar with the discussions, as reported by Reuters. The topic of Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starlink was raised during talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy … Continue reading US may restrict Ukraine’s access to Starlink internet services due to mineral concerns, according to sources

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U.S. Air Force General C.Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks at a conference of African chiefs of defense in Gaborone, Botswana.
DEFENCE

Trump disrupts Pentagon leadership by dismissing a senior general and appointing a retired three-star officer

On Friday, President Donald Trump dismissed Air Force General C.Q. Brown from his position as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and announced plans to replace five other senior military officials, marking an extraordinary shift in U.S. military leadership. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump indicated that he would nominate retired Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine as Brown’s successor. Caine, a former F-16 … Continue reading Trump disrupts Pentagon leadership by dismissing a senior general and appointing a retired three-star officer

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Saudi army officers walk past F-15 fighter jets, GBU bombs and missiles displayed during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of the King Faisal Air Academy at King Salman airbase in Riyadh.
DEFENCE

Saudi Arabia seems to be boosting its ballistic missile capabilities, according to recent satellite imagery

Recent satellite imagery suggests that Saudi Arabia may be discreetly enhancing and expanding its long-range missile capabilities. Fabian Hinz, a defense and military analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), examined these images in a report released on Thursday. The kingdom first developed long-range surface-to-surface missiles during the 1980s, primarily in response to the Iran-Iraq war and the increasing missile proliferation in the … Continue reading Saudi Arabia seems to be boosting its ballistic missile capabilities, according to recent satellite imagery

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Ukrainian service members of the 68th Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush attend military exercises at a training ground, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine.
DEFENCE

Ukrainian troops reject Trump’s proposal for peace negotiations with Russia

Peace negotiations this week between Russia and the United States, aimed at concluding three years of conflict in Ukraine, have failed to resonate with front-line Ukrainian soldiers, who believe that without Kyiv’s involvement, a swift resolution to the fighting is unlikely. An infantryman known by the call sign “Rugbyist,” while gripping his assault rifle, reflected on Ukraine’s staunch defense during the initial weeks of Russia’s … Continue reading Ukrainian troops reject Trump’s proposal for peace negotiations with Russia

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Servicemen of the 5th Separate Heavy Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces drive in a Leopard 1A5 tank, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine.
DEFENCE

Kongsberg suggests converting civilian vessels to enhance defense capabilities

The CEO of Norway‘s Kongsberg Gruppen stated that adapting civilian platforms for military applications can accelerate defense production and enhance standardization, particularly as the pressure for increased military spending in Europe intensifies under President Donald Trump. In an interview with Reuters, Geir Haoy emphasized the need for simplified processes to achieve this acceleration. He noted that the defense sector is increasingly asking how commercial products … Continue reading Kongsberg suggests converting civilian vessels to enhance defense capabilities

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Members of the military honour guard march, on the day of a meeting between German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius in Berlin, Germany.
DEFENCE

A study shows Europe can defend itself independently but needs better coordination among member states

Europe must allocate approximately 250 billion euros ($261.6 billion) each year for defense investments to ensure its security independent of U.S. assistance, according to a study released on Friday. This expenditure, representing 1.5% of the EU‘s gross domestic product, would enable Europe to deploy around 300,000 troops to defend against potential threats from Russia, as indicated by the research conducted by the Bruegel Institute and … Continue reading A study shows Europe can defend itself independently but needs better coordination among member states

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Polish army general stands in front of the surface-to-air missile launcher, the Patriot (Wisla) system, newly added into the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) at an army base in Sochaczew, Poland.
DEFENCE

Poland’s finance minister has emphasized that defence spending will remain a top priority

Defence will continue to be a primary focus in Poland‘s budget, according to Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski, who emphasized the need for European Union nations to support a Polish initiative that would allow for increased military expenditure without violating the bloc’s fiscal regulations. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has driven Poland to enhance its military capabilities and increase arms acquisitions, with the country dedicating 4.7% … Continue reading Poland’s finance minister has emphasized that defence spending will remain a top priority

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YY-20A tanker, China
DEFENCE

YY-20A aircraft sighted—The enigma surrounding China’s 50-tanker PLAAF deepens.

On February 21, 2025, military aviation expert Andreas Rupprecht, recognized on X as @RupprechtDeino, shared an intriguing update that stirred interest within the defense analysis community. A previously unverified YY-20A tanker, identified by the serial number 20646, was captured in photographs. This discovery not only contributed to the documented inventory of China’s expanding fleet of aerial refueling aircraft but also reignited an ongoing inquiry: how … Continue reading YY-20A aircraft sighted—The enigma surrounding China’s 50-tanker PLAAF deepens.

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