More from Ryan Robertson
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Finland to open 300 shooting ranges as national defense interest grows
Finland plans to build more than 300 new shooting ranges by 2030 as part of its efforts to strengthen national defense. The government announced the initiative in February 2024, citing increased interest in defense preparedness following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Finland’s NATO membership, formalized in April 2023. Finland currently has 670 civilian shooting ranges,… -
South Korea and Ukraine join laser weapons club
Let loose the lasers. After some fairly rapid development, both South Korea and Ukraine recently announced their militaries were deploying lasers to active duty units. South Korea In South Korea, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said a system called Cheongwang, or Skylight in Korean, is now deployed with front-line units in Seoul. Made by Hanwha,… -
Corruption scandal halts China’s military modernization: Pentagon
China’s ambitious goal to modernize its military by 2027, as directed by President Xi Jinping, is encountering significant challenges, including widespread corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), according to a new Pentagon report. Between July and December 2023, at least 15 senior Chinese military officials and defense industry executives were removed from their positions.… -
US releases Guantanamo Bay detainees as government works to close facility
The Department of Defense has released three detainees from Guantanamo Bay, a U.S. military prison in Cuba, after they spent several years in confinement. One is headed to Kenya while the other two will serve more time in a Malaysian prison for their roles in suspected terrorist attacks. The two played a part in deadly… -
Billions in Ukraine aid uncertain as US leadership changes hands
The Biden administration is nearing the end of its term and faces a tight timeline to use the remaining $5.6 billion in military aid allocated for Ukraine. According to senior Defense Department officials, it is unlikely all the funds can be utilized to deliver munitions and other supplies to the battlefield before President-elect Donald Trump… -
New weapon system aims to make every shot count: Weapon of the Week
Historians often credit Col. William Prescott with the famous command, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” He supposedly gave the advice to British troops marching on Bunker Hill. However, whether he actually said it is subject to debate among historians. What’s not up for debate is the phrase’s intention, make your… -
The new submersible redefining the US Navy’s operations: Weapons and Warfare
This week on Weapons and Warfare, host Ryan Robertson explores the U.S. Navy’s use of Boeing’s Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV), the Orca. See how this autonomous submersible enhances naval strategies with reconnaissance, surveillance and strike capabilities. As global tensions rise, learn how the Orca could redefine naval engagements. Tune in for an insightful… -
Boeing’s Orca, the next evolution in submarine warfare?
Submarines have long been iconic elements of advanced naval fleets, and have also made their mark on the big screen. From “The Hunt for Red October” to “Crimson Tide” and even the ill-fated “Down Periscope,” submarines have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide. While Hollywood can play at high stakes on the high seas, real-world… -
Russia ‘burning the faces’ of dead soldiers from North Korea: Kyiv
Ukraine has accused the Kremlin and its soldiers of plenty of heinous acts throughout the war. The latest accusation involving soldiers from both Russia and North Korea may even rank up with the Bucha massacre if proven true. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video on X captured by a Ukrainian drone. The video appears… -
Estonia on edge as Russian blimps fuel border provocations
Suspicious blimps have appeared near Narva, Estonia, a key border city on NATO’s eastern edge, raising concerns about Russian intentions. Estonian officials report these incidents have become frequent, occurring almost weekly. One blimp, first spotted in June on the Russian side of the border, bore the letter “Z,” a symbol widely associated with Russia’s invasion… -
British navy struggles to stay afloat, only 2 destroyers operational
The British Royal Navy’s operational capacity has reached a historic low, with only two of its six advanced Type 45 destroyers available for deployment, according to the U.K.’s Ministry of Defense. The other four destroyers are undergoing extensive repairs and maintenance at Portsmouth. The decline leaves the fleet at its smallest operational size in over… -
North Korean troops fire on Russian unit, face heavy losses: Kyiv
North Korean troops deployed alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast are reportedly facing significant challenges on the battlefield. Coordination issues, among other problems, have led to heavy losses and at least one friendly fire incident, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. Ukrainian officials claim North Korean soldiers killed eight members of Russia’s Chechen Akhmat unit in… -
Australia can now fire Tomahawk cruise missiles. Take note, China
For years, only the U.S. and British navies had the ability to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles. But thanks to China acting like it wants to take over the Pacific, Australia can fire them, too. The HMAS Brisbane, a Royal Australian Navy Hobart-class destroyer, is taking part in what the RAN dubbed an “interchangeability deployment.” It’s…