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The disturbing behaviour by the Turkish president is a blatant attack on democracy. If the leader of a democratic state prevents candidates from standing for election by locking them up or disqualifying them, that is an attack on democracy. Unfortunately for the Turkish air force the UK public...

Several countries that are allied to the US (or perhaps more correctly that were allied to the US) are now trying to distance themselves from the US in terms of weapons procurement. Why would Turkiye want F-35 from an unpredictable, unreliable supplier?

An engine deal should be done this year. How many times have I heard that sort of thing? Such and such will be done before such and such date. The date arrives without it having been done and without comment. I do wonder whether acknowledging failure is too much to stomach so it is...

How does this relate to France supplying more M2K to Ukraine while Trump and Putin strip Ukraine of assets yet the EU countries, UK, Norway and Canada remain committed to supporting Ukraine?

https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2025/03/17/france-commits-to-more-mirage-2000-5f-fighters-for-ukraine/ I am not sure that buddy vultures Putin and Trump have grasped that it is not for them to divide the meat of a dying country between themselves. Europe+Canada will continue their efforts keep...

Any view on what average freedom in Russia tells? Or rather, as you suggest, median freedom in Russia.

It is not warmongering to say if Russia gets away with attacking Ukraine it is likely to attack Europe. Moldova is not in a position to defend itself. If Russia is in a position to attack it, I think it very likely that it will.

Yes, the Europeans want the war to end but not at the cost of a sovereign democratic state surrendering and disappearing after being attacked by an autocratic dictatorship. Allowing Russia to gain from its aggression would encourage it to start further wars against neighbouring states. As for...

What is the need for a new company? GOI can take a strategic decision to get an existing aerospace company competent in fighter assembly through TOT and hand holding from HAL for a time.

Trump is creating big problems for North America by failing to honour the free trade agreement and for the Europeans by betraying Ukraine. threatening to occupy Greenland etc. Perhaps due to the new US attitude of seeing other countries (including partners) as targets for exploitation, RR will...

I think that India needs a second company capable of assembling fighters. The monopoly enjoyed by HAL has not produced good results. To get another company started in this discipline requires an input of funds. Would it not make sense for GOI to invest in a new entity now rather than later? It...

Thanks. With testing of one prototype not starting until 2026 by the sound of things, delivery in 2028 looks extremely ambitious to me. Perhaps the other four will fly early 2026 and start testing soon after that?

Could anyone update me on when the remaining development prototypes are scheduled to fly, please? If the aim is still to have the aircraft design finalised, tested, in production and 20 delivered in 2028, that is an extremely demanding schedule. Another thing: how many of the prototypes will be...

I don't know how many can be obtained quickly but yes, better than a fighter that the US could block or ground after supply.

I think that a large number of retiring European F-16 are pledged to Ukraine. Without checking, I think 75+. Of course, transfer to Ukraine can be blocked by the US. In the long term a fighter force based on Gripen C/Gripen E would suit Ukraine best IMO. US could block those, too.

Depends what is meant by Ukraine winning the war. IMO 1 Ukraine will not be able to force the Russian ground military to withdraw back into Russia 2 Ukraine will not be able to force the Russian ground military to retreat back to where is was 24 Feb 2022 3 economic crisis may force Russia to...

The longer this war goes on, the more problems Russia gives itself. It is running down its reserves, both financial and military. USSR ran itself into the ground financially and ended. Russia is heading in the same direction again, not that it will cease to exist but It will be much weaker than...

I get your thinking. A bit like if China invaded India and occupied 20% of India's territory, the sensible thing for India to do would be to surrender the occupied territory and its people to China to achieve a fair and just peace.

It should not be surprising that when a country is attacked by another country and is partially occupied by it, the country continues to resist even if it is gradually losing more and more of its territory. If the cost of peace is subjugation to a foreign power, many will reject surrender and...

In my opinion if Russia can get a corridor to Transnistria, Moldova looks very inviting to me. Given a little push, it should fall over.