"Russian aircraft equipped with ballistic missiles fly over #Barents Sea during '#Zapad 2025' drills, Ifax reports" - #Russia #Zapad25 www.reuters.com/business/aer...
Following Nordic defence and security matters, mostly technical, and am myself based in the Nordics. Yes, I'm aware the pun is stupid ;). He/him.
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"Russian aircraft equipped with ballistic missiles fly over #Barents Sea during '#Zapad 2025' drills, Ifax reports" - #Russia #Zapad25 www.reuters.com/business/aer...
Two MiG-31K armed with the ballistic nuclear capable Kinzhal missiles conduct mock strikes over the Barents Sea as part of the Russia-Belarus Zapad-2025 exercise.
Zapad is underway in the Northern Fleet:
I følge pressemeldingen står valget fremdeles mellom tre leverandører på mellomtrekkende systemer. Er det sagt noe om nå den avgjørelsen skal tas?
www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
www.politico.eu/article/denm...
Norway are also in the process of purchasing long range GBAD.
Biggest Danish arms purchase ever: GBAD to the tune of 50 billion DKK. And no US suppliers in the mix. politiken.dk/danmark/art1...
Vintage Friday: To mark the continued successes of the CAVS programme with now also Norway and the UK joining, here's the "grandfather", a Sisu 6x6 APC serving with the Finnish peacekeeping forces in Lebanon.
The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) announcement was probably after a request for pricing or delivery times to be taken into consideration by the Danish authorities.
Norwegian state broadcaster NRK has looked into the Russian shadow fleet, and how they obtain false insurance papers through a Norwegian company called Ro Marine. www.nrk.no/vestland/xl/...
Polish DM Kosiniak-Kamysz says allies made “concrete declarations” after Russian drones entered Polish airspace: Netherlands will send 2 Patriot batteries, anti-drone systems and 300 troops; Czechia 3 Mi-17s with crews; France and UK Rafale and Eurofighter jets; Sweden more planes and air defense.
USS Gerald R Ford will arrive for a port visit to Oslo tomorrow, making 2025 the third year in a row with a carrier visit. USN carrier groups operating in Norwegian waters is part of the normal once again. www.forsvaret.no/aktuelt-og-p...
Sweden has delivered its 20th military aid package to Ukraine worth $836 million. It includes 18 new Archer howitzers (44 in total), 155mm shells, mobile radars, boats with grenade launchers and unmanned naval systems, weapons and gear for 32 combat boats, 500 motorcycles, airbase equipment and more
"The stakes are high, and the timeline is short. Deterrence must not wait for perfect conditions. It must begin now." 📄 New Policy Paper on security in the Baltic Sea Region by Tony Lawrence (ICDS), Niklas Granholm (FOI), Björn Ottosson (FOI), and Igor Schvede. @niklasg.bsky.social
Finland sets sights on $1 billion AMRAAM weapons order - another big sale heading to Raytheon www.flightglobal.com/defence/finl...
The most odd acquisition for the 🇩🇰 army in recent years - the PULS MLRS - but given that it actually has been acquired it is fine that the MoD has announced allocation of 1.5bn DKK for setting up the battery, which is part of the 1st Brigade, and to acquire more missiles. www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2...
Det er vel tanken å integrerer europeiske missiltyper, alt fra Saab sin GLSDB til Kongsberg NSM og kommende MBDA JFSM. I den nedre enden av skalaen så kan den allerede fyre 122m Grad-raketter.
This looks a bit messy but here are the current southern Barents Sea NOTAM areas for the Zapad period. The timings are not identical, they vary within the period. Looks like we will see a good mix of artillery-, SAM-, anti-ship missile- and land attack live firings.
Danish newspaper of record Berlingske: The Danish Armed Forces unequivocally recommends European air defence in the largest arms deal in Danish history. www.berlingske.dk/indland/berl...
🇫🇮🇺🇦 Finnish President Stubb has arrived in Ukraine, – Yermak. In particular, they will talk with Zelensky about European integration, increased pressure on Russia, sanctions and the importance of sustainable peace.
I failed to mention that Norway also formally signed onto the CAVS programme together with the UK yesterday. Little in the way of details in the press release, but it is expected that most of the vehicles will be equipping the coming light brigade. www.fma.no/aktuelt-og-m...
Medvedev writing about Finland supposedly preparing to wage war against Russia. yle.fi/a/7-10083970
The "Super Weapon" as the Norwegian press described it is apparently the QUICKSINK - a dedicated anti-ship version of the JDAM, which is a really interesting low-cost quick adaptation of the weapon significantly increasing the lethality of standard bomb warheads against ships.
Last night in Poland we saw the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began, and indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental. I am in contact with NATO Secretary General Rutte and Poland FM Sikorski. The EU stands in full solidarity with Poland. (1/2)
More big news for Patria and the CAVS programme, as the UK has signed on. Babcock will be local partner for production. www.patriagroup.com/newsroom/new...
U.S. Destroyers, Norwegian Navy surveilled by Russia in High North — USNI News news.usni.org/2025/09/09/u...
Still the Ukrainians seems to find them useful. Which probably means there's a market for a more modern cheap tracked armoured box.
Ship previously involved in Russian weapons deliveries is on the way to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard
Opinion Editorial by the Barents Observer. #FreedomofSpeech #MediaFreedom #Journalism #Svoboda
I was going to take issues with the claim that there are no comparable vehicles on the market, but the ACSV G5 that first came to mind is a full 10 tons heavier.
Patria has shown a production ready vehicle at DSEI UK, derived from the FAMOUS project prototype they showed last year. It has also acquired the name Trackx. They're going for current M113 and MT-LB operators as customers, it seems. www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
One should also keep in mind that one of the properties of a robust air defence system is a mix of different systems. In other words, don't put all your eggs in one basket, be it drones or cannons, for as soon as an effective countermeasure is fielded you are at a disadvantage.
Torrential rains in northern Sweden has washed away several roads and two railways, causing two trains to derail. One of which carries lithium and ammunition. Trains will not operate on these lines for the coming weeks. Video on url: www.svt.se/nyheter/loka...
Large defence purchases also gives secondary orders, like for Norwegian company CHSnor who are assembling 90 CV90s for BAE Hägglunds in the coming years, with hopes of more orders as the Swedish IFV is selling like never before. e24.no/naeringsliv/...
🇸🇪 JAS 39C #Gripen Photo: Flygvapnet
As I've mentioned earlier, these guys do good work. I sent them the equivalent of a few beers, hope others are able to do the same!
Urgent request to stabilize the front! 🚨 What: 20x FPV drones + 2x REB systems Who: "Dambo" FPV Squad in Vovchansk Progress: 980$ / 11.000$ (8,9%) Donations over 100$ includes a VAU patch shipped to you world wide! It is now really urgent to fulfill this request!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Sweden has accused Russia of causing a surge in GPS signal jamming over the Baltic Sea, posing risks to regional aviation. The Swedish Transport Agency reported a sharp increase in GPS disruptions, with 733 incidents in 2025 compared to 55 in 2023, occurring almost daily.
🔺I wasn’t expecting that! Russian Navy Poseidon (nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed torpedo) test platform Pr.20120 class submarine B-90 “Sarov” appears to have departed Severodvinsk! ⚠️Caveat: Undated photo - imagery needed to confirm @thelookout.bsky.social @mtanderson.bsky.social
We all become vintage in the end... 😜
I think we should just go all in and call the new frigates cruisers. Much cooler as well! 😁
Vintage Friday: HNoMS Trondheim of the Oslo class of ASW frigates, commissioned in 1966. The class was based on the US Dealey class destroyer escorts, with some customisation for North Sea use and several Norwegian subsystems, like the Penguin SSM and Terne ASW rocket system.
Seems like there are actual money backing the proposed aid to develop Ukraine's deep strike capabilities, as a Danish plant for rocket motors is opening in Skrydstrup. www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
"Sweden has accused Russia of being behind a significant rise in instances of GPS signal jamming recorded over the Baltic Sea, raising concerns for aviation in the region." @bbcnews-world-rss.bsky.social www.bbc.com/news/article...
Well, when you (per the illustration) have MG3s to feed, the ammo goes fast...
🇸🇪 Swedish authorities on Thursday accused #Russia of being behind a surge in GPS interference over the Baltic Sea that has increasingly disrupted aviation. www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/09/04/s...
From the official Royal Norwegian Navy Facebook page: Today the Norwegian and British Ministers for Defense signed the agreement that formally established the strategic partnership on new frigates. Key feature: A fully integrated frigate fleet with the Royal Navy.
NATO’s newest members: How Finland and Sweden are preparing for Russia! www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Qw...
Major power show taking place right now in northern Norway, involving 🇺🇸 & 🇳🇴 military aircraft and warships.
First time a Global Hawk has been flying over Finnmark in northernmost Norway. www.thebarentsobserver.com/security/glo... #AirForce #NATO
⚡️ Ukrainian missile maker Fire Point will build a rocket fuel plant in Denmark, the first Ukrainian defense plant on Danish soil.
"Lacking any security guarantees from the West, #Finland exercised this independence not by turning anti-Russian—which would almost certainly have resulted in another invasion—but by building one of the most successful countries in Europe." www.economist.com/europe/2025/...
Chief of the Norwegian Intelligence Service said to Aftenposten last week that Burevestnik tests are ongoing and also "it will still take time before this system is ready for operational deployment". (Paywall) www.aftenposten.no/verden/i/Jbz...
🇩🇰 President Zelensky has arrived in Denmark for talks with the leaders of Nordic and Baltic states. He is also scheduled to meet Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Russian Navy tug SB-123 seem to have taken over the patrolling of inner Danish straits. Arrived around noon today. She is a sister ship to Aleksandr Frolov who patrolled for nine days recently and while doing that also jammed Danish military units.
Less than 1,5 years as a NATO member and Finland has already built up a new NATO command. NATO’s Multi-Corps Land Component Command has became operational at Mikkeli in conjunction with the Finnish Army Command on 1 September.
www.dandc.eu/en/article/f...
Swedish defense minister talks post-war, ‘long-term endeavor’ to get Ukraine advanced Gripens https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/swedish-defense-minister-talks-post-war-long-term-endeavor-to-get-ukraine-advanced-gripens/
Swedish island Gotland is completely without power, for the second time in two weeks. Gotland is considered paramount to NATO control of Baltic Sea. As far as I know last time is still being analyzed and cause is not known. www.svt.se/nyheter/loka...
Finland goes big on defence, govt parties consensus on FY'26 budget. Procurement rocketing as large scale ground forces modernization begin. Replacing late cold war era stocks with modern gear for mass army aint cheap. Wartime str 280k with 1mo reserve in total. www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a...
In Sweden an abandoned stretch of railway between Arvidsjaur and Jörn is cleared, as it's suddenly gained new importance as a connection between the Inland and Northern Main trunks in case of disturbances to either in a crisis situation. www.svt.se/nyheter/loka...
One of Ukraine’s most strategically important weapons makers – the company behind the “Flamingo” missiles and long-range drones striking deep inside Russia – is setting up production in Denmark. The factory will be located right next to an air force F-35 fighter-base. www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
France and Denmark have just finished training together on handling illegal vessels in waters off Greenland.
After alot of cultural war brouhahaha the Swedish goverment today launched the official Swedish cultural canon, the official list of works of cultural excellence. It included the usual books, plays and movies and architecture but most importantly innovations and most importantly of those the Viggen:
🔎🇺🇸Carrier Strike Group 12 Spotted NW of the 🇳🇴Lofoten Islands on 30 August 2025, CVN-78 can be seen operating with 1x Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer Source: @esa.int Date: 30 August 2025
“Nuclear sniffer” WC-135R Constant Phoenix on its way to the Barents Sea. Calibration flight, Russian Burevestnik test, other?
Cyberattacks in the runup to Norway's election, the Conservative Party (Høyre) DDoSed. www.aftenposten.no/norge/i/kw7o...
The Finnish Navy in August announced that their new anti-ship missile, the Gabriel 5, is in operational use as the PTO2020 🇫🇮 Story by @corporalfrisk.com www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
⚡️ NATO launches new command in Finland near Russian border. The alliance's Multi-Corps Land Component Command (MCLCC) in Mikkeli, Finland, strengthens NATO's footprint in its new northern member state.
Hmm, it works for me, both then and now. Anyone else having issues?
Please don't bet your life on a machine translation, but the Norwegian Army just released their new survival manual. www.forsvaret.no/aktuelt-og-p...
The Hobbit is a quick and easy read, give it a go!
Actually, many ordinary consumer car purchases takes longer these days...
Yesterday Denmark received their first Patria 6x6 vehicles under the CAVS programme. They joined the programme only April 1st, so this is blisteringly fast delivery by defence procurement standards. www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2...
The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) is starting a two-year project together with several other institutions to gain knowledge and suggest improvements in seafood's role in the defence and security domains. www.ffi.no/aktuelt/nyhe...
The Norwegian government has launched a new national security plan for digital infrastructure. Increased reserve power for cell towers, more backup systems and better local plans for both long and short outages are parts of this. www.forsvaretsforum.no/beredskap-cy...
Who would have guessed? Well, all of us who abandoned the cesspit that is now X. Morality as well as pragmatism. Yet I'm still wondering why the UK government remains there (not the only thing about it that makes me wonder) www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
❗️🇫🇮Finland wants to have a million reservists: age limit to be raised to 65 The Finnish government has submitted a bill to parliament aimed at significantly increasing the military reserve.
The annual Baltic naval exercise Northern Coast started today. 14 nations participate. www.forsvaret.dk/da/nyheder/2...
Nice little video ad for the Swedish Armed Forces.
🇨🇿 #Czech Republic signed lease extension with 🇸🇪 FMV today. 2027-2035 they will lease 12 #Gripen C/D. Upgrades will be made. #Military #aircraft Photo: Milan Nykodym
Finnish hydrogen airship joins NATO exercise defence-blog.com/finnish-hydr...
I think the UK et allies special forces exercise Chameleon 2025-2 has started, or rather arrived to Sweden. Pictured is a small intelligence gathering aircraft in a tight loop to support ground troops, at least it was that previously. Scroll through old threads, better kept at X, link below.
Probably the best choice, and tight integration with the Royal Navy a good way forward.
Not yet.
The press release for Norway's Type 26 frigate purchase. www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/f...
100% gjenkjøp til norsk industri også...
PM is really weighing in on tight integration with Royal Navy.
The best strategic partnership was a very important consideration, according to PM, and as the UK could also deliver a satisfactory product, the decision was made.
"In close partnership with British industry", according to PM. No surprise there, industry feelers have already been out a while (for all candidates, though).
Norway has selected the British Type 26 frigate, as per on-going government press conference. Possibly the largest military purchase in Norwegian newer history.
Shortly, at 12:00 local time, the Norwegian government is holding a presser on the frigate buy - possibly the largest procurement in Norwegian military history. www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/p...
Finland’s Air Force Will Stop Using the Swastika on Flags www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/w...
Please note that Denmark has NOT yet made an order for Patriot systems, but this is a sales case i.e. for a potential acquisition of Patriot systems in a package up to 8.5bn USD. (54bn DKK). The other contender for long-range GBAD is SAMP/T.
Sentinel-2 caught the Kirov-class cruiser Admiral Nakhimov underway on own power in the central White Sea earlier today, August 30th. After an unexpected start of the trials, being towed and at anchor, seems they are progressing more like expected now.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
NEW: The Nordic and Baltic states are driving a more robust European engagement on Ukraine amid apprehension over Trump’s dance with Putin, writes @michaeldweiss.bsky.social for @newlinesmag.bsky.social. newlinesmag.com/argument/the...
USS Mahan, left, HNoMS Maud, USS Bainbridge, and HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl transit the North Cape fjord in the Barents Sea above the Arctic Circle as a P-8 Poseidon, flanked by two F-35 Lightning IIs, fly overhead on Aug. 29, 2025. www.dvidshub.net/image/928624... CC @thelookout.bsky.social
