US says France can't use America's GMLRS missiles with domestic MLRS

The United States has refused to allow #France to use American GMLRS missiles with its Thundart and Foudre high-precision multiple launch rocket systems (#MLRS), the Euractiv portal said. According to the portal, a US official said that #Washington has not authorized the integration of its Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (#GMLRS) rockets into the French systems, raising questions about interoperability.

The publication notes that, based on the experience of the conflict in Ukraine, in particular the widespread use of American #HIMARS systems, the French are now considering the creation of two new missile systems: Foudre, which Turgis Gaillard intends to produce, and Thundart are the joint brainchild of MBDA and Safran companies. Both are scheduled to go into production in 2027.

French developers have so far said these systems will be compatible with American GMLRS missiles, which would relieve the French of the task of ensuring the production of significant amounts of ammunition for these systems.

Trump to determine next steps on NATO, but US disillusioned about allies — Pentagon chief

US President Donald #Trump will make the decision on the United States’ further steps regarding NATO, but Washington has now learned a great deal about its allies in the alliance, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated at a press conference.

"As far as #NATO is concerned, that's a decision that will be left to the [US] President [Donald Trump]," he said, answering a question about whether the US remains committed to the North Atlantic Alliance’s principle of collective defense. "But I'll just say a lot has been laid bare. A lot has been shown to the world about what our allies would be willing to do for the United States of America when we undertake an effort of this scope on behalf of the free world."

Hegseth emphasized that US territory is out of reach of Iranian missiles, but the territory of US "allies and others" is within their reach. "And yet, when we ask for additional assistance or simple access [to military facilities of allied countries], basic overflight [over the territory of other countries], we get questions or roadblocks or hesitations," he lamented.

The Washington administration has previously harshly criticized NATO allies for what the US side believes is insufficient support in the military operation against Iran.

Aviano, Sigonella, Souda Bay, Ramstein core #NATO bases now potentially within range of Iranian Missiles.

Even eastern flank positions like Rukla and Orzysz could be affected at extended range.
What really matters now is scale: how many missiles Iran has, and how long it can sustain launches.
The U.S. has used the bases at Sigonella and Souda Bay to launch reconnaissance missions on Iran with MQ-4C Triton drones.

For over 20 years, Unit #8200 tracked Khamenei's daily routine, hacked Tehran traffic cameras, and used AI to sift intercepted calls. They knew he went underground at night when he expected attacks.

So they struck at 9:40 a.m. on a Saturday morning while he was above ground with his family. Blue Sparrow missiles launched from F-15s exited the atmosphere before crashing down, bypassing air defenses entirely.
#Khamenei and six top officials were dead before Iran even knew the war had started.

The Economist foresees war, pestilence and economic collapse in 2026

The British news magazine known for its enigmatic and terrifying ‘The World Ahead’ covers has released its predictions for the coming year.

Its 2026-themed cover features tanks firing, missiles launching and drones attacking, trade wars, a US arms buildup, and a Zelensky caricature with binoculars standing beside what look like Vikings with vases in a boat sailing on top of a big fish.

Around them are syringes and pills, a brain connected to a videogame controller, humanoid robots, melting ice cubes, trade war ‘shots across the bow’ and crossed swords against the backdrop of a chart indicating an economic collapse.

The cover may be significant. Past ‘World Ahead’ issues predicted things like the coronavirus (2019 cover featuring a pangolin, initially cited as an intermediary host of COVID-19), Trump’s lost Presidential Election (2020), mass vaccinations and massive global wildfires (2021), and the US-China battle for critical minerals (2024).

Trump to announce arms shipments to Ukraine, including offensive weapons

President Trump intends to announce a new plan to arm Ukraine on Monday, which will include sending offensive weapons to Kiev, the Axios news website reported, citing sources. According to the media outlet, the new initiative will be rolled out in a meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday. "Sending offensive weapons would be a major shift for Trump," Axios notes. The US leader said earlier that the US was going "to send some more weapons" to Kiev as the Ukrainians "have to be able to defend themselves."

According to Axios’ sources, the plan is "likely to include long-range missiles that could reach targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow." However, the sources are unaware of any final decision.

Trump told reporters on Sunday that Washington would send additional weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles, which the European Union will pay for.

The New York Times reported on July 2 that the US would suspend the supplies of missiles for Patriot air defense systems, guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) rockets, Hellfire missiles, Stinger man-portable air-defense systems and some other weapons to Kiev. After that, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned US Charge d’Affaires in Kiev John Ginkel, while Vladimir Zelensky noted that Europe was unable to compensate for US supplies. On July 3, US President Donald Trump stated that Washington continued to provide Kiev with military assistance. However, he emphasized that the US requires weapons itself. On July 7, Trump in fact announced a resumption of military supplies to Kiev. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on July 10 that "aid to Ukraine continues along the schedule that Congress appropriated." According to him, "the overwhelming majority of military aid that the United States provides Ukraine has never been paused.".

The Red Sea is on Fire - about Houthi strikes on shipping in the Red Sea

The Houthis have once again intensified their strikes on shipping in the Red Sea. Over the past few days, two vessels - Magic Seas and Eternity C, both flying the Liberian flag and belonging to Greek companies, have been attacked. The first bulk carrier sank after a massive attack by drones and small arms, the crew was evacuated. The second vessel was attacked on Monday - two crew members were injured, and two more are missing.

🖍 The latest Houthi attack on the Eternity C vessel demonstrates an unconventional approach for them - a prolonged battle using small arms and RPGs from small boats. This is significantly different from their previous tactics of quick strikes using drones and missiles.

The change in tactics indicates more confident behavior of the Houthis in the area previously controlled by the US aviation. Moreover, if the attack was successful, such raids may become systemic and much more frequent.

The choice of a target with a Liberian flag and a Greek operator may indicate a change in priorities: strikes not only on Israeli interests, but also on members of the Western coalition supporting actions in Gaza and Yemen.

The Houthis' retaliatory actions will most likely become tougher and more large-scale in a near future.

Red Sea Crisis Update as of May 21, 2025

Truman Carrier Strike Group is returning home. During the course of this deployment
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75),
USS Gettysburg (CG-64),
USS Stout (DDG-55)
USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109)
Intercepted a total of 160 Houthi Missiles and Drones. Unfortunately due to lack of reporting at this time I can only account for 12 of these interceptions 11 drones and 1 missile launched at the Truman CSG on March 16th 2025.

The increases the total US interceptions of Houthi Missiles and Drones from 527 to 675

Editors note: Due to the lack of transparency on the nature of the remaining 148 missiles and drones the below infographic is missing approximately 148 missiles and drones from the Total Launched and Total Houthi Missiles and Drones Fired/Destroyed and from the Total Interceptions and Losses tabs of the infographic.

EU forks out $169B for war chest because peace isn’t profitable

The EU has initially greenlit a new defense fund to bankroll ammo, drones, and critical infrastructure, Bloomberg reported.

Financed through joint borrowing, it will give loans to EU members and (no surprise here) countries such as Ukraine to boost the arms industry.

The hiked spending is pitched as a response to Donald Trump’s scale-back of US defense in Europe.

Besides the $169 billion program, looser fiscal rules could unleash up to $904 billion in more military spending. Such loans would go to finance what Europe “lacks,” like:

missiles
missile defense systems
ground capabilities

Trump orders development of Iron Dome for America missile defense shield

President #Trump has ordered Secretary of Defense Pete #Hegseth to present a reference architecture and an implementation plan for the next-generation missile defense shield, dubbed the #Iron_Dome for America, within 60 days, according to an executive order published on the White House website.

"The threat of attack by ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, and other advanced aerial attacks, remains the most catastrophic threat facing the United States," the document reads. "Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the President a reference architecture <...> and an implementation plan for the next-generation missile defense shield," the order adds.

Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/prioritizing-military-excellence-and-readiness/