DEFENSE MAGAZINE

The largest North Atlantic Treaty Organisation exercise of the year, Steadfast Dart 25 (STDT25), began today under the command of the UK Armed Forces. Over 10,000 troops from nine NATO allies are conducting manoeuvres in Romania, Bulgaria and Greece until the end of February. This is the first exercise of this scale under the new Allied Reaction Force (ARF), which was created last year in response to the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine and the strengthening of the Alliance's eastern flank. The exercise will also involve hundreds of military vehicles, aircraft and ships.

In addition to gun-based artillery, Russia deploys a vast array of multiple rocket launchers, which can be classified into three categories according to the rockets carried: 300mm, 220mm and 122mm launchers. 

In a landmark move to bolster national defense, Sweden has announced a $1.97 billion deal to acquire 44 new Leopard 2A8 battle tanks and upgrade its existing fleet of 66 Leopard 2 tanks. The agreement, described as one of the largest Swedish arms deals since the Cold War, also includes significant investments in modernizing CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.

In a quiet yet strategic move, Taiwan has deployed its first batch of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), a development poised to significantly bolster the nation’s defense capabilities. The initial batch, consisting of 11 units, marks a critical milestone in Taiwan’s efforts to enhance its deterrence against potential threats.

The Ukrainian army has stepped up the intensity of offensive operations on Russian territory. Fierce clashes are reported from at least three locations in the Kursk region along the spur that the Ukrainians have managed to capture since the August offensive across their border. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian reinforcements from North Korea lost an entire battalion in fighting just days after the start of 2025, with up to 1,000 DPRK soldiers confirmed dead by the United States. The news of the advance near Kursk comes at a time when, by contrast, the Russians are trying to make a breakthrough in the Donetsk region, reporting territorial gains.

Military operations in Ukraine since 2014 and the Russian invasion after 2022 in a large scale highlight the return of artillery to the forefront of the symetric warfare. The use of coordinated strikes with the implementation of drones and guidance systems coupled with the use of a wide variety of launchers and ammunition bring devastating effectiveness. 

In recent years, Ukraine has undergone a military revolution that could soon render the question of NATO membership less significant. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently announced that 30% of the military equipment used by Ukraine in 2024 was domestically produced. This includes advancements in self-propelled howitzers, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cutting-edge anti-tank systems. These developments, alongside significant Western investments, are reshaping Ukraine’s defense capabilities and signaling its deeper integration into NATO-like military structures.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has published several previously unknown weapons projects. Together with systems already in the Ukrainian arsenal and previously published projects under development, it is possible to estimate what equipment Kiev intends to deploy in the future. Despite the strengthening of the domestic defence industry, Ukrainians still have to rely on Western supplies. Without them, for example, they would find it difficult to attack Russian targets deep behind the front line. 

During the Second World War, the various belligerent countries deployed many different types of aircraft for missions involving close air support of ground troops. Even very close support. To limit losses and enable crews to survive, most of these aircraft were heavily armoured. A good example was the Ilyushin Il-2 Stormovik, a real flying tank. 

The Ukrainian-Russian war has significantly highlighted the importance of unmanned aerial, naval, and ground technologies in combat operations. Reconnaissance and attack drones have become indispensable on the battlefield, carrying out critical tasks to neutralize enemy personnel and equipment. Additionally, ground-based unmanned logistic systems evacuate the wounded and deliver ammunition, food, and water to the front lines under enemy fire. Russia aims to enhance the combat capabilities of such systems and is reviving the development phase of Project Sturm.