Valra 🐈‍⬛

Ukrainian Army Aviation helicopter pilots are now receiving NATO-standard training in the UK under Operation Interstorm. The basic training is providing Ukraine with pilots who can quickly transition to Western-built attack helicopters.

Flip side Friday, Harrier-style 🌀

Exclusive with @larisamlbrown Sir Keir Starmer is expected to approve an £18 billion increase in defence spending as he faces a battle for political survival Jonathan Powell, the national security adviser, has written to Starmer in recent weeks warning him that Britain would struggle to maintain its position on the world stage without a significant increase in spending, The Times understands He warned that the armed forces could not afford the jets, munitions and advanced technology that Britain needs to fight a future war without a significant increase to the budget Dame Antonia Romeo, the cabinet secretary, is also understood to have pushed for a big increase in spending The prime minister is expected to approve the spending boost as soon as next week, bringing an end to months of delays and internal rows, amid concerns in the Treasury that it would be unaffordable It is unclear how the increase in spending will be funded, although a Whitehall source insisted it would be “fully affordable” thetimes.com/article/b5c26a…

HII, in partnership with MetalCraft Marine (@MCM_boats), has delivered and sea tested two unmanned surface vessels (USV) awarded in a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) contract for smaller form factor autonomous boat prototypes for the @USMC. Read more in HII's Newsroom: ow.ly/sXL650Z0oEK

Taiwan's Kinmen Defense Command held the second iteration of its 2026 “Taiwu Exercise” earlier today, focusing on defense against an amphibious assault. M60A3 tanks, CM-21 armored vehicles, and Javelin anti-tank missiles were involved. 📹: CNA/Focus Taiwan

@VLS_Appreciator A lot of margins (topweight, cooling, power gen) were used up adding SPY-6 (Aside from whatever capabilities SPY-6 itself may have)

Why aren’t Baseline 10 SPY-6 flight IIIs also directly outfitted with SEWIP block III ?

“You know, when you look at the odds, China is a very, very powerful, big country. That's a very small island. Think of it, it's 59 miles away. 59 miles. We're 9,500 miles away. That's a little bit of a difficult problem,” the president added. “I do say this: Taiwan would be very smart to cool it a little bit. China would be very smart to cool it a little bit. They ought to both cool it.”

Very very interesting. State sponsored terrorism.

ROYAL AIR FORCE - MIDDLE EAST - ORBAT - 15th May 2026 As of this evening, I believe the RAF has the following aircraft still deployed in the Middle East: RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus: F-35B ZM142 #43C818 (since 06/02) F-35B ZM156 #43C826 (10/03) F-35B ZM159 #43C829 (06/02) F-35B ZM169 #43C833 (06/02) Typhoon ZK322 #43C6D5 (26/01) Typhoon ZK334 #43CAE8 (26/01) Typhoon ZK335 #43C746 (24/04) Typhoon ZK343 #43CAE3 (24/04) Typhoon ZK352 #43C77B (24/04) Typhoon ZK353 #43C77C (24/04) Typhoon ZK354 #43C77D (20/01) Typhoon ZK366 #43C794 (06/02) Typhoon ZK370 #43C798 (28/10/25) Voyager KC.3 ZZ334 #43C6F7 Voyager KC.2 ZZ343 #43C700 Protector RG.1 PR010 #43C972 Al-Udeid Airbase (or another site), Qatar: Typhoon ZK347 #43C709 (as of 06/03) Typhoon ZK348 #43C70A (06/03) Typhoon ZK350 #43C70C (23/01) Typhoon ZK371 #43C799 (06/03) Typhoon ZK373 #43C79B (23/01) Typhoon ZK374 #43C79C (06/03) Typhoon ZK432 #43C7A9 (23/01) Typhoon ???? (x1 of the ones listed as Akrotiri should actually be here) Returned to the UK today (15/05): Voyager KC.2 ZZ338 #43C6FB Voyager KC.2 ZZ331 #43C6F4 F-35B ZM141 #43C817 F-35B ZM144 #43C81A F-35B ZM145 #43C81B F-35B ZM150 #43C820 F-35B ZM157 #43C827 F-35B ZM164 #43C82E F-35B ZM166 #43C821 F-35B ZM168 #43C832 Other recent returns to the UK: Typhoon ZK305 #43C60D (29/04) Typhoon ZK326 #43C6D9 (29/04) Typhoon ZK359 #43C782 (30/04) Typhoon ZK361 #43C784 (07/05) Shadow R.1 ZZ419 #43C2B5 (14/04) Shadow R.1 ZZ504 #43C61D (30/04) Usual caveats apply, my data is based on public flight tracking information and collaboration with @ArmchairAdml & others from @MATA_osint and so is subject to change/corrections! raf.mod.uk/news/articles/…

🚨BREAKING🚨 Starmer has reportedly "encased Wes Streeting in a crystal" according to anonymous No 10 sources

Yet the same Navy that is unable to induct & crew replenishment ships on time now tells Congress they can crew & induct a 600-800 crew nuclear powered battleship on schedule. Which also wont resolve related difficulties for the bulk of the destroyer- etc force.

AIM-260 JATM

One of my favorite stories to come out of the first Trump administration was when DJT developed an obsession with badgers and would grill Reince Priebus with questions about badgers during policy meetings because he was from Wisconsin:

Just now in HASC - @RepDonBacon asks @SecArmy and GEN LaNeve if Poland was notified about the change by OSW. SECARMY And GEN Laneve didn't know. Rep Bacon informs them - "They did not know, they were blindsided"

Geolocation of the airstrike that targeted Qassam [Hamas] commander Izz al-Din al Haddad. Location [Impact]: 31.514442, 34.447753 Location [POV]: 31.512115, 34.448339 8G3PGC7X+Q4 Rimal, Gaza City Governorate, Gaza Strip @GeoConfirmed

1/2 Ukraine's Serhyii "Flash" Beskrestnov, adviser to DefMin Fedorov, posted the following costs of Russian loitering munitions. t.me/serhii_flash/7…

A newly published video shows severe oil spill on the shores of Iran's Shidvar Island a day after an attack on the nearby Lavan oil refinery. Dead fishes, crabs and birds can be seen in the oil along the Shidvar beach. Date: 9 April Approximate location: 26.79659, 53.40382

@Tendar Tank no.19 on Fire, Nurlino LPDS, Bashkortistan 54.792042, 55.548283 @GeoConfirmed @UAControlMap @giK1893 @Osinttechnical x.com/Tendar/status/…