In 2017, Hungary started the long path leading to updating its aging, often Soviet era military equipment in view of adopting NATO standards. Experts and politicians claim Hungary’s current situation appears even worse when compared to corresponding data from the region and NATO’s insistence that Hungary increases its military spending is certainly not reducing pressure, as reported on Hungary Today.

Read more ...

The Syrian combat tested Russian commandos for readiness to XXI century wars. The Syrian campaign differs from the armed conflicts of the past decades by a rapidly changing situation and highly intensive engagement by all parties of new technical means and warfare techniques. All engaged forces, including commandos had to adapt to new conditions. Previously, special task forces were mostly used for deep reconnaissance and sometimes as infantry, but in Syria they had to engage in various new missions, an army officer who has recently returned from Syria told the Izvestia daily.

Read more ...

Every Marine is a rifleman. The pistol qualification is one that is not required by every Marine; instead, only certain military occupational specialties, officers and staff non-commissioned officers require annual qualification on the service pistol. In order to ensure these Marines are properly trained with the weapon, the Marine Corps implemented the Combat Pistol Program, as reported by Lance Cpl. Tanner D. Lambert, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Read more ...

In just a year, the Army Futures Command has officially stood up, opened a headquarters in the Texas capital, and created a group of cross-functional teams currently working to streamline an outdated acquisition process. Sean Kimmons, Army News Service, explains.

Read more ...

On 30 September, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced a new Defence Arctic Strategy, acknowledging the increasing opportunities and threats the region presents. The strategy will enhance the Ministry of Defence’s focus on the Arctic, underlined by our current commitments in the region and future deployments.

Read more ...

While the United States fought conflicts and insurgencies in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa over the last seventeen years, potential adversaries were studying U.S. operations and developing sophisticated weapons, munitions, and disruptive technologies. U.S. forces must anticipate that adversaries will employ these increasingly advanced systems, some approaching or even surpassing U.S. capabilities, while also proliferating them to their allies and proxies around the globe. Mario J. Hoffmann explains on Army.mil.

Read more ...

The European theater is an ever-changing landscape requiring constant adaptation to defend U.S. allies and deter potential aggression. To stay ready, U.S. Army Europe is focused on modernizing by exploring new technology, fielding upgraded equipment and adding additional capabilities. Spc. Kelsey M. VanFleet, US Army Europe, explains.

Read more ...

To prepare for the battlefield of the future, the U.S. Army must be ready to fight in a very different operational environment from any wars previously fought. The character of war has changed significantly, and the Army, along with its joint service partners, must be ready to deploy and fight in a high-intensity environment where all domains will be challenged. To rebuild readiness and modernize the force, the Army has refocused on six modernization priorities: long-range precision fires (LRPF), Next Generation Combat Vehicle, Future Vertical Lift, the network, air and missile defense and Soldier lethality. Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, commanding general of RDECOM, explains.

Read more ...