Ukraine isn't testing the SKYNEX air defense system anymore. It's using it - and the results are rewriting Europe's defense orders.

All four SKYNEX systems pledged by Germany have been delivered and are operational. Developed by Rheinmetall, each unit combines a 35mm automated anti-aircraft cannon with radar-guided targeting and a networked battle management system - designed specifically to intercept Shahed-type drones before they reach their targets.

Ukraine's Air Force called the results "impeccable." Rheinmetall is now planning to scale production to 400 systems per year by 2027 - a decision driven directly by what Ukraine proved in combat.

The drone war created the demand. Ukraine created the proof of concept. https://x.com/MeanwhileInUA/status/2064217610581864769?s=20

Germany finally nixes joint next gen fighter aircraft project with France, despite Berlin's new arms build-up

France's Dassault needs a new dance partner, if Paris seeks a partner outside of Europe that will say a lot about the future EU defense systems production
( Will calls go out to Abu Dhabi or New Delhi?)
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Ulrich Speck
@ulrichspeck
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"As a staunch supporter of the Franco-German alliance, I am nevertheless shedding no tears over the SCAF: originally driven solely by France’s political determination, it ran up against the interests of one of the last great French industrial crown jewels, Dassault Aviation." x.com/jdomerchet/sta…
https://x.com/michaeltanchum/status/2064333366426530292?s=20
Iran launches symbolic missile attack against Israel, which retaliates strongly

After Iran launched a symbolic attack against Israel in protest against the attacks on Beirut, hours later it was Israel's turn to retaliate, this time indeed with violence and hitting more than 10 targets in Iran, including Tehran airport and Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Karaj, and some other areas in western Iran.

Israel used air-launched ballistic missiles from Iranian airspace and also dared to launch cruise missiles from ships stationed in the Mediterranean. The White House said the US had no part in the attack; however, strangely, American tanker planes were seen in the air. Refueling whom? It wasn't my motorcycle.

There are two questions at this moment: One is that since the Iranian retaliation did not hit targets in Israel in a significant way, it is very likely that Iran still has a serious problem with the refurbishment and upgrade of its long-range missiles.

And the other is that perhaps the US has not only reinstated THAAD radars and others but also added more batteries brought from Asia that were positioned in advance in the corridors.

Be that as it may, the current situation forces Iran to retaliate and show that it possesses real means of inflicting damage on Israel. There will be no ceasefire in Lebanon in the way Iran desires, simply because Israel saw the quantity of missiles that Hezbollah accumulated in a short period of time and will not allow that again.

Israel has its own agenda, its own interests, and they are completely antagonistic to the peace plan that has been discussed. Trump is trying to save his political skin, but Netanyahu will impose his agenda and Trump will be dragged along by it.

But while Trump isn't dragged along, Iran seems to be wanting to settle scores with Israel, launching a new wave of missiles along with Yemen, which, by all accounts, has also decided to launch missiles against Israel. It remains to be seen what the level of these attacks will be. In the last few instances, the Houthis launched merely symbolic attacks.
https://x.com/pati_marins64/status/2063824251623198867?s=20

Trump did not forbid Netanyahu from attacking, but told him to wait for the signal

When you have a messy peace plan, full of trickery, with conflicting versions and based on insurmountable points, you don't bet on it.

You use it to cloud the markets' understanding of what is actually being planned, to gain time, and to structure your apparatus.

The problem is that, at this moment, there is a certain political divergence between Trump and Netanyahu.

Trump needs to maintain the stalling tactics embromation to survive politically, while for Netanyahu, anything other than conflict, or the presentation of minimal objectives achieved in that conflict, means ending up in court.

They are in two distinct positions right now that will clash for some time. The sword at each of their throats comes from different sides.

The US has more than 50,000 men deployed in the Gulf, with about 17,000-20,000 paratroopers, special forces, and marines ready for amphibious actions.

This number is bolstered by another 2,500 to 3,500 marines and special troops from France, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other European countries on secret missions, which can be nothing other than support for American troops.
https://x.com/pati_marins64/status/2064182123137753579?s=20