Sweden will deliver 16 Gripen E fighter jets to Ukraine for $2.54bn. Denmark also announced a $671.8m military aid package. Meanwhile, Ukraine's military prepares for a potential Russian offensive from the north, and a parcel bomb injured three in Monaco, reportedly targeting a Ukrainian-origin businessman.
The UAE is reportedly in early-stage talks to purchase Indian defence equipment, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the Akash air-defence system. Analysts suggest a deal would boost India's transition from arms buyer to exporter and strengthen ties with the UAE.
PM Narendra Modi visited L&T's Surat facility, reviewing indigenous defence equipment, including 'Zorawar', India's first light battle tank for mountainous terrains, and emphasized 'Make in India' in the defence sector.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on April 21 that her cabinet had amended the Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology, Japan's framework for controlling military hardware and technology exports since 2014. Citing an increasingly severe security environment where no single country can protect its own peace alone, Takaichi emphasized the need for partner countries to support each other through defence equipment. Despite Japan's technological capabilities, the country accounts for a trivial share of global arms exports, while China and South Korea rank among the top 10 weapons exporters according to SIPRI.
Japan has scrapped long-standing restrictions on arms exports in a major break with its post-war pacifist policy that is likely to derail any potential thaw in relations with China. The plans, given final approval by the cabinet on Tuesday, could clear the way for sales of lethal equipment that had long been banned and prompted expressions of “serious concern” from Beijing. Japan’s Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology had previously limited exports to five non-combat...
