A total of 164 countries have signed the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines – almost all nations, except the global powers. But has the treaty really altered the nature of warfare? In Ukraine, for instance, anti-personnel mines are still employed by both sides of the conflict. In the face of virtuous yet unilateral restrictions on
Landmines: From Crow’s Feet to Biomimetics Read More »
The Latvian government’s strategic push to boost defence spending and nurture local industry is beginning to bear fruit. A decade of growth in this sector reached a significant milestone with the inauguration of a new armoured vehicle production facility in Valmiera. Over the next four years, Latvia plans to boost its defence budget by 70
Latvia Ramps Up Defence Capability Read More »
A recent Norwegian study on wartime civilian protection explores three distinct scenarios: a prolonged pressure campaign against the Nordic region, the threat of war on Norwegian soil, and active warfare within Norway. The study highlights several critical factors essential for safeguarding the civilian population during such conflicts. Imagine a war in Norway. What humanitarian needs
War in Norway: Scenario-Based Analysis of Humanitarian Needs Read More »
In modern warfare, the ability to gather critical intelligence while remaining hidden is crucial. New portable surveillance technologies are disruptive. Replacing static devices, they are deployable on the ground, in the air and on the water surface. This significantly enhances discreet, versatile, and rapid intelligence-gathering capabilities. Today’s armed forces rely heavily on detecting and analyzing
Rethinking the Battlefield: The Quiet Might of Passive Surveillance Read More »
Artificial intelligence (AI) is dramatically altering the landscape of modern warfare, ushering in a new era characterized by unprecedented speed, precision, and complexity. At Eurosatory 2024, AI’s transformative potential was a focal point of discussions among military leaders, industry experts, and policymakers. AI’s roots in military applications date back to World War II, with the
The AI Battlefield: How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Modern Warfare Read More »
The beginning of the year has been promising for the Northern European defense industry, with increased sales and strong profits. German Rheinmetall, Norwegian Kongsberg, Swedish SAAB, and Finnish PATRIA have all reported excellent Q1 results. Only two Nordic companies are in the World TOP100 of arms-producing and military services companies: SAAB (39th in 2022) and
For months, speculation has swirled about the potential for the conflict in Gaza to spiral into a broader regional crisis. Late on April 13th, Iran launched a barrage of attack drones to Israel, followed by missiles. What are Iran’s strategic goals? The Iranian strikes come as retaliation for an Israeli air raid on April 1st,
The policy of the three Baltic States towards communist China has undergone a radical change in a decade. Initial hopes for mutually beneficial economic cooperation eventually gave way to great disappointment, compounded by escalating disputes over relations with Taiwan and Russia. The Baltics now look at China and see “one country, two faces.” Beijing’s grand
One Country, Two Faces — How Beijing Betrayed the Baltics Read More »
In conjunction with Finland joining the North Atlantic defence alliance, we have invested heavily in bolstering bilateral security ties with the United States. At the same time, there appears to be an active effort within Finnish foreign policy circles to lull ourselves into the idea that our bilateral relationship with the US will remain largely
In Search of Lost Time Read More »
The current global landscape indicates a range of potential conflicts and crises. Summarizing various expert analyses, the Nordic Defence Review lists eighteen global hotspots, comparing the 2024 future predictions to what was written in early 2023. The concept of war has evolved, aligning with Sun Tzu’s philosophy of subduing the enemy without fighting, emphasizing political,
The 18 Shapes Of Wars To Come in 2024 Read More »
