Latest news with #MiG-29
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
North Korea gets a weapons bonanza from Russia
This picture taken on May 15 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on May 17 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (centre) beside a MiG-29 aircraft. PHOTO: AFP SEOUL – Attack drones directed by artificial intelligence. Tanks with improved electronic warfare systems. A newly built naval destroyer fitted with supersonic cruise missiles. A new air defence system. Air-to-air missiles. The list of new weapons being touted by North Korea grows almost by the week. Long-held conventional wisdom had it that North Korea – crippled by international sanctions, natural disasters and the coronavirus pandemic – was unable to upgrade its decrepit Soviet-era military because it lacked the money, fuel, spare parts and technology required. But its wily leader, Kim Jong Un, found a solution to his country's decades-old problem. He courted Russia after it invaded Ukraine three years ago and ran into a dire shortage of both troops and conventional weapons, like artillery shells. North Korea had plenty of both to provide. In return, Moscow has revived a Cold War-era treaty of mutual defence and cooperation with Pyongyang, supplying North Korea not only with fuel and food, but also with materials and technologies to modernise its military, according to South Korean officials and analysts. They warn that the growing expansion of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, if left unchecked, could threaten a delicate military balance around the Korean Peninsula. The disintegration of the old Soviet bloc, and the subsequent collapse of North Korea's economy, created a yawning gap between North and South Korea in their conventional weapons abilities. To counter that, North Korea in recent decades dedicated its limited resources to developing nuclear warheads and their delivery missiles. Still, the North's conventional weaponry remained many years behind that of South Korea and the United States, which keeps 28,500 troops in the South. Russia's war against Ukraine has brought Mr Kim a military bonanza. It gave North Korea opportunities to test its weapons and troops, and to gain valuable insights into modern warfare. Its conventional weapons industry has entered a renaissance, thanks to Russia's insatiable demand for its artillery shells and missiles and the military technology flowing the other way, South Korean analysts said. Mr Kim now has greater ability to destabilise the East Asia region and more leverage should he sit down again with US President Donald Trump or China's leader Xi Jinping, they said. 'North Korea appears to be entering a strategic golden age,' said Mr Yang Uk, an expert on the North Korean military at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, South Korea. The alliance has benefited President Vladimir Putin of Russia, too. For months, Russian officials concealed the fact that North Korean troops were taking part in efforts to push Ukrainians out of the Kursk region, in western Russia. It was only at the end of April, when most of the Ukrainian-occupied area had been liberated, that the head of the Russian General Staff said during a public meeting with Mr Putin that North Korean troops 'provided significant assistance' to the Russian army there. Perhaps more valuably, North Korea sent millions of artillery rounds, as well as many missiles, to Russia. South Korean officials said that North Korea was also cooperating with Russia to build drones for both nations. Russia's resurgence in the war has given Mr Putin a stronger hand in any potential peace negotiations with Ukraine, and with Mr Trump. The courtship between Mr Kim and Mr Putin deepened when they met in Russia's Far East in September 2023. Mr Kim was shown around a Russian space-launch station, an aircraft manufacturing factory and air force and naval bases, compiling what South Korean analysts called a 'bucket list' of Russian technologies he wanted to get his hands on. Last June, Mr Kim invited Mr Putin to Pyongyang, the North's capital, to sign an alliance treaty. Soon, North Korean troops began streaming into Russia, numbering up to 15,000 in all, according to South Korean intelligence officials North Korean troops took part in recapturing two villages in the Kursk region, said Mr Dmitri Kuznets, an analyst with the news outlet Meduza, which was outlawed by the Kremlin and operates from Latvia. But the true extent of the troops' contributions has been debated. A handout satellite image made available by Maxar Technologies shows a new North Korean warship at the harbour May 25 after an accident during the launch ceremony in Chongjin, North Korea. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Mr Valery Shiryaev, an independent Russian military analyst, said in a post on Telegram, a popular messaging app, that the participation of Koreans in real battles was Mr Kim's idea, so that he could test his army. 'All of them are getting an incredible experience now and will come back as real veterans,' Mr Shiryaev said. 'There are no such people in the South Korean army, which undoubtedly fills Kim Jong Un with pride.' Analysts in South Korea and other Western powers have been tallying Mr Kim's hardware gains. They have monitored aircraft and ships carrying what appeared to be Russian military technologies to North Korea. Mr Kim also began more frequently visiting munitions factories and watching weapons tests. He oversaw the test firing of an anti-aircraft missile system in March amid indications that he was getting badly needed Russian help to modernise the North's decrepit air defence. He later inspected reconnaissance and the self-destructing attack drones that used AI to hit targets. His prioritising of drones alone would help significantly narrow the gap with South Korea in conventional weapons, analysts said. In April, Mr Kim and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, widely believed to be his heir, attended the launching of the North's first naval destroyer, the Choe Hyon. He later watched the ship test-fire various missiles. One of them was called a supersonic cruise missile by North Korea, and it resembled the nuclear-capable Russian cruise missile 3M22 Zircon, said Mr Hong Min, a military expert at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul. While launching the destroyer, Mr Kim reconfirmed that he was also building a nuclear-powered submarine. Early in May, he visited a tank factory where he said that 'the armoured weapons of the last century' were being replaced, state media reported. He later inspected expanded and modernised munitions factories, praising a four-fold increase in artillery shells, a key North Korean export to Russia. Mr Kim also visited an air force unit and watched what looked like a MiG-29 fighter jet hitting a midair target with an air-to-air missile. Such a scene was a far cry from the days when North Korea could rarely get its fighter jets off the ground for lack of fuel and spare parts. The weapons that North Korea has been brandishing suggest Russian help in developing them, said Mr Lee Sung-joon, a South Korean military spokesperson. South Korean officials usually take North Korea's claims with a dose of scepticism as it has often exaggerated its military achievements for propaganda purposes. And the pressure that Mr Kim has been exerting on his engineers to complete new weapons quickly has led to mishaps. This past month, when North Korea launched its second destroyer, the ship capsized, prompting an angry Mr Kim to order the arrest of several officials. But with Russia's help, North Korea is moving faster to fulfill its ambitious plans for upgrading weaponry announced in 2021, said Mr Choi Yong-hwan, an analyst at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul. Building bigger ships would allow North Korea to start joint naval exercises with Russia around the Korean Peninsula, as South Korea has done with the United States for decades, he said. Multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions ban arms trading with North Korea. But military cooperation with Russia 'has proved a perfect route for the North to evade sanctions and overcome its technological limits,' said a report from the institute. There remains doubt over how much sensitive technology Russia is willing to share with North Korea. North Korea has repeatedly failed to launch military spy satellites. And to build a nuclear-powered submarine, the country would need a small nuclear reactor. Such a submarine, which would vastly improve its ability to cross the Pacific and launch a nuclear attack on the US mainland, was so politically risky that Moscow would be 'very, very cautious,' said Mr Doo Jin-ho, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for Defence Analyses in Seoul. But the mere threat it could happen gives Mr Kim more leverage, and North Korean state media has shown part of what it said was a nuclear-powered submarine under construction. 'It's the most dangerous weapon North Korea has unveiled so far,' said Mr Hong, of the Korea Institute for National Unification. NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Saudi Gazette
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
India confirms fighter jet losses in clashes with Pakistan
NEW DELHI — India's military has for the first time acknowledged the loss of fighter jets in the recent escalation with Pakistan, but dismissed Islamabad's claim of downing six aircraft as 'absolutely incorrect.' Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan confirmed the losses in a televised interview with Bloomberg on Saturday, stating the focus should not be on how many jets were lost, but rather on understanding why they were downed and what lessons have been learned. 'What is important is not the jet being down, but why they went down. That is more important,' Chauhan said on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. 'The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake, remedy it, and implement it again after two days.' Pakistan had claimed responsibility for shooting down six Indian fighter jets — including four Rafales, a Su-30MKI, and a MiG-29 — during India's cross-border airstrikes on May 6–7. Chauhan disputed the number but did not provide specific figures. The high-stakes confrontation was sparked by an April 22 mass shooting in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists. India blamed cross-border involvement, which Pakistan denied, offering an international investigation attacks led to days of retaliatory air and drone strikes between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. India reportedly struck targets inside Pakistan on May 6–7, followed by Pakistani counterstrikes on May were halted after U.S. President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire, which remains in place. — Agencies
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Ukrainian MiG-29 Fighter Jets Bomb Russian Special Services Base
Ukrainian fighter jets have struck a base belonging to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) in the Belgorod region, killing intelligence officers, according to a report. The Telegram channel Soniashnyk, which is affiliated with the Ukrainian Air Force, said the attack was carried out by MiG-29 jets armed with French-developed AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts on X (formerly Twitter) have confirmed the location of the targeted FSB building. Newsweek has contacted Russian and Ukrainian authorities for comment by email. The strike marks a significant escalation in the war, launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022. While Ukraine has previously targeted military sites on Russian soil—such as ammunition depots, logistics hubs, and airbases—the attack on the Glotovo base appears to be the first known strike on a facility linked to the FSB. The Soniashnyk Telegram channel reported that the FSB base, located in Russia's Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border, was hit with two French-made AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs. An unverified video shared by the channel captures the moment of the strike. Filmed by a drone, the footage shows a direct hit on the building, followed by a massive plume of smoke billowing into the sky. "This is what happens when you don't get the message the first time—the Cossacks have to go and repeat the conversation," the channel said in a caption accompanying the clip. "Aviation continues to operate in all directions, MiG-29s destroy enemy forces, including officers of the FSB," it said. Ukraine's military has used AASM bombs extensively in the war to strike Russian military targets, including drone hubs and control centers. Designed by the French Company Safran Electronics & Defense, the air-to-surface weapons are suitable for both deep-strike attacks and close air support missions. The strike comes weeks after Kyiv was reported to have captured the village of Demidovka in Belgorod, and after a Ukrainian long-range HIMARS strike destroyed four Russian helicopters in the region. Emil Kastehelmi, a military analyst from Finland-based Black Bird Group, previously told Newsweek that there was no indication Ukraine had made further gains beyond Demidovka in Belgorod. Kyiv's military was likely a fixing operation, not a landgrab with large goals, he said. The Telegram channel Soniashnyk, which is affiliated with the Ukrainian Air Force, said: "This is what happens when you don't get the message the first time—the Cossacks have to go and repeat the conversation." Soniashnyk said the Ukrainian Air Force will continue to "operate in all directions" as the war in Ukraine grinds on. Safran Electronics & Defense told Business Insider that it is significantly ramping up production of AASM Hammer bombs this year, but it's unclear how many will go to Ukraine. Related Articles China Denies Ukraine's Russia Weapons ClaimRussian Bots Roast 'Clown' Donald Trump After Putin CommentsMAGA Divided as Trump Turns on PutinRussia Says Trump's Attack on Putin Due to 'Emotional Overstrain' 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ukrainian MiG-29 Fighter Jets Bomb Russian Special Services Base
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ukrainian fighter jets have struck a base belonging to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) in the Belgorod region, killing intelligence officers, according to a report. The Telegram channel Soniashnyk, which is affiliated with the Ukrainian Air Force, said the attack was carried out by MiG-29 jets armed with French-developed AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts on X (formerly Twitter) have confirmed the location of the targeted FSB building. Newsweek has contacted Russian and Ukrainian authorities for comment by email. Why It Matters The strike marks a significant escalation in the war, launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022. While Ukraine has previously targeted military sites on Russian soil—such as ammunition depots, logistics hubs, and airbases—the attack on the Glotovo base appears to be the first known strike on a facility linked to the FSB. AASM Hammer air strike by the MiG-29 on the Russian base which as said was used by FSB. — Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 26, 2025 What To Know The Soniashnyk Telegram channel reported that the FSB base, located in Russia's Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border, was hit with two French-made AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs. An unverified video shared by the channel captures the moment of the strike. Filmed by a drone, the footage shows a direct hit on the building, followed by a massive plume of smoke billowing into the sky. "This is what happens when you don't get the message the first time—the Cossacks have to go and repeat the conversation," the channel said in a caption accompanying the clip. "Aviation continues to operate in all directions, MiG-29s destroy enemy forces, including officers of the FSB," it said. Ukrainian fighter jets struck a base belonging to Russia's Federal Security Service in the Belgorod region, killing several intelligence officers, the Telegram channel Soniashnyk, said on May 26, 2025. Ukrainian fighter jets struck a base belonging to Russia's Federal Security Service in the Belgorod region, killing several intelligence officers, the Telegram channel Soniashnyk, said on May 26, 2025. Telegram/Soniashnyk Ukraine's military has used AASM bombs extensively in the war to strike Russian military targets, including drone hubs and control centers. Designed by the French Company Safran Electronics & Defense, the air-to-surface weapons are suitable for both deep-strike attacks and close air support missions. The strike comes weeks after Kyiv was reported to have captured the village of Demidovka in Belgorod, and after a Ukrainian long-range HIMARS strike destroyed four Russian helicopters in the region. Emil Kastehelmi, a military analyst from Finland-based Black Bird Group, previously told Newsweek that there was no indication Ukraine had made further gains beyond Demidovka in Belgorod. Kyiv's military was likely a fixing operation, not a landgrab with large goals, he said. What People Are Saying The Telegram channel Soniashnyk, which is affiliated with the Ukrainian Air Force, said: "This is what happens when you don't get the message the first time—the Cossacks have to go and repeat the conversation." What Happens Next Soniashnyk said the Ukrainian Air Force will continue to "operate in all directions" as the war in Ukraine grinds on. Safran Electronics & Defense told Business Insider that it is significantly ramping up production of AASM Hammer bombs this year, but it's unclear how many will go to Ukraine.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Family roots in Ludhiana, flight lieutenant Aman Singh Hans conferred with Shaurya Chakra for ‘flying without canopy at altitude of 28,000 feet'
Flight lieutenant Aman Singh Hans, 29, was conferred with 'Shaurya Chakra', the third-highest gallantry award, by the President of India Droupadi Murmu, at a recent ceremony in Delhi. His ancestral village is Hans Kalan of Ludhiana district. Later, his family moved to Taranji Khera village of Sangrur district. The family currently lives in Panchkula. His father Col (retd) Rupinder Singh Hans said: 'We are very proud of our son's achievements. My family had moved from Ludhiana's Hans Kalan village many years back but we still visit there on occasions such as Diwali etc. Aman was born in Patiala and later attended army school. He had joined NDA.' He has been conferred with the honor for displaying 'exceptional courage' in landing his MiG-29 aircraft after its canopy blew off at an altitude of 28,000 feet during night hours. He hails from Hans Kalan village of Ludhiana district. Union minister of state Ravneet Singh Bittu, in a post on X, wrote: 'Pride of the Skies, Son of the Soil. Flight Lieutenant Aman Singh Hans of Hans Kalan, Ludhiana, displayed exemplary courage and presence of mind by safely landing a severely damaged fighter aircraft during a high-risk night mission—averting a major disaster. In recognition of his heroism, he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra by President Droupadi Murmu. A moment of immense pride for his family, especially his father, Col Rupinder Singh Hans (Retd), and the entire Ludhiana district.' An official statement from the Ministry of Defence reads: 'On 28 Mar 24, the officer was authorised to fly a long range ferry mission on MiG-29 aircraft by dark night, towards Exercise Gagan Shakti-24. After 20 minutes of flying time, at an altitude of 28,000 feet (8.5 km), the pilot felt a sudden blast in the cockpit with aircraft Head Up Display and visual reference to fly, blanking off. He realised that the canopy of the aircraft had flown off, exposing him to severe weather conditions with temperatures of minus 35° – 40° Celsius, dangers of decompression sickness, hypoxia and wind blast affecting eyes at that altitude and high speeds. In this grave situation, he maintained his composure and quickly took control of the aircraft. While flying on head down instruments, he announced the emergency using standby radio control, kept clear of the civil flying in the proximity and descended to a lower altitude of 3 km with no radio reception and severe pain in the eyes. He conveyed the flight information with utmost clarity to the controlling agencies and took prompt decision to land at the nearest airbase. He correctly assessed aircraft weight required for landing due to heavy fuel configuration and made a safe landing at the earliest.'
