Jack Teixeira, 21, was charged Friday in U.S. District Court in Boston with unauthorized removal and retention of classified and national defense information — a breach that has caused an international uproar and exposed explicit U.S. assessments on the war in Ukraine and other closely held secrets. A magistrate judge ordered Teixeira held until a detention hearing next week.

Teixeira grew up in Dighton, a rural community south of Boston that is dotted with single-family homes interspersed with small farms. His mother’s home sits down a long driveway in heavy woods. A florist, she sometimes puts out a flower cart by the side of the road, selling bouquets on the honor system.

The criminal complaint against Jack Teixeira is photographed Friday, April 14, 2023. The Massachusetts Air National Guardsman appeared in court on Friday in Boston, accused in the leak of highly classified military documents.

Two of his classmates told The Boston Globe that Teixeira revered the military and showed an early interest in joining. He was especially focused on the history of war and weapons.

“From a young age, I remember he would have a book on, I believe, U.S. military aircrafts, armaments, like a real big textbook,” John Powell told the Globe.

Though Powell remembered Teixeira being bullied in middle school, he told the newspaper that the young man was an optimist and “sweetheart,” with an especially close relationship with his stepdad, an Air Force veteran.

High school classmate Kailani Reis told the newspaper Teixeira was “super quiet” and gave off “loner vibes,” while another classmate, Sarah Arnold, told AP she remembered him as being quiet and keeping to himself.

Teixeira enlisted in the Air National Guard in September 2019, according to military records. He graduated from Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School the following year, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the school to close and go virtual.

It was during the pandemic that Teixeira developed a close relationship with other members of a chat room on the social media platform Discord, where members of the group have said the leaks showed up. The chat app is used by video gamers and others to connect online.

Discord: What is it and how are service members and veterans using it?

Despite the use of Discord to share classified documents, other veterans say its a place for community.

A member of the Discord chat group spoke to AP about the conversations, but declined to give his name, citing concerns for his personal safety. The group, called “Thug Shaker Central,” drew people who talked about their favorite types of guns and shared memes and jokes, some of them racist and anti-Semitic, the person told the AP.

The group also included a running discussion about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. For months, a member nicknamed “the O.G.” posted reams of classified material, said the Discord member who confirmed that O.G. was Teixeira.

Teixeira liked to chat about guns, was an observant Christian and would often pray with group members, the fellow member said. In recent months, Teixeira had become disillusioned about the U.S. military and had begun to express “regret (about) joining,” the person said. “He even said he’d kick my ass if I thought about joining.”

Teixeira also worried the federal government had become too powerful, according to the Discord user.

The chat group member said he wasn’t sure why Teixeira enlisted, but believed he needed money for college. He added that O.G. was skilled at making memes.

“He was good at his craft. He was good with, you know, Photoshop,” the group member told AP, adding that Teixeira “was never a very, super serious guy, usually was all like laughs and giggles.”

Teixeira was recently promoted to Airman 1st Class and assigned to the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base, where his job was listed as a cyber transport systems journeyman.

Despite his relatively low rank, the technology position would have given Teixeira responsibility for maintaining computer networks with access to classified information. Teixeira began active duty in October 2021, serving full time at the base, which is located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

Members of the Discord group described Teixeira as someone looking to show off, rather than being motivated by a desire to inform the public about U.S. military operations or to influence American policy.

Without any evidence, some prominent people on the right have begun hailing Teixeira as someone who aimed to expose the Biden administration and prevent further U.S. involvement in the war in Ukraine.

On Twitter, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, using the wrong first name, posted that Teixeira was “white, male, christian, and antiwar. That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime.”

The Discord member told AP he did not believe Teixeira leaked documents to undermine the U.S. government or for an ideological reason.

“If I had to give a gauge on it, it would be more or less just some nerds wanting to glance over some stuff and compare and contrast and kind of have a little joke about it,” he said, adding that, “At the end of the day, I mean we’re just trying to have a fun time.”

Source HLS.Today: DHS.GOV WPost.com

His team just launched the drone off a 30-foot-long slingshot. It’s now crossed the front line and peered into a Russian-occupied village.

Sacha zooms in further. “You see the burned machines,” he says, pointing to a pair of rust-red metal carcasses in the school yard. A turret comes into view as the drone, flying nearly one kilometer above the village, crosses over the school. “That’s a burned tank,” Sacha says.

No cars are moving in the streets. No pedestrians. It appears to Sacha that all the residents of the village have fled. Various animals wander from yard to yard.

“You can see the cows,” he says, pointing at the screen. “They don’t belong to anyone anymore. Unfortunately, animals also suffer in this war.”

Sacha and one of his drone team colleagues monitor a live video feed from a drone they’re flying over a Russian-occupied part of Ukraine.

Their job for the day is to determine whether Russian forces have pulled back entirely from this village. The area is contested, and the Ukrainians have recently shelled it heavily with artillery. “We got this task from intelligence this morning,” Sacha says, referring to the Ukrainian military intelligence service.

The resolution of the live-streamed video is good enough that Sacha says he can recognise stray dogs by sight in many of the villages he monitors. The drone stores even higher-resolution images in an on-board memory chip that his team can analyse more closely once the drone returns.

“The day before yesterday, the enemy truck was in the yard there,” Sacha says, leaning closer to the laptop. “Now the truck is gone.”

The unit is named for a popular fictional character

This Ukrainian drone unit is named Karlson after a flying character from a classic Swedish children’s book, Karlsson on the Roof.

They’ve allowed NPR to visit them under the condition that their full names and location are not disclosed.

The team uses various small drones that you can buy at an electronics store for a few thousand dollars. On this day, they’re operating their largest fixed-wing drone. They raised tens of thousands of dollars to purchase this online. It looks like a miniature plane, with a camera mounted on its nose.

The Karlson aerial surveillance team is officially a territorial defense unit. In Ukraine, just about anybody can set up a territorial defense unit. Some of them are simply a bunch of guys with AK-47s who take turns manning checkpoints outside villages. Others are fully equipped infantry units that have been incorporated into the armed forces.

Karlson is made up of 23 men, mostly in their 30s, from the Dnipro area. Prior to the Russian invasion, none had military experience. The commander, who goes by the nom de guerre “Playboy,” says everyone on the team has different backgrounds. Playboy used to run his own business.

“We have technical specialists, IT specialists,” he says.

Sacha, in his fatigues, body armor and beard, looks every bit the soldier. Playboy says with a laugh, “Can you believe he used to be a politician!”

Sacha quickly corrects him: “Deputy. I was a deputy.”

Drone surveillance supports what its commander calls the “fist of war”

The conflict in Ukraine is predominantly an artillery war. Both sides are shelling each other’s positions across a front line that stretches for hundreds of miles along eastern and southern Ukraine. Playboy calls artillery the “fist of war.” He says he and his colleagues set up this drone surveillance unit to help that fist punch more accurately.

A spokesperson for the Armed Forces of Ukraine declined to comment on how many drone units like this one the country has. She says they won’t comment on military operations. But outside observers say in this conflict, thousands of drones are being used by both sides.

Along most of the front lines, cellphone and GPS signals are being jammed and monitored by both the Russians and the Ukrainians. To communicate, the Karlson team uses handheld walkie-talkies and a mobile Starlink connection donated by Elon Musk’s satellite-based internet company. If they spot a potential target, they use the Starlink connection to call other military units.

“Sometimes if we see a [Russian] convoy, we are in touch with the artillery unit,” Sacha says. “We give them the coordinates and they start shelling.”

An aerial game of spy vs. spy

In the city of Zaporizhzhia, Denis Pasko, who is not part of the Karlson unit, runs a drone school. He trains Ukrainian soldiers on using them both for surveillance and, in his words, to “drop explosives on the Russians heads.”

Pasko says drones can be incredibly useful to a military unit. They can relatively safely and quickly give soldiers a view of the battlefield. But he warns that commercial drones are incredibly easy to track and often expose information about the location of the operator.

Sacha, from the Karlson team, gets ready to launch a surveillance drone in southern Ukraine. Both the Ukrainians and the Russians are using drones to try to gain an advantage in the conflict.

Jason Beaubien/NPR

“You need to be close to the front lines,” he says. “And if the enemy knows your position, you can be dead.”

When a drone is “lost” in combat, Pasko says it’s usually not shot down. Usually the enemy managed to commandeer control of its navigation system. If a drone is caught by the enemy, Pasko says, it can give away a lot of information.

“It has the geo-position of the operator. It keeps a history of all the places where it was flying,” he says, “including the exact location of where it was launched. The enemy can immediately target the drone team with a missile or mortar shells.”

The spot where the Karlson team is working on this day is a cluster of trees separating a recently harvested wheat field from a long patch of sunflowers. Next to the van where Sasha and his colleagues monitor the drone, there are coffin-sized pits that the team can dive into if the Russians start shelling their mobile base.

In addition to surveillance, the unit is also trying to track and intercept Russian drones — while, on the other side of the front line, Russian drone operators are hunting for Karlson’s drones. It’s an aerial game of spy vs. spy.

On many days, the work can involve hours of staring at video footage. Searching. Looking for clues.

“This is our task,” Sacha says. “We sit the whole day and watch.”

Amidst the animals and deserted houses on the laptop, he spots what could be a dug-in Russian tank. A trampoline-size patch of dirt looks like it was recently dug up and then smoothed over. Sasha makes a note of its position. He says he’ll look at the location more closely on the high-definition images when the drone returns.

Shelling can be heard in the distance. Sasha doesn’t so much as look up from his screen.

“Outgoing,” he mutters.

He says it’s nothing to worry about. Their drone keeps scanning across the front line. And presumably, somewhere in the sky nearby, Russian drones are also scanning the landscape — looking for Karlson’s mobile base among the trees.

Source: NPR

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown−Indigenous Relations; the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario; and the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, issued the following statement today:

“As Pope Francis’ visit to Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit concludes, we take this moment to reflect on the events of the past week.

“For many years, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have called on the pope to recognise the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse their children endured while attending residential schools. Notwithstanding government or church invitations, this visit was made possible by Survivors, Indigenous leaders and youth. They invited Pope Francis to Canada and shared their truths about the ongoing and intergenerational effects of the abuse suffered at these government and church−run institutions.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 58 called “…upon the pope to issue an apology to Survivors, their families, and communities for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children in Catholic-run residential schools.” The pope has acknowledged the sexual abuse that was rampant in residential schools since his initial apology in Maskwacîs on July 25; however, it is important to also recognise the systemic nature of this tragedy, that was both instigated and perpetuated by the Government of Canada and the churches, including the Catholic Church.

“It is not up to the Government of Canada to accept or decline an apology on behalf of Indigenous Peoples, and we will continue to support them as they determine what is needed for healing.

“We recognise that the events of this past week – and the revisiting of some of our country’s most tragic and painful truths – has been extremely difficult and traumatising for many Survivors, families, and communities. And we know that the hurt and trauma they suffered continue to impact generations of Indigenous families and communities today.

“Our government recognises that there is work to do on many fronts following the pope’s visit to Canada. Pope Francis acknowledged that concrete actions are needed, including the repatriation of Indigenous artefacts, access for Survivors to residential schools documents, addressing the Doctrine of Discovery, and ensuring justice for Survivors. We will continue to work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis on other priorities they’ve identified to advance reconciliation and healing.”

Source: Canada.ca

The Defence Secretary visited Slovakia today (Mon 25 July) to meet his counterpart and discuss our joint work to support Ukraine and safeguard European security.

The UK and Slovakia have been working in lockstep to support Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s illegal invasion. Britain was the first European country to supply military aid to Ukraine and recently announced plans to send hundreds of drones and scores of artillery guns, while Slovakia was the first NATO ally to donate air defence systems and recently revealed it would send self-propelled howitzers to the country.

Ben Wallace met with Slovakian Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad in Bratislava to speak about what more can be done and how we work together going forward to enhance our support for Ukraine.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Slovakia is a leader in Central Europe in standing up for Ukraine and resisting Russian aggression.

I was delighted to visit my good friend Jaroslav Nad today. Our bilateral meeting explored next steps in military aid to the conflict as well as British support to Slovakian defence.

Ben Wallace and Jaroslav Nad discussed other important topics during the one-day visit, including our joint work through NATO and efforts to counter Russian disinformation in Eastern Europe and promote peace and stability in the region.

They also spoke about how we might expand and deepen our historic defence partnership, which dates back to World War 2, when Slovak pilots served in the RAF and brave soldiers from the former Czechoslovakia, trained in the UK in cooperation with the Czechoslovakian government in exile in Britain, assassinated high-ranking Nazi Reinhard Heydrich.

Today, the UK and Slovakia have a close defence relationship which is growing, with cooperation in a number of areas such as through joint training and exercises, including the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT), which is delivering a course this month in Slovakia.

Source: UK Gov

Most commercial and military C-UAS solutions rely on electromagnetic (EM) interference to detect and disrupt a UAS platform’s communications with its operator station.

Tristan Sauer, Land Domain Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “In the case of small, low-cost UAS platforms such as the commercial quadcopters employed in conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, EM-based C-UAS solutions remain particularly effective as those platforms typically possess limited EM hardening capabilities to maintain affordability. As such, EM-based C-UAS systems are readily capable of detecting and disrupting radio-frequency (RF)-based communications.”

QinetiQ’s FSOC technology employs a laser to communicate data at extremely high bandwidths, reducing platform-operator input lag whilst further securing data transmissions from detection, interception or interference. Not only does FSOC’s data transmission vector render RF-based C-UAS solutions ineffective, it also makes them more secure from a range of additional electronic warfare threats.

Sauer continues: “QinetiQ has already identified the transformative potential this FSOC could have in securing communications and data transmission beyond the UAS/C-UAS market, as the technology is modular and could therefore be integrated with a range of other air, land sea and space-based platforms. However, as this technology has yet to be employed in an actual combat scenario, questions have been raised as to how effective FSOC communications will be when faced with atmospheric interference.”

As stable FSOC communication relies on optical lasers, the system must maintain direct line-of-sight for optimal effectiveness. The capability demonstration relied on a static control module, which may not always be a viable solution on highly dynamic battlefields. It could be possible for multiple UAS platforms to inter-network using FSOC in order to extend the range at which data transmission can remain secure, however this would significantly drive up the cost of UAS platforms, which would essentially defeat their purpose as affordably expendable platforms.

Sauer adds: “Despite these challenges, the FSOC technology provides optimal value in the UAS/C-UAS market as a complementary survivability solution rather than an outright alternative to RF data transmission. Integrating both technologies would allow them to complement each other based on evolving circumstances, thus providing radically enhanced communications and data transmission capabilities for unmanned systems on the future battlefield.”

Source: GlobalData

The contract for the procurement and preparation of two Airbus A330-200 aircraft, manufactured in 2015, was awarded to International AirFinance Corporation and is valued at $102M USD (taxes excluded).

Since 1992, the CC-150 Polaris aircraft and its crews have provided outstanding service to Canada. The Polaris is the aircraft that provides the majority of air-to-air refueling for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fighter fleet, allowing the RCAF to extend their range and operating time. This capability has seen extensive use at home and abroad, including on Operation IMPACT, where it delivered more than 65 million pounds of fuel to coalition aircraft. The fleet also fulfills many other roles, including military personnel and cargo airlift; strategic Government of Canada personnel transport; and medical evacuations.

After nearly 30 years of outstanding service, the RCAF is looking to the future of this crucial capability, and with today’s announcement, we are moving forward to the next step of the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) project.

This project, which is Initiative #47 of Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE), will replace and renew the RCAF’s air-to-air refueling capability for the next generation.

The STTC project, within its currently approved scope, will acquire sufficient aircraft to provide the RCAF with three continuous lines of tasking to deliver on Canada’s defence policy, to defend Canadians, to meet Canada’s NORAD and NATO commitments, and allow our Canadian Armed Forces to continue to contribute to peace and stability abroad through their operations.

The STTC aircraft will also be equipped to airlift large numbers of CAF personnel and their equipment in support of operations and training activities within Canada, including in Canada’s Arctic regions, and around the world, which will enhance the existing transport capacity provided by the CC-177 Globemaster and CC-130J Hercules fleets, allowing for the more efficient movement of personnel and equipment. And, as a multi-role aircraft, the STTC aircraft will provide the RCAF with increased flexibility, allowing planners to select the most appropriate aircraft for a specific airlift mission, and it will increase the RCAF’s ability to respond to unexpected operational requirements, such as domestic or international emergencies or humanitarian relief missions.

The exact number of aircraft in the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability fleet is currently anticipated to be six aircraft (including these two Airbus A330-200 aircraft). These two commercial aircraft will later be modified by Airbus Defence and Space to military specifications required to serve as multirole aircraft within the STTC fleet, and they will play an integral role in providing air-to-air refuelling, strategic airlift, aeromedical evacuations, and strategic Government of Canada personnel transport, including transport of the Prime Minister, Governor General, and others, for decades to come.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is committed to providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment they need at the best value for money. We look forward to accepting these two aircraft as they represent an important first step in eventually replacing the capability currently provided by the CC150 Polaris fleet.”

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence.

“Providing our Canadian Armed Forces members with safe, advanced equipment to protect Canadians is of paramount importance. These aircraft will support key airlift operations by the Royal Canadian Air Force, while providing best value for Canadians.”

The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister Public Services and Procurement Canada.

Quick facts

 These two used A330-200 aircraft, manufactured in 2015, are being procured at the best value for money for Canadians and they will meet the requirements of the Royal Canadian Air Force for decades to come. The modification to transform a commercial Airbus A330-200 into a strategic tanker, named by Airbus as the Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), can be applied to either new or used aircraft. Several allied nations have procured used A330-200 aircraft and have worked or are working with Airbus to convert those aircraft to the MRTT configuration to support their operations. All modifications, whether for new or used aircraft, will be completed through the Government’s contract with Airbus.

Ten-year average CC-150 Polaris Mission type:

 Air-to-Air Refuelling: 30%

 Strategic Airlift for the RCAF: 55%

Strategic Government of Canada Transport: 10%

Aeromedical: 5%

The aircraft are expected to arrive in Canada in winter 2023, where they may be placed into early service in passenger/cargo roles as we await their modification to military specifications.The aircraft being purchased are currently configured for long-haul commercial use. These aircraft may initially be used to perform cargo, troop and passenger airlift operations. This could include, for example, the deployment of CAF troops and gear within Canada or overseas, the movement of civilian passengers in support of humanitarian relief operations, and transport of the Prime Minister, Governor General, and others. 

The Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, including the value proposition, will apply to this project to leverage economic benefits for Canada equal to the value of the contract. Through the ITB Policy, the STTC project will leverage investments and business activities in support of Canada’s key industrial capabilities – supporting the defence industry and good Canadian jobs in regional economies.

Source: Canada.ca

​An Israeli security delegation headed by the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Major General (res.) Amir Eshel, participated in a strategic meeting in Rome focused on cooperation in the fields of procurement, research, and development together with the Italian Ministry of Defence.  

As part of the strategic dialogue, DG Eshel spoke yesterday (Monday) with Director General of the Italian Ministry of Defence, Lt. Gen. Luciano Portolano, and with the Chief of the Defence Staff of Italy, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. DG Eshel was joined by Deputy Director General and Head of the DOPP in the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Avi Dadon, Israeli Defense Attaché, Col. Dror Altman, and additional officials.

The meetings focused on strengthening ties in procurement and military equipment, broadening research and development processes, strengthening industrial cooperation between countries, and promoting key procurement initiatives.

Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Eshel, expressed his great appreciation, on behalf of the entire Israeli defense establishment, for the fruitful cooperation between the countries in the fields of procurement, research and development, and military cooperation. DG Eshel emphasized the strategic alliance between the two countries and Italy’s firm stance alongside the State of Israel. 

Source: Israel.Gov

During the discussion we got interesting insights in the latest technologies and experiences in the field of BVLOS and the successful use of AI.

“The development of the drone industry has received an additional boost in recent quarters – the pandemic limited the possibilities and needs of using manpower, many industries and services had fewer opportunities to use employees on site” – comments Sebastian Babiarz, Chief Operating Officer at Dronehub.

“A quick conversion to drone technology has been made. New applications of drones have appeared, the existing ones have gained popularity and widespread use” – adds.

The global UAM community reunited in Amsterdam again on March 29-31. Amsterdam Drone Week welcomed nearly 3.500 attendees, speakers and partners in-person and through the livestream from 79 countries. The meetings were an excellent platform to share experiences and thoughts. Sebastian Babiarz had the opportunity to boast about our HUUVER project (more here), which is highly rated among many experts.

Amsterdam Drone Week is the global platform for sharing knowledge on current air solutions, potential innovations and vital regulations. A top-level meeting point where all key players, big and small, commercial and non-commercial, from various industries, knowledge institutes and authorities, gather to co-create and co-operate.

Source: DroneHub

Future defence budget to rise significantly

Putin had intentions beyond the invasion of Ukraine, Scholz said. “Putin wants to build a Russian empire”, he warned. “We must therefore ask ourselves: What capabilities does Putin’s Russia possess? And what capabilities do we need to counter this threat – today and in the future?”

He announced that the 2022 national budget would therefore provide a one-off sum of EUR 100 billion for the fund. The money would be used for necessary investments and armament projects of the Bundeswehr: better equipment, modern technology, and more personnel. 

In addition, Germany would from now on invest more than two percent of its gross domestic product in defence. As Scholz explained, “we will stand unconditionally by our collective defence obligation within NATO.” 

Unprecedented national undertaking

Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht emphasised: “We need a well-equipped and strong Bundeswehr – this is becoming dramatically clear now as a result of Putin’s horrendous attack on Ukraine.” She added that this watershed in history would be met with an unprecedented national undertaking to strengthen the Bundeswehr. “The special fund of EUR 100 billion will allow us to strengthen the Bundeswehr and to take on our due role in NATO as a reliable and powerful Ally. I am devoting all of my energy to this task.”

“We are also doing this for us, for our own security.” 

Chancellor Scholz further said that one of the most important projects for modern armed forces was the construction of the next generation of combat aircraft and tanks together with European partners, particularly France. This week had also seen the signing of the Eurodrone contracts, he said. He added that the purchase of the armed Heron drone from Israel was making progress and that there were plans to equip the Eurofighter with electronic warfare capabilities. With regard to nuclear sharing, a modern replacement for the outdated Tornado jets would be procured. The F-35 fighter jet had the potential to be used as a carrier aircraft, Scholz said.

Germany is committed to its Allies and partners 

Besides these far-reaching plans, the Federal Government yesterday decided to supply Ukraine with weapons for the country’s defence. It is planned to provide 1,000 hand-held antitank weapons (Panzerfaust 3) and 500 Stinger ground-to-air missiles from Bundeswehr stocks. In addition, the Bundeswehr has in recent weeks bolstered its support for eastern Allies. Germany is a major troop contributor to the NATO Response Force (NRFNATO Response Force), currently providing 13,700 servicemen and women.  In Lithuania, the Bundeswehr has increased its contribution to approx. 900 troops for the German-led enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup at NATO’s eastern flank.

Enhanced Air Policing South is a NATO mission that helps to secure the Romanian airspace with Allied air forces. Six Bundeswehr Eurofighters are currently deployed to the mission. The German Navy is helping to secure the North Sea, Baltic and the Mediterranean with additional vessels provided to NATO’s maritime task forces.

The Bundeswehr plans to support NATO Ally Slovakia with company-size infantry forces and with the Patriot air defence missile system.

Source: BMVG.DE