Defence`s Feeds

Israeli Spike MR Anti-Tank Guided Missile

The year 2019 was another busy and productive year for the European Defence Agency, one worth to be looked back at. The 2019 Annual Report, published today, provides a good overview of the work accomplished in EDA’s various activity domains throughout the past year.   

The report reflects the progress made in the wide spectrum of the Agency’s activities, from its central role in the implementation of the EU defence initiatives (CARD, PESCO, EDF) and the increasing number of defence research and capability development projects and programmes, to the launch of new enablers and incentives for defence cooperation and EDA’s growing interface role towards wider EU policies. 

The PDF version of the 2019 Annual Report can be downloaded here.

 

Tag: Operation Irini

“North Macedonia is now part of the NATO family, a family of 30 nations and almost 1 billion people. A family based on the certainty that, no matter what challenges we face, we are all stronger and safer together," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement. Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski said: "We cannot rejoice and mark the event as it should [be marked] … But, this is a historic success that after three decades of independence, finally confirms Macedonian security and guarantees our future. Congratulations to all of you! We deserve it!”

Pendarovski signed the so-called instrument of accession after Spain earlier in the week became the last alliance member to ratify the former Yugoslav republic’s membership.

Since gaining independence, one of the strategic goals of the country was to join NATO, as was stated in 1993, and the relationship with Alliance was always marked by close cooperation. North Macedonia joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) in 1995, and in 1999 the country submitted its first Membership Action Plan. Furthermore, North Macedonia deployed troops in support of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan from 2002 to end 2014 and is currently supporting the follow-on Resolute Support mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces. Before that, the country was a key partner in supporting NATO-led operations in Kosovo in 1999, as well as to provide logistical support to the Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission.

The 20th NATO Summit in Bucharest in 2008 was more than symbolic, as it was expected that Albania, Croatia and (then) Macedonia would receive an invitation to join NATO. However, although Albania and Croatia did receive the invitation and became members a year later.

It marks the end of a long quest for the former Yugoslav republic. Joining NATO and the European Union has been a priority for its leaders, but a dispute with neighboring Greece over the country’s name stalled progress for more than two decades. North Macedonia previously was known as FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), a name it shared with a Greek province. Under a 2017 deal with Athens, the country changed its name and Greece agreed to drop objections to its NATO and eventual EU membership.

On the other hand, Kržalovski thinks that until now the participation of North Macedonia in NATO mission was symbolic.

“We have also increased defense part of the budget, though we are not at the level of 2% of the GDP yet. As a small country, both the requirements and expectations from other members are not so high, and our participation so far in NATO missions were rather symbolic, although we have participated with a relatively high number of soldiers in proportion to the overall size of the Army”, explains Kržalovski.

The budget increase that he mentions is DEN 10,133,000,000 for 2020, or about 1.4% of North Macedonia’s total GDP, which is an increase over 2019 when it was about 1.19% of total GDP. Interestingly, this is a third year of the defense budget increase, but it is still far from the prescribed 2% of BDP. However, this is not a major problem, as many current NATO members have not fulfilled this provision.

Source

Israeli Spike LR Anti-Tank Guided Missile

Co-funding worth some 5 million euros from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) has been allocated to an EDA-supported defence research project aimed at developing protective clothing for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). Proposed by the Romanian Ministry of Defence, the ‘Active Protection Costume EOD’ project benefited from EDA’s dedicated expertise in its successful ESIF application.  

Front-line EOD operators face severe risks when identifying, disabling or dismantling explosive devices, be it in military operations or in a civilian context (terrorism, unexploded ammunition in former conflict zones, etc). To provide them with best possible protection, the ‘Active Protection Costume EOD’ project is developing a special protective suit based on innovative materials and numerical simulations for structures.   

The consortium in charge of the development encompasses STIMPEX S.A., a Romanian SME, the Romanian Scientific Research Center for CBRN Defense and Ecology as well as the National Institute for Research and Development for Non-Ferrous and Rare Metals. 

The successful ESIF application of this project is testimony to EDA’s important role in helping defence project access EU funding opportunities. After a number of successful pilot cases, the Agency now actively facilitates access for all defence-related stakeholders (MoDs, industry, R&T organisations, academies, labs, etc.) to available funding at European level, with the help of its online "IdentiFunding" tool: a user-friendly and customised software application which allows interested parties to search for eligible EU funding for their specific defence projects and activities.
 

More information 

• European Funding Gateway for Defence 

 

Chinese M20 Short-Range Ballistic Missile

Long-Distance Relationship Advice from Military Spouses

American M320 Grenade Launcher

ANDROID DEVELOPER

There are a number of methods that an expert can use to make a legitimate living. A considerable option for software developers is becoming an Android developer. This could be the best decision that one ever makes. The option helps one to become his own boss and make programs of his choice. Nonetheless, it is imperative to understand that not every professional reaps the full benefits of this option. A number of prior preparations ought to be made for one to benefit fully. Below are a number of things that one has to look at when planning on joining the Android development program.

BE THE BEST DEVELOPER ANDROID

If you definitely decided to be an Android developer, then we must say that you need to be prepared for getting into the world of app development. We are going to help you by presenting you some helpful tips and steps you need to follow.

Remember, the competition is huge, so you better give the best from you. Stay informed and believe in your skills. Every beginning is hard, but doesn’t mean you cannot succeed in the Android app development world.

BECOME AN ANDROID DEVELOPER

Android OS can be used by thousands and thousands of businesses from all around the globe. Lots of new, innovative Android app development and mobile games can be developed using the Android platform that can finally lead to improved business growth in real-time. And that is not all, professionals can simply construct SDK without investing on additional manpower or infrastructure. Programs can also be changed free of cost as per the client demands thus making Android OS the most cost-effective interface till date. Businesses thus can make enormous profit selling different applications developed using the Android platform.

Imagine a situation where an organization has to merge multiple programs, in such cases Android app development is definitely the best. Businesses can easily control and incorporate various simple to extremely complex programs exploring the platform.

Other mobile platforms involving Blackberry or Symbian, Android-based apps can be delivered in various ways. For instance, businesses can utilize the Google Android market to allocate and promote their applications. As a matter of fact, businesses have complete freedom to develop their own allocation methods and create new app stores, etc. Thus with the help of Android developers, businesses can not only create different applications but can also produce a huge range of allocation platforms to reach the potential customers on a global scale.

It is recommendable to stay informed about all that is related to Android app development, if you want to become respected and reliable Android developer of course.

DEVELOP ANDROID AND HELP BUSINESSES ACHIEVE THEIR MAXIMUM

A growing number of businesses nowadays are concentrating on Android app development with the aim of improved business effectiveness and basic ROI. That is the reason why they are hiring the best of professional Android application developers to work for them and help the gain various benefits.

Android applications for business help to maintain better connection with the potential and existing users through common updates of products and services news on the popular social media and far-reaching email marketing along with expense tracking and so on. The major advantage of using Android operating system is that it is open-source; hence the source codes are easily approachable by professionals to edit or see how the system works. Developers can constantly keep on updating Android applications to gain an edge over the competitors and make sure the Android platform is safe and secure from intruders.

The European Defence Agency (EDA) takes additional precautionary measures to those announced on 4 and 6 March, in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The measures are in line with advice received by the Belgian national authorities on 12 March and considering the approach taken at EU level.  All measures have been communicated to staff and point of contacts in the Member States.

The following measures are currently implemented and are constantly reviewed: 

• All meetings and events planned to be hosted by the Agency until 8 April included will be postponed to a later date.
• As of 16 March, all EDA staff in non-critical functions will telework, until further notice. Colleagues who ensure critical functions will continue to be present at the Agency.
• Any person with symptoms is asked to stay at home and self-isolate.
• Hygiene measures are systematically being reinforced and staff have been asked to observe them meticulously.
• All non-essential travel arrangements are to be cancelled until 8 April included.  

The European Defence Agency is monitoring the situation closely and stands ready to review or introduce further measures if required. 

 

‘RESHUB’, a Slovenian-led project increasing reliable and sustainable energy in the defence sector, has been selected to receive technical support thanks to funding from the EU’s Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP). EDA assisted the Slovenian Ministry of Defence in applying for the SRSP.

“RESHUB”, which stands for ‘Defence RESilience Hub Network in Europe’, is a project conceived and led by the Slovenian Ministry of Defence under the Consultation Forum on Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS) which is currently in its third phase. Other participating countries in the project are Austria, Belgium, Germany and Hungary.  

The aim of RESHUB is to help build a renewable energy harvesting and hydrogen (H2) energy storage capability and to facilitate cross-Europe transportation, which will lower CO2 emissions and contribute to energy sustainability in the EU defence and security sector. EDA was instrumental in helping participating Member States in preparing and drafting the RESHUB application following a call under the SRSP issued by the Commission. 

Throughout phase III of the Consultation Forum, EDA will continue to support participating Member States’ Ministries of Defence (MoDs) to tackle energy security challenges including via energy efficiency and buildings performance, renewable energy solutions and the protection of defence-related critical energy infrastructure. In this context, EDA will help MoDs to develop defence energy-related project ideas and identify available funding opportunities through its “IdentiFunding” tool. Furthermore, EDA will continue to provide the most mature energy projects with tailored support in their application for  funding at European level. 

The successful application is important as it demonstrates that the Consultation Forum, a European Commission funded initiative managed and run by EDA, is the appropriate forum at the EU level where practical defence energy projects can be initiated and brought to the next level.  
 

Background 

CF SEDSS is a European Commission funded initiative managed by EDA. This project was established in 2015 with the primary scope to create a defence energy-related community to share relevant information and best practices to reach sustainable energy objectives. Building on the successful outcome of the previous two phases (CF I: 2015-2017, CF II: 2017-2019), the European Commission and EDA launched the third phase (CF III: 2019-2023), which is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 882171. 
 

More information: 

Access to EU funding for Defence.

Access to “European Funding Gateway for Energy in Defence”.    

CF SEDSS.

CF SEDSS: defence energy-related project ideas.

EDA Chief Executive and Slovenian MoD’s talks on EU defence cooperation.  

Structural Reform Support Programme. 

 

 

North Korean KN-23 Short-Range Ballistic Missile

No description

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he did not intend to head a newly empowered State Council once his presidency formally ends in 2024.

Twenty-one people on board the Grand Princess cruise ship stranded off the coast of California were tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19), US Vice President Mike Pence told reporters.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it had registered 2,873 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) worldwide within the past 24 hours, with 99 people having died, which brought the total death toll to 3,380.

The outbreak of pneumonia caused by a new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) was first registered in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Hubei province, and has since spread to at least 85 countries, according to the data provided by the World Health Organisation.

South Korea remains one of the countries affected most by novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outside China, where the virus originated last December and has since spread to at least 85 countries, according to the latest data provided by the World Health Organisation.

The new virus (COVID-19) originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Hubei province, and has since spread to more than 80 countries, according to the latest data provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO).