The United States has restarted shipments of some weapons to Ukraine less than a week after the Pentagon unexpectedly froze several consignments, two U.S. officials told Reuters. The officials said 155-millimetre artillery rounds and GMLRS precision-guided rockets are again moving toward Ukraine, though they declined to specify quantities or whether other suspended systems, such as Patriot air-defence interceptors, are included. President Donald Trump, who earlier said he did not know who ordered the pause, has indicated he is reviewing Kyiv’s request for additional Patriot batteries.

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The Czech government has approved a programme to train up to eight Ukrainian pilots on the operation of F-16 fighter jets, the Defence Ministry announced on 9 July. State-owned trainer LOM Praha will provide 150 hours of instruction per pilot using simulators and L-39 aircraft. The initiative is budgeted at about 32 million koruna (roughly $1.5 million) and will be financed entirely by Prague, placing no cost on Kyiv.

Training is expected to begin this year and be completed by the end of 2026. Although the Czech Republic does not operate F-16s, the move aligns it with the multinational ‘aviation coalition’ that is supplying aircraft and training to help modernise Ukraine’s air force amid Russia’s continuing invasion. The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and Norway have pledged F-16s, while the United States and United Kingdom are among nations already instructing Ukrainian personnel.

The U.S. Army intends to spend more than $1.3 billion on Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors in the fiscal year that starts on Oct. 1, according to internal budget documents seen by Bloomberg.

The plan quietly lifts the Army’s overall purchase objective to 13,773 missiles, four times the 3,376 outlined in earlier planning. The accelerated buy follows a Pentagon munitions review that found the United States holds barely a quarter of the interceptors it needs to meet war-plan requirements, Bloomberg reported.

Patriot batteries—deployed recently to help defend Ukrainian cities from Russian strikes and to protect U.S. forces in the Middle East—fire the PAC-3 MSE interceptor, the most advanced variant in the system. Expanding domestic stockpiles is intended to shore up U.S. readiness while sustaining deliveries to allies facing active aerial threats.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week ordered a temporary halt to several U.S. weapons deliveries bound for Ukraine without notifying the White House, according to five people briefed on the decision, CNN reported. The pause covered Patriot interceptor missiles and artillery rounds that were already staged in Poland for onward transfer to Kyiv.

Officials said the move stemmed from an internal assessment of U.S. stockpiles initiated after President Donald Trump asked for a broader review of munitions levels during last month’s NATO summit. The recommendation to suspend the Ukraine shipments originated with Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby and was approved by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg before receiving Hegseth’s final sign-off, the sources added.

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Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday revisited the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying he clashed with then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley over whether to abandon military hardware during the pull-out. Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting that Milley argued it would be cheaper to leave the equipment, prompting Trump to call the general “an idiot.”

A 2022 Pentagon assessment found the Taliban gained control of more than $7 billion in U.S. aircraft, vehicles and weapons after American forces departed. While most high-value assets were removed or disabled, the report noted remaining items could become inoperable without U.S. contractor maintenance.

The comments come as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth oversees a comprehensive review of the chaotic exit, which resulted in the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the deaths of 13 U.S. service members in a suicide bombing at Kabul’s Abbey Gate. Milley, now retired, has not responded publicly to Trump’s latest remarks.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Washington had supplied Kyiv with what he called “the best weapons ever made,” including advanced missiles, and credited the deliveries with strengthening Ukraine’s battlefield performance. He praised Ukrainian forces as “very brave,” asserting that high-end American equipment played a decisive role in their ability to resist Russia’s invasion.

Trump claimed the conflict “probably could have lasted three or four days” without the U.S. assistance, but argued that the volume of aid ultimately provided was excessive. He criticised President Joe Biden for maintaining what he described as disproportionate American spending, saying the United States “should’ve given less than Europe.”

The former president also indicated he is “thinking very seriously about sanctions against the Russian” side, though he offered no specifics on potential targets or timing. His remarks add to the debate in Washington over the scale and future direction of U.S. support for Ukraine as the war continues.

Taiwan is conducting its annual Han Kuang-41 military exercise starting July 9, focusing on urban resilience, sheltering rehearsals, response to gray-zone harassment, joint anti-landing operations, and resilient defense. Concurrently, China has deployed 31 military aircraft around the Taiwan Strait. In the Indo-Pacific region, the United States and Japan have launched a large-scale air force exercise named "Resolute Force Pacific," involving over 300 fighter jets, including F-35s, F-15s, and F-16s. The drills are taking place across six airbases from Hokkaido to Honshu and will continue until August 8, aiming to enhance air defense capabilities and allied coordination.

Additionally, the U.S. Air Force is conducting multiple training exercises with advanced fighter jets such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II at various bases including Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, and Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The joint exercises between the U.S. and Japan include stealth fighter operations and air defense combat training around Japanese facilities and airspace.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have provided indicative estimates of Russian combat losses from July 5 to July 9, 2025. As of July 9, Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces suffered the loss of over 1,050 personnel, 5 tanks, 2 armored fighting vehicles, 68 artillery units, 1 air defense system, and 227 unmanned aerial vehicles. These figures reflect ongoing military engagements and the attrition faced by Russian forces during this period.

India has moved its indigenous fifth-generation fighter programme into the execution phase, with the Aeronautical Development Agency issuing an expression of interest to domestic aerospace companies for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. The EOI seeks partners to develop, build and certify multiple prototypes of the stealth twin-engine jet, shifting the project from design to manufacturing.

Bids are due by 16 August 2025 and the agency has set an eight-year timeline for prototype development and flight-test certification. Government documents and media reports indicate a first flight target of 2029 and serial production around 2035. Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security in March, the programme allows private firms to compete alongside state-run Hindustan Aeronautics, reflecting a wider push to boost India’s domestic defence industry.

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The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) has submitted a $12 billion unfunded priorities list to Congress, reflecting increased defense spending needs amid growing regional threats. The Navy has identified $7.4 billion in unfunded priorities, focusing on munitions and development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft. The Marine Corps, led by Commandant Gen.

Eric Smith, is seeking a 6% budget increase over the previous year to accelerate modernization efforts, emphasizing advanced weapons and contested logistics to prepare for potential conflicts. Gen. Smith highlighted the importance of acquiring new aircraft, drones, advanced weapons, and military technology to enhance readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the Air Force plans to allocate approximately $400 million from leftover funds in the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program's fiscal 2024 budget to refurbish the Qatari jet intended as a replacement for Air Force One, according to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has reached an agreement with the Dutch Ministry of Defense that allows a group of the carrier’s pilots to serve as reservists flying Royal Netherlands Air Force fighters, including the F-35. The arrangement, disclosed on Monday, marks the first time commercial pilots will formally alternate between civilian passenger services and front-line military duties.

The program will start with the equivalent of five full-time positions, distributed across several volunteers who previously flew for the Air Force before joining KLM. While on reserve duty, the pilots will keep their airline jobs, enabling them to maintain proficiency in both civil and combat aircraft.

Read more

Norway will station its F-35 stealth fighters in Poland this autumn to help guard Polish airspace and the Rzeszów-Jasionka airport, the main logistical hub for Western military aid entering Ukraine. “We are helping ensure that support to Ukraine reaches its destination, and that Ukraine can continue its fight for freedom,” Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik said as he confirmed the mission.

The Netherlands followed on 7 July, announcing that Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35s will be based in Poland from 1 September to 1 December. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said the aircraft will fly round-the-clock patrols under NATO’s quick-reaction alert, working alongside the Norwegian detachment to deter Russian incursions and protect supply corridors.

The twin deployments, requested by NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, come after a surge in Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine that prompted Poland to scramble its own fighters. Stationing fifth-generation jets close to the Ukrainian border marks the alliance’s latest step to reinforce its eastern flank and secure the flow of weapons to Kyiv.

The United States has deployed F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters to the Philippines for the start of Cope Thunder Philippines 25-2, a bilateral air exercise that runs from 7–18 July. The U.S. Pacific Air Forces’ 421st Fighter Squadron flew the fifth-generation jets to Clark Air Base on Monday, marking one of the aircraft’s largest forward operations in the country to date.

Exercise planners said 225 U.S. personnel and an undisclosed number of F-35s will train alongside 2,301 Philippine airmen operating FA-50 fighters, A-29B Super Tucanos, and Black Hawk helicopters across several ranges in Northern Luzon. Opening-day events included a joint F-35/FA-50 patrol over the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, aimed at sharpening air-defense coordination and demonstrating combined deterrence.

The deployment follows last week’s port call of the USS George Washington, a Nimitz-class carrier, in Manila and comes amid parallel U.S. Air Force–Marine air-surveillance drills in Okinawa. Taken together, the activities underscore Washington’s push to deepen security cooperation with Manila and reinforce its posture across the Indo-Pacific.

The United Kingdom is considering stationing a portion of the 12 nuclear-capable F-35A fighter jets it has ordered in Estonia, according to multiple policy analyses citing recent statements by Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur. London’s participation in NATO’s dual-capable aircraft mission would allow the aircraft to carry U.S. air-to-ground nuclear weapons, a capability Britain no longer possesses independently.

Pevkur told Estonia’s Postimees newspaper after last month’s NATO summit that Tallinn is interested in hosting the jets. The deployment would likely be at the Tapa Army Base, where Britain already maintains its largest overseas troop contingent. Supporters argue the move would strengthen a joint Arctic-Baltic deterrence posture that NATO considers necessary even after a potential settlement of the war in Ukraine.

Moscow reacted sharply. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Estonia’s readiness to host nuclear-capable aircraft from any NATO country represents an “immediate danger” to Russia. The prospect adds to tensions along what analysts are calling an emerging Arctic-Baltic front, where the EU and NATO are expanding military infrastructure while Russia reinforces its own western borders.

Former President Donald Trump addressed questions regarding U.S. support for Ukraine compared to Israel, stating that Ukraine is receiving assistance, particularly emphasizing the prioritization of stockpiles such as Patriot missiles, which he described as "amazingly effective." Trump expressed disappointment with a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and highlighted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "being hit very hard," a situation Trump had anticipated. He reiterated his commitment to helping Ukraine while also warning BRICS-aligned countries of a 10% tariff. Additionally, Trump criticized Elon Musk in the context of political matters. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reflect Trump's continued involvement in discussions about U.S. foreign policy in the region.

Between June 25 and July 10, 2025, Russian air defense forces reported shooting down multiple waves of Ukrainian drones over various Russian regions and adjacent waters. The numbers of drones intercepted overnight fluctuated, with counts reported as 18, 50, 39, 31, 60, 69, 48, 94, 120, 91, 86, and 14 on different nights. The Russian Ministry of Defense specified that these interceptions occurred over regions including Belgorod, Rostov, Volgograd, Crimea, Bryansk, Kursk, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Moscow, Smolensk, Oryol, Kaluga, Yaroslavl, Tula, and over the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. The Ministry also noted that the air defense systems prevented damage and grounded flights in some areas. On July 9, the Ministry reported additionally shooting down four HIMARS rockets alongside 226 Ukrainian drones within a 24-hour period. The sustained drone interceptions reflect ongoing aerial defense operations by Russia across multiple regions bordering Ukraine and key strategic areas.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on 5 July that he expects the United States to begin delivering F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey in stages during President Donald Trump’s current term, adding that he believes Washington will “honor the agreement” struck between the two leaders.

Erdoğan made the comments to reporters on his flight back from a summit in Azerbaijan, emphasizing that the F-35 issue “is not merely about military technology” but about preserving strong partnerships within NATO. Ankara was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after it purchased Russian S-400 air-defence systems, a move the U.S. said compromised the aircraft’s security. Erdoğan’s statement signals Ankara’s expectation of being readmitted to the project.

The president also sought to allay regional concerns—particularly from Greece—by saying Turkey’s pursuit of the jets is aimed at safeguarding national security and does not threaten its allies. Neither the Turkish nor the U.S. government immediately commented on any formal steps toward reinstating Turkey in the multibillion-dollar program.

Ukrainian officials marked the United States’ Independence Day on 4 July with an unusually public appeal for continued American military assistance, coupling festive congratulations with reminders that Ukraine is still fighting to preserve its own sovereignty after more than three years of full-scale Russian invasion. Messages from Kyiv’s ambassador to Washington, Oksana Markarova, and other senior figures thanked Americans for past support and warned that "freedom is never free," underscoring what they called a shared struggle for democratic self-rule.

The appeals come two days after the Trump administration paused deliveries of key U.S. weapons, including Patriot air-defence missiles, 155 mm artillery shells, Hellfire missiles and more than 250 GMLRS rockets. Kyiv learned of the decision only after media reports and has formally asked Washington to reconsider, arguing that gaps in air defences could emerge within months. Hours after the greetings were issued, Russia fired roughly 500 missiles and drones at Kyiv and other cities, wounding at least 19 people in the capital, according to local authorities.

A recent investigation by The Telegraph has revealed security vulnerabilities at several Royal Air Force (RAF) bases in the United Kingdom, including a critical base housing nuclear-capable F-35 fighter jets that is protected by only a 1.5-meter (approximately 5-foot) fence. The findings have raised concerns about the adequacy of current security measures, particularly given that these bases have been identified as potential targets by the pro-Palestinian activist group Palestine Action. Former RAF pilot and military analyst Sean Bell emphasized the urgent need to tighten security at these air bases to address growing threats. The investigation highlights that the minimal fencing could allow unauthorized access by activists or foreign agents, underscoring the risk to sensitive military assets. Similar concerns about base security have also been reported internationally, such as at the US Minot nuclear weapons base, where threats are reportedly coming from domestic actors.

Ukrainian forces have employed British and French-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles in multiple attacks targeting the Donetsk region, including a market area, according to Russian and regional sources. These missile strikes have extended to the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. Additionally, reports indicate that between four and eight Storm Shadow missiles were launched toward the Crimean Bridge, a strategic infrastructure asset, with some sources confirming the use of British-donated Storm Shadow missiles in this operation. Alongside these strikes, Ukrainian forces also reportedly used HIMARS missiles in attacks on Donetsk. In response to the missile threats, authorities declared missile alerts across the Rostov and Kherson regions.

The United States has restarted shipments of some weapons to Ukraine less than a week after the Pentagon unexpectedly froze several consignments, two U.S. officials told Reuters. The officials said 155-millimetre artillery rounds and GMLRS precision-guided rockets are again moving toward Ukraine, though they declined to specify quantities or whether other suspended systems, such as Patriot air-defence interceptors, are included. President Donald Trump, who earlier said he did not know who ordered the pause, has indicated he is reviewing Kyiv’s request for additional Patriot batteries.

Read more

The Czech government has approved a programme to train up to eight Ukrainian pilots on the operation of F-16 fighter jets, the Defence Ministry announced on 9 July. State-owned trainer LOM Praha will provide 150 hours of instruction per pilot using simulators and L-39 aircraft. The initiative is budgeted at about 32 million koruna (roughly $1.5 million) and will be financed entirely by Prague, placing no cost on Kyiv.

Training is expected to begin this year and be completed by the end of 2026. Although the Czech Republic does not operate F-16s, the move aligns it with the multinational ‘aviation coalition’ that is supplying aircraft and training to help modernise Ukraine’s air force amid Russia’s continuing invasion. The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and Norway have pledged F-16s, while the United States and United Kingdom are among nations already instructing Ukrainian personnel.

The U.S. Army intends to spend more than $1.3 billion on Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors in the fiscal year that starts on Oct. 1, according to internal budget documents seen by Bloomberg.

The plan quietly lifts the Army’s overall purchase objective to 13,773 missiles, four times the 3,376 outlined in earlier planning. The accelerated buy follows a Pentagon munitions review that found the United States holds barely a quarter of the interceptors it needs to meet war-plan requirements, Bloomberg reported.

Patriot batteries—deployed recently to help defend Ukrainian cities from Russian strikes and to protect U.S. forces in the Middle East—fire the PAC-3 MSE interceptor, the most advanced variant in the system. Expanding domestic stockpiles is intended to shore up U.S. readiness while sustaining deliveries to allies facing active aerial threats.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week ordered a temporary halt to several U.S. weapons deliveries bound for Ukraine without notifying the White House, according to five people briefed on the decision, CNN reported. The pause covered Patriot interceptor missiles and artillery rounds that were already staged in Poland for onward transfer to Kyiv.

Officials said the move stemmed from an internal assessment of U.S. stockpiles initiated after President Donald Trump asked for a broader review of munitions levels during last month’s NATO summit. The recommendation to suspend the Ukraine shipments originated with Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby and was approved by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg before receiving Hegseth’s final sign-off, the sources added.

Read more

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday revisited the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying he clashed with then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley over whether to abandon military hardware during the pull-out. Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting that Milley argued it would be cheaper to leave the equipment, prompting Trump to call the general “an idiot.”

A 2022 Pentagon assessment found the Taliban gained control of more than $7 billion in U.S. aircraft, vehicles and weapons after American forces departed. While most high-value assets were removed or disabled, the report noted remaining items could become inoperable without U.S. contractor maintenance.

The comments come as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth oversees a comprehensive review of the chaotic exit, which resulted in the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the deaths of 13 U.S. service members in a suicide bombing at Kabul’s Abbey Gate. Milley, now retired, has not responded publicly to Trump’s latest remarks.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Washington had supplied Kyiv with what he called “the best weapons ever made,” including advanced missiles, and credited the deliveries with strengthening Ukraine’s battlefield performance. He praised Ukrainian forces as “very brave,” asserting that high-end American equipment played a decisive role in their ability to resist Russia’s invasion.

Trump claimed the conflict “probably could have lasted three or four days” without the U.S. assistance, but argued that the volume of aid ultimately provided was excessive. He criticised President Joe Biden for maintaining what he described as disproportionate American spending, saying the United States “should’ve given less than Europe.”

The former president also indicated he is “thinking very seriously about sanctions against the Russian” side, though he offered no specifics on potential targets or timing. His remarks add to the debate in Washington over the scale and future direction of U.S. support for Ukraine as the war continues.

Taiwan is conducting its annual Han Kuang-41 military exercise starting July 9, focusing on urban resilience, sheltering rehearsals, response to gray-zone harassment, joint anti-landing operations, and resilient defense. Concurrently, China has deployed 31 military aircraft around the Taiwan Strait. In the Indo-Pacific region, the United States and Japan have launched a large-scale air force exercise named "Resolute Force Pacific," involving over 300 fighter jets, including F-35s, F-15s, and F-16s. The drills are taking place across six airbases from Hokkaido to Honshu and will continue until August 8, aiming to enhance air defense capabilities and allied coordination.

Additionally, the U.S. Air Force is conducting multiple training exercises with advanced fighter jets such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II at various bases including Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, and Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The joint exercises between the U.S. and Japan include stealth fighter operations and air defense combat training around Japanese facilities and airspace.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have provided indicative estimates of Russian combat losses from July 5 to July 9, 2025. As of July 9, Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces suffered the loss of over 1,050 personnel, 5 tanks, 2 armored fighting vehicles, 68 artillery units, 1 air defense system, and 227 unmanned aerial vehicles. These figures reflect ongoing military engagements and the attrition faced by Russian forces during this period.

India has moved its indigenous fifth-generation fighter programme into the execution phase, with the Aeronautical Development Agency issuing an expression of interest to domestic aerospace companies for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. The EOI seeks partners to develop, build and certify multiple prototypes of the stealth twin-engine jet, shifting the project from design to manufacturing.

Bids are due by 16 August 2025 and the agency has set an eight-year timeline for prototype development and flight-test certification. Government documents and media reports indicate a first flight target of 2029 and serial production around 2035. Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security in March, the programme allows private firms to compete alongside state-run Hindustan Aeronautics, reflecting a wider push to boost India’s domestic defence industry.

Read more

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) has submitted a $12 billion unfunded priorities list to Congress, reflecting increased defense spending needs amid growing regional threats. The Navy has identified $7.4 billion in unfunded priorities, focusing on munitions and development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft. The Marine Corps, led by Commandant Gen.

Eric Smith, is seeking a 6% budget increase over the previous year to accelerate modernization efforts, emphasizing advanced weapons and contested logistics to prepare for potential conflicts. Gen. Smith highlighted the importance of acquiring new aircraft, drones, advanced weapons, and military technology to enhance readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the Air Force plans to allocate approximately $400 million from leftover funds in the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program's fiscal 2024 budget to refurbish the Qatari jet intended as a replacement for Air Force One, according to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has reached an agreement with the Dutch Ministry of Defense that allows a group of the carrier’s pilots to serve as reservists flying Royal Netherlands Air Force fighters, including the F-35. The arrangement, disclosed on Monday, marks the first time commercial pilots will formally alternate between civilian passenger services and front-line military duties.

The program will start with the equivalent of five full-time positions, distributed across several volunteers who previously flew for the Air Force before joining KLM. While on reserve duty, the pilots will keep their airline jobs, enabling them to maintain proficiency in both civil and combat aircraft.

Read more

Norway will station its F-35 stealth fighters in Poland this autumn to help guard Polish airspace and the Rzeszów-Jasionka airport, the main logistical hub for Western military aid entering Ukraine. “We are helping ensure that support to Ukraine reaches its destination, and that Ukraine can continue its fight for freedom,” Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik said as he confirmed the mission.

The Netherlands followed on 7 July, announcing that Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35s will be based in Poland from 1 September to 1 December. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said the aircraft will fly round-the-clock patrols under NATO’s quick-reaction alert, working alongside the Norwegian detachment to deter Russian incursions and protect supply corridors.

The twin deployments, requested by NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, come after a surge in Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine that prompted Poland to scramble its own fighters. Stationing fifth-generation jets close to the Ukrainian border marks the alliance’s latest step to reinforce its eastern flank and secure the flow of weapons to Kyiv.

The United States has deployed F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters to the Philippines for the start of Cope Thunder Philippines 25-2, a bilateral air exercise that runs from 7–18 July. The U.S. Pacific Air Forces’ 421st Fighter Squadron flew the fifth-generation jets to Clark Air Base on Monday, marking one of the aircraft’s largest forward operations in the country to date.

Exercise planners said 225 U.S. personnel and an undisclosed number of F-35s will train alongside 2,301 Philippine airmen operating FA-50 fighters, A-29B Super Tucanos, and Black Hawk helicopters across several ranges in Northern Luzon. Opening-day events included a joint F-35/FA-50 patrol over the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, aimed at sharpening air-defense coordination and demonstrating combined deterrence.

The deployment follows last week’s port call of the USS George Washington, a Nimitz-class carrier, in Manila and comes amid parallel U.S. Air Force–Marine air-surveillance drills in Okinawa. Taken together, the activities underscore Washington’s push to deepen security cooperation with Manila and reinforce its posture across the Indo-Pacific.

The United Kingdom is considering stationing a portion of the 12 nuclear-capable F-35A fighter jets it has ordered in Estonia, according to multiple policy analyses citing recent statements by Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur. London’s participation in NATO’s dual-capable aircraft mission would allow the aircraft to carry U.S. air-to-ground nuclear weapons, a capability Britain no longer possesses independently.

Pevkur told Estonia’s Postimees newspaper after last month’s NATO summit that Tallinn is interested in hosting the jets. The deployment would likely be at the Tapa Army Base, where Britain already maintains its largest overseas troop contingent. Supporters argue the move would strengthen a joint Arctic-Baltic deterrence posture that NATO considers necessary even after a potential settlement of the war in Ukraine.

Moscow reacted sharply. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Estonia’s readiness to host nuclear-capable aircraft from any NATO country represents an “immediate danger” to Russia. The prospect adds to tensions along what analysts are calling an emerging Arctic-Baltic front, where the EU and NATO are expanding military infrastructure while Russia reinforces its own western borders.

Former President Donald Trump addressed questions regarding U.S. support for Ukraine compared to Israel, stating that Ukraine is receiving assistance, particularly emphasizing the prioritization of stockpiles such as Patriot missiles, which he described as "amazingly effective." Trump expressed disappointment with a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and highlighted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "being hit very hard," a situation Trump had anticipated. He reiterated his commitment to helping Ukraine while also warning BRICS-aligned countries of a 10% tariff. Additionally, Trump criticized Elon Musk in the context of political matters. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reflect Trump's continued involvement in discussions about U.S. foreign policy in the region.

Between June 25 and July 10, 2025, Russian air defense forces reported shooting down multiple waves of Ukrainian drones over various Russian regions and adjacent waters. The numbers of drones intercepted overnight fluctuated, with counts reported as 18, 50, 39, 31, 60, 69, 48, 94, 120, 91, 86, and 14 on different nights. The Russian Ministry of Defense specified that these interceptions occurred over regions including Belgorod, Rostov, Volgograd, Crimea, Bryansk, Kursk, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Moscow, Smolensk, Oryol, Kaluga, Yaroslavl, Tula, and over the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. The Ministry also noted that the air defense systems prevented damage and grounded flights in some areas. On July 9, the Ministry reported additionally shooting down four HIMARS rockets alongside 226 Ukrainian drones within a 24-hour period. The sustained drone interceptions reflect ongoing aerial defense operations by Russia across multiple regions bordering Ukraine and key strategic areas.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on 5 July that he expects the United States to begin delivering F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey in stages during President Donald Trump’s current term, adding that he believes Washington will “honor the agreement” struck between the two leaders.

Erdoğan made the comments to reporters on his flight back from a summit in Azerbaijan, emphasizing that the F-35 issue “is not merely about military technology” but about preserving strong partnerships within NATO. Ankara was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after it purchased Russian S-400 air-defence systems, a move the U.S. said compromised the aircraft’s security. Erdoğan’s statement signals Ankara’s expectation of being readmitted to the project.

The president also sought to allay regional concerns—particularly from Greece—by saying Turkey’s pursuit of the jets is aimed at safeguarding national security and does not threaten its allies. Neither the Turkish nor the U.S. government immediately commented on any formal steps toward reinstating Turkey in the multibillion-dollar program.

Ukrainian officials marked the United States’ Independence Day on 4 July with an unusually public appeal for continued American military assistance, coupling festive congratulations with reminders that Ukraine is still fighting to preserve its own sovereignty after more than three years of full-scale Russian invasion. Messages from Kyiv’s ambassador to Washington, Oksana Markarova, and other senior figures thanked Americans for past support and warned that "freedom is never free," underscoring what they called a shared struggle for democratic self-rule.

The appeals come two days after the Trump administration paused deliveries of key U.S. weapons, including Patriot air-defence missiles, 155 mm artillery shells, Hellfire missiles and more than 250 GMLRS rockets. Kyiv learned of the decision only after media reports and has formally asked Washington to reconsider, arguing that gaps in air defences could emerge within months. Hours after the greetings were issued, Russia fired roughly 500 missiles and drones at Kyiv and other cities, wounding at least 19 people in the capital, according to local authorities.

A recent investigation by The Telegraph has revealed security vulnerabilities at several Royal Air Force (RAF) bases in the United Kingdom, including a critical base housing nuclear-capable F-35 fighter jets that is protected by only a 1.5-meter (approximately 5-foot) fence. The findings have raised concerns about the adequacy of current security measures, particularly given that these bases have been identified as potential targets by the pro-Palestinian activist group Palestine Action. Former RAF pilot and military analyst Sean Bell emphasized the urgent need to tighten security at these air bases to address growing threats. The investigation highlights that the minimal fencing could allow unauthorized access by activists or foreign agents, underscoring the risk to sensitive military assets. Similar concerns about base security have also been reported internationally, such as at the US Minot nuclear weapons base, where threats are reportedly coming from domestic actors.

Ukrainian forces have employed British and French-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles in multiple attacks targeting the Donetsk region, including a market area, according to Russian and regional sources. These missile strikes have extended to the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. Additionally, reports indicate that between four and eight Storm Shadow missiles were launched toward the Crimean Bridge, a strategic infrastructure asset, with some sources confirming the use of British-donated Storm Shadow missiles in this operation. Alongside these strikes, Ukrainian forces also reportedly used HIMARS missiles in attacks on Donetsk. In response to the missile threats, authorities declared missile alerts across the Rostov and Kherson regions.