Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

Abstract Drawing lessons from Ukraine, the 2024–2030 MPL accelerates France’s efforts to enhance its drone warfare capabilities through increased spending, technological innovation, and operational training. Investments target loitering munitions, tactical drones, Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (MALE UAVs), swarm capabilities, and Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) systems, while cooperation with Ukraine supports rapid adaptation. Budgetary pressures and political uncertainty nonetheless raise doubts about the long-term sustainability of this effort. Introduction Article 34 of the 1958 French Constitution establishes programming laws that set long-term policy frameworks and define multi-year budget orientations—typically spanning 4 to 7 years. The Loi de Programmation Militaire (Military…

Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 April 2026 4:45 PM A senior Iranian official has sharply criticized recent claims about the country’s air defense capabilities, suggesting that US President Donald Trump should be removed instead of military commanders. Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council, made the remarks in a post on X on Saturday, a day after Iran downed a US fighter jet, an F-15E, over its territory. Rezaei noted that the alleged destruction of Iranian air defense systems was “false,” arguing that recent incidents involving the downing of enemy aircraft demonstrate that such claims were misleading. In…

Carlos Lopes is Honorary Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town, and Associate Fellow at Chatham House, London. He has also been a Fellow at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, and serves as Senior Advisor at Macro-Advisory Partners. He has served on several international commissions and advisory boards, including the Global Commission for the Economy and Climate and the Global Commission for the Future of Work. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the World Resources Institute and the Board of the ClimateWorks Foundation and is Chair of the African…

Arman Tsarukyan has once more given his two cents on a potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria superfight. Makhachev vs. Topuria could happen later this year as predicted by the former’s manager. For now, the reigning lightweight titleholder is locked in to meet interim champion Justin Gaethje on June 14 at the White House. Makhachev, on the other hand, is expected to make the first defense of his welterweight strap in August and would most likely face Ian Machado Garry, as rumors suggest. Islam Makhachev does not want to move down to lightweight to fight Ilia Topuria. [Images via Islam…

The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy. The F-15E Weapons System Officer (WSO), missing since his plane was shot down on Friday, has been rescued after a very risky combat search and rescue operation and fierce firefight in southern Iran. The pilot had already been retrieved during the rescue operation in which two HH-60H Jolly Green II combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopters were reportedly damaged by incoming fire, injuring several troops. President Trump took to Truth Social confirming multiple reports that the WSO was safely in American hands.…

EDGE at FIDAE 2026 EDGE Group, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, will mark its first participation at FIDAE 2026 in Chile, expanding its presence in Latin America. From 7 to 12 April, EDGE will showcase a broad portfolio of cutting-edge solutions across air, land, and cyber domains, reflecting its integrated, multi-domain approach to modern defence. Omar Al Zaabi, President of EDGE Commercial, said: “Our debut at FIDAE highlights EDGE’s expanding role in Latin America’s defence technology landscape. Building on our existing partnerships in the region, EDGE has positioned itself to offer highly disruptive systems while supporting local…

Do not expect Eddie Hearn to take leg kicks from elite MMA fighters anytime soon. UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall posted a new vlog on his YouTube channel where he proposed kicking Hearn’s leg for promotion. The Matchroom Boxing boss made a hard pass and instead had Callum Ruane, Matchroom’s global partnership lead, take the leg kick. 😅🦵Tom Aspinall asked Eddie Hearn if he could throw a leg kick at him for his YouTube channel, but Eddie refused😂When asked why, Eddie said:“Because I’ve got a brain. Are these guys an idiots or something? You’re gonna let a UFC heavyweight champion…

It has been an absolutely breakneck week for the strategy and wargaming world. If you thought March was busy, April is kicking off with a literal barrage of news. We’ve got legendary names like MicroProse and Heroes of Might and Magic returning to the spotlight, massive overhauls of several games, and enough DLC to keep your hard drive screaming for mercy. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era April Release Date The king of fantasy strategy is returning. Hooded Horse and Unfrozen have confirmed that Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era will enter Steam Early Access on April 30th.…

Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 April 2026 3:24 PM Iranian tribal fighters from central Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad and Bakhtiari provinces struck two US Black Hawk helicopters that had entered Iranian airspace, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said in a statement on Saturday. IRGC said the helicopters were operating in rugged, inaccessible mountainous areas far from the presence of Iran’s regular armed forces. They had reportedly crossed into Iranian territory to rescue pilots from the American fighter jet that was downed by IRGC air defense forces. Each tribal group independently engaged and successfully struck the two Black Hawk helicopters, the…

Iran Press TV Saturday, 04 April 2026 3:02 PM The Iranian Army says it has carried out a large-scale drone operation targeting key positions of the Israeli regime at Ben Gurion Airport. The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran says it carried out a large-scale drone operation targeting key positions of the Israeli regime at Ben Gurion Airport in response to ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran. In a statement released early Saturday, the army said its forces struck several strategic facilities at the airport, including a newly built control tower, control towers at Terminals 1 and 2, navigation systems,…