On July 24th, The Economist published an article on emerging Ukrainian technology for strengthening its air and missile defense capabilities. The article featured quotes from MDAA Chairman & Founder Riki Ellison. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has faced significant challenges in defending its airspace due to inadequate radar coverage. In response, Ukrainian tech innovators quickly developed alternative detection systems. These systems, cheaper and stealthier than traditional radar, have been effective at identifying and tracking threats. Riki Ellison, founder of the MDAA, highlighted Sky Fortress's extensive and effective network of listening stations, which has significantly bolstered Ukraine’s air defense. The MDAA has organized demonstrations of these technologies for NATO countries, showcasing their effectiveness in detecting and tracking threats. As these technologies prove successful, they are setting new standards in aerial threat detection and inspiring global military adaptations.

You can read the full article on The Economist's website here.

On July 25th, U.S. and Canadian fighters intercepted Russian and Chinese warplanes off the coast of Alaska, marking the first time strategic bombers from these two U.S. adversaries have operated together near North America. Two Russian TU-95 and two Chinese H-6 bombers flew into the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, approaching as close as 200 miles to the Alaskan coast. While not entering U.S. or Canadian airspace, their presence signaled increasing military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing. The U.S. and Canadian aircraft, including F-16s, F-35s, and CF-18s, monitored and intercepted the bombers. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed concern over China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine, despite no evidence of joint military system operations between the two countries. This incident follows a similar naval patrol by Russian and Chinese forces near Alaska last year.

On July 28th, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the U.S. and Germany's plan to deploy U.S. long-range missiles in Germany from 2026, comparing it to Cold War events and hinting at a reciprocal Russian response. Speaking at Russia's Navy Day, Putin warned that such deployments could prompt Russia to abandon its moratorium on medium and shorter-range missiles and enhance its coastal naval forces. He likened the situation to the deployment of Pershing II missiles in Europe during the 1980s, which was a significant Cold War tension point until the 1988 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). With Russia's development of similar strike weapons nearing completion, Putin emphasized the potential for reciprocal deployments. This move follows a July statement by the U.S. and Germany on new missile systems, raising fears of a new arms race reminiscent of Cold War-era dynamics.

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