North Korea's Ambassador to the UN, Kim Song, defended a recent missile test by stating that it was part of a plan to enhance the country's defense capabilities. He accused the US of double standards, pointing out that the US had justified Israel's actions in Gaza as self-defense despite a high civilian death toll. The US has expressed concerns that North Korea is becoming more capable of waging war due to its receipt of Russian military equipment and technology.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40341873/us-warns-north-korea-becoming-better-prepared-for-war-fighting-against-ukrainePakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, expressed concern over North Korea's recent ballistic missile test, calling it detrimental to regional and international peace and security. He stated that Pakistan supports the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and the implementation of relevant UNSC resolutions. Akram urged the Security Council to revive dialogue and reduce tensions in the region. The test was detected by South Korea's military as an intermediate-range ballistic missile, which North Korea claimed was a new type of hypersonic glide vehicle designed to break through enemy defenses.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1270395-pakistan-urges-for-dialogues-after-n-korea-launches-missile-amid-soaring-tensionsThe Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) has announced a joint maritime exercise with the coast guards of Australia, India, Japan, and the US to enhance interoperability and maritime safety in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise is part of the Quad's efforts to promote a rules-based maritime order, which is increasingly important due to growing complexities in the area. This initiative will be followed by separate exercises between the US and Japan, as well as the US and Philippines, in March 2025 and June 2025 respectively.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/10/opinion/columns/quad-coast-guard-exercise-2025-strengthening-regional-maritime-security-cooperation/2036293The Romanian Army, along with allied and partner forces, will conduct a series of military exercises called Steadfast Dart (STDT 25) from February 10-21. Led by the Joint Force Command Naples, the exercise aims to test NATO's reaction and response capacity in crisis situations through specific peacetime alerting, deployment, and integration activities. The goal is to increase Romania's defense capabilities, deterrence, coordination, and reaction time, as well as enhance military interoperability and mobility with NATO and the US strategic partnership.
https://www.actmedia.eu/daily/mapn-approximately-15-000-military-will-take-part-in-international-exercises-in-the-first-half-of-the-year/111982Serbia has taken delivery of Chinese-made FK-3 air defense systems, marking a significant expansion of Beijing's presence in the Balkan country. The system, an export variant of China's HQ-22 surface-to-air missile system, can target aircraft and missiles flying at speeds up to 1,000m/s over distances of up to 100 kilometers. This deal was initially signed with China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation (CASIC) in 2020, despite warnings from the US that it could jeopardize Serbia's bid to join the European Union. The purchase is part of a broader trend of Serbia seeking military equipment from both Russia and China while also maintaining ties with Western countries such as France.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/01/09/serbia-completes-fielding-of-chinese-air-defense-system/The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has announced that the Co-Lead Nations of the eight Capability Coalitions have been working with Ukraine to develop roadmaps aimed at optimizing security assistance and defense capabilities through 2027. The roadmaps, which were developed in collaboration with Ukraine, are designed to enhance interoperability between Ukraine and NATO, support the development of Ukraine's defense capabilities, and deter potential threats.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/3946736-participants-of-ramstein-meeting-approve-eight-roadmaps-to-support-ukraine-through-2027.htmlUkrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss cooperation on key areas, including military assistance. The two leaders discussed preparations for future meetings and the approval of roadmaps for eight areas of cooperation, which will outline strategic goals and needs until 2027. The documents will focus on areas such as air defense, artillery, armored vehicles, drones, air force, and maritime security.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/940370-ukraine-and-the-us-discussed-strategic-military-cooperationUS Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that if tyrants learn that aggression pays, it will lead to more aggression, chaos, and war. In response to the US's shift in policy under President Trump, European countries have been grappling with how to maintain their alliance against Russia's expansion. Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed concern over Trump's comments on potentially taking Greenland by military means, calling them "diplomatically astonishing." The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which includes 50 member countries, may assume a new shape under European contributors such as Germany if the US does not continue to participate. Germany and other European countries are discussing options for supporting Ukraine in the event of a US withdrawal.
https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-us-aid-weapons-trump-6f8eeb09dbc69d3ae2e097bb8eb10151US officials have reflected on the effectiveness of military aid provided by the Biden administration to Ukraine, citing limited gains from previous support such as Abrams tanks, F-16 fighter jets, and ATACMS missile systems. The US is now considering further security commitments, including potential NATO membership, to deter a future Russian attack following peace negotiations. Meanwhile, the US is studying North Korean operations in the war to inform its strategy in Asia, where thousands of North Korean forces are believed to be supporting Russia. The US may also impose additional sanctions on Chinese entities for their support of Russia's efforts to fuel the conflict.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/americas/biden-set-to-push-new-russia-sanctions-before-trump-era-begins