Armies of the world 2024, December

People's Liberation Army of China (PLA)

People's Liberation Army of China (PLA)

The People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) is the armed forces of the PRC, the largest army in the world (2,250,000 people in active service). Founded on August 1, 1927 as a result of the Nanchang Uprising as the communist "Red Army", under the leadership of Mao Zedong during

What is the difference between a simple American infantryman and a marine

What is the difference between a simple American infantryman and a marine

It’s probably no secret to anyone that in the United States, everyone is convinced that the Marines are the most ferocious warriors in the world. If you do not take the spetsuru and the Soviet construction battalion deceased in history, in principle, it can be so. Logan Nye from "We are the Mighty" (it sounds like "We are powerful", but what else

History of the Bulgarian Air Force. Part 3. Post-war period and modernity

History of the Bulgarian Air Force. Part 3. Post-war period and modernity

After the entry of Soviet troops into Bulgaria and the September armed uprising in 1944, the Bulgarian Air Force began to receive Soviet aviation equipment. In March 1945, the Bulgarian Air Force received 120 Yak-9 fighters of various modifications (Yak-9D, Yak-9DD, Yak-9M and Yak-9U)

On the losses of the Ukrainian punitive army

On the losses of the Ukrainian punitive army

The longer the military operation continues in Donbass, the more ordinary Ukrainians begin to wonder how many more lives must be absorbed by ATO (as the civil war is called in Kiev) in order to get enough and finally stop. Only those who

The Next Wave: Race to Robot Wars

The Next Wave: Race to Robot Wars

The robots are here! The robots are here, in the air on land and at sea. They are becoming an integral component of the combined arms operations of almost all modern armed forces. This article reviews the latest developments in military robotics in the world, with a special focus on Russia, China, Iran, Israel and

"Paper Dragon" of the Celestial Empire

"Paper Dragon" of the Celestial Empire

Information about a prototype of the Chinese fifth generation fighter J-20, which appeared in early 2011, made a lot of noise. Most of the domestic and Western military observers began to speculate about the successes of China's military-technical modernization, the strengthening of the country's military power and

The balance of forces between the Russian Federation and Japan in the Far Eastern theater of operations

The balance of forces between the Russian Federation and Japan in the Far Eastern theater of operations

Although the scenario of the 4th Russian-Japanese war (1904-1905, 1938-1939, 1945) is unlikely, it is nevertheless necessary to know the capabilities of a potential enemy. The current hysterics of Tokyo are a sign of the decline of the Land of the Rising Sun. Japanese civilization is seriously ill, its Spirit is amazed, which is clearly manifested in

The US military is armed with a new sniper rifle MRAD Mk22

The US military is armed with a new sniper rifle MRAD Mk22

US Army, Marines and Special Operations fighters receive a new MRAD sniper rifle. The American press writes about this in early February 2021. Thus, the story comes to an end with a long process of purchasing new sniper rifles, which began at the beginning

Secrets of the South African nuclear bomb

Secrets of the South African nuclear bomb

South African Air Force multipurpose attack aircraft Blackburn Buccaneer For most of the Cold War, South Africa was a rogue state due to the policy of apartheid, the official policy of racial segregation, which was pursued by the ruling far-right National Party from 1948 to 1994

First units to be deployed by the United States in the event of World War III

First units to be deployed by the United States in the event of World War III

The world situation continues to be tense. Local conflicts of varying intensity and clashes of geopolitical interests in various parts of the world have not disappeared from the daily news agenda. The United States fears a possible conflict between China and Taiwan, a nuclear program

American special forces are losing morale

American special forces are losing morale

In the past few years, the American media and society have often discussed cases that are associated with the moral character of the American special forces and the crimes they commit. The special forces are accused of using and transporting drugs, violence against civilians, violations of discipline and

A land of rising militarism

A land of rising militarism

Japan is set to increase its spending on fifth-generation stealth fighters, long-range missiles and radars over the next five years to bolster US forces in the region, Reuters reported. “The US remains the most powerful nation in the world

Ukraine showed at an exhibition in Abu Dhabi a drone (loitering ammunition) RAM UAV

Ukraine showed at an exhibition in Abu Dhabi a drone (loitering ammunition) RAM UAV

As part of the 3rd international exhibition and conference of unmanned systems and simulators UMEX-2018 (Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference), which was held in Abu Dhabi (UAE) from February 25 to 27, 2018, Ukraine presented its new attack unmanned aerial vehicle. In fact, we are talking about

Argentine Army: From Falklands to Decline

Argentine Army: From Falklands to Decline

Relatively recently, the armed forces of Argentina were the strongest in Latin America and quite impressive even by world standards, in addition, the country had a fairly developed defense-industrial complex. However, defeat in the war for the Falkland Islands by Great Britain and

The PLA keeps secret information about the Strategic Support Forces

The PLA keeps secret information about the Strategic Support Forces

At the end of December 2015, the Strategic Support Forces (SSP) were formed as part of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA), the definition is also found: "Strategic Support Forces." Two years have passed, but very little is still known about this military formation, Beijing

"Soldier of the Future": Improving the equipment of the soldiers of the US Army

"Soldier of the Future": Improving the equipment of the soldiers of the US Army

In the spring of 2019, the USA presented their vision for the further development of the "Soldier of the Future" concept. The main emphasis of the US military is going to be on the human-centered concept. The fighter is at the forefront and the maximum relief of his life both in everyday life and on the battlefield

US missile defense news

US missile defense news

The United States continues to implement a program to build a missile defense system. Ignoring all the problems of an international character and the interests of third countries, Washington continues to work to improve existing systems, and also negotiates, the purpose of which is to build new

Artillery of the Korean People's Army. Part 1. Towed systems and mortars

Artillery of the Korean People's Army. Part 1. Towed systems and mortars

After the "rifle" and anti-tank weapons, we will move on to artillery and start with towed. Immediately after the creation of the KPA, they began to supply it with Soviet artillery systems. In total, before the start of the Korean War, 2499 units of artillery systems were delivered: - 646 45-mm (model 1937 and M-42 model

French Foreign Legion in World Wars I and II

French Foreign Legion in World Wars I and II

"Legionnaires in battle". Painting by E. Ponomarev, a former Russian paratrooper, legionnaire, artist-illustrator "Kepi Blanc Magazine" In the article "Dogs of War" of the French Foreign Legion "we talked about the history of the emergence of this military unit, its combat path. We ended the story by pointing out

Juche power

Juche power

The North Korean army is impossible to count, which makes it even more terrible Despite the very weak economy and almost complete international isolation of the DPRK, its armed forces (KPA - Korean People's Army) remain one of the strongest in the world. The KPA is being built under the slogans "Juche" ("self-reliance") and

"Dogs of War" of the French Foreign Legion

"Dogs of War" of the French Foreign Legion

From the previous articles in the series, we learned that one of the consequences of the French conquest of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco was the appearance in France of new and unusual military formations. We have already talked about Zouaves, Tyraliers, Spags and Gumiers. Now let's talk about other combat units that used to be

Between sea and land. US Marine Corps strategy on the cusp of change

Between sea and land. US Marine Corps strategy on the cusp of change

Over the past few years, one of the most pressing topics in the field of military construction in Russia has been the deal with France on the purchase of Mistral-class amphibious assault and helicopter dock ships (DVKD). In fact, according to the generally accepted western classification, these ships are universal amphibious

Castes in the army of modern India. Forgotten problem or hidden one?

Castes in the army of modern India. Forgotten problem or hidden one?

We all know that Indian society has a unique feature: since ancient times it has been rigidly divided into social groups that have no analogues in other peoples, called castes. Does this division affect the passage of military service in the modern armed forces of the country, before

Underminer program: why the American army "goes underground"

Underminer program: why the American army "goes underground"

The United States is going to develop new technological solutions for the rapid construction of tactical tunnels. The importance of tunnel networks for resupplying food, weapons, and ammunition is undeniable. Three teams were selected to develop technology under the Underminer program. General

Israel's nuclear potential

Israel's nuclear potential

Soon after the end of World War II, many industrialized nations entered the “nuclear race”. This right was limited to the countries recognized as aggressors as a result of the war and occupied by the military contingents of the states of the anti-Hitler coalition. Originally an atomic bomb

"Fire in the Empire". Foreign Legion after World War II

"Fire in the Empire". Foreign Legion after World War II

The Second World War ended, France enjoyed peace, and the Foreign Legion, along with other military units (among which were units of the Zouaves, Tyraliers and Gumiers) fought in Vietnam, suppressed the uprising in Madagascar, unsuccessfully tried to keep Tunisia as part of the empire (military

From ATACMS to PrSM. Prospects for US tactical missile systems

From ATACMS to PrSM. Prospects for US tactical missile systems

Launching an ATACMS rocket from the M270. Photo US Army At the moment, the Army and the US Marine Corps are armed with the ATACMS tactical missile system, made on the basis of serial MLRS. Quite a long time ago it was recognized as unpromising, as a result of which the development began

Weakest army in the Warsaw Pact Organization

Weakest army in the Warsaw Pact Organization

The Warsaw Pact Organization united the military-political and ideological allies of the USSR in Eastern Europe. But, despite the entry into the bloc of a number of countries led by the Soviet Union, it also had weaknesses

Spagi. Exotic cavalry units of the French army

Spagi. Exotic cavalry units of the French army

Spagi. Military operations in the south of Algeria, 1897 In the previous articles of the cycle, we talked about the units of the Zouaves, which were formed in 1830 at first as "native". In 1833 they became mixed, and in 1841 they became purely French. And about the combat units of the tyraliers, to which they were transferred

Yun Feng cruise missile: new weapon to defend Taiwan

Yun Feng cruise missile: new weapon to defend Taiwan

The launch of a Yunfeng rocket is the only known photo of its kind. Since its inception, the Republic of China (Taiwan) fears an attack from the People's Republic of China and is constantly modernizing its armed forces. One of the last steps in this direction

Just to fight! The West is preparing for a confrontation with equal rivals

Just to fight! The West is preparing for a confrontation with equal rivals

British self-propelled howitzer AS90 needs modernization in order to avoid defeat in a future long-range artillery duel. At present, in terms of range, it is inferior to the existing Russian cannons

Chinese Wars

Chinese Wars

Outside of China, many do not understand how this country is fighting. And this is very important Europocentrism, which, alas, is still obsessed with our society, sometimes prevents from seeing quite amusing and instructive historical examples, even recent ones. One such example is the approach of our neighbor, China, to

French military exoticism. Moroccan gumiers

French military exoticism. Moroccan gumiers

Gumiers in Italy, photo from the American magazine "Life" The most exotic formations of the French army, of course, were goumiers (marocains) - auxiliary units, which served mainly Moroccan Berbers living in the Atlas mountains (the highlanders of the Reef were in the territory

Turkish Air Force: quantity and quality

Turkish Air Force: quantity and quality

Preparations for departure from Inzhirlik base, 2019 The next round of tensions in the Middle East is taking place with the active participation of the Turkish Air Force. This branch of the military provides reconnaissance, strikes against ground targets and the performance of some other tasks. Consider the structure

How much are rockets for the Pentagon? Financial aspects of the combat work of US aviation

How much are rockets for the Pentagon? Financial aspects of the combat work of US aviation

F-35 fighters. Their ammunition load can cost millions of dollars. US Air Force photo Its planes and helicopters regularly make sorties with the aim of destroying certain objects, for which a wide

Construction of high-speed expeditionary transport vessels EPF (USA)

Construction of high-speed expeditionary transport vessels EPF (USA)

Austal USA, the American subsidiary of Australian Austal, is currently building the Spearhead Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) for the US Navy. More than two-thirds of the existing order has been completed, and the work

Step into the unknown, or the future of American Marines

Step into the unknown, or the future of American Marines

Infantrymen from 22MEU (Company A) board a tiltrotor aboard the Kirsarge UDC. After the reform, the role of airmobile units within the Marines will grow even stronger

After the Cold War, the United States is forced to build up its close air defense forces

After the Cold War, the United States is forced to build up its close air defense forces

The short-range self-propelled air defense system IMSHORAD is one of those urgent projects, within which the ground forces will receive standard capabilities to protect against air threats

Swedish military budget: expensive defenses

Swedish military budget: expensive defenses

Sweden has long proclaimed its military and political neutrality, but this position does not exclude the need to build and develop the armed forces. In recent years, Stockholm has taken some measures to restore and build up military power in order to maintain the desired

First in their classes. How the strategic nuclear forces of the PRC were built

First in their classes. How the strategic nuclear forces of the PRC were built

The cloud after the explosion of the first Chinese atomic bomb, October 16, 1964. Photo by Wikimedia Commons In 1956, the PRC began its own nuclear program, and on October 16, 1964, it conducted the first successful tests of a real charge. After that, the Chinese army began building its own