The United States fields the LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM (silo-based) with a ~13,000 km range that carries 1× nuclear RV (W78/W87, ~335 kt) and the UGM-133 Trident II D5 SLBM (submarine-launched) with >12,000 km range capable of up to 8 MIRVs (W76/W88). The U.S. LRHW “Dark Eagle” program develops a long-range hypersonic boost-glide missile with…
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1957 – The Atoms for Peace agreement between the United States and Iran launches Iran’s civil nuclear program. 1967 – Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) is a 5 MW reactor supplied by the United States, using weapons-grade uranium fuel (93% enriched). 1968–1970 – Iran signs and ratifies the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT); IAEA safeguards enter force…
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The F-16 began as General Dynamics’ YF-16 in the USAF’s Lightweight Fighter program, with the prototype’s maiden flight in 1974 and the first operational F-16A delivered in 1979. It introduced relaxed static stability and fly-by-wire controls, enabling exceptional agility and the ability to sustain 9 g turns. The cockpit features a frameless bubble canopy for…
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The F-35 is a family of three variants: F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL), and F-35C carrier-capable version. The aircraft first flew in 2006, with IOC achieved by the F-35B in July 2015, the F-35A in August 2016, and the F-35C in early 2019. As of mid-2025, more than 1,170…
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F-35 Lightning II, a 5th-gen stealth fighter, first flew in 2006, entered service in the mid-2010s, and by 2025 had over 1,000 delivered to 17 nations. F-22 Raptor, a 5th-gen air-superiority fighter, first flew in 1997 and entered service in 2005, with a top speed around Mach 2.25 and only 195 built. Chengdu J-20 Mighty…
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The 2017 U.S. Department of Defense project Maven was launched to apply AI-based computer vision to analyze drone surveillance footage in the Middle East, with fielding by year’s end. In 2019, China released its National Defense White Paper announcing the goal of “intelligentized warfare” and a plan to become the world AI leader by 2030.…
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The Dniester PSP Hydro Plant Expansion (Phase) by Ukrhydroenergo had a contract awarded in 2024 worth over UA,h 4 billion to expand the Dniester Pumped Storage Power Plant and boost hydroelectric capacity with multi-year construction. Tyligulska Wind Farm – Phase II Expansion, led by DTEK, involves €450 million announced in January 2025 to purchase 64…
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In 2024 Ukraine’s online retail sales totaled about ₴239 billion (≈$6–6.5 billion), roughly one-third higher than 2023. About 11 million Ukrainians were online shoppers in 2024, with online purchases comprising about 16% of total spending and roughly 30 million adults as “active online consumers.” Rozetka generated about ₴45 billion in revenue in 2023 and commanded…
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In 2024 Prozorro concluded over 3.2 million public contracts totaling about 888 billion UAH, and in the first four months of 2025 it handled about 1.2 million contracts worth 444.4 billion UAH. As of 2024, Prozorro connects 10 authorized e-procurement platforms plus 2 platforms for observation/auction, with Zakupivli.Pro (Prom.ua) handling about 50% of tenders, DerzhZakupivli…
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By late 2024, the F-35 Lightning II had surpassed 1,000 deliveries worldwide, fueling Lockheed Martin’s market dominance and its ubiquity across more than a dozen nations. Lockheed Martin continues F-16 production into a 50th year with new Block 70/72 variants exported to Slovakia and Bahrain. Boeing is delivering the F-15EX Eagle II to the U.S.…
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