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Justin Bronk

@justin-br0nk.bsky.social

4.6K followers 320 following 110 posts

Senior Research Fellow for Airpower and Military Technology at RUSI, London. Associate Professor II at the Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy. Pilot. Views are my own. RUSI biography and publications: https://t.co/wgeOUvRQdO

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Mar 10

For those interested in some ideas on how European NATO members can rapidly improve their high end airpower capabilities by cooperative specialisation: static.rusi.org/nato-air-mis...

static.rusi.org

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · 8d

Sadly, the TBC timeline on this looks fairly long still; more of a traditional acquisition than a donation in any immediately relevant timescale for the ongoing fight. Those of you who responded saying so; you were right!

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · 9d

Agree that Meteor is certainly the big differentiator at this stage (and no word on whether it will be supplied or not)

Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · 9d

And there it is… Ukraine will receive JAS-39 Gripen! Better late than never, I guess. The fighter that was always by far the closest fit to the Ukrainian Air Force’s operational needs is at long last officially on its way (timeline TBC for obvious reasons).

unn.ua/en/amp/minis...

Ministry of Defense announced the transfer of Swedish Gripen fighters to Ukraine | УНН

УНН News of the World ✎ Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Ivan Havryliuk stated that Ukraine expects the supply of Swedish Gripen, French Mirage, and additional F-16s.

unn.ua

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · 9d

If I were Germany, I’d be looking to joint lead on UCAVs with Saab (alongside a Eurofighter EK with pods for true EA capabilities); interoperable with both GCAP and SCAF. If SCAF falls apart I honestly don’t see a credible path to what German industry wants: real co-development of a fighter… 🤷‍♂️

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · 9d

Well that’s a first (as far as I’m aware at least). A Ukrainian FPV successfully taking out a Russian Mi-8/17 helicopter. Looks opportunistic - FPV looking for targets on the road and reacts rapidly and with impressive pilot skill to seeing the helicopter rapidly approaching…

Euan MacDonald @euanmacdonald.bsky.social · 9d

The Ukrainian military says it has destroyed a Russian Mi-28 helicopter with an FPV drone. Video from the drone shows it approach the aircraft almost head on until the instant it presumably impacts. Video shot from another drone shows the helicopter crash in flames.

Drones are changing war.

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · 9d

It could. But the costs are less of a concern than they were due to the plan to go to 3 then 3.5% of GDP. If we get even half way there by the early 2030s then the money is do-able. Issue is that IP and workshare are set so Germany joining would either be as as customer only, or blow 🇯🇵 timeframes.

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · 16d

Carefully choreographed footage and a clean deck, so still a significant gap with the USN in terms of deck ops proficiency of course, but the rate of improvement is rapid!

Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · 16d

Interesting footage of China’s new J-35 and upgraded J-15T fighters, plus KJ-600 AEW&C aircraft practicing arrested landings and catapult launches from the Type 003 aircraft carrier Fujian:

youtu.be/YlSwXhB_7EE?...

003福建舰电磁弹射舰载机原声大片！J35第五代舰载机

YouTube video by 西葛西造舰

youtu.be

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Reposted by Justin Bronk

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 26d

(Reuters) - Poland flatly rejected on Friday a suggestion by U.S. President Donald Trump that drone incursions into its airspace could have been a mistake, describing them as "a deliberate Russian attack".

@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/business/aer...

Poland says Russian drone incursions could not have been a mistake, contradicting Trump

Poland flatly rejected a suggestion by President Donald Trump that drone incursions into its airspace could have been a mistake, describing them as "a deliberate Russian attack".

www.reuters.com

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Reposted by Justin Bronk

Joseph Trevithick @franticgoat.bsky.social · 27d

Second B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Has Flown (Updated) www.twz.com/air/second-b...

Second B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Has Flown (Updated)

Air Force officials had previously said their was goal was to have two B-21s flying around the end of this year.

www.twz.com

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Aug 25

The day people in Defence Policy and Industry stop pushing the idea that “massed, cheap drones” are a replacement for “expensive” artillery, airpower, armoured manoeuvre forces, I’ll happily agree.
Sadly; many believe it or hope it’s a way out of budget issues

Also: static.rusi.org/mass-precisi...

static.rusi.org

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Aug 21

Legend, thank you!

Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Aug 21

If you have access, this might help explain some of it

www.rusi.org/explore-our-...

The Rise of the Fighter-Bomber in the Western Desert

The fighter-bomber became an important part of the RAF's campaign in North Africa during the Second World War.

www.rusi.org

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Aug 21

*stage whisper* Matilda II tanks, infantry and the close air support and interdiction by the RAF…. 😇

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Aug 20

Target practice. Literally… they’re being purchased as aerial targets for fast jets
Could also be used with ADM-160 etc as decoys/chaff to help get regular missiles through to air defence targets; as Russia does with Geran/Shahed to saturate GBAD and get more Kh-101 and Iskander rounds through.

Reposted by Justin Bronk

Joseph Trevithick @franticgoat.bsky.social · Aug 20

Large Stealth Flying Wing Aircraft Photographed Over China www.twz.com/air/large-st...

Large Stealth Flying Wing Aircraft Photographed Over China

The mysterious low-observable flying-wing aircraft bears a distinct resemblance to a huge drone that appeared satellite imagery earlier this year. The mysterious low-observable flying-wing aircraft be...

www.twz.com

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Aug 12

@davidhambling.bsky.social
😉

SimpsonsQOTD @simpsonsqotd.bsky.social · Aug 12

"The wars of the future will not be fought on a battlefield or at sea.
They will be fought in space--
Or possibly on top of a very tall mountain.
In either case, most of the actual fighting
Will be done by small robots."

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Reposted by Justin Bronk

Ward Carroll @wardcarroll.bsky.social · Aug 6

New episode just posted:

Why Drones Don't Win Wars

YouTube video by Ward Carroll

youtu.be

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Reposted by Justin Bronk

Dmitri Alperovitch @dmitri.silverado.org · Aug 5

Why Drones Can’t Replace Traditional Firepower

My @GeopolDecanted discussion with @justin-br0nk.bsky.social about his recent provocative @rusi.bsky.social piece on this topic.

We also discuss efficacy of Ukrainian F-16s, Operation SpiderWeb and much more. Watch 👇

youtu.be/ykLIH2kY1U8

Why Drones Can’t Replace Traditional Firepower

YouTube video by Dmitri Alperovitch

youtu.be

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Aug 5

Thermal signature reduction padded covers... makes them harder to spot using IR in cover. Should have been clearer on that in the text - sorry!

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Aug 5

Thank you Frans!

Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Aug 5

Indeed - which is precisely why my argument for years has been that we must focus on SEAD/DEAD and enhancing combat air training, munitions and force protection to ensure we can win air superiority rapidly against Russia in Europe.

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Aug 4

Just published via RUSI... I suspect this one may generate some strong opinions but I think it's an important set of factors for military planners especially in the Land domain to engage with:

NATO Should Not Replace Traditional Firepower with ‘Drones’

www.rusi.org/explore-our-...

NATO Should Not Replace Traditional Firepower with ‘Drones’

Over-reliance on uncrewed aerial systems or ‘drones’ is leading to significant problems for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and is not something Western militaries should attempt to replicate

www.rusi.org

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · Aug 4

Great news. Better late than never!

www.twz.com/air/biggest-...

Biggest AIM-120 Missile Order Ever Just Signed By Pentagon

Raytheon was awarded a $3.5 billion contract to provide AIM-120s 19 nations as concerns over the supply of anti-air missiles grow.

www.twz.com

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Reposted by Justin Bronk

RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · Jul 28

'The seismic shifts in US politics since President Trump returned to the White House have made far greater European defence autonomy an obvious necessity' writes @justin-br0nk.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary.

US Weapons and European Capability Gaps

NATO allies aiming to increase independence from Washington should focus on generating European capacity in areas where only the US military can currently perform key missions.

www.rusi.org

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