Germany Sticks to F-35 Purchase Despite Concerns

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to purchasing 35 F-35 stealth fighters from the United States, despite concerns over dependency on U.S. military technology under the Trump administration.

The €10 billion package covers aircraft, maintenance, spare parts, and munitions.

Reports of a possible “kill switch” that could allow the U.S. to disable the jets remotely were dismissed by Germany’s Defense Ministry, stating:

“There is no way to shut down the F-35 remotely.”

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger warned against canceling the deal, saying:

“We have no comparable alternative. Walking away could harm Germany’s reliability in defense partnerships.”

Source: Tagesschau

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels will withdraw from Walikale, which they seized this week, to support conflict resolution efforts in eastern Congo.

German President approved allocation of 3 billion euros for military aid to Ukraine.

Israeli airstrike targets Najha town in Damascus countryside.

Simultaneously, a movement of Syrian army tanks and heavy military vehicles is underway from southern Syria towards the environs of Damascus.

Israeli airstrikes targeted the town of Najha in the Damascus countryside.

The US military is developing the "Golden Dome" system to protect the country from long-range missile strikes, the system itself remains undefined beyond a name.

Source: CNN

Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the rocket fire from southern Lebanon into Israel today.

Ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthis, which was likely intended to reach Israel, fell in Saudi Arabia along the way.

Israel detected and tracked the missile but did not activate alarms.

Canada's next election will take place on April 28, CBC reports.

Pope Francis will be released from hospital tomorrow.

BREAKING:

The U.S. government has removed the cash rewards it was offering for information on these three Taliban leaders in Afghanistan:

1. Sirajuddin Haqqani – $10 million
2. Abdul Aziz Haqqani – $5 million
3. Yahya Haqqani – $5 million

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Talks with the United States are no longer possible unless certain things change.

Our refusal to negotiate with the US is due to history and experience, not stubbornness.

The Israeli Army announced that it launched a ground attack on Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza

According to the statement made by the Israeli army, ground operations began yesterday in Beit Hanun in northern Gaza.

The aim of the operation was announced as expanding Israel's control on the Israel-Gaza border.

Israeli drone targets a vehicle in the town of Aita al-Shaab

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Japan’s National Security Advisor Masataka Okano in Tokyo, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

NEW: White house aims for Russia-Ukraine truce agreement by April 20.

Source: Bloomberg

Saab urges Nordic neighbours to use spy plane touting its ‘unique capability’

Saab urges Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden to adopt its GlobalEye aircraft for joint patrols, citing concerns over reliance on US defense support. With NATO expansion and rising military spending post-Ukraine invasion, Saab aims to strengthen Nordic air surveillance.

CEO Micael Johansson sees a "natural step in NATO cooperation" as European defense contractors seek to reduce US dependency.

Source: FT

Zelensky:

This week, more than 1,580 guided aerial bombs, almost 1,100 strike drones and 15 missiles of various types were used against our people. All this weaponry contains at least 102,000 foreign components.

Kremlin:

If necessary, Putin and Trump can also communicate via video link: such a line continues to exist and can be put into operation immediately.