IRIA News

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  Comments Off on Russia and Belarus hold joint nuclear drills amid rising tensions in Ukraine war 0

  Russia and Belarus hold joint nuclear drills amid rising tensions in Ukraine war

  Europe, News May 22, 2026 , by IRIA

  Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, on May 21, 2026, jointly oversaw large-scale nuclear forces exercises involving both countries, marking the first time the two leaders directly participated together in such drills through a live video conference.
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  Comments Off on Italy signs $1.6 billion deal with Airbus to buy six A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft 0

  Italy signs $1.6 billion deal with Airbus to buy six A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft

  Europe, News May 21, 2026 , by IRIA

  Italy has signed a $1.6 billion agreement with Airbus to acquire six A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, marking a major shift away from Boeing tanker systems after more than a decade of service.
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  Comments Off on China and Russia sign 40 agreements during Xi-Putin summit in Beijing 0

  China and Russia sign 40 agreements during Xi-Putin summit in Beijing

  Asia-Pacific, Europe, News May 21, 2026 , by IRIA

  Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed around 40 cooperation agreements in Beijing on May 20, 2026, following high-level talks focused on trade, energy, security, and global politics.
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  Comments Off on NATO jet shoots down stray Ukrainian drone over Estonia 0

  NATO jet shoots down stray Ukrainian drone over Estonia

  Europe, News May 20, 2026 , by IRIA

  A NATO fighter jet shot down what officials believe was a stray Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia on May 19, 2026, marking the first known case of a NATO aircraft intercepting a Ukrainian drone over the territory of a member state.
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  Comments Off on Pentagon awards $500 million counter-drone contract to Perennial Autonomy 0

  Pentagon awards $500 million counter-drone contract to Perennial Autonomy

  News, US May 20, 2026 , by IRIA

  The Pentagon has awarded California-based defense startup Perennial Autonomy a contract worth up to $500 million to accelerate the deployment of counter-drone systems across the U.S. military, reflecting growing concerns over the rising threat posed by unmanned aerial systems in modern warfare.
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  Comments Off on Pakistan deploys 8,000 troops, JF-17 jets and HQ-9 air defense systems to Saudi Arabia 0

  Pakistan deploys 8,000 troops, JF-17 jets and HQ-9 air defense systems to Saudi Arabia

  Asia-Pacific, Middle East, News May 19, 2026 , by IRIA

  Pakistan has deployed 8,000 of its troops, fighter jets, drones, and an advanced air defense system to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defense agreement between the two countries. The deployment was confirmed by multiple security and government sources familiar with the arrangement.
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  Comments Off on UK awards $1.33 billion contract for RCH 155 howitzers to replace aging AS-90 fleet 0

  UK awards $1.33 billion contract for RCH 155 howitzers to replace aging AS-90 fleet

  Europe, News May 19, 2026 , by IRIA

  The United Kingdom has awarded a nearly $1.33 billion contract for the procurement of 72 RCH 155 self-propelled howitzers, marking a major step in the modernization of the British Army’s artillery capabilities and deepening defense cooperation with Germany.
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  Comments Off on UAE reports drone strike near nuclear plant as Iran War crisis intensifies 0

  UAE reports drone strike near nuclear plant as Iran War crisis intensifies

  Middle East, News May 18, 2026 , by IRIA

  The United Arab Emirates said on May 17, 2026, that a drone strike caused a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, calling the incident a “dangerous escalation” as tensions across the Gulf continue to rise amid the ongoing Iran conflict.
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  Comments Off on USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier returns home after 326-day deployment supporting Iran War and Venezuela operations 0

  USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier returns home after 326-day deployment supporting Iran War and Venezuela operations

  News, US May 18, 2026 , by IRIA

  The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, returned to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, after an 11-month deployment that became the longest operational deployment for a U.S. carrier strike group since the Vietnam War.
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  Comments Off on US conducts joint operation with Nigeria to kill senior ISIS leader 0

  US conducts joint operation with Nigeria to kill senior ISIS leader

  Africa, News, US May 17, 2026 , by IRIA

  The United States and Nigeria said their forces killed Abu-Bilal Al Minuki on May 16, 2026, during a joint military operation. The senior Islamic State (IS) leader described by U.S. President Donald Trump as the “second in command of ISIS globally” and “the most active terrorist in the world.”

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