MS DAILY BRIEF – MAY 17 th, 2025
Some information is presented when possible from several sources
Contents
Israel launches major offensive in Gaza after air strikes kill over 100 people. 1
Russia and Ukraine agree prisoner swap, but peace talks fail to make progress. 4
Australian government ‘appalled’ by Russia’s ‘sham trial’ of Oliver Jenkins, captured in Ukraine 8
Geopolitical poker week in Ukraine ends with no end in sight 10
India blocks Chinese state media X accounts to cover Kashmir crisis. 17
Pakistan’s use of J-10C aircraft and missiles exposes potential of Chinese weaponry. 18
Indian Navy accused of forcing 40 migrants to throw themselves overboard – 16 May 2025 23
China’s ‘invasion barge’ breakwaters can receive five Ro/ROs simultaneously – 15 May 2025 24
UK renews over $1.3bn Royal Navy maritime outsourcing contract – 15 May 2025. 25
Ukraine: Grain exports from Odessa ports surpass pre-war levels – 14 May 2025. 26
Red Cat enters USV business with partnership to build Ukrainian MAGURA – 16 May 2025 28
Kongsberg and Naval Group sign comprehensive partnership agreement – 15 June 2025. 30
Activation of scalable UAV operations – 15 May 2025. 31
Trump wants a twin-engine F-35. Experts say ‘not feasible’ – 15 May 2025. 33
Twin-engined F-35 called F-55: Trump’s fantasy or a real modernisation plan – 16 May 2025 35
Iran’s air defences around nuclear site more ‘fragile’ than expected: exclusive analysis. 37
Egypt’s relationship with China gets ready to take off. 38
US LNG exporters promote new projects despite trade war uncertainty – 16 May 2025. 40
Egypt is in talks to buy LNG by 2030 to make up for low production – 16 May 2025. 41
How Pakistan fares as top Chinese arms buyer in clashes with India – 16 May 2025. 42
Why anti-submarine warfare in the Pacific should be distributed and autonomous. 42
Denmark to send unmanned vessels to monitor busy sea routes. 44
Russia plans to build over 1,600 ships by 2036 in massive fleet expansion – 16 May 2025. 45
Intelligence firm confirms GPS spoofing responsible for MSC Antonia grounding – 16 May 2025 46