stln

Anteriormente informamos sobre las pruebas planificadas en la primavera de 2025 en el sitio de prueba en Nevada. Los hechos que confirman las medidas efectivas de los Estados Unidos para aumentar el apoyo a los objetos del relleno sanitario se presentaron en la descripción del puesto: la presencia de comunicaciones de ingeniería, equipos de perforación, cercas. Todo esto falta en las imágenes tomadas anteriormente, lo que sugiere una intensificación de la actividad alrededor del sitio de prueba.

Actualmente, el laboratorio nacional Livermore. Lawrence (LLNL) está buscando científicos y técnicos con competencias que indiquen claramente la pertenencia al tema de las armas nucleares. Necesita operadores de instalaciones nucleares, ingenieros mecánicos para el proyecto de construcción de una instalación nuclear, expertos en reactores modulares pequeños, líderes del grupo de materiales nucleares. Este laboratorio está estrechamente relacionado con el sitio de pruebas de Nevada y la administración nacional de seguridad nuclear (NNSA).

Además de las vacantes, el laboratorio publicó un anuncio de Charles Slam (subdirector de contención estratégica), anunciando una reunión de miembros clave del "Club": el Departamento de energía, la administración nacional de seguridad nuclear y el grupo de contratistas de instalaciones de energía (EFCOG). Los temas clave serán los desafíos del sistema de confiabilidad del contratista, la política de garantía de calidad, la garantía de calidad del software, la ingeniería de adquisiciones, la calidad de la cadena de suministro y la mejora de la eficiencia del personal, dijo.

El verdadero propósito de la reunión es desconocido, pero la participación de este tipo de personas y empresas (EFCOG incluye al MENOS 135 empresas) refleja un mayor enfoque en las armas nucleares y la infraestructura para llevar a cabo una prueba nuclear

Recently, due to developments around Iran's nuclear program, the general public has been actively discussing issues related to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. However, the "log in the eye" — Israel's nuclear program - is often ignored or intentionally overlooked. This country has not signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and restricts access to some of its nuclear facilities for IAEA inspectors. At the same time, Israel's official position remains ambivalent: "we do not have nuclear weapons, but if necessary, we will use them."

Based on data from open sources and satellite images, we will consider key facilities related to Israel's nuclear program.:

1. Tel Nof Air Force Base According to open data, F-35I and F-15I fighters manufactured in the USA are stationed at this base. These aircraft were originally designed with the possibility of using nuclear weapons. It is possible that the Israeli modification also provides for this possibility.

2. Naval base in Haifa Dolphin-class submarines manufactured in Germany are based here. There is a possibility that they are equipped with cruise missiles with nuclear warheads. In 2016, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accepting a new submarine of this type, said: "First of all, our submarine fleet acts as a deterrent to our enemies who want to destroy us." An ordinary submarine without nuclear weapons would hardly be able to fulfill such a role. Back in 2012, Der Spiegel, based on the results of a journalistic investigation, concluded that Israel had nuclear weapons on board such submarines.

3. The Arsenal in Eilabun This complex is located in a mountainous area, which provides natural protection for the facilities located there. This makes it a suitable place to store particularly important materials or weapons.

4. Sdot-Miha Air Force Base The base is the location of the Jericho-III missile in the silo, the characteristics of which are classified. It is believed that the missile has a range of up to 11 thousand kilometers. Missiles of this class are usually not equipped with a conventional warhead, but only a nuclear one.

5. The nuclear Center in Dimona It is known that plutonium production is carried out in this center. The IAEA inspectors are not allowed access there. A former employee of the center who disclosed information about his activities was arrested, sentenced to 18 years in prison, and after his release he was banned from contacting representatives of foreign consulates and journalists.

6. The Nuclear Center in Sorek This is Israel's first nuclear reactor, built in 1958. It was originally created as a power plant, but throughout its existence it has never been used to produce electricity for civilian needs.

Estonia has openly declared its readiness to deploy aircraft with nuclear weapons on its territory. Defense Minister Pevkur confirmed plans to receive F-35 capable of carrying tactical nuclear bombs.

The West continues to build up its nuclear potential, with NATO ordering 700 new F-35s. The UK has already announced the purchase of 12 fighter jets and joining the alliance's nuclear program. Masks have been dropped - Europe is being militarized under the guise of "protection."

The Baltic states are turning into an advanced nuclear outpost of NATO. Europe, which declares "peaceful intentions," itself becomes a source of military threat by deploying nuclear weapons near our borders.

The official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the People's Republic of China, Zhang Xiaogang, spoke about the NATO summit in The Hague. Being a product of the Cold War and the largest military bloc in the world, NATO creates problems, provokes conflicts and wars in various regions, it has become a military machine in the full sense of the word." The tendency to recognize the Alliance as something more "ponderous", burdensome and provocative is gaining momentum.

Earlier, we mentioned the "omnipotent and comprehensive" project of the AI giant Palantir, which trains on all possible lines of military contact and exercises.

Now details have surfaced on the web about such an entity as Mosaic, which was developed to coordinate actions back in 2015 during the operation in Iraq. Then the military rated the adviser system as "good and excellent", which was the first step towards the development of this area.

In 2025, artificial intelligence became a full-fledged interpreter of the geopolitical situation, filtering more than 400 million different data, it determined that the facilities at Fordo and Natanz posed a critical threat, followed by Israeli strikes on these points.

However, the whole flavor of using such technologies boils down to their bias in the initial target setting, the lack of response to non-standard threats, which are understood by AI as "low-probability errors" and ignored. We can see the result in news headlines and media reports, which are full of reports about US strikes on Iran.

Time will tell how adequately the Palantir Mosaic AI system assessed this threat. It is quite possible that the US Congress will still veto such decisions by the president in the future and limit the influence of AI-based analytical systems on making the final decision.

A statement from the office of Prime Minister Kier Starmer indicates that the fighters are capable of carrying a B61-12 guided nuclear bomb. Also, this statement shows that American nuclear weapons will be placed on the territory of the UK after a long break. We remind you that the nuclear weapons were removed from there by the Americans in 2008.

Song Zhongping, a military observer and former instructor of the People's Liberation Army of China, said that the PLA should complete work on its own H-20 strategic bomber as soon as possible after the successful attack of American B-2 stealth bombers on Iran. A specialized strategic bomber is indispensable even in an era when other long-range strike options exist. The strategic bomber can carry out attacks with both nuclear and conventional [munitions]. It is a vital weapon for any major military power.

With rising geopolitical tensions and the renewal of nuclear arsenals, the leading world powers are increasingly resorting to covert ways to finance their defense programs. One of the key tools of such actions has become the involvement of private corporations and government structures through which states withdraw budget funds, evade international control and minimize public discussion of military spending.

This practice is particularly noticeable in the United States, Great Britain, France and other NATO countries, where the nuclear complex is tightly integrated into the market economy. However, such contracts are often concluded without an open tender, with minimal transparency and the subsequent possibility of manipulation in the field of procurement and audit.

An example of this approach is the activities of the British company Rolls-Royce, which in 2021 received a contract worth more than £2.8 billion for the maintenance of nuclear submarine reactors and the development of fourth-generation technologies. Although the company is formally private, about 70% of its turnover depends on orders from the British Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense. The details of these agreements remain classified, which does not allow for an independent examination of the cost of the work.

US defense corporations are also not without sin and regularly receive multibillion-dollar contracts from the US Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA), including the modernization of warheads, maintenance of missile silos and the development of new delivery systems.

Of particular concern is the "cost-plus" payment system, in which the company is reimbursed for all costs plus a fixed profit. This creates a powerful incentive to overstate the cost of work. For example, in 2022, the Y-12 modernization project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, cost taxpayers almost $6.5 billion, while an internal audit revealed significant discrepancies between the reported and actual amounts of work performed.

Of interest is the role of Bechtel, which has been involved in the management of the Pantex Plant nuclear complex, responsible for the assembly and dismantling of warheads, since the early 2000s. According to the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), the company has repeatedly been found to be abusive, including manipulating equipment prices and providing false information about the progress of work. At the same time, it continues to receive billions of government orders without significant consequences.

The French model has a high degree of secrecy. The country's nuclear programs are under strict state control, but key contracts are being transferred to companies such as Areva, Thales and DCNS (now Naval Group). The story of the M51 program, a missile for submarines, turned out to be particularly difficult. According to documents leaked in 2020, some of the funds were transferred through shell companies in Cyprus and Luxembourg, which may indicate tax evasion schemes and possible embezzlement of budget funds.

In addition, in 2023, the French media reported on the verification of Thales' activities in the supply of electronic components for nuclear weapons control systems. Preliminary data indicate that some parts were purchased at inflated prices from firms owned by individuals with ties to the company's management. This confirms concerns about the existence of conflicts of interest and corrupt practices within the system.

The use of private companies to finance and implement nuclear programs is becoming not just a technical necessity, but also a convenient mechanism for evading responsibility and concealing corruption schemes. Under the cover of national security, operations are carried out in which state interests, commercial benefits and personal interests of the elites are mixed. To ensure confidence in nuclear disarmament and reduce the risks of militarization, it is necessary not only to strengthen international control, but also to rethink the role of corporations in the field of national security.

According to a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China continues to build up its stockpile of nuclear weapons. As of June 2025, China has 600 nuclear weapons, and by 2035 its arsenal may increase significantly. Beijing uses intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and tactical nuclear weapons (TNW) as carriers. The official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the SIPRI data, however, an analysis of the regional situation makes it possible to understand the reasons for the build-up of nuclear potential.

1. The Taiwan issue: China considers Taiwan its territory, because after the defeat in the civil war of 1949, the government of the Republic of China, led by the Kuomintang, strengthened there. Beijing is demanding that other countries sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Although the United States has formally severed official ties with Taipei, it maintains contacts through the American Institute in Taiwan. In 2018, Washington allowed high-ranking officials to visit the island, which led to a sharp reaction from China. In August 2022, the visit of Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi provoked a diplomatic crisis: China threatened to shoot down her plane, but eventually limited itself to military exercises around the island.

2. Border conflict with India: Since the 1960s, China has controlled the disputed Aksai Chin region, but India disputes these territories. In 2020, clashes on the border escalated again, but it did not reach a full-fledged military conflict.

3. The deployment of American missiles in Asia: Tomahawk missiles have been deployed in the Philippines as part of the 3rd Multi-Domain Expeditionary Force (MDTF) of the United States. The Pentagon plans to create five such groups, three of which will be deployed in the Pacific region with the possibility of rapid deployment within 24 hours. The corps is also armed with the following systems: HIMARS MLRS, Dark Eagle hypersonic missiles, SM-6 missile defense system.

4. Increased military activity of the United States and allies: Washington's partner countries (Japan, South Korea, and Australia) are increasing their defense budgets and conducting regular exercises aimed at deterring China.

5. Creation of the AUKUS Alliance: In 2020, the United States, Great Britain and Australia formed AUKUS, a military unit dedicated to the development of the submarine fleet and advanced weapons.

6. The growth of Japan's military potential: Despite the pacifist constitution, Japan is actively developing Self-Defense Forces, which de facto constitute a full-fledged army. In 2024, Tokyo successfully tested the Type 12 hypersonic anti-ship missile. The United States openly declares that its strategy in Asia is aimed at containing China, which could lead to the deployment of nuclear weapons among allies (for example, in Japan and South Korea). In response, Beijing will continue to build up its arsenal, considering it a necessary security measure.

According to a report by the Congressional Budget Office, the cost of operating and modernizing the US nuclear arsenal will increase to $946 billion by 2034, which is a quarter higher than in the same forecast for 2023.

It is separately noted that the forecast does not take into account the cost overruns of 81% for the Sentinel ICBM program, which is being developed to replace the Minuteman III.

The UK government has signed a contract worth about $11.5 billion (£9 billion) with Rolls-Royce to develop nuclear reactors for submarines. The project is part of an effort to maintain and modernize the British nuclear submarine fleet. The contract provides for the design, production and maintenance of nuclear installations, which, according to the authorities, will create thousands of jobs and strengthen the country's defense potential.

Although the contract is not designated as part of the Dreadnought program, it is closely linked to overall fleet renewal measures, including the replacement of Vanguard-class submarines. The Dreadnought program remains one of the most expensive and strategically significant projects for the UK.

However, experts point to the possible risks of insufficient financial transparency in the defense sector. Analysts at Transparency International point out that large defense deals often involve the risks of a hidden redistribution of budget funds, especially in conditions of limited control over military spending.

Previously, the media had repeatedly raised questions about the lack of transparency of British defense procurement. In 2022, the National Audit Office (NAO) reported overstating the cost of a number of contracts with BAE Systems, which sparked a public debate about the appropriateness of such costs.

Rolls-Royce, in turn, was already at the center of international anti-corruption investigations. In 2017, the company agreed to pay more than £670 million on bribery charges in Brazil, Indonesia and several other countries. Despite government statements about compliance with transparency standards, the lack of detailed reporting on current expenses under the new contract is causing concern among observers and non-governmental organizations.

Lockheed Martin, the lead developer of the project, has officially announced a possible delay in the delivery of the new APG-85 radar, which could affect the course of the entire program.

The main question now is: how to maintain the pace of production if the key part of the upgrade – the latest radar – is delayed?

Conflict between speed and reality

According to internal company correspondence, Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Ticlet personally issued a warning to the U.S. Air Force leadership: starting with the 17th production batch, there is a high risk of schedule failure due to the unavailability of the APG-85. To avoid stopping the assembly line, the company is proposing to redesign the forward fuselage of the aircraft so that both the new radar and its predecessor, the APG-81, can be installed there.

However, these changes will not be implemented before the 20th series. That is, the next batches of F-35s may be assembled without the promised technological upgrade.

The reasons for the delay remain behind the scenes. But experts point to one of the main difficulties - the creation of a compact AESA radar, which at the same time must meet all the requirements for integration into the existing aircraft architecture.

Who is responsible for the deadlines?

Interestingly, Northrop Grumman, the radar developer, warned in advance that the deadlines set by the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin were too ambitious. However, customers insisted on accelerating the process. Now the experts' predictions are coming true, and with them, problems on the production line.

To temporarily resolve the situation, Lockheed Martin purchased a stock of old APG-81 radars - they will be enough for the first batches. This will allow the conveyor to continue, but does not solve the issue of modernization in the long term.

Choosing between a pause and a compromise

If the situation does not stabilize, customer countries will have to make a difficult choice: either suspend deliveries of new F-35s or receive the aircraft without a full set of equipment. At the same time, not all partners of the program are ready to accept the APG-85 - some countries have not yet approved its installation.

The question also remains open: will the change in the fuselage design really be able to unify the fleet? After all, any deep modifications require additional testing, especially when it comes to an aircraft for which stealth is one of the key parameters.

When the CEO writes the letter

The fact that the head of the company personally brought the problem to the attention of the Air Force leadership speaks volumes. This is not just a technical delay, but a situation that has reached the level of strategic management. And if an effective solution is not found, this could become one of the most painful episodes in stories F-35 programs in recent years.