Linus Höller
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Linus Höller
@linus-at.bsky.social
67 followers 83 following 98 posts
Europe correspondent & OSINT Investigator @defense_news | from 🇦🇹🇪🇺
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linus-at.bsky.social
Europe's last road through Russia has closed for good. I went to the far-flung reaches of the continent to see for myself what things are like at the frontier between NATO and Russia. I'm proud of the reportage I produced. Read it here:
www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
In Estonia, Europe’s last road through Russia has closed for good
Across the snowy and muddy forests of eastern Estonia, NATO and Russia are locked in a staring match.
www.defensenews.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:38 AM
linus-at.bsky.social
Germany's parliament passed a new conscription plan today, which seeks to bring the number of soldiers available to almost half a million in ten years. Fitness screening will be mandatory, military service voluntary - for now.

Read my story:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
German parliament approves conscription scheme to boost the Bundeswehr
“If that is not enough, we will have no choice but to introduce partial conscription,” said German defense minister Boris Pistorius.
www.defensenews.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:05 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Germany approved another €2.5 billion in defense procurements yesterday, including stealthy missiles and a drone AI system. It brings the total buys up to $40 billion this year alone.

Read my story:
www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
New projects bring German 2025 military-equipment spending near $40bn
The Dec. 3 approval includes an expansion of the Bundeswehr’s G95 assault rifle order, additional Joint Strike Missile purchases and new AI systems.
www.defensenews.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:40 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Today is the day that Germany is activating its Arrow 3 ballistic missile shield. Read my latest story here:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Germany to activate Arrow 3 missile shield this week
This event, as reported by German media, will mark the first deployment of Arrow 3 outside of Israel.
www.defensenews.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:03 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
European defense bosses met in Berlin today as the continent gears up its fight against hybrid warfare - and continues to step up its support for Ukraine. Read my story here:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
EU nations boost drone defense, pledge more US weapons for Ukraine
Among the planned moves by the so-called Group of Five is the deployment of counter-drone forces to Finland and Belgium.
www.defensenews.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Von der Leyen wants her own intelligence office. A battle about competences seems almost predestined. Read my latest story:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
The European Union wants its own intelligence branch
Intelligence sharing has long been a touchy subject given the differing political allegiances across the bloc.
www.defensenews.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:10 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Germany received its first of up to 12 submarine-hunting planes. They will spend a lot of time outside Germany, patrolling the North Atlantic for Russian submarines. Read my story here: www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
New German sub-hunting plane to operate out of Norway, Iceland
The aircraft will serve to ensure no Russian submarines are able to enter the open Atlantic undetected, German officials said.
www.defensenews.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
The German military has deployed to Belgium on short notice to defend the county against what seem to be Russian drones. I've asked the minister about it today. Read my story:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
German Luftwaffe dispatches drone-defense experts to help Belgium
Brussels had requested assistance from Germany following a “significant increase” in sightings of unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles.
www.defensenews.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Germany is developing a small missile to fit onto its Skyranger vehicles, meant to down drones lighter than 150 kg. It's the first time the country will have this capability. Read my story here:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Germany moves to field a miniature anti-drone missile
The Small Anti-Drone Missile will be fitted onto Rheinmetall-made Skyranger 30 air-defense equipment, extending that system's reach to 6 kilometers.
www.defensenews.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:20 AM
linus-at.bsky.social
Last week, my story about a Russian cargo plane to Venezuela blew up online. Now, I have a sequel for you. Since then, the plane has visited Cuba and Nicaragua - and turns out, it's the second time in the last 90 days the Ilyushin is in LatAm.

www.defensenews.com/global/the-a...
After Caracas stop, mysterious Russian plane flew to Cuba, Nicaragua
The recent trip to Latin America comes amid high tensions between Washington and Caracas, as the Pentagon positions military assets near Venezuela.
www.defensenews.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:09 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Russia has introduced a mandatory "dronification" score for its provinces, which will rank how they perform in Moscow's quest to develop a large-scale drone industry.

Read my latest story here:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Russia starts grading its provinces on drone production, training
Starting next year, participating in the scoring will be mandatory for all of Russia’s constituent parts.
www.defensenews.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Kaliningrad under tight surveillance this morning (just to be clear, this isn't anything unusual for the past few years), with at least two U.S. Air Force electronic intelligence aircraft around the Russian exclave
November 2, 2025 at 11:59 AM
linus-at.bsky.social
This plane was gifted to the Cuban Communist Party by Venezuela and is used to transport important Cuban officials. It is currently landing in Caracas, coming straight from Havana. Likely with a VIP on board, amid the ongoing tensions w. US
October 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Looks like a Belarusian special missions plane is currently flying over Ukrainian airspace, after taking off from Minsk and flying into Russia. Puzzling and very fascinating.
October 31, 2025 at 9:31 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Berlin airport appears closed with flights diverting to Hamburg, Amsterdam and elsewhere. A friend on one of the flights told me it was because drones were sighted.

#breaking
October 31, 2025 at 9:10 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Germany and the UK will receive a new generation of self-propelled bridges/ferry vehicles for their joint battalion based in northwestern Germany. Read my latest story here:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Germany, UK tap GDELS to build new floating bridges for frontline ops
Dubbed Schwimmschnellbrücke 2 in German, the vehicles will be constructed by General Dynamics European Land Systems.
www.defensenews.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:06 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Up to 5,000 Cubans may be fighting on Russia's side in the war in Ukraine, intelligence agencies say. Kyiv has closed its embassy in Havana in response to Cuba's support of Moscow.

Read my story here:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Ukraine closes Havana embassy over Cuban fighter pipeline for Russia
The move comes weeks after Russia and Cuba signed a military cooperation agreement and the U.S. said as many as 5,000 Cubans may be on the frontlines.
www.defensenews.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Germany is one of few countries that has a working laser weapon. Now, it's been handed off to the military for final testing - it might be fully in service by 2029.

Read my story here:
www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Rheinmetall, MBDA tout German shipborne laser gun for zapping drones
The system demonstrated what Rheinmetall described as a first for Europe: successful target engagement “in front of blue sky."
www.defensenews.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Looks like Russia is taking a keen interest in what's going on in Venezuela. A large cargo aircraft linked to the military landed in Caracas over the weekend, after stops in Mauritania, Senegal, Morocco, Algeria and Armenia. Read my quick investigation here:

www.defensenews.com/global/the-a...
Heavy Russian cargo plane lands in Caracas amid US-Venezuela tensions
The multi-stop journey is emblematic of the circuitous routes used to avoid Western airspace or possible cargo inspections in unfriendly countries.
www.defensenews.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:52 AM
linus-at.bsky.social
Germany approved 14 major military purchase projects today, including 20 new Eurofighters of the 5th generation, new vehicles and boats. Read my story here:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
German lawmakers back new Eurofighters under $8 billion spending spree
The military said that the new jets would be particularly important for electronic warfare, replacing Berlin’s aging fleet of Tornado aircraft.
www.defensenews.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:48 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
The German government wants to expand its role as a shareholder in key arms manufacturers, to lukewarm excitement from the industry. They argue self-regulation is good enough.

Read here:
www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
German arms makers lukewarm on government stakeholder push
German-French tank maker KNDS and shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems are in the crosshairs for such action.
www.defensenews.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:46 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
Germany received its first P-8A Poseidon submarine hunter plane. Read my story here:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Germany receives first P-8 sub-hunting plane amid Baltic Sea tensions
The German Navy's top officer said the planes would provide a “quantum leap” when it comes to range, sensors and duration of missions.
www.defensenews.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:38 AM
linus-at.bsky.social
Germany, France and Poland have issued a public statement calling for European military "autonomy", moving forward to the next phase of Ukraine's EU accession, and deepening European integration. Read my article here:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Germany, France, Poland push for closer EU-Ukraine defense ties
The group of three countries, known as the Weimar Triangle, supported the quick adoption of the EU’s proposed 19th sanctions package against Russia.
www.defensenews.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
linus-at.bsky.social
The EU is powering ahead with its plan to build a "drone wall" and other defenses along its Russian flank. Now, details are starting to be hammered out. Read my article here:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
EU vows haste in ‘drone wall’ plan for eastern borders
Companies offering counter-drone technology have begun jockeying for position for the envisioned project.
www.defensenews.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:47 AM
linus-at.bsky.social
Germany will invest €35 billion into space-based military technology and consider offensive capabilities in a major doctrine shift announced today. Pistorius singled out Russian and Chinese threats as key motivators. Read my story:

www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Germany unveils $40bn military-space investment, citing new threats
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said two Russian satellites were tracking spacecraft used by the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces.
www.defensenews.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM