SOFREP Daily: UK Raises Military Spending as Starmer Prepares for Trump Talks, China Conducts Live-Fire Drills as Taiwan Mobilizes Forces

Midweek check-in: It’s Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Here’s your must-read briefing on defense and global affairs.

SpaceX Deploys Starlink to Upgrade US Air Traffic System

SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is working to deploy Starlink satellite terminals to upgrade the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) air traffic control network, potentially affecting Verizon’s existing $2 billion contract for the project.

Musk recently approved a shipment of 4,000 Starlink terminals, with one already installed at an FAA testing facility in Atlantic City.

The FAA confirmed testing Starlink at select sites, including remote locations in Alaska, where it could enhance weather data connectivity.

However, concerns about conflicts of interest arise due to Musk’s growing influence in federal agencies, including the FAA, which also regulates SpaceX launches.

A NEW MEMO from the acting head of the FAA says Special Government Employees from Elon Musk’s SpaceX have been deployed to “engineer solutions” to agency “challenges.”

The move comes less than a week since the Trump Administration fired hundreds of FAA probationary employees. pic.twitter.com/sZvZxAYFsu

— Pete Muntean (@petemuntean) February 19, 2025

Verizon, which is contracted to maintain and upgrade the FAA’s infrastructure, defended its role, while Musk criticized its performance, claiming it puts air travelers at risk.

The initiative follows increased scrutiny of the FAA’s outdated airspace system after a deadly January collision, further fueling discussions about modernizing air traffic control.

UK Raises Military Spending as Starmer Prepares for Trump Talks

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, citing the need for strength in response to threats like Russia.

This move comes ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump, who has pushed European allies to contribute more to their own security.

Starmer’s commitment, which he hopes to eventually raise to 3%, positions the UK as a stronger NATO leader and could help secure US guarantees for European peacekeepers in Ukraine.

“This government will begin the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War”

PM Keir Starmer announces the UK will raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027

Follow live https://t.co/wkfLLt4zUU pic.twitter.com/XFdBvcSX1H

— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) February 25, 2025

However, the spending hike will be funded by cutting overseas aid, a move that aid agencies strongly condemned as “short-sighted.”

Starmer will also host European leaders this weekend to discuss security strategies, while balancing support for Ukraine with maintaining ties to Trump, who has begun talks with Moscow over ending the war.

The announcement signals a major shift in UK defense policy, marking the largest sustained military spending increase since the Cold War.

China Conducts Live-Fire Drills as Taiwan Mobilizes Forces

Taiwan deployed military forces in response to China’s large-scale combat drills and live-fire exercises near its southern coast, calling the actions a serious threat to regional stability.

The Chinese military sent 32 aircraft and unilaterally designated a drill zone just 40 nautical miles from Taiwan’s shores, prompting condemnation from Taipei’s defense ministry.

The drills come amid heightened tensions, following Taiwan’s seizure of a Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of damaging undersea telecom cables.

BREAKING: Taiwan’s defense ministry says China has designated a zone for live-fire exercises roughly 75 kilometers off the coast of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan. These are unannounced exercises in international waters. #breakingnews #taiwannews #china #taiwan pic.twitter.com/0DHgp4pnEr

— TaiwanPlus News (@taiwanplusnews) February 26, 2025

Taiwan fears China could sever its communication links as part of a broader strategy to blockade or take control of the island.

China’s growing military presence in the region raises concerns about a potential conflict involving the United States, Taiwan’s key military supplier. While Washington is committed to arming Taiwan, its response to a direct attack remains uncertain.

Taiwan’s newly elected president, Lai Ching-te, has pledged to strengthen military spending and boost trade with the US to solidify ties amid rising threats from Beijing.

Russia Strengthens Defense Ties as Shoigu Meets Indonesian Leaders

Russian security official Sergei Shoigu met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Jakarta to strengthen defense ties between the two nations.

Indonesia, which maintains a neutral stance on global conflicts, has been deepening its security partnership with Russia, including joint naval drills and potential military cooperation.

🇮🇩🇷🇺 Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu met with Indonesian President, Defence Minister, Military Commander, and other officials in Jakarta

The agreed to strengthen Jakarta-Moscow defence ties

📸TNI / MoD pic.twitter.com/N2OXI2hFzr

— JATOSINT (@Jatosint) February 26, 2025

The visit marks another step in Prabowo’s effort to expand Indonesia’s global influence, following his meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow last year. While major arms imports from Russia have slowed due to Western sanctions, Indonesia has continued discussions on a $1.1 billion fighter jet deal despite potential US backlash.

Both countries emphasized their commitment to a strategic partnership in security and defense.

Israel Strikes Syrian Military Sites After Netanyahu’s Warning

Israel carried out airstrikes on military sites in southern Syria, targeting weapons stockpiles and command centers.

The attacks came just days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded the complete demilitarization of the region, citing security threats.

At least two people were killed in the strikes, which hit sites near Damascus and Daraa, including a strategic hilltop overlooking the Golan Heights.

⚡️🇮🇱🇸🇾BREAKING:

Israel is currently conducting a wide scale attack against Syria.

Israeli forces launched five airstrikes on the Al-Kiswah area, south of the Syrian capital, Damascus. Simultaneously, Israeli military vehicles and armored units entered the northern countryside… pic.twitter.com/AVPi7TglZs

— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) February 25, 2025

The strikes follow Syria’s recent political upheaval, where Islamist-led forces toppled President Bashar al-Assad.

Netanyahu warned that Israel would not tolerate the presence of these forces near its border and stated that Israeli troops would remain in the UN-patrolled buffer zone for an indefinite period.

Syria’s new government and its allies condemned Israel’s actions as violations of sovereignty and called for international intervention. However, Israel has long conducted airstrikes in Syria to prevent military assets from falling into hostile hands.

Gangs Terrorize Haiti, Forcing Thousands to Flee

Haiti is experiencing a surge in extreme violence, with gangs controlling much of the capital and forcing thousands to flee.

A UN-led coalition has condemned the brutality, citing entire families being massacred and homes set on fire.

Despite the arrival of a Kenya-led multinational security mission (MSS), the situation remains dire, with fresh attacks and civilian casualties continuing.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Armed gangs launched a fresh attack on Haiti’s capital before dawn. The violence reportedly left several people dead in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood of Delmas 30 https://t.co/nik4Q8FADE pic.twitter.com/6dxZoSHCaL

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 26, 2025

The crisis intensified last year when gangs launched coordinated assaults to oust then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry. His successor, Alix Didier Fils-Aime, has vowed to fight back, declaring Haiti “at war” with the gangs.

However, the security mission has fewer troops than expected, and the UN has called for more international support, launching a $900 million aid appeal.

Haiti’s humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with thousands displaced and rising reports of kidnappings and gender-based violence.

Somali Forces Kill Dozens of Al-Shabaab Fighters in Major Assault

Somali forces, in coordination with local militias, killed more than 70 Al-Shabaab fighters in a large-scale military operation in Hirshabelle state, according to the country’s information ministry.

The operation, which also resulted in the destruction of combat vehicles and the seizure of weapons, was launched in response to recent Al-Shabaab attacks in the region.

#Somalia 🇸🇴: Al-Shabaab (part of #AlQaeda) militants took control of the #ElAliAhmed in Middle Shabelle and raided Somali Forces bases.

Militants were seemingly armed with numerous common #China-made 🇨🇳 Type 56-1 (Underfolder) and Type 56-2 (Side-folder) assault rifles . pic.twitter.com/2bViwKxsfp

— War Noir (@war_noir) February 25, 2025

Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group, has been waging an insurgency against Somalia’s federal government for over 15 years. While they were expelled from Mogadishu in 2011, they continue to control rural areas and carry out deadly attacks.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed a “total” war against the group, with support from African Union forces and US airstrikes.

Sources: Bloomberg, News Agencies