Poland and Slovakia have signed a letter of intent to jointly produce ammunition and collaborate on armored vehicle, tank, and air defense procurement. The agreement, announced Tuesday in Warsaw, aims to enhance defense cooperation between the two nations. Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kaliňák stated that Slovakia is considering BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90120 and KNDS’ Leopard 2A8 tanks for its next-generation fleet. The deal underscores Central Europe’s growing focus on military modernization and regional defense partnerships. Poland and Slovakia seek to boost production capabilities and strengthen NATO’s eastern flank. Original news
Year: 2025
EU Pushes for UK Nuclear Umbrella Amid Fears of U.S. Security Shift
EU governments are urging Britain to extend its nuclear deterrence to Europe, fearing a reduced U.S. security commitment under Donald Trump. Friedrich Merz, expected to become Germany’s next chancellor, is negotiating a €200 billion emergency defense fund with the Social Democrats. A European diplomat stressed that Britain and France must lead European security discussions, as they are the continent’s only nuclear powers. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski echoed the sentiment, stating that Europe’s defense is unimaginable without the UK. The push reflects growing European efforts to strengthen defense capabilities amid global uncertainty. Original news
Kongsberg’s Hugin Superior Passes U.S. Navy Testing for Autonomous Underwater Operations
Kongsberg Discovery’s Hugin Superior autonomous underwater vehicle has successfully completed acceptance testing for the Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Navy. The final tests took place in Norway in early 2025, following a 24-month contract awarded to Kongsberg for Large Diameter Unmanned Underwater Vehicles. Richard Patterson, Kongsberg’s vice president of sales, highlighted the company’s enthusiasm for expanding collaboration with the U.S. Navy. The Hugin Superior, operational since 2019, specializes in subsea warfare and infrastructure inspection, offering over 70 hours of endurance per charge. The successful trials reinforce Kongsberg’s role in advancing autonomous maritime defense technology. Original news
Sweden Sends $113 Million Air Defense Package to Ukraine Amid Escalating Attacks
Sweden will provide Ukraine with a $113 million air defense package as Russian missile and drone attacks intensify. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, along with Deputy PM Ebba Busch and Minister of Education Johan Persson, announced the aid, which includes Robot 70 (RBS 70) and Tridon Mk2 air defense systems. The Tridon Mk2, produced by BAE Systems, is designed to counter drones, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Sweden will also supply additional air defense missiles and man-portable weapons already in use by Ukrainian forces. This follows Sweden’s $1.2 billion military aid pledge on Jan. 30, bringing its total support for Ukraine to […]
Ukraine Secures Over $10 Billion in Aid on Third Anniversary of Russian Invasion
On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine received over $10 billion in aid from European, Nordic, Spanish, and Canadian sources. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a €1 billion military aid package as part of a 10-year agreement with Ukraine. The European Union will provide €3.5 billion in March, while Canada pledged $5 billion from Russia’s frozen assets along with 25 LAVIII infantry vehicles, artillery shells, and F-16 flight simulators. Meanwhile, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand imposed new sanctions on Russia, targeting its military and energy sectors. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the G7 to take […]
Rheinmetall Converts Berlin and Neuss Factories for Defense Amid Rising Military Spending
Rheinmetall plans to repurpose two automotive plants in Berlin and Neuss for defense production, responding to increased European military investment. The factories, which currently produce automotive parts, will shift to Rheinmetall’s Weapon and Ammunition division, though some automotive operations will continue. The company emphasized that no explosives would be processed, focusing instead on protection and mechanical components for military use. The decision follows pressure for higher NATO defense spending, particularly after former U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for increased contributions. Rheinmetall’s market value has nearly doubled since Trump’s election, reaching approximately €39 billion, amid growing demand for European defense capabilities. […]
Eutelsat Conducts World’s First 5G Satellite Trial, Shares Surge 9%
Eutelsat successfully completed the world’s first 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) trial using OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, boosting its shares by 9% on Monday. The trial is part of the European Commission’s IRIS² program, which aims to expand global internet access through satellite investments. The initiative will deploy 270 LEO satellites and 18 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, with full operation expected by 2030. The test involved equipment from Airbus, MediaTek, Sharp, and Rohde & Schwarz, demonstrating potential cost reductions in satellite broadband for 5G devices. The breakthrough underscores Europe’s push for independent satellite connectivity and global 5G expansion. […]
India Launches $57.7 Million Fund to Boost Space Industry Growth
The Indian government has introduced a ₹5 billion ($57.7 million) Technology Adoption Fund to accelerate the commercialization of its space sector. Managed by IN-SPACe, the fund will cover 60% of mission costs for startups and 40% for larger companies, along with providing technical support. IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka outlined four focus areas: small satellite launches, satellite manufacturing, ground stations, and data services. The initiative aligns with India’s goal of capturing 8% of the global space market and building a $44 billion space economy by 2033. The move highlights India’s push to become a major player in the commercial space industry. […]
Italy Deploys SAMP/T Air-Defense System to Lithuania for NATO Exercise
Italy has deployed a SAMP/T air-defense system to Lithuania for a joint military exercise with the Lithuanian Air Force from February 10 to 20, 2025. The deployment is part of NATO’s Rotational Air Defence Model in the Baltic states, as confirmed by the Italian and Lithuanian defense ministries. Lithuanian Vice-Minister for National Defence Tomas Godliauskas emphasized that the model, approved at the 2023 Vilnius NATO summit, is strengthening air defense and deterrence across the alliance. The exercise features Lithuanian NASAMS systems, Italian and French fighter jets from NATO’s Baltic air policing mission, and the Lithuanian air operations center. The drills […]
Airbus CEO Pushes for Space Merger with Thales and Leonardo
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury expressed interest in forming a European space alliance with Thales and Leonardo, similar to the MBDA missile consortium. Speaking during an earnings call, he urged EU antitrust regulators to adopt a more flexible approach to enable the merger. Faury emphasized that Europe has strong space technology, but greater scale is needed to stay competitive. He also noted the growing demand for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, where U.S. and Chinese companies dominate the market. The proposal reflects Europe’s push to strengthen its space industry amid rising global competition. Original news
Poland, Finland, and Baltics Strengthen Defenses Amid Rising Russia Concerns
European nations, including Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States, are ramping up their defense systems in response to perceived threats from Russia. Poland is investing €2.5 billion in border defenses, including a missile defense system modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the importance of the initiative, calling for a European missile defense shield. Meanwhile, Germany has spent €30-40 billion on F-35A fighters and over €60 billion on ammunition and missiles since 2022, while the UK is reviewing its military strategy amid equipment cuts. The growing investments highlight Europe’s urgency in strengthening its defenses against evolving […]
Reusable Rocket Recovery Causes Congestion at Port Canaveral
The growing use of reusable rockets is causing congestion at Port Canaveral, as space companies park vessels alongside cruise ships for extended periods. Canaveral Port Authority CEO John Murray raised concerns at the National Space Club meeting, citing a lack of space for prolonged stays. SpaceX, Blue Origin, and ULA are among the key contributors, with SpaceX recovering 69 boosters and 165 fairings in 2024. Murray warned that congestion could worsen as at least 10 more space companies plan to use the port this year. The rising demand for rocket recovery and storage highlights the challenges of supporting commercial spaceflight […]
Leonardo Expands Production as European Defense Orders Surge
Italian defense giant Leonardo is preparing to boost production through joint ventures and industrial alliances amid rising European military spending. The company reported an 11% revenue increase in 2024, reaching €17.76 billion, driven by higher defense orders and cost-cutting measures. CEO Roberto Cingolani emphasized the need for expanded production to meet growing demand. Leonardo’s Defense Electronics and Security division led the year with €10.33 billion in orders, while the company is exploring alliances and acquisitions for its Aerostructures division. The strong performance positions Leonardo for further expansion in the European defense market. Original news
U.S. Approves Romania’s $84 Million Purchase of Boeing Small Diameter Bombs
Romania has secured U.S. approval for a potential $84 million deal to acquire Boeing GBU-39B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-I). The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on February 18 that the purchase could include up to 400 precision-guided munitions and related equipment. Romania’s air force currently operates nearly 30 F-16A/B fighters, enhancing its strike capabilities with these advanced weapons. Additionally, Bucharest confirmed plans in November 2024 to acquire 32 F-35A stealth fighters, further modernizing its fleet. The deal reflects Romania’s ongoing military modernization and strengthened defense ties with the U.S. Original news
U.S. Losing Leadership in Space-Based Navigation, Expert Warns
Former Pentagon space policy official Marc J. Berkowitz warns that the U.S. has lost its leadership in space-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), affecting both critical infrastructure and military operations. The aging GPS constellation remains vulnerable to jamming and spoofing, posing security risks. Berkowitz stresses the urgent need to deploy GPS IIIF satellites, which feature enhanced encryption and anti-jam capabilities. While the U.S. Space Force’s Resilient-GPS program aims to strengthen navigation with smaller satellites, Berkowitz argues it may not fully counter cyber and electronic warfare threats. The analysis underscores growing concerns over U.S. space security and military readiness. Original news