Germany and the UK have signed a new bilateral defense agreement to jointly develop deep-strike weapons, naval uncrewed aerial systems, and drones that may fly alongside fighter jets. The Trinity House Agreement, described as a “first-of-its-kind” defense pact, was signed in London by German defense minister Boris Pistorius and UK defense secretary John Healey. This deal builds on a joint declaration from July and marks a significant shift in UK-Germany defense relations, aimed at bolstering European security amid growing threats from Russia. The two countries will collaborate on developing maritime UAS capabilities and drone platforms, similar to the US Air […]
Category: Germany
UK, Sweden Join European Ground-Launched Cruise Missile Effort
Sweden has officially joined the European Long Range Strike Approach (ELSA) initiative, formalizing its participation with a letter of intent signed by Defense Minister Pål Jonson. The decision was announced after a NATO defense ministers’ meeting, with Jonson emphasizing the importance of long-range strike capabilities highlighted by the war in Ukraine. The ELSA initiative, launched in June 2024 by France, Germany, and Poland, aims to develop a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers. European defense company MBDA is expected to lead the missile’s development if the project moves forward. The United Kingdom also recently joined […]
European next-generation rotorcraft programme moves closer to reality through new MoU
Launched in 2020, the NATO-managed Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) program aims to replace medium multi-role helicopters reaching the end of their life cycle by 2035. Five European nations—France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK—signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the program, with concept design work expected to start in 2026. The countries aim to select a single replacement solution by 2027, targeting development by 2030. In 2024, NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) awarded contracts to Airbus, Leonardo, and Sikorsky for integrated platform concept studies, with final reports due in October 2025. The NGRC will replace […]
In ‘war of industrial capacity,’ West shouldn’t go 1-to-1 on ammo with Russia: Nammo CEO
A leading European ammunition manufacturer, Nammo, suggests that competing with Russian artillery production by quantity is futile, emphasizing the importance of quality through advanced technology such as precision and longer-range capabilities. Nammo CEO Morten Brandtzaeg highlighted that Europe and the US produce 1.2 million shells annually, far below Russia’s three million, but stressed Europe’s focus on increasing production capacity with government support. Countries like Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Germany have taken significant steps in bolstering local industry through subsidies. The European Union’s Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), pledging €500 million, aims to help Europe meet a production target […]
Italy’s Leonardo (LDOF.MI) and Germany’s Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) launched a joint venture on to develop and manufacture military combat vehicles
Italy’s Leonardo and Germany’s Rheinmetall have launched a 50:50 joint venture, named Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV), to develop and manufacture military combat vehicles. This partnership is seen as a significant step toward European defense sector consolidation, especially within the framework of the Atlantic Alliance. The venture will focus on developing Italy’s new main battle tank (MBT) and the Lynx platform for the Armoured Infantry Combat System (AICS), with first deliveries expected by 2025. It is projected to benefit from €24 billion in Italian government orders for 1,500 vehicles by 2040, with operations primarily based in Italy. The JV also […]
NATO Pilots Compare Eurofighter, F-35 In First Dogfight Competition
NATO fighter pilots from Germany and the U.S. recently participated in a dogfighting competition at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, featuring a Eurofighter Typhoon and an F-35A. German 1st Lt. Alexander Grant piloted the Eurofighter, while American Capt. Patrick Pearce flew the F-35A. Despite the F-35’s advanced stealth, Grant’s Eurofighter outmaneuvered the F-35, securing a simulated gun kill from behind. Pearce acknowledged the Eurofighter’s agility but emphasized that the F-35’s strength lies in long-range, beyond-visual-range combat. The event included over 30 jets from nine NATO nations. Original news
Rheinmetall receives order from NATO country for mortar shells
Rheinmetall has secured a new order worth tens of millions of euros from a NATO country for a six-digit quantity of mortar shells, with deliveries set between July 2025 and July 2026. The mortar shells will be produced by Rheinmetall Expal Munitions in Spain, accompanied by additional services for the product launch. This follows previous orders from Switzerland, Spain, and a significant 100,000-round order for Ukraine in 2022. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Rheinmetall has received billions in orders for artillery and mortar ammunition as NATO countries replenish their stockpiles and support Ukraine. The company recently announced an order from […]
Finland signs for more armoured personnel carriers
Finland’s Defence Forces Logistics Command (DFLC) signed an agreement to acquire 29 additional Patria 6×6 Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) armoured personnel carriers (APCs). This follows an earlier 2023 agreement for 91 APCs, with all remaining purchase options now exercised. The vehicles will be delivered by the end of 2025 as part of the international CAVS joint programme involving Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Germany. The CAVS programme began in 2020, and deliveries to participating countries have been ongoing. Other recent developments include Sweden’s order for 321 CAVS vehicles and Latvia’s receipt of its first CAVS vehicles. Original news