NATO raises Swedish flag as Nordic nation takes ‘rightful place’ in alliance

NATO raises Swedish flag as Nordic nation takes ‘rightful place’ in alliance
NATO raises Swedish flag as Nordic nation takes ‘rightful place’ in alliance

Sweden brings to the alliance high-tech, high north fighting capabilities, but says it won’t host nuclear weapons as part of NATO’s deterrence strategy.

UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine

UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine
UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine

A total of $128 million from the latest drone package will be spent on maritime capabilities so Ukraine can “turn the tide” against Russia in the Black Sea, said the UK Ministry of Defence.

‘Political decisions’: Saab CEO says NATO rushed E-3 replacement decision in favor of E-7 Wedgetail

‘Political decisions’: Saab CEO says NATO rushed E-3 replacement decision in favor of E-7 Wedgetail
‘Political decisions’: Saab CEO says NATO rushed E-3 replacement decision in favor of E-7 Wedgetail

“We were asked to put in our offer and then they [the NATO Support and Procurement Agency] didn’t really go into discussion with us, because they had already decided they had to go and buy Wedgetail,” Micael Johansson, CEO at Saab told Breaking Defense.

EXCLUSIVE: F-35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb

EXCLUSIVE: F-35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb
EXCLUSIVE: F-35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb

The designation marks the first time that a stealth fighter can carry a nuclear weapon, in this case the B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bomb.

In-house rivalry: Boxer, VBCI armored vehicles compete for Qatari attention at DIMDEX

In-house rivalry: Boxer, VBCI armored vehicles compete for Qatari attention at DIMDEX
In-house rivalry: Boxer, VBCI armored vehicles compete for Qatari attention at DIMDEX

Qatar indicated it was going with France’s VBCI back in 2017, but as no final order has been signed, competition with fellow KNDS-produced vehicle Boxer is alive and well.

Sweden officially joins NATO as 32nd alliance member

Sweden officially joins NATO as 32nd alliance member
Sweden officially joins NATO as 32nd alliance member

The formal membership comes less than two years after Sweden first applied, after years of military neutrality.

UK drone test squadron fails to register a single test since forming in 2020: Procurement minister

UK drone test squadron fails to register a single test since forming in 2020: Procurement minister
UK drone test squadron fails to register a single test since forming in 2020: Procurement minister

“Since the formation of 216 Squadron in 2020 there have been no completed tests or trials conducted either in-house or with industry,” said James Cartlidge, UK minister for defence procurement.

European Commission’s first industrial strategy aims to break US dependence, deter Russia

European Commission’s first industrial strategy aims to break US dependence, deter Russia
European Commission’s first industrial strategy aims to break US dependence, deter Russia

The strategy may include strong language about guarding against the threat from Moscow, but it also acknowledges a long — and pricey — road ahead for Europe’s defense industry.

Poland signs $2.5B air defense battle system deal, plans new fleet of light recon vehicles

Poland signs $2.5B air defense battle system deal, plans new fleet of light recon vehicles
Poland signs $2.5B air defense battle system deal, plans new fleet of light recon vehicles

Warsaw continues its defense spending spree in back-to-back signings.

What about Taurus missiles for Ukraine? The 1 question Germany’s chancellor hears on repeat

What about Taurus missiles for Ukraine? The 1 question Germany’s chancellor hears on repeat
What about Taurus missiles for Ukraine? The 1 question Germany’s chancellor hears on repeat

“There’s no technical argument why you would need German soldiers” for Ukraine to operate Taurus missiles, analyst Fabian Hoffmann said. “It’s simply because the chancellor doesn’t want to give up final targeting authority.”

US Navy inks $3.4B deal for 17 P-8s for Canada, Germany

US Navy inks $3.4B deal for 17 P-8s for Canada, Germany
US Navy inks $3.4B deal for 17 P-8s for Canada, Germany

The deal will see 14 new planes go to Canada and three to Germany.

Brute force: Russia ‘doubled down’ on often-crude disinformation in 2023, says report

Brute force: Russia ‘doubled down’ on often-crude disinformation in 2023, says report
Brute force: Russia ‘doubled down’ on often-crude disinformation in 2023, says report

With official outlets like RT and Sputnik kicked out of many Western countries, Moscow now emphasizes social media — exploiting TikTok, X, and the explosion in generative AI, according to a new report.

Ukraine asks Australia for tanks, transport vehicles, new authorities

Ukraine asks Australia for tanks, transport vehicles, new authorities
Ukraine asks Australia for tanks, transport vehicles, new authorities

“From my last two years of work advocating for more military aid for Ukraine, it is evident that the biggest hand brake is hesitancy in the Department of Defense,” Kateryna Argyrou, co-chair of the main Ukrainian NGO in Australia, said.

UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date

UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date
UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date

The ITN phase is expected to deliver, for the first time, a full breakdown of requirements and costs for industry for the estimated $1.3 billion program.