As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite

As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite
As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite

Two international customers so far have signed on to buy Northrop’s Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite, and the company hopes more could be in the works.

European coalition bids to deliver 1 million drones to Ukraine

European coalition bids to deliver 1 million drones to Ukraine
European coalition bids to deliver 1 million drones to Ukraine

The pledge comes as a top Ukrainian military official described the criticality of drones in combat, along with other high-tech advances like software known as “Neon.”

Key decision points for Ukraine in the year ahead

Key decision points for Ukraine in the year ahead
Key decision points for Ukraine in the year ahead

Analyst Joshua Huminski asks, “What, in the end, is the balance Kyiv is willing to strike between what it wants to achieve (and at what cost) and what it actually can?”

Worldwide ‘deteriorating security landscape’ sparks record $2.2 trillion global defense spending: IISS

Worldwide ‘deteriorating security landscape’ sparks record $2.2 trillion global defense spending: IISS
Worldwide ‘deteriorating security landscape’ sparks record $2.2 trillion global defense spending: IISS

The analysis also reveals that Russia has lost over 3,000 tanks since fighting with Ukraine started in 2022, as many as Moscow held in its pre-war inventory — a trend Moscow will be unlikely to sustain for three more years.

Defense Secretary Austin no longer Europe bound, will virtually attend meeting on Ukraine

Defense Secretary Austin no longer Europe bound, will virtually attend meeting on Ukraine
Defense Secretary Austin no longer Europe bound, will virtually attend meeting on Ukraine

Austin’s medical emergency comes at a time of a new leader for Ukraine’s military, the inability of Washington to fund new weapons and former president Donald Trump inviting Russia to invade NATO territory.

Court orders Netherlands to stop export of F-35 parts to Israel in 7 days over Gaza concerns

Court orders Netherlands to stop export of F-35 parts to Israel in 7 days over Gaza concerns
Court orders Netherlands to stop export of F-35 parts to Israel in 7 days over Gaza concerns

The move is largely symbolic, as Israel doesn’t “need the F-35 for the operations they are currently conducting over Gaza, ” Patrick Bolder, a defense analyst at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies think tank, told Breaking Defense.

Baltic nations prepare 600-strong bunker defensive line, with Russian threat in mind

Baltic nations prepare 600-strong bunker defensive line, with Russian threat in mind
Baltic nations prepare 600-strong bunker defensive line, with Russian threat in mind

The new bunkers, similar to “underground cellars” commonly found in Estonia, are expected to be 35 square metres (377 square feet), hardened to withstand artillery strikes and house up to 10 soldiers.

US greenlights $1.2 billion aerostat and radar deal with Poland

US greenlights $1.2 billion aerostat and radar deal with Poland
US greenlights $1.2 billion aerostat and radar deal with Poland

The State Department approval comes as Poland makes a push for greater regional air domain awareness and is willing to spend big on its defense.

France details more high-dollar procurements in $21.9B 2023 spending review

France details more high-dollar procurements in $21.9B 2023 spending review
France details more high-dollar procurements in $21.9B 2023 spending review

For the army, the DGA procurement agency said it has signed a contract worth some €350 million ($378 million) with Nexter for 109 new generation Caesar (Mk II) truck-mounted guns.

Saudi World Defense Show ‘heavily focused on the future,’ organizer says

Saudi World Defense Show ‘heavily focused on the future,’ organizer says
Saudi World Defense Show ‘heavily focused on the future,’ organizer says

“[WDS] presents a unique opportunity for international firms to get access to the Vision 2030 program,” CEO Andrew Pearcey told Breaking Defense.

Pacific Fleet chief Paparo on China’s big lesson from Ukraine: Win quickly

Pacific Fleet chief Paparo on China’s big lesson from Ukraine: Win quickly
Pacific Fleet chief Paparo on China’s big lesson from Ukraine: Win quickly

“Instead of seeing the Ukraine conflict and deciding ‘this is too hard,’ [China’s] intention, on the other hand, is to take note of the actions of Russia in order to effect a short, sharp, fait accompli conflict,” Adm. Samuel Paparo told lawmakers.

EU agrees to $54B economic package for Ukraine to deliver ‘steadfast,’ ‘predictable’ funding

EU agrees to $54B economic package for Ukraine to deliver ‘steadfast,’ ‘predictable’ funding
EU agrees to $54B economic package for Ukraine to deliver ‘steadfast,’ ‘predictable’ funding

European Council documents show that the funding, allocated to support reconstruction and boost immediate economic needs, is split between €33 billion ($36 billion) in loans and €17 billion ($18 billion) of “non-repayable support.”

France orders big Unmanned Combat Underwater Vehicle demonstrator

France orders big Unmanned Combat Underwater Vehicle demonstrator
France orders big Unmanned Combat Underwater Vehicle demonstrator

“The French Ministry of Armed Forces will benefit from technological breakthroughs and innovations in the fields of robotics, drones and artificial intelligence, in order to evaluate a new naval capability,” said French manufacturer Naval Group.

As Baltics see spike in GPS jamming, NATO must respond

As Baltics see spike in GPS jamming, NATO must respond
As Baltics see spike in GPS jamming, NATO must respond

Dana Goward, president of the Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation, argues in this op-ed that Russia could be putting civilians at risk with suspected jamming in Eastern Europe.