US approves $6B weapons package for Ukraine, but Kyiv stalled on Patriot battery breakthrough

US approves $6B weapons package for Ukraine, but Kyiv stalled on Patriot battery breakthrough
US approves $6B weapons package for Ukraine, but Kyiv stalled on Patriot battery breakthrough

All equipment included in the pledge is to be ordered from industry, not drawn from US stocks — meaning it could take years for the weapons to arrive in Ukraine.

Swedish defense committee calls for near $4.8 billion defense spending jump

Swedish defense committee calls for near $4.8 billion defense spending jump
Swedish defense committee calls for near $4.8 billion defense spending jump

In a clear reference to Russian aggression, the Swedish government committee warned in a statement of the “deteriorating security situation.”

Russia vetos US-Japan resolution against nukes in space, ‘unprecedented escalation’ in UN fight

Russia vetos US-Japan resolution against nukes in space, ‘unprecedented escalation’ in UN fight
Russia vetos US-Japan resolution against nukes in space, ‘unprecedented escalation’ in UN fight

“Although Russia would not be expected to vote for a resolution aimed at its own conduct, its response that it is ‘against’ putting nuclear weapons in space is just vague enough to not quite be reassuring,” said Jessica West of Canada’s Project Ploughshares.

Norway’s top officer on his ‘biggest challenge,’ next frigate and new NATO neighbors

Norway’s top officer on his ‘biggest challenge,’ next frigate and new NATO neighbors
Norway’s top officer on his ‘biggest challenge,’ next frigate and new NATO neighbors

Gen. Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway’s Chief of Defense, talks to Breaking Defense about his plans for spending on new frigates and subs, the challenges of upgrading Norway’s “digital backbone” and refilling the military’s stocks.

In a Taiwan conflict, tough choices could come for Big Tech

In a Taiwan conflict, tough choices could come for Big Tech
In a Taiwan conflict, tough choices could come for Big Tech

Washington could do more to incentivize tech companies to distance themselves from China, but CEOs should examine how they’d react to a fight in the Pacific, CSET’s Sam Bresnick and Emelia Probasco argue.

Why supporting Ukraine is ‘main priority’ for Norway’s defense chief this year

Why supporting Ukraine is ‘main priority’ for Norway’s defense chief this year
Why supporting Ukraine is ‘main priority’ for Norway’s defense chief this year

“I have more sense of urgency in 2024 than I had in 2023” about how quickly Russia can rearm its military, Norway’s Chief of Defense, Gen. Eirik Kristoffersen, told Breaking Defense.

Global military spending hits ‘all-time high’ of $2.4 trillion: SIPRI report

Global military spending hits ‘all-time high’ of $2.4 trillion: SIPRI report
Global military spending hits ‘all-time high’ of $2.4 trillion: SIPRI report

The US remains the world’s largest defense spender, outlaying $916 billion last year, a 2.3 percent annual increase, ahead of China in second place, which spent an estimated $296 billion, a 6 percent increase over the same period.

As Pentagon awaits supplemental dollars, its operational funding is $2B in the hole

As Pentagon awaits supplemental dollars, its operational funding is $2B in the hole
As Pentagon awaits supplemental dollars, its operational funding is $2B in the hole

The House is teeing up a series of votes this weekend on separate supplemental spending bills for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine.

Czech PM bullish on ammo plan for Ukraine, envisions 1.5 million rounds in a year

Czech PM bullish on ammo plan for Ukraine, envisions 1.5 million rounds in a year
Czech PM bullish on ammo plan for Ukraine, envisions 1.5 million rounds in a year

“The purpose of our initiative is to find ammunition on the world markets, to negotiate the financing and to potentially negotiate deliveries to Ukraine,” said Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Lithuania, Rheinmetall sign agreement for 155mm ammunition plant

Lithuania, Rheinmetall sign agreement for 155mm ammunition plant
Lithuania, Rheinmetall sign agreement for 155mm ammunition plant

“The establishment of the … ammunition factory in Lithuania will reduce our dependence on long supply chains, which currently pose great challenges in meeting the needs of the armies throughout the European Union and the world,” said Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Lithuania’s Minister of National Defense.

Ukraine’s strikes deep into Russia have a new tool: A small commercial plane

Ukraine’s strikes deep into Russia have a new tool: A small commercial plane
Ukraine’s strikes deep into Russia have a new tool: A small commercial plane

The A-22, a small, Ukrainian-designed, hobbyist-grade aircraft made by the firm Aeroprakt, could prove to be a deep strike option for Kyiv.

Aussie PM must improve AUKUS explanation for public, reassess US relations, experts warn

Aussie PM must improve AUKUS explanation for public, reassess US relations, experts warn
Aussie PM must improve AUKUS explanation for public, reassess US relations, experts warn

“The deliberate toning down of criticism of Chinese behavior and policy in order to stabilize the bilateral relationship makes it very difficult to have these types of conversations,” said Lavina Lee, a security studies expert.

Pentagon working with Ukraine, SpaceX to prevent Russian exploitation of Starlink

Pentagon working with Ukraine, SpaceX to prevent Russian exploitation of Starlink
Pentagon working with Ukraine, SpaceX to prevent Russian exploitation of Starlink

“Just the idea of this being more available and so people can find it and try to exploit it, that’s something we just have to bake in and understand,” Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb said of commercial services like SpaceX’s Starlink constellation.

Report says Greece could ship F-16s fighter jets to Ukraine

Report says Greece could ship F-16s fighter jets to Ukraine
Report says Greece could ship F-16s fighter jets to Ukraine

Ukraine has consistently called for international supply partners to send it fighter jets in a bid to push back Russian defenses and prosecute targets more easily, but a first in-country delivery from Denmark is not expected to happen until this summer.