Sweden
Sweden’s defence procurement agency has ordered eight Rheinmetall SeaSnake 30 naval weapon systems for the Swedish Navy, marking the first acquisition of this remote-controlled 30 mm close-in weapon system by a NATO member.
European Union
EU ministers have approved national defence investment plans worth approximately €74 billion under the bloc’s €150 billion SAFE loan instrument. The decision allows participating member states to begin accessing EU-backed financing for military procurement.
Slovakia
Slovakia is negotiating with the United States to acquire four additional F-16 Block 70 aircraft, expanding its planned fleet to 18 jets. The move would reinforce national air defense and deepen integration within NATO’s air policing framework.
Nammo has entered the operational start-up phase of its new percussion primer manufacturing facility in Vihtavuori, Finland, with full production capacity expected by 2027. The plant is set to significantly strengthen Nordic and European ammunition supply chains.
Open-source satellite imagery has become a critical tool for defence analysis and OSINT investigations. This guide breaks down six of the best free satellite imagery platforms.
Brussels and capitals in Southeast Europe are increasingly aligning on the strategic value of the region’s natural resources, infrastructure, and industrial base, framing them as key to European autonomy in defence and energy sectors.
Czechoslovak Group and Greece’s state-owned Hellenic Defence Systems have formalized key documentation to establish a joint ammunition production company at the Lavrio facility, marking a significant step in revitalizing domestic ordnance manufacturing
The first Excalibur Army Accelerator will bring defence technology innovators and industry experts together in February to advance prototype solutions toward field deployment. Speakers from across Europe and the United States are confirmed to lead thematic sessions and workshops.
New US measures are tightening access to the American drone market by restricting imports of foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems and key components while raising domestic-content expectations for federal procurement.
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Lithuania has announced additional military assistance to Ukraine, reinforcing its position as one of Kyiv’s most consistent European backers. The new package focuses on ammunition, equipment, and continued training support.
Poland’s intention to draw tens of billions of euros from the European Union’s SAFE defense loan facility has triggered debate over long-term fiscal exposure. Warsaw argues the mechanism enables rapid modernization without immediate budgetary strain.
Czech defense and industrial group CSG participated as a partner of the Munich Security Conference for the first time this year. The move positions the company among a limited group of industrial actors engaged in high-level transatlantic security discussions.
Ukrainian Armor has finalized the technology transfer phase with Czechoslovak Group, enabling domestic serial production of NATO-caliber artillery ammunition. The company reports that production facilities in Ukraine are now prepared for manufacturing multiple 155 mm variants.
The Belgian Ministry of Defence has contracted KNDS Deutschland for eight LEGUAN bridge-laying systems mounted on Tatra Phoenix 10×10 wheeled chassis to enhance military engineering mobility. The package includes 17 26-metre bridge spans, specialist equipment and logistics support.
The European Defence Agency has completed a 10-day Arctic trial of unmanned ground vehicles in Norway under its Combat Unmanned Ground Systems project. The tests focused on autonomous and remotely operated platforms operating in snow-covered terrain and degraded connectivity conditions.
Bulgaria is set to receive €490 million under the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative to fund defence industry investments focused on joint procurement.
Amsterdam-based Onodrim Industries has secured €40 million in seed funding from leading U.S. and European venture firms to accelerate the development of advanced defence manufacturing and networked systems, as Europe moves to strengthen its industrial and military capabilities.
Taiwan’s president has called for deeper defense cooperation with European partners, signaling interest in closer industrial and security ties at a time of mounting pressure from Beijing. The outreach reflects Taipei’s effort to diversify strategic partnerships beyond the United States.
Hensoldt and Dronamics have launched a joint initiative to develop an unmanned airborne early warning capability based on the Black Swan drone platform.
As European governments accelerate defence production and integration amid shifting security dynamics, national arms-export licensing systems are coming under scrutiny for allowing military equipment to reach risky markets despite strict EU criteria.
Bulgaria attracted the highest volume of venture capital investment in defense and security startups among Central and Eastern European countries in 2025.
