Poland
Poland has received its first F-35A fighter jets from the United States, marking a key milestone in the country’s military modernization program. The aircraft will strengthen NATO’s eastern flank and expand Poland’s fifth generation combat aviation capabilities.
Bulgaria
Only a small portion of Bulgaria’s defense production is allocated to the national armed forces, according to security experts speaking at a defense preparedness conference in Sofia.
Slovakia
CSG and Reunert will establish an electronic fuze production venture in Slovakia, strengthening CSG’s ammunition supply chain. The move could increase pressure on regional manufacturers focused on conventional artillery fuzes.
The Swiss Armed Forces have continued field testing of FPV drones at the Elm training range as part of a broader effort to integrate tactical unmanned systems into military operations. Drone technology company ORQA participated in the trials by providing FPV equipment and operational support.
FNSS and Czech defense group CSG unveiled the CFL-120 KARPAT medium tank during IDEB 2026 in Slovakia, where AdriaDefense was present. The platform combines the KAPLAN MT chassis with Leonardo’s HITFACT MKII 120 mm turret for the European market.
The IDEB Defence & Security exhibition opens today, 12 May, in Bratislava, bringing together defense manufacturers, military officials, and security sector representatives from across Europe. AdriaDefense.com will report directly from the event throughout the exhibition.
DAIMEX Baltic 2026 will bring together defense and aerospace companies, military representatives, and NATO stakeholders in Lithuania on 12-13 May 2026. The event combines a conference, exhibition, live demonstrations, and business meetings focused on regional defense cooperation.
Croatian drone manufacturer Orqa is expanding its international manufacturing network as part of a broader effort to increase annual drone production capacity beyond one million units. The company plans to distribute production across allied markets.
Netherlands based startup Intelic has introduced a digital procurement platform designed for European military drone acquisitions. The initiative aims to connect armed forces with verified European unmanned systems manufacturers amid rising demand for tactical UAV capabilities.
Daily defense news, analysis and industry intelligence from Central and Eastern Europe and Southeast Europe.
Serbia and NATO conducted a distinguished visitors day during a multinational tactical exercise at the Borovac training ground near Bujanovac. Around 600 personnel from Serbia, Italy, Romania, and Türkiye participated in the drill, focused on peace support and interoperability tasks.
The Czech Republic has announced plans to procure four SPYDER All in One air defense systems from Israel as part of efforts to strengthen short range air defense capabilities. The acquisition expands Prague’s ongoing cooperation with the Israeli defense industry.
Montenegro and the Czech Republic signed a bilateral defense cooperation agreement during a meeting in Prague between Montenegrin Defense Minister Dragan Krapović and Czech Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna.
Lithuania has signed a new procurement agreement with Sweden’s Saab Dynamics AB for Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless weapon systems and associated training equipment. The deal also includes a €17 million industrial cooperation package aimed at strengthening Lithuania’s defense industry capabilities.
Honeywell and Poland’s Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne have signed an agreement to create a maintenance center for AGT1500 engines used in Abrams tanks. The facility will support Poland’s growing Abrams fleet and could serve additional operators in the region.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev used a visit to Germany to advocate for a stronger role for Bulgaria within the European defense industrial base. Discussions in Berlin focused on industrial cooperation, investment, and Europe’s broader security and rearmament efforts.
TKMS and Isar Aerospace have announced a cooperation project aimed at developing sovereign launch infrastructure for Canada’s space sector. The initiative is linked to TKMS’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project bid and is intended to support national and NATO-related space access requirements.
The Swiss Armed Forces have continued field testing of FPV drones at the Elm training range as part of a broader effort to integrate tactical unmanned systems into military operations. Drone technology company ORQA participated in the trials by providing FPV equipment and operational support.
European defense technology company Destinus is reportedly seeking around €200 million in fresh financing at a valuation exceeding €5 billion. The funding effort comes as European investors increase support for defense startups focused on autonomous systems, drones, and military AI.
Polish steelmaker Huta Częstochowa has signed a cooperation agreement linked to the country’s defense industrial supply chain. The initiative includes plans for greater state involvement in the steel producer as Warsaw seeks to strengthen domestic capacity for strategic steel products.
Italy has warned it could withdraw from a European Union defense financing initiative amid disagreements linked to energy sector policies and industrial priorities.
Defense officials and industry representatives highlighted technology integration as a growing challenge for modern armed forces during regional discussions on military modernization. I
