Bulgaria
US KC-135 Tankers Leave Bulgaria’s Bezmer Air Base
Two US KC-135 tankers have left Bulgaria’s Bezmer Air Base after a deployment linked to support for US operations in the Middle East.
AdriaDefense Desk
AdriaDefense Desk is the editorial team behind AdriaDefense.com. Desk reports cover defense industry, procurement, and security developments across CEE & SEE.
NATO
NATO Drone Intercepts Expose Eastern Flank Air Defense Gap
Drone shootdowns over Romania and Latvia are testing NATO air defense as the alliance seeks cheaper interceptors and faster sensor-to-shooter links.
Latvia
Denmark Deploys 800-Strong NATO Battlegroup to Latvia
More than 800 Danish troops and hundreds of vehicles have joined NATO forces in Latvia, reinforcing the alliance’s Baltic eastern flank.
Poland
Poland Expands East Shield With 29 Border Military Warehouses
Poland is expanding East Shield with 29 military warehouses and preparations for rapid minefield deployment along NATO’s eastern flank.
Weekly Briefing
CEE & SEE Defense Weekly Briefing: August 16–21, 2026
This week: a Nord Stream sabotage suspect arrested in Croatia, arson at a Ukraine-linked drone maker in Estonia, Hungary reviews a $4.2B 4iG defense deal, and a CEE-wide cyberattack wave. Plus two must-read analyses.
Jobs
Advanced Protection Systems Opens 13 Roles in Gdynia
Polish counter-drone maker Advanced Protection Systems is hiring across engineering and software roles in Gdynia, expanding its SKYctrl and FIELDctrl radar teams as C-UAS demand grows on NATO's eastern flank.
Latvia
Latvia Detains Three Over Milrem Robotics Arson in Estonia
Three suspects were detained in Latvia over a deliberate fire at Milrem Robotics in Tallinn as Estonia investigates possible sabotage and Russian involvement.
Ukraine
Ukraine Arms Probe Traces Funds to Croatian Zubak Family
Ukraine's $36.6 million ammunition probe reaches Matias Zubak, son of Croatian arms dealer Zvonko Zubak, and Bosnia's Vitezit explosives plant.
Ukraine
Leonardo Opens Ukraine Subsidiary for Defense R&D Expansion
Leonardo has established a Kyiv subsidiary focused on defense R&D, expanding its direct presence in Ukraine as European industry deepens local cooperation.
Poland
Poland Defends Air Defense Posture as City Coverage Debated
Poland says its layered air defense can protect designated cities and critical sites, rejecting claims that major urban areas lack adequate coverage.
Switzerland
Switzerland Seeks CHF 970 Million Air Defense Funding Boost
Switzerland seeks CHF 970 million in additional 2026 funding to secure delivery slots for air defense, radar and counter-drone systems.
Analysis
Russian Plots Put European Defense Executives at Risk
The suspected Russian plot against Donaustahl CEO Stefan Thumann exposes a wider security risk for European defense executives supporting Ukraine.