Poland
Poland’s F-35 program advances as two new Lightning II fighters begin flight testing in the U.S., bringing the total number of completed jets to seven. The milestone marks continued progress toward Warsaw’s goal of fielding 32 fifth-generation aircraft by 2030.
Opinion
At a time when strategic competition is rising across Europe, France has quietly re-engineered its defense innovation ecosystem.
Czech Republic
CSG expands its defense manufacturing base with the acquisition of Hydraulics s.r.o., a leading Czech hydraulics producer supplying components for rocket launchers and howitzers, as part of its strategy to strengthen vertical integration and boost land systems capabilities.
Serbia
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić says his country’s ammunition output surpasses France’s and has offered to supply the EU amid rising demand driven by the war in Ukraine.
Turkiye
Türkiye’s 2026 Presidential Annual Program places strong emphasis on emerging technologies — from quantum and AI to hypersonic and autonomous systems — as the nation aims to elevate its defense sector’s innovation capacity and dual-use potential.
Croatia
Croatia’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that mandatory military service applies to all Croatian citizens — even those with dual nationality residing overseas. Young Croatians abroad will be required to register with embassies or face potential penalties.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
As Croatia and Serbia revive conscription and expand their military capabilities, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s armed forces face shrinking budgets, political obstruction, and a growing inability to defend the country.
Greece
Greece is set to open its armed forces to women volunteers for the first time in 2026, launching a pilot program that could reshape gender participation in national defense.
Romania
Romania is pushing for a fair share of Europe’s rearmament drive. Defense Minister Liviu-Ionuț Moșteanu says Bucharest wants part of the defense boom to translate into domestic production and jobs, not just arms imports from Western Europe.
Croatia
Croatia has green-lit a €1.945 billion defense modernization program that will transform its military by 2030. The plan includes Leopard 2A8 tanks, CAESAR howitzers, TATRA heavy trucks, and an anti-drone network built with domestic industry partners.
Lithuania
Over 500 defense and security experts, diplomats, and industry leaders will gather in Vilnius on November 17–18 for Defending Baltics 2025, a major conference addressing NATO’s Eastern Flank resilience and the evolving security challenges shaped by the war in Ukraine.
Bulgaria
Bulgarian satellite maker EnduroSat has raised $104 million from Google Ventures and the EIC Fund to expand modular satellite production in Bulgaria, marking a major boost for Europe’s growing space and defense industry.