Startups
Finland-based Kelluu has raised €15 million in Series A funding to advance its high-altitude surveillance platform. The company aims to strengthen Europe’s sovereign ISR capabilities and support NATO-aligned operations.
Germany
Rheinmetall has partnered with Destinus to establish a joint venture focused on developing rocket-based systems. The cooperation targets emerging requirements for high-speed strike capabilities. The initiative reflects growing European interest in advanced propulsion and long-range effects.
Startups
Kitron has received a EUR 42 million order in the defense and aerospace sector. The contract covers system production linked to layered defense architectures. Deliveries are scheduled for 2026 from European facilities.
Estonia
Estonia has halted a planned €500 million armored vehicle acquisition, shifting resources toward drone and counter-drone capabilities. The move reflects evolving battlefield lessons and changing defense priorities.
Czech Republic
Excalibur Army has completed its first in-house TREVA engineering vehicle at its Přelouč site. The milestone marks a shift from repair-focused operations to full product manufacturing and reflects efforts to expand capabilities within its Czech production network.
Defense Exhibitions
Defense exhibition infrastructure in the Western Balkans is expanding alongside rising budgets and industrial output. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s planned 2026 expo marks a significant addition to a landscape long dominated by Serbia. The shift indicates a more distributed regional defense ecosystem.
EUROPE
Europe’s 155mm artillery ammunition market is projected to expand steadily through 2032, supported by increased procurement and stockpile rebuilding. Demand reflects NATO readiness requirements and sustained operational needs. Industrial scaling remains a key constraint.
Hungary
Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat after 16 years in power. For Hungary's defense industry, the Rheinmetall partnerships and Zrínyi 2026 procurements will survive, and may accelerate under a more Brussels-compatible government. For Ukraine, the blocked €90 billion EU loan should now move.
Italy
Italy’s government has selected an executive from missile manufacturer MBDA to lead Leonardo. The move signals a shift in leadership at the state-controlled defense group amid broader industrial and strategic considerations.
Lithuania
Lithuania’s defense minister indicates NATO is undergoing structural changes that will require increased European responsibility. The shift is expected to influence defense spending and alliance strategy ahead of upcoming meetings.
Events
Slovenia will participate in the 41st Space Symposium in Colorado Springs from April 13 to 16. A national delegation will present industrial capabilities and technological developments. The event is expected to support international cooperation and visibility for Slovenian space companies.
Analysis
A new analysis by leading European defence thinkers argues that NATO is becoming more European whether Europe prepares or not — and that the real deficit is not just capabilities, but political and military leadership. For Central and Eastern Europe, the implications are immediate.