Romania
Romania’s OVES to Integrate Nemesis AI Into STARK VANTA USV
Romania’s OVES Enterprise will integrate Nemesis AI into STARK’s VANTA unmanned surface vessel as the companies target Romanian defense programs.
Germany
Germany
INLEAP Photonics Raises €20M for Laser Counter-Drone Systems
Germany's INLEAP Photonics has raised €20 million to scale production of its FASTLIGHT laser counter-drone systems and expand across Europe.
Startups
VANEA Launches ATOMZA Counter-Drone System for Civilian Site
German startup VANEA Defence has unveiled ATOMZA, a non-kinetic counter-drone system designed for airports and critical infrastructure.
Poland
Polish Special Forces Test Drone Strike Tactics in Germany
Polish special forces are training with US Green Berets in Germany to infiltrate contested territory and conduct drone strikes against simulated targets.
Germany
Germany Leads Baltic Sea NATO Drone Defense Task Force
Germany and seven Baltic Sea NATO allies plan a joint drone defense task force to accelerate threat detection and information sharing.
Germany
Rheinmetall Plans €270M Kassel Tank, Drone and Logistics Hub
Rheinmetall plans to invest about €270 million in Kassel, expanding armored vehicle production and adding logistics and drone testing facilities.
Lithuania
Rheinmetall Wins €250M Contract for Lithuania Military Camp
Rheinmetall will build a €250 million modular military camp in Lithuania for up to 2,000 soldiers and operate it for €40 million annually.
Events
EUDEX Debuts in Essen Alongside NATO Air Power Summit
Germany's new Euro Defence Expo (EUDEX) opens September 22 in Essen, pairing its inaugural 270-exhibitor trade fair with NATO's Joint Air Power Competence Centre conference and a new diplomatic forum for embassies and consulates.
Germany
Germany Expands Defense Industry Cooperation With Ukraine
Germany and Ukraine plan to expand joint defense production, including drone projects, as Berlin seeks closer industrial cooperation with Kyiv.
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.
Croatia
Ukrainian Nord Stream Sabotage Suspect Arrested in Croatia
Croatia arrested a Ukrainian diver suspected of helping sabotage the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022, opening a new route for extradition to Germany.
Jobs
How Defense Is Pulling Workers From Tech and Auto in 2026
From laid-off German autoworkers to Silicon Valley engineers chasing Anduril paychecks, the defense industry is pulling talent from every direction in 2026. AD looks at what's driving the shift and what it means for CEE/SEE.