Lithuania
Lithuania used the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session in Vilnius to press allies for faster defense industrial expansion, stronger air defense capabilities, and continued support for Ukraine.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria intends to gradually increase defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product in line with evolving NATO targets, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said during talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels.
Patria
Finnish defense company Patria has signed agreements with Lithuanian partners to support local production activities tied to the Common Armoured Vehicle System program. The move expands industrial cooperation linked to Lithuania’s planned acquisition of Patria 6x6 armored vehicles.
Analysis
From hypersonics to AI-driven autonomy, the keywords dominating defense industry searches in 2026 reveal a sector in structural transformation and a procurement landscape under pressure.
NATO
Dutch transmission system operator TenneT has called for investments protecting offshore wind infrastructure to be counted toward NATO defense spending targets. The proposal reflects growing concern in Europe over the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure in the North Sea.
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.
Serbia
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.
Industry
Defense officials and industry representatives highlighted technology integration as a growing challenge for modern armed forces during regional discussions on military modernization. I
Estonia
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said prices for some defense products in Europe have increased by up to 60% over the past two years amid accelerated NATO rearmament efforts.
Serbia
Serbia has launched its first-ever joint military exercise with NATO, bringing together around 600 troops from Serbia, Italy, Romania, and Türkiye for interoperability and peacekeeping drills at the Borovac training area.
IDEB 2026
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.
Germany
Rheinmetall and Deutsche Telekom announced a joint development initiative focused on counter-drone solutions for civilian critical infrastructure. The cooperation combines Rheinmetall’s sensor and interceptor technologies with Telekom’s communications and digital network capabilities.