Finland says it will exceed NATO’s 1.5 percent target for defence- and security-related spending in 2026, reporting an estimated 2.4 percent of GDP under the framework. The government said spending will include preparedness, resilience and homeland defence-related activities beyond the Ministry of Defence.
The first Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft for the Royal Air Force has arrived at RAF Lossiemouth for testing and evaluation. The aircraft, WT001, will continue trials before entering RAF service with No. 8 Squadron as an airborne early warning platform.
The Royal Thai Air Force has ordered two Airbus C295 tactical transport aircraft for its 46th Wing Division at Phitsanulok air base. The aircraft will be assembled in Spain, with the first delivery scheduled for 2029. Thailand already operates three C295 aircraft through the Royal Thai Army.
Norway has instructed hospitals and municipalities to update health emergency preparedness plans for war and crisis situations. Authorities have been asked to prepare for making 7,000 beds available for military and civilian casualties and strengthen blood preparedness measures.
The UK Ministry of Defence said an RAF Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft was repeatedly intercepted by Russian Su-35 and Su-27 fighter aircraft over the Black Sea during a routine flight in international airspace, prompting diplomatic action with the Russian Embassy.
Airbus Helicopters and the Spanish Navy completed a maritime flight trial in Spain involving an H135 helicopter, the Flexrotor and A900 drones, and the patrol vessel Rayo. The exercise tested real-time drone control, live data sharing and integration into naval combat systems.
Lithuania has signed an agreement with Saab for Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons and training equipment valued at SEK 460 million ($49 million). Deliveries are planned from 2026 to 2029, while options within the ten-year agreement could increase the total value to SEK 640 million ($69 million).
Leonardo has signed a contract valued at around €320 million with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), part of EDGE Group, to provide naval combat systems for the Kuwait Navy’s Al Dorra missile boat program, supporting the Falaj 3 configuration and wider cooperation efforts.
The Joint Interagency Task Force 401 has expanded access to its counter-drone marketplace through agreements with Australia, Poland and South Korea while also awarding a $500 million contract to Perennial Autonomy for AI-enabled counter-UAS systems and drone interceptors.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed a new EU “associate member” status for Ukraine that would bring Kiev closer to EU institutions and security arrangements while delaying full membership rights.
Germany plans to buy an initial 40% stake in defence company KNDS, the maker of Leopard 2 tanks and Panzerhaubitze 2000 systems, as Berlin seeks greater involvement in the defence industry and aims to retain key expertise.
The U.S. Pentagon has signed agreements with several defense firms to expand production of low-cost cruise and hypersonic missiles under new procurement programs aimed at increasing strike weapon inventories between 2027 and 2029.
L3Harris Technologies announced the Wraith Shield software capability, designed to convert tactical radios into AI-enabled sensing and counter-drone systems. The company said the capability will support military forces operating against small unmanned aerial threats in contested environments.
The United States, working with Venezuela, the United Kingdom and the International Atomic Energy Agency, has completed the removal of highly enriched uranium from Venezuela’s RV-1 research reactor.
The UK Ministry of Defence has deployed the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System on RAF Typhoon fighter jets operating in the Middle East to counter drone threats. The laser-guided system completed testing and entered operational service within two months.
