Defense
Military posture, procurement, alliances, and defense policy.
NATO officials warn against stockpiling drones as battlefield tech changes fast
NATO officials are warning that allies cannot solve the drone race by stockpiling huge numbers of unmanned systems that may be obsolete before the next war. The alliance’s summit framework and defense chiefs are instead pushing faster procurement, modular systems and deeper industrial partnerships.
Takeaways: Trump leaves NATO summit declaring 'a lot of love' with allies after a rocky start
Trump closed the NATO summit with conciliatory remarks after early friction, while allies reaffirmed Article 5 and backed new Ukraine support.
Germany agrees deal to buy long-range US Tomahawk missiles, Merz says
Germany has agreed to buy U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, in a move aimed at closing a long-range strike gap. The missiles would be stationed in Germany, with no U.S. personnel operating them, and the deal is tied to a separate U.S. approval step expected in August for Tomahawks and Typhon launchers.
Defence ministry clears about Rs 52,000 crore in new procurement proposals
India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved procurement proposals worth about Rs 52,000 crore, according to multiple reports on July 3. The package covers the Army, Navy and Air Force, with a strong focus on air defence, anti-drone capability, surveillance and unmanned warfare.
Labor shuts down Andrew Wilkie's protest against 'rubbish' gambling reform bill
Labor has shut down Andrew Wilkie’s attempt to condemn the Albanese government’s new gambling-ad restrictions, with critics saying the bill does not go far enough and may still face Senate resistance.
Lockheed Martin wins $35.35 billion THAAD production contract
Lockheed Martin said it won a $35.35 billion U.S. contract to expand THAAD missile-defense production, a major Pentagon procurement tied to stockpile replenishment after the Iran war.
Rocket Lab, Lockheed Martin named in Space Force’s SpaceX-led SB-AMTI vendor pool
Government procurement records show Rocket Lab, Lockheed Martin and other firms in SpaceX’s Space Force SB-AMTI vendor pool, underscoring the program’s broader supplier base.
Rheinmetall shares plunge after Germany scraps warship project
Germany has ended the delayed F126 frigate programme and will instead buy eight MEKO A-200 DEU frigates, sending Rheinmetall shares sharply lower and resetting the navy’s procurement timetable.
Germany Cancels F126 Frigate Program, Turns to TKMS MEKO A-200 Ships
Germany’s defense ministry has ended the delayed F126 frigate program and is moving toward buying eight TKMS MEKO A-200 frigates instead, according to multiple reports. The reversal marks a major procurement shift for the navy.
German trains resume after nationwide GSM-R outage, with questions over resilience
German rail service is largely back to normal after a nationwide GSM-R communications outage halted trains late Tuesday, but questions remain about backup systems and the cause.
European leaders seek joint Nato stance as US weighs troop cuts
European leaders meeting in Berlin are trying to agree a common Nato position before next month’s Ankara summit as the US reviews its military posture in Europe, including possible troop and support reductions.
Germany plans to take 40% stake in tank maker KNDS
Germany plans to take a 40% stake in KNDS, joining France as an equal shareholder in a new 40/40/20 ownership structure that could clear the way for a public listing. The deal still needs approval from Germany’s parliament.
Germany joins France in KNDS shareholding, paving the way for a stock market listing
France and Germany have agreed a new KNDS ownership structure under which each state would hold 40% and private investors would take the remaining 20%, clearing the main hurdle for a planned listing in Paris and Frankfurt.
ADF warned for 15 years that its own weapons could cause brain injury
FOI documents reported by the Daily Telegraph say Defence was warned from 2011 that blast overpressure from its own weapons could cause brain injury, with testing and reviews continuing for years and no comprehensive program yet in place.
Australia and Canada sign $1.75B long-range radar deal
Australia and Canada have signed an agreement to build Australian-designed over-the-horizon radar in Canada for Arctic early warning, with officials in both capitals calling it a major strategic and industrial milestone.
Australia and Canada sign $2.5 billion radar export deal
Australia and Canada signed a major agreement for Australian over-the-horizon radar technology to be used in Canadian Arctic surveillance. Australian officials called it the country’s biggest defence export and a strategic deepening of bilateral ties.
Germany agrees to take 40% stake in KNDS, alongside France
Germany has agreed to take a 40% stake in KNDS, the Franco-German maker of Leopard and Leclerc tanks, in a move that would place Berlin alongside France as a major shareholder. The deal still needs Bundestag budget committee approval and could open the door to a future IPO.
Germany reaches deal to buy 40% of Europe’s biggest tank maker
Germany has reached a deal to buy a 40% stake in KNDS, the Franco-German maker of Leopard tanks, in a move aimed at securing long-term influence over a strategically important defense company. The transaction still needs approval from the Bundestag budget committee and is tied to a broader governance arrangement involving France and KNDS’s existing owners.
India aims to be defence manufacturer, not just buyer
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the commissioning of three indigenous naval ships in Kolkata to argue that India should become a defence manufacturer, not just a buyer. He said domestic defence production has grown from about Rs 700 crore to about Rs 40,000 crore and tied maritime strength to economic growth, security and jobs.
Ukrainian defense makers pitch drones and missile-defense deals at Eurosatory in Paris
Ukrainian defense firms are using the Eurosatory arms fair in Paris to seek European industrial partnerships, with Fire Point promoting a pan-European air-defense concept and reported talks with Hensoldt, Kongsberg and Thales.
US Air Force names eight killed in Boeing B-52 test flight crash in California
The U.S. Air Force has identified the eight people killed when a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base on June 15 during a test flight tied to the service’s radar modernization program. Officials said the crash was unsurvivable and the safety investigation could take months.
G7 commits to 'unwavering support for Ukraine' with pledge to offer more air defence
The G7 has issued a new statement backing Ukraine’s sovereignty and promising more air-defence systems, interceptors and long-range capabilities, while also calling for tougher pressure on Russia’s war economy.
John Healey says UK defence spending plan is 'well short of what's required' amid Labour split over funding
John Healey has renewed his criticism of the UK's defence investment plan, saying it is underfunded and lacks a clear path to higher spending targets, while military leaders warn operations may need to be scaled back without extra money.
Defence secretary quizzed by MPs over timing of Russian oil tanker seizure
UK ministers faced Commons questions after Royal Marines detained the Russian-linked tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel. Dan Jarvis said the vessel had been tracked for days and the operation had been planned for weeks, as MPs asked whether the seizure was politically timed.