Rafale jets, submarines push France’s defense exports to $19B in 2024
PARIS — French defense export orders had their second-best year ever in 2024, rising to more than €18…
Finland eyes defense-spending boost well past NATO mark
HELSINKI — Finland’s conservative-led government has unveiled a broad plan to lift defense spending from $6.8 billion in…
Top NATO commander urges sea change in training, deterrence, spending
French Adm. Pierre Vandier has led the Allied Command Transformation, one of NATO’s two strategic commands, responsible for…
France’s military is being ousted from more African countries
DAKAR, Senegal — It’s been a tumultuous month for France and its relationship with former colonies in Africa,…
Lithuania pushes Leopard 2A8 tank acquisition under new government
WARSAW, Poland — Four days after she was sworn into office, Lithuania’s defense minister, Dovilė Šakalienė, signed an…
Defense firms follow Lithuania’s allure of making ammo sans red tape
MILAN — Lithuania’s offer to lower administrative hurdles for foreign defense companies seeking to set up shop in…
South Korea commissions its first next-generation Aegis destroyer
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — South Korea’s navy formally received the first of a new class of guided-missile destroyer…
US offers Viper, Black Hawk helicopters to Slovakia in revised pitch
WARSAW, Poland — As Slovak officials ponder the purchase of new attack helicopters, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister…
BAE wins $2.5B deal to supply more CV90 vehicles to Denmark, Sweden
BAE Systems has won a new $2.5 billion contract to build more CV90 combat vehicles for Denmark and…
Romanian presidential election puts country’s NATO drift on the line
ROME — Ahead of a crucial vote in Romania on Sunday that could see a NATO-skeptic, Putin-friendly candidate…
NATO is planning a fleet of sea drones to protect critical underwater infrastructure
NATO is planning to launch a fleet of uncrewed naval ships, a military commander said. Pierre Vandier told…
EU-wide weapon buying boosts bloc’s defense spending to record in 2023
PARIS — European Union countries increased defense spending by 10% to a record €279 billion ($293 billion) last…