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…
Lithuania pushes Leopard 2A8 tank acquisition under new government
WARSAW, Poland — Four days after she was sworn into office, Lithuania’s defense minister, DovilÄ— Å akalienÄ—, 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…
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…
Turkish strike drone completes first carrier landing, takeoff
ISTANBUL — The Baykar TB-3 combat drone landed and took off from the flight deck of the amphibious…
NATO drill sends divers, drones to sneak by underwater alarm sensors
MILAN — NATO has tested a series of alliance-made underwater sensors, meant to protect critical infrastructure in the…
EU approves first-ever funding for joint weapons, ammo procurement
PARIS — The executive arm of the European Union approved €300 million (US$317 million) in funding for five…