Defense News

Germany will purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States and station them on German soil, marking a shift toward developing its own long-range strike capability. The U.S. approved the deal in August, with details like the number of missiles remaining classified. The move aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for European allies to fund their own security.

Ukrainian robotics company Trinity Robotics plans to double UGV production to 2,200 units this year due to increased military demand and is seeking foreign manufacturing partners in Europe. The company is developing a combat-capable variant of its Konyk One UGV and negotiating joint ventures with a French producer to expand production abroad.

The Pentagon is seeking cheaper, long-range drones to replace the MQ-9 Reaper due to high loss rates in conflicts like the Iran War. The Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) project aims to develop expendable drones with large payloads and ranges, designed to overwhelm enemy defenses through mass production and autonomous operations. The project targets an Initial Operating Capability by FY2031.

President Donald Trump criticized Spain as a 'terrible partner' in NATO, demanded the U.S. cut trade ties with the country, and renewed claims on Greenland, angering allies Denmark and Spain. His remarks overshadowed a NATO summit in Ankara, where European leaders sought unity amid tensions over defense spending and Iran policy.

China showcased its DF-17 hypersonic ballistic missile on state TV, highlighting its ability to evade defenses and target large surface vessels. The missile, available to the People’s Liberation Army since 2019, was publicized amid U.S.-led RIMPAC and U.S.-Japan military exercises, signaling deterrence against foreign intervention in Taiwan-related scenarios.

The US Navy is addressing vulnerabilities of ballistic missile submarines when in port or on the surface, citing threats like drones, anti-tank rockets, and mines. Ukraine claimed to damage a Russian submarine using an underwater drone in 2023, prompting the Navy to develop new defense technologies, including AI countermeasures and security robots.

China conducted a submarine-launched ballistic missile test over the South Pacific, a region designated as a nuclear weapons-free zone under the Treaty of Rarotonga. While the test did not technically violate the treaty's text due to a non-nuclear dummy warhead, Pacific nations and analysts accused China of undermining the zone's spirit. New Zealand and Australia raised concerns, citing growing pressure from nuclear-armed states on such zones.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will lift sanctions on Turkey imposed in 2020 over Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 missiles and expressed openness to selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. The decision aims to ease tensions with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, despite a U.S. law prohibiting F-35 sales to Turkey while it retains the S-400 system.

Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall signed an agreement to co-produce ATACMS missiles at Rheinmetall’s Unterlüß site in Germany, marking the first non-American production of the missile. The partnership aims to meet European and Ukrainian demand, with production starting in 2027 and requiring U.S. government approval for technology transfer.

Poland's state-run defense company PGZ will assemble and manufacture Anduril Industries' Barracuda-500M cruise missile at its Bydgoszcz facility. The partnership aims to bolster Poland's deterrence against Russia and enable sales to EU countries under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program.

Canada has selected Germany's TKMS to build 12 new submarines under the country's largest defense procurement, beating Hanwha Ocean's bid. The project, expected to cost up to $70 billion including long-term costs, will replace Canada's aging Victoria-class submarines with TKMS's Type 212CD model, with the first submarine arriving in 2033.

Russia attacked Ukraine with missiles and drones, killing 20 people and exposing Kyiv’s shortage of U.S.-made interceptors. Ukraine’s military failed to intercept most of the 23 ballistic missiles, highlighting vulnerabilities as NATO summit discussions on defense support approach.

The Pentagon's major defense acquisition programs are averaging a 12-year delay in delivery, per a GAO report. Issues include immature technologies in the middle tier of acquisition projects and specific program setbacks like the Navy's MQ-25 Stingray and DDG(X) destroyer.

Turkey hosts a NATO summit amid rising regional tensions, with Defense Minister Yaşar Güler emphasizing the alliance's need to reaffirm Article 5 and adapt to evolving security challenges. The summit highlights Turkey's growing defense industry and strategic role in NATO, though political obstacles with EU integration and U.S. military shifts in Europe are noted.

Indonesia has abandoned its co-production agreement with South Korea for the KF-21 Boramae fighter jets due to delayed payments and data theft allegations. The revised deal includes a reduced financial commitment of 600 million won and limited technology transfer, with Jakarta now prioritizing the purchase of ready-made jets instead of domestic production.

The United States has withdrawn most forces deployed for a May operation against Islamic State militants in Nigeria, now providing intelligence support at Nigeria's request. The operation killed ISIS second-in-command Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and degraded the group's leadership, with AFRICOM highlighting the partnership as a model for African security cooperation.

Japan, Italy, and the U.K. secured a £4.6 billion contract for the GCAP sixth-generation fighter jet, enabling its development phase after the U.K. resolved funding delays. The tri-nation consortium Edgewing, comprising BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd., will advance design and technology under the agreement.

Poland has partnered with Spain to increase its purchase of Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft from two to four units, with deliveries expected by 2030. The agreement, signed in June 2026, allows Poland to share delivery slots with Spain and is financed through the EU's SAFE program, which provides low-cost loans for defense.

European NATO allies have largely filled gaps left by U.S. reductions in defense capabilities, though strategic bomber shortages remain. The U.S. reduced commitments to fighter jets, drones, and other assets, prompting NATO to seek alternatives for remaining shortfalls.

Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, publicly thanked outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue for strengthening military support to Kyiv during the war. Donahue resigned unexpectedly after 18 months in command, with reports citing pressure from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, though the Army has not confirmed the reason. Syrskyi highlighted Donahue’s role in delivering critical systems and saving Ukrainian lives.