Trump says Ukraine lacks leverage. His own officials say otherwise.
Rubio called Ukraine’s military the strongest in Europe, while Driscoll told senators the U.S. is playing catch-up with Kyiv’s Delta command network.
Lithuanian lawmakers shelter, Vilnius air traffic suspended due to drone incursion
A drone violated Lithuanian airspace on Wednesday, the latest in a series of security incidents in the Baltic region.
Germany touts pan-German space command amid European push to supplant US tech
Austria’s Defense Minister Claudia Tanner reaffirmed that Austria plans to put three operationally designated military satellites into orbit next year.
Italy rethinks EU defense-financing aid as arms spending falls out of fashion
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants to refocus the bloc's help on lowering the cost of living for Italians, as energy costs have soared amid the Iran war.
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Air
Italy settles on Airbus tanker purchase in swing toward European equipment
The deal marks a shift from Boeing to Airbus for the Italian Air Force, which flies four Boeing 767-based tanker aircraft which entered service from 2011.
Land
Germany to deploy Patriot battery to Turkey, relieving US forces on NATO’s southeastern flank
Germany’s contribution to intercepting Iranian missiles is framed in Berlin as an exercise in burden-sharing.
Pentagon
Trump says Ukraine lacks leverage. His own officials say otherwise.
Rubio called Ukraine’s military the strongest in Europe, while Driscoll told senators the U.S. is playing catch-up with Kyiv’s Delta command network.
ISIS leader killed in Africa as US commander raises force reduction concerns
Despite recent operations, U.S. force reduction moves have ignited concerns over America's ability to stifle terror plots emanating from the continent.
Army leaders in hot seat over Poland deployment cancellation
Lawmakers questioned the timing and the reasons, lambasting the order that Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said sent a “terrible message to Russia and our allies.”
Asia Pacific
China fires verbal warning shot at US over Taiwan
Any misstep over Taiwan could push the U.S. and China toward direct confrontation, Chinese leader Xi Jinping told President Donald Trump.
Iran military threat is diminished but not eliminated, CENTCOM chief says
Adm. Brad Cooper said the U.S. had severely degraded Iran’s warfighting capacity, including the elimination of roughly 90% of its inventory of naval mines.
Pentagon reaches agreements with defense firms on containerized missiles
The Pentagon is announcing framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, Leidos and Zone 5 to acquire over 10,000 containerized missiles.
Naval
Sweden picks France’s FDI frigates in potential $4.2 billion deal
Sweden picked the French vessel due to a combination of quick delivery time, an active production line and proven air-defense capabilities, officials said.
Space
Germany touts pan-German space command amid European push to supplant US tech
Austria’s Defense Minister Claudia Tanner reaffirmed that Austria plans to put three operationally designated military satellites into orbit next year.
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Turkey to buy 100 one-way explosive naval drones for swarm attacks
Turkey eyes an arsenal capable of taking out enemy ships with unmanned systems.
Trump says Ukraine lacks leverage. His own officials say otherwise.
Rubio called Ukraine’s military the strongest in Europe, while Driscoll told senators the U.S. is playing catch-up with Kyiv’s Delta command network.
By Katie Livingstone
Lithuanian lawmakers shelter, Vilnius air traffic suspended due to drone incursion
A drone violated Lithuanian airspace on Wednesday, the latest in a series of security incidents in the Baltic region.
By Andrius Sytas, Reuters
Germany touts pan-German space command amid European push to supplant US tech
Austria’s Defense Minister Claudia Tanner reaffirmed that Austria plans to put three operationally designated military satellites into orbit next year.
By Linus Höller
Italy rethinks EU defense-financing aid as arms spending falls out of fashion
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants to refocus the bloc's help on lowering the cost of living for Italians, as energy costs have soared amid the Iran war.
By Tom Kington
UN peacekeeping forces prepare to leave Lebanon, but what comes next?
According to analysts, the UNIFIL withdrawal will have significant implications for southern Lebanon.
Russia launches unannounced nuclear exercise, including Belarusian launch sites
The dual messaging − nuclear muscle-flexing at home, high-profile diplomacy abroad − fits a pattern the Kremlin has used repeatedly.
By Linus Höller
NATO eastern deterrence strategy takes shape around ‘autonomous zone’
“What we see in Ukraine, no vehicle movements are in the gray zone at all,” one Latvian commander said. “Any movement is destroyed.”
Italy settles on Airbus tanker purchase in swing toward European equipment
The deal marks a shift from Boeing to Airbus for the Italian Air Force, which flies four Boeing 767-based tanker aircraft which entered service from 2011.
By Tom Kington
US plans to shrink forces available to NATO during crises, sources say
The Trump administration is planning to shrink the pool of U.S. military capabilities available to assist NATO's European nations in a major crisis.
By Gram Slattery, Jonathan Landay and Andrew Gray, Reuters
More US troop withdrawals from Europe expected, NATO commander says
Gen. Alexus Grynkewich said Europe should "absolutely" expect additional U.S. troop withdrawals as NATO allies provide more of their own defense.
By Rudy Ruitenberg
NATO jet shoots down Ukrainian drone over Estonia in escalation of airspace violations
The drone was shot down by a Romanian F-16 fighter jet stationed in Šiauliai, Lithuania, Estonian media reported.
By Linus Höller