Europe

The list is here: Find out how global defense companies performed in FY21

We reveal who’s up and who’s down for 2022, based on fiscal 2021 defense revenue.

Turkey’s defense industry eyes export expansion as government navigates geopolitical stage

Joint efforts with Ukraine; emerging markets in Africa; exports reaching all-time highs. The Turkish defense industry has been incredibly busy, but it's not all good news for the marketplace.

Commentary

Even in a challenging period, publicly traded defense stocks thrive

Last year began with optimism following a weak 2020 marked by the pandemic and the uncertainties of a presidential election year. Then everything changed with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

How US Marines put Force Design 2030 to work in Europe and monitored Russian naval forces

Maj. Gen. Francis Donovan, of the 2nd Marine Division and Task Force 61/2, has given Defense News an insider’s view of force structure and equipment involved in the realization of the Corps' Force Design 2030.

NATO fortifies Eastern Europe’s defenses under new ‘air shielding’ mission

Stronger air and missile defenses will remain in place in Eastern Europe for the long run, a NATO official said last month.

Global military spending hits record high

Find out how much money goes to funding militaries around the world, plus how many warheads are still deployed.

Meet Britain’s new ship that will test autonomous and lethal technologies

The 270-ton vessel will be used by NavyX, the British Royal Navy's experimental technology unit.

US State Department approves $8.4 billion F-35 sale to Germany

The State Department on Thursday announced the foreign military sales (FMS) approval for up to 35 F-35A aircraft, along with munitions and related equipment, for a total estimated cost of $8.4 billion.

Meet Russia’s new arms industry boss — a fan of Stalin and business consolidation

Denis Manturov has a challenge ahead of him: protecting and building Russia's defense-industrial base amid Western sanctions and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Tempest program, Russian invasion drive growth in Italy’s defense budget

The newly released 2022 budget includes €18 billion (U.S. $18.4 billion) in defense ministry spending, up from the €16.8 billion spent in 2021, which was in turn an increase from previous years.

Latvia requests HIMARS weapon to bolster Baltic defense

The country also aims to purchase coastal defense missile systems and is currently evaluating submitted offers.

European Defence Fund unveils first round of awardees

The European Union revealed last week the awardees of its first batch of European Defence Fund (EDF)-supported projects, reflecting a cumulative €1.2 billion (U.S. $1.23 billion) going to 61 defense research and development (R&D) projects.

Inside the multinational logistics cell coordinating military aid for Ukraine

Since early March, a cohort of American service members and a rotating crew of multinational partners have set up shop in U.S. European Command headquarters to ensure equipment gets from the donor nation to Ukraine’s doorstep.

Dassault chief confirms fighter prototype delay amid workshare dispute

“Dassault Aviation is seeking a clear statement of acceptance of its role as prime contractor by Airbus Defence and Space for the Next-Generation Fighter,” the French company said in a statement.

South Korean officials say major sale of weapons to Poland is imminent

The Polish government is reportedly discussing the acquisition of K-2 tanks from Hyundai Rotem, FA50 light attack aircraft from KAI, and K9 self-propelled artillery from Hanwha under a long-term arrangement.

US and Netherlands agree to share helicopter developments

To better coordinate developments in helicopter capabilities, the U.S. and Netherlands signed an agreement to allow for greater sharing of technology.

Czech Republic selects F-35 as next fighter jet

The aircraft are to replace the 14 Saab JAS 39 Gripens currently operated by the Czech military, making the country the second Eastern European ally after Poland to order Lockheed Martin’s fighters.

Commentary

Finland and Sweden in NATO are strategic assets, not liabilities

The two Nordic countries will bring two relatively small but advanced militaries into NATO, adding significant military capabilities and augmenting the alliance’s ability to deter additional Russian aggression.

Turkey nearing $4 billion in annual defense exports

“The rise in exports, which came after two years of decline during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, should be attributed primarily to aerospace, and home-made drones in particular," one Turkish analyst said.

EU members’ wish lists are due for new Ukraine replenishment fund

Officials in Brussels are working against the clock, as member states grow frustrated with bloc bureaucracy as they weigh buying from abroad and on their own instead.

Putin makes changes to arms industry, space agency leadership

The reshuffle follows reported flaws and deficiencies in Russian weapons programs highlighted by the military action in Ukraine.

Britain’s Typhoon jets to get radar, anti-jamming upgrades in nearly $3 billion deal

Britain’s Defence Ministry has made a deal with industry to upgrade Royal Air Force Typhoon jets with a new active electronically scanned array radar and other new technologies, Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin said.

Bulgaria, Russia clash over Ukrainian helicopter repairs

Bulgaria had previously agreed to repair Ukrainian military equipment at its military factories, although it refused to send weapons directly.

Italy F-35 maintenance hub opens for international customers with Norwegian jet

A spokeswoman for the firm said the DoD joint program office for the fighter certified Cameri’s Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul, and Upgrade (MROU) facility as achieving full operating capability in June.

Italian Navy, telecom provider team up to deter attacks on undersea cables

An Italian Navy official also suggested cables themselves might act as sensors to help the service.