Global Military Spending - NEWS ONLY

[CIC-TAO]

IISS 2025

 

[Forest Green]

Spending, troops and Asia: three ideas for Europe to stabilize NATO

Opinion: If Europe responds positively, it can place NATO on a new, healthy footing.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

Denmark PM says will announce 'massive' rearmament plans

Copenhagen (AFP) Feb 18, 2025 - Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her government would announce plans Wednesday for a massive rearming of Denmark's military due to the growing threat posed by Russia.

www.spacewar.com

Pentagon's $96M wearable contract sparks protest, accusations of vendor preference - Breaking Defense

In January, WHOOP issued a second, previously unreported, protest over what it says is DoD preference for Oura rings. A response is due by mid-April.

breakingdefense.com

 

[bobbymike]

Pentagon seeks to shift $50B in planned funding to new priorities in FY26 - Breaking Defense

Breaking Defense obtained a list of the 17 priority categories that are to be financially protected in FY26.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

Pete Hegseth orders senior leaders to cut 8% from Defense budget

Washington DC (UPI) Feb 19, 2025 - Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth has ordered senior military and civilian Pentagon officials to cut 8% from the Defense budget over each of the next five years.

www.spacewar.com

Hegseth Seeks $50B in Cuts to Pay for New Priorities

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered a swift and sweeping review of the defense budget that could shift tens of billions of dollars.

www.airandspaceforces.com

L3Harris breaks ground on solid rocket motor production expansion

L3Harris' Aerojet Rocketdyne broke ground on a major expansion of solid rocket motor production facilities as the U.S. seeks to rebuild its stockpile.

www.defensenews.com

Denmark to pass 3 percent GDP on defense over fear of Russian rearmament - Breaking Defense

European powers are still struggling to come to terms with the reality of urgently having to do more to protect the continent without relying on the US for renewed support.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-21/eu-is-in-talks-for-20-billion-military-aid-package-for-ukraine?srnd=homepage-europe

The European Union is preparing a package of about €20 billion ($20.9 billion) in additional military support for Ukraine, according to a person familiar with the matter, as the bloc races to secure assistance for Kyiv in the face of President Donald Trump’s push to reach a quick peace settlement with Russia.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1893595230818996485

View: https://x.com/NOELreports/status/1893595230818996485

 

[jsport]

Hanwha's new global defense chief eyes aggressive expansion in every direction - Breaking Defense

"We've been doing export for 15, 20 years, but it's just been in recent years that we've really been reaching out to create global defense industrial base, creating global partnerships, partnerships in local countries," Hanwha Global Defense President & CEO Michael Coulter told Breaking Defense.

breakingdefense.com

 

[jsport]

The secret to delivering Trump’s Iron Dome program - Breaking Defense

Charles Beames lays out how the Iron Dome for America project needs to be structured in order for it to be successful.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

UK PM pledges to spend 2.5 percent of GDP on defence by 2027

London (AFP) Feb 25, 2025 - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged Tuesday to boost defence spending to 2.5 percent of the economy by 2027, as uncertainty reigns over US President Donald Trump's commitment to European security.

www.spacewar.com

Air Force budget cuts may open old wounds with Congress

Experts say it's unlikely the Air Force could save $15 billion only targeting the kind of diversity and climate change programs Sec. Hegseth has derided.

www.defensenews.com

New Report: A $45B ‘Recovery Plan’ for the Department of the Air Force

The top priority for President Trump’s defense team should be revitalizing the Air Force and expanding the Space Force, a new report argues.

www.airandspaceforces.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1894725485201969210

View: https://x.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/1894725485201969210

 

[Forest Green]

Warren, Duckworth probe Air Force secretary nominee on dealings with Elon Musk - Breaking Defense

“These reports raise concerns about your ability, if confirmed as Secretary, to treat contractors fairly and prioritize the Air Force’s mission over Elon Musk’s business interests,” wrote Democratic Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Elizabeth Warren.

breakingdefense.com

 

[WatcherZero]

Irelands Defence Minister has proposed tripling the budget to 1.4% of GDP. They have invited costings on the following proposals:
Increase the size of the navy from 6 patrol ships to 12
Build Irelands first airborne early warning radar.
Found an intelligence school with 300 soldiers dedicated to cybersecurity
Renew the armoured car fleet used by the army
Acquire 8 but preferably 12-14 fighters within an operating budget of €100m per year, training would be performed abroad while aircraft maintenance and ground handling would be commercially outsourced (with a €3bn annual defence budget for everything and €100m annual budget for the squadron I don't think they would be getting first hand aircraft).

Irelands current plan was to double defence spending by 2028 and acquiring the early warning radar.

Costings sought for massive expansion of Irish military including purchase of fighter jets

Proposal to double Naval Service’s fleet and equip Army with modern armoured vehicles

www.irishtimes.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

BAE Systems shares hit record high as Europe prepares to rearm - latest updates

Britain’s biggest weapons and fighter jet manufacturer surged to a record high as defence stocks were boosted by Sir Keir Starmer’s European summit on Ukraine.

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Grey Havoc]

Lithuania to walk out on global disarmament treaty

Lithuania's controversial move comes at a time of heightened tensions in international relations over its neighbor Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

www.japantimes.co.jp

EDIT:

Walkouts on global disarmament treaties

Lithuania will become the first country in the European Union to officially leave a multilateral arms regulation agreement when it withdraws on March 6 from the international treaty prohibiting the use of cluster munitions, citing a heightened security threat. But on September 6, 2024, it...

sg.news.yahoo.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

What pause in US military aid could mean for Ukraine

It's a bitter blow for Ukraine and Europe - but not the first time the US has withheld aid, writes BBC's Jonathan Beale.

www.bbc.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Denmark picks Nammo to restart ammo production at shuttered plant

Denmark plans to rapidly build up its stock of mortar and artillery shells even before production can start at Elling.

www.defensenews.com

Denmark agreed to buy the shuttered facilities at Elling in northern Jutland in October 2023, with the stated aim of exploring options for establishing domestic ammunition production. The country had sold the ammunition production activities to Expal in 2008, and the company ceased production at the site in 2020 after several years of losses.

The ammunition plant at Elling traces its roots back to the Fyrværkerikompagniet set up in Copenhagen in 1676.

Nammo will produce 155 mm and 120 mm shells at the Elling plant, as well as 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm caliber cartridges, the ministry said. All four are NATO standard calibers.

 

[Grey Havoc]

EU pitches plan to free up €800 billion for defense spending

The spending proposal comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has pulled military and financial support for Ukraine.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

General: 8% cuts ‘painful,’ but could bring fresh funds for Air Force

“There’s not many places that we can go for” such cuts, Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel said, with the Air Force smaller and older than it's ever been.

www.defensenews.com

Air Force budget cuts may open old wounds with Congress

Experts say it's unlikely the Air Force could save $15 billion only targeting the kind of diversity and climate change programs Sec. Hegseth has derided.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

Pentagon touts $80M in DOGE cuts, but public receipts don’t add up

The Pentagon refused to provide a full list of cuts, and publicly available data — including "receipts" listed on DOGE's site — total around $25 million.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Germany's likely next government seeks higher defense spending

Merz cited “the most recent decisions by the American government” as one factor.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

1:08PM

Germany urges EU to let countries spend more on defence​

Germany has reportedly urged the European Union to reform its fiscal rules to allow countries to increase spending on defence.
A German envoy asked the bloc to allow additional room for manoeuvre so countries can avoid falling foul of EU budget rules, according to Bloomberg.
It comes as Friedrich Merz, the country’s likely next chancellor, announced plans for a €500bn fund for defence and infrastructure spending amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

Europe’s car giants in ‘mortal danger’ from Trump tariffs - latest updates

Europe’s car makers are in “mortal danger”, a top EU official has warned as the bloc launched a much-vaunted plan to rescue its motoring sector amid the threat of US tariffs.

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Forest Green]

China says to hike defence spending by 7.2% this year

Beijing (AFP) Mar 5, 2025 - China's defence spending will rise by 7.2 percent in 2025, the same as last year, Beijing said on Wednesday, as its armed forces undergo rapid modernisation and eye deepening strategic competition with the United States.

www.spacewar.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Scranton helped the US aid Ukraine. Now its role is uncertain

The city's ammunition plant makes weapons for Ukraine, whose president paid it a visit last year.

www.bbc.com

 

[Forest Green]

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/06/trump-cabinet-musk-025093

Trump puts new limits on Elon Musk​

President Donald Trump convened his Cabinet in person on Thursday to deliver a message: You’re in charge of your departments, not Elon Musk.

 

[Grey Havoc]

China bans more US defense firms

The ban aims to protect the country’s “national sovereignty and security," and it follows US tariffs against Beijing, according to the Chinese government.

www.defensenews.com

Singapore raises defense budget, readies new military acquisitions

The government of Singapore announced a 12.4% defense budget hike on March 3, with major new equipment on order.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

NSSA Calls for Doubling U.S. Space Force Budget to Maintain Space Superiority

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 06, 2025 - The National Security Space Association (NSSA) has issued an official position paper titled Double Down on the Space Force Budget, urging Congress to increase the U.S. Space Force budget to $60 bi

www.spacewar.com

European rearmament should avoid US firms: Airbus

Frankfurt, Germany (AFP) Mar 7, 2025 - European governments should make sure increases in defence spending go to European firms and avoid dependence on US companies, the head of Airbus's defence division said in an interview published Friday.

www.spacewar.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

The radical European country taxing pensioners to fund its war chest

Baltic state pioneers the Continent’s first ‘defence tax’ to defeat Putin’s Russia

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Grey Havoc]

Leonardo predicts massive revenue leap to $32.5 billion by 2029

The Italian defense firm's projection is driven by new joint ventures, organic growth and huge rises in defense spending in Europe.

www.defensenews.com

Defense companies jack up Germany’s auto industry to make weapons fast

To overcome production bottlenecks, the argument goes, why not repurpose manufacturing capabilities of Germany’s famed, but ailing, automobile sector?

www.defensenews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

GOP stopgap funding bill boosts defense funding over FY24 levels - Breaking Defense

The proposed CR includes an additional $8 billion for Central Command and European Command, specifying that the funds be used for “only for U.S. military operations, force protection, and deterrence.”

breakingdefense.com

 

[Forest Green]

Leonardo predicts massive revenue leap to $32.5 billion by 2029

The Italian defense firm's projection is driven by new joint ventures, organic growth and huge rises in defense spending in Europe.

www.defensenews.com

'Very broad consensus' emerging among Europeans on Ukraine: France

Paris (AFP) Mar 12, 2025 - A very broad consensus is emerging among European nations on boosting Ukraine's long-term security through the Ukrainian armed forces, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said Wednesday after a meeting of Europe's five key defence powers in Paris.

www.spacewar.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Defence boost will create Scottish jobs - Chancellor

Rachel Reeves has announced a £2bn increase to a lending scheme which could fund overseas deals.

www.bbc.com

 

[Forest Green]

Amid Democratic turmoil, Senate passes yearlong funding stopgap with $892B for defense - Breaking Defense

The full year continuing resolution passed in a 54-46 vote largely along party lines, preventing a government shutdown before a midnight deadline.

breakingdefense.com

New Budget Deal Could Cost USAF Up to $14 Billion

The Air Force would lose billions of dollars in buying power if there is a yearlong continuing resolution.

www.airandspaceforces.com

https://www.spacewar.com/reports/UK_boosts_export_financing_for_defence_firms_by_26bn_999.html

 

[Grey Havoc]

Ukraine-Russia war live: Trump and Putin to speak today ‘for as long as necessary’

Vladimir Putin is demanding a halt on all weapons deliveries to Ukraine during a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Donald Trump.

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[DWG]

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/portugal-wary-trumps-nato-policy-pick-fighter-jets-2025-03-14/

Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Melo told Portugal's Publico newspaper : "The recent U.S. stance in the context of NATO and the international geostrategic dimension, makes us think what are the best options, because the predictability of our allies is a factor to be reckoned with,"

"This ally of ours, that has behaved in a predictable fashion for decades, could impose limits on the use, maintenance, components, and all that is linked to having the aircraft operational."

 

[DWG]

NATO countries are having second thoughts about buying America's F-35 as the 'predictability of our allies' is doubted amid Trump's seismic shifts

"There are several options that must be considered, particularly in the context of European production."

fortune.com

"On Friday, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said the country is actively looking at other fighter jets amid growing political momentum to scrap a $13 billion deal for 88 F-35s that was signed in 2023.

Canada has committed money for its first 16 planes, which are scheduled for delivery early next year. Blair indicated that after accepting that batch of F-35s, Canada could turn to European aircraft to replace its aging fleet of fighters.

“The prime minister has asked me to go and examine those things and have discussions with other sources, particularly where there may be opportunities to assemble those fighter jets in Canada,” he told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., alluding to a Swedish proposal for Saab’s Gripen fighter."

 

[Forest Green]

MBDA CEO sees 'moment of truth' in European defense, as firm sets order record - Breaking Defense

Eric Béranger said uncertainty in historical alliances is showing that MBDA's joint European model is "proving relevant."

breakingdefense.com

Germany preps constitution change to finance historic defense uptick

With the Trump administration expected to disengage from Europe, bloc leaders appear to be serious about banding together on defense.

www.defensenews.com

Europe’s top missile maker MBDA boosts output 33% amid record orders

MBDA is the only Western company besides American firms capable of producing “the full range of complex weapons,” the CEO said.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Halcyon66]

Macron to EU colleagues: Stop buying American, buy European

“Those who buy Patriot should be offered the new-generation Franco-Italian SAMP/T. Those who buy the F-35, should be offered the Rafale,” French president says.

www.politico.eu

MSN

Regards,

 

[Halcyon66]

Australia's 'biggest defence export' was meant for the US first, but Canada snuck past Trump

For months, senior officials have been discussing exporting Australia's world-leading JORN radar technology to the United States, but after Donald Trump's return to the White House, Canada saw an opportunity and leapt.

www.abc.net.au

Canada's new leader announces Australian radar purchase while visiting edge of Arctic Circle

Canada's new leader has announced a radar purchase from Australia and an expansion of military operations in the Arctic while visiting Canada’s far north in an effort to assert sovereignty over the increasingly contested region

abcnews.go.com

Regards,

 

[Grey Havoc]

Britain can’t afford to defend itself – the expanding welfare state is to blame

The UK’s ballooning benefits bill threatens the Government’s ambitions to rearm

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[bobbymike]

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/3/19/the-need-for-sufficient-and-stable-funding?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0py0pb9R-XHeWpVY2gyUi5YITK0Iu2RLsw2qVWfK3avxdui4ErfdXm-Nk_aem_2OKMmfkfsH4EWqbzfsck3A

 

[Forest Green]

Australia, Canada announce $4B over horizon radar agreement - Breaking Defense

This may be "the single biggest defense industry export from Australia in our history. So this is a really, really big opportunity for the nation," Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said today.

breakingdefense.com

Canada Looks To Close Critical Arctic Radar Gaps With Australia's Help

A new long-range over-the-horizon radar would help Canada and the United States keep watch over the highly strategic High North.

www.twz.com