The latest news in government defence activity
5.1. Madrid has cleared a €5.4 billion funding package for a joint Spain-Poland purchase of at least seven Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft. Poland is expected to take delivery of four aircraft by 2030, with the other three allocated to Spain. Source.
5.2. Germany is reportedly exploring financial support for Britain’s nuclear deterrent as Berlin considers closer coordination with UK and French nuclear forces, rather than pursuing an independent German arsenal, as part of broader efforts to strengthen European strategic deterrence. Source.
5.3. Germany is scoping a nearly €12 billion programme to develop and build an arsenal of long-range weapons, including low-cost cruise missiles, according to internal documents from the German Federal Ministry of Defence. Source.
5.4. The United States has approved the sale of BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II laser-guided rockets to Italy for integration on its Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft, supporting the counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) mission. Source.
5.5. Finland and Ukraine are close to an agreement on drone cooperation, with Finnish President Alexander Stubb expecting that 90% of jointly produced drones would go to Ukraine and 10% would remain in Finland. Source.
5.6. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Estonian President Alar Karis, who said Estonia is exploring ways to deepen defence-industrial cooperation, including leveraging Ukraine’s battlefield experience and pursuing joint production of defence equipment. Source.
5.7. India and the UK reviewed ongoing defence-industrial cooperation, with a focus on R&D under the India-UK Vision 2035 and the 10-year Defence Industrial Roadmap, during a meeting in New Delhi between Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the UK Ministry of Defence’s top official, Jeremy Pocklington. Source.
5.8. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has established a framework enabling domestic defence companies, research institutions and government agencies to obtain NATO standards, facilitating greater interoperability and supporting access to NATO-aligned markets. Source.
5.9. NATO and New Zealand are exploring closer military cooperation in maritime security, interoperability and emerging technologies, following talks in Wellington between NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone and New Zealand’s political and defence leadership during his 23–25 August visit. Source.
5.10. The Finnish Defence Forces’ research institute has completed FIN FOE 2040, an assessment of Finland’s future operating environment and its implications for national defence, aimed at informing long-term defence planning and preparedness. Source.