Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD has warned of increased hybrid attacks in Europe, noting that Russian hackers have been targeting the Dutch public service and critical infrastructure. MIVD Director Peter Reesink said the Netherlands saw the first Russian cyberattack on an undisclosed public service aimed at gaining control of its system. In an annual report,...
Category: Geopolitical Issues
Taiwan Advocates for More Realistic Combat Training Exercises
Taiwan’s latest Quadrennial Defense Review emphasizes the need for enhanced training for its military forces in preparation for a potential Chinese invasion. The initiative comes in response to opinions from U.S. observers and advisers who believe that current Taiwanese defense training is insufficient and lacks battlefield realism, Defense News reported. Rupert Hammond-Chambers, a defense and...
More Chinese AI Technology Entities Land in US Blacklist
The United States government has added 80 new companies to its Entity List that threaten U.S. national security or foreign policy. Listed entities must secure a licensing requirement for any export, reexport, or in-country transfer of items. The U.S. mission in China said the Bureau of Industry and Security‘s updated list includes 11 from China...
South Korea Counts AI, Autonomous Systems as Top Defense Technology Priorities, Official Says
The South Korean Ministry of National Defense has developed a master plan for defense science and technology innovation with 10 focus areas, National Defense reported. According to Seong Tae Jeong, chief technology officer at the Agency for Defense Development’s Advanced Defense Science and Technology Research Institute, the plan’s priority technologies include artificial intelligence and manned-unmanned...
Sweden Eyes Defense Spending Boost to Match Anticipated NATO 3.5% of GDP Target
Stockholm has announced plans to increase its defense budget from 2.4 percent of Sweden’s gross domestic product to 3.5 percent. The plan aims to boost the country’s defense spending to $30 billion by 2030. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expects that the upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlands in June will raise the alliance’s current target...
Lithuania, Other European Nations Back Out of Ottawa Convention
Lithuania has withdrawn from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, usually referred to as the Ottawa Convention, in anticipation of growing regional instability. Poland, Latvia and Estonia have also backed out of the agreement. According to a statement from the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence, the move is expected to provide the withdrawing nations with more resources...
Elbit Systems, Rafael to Equip NATO Vessels With EW Protection Tool
Israeli defense companies Elbit Systems and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have received a contract to supply European NATO member states with a Naval Decoy Control and Launching System to protect their ships from various adversarial threats. The electronic warfare solution will integrate Elbit’s DESEAVER MK-4 Countermeasure Dispensing System and Rafael’s passive and active decoy countermeasures....
Sweden Strengthens Ukraine Defense Aid With $295M Allocation
Sweden said it has allocated $295 million to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, boosting the defense aid it extends to Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Defence, the 18th military package covers the delivery of 18 ARCHER artillery units and five Arthur counter-battery fire radar units and financial support to improve the Ukrainian defense industry....
Lithuania Assures Continued Partnership With US Defense Vendors
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene recently visited the United States to engage with executives from defense companies, aiming to reinforce their ongoing defense partnership. During a roundtable discussion with reporters at the Lithuanian Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Sakaliene emphasized that her conversations with Northrop Grumman, RTX and Lockheed Martin align with her government’s...
Saab to Maintain, Modernize Germany’s Taurus Missiles Under $161M Deal
Sweden’s Saab has received a $161.1 million contract to maintain and modernize Germany’s Taurus KEPD-350 air-launched cruise missiles. The contract has a performance period until 2035. German subcontractor Taurus Systems, a joint venture between Saab and MBDA Germany, made the order after receiving an initial placement from the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology...