The European Union needs to set up a $109.8 billion fund for defense industry cooperation in the region, according to Thierry Breton, the bloc’s internal market commissioner. At an event hosted by Renew Europe on Tuesday, Breton said the defense fund will accelerate the EU’s weapons procurement effort. He added that the massive defense spending...
Category: Geopolitical Issues
US, International Partners Condemn North Korean Missile Transfers to Russia
The United States and its international allies have issued a statement condemning the alleged transfer of ballistic missiles from North Korea to Russia. In the statement signed by U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken, European Union High Representative Josep Borrell and the foreign ministers of 47 countries, the coalition declared that the reported North Korea-Russia arms...
Italian Foreign Minister Wants an EU Army to Maintain Regional Peace
Italy’s foreign minister has urged the European Union to establish a combined army to prevent conflict and maintain regional peace. In an interview with Italian newspaper La Stampa, Antonio Tajani explained that if the EU wants to play the role of peacekeepers of the world, it is necessary to create a European military. The existence of...
Boeing Eyes 6 E-7s Annually to Meet Increasing Global Demand
Boeing said it is targeting an annual production output of six E-7 Wedgetails to meet increasing demand from international customers. According to Stu Voboril, program manager for the E-7 at Boeing, the company expects to achieve the production goal in the latter part of the decade. He added that the increased aircraft production will address...
White House Industry Conference Explores New Tech Solutions to Further Boost War Support for Ukraine
The Biden administration convened a meeting with executives of venture capital firms on Monday to explore new technologies to help Ukraine in its war against Russia. During the conference, National Security Council members met with representatives from defense technology companies, which included Palantir, Anduril Industries and drone manufacturer Skydio. According to an administration official, National...
Viasat, BAE Systems, Other US Defense Companies Receive Chinese Sanctions Over Arms Sales to Taiwan
China has issued new sanctions on five U.S.-based arms manufacturers over sales of weapons to Taiwan, which it considers a renegade province. According to an AP News report, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday that it has barred organizations and individuals in China from doing business with AeroVironment, Alliant Techsystems Operation, BAE Systems...
Boeing Secures $402M Deal to Sustain, Modernize Australia’s Fleet of Military Aircraft
The Australian government has awarded Boeing Defence Australia a $401.6 million contract for sustainment and modernization support of the country’s F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft. The modification extends the two parties’ original agreement by another five years, guaranteeing support for the Royal Australian Air Force’s military aircraft through 2030. The extension is the...
Officials Discover Months-Long Russian Cyber Hack on Ukrainian Telco
Ukraine says Russian hackers infiltrated a major telecom provider for months before launching a cyberattack on Dec. 12 that crippled communications services. In an interview, Illia Vitiuk, head of the cybersecurity division at SBU, Ukraine’s intelligence agency, revealed that the cybercriminals have been inside Kyivstar’s systems since at least May. He noted that the incident destroyed...
US Alliance Plan Sustained Red Sea Defense Operations Against Rebel Attacks
The United States, its allies and partners will continue to defend commercial vessels in the Red Sea from Houthi rebel attacks, Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of Naval Forces Central Command, said in a Department of Defense statement. His remarks follow a Thursday incursion by Iran-backed Houthis, who flew and detonated a maritime drone...
BAE Systems To Build M777 Titanium Structures for US Army
BAE Systems said it has signed a $50 million deal with the U.S. Army to build new M777 howitzer structures, with a target of fulfilling initial deliveries in 2025. The negotiations are ongoing to finalize the details of the agreement and its total value, but the current terms allow BAE to start delivering on the...