Techno

Poland continues talk of a Leopard 2 ‘alliance,’ even without Germany

Poland continues talk of a Leopard 2 ‘alliance,’ even without Germany

WARSAW, Poland — Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced his country will request Germany’s approval for the planned transfer of some of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Poland is also in talks with a group of Western European nations, including the U.K., to jointly supply a large number of Leopard 2s and other tanks to its neighbor amid its combat against Russia’s invasion, he said.

Austin meets new German defense minister over Ukraine tank support

Austin meets new German defense minister over Ukraine tank support

WASHINGTON — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Germany’s newly appointed defense minister, Boris Pistorius, on Thursday to push Berlin to approve the transfer of German-made tanks for Ukraine to fight Russia’s invasion.

Turkey F-16 sale in congressional limbo amid Lockheed backlog

Turkey F-16 sale in congressional limbo amid Lockheed backlog

WASHINGTON — Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu met with his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken in Washington on Wednesday to secure a $20 billion arms sale that includes 40 Lockheed Martin Block 70 F-16 fighter jets as well as upgrades to Turkey’s current F-16 fleet.

The West doubles down on aiding Ukraine with heavy weapons

The West doubles down on aiding Ukraine with heavy weapons

WASHINGTON ― Weeks before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Western officials agreed to send a flurry of offensive armored vehicles to Ukraine’s battlefields that they previously refused to deliver for fear of provoking Russia — heralding a new phase of international support for Kyiv.

US State Dept. clears sale of Abrams tanks to Poland

US State Dept. clears sale of Abrams tanks to Poland

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Dept. cleared a possible sale of M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks to Poland, according to a Dec. 6 announcement by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

Sweden getting into the NATO groove by aiding Ukraine, boosting budget

Sweden getting into the NATO groove by aiding Ukraine, boosting budget

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Days after Sweden announced its largest military aid package yet for Ukraine, its lead defense officials are positioning the Nordic country’s contributions as an example of what to expect from Stockholm as a NATO member.

Nordic nations may pool their growing military support to Ukraine

Nordic nations may pool their growing military support to Ukraine

HELSINKI — Nordic governments are exploring a number of joint initiatives to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia, including proposals for shared weapons buys, coordinating arms donations and expanding logistics cooperation to safely transport military equipment to the war-torn country.

Weapons shortages spark tough choices for Ukraine’s allies

Weapons shortages spark tough choices for Ukraine’s allies

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia ― Top defense officials in Europe say arms shortages among Ukraine’s Western allies are forcing difficult conversations about how to balance support for Ukraine with concerns Russia may target them next.

Poland accepts Germany’s Patriot offer after fatal missile strike

Poland accepts Germany’s Patriot offer after fatal missile strike

WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak has announced that, in the aftermath of last week’s fatal missile strike on Polish soil, he has “received with satisfaction” the offer of his German counterpart, Christine Lambrecht, who said Germany could deploy some of its Patriot launchers to protect its neighbor’s skies.

Serbia may become biggest operator of military drones in Balkans

Serbia may become biggest operator of military drones in Balkans

MILAN, Italy — Amid rising tensions with Kosovo, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's recent order to shoot down all UAVs found in no-fly zones and near military facilities, Iranian officials suggested that Serbia made a formal bid to purchase that country’s drones.

US approves arms sales to Switzerland, Lithuania and Belgium

US approves arms sales to Switzerland, Lithuania and Belgium

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the manufacture of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missile. Lockheed Martin makes the weapon.

Finland refutes nuclear weapons ‘siting’ and reinforces border

Finland refutes nuclear weapons ‘siting’ and reinforces border

HELSINKI — Finland has refuted any possibility that the currently unaligned Nordic state will consider hosting nuclear weapons on its territory once a member nation of NATO.

F-35 costs have been declining. That’s about to change.

F-35 costs have been declining. That’s about to change.

Correction: A previous version of this story misinterpreted a BAE Systems statement.

US military in decline, threats from China ‘formidable,’ report says

US military in decline, threats from China ‘formidable,’ report says

WASHINGTON — U.S. military power was weaker this year than the year prior, according to a new report by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that each year analyzes the strength of the armed forces and the threats to America.

Industry cluster forms around European patrol corvette program

Industry cluster forms around European patrol corvette program

ROME — Shipbuilders from France, Italy and Spain have announced the creation of a consortium to ramp up design work on a new European corvette and coordinate cooperation on the program with dozens of firms around the continent.