Global Scans · Military · Weekly Summary

• [New] Rheinmetall and MBDA aim to field an operational laser weapon for the German Navy in 2029. C4ISRNET
• [New] EU27 investment already accounted for 32.2% of defence expenditure in 2025 and is projected at 35.9% in 2026. KEN research
• [New] By 2030, stronger European capabilities, production capacities, and logistical resilience are expected to reinforce European security as well as enhance the overall strength of the transatlantic defence architecture. Hudson Institute
• [New] There is a shortage of 150,000-200,000 skilled workers today, and it plans to train or retrain 600,000 defence workers by 2030. Hudson Institute
• [New] The growing gap between Europe's defence ambitions and its operational capabilities could undermine deterrence, encouraging Moscow to conclude that Europe and NATO may lack the capacity to sustain a prolonged confrontation. Hudson Institute
• [New] Given the persistent shortage of European defence capital, restricting US investment or transatlantic industrial partnerships could ultimately weaken the very ecosystem Europe seeks to strengthen. Hudson Institute
• [New] The emerging contest between American and European capital is a struggle over who will finance, structure, and ultimately control the future of Europe's defence industrial base. Hudson Institute
• [New] Just replacing a reduced American military contribution could require an additional $350 billion (€302 billion) annually. Hudson Institute
• [New] The flagship financial pillar of the ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030 initiative, SAFE offers €150 billion in EU-backed loans to support joint procurement of priority defence capabilities. Hudson Institute
• [New] Germany is now a heavyweight, with an estimated defence budget of €105.8 billion for 2027, which should reach roughly €180 billion in 2030. Hudson Institute
• [New] Every ally except Spain has committed to meeting the 5% defence spending target by 2035. Hudson Institute
• [New] The baseline forecast assumes that the intensity of the military conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran will gradually subside during the second half of this year. Ministry of Finance CR
• [New] Europe has increased defence spending and accelerated efforts to strengthen its military-industrial capacity because it can no longer assume that the United States will always carry the principal burden of European security. Modern Ghana
• [New] The US-Israeli war with Iran has proved more consequential for global energy security, trade and international stability than initially anticipated, while the US military intervention in Venezuela challenged established principles of national sovereignty and international law. Modern Ghana
• [New] Cameras mounted on British naval drones were discovered sending signals to an internet address in China, exposing severe supply chain vulnerabilities in Western military hardware. CYFIRMA
• [New] Japan's 2022 National Security Strategy which authorised counterstrike capability and tripled the defence budget timeline to 2% of GDP by 2027 has been the single most consequential regional policy catalyst. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Norway plans to maintain its support for Ukraine at NOK 85 billion ($9.15 billion) in 2027, with the majority of the funding expected to be allocated to military assistance. Ukraine's Arms Monitor
• [New] The German government plans to increase military aid to Ukraine to a record level in 2027. Ukraine's Arms Monitor
• [New] Testing of an interceptor missile for the Ukrainian Freyja air-defence system may begin only in summer 2027. Ukraine's Arms Monitor
• [New] Saudi Arabia has announced the Saudi Vision 2030, which includes ambitions to develop a local defence sector and improve the capabilities of its armed forces by acquiring new defence equipment. Straits Research
• [New] China's growing commercial aircraft ambitions and expanding defence sector are creating significant opportunities for specialty steel producers, while Japan's Ministry of Defense continues requesting record annual defence budgets to strengthen national security capabilities. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Growing defence modernization programs, higher NATO defence budgets, and continued investments by the U.S. Department of Defense are expected to sustain demand. Persistence Market Research

Last updated: 27 August 2026