German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius encouraged allies, including the US, to “arrive” at military expenditure of 3 percent GDP – though declined to put forward a timeline for such change to occur.
By Tim MartinThe future company will commit to a 50/50 workshare split between French and German manufacturers, supported by an “innovative ‘level-pillar approach,’” said manufacturer KNDS.
By Tim MartinThe Netherlands has been a vital weapons supplier to Kyiv, throughout the war against Russia, most recently pledging an additional $2.2 billion in military aid for 2024.
By Tim Martin“What we’re seeing now is that the current war in Ukraine illustrates that we need to be capable of staying in the fight for a longer duration and that requires volume,” Lars Lervik, chief of staff of the Norwegian Army, told Breaking Defense.
By Tim MartinUkraine has said it will use the US-made tanks sparingly, and analysts told Breaking Defense they’re unlikely to make an immediate strategic impact — unless there’s a breakthrough.
By Tim MartinThe Israeli firm also said it’s moving to next phase for the Trophy on the latest British Challenger tanks.
By Seth J. FrantzmanThe contract includes an option for an addition 105 tanks, in what would reportedly be a $3.2 billion purchase should the government proceed with the whole lot.
By Tim MartinThe delivery marks the first foreign gifts of Western-made main battle tanks to Ukraine, a long-sought after weapon for Kyiv which it hopes to use as part of a planned upcoming spring offensive.
By Tim MartinThe breakthrough on heavy weaponry marked a pivotal moment in strategic thinking by Western decisionmakers, previously concerned that more modern main battle tanks than the Soviet-era T-72, operated by Ukraine, could lead to an escalation of the war.
By Tim Martin“Ukraine will integrate recent commitments of armored vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles and tanks with fires that achieve the effect of synchronized ground maneuver,” Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said.
By Tim MartinFighter jet training offer comes as three other European nations announce they’ll send more than 100 Leopard tanks to Kyiv.
By Tim MartinThe new Leopard 2A7s, set to replace Leopard 2A4 vehicles, are due to be phased in with the Norwegian Army between 2026 and 2031. A contract with manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMV) is expected in the “near future,” a Norwegian official told Breaking Defense.
By Tim Martin“Russia is paying a heavy price as our sanctions are eroding its economy, throwing it back by a generation,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who noted Ukraine’s “impressive progress” toward EU membership.
By Tim MartinFunding for the items like protective gear and NVGs will be provided from the government’s €100 billon special arms fund, a seismic uplift in defense spending aimed at ending decades of peacetime underfunding and acquiring new military equipment at pace to deter Russian aggression.
By Tim Martin