EU DEFENCE
Share
Moscow Accuses Ukraine of Using Latvia as Drone Launch Pad
Moscow’s allegation that Ukraine is preparing drone attacks from Latvian territory has been rejected by Riga, but the timing points to a wider Russian effort to exploit Baltic airspace incidents and political instability in Latvia. Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service has…
Poland’s Abrams engine hub strengthens NATO maintenance depth
A new Honeywell-linked service centre in Dęblin will make Poland the only country in Europe authorised to repair Abrams tank engines, adding industrial weight to NATO’s eastern flank at a time of renewed concern over US force posture. Poland is…
Norway joins EU Baltic framework as security concerns widen in the north
Norway’s entry into the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region reflects a wider shift in northern European security, where maritime infrastructure, energy routes and hybrid threats have become central to regional cooperation. Norway has formally joined the EU Strategy…
Belarus Nuclear Drills Raise Pressure on NATO’s Eastern Flank
Belarus has begun training linked to the use of Russian nuclear weapons, adding a new military signal on NATO’s eastern border as Moscow and Minsk deepen their defence integration. Belarus said on Monday that its armed forces had begun training…
Trump Administration Halts Planned US Brigade Deployment to Poland Amid Wider European Troop Cuts
The cancelled rotation of more than 4,000 US troops has raised questions over Washington’s military posture in Europe and the future of deterrence on NATO’s eastern flank. The United States has halted the planned deployment of more than 4,000 troops…
Italy Faces Decision on EU Defence Loans as SAFE Deadline Approaches
Italy is under pressure to decide whether to draw on the EU’s Security Action for Europe loan instrument, with Rome eligible for around €14.9bn as Brussels seeks to accelerate joint defence procurement and industrial readiness. Italy is approaching a decision…
Latvia’s Prime Minister Resigns After Coalition Breaks Over Drone Incidents
Evika Siliņa’s resignation brings down Latvia’s government months before parliamentary elections, following a coalition dispute over the handling of Ukrainian drone incidents and the dismissal of the defence minister. Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has resigned, bringing down her centre-right…
EU Weighs Wider Naval Role as Strait of Hormuz Risk Rises
The EU’s foreign policy chief has said Operation ASPIDES could be extended towards the Strait of Hormuz through a change to its operational plan, as Europe assesses the risk to trade and energy routes in the Gulf. The European Union…
EU Defence Ministers Move to Strengthen European Defence Agency as Procurement Pressure Grows
EU defence ministers have agreed to reinforce the European Defence Agency, including through new structures for innovation, experimentation and collaborative procurement, as member states face pressure to turn higher defence spending into usable military capability. EU defence ministers have agreed…
NATO Eastern Flank Summit Puts Ukraine and Regional Deterrence Back on the Agenda
Leaders from NATO’s eastern flank met in Bucharest on 13 May, alongside Nordic partners, Ukraine and the NATO Secretary General, as the Alliance prepares for its July summit in Ankara and faces continued pressure from Russia’s war against Ukraine. Leaders…