NATO has announced a 12 percent increase in its 2024 military spending, setting a budget of $2.2 billion to support defense operations across the globe. NATO member states also agreed to allocate $480.1 million for the alliance’s civil budget next year, providing for an 18.2 percent hike to cover personnel, operating costs and program expenditures...
Category: National Security
US Hands Sanctions to New Entities Supporting Russia’s War Campaign
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions against third-country actors identified to be materially supporting Russia’s war campaign in Ukraine. According to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the action implements the Group of Seven’s decision to take down the Kremlin’s military procurement networks, including individuals and entities that are helping secure...
North Korean Hackers Launch New Global Espionage Campaign, Cybersecurity Researchers Say
Cisco Talos has uncovered a new cyber hacking campaign it has named “Operation Blacksmith.” Its researchers traced the activity to the North Korean Lazarus Group, regarded as an advanced persistent threat for its malicious cyber activities. The company said the hackers target the vulnerabilities of manufacturing, agricultural and physical security enterprises around the world using...
US Approves Potential $2B Sale of Submarine Trainers to Australia
The Department of State has approved a possible foreign military sale of submarine training devices to the Royal Australian Navy under the AUKUS Pillar One Optimal Pathway program. Under the proposed deal, to run for nine years with a ceiling value of $2 billion, the United States will also provide personnel training, planning and nonrecurring...
Rheinmetall Secures New Arms Supply Contract for Ukraine
German automotive and arms manufacturer Rheinmetall Group will supply Ukraine with artillery ammunition worth about $153 million, a procurement from an unnamed NATO ally supporting Kyiv against the Russian invasion. The new contract follows a German-funded Rheinmetall deal announced in November to supply Ukraine with 32 battle tanks, driver-training tanks and armored recovery vehicles. The...
Saab to Supply Underwater Drones to Kuwait
The U.S. Navy has awarded Sweden-based defense and aerospace company Saab a contract to supply a Double Eagle Semi-Autonomous Remotely Operated Vehicle to the Kuwait Naval Force. The SAROV order, which was processed through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, is worth $16 million and expected to be delivered by September 2025, according to the online...
Australia Seeking Partners to Develop New Tech for Enhanced Military Ops, Data Processing
Australia’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator is looking for potential industry and research partners to support its mission of developing new technologies to advance the country’s defense capabilities. ASCA said it requires innovative solutions and skills to boost how the Australian Defence Force conducts military operations and data processing. The collected input will inform efforts to...
Lockheed Martin Presents Belgium’s First F-35A Lightning II Jet Fighter
Lockheed Martin presented to Belgian government officials Belgium’s first F-35A Lightning II jet fighter during an official rollout ceremony on Sunday. Belgium is buying a total of 34 Lockheed F-35As, with the first aircraft dubbed AY-01 for delivery to the Belgian Air Force in 2024. The first fighter plane will be initially kept at Luke...
International Initiatives Blue Dot Network, FAST-Infra Group Partner to Promote Sustainable Infrastructures
Two international initiatives are working together to mobilize private sector investment to promote sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure projects. During the Sustainable Infrastructure Panel at the Conference of the Parties 28 on Thursday, Blue Dot Network and Finance to Accelerate the Sustainable Transition – Infrastructure announced plans to coordinate their respective programs and identify complementary areas for...
Defense Allies Meet in Berlin to Discuss Advancing Space Collaboration
The Department of Defense attended the Combined Space Operations Initiative Principals Board meeting in Berlin, Germany, where participants discussed opportunities to advance operational cooperation and information sharing in space. The event brought together top defense officials from the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. For the 2023 edition, CSpO...