How Europe has been preparing for WIII – and why Britain isn’t ready
1 month, 1 week ago

How Europe has been preparing for WIII – and why Britain isn’t ready

The Independent  

More than 1,500km from London, frenetic activity is underway in the countryside of Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States: bulldozers and diggers are constructing field defences. Poland is spending at least €2.5bn on its border defence system, including building a sky shield system akin to Israel’s “Iron Dome” to protect its eastern border from a growing threat from Russia. While defence secretary John Healey acknowledged last year that the cuts are happening amid “war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, and conflict in the Middle East”, the Strategic Defence Review will not report until late February 2025 – if we’re lucky. open image in gallery Poland’s Donald Tusk has said that creating an iron dome, like that used in Israel, is ‘necessary’ for Europe A key reason is what I call the “1,700km duvet”. If a Nato state invokes Article 5, which calls on collective defence – a situation that many experts on the Nordic and Baltic regions believe could happen within five years – the UK cannot afford to delay its response, claiming economic constraints.

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History of this topic

Sweden to boost defence spending $30 bn over a decade
4 days, 2 hours ago

Sweden to boost defence spending $30 bn over a decade

Hindustan Times  

Sweden will increase defence spending by about 300 billion kronor over the next decade, the prime minister said Wednesday, calling it the nation's biggest rearmament push since the Cold War. Sweden has already decided on investments that are expected to put defence spending at 2.6 percent of GDP in a few years, Kristersson said, noting this already put it above …

EU does hasty reset of definition of defence spending
1 week, 3 days ago

EU does hasty reset of definition of defence spending

Hindustan Times  

* EU does hasty reset of definition of defence spending New definition needed as spending caps eased * 'Defence-relevant' items will qualify * But some countries want broader scope By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS, - When do state investments in arms factories, or the wages of tank crews and pilots not count as defence spending? On Thursday, EU leaders will study …

Support for expanding Dutch defense industry grows amid rising global tensions
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Support for expanding Dutch defense industry grows amid rising global tensions

NL Times  

A growing number of Dutch citizens favor increased defense spending and expanded military infrastructure within the country, according to a new poll. The survey, conducted by Hart van Nederland among 2,081 respondents, found that 62 percent now support raising military expenditures beyond the NATO benchmark of 2 percent of gross domestic product, nearly doubling from 33 percent in September 2024. …

EU leaders back new plan to increase defence expenditure amid change in US foreign policy
3 weeks, 2 days ago

EU leaders back new plan to increase defence expenditure amid change in US foreign policy

Firstpost  

European Union leaders agreed on a new defence plan for Europe. EU leaders back new plan to increase defence expenditure amid change in US foreign policy. File Image/Reuters European Union leaders at an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday agreed on a new defence plan for Europe. Under the new plan, the leaders sought to allocate billions of euros for …

Markets eye new wave of joint European bonds in rush to boost defence
1 month ago

Markets eye new wave of joint European bonds in rush to boost defence

The Hindu  

Big investors are sensing that a fresh joint European borrowing effort is becoming more likely as the region scrambles to ramp up defence spending. The modest reaction across bond markets, typically unnerved by higher spending, as defence talks gathered pace this month suggests investors view increased borrowing as manageable so far. Some analysts reckon even Germany, which will face a …

Trump meets Starmer: Is the UK’s increase in defence spending enough?
1 month ago

Trump meets Starmer: Is the UK’s increase in defence spending enough?

Al Jazeera  

The British leader says foreign aid will suffer a 40 percent cut to bolster defence spending in light of a ‘new era’. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the country will increase defence spending by cutting its foreign aid budget, a move he says is necessary as the United Kingdom faces a “dangerous new era”. Starmer said on Tuesday …

Markets eye new wave of joint European bonds in rush to boost defence
1 month ago

Markets eye new wave of joint European bonds in rush to boost defence

Live Mint  

* Bond markets calm in face of potential funding surge * Odds of joint borrowing seen higher than late last year * Growth impact of defence spending will be critical - Goldman By Yoruk Bahceli LONDON, Feb 26 - Big investors are sensing that a fresh joint European borrowing effort is becoming more likely as the region scrambles to ramp …

UK increases defence spending amid US pressure: Where do European nations stand?
1 month ago

UK increases defence spending amid US pressure: Where do European nations stand?

Firstpost  

Facing pressure from US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that the defence spending would be hiked to 2.5 per cent of the GDP by 2027, an increase of 0.2 per cent. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would increase annual defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product by 2027. Standing up in …

UK politics live: Reeves urges Europe to ‘step up’ defence spending as PM vows 2.5% commitment
1 month ago

UK politics live: Reeves urges Europe to ‘step up’ defence spending as PM vows 2.5% commitment

The Independent  

Rachel Reeves has urged European countries to follow the UK’s lead and increase defence spending Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. …

Starmer commits to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 on eve of US trip
1 month ago

Starmer commits to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 on eve of US trip

Firstpost  

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday he would increase annual defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and target a 3% level last seen just after the Cold War, a signal to US President Donald Trump that Britain can boost Europe’s security Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday he would increase annual defence spending to 2.5% of …

U.K. to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP during 2027
1 month ago

U.K. to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP during 2027

The Hindu  

The U.K. government will increase its defence spending to 2.5% of GDP during 2027 and maintain that level annually, up from the current level of 2.3%, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the House of Commons on Tuesday. “I can announce that this government will begin the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War,” …

Europe weighs options to boost defence spending
1 month ago

Europe weighs options to boost defence spending

Live Mint  

Europe will likely have to spend hundreds of billions of euros to prepare to defend itself militarily without U.S. help, and will also have to find ways to do that without spooking bond investors. Burilkov and Wolff calculate that it would cost around 250 billion euros annually to raise European defense spending to 3.5% of gross domestic product from around …

Report: Amount Europe needs to spend on military without US support
1 month, 1 week ago

Report: Amount Europe needs to spend on military without US support

Daily Mail  

The huge amount that Europe would need to spend to protect itself from Russia without support from the US has been revealed. The study estimates that the EU and its member states would need to increase defense spending by an extra €250 billion per year - raising total military expenditure from the current 2 percent of GDP to at least …

Denmark announces plans to bolster its defense spending and raise it above 3% of GDP
1 month, 1 week ago

Denmark announces plans to bolster its defense spending and raise it above 3% of GDP

Associated Press  

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — The Danish government on Wednesday announced plans to bolster its military by setting up a 50 billion-kroner fund that it says will raise the country’s defense spending to more than 3% of gross domestic product this year and next. This sends a clear signal to all our allies that we understand the security challenges – and that …

Denmark announces plans to bolster its defense spending and raise it above 3% of GDP
1 month, 1 week ago

Denmark announces plans to bolster its defense spending and raise it above 3% of GDP

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Danish government on Wednesday …

Can Britain afford to spend much more on defence?
1 month, 1 week ago

Can Britain afford to spend much more on defence?

The Independent  

Keir Starmer has declared that Europe is “facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent”. He has called on European nations to increase defence spending: “Non-US Nato nations have already increased defence spending by 20 per cent in the past year, but we must go further.” President Donald Trump, to the alarm of many, has suggested the …

Invest in Europe's defence: These stocks are soaring as the US market plunges and investors pile in. Now our experts pick the ones that might make you a FORTUNE
1 month, 1 week ago

Invest in Europe's defence: These stocks are soaring as the US market plunges and investors pile in. Now our experts pick the ones that might make you a FORTUNE

Daily Mail  

European defence stocks are soaring once again as the continent's leaders vow to boost military spending after Donald Trump warned he would 'not put up with' Volodymyr Zelensky for much longer. Matt Dorset, equity analyst at Quilter Cheviot, said that 'BAE's scale, relationships, and diverse range of products provide a clear opportunity to capture increased demand from higher European defence …

ANDREW NEIL: This is a watershed in Europe's history. For decades we have lavished billions on welfare and sent the bill for our defence to America - and Trump simply won't let that continue
1 month, 1 week ago

ANDREW NEIL: This is a watershed in Europe's history. For decades we have lavished billions on welfare and sent the bill for our defence to America - and Trump simply won't let that continue

Daily Mail  

President Macron will host an emergency summit of European leaders in Paris today in an attempt to marshal a united response to the defence and security crisis now engulfing Europe. US Vice President JD Vance stunned the Munich Security Conference by warning that various official attacks on free speech across Europe, including in Britain, undermined the US-European shared commitment to …

From Poland’s ‘iron dome’ to boots on the ground: How Europe is preparing for the Third World War
1 month, 2 weeks ago

From Poland’s ‘iron dome’ to boots on the ground: How Europe is preparing for the Third World War

The Independent  

More than 1,500km from London, frenetic activity is underway in the countryside of Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States: bulldozers and diggers are constructing field defences. Poland is spending at least €2.5bn on its border defence system, including building a sky shield system akin to Israel’s “Iron Dome” to protect its eastern border from a growing threat from Russia. While …

EU leaders to huddle on defence against Russia and handling Trump
1 month, 3 weeks ago

EU leaders to huddle on defence against Russia and handling Trump

Hindustan Times  

* EU leaders to huddle on defence against Russia and handling Trump NATO's Rutte and UK's Starmer to join Brussels talks * Focus on transatlantic ties, boosting European defences * Europe under pressure to rely less on US for protection * Leaders to talk capabilities, cooperation and funding By Andrew Gray BRUSSELS, - European Union leaders gather on Monday to …

EU countries call for European Investment Bank to push into defence funding
1 month, 4 weeks ago

EU countries call for European Investment Bank to push into defence funding

Live Mint  

By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS, Jan 31 - Nineteen European Union countries, including France and Germany, are calling for the European Investment Bank to boost lending for the defence industry as the 27-nation EU seeks ways to improve its military against a possible future Russian attack. The call in a joint letter comes before EU leaders' talks on Monday on the …

How much should Britain really be spending on defence?
2 months ago

How much should Britain really be spending on defence?

The Independent  

Pressure, domestic and external, is growing on the government to increase defence spending markedly. Yesterday, the secretary general of Nato, Mark Rutte, called for member states to push their target beyond the 2 per cent of GDP set back in 2006, in the light of far greater international challenges. The most ministers will offer is that the “path” to the …

Europe Is Pouring Money Into Defense. Is It Enough?
2 months ago

Europe Is Pouring Money Into Defense. Is It Enough?

New York Times  

Europe Is Pouring Money Into Defense. for European NATO members Denmark 1995 2022 Germany Finland France Portugal Lithuania Norway Spain Slovenia Belgium Netherlands Sweden Slovakia Italy Lithuania Czech Rep. Poland Estonia Greece Bulgaria Romania Latvia Hungary 40% of G.D.P. 50% 60% Denmark 1995 2022 Germany Finland France Portugal Lithuania Norway Spain Slovenia Belgium Netherlands Sweden Slovakia Italy Lithuania Czech Rep. …

EU must boost defence spending to counter Russia’s threat, says Kallas
2 months, 1 week ago

EU must boost defence spending to counter Russia’s threat, says Kallas

Al Jazeera  

The top EU diplomat has said that EU members do not spend enough on defence. Russia is posing an existential threat to the European Union’s security and the only way to address that is to increase spending on defence, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. Kallas’s rallying cry was the latest in a slew of increasingly alarming …

From Poland’s ‘iron dome’ to boots on the ground: How Europe is preparing for the Third World War
2 months, 3 weeks ago

From Poland’s ‘iron dome’ to boots on the ground: How Europe is preparing for the Third World War

The Independent  

More than 1,500km from London, frenetic activity is underway in the countryside of Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States: bulldozers and diggers are constructing field defences. Poland is spending at least €2.5bn on its border defence system, including building a sky shield system akin to Israel’s “Iron Dome” to protect its eastern border from a growing threat from Russia. While …

What will it cost to defend Britain from a growing Russian threat?
3 months, 2 weeks ago

What will it cost to defend Britain from a growing Russian threat?

The Independent  

New secretary general of Nato Mark Rutte has warned that Russia is preparing for “long-term confrontation. Rutte’s inaugural speech didn’t include a specific goal, but there are widespread reports that he’d like to see the target for defence spending among the 32 Nato member states raised from 2 per cent to 3 per cent, and he has even mentioned a …

Europe ‘will spend more’ on defence, Nato head suggests
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Europe ‘will spend more’ on defence, Nato head suggests

Live Mint  

- Europe “will spend more” on defence, the head of Nato has suggested, after he warned that “it is time to shift to a wartime mindset”. Mark Rutte, the organisation’s secretary general, told the BBC that US president-elect Donald Trump was “right” that there should be more spending on defence. Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, Mr Rutte said: “My …

Europe ‘will spend more’ on defence, Nato head suggests
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Europe ‘will spend more’ on defence, Nato head suggests

Live Mint  

- Europe “will spend more” on defence, the head of Nato has suggested, after he warned that “it is time to shift to a wartime mindset”. Mark Rutte, the organisation’s secretary general, told the BBC that US president-elect Donald Trump was “right” that there should be more spending on defence. Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, Mr Rutte said: “My …

Poland Calls on Germany to Show Leadership With Defense Spending
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Poland Calls on Germany to Show Leadership With Defense Spending

Live Mint  

-- Germany should step up its defense spending to set an example for the European Union as doubts grow about US military support for Ukraine, a senior Polish defense official said. Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk also supports exploring new financing schemes, for example issuing joint EU debt to finance military spending, which “would allow us to buy more and …

The frightening maths of Europe’s military black hole
4 months ago

The frightening maths of Europe’s military black hole

Live Mint  

ON NOVEMBER 23rd Mark Rutte, the new head of NATO, and Donald Trump, America’s president-elect, were photographed together grinning delightedly and shaking hands in Palm Beach, Florida. For all Mr Trump’s antagonism towards NATO, his nominees for secretary of state—Marco Rubio—and national security adviser—Mike Walt z—understand the value of the alliance, says Sir Lawrence Freedman, a British military strategist. The …

From Poland’s ‘iron dome’ to boots on the ground: How Europe is preparing for the Third World War
4 months, 1 week ago

From Poland’s ‘iron dome’ to boots on the ground: How Europe is preparing for the Third World War

The Independent  

More than 1,500km from London, frenetic activity is underway in the countryside of Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States: bulldozers and diggers are constructing field defences. Poland is spending at least €2.5bn on its border defence system, including building a sky shield system akin to Israel’s “Iron Dome” to protect its eastern border from a growing threat from Russia. While …

European countries are spending more on defense, a think tank says
4 months, 3 weeks ago

European countries are spending more on defense, a think tank says

Associated Press  

PRAGUE — European nations boosted their defenses in response to the annexation of the Crimea Peninsula in 2014 and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a London-based think tank said Friday, but much remains to be done for them to be ready to face threats from Russia. “NATO has not just significantly increased its ambitions regarding its deterrence and …

Labour is urged to hike British defence spending amid fears Donald Trump could pull out of NATO and slash support for UK-backed campaigns
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Labour is urged to hike British defence spending amid fears Donald Trump could pull out of NATO and slash support for UK-backed campaigns

Daily Mail  

Donald Trump's victory yesterday sparked a barrage of calls for a hike in UK defence spending amid fears the US could pull out of NATO. And new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch rounded on Sir Keir Starmer over the issue during her first Prime Minister's Questions, challenging him to commit to hiking spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP. Labour will …

The EU buys too much defense equipment abroad, especially from the US, a major report says
6 months, 3 weeks ago

The EU buys too much defense equipment abroad, especially from the US, a major report says

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — European Union countries are buying too much of their defense equipment abroad, almost two thirds of it in the United States, and failing to invest enough in joint military projects, a landmark report on EU competitiveness warned on Monday. The 27 member states are also failing to make best use of Europe’s research and development capacities to modernize …

How countries rank by military spending
7 months ago

How countries rank by military spending

Live Mint  

TO ASSESS THE state of international affairs, a good rule of thumb is to follow the flow of money or weapons. Some of the biggest increases came from America’s NATO allies in Europe after a long period of low spending. This makes defence budgets comparable with America’s: pay is adjusted for wage differences and operating costs for general price levels. …

Labour aims to make Britain the leading European nation in Nato – but will Donald Trump care?
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Labour aims to make Britain the leading European nation in Nato – but will Donald Trump care?

The Independent  

Sunak pledge now comes with the Starmer guarantee of delivery” is how new defence secretary John Healey describes the key deal at this summit, painting Britain as the leading European nation in Nato as questions are raised about future US support for the alliance. Donald Trump’s brooding presence looms over Nato’s 75th anniversary meeting in Washington, with his possible return …

Announcing a £75bn rise in military spending is the easy bit, Rishi
11 months ago

Announcing a £75bn rise in military spending is the easy bit, Rishi

The Independent  

Question: when is fully funded not fully funded? Answer: when your much-vaunted plan to significantly increase annual defence spending over six years is supposedly going to be financed from shrinking the size of the civil service and upping the MoD’s share of government research spending. But, in stark contrast to the Cold War years, and with Brexit likely to have …

UK puts its defense industry on ‘war footing’ and gives Ukraine $620 million in new military aid
11 months, 1 week ago

UK puts its defense industry on ‘war footing’ and gives Ukraine $620 million in new military aid

Associated Press  

WARSAW, Poland — The U.K. prime minister said Tuesday the country is putting its defense industry on a “war footing” by increasing defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by the end of the decade, and pledged to send arms worth 500 million pounds to Ukraine. “We will put the U.K.’s own defense industry on a war footing,” Sunak told British …

Threatened by Russia, will the EU do enough to fund defence?
11 months, 1 week ago

Threatened by Russia, will the EU do enough to fund defence?

New Indian Express  

BRUSSELS: As Russian forces push back outgunned Ukrainian troops and conflict rocks the Middle East, calls are growing from panicked EU leaders for Europe to finally get serious about funding its own defence. "It is time for the European awakening on defence and security," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told an industry summit in Brussels this week. Days after …

World enters era of increasing instability, London-based think tank says in latest annual report
1 year, 1 month ago

World enters era of increasing instability, London-based think tank says in latest annual report

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. That’s the conclusion of a new report Tuesday from …

Europe must 'urgently' ramp up 'mass production of arms' with the continent no longer living 'in times of peace', Germany warns, after Trump encouraged Russia to attack NATO allies who 'don't pay thei
1 year, 1 month ago

Europe must 'urgently' ramp up 'mass production of arms' with the continent no longer living 'in times of peace', Germany warns, after Trump encouraged Russia to attack NATO allies who 'don't pay thei

Daily Mail  

Europe has to 'urgently' increased the 'mass production of arms' as we no longer 'live in times of peace', Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned, just days after Donald Trump encouraged Russia to attack NATO member states. Olaf Scholz became the latest leader on the continent to push for more defence spending A leading arms manufacturer said it would take …

France’s parliament approves big boost in military spending, spurred by Ukraine war
1 year, 8 months ago

France’s parliament approves big boost in military spending, spurred by Ukraine war

Associated Press  

PARIS — France’s parliament on Thursday approved a multi-billion-euro boost to military spending through the rest of this decade, spurred by Russia’s war in Ukraine and fast-growing global threats. He has argued the boost was needed to ensure “our freedom, our security, our prosperity, our place in the world.” The defense minister has compared it to France’s push in the …

Defence boost is 'biggest investment' since end of the Cold War
2 years, 9 months ago

Defence boost is 'biggest investment' since end of the Cold War

Dutch News  

The total extra budget for the defence ministry is the biggest investment in the armed forces since the end of the Cold War, defence minister Kajsa Ollongren said on Wednesday. ‘We are building an agile and future-proof armed forces by investing in our people, support, equipment and cooperation.’ ‘Strengthening cooperation will make the Netherlands stronger and Europe safer,’ she said. …

Defence boost is 'biggest investment' since end of the Cold War
2 years, 9 months ago

Defence boost is 'biggest investment' since end of the Cold War

Dutch News  

The total extra budget for the defence ministry is the biggest investment in the armed forces since the end of the Cold War, defence minister Kajsa Ollongren said on Wednesday. ‘We are building an agile and future-proof armed forces by investing in our people, support, equipment and cooperation.’ ‘Strengthening cooperation will make the Netherlands stronger and Europe safer,’ she said. …

Jeremy Hunt calls for massive boost in UK defence spending
3 years ago

Jeremy Hunt calls for massive boost in UK defence spending

The Telegraph  

Britain should increase defence spending to the same level as the US, Jeremy Hunt has proposed, as he declared: “Peace comes from strength, not luck.” Writing for The Telegraph, the former foreign secretary called the invasion of Ukraine “the biggest failure of Western foreign and security policy in our lifetimes”. Mr Hunt called for a step-change in UK defence spending …

Sweden announces plan for significant boost in military spending
3 years ago

Sweden announces plan for significant boost in military spending

Al Jazeera  

The Swedish government plans to raise military spending to two percent of GDP over the threat from Russia’s war in Ukraine. Sweden’s government has announced plans for a significant boost in military spending to two percent of gross domestic product “as soon as possible”, citing the security threat from Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Scandinavian country, which during the Cold …

Defence spending plans show a serious mismatch between what the government wants and what it can actually achieve
4 years, 4 months ago

Defence spending plans show a serious mismatch between what the government wants and what it can actually achieve

The Independent  

There was something delusional about the prime minister’s announcement to parliament of a substantial increase in British defence spending. Boris Johnson spoke of Britain’s place in the world in almost Edwardian terms, as if there was still some vast British empire with its vital shipping lines to defend. It was as if the casual, harmless, meaningless label of “global Britain”, …

Can a European army save the EU?
7 years, 11 months ago

Can a European army save the EU?

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Nic Robertson is CNN’s international diplomatic editor. The word “security” appeared 11 times in British Prime Minister Theresa May’s six-page Article 50 letter, spelling out the importance of Britain forging “the closest possible security co-operation” with the EU. At the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Bahrain late last year, May promised, “We will invest in hard power, with …

Fears of Russia and Trump drive EU leaders to boost defense budgets
8 years, 3 months ago

Fears of Russia and Trump drive EU leaders to boost defense budgets

LA Times  

Meeting for the first time since the U.S. presidential election, European Union members agreed Thursday to increase their spending on defense. At the summit, Merkel and French President Francois Hollande pushed for the EU to impose new economic sanctions against Russia, which along with Syrian government forces carried out the devastating bombing of Aleppo. “But more than words are needed …

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