Pentagon lays its contingency plans against shut down
The Senate approved the budget deal, but the House's delays led to a partial shutdown, which made the Pentagon spell out how to run without budget and funds.
Defence Budget News
Country
Defence Politics
US House approves record £901bn defence budget for 2026
The US House of Representatives has passed the 2026 National Defense Authorisation Act with a record £901 billion defence budget. Senate is next step.
Country
Türkiye raises its defence expenditure to 2 trillion lira
As NATO members pay more, Türkiye's 2026 budget sets aside 2.15 trillion lira for defence and homeland security. This is a 33.9% increase from 2025.
Defence Politics
EU Council backs position on €800B ReArm Europe plan
EU countries endorsed a joint Council position on the €800B ReArm Europe plan, opening talks with Parliament to boost defence investment and industry by 2030.
Country
Defence Politics
Senate Divided Over ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Shield Plan
Lawmakers clash over Trump’s $175bn homeland missile defence project, with Democrats warning of high costs while Republicans push for rapid deployment.
Defence Politics
EU sets record €381B defence budget for 2025
In 2025, the EU will spend €381 billion ($443 billion) on defence. This is a 10% increase from last year and the most the bloc has ever spent on defence.
Air
USAF Rushes A-10 CAS Aircraft Retirement to FY2026
Originally aiming for the end of this decade, the USAF is pushing to retire the remaining A-10 CAS aircraft in the FY2026 budget, signalling early retirement.
Navy / Maritime
Weapon / Missile
USN Cuts Down SM-6 Block IB’s Development Funding
The U.S. Navy has reduced the funding for the SM-6 Block IB air defence/hypersonic anti-surface warfare missile significantly in the 2026 budget plan.
Regional / Strategy
Defence Politics
FY2026 US Budget Shifts to PAC-3 and Hypersonic Focus
Pentagon’s FY2026 budget reflects a shift toward missile stockpiling, drone investment, and hypersonic arms as global threats reshape U.S. defence priorities.
Defence Politics
Global Arms Race Accelerates Turkiye Climbs Defence Rankings
Reaching $2.72 trillion in 2024, global defence expenditure pushed Türkiye up to 17th place, surpassing Spain in an escalating worldwide weapons race.
Defence Politics
Ireland Carries Its Army’s Firepower to the Next Level
Over the last few years, Ireland has made several acquisitions for its military, signifying a shift in firepower and threat perception due to Russia’s actions.
Defence Politics
Germany’s CDU/CSU, SPD, Green Reach Defence Investment Deal
Germany’s CDU/CSU, SPD, and Greens have agreed on a €500 billion investment plan, freeing borrowing restrictions for crucial infrastructure and military.
Country
UK Expands Defence Export Finance to Boost Industry Growth
Chancellor Reeves announced a £2 billion increase to UK Export Finance, to support defence exports, generate skilled employment and stimulate sector growth.
Defence Politics
Bruegel-Kiel Report: European Defence Without the US
A recent report by Bruegel and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy examines Europe’s future defence capabilities in case of a US withdrawal.
Investment
Defence Politics
France Wants to Exclude Defence Spending from EU Rules
With mounting security worries, France wants to support military expenditures, but it wants its defence spending insulated from the EU's economic policies.
Country
Defence Politics
Germany Meets NATO's 2 per cent of GDP Spending Target
The German government said on Monday that Germany met NATO's target of spending 2 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defence budget in 2024.
