DEFENCE – INSIGHT EU MONITORING

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EU Joint Report on the implementation of the “Action Plan on Military Mobility 2.0”

The Strategic Compass on Security and Defence 1 of March 2022 confirmed that substantially enhancing military mobility is vital for European security and defence, in particular in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It enables the EU Member States’ forces to respond quickly and at the required scale to crises erupting at the EU’s external borders and beyond, including by moving military materiel quickly and smoothly as possible. In line with the Strategic Compass, the EU Action Plan on Military Mobility 2.0 2 provides a comprehensive framework to develop a

21/11/2023

Finland’s 20th package of defence materiel to Ukraine

For operational reasons, and to ensure that the assistance will reach its destination safely, further details on the content of the package, the way it is delivered, or the schedule will not be given. Both Ukraine’s needs and the resources of the Defence Forces have been taken into account when deciding on additional assistance.

18/11/2023

In the eye of the hurricane: EEAS blog post by EU HR Josep Borrell

The EU faces two major tests in Ukraine and in Israel-Palestine. The fire of war has been burning on the eastern border of Europe for nearly two years now, much longer than Putin had thought. He believed that within weeks the Russian army would be in Kyiv and could install a puppet regime, like the one in Belarus. Thanks to Ukraine’s resistance and to international support, that did not happen.

14/11/2023

EU Foreign Affairs Council on Defence: Press remarks by EU HR Josep Borrell

The training mission (EUMAM Ukraine) goes very well. We are over the 30.000 soldiers already been trained. Good training means also saving lives. We will train 10.000 more in the upcoming period. I cannot give you a precise date but at the speed that we have been training the 30.000, these 10.000 more can go very quickly. On the issue of ammunition, implementation is ongoing. I can give you the figures of today

14/11/2023

Main results of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Defence, 14 November 2023

The Foreign Affairs Council in its defence configuration discussed EU support to Ukraine, after a brief video message from the Ukrainian Minister of Defence, Rustem Umierov. The High Representative underlined the need to urgently agree on further military support to Ukraine, to address its immediate needs in terms of air defence, training, ammunition and winter equipment, and thereby allow for its defence against the Russian aggression.

14/11/2023

Foreign Affairs Council (Defence): Press remarks by EU HRVP Borrell upon arrival

The European Defence Agency is becoming more and more important. Today, we are going to study a very important document, which is the analysis of the Capability Development Plan of our military capacities. Which are the priorities of our armies? What do we need and we do not have, identifying army by army where are the loopholes and where we should invest?

14/11/2023

EU Defence Ministers prioritize 22 key military capabilities

Today, at the Steering Board of the European Defence Agency (EDA), the 27 EU Ministers of Defence approve the 2023 EU Capability Development Priorities. The document serves as a baseline for EU-wide defence planning, and all EU defence-related initiatives. The 22 priorities reflect the military realities observed in Ukraine; support EU defence objectives; and are designed to lead to concrete projects.

14/11/2023

Defence: EU Council approves conclusions on the EU space strategy

The Council recalled the EU’s longstanding commitment to international law and to the values and guiding principles developed in the United Nations framework, and reaffirmed the readiness of EU member states to continue working to establish norms, rules, and principles of responsible behaviours across the full range of space activities.

14/11/2023

NATO SG: German leadership in NATO matters for peace in Europe

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in Berlin on Friday (10 November 2023). Mr Stoltenberg thanked Defence Minister Pistorius for his leadership in transforming the German Bundeswehr and for Germany’s major part in strengthening NATO’s defences.

10/11/2023

NATO SG: Through NATO, we can build a secure cyberspace for all

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed the first annual NATO Cyber Defence Conference in Berlin, Germany on Thursday (9 November 2023). He stressed the importance of bringing together senior Allied political, military and technical decision-makers: “NATO is perfectly positioned to share information, to spread innovation, and to coordinate our collective defence in cyberspace.”

09/11/2023

£4bn UK-Poland air defence deal strengthens European security

UK firm MBDA has signed the sub-contract with Polish defence company PGZ, in a programme that will provide Polish forces with an enhanced ground-based air defence system capable of launching missiles to engage air threats, such as cruise missiles and fighter jets, at ranges of more than 40 kilometres. It will create more than 1,000 Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles – Extended Range (CAMM-ER) and over 100 iLaunchers.

07/11/2023

OSCE enhances Ministry of Defense capacities in Kyrgyz Republic

On October 31, 2023, the Ministry of Defense of the Kyrgyz Republic, in partnership with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, marked a significant milestone – the inauguration of two modernized training classrooms in Osh. These newly renovated facilities are not only a testament to the importance of proper ammunition storage and maintenance but also a tangible step toward bolstering the safety and security in Kyrgyzstan.

06/11/2023

Finland and US conclude fifth round of defence cooperation talks

Finland opened negotiations with the United States on a new bilateral agreement in August 2022. Finland’s delegation for the negotiations was appointed by the President of the Republic and led by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs under the guidance of the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy. The Finnish Parliament has received regular reports on the progress and contents of the negotiations.

31/10/2023

The Nordic countries strengthen cooperation on return issues

The Nordic ministers responsible for migration have agreed on closer cooperation on return issues. The ministers met in Copenhagen on 30 and 31 October. Finland was represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen. Finland’s Government Programme states that rejected asylum applicants will return or will be returned to their countries of origin as soon as possible.

31/10/2023

Norway, Raytheon, and KONGSBERG establish NASAMS agreement

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence today announced a new collaborative arrangement between Norway, Raytheon, an RTX business, and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace on the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS. The agreement, which was signed at the Norwegian ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C., will lay the foundation to further enhance NASAMS’ already robust and combat-proven air defence capabilities.

31/10/2023

EU Commission engages stakeholders in crafting European Defence Industrial Strategy

Today, the Commission, in close cooperation with the High Representative, is launching a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process to inform the new European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS), announced by President von der Leyen in her 2023 State of the Union. The response of the EU and its Member States to the immediate challenge of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has been rapid and decisive. It is now time for

28/10/2023

NATO Military Committee Chair: Time to reassess effectiveness

From 24 to 25 October 2023, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer attended the 2023 NATO-Industry Forum, hosted in Stockholm, Sweden, where he delivered a keynote speech on NATO standardisation and the role of the defence industry in collective defence. The Forum brings together political and military officials from NATO and EU institutions as well as Chief Executive Officers and Senior Executives from the defence and security industry.

26/10/2023

The importance of space-based infrastructure to humanity – NATO Review analysis

Space has long been an important domain for military operations and has been used actively by NATO for its own satellite communications (SATCOM) programme for almost two decades. However, it was not until 2019 that NATO Allies formally recognised space as an operational domain, opening the door to a greater focus on how space can play a pivotal role in our defence.

24/10/2023

Conventional Weapons: EU Statement at the UN General Assembly 1st Committee

“The EU reiterates its firm commitment to the humanitarian imperatives that underscore many international conventions aimed at addressing the issue of conventional weapons. However, this architecture is under unprecedented strain due to ongoing armed conflicts, in particular Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, which is not only a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, but also a humanitarian catastrophe for Ukraine and its people brought about

24/10/2023

EU Commission boosts European ammo and missile production with first proposal calls

Today, the Commission intensifies its support to the European defence industry with the adoption of the Work Programme foreseen the Regulation on supporting Ammunition Production (ASAP) for 2023-2025. ASAP will allocate €500 million to the support of investment projects worth up to €1.4 billion, thereby incentivising the ramp-up of ammunition and missiles production in the European Union.

18/10/2023

NATO Military Committee visits SHAPE: Strategic warfighting HQ

On Monday 16 October 2023, the NATO and Invitee Military Representatives headed down to SHAPE for a series of briefings, including an update on the headquarters’ transition from strategic command to warfighting command and the ongoing implementation of the regional plans as well as ongoing and upcoming exercises.

16/10/2023