The U.S. State Department says China carried out a nuclear test in June 2020, days after deadly clashes with Indian troops at Galwan. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation did not detect any test, which the U.S. said was conducted by a decoupling method that could minimise seismic sensitivity.
Germany has said it wants to take part in a new US-led “Board of Peace” for Gaza announced by Donald Trump. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin is ready to assume responsibility in the body, which is meant to oversee Gaza’s transitional administration and support the next phase of the peace process.
A German reconnaissance unit has arrived in Greenland as part of a Danish-led mission to examine NATO’s ability to defend the Arctic. The deployment brings together European partners to assess logistics, surveillance, and possible military contributions amid growing geopolitical tensions over the region.
The UK government has introduced changes in the Armed Forces Bill to expand the Strategic Reserve by widening recall rules for former service personnel. The measures raise the recall age limit, align rules across services, and allow recall during warlike preparations, aiming to improve crisis readiness.
Finland’s Defence Forces have begun preparations to acquire anti-personnel landmines and introduce training after the country’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention took effect on January 10.
Germany’s military has begun sending questionnaires to 18-year-olds as part of the country’s new military service programme. The forms are the first step in assessing interest and suitability for service, as Berlin looks to increase troop numbers under a law that came into force on January 1.
NATO has begun moving around 10,000 troops, vehicles and equipment into Germany for its largest military exercise this year. The drills involve forces from 11 countries and are meant to show the alliance’s ability to move quickly across Europe, even as internal tensions grow over Greenland.
Germany has sent a small military team to Greenland as European countries step up support for Denmark amid US pressure over the Arctic territory. The deployment is part of wider joint exercises aimed at improving security cooperation and strengthening NATO’s presence in the region.
The Swedish Armed Forces have signed a contract with ICEYE to acquire sovereign space-based intelligence and surveillance capabilities. The agreement covers SAR satellites, data and ground systems, allowing Sweden to own and operate its own space-based ISR architecture.
Airbus Defence and Space has secured a contract from Eutelsat to manufacture 340 additional OneWeb low Earth orbit satellites. The order, which follows a 2024 purchase of 100 satellites, is intended to maintain operational continuity of the OneWeb constellation.
Saab has secured an order worth about SEK 1.5 billion from Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration for the Trackfire Remote Weapon Station. Deliveries will take place between 2026 and 2028 to support the Swedish Army and the Amphibious Battalion 2030 programme.
The UK has allocated £200 million to prepare its armed forces for possible deployment to Ukraine as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine. The funding will support equipment upgrades and air defence efforts as planning continues for a potential peace agreement.
The UK government has launched Project Nightfall to develop a new ground-launched ballistic missile for Ukraine with a range of more than 500 kilometres. The programme aims to deliver test missiles within 12 months and support long-range strike capability and comes as Russia carried out a strike on Ukraine last week using the Oreshnik system.
Finland’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention has formally taken effect, six months after notification was submitted to the United Nations. The decision allows Finland to plan for the reintroduction of landmines while maintaining its international legal obligations. Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, which also share borders with Russia, have already completed their withdrawal from the treaty.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he expects the United States to take part in a stronger NATO role to improve security in Greenland. Speaking during a visit to India, he said NATO allies share concerns about protecting the Arctic territory and should address them together within the alliance.
