Tag: European security

German-Dutch Corps to Lead NATO Baltic HQ

A Dutch soldier and a German soldier from the 1st German-Dutch Corps show off their patches | File Photo: Guido Kirchner/dpa

Germany and the Netherlands will jointly lead a new NATO command centre in Estonia from mid-2026. The headquarters will oversee exercises and help coordinate defence operations on NATO’s eastern flank.

Germany Plans Mandatory Reserve Drills

Under a proposed bill, reservists in Germany would be required to serve even in peacetime | File Photo: Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa

Germany is preparing legislation that would require military reservists to take part in training exercises during peacetime. The move is part of plans to expand reserve forces and strengthen military readiness.

German Brigade Holds First Major Lithuania Drill

The 45th German Armoured Brigade Litauen (Panzerbrigade 45) transporting vehicles for Exercise Freedom Shield | Photo: 45th German Armoured Brigade Litauen (Panzerbrigade 45)/Lithuanian Armed Forces

German troops, Leopard tanks and other military equipment have arrived in Lithuania for the first major exercise involving Germany’s new brigade. The Freedom Shield drill brings together NATO forces to train near Russia’s borders.

Germany Unveils New Military Strategy

Boris Pistorius, German Minister of Defence, presents the German military strategy at a press conference on April 22, 2026 in Berlin. The first military strategy describes how Germany will counter threats. The capability profile is the plan that defines the structure and scope of the armed forces for the future | Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Germany has released a new military strategy to counter Russia, focusing on rearmament and stronger forces. The plan highlights air defence, long-range weapons and new technologies to boost readiness.

Germany Boosts NATO Role in Lithuania

German Parliament (Bundestag) President Julia Kloeckner is welcomed to the military base by Colonel Andre Hastenrath, Deputy Commander of Panzerbrigade 45 "Lithuania" (L), and Lieutenant Colonel Sebastian Hagen, Commander of the "Multinational Battlegroup Lithuania" on April 09, 2026, at RUkla in Lithuania | Photo: Alexander Welscher/dpa

Germany says its troop deployment in Lithuania shows commitment to NATO’s eastern flank. A new brigade aims to strengthen deterrence against Russia and reinforce security in the Baltic region.

NATO Drills in Germany Amid Greenland Row

Italian soldiers arrive with equipment and vehicles as NATO launches "Steadfast Dart," its largest multinational exercise of the year | Photo: Lars Penning/dpa

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.

UK Plans New Ballistic Missile for Ukraine

UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey with Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal On January 09, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine | Photo: UK Ministry of Defence

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 Exits Ottawa Anti-Landmines Treaty

U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal technicians and Royal Thai Armed Forces personnel with the Thailand Mine Action Center stack MD-82B anti-personnel landmines during bilateral EOD training at Ratchaburi, Thailand on June 16, 2025 | Photo: U.S. Marine Corps/Cpl. Jonathan Rodriguez Pastrana

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.

Germany Clears €50bn for New Weapons

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius speaks after a meeting of the Bundestag's budget committee | Photo: Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

Germany has approved €50 billion in new spending to modernise its armed forces. The funds will be used to buy equipment and clothing for soldiers, expand missile defence systems such as Arrow 3 and Patriot, and purchase additional Puma infantry fighting vehicles.

Pistorius cautious on European force for Ukraine

German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius, on December 16, 2025 in Berlin | Photo: Christoph Soeder/dpa

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said any European protection force for Ukraine would depend on Russia’s response and unresolved legal and command issues, following talks in Berlin for a force to help secure a possible ceasefire.

Neutral Swiss to Revise Security Strategy as Threats Grow

Swiss military personnel: Last month, the Swiss defence ministry said conscripts in its military numbered around 146,700 as of March 01, 2025 but sufficient numbers of new personnel could not be guaranteed because of premature departures from service | Photo: Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS)

Switzerland has launched a consultation on a revised security policy strategy, citing a deteriorating security environment in Europe, rising hybrid threats including drone incursions, and growing uncertainty over the future of European defence. The consultation will run until March 31, 2026. Switzerland typically produces a security policy report every four to ten years.

Germany to buy €150M in U.S. weapons for Ukraine

The Group of Five is represented at a press conference by (l-r) Pawel Zalewski from Poland, Guido Crosetto from Italy, Kaja Kallas for the EU, Boris Pistorius from Germany, Catherine Vautrin from France and John Healey from the UK | Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa

Germany will contribute at least €150 million toward the purchase of US-made military equipment for Ukraine, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said during a meeting of the “Group of Five” European defence ministers in Berlin under NATO’s PURL scheme.