DefenceTalkThe Galileo satellite navigation system, Europe’s rival to the United States’ GPS, has nearly 100 million users after its first year of operation, the French space agency CNES said Thursday. The system, seen as strategically important to Europe, went live in December 2016, having taken 17 years at more than triple the original budget to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/europe-claims-100-million-users-for-galileo-satnav-system-71386/

DefenceTalkBritain would struggle to match Russia’s military capabilities on the battlefield, the head of the U.K. army will say in a speech on January 22. In an address to the Royal United Services Institute, Chief of the General Staff Nick Carter is expected to say Russia is building increasingly aggressive and expeditionary forces while already […]https://www.defencetalk.com/britain-no-match-for-russias-military-u-k-army-chief-says-71128/

DefenceTalkA multi-billion pound contract to supply Qatar with 24 Typhoon aircraft has been signed today, supporting thousands of British manufacturing jobs. The Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and his Qatari counterpart, Khalid bin Mohammed al Attiyah, oversaw the signing of the deal for 24 Typhoons, building on the Statement of Intent signed in September. In addition, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/qatar-signs-6bn-eurofighter-contract-70987/

DefenceTalkThe majority of EU nations have committed to a joint defense cooperation, focusing on military operations and investments. Europe is looking to cement unity, especially since Brexit and the election of Donald Trump. Defense and foreign ministers from 23 European Union countries signed up to a plan to establish the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), which […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pesco-eu-paves-way-to-defense-union-70802/

DefenceTalkThe EU will move towards closer defence ties Monday with more than 20 states signing a landmark pact that aims to boost cooperation after Brexit and counteract Russian pressure. Similar efforts to deepen military links have been frustrated for decades, partly by Britain’s fierce opposition to anything that might lead to a European army. But […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-takes-step-towards-closer-defence-cooperation-70770/

DefenceTalkSweden announced Tuesday it has chosen the US Patriot missile defence system over that of a Franco-Italian rival, in an estimated one billion-euro deal. The choice is in line with 2015 strategy to avoid “the degradation” of regional security, and boost the country’s armed forces operational capacity after years of austerity, the Swedish defence ministry […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-picks-us-patriot-missile-system-over-european-rival-70761/

DefenceTalkNATO is set to create two new command centers including one protecting Atlantic shipping lanes, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday, as it revamps its structures to better counter the threat posed by Russia. The alliance has stripped back its command structure since the end of the Cold War, leading to fears that it would […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-to-revamp-command-structure-to-counter-russia-threat-70763/

DefenceTalkNATO would be incapable of rebuffing an attack by Russia on its eastern flank, according to an internal report by the alliance cited Friday by German magazine Der Spiegel. The document, entitled “Progress Report on the Strengthened Deterrence and Defense Capability of the Alliance,” identified significant deficiencies. “NATO’s ability to logistically support rapid reinforcement in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-ill-prepared-for-a-russian-attack-report-70691/

DefenceTalkLithuania said Wednesday it would raise its defence spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) next year to meet a NATO target amid security concerns over neighbouring Russia. The government of the Baltic state formally endorsed a rise from the current 1.8 percent of GDP to 2.006 percent for 2018. “In the light […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lithuania-hikes-defence-budget-to-meet-nato-target-70664/

DefenceTalkWhen the United States decided to position a force in Europe for credible deterrence, it had to bolster its capabilities. The Army set in motion several actions, including extending regionally aligned forces (RAF) rotations to nine months, having RAF operate “heel to toe,” and pre-positioning combat, combat support, and sustainment equipment in Europe. On Dec. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-expands-pre-positioned-stocks-in-europe-70500/