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28 Aug 25. Eucom Commander Discusses NATO Spending, Ukraine Assistance. The commitment that all 32 NATO nations spend 5% of gross domestic product on their militaries is going to make a big difference, said Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, supreme allied commander Europe and commander of U.S. European Command, who spoke virtually today from Mons, Belgium, to the National Defense Industrial Association in Washington.
“My job, I think, is going to be to hold nations to account, to be their conscience, if you will, so that that 5% gets spent in the right places,” he said, adding that each nation’s military spending will be based on its capability needs.
The 5% includes spending 3.5% on “hard” military defense. The other 1.5% can be spent on other elements that support defense, such as logistics and infrastructure improvements, the general said.
A lot of that spending will also benefit civilians, including those in defense industrial bases, Grynkewich added.
Nations in NATO are seeking digital transformation that ties everyone together, ensuring each has command and control systems in place with a common operating picture, a common intelligence picture, and all the pathways in which data flows, he said.
The Eucom commander said international companies are figuring out how to plug into the Ukrainian industrial base in a mutually beneficial way. The requirements each company has to support are validated by Eucom and a NATO working group.
Besides the requirements, decisions are made about what items should be sourced from what countries, Grynkewich said.
One of the important capabilities for Ukraine is drones, he added. A drone might work one day and not work the next because of interference from Russia.
At the brigade level, industry partners are helping Ukraine rapidly innovate and change drone parameters to make them effective again, he said, adding that artificial intelligence also helps in that regard. That level of autonomous drone capability is everywhere in Ukraine, Grynkewich said, noting that unmanned aerial systems are the future of warfare, but manned aircraft will always have a place on the battlefield. (Source: U.S. DoD)
28 Aug 25. All NATO members hit old spending target, only three meet new goal. All NATO members will hit a longstanding target of spending 2% of GDP on defence this year but only three currently reach a new, higher goal set by alliance leaders in June, NATO data released on Thursday showed. Many NATO countries have substantially increased military spending in recent years, following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and demands by U.S. President Donald Trump for European allies to invest more in their own defence.
Estimates from the alliance on Thursday showed that as recently as last year, more than 10 of NATO’s 32 members fell short of the 2% goal, which was agreed in 2014. Figures for 2025 showed all allies meeting that target, with seven at the minimum of 2.0% and several others only marginally higher. Poland is the NATO member spending the most on defence as a share of its economy, at 4.48%, followed by Lithuania at 4% and Latvia with 3.73%, according to the data. Those were the only alliance members who currently exceed the new defence spending target of 3.5% of GDP agreed by NATO leaders at a summit in The Hague in June. The leaders agreed to hit that target by 2035 as part of a broader goal of spending 5% of GDP on defence and security-related investments, to include items such as cybersecurity and upgrading roads and ports to handle heavy military equipment. Speaking at the opening of an ammunition factory in Germany on Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised higher defence spending by alliance members but said it was important to turn the extra money into military capabilities.
“Cash alone doesn’t provide security,” he said at the factory in the town of Unterluess owned by German arms firm Rheinmetall. “Deterrence doesn’t come from 5%. Deterrence comes from the capability to … fight potential enemies.” (Source: Reuters)
27 Aug 25. UK: Vehicle-ramming, roof-scaling at defence firm points to elevated Palestine Action spin-off risks. On 26 August, the police arrested four pro-Palestine activists following direct action targeting a defence manufacturer. Activists from the newly established ‘Palestinian Martyrs for Justice’ group reportedly drove a car through the entrance gates of the Moog Aircraft Group factory in Wolverhampton (West Midlands county). The assailants subsequently climbed onto the roof of the site and caused damage to skylights and solar panels. Video footage of the attack emerged on social media; it featured activists claiming that the company supplies the Israeli firm Elbit Systems with military aircraft parts. The group does not have a history of carrying out such action. Its tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) closely mirror those of the now proscribed Palestine Action (PA) activist group. We assess that PA members and supporters have almost certainly continued to operate under new names and groups (as well as in a personal capacity) since the proscription of PA in July under the Terrorism Act 2000. As such, we assess that radical activism risks facing defence, insurance and other such companies with perceived ties to Israel will persist in the coming months. (Source: Sibylline)
26 Aug 25. Today, the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, arrived in Latvia, where he will focus on strengthening transatlantic security and NATO efforts to deter Russian aggression on the Eastern Flank. In Riga, Prime Minister Carney met with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa, and announced Canada’s renewal of Operation REASSURANCE for another three years. Canada launched Operation REASSURANCE in 2014 following Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine. More than a decade later, it remains the Canadian Armed Forces’ largest overseas mission, with approximately 2,000 troops currently deployed to deter Russian aggression and defend NATO territory. This renewal will sustain the Brigade’s personnel and military capabilities in Latvia – reinforcing our collective defence, strengthening co-operative security, and keeping NATO presence strong on the Eastern Flank. As Framework Nation, Canada leads the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia, a formation of approximately 3,000 personnel from 14 NATO Allies. During their meeting, the prime ministers underscored the importance of NATO, of ending Russia’s war of aggression, and of securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. They focused on the need for robust security guarantees for durable, lasting peace. The leaders also discussed the importance of peace and security to economic growth and to advancing Canada’s economic partnership with Europe through trade and defence.
“To secure lasting peace in Ukraine and Europe, we must deter and fortify. For over a decade, Canadian troops have played an indispensable role in deterring Russian aggression on NATO’s Eastern Flank and fortifying our shared defence. Canadians can be proud that our troops will continue to lead Operation REASSURANCE in this critical mission – for greater security, stability, and prosperity in Europe and around the world.”
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
“Through Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s Armed Forces members are on the front lines, working alongside our NATO Allies to strengthen defence on Europe’s Eastern Flank. Their dedication and professionalism help deter threats, protect the region, and uphold the democratic values that sustain peace and stability at home and abroad. Canada is proud to stand with its Allies and contribute to this vital mission.”
— The Hon. David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
Quick facts
• During his visit to Latvia, Prime Minister Carney was accompanied by the Minister of National Defence, David J. McGuinty.
• Canada will complete the full implementation of persistently deployed Brigade capabilities to Latvia by 2026, at which point the Brigade will have up to 2,200 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members as part of NATO’s Forward Land Forces and supporting elements in Latvia.
• In June, the Prime Minister announced that Canada’s defence investments for 2025-26 will be over $9 bn, helping strengthen the CAF’s capabilities and readiness while bringing Canada to NATO’s 2% defence spending goal this year.
• At the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, Canada agreed to a new Defence Investment Pledge to invest 3.5% of annual GDP on core defence investments as well as 1.5% on defence and security relation investments by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective security.
• Earlier this month, Prime Minister Carney announced the largest pay raise for CAF members in a generation.
Aug. 26, 2025 /CNW/ – Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, arrived in Latvia, where he will focus on strengthening transatlantic security and NATO efforts to deter Russian aggression on the Eastern Flank.
In Riga, Prime Minister Carney met with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa, and announced Canada’s renewal of Operation REASSURANCE for another three years.
Canada launched Operation REASSURANCE in 2014 following Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine. More than a decade later, it remains the Canadian Armed Forces’ largest overseas mission, with approximately 2,000 troops currently deployed to deter Russian aggression and defend NATO territory.
This renewal will sustain the Brigade’s personnel and military capabilities in Latvia – reinforcing our collective defence, strengthening co-operative security, and keeping NATO presence strong on the Eastern Flank. As Framework Nation, Canada leads the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia, a formation of approximately 3,000 personnel from 14 NATO Allies.
During their meeting, the prime ministers underscored the importance of NATO, of ending Russia’s war of aggression, and of securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. They focused on the need for robust security guarantees for durable, lasting peace. The leaders also discussed the importance of peace and security to economic growth and to advancing Canada’s economic partnership with Europe through trade and defence.
“To secure lasting peace in Ukraine and Europe, we must deter and fortify. For over a decade, Canadian troops have played an indispensable role in deterring Russian aggression on NATO’s Eastern Flank and fortifying our shared defence. Canadians can be proud that our troops will continue to lead Operation REASSURANCE in this critical mission – for greater security, stability, and prosperity in Europe and around the world.”
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
“Through Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s Armed Forces members are on the front lines, working alongside our NATO Allies to strengthen defence on Europe’s Eastern Flank. Their dedication and professionalism help deter threats, protect the region, and uphold the democratic values that sustain peace and stability at home and abroad. Canada is proud to stand with its Allies and contribute to this vital mission.”
— The Hon. David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
• During his visit to Latvia, Prime Minister Carney was accompanied by the Minister of National Defence, David J. McGuinty.
• Canada will complete the full implementation of persistently deployed Brigade capabilities to Latvia by 2026, at which point the Brigade will have up to 2,200 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members as part of NATO’s Forward Land Forces and supporting elements in Latvia.
• In June, the Prime Minister announced that Canada’s defence investments for 2025-26 will be over $9 bn, helping strengthen the CAF’s capabilities and readiness while bringing Canada to NATO’s 2% defence spending goal this year.
• At the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, Canada agreed to a new Defence Investment Pledge to invest 3.5% of annual GDP on core defence investments as well as 1.5% on defence and security relation investments by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective security.
• Earlier this month, Prime Minister Carney announced the largest pay raise for CAF members in a generation.
(Source: PR Newswire)
25 Aug 25. U.S., Allied Aircraft Demonstrate Readiness, Unity Over Latvia. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft and allied fighter jets flew in formation over the Monument of Freedom in Riga, Latvia, Aug. 19 as part of Bomber Task Force Europe, demonstrating NATO air forces’ ability to operate together anywhere, anytime. The Lancers flew in formation with two Hungarian and two Swedish air force JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, demonstrating allied integration fostered during an ongoing training deployment. The Hungarian Gripens are deployed to Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, in support of NATO’s air policing mission.
“The security of the Baltic states and NATO’s eastern flank is the cornerstone of the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic region,” Latvian Minister of Defense Andris Sprūds said. “Such U.S. and allied flyover maneuvers clearly demonstrate NATO’s presence in the region, transatlantic unity, and commitment to collectively strengthen the security of the Baltic state region.”
During the deployment, U.S. bombers integrated with Norwegian and other allied air forces to rehearse advanced tactics, share threat information in real time, and ensure the ability to maneuver freely even when access is contested. Each combined mission reinforces the coalition’s capacity to operate effectively in dynamic and high-threat environments.
Bomber Task Force Europe is part of a regular series of deployments that strengthen allied readiness, deepen integration, and demonstrate credible, combat-ready airpower in support of the collective defense of the homeland and the Euro-Atlantic region. (Source: U.S. DoD)
25 Aug 25. German agency says arms companies at risk of property attacks. German arms manufacturers face risks of property attacks from mounting protests, federal criminal investigators warned in a document seen by Reuters on Monday, ahead of an action targeting Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE), this week. In a memo by the Federal Criminal Police Office, the agency said “Rheinmetall entwaffnen” or “Disarm Rheinmetall” protest could lead to property-related offences, as seen at similar events in previous years.
Protesters plan to protest at Rheinmetall’s site in Cologne from Tuesday through Sunday, calling for a rejection of the “war regime”.
In an emailed statement to Reuters, a Rheinmetall spokesperson said the company was in touch with security authorities and had taken appropriate precautions, without giving details. (Source: Reuters)
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