Germany plans to purchase up to 12,000 kamikaze drones from startups Helsing, Stark, and defense giant Rheinmetall for approximately 300 million euros. These drones are intended for the German brigade in Lithuania, which will defend NATO's eastern flank against Russia.
The German government is planning an unprecedented upgrade of its military capabilities. A €377 billion procurement plan is intended to make the Bundeswehr the most powerful army in Europe.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel helped the Russian army master modern combat tactics before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. The defense concern Rheinmetall planned to receive a contract with the Kremlin worth about 1 billion euros.
German company Rheinmetall and the Latvian state defense corporation are establishing a joint venture for the production of ammunition in Latvia. Investments in the project will amount to €275 million, which will allow the production of tens of thousands of artillery shells annually.
Shares of European defense companies surged after US President Donald Trump's statement that Ukraine is capable of regaining all occupied territories. The aerospace and defense index rose by 1.1%, approaching record highs.
German arms concern Rheinmetall has signed an agreement to acquire the military division of the Lürssen Group shipbuilding group – NVL. The deal, the value of which has not been disclosed, is expected to be completed early next year after antitrust approval.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with US President's Special Representative General Keith Kellogg in Kyiv. They discussed the results of the "Ramstein" meeting, the acquisition of Patriot systems, and details of the Russian strike on Poland.
BAE Systems and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa have entered into a strategic partnership to establish a new 155mm artillery ammunition production plant in Poland. This aims to address the shortage of shells in Ukraine and among Poland's NATO partners.
Land has been allocated in a safe region of Ukraine for the construction of a new Rheinmetall plant for the production of shells. This will meet the needs of the Defense Forces and strengthen ammunition production.
The German concern Rheinmetall will expand military aid to Ukraine by supplying the Armed Forces with Skyranger anti-drone systems. The contract is expected to be signed on September 10 at the DSEI exhibition in London.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia and China are rapidly expanding their armed forces, producing weapons at an incredible pace. He called for an increase in the production of artillery shells and other military equipment in Europe.
German manufacturer Rheinmetall is opening Europe's largest artillery shell production plant near Hanover on August 27. The enterprise will produce up to 350,000 shells per year after reaching full capacity in 2027.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal met with German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil. The parties discussed the financing of armaments, strengthening air defense and the transfer of two Patriot systems, as well as the development of joint ventures.
The Ukrainian government presented 12 priorities for 2026, with security and defense being key. The Defence City initiative and cooperation with global companies Rheinmetall, BAE Systems are important directions.
Ukraine and Rheinmetall discussed the construction of a plant for the production of artillery shells. The parties are moving according to plan, cooperation covers armored vehicles, ammunition, and air defense.
After 2022, European defense enterprises tripled the pace of building new production facilities, deploying over 7 million square meters of capacity. This is the largest rearmament surge in the region in decades.
German defense company Hensoldt has received an order to supply TRML-4D and SPEXER 2000 3D MkIII radars to strengthen Ukraine's air defense. The total value of the order exceeds 340 million euros.
Russia's "swarm" drone tactic breaches Ukraine's defenses, tripling the number of Shahed hits. From April to June, 15% of drones penetrated defenses, compared to 5% in the previous three months.
Germany is discussing the purchase of up to 1,000 Leopard 2 tanks and 2,500 GTK Boxer armored vehicles worth 25 billion euros. This is part of a plan to form six NATO brigades and transform the Bundeswehr into the strongest army in Europe.
Poland will invest 2. 4 billion zlotys in the state defense group PGZ to increase the production of 155-mm and 120-mm artillery shells fivefold. This will reduce dependence on imports and strengthen the country's defense capabilities.
Rheinmetall and Anduril Industries will start joint production of Barracuda and Fury drones and rocket engines in Europe. The systems will be integrated into the Rheinmetall Battlesuite combat ecosystem.
Ukraine is launching a joint arms production initiative with Ramstein countries. Partners are ready to finance production and transfer weapons to Ukraine.
Germany is increasing its military presence in Lithuania, expanding its tank brigade to 5,000 troops by 2027. This is a response to Russian aggression and the strengthening of NATO's eastern flank.
Rheinmetall plans with Lockheed Martin to produce missiles and aircraft, including for Patriot, in Europe. Investments will reach 5 billion euros, production will start in 2026.
Germany provides Ukraine with a new military aid package, including missiles for the IRIS-T air defense system, ammunition for Leopard 2, drones, and armored vehicles. Engineering equipment and artillery shells have also been handed over.
The German government has confirmed that the country's economy is facing serious problems, forecasting zero GDP growth in 2025. The reason is the impact of US trade wars on exports.
The German army is negotiating with large companies to organize logistical support for NATO. The German government is preparing a "logistics hub" for NATO in accordance with the strategy.
The Bundeswehr is negotiating with logistics companies to transfer troops and equipment to the eastern border of NATO. Germany has been designated as the Alliance's logistics hub.
Finland is strengthening security in the Baltic Sea due to an increase in suspicious incidents related to Russian sabotage. Since 2023, 11 underwater cables have been damaged.
Rheinmetall, KNDS, and Thales will join forces to develop new weapons, including the MGCS tank. The project, the successor to Leopard and Leclerc, should be ready by the 2030s.
