DefenseNews

EU sets military spending record, expects more growth in 2025

BERLIN — The European Union collectively spent €343 billion ($402 billion) on defense last year, exceeding projections and setting a new record, according to a new report by the European Defense Agency. The agency said it expected defense spending to increase further in 2025 to €381 billion ($446 billion). The bloc’s total defense spending in 2024 exceeds China’s by about…
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DefenseNews

Swastikas on some Finland air force flags to be phased out

Finland’s Air Force, now part of NATO, still flies swastikas on a handful of unit flags — but is preparing to phase them out, largely to avoid awkwardness with its Western allies. The history of the Finnish air force’s use of the swastika, which since the 20th century…
DefenseNews

Why is the Army chopping away at its chopper fleet?

Editor’s note: This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter. For many Americans, the U.S. Army is nearly synonymous with its helicopters. Think of popular films such as Black Hawk Down, We Were Soldiers, and Apocalypse Now. But in recent months, the service announced a plan to…
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DefenseNews

Russian attack includes strikes on center of Kyiv, killing at least 19

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched a major air attack early Thursday on Kyiv that included a rare strike on the city center, killing at least 19 people, wounding 48 and damaging European Union diplomatic offices, authorities said. The bombardment of drones and missiles was the first major Russian attack on Kyiv in weeks as U.S.-led peace efforts to end the three-year war struggled to gain…
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DefenseNews

Pentagon CTO says Defense Innovation Unit will remain independent

The Defense Department’s chief technology officer told reporters Wednesday he doesn’t intend to maintain permanent oversight of the Defense Innovation Unit, adding that the Pentagon is looking for a full-time replacement following the former director’s resignation earlier this week. Following previous DIU Director Doug Beck’s sudden resignation from the role Monday, the Pentagon announced…
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