DefenseNews

NATO’s Rutte says Europe can’t defend itself without US; France balks

PARIS — Europeans are “dreaming” if they think the continent can defend itself without the United States, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in a meeting with members of the European Parliament on Monday, citing the costs of going it alone and the need to build up a nuclear capability. “If anyone thinks here that the European Union or Europe as a whole can defend itself without the…
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DefenseNews

Estonia nears decision on which missile defense system to buy

WARSAW, Poland — Estonia is gearing up to acquire a missile defense system, participating in broader efforts by the Baltic States to boost investments in expanding their air-defense network. The country’s authorities said they plan to select the supplier by the end of…
DefenseNews

India’s on-again, off-again aerial tanker saga edges closer to an end

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — The Indian Air Force is currently on its fifth attempt to obtain air-to-air refueling aircraft, but it is now closer than ever to procuring these desperately needed force-multiplying assets. The Defence Acquisition Council cleared a potential acquisition of six second-hand Boeing 767 commercial aircraft that will be converted into tankers by Israel Aerospace…
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DefenseNews

Top NATO commanders standing by for policy guidance on Arctic mission

PARIS — NATO is ready to engage in a potential Arctic mission, but hasn’t started planning one as there has been no political guidance to do so, said Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, after a meeting of the organization’s top military leaders on Thursday. “We’re aware of discussions about this, of course, and therefore we’re doing some thinking about how we…
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DefenseNews

Qatar-gifted Air Force One plane delivery expected this summer

The Air Force expects to have a Boeing 747 gifted from Qatar ready to serve as an interim Air Force One presidential transport plane by this summer. In a statement to Defense News, an Air Force spokesperson said the service “remains committed to expediting delivery of the…
DefenseNews

Key US defense projects with Norway, Canada continue despite tensions

MILAN — Major defense projects involving the United States, Canada, and Norway remain on track in spite of strained relations with traditional allies following the Trump administration’s push for Greenland. The cooperative endeavors illustrate how relationships in the spheres of defense trade and other fields are deeply rooted in the fabric of American alliances grown over decades, offering…
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