According to Clarinval, the total defense effort will amount to over €30
billion over the next ten years and will not trigger a new defense tax.
He rejected proposals for new taxation, such as the “defense tax”
proposed by Maxime Prévot of Les Engagés, and indicated the government
will rely on debt instruments, state asset sales including shares of BNP
Paribas, and spending reductions.
- The confirmation of the new aircraft
purchase followed a multi-night negotiation session involving parties
from across the coalition and is expected to be formally ratified in a
future Council of Ministers session.
Belgium has officially confirmed the decision to purchase 11 additional F-35A fighter jets, building on the previous order of 34 aircraft signed in 2018.
- The announcement was made by Economy Minister David Clarinval during an interview on July 1, 2025, on La Première, following the federal government’s agreement on a capital gains tax.
The adoption of the tax ended a political stalemate within the ruling coalition, unblocking several other reform files, including - labor market reforms,
- unemployment benefit restructuring, and
- fiscal policy adjustments.
 |
| In October 2018, Belgium selected the F-35, citing advantages across all seven evaluation criteria and a final cost of €4 billion, including infrastructure and maintenance support through 2030. (Picture source: US Air Force) |
Jul
4
On July 2, 2025, Japan’s Ministry of Defense held the naming and launching ceremony for the eleventh unit of the Mogami-class frigate series at Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding’s Tamano Shipyard in Okayama Prefecture. The new ship was officially named JS Tatsuta, continuing the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)’s tradition of naming ships after rivers. Following the launch, JS Tatsuta will proceed to fitting out and sea trials before commissioning into the JMSDF. The ceremony marks another milestone in Japan’s defense policy to field at least twelve units of the class by the end of fiscal year 2027, in line with procurement goals set under the Medium-Term Defense Program.
Jul
4
On June 27, 2025, the Californian company MightyFly announced that they had performed a live autonomous cargo flight demonstration for the US Air Force at New Jerusalem Airport in California. This demonstration, held on May 8, 2025, was part of a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract under the Department of the Air Force’s AFWERX program, which aims to accelerate innovative capabilities from private companies. Read full defense news at this link...
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Jul
4
According to information published by the Polish Ministry of National Defence on June 30, 2025, the Polish government has confirmed the acquisition of 12 new KTO Rosomak armored vehicles configured in the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) variant. The contract, valued at approximately €58.9 million (PLN 250 million), includes an initial delivery of four vehicles with an option for additional units.
Jul
4
According to information published by defense analyst Nicholas Drummond on June 30, 2025, the British Army is reportedly implementing a strategic reorganization of its core combat forces, aimed at significantly enhancing battlefield survivability, lethality, and operational flexibility.
Jul
4
On July 3, 2025, Poland’s MESKO S.A. secured Lithuanian contract for GROM MANPADS reinforcing regional air defence concept. As regional security tensions persist near NATO’s eastern flank, Lithuania has intensified its military modernization drive with a clear emphasis on short-range air defence capabilities. The €28M deal for GROM missiles represents not just another procurement but a strategic move to strengthen national and regional deterrence.
Jul
4
On July 4, 2025, the Royal British Navy has taken a major step to protect its sailors by bringing a fully autonomous mine hunting system into operational service, marking a significant milestone for the United Kingdom’s maritime security posture. With the introduction of the SWEEP system, the Royal British Navy now reclaims a critical capability it had lacked since 2005, the ability to neutralise sophisticated naval mines without putting crews in harm’s way.
Jul
4
In an exclusive analysis by the Army Recognition editorial team, new intelligence indicates that Russia's annual production of T-90M Proryv main battle tanks has surged dramatically, with current output levels estimated at up to 300 units per year. This represents a tripling of production compared to pre-war figures in 2020 to 2021, which hovered around 60 tanks annually.
Jul
4
According to information published by the Focus Taiwan website, on June 28, 2025, Taiwan received the first shipment of U.S.-supplied Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems (HCDS), marking a significant development in the island's defensive capabilities amid escalating cross-strait tensions. This initial delivery includes five mobile missile launcher vehicles and one radar truck.
Jul
4
On 3 July 2025, Sweden’s extra funding for new Archer artillery barrels to sustain Ukraine’s battlefield edge marks a significant reinforcement of Kyiv’s artillery power, as reported by the Swedish Government. Against the backdrop of relentless artillery duels in Ukraine, Stockholm’s supplementary decision of SEK 1.5 billion demonstrates continued Nordic resolve to supply critical defence materiel, from long-range strike munitions to underwater systems.
Jul
4
As reported by Korabel on July 1, 2025, Russia launched the oceanographic research vessel Vice-Admiral Burilichev at the Vyborg Shipyard, a facility operating under the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC).
Jul
4
As reported by Military Africa on July 2, 2025, Egypt has acknowledged its deployment of the Chinese HQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missile system, confirming a procurement that had been subject to speculation since 2017. The announcement came from retired Major General Samir Farag during an interview on Sada El-Balad TV, where he stated that Egypt’s air defense network includes modern systems such as the HQ-9B, described as comparable to the Russian S-400.
Jul
4
On July 3rd, 2025, Türkiye’s ambitions in the naval domain took a decisive new turn with confirmation that the Presidency of Defence Industry Agency (SSB) is advancing a joint project with Spain to develop a 300-metre aircraft carrier, as reported by Sabah. This announcement comes as a striking evolution from Türkiye’s TCG Anadolu program and reflects Ankara’s determination to expand its maritime power projection.
Jul
4
As reported by Peru21 on July 2, 2025, the Peruvian government, under President Dina Boluarte, has confirmed its decision to acquire 24 Gripen E/F fighter jets from Swedish manufacturer Saab, at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. The selection concludes a multi-year evaluation process involving various international manufacturers and marks the beginning of a two-phase procurement program to replace the aging fleets of Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 aircraft operated by the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP).
Jul
3
On June 16, 2025, two in-flight MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones were controlled for the first time by a single operator onboard an E-7A Wedgetail, marking a pivotal milestone in autonomous combat aircraft integration. As reported by Boeing, this unprecedented demonstration comes amid growing demands for advanced interoperability between crewed and uncrewed assets.
Jul
3
On July 2, 2025, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces commissioned the first battery of the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system following completion of functional testing, system activation, and domestic field training.
Jul
3
On July 1, 2025, the German company Rheinmetall completed the construction of a €200 million production facility in Weeze, North Rhine-Westphalia, which will manufacture center fuselage sections for the American F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter. The facility, built in cooperation with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, is scheduled to begin production in July 2025. Read full defense news at this link...
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Jul
3
According to Defense News on July 1, 2025, Norway continues deliberations over the procurement of long-range uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for maritime surveillance, with two U.S.-based vendors, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics, actively competing for the contract.
Jul
3
Originally developed in the 1950s, the KC-135 Stratotanker may soon undergo a significant transformation aimed at improving its resilience in increasingly contested airspaces.
Jul
3
On July 2, 2025, Polish Armaments Group’s (PGZ) plan to build three new ammunition factories positions Poland as a central European powerhouse in munitions production and a more reliable NATO supplier, as reported by Defense Industry Europe. Against the backdrop of the US halting ammo deliveries to Ukraine, this move marks a decisive step to reduce dependency on American stockpiles.
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