Finance news

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia

Outgunned Philippine Air Force takes on South China Sea defence

For decades, the Philippine Air Force hunted communist rebels and Islamist militants in the country’s forests and southern islands. Now, amid seemingly intractable tensions in the South China Sea, it is being reshaped into an armed service meant to defend one of Asia’s most contested maritime frontiers – even as analysts rank it the weakest air arm among Southeast Asia’s six largest militaries. “Because we are an archipelago, we really need to strengthen our air assets,” air force spokeswoman...

5d07/06⚠ war-conflict · 2/5

Lockheed Martin leading race for $3.5 billion purchase of naval defense firm Ultra Maritime

Ultra is owned by private equity firm Advent International, and specialises in anti-submarine technology.

◇ unclassifiedusa

Australia, Fiji sign mutual defence pact to boost Pacific security

Australia signed a new defence alliance with Fiji on Monday, bolstering ties with its South Pacific island neighbour as it seeks to outmanoeuvre China in the region. The Ocean of Peace alliance elevates Fiji to one of Australia’s few treaty allies and binds each nation to come to the other’s “mutual defence”. China sent waves through the region in 2022 when it signed a secretive security pact with the Solomon Islands, stoking fears it could one day lead to a permanent military...

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · usa

Finance: Cabinet wants to get the budget underway - that's what it's all about

More money, especially for defense, higher debt and tax increases. This shapes the federal government’s draft for the 2027 budget.

Innovations: Germany is falling further behind in the patent race

An IW study shows: In future fields such as AI and armaments, the location is in danger of being left behind by other countries. And almost a third of German patents are in foreign hands.

5d07/05⚠ war-conflict · 2/5

Egypt’s President el-Sisi inaugurates massive new military headquarters

Egypt has inaugurated a new armed forces headquarters, which observers say is the largest in the world, with an elaborate ceremony and a rare appearance from the president and former general Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi in military uniform. The Octagon, as the complex is being called, consists of eight buildings each with an eight-sided floor plan in an area of around 90 sq km (34.7 square miles), the size of the Portuguese capital Lisbon. It has replaced the Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Defence

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · usa

Japanese space probe, size of a fridge, flies near asteroid in planet defence test

A Japanese space probe performed a fly-by of a near-Earth asteroid on Sunday, in a test mission for technology that could help protect the planet from space rocks. The fridge-sized Hayabusa2 was due to fly within 800 metres (0.5 miles) of asteroid Torifune, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) scientists said earlier, a trial run to see whether such a probe could deflect a potentially dangerous space rock away from Earth. The mission comes after Nasa deliberately smashed a spacecraft into..

6d07/05⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

Why the Indo-Pacific might be on the back burner at the Nato summit

Nato’s 32 member states will convene in the Turkish capital this week for an annual summit expected to be dominated by efforts to secure a fragile peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, with Indo-Pacific issues taking a back seat. Analysts said the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, as well as Washington’s push for European allies to raise defence spending, could diminish discussion about the security alliance’s cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners, despite the Nato chief’s warnings about China’s..

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · usa

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · korea

Armament: One year after embarrassment – North Korea tests destroyer “Kang Kon”

North Korea reports tests on the destroyer Kang Kon, including a nuclear-capable cruise missile. Kim Jong Un personally observed the tests.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · korea

Armor: North Korean breakdown destroyer tests battle body

North Korea reports tests on the destroyer Kang Kon, including a nuclear-capable cruise missile. Kim Jong Un personally observed the tests.

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · germany

German govt may withhold classified info from states if far-right start winning

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Sunday that the federal government is considering withholding information from ministers in state administrations if they are formed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The AfD is regularly criticised for close ties to Moscow. Polls indicate that the AfD could win an absolute majority in a state election in September in Saxony-Anhalt, meaning that it would form a state government for the first time. Under Germany’s federal system, state...

6d07/05⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

Defense: There has to be this much duty - also for the economy

In the future, companies will have to release reservists for military exercises. This reform is right. And it was long overdue. A comment.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · russia

Domestic politics: After AfD party conference: Pistorius does not want to give AfD any secret information

The SPD Defense Minister points to the party's proximity to Russia. In the current Sunday question, the AfD remains clearly the strongest force.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · russia

Domestic politics: Pistorius does not want to give the AfD any secret information - party conference in Erfurt ends

The defense minister points to the party's proximity to Russia. The second day of the party conference will focus primarily on internal questions about party work.

6d07/04⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

State Security: Pistorius: No secret information to AfD because of proximity to Putin

Defense Minister Pistorius warns about the AfD's access to secret information - and points to the party's proximity to Russia.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · russia

7d07/04

Soldiers in Business: The Generals' Second Careers

Germany is investing billions in its rearmament. In the fight for orders, the companies secure the help of retired generals. This is where worlds collide.

7d07/04⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

+++ Ukraine War +++: Ukraine – At least ten dead in Russian attacks on Sumy and the south

Larger parts of Crimea are without electricity +++ Ukraine is to receive promises of billions at the NATO summit +++ Merz reacts calmly to Trump's criticism of defense spending +++ The news blog.

7d07/03⚠ war-conflict · 2/5

Can Taiwan fix its military manpower shortage by training reservists in advanced weapons?

Taiwan is requiring its reservists to train longer and harder, introducing drones and US-made Himars rocket systems into a revamped 14-day call-up programme as it races to offset worsening troop shortages amid a demographic decline. One of the biggest reforms of Taiwan’s reserve force in decades, the overhaul reflects growing concern that a shrinking pool of military-age recruits and mounting pressure from Beijing mean the island can no longer rely solely on its standing military. From this...

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · taiwan

7d07/03⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

US withdrew forces from Nigeria after operation against ISIS, AFRICOM chief says

AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson described May’s joint U.S.-Nigerian as a model for future security cooperation in Africa.

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe · uk

7d07/03⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

+++ Ukraine War +++: Larger parts of Crimea are without electricity after Ukrainian attacks

Ukraine is to receive promises of billions at the NATO summit +++ Merz reacts calmly to Trump's criticism of defense spending +++ The news blog.

7d07/03⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

Multibillion-dollar contract secures ‘major step forward’ for GCAP fighter jet

Japan, Italy and the U.K. have handed a £4.6 billion ($6.1 billion) development contract to their national champions building the GCAP jet.

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe · uk

8d07/03⚠ war-conflict · 2/5

Military: NATO general – Europe has largely offset US cuts

According to NATO's supreme commander in Europe, the European allies have largely closed the gaps. Europe should still make more equipment available.

8d07/03

Arms deal: Submarines for Canada – According to Klingbeil, arguments “on our side”

A submarine deal could mean a large order volume for the Wismar shipyard. It should start in September. But even now the naval shipbuilder TKMS is already busy.

8d07/03⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

Poland teams up with Spain to double tanker aircraft purchase

The agreement with Madrid will allow Warsaw to increase its tanker order to four units.

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe · russia

8d07/03

Armament: KNDS owners' battle of nerves for billions

The failed IPO of KNDS shows the tensions between owners, politicians and investors - and how little leeway the German shareholders have.

8d07/03⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

Europeans to fill almost all gaps left by US in NATO defense plans, source says

The U.S. told its allies in May that it had decided to shrink the pool of military capabilities committed to the transatlantic alliance in a crisis.

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe

8d07/03

Merz hits back at Trump for ridiculing Germany’s defence spending drive

Germany ⁠does not have to shy ⁠away from talking up its record on defence spending, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday, when asked about US President Donald Trump calling Germany’s past efforts “ridiculous”. The issue of defence spending has loomed large as Nato leaders prepare to gather ‌next week in Ankara, where Europeans aim to set aside strife with Trump over Iran and Greenland and show they are stepping up to defend the continent. “Germany is doubling its defence budget within four..

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · germany

8d07/03⚠ war-conflict · 3/5

+++ Ukraine War +++: Ukraine is to receive promises of billions at the NATO summit

Merz reacts calmly to Trump's criticism of defense spending +++ Zelenskyj is pushing for his own production of Patriot missiles +++ The news blog