Sobering read in the #FT about implications of 
rearmament :
“European countries have collectively saved hundreds of billions of euros a year in recent decades — a postwar “peace dividend” — as they drove down #defence spending and freed up resources for other priorities including their welfare states.
They now face a brutal reckoning as they embark on a dash for re-militarisation after Donald Trump threatened to scale back US support for the continent”
oh yeah, using Starlink - literally when you have its owner throwing out threats to unilateraly cut it off (and that's aside his nazi shit) - won't be a threat to national security at all /s
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/11/royal-navy-to-trial-elon-musks-starlink-internet/ (unpaywalled https://archive.is/v4loA)
Kubilius: Brussels is mulling new military intel satellites.
The European Commission is considering a new satellite network to bolster military intelligence amid doubts about sustained support from the US, European Defence and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius told the FT.
The network could be used to track military movements, something that requires more regular updates than the EU's Copernicus satellite service.
Canada reconsidering F-35 purchase amid tensions with Washington, says minister: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/f35-blair-trump-1.7484477
Let's keep the pressure up, 
! https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-6434 #CancelTheF35 #cdnpoli #polcan #Canada #RCAF #defence #defense #military
"JUST IN: #Canada Reconsiders F-35 Purchase
#Canada’s #defence minister says the country is exploring alternatives to its 2023 deal for 88 F-35 jets. Just days ago, #Portugal also dropped its F-35 plans.
Just a few days ago, #Portugal dropped its plan to buy F-35s from the #US "
https://bsky.app/profile/rpsagainsttrump.bsky.social/post/3lkgc3uyc7c2m
EU Commission to pitch defence omnibus package in June 2025 https://www.byteseu.com/832031/ #defence #EUPolicy #Europe #EuropeanCommission
Finnish veteran who fought in Afghanistan explains why comparing US and European defence spending isn’t necessarily compatible:
The US taxpayer ends up paying much more for the same capability. US bang-per-buck is much lower, up to 10x in some cases.
Inflated prices for defence procurement look good on paper, which may be what has been intended..
https://youtube.com/watch?v=BrzunwO_g1M
#defence #economics #budget #EuropeanDefence
Portugal wobbles on buying F-35s because of Trump.
Portugal is getting cold feet about replacing its US-made F-16 fighter jets with more modern F-35s because of Donald Trump — in one of the first examples of the US president undermining a potential lucrative arms deal.
As a bleeding heart pinko, I am fine with this #defence spending. I suppose that is the problem.
#NZPol
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/544938/defence-force-sexual-assault-prevention-team-s-future-uncertain
“…the NZDF was reported to be battling with a $360 million deficit despite a year of ‘austerity’ measures…
“If the SAPRA team is made redundant, there are fears that there will be no more sexual violence expertise in the NZDF.”
The Pentagon’s next major cloud contract is in the works
It may be even bigger than its $9 billion predecessor.
#defense #miltodon #defence #defenseone
https://www.defenseone.com/business/2025/03/pentagons-next-major-cloud-contract-works/403777/
Army’s 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force to get its own Typhon missile system
The second Pacific MDTF has also joined Transformation in Contact, while building its way to 2,000 soldiers.
#defense #miltodon #defence #defenseone
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/03/armys-3rd-multi-domain-task-force-get-its-own-typhon-missile-system/403774/
France, Italy and UK order more air defence missiles.
France, Italy and the United Kingdom, confirm the order of 218 additional Aster missiles and the acceleration of delivery of already ordered Aster missiles.
The deal underscored "the unwavering commitment of France, Italy and the UK to bolster their air defence capabilities" the countries said in a joint statement.
Aster 15 and 30 missiles are produced by pan-European manufacturer MBDA.
"..the climate crisis poses a bigger existential threat to this country than Putin does – or ever will, so if money can be found for the military there’s no reason why it couldn’t also be found to accelerate the drive for self-sufficiency in clean energy. That might really do something for national security"
#Defence #Putin #UKPolitics #Labour
Labour needs an urgent history lesson. Its plans couldn’t fund a war and won’t boost growth | Larry Elliott | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/13/labour-war-growth-military-keynesianism-money
Germany’s Merz secures breakthrough on gargantuan spending plan.
Germany’s conservative Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has reached a breakthrough with the Greens on a massive spending plan to unleash hundreds of billions of euros for defence and infrastructure, people familiar with negotiations told POLITICO.
German defense giant Rheinmetall overtakes Volkswagen valuation.
Weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall's market capitalisation overtook automotive behemoth Volkswagen Group on Thursday, a sign of Germany's economic shift from cars to defence.
Rheinmetall's market cap — the value of a publicly traded company — stood at €55.7 billion overnight., compared to Volkswagen's €54.4 billion.
This is pre-Trump. We'll be replacing our F-18s soon. Can we even rely on F-35s continuing to operate?
https://youtu.be/IostTF7zKeQ
#AusPol
#defence
#Trump
What are Australia's options? Our military relies heavily of US hardware (and associated software).
https://www.politico.eu/article/portugal-rules-out-buying-f-35s-because-of-trump/
#NAFO 
