Global Scans · Military · Weekly Summary

• [New] Member states have already increased their defence spending substantially, from €218 billion in 2021, projected to rise to €392 billion in 2025. Science|Business
• [New] The drone initiative is Europe's opportunity to learn the Ukrainian way to conduct military tech innovation, and will be linked to a planned drone alliance with Ukraine. Science|Business
• [New] The defence readiness roadmap outlines objectives and milestones to close Europe's capability gaps and accelerate member state investments, in response to growing threats including Russia's continued militarization and concerns about continued reliance on US support. Science|Business
• [New] Defence and dual-use technologies are already set for a funding boost from 2028, with the Commission planning to channel €131 billion into defence, security and space projects under the future European Competitiveness Fund and to open Horizon Europe to dual-use projects. Science|Business
• [New] The European Commission has announced that it will present a European defence transformation roadmap in November, including new ways to boost innovation with the defence industry, and address the need for greater agility, speed and risk-taking. Science|Business
• [New] All NATO members - bar Spain - have pledged to increase overall defence and security-related spending to 5% by 2035. Centre for European Reform
• [New] EU-wide defence spending will reach 2.1% in 2025, up from 1.6% in 2023. Centre for European Reform
• [New] Ukraine's CERT-UA has observed Russian hackers using AI to automate cyberattacks, generate malware, and exploit zero-click vulnerabilities, marking a shift toward Steal & Go operations and AI-assisted hybrid warfare coordinated with missile strikes. EU DisinfoLab
• [New] Arctic Economic and Security Corridor: A set of all-weather, dual-use, land and port-to-port-to-port infrastructure projects that will contribute to Canada's defence and northern development. ConstructConnect.com
• [New] Albanese resists the US demand that Australia spend 3.5% of GDP on the military, even while the cost of AUKUS is expected to blow out exponentially, and with no guarantee of delivery or success. Pearls and Irritations
• [New] In a rare instance of diplomatic progress, Washington and Beijing announced the creation of new military-to-military de-confliction channels intended to reduce the risk of accidental confrontation in the Indo-Pacific. Medium
• [New] South Korea said Friday that it will launch its fifth military spy satellite from a US space base this weekend. Medium
• [New] Venezuela deploys Buk-M2 E air defence missile a major threat to U.S. fighter jets and missiles. GeopoliticsUnplugged Substack
• [New] The year 2025 will serve as a significant milestone for the Army Aviation Corps with the planned induction of the AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters. Indian Aerospace and Defence Bulletin - News for aerosp
• [New] SpaceX could build up to 600 satellites that will be used for a high-tech aerial defence system. Engadget
• [New] The Pentagon's vision of human pilots directing multiple loyal wingmen raises profound questions about the future of air warfare, where software updates and AI training could matter more than traditional piloting skills. / China DroneXL.co
• [New] The European Council has committed to expediting its defence readiness roadmap, aiming for significant joint procurements by 2027. KeepTrack
• [New] The UK has stepped up with the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, which is increasing to 2.6% of GDP from 2027 with an ambition of hitting 3% by the end of next Parliament. GOV.UK
• [New] The European Commission and High Representative have presented a new Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, outlining plans for a European Drone Defence Initiative that is expected to be operational by the end of 2027. Publyon
• If infrastructure military readiness expenditures are included, total war-related spending will reach 5% of GDP, €215 billion annually. World Socialist Web Site
• The 2025 defence budget totals €86.5 billion - more than at any time since the end of the Second World War - and is set to rise to €150 billion by 2029, roughly 3.5% of GDP. World Socialist Web Site
• Commitments made at the June NATO summit to reach a defence spending target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035 will require at least an additional €288 billion annually. World Socialist Web Site
• The European Council underlines the importance of innovative technologies and disruptive solutions and calls on the Commission to present a roadmap for defence industry transformation. Consilium

Last updated: 06 November 2025