Britain trades Storm Shadow blueprints for a seat in Ukraine's AI weapons lab.
Top story
Rheinmetall awarded first contract under G-CAP II framework to build Bundeswehr camp in Lithuania. Rheinmetall received the first call-off under the German Armed Forces Contractor Augmentation Program II framework from the Bundeswehr infrastructure agency to build and operate a modular camp for up to 2,000 soldiers in Lithuania. Construction begins immediately; the camp is scheduled to open mid-2027. No contract value was disclosed. (Single source) Hartpunkt →
The rundown
NAVAL — Norwegian shipbuilder Umoe Mandal was chosen to build the Saildrone Surveyor V3, an autonomous surface vessel designed for maritime surveillance and oceanographic missions. Saildrone, a US firm that previously announced plans to establish European production in the Netherlands and Norway, did not disclose contract value, delivery schedule or quantity. (Single source) Naval News →
PROCUREMENT — Poland’s Defense Minister announced the arrival of the first 28 K2 main battle tanks under a $6.5 billion contract signed with South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem in August 2025. The second contract covers 180 tanks; the vehicles will equip the 16th Mechanized Division. (Single source) Defence Blog →
NAVAL — Ukraine’s UFORCE company displayed the MV11, the largest unmanned surface vessel yet built in its MAGURA product line, at the Independence Day parade in Kyiv. The MAGURA family has been credited with strikes against Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels. No dimensions, payload, range or production timeline were disclosed. (Single source) Defence Blog →
SPACE — ICEYE, the Finnish operator of the world’s largest synthetic aperture radar satellite constellation, opened a corporate entity in New Delhi called ICEYE India. The company has served the Indian market for several years without a local subsidiary. No investment amount or expansion plans were disclosed. (Single source) Defence Blog →
PROCUREMENT — Norway and Patria signed an agreement for 20 Patria 6×6 command vehicles equipped with Kongsberg Protector RS4 remote weapon stations, with an option for 40 additional vehicles, under the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System program. Deliveries begin this year. No contract value was disclosed. (Single source) Soldat & Technik →
INDUSTRY — A growing series of fires, explosions and deliberate attacks struck European defense manufacturers in 2026, many of them producing weapons, ammunition or drones for Ukraine. Western intelligence sources increasingly attribute the incidents to a Russian campaign designed to disrupt military supply chains, intimidate manufacturers and test European resolve, according to multiple reports. European governments have largely avoided publicly naming Russia as responsible. (Corroborated) Defence Blog → · Defence24 →
By the numbers
7 events in this issue · 1/7 corroborated · €5.9bn in stated deal values · 6/7 European · busiest beat: industry
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