Sweden just paid $70 million per HIMARS launcher. Britain is treating seabed cables like critical infrastructure.
Top story
Britain publishes new Space Strategy directing more than £3 billion to defence orbital capabilities. The UK government released a new national Space Strategy allocating over £3 billion to defence-focused orbital systems, addressing threats from space and protecting satellite infrastructure. The strategy covers both offensive counter-space measures and defensive resilience. Why it matters: Britain is treating space as contested terrain, not just a support layer—over £3 billion suggests satellite hardening, new sensors, and possibly kinetic or electronic counter-space tools. (Corroborated) UK MOD news → · UK MOD news → · UK Defence Journal →
The rundown
MUNITIONS — Britain committed £100 million to bolster Ukrainian air defences during the winter period. The package includes missiles for Patriot launchers and other air defence systems. The announcement follows repeated Russian missile and drone campaigns targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure. (Corroborated) UK MOD news → · Defence24 →
PROCUREMENT — EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas abruptly cancelled plans to unveil a high-level European defence advisory group just hours before its scheduled announcement, following resistance from Germany, France, and Italy. The panel was intended to guide EU defence industrial policy. No new launch date has been announced. (Corroborated) Defense News →
INDUSTRY — Israeli defence contractor Rafael, the German state of Lower Saxony, and investment firm Aurelius signed a memorandum of understanding to convert a closing Volkswagen facility in Germany into a defence manufacturing site. If completed, the agreement would give Rafael a production footprint inside Germany. The VW plant is slated for closure under the automaker’s restructuring plan. (Single source) Breaking Defense →
NAVAL — Spain’s navy chose MBDA’s SIMBAD RC very-short-range air defence system to equip F80-class frigates and the Juan Carlos I amphibious assault ship. The system replaces the retired Meroka close-in weapon system. Spain plans to extend SIMBAD RC across its surface fleet. (Single source) Naval News → · Opex360 →
INDUSTRY — State-owned Polish defence conglomerate PGZ displayed its CBWP heavy infantry fighting vehicle in full for the first time at the MSPO 2026 arms fair in Kielce. The vehicle, whose Polish designation stands for Ciężki Bojowy Wóz Piechoty, is a domestically developed platform intended for mechanised infantry units. (Single source) Defence Blog →
MUNITIONS — South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems opened a joint exhibit at MSPO 2026 in Kielce, Poland, showcasing air defence, unmanned systems, and artillery platforms. The companies announced plans to launch a Chunmoo User Club in 2027 for NATO operators of the multiple rocket launcher. Poland and Estonia are confirmed customers. (Single source) Defence Blog →
DRONES — Polish defence technology company FlyFocus unveiled its TASACK precision loitering munition at MSPO 2026. The 15-kilogram system carries a 5-kilogram warhead and can fly up to 110 kilometres. FlyFocus positions TASACK as a simpler, lower-cost alternative to first-person-view attack drones. (Single source) Defence Blog →
Signals
DRONES — Israeli firm Axon Vision secured an order valued at up to NIS 15 million (approximately $4 million USD) from an Israeli defence organisation for its ForceField counter-UAS solution. The system combines artificial intelligence and autonomous capabilities. The order follows the recent launch of ForceField. (Single source) EDR Magazine → · sUAS News →
By the numbers
9 events in this issue · 3/9 corroborated · €3.6bn in stated deal values · 8/9 European · busiest beat: procurement
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