Missiles, drones and warships the priority as Australia plans $32 billion defence boost
By Lewis Jackson SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia will boost defence spending by A$50.3 billion ($32 billion) over the next decade and reshuffle its weapons programs to emphasise missiles, drones and warships as…
North Korea says U.S. is setting up Asian NATO; vows stronger defence
By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL – North Korea has accused the United States of setting up a military alliance like NATO in Asia, saying the unwavering U.S. aim to oust North Korea’s government…
European defence industry co-operation must be enhanced – France’s Macron
PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that co-operation in the European Union’s defence industry needed to be enhanced, including by the introduction of measures to favour EU companies on…
Southeast Asian defence pact can help region manage tensions, members say
By Gerry Doyle SINGAPORE – Top officials from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Britain said on Saturday that their 51-year-old Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) pact was solid, relevant and crucial…
Behind the scenes in Japan, a welcome for Biden’s defence of Taiwan
By Tim Kelly TOKYO – For Japan, U.S. President Joe Biden’s comment he would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan signalled no formal change in policy. But behind the scenes…
UK, U.S. defence ministers discuss support for Ukraine
LONDON – Britain’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and his U.S. counterpart discussed next steps to help Ukraine, including military aid, in talks held in the United States this week, a statement published…
Rolls-Royce boosted by return to flying and defence demand
LONDON -Rolls-Royce traded in line with expectations in the first four months of the year, the engine manufacturer said on Thursday, helped by a gradual return to flying and increased government investment…
Bank of Japan vows limitless defence of yield target
SINGAPORE – The Bank of Japan on Thursday maintained its massive stimulus programme and a pledge to keep interest rates low, reinforcing its resolve to support a fragile economy. The central bank…
Afghan defence minister says will not tolerate ‘invasions’
KABUL – Afghanistan’s acting defence minister said on Sunday that the Taliban administration would not tolerate “invasions” from its neighours after protesting against airstrikes it says were conducted by neighbouring Pakistan. The…
Germany looks to buy Israeli or U.S. missile defence system
BERLIN – Berlin is considering buying a missile defence system from Israel or the United States to defend against threats including Russian Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad, German weekly Welt am Sonntag reported…
Exclusive-Ukraine mulls international bonds to fund war defence effort
By Karin Strohecker and Jorgelina do Rosario LONDON – Ukraine, hoping to tap fresh sources of money to fund its defence efforts, is looking at ways to extend a domestic bond issuance…
Russia hits Ukraine’s Lviv with cruise missiles, defence ministry says
LONDON – Russia struck military targets in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv with high-precision cruise missiles, the Russian defence ministry said on Sunday. Russia hit a fuel depot being used by…
Fincantieri to expand defence business, M&A halted for now
MILAN – As Europe steps up its military spending after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri expects to expand its defence business, but sees M&A activity halted for now, its top…
S.Korea’s Yoon says he will move presidential office to defence ministry
By Josh Smith and Minwoo Park SEOUL – South Korean president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, breaking with decades of tradition, said on Sunday he will move the presidential office from the Blue House to…
Putin should be recognised as war criminal, Ukrainian defence minister tells EU lawmakers
BRUSSELS – Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov told European Union lawmakers on Wednesday that they should recognise Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal after Russia invaded Ukraine. “I am appealing…
Ukraine’s president says he agreed more defence, sanctions support with Biden
LVIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he spoke to U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday and they agreed on further support for Ukraine’s defence and more sanctions against Russia. “Gave…
Italy’s Leonardo sees Ukraine crisis accelerating EU defence project
By Francesca Landini MILAN – Italian aerospace and defence group Leonardo believes Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will accelerate plans to create European common defence capabilities and expects to see higher military spending.…
Leonardo sees EU defence spending boosting cash flow, pays dividend
MILAN – Italian aerospace and defence group Leonardo expects free cash flow to more than double this year compared with 2021 as governments around the world step up military spending in response…
Leonardo to take into account EU defence plans when weighing units sale – unions
MILAN – Italy’s Leonardo will take into account the effort of European governments to build common military capabilities, when assessing options to sell two of its defence units, unions said after meeting…
Russian and Ukrainian weapons compete at Saudi defence show
RIYADH – As the tragic reality of war unfolds in eastern Europe, visitors to a defence show in Saudi Arabia were met with the surreal sight of seeing the latest Ukrainian and…
Taiwan warns Chinese aircraft in its air defence zone
TAIPEI – Taiwan’s air force scrambled again on Thursday to warn away nine Chinese aircraft that entered its air defence zone, Taiwan’s defence ministry said, on the same day that Russia invaded…
European defence stocks rise as Russia invades Ukraine
By Danilo Masoni MILAN – European defence stocks were among the rare gainers in a falling market on Thursday on bets of bigger spending after Russian forces invaded Ukraine in the biggest…
Germany discussing sending more troops to Lithuania – defence minister
BERLIN – Germany is considering deploying additional troops to Lithuania, Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said, as tensions remained high over Russia’s military build-up near Ukraine. In an interview with the Funke media…
Indonesia, Singapore sign extradition, airspace and defence agreements
By Stanley Widianto JAKARTA – Indonesia and Singapore signed on Tuesday a bilateral extradition agreement, a move that Jakarta expects to help authorities in their effort to bring to justice people accused…
Germany will not supply weapons to Kyiv for now, defence minister says
BERLIN – Berlin is ruling out arms deliveries to Ukraine in the standoff with Russia for now, German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said in an interview published on Saturday, a few days…
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