Posts Tagged ‘defence’
Finnish Defence Forces procure systems support services from Insta
The Finnish Defence Forces procure defence system support services from Insta. The services acquired are in accordance with the strategic partnership agreement between the Defence Forces and strategic partners.
They cover support services for military aviation, maritime defence, intelligence, surveillance and command and control systems. Deliveries will mainly take place between 2026 and 2030.
Insta has been collaborating with the Defence Forces since the 1970s, when Insta began maintaining avionics equipment for the Air Force. Later, the defense business expanded to cover all branches. Insta and the Defence Forces signed a strategic partnership agreement at the end of 2015.
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Originally published on 12 Dec
Read MoreCouncil of Baltic Sea States meeting
Security topped the agenda of a discussion Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski had with the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) foreign ministers. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas also joined the videoconference.
Held on 8 December 2025, the meeting had been arranged on the initiative of Poland as part of its current Presidency of the Council. The discussion focused on key regional security issues, including ongoing talks on putting an end to the fighting in Ukraine, as well as the work now under way in the European Union in regard to a reparations loan and the US National Security Strategy.
Poland’s top diplomat stressed that the countries in Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe must be engaged in all international talks concerning the region. In that context, the CBSS is a useful cooperation format. The participants agreed on further exchange of information and continued cooperation to support Ukraine. A fair peace is the only solution that may stabilise the situation in Europe. There was general consent that a decision on using the frozen Russian assets will be a pivotal issue in the near future.
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Originally published on 8 Dec
Read MoreLanding an orca Poland chooses Saab to build subs
Saab, a Swedish industrial group, has been chosen to deliver three submarines to the Polish navy. The deal will see the first sub delivered as part of the 10 billion zloty (€2.3 billion) Orka programme in 2030.
Even before Moscow’s unprovoked war on Ukraine, in 2022, Poland was one of Europe’s biggest military spenders. Since then, it has expanded investments in its armed forces further, and today its military spending amounts to 4.48% of its gross domestic product, the highest in Nato.
The Orka programme makes up a big chunk of that increase, and, say proponents, the subs are necessary for Poland to protect maritime infrastructure. Currently, Poland has one operational submarine, the ORP Orzeł. Built in the Soviet Union in 1985, it has a reputation of spending more time in repair than at sea.
Saab’s offer was chosen over five other bids, in part, because its model is specifically developed to operate in the Baltic. “The Swedish offer is the only one that met all the expectations of the navy,” Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s defence minister, said. Nothing under the sea apparently comes close either.
Read MoreIn the largest NATO “Digital Backbone Experiment” unmanned systems have been tested
From 27 October to 7 November, NATO’s Largest Digital Backbone Experiment “DiBaX 2025” was taking place at military base “Ādaži” and virtually across several NATO nations. This year, “DiBaX” strategically focused on the use of unmanned vehicles in contested environments and the application of artificial intelligence in detection and decision-making tasks.
‘”DiBaX” is the only military technology experiment of this scale that NATO has been conducting in Latvia for already four years. This demonstrates the advancement of our defence industry in the field of 5G technologies, the National Armed Forces’ contribution to innovation development and Latvia’s defence infrastructure capacity to host such high level experiments,” underlines Andris Spruds, Minister of Defence of Latvia.
The digital backbone is a vital component of NATO’s infrastructure, enabling connectivity for complex Multi-Domain Operations. During the DiBaX, the latest technological advancements was demonstrated and assessed for integration into real-world environments to enhance interoperability and efficiency among Allied Forces.
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Originally published on 7 Nov
Read MoreConstruction of the Rheinmetall ammunition plant in Baisogala launched with an official ceremony
The joint German-Lithuanian 155-mm artillery ammunition plant near Baisogala is scheduled to commence operations by the end of 2026. This strategic facility will bolster Lithuania’s defence industry capabilities and contribute to ensuring national security. Today, 4 November, Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas took part in the symbolic ceremony marking the commencement of construction of the plant.
During the ceremonial launch, President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, Minister of Economy and Innovation Edvinas Grikšas, Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, EPSO-G Group CEO Mindaugas Keizeris, and Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger symbolically marked the start of construction work on the facility.
“Energy goes beyond the boundaries of this sector. Today, energy security and national security are two inextricably linked areas. The EPSO-G Group has demonstrated its leadership by implementing strategic energy projects, such as the synchronisation with the continental European network, and is now doing so again by participating in a project of significance for both Lithuania’s and Europe’s security, while also integrating renewable energy,” says Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas.
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Originally published on 4 Nov
Read MoreLithuania secures €300 million EIB loan to boost defence on EU’s eastern border
In yet another major step to reinforce European security, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing €300 million to the Lithuanian government for investments in military infrastructure. The loan marks a strategic milestone in reinforcing the EU’s eastern border, where Lithuania plays a key role in NATO’s collective defence and rapid-response capabilities.
The financing will help Lithuania strengthen its defence capabilities through investments in key areas: harbour boats for piloting and towing, medical transport and equipment, and new infrastructure for residential, administrative, training, transport and logistics needs. The upgrades will support the Lithuanian Armed Forces and help meet North Atlantic Treaty Organization commitments.
The signed loan is part of a broader €500 million investment package approved by the EIB for this operation. It complements a €540 million loan approved earlier this year for the NATO military base in Rūdninkai, along with advisory support. Together, this brings EIB Group support for Lithuania’s defence to over €1 billion in 2025.
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Originally published on 7 Nov
Read MoreNext May, Latvia will host the second high-level international Drone Summit
On May 27, 2026, Riga will host the second International Drone Summit, bringing together defence ministers from the countries of the International Drone Coalition, leading experts, and companies from the defence industry. The summit will serve as a leading platform for discussions and future decisions, where Drone Coalition and allied nations will have the opportunity to agree on further drone deliveries to Ukraine, discuss the development of the drone industry, and establish new partnerships with drone manufacturers and innovators.
“Latvia has taken on international leadership in the drone industry not only by heading the Drone Coalition but also by promoting the development of the drone industry, fostering cooperation among entrepreneurs, and driving innovation. It is important that we continue to strengthen the defence capabilities of our country and its allies by encouraging closer cooperation between industry, science, and military sector,” notes Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds.
At this year’s international high-level Drone Summit, the establishment of the Autonomous Systems Competence Center, also known as the Drone Centre, was announced. The center has already begun operating at full capacity, ensuring the development, testing, and implementation of the drone and counter-drone capabilities required by the Latvian National Armed Forces, as well as close cooperation with industry and research partners from Latvia and allied nations.
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Originally published on 3 Nov
Read MoreInsta launches Insta DomainLink Secret™ to empower tactical decision-making and improve situational awareness across military branches and systems
Insta has launched Insta DomainLink Secret™, a high-performance cross-domain solution (CDS) for secure, real-time data exchange between different networks and systems. Modern technological solution enables real-time, secure bi-directional data transfer between military domains, such as land, maritime, and air, and security clearance between different classification levels across the chain of command.
Developed in collaboration with Lockheed Martin for the exchange of data in complex military network environments, its advanced operational security and cybersecurity capabilities help safeguard data against threats. The system also enables improved situational awareness and faster tactical decision-making across military domains.
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Originally published on 8 Sep
Read MoreEstonia secures strong position in NATO DIANA defence innovation programme
Today, as part of the second year of the NATO DIANA innovation accelerator, the companies selected for the programme’s next phase were announced. A total of 2613 companies applied to join the second cohort of NATO DIANA, of which 73 were chosen for the first phase – including two Estonian startups. Each team selected for phase two will receive up to €300 000 from NATO DIANA, in addition to the €100 000 grant funding awarded in the first phase.
Seven companies took part in the programme at the NATO DIANA Estonian accelerator, including two Estonian firms – Wayren and Telearmy. Now, as only 15 companies from across the alliance move forward to the second phase, three of them are teams accelerated their growth in Estonia’s accelerator, including both Estonian startups. Alongside the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, Estonia is one of the only countries represented by two or more firms, giving Estonia one of the strongest showings among NATO nations in the second phase.
“I am very pleased to see Estonia’s contribution to NATO DIANA stand out so strongly. The fact that three teams accelerated here – including two of our own defence industry companies – have advanced to the next stage shows how quickly Estonian entrepreneurs can adapt, act and seize opportunities. The same applies to our Defence Forces, who have been on board with testing new solutions. I dare say that Digital Nation 2.0 will gain momentum thanks to the successes of our defence industry,” said Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defence.
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Originally published on 4 Sep
Read MoreLatvian drones in the spotlight at the DSEI Defence and Security Exhibition
This year, at one of the world’s largest and most significant defence and security industry exhibitions, DSEI, Latvia will be represented with its largest-ever delegation of participants, with drone manufacturers especially to the fore. The Latvian business delegation will showcase aerial, ground, surface, and underwater drones, as well as anti-drone systems, while the Latvian company VicTec will stage water drone demonstration shows on the River Thames during the exhibition.
Also on display at the Latvian delegation’s stand will be a range of products essential to the defence and security sector, including tactical clothing, optical and training equipment, chemical, logistics and pyrotechnic solutions, and metalworking products.
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Originally published on 5 Sep
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