Armin Papperger, Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG, confirmed that the German defense company is currently in advanced negotiations with the German government to deliver between 6,000 and 7,000 combat vehicles. The aim is to equip several newly structured brigades as part of a broader effort to modernize and expand the Bundeswehr’s (German army) combat readiness. The new German government procurement plan includes core armored platforms such as the Leopard 2 main battle tank, Puma tracked infantry fighting vehicle, and Boxer 8x8 armored personnel carrier. According to Armin Papperger, this surge in demand could bring Rheinmetall up to 70 billion euros in defense contracts over the next twelve months, only from Germany. This massive acquisition drive is part of Germany’s strategic response to growing geopolitical threats, particularly following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, Berlin has committed to overhauling its defense posture, moving away from decades of post-Cold War restraint toward a fully equipped, combat-ready force aligned with NATO’s forward defense goals. The plan to add thousands of armored fighting vehicles represents a fundamental transformation of the Bundeswehr’s capabilities and structure. Rheinmetall, already a critical supplier to NATO forces, is positioning itself as the central industrial actor behind Germany’s land forces renewal. The new vehicles will enable Germany to establish multiple new brigades, capable of rapid deployment and sustained operations within NATO's deterrence framework in Eastern Europe.

Germany has collaborated with Czech defense contractor Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod (CZUB) to supply new service pistols for the armed forces. The project covers the distribution of the P13 handgun, a 9×19-millimeter system that will replace the military’s current Heckler & Koch P8 standard sidearm. Selection of CZUB followed a competition between the firm, Slovenia’s Arex, and Austria’s Glock, with value being a decisive factor in the decision, according to Göttingen-based news agency Hartpunkt. No live fire or related trials were facilitated to support the tender, the outlet reported.

 Romanian Defense Minister Ionuț Moșteanu officially confirmed plans to acquire the Israeli-made Iron Dome system, making Romania the first European country to integrate this battle-proven short-range air defense solution. The announcement, delivered in an interview with Romania's national broadcaster TVR, marks a pivotal moment in Romania’s defense posture, as it prepares to sign a formal procurement agreement for SHORAD-VSHORAD (Short and Very Short Range Air Defense) capabilities by fall 2025. Romanian Defense Minister Ionuț Moșteanu emphasized the strategic necessity of acquiring Iron Dome air defense missile system batteries, highlighting their critical role in shielding military installations, civilian infrastructure, and urban centers against cruise missiles, rockets, artillery shells, and UAVs. Drawing comparisons to Israel’s recent successful defense against Iranian missile salvos targeting Tel Aviv, the minister underlined Romania’s urgent requirement to replicate such multilayered protective capabilities in light of regional security threats, particularly along NATO's eastern flank. This Iron Dome acquisition signals a significant shift in Romania’s military modernization trajectory, aligning with a broader defense spending strategy that allocates nearly 30% of the national defense budget to procurement in 2025. The system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries and widely regarded as the most effective operational SHORAD (Short-Range Air Defense) system globally, has consistently demonstrated a success rate of over 90% in live combat conditions. Its adoption by Romania sets a new benchmark for European allied air defense and could pave the way for further integration of Israeli air defense technology within NATO forces.

According to information published by Israel National News, on July 13, 2025, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) CEO Boaz Levy confirmed that the upcoming Arrow 4 interceptor missile is nearing operational readiness and will soon enter the Israeli air defense architecture. The new interceptor is designed to confront one of the most pressing global threats: hypersonic missiles. Its development comes at a time when adversarial nations are accelerating deployment of hypersonic glide vehicles and maneuverable ballistic warheads, pushing traditional missile defense systems to their limits. The new Israeli Arrow 4 is a next-generation interceptor missile designed to defeat advanced ballistic and hypersonic threats with enhanced maneuverability, upgraded sensors, and high-altitude interception capabilities. The rise of hypersonic weapons, particularly from China and Russia, has dramatically changed the nature of missile threats worldwide. Hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and hypersonic cruise missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 while maintaining high maneuverability and low flight trajectories. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, which follow a predictable parabolic path, hypersonic missiles can shift direction mid-flight, making interception by conventional missile defense systems far more complex. China's DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle and Russia's Avangard system represent strategic leaps in missile technology, capable of evading most current detection and interception capabilities.  

  On July 14, 2025, Denmark formally entered into the final phase of its participation in the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme. This step included the simultaneous signing of the programme’s three concluding documents: the Research and Development (R&D) Agreement, the Framework Agreement, and the Life Cycle Management (LCM) Agreement. These agreements were signed following Denmark’s earlier adhesion to the programme in April 2025 through the Technical Arrangement with the other participating countries. As part of this latest development, Denmark confirmed the procurement of 129 Patria 6x6 armoured vehicles, designated also as XA-300, from the Finnish company Patria. The order, valued at approximately 1.9 billion Danish kroner (around €247 million), is funded through the Danish government’s Accelerationsfonden. A limited number of these vehicles are scheduled for delivery before the end of 2025 to support initial training and familiarization, while the main deliveries are expected to begin in 2026 and will contribute to the rebuilding and modernization of the Danish Armed Forces. The Patria 6x6 armored vehicles will be allocated to both the light infantry battalion and the heavy brigade. Their deployment will support multiple military roles including troop transportation, command post operations, communications, electronic warfare, and medical evacuation. The Patria 6x6 is configured to accommodate two or three crew members and up to ten fully equipped soldiers. It is powered by a DC09 Scania in-line five-cylinder diesel engine producing 294 kW and 1,870 Nm of torque. The vehicle has a maximum payload of 8.5 tonnes, an operational range of 700 kilometers, a maximum road speed exceeding 100 km/h, and can reach 8 km/h in amphibious mode. Standard protection is compliant with STANAG 4569 Level K2/M2a/b, with available upgrades to Level K4/M4a/b. The layout places the driver and commander in the front, the engine behind the driver, and the troop compartment in the rear, with a passage on the right side for internal access. Suspension options include independent coil springs or hydropneumatic systems, and the chassis incorporates structural elements recived from the Patria AMVXP platform.

Kyiv has announced that Ghana is interested in acquiring Ukrainian drones for border surveillance and security near the Sahel region. Ukraine has confirmed its readiness to partner with the West African nation, with plans to send a delegation to Ghana to advance the bilateral cooperation. “Ghana is ready to finance our production, and we are ready to help our partners secure their borders,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated after a call with Ghanaian counterpart John Dramani Mahama. The announcement follows a June meeting between the two nations during which they expressed interest in deepening ties. Key areas for cooperation include digitalization, cybersecurity, and combating cybercrime, with the countries agreeing to recruit their relevant government agencies to move the efforts forward.

The Spanish military plans to procure over 200 self-propelled howitzers to replace its aging fleet of M109 guns. The planned acquisition will be of both wheeled and tracked artillery units and associated vehicles under two separate subprograms for over 3 billion euros ($3.51 billion). Under the first subprogram, a total of 128 tracked howitzers will reportedly be procured for both the Spanish Army and the Spanish Marine Infantry for 1.82 billion euros ($2.12 billion). Expected Features The platform should be highly mobile and automated and require a low crew size and response time, according to a Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism document. It should have a barrel of 47 to 52 caliber and a range of over 40 kilometers (25 miles) with base-bleed rounds. The acquisition includes 128 ammunition vehicles, 21 recovery vehicles, 48 ​​command vehicles for the army and 11 for the marine infantry, and 7 optional maintenance vehicles. Under the second subprogram, a total of 86 wheeled howitzers will be procured for the army, in addition to an equal number of ammunition vehicles, 14 recovery vehicles, and 7 optional maintenance vehicles for 1.18 billion euros ($1.38 billion). The howitzers could be in 8×8 or 10×10 configurations.  

According to information published by Shield AI on July 9, 2025, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence has officially procured eight V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems to bolster maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across the Royal Netherlands Navy and Marine Corps. The announcement was made during the Maritime Uncrewed event in Den Helder, underscoring a strategic leap forward in Dutch maritime modernization and autonomous systems integration. The U.S. V-BAT acquisition marks a significant milestone in the Netherlands' broader effort to field highly autonomous, resilient, and combat-tested ISR solutions tailored for operations in contested environments. Designed by the U.S.-based deep-tech company Shield AI, the V-BAT platform operates independently of GNSS, enabling full-spectrum ISR and targeting in environments where GPS and communications may be compromised. Shield AI highlighted that this makes the system particularly suited to high-threat maritime missions requiring persistent awareness and rapid deployment from a variety of vessels. According to a Royal Netherlands Navy spokesperson, the platform's logistical simplicity, shipboard compatibility, and advanced autonomy were key drivers behind the decision. The spokesperson emphasized that V-BAT offers scalable ISR solutions while preserving operational interoperability with NATO allies, including the United States. This procurement is expected to directly enhance the Dutch Navy’s ability to conduct distributed maritime operations and real-time threat monitoring, particularly in the North Sea and broader NATO maritime areas.

On July 3, 2025, France’s massive AI drone deal set to shape battlefield training and readiness marks a decisive step in modernizing the French Army’s capabilities. In a move that signals a profound trust in emerging defense tech, Paris-based startup Harmattan AI has been awarded a multi-million-euro contract to deliver 1,000 AI-enabled micro-drones for the French forces. These drones are expected to enhance operational training ahead of the Orion 2026 multinational exercise. As reported by Harmattan AI, the agreement underscores the growing reliance on AI-driven, software-defined systems to maintain strategic advantage in increasingly contested environments. The drone platform supplied by Harmattan AI weighs just under two kilograms but is engineered for robust battlefield utility. Fully developed in France, the quadcopter features a 2-kilometer operational range and a flight endurance of 40 minutes, integrating electro-optical sensors with optional infrared capability. Designed to be autonomous and scalable, the system reflects the startup’s ambition to merge advanced AI decision-making with rugged, field-ready hardware. This makes the drone not only a tool for training but also a step towards more flexible and reactive force deployments in real-world scenarios.

Iraq is preparing to receive the first units of the South Korean Cheongung-II air defense system as part of a $2.8 billion contract signed in September 2024 with LIG Nex1. The system, also known as KM-SAM Block II, is expected to be delivered within the next few months, according to official statements from both Iraqi and South Korean sources. Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbasi stated that the delivery will follow a schedule reviewed in line with Iraq’s national priorities and operational needs. The acquisition includes eight batteries and reflects Iraq’s increasing engagement with non-Russian defense suppliers following reliability issues and supply constraints that emerged after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. On July 5, 2025, Major General Tahseen al-Khafaji, who serves as the Director of Media and Military Guidance and Deputy Head of the Security Media Cell, confirmed that the delivery of this advanced system was proceeding without obstacles, and that air defense enhancements remain a central part of Iraq’s security agenda under the current government. The KM-SAM Block II system is designed for medium-range interception of aircraft and ballistic missiles. Each battery includes four to six mobile launchers, each armed with eight missiles, a multifunction radar, and a command and control vehicle. The radar is a passive electronically scanned array (PESA) X-band 3D radar based on technology from the Russian S-400, with a rotational rate of 40 rpm, 80-degree elevation coverage, and the ability to detect targets within 100 kilometers and track up to 40 simultaneously. The interceptor uses a combination of inertial navigation, midcourse updates through datalink, and terminal active radar homing. The hit-to-kill missile reaches speeds of up to Mach 5, can operate at a maximum altitude of 20 kilometers, and has a range of 50 kilometers. Development of the system began in 2001, with Block I completed in 2011 and Block II in 2017. The Block III variant, featuring an AESA radar and longer range, entered development in 2024. The KM-SAM system is integrated into South Korea’s three-layered air and missile defense structure and replaces the older MIM-23 Hawk system. Iraq becomes the third country in the region to acquire it after the UAE in 2022 and Saudi Arabia in February 2024.