Pakistan has announced plans to raise its defense spending by 20 percent between 2025 and 2026 following recent clashes with India. According to the budget presented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, 2.5 trillion Pakistani rupees ($9 billion) have been allocated for military expenses, up from 2.1 trillion rupees ($7.5 billion) the previous year, Reuters reported.  The measure includes up to 704 billion rupees ($2.5 billion) allocated for equipment procurement. An additional 742 billion rupees ($2.6 billion) will be set aside for military pensions, bringing the total defense budget to 3.2 trillion rupees ($11.6 billion). Acquisitions Ahead of Budget Hike Prior to announcing its defense budget increase, Pakistan had already moved to expand military procurement with several acquisitions from China. Earlier this month, Islamabad revealed plans to acquire FC-31 Gyrfalcon stealth fighters from Beijing.  The South Asian country is also reportedly weighing the purchase of the Chinese-made HQ-19 missile defense system and up to 40 J-35A stealth aircraft.  

Germany has decided to acquire the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for its F-35 fighter jets in a deal with Norway worth approximately 6.5-billion Norwegian kroner ($642 million). The proposed procurement was approved by the German Parliament on June 4, making Germany the fifth customer of the Kongsberg-developed missile after Norway, Japan, Australia, and the US.  The deal is expected to be signed by the end of the first half of 2025. Under the government-to-government agreement, Norway will procure the air-to-ground missiles from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace on behalf of Germany. This acquisition is structured under the same bilateral framework used for Germany’s previous procurement of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Block 1A and the joint development of the next-generation NSM — the SuperSonic Strike Missile Tyrfing.

At the 2025 edition of Indodefense, the leading defense exhibition in Southeast Asia, the state-owned company PAL Indonesia reveals a new system designed to counter the growing use of short-range reconnaissance and loitering drones, particularly those operated in First Person View (FPV) mode. This device, presented in the form of a shoulder-fired weapon, is intended to dazzle or disrupt the optical systems of these drones using a high-powered laser beam. The system stands out for its compact design, reminiscent of a grenade launcher, with ergonomics adapted for shoulder firing. It is equipped with an optical sight offering variable magnification from 1x to 4x, enabling fast target acquisition, even when tracking moving drones. The operator benefits from a balanced configuration, with the power supply housed in a separate backpack-mounted battery, reducing the weight carried on the weapon itself. From a technical perspective, the laser’s output ranges between 0.75 and 2.0 kilowatts, sufficient to temporarily blind or potentially damage the optronic sensors of small commercial or improvised drones. The stated operational range extends from 50 to 400 meters, making it particularly suitable for urban environments, fixed positions, or the close protection of convoys and sensitive installations. The system is calibrated to engage small aerial targets with dimensions around 15 cm by 20 cm, which corresponds to the typical size of FPV drones observed in recent conflicts, including those in Ukraine and the Middle East. The weapon’s weight varies between 4 and 4.5 kg, making it a truly man-portable system.

On June 11, 2025, Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Spruds announced that Sweden has committed to delivering 18 Archer 8x8 self-propelled wheeled artillery systems to the Latvian National Armed Forces, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026. The announcement followed the signing, on June 10, of a letter of intent between Latvia’s Ministry of Defence and Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration, Försvarets Materielverk (FMV), to formalise a future intergovernmental contract for the 18 units. The agreement also establishes plans for joint military exercises, soldier training, and the presence of the Archer systems in Latvia starting from 2026. The document further confirms Sweden’s commitment to lease existing systems to Latvia until the delivery of the newly manufactured units is fulfilled. The cooperation also includes potential Latvian defense industry participation in the supply chain for future support and logistics arrangements.

In an interview with the Corriere della Sera on June 8, 2025, Admiral Enrico Credendino, Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, confirmed that the Marina Militare is considering the development of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier as part of its long-term planning framework extending to 2040. The consideration of nuclear propulsion is part of a broader effort to address evolving maritime threats and energy requirements, including the increasing use of drones and the integration of systems for cyber defense. According to Credendino, all future Italian naval vessels will be designed with the capacity to embark various types of unmanned platforms. The aircraft carrier project remains in the conceptual and feasibility assessment phase and aligns with parallel developments in Italian naval nuclear research and industrial organization, particularly the Minerva program and the establishment of Nuclitalia. The Minerva program, officially launched in 2023 by the Directorate of Naval Armaments of the Italian Ministry of Defense, serves as the primary institutional framework for studying the potential application of nuclear energy in frontline naval vessels. Minerva is an acronym for “Marinazzazione di Impianti Nucleari per l’Energia a bordo di Vascelli Armati” and is structured into three phases. The first involves a feasibility study for integrating next-generation naval nuclear reactors. The second comprises a concept design of a nuclear-powered combat ship. The third provides a comparative evaluation between an existing conventional unit and a similar vessel powered by a nuclear reactor. The program is supported by €2.1 million in funding and is managed by a temporary association of companies. This includes Fincantieri as lead contractor, with participation from Cetena, Ansaldo Nucleare, Rina Services, and the University of Genoa. Admiral Credendino has indicated that initial studies are focused on submarines and destroyers, while the possibility of a nuclear aircraft carrier is not excluded and remains under evaluation for longer-term implementation.

Japan has initiated the deployment of its cutting-edge Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) system by establishing two specialized missile battalions in Kyushu and Hokkaido. Officially named “Island Defense High-Speed Sliding Missile Special Operations Battalions,” these units represent a pivotal evolution in Japan’s missile force structure and its broader deterrence strategy in the Indo-Pacific. This deployment marks the first operational step in a three-phase program under the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The initial focus is on equipping forces with the BIOCK1 HVGP variant by 2026, providing an operational range between 500 and 900 kilometers. Further enhancements will follow with the integration of BIOCK2A and BIOCK2B during the 2030s, offering extended ranges of approximately 2,000 and 3,000 kilometers respectively, capable of deep-strike missions across the entire East Asia region. Strategically positioned in Kyushu and Hokkaido, these battalions are designed to counter threats from both the East China Sea and the northern maritime approaches. Kyushu's deployment allows coverage of disputed areas such as the Senkaku Islands, while Hokkaido offers monitoring and deterrence potential toward the Sea of Okhotsk and Russia's Far East. The HVGP (Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile), despite its official label as a defensive "island protection" system, is widely regarded by defense analysts as Japan’s first de facto ballistic missile. It is engineered as a standoff weapon, specifically designed to strike enemy forces and bases from beyond the range of hostile air defenses or counterfire systems. Its mission profile reflects an evolution from static homeland defense toward proactive deterrence, in line with Japan's recently adopted "counterstrike capability" policy.

On June 10, 2025, Lithuania announced an ambitious move to locally assemble the advanced Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks in partnership with German defense giant KNDS, aiming to reinforce its armored capabilities and regional security posture. This initiative, reported by the Lithuanian press and confirmed by the Minister of National Defense Dovilė Šakalienė, marks a major step in Lithuania's defense strategy and industrial development. According to the minister, representatives from the tank manufacturing company are expected to arrive in the coming weeks to finalize details for assembling the tanks on Lithuanian territory. The plan is to involve local enterprises, ensuring that a significant portion of the contract value remains within the national economy. This decision comes amid heightened security concerns over neighboring Belarus and Russia, particularly around the strategically sensitive Suwałki Gap, a narrow corridor linking the Baltic states with the rest of NATO through Poland. The local assembly project not only responds to these strategic pressures but also positions Lithuania as a future hub for armored vehicle production and maintenance in the Baltic region.

South Korea is close to signing a deal worth around $6 billion to supply 180 K2 tanks for Poland . Under the contract, South Korea's Hyundai Rotem (, which specialises in industrial and defence contracts, will manufacture 117 tanks, and Poland state-owned Polish Armaments Group will produce the rest locally, Yonhap said. The two countries in 2022 reached a $13.7 billion arms deal, Seoul's biggest ever, which included supplies of South Korean K2 tanks, rocket launchers and fighter jets to Poland.

Canada will reach NATO’s defense spending target of two percent this year, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday, arguing the country had to revitalize its military “to defend every inch of our sovereign territory.” Carney’s speech at the University of Toronto included stark warnings about the global security order being shaken by US President Donald Trump. But it extended beyond his concern over future US relations. The prime minister warned Canada has not done enough to prepare itself for evolving threats from China and Russia, cyberattacks, and the advancing national security implications of climate change. “The long-held view that Canada’s geographic location will protect us is becoming increasingly archaic,” Carney said. With threats facing the country multiplying, the prime minister said Canada “will achieve NATO’s two percent target this year – half a decade ahead of schedule.”

The Government of Pakistan announced on June 6, 2025, via its X account, that China has entered into formal negotiations with Islamabad to deliver the Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. This announcement marks a significant development in regional defense dynamics, as Pakistan seeks to expand its airborne surveillance and battle management capabilities. If concluded, the deal would introduce one of the most advanced Chinese AEW&C platforms into the inventory of the Pakistan Air Force, reinforcing its strategic command-and-control network with enhanced real-time situational awareness and early warning capabilities. In parallel to the KJ-500 negotiations, Chinese defense authorities have reportedly proposed the supply of 40 J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter jets and HQ-19 long-range air defense missile systems to Pakistan. This broader package, if accepted, would represent one of the most comprehensive modernization initiatives in Pakistan’s defense procurement history. The J-35A offers radar-evading characteristics, multirole strike potential, and advanced sensor fusion, while the HQ-19 would bring exo-atmospheric interception and high-altitude ballistic missile defense to the region. Together with the KJ-500, these systems would significantly elevate Pakistan’s integrated air defense and offensive reach. The Shaanxi KJ-500 is a third-generation AEW&C platform based on the Y-9 turboprop transport aircraft. It features a fixed, non-rotating dorsal radome housing an advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system capable of full 360-degree coverage. The KJ-500 can simultaneously detect, track, and prioritize aerial and maritime threats over a wide area, making it a critical force multiplier. It also functions as a battlefield command post, coordinating fighter aircraft, ground-based air defenses, and electronic warfare assets. With long endurance, secure data links, and network-centric warfare capabilities, the KJ-500 provides an essential command-and-control backbone for sustained high-intensity operations.