European Defense Spending on the Rise Amidst Ongoing Conflict
The European defense landscape has been shaped by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with NATO allies pledging 5 percent of GDP for defense spending. Euro defense leaders have criticized a peace plan favored by Russia, while the FCAS project faces difficulties between Airbus and Dassault. The Pentagon has clarified that there is no ‘kill switch’ for the F-35 fighter jet. Meanwhile, the UK is reviewing the Ajax armored fighting vehicle program after soldier sickness. This article is one of many in a series by Breaking Defense looking back on the most significant news stories of 2025 and ahead to what 2026 may hold.