Sweden has announced plans to invest $1.6 billion in new homeland air defense units, with the explicit purpose of better protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. The initiative draws heavily on lessons from the war in Ukraine and will mainly consist of short-range systems.
Russia's Ministry of Defense said it launched its Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile as part of a massive overnight attack targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure and drone manufacturing sites. The strike was reportedly retaliation for a Ukrainian attack on President Vladimir Putin's residence in Valdai in late December.
A trio of European analysts say they are not convinced the US will opt for military action to secure Greenland, despite renewed rhetoric from senior Trump administration officials. The analysts believe the US is pursuing negotiation and potential purchase, rather than military force.
The United States has approved the sale of up to three Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to NATO ally Denmark, valued at an estimated $1.8 billion. According to AeroTime, the State Department made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale on December 29, 2025.
France has finalized a $1.3 billion USD contract with Saab to purchase two GlobalEye radar planes. The deal marks the second export customer for the aircraft, following the UAE's fleet of five.
Breaking Defense reports that NATO allies have rejected US President Donald Trump's proposed peace deal with Russia, citing its favoring of Moscow's interests. Meanwhile, a dispute between French firm Dassault and Airbus over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project has raised concerns about the effectiveness of European defense cooperation.
Norway will provide approximately $290 million in funding for Ukraine's military aid package, which includes F-16 fighter jet ammunition and S-300 air defense missiles. The Norwegian government has emphasized the need for continued military support to Ukraine, citing its importance for the country's freedom and independence.
Finland has unveiled its first Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter at a rollout ceremony held on December 16, 2025, at Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft, serial JF-501, is part of Finland's HX Fighter Program, which will replace the Finnish Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet fleet.
The German Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 Sea Tiger helicopter, marking an important milestone in the country's efforts to modernize its rotary-wing capabilities. According to AeroTime, Airbus Helicopters announced the handover on December 16, 2025.
Turkey's Ministry of National Defense reported shooting down a UAV approaching its airspace over the Black Sea. According to AeroTime, Turkish authorities scrambled F-16 fighter jets on an alert mission after detecting the air track as part of routine monitoring procedures.
Lockheed Martin has finished production of all F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria and Slovakia's initial fleets, according to AeroTime. The company announced the completion on December 15, 2025, noting that every aircraft has passed US government acceptance through the Foreign Military Sales program.
The US National Security Strategy has shifted focus away from Europe, but a strong transatlantic munitions base could be key to maintaining defense ties. Europe is investing heavily in its munitions industry, with the EU's ASAP program aiming to produce 2 million shells per year by 2025.