Rheinmetall AG delivered record financial results in 2024, driven by surging demand amid Europe’s “Zeitenwende”, historic shift in security policy. Group sales jumped 36 percent to €9.75 billion, from €7.18 billion in 2023, reaching the company’s target of ~€10 billion. Operating profit soared 61 percent to €1.478 billion, raising the operating margin to 15.2 percent, up from 12.8
The Baltic states and Finland are racing to redraw their rail networks on European terms. Soviet-gauge tracks – once binding these countries to Moscow – are being supplanted by European standard-gauge lines in a strategic shift with echoes of the Cold War. This grand infrastructure push is driven by hard security logic: NATO troop movement,
Ripping Up the Rails of Empire: Baltic and Finnish Railways Turn Westward Read More »
China’s recent imposition of export restrictions on seven critical rare earth elements has significant implications for global defence industries, particularly affecting the United States and its European allies. These elements are essential for advanced military technologies, including fighter jets, missile systems, and electronic warfare equipment. To mitigate the risks, Europe must develop domestic capacities, invest
The New Arms Race Is Underground: Responding to China’s Resource Blackmail Read More »
Questions remain about the effectiveness and sufficiency of efforts to address Europe’s security challenges, as the European Defence Agency (EDA) celebrates its 20th anniversary. However, there has been a significant expansion in defence spending and collaborative initiatives within the European alliance. Projects like CAVS and FAMOUS, counteract the fragmentation of the European defence industry. In
EDA’s 2024 Report: EU Defence Spending Surges, But Is It Enough? Read More »
An analysis by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) reveals that Russia has dramatically outpaced Europe in the race to produce arms during the war in Ukraine, raising alarm about NATO’s readiness. The report, “Winning the Industrial War: Comparing Russia, Europe and Ukraine, 2022–24,” finds that Moscow’s defence industry surged ahead with a clear plan,
War of Factories: Russia Ramps Up Weapons Production, Europe Falls Behind, RUSI Finds Read More »
Rapid, informed decision-making can mean the difference between victory and defeat. New command and control systems redefine military surveillance with advanced automation and AI-driven precision. Designed to deliver unmatched situational awareness across all domains, Saab’s 9AIR C4I empowers armed forces to observe, orient, decide, and act faster than ever before. In modern military conflicts, victory
Redefining Air Defence: Advanced Command and Control for Superior Situational Awareness Read More »
The year 2025 is marked by escalating global tensions and volatile geopolitics. Key flashpoints include rising friction in the Baltic Sea, the conflict between Iran and Israel, growing unrest across Asia and Africa, and the ongoing war in Ukraine against Russia. President Donald Trump’s second term hints at a return to isolationist policies. As a
Global Conflict Landscape in 2025: Local Wars and Uprisings Read More »
In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Green Party candidate Jill Stein emerged as a significant figure, particularly among Muslim voters in key battleground states like Michigan. Her outspoken stance on the Palestinian issue resonated with many voters dissatisfied with the major parties’ positions on the Middle East conflict. Both Russia and Iran had a role
How Middle East Crises and Third-Party Candidates Impacted 2024 U.S. Elections Read More »
In recent years, Europe has faced a surge in hybrid threats, with Russia employing a blend of conventional and unconventional tactics to destabilize the region. A notable example is the suspected sabotage of undersea cables, which are vital for communication and energy transmission. Hybrid threats involve a combination of military and non-military tactics, including cyberattacks,
Combatting Hybrid Threats Read More »
The potential refocusing of American defence strategy during a second Trump presidency is not the only uncertainty shaping Europe’s future defence posture. Germany’s political landscape stands at a crossroads, grappling with internal crises while preparing for upcoming elections. Meanwhile, across Europe, NATO countries are accelerating defence modernisation and boosting defence spending. Donald Trump’s stance on
With Trump and Scholz – What Happens to Europe’s Rearmament? Read More »
