DefenceTalkLithuania said Wednesday it would raise its defence spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) next year to meet a NATO target amid security concerns over neighbouring Russia. The government of the Baltic state formally endorsed a rise from the current 1.8 percent of GDP to 2.006 percent for 2018. “In the light […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lithuania-hikes-defence-budget-to-meet-nato-target-70664/

DefenceTalkIn its Budget Bill for 2018, the Government proposes allocating an additional SEK 2.7 billion to Sweden’s total defence, of which SEK 2.3 billion for military defence and SEK 0.4 billion for civil defence. On 16 August, the Government reached an agreement with the Moderate Party and the Centre Party on additional measures to increase […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-boosts-defense-spending-in-2018-budget-70517/

DefenceTalkThe US Senate overwhelmingly authorized $700 billion in defense spending Monday, a substantial increase over 2017 funding and nearly five percent more than President Donald Trump had requested. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2018 allows for increased spending on new F-35 fighter jets, ships and M1 Abrams tanks, raises military pay by 2.1 percent […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-senate-passes-700-bn-defense-spending-bill-70490/

DefenceTalkFrance will boost defence spending next year by 1.6 billion euros, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Thursday, just two months after a row over planned cuts to the budget triggered the resignation of the armed forces chief. Philippe said it was the biggest increase in six years. “This will be continued in 2019 and 2020 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-to-boost-defence-budget-by-1-6-bn-euros-in-2018-70424/

DefenceTalkThe government and two parties in the center-right opposition have agreed to increase the defence spending with SEK 8,1 billion until 2020. In 2015, five parties reached an agreement over defence and defence spending until 2020. But in the beginning of this year, those parties reopened talks to increase that budget, as a result of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-to-boost-defense-spending-70276/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Department’s fiscal year 2018 budget request includes nearly $4.8 billion for the European Reassurance Initiative to enhance deterrence and defense and improve the readiness of forces in Europe, the U.S. European Command director of strategy, plans and policy said today. Air Force Maj. Gen. David W. Allvin held a telephone briefing with reporters, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/2018-budget-request-for-european-reassurance-initiative-grows-to-4-7-billion-70120/

DefenceTalkThe transatlantic diplomatic rift widened on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump responded to criticism from Chancellor Angela Merkel with a new attack on German trade tactics and defense spending. Trump’s spokesman Sean Spicer insisted that the leaders “get on very well” but — as is often the case — his warm words from the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-trump-attack-on-germany-widens-transatlantic-rift-70105/

DefenceTalkTotal world military expenditure rose to $1686 billion in 2016, an increase of 0.4 per cent in real terms from 2015, according to new figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military spending in North America saw its first annual increase since 2010, while spending in Western Europe grew for the second consecutive […]https://www.defencetalk.com/world-military-spending-increases-in-the-usa-and-europe-decreases-in-oil-exporting-countries-69810/

DefenceTalkAccording to the latest report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), countries around the world are spending ever more money on weapons. Diplomacy, it seems, is in retreat. Global defense spending has gone up for the first time since 2011. According to the World Military Expenditure Report published by the Stockholm International […]https://www.defencetalk.com/global-defense-spending-increases-69808/

DefenceTalkRussia became the world’s third largest military spender in 2016 despite low oil prices and economic sanctions, as the global expenditure rose for a second consecutive year, a study said on Monday. Russia’s military spending was $69.2 billion (around 64 billion euros) in 2016, a 5.9 percent rise over 2015, the Stockholm International Peace Research […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-boosts-military-spending-despite-sanctions-study-69794/