Laura Kayali
@laukaya.bsky.social
Senior defense correspondent at POLITICO Europe in Paris. lkayali@politico.eu
NATO must modernize its military infrastructure to move forces and equipment from Western to Eastern Europe “where we would expect any future conflict,” U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said today.
Trump’s NATO envoy calls for moving military forces east as US reviews troops in Europe
Matthew Whitaker called for an overhaul of NATO’s bases and military infrastructure to move forces eastward as America reviews its troop presence in Europe.
politico.eu
The French air force is drawing on wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to help shape its nuclear strike training. It is increasingly willing to talk about it to deter Russia.
Once secret, France’s practice nuclear raids send a message to Putin
In a rare interview, a top French general provides details about the country’s nuclear deterrent.
politico.eu
Governments should change laws to allow defense companies to take down suspicious drones overflying their plants, a senior executive at Franco-German arms-maker KNDS told @politico.eu www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Arms-maker urges Europe to let defense firms take down hostile drones
Weapons manufacturers should be treated as critical infrastructure, a top executive at KNDS tells POLITICO.
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France is open to cooperating with Sweden on building a next-generation fighter jet. "Are there any avenues for cooperation? Of course, there are many: we have aircraft engine production capacity that Sweden doesn’t have," said an Elysée official. www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France opens door to fighter jet cooperation with Sweden
PARIS — France is open to cooperating with Sweden on building a next-generation fighter jet, an Elysée official told reporters on Friday. “We’re both looking for aircraft that are …
politico.eu
Around half of French voters back presidential candidates who object to NATO. Le Pen wants France out of NATO’s integrated command; Mélenchon wants to quit entirely. Our deep dive into how the '27 election is becoming a concern inside NATO. w/ @laukaya.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/nato...
NATO’s next nightmare: The French presidential election
Paris retreating from the alliance is no longer a remote prospect. But it’s a move that would cost both France and its allies.
politico.eu
The German military is set to take part in France’s flagship nuclear drill Poker for the first time this fall, according to a German government official. www.politico.eu/article/germ...
German military to join French nuclear exercise for first time
The joint drill comes as European governments question how long they can continue to rely on the U.S. for their security.
politico.eu
NATO summit: Mark Rutte’s new 'Made in NATO' push is set to clash with EU efforts to foster homegrown companies — including the MFF and the procurement directive review. With Chris Lunday and @victorjack.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/mark...
Rutte’s ‘Made in NATO’ weapons push collides with EU’s ‘Buy European’ drive
The NATO chief wants to build the transatlantic military industrial complex, but the EU is backing its own companies.
politico.eu
NATO allies are expected to pledge billions of dollars in new arms contracts and more weapons production at the alliance’s summit in Ankara next month, five NATO diplomats told POLITICO.
NATO allies to pledge billions in arms deals, Ukraine aid at Ankara summit
They are also considering references to the U.S. war in Iran as part of the draft summit declaration, NATO diplomats told POLITICO.
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France calls for orderly US military drawdown amid abrupt announcements of troop, asset reduction. "We would like the US shift to take place in an orderly, coordinated and efficient manner to avoid creating dilemmas for Europeans, » Deputy DM Alice Rufo told POLITICO www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France calls for ‘orderly’ US military drawdown
Europeans should not try to replace all of the expensive kit supplied by America, French Deputy Defense Minister Alice Rufo tells POLITICO.
politico.eu
#FCAS — Berlin declares the Franco-German fighter jet dead in blow to Emmanuel Macron. The failure is likely to tarnish his defense legacy. The Elysée hinted the decision to pull the plug for good was made unilaterally by Germany. www.politico.eu/article/berl...
Berlin declares Franco-German fighter jet project dead in blow to Macron
Paris and Berlin are pulling the plug on a key defense program in a decision likely to tarnish French President Emmanuel Macron’s legacy.
politico.eu
France's top general said out loud what French defense circles have been whispering for months: France could fall behind Germany. "For the Americans, Germany is gradually becoming the European benchmark." www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France’s top general warns about too-small military and slow production
Gen. Fabien Mandon also acknowledged France might fall behind Germany as Berlin boosts defense spending.
politico.eu
Norway will join France's nuclear deterrence talks — alongside Germany, Poland, Sweden and several others.
Sweden announced today it has chosen France's Naval Group to provide four Luleå-class frigates — a significant milestone in the deepening Franco-Swedish defense relation.
"National Rally amendments to the French updated military planning law give a detailed glimpse into their defense ideas" www.politico.eu/article/fran...
More spending, less Brussels: Inside the French far right’s defense plans
National Rally amendments to the French updated military planning law give a detailed glimpse into their defense ideas.
politico.eu
France’s far-right National Rally is calling for even higher military spending than the current government has proposed. But its MPs insist defense policy decisions should be taken in Paris, not Brussels. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/fran...
#LPM — Le projet de loi actualisant la loi de programmation militaire est désormais en ligne www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/17/texte...
assemblee-nationale.fr
France's government has presented its updated military planning law, with an extra €36 billion for defense by 2030. Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said the aim is to be able to face "potential major deployment" in an unpredictable timeframe.
France aims to spend €76.3B on defense in 2030
However, Paris is still unlikely to reach NATO’s 2035 spending target of 3.5 percent of GDP.
politico.eu
Europe needs to develop its own artificial intelligence capabilities to ensure its militaries can’t be “turned off” by foreign adversaries, Arthur Mensch, the CEO of Europe’s leading AI company warned today.
Europe needs to control AI for defense, top industry exec says
‘If you don’t have artificial intelligence in your systems, you actually don’t have an army,’ says Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch.
politico.eu
“There is a kind of contest playing out between legacy [defense] players and new entrants," NATO's Pierre Vandier, told @politico.eu “There are 2 possible outcomes. Either the startups eventually get absorbed into the legacy world. Or the clash turns more violent" www.politico.eu/article/west...
‘Darwinian’ battle looms for the West’s arms industry, top NATO commander warns
Disruptors are looking to snatch lucrative defense ministry contracts from established firms.
politico.eu
A new generation of defense startups is taking on the world’s biggest arms-makers in a cutthroat competition — and gaining ground.
‘Darwinian’ battle looms for the West’s arms industry, top NATO commander warns
Disruptors are looking to snatch lucrative defense ministry contracts from established firms.
politico.eu
France mulls new tank (!!) and plans to increase munitions stockpiles up to 400% www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France plans huge missile increase in new defense push, document shows
Paris is also mulling the development of a new tank, according to a draft military planning law seen by POLITICO.
politico.eu
EXCLUSIVE: France is rewriting its war playbook using lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East, as it prepares for a possible confrontation with Russia later this decade.
How the wars in Ukraine and Iran made France rethink its military plans
France is looking at cheaper options to take down Iranian drones, the country’s deputy air force chief tells POLITICO.
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France is rewriting its war playbook using lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East, the French air force's deputy chief told @politico.eu Both conflicts are shaping imminent decisions on what weapons Paris will develop, buy and deploy. www.politico.eu/article/how-...
How the wars in Ukraine and Iran made France rethink its military plans
France is looking at cheaper options to take down Iranian drones, the country’s deputy air force chief tells POLITICO.
politico.eu
Quite a few announcements from Sébastien Lecornu this week: - France will spend €8,5 billion for munitions by 2030 - Launch of a wholesale purchasing platform called France Munitions via an SPV - New powers to overlook norms and rules in case of threat www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France wants power to overlook national laws in case of threat
French PM Sébastien Lecornu also announces €8.5 billion for munitions by 2030 and a new platform to buy missiles, shells and drones in bulk.
politico.eu
"Sébastien Lecornu reçoit à 15 heures à Matignon ministres et hauts gradés pour parler de l’économie de guerre — une réunion prévue il y a quelques jours, puis décalée pour cause de conseil de défense" ( @laukaya.bsky.social)
The French government will propose creating a new legal framework to let the state ignore or adapt national laws when the country faces a threat, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced today.
France wants power to overlook national laws in case of threat
French PM Sébastien Lecornu also announces €8.5 billion for munitions by 2030 and a new platform to buy missiles, shells and drones in bulk.
politico.eu
Denmark's chief of defense staff has warned that European countries are not yet ready for war. "We have to change our mindset from diagnosis to delivery. We’re no longer very surprised but we’re not also really ready," he said.
Europe needs to change mindset to prepare for war, top Danish general warns
Top military officers warn Russia could attack NATO territory by the end of the decade.
politico.eu
Denmark's ambassador to France says at the Paris Defense and Strategy Forum that Copenhagen's purchase of the Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG air defense system is "the largest defense investment in Danish history"
