Czechs raise funds to buy 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine – POLITICO

During the Munich Security Conference in February, Pavel announced the Czechs had figured out a way to purchase 500,000 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm caliber artillery shells for Ukraine from producers outside the EU.  The shells can be delivered within weeks if the funding is there, Pavel said. Since then, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, … Read more

Public servant’s company received more than $200M in government contracts since 2015

An IT firm run by a defence department employee has been awarded millions of dollars in government contracts since 2015. Dalian Enterprise has come in for scrutiny recently over its involvement in the development of the ArriveCan app. The company had received $7.9 million for its work on the project as of last March, according … Read more

What we need is a European armament commissioner – POLITICO

The vaccine procurement program is often cited as a possible example for this. During the Covid-19 pandemic, EU member countries ceded sovereignty to the Commission for the purchase of vaccines. The Commission was then given a budget and tasked with procurement, which enabled the EU to secure vaccines quickly, in large quantities and to distribute … Read more

Germany’s Scholz wants European allies to up defense spending – POLITICO

He said Germany, often criticized in the past for not spending enough on defense, would meet NATO’s target of spending 2 percent of GDP on the military through “the 2020s, 2030s and beyond.” Germany is, by far, Ukraine’s leading supporter in terms of military aid in Europe, according to data compiled by the Kiel Institute. … Read more

Pay your 2 percent, UK’s Shapps tells NATO allies after Trump threat – POLITICO

The U.K. also announced a new plan Thursday to lead a coalition of 14 other European countries, including Turkey, on multinational defense procurement.  The two initiatives, according to the U.K. Ministry of Defence, “aim to increase defense industrial capacity across the Euro-Atlantic area, replenish stockpiles at pace, and continue support to Ukraine.” The U.S. and … Read more

Makers of COVID-19 protective equipment seek over $5 billion in damages from Ottawa

Canadian manufacturers of masks and other equipment for protecting against COVID-19 are seeking more than $5 billion in damages from the federal government, saying Ottawa misled them about buying and helping to sell their products. In a statement of claim filed in Federal Court, the companies and their industry association allege the government made “negligent … Read more

Kyiv accuses military brass of procurement graft – POLITICO

Ukrainian authorities uncovered a corrupt arms procurement deal worth nearly €36.4 million, the Ukrainian security service announced late Saturday. Former and current “high-ranking officials” in Kyiv’s defense ministry were involved in the plot, dating to 2022, to steal funds meant for procuring 100,000 mortar rounds, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in a statement. The … Read more

Germany holds its nose, paving the way for future jet fighter sale to Saudi Arabia – POLITICO

BERLIN — The German government U-turned on its policy of blocking the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia over the Gulf kingdom’s human rights record — but it still has qualms about its shift. A spokesperson for the German economy ministry said Monday that the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia “does … Read more

Germany drops block to Eurofighter jet sale to Saudi Arabia – POLITICO

BERLIN — Germany’s decision allow the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia is due to the changed situation following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel as well as Saudi Arabia’s “very constructive attitude toward Israel,” a government spokesperson said today. The policy shift was made Sunday by German Foreign Minister Annalena … Read more

Dominic Cummings says Sunak sought ‘secret deal’ for election help – POLITICO

LONDON — Dominic Cummings — adviser-turned-nemesis of Boris Johnson — claimed Saturday he held talks with Rishi Sunak about a “secret deal” to help the prime minister win the next election. The bombshell revelation is likely to anger Tory MPs who see the mastermind of the Vote Leave campaign for Brexit as a divisive figure, … Read more