Week 10, 2026 was marked by intense defence activity across the Nordic region and Europe. Nuclear deterrence was a central topic in several areas, major exercises were under way in the north, and several significant procurement deals were concluded. Below is a comprehensive overview of the week's news.

Domains

Naval

  • Sweden disrupted Russian drone in the Øresund Strait: HMS Rapp activated countermeasures and jammed a drone that had been unlawfully launched from the Russian signals intelligence vessel Zhigulevsk during the visit of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Defence Minister Pål Jonson described the incident as serious and irresponsible. Read more
  • Sweden orders four auxiliary vessels: The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed a contract with Freire Shipyard for four new auxiliary vessels, with delivery scheduled for 2030. The strategy is to procure commercial vessels and subsequently militarise them at a separate shipyard. Read more
  • Norway and the United Kingdom sign helicopter agreement: Under the Lunna House defence cooperation framework, the two countries have signed an agreement enabling British helicopters to be based aboard Norwegian naval and coast guard vessels. Read more
  • Cold Response 2026: Approximately 25,000 troops from 14 nations, including Sweden, are participating in the Norwegian-led winter exercise in northern Norway, Finland, and adjacent maritime areas throughout March. Read more

Land

  • Denmark acquires new fragmentation protection vests: The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI) is upgrading to the M/26 version of the TYR plate carrier system, which uses new fibre technology to achieve a thinner profile while maintaining the same level of protection. Conscripts will now receive the same standard as standing units. Read more
  • Denmark learns from Ukrainian combat medics: Approximately 100 Ukrainian medical personnel from the front line are in Denmark for rehabilitation and knowledge exchange. The Danish Ministry of Defence is supporting the programme with two million kronor. Read more
  • FMI shifts focus from procurement to operations: The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI) is transitioning from an acquisition phase to the implementation of more than 5,000 vehicles and 50,000 weapons for the army and home guard, with requirements for closer coordination with industry. Read more

Space

  • Swedish Defence Research Agency releases methodology for GNSS vulnerabilities: The Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI, Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut) has, on behalf of MCF, developed a seven-step model to help organisations map their dependencies on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for timing and frequency. Read more

Policy & Strategy

  • Swedish Armed Forces request increased budget: Supreme Commander Michael Claesson has submitted budget proposals for 2027, increasing investment from 165 to 182 billion SEK through to 2030, equivalent to 3.1 per cent of GDP. Priorities include air defence, ammunition, and unmanned systems. Read more
  • Sweden and Denmark in French nuclear deterrence dialogue: Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced in a joint statement that their countries are participating in President Emmanuel Macron's initiative on deepened European nuclear deterrence. Read more
  • Finland proposes legislative change on nuclear weapons: The Finnish Ministry of Defence has submitted a legislative proposal for consultation, with a deadline of 2 April 2026, that would allow exceptions to the prohibition on the import and handling of nuclear weapons in the context of NATO cooperation and national defence. Read more
  • MTFA warns of unclear roles in civil defence: The Swedish Agency for Total Defence Analysis (MTFA, Myndigheten för totalförsvarsanalys) notes in its 2025 annual report that unclear mandates and divisions of responsibility are hampering the development of total defence. Of the allocated 85.5 million SEK, only 78 per cent was spent. Read more
  • US 2026 midterm elections could shape defence spending: The outcome of the American midterm elections is expected to have significant implications for NATO's transatlantic cooperation and defence appropriations. Discussions in Washington concern defence budget levels of up to 1.5 trillion USD. Read more

Industry

  • Norway expands drone support to Ukraine: The Norwegian government is planning support of more than 12 billion NOK to Ukraine during 2026, with a particular focus on drone technology. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during a visit to Kyiv. Read more
  • Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency signs 5G agreement with Northcom: The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (FMA, Forsvarsmateriell) and Northcom have signed a seven-year framework agreement worth 480 million NOK excluding VAT for the supply of commercial radio and 5G systems, including specially adapted smartphones. Read more
  • Fortifikationsverket purchases 50,000 square metres of office space: The Swedish Fortifications Agency (Fortifikationsverket) is planning to acquire the Gate:01 property in Solna (Stockholm region, Sweden) from Fastighets AB Solna Haga for approximately 3.5 billion SEK, subject to a government decision. Possession is planned for September 2026. Read more
  • SOFF and Amyna launch innovation cooperation: The Swedish Security and Defence Industry Association (SOFF, Säkerhets- och försvarsföretagen) and the innovation platform Amyna at Ideon Science Park (Lund, southern Sweden) are launching a collaboration to connect established defence companies and start-ups at an early stage of the development process. Read more

Taken together, Week 10 reflects a northern European defence sector in rapid transformation, with increased budgets, deepened alliance cooperation, and concrete materiel investments in response to the deteriorating security environment.