Week 5 of 2026 was marked by major procurements, industrial milestones and deepened Nordic defence cooperation. Norway signed one of the week's largest contracts, Denmark carried out several materiel projects and the EU level set the framework for the future of defence financing. Below is a comprehensive review of all the week's news.

Domains

Naval

  • 14 coastal states warn of Russian shadow fleet: Sweden, the United Kingdom and twelve other nations around the Baltic Sea and North Sea have, in a joint letter to the shipping industry, identified Russia as the source of increased disruptions to satellite navigation (GNSS) and manipulation of AIS data. The countries are demanding stricter compliance with international maritime regulations and the development of alternative navigation systems. Read more
  • Defensor becomes majority owner of Zulu Marine: Defensor Group AB has signed an agreement for a directed share issue in Zulu Marine AB, thereby becoming the majority owner. The investment is to be used for increased production capacity and the development of new boat models for government use, including for the Swedish marine police. Read more

Air

  • Norway builds maintenance centre for radar at Værnes: Forsvarsbygg (Norwegian Defence Estates Agency) has signed an agreement with contractor Siero AS for the construction of a regional maintenance centre at Værnes Air Base (central Norway) at a value of 41.2 million Norwegian kroner. Construction is planned to begin in February 2026 and be completed in January 2027. The project forms part of an investment in eleven new radar installations. Read more
  • European Parliament adopts report on drone warfare: The European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) has adopted a report emphasising the need to reduce the EU's dependence on Chinese components, establish a European "drone wall" and integrate lessons learned from Ukraine. The report also calls for simplified bureaucracy to enable faster procurement. Read more

Land

  • First Archer 8x8 rolls out at BAE Systems Bofors: The first Archer 8x8 artillery system has left production at BAE Systems Bofors ahead of upcoming deliveries to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the end customer, the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten). Chief Executive Lena Gillström highlighted the efforts of staff and the cooperation with FMV. Read more
  • Norway signs 19-billion agreement with Hanwha: The Norwegian government has decided to sign an agreement with South Korean company Hanwha for the delivery of 16 rocket artillery systems, missiles and logistical support for ground-based long-range ground attack capability. The contract is valued at 19 billion Norwegian kroner and includes production in Poland as well as an industrial cooperation agreement with Norwegian companies. Read more
  • FMV, Saab and BAE Systems develop microfactory: The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), BAE Systems Hägglunds and Saab have jointly developed a microfactory for 3D printing of spare parts in the field. The system, which was demonstrated during Winter Demo Days 2026, consists of four interconnected containers and is intended to enable the manufacture of approved components when supply chains are disrupted. Read more
  • Forsvarsbygg constructs 48 officer quarters at Porsangmoen: Forsvarsbygg (Norwegian Defence Estates Agency) plans to construct two new residential buildings with a total of 48 rooms at the military base Porsangmoen in northern Norway. Construction is planned to begin in spring 2026 and be completed in November 2027. Read more
  • Denmark tests VR system for counter-drone operations: The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI) has procured VR systems from Swedish company GAIM and Danish company Kanda to evaluate the technology's potential in training for counter-drone operations using, among other systems, the Benelli M4 and the assault carbine M/25. The test period runs until summer. Read more
  • Denmark introduces new 120 mm ammunition for CARDOM10: The Danish Army is introducing new modern 120 mm ammunition for the heavy mortar system CARDOM10, integrated on the Piranha 5 platform. The ammunition offers greater range and replaces the older high-explosive round M/50. Domestic production is planned from 2027. Read more
  • Denmark acquires wheeled Leguan bridge-laying vehicles: Denmark has signed an agreement with KNDS for the acquisition of wheeled Leguan bridge-laying vehicles at a value of 33 million euros, including an option for additional purchases. The vehicles complement existing Leopard 2-based Leguan systems. Read more
  • Record interest in the Danish Home Guard in 2025: The Danish Home Guard (Hjemmeværnet) recruited 2,314 volunteers during 2025, an increase of 43 per cent compared with 2024. This is the largest growth since 1983, according to Major General Gunner Arpe Nielsen. Read more
  • Denmark orders more Scania trucks: The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI) has extended its cooperation with Scania and ordered additional trucks with deliveries commencing in 2026. The agreement includes vehicles, training and servicing, making the Danish defence forces by far the largest Scania user in the Danish market. Read more
  • 1,360 Finnish women applied for voluntary military service: A total of 1,360 women applied for voluntary military service in Finland ahead of 2026, in line with previous years. The voluntary service has existed for over 30 years and has trained approximately 14,800 women for the reserve. Read more

Cyber

  • Finnish Bittium signs agreement with NATO: Finnish technology company Bittium has entered into a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) with the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA). The agreement designates Bittium as a preferred supplier of secure mobile communications solutions, including Tough Mobile smartphones, for NATO and its member nations. Read more

Policy & Strategy

  • Henrik Graff-Hedberg appointed Senior Advisor: Nordic Defence Sector has appointed Henrik Graff-Hedberg as its first Senior Advisor to the company's Advisory Board. He will contribute strategic advisory expertise and experience from the defence sector, defence policy and communications. Read more

Industry

  • Finland advances in the EU's defence programme SAFE: The European Commission has approved Finland's and seven other countries' national plans under the SAFE programme, which encompasses a total of 150 billion euros in loans. In total, 16 of the 19 submitted plans have now been approved, with Poland as the largest recipient of funds. Read more
  • FOI warns of shortcomings in Swedish biotechnology: The Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI, Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut) has submitted a risk assessment to the Ministry of Defence concluding that Swedish biotechnology is hampered by a lack of capital and unclear requirements. FOI warns that production and ownership risk moving abroad and recommends clearer preparedness contracts. Read more
  • Finland inaugurates new NATO business accelerator: On 22 January, a new accelerator was inaugurated under the framework of NATO's DIANA initiative in Otaniemi, Espoo (southern Finland). The operation is led by VTT in cooperation with Aalto University and the University of Helsinki and focuses on future communications systems and quantum technology. Read more
  • State plan for new Norwegian explosives factory: The Norwegian government has decided that the planning of a new facility for military explosives is to be carried out as a state regulatory plan. The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development is designated as the responsible planning authority. The project is motivated by national interests and the need to secure supply capacity for NATO. Read more

Week 5 illustrates the breadth of Nordic defence work, from strategic multi-billion contracts and industrial breakthroughs to recruitment records and EU financing. All the news reflects a region that continues to invest powerfully in its defence capability.