Week 9 of 2026 is dominated by Nordic-Baltic support for Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion, extensive materiel acquisitions in Denmark, Norway and Finland, and several industry deals in the areas of drones, signals intelligence and AI. Here is the week's compiled defence news.

Domains

Naval

  • Kongsberg has signed a contract with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell) worth approximately 400 million NOK for the upgrade of combat systems aboard the navy's Skjold-class vessels. The project is a continuation of an upgrade that began in 2022. Read more
  • The Swedish 44th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Diving Division participated in the NATO-led exercise Arctic Specialist 2026 at Kjevik (southern Norway) alongside American and Norwegian EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) units. The exercise focused on advanced ammunition clearance in an Arctic maritime environment using autonomous and remotely operated systems. Read more
  • According to the Swedish Armed Forces Annual Report for 2025, the number of personnel assigned to war-time positions increased by 24 per cent. Sweden received new air defence systems and armoured tracked vehicles, participated in nine international NATO exercises, and contributed 350 instructors to the training of Ukraine's armed forces. Read more

Air

  • The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command is procuring the micro-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) system Parrot Anafi UKR for close to 15 million euros including VAT. Deliveries are expected to begin in early 2026, and the procurement is being carried out with support from Boston Group. Read more
  • Sweden is contributing to NATO's Air Policing mission in Iceland during February and March with more than 100 personnel and JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft. Supreme Commander Michael Claesson visited Keflavík Air Base during the deployment. Read more
  • Denmark is acquiring additional medium-range air-to-air missiles for the country's F-35 fighter aircraft, as well as supplementary winter equipment for the army. The investments are partly financed through the national Acceleration Fund. Read more

Land

  • The Norwegian Armed Forces are carrying out a digital upgrade of their 164 CV90 (Combat Vehicle 90) armoured fighting vehicles at a cost of approximately 130 million NOK. The project is led by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell) with support from BAE Systems Hägglunds and is expected to be completed in May. Read more
  • BAE Systems Hägglunds rolled out the first of 152 ordered CV9035 MkIV combat vehicles for the Slovak Armed Forces during a ceremony in Örnsköldsvik (northern Sweden). The vehicle will serve as the template for an upcoming European six-nation project. Read more
  • The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell) has signed a four-year agreement with BAE Systems OneArc for the delivery of software for virtual simulator training, with the aim of expanding capacity and enabling joint exercises with the Nordic countries. Read more
  • The Danish Defence and Home Guard are now introducing 50,000 new assault rifles, the GV M/25 C8 MRR, manufactured by Colt Canada. The rifle will gradually replace the M/10 system by 2027. Read more
  • The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI) has signed a contract with German firm Rheinmetall Mobile Systeme for five new container-based Role 2 field hospitals for the Danish Army. Deliveries will begin in 2026 and are expected to be completed in 2027. Read more

Cyber

  • Swedish defence industry group Defensor Group AB is acquiring a 40 per cent stake in Novator Solutions AB through a directed share issue. The investment is intended to accelerate Novator's development of systems for signals intelligence and electronic warfare. The deal is expected to be completed during Q1 2026. Read more

Space

  • The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI) and DTU Space (Technical University of Denmark's space research institute) are testing a half-metre mirror telescope in Greenland to track satellites and space debris in polar orbits over the Arctic. The project is intended to form the basis for Denmark's future military space surveillance capability. Read more

Policy & Strategy

  • On the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion, the Nordic-Baltic countries (NB8) and Ukraine agreed on a joint statement. Military assistance from the NB8 is planned to amount to close to 12.5 billion euros during 2026, and since the start of the war the countries have contributed more than 42 billion euros. Read more
  • Leaders from the Nordic-Baltic countries, including Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, visited Kyiv on the fourth anniversary and met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Several countries confirmed continued support within the framework of the "coalition of the willing". Read more
  • Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited Camp Jomsborg in Poland, where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained by Nordic and Baltic instructors. The visit underscored defence cooperation and the importance of strengthening NATO's eastern and northern flanks. Read more
  • Finland is granting 20 million euros in humanitarian aid to Ukraine for energy and basic supplies during the winter. The support is channelled through UN humanitarian organisations and the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross). Read more
  • The Finnish Defence Forces are establishing a new innovation unit under the Defence Forces Research Agency, as well as an artificial intelligence centre of excellence, in order to respond more rapidly to emerging threats and build military capabilities. Read more

Industry

  • Ukraine signed four new framework agreements with Finland, Denmark and Latvia on the joint production of unmanned systems on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion, complemented by military and financial support from the Nordic and Baltic states. Read more
  • Physical AI laboratory NestAI and A2/AD (Anti-Access/Area Denial) specialist FORCIT are entering into a partnership to develop software-defined A2/AD systems. The collaboration aims to transform passive area-denial systems into coordinated networks under European control. Read more
  • Representatives from Defence Robotics UA presented at the Army Museum in Stockholm (Sweden) how drones and robots have changed the logic of warfare in Ukraine, and how these experiences can strengthen European collective security. Read more
  • The cost of buildings for Denmark's national ammunition production facility in Elling (northern Denmark) is increasing by approximately 480 million DKK, partly due to requirements for sympathetic detonation risk management. The additional cost is being handled within already allocated reserves, according to the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI). Read more

Overall, Week 9 is characterised by intensified Nordic-Baltic engagement in support of Ukraine, continued rearmament across the region, and a clear focus on unmanned systems, AI and space surveillance as the defence capabilities of the future.