Week 50 of 2025 was marked by significant NATO restructuring in northern Europe, several major defence contracts across the Nordic region, and advances in space and autonomous systems. The following is a comprehensive overview of the week's most important defence news.

Domains

Naval

  • Norway has submitted a proposal to the Storting (Norwegian parliament) to expand the ongoing submarine programme with two additional units from thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, in addition to the four already ordered. The cost framework is proposed to increase by 46 billion Norwegian kroner, with the first submarine planned for delivery in 2029. Read more

Air

  • Norwegian F-35 aircraft returned on 7 December to Ørland Air Station (central Norway) following four months of patrolling Polish airspace as part of NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) under Allied Air Command, in cooperation with the Netherlands. Read more

Land

  • Sweden has acquired one unit of the unmanned ground vehicle RIPSAW M3 from US-based Textron Systems as a technology demonstrator, marking the platform's first European sale. The vehicle features hybrid-electric propulsion and a range of over 290 kilometres. Read more
  • Denmark has signed a framework agreement with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) for the delivery of up to 1,000 military trucks of the HX and TG models. The first call-off covers just over 100 vehicles and is expected to be delivered before the end of 2027, as part of the build-up of the Danish 1st Brigade. Read more

Space

  • BAE Systems FAST Labs has been awarded a Phase 2 contract worth 16 million US dollars by DARPA (Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency) to further develop autonomous space-based surveillance under the Oversight programme. The project, with AIMdyn Inc. as a subcontractor, aims to create a system for continuous monitoring of ground-based objects via satellite constellations. Read more
  • KSAT (Kongsberg Satellite Services) has signed a launch agreement with SpaceX for the first Hyper satellites, planned for launch in late 2027. The project aims to move part of KSAT's ground station capacity into orbit and establish a global low-latency relay network. Read more

Policy & Strategy

  • Finland, Sweden and Denmark have been transferred to NATO's Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFC Norfolk). The ceremony was held in Helsinki (Finland) on 5 December 2025 and the decision was made by SACEUR (Supreme Allied Commander Europe), General Alexus G. Grynkewich. The reorganisation aims to strengthen deterrence and collective defence in the Arctic, the High North, and the Baltic Sea region. Read more
  • Sweden will reopen its embassy in Lima, Peru in autumn 2026 to strengthen bilateral relations, support Swedish companies, and promote trade, investment and defence cooperation, according to Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. Read more
  • Finnish Brigadier General Matti Honko has begun an assignment as adviser to the commander of the US Army's 10th Mountain Division from 1 December, within the framework of the bilateral Military Personnel Exchange programme between Finland and the United States. Read more
  • The President of the Republic of Finland promoted three officers on 6 December: Rami Saari to Lieutenant General, Pekka Turunen to Major General, and Jaro Kesänen to Brigadier General. Read more

Industry

  • The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed an agreement with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for the delivery of the VS02 weapon station (Kongsberg RS4) for the Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90). The contract is worth over 400 million Swedish kronor and may be extended to cover additional vehicles. Read more
  • The Danish pension companies PensionDanmark, AP Pension and AkademikerPension have launched the defence fund ETNA, headquartered in Copenhagen (Denmark). The fund, capitalised at a total of 1.6 billion Danish kroner, will invest in small and medium-sized enterprises within the defence sector, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. Read more

Overall, week 50 reflects an intensive period for Nordic and European defence, characterised by NATO restructuring, increased materiel investment, and growing private capital interest in the defence industry.