Military

Military
NZ plans to develop lethal weapons for export
New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins wants her country to develop lethal weapons for export with the help of technology companies. The Defence Industry Strategy involves plans to boost defence business and encourage technology companies to branch out into military technology . Collins said she would allow the New Zealand Defence Force (Defence) to partner with New Zealand’s advanced technology sector but also create technology that could be exported. "Defence is a great way through for that and if New Zealand Defence Force can help them to do that, that's really important because it's harder for our New Zealand Defence tech businesses to be able to sell into overseas markets like Australia or the UK if they don't have a New Zealand Defence Force brand on them as well,” she said. Collins also said it would be “irresponsible” for New Zealand not to catch up and manufacture lethal weapons. “When the world around us is changing at such a pace, we need to change our approach to how we equip our Defence Force, and we need to work in partnership with industry to be better together,” she said. The New Zealand Government will introduce a new NZ$100 million to NZ$300 million fund to develop advanced technologies for
Military
Hegseth and Trump slam diversity in the military
United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth slammed fat generals and diversity initiatives that he believes led to the decay of the military and told a rare gathering of commanders they should resign if they don’t support his agenda. President Donald Trump joined Hegseth at the gathering and told the military that dangerous cities where he has deployed the National Guard could be used as “training grounds” for troops. Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and Trump, a former reality TV star, summoned the military officials on short notice to the impromptu event. “Foolish and reckless political leaders set the wrong compass heading, and we lost our way. We became the ‘Woke Department,’” Hegseth said as he kicked off the event. “But not any more.” Hegseth has defended his firings of officers like the top U.S. general who is black and the Navy’s top admiral who is a woman, claiming they were part of a broken culture. During the event, Hegseth advised anyone who disagreed with his statements to resign. “If the words I’m speaking today are making your hearts sink, then you should do the honourable thing and resign,” Hegseth said. “I know the overwhelming majority of you feel the opposite. These words make your
Military
Pentagon pushes missile makers to boost output: WSJ
The Pentagon has urged American missile manufacturers to accelerate output of 12 critical weapons systems amid heightened concerns over a possible future conflict with China, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. Citing people familiar with the matter, the report said United States defence officials have called on manufacturers to “double or even quadruple” production at a “breakneck schedule”, amid worries over the adequacy of U.S. ammunition stockpiles should tensions with Beijing escalate further. The initiative is being spearheaded by Deputy Defence Secretary Steve Feinberg, who is overseeing the effort through the newly established Munitions Acceleration Council. The council has been tasked with fast-tracking production timelines and removing bottlenecks in the supply chain. Feinberg is reportedly holding weekly calls with senior executives from leading U.S. defence contractors to push progress and maintain momentum on the ramp-up. The move marks one of the most aggressive Pentagon efforts in recent years to expand domestic weapons manufacturing capacity, underlining concerns in Washington over long-term strategic competition with China. The push comes as the U.S. has already increased defence
Military
Pentagon chief summons top US commanders to Virginia
United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered senior U.S. military officers from around the world to attend a rare in-person meeting in Quantico, Virginia, next week, five officials told Reuters on Thursday. The Pentagon gathering will bring together generals and admirals who usually command large numbers of troops across global theatres, from South Korea and Japan to the Middle East. Such short-notice orders have upended carefully planned schedules, and two officials said the abrupt summons has caused unease among those expected to attend. It remains unclear how many senior officials will be present, but it is unusual for so many top commanders to convene in one location. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has been moving aggressively to reshape the U.S. military since his appointment, dismissing senior commanders and implementing Trump’s national security agenda. He has also targeted diversity initiatives within the armed forces, describing them as discriminatory. In February, Hegseth dismissed Air Force General C.Q. Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with five other senior officers in what was described as an unprecedented shake-up of U.S. military leadership. Last month, he re
Military
Conflict: India-Pakistan relations hang in the balance
Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated dramatically following India’s missile strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on 22 April. The Indian government confirmed that nine terror camps were targeted and successfully destroyed under Operation Sindoor, a military response aimed at dismantling militant networks. The strikes have drawn international attention, with the United States, the United Kingdom, and China issuing travel advisories for the region. Pakistan has condemned the strikes as an “act of war”, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowing a “befitting reply”. The Pakistani military claimed that three locations were hit - Bahawalpur in Punjab Province, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir - and has warned that it will respond at a time and place of its choosing. Islamabad has also accused India of killing civilians, contradicting New Delhi’s assertion that the strikes exclusively targeted terrorist camps. The situation has further deteriorated with reports that Pakistan has test-fired the Abdali missile, with a 450-kilometre range, in what analysts describe as a provocative move. Meanwhile,

Military
The EU's urgent mobilisation of military capabilities
The European Union (EU) is undergoing a significant transformation in its defence strategy, spurred by escalating geopolitical tensions, a shifting transatlantic security landscape, and a growing realisation that Europe must bolster its own military capabilities. The European Commission’s €800 Billion ‘ReArm Europe Plan/ Readiness 2030’ PlanAmid these dynamics, defence spending across the region is set to increase substantially, with governments committing to higher budgets and more ambitious procurement plans. According to Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Boost for the Defence Industry, “A sustainable and long-term approach to military procurement is essential, primarily through long-term contracts or purchase guarantees.” This surge in investment is not only intended to strengthen Europe’s security and deterrence capabilities but also presents a substantial opportunity for defence companies. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, earlier this month proposed measures that could raise €800 billion (A$1.37 trillion) in new defence spending. These measures have yet to be approved by the various EU capitals, but they have been enough to boost EU defence stocks to record valuations since the plan was announced.

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Military

NZ plans to develop lethal weapons for export

Hegseth and Trump slam diversity in the military

Pentagon pushes missile makers to boost output: WSJ

Pentagon chief summons top US commanders to Virginia

Conflict: India-Pakistan relations hang in the balance

The EU's urgent mobilisation of military capabilities

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