Capability
Source · Power Politics and the Return of Permanent Conflict
What is the central argument of “Power Politics and the Return of Permanent Conflict”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The return of power politics as the central ordering principle of international relations is one of the defining features of the present era. The notion that globalization and economic interdependence could render geopolitical competition obsolete has been steadily disproven by the events of the past two decades. States such as Russia…
Capability
Source · Permanent War and Europe’s Strategic Awakening
What is the central argument of “Permanent War and Europe’s Strategic Awakening”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
In recent years, the European strategic debate has revived a theme thought to have been buried with the end of the Cold War: the persistence of war as a structural element of international politics. The wars in the Balkans, the long era of counterterrorism, Russia’s return as a revisionist power, and China’s rise have gradually…
Capability
Source · NASA Marshall Positions Dual-Use Space Technologies for U.S. Golden Dome Missile Defense
What is the central argument of “NASA Marshall Positions Dual-Use Space Technologies for U.S. Golden Dome Missile Defense”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The increasing overlap between space exploration technology and national defence requirements is creating opportunities for collaboration between U.S. civil agencies and the Department of Defense. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, located in Huntsville, Alabama, is positioning itself as a potential technology contributor to “Golden…
Capability
Source · India Approves $7.6 Billion Defence Procurement to Boost Multi-Domain Capabilities
What is the central argument of “India Approves $7.6 Billion Defence Procurement to Boost Multi-Domain Capabilities”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved one of the largest procurement packages in recent years, amounting to approximately Rs 67,000 crore (about €7.6 billion), aimed at substantially enhancing the operational readiness of all three armed services. The decision, taken under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath…
Capability
Source · Raytheon UK Strengthens Britain’s Space Defence Capabilities with New Orbital Analysis Contract
What is the central argument of “Raytheon UK Strengthens Britain’s Space Defence Capabilities with New Orbital Analysis Contract”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The United Kingdom has taken another step toward consolidating its role as a leader in space defence and orbital security with the award of a new contract to Raytheon UK , a subsidiary of RTX . The agreement, signed with the UK Space Agency , tasks the company with providing orbital analysis and situational awareness capabilities to…
Capability
Source · Putin and the Permanent Testing of Western Defenses
What is the central argument of “Putin and the Permanent Testing of Western Defenses”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
At Defence Finance Monitor we have long argued that Russia’s behavior should not be seen as a string of isolated provocations. Vladimir Putin has adopted a gradual strategy of pressure designed to test not only the technical effectiveness of Western defense systems but, above all, the political resilience of commitments undertaken by the…
Capability
Source · Redefining the Concept of Victory and the Resilience of Public Opinion
What is the central argument of “Redefining the Concept of Victory and the Resilience of Public Opinion”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The transformation of contemporary conflicts has undermined the classical notion of victory. In past wars, victory was tied to the conquest of territory, the surrender of the adversary, or the signing of a peace treaty. Today, wars often lack a clear beginning and end, and in many cases they never end at all. We speak of “endless wars,”…
Capability
Source · Private Equity Poised for Exits in Booming Defence Sector
What is the central argument of “Private Equity Poised for Exits in Booming Defence Sector”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
With defence valuations soaring, private equity firms that invested in the sector in recent years are now eyeing lucrative exit opportunities . The rapid run-up in military spending and defence company share prices has created a seller’s market for PE owners of defence assets. Many buyout firms moved into defence around 2018–2022 when…
Capability
Source · South Korea Targets Fourth Place in Global Defence Industry Rankings with Expanded Investment in Aerospace and Technology Sovereignty
What is the central argument of “South Korea Targets Fourth Place in Global Defence Industry Rankings with Expanded Investment in Aerospace and Technolog”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
South Korea has announced an ambitious plan to become the world’s fourth-largest defence industry by 2030, underscoring its intention to couple national security objectives with industrial and technological advancement. Speaking at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025 , President Lee Jae Myung declared that…
Capability
Source · Safran Consolidates Its Position in Flight Control Systems
What is the central argument of “Safran Consolidates Its Position in Flight Control Systems”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
In the current strategic environment, the ability to control mission-critical components of aerospace platforms has become a defining factor in ensuring both technological sovereignty and industrial competitiveness. Across the defense and civil aviation sectors, nations are increasingly seeking to strengthen their hold on key…
Capability
Source · Strategic Industrial Scale-Up: Europe’s Cleantech Failure as a Warning for Defence Tech
What is the central argument of “Strategic Industrial Scale-Up”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
In recent years, the European Union has positioned itself as a climate leader through ambitious political initiatives such as the European Green Deal. However, these ambitions have not translated into industrial power. While Europe crafted frameworks and targets, China built infrastructure, secured critical minerals, and deployed…
Capability
Source · Reviving the Franco-German Axis: A Strategic Pillar for Europe’s Defence
What is the central argument of “Reviving the Franco-German Axis”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The renewed partnership between France and Germany marks a decisive moment for European security, placing the Franco-German axis once again at the centre of continental defence policy. The joint article by President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, published ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague, outlines a strategic…
Capability
Source · Private Capital Returns to Focus on European Defence
What is the central argument of “Private Capital Returns to Focus on European Defence”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
In 2024, venture capital investment in European startups operating in defence, security and resilience sectors reached an all-time high of $5.2 billion, marking a 24% increase over the previous year. This growth outpaced that of artificial intelligence investments in the same period, indicating a shift in capital allocation priorities…
Capability
Source · The Defence Industry in Transformation: The Revival of Safran’s Montluçon Site in the New Geopolitical Context
What is the central argument of “The Defence Industry in Transformation”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
In a context of growing international attention to rearmament, the Safran plant in Montluçon stands as a significant example of the transformation underway in the European defence industry. Located in the department of Allier, this factory, specialised in the production of guidance and propulsion kits for AASM bombs (Armement Air-Sol…
Capability
Source · Technology and Conflict: From the Industrial Revolution to Digital War
What is the central argument of “Technology and Conflict”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
Military history clearly shows that every major technological innovation has profoundly transformed the nature of war. The introduction of gunpowder, the industrial revolution, mechanization, and ultimately nuclear weapons all redefined strategic balances and the logic of deterrence. Today we are witnessing a new phase in this long…
Capability
Source · The Erosion of the U.S.-Centric Order and the Emergence of Autonomous Security Blocs
What is the central argument of “The Erosion of the U.S.-Centric Order and the Emergence of Autonomous Security Blocs”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The international system historically anchored to American primacy, consolidated in the aftermath of the Second World War, is now undergoing a structural weakening. This decline is due not only to external challenges but also to self-inflicted setbacks by the United States itself. The core pillars of the U.S.-led order—economic…
Capability
Source · Sweden Strengthens Gripen Fleet with New Saab Launcher Contract
What is the central argument of “Sweden Strengthens Gripen Fleet with New Saab Launcher Contract”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
Sweden has placed a new order with Saab AB for the production of a next-generation launcher system for the Gripen C/D and Gripen E fighter aircraft, marking another key investment in the country’s domestic air combat capabilities. The contract, valued at approximately SEK 1 billion (around €86 million) , was awarded by the Swedish…
Capability
Source · The iShares Europe Defence UCITS ETF: Structured Exposure to Europe's Defence Industry
What is the central argument of “The iShares Europe Defence UCITS ETF”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The iShares Europe Defence UCITS ETF (DFEU) is a physically replicating exchange-traded fund designed to offer targeted exposure to the European defence sector. It tracks the STOXX Europe Targeted Defence Index, which includes publicly listed European companies deriving a significant portion of their revenue from military equipment and…
Capability
Source · The Indo-Pacific Frontline: U.S. Allies Rehearse for a Taiwan Conflict
What is the central argument of “The Indo-Pacific Frontline”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
As strategic tensions in the Western Pacific intensify, the United States and its allies are dramatically increasing the scale, realism, and political signaling of joint military exercises. While officially framed as crisis preparedness, these drills now implicitly aim to deter a Chinese move on Taiwan by demonstrating allied cohesion…
Capability
Source · The Indo-Pacific: Containing China at the New Global Epicenter
What is the central argument of “The Indo-Pacific”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The gradual shift of the world’s strategic center of gravity toward the Indo-Pacific represents one of the most consequential changes in the current international order. This region, spanning two oceans and home to more than half the world’s population, has become the stage for the defining rivalries of the twenty-first century. China is…
Capability
Source · Strengthening Continental Autonomy: The “European Priority” in the €90 Billion Ukraine Support Package
What is the central argument of “Strengthening Continental Autonomy”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The European Commission has formally advanced a €90 billion financial assistance proposal for Ukraine spanning 2026-2027, signaling a paradigm shift in how the Union balances geopolitical support with industrial sovereignty. While the package—supported by EU leaders and currently in its final legislative stages—aims for April…
Capability
Source · Private Capital and the Defence Industry: Conditions for a New European Balance
What is the central argument of “Private Capital and the Defence Industry”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The rearmament of Europe, accelerated by the war in Ukraine and uncertainties surrounding the reliability of US security guarantees, has initiated a structural transformation of the continent’s defence industry. In this context, private investors—both private equity and venture capital funds—are increasingly seen as crucial to bridging…
Capability
Source · India Accelerates Defence Innovation with Titan Capital–iDEX Investment Partnership
What is the central argument of “India Accelerates Defence Innovation with Titan Capital”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
India’s strategy to build a competitive, self-reliant defence-industrial base has taken a significant step forward with the announcement of a strategic partnership between Titan Capital and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). The initiative, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in New Delhi, is designed to…
Capability
Source · Europe’s Competitiveness Fund to Include Defence and Space Investment Window
What is the central argument of “Europe’s Competitiveness Fund to Include Defence and Space Investment Window”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?
The European Commission’s decision to integrate a dedicated window for defence, resilience, and space within the forthcoming European Competitiveness Fund represents a structural evolution in EU industrial policy. Announced in the context of preparations for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, this initiative aims to address…