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armament industry

European Army Sizes: Reforms and Comparisons Across the EU

by Priya Shah – Business Editor September 4, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Strengthening European Defense: A ‍Wave of Military Reforms

Across Europe, nations are re-evaluating and⁤ reforming their military structures,⁢ driven by evolving geopolitical concerns and a desire to bolster defense capabilities. While approaches vary, a common⁣ thread is the pursuit of increased recruitment, modernized training, and a stronger reserve force.

Germany‘s Push for Increased Recruitment

Germany is ‌actively seeking ⁢to reform its military service, maintaining⁢ a voluntary system but⁣ aiming ⁣to substantially boost recruitment numbers. Currently, less ⁢than 0.35% of the German population ‌serves in ⁢the Bundeswehr, despite a nominal strength ⁤of over 185,000 personnel. This places germany near ‍the bottom of the European ranking, alongside Sweden,⁣ Hungary, Belgium,‌ and luxembourg.‍ In contrast, Greece leads with approximately 1.7% of⁤ its population (around 110,000 soldiers) actively serving.other ⁤nations with high percentages include Lithuania, Poland, Finland, and latvia.

A Continent in Motion: Diverse Reform Models

Germany isn’t alone in its pursuit⁤ of military modernization. Several other European countries are actively considering ‍or implementing changes ‌to their military service models.

United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposed a new “short-term military service” in September 2024, envisioning 15-20% of 18-year-olds‌ participating in ⁢a year-long program with ⁣training compensation.
Poland: Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans in March 2025 to introduce a new ⁢military service model aimed at‌ recruiting 100,000 new personnel annually.
* ‍ Belgium: Defense Minister Theo Francken advocates⁢ for a volunteer-based military ⁢service to recruit 500 additional reservists in 2026, increasing to 1,000 per year from 2027.

Currently, ten European countries maintain compulsory ⁤military⁤ service: Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, sweden, and, as of 2025, ⁢Croatia. Both Denmark and Sweden include women in their mandatory service requirements, and many nations with compulsory service offer civil service alternatives with varying terms.Learning from ⁤Successes: The Swedish and Finnish Models

Germany is notably looking to the Swedish model for ‍inspiration. Sweden employs a selective, two-step process. all 18-year-olds complete a questionnaire assessing health, physical ability, and motivation.Based on these responses, ⁤approximately 30,000 individuals are ‌invited for‍ comprehensive aptitude tests – medical, ‍physical, psychological, logical, knowledge-based, and personality assessments – alongside educational requirements. This⁤ process ultimately selects around 8,000‍ young people ‍for‍ service ranging from four to eleven months. Sweden⁣ maintains approximately 23,100 active⁤ professional soldiers, according to a recent ⁣NATO estimate.

Finland, which has consistently maintained military service, ⁢demonstrates a “holistic approach” to defense. While its‍ active professional army numbers ⁢around 30,800, it can mobilize‌ nearly 285,000 reservists in an emergency. Reservists are called up for periodic training untill the age of 60 and have access⁢ to ongoing educational opportunities, with 50,000 participating annually.

Increased Investment and a Unified Approach

these national reforms are occurring‍ alongside increasing ⁣european defense spending. While the concept of a unified multinational force remains a future ⁢goal, NATO Secretary⁢ General Mark ‍rutte recently emphasized ‍a growing sense of collective ‌security, stating, “We are now all on the side is, that we live in London⁢ or Tallinn.” This sentiment underscores a broader shift towards strengthened European defense capabilities‌ and a more unified approach to security challenges.

September 4, 2025 0 comments

News

Content Writing Tips: Improve Your Skills & Productivity

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com July 11, 2025

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

The Federal Council wants to study the possibilities of joining the vast defense-budget-doubled/” title=”Realization of Japan's rearmament ‧ South Korea's … budget doubled”>rearmament program of the EU without necessarily touching neutrality.

The European Union provides for the mobilization of 800 billion in rearmament, including 150 billion supplied by Brussels to the Member States in the form of loans. The Federal Council is said to be interested in a possible partnership.

The Secretary of State Assistant to the Pälvi Pulli security policy confirms it: “If we conclude a partnership, we have in principle access to this rearmament program, we can then request these credits for common purchases”, explains the ambassador in the 19:30.

>> Read on this subject: The EU approves a plan of 800 billion euros to build its defense

Divided parliamentarians

The news has leared into the ranks of the UDC, a party who militates in favor of strict neutrality. “I warn against such an agreement,” said national councilor Mauro Tuéna. “There is dependence with the EU. It would now be much more important to explore the markets and see if we can get equipment by ourselves,” argues the Zurichois.

On the left, on the other hand, we can see increased cooperation with our neighbors. “I think we will get more security than if we really work with Europe, if we cooperate and especially if we make joint armaments purchases, which would limit the costs,” argues Piska Seiler-Graf, Zurich National Socialist Councilor.

The Swiss armament industry could benefit from a partnership that would bring orders. In addition, the European Union would be ready to collaborate even with non-members. Agreements have already been passed or are in the process of being with the United Kingdom and Canada.

Information originale: SRF

TV subject: Thierry Clémence

Text adaptation: Antoine Michel

July 11, 2025 0 comments

Business

The F -35 will also cost more for the American Air Force – RTS.CH

by Priya Shah – Business Editor July 10, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

F-35 Jet Costs Soar, US Air Force Trims Orders

Rising inflation and supply chain woes impact production.

The price of the F-35 fighter jet is expected to increase, mirroring similar concerns in Switzerland, even as the U.S. Defense Department plans to reduce its orders. Negotiations are underway between **Lockheed Martin** and the American government regarding production costs.

Increase in Production Costs Expected

The negotiations specifically address production lots 18 and 19 of the F-35. Switzerland is slated to receive eight aircraft from Lot 19, with delivery expected in 2027.

Washington anticipates a rise in costs for these lots, impacting purchases for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marines. The reasons for this increase are linked to high inflation and raw material prices.

Following high inflation in the United States, people have seen the cost of living increasing. They have increased increases [de salaire]. This, of course, ends up repercussions on [le prix de l’avion], said **Doug Birkey**, executive director at the Mitchell Institute for aeronautical and space studies.

**Birkey** also noted the impact of titanium supply disruptions due to the war in Ukraine, as well as recent technical advancements in the aircraft.

Unlike the situation in Switzerland, the expected price increase has not sparked controversy in the U.S., possibly because bodies like the American Court of Auditors (GAO) and the Department of Defense have long anticipated rising F-35 costs.

US Air Force Cuts F-35A Orders

Since 2022, the American air forces have reduced their orders for the F-35A, the same model chosen by Switzerland. Numbers have fallen from 60 in 2021 to only 24 planned for 2026.

These figures come from declassified “justification of the acquisitions of the American Air Force” reports, which are part of the Ministry of Defense’s budgetary forecasts.

According to **Daniel Norton**, principal researcher in management systems at Rand, the decrease in orders can be attributed to multiple factors, including efforts to stabilize the acquisition program and account for cost evolution.

Important reductions, such as that of exercise 2026, may rather be a sign of a change in priorities or dissatisfaction with the program, said **Norton**.

**Norton** cited issues such as unavailable components, unfinished improvements, and delayed engine deliveries, according to the American Court of Auditors.

Moreover, the F-35 has faced persistent challenges in achieving operational capacity rates comparable to previous aircraft.

**Birkey** offered a different view. The prizes that come out of the production currently are incredibly efficient. Look at what the F-35 of the Israeli army achieved against Iran. They have behaved beautifully in the most complex combat environments that can be found on the planet.

The U.S. defense establishment appears to be waiting for modernizations and required improvements before committing to larger orders. As of now, the Trump administration has not decided whether to extend this order reduction strategy across multiple budget years, despite a commitment to purchase over 2,470 devices by the 2040s. In February 2024, the GAO released a report citing the need for more realistic cost estimates and risk assessments for the F-35 program (GAO Report 2024).

July 10, 2025 0 comments