Finland and Sweden joining NATO instantly would enhance the alliance’s military power with capable air forces and increasing acquisition budgets, the nominee to lead U.S. European Command and become the alliance’s Supreme Allied Commander-Europe told lawmakers.

The Sigonella, Italy-based fleet of five Northrop Grumman RQ-4Ds conducted surge operations May 11-18 along NATO's eastern front.

The mission prompted the scramble of Japanese and South Korean fighters, as it skirted territorial airspaces. 

More than 20 nations announced new packages of military aid for Ukraine following a meeting of more than 40 countries on May 23, the Pentagon announced.

The EU is concerned that member states are not coordinating their procurements, leading to further fragmentation of the defense industry. 

The Pentagon on May 19 announced it would airlift more counter-artillery radars, howitzers and other equipment to Ukraine, shortly after the Senate approved a $40.1 billion package of assistance.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has confirmed that it will be acquiring 40 Bell 505 helicopters under the TH-X training helicopter program. 

The governments of Finland and Sweden have endorsed plans to join NATO, ending their long-held policy of non-military alignment in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.