defense
EU eyes sanctions on Chinese firms tied to Russia’s drone supply chain
EEAS is pushing to sanction four Chinese firms accused of aiding Russia’s shadow fleet and supplying inputs and components for attack-drone production.
China
complex policies, regulations, and geopolitical implications surrounding drones developed and used in China. Understand their impact on global security, trade, and technology transfer.
defense
US threat assessment elevates AI from tool to strategic risk factor
ODNI’s 2026 threat assessment frames AI as a strategic, cross-cutting driver of modern warfare and coercion, with China the top competitor and autonomy risks rising—implications Europe must reflect in procurement and resilience.
defense
Energy-learning hyper-heuristic sharpens heterogeneous UAV swarm tasking
A Defence Technology study reports an energy-learning hyper-heuristic that improves heterogeneous UAV swarm task assignment under tight timing, payload and obstacle constraints.
China
China Extends Rare Earth Export Control Suspension to EU
China has confirmed that its suspension of rare earth export controls will now include the EU, following high-level discussions between Chinese and European officials. This move aims to stabilize supply chains crucial for the EU's clean-tech and defense industries.
China
Europe’s drone heart still beats in China
While European drone startups multiply, their strategic foundation remains fragile. True sovereignty lies not in final assembly, but in the upstream production of critical components: magnets for motors, processed graphite for batteries, and low-cost sensors.
southern-european
Italian Authority Investigates DJI for Alleged Price-Fixing Practices
The Italian Competition Authority has initiated an investigation into DJI and its importer Nital for suspected illegal price-fixing and blocking of parallel imports. The probe focuses on the resale practices of professional drones, potentially violating EU competition laws.
regulation
EU Plans Critical Mineral Strategy by End of 2025 Amid Export Controls
In response to China's recent export restrictions on rare earths, the EU is set to propose a comprehensive strategy for critical minerals by the end of 2025. This initiative aims to bolster the EU's supply chain resilience and reduce dependency on non-European sources, particularly in the defense an