WASHINGTON - In a break from tradition, Congress passed a full-year continuing resolution (CR) to fund the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2025, a move that provides new-start authority but hinders long-term planning. While the legislation delivers $892.5 billion for national security, including modest gains for procurement, it imposes significant cuts to research and development and operations accounts, resulting in a constrained fiscal environment even as the administration talks of higher spending levels.

The topline figure in the CR represents a $6 billion increase over FY24 enacted levels, but the Pentagon ultimately loses buying power compared to last year when adjusted for inflation. The final budget is also $3 billion less than requested by then-President Biden, despite bipartisan calls for higher spending, particularly in the Senate.

Topline Procurement Remains Flat; Research & Development Loses Ground

The FY25 CR provides $168.2 billion for procurement, about $688 million (+0.4%) above the request. Despite the flat procurement topline, several procurement accounts saw steep cuts, including those for the Marine Corps and Space Force. The bill also trims $1.9 billion (-1.3%) from Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) accounts overall. Meanwhile, operation and maintenance funding takes a particularly hard hit, with a $5.7 billion reduction compared to the request. Military construction is also reduced by $818.4 million.

For additional information on how Pentagon acquisition programs were impacted in the CR, read the full story on Forecast International's Defense & Security Monitor using the link below.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2025/04/24/congress-scales-back-ambitions-in-final-fy25-defense-deal/
Author: s. mcDougall, Defense Analyst 

BEIRUT - Qatar has pledged $60 million and 162 military vehicles (types currently unknown) to support Lebanon's army, part of a broader effort to stabilize the country after Hezbollah's 14-month war with Israel. The conflict, which began shortly after the Oct. 7, 2023, Israel-Hamas war, killed over 4,000 people in Lebanon and caused an estimated $11 billion in damage. Qatar's aid builds on earlier support that began with food and cash donations during Lebanon's economic collapse in 2019.

The latest assistance was announced following a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The leaders emphasized implementing a U.N. Security Council resolution to reinforce Lebanese military presence along the Israeli border following Hezbollah's withdrawal under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Lebanon has since elected new leadership vowing reform. Israel maintains positions in parts of south Lebanon and continues drone strikes targeting Hezbollah, including two strikes Wednesday that killed two people, according to Lebanon's health ministry.

Source: Associated Press
Associated URL: https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-qater-donation-army-vehicles-salaries-8c77ff47b7b5f647abf9ffcc70cf4576

VILNIUS -- On April 22, 2025, during a joint press conference with Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed plans to jointly procure several hundred infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) of the CV90 type with Finland, Norway, and Lithuania. The planned procurement is expected to lead to a formal declaration of intent later in the spring. According to Kristersson, the goals of the joint acquisition include faster delivery times, reduced costs, and benefits to the defense industrial base. While the precise financial value of the agreement has not been disclosed, the number of vehicles involved was specified to be in the hundreds.

As of 2025, the four countries participating in the joint CV90 procurement initiative, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Lithuania, have varying levels of experience and inventory with the CV90 family of infantry fighting vehicles. Sweden maintains the largest fleet, with approximately 545 to 549 CV90s across several variants. Norway initially purchased 104 CV9030 Mk I vehicles in the 1990s, later upgrading 103 of them to Mk III standard and acquiring 41 new Mk III vehicles. After selling 35 units to Estonia and ordering 20 more in 2021, Norway’s effective CV90 fleet stands at around 129 vehicles. Lithuania, in contrast, does not currently operate CV90s but is engaged in discussions with Sweden, Norway, and Finland as part of the proposed joint procurement.

A joint Nordic vehicle platform would reduce logistical complexity, enhance interoperability, and lower lifecycle costs. Current discussions among Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark emphasize harmonization of equipment, development standards, and operational requirements.

While discussions continue, the projected total number of CV90s to be replaced or supplemented across the four countries could approach 870 units. This figure includes existing CV90s and approximately 100 BMP-2 IFVs in Finland due for replacement. Maintaining or slightly increasing current inventories will require extensive funding. Based on current estimates, the total cost of replacing 870 vehicles at €9 million per unit could reach approximately €8 billion. However, delivery will occur incrementally, depending on vehicle age, budget cycles, and operational needs. The Nordic CV90 initiative is also part of broader defense integration. In addition to IFV standardization, the four countries have agreed to adopt common military uniforms and are working on making 155mm artillery ammunition interchangeable. These measures reflect a strategic shift toward joint procurement and operational unification among NATO members in Northern Europe. With rising concerns over regional security, particularly due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, collective defense readiness is being prioritized.

Source: Army Recognition
Associated URL: https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/four-nordic-countries-to-jointly-procure-hundreds-of-cv90-infantry-fighting-vehicles-to-create-a-unified-mechanized-force