Defence

Malaysia seeks more than US$250 million from Norway over axed defence deal 

Norway’s decision raised questions over the trustworthiness of international defence partners

German Chancellor Merz at the White House with President Trump on Mar 3. For decades, many Asian militaries have counted on European manufacturers, including Germany’s ThyssenKrupp, as serious and reliable partners.
OPINION

Whose problem? The looming US-Europe divorce is Asia’s headache too

As transatlantic ties fray, a Europe scrambling for self-reliance may prove as ‘me-first’ as the US

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says if European defence suppliers can renege with impunity, their value as strategic partners flies out the window.

Malaysia to seek legal action, compensation in row with Norway over scrapped defence deal

Norway has decided to revoke export approvals for a naval strike missile system intended for six combat ships

One of the European Union’s goals of engagement with Asean is to build economic competitive advantage relative to other world powers, including the US.

Asean-EU summit: Forging a strategic front amid Middle East turmoil

As geopolitical volatility reshapes the global order, leaders from both blocs stressed that the security of their regions is ‘more interlinked than ever’

Tartu Science Park in Estonia. Across the EU, cleantech has experienced a steep drop in funding since 2022.

Competing for capital: Estonia’s cleantech sector adapts to rising national security priorities 

Its startups in the field say their tech can boost energy resilience and support the low-carbon transition

After a decade at the helm, ST Engineering chief Vincent Chong believes "the best is yet to come" for the group.
TOPLINE

More than a defence contractor – ST Engineering’s Vincent Chong is ready for the next lap

To see the group as a mere defence proxy cashing in on conflict misses the plot entirely

Addvalue is one of the few SGX-listed companies with a business profile overtly aligned with today’s geopolitical currents.
MARK TO MARKET

Addvalue should rethink value-unlocking move

The business it plans to spin off may garner a lofty valuation on Nasdaq, but its own shares may be plagued by a holding company discount

Modern defence is less about troop numbers than about control of advanced technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and clean energy.

Bigger defence budgets are not enough to secure Europe

The continent cannot rearm without mobilising private capital for military R&D

European confidence in American leadership is at an all-time low; more people in Spain, Italy, France and Germany now regard the US as a threat than a “close ally”, a poll shows.
THE BOTTOM LINE

Are Europe and America headed for divorce?

For now, the two sides remain locked in an unhappy marriage

Google’s agreement requires it to help in adjusting the company’s AI safety settings and filters at the government’s request.

Google signs classified AI deal with Pentagon

The agreement allows the Pentagon to use Google’s AI for “any lawful government purpose”