ISLAMABAD: Debt servicing in Pakistan continued to outstrip spending on defence and development during the first half of the current fiscal year (July–December CFY26), raising concerns over fiscal pressures under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, The News reported on Saturday. Read More: Pakistan hits milestone by repaying debt early According to data released by the Ministry […]
Defence Spending
Israel sets record $35 billion defence budget for 2026
Israel’s cabinet approved the 2026 state budget on Friday, including 112 billion shekels ($35 billion) for defence. This marks a major increase from the earlier draft of 90 billion shekels. The budget now goes to parliament for an initial vote before the March deadline. The approval comes amid heightened tensions following costly conflicts with Hamas […]
NATO chief confident of defence spending deal ahead of summit
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he is confident about a deal on defence spending. He spoke during a meeting with European allies in Rome. The talks focused on boosting support for Ukraine amid rising Russian attacks. The meeting included diplomats from Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Poland, Spain, Ukraine, and the EU. Rutte urged NATO […]
EU approves €150 billion SAFE loan scheme to boost defence spending
In a landmark move to strengthen its military capabilities, the European Union on Tuesday approved a €150 billion loan programme aimed at rearming the continent and reducing dependency on external powers. Known as the SAFE (Support to Ammunition and Future Equipment) scheme, the initiative is backed by the EU’s central budget and was proposed in […]