Germany plans to spend 350 billion euros to modernize the Bundeswehr by 2041

Germany intends to dramatically strengthen its army in the coming decades. The country's Defense Ministry has unveiled a large-scale arms and equipment procurement plan worth more than 350 billion euros (about 409 billion US dollars), calculated until 2041. This initiative is part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's strategic course to transform the Bundeswehr into the most powerful conventional military force in Europe.

Budget 2026: a sharp increase in funding

On Monday, the draft federal budget for 2026 was presented to Parliament. It provides 8.2 billion euros ($9.6 billion) for military procurement. However, in 2026, the volume of allocations will increase sharply to 22.3 billion euros, which will signal the beginning of an active phase of modernization.

Long-term commitments: "Verpflichtungsermächtigungen" until 2041

A key element of the plan is the so—called "Verpflichtungsermächtigungen" - permits to fulfill long-term financial obligations. These obligations, estimated at about 325 billion euros, are valid from 2027 to 2041. They allow the Ministry of Defense to conclude contracts for the supply of large systems right now, even if their actual payment and delivery will take place in the future.

Such a mechanism gives the industry confidence in stable orders and allows it to plan production taking into account long-term cycles of development and assembly of complex military platforms.

What will be purchased?

The funds will be used to upgrade all branches of the Bundeswehr.:

Ground Forces — new tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems

Air Force - fighters, drones, air defense systems

Naval forces — ships, submarines, naval aviation

Special attention will be paid to digitalization, network-centric technologies and integration with NATO, which will increase compatibility with the allied armies.

Strategic context

This ambitious plan is a response to the changed geopolitical situation. The strengthening of the German army is seen as a necessary step to ensure Europe's security, especially against the backdrop of growing threats from Russia and instability on the southern and eastern borders of the EU.

The US Army wants to replace the M240 machine guns with something new and stronger

The American army is thinking about changing one of its main machine guns, the M240, which has been serving in the military for a long time. The reason is easy to understand: the military needs a machine gun with better range and ballistics in order to more effectively support infantry on the battlefield.

This machine gun fires 7.62 x 51 mm cartridges, and although it is reliable, it is outdated in terms of performance. Especially in comparison with modern threats and new combat missions. Therefore, the military is looking for a replacement.

Several options are being considered at once.:

- .338 Norma Magnum (8.6x64 mm) is a more powerful and long—range cartridge. Earlier, the army was already interested in machine guns for him.

- 6.8x51 mm — the same caliber used in the new M7 rifles and M250 machine guns is already being introduced into the military.

- The Unified Machine Gun of the Future (FMMG) is a new project that has just begun to be discussed. Its creation is included in the budget for fiscal year 2026, but it is not yet known exactly how much money will be allocated.

This machine gun is supposed to replace the M240 in close Combat units (Close Combat Force) — it includes not only regular infantrymen, but also intelligence officers, medics, engineers, special forces and other elite units.

The main goal of the FMMG is to effectively suppress and destroy the enemy in order to maintain a high tempo of combat operations. However, the exact requirements for the weapon have not yet been disclosed: what should be the weight, range, type of cartridge, and so on.

An important point is that the transition to a new caliber requires an established production of cartridges. The United States is already planning to produce millions of 6.8 mm cartridges per year. According to the plans, the new plant should be launched by 2028.

The American army is preparing for a major modernization of small arms. The M240 can be replaced either with something with a more powerful cartridge, or with a completely new FMMG machine gun. Everything is still under development, but one thing is already clear — the standard 7.62 mm machine gun is gradually becoming a thing of the past.

The United States is investing more than $365 million in the modernization of MC-130J Commando II aircraft

MC-130J Commando II

The USAF budget for fiscal year 2026 provides for the allocation of 365.086 million dollars for the HC/MC-130 aircraft modernization program, with a special focus on further developing the capabilities of the MC-130J Commando II special transport aircraft. These investments are designed to ensure the maintenance and expansion of combat and operational capabilities of aircraft in a rapidly changing global threat environment.

The modernization program covers the post-production upgrade of on-board systems aimed at increasing the level of stealth, autonomy and combat effectiveness of aircraft. Special attention is being paid to the MC-130J's ability to perform covert infiltration, personnel evacuation, and special operations forces supply missions in hard-to-reach or controlled areas.

The funding will be directed to:

- modernization of electronic and navigation systems;

- updating of radio communications and communications with the rear;

- improvement of self-defense and counter-threat systems;

- modernization of the crew training system;

- Integration of new technologies to enhance survivability and interaction with other special operations forces.

The MC-130J Commando II has already established itself as a key platform for high-risk missions within the USSOCOM (Joint Special Operations Command). Its ability to operate in areas with high air defense density and minimal ground support makes it an indispensable element of the US special operations strategy.

The allocated funds underline the Pentagon's desire to maintain technological superiority and readiness to act in future conflicts, where inconspicuous and multifunctional aerial platforms will play an important role.

The US Air Force is launching an F-22 modernization program to control unmanned wingmen

 The US Air Force has approved a new modification program that will allow fifth-generation F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to control Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) aircraft, commonly known as unmanned wingmen. 

As outlined in the fiscal year 2026 budget rationale, this new initiative, called the Crewed Platform Integration (CPI) program, allocates $15.048 million for the first phase of procurement, installation, training, and support. These efforts include the purchase and installation of cabin kits consisting of tablets, communication cables, and related system integration materials. The program is classified under the identification code B, which means that it is not yet ready for operation.

F-22 Raptor

The US Army has allocated $25 million to integrate the Blackbeard GL hypersonic missile into the HIMARS system

In the U.S. fiscal year 2026 budget, the army allocated $25 million to support the development and integration of the Blackbeard Ground Launch (GL) hypersonic missile into the HIMARS highly mobile artillery missile system. This initiative is part of the HX3 project and marks the transition of the system into the engineering and production development phase.

The Blackbeard GL is designed to enhance HIMARS' ability to deliver medium-range precision strikes against mobile, fortified, and temporarily accessible targets. The missile provides about 80% of the capabilities of the advanced Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 4 at a significantly lower cost.

The system uses terminal guidance with an active search head unit, which makes it possible to effectively hit moving and hidden targets even in difficult conditions. The integration of the rocket into the modified launch containers of the Multiple Launch Rocket System Family of Munitions (MFOM) will ensure compatibility with the HIMARS and M270 platforms, expanding operational capabilities without significant changes in technology.

It is planned to complete software validation, conduct flight tests and prepare production samples by 2027, after which the delivery of systems to the troops will begin. The Blackbeard GL will be an important addition to the U.S. Army's arsenal, increasing the mobility and effectiveness of strike capabilities in the face of growing threats from Russian and Chinese hypersonic weapons.

The U.S. Army has allocated more than $107 million for new vehicle protection systems in fiscal year 2026

As part of the fiscal year 2026 budget, the US Army will allocate over $107 million for the development and implementation of modern vehicle Protection Systems (VPS). The financing falls under the category of "Purchase of weapons and tracked combat vehicles" (W&TCV) and supports the modernization of tracked combat platforms.

Key initiatives on vehicle protection systems:

- Modular active protection systems with advanced laser radiation warning receivers, which will allow timely detection and neutralization of threats.

- Signature management technology aimed at reducing the visibility of equipment for the enemy due to special coatings and camouflage solutions.

- Sets of passive armor and protection against attacks from above, providing additional protection against cumulative and cluster munitions, as well as air strikes.

These measures are designed to increase the survival and combat effectiveness of tracked combat vehicles in the face of modern threats on the battlefield.

The US Marine Corps has cancelled the long-range LRF launcher and is focusing on the NMESIS system

The US Marine Corps has decided to abandon the Long Range Fires (LRF) launcher program, based on the Mark 41 VLS single-element unit for Tomahawk missiles mounted on the ROGUE-Fires vehicle. The cancellation is due to serious concerns about the maneuverability and suitability of the system for operations in coastal and difficult conditions.

The LRF program, which started in 2023, was aimed at expanding the capabilities of Marines to launch long-range strikes against both sea and land targets. As part of the initial deployment, four LRF installations were transferred to the 11th Marine Regiment Long-range Missile Battery at Camp Pendleton, California. It was planned to deploy 56 more such systems by fiscal year 2028.

However, after a thorough assessment, it was determined that the LRF does not provide the necessary mobility and adaptability for dynamic and complex coastal operations and expeditionary conditions. In an official statement, the Corps stressed that flexibility and the ability to use effectively in harsh environments remains a priority, which the LRF does not provide.

Instead, the Marine Corps is doubling down on investments in the NMESIS (Naval Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) program, an extended—range missile system that better meets the demands of mobility and efficiency in coastal operations. This is reflected in the budget for fiscal year 2026.

The US Air Force will decommission 162 A-10 attack aircraft and cancel the E-7 Wedgetail program in 2026

 In fiscal year 2026, the U.S. Air Force plans to decommission the last 162 A-10 Warthog attack aircraft as part of a larger program to decommission 340 aircraft of various types. This will be the largest reduction in the fleet of combat aircraft in recent years. In addition to the A-10, 62 F-16C/D, 21 F-15E, 13 F-15C/D, 14 C-130H transport aircraft, 14 KC-135 tanker aircraft and other aerial platforms are planned to be decommissioned.

At the same time, the Pentagon intends to cancel the program for the purchase of Boeing E-7 Wedgetail long-range radar detection and control aircraft due to significant delays in development, rising costs and doubts about the survival of the device in the face of modern combat threats. Instead, it is planned to strengthen purchases of E-2D Hawkeye carrier-based aircraft and develop space surveillance systems.

The cancellation of the E-7 Wedgetail program and the accelerated decommissioning of the A-10 reflect the U.S. Air Force's strategic shift toward fleet modernization and a shift toward new technologies, despite criticism and concerns about possible gaps in air control and troop support capabilities.