Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall plan first ATACMS missile production in Europe

Denmark and Greenland have confirmed that the security agreement being drafted with the United States will not affect the sovereignty or territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, after President Donald Trump said the deal would give the US a long-term controlling role in Greenland's security. The agreement will open the way for the US military to significantly expand its role and presence in Greenland, while imposing restrictions to prevent countries the US regards as rivals from establishing military bases or investing in ventures deemed sensitive without US approval. The US already holds rights to overflight, access and basing in Greenland under an agreement dating from 1951, and the new deal will upgrade those rights to a more permanent character, covering restrictions on non-NATO countries establishing bases in Greenland as well as screening of certain types of investment. A formal signing is expected during next week's United Nations General Assembly. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stressed that the agreement still affirms sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of Greenland's people to determine their own future. NATO said it welcomed the agreement, seeing it as helping to strengthen security, stability and cooperation in the Arctic region. Earlier, the European Union announced a 200 million euro investment plan for Greenland, or about 232 million US dollars, focused on critical minerals, satellite communications and renewable energy, and offered to raise its support budget for Greenland over the 2028-2036 period to 530 million euros, up from 225 million euros under the current budget framework.

The US State Department has approved a proposed military arms sale to Ukraine worth up to $2.7 billion, according to a notification to Congress on the evening of Friday, September 18. The package covers upgrades to air defense systems, weapons and equipment, as well as related equipment and services, including S-300 replica missiles, GAM-67 missiles, longer-range laser-guided rockets, launcher modification kits and mobile firing systems, and counter-drone radars. However, the proposal still requires congressional review, and no final agreement has been reached. If the sale is completed, Ukraine will use funding from European countries together with the US Foreign Military Financing budget, which was allocated during the administration of former US President Joe Biden. The State Department said US funding for this sale will be counted as a contribution to the Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund under a one-to-one reimbursement agreement; the fund was established under a minerals agreement signed by the United States and Ukraine last year. The proposed arms sale comes as the administration of President Donald Trump seeks to shift more of the cost of supporting Ukraine onto European countries. Earlier in September, Trump said he would ask European countries to reimburse the United States for military aid and ammunition it had previously delivered to Ukraine. It also follows Trump's signing of legislation on Friday aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Trump had pledged to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine after taking office early last year, but fighting continues even after the first 20 months of his presidency.

Boeing has secured regulatory relief to continue selling 777F freighters and gained approval as prime contractor for a US$5.75 billion JDAM-ER munitions package to Saudi Arabia. The FAA waiver covers 35 extra 777F sales, extending a profitable widebody program at a time when free cash flow is constrained by 737 and 787 production issues. Separately, AerSale Corporation previously announced the lease of a Boeing 757-200PCF freighter to Kazakhstan-based Jupiter Jet. Together, the freight and defense developments help offset pressure from ongoing 737 and 787 production challenges, though they do not fully counter the key near-term catalyst of stabilizing 737 output or the biggest risk around cash generation and high debt. Investors are also watching the unresolved risk of a possible SPEEA strike and its potential impact on cash flow.