Weekly Brief

Welcome to this week’s Weekly Brief. This past week, Europe sees a new munitions plant, Türkiye boosts air defences, India and Japan deepen security ties, Iran sanctions are revisited, Ukraine leverages battlefield data, Thailand’s PM is dismissed, and China hosts the SCO summit.

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China hosts largest SCO summit as leaders address security and trade

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and “SCO Plus” meeting are being held on 31 August–1 September in Tianjin, China, amid tensions including the Israeli war on Gaza, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and US–China–India tariff disputes. Chinese President Xi Jinping, as rotating chair, is hosting the largest SCO summit to date, attended by leaders including Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Shehbaz Sharif.

The SCO, now comprising 10 members, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners, covers 42% of the global population and 17.5% of world trade. The Tianjin summit will approve a 10-year strategy, the Tianjin Declaration, and agreements on security, trade, energy, and cultural cooperation. Xi will hold bilateral talks with several leaders and host a military parade on 3 September to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra becomes fifth Thai leader in 17 years dismissed by court

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for ethics violations linked to a leaked call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, in which she criticised Thailand’s military before last month’s border clashes that killed over 30 and displaced 300,000. Paetongtarn, 39, the country’s youngest premier, is the fifth leader in 17 years removed by the court. 

Her suspension in July triggered coalition strains, protests, and the withdrawal of the second-largest party. Parliament must now form a new government, with Pheu Thai’s Chaikasem Nitisiri, 77, considered a candidate despite health concerns. The ruling dissolves the cabinet, deepening political uncertainty amid slowing growth and US tariff pressures.

Ukraine explores battlefield data as strategic asset for allies

Ukraine is considering how to share its extensive battlefield data with international partners, Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told Reuters, describing the datasets as “priceless” and emphasising a cautious approach. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Kyiv has gathered detailed combat statistics and millions of hours of drone footage, used to train AI systems for pattern analysis, autonomous drone operations, and military planning.

Fedorov said Ukraine is developing fully autonomous swarming drones and uses AI from US firm Palantir for attack assessments, demining, and infrastructure protection. Defence companies have submitted nearly 1,000 applications to test technologies in Ukraine. A points-based system has distributed around 500,000 drones, expanding the frontline “kill zone” to 15 km, with plans to extend it to 20 km within a year.

UK, France and Germany move to restore UN sanctions on Iran

The UK, France, and Germany have triggered the UN “snapback” mechanism to reimpose sanctions on Iran, lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, citing Tehran’s non-compliance. The process gives the Security Council 30 days to decide whether to continue sanctions relief.

In a letter, the European states said Iran’s stockpiling of highly enriched uranium had “no civilian justification” and posed a security threat. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Tehran had made “no substantive effort” to meet conditions for extended relief.

Iran rejected the move as unlawful and “provocative,” while remaining open to negotiations if approached in good faith. The United States welcomed the snapback, pledging to cooperate with the E3 and remain available for talks. Concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme persist.

India–Japan deepen security and tech ties; France–Germany agree energy pact

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed in Tokyo to expand cooperation in defence, technology, and trade. Plans include strengthening Indo-Pacific security, reinforcing supply chains, and collaboration on AI, space, and high-speed rail. Japan pledged around 10 trillion yen (£54bn) in private investment for India, with both leaders reaffirming support for a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”

In Europe, France and Germany announced closer cooperation on energy and climate policy at a Franco-German Council in Toulon. President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz backed new cross-border power and hydrogen projects, and pledged to align regulations, cut energy costs, and coordinate climate targets. Wider collaboration will extend to defence, industry, and digital policy.

Türkiye expands domestic air defence amid regional instability

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has inaugurated Türkiye’s new integrated air defence system, the Steel Dome, at the Ankara facilities of defence firm Aselsan. First announced in 2024, the project links land- and sea-based missile platforms with radar systems to strengthen national airspace protection. The latest phase includes 47 vehicles worth around $460m, though no timeline for full deployment has been given. 

Erdoğan emphasised the importance of domestic defence production amid regional instability and recent conflicts in Syria, Ukraine, and the Middle East. Following its removal from the US-led F-35 programme after purchasing Russia’s S-400 system in 2019, Türkiye has prioritised developing homegrown defence technology. Additional Aselsan facilities are expected to open in 2026.

German arms firm opens Europe’s largest munitions plant

German defence company Rheinmetall has opened Europe’s largest munitions facility in Unterlüß, northern Germany. Covering 30,000 m², the plant is expected to produce up to 350,000 artillery shells annually by 2027.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the facility as “crucial” for European security and support for Ukraine, noting that artillery production across Europe is now six times higher than in 2022. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said increased industrial capacity is essential for NATO’s European and transatlantic commitments.

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger highlighted the rapid 14-month construction, backed by record government orders including an €8.5 bn 2024 contract. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to build Europe’s strongest conventional army, with defence spending projected at €162 bn by 2029. Papperger also signed a €550 m deal with Romania, and Germany’s cabinet advanced measures to boost recruitment.

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