Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko has named the commander of the Ukrainian National Gurard, General Stepan Poltorak, as the country's new defence minister ahead of 26 October national parliamentary elections.
Although there are valid reasons from a military perspective for Gen Poltorak being
Analysis: Ukraine appoints new defence minister
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UK Voyager refuels USMC Harriers for first time
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) recently refuelled United States Marine Corps (USMC) McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II combat aircraft for the first time using its Airbus Defence and Space (DS) Voyager KC3 tanker-transport aircraft.
In the event, announced by the AirTanker consortium on 15 October, a
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AUSA 2014: US Army preps Apaches for sea-basing
The US Army is preparing its Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters for combat in a maritime environment as the US continues its 'pivot to Asia', a top army official said on 13 October at the Association of the US Army's annual conference in Washington.
"We'll extend the radar and we will also
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Afghanistan to weaponise MD 530F helos
The Afghan Air Force (AAF) is to arm its MD Helicopters Inc (MDHI) MD 530F helicopters to give them a dual role as both training and close-support platforms, the company confirmed to IHS Jane's on 15 October.
The five helicopters currently in service (six were delivered in 2011, but one was lost to
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Venezuela stands up seventh air defence brigade
Venezuela's Integral Air Defence Command (CODAI) has established a new air defence brigade, according to the edition of Venezuela's Official Gazette published on 6 October.
CODAI reports directly to the National Armed Forces' Strategic Operational Command (CEOFAN).
The 79 Air Defence Brigade 'Los
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Pentagon signs new F135 engine deal
Key Points
Pratt & Whitney has signed a deal worth USD591.9 million for a seventh batch of F-35 propulsion systems
A joint investigation team has reaffirmed the identified root cause of a 23 June engine fire
The Pentagon has concluded negotiations with Pratt & Whitney for a seventh batch
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Mexican Navy to establish armament modernisation, upgrade centre
The Mexican Ministry of the Navy (SEMAR) has announced a MXN117.8 million (USD8.7 million) project to establish the Centro de Modernizacion y Desarrollo de Armamento (Armament Modernization and Development Centre: CEMODARM), according to a document published by the Mexican Ministry of the Treasury
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FAB approves EC725 offset transfers
The Combat Aircraft Programme Co-ordinating Commission (COPAC), run by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), has approved recent technology transfers that fall in line with the offset requirement for the procurement of 50 Airbus Helicopter EC725 medium multi-role helicopters for the armed forces.
The
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EU working to outsource medical, logistics support for military missions
European Union (EU) military planners are looking towards outsourcing some medical, logistical, and support functions for EU-led military and civil security missions as part of efforts to make them more efficient and to capitalise on recent planning concepts.
Although outsourcing to third-party
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China building 10,000-tonne coastguard cutters
China is building two large coastguard ships with displacements estimated to be 10,000 tonnes, Chinese military news websites reported on 13 October.
The ships are under construction at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai and will be by far the largest coastguard vessels to enter Chinese service. The
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Canadian CF-18 upgrades could delay F-35 buys
Canada plans to upgrade and continue using its legacy McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet combat aircraft, while postponing a final decision on Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter acquisition, officials have said.
A Department of National Defence official told reporters in late
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Brazilian MoD receives offers to rebuild Antarctic base
The Brazilian Ministry of Defence has received offers for a USD110 million project to rebuild the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station (EACF,) according to information published by the Brazilian government on 9 October.
The Brazilian Navy-run EACF was significantly damaged in a February 2012 fire
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USN to deploy first five E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes in 2015
Key Points
USN's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye achieves Initial Operational Capability
E-2D successfully conducts aerial refueling capability PDR in September
The US Navy's (USN's) latest variant of the E-2 airborne early warning aircraft, the Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, is now operationally
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USN bolsters Laser Maverick stockpile
Key Points
The USN is purchasing more AGM-65E2/L laser-guided Maverick close-air-support missiles
The out-of-production laser-guided Maverick was recently reconstituted by the USAF as a result of operational experience during Operation 'Iraqi Freedom'
The US Navy (USN) has awarded Raytheon a
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UK to deploy Reaper UAVs to fight Islamic State in Iraq
The United Kingdom is to deploy an undisclosed number of General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Iraq as part of its ongoing efforts to combat Islamic State.
The turboprop aircraft will be transferred from their current theatre in southern Afghanistan to a base of operations
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Japan reports record number of interceptions of Chinese, Russian aircraft
Japan launched a record number of scrambles to intercept Russian and Chinese aircraft operating over adjacent waters in the six months to 30 September.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) launched 533 interceptions in the first half of fiscal year 2014 (FY 2014), compared with 308 in the first
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Iranian support for Iraqi militias becomes increasingly apparent
Key Points
The presence of Iranian 12.7 mm rifles and jeeps suggest Iraqi militias are now extensively armed by Iran
Qods Force commander Brig Gen Soleimani has also been photographed with some of Iraq's Shia and Kurdish militias
A growing number of Iraqi militias have been seen using
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Europe's willingness to strike Islamic State in Syria clouded by legal concerns
Europe's willingness to use military power against Islamic State is converging with that of the United States according to EU officials, although they warn there is no consensus - or agreed legal basis across the 28 EU nations - for carrying the battle against Islamic State onto Syrian soil.
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USN commissions aviation-centric amphibious assault ship
The US Navy (USN) has commissioned a new amphibious assault ship that will operate the US Marine Corps' (USMC's) most advanced fleet of fixed-wing, tilt-rotor, and rotary-wing aircraft.
Optimised to operate the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and the MV-22 Osprey, USS America (LHA 6)
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Russia's Rostec and China's CASC sign collaboration accord
Russian Technologies (Rostec), the holding group for Russia's defence industry, and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) have signed an accord to promote trade and collaboration in advanced technologies, the two state-owned groups have announced.
Official statements said
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