Key Points
The Philippines receives four AgustaWestland AW109 Power helicopters for its navy and air force
The aircraft are currently undergoing assembly before commencing flight tests
The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) has taken delivery of four AgustaWestland AW109 Power
Philippines takes delivery of AW109 helicopters for navy, air force
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Pentagon reveals European force cuts but adds F-35s at RAF Lakenheath
The US Department of Defense (DoD) has announced further force reductions in Europe but also revealed plans to base two Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadrons at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom from 2020.
Consolidation of some US infrastructure in Europe, part of the
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Pakistan and Afghanistan display rare co-operation in hunt for TTP leader
The Pakistan Army and the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have established a rare level of co-operation in seeking to track down Maulana Fazlullah, head of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in a sign of converging bilateral security interests.
Signs of growing cooperation on this front
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Libyan Air Force increases pressure on opponents
The Libyan Air Force has emerged as a key asset that is being used to pressure the groups that oppose the country's internationally recognised government.
The remnants of the Ghadaffi-era air force operate as part of the Libyan National Army (LNA): an alliance of military units and militias
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India extends helicopter RfI deadlines again
India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has repeatedly extended the deadline for local manufacturers to respond to its requests for information (RfIs) to build naval utility helicopters (NUH) and reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters (RSH) for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF).
Industry
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IAF unveils UAV performance monitoring system
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has a new monitoring system designed to track the performance of its Heron 1 and Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Due to become fully operational in the coming months, the system will build up a detailed database of the UAVs' flight statistics, such as speed,
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Brazil announces new top military chiefs
Brazil's three armed forces chiefs, appointed in 2007 by former head-of-state Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, are to soon be replaced, the Brazilian presidency announced on 7 January.
General Eduardo Villas Bôas was chosen to head the army, Admiral Eduardo Bacellar Leal Ferreira the navy, and
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Oman increases defence budget despite low oil prices
Oman has announced a 2.7% increase in its defence and security budget for 2015. Under the new budget, related expenditure will increase to OMR3.8 billion (USD9.9 billion) despite earlier suggestions of potential cuts to related spending.
According to the budget, released by the Ministry of Finance
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Update: Nigeria reportedly takes delivery of 'Super Hinds'
The upgraded 'Super Hinds' that a defence blog reported to have been delivered to Nigeria appear to be refurbished Algerian attack helicopters.
The Beegeagle's Blog, which follows the Nigerian military, announced on 2 January that Nigeria had received two Mi-35P attack helicopters that had been
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Lockheed Martin seeks to expand extended-range THAAD effort
Editor's note: this story was updated from a previous version to reflect MDA's comments on the programme and clarify a misstatement from Lockheed Martin.
Lockheed Martin is advancing work on an extended-range (ER) variant of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).
The heavier THAAD-ER
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Japan's ATD-X first flight delayed by software glitch
Japan's Advanced Technology Demonstrator-X (ATD-X) fighter test platform will not fly until at least late 2015 due to issues with the software that controls automatic engine restarts, according to officials at the country's Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The first test flight was scheduled to take
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Iraqi train and equip programme gets under way
US-led efforts to train and to retrain and equip Iraqi government and Kurdish forces formally got under way in late December after Congress approved the proposed overseas contingency operations budget for 2015.
Following the approval, 320 personnel from a US Marine Corps Special Purpose Air-Ground
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Carter's confirmation hearing for top DoD post expected in February
The White House's nominee to become the next secretary of defence, Ashton Carter, began preparing for his confirmation process as his hearing appears slated for February.
"The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Dr Ashton Carter to be [the US]
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Analysis: South Korean White Paper undermines reports of resurgent North Korean air force
Key Points
South Korea's latest Defence White Paper contradicts recent news reports claiming that North Korea's air force had grown in the past year
In recent months North Korean media had highlighted Kim Jong-un's interest in the air force but sanctions are likely to impede any ambitions to
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Lockheed Martin outlines MEADS opportunities in Poland and Germany
The Lockheed Martin-led Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) consortium has outlined plans to reposition itself for opportunities in Germany and Poland in 2015 having suffered setbacks in both countries during the previous year.
Lockheed Martin described MEADS in a 7 January statement as a
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Turkey advances TFX fighter project, orders new rifles, more F-35s, CH-47s
Key Points
Turkey has decided to advance its TFX indigenous fighter programme, begin series production of its indigenous MPT-76 service rifle, commit to four more F-35s, and to order five additional CH-47s
However, the country has postponed making a final decision on its controversial USD4 billion
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Russia orders new Il-96 tanker aircraft
Russia has ordered two Ilyushin Il-96-400TZ air-to-air refuelling aircraft from United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced.
The contract is notable as it marks the first time that Russia will convert one of its civilian wide-bodied airliners into a
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Iran begins mass production of Saeghe fighter
Iran has begun mass production of the Saeghe (Thunderbolt) indigenously developed combat aircraft, state media announced on 7 January.
Quoting an Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) spokesperson, the Fars News Agency reported that the country now has 'several squadrons' of the Northrop F-5E
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USN to pursue new radar for carriers, amphibious ships
Key Points
The USN is chasing a new, more affordable radar for its Ford-class carriers
A request for proposals for the EASR is expected in the March timeframe
The US Navy (USN) is working its way through specifications for a new radar intended to help reduce costs on new construction
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Update: Russia to develop new defence plan for 2016-2020 by end of the year
The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to develop a new defence plan for 2016-2020 and get it signed off by President Vladimir Putin by December 2015, according to remarks made by Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu on 19 December.
The implementation of the State Armament Program (Russian
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