UK ministers have cut some GBP1.4 billion (USD2.1 billion) from its 10-year defence procurement spending plans and re-allocated spending from logistic support budgets to bolster new equipment purchasing, according to the country's spending watchdog, which brands the move a "high-risk
UK cuts support spending to boost naval and land projects
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Romania pledges to spend 2% GDP on defence by 2017
Romania will increase its defence spending to 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2017, with an agreement signed by all of the country's parliamentary parties on 13 January.
The proposal was made by Romanian president Klaus Iohannis, who, in an official statement on 12 January, firmly pointed to
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STRATCOM seeks to sustain, modernise arsenal
Key Points
STRATCOM's commander wants to balance investments among sensors and communications as well as weapons platforms and sustainment
The new LRS-B is expected to be featured in FY 2016 acquisition plans
US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) is seeking to balance sustainment and modernisation
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Slovakia considering US Black Hawk offer
The Slovak Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seriously considering an offer proposed by the US government to procure nine Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk medium transport helicopters worth EUR300 million (USD353 million) from the US Department of Defense (DoD) via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
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ReCAAP calls for co-ordinated patrols in South China Sea following piracy spike
Key Points
South China Sea faces enduring maritime security risks as piracy, oil siphoning hotspot
Co-ordinated patrols could be hampered by political sensitivities of littoral states
The Regional Co-operation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) has
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Indian government lifts Tatra Trucks embargo
The Indian government has invited Czech truck manufacturer Tatra to resume supplying spare parts for its vehicles in service with the country's armed forces following a ban imposed in 2012.
The ban was a result of procurement irregularity allegations involving Indian state-owned defence firm BEML
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India shifts procurement funds to cover armed forces' operating costs
India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently moved around INR130 billion (USD2.16 billion) from funds earmarked for military acquisitions and modernisation to instead meet rising operating expenses.
Official sources said each of the three services would contribute around INR45 billion to this overall
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Hagel decries 'budget uncertainty' in farewell speech
The US military's biggest challenge is currently the "uncertainty" surrounding its future budget prospects and whether funding caps will remain in place, outgoing US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said during a 15 January farewell speech.
When asked what is "the biggest challenge
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BAE conducts APKWS Australia flight tests, signs fresh DoD deal
Key Points
APKWS flight test completed in Australia, DoD contract signed
Australia could sign FMS this year, other Tiger operators seen as potential customers
BAE Systems has concluded a successful flight test for its advanced precision kill weapon systems (APKWS) programme in Australia and has
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US Navy to begin LRIP talks for CH-53K helo
The US Navy (USN) is to begin negotiations with Sikorsky for the low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter, the service disclosed on 8 January.
According to a notice posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website, Lots 1 and 2 will be negotiated for
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Iraq receives Bulgarian D-20 guns
The Iraqi Ministry of Defence (MoD) unveiled, on 13 January, one of the 152 mm D-20 artillery pieces that were recently delivered from Bulgaria.
In a video released by the MoD, a Bulgarian diplomat said that a total of 18 D-20s had been delivered.
Bulgaria announced in September that it had
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Australia upgrading C-130s, modifying pilot training
Upgrades to the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF's) 12-strong fleet of C-130J-30 tactical transports are being progressed in parallel with changes in aircrew training intended to provide the government with a broader range of combat-focused options.
Air Commodore Warren McDonald, commander of the
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Update: Libyan militia purportedly uses Camcopter in operation against strategic air base
This story has been updated with information from Schiebel.
Images of a remotely piloted helicopter that crashed in western Libya suggest one of the country's armed groups is operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that was supplied to an elite Ghadaffi-era unit in 2008.
Photographs and a video
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Switzerland orders Leguan armoured bridge layers
Switzerland has ordered 12 Leguan Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridges (AVLBs) from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW).
Speaking to IHS Jane's on 16 January, a spokesperson for the Swiss defence procurement agency (Armasuisse) stated that the contract was valued at CHF179 million (USD204 million).
The Swiss
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Surface Navy 2015: USN designates modified LCS as a frigate
Key Points
The FF designation will delineate LCS hulls that have been up-gunned and up-armoured
Navy officials are still determining a possible new designation for the remaining LCS
The US Navy (USN) has decided to classify its upgraded fast, shallow-water Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) as a frigate
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Peru orders additional C-27J transports
The Peruvian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea del Perú - FAP) has signed for a further two Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan tactical airlifters under a USD100 million deal announced on 15 January.
The deal, which was signed on 31 December 2014, includes spares and support and will see deliveries
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Northrop Grumman signs major ICBM support contract as Boeing studies award challenge
Key Points
Northrop Grumman has received a five-year Minuteman III ground subsystems contract
Boeing is studying a potential challenge of the award
The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract worth up to USD963.5 million for the support of Minuteman III intercontinental
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New head of UAC viewed as power shift in Russia's defence industry
Russia's United Aircraft Building Corporation (UAC) has a new CEO as of 16 January, with Mikhail Pogosian resigning his position (as previously reported by IHS Jane's ) and being replaced by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Yuri Slyusar.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (Minpromtorg or MPT)
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Elbit to create next-generation Israeli Ground Forces C4I system
Key Points
Elbit Systems is playing a central role in the Israeli Ground Forces' digitalisation programme
The IDF's ultimate aim is to allow all of its units to communicate with each other in real time
Israel's Ministry of Defense awarded Elbit Systems a USD117 million contract to provide the
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USAF T-X to herald more cost-conscious acquisitions
Key Points
T-X is to be the first USAF acquisition under an experimental plan to speed procurement and reign in cost
The USAF wants industry to present cost-capability tradeoff options early in process
The US Air Force's (USAF's) jet trainer replacement (T-X) for the Northrop T-38 Talon will be
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