The United States and United Kingdom have both released reports accusing the Syrian military of using chemical weapons (CW) in the Damascus area on 21 August, but neither expressed any certainty about why the attacks were ordered.
The US report, released on 30 August, said a combination of human,
Rationale behind Syrian chemical attack still unclear
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Chinese media touts fifth-gen J-31 as F-35 competitor
A state-controlled media outlet in China has been talking up the capabilities of the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's new fifth-generation fighter, referring to the aircraft as the 'J-31' and claiming it will rival the US-designed Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in future markets.
Although
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Belgium takes over Baltic air-policing mission
The Belgian Air Component will assume responsibility for the NATO Baltic air-policing mission on 3 September.
Four Belgian Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon combat aircraft arrived at Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania on 2 September. Responsibility for the policing mission rotates every four
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Australian defence SMEs fear for future
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Australia's defence sector are concerned that their future is in jeopardy without the government substantially increasing locally awarded contracts, a local defence industry organisation has claimed.
The Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN) - an
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Airbus Military returns second L-159T1 to Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has received a second Aero Vodochody L-159T1 two-seater jet trainer aircraft back as compensation from Airbus Military, the Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 30 August.
The return is a form of compensation payment from Airbus Military over delays to the Slovak Air
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Xi visit adds weight to Chinese carrier plans
China will have "more aircraft carriers", according to a 29 August Chinese state media report quoting Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun.
Answering questions at a press conference, Yang was quoted as saying China would "comprehensively consider the development of aircraft
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USAF enters next stage of 3DELRR long-range radar contract
Key Points The USAF is planning to issue an RfP for 3DELRR in the fourth quarter of FY13 The three competitors for 3DELRR recently demonstrated their technologies at Hanscom AFB in Massachusetts
The three companies competing to provide a new generation of long-range radars to replace Northrop
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UK PAC raises carrier concerns
The UK's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier programme has come under strong criticism from an influential parliamentary committee, in a report released on 3 September.
Despite first of class Queen Elizabeth being scheduled for launch next year, the programme's contract is "not fit for
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Patria acquires Insta DefSec's waveform business
Finland's Patria will expand its data link business through the acquisition of Finnish networking technology company Insta DefSec's waveform business, the companies announced on 2 September.
The move will consolidate Finnish data link expertise under Patria, who said the purpose of the transaction
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NATO head convinced Assad is responsible for chemical weapons use
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says he has been shown enough evidence to convince him that the Syrian government was responsible for chemical attacks in the Damascus suburbs on 21 August.
However, he also said NATO's command and control (C2) assets and other capabilities would not be
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Mexican Army announces increased DN-XI production
The Mexican Secretariat of National Defence (SEDENA) has invested MXN81 million (USD6 million) to double its engineering and manufacturing capabilities and increase DN-XI tactical armoured vehicle production to 200 platforms annually, SEDENA announced in an annual report published on 1 September.
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Japanese MoD requests USD55 million for first flight of ATD-X prototype
The Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) has requested about JPY5.5 billion (USD55.6 million) for the Advanced Technology Demonstrator-X (ATD-X) programme to build a prototype stealth fighter to replace the Mitsubishi F-2s operated by the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF). A first test flight of
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Indian Air Force inducts first three C-17s into service
Key Points The IAF formally inducted into service its first three Boeing C-17 airlifters on 2 September As well as inducting new aircraft such as C-17s and C-130J-30s into service, the IAF is also upgrading its older air transport platforms
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on 2 September formally
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Denel eyes command-and-control market
Denel, South Africa's state-owned defence group, has decided to enter the command-and-control (C2) market, with a government mandate to become the key C2 systems integrator in the country.
The decision is in line with a recommendation contained in the draft South African Defence Review - now in its
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Congress begins deliberations on 'authorising' military force against Syria
Key Points Senators could vote on military force against Syria as soon as 5 September Such authorisation may seek to bar the use of ground troops
US President Barack Obama has asked Congress for an Authorisation for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Syria in response to an alleged chemical
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Chinese rotary-wing plans spur rise in stature of PLA Army Aviation forces
Revelations about China's advanced rotary-wing research programmes potentially point to the Army Aviation forces of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) becoming one of the world's most technically advanced combat units.
A 28 August article on the website of the China Helicopter Research Institute
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Canada issues draft RfP for new fixed-wing SAR aircraft
The Canadian government has issued a draft request for proposals (RfP) for its Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) requirement for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
The draft RfP, which was released by Public Works and Government Services Canada on 30 August, is the final step in the
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US government approves IFF system for missile defence
Key Points The US government has approved US forces' use of a new IFF system developed as part of MEADS The system is used in conjunction with fire control and surveillance radars to track incoming airborne threats
The US government has approved the use of a new system to track friendly and hostile
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Tawazun merges Caracal, Tawazun Advanced Defence Systems
The UAE's Tawazun Holdings announced on 3 September it had merged two of its firearms businesses.
The move will consolidate the two major firearms manufacturers under the Caracal International brand to produce a range of pistols, sporting rifles, sniper rifles, and light weapons for military, law
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South Korea receives tenth PKX FAC
The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) has taken delivery of its tenth Gumdoksuri-class (PKX) fast attack craft (FAC), South Korea's Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) announced on 2 September.
Built by STX Shipbuilding at its yard in Jinhae, South Korea, Raeham Imbyeong will join its
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