Key Points DARPA has built a new telescope to detect small objects in deep space The Space Surveillance Telescope will move to Australia in 2014
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is moving ahead with plans to bring to Australia in 2014 a new telescope to detect objects in
US to move space telescope to Australia in 2014
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Update: RAN receives first two MH-60R helos
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) formally accepted its first two Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky MH-60R maritime helicopters on 10 December.
The handover, which took place at Lockheed Martin's facility in Owego, New York, marks the beginning of a delivery process that will see 24 such helicopters handed
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South Korea urges vigilance following North Korean purge
The demise of a key North Korean political figure could destabilise the Korean peninsula, officials in Seoul have said, and is a sign that the Kim family is closing ranks to strengthen the position of leader Kim Jong-un.
"North Korea is currently engaged in a reign of terror while carrying out
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South Korea eyes Latin American market via Peru
South Korea's defence co-operation agreements with Peru are progressing at a steady pace after Peruvian Minister of Defence Pedro Cateriano visited Korean Aerospace Industries' facilities in the Republic of Korea during late November to supervise construction of the first two KT-1P basic trainers.
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Saudi Arabia requests wireless TOW for national guard
Saudi Arabia has requested the sale of nearly 15,000 Raytheon TOW wireless anti-tank missiles for its national guard and another 1,750 of the wire-guided version for its army, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 5 December.
The proposed deal for the Saudi Arabia National
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PLA trials 'training ship' with potential amphibious capabilities
The People's Liberation Army's (PLA's) ground forces recently began trials of a new small multirole support ship, which along with the PLA Navy's (PLAN's) testing of its new Zubr-class hovercraft, suggest the development of a growing capability to contest disputed islands in the East and South China
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India to shortly deliver new helos to Afghanistan
India is to deliver two Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) HSA 315B Cheetah/Cheetal utility helicopters to Afghanistan in January, regional media reported on 11 December.
The new-build helicopters, which will be used for observation and reconnaissance purposes, are being supplied to the Afghan Air
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Budget deal would ease sequestration for DoD
Bipartisan negotiators from the House and Senate budget committees have reached a deal that would ease the effect of sequestration on US military funding over the next two years.
The budget proposal would grant an increase in discretionary spending for Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) and FY15 by raising
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Bradley conversion work offers hope as BAE Systems announces layoffs
Amid announcements of further job cuts at BAE Systems' York, Pennsylvania, vehicle factory, the US Army has revealed plans to award a sole-source contract to the company for accelerated conversion of 150 Bradley Fighting Vehicles from cavalry to infantry configurations.
Announced via the US Federal
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Bolivia begins armed forces expansion, modernisation
The Bolivian Congress on 6 December authorised the expansion of the armed forces by 9,243 troops, raising the military's personnel by more than 30% from 29,278 to 38,521.
The army will expand by 5,476, the navy by 1,706, and the air force by 2,061. The expansion will require an increase of BOB2.2
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Australia extends Afghan service for Heron UAVs
The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) is to extend the presence of its Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Afghanistan through to mid-2014, it announced on 11 December.
With the Australian Defence Force (ADF) set to
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SecNav Mabus, lawmakers slam US reticence on budgetary challenges
Key Points Pro-defence lawmakers are criticising peers in Congress over their approach to financial matters Despite the frustrations, some voiced guarded optimism that a budget solution and authorisation bill will come through
Showing signs of frustration and weariness with the US federal budget
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Russia to develop new lightweight fighter aircraft
Russia is to develop a new lightweight fighter aircraft to serve as a force multiplier to the fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA, a senior government official disclosed on 11 December.
Designed to be cheaper to develop, manufacture, procure, operate, and sustain than the PAK-FA, the new fighter is
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Putin addresses expanded Ministry of Defence board meeting
President Vladimir Putin emphasised potential threats to Russia, the success of surprise inspections, and weapons delivery plans in 2014 in his opening remarks before an expanded Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) board meeting on 10 December.
The board is a 20-member leadership group including the
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Norway approves additional F-35s
Norway has authorised the procurement of a further six Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters, bringing the country's commitment up to 16 aircraft.
Parliament's approval of the additional jets, which came on 11 December, is valued at NKR7.38 billion (USD1.23 billion) and will see
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Iraq orders South Korean FA-50 trainer and light fighter aircraft
Iraq is to field the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 Fighting Eagle armed trainer aircraft under a USD2.1 billion deal disclosed on 12 December.
The Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) will receive 24 FA-50s (to be designated T-50IQ in Iraqi service) valued at USD1.1 billion, with deliveries scheduled to
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Indian Air Force retires last MiG-21FL squadron
The Indian Air Force (IAF) retired its last squadron of 15 Soviet-era MiG-21FL (Type 77) fighters at Kalaikunda air base in eastern India on 11 December, after nearly five decades of operational service.
The MiG-21FLs entered IAF service from 1965 onwards and were India's first supersonic combat
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French face limited resistance in CAR
The French intervention in the Central African Republic (CAR) is generally facing limited resistance, despite the death of the two soldiers on 8 December.
Operation 'Sangaris' was launched on 5 December to stabilise the CAR and facilitate a new African Union peacekeeping mission.
Just before
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F-35 completes Block 2B weapon accuracy trials
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter passed its latest milestone with the final weapon delivery accuracy test for a Block 2B munition, it was announced on 11 December.
The 6 December drop, which took place at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base in
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EADS still making case for Typhoon in Seoul
EADS continues to make the case in Seoul for the selection of the Eurofighter Typhoon for South Korea's FX-III programme.
Peter Maute, senior vice president of Eurofighter sales, told reporters on 11 December that a split buy of 40 "stable" Typhoons followed by the purchase of 20 Lockheed
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