Key Points
The USAF's F-35A has reached its IOC milestone
The aircraft can now be sent into combat if it is needed
The US Air Force (USAF) on 2 August said that its Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter had reached initial operational capability (IOC).
"I am proud to
USAF says F-35A combat-ready
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Vietnamese amphibious force trains 'island recapture'
The naval infantry force of the Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) has conducted an exercise simulating the recapture of an island: a drill that seems to underscore Hanoi's concern about China's growing assertiveness and military build-up in the disputed South China Sea (SCS).
Footage from the exercise
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Israel unveils first wheeled APC
The Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) unveiled the Eitan 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) that will eventually be developed into a family of vehicles that will replace many of its legacy tracked M113s.
The Eitan will weigh 30-35 tonnes, have a 750 hp engine, and be able to reach speeds
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US donates three Mobile Emergency Operation Centres to Uruguay
US Southern Command and US Embassy Montevideo's Office of Defense Cooperation on 2 August donated three Chilcott Inc Mobile Emergency Operation Centre (MERC) units to assist with peacekeeping deployments.
The estimated USD800,000 donation is meant to boost Uruguay's communication capabilities
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US approves Beechcraft T-6C+ Texan II sale to Argentina
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of up to 24 Beechcraft T-6C+ Texan II turboprop trainer/light attack aircraft to Argentina, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 3 August.
The estimated USD300 million sale aims to replace the Argentine
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South Korean defence trader Posco Daewoo wants to expand in Indonesia
South Korean group Posco Daewoo, formerly the Daewoo International Corporation, has outlined an objective to expand defence collaboration with Indonesian industry.
The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 3 August that it had discussed potential collaborative programmes with Posco Daewoo
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Rio Santiago shipyard constructs training vessels for Argentine Navy
The Astillero Rio Santiago (ARS) shipyard has begun building two training vessels for the Argentine Navy, with the first scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2017 and an ultimate objective of building six.
The vessels, dubbed Lancha de Instrucción de Cadetes de la Armada (LICA), will
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IDF introducing new artillery doctrine
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Artillery Corps is in the process of introducing a new tactical doctrine that combines short bursts of shell fire with guided surface-to-surface missiles.
Speaking on 2 August, Colonel Rami Habudraham, the commander of the Flame of Fire Artillery Brigade, said his
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China's defence minister calls for 'preparedness' for possible 'war at sea'
Chinese defence minister Chang Wanquan has warned of "offshore security threats" and called on the military, police, and general population to prepare for mobilisation to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity in the event of a "people's war at sea", Xinhua news
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Bolivian Armed Forces demonstrate new tactics in joint exercise
A long-awaited military exercise was conducted by the Bolivian Armed Forces in central Bolivia, 129 km from the city of Cochabamba, and displayed a new training concept implemented last year.
Operation 'Estamos Juntos /Khuska Kasanca 2016' ran 1-4 August and emphasised service interoperability in
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India to acquire three Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates from Russia
Russia will supply three Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356M) frigates to India that were originally intended for the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet, according to a source in the Russian defence industry.
"The relevant concealed agreement has been achieved, and India will receive the
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DSIC launches second Type 052D destroyer
The Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) launched its second Luyang III-class (Type 052D) destroyer on 3 August. The first vessel of its type to be built in Dalian is currently being fitted out and a third one is on the slipway.
Jiangnan Changxingdao, the principle construction yard for the
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China's third aircraft carrier likely to be fitted with catapults
A photograph has emerged on Chinese online forums showing that China's land-based aircraft carrier mock-up in Wuhan, Hubei Province, is undergoing modifications.
These are likely to reflect changes between China's first indigenous aircraft carrier, the Type 001A, which is currently being built at
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US Navy to replace unpopular blue camouflage uniforms
The US Navy (USN) will phase out its much-maligned Navy Working Uniform (NWU) Type I and move to the NWU Type III as the primary shore working uniform beginning 1 October, the service announced on 4 August.
NWU Type I is often mocked by sailors as 'aquaflage' or 'blueberries' due to the deep blue
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Russian MoD slams published numbers on Kalibr missile pricing
Key Points
The Russian MoD has criticised figures in the Russian press relating to the cost of Moscow's cruise missile strikes into Syria
A lack of transparency regarding Russian defence programmes is making analysing them increasingly difficult
The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has hit back
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Rebel offensive to break Aleppo siege stalls
ANALYSIS
Syrian rebels began a major offensive against government forces to the south of Aleppo on 31 July with the aim of breaking the siege of the eastern part of the city. Some gains have been made, but the key military base had not been overrun at the time of writing.
The offensive involves
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Obama explores Islamic State strategy as Pentagon grapples with Iraqi progress
US President Barack Obama spent several hours meeting with his senior national security staff at the Pentagon on 4 August, a strategy meeting meant to shape the ongoing fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq, Syria, and Libya.
On 1 August Obama authorised airstrikes against targets in Libya,
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Mitsubishi restructures aero-engine businesses
Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has announced a plan to merge its military and commercial aero-engines businesses. The move is the latest effort by the corporation to enhance its competitiveness in Japan and export markets.
MHI said on 4 August that it will split off its military
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Lockheed Martin renames Mission Systems and Training to reflect Sikorsky acquisition
Lockheed Martin announced on 4 August that it has renamed its Mission Systems and Training (MST) segment to "reflect the recent growth of the business" following the incorporation of Sikorsky within MST.
The business unit - which employs 35,000 people in the US, Australia, Canada, Mexico,
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Japan's new defence minister vows to prepare SDF for new missions
Japan's new defence minister, Tomomi Inada, vowed on 4 August to "fully prepare" the country's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) for expanded missions overseas under the new security laws.
"[The ministry] will take all appropriate measures so that the [SDF] can adequately conduct missions
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