Key Points
Two solutions are to be chosen from offerings by ADVS, BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, and SAIC
ACV 8x8 armoured personnel carriers are meant to 'swim' some distance to shore, and USMC leaders say prototype trials so far have proven that capability
The US Marine Corps
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USMC set to choose two ACV bidders later this year
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US Strykers in Europe to get lethality boost with 30 mm cannon
US Army Stryker infantry carrier vehicles in Europe are likely to soon get 30 mm cannon meant to increase their lethality while maintaining road mobility.
Colonel John Meyer, leader of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment based at Vilseck in Germany, said Strykers provide US Army Europe with "operational
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Singapore, Australia sign defence technology agreement
Singapore and Australia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 23 July to collaborate in defence science and technology.
The agreement was signed in Singapore by Quek Tong Boon, Chief Defence Scientist in the Singapore Ministry of Defence, and his Australian counterpart, Dr Alex Zelinsky.
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Philippine Navy commissions two former RAN landing craft
The Philippine Navy (PN) has inducted two recently decommissioned Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Balikpapan-class heavy landing craft (LCH) vessels.
Formerly known as HMAS Tarakan and HMAS Brunei , the vessels were recommissioned into the PN as BRP Ivatan (AT298) and BRP Batak (AT299) respectively on
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Nigerian president criticises Leahy Law
Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria's new president, has complained that the legislation that prevents the United States from providing assistance to foreign military forces suspected of human rights abuses has hampered the campaign against the Boko Haram militant group in the northeast of his country.
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Greece impounds military vehicles bound for Libya
Key Points
Greek authorities claim to have seized 16 armoured vehicles bound for Libya, in breach of UN sanctions
The truth behind the matter, however, is far from clear
Greece has impounded 16 armoured vehicles destined for Libya, the Piraeus Sixth Customs Directorate announced on 21 July.
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EU mission in the CAR outlines military overhaul
The EU's military advisory mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) is working on a new "solid" chain-of-command for the enfeebled Central African Armed Forces (FACA), according to the mission's commander, who says its size needs to increase and spread to regional garrisons.
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Commonality is key to controlling FVL costs, officials say
Key Points
The FVL programme can save on maintenance costs by using common systems
Common cockpits and crew stations would allow pilots and mechanics to work across fleets
A planned multi-service Pentagon helicopter fleet must feature common components across types in order to keep the cost of
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Brazil receives advanced research ship
The Brazilian Navy officially received hydrographic multipurpose research vessel (Navio de Pesquisa Hidroceanográfico: NPqHo) Vital de Oliveira (H39) in Rio de Janeiro on 23 July.
The ship was built in China by Guangzhou Hantong Shipbuilding and Shipping, according to an approximately BRL162
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Analysis: Israeli defence budget battle heats up
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) appeared closer to getting its multi-year spending plan approved after the defence minister backed the plan over the recommendations made by a commission headed by Major General (retired) Yohanan Locker.
Released on 21 July, the Locker Commission report recommended
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Scout SV to be assembled in UK
Key Points
The British Army's new Scout SV tracked reconnaissance vehicle will be now be assembled in the UK
Originally set to be assembled in Spain, a contract for a new support facility has enabled the manufacturer to shift the majority of assembly work to the UK
The British Army's recently
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Lebanon requests wireless TOW missiles
The US State Department has approved the sale of 1,500 wireless TOW II guided missiles to Lebanon, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 22 July.
Estimated to be worth USD250 million, the proposed sale includes 50 M220A2 launchers, 1,000 BGM-71E-4B-RF anti-armour missiles, and
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RAF stands up first operational A400M squadron
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) activated its first operational unit to operate the Airbus Defence and Space (DS) A400M Atlas transport aircraft on 23 July.
A ceremony marking the standing-up of 70 Squadron took place at the type's main operating base at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
The RAF has
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Nigerian president replaces service chiefs
In an apparent attempt to shake-up counter-insurgency operations, Nigeria's new president Muhammadu Buhari has replaced the chiefs of staff of all three services months before schedule, as well as the chief of defence intelligence (CDI) and national security advisor (NSA).
Nigeria's service chiefs
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Japan agrees to Aegis tech transfer, re-export
The government of Japan agreed on 23 July to transfer to the United States software and components that will be installed on international versions of the Lockheed Martin-developed Aegis combat system.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) in Tokyo said that the approval enables the items to be exported to
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Israel, Greece sign SOFA
In a move that reflects the growing scope of joint military training and bilateral defence co-operation between Israel and Greece, the two Mediterranean countries signed a status of forces accord (SOFA) on 19 July.
The SOFA is the second signed by Israel with another country, the other being the
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Turkey carries out first airstrikes against Islamic State
In a reflection of a wider shift in policy, Turkey launched airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria for the first time on 24 July.
The prime minister's office released a statement saying that three F-16s had taken off from Diyarbakir airbase in southeast Turkey in the early hours of 24
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Poland launches tender for 882 4x4s
The Polish Land Forces launched a tender on 23 July to buy 882 light multipurpose 4x4 vehicles to replace its fleet of ageing Honker and UAZ469 jeeps.
Poland seeks 841 soft skin vehicles and 41 armoured variants with gross vehicle mass under 3,500 kg to be delivered in 2016-2022. The new vehicles
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Israel donates Cobra helos to Jordan to combat the Islamic State
Israel has given its surplus Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters to Jordan to bolster its neighbour's defence against the Islamic State, the Reuters news agency reported on 23 July.
Approximately 16 AH-1E/F Cobras that were retired from the Israeli Air Force in 2013 were refurbished and handed over
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US Army ends Kiowa CASUP as aviation restructure gains steam
The US Army is poised to terminate the Bell OH-58F Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program (CASUP) as part of its Aviation Restructuring Initiative (ARI), according to a Pentagon announcement on 24 July.
With the termination the army will de-obligate USD48 million, the remaining balance accounting for
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