The European Defence Agency (EDA) is gathering expert opinion on the operational and design safety aspects of future unmanned maritime systems (UMS) for European navies and will host a workshop involving national officials in the coming weeks to review the subject. Also on the agenda will be the
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EDA gathers data on UMS operations
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DSCA notification gives details on Singapore's F-16 upgrade plans
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has provided more details on Singapore's plans to upgrade its Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft: a move that in, effect, provides the city state with more time to make a decision on buying the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.
The DSCA
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China confirms hypersonic vehicle test
China tested a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) on 9 January, an event that may indicate it is closing the gap on the United States in this area after decades of research and development.
The test was first reported in The Washington Free Beacon , which quoted a US government source. It was confirmed
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Chadian peacekeepers implicated in CAR murders
A report released by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has raised further questions about the neutrality of the Chadian peacekeeping contingent in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Chad has made a significant contribution to both the African-led International Support
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Airbus DS begins Taurus KEPD 350 and Typhoon flight trials
Flights trials of the Taurus KEPD 350 stand-off cruise missile aboard the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft began on 15 January, Airbus Defence & Space (formerly EADS) announced.
German Instrumented Production Aircraft 7 (IPA7) flew out of Manching Military Air Systems Center near Munich with
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US updates conventional arms transfer policy, adding human rights criteria
The US has revised its Conventional Arms Transfer policy for the first time since 1995, the White House announced on 15 January.
The new policy, Presidential Policy Directive 27, redacts language that addressed "obsolete" Cold War-era concerns and the break-up of the Soviet Union, said a
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Ukraine approves defence industrial reform plans
Ukraine's cabinet has approved plans for the reform and development of the national defence industry to 2017, a decision that marks the continuation of a programme started in 2010.
A statement carried by national defence industrial holding group Ukroboronprom on 17 January 2014 said that the
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Uganda weighs into South Sudan
Ugandan forces are playing a significant role in helping the South Sudanese military put down the 15 December rebellion sparked by the arrest of dissident members of the ruling party.
The Ugandan People's Defence Force (UPDF) was quick to respond to the crisis. The New Vision newspaper reported on
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Surface Navy 2014: LaWS laser weapon prototype gets set for initial deployment
The US Navy (USN) is preparing its prototype Laser Weapon System (LaWS) for final shore tests ahead of installation on board the Afloat Forward Staging Base (Interim) [AFSB(I)] USS Ponce later this year.
Designated AN/SEQ-3 (XN-1), LaWS is a high-energy laser weapon technology demonstrator built
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South Korea, India to expand defence industry ties
India and South Korea have agreed to expand ties across a range of sectors, including defence, it was announced on 16 January.
Following a summit in New Delhi between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting President Park Geun-hye, a joint statement outlined further efforts to enhance
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Reported MC-12W crash in Afghanistan now believed to be US Army King Air 300 MARSS aircraft
Casualty details released by the US Department of Defense (DoD) on 16 January have suggested that a recent fatal aircraft crash in eastern Afghanistan may have involved a US Army special mission platform, rather than the US Air Force (USAF) Beechcraft MC-12W Liberty that US national media had
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NORINCO Group announces leadership changes
The China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO Group) announced changes in its senior leadership on 16 January. The NORINCO Group is parent company of the similarly named China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) - one China's largest defence companies.
The NORINCO Group said in
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Japan denies plans for aircraft carrier
The Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) has clarified that the country is currently not looking to acquire an aircraft carrier, nor is it exploring the possibility of operating one for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
Speaking with IHS Jane's on 15 January, an MoD spokesperson denied
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ITP announces new investment in facilities
Aircraft component manufacturer Industria de Turbo Propulsores (ITP) announced on 16 January that it is boosting its investment on new production facilities in Spain by a further EUR33 million (USD44 million) up to 2015, adding to the EUR53 million already approved for the years 2011-13.
The
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German Tornado jet crashes
A German Air Force Tornado strike aircraft on a training mission crashed into woods some 50 km from Koblenz on the evening of 16 January. Both aircrew are said to have ejected safety.
Although the unit has not been identified, Fighter Bomber Wing 33 equipped with Tornado IDS (interdictor/strike)
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Brazil and Sri Lanka discuss defence co-operation
Brazil and Sri Lanka discussed the potential for defence industrial collaboration, joint training exercises and military exchanges during a bilateral meeting of the countries' defence ministers held in Brasilia on 15 January.
The meeting with Brazilian Defence Minister Celso Amorim took place
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Bolivia to acquire Super Puma helos
The Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Boliviana - FAB) is to receive six Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter) AS332 C1e Super Puma helicopters in a deal announced on 17 January.
The helicopters will be used for counter-narcotics and other internal security and disaster relief missions, with
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Australia apologises for naval incursions into Indonesian waters
The Australian government apologised to Indonesia on 17 January after discovering that Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessels had mistakenly entered Indonesian waters during a border-protection operation.
Australian Chief of Navy Vice-Admiral Ray Griggs called on his Indonesian counterpart Admiral
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Switzerland sets date for Gripen referendum
Switzerland's Federal Council has set 18 May 2014 as the date for a national referendum on the country's procurement of the Saab Gripen E fighter aircraft, it announced on 17 January.
The referendum, which will fall on a Sunday, will specifically focus on the government's Gripen Fund Law. This
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Surface Navy 2014: USN confirms next LCS deployment will feature embarked Fire Scout VTUAV
Key Points USS Fort Worth will deploy to Singapore with an MQ-8B capability Discussions are ongoing about allocating the MQ-8C to the LCS programme
When the US Navy's (USN's) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) departs for Southeast Asia on its maiden deployment in late 2014, the
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