Russia 'to double' size of airborne forces
Russia is planning to double the size of its Airborne Troops (VDV) by 2019 to 72,000 personnel, it has been reported. A "high ranking" General Staff source told Russian news agency ITAR-TASS on 6...
View ArticleMexico mulling Brazilian military equipment, leadership structures
Top Mexican and Brazilian defence officials met on 4 August as Mexico is interested in several of Brazil's defence programmes, as well as possibly mirroring its military leadership structure. Mexico's...
View ArticleKamov to create Ka-175 rotary UAV
Kamov have revealed details of their new Ka-175 vertical takeoff and landing reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which could make its maiden flight within a year. Kamov's general...
View ArticleIDF detail the damage inflicted on Gaza militants
Key Points The IDF says two thirds of the 10,000 rockets held by Gaza militants in early July have been expended or destroyed Iron Dome intercepted a notably smaller proportion of rockets fired into...
View ArticleCzech's concerned future sanctions could affect helo force
The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) has acknowledged concerns over the potential effects of Russian economic sanctions on the operational capability of the Czech army's helicopter fleet. MoD officials...
View ArticleColombia gets corvette and two patrol vessels from South Korea
The Colombian Navy (ARC) received three vessels from South Korea in late July as part of its 'Plan Orion 2' naval expansion scheme that aims to significantly increase patrol capabilities by 2030. The...
View ArticleBrazil seeking business in southern Africa
During late July and early August Brazil received two high-ranking delegations from southern African states as the country is seeking to increase its defence contacts in Africa. The tours included...
View ArticleBolivia selects French air surveillance systems for airspace control
Bolivian President Evo Morales announced selection of France to provide an air surveillance and air traffic control system, according to a 1 August Bolivian government statement. Under the terms of the...
View ArticleMalta receives first AW139 SAR helo
The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) has received the first of two AgustaWestland AW139 search-and-rescue (SAR) and maritime patrol helicopters, the company announced on 6 August. The helicopter, which was...
View ArticleNATO set to cut three aircraft from AWACS fleet
NATO looks set to reduce its E-3 Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) fleet from 17 to 14 aircraft, according to an upgrade contract awarded to Boeing on 6 August. The USD250 million contract...
View ArticleRussian forces build up again on Ukraine border
There is an "ongoing troop build-up on the Russian side of the border", the White House stated on 7 August, expressing concern about the situation and noting that Washington wished "to see this crisis...
View ArticlePoland to develop Pirat anti-tank guided missile
The Polish firm Mesko has started development of a new short-range laser-guided anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system known as Pirat. The first firing of the new missile is planned for mid-2015, while...
View ArticleHagel, DoD seeking to bolster defence ties with India
US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel arrived in New Delhi on 7 August as the US Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking closer military relations with an often reticent India. Hagel said he plans to...
View ArticleObama approves airstrikes against Islamic State
US President Barack Obama announced late on 7 August that he had authorised "targeted airstrikes" to prevent the Islamic State militant group advancing on the Iraqi Kurdish capital Arbil and to help...
View ArticleUpdate: NATO set to cut three aircraft from AWACS fleet
NATO looks set to reduce its E-3 Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) fleet from 17 to 14 aircraft, according to an upgrade contract awarded to Boeing on 6 August. The USD250 million contract...
View ArticleUSAF to increase nuclear manning levels
The US Air Force (USAF) is to boost manning levels at Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) missile and bomber wings as part of a wider push to improve the operational effectiveness and morale of its...
View ArticleUAE, Thai Gripens make debut at 'Pitch Black' exercise in Australia
A number of air forces and aircraft types are making their debut at exercise 'Pitch Black 2014', a biennial air exercise being held in northern Australia from 1-22 August. Seven countries have...
View ArticleSingapore, US navies successfully conclude joint TORPEX during CARAT...
Key Points The Republic of Singapore Navy and United States Navy have conducted a combined torpedo firing during the bilateral 'CARAT Singapore 2014' exercise The complexity of the combined torpedo...
View ArticleRussian MoD to acquire large batch of GAZ-3344 ATVs
The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to acquire a large batch of GAZ-3344 tracked articulated all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), the civil and military versions of which were demonstrated on 4-5 August...
View ArticleLow readiness levels forced extra MoD payment, Madrid concedes
The Spanish government has acknowledged a lack of preparedness in its rapid reaction forces led to the approval of an extra payment of EUR30.56 million (USD40.98 million) to the Ministry of Defence...
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