Tianjin expo reveals Chinese UAV innovations, aspirations
Key Points A recent exposition in Tianjin that feature inflatable unmanned aerial vehicles has illustrated the breadth and ambition of Chinese UAV designers State-owned prime Norinco has also unveiled...
View ArticleUSN lines up competition for OASuW Increment 2
The US Navy (USN) has confirmed plans to run a competition for a long-term Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) capability, with an acquisition programme expected to kick off in Fiscal Year 2017....
View ArticleSaudi Arabia inaugurates northern border security project
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud inaugurated the first phase of a border security barrier along the kingdom's northern borders on 5 September. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the...
View ArticlePLA and Chinese industry at odds over Russian fighter engines
Problems with China's indigenous jet engine programmes are putting the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at odds with the country's defence procurement bodies. The most visible issue is problems with the...
View ArticleImagery shows Liaoning, J-15 mockup at Dalian shipyard
Satellite imagery provided by Airbus Defence and Space has confirmed media reports that Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning recently undertook a four-month maintenance period in the Dalian shipyard,...
View ArticleGermany's defence budget to drop further in 2015
Germany's headline defence budget is set to shrink again in 2015, despite NATO leaders recently agreeing to aim towards spending 2% of gross domestic product on defence. The country is planning to...
View ArticleEU bans dual-use exports to Russia
The 28 EU nations have approved stronger sanctions against Russia, including a ban on dual-use goods exports with potential military use and a cordon sanitaire around defence and other companies to...
View ArticleBrazilian Army may buy US UH-60M Black Hawks
The Brazilian Army may buy three Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters via the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. The purchase is currently being discussed and no acquisition schedule has yet...
View ArticleAnalysis: NATO's budget increase 'aim'
Despite the security crises confronting Europe, NATO's toughest debate during its 4-5 September summit in Wales was also, deliberately, the last on its agenda: how to increase national defence...
View ArticleUS, India blow hot on industrial ties, cold on mil-to-mil exchanges
The United States' recent moves to enhance bilateral defence industry and strategic ties with India are at odds with the limited interaction between their respective armed forces, diplomatic and...
View ArticleUS sanctions Russian defence firms
The US joined the European Union 12 September, announcing complementary sanctions designed to punish Russian involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine. The sanctions target one of Russia's...
View ArticleSoftware upgrade gives Tomahawk rapid retargeting capability
Key Points Tomahawk Block IV tests demonstrated mission planning and high altitude manoeuvres The upgrade marks several considerable upgrades from the Block III The US Navy (USN) and Raytheon conducted...
View ArticleSniper support facility established in Saudi Arabia
Lockheed Martin announced on 15 September that it would be establishing a support facility for the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod in Saudi Arabia. The support facility is to be established as part of an...
View ArticleAfghan 'Hip' helo crashes
An Afghan Air Force (AAF) Mil Mi-17 'Hip' transport helicopter crashed in the central Daikundi province of the country, killing one and injuring six others onboard, national media reported on 15...
View ArticleFirst operational F-35B squadron on track to meet deployment standards
Key Points Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at MCAS Yuma has begun training to IOC-specific standards. The USMC plans to become the first of the three US military services to declare F-35 IOC in July...
View ArticleUS-led coalition to tackle IS begins to take shape
The US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria is beginning to take shape, with countries around the world pledging aircraft and personnel to the mission. Following President...
View ArticleAustralia commits SAS, F/A-18s, Wedgetail and more to anti-IS coalition
Australia is pre-positioning combat aircraft and special forces in the Middle East ready to participate in the US-led effort in Iraq to degrade the Islamic State (IS). Prime Minister Tony Abbott said...
View ArticleTop US general may recommend troops 'accompany' ISF in combat
Key Points The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he may propose US troops embed with Kurdish or Iraqi forces for some attacks Obama and other White House officials repeatedly have said US...
View ArticleTestudo offered to tacke high-threat scenarios
DCD Protected Mobility and CMTI, a South African industrial design company, have partnered to offer a four-track, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for tasks such as mine and IED detection and close...
View ArticleSpain helps to stand up Cape Verde special forces
A Spanish Navy team has begun training members of Cape Verde's armed forces to help the tiny Atlantic archipelago set up its own special operations unit. The programme began on 15 September as part of...
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