IDF to establish new Jordan Valley battalion
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on 13 November that it was creating a new territorial infantry battalion to patrol the eastern border with Jordan: a move that reflects growing concern over future...
View ArticleEurofighter nations sign EUR1 billion AESA integration contract
Key Points The United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain have committed EUR1 billion to integrate and complete the development of the Captor-E AESA radar onto the Eurofighter Typhoon AESA radars as...
View ArticleChina and Namibia reportedly discuss naval basing
China is planning to establish a naval support base at the Namibian port of Walvis Bay, The Namibian newspaper reported on 19 November. It quoted Chinese press sources and reported the Namibian Defence...
View ArticleBrazilian Army set to choose its 4x4 armoured vehicle
Four industry teams have until mid-December to deliver offers to the Brazilian Army (Exército Brasileiro) for an initial tranche of 32 4x4 tactical armoured vehicles, following a request for proposals...
View ArticleBrazil on track to procure 105 mm mobile gun system
A Brazilian Army programme to buy one prototype 105 mm turreted gun system, with the option for a pilot batch of about 13 systems, is expected to attract bids from several international companies....
View ArticleUWSA fielding Chinese FN-6 MANPADS
Myanmar's largest and best-armed insurgent force, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), has carried out a broad upgrade of its anti-aircraft defences with the induction of Chinese third-generation FN-6...
View ArticleUkraine outlines reasons for high aircraft loss rate
A lack of experience and training, as well as poor tactics and intelligence not being acted on are the primary reasons for losses being incurred by the Ukrainian Air Force in the restive east of the...
View ArticlePoland orders 120 mm tank ammunition
The Polish Armament Inspectorate signed a contract with MESKO on 12 November for 120 mm anti-tank rounds for its Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs). In total, Poland ordered 13,000 cartridges 120 mm...
View ArticleCOMLOG WESTPAC chief says Fort Worth will be tested on first As-Pac deployment
The US Navy's (USN's) Littoral Combat Ship USS Fort Worth will see an intensive schedule of exercise and operational use throughout its 16-month deployment to Singapore, Rear Admiral Charles Williams,...
View ArticleUSAF to unveil RD-180 alternative plan in FY 2016 budget
Key Points The USAF will disclose plans for ending reliance on the Russian-built RD-180 engine for the Atlas V rocket when the Pentagon puts forward its next budget request Alternatives include, but...
View ArticleUS Navy supply ships collide in Gulf of Aden
Two US naval supply ships collided in the Gulf of Aden on 20 November, US Navy (USN) officials announced. Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6) and Henry J...
View ArticleTurkish defence, security budgets see increase
Turkey's defence and security budgets will rise in fiscal year 2015 (FY 2015), reflecting increased 'security first' policies domestically and externally. Turkey's combined defence and security budgets...
View ArticleRussia expresses concern over Armata MBT costs
Russia's new Armata main battle tank (MBT) is too expensive, according to Russian Military-Industrial Commission deputy chairman Oleg Bochkarev. According to comments reported by state news agency...
View ArticlePakistani army chief vows to block passage of IS militants
Pakistan's army chief, General Raheel Sharif, publicly promised for the first time on 19 November to block the entry of Iraq- and Syria-based Islamic State (IS) militants into Pakistan or Afghanistan,...
View ArticleP5+1 urged to end interim agreement with Iran
Former EU and US officials attempted to persuade negotiators to maintain a hardline stance on Iran's nuclear programme by holding a press conference in Brussels on 20 November to promote a 100-page...
View ArticleFrance orders 12 Airbus MRTTs
France has announced on 20 November its order of 12 Airbus A330-200 MultiRole Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Armee de L'Air. The purchase has been valued at around EUR3 billion (USD3.8...
View ArticleEU defence ministers discuss new pooling and sharing concepts
European Union (EU) defence ministers are considering several new concepts that could catalyse future capability development and see more pooling and sharing (P&S) among their militaries, including...
View ArticleEU defence leaders agree defence co-operation framework
EU defence ministers have agreed for the first time to co-ordinate their military requirements, budget planning and military services wherever possible. The Policy Framework for Systematic and...
View ArticleEDA considers creating European defence fund
The European Defence Agency (EDA) and its 26 member states are considering setting up a common fund to support multi-nation research and capability projects, according to agency and EU officials....
View ArticleBrazilian Army set to choose its 4x4 armoured vehicle
Four industry teams have until mid-December to deliver offers to the Brazilian Army (Exército Brasileiro) for an initial tranche of 32 4x4 tactical armoured vehicles, following a request for proposals...
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