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Navy readies for UCLASS competition
The X-47B conducts flight operations aboard aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) alongside the F/A-18. USN officials said that X-47B activities are complete and that they are now preparing to launch a competition for UCLASS. Source: USN/Liz WolterTurkey's T-Loramids technology transfer troubles
Turkey appears to be moving away from its down-selection of the Chinese HQ-9 for its T-Loramids programme. While technology transfer is the issue cited, compatibility with NATO systems appears a bigger factor. Source: Wikipedia Commons/Jian KangUS sidelined from Tikrit offensive
Shia militia near Tikrit prepare to fire mortars and a 107 mm multiple rocket launcher mounted on the back of an Iranian-made Safir jeep. Source: PA Photos
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Brazilian Air Force establishes new air defence group
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has established the 3rd Anti-Aircraft Defence Group (3° GDAAE) at Anapolis Air Base (BAAN), the FAB announced on 3 March. The 3° GDAAE is composed of a single short-range air defence battery equipped with the Igla-S (SA-24 'Grinch') man-portable air defence
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Germany approves Sea Lion helo procurement
Germany has approved the purchase of 18 Sea Lion-variant NH90 helicopters valued at EUR1.4 billion (USD1.6 billion), the Reuters news agency reported on 4 March. The deal, which had already been previously announced, was struck to compensate Airbus (the primary stakeholder in NHIndustries) for
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Reliance acquires Pipavav shipyard
Mumbai-based Reliance Infrastructure has agreed to purchase a controlling stake in Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering, in what is India's largest-ever defence industry acquisition. As per the terms of a purchase agreement signed on 4 March, Reliance Infrastructure, which builds roads and
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Analysis - Iranian fighter programmes: Bona fide or bluff?
Over recent years, Iran has made great play of its burgeoning domestic aerospace capabilities by revealing a number of 'new' combat aircraft types to the world. For about the last five years, state media has heralded a steady stream of new fighters and other types which, it claims, demonstrate the
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Evidence emerges of possible DF-31 ICBM variant
Recent testimony by the commander of US Strategic Forces Command and recent images of a Chinese transporter erector launcher (TEL) point to a potential new variant of the solid-fuel DF-31 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). In testimony given before the US House of Representatives' Armed
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Russia to expand long-range air patrols
Russia is to expand the scope of its long-range air patrols as tensions with the West over Ukraine continue, state media announced on 2 March. Unspecified strategic bomber aircraft are to be tasked with conducting combat air patrols over new regions of the world, in co-operation with Russia's
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ARMing up
While the days of dedicated 'Wild Weasel' suppression-of-enemy-air-defences aircraft are largely over, continuing operational experience with anti-radiation missiles suggests the genre still has a place in the air-to-ground munitions armoury. Martin Streetly reports -
Maritime vision: in search of lower cost capabilities
The IDR team offers some perspectives on achieving maritime visibility without breaking the bank -
AQAP vies to exploit failing state of Yemen
As Yemen fractures after a Houthi takeover, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has continued to organise, despite casualties from United States' airstrikes and Islamic State pressure. Ezzeldeen Khalil assesses the continuing threat from AQAP in the country.
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Navy readies for UCLASS competition
Key Points The USN has delayed a UCLASS competition until FY 2016 Fielding is planned for 2022, service officials said The US Navy (USN) is preparing to begin a competition for the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance Strike (UCLASS) programme in fiscal year 2016 (FY 2016), about two
Weapons Weapons
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Turkey's T-Loramids technology transfer troubles
Key Points Technology transfer issues remain a major sticking point for Turkey's T-Loramids air and missile defence programme Recent confusion over integration of the eventual system into NATO systems could indicate the country is pulling back from its down-selection of the Chinese HQ-9 system.
C4iSR & Missions Systems C4iSR & Missions Systems
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US Navy to test ONR submarine app on cruiser for mission planning improvement
Key Points US Navy Office of Naval Research's Mission Planning Application is part of the Advanced Processing Build programme for submarines ONR hopes to demonstrate the software during a one-year demonstration on board the DDG 51 cruiser USS Mobile Bay, beginning in 2015 The US Navy (USN) Office
CBRNE & EOD Defence CBRNE & EOD Defence
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CBO releases new triad upgrade estimate
The United States will have to spend USD348 billion on nuclear weapons modernisation over the next 10 years if it wants to maintain a triad of nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarines, and bomber aircraft, according to a 22 January report from the Congressional Budget
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Economic policy central to Israel's election campaign but unlikely to be significantly affected by outcome
Key Points Cost of living and income inequality concerns feature prominently in Israel's electoral campaign but policy prescriptions are vague. Regardless of who wins the election, the government is likely to seek increased competition in the banking and real estate sectors, although regulatory
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Deaths of Venezuelan students increase violent unrest and property damage risks
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Targeted sanctions against South Sudanese government and rebel leaders unlikely to mitigate security risks to oil assets
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North Korean provocations likely around annual joint US-South Korean military exercises, but outright conflict unlikely
Military Capabilities Military Capabilities
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US sidelined from Tikrit offensive
Key Points Iraq has not asked the US-led coalition to assist the operation to clear Tikrit of Islamic State militants Iranian-backed Shia militias, rather than US-trained Iraqi Army units, make up the majority of the forces involved in the operation US officials have said the Iraqi government has
CBRN Assessment CBRN Assessment
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US opens door to increased UAV sales
Key Points A new US policy could facilitate military UAV exports to more countries The policy is the latest in a series of efforts to "modernise and reform" US export controls for the aerospace and defence industry The Obama administration on 17 February unveiled a new policy that could
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Durable peace in northern Mali remains unlikely, making defeat of Islamists almost impossible without additional multinational support
Key Points A strategic Islamist Tuareg leader and kidnap kingpin, Iyad ag Ghaly, has reportedly returned to northern Mali after an absence of almost two years. The multiplicity of actors in northern Mali makes a binding peace agreement elusive, which poses a high risk of intermittent fighting
Industry Industry
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China's defence budget more than doubles since 2008
China has announced that its defence budget will increase by 10.1 per cent to CNY886.9 billion (USD141.6 billion) for 2015. The 10.1 per cent nominal terms increase is slowest rate of growth since 2010. However, slowing inflation means that real terms growth is maintained at around 9 per cent in
