Follow
RSS
USAF wants to dodge latest air defences with bomber's new secret weapon
Sandia National Laboratories engineers assemble a 3-D model used to illustrate warhead concepts for the Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) missile. Source: Sandia National LaboratoriesEcuador loses another Dhruv helo to crash
As the only export customer of the type, Ecuador has now lost four of its seven Dhruv helicopters to accidents. India, which manufactures and also operates the helicopter (pictured), has grounded the Dhruv on several occasions over safety concerns. Source: HALMalaysia mulls air defences for submarine base near South China Sea
One of the two RMN Scorpene-class submarines, KD Tun Razak, pictured prior to its arrival in Malaysia. Source: NavantiaPhilippine militants' opposition to peace process, growing links with the Islamic State raise terrorism risks within Mindanao
Filipino Muslim men wave flags of the Philippines and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during a rally in support of a preliminary peace pact between the government and the MILF, outside the presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, on 15 October 2012. Source: PA
-
Portugal approves military programming law
Portugal approved its military programming law for the next 12 years on 22 January, although the plan to complete this in 2026 will be reviewed every four years. The Portuguese Ministry of National Defence is expected to spend EUR960 million (USD1.084 billion) in armament programmes up to 2018. In
-
AFRICOM chief sees Africa as more welcoming, interested in collaboration
Local governments and agencies are becoming less suspicious of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) - which suffered a difficult start - and are using the command's support to build military 'enablers', according to its top general. "I don't see that information [regarding local suspicion] nearly as
-
AirTronic, Chemring teaming on RPGs
AirTronic USA and Chemring Ordnance have signed an agreement to jointly work on development of RPG-7 rockets, the two company's announced on 27 January. The rockets will be produced in the United States, with research and development work to begin immediately. Production would be planned for early
-
ALF militants steal two chickens from a farm in central Israel
TWO chickens were reportedly stolen by Animal Liberation Front (ALF) militants from a farm in an unspecified location of central Israel on 23 January, Bite Back reported. ALF immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
-
Announcement of new South Asian Islamic State affiliate likely to increase infighting among Pakistani militant groups
EVENT Islamic State spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani announced that the group had "expanded" to South Asia in an audio statement released online on 26 January. In the statement, Adani designated the new faction as Wilayat Khurasan - a reference to the historical name for the region
-
Anti-French sentiment amid president's growing unpopularity underscores elevated risk of popular uprising and government instability in Niger
EVENT Three Nigerien opposition members were detained again on 24 January, one day after their release from police custody, for their participation in the 18 January demonstrations against French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo's publication of a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad. The
MULTIMEDIA
Sponsor:
-
China takes harder stance against North Korea
China continues to support North Korea financially, but Pyongyang's nuclear programme and a series of cross-border incidents have led Beijing to be more vocal in its criticisms of its secretive neighbour. Benjamin Katzeff Silberstein investigates this changing approach. -
Ecuador increases its haul from drugs traffic
Record drug seizures in Ecuador suggest the country remains a key drug-trafficking hub, despite government efforts to interdict the increasing movement of drugs. Arthur Dhont analyses the country's role as a key point in the transportation chain from Latin America. -
Fettered flight: Indian Air Force procurement and capabilities
The Indian Air Force's capabilities are continuing to deteriorate, despite the arrival of a government that seems ready to make big acquisition decisions, report James Hardy and Rahul Bedi
FEATURED REPORT
HEADLINES BY REGION
ASIA PACIFIC
- Malaysia mulls air defences for submarine base near South China Sea
- Philippine militants' opposition to peace process, growing links with the Islamic State raise terrorism risks within Mindanao
- Announcement of new South Asian Islamic State affiliate likely to increase infighting among Pakistani militant groups
MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA
- ALF militants steal two chickens from a farm in central Israel
- Anti-French sentiment amid president's growing unpopularity underscores elevated risk of popular uprising and government instability in Niger
- Boko Haram militants reportedly kill and wound an unspecified number of people in Nigeria's Adamawa
Platforms Platforms
Sponsor:
-
Ecuador loses another Dhruv helo to crash
The Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana: FAE) lost a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Dhruv utility helicopter to a training accident in late January, the second to be lost this month and the fourth since deliveries began in 2009. The accident, which is reported to have occurred
Weapons Weapons
Sponsor:
-
USAF wants to dodge latest air defences with bomber's new secret weapon
Key Points The proliferation of advanced air defences provided the impetus behind the design of the new LRSO missile. The USAF has completed its AoA and is now waiting on civilian leaders to allow the acquisition to begin. Maintaining the shroud of secrecy surrounding the US Air Force's (USAF's)
C4iSR & Missions Systems C4iSR & Missions Systems
Sponsor:
-
SpaceX drops lawsuit against USAF over launch vehicle contract
Key Points SpaceX has dropped a lawsuit against the USAF over a 2014 EELV contract Although the block buy from ULA will proceed, the USAF did pledge to re-examine its certification process for new competitors SpaceX has agreed to drop its lawsuit relating to the US Air Force's (USAF's) Evolved
CBRNE & EOD Defence CBRNE & EOD Defence
Sponsor:
-
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
Country Risk Country Risk
Sponsor:
-
Philippine militants' opposition to peace process, growing links with the Islamic State raise terrorism risks within Mindanao
Key Points Authorities have attributed the 25 January attack to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG); this and other recent attacks indicate a potential intensification of the terrorism threat in southern Philippines, as spoiler groups attempt to derail the 2014 peace agreement between the government and the
-
Announcement of new South Asian Islamic State affiliate likely to increase infighting among Pakistani militant groups
-
Anti-French sentiment amid president's growing unpopularity underscores elevated risk of popular uprising and government instability in Niger
-
Catalan republic would have no armed forces, says proposal
Military Capabilities Military Capabilities
Sponsor:
-
Portugal approves military programming law
Portugal approved its military programming law for the next 12 years on 22 January, although the plan to complete this in 2026 will be reviewed every four years. The Portuguese Ministry of National Defence is expected to spend EUR960 million (USD1.084 billion) in armament programmes up to 2018. In
CBRN Assessment CBRN Assessment
Sponsor:
-
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
Terrorism & Insurgency Terrorism & Insurgency
Sponsor:
-
OSINT Summary: Islamist gunman attack prominent hotel in Libya's Tripoli
At least two heavily armed gunmen stormed the luxury Corinthia Hotel in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on 27 January, killing at least 11 people - including a United States national and a French national - before both exploding their suicide vests during a stand-off with security forces. The
Industry Industry
Sponsor:
-
Obama expected to sign defence protocols on India visit
US president Barack Obama's three-day visit to India from 25 January is expected to see the signing of several defence protocols to boost bilateral strategic ties. Obama, who will be the first US president to be the chief guest at the Republic Day military parade in New Delhi on 26 January, is also
