Australian PM Confirms 300 Ground Troops To Head To Iraq.

A 300-strong Australian Army Training team that will work alongside about 100 New Zealand Defence Force personnel will be fully operational in Iraq in mid-May, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on 14 April.

Australian PM Confirms 300 Ground Troops To Head To Iraq.

Both teams will be based at Taji, a logistics base about 50 km north of Baghdad, as part of the international effort to help Iraqi forces repel Islamic State in northern Iraq.

Afghanistan Rolls Out Armed MD 530F Helos.

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) has rolled out into service its newly delivered armed MD Helicopters Inc (MDHI) MD 530F helicopters, the US Department of Defense (DoD) revealed on 10 April.

Afghanistan Rolls Out Armed MD 530F Helos.

The roll-out ceremony, which took place at Kabul International Airport (IAP) on 9 April, saw one of the first six helicopters delivered perform a live-fire demonstration of its twin FN Herstal Heavy Machine Gun Pods (HMPs).

Israeli Artillery Corps Looks For A New Self-Propelled Howitzer.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are in the advanced stages of selecting a replacement for their 155 mm M109 self-propelled howitzer, a senior source from the Artillery Corps said last week.

Israeli Artillery Corps Looks For A New Self-Propelled Howitzer.

The officer said the new howitzer needs to be able to have a higher rate of fire and a smaller crew than the M109, which entered service in the early 1970s. The new gun also needs a longer range and the ability to rapidly relocate to a new position.

Modi Announces Rafale Buy.

India is to buy 36 Dassault Rafale fighters in flyaway condition through an Inter Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in Paris on 10 April.

Modi Announces Rafale Buy.

This is double the 18 Rafales India had originally planned to buy as part of the stalled deal for 126 aircraft that Dassault has been in talks with the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) about since January 2012.

Russia and US Trade Blows Over Baltic Interception.

Moscow and Washington have traded verbal blows over the interception of a United States surveillance aircraft by a Russian fighter over the Baltic Sea, which the latter described as "reckless, unsafe, and unprofessional".

Russia and US Trade Blows Over Baltic Interception.

The incident, which took place on 7 April, saw a US Air Force (USAF) Boeing RC-135 intercepted by a Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' fighter in international airspace. According to the Pentagon, the Russian jet flew within about 7 m of its aircraft in a fashion that, it said, endangered the lives of the crew.

Defence Becomes Hot Topic In UK Election.

Defence has become a hot political topic in the United Kingdom ahead of the country's upcoming May general election.

Defence Becomes Hot Topic In UK Election

Just as in the last general election in 2010, the future of the country's nuclear deterrent is the centre for disagreement between the various parties vying for power.

Chinese Moves To Adopt New Guided Rocket System.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is planning to buy the A300 hybrid rocket system developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

Chinese Moves To Adopt New Guided Rocket System.

This purchase, revealed at the 2015 IDEX show in Abu Dhabi, signals a likely move to upgrade the short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) systems operated by the PLA's Second Artillery Corps (SAC). 

Iraq Reverses Decision On Tikrit Air Support.

The Iraqi Government has reversed its decision to sideline the United States from the offensive to recapture the city of Tikrit from the Islamic State: a move that has prompted the withdrawal of the Shia militias that were spearheading the operation.

Iraq Reverses Decision On Tikrit Air Support.

The US-led Combined Joint Task Force Operation 'Inherent Resolve' (CJTF-OIR) announced the decision on 25 March, when it said it had commenced "operations to support Iraqi security forces in Tikrit" at the request of Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi.

UK To Deploy Sentinel Surveillance Aircraft To Iraq.

The UK is to deploy a pair of Raytheon Sentinel R.1 Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) surveillance aircraft to the Middle East to bolster its support of the international mission against the Islamic State in Iraq.

UK To Deploy Sentinel Surveillance Aircraft To Iraq.

The deployment, which was announced by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 26 March, will see the aircraft conduct wide-area airborne surveillance to provide pattern-of-life intelligence and to track the laying of improvised explosive devices.

US Army Still Has Need For A Manned Scout Helicopter.

The US Army still considers the manned scout helicopter to be an essential component of its force structure, despite retiring its current fleet and cancelling its Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) procurement programme.

US Army Still Has Need For A Manned Scout Helicopter.

In an article published on the service's website in late-March, Major General Michael D. Lundy, commander of the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence, told a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee that the requirement for a manned scout helicopter has not changed, despite the divesture of the Bell OH-58 Kiowa Warrior that is now ongoing, and the decision in 2013 not to go ahead with the AAS project to replace it.

UK Single-Source Procurement Reportedly Led To Claims For 'Croquet & Magicians'.

Single-source procurement in the UK defence sector has "long been recognised as an area of weakness" that suppliers have "exploited" by charging "too high a price", UK secretary of state for defence Michael Fallon has said in an article written for Defence Weekly .

UK Single-Source Procurement Reportedly Led To Claims For 'Croquet & Magicians'.

Fallon claimed that a "lack of commercial leverage" and "information" led defence contractors to claim for costs including croquet, horse racing trips, motoring fines, and "close-up magicians". He stated that there were expenses that the "taxpayer had no business paying".

Iraq's Shia Militias Roll-Out Heavy Rockets For Islamic State Offensive.

The Iraqi Shia militias who are leading the fight back against the Islamic State militant group appear to be making extensive use of improvised rocket artillery even though they benefit from Iranian support.

Iraq's Shia Militias Roll-Out Heavy Rockets For Islamic State Offensive.

Iran produces a wide range of artillery rockets and their associated launchers, most notably generic 107 mm and 122 mm systems, both of which are frequently seen in service with Iraq's Shia militias.

Japan Commissions Helicopter Carrier Izumo.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned first-in-class helicopter carrier JS Izumo (DDH 183) in a ceremony in Yokohama on 25 March.

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Japan Commissions Helicopter Carrier Izumo.

The 248 m-long vessel, which displaces 24,000 tonnes at full load, is the largest Japanese military ship built since the Second World War and can carry up to 14 helicopters. Izumo and its yet unnamed sister ship (DDH 184) are replacing JSShirane (DDH 143) and JS Kurama (DDH 144), inducted in 1980 and 1981, respectively.

Saudi Arabia launches Intervention In Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and its allies have launched a military operation against Ansar Allah, the Yemeni Zaidi group popularly known as the Houthis, at the request of Yemen's beleaguered President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi, the kingdom announced on 26 March.

Saudi Arabia launches Intervention In Yemen.

In a statement released in the name of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, it cited the regional threat presented by Ansar Allah, saying it had "heavy weapons, and long and short range missiles" and had revealed its aggressive intentions by building up its forces on its border with the kingdom and carrying out a live-fire exercise.

F-35B On Track.

The jump jet variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is still scheduled to reach initial operational capability (IOC) with the US Marine Corps (USMC) in July despite ongoing difficulties with F-35 software fusion, the Pentagon's programme manager for the effort said at a press briefing on 24 March.

F-35B On Track.

"The Marine Corps understands the deficiencies and has workarounds in place," said Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan. He said the workarounds required pilots to "do some extra work" instead of relying on the aircraft to automatically respond.

US Approves USD1.05 Billion Chinook Sale To The Netherlands.

The US government has approved the sale of 17 Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift transport helicopters to the Netherlands for USD1.05 billion.

US Approves USD1.05 Billion Chinook Sale To The Netherlands.

The proposed sale, which was approved by the State Department on 19 March and announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 23 March, covers customer-unique modified helicopters, as well as ancillary equipment, support, and training.

'Type 093T' Sub Design Breaks Cover.

A computer-generated image of a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) has recently appeared on both news and social media websites. It illustrates a variant of the Type 093/Shang-class SSN carrying a docking hangar for a special forces swimmer delivery vehicle (SDV).

'Type 093T' Sub Design Breaks Cover.

The accompanying text indicates the hangar can accommodate only about 2/3 of the length of the SDV (which it compares with the US Mk VIII SDV) and so remains flooded when the vehicle is docked. 

France To Receive Modified VBCIs.

 The French Army is scheduled to receive the first three of 95 up-armoured VBCI (Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie) 8x8 armoured vehicles next month. The vehicles will be 29-tonne VCI (Véhicule de Combat d'Infanterie) infantry fighting vehicle variants modified to a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 32 tonnes with improved protection against improvised explosive devices.

France To Receive Modified VBCIs.

A contract for the development of the VCI configuration was awarded in December 2010 by the French Direction Générale de l´Armement (DGA) arms procurement agency to the vehicle's manufacturers, Nexter Systems and Renault Trucks Defense, with contracts for the modification placed in June 2013 for a first batch of 48 vehicles and in September 2014 for another batch of 47 vehicles.

Pentagon Sending Additional MLRS Battalion To South Korea.

US forces in South Korea in June are to receive additional artillery as the US Army reorganises its brigade structures and focuses on the Asia-Pacific region.

Pentagon Sending Additional MLRS Battalion To South Korea.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter approved a plan to send a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) battalion to Camp Casey in South Korea for a nine-month rotation, the Pentagon announced on 20 March.

Portugal Begins Modernisation Of F-16s.

The Portuguese aerospace company Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal (OGMA) recently began to upgrade three Lockheed Martin F-16A Block 15 Fighting Falcon fighters for the Portuguese Air Force (FAP), the Portuguese Ministry of National Defence has told us.

Portugal Begins Modernisation Of F-16s.

All three aircraft will be upgraded to the F-16AM Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) standard by 2017.

USAF Receives First Production QF-16 Drone.

The first production Boeing QF-16 optionally manned target drone has been delivered to the US Air Force (USAF), the service announced on 20 March.

USAF Receives First Production QF-16 Drone.

Aircraft QF-007 arrived at Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida on 11 March, ahead of being pressed into service by the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron (ATS).

USAF Releases T-X Requirements.

The US Air Force (USAF) on 20 March released requirements for its Northrop T-38C Talon combat aircraft trainer replacement programme, known as T-X.

USAF Releases T-X Requirements.

USAF Secretary Deborah Lee James, the service's senior civilian official, has emphasised open discussions with potential T-X manufacturers to keep the effort affordable. "The industry dialogue will help guide air force evaluation of threshold and objective requirements, producing better informed cost-capability decisions," James said in a 20 March press statement accompanying the requirements release.

F-35 Procurement Cost Estimate Drops.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has lowered its procurement cost estimate for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter by almost 2%, it announced in this year's annual report on weapons programmes.

F-35 Procurement Cost Estimate Drops.

The DoD says that it will now cost about USD391.1 billion to buy 2,457 of the stealthy combat aircraft that Lockheed Martin is producing for the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as well as 12 international customers. The new price is a reduction of USD7.5 billion from last year's estimate. The report attributes the drop primarily to "decreased contractor labour rates and lower subcontractor costs".

DRDO Makes Progress With More Astra.

Two Astra (Mk I) air-to-air beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles have been test fired from an Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter off the Odisha coast, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on 19 March.

DRDO Makes Progress With More Astra.

A test on 18 March "aimed at confirming the missile's capability to undergo manoeuvres involving very high gravitational forces up to the order of 30 G", said the DRDO.

Malaysia Selects NSM.

The Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) anti-ship missile and MBDA VL Mica point defence missile system will equip Malaysia's Second Generation Patrol Vessel - Littoral Combat Ship (SGPV-LCS), Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) sources, although the selection of both systems is awaiting final confirmation by the Malaysian government.

Malaysia Selects NSM.

The choice of the two systems reflects a compromise between the RMN and the Malaysian government, which had been sparring over the choice of guided weapon systems for the SGPV-LCS programme since 2012.

Norway's Improved CV90s.

The Royal Norwegian Army has received its first series-produced improved BAE Systems CV9030 infantry fighting vehicle.

Norway's Improved CV90s.

BAE Systems is under contract to upgrade 103 existing Norwegian CV90s and build an additional 41 for a total fleet of 144 under a programme understood to be worth USD500 million.

ATIRCM Cleared For FMS.

The BAE Systems' AN/ALQ-212(V) Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) system has been approved for export by the US Department of Defense (DoD), the company announced on 2 March.

ATIRCM Cleared For FMS.

"We've been working for quite a while to get US government approval to export" ATIRCM, BAE's programme manager for the system Tom Kirkpatrick told on 26 February.

USS Fort Worth Conducts First CUES Activity With Chinese Warship.

The US Navy (USN) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) has conducted its first Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) activity with a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship, the USN announced on 26 February.

USS Fort Worth Conducts First CUES Activity With Chinese Warship.

The activity was conducted in international waters in the South China Sea, beginning on 23 February, with the Type 054A Jiangkai II-class guided-missile frigate Hengshui(572).

Poland Rejigs Leopard 2PL Upgrade Programe.

The Polish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has opted for a new contractor for the planned upgrade of 128 of its Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks (MBTs) to the new Leopard 2PL standard.

Poland Rejigs Leopard 2PL Upgrade Programe.

After launching a tender for the programme in October 2013, Poland has rejected the latest offer from a consortium led by Polish Defence Holding (PHO) out of "formal and technical reasons" and because of limited Polish industrial participation in the upgrade.

Three Sukhois Delivered To Houthi-Controlled Port In Yemen.

The commander of the Yemeni Air Force has clarified reports that Ansar Allah - the Zaidi Shia group, known as the Houthis - has taken control of a shipment of three Sukhoi jets.

Three Sukhois Delivered To Houthi-Controlled Port In Yemen.

Various Arabic media organisations reported on 17 February that the aircraft had arrived from either Russia or Ukraine at the port of Al-Hudaydah, which has been under Ansar Allah's control since September 2014.

Lockheed Martin Admits Challenges.

Lockheed Martin's successful sale of 12 C-130J-30 transport aircraft to India has included "challenges but not obstacles", a company told on 19 February.

Lockheed Martin Admits Challenges.

Abhay Paranjape, director of business development for Lockheed Martin, said that these challenges were "because it's a new customer," but that the India Air Force (IAF) was "very pleased with the aircraft" and had used it "in multiple humanitarian missions."

USAF Would Divest Both U-2 & Global Hawk Block 40 Under Continued Sequestration.

The US Air Force (USAF) may be forced to retire its Lockheed U-2 and Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40 high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft if sequestration is not eliminated in Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16), the USAF deputy chief of staff for ISR said on 18 February.

USAF Would Divest Both U-2 & Global Hawk Block 40 Under Continued Sequestration.

"That's going to lead to gaps in coverage," said Lieutenant General Robert Otto. "It's going to lead to difficulty, a 30% reduction in our [intelligence] collection." The general was speaking at an Air Force Association event in Arlington, Virginia.

Decision On Rafale To Be Taken By Early Next Month.

India's decision on whether to procure 126 Dassault Rafale fighters for its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) requirement will be taken by early next month, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in Bangalore on 18 February.

"The outcome of the Rafale deal will be known only after the Cost Negotiation Committee [CNC], dealing with the purchase, submits its progress report to the Ministry of Defence [MoD]," Parrikar told reporters at Aero India 2015.

Astor Says UK Well Positioned For Modi's.

UK Defence minister Lord Astor has said the successful sale to India of the BAE Systems Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainer shows that London is ready to embrace Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for foreign defence suppliers to turn "from sellers to strategic partners".

Speaking on 18 February at the opening ceremony of Aero India 2015 in Bangalore, Modi outlined his 'Make in India' policy, which is intended to help Delhi shed its reputation as the world's largest defence materiel importer. "This is one area where we'd not like to be No. 1," Modi said, adding that "we need [foreign companies'] technology, skills, and systems … and in turn they can use India as part of their global supply chain."

Russia Conducting Major Air Exercises Close To Europe.

Russia is staging a series of major aerial exercises near Europe as tensions with the West continue to escalate over the crisis in Ukraine, state media has announced.

Russia Conducting Major Air Exercises Close To Europe.

More than 50 combat aircraft of various types are taking part in the live-fire exercises in the western military district of Russia, the Sputnik news agency reported.

US Opens Door To Increased UAV Sales.

The Obama administration on 17 February unveiled a new policy that could facilitate unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) exports to countries beyond close allies like the UK that already use advanced US-manufactured systems such as the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper.

US Opens Door To Increased UAV Sales.

An "intensive interagency process" that included the White House, the Pentagon, the Commerce Department and others led to the crafting of the new policy, a State Department official told  on the condition of anonymity. "We want to make sure that transfers are done as responsibly as possible,".

Colombian M1117 APC Destroyed In Guerrilla Attack.

A Colombian Army M1117 Pegaso 4x4 armoured security vehicle (ASV) was destroyed on 15 February by an improvised explosive device (IED).

Three Colombian soldiers were killed and two more wounded as part of the IED attack that was claimed by the National Liberation Army (Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional, ELN) guerrilla group in Sardinata, Norte de Santander. Two ELN fighters activated the IED charge as the M1117 Pegaso went over a culvert, according to a Colombian Army statement.

The M1117 Pegaso was part of the No.5 Mechanized Cavalry Group, which deployed to provide security for a medical assistance mission to the town of San Martin de Loba, about 30 miles from the border with Venezuela.

A-Darter Programme Nears Completion.

Denel Dynamics is close to completing the development of its A-Darter short-range air-to-air missile, the South African company has announced.

A-Darter Programme Nears Completion.

The missile is in the final stage of air-launched guided evaluation firing trials, which have seen two missiles being launched from a Saab JAS 39 Gripen at the end of 2014 against Skua high-speed targets to confirm the guidance, control, and free-flight seeker performance, including a lock-on-after-launch engagement. These firings demonstrated a high-G performance greater than required by the specification, the company said.

Egypt Officially Signs For 24 Rafales.

French Defence minister Jean Yves Le Drian was in Cairo on 16 February to sign the contract to supply Egypt with 24 Rafale fighters, a FREMM multimission frigate, and a large batch of MBDA missiles. He flew to Egypt with Eric Trappier, Hervé Guillou, and Antoine Bouvier: the CEOs of Dassault Aviation, DCNS, and MBDA respectively.

Egypt Officially Signs For 24 Rafales.

The arms package is valued at EUR5.2 billion (USD5.9 billion), with half of this financed by French bank loans - a clear sign that Paris is counting on the long-term stability of the government in Cairo.

Kabul Is Losing Control Of Afghan Countryside.

Afghanistan's Government is losing control of its territory outside major population centres to the country's insurgent groups, says the EU's asylum agency.

Kabul Is Losing Control Of Afghan Countryside.

"The overall trend is one of decreasing government control outside the larger towns and cities, escalating violence and more insurgent attacks," observed the European Asylum Support Office (EASO).

USAF To Return Mothballed B-52 Bomber.

The US Air Force (USAF) is returning to service a Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber aircraft that had been mothballed in the 'boneyard' at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB) in Arizona, the service announced on 16 February.

USAF To Return Mothballed B-52 Bomber.

The aircraft, serial number 61-0007, had been maintained by the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) in '1000-type storage', meaning that it is maintained in the highest state of preservation.

Lockheed Martin Unveils Legion IRST Pod.

Lockheed Martin unveiled a new long-range infrared search and track (IRST) pod for fourth-generation aircraft at the Air Force Association's annual Air Warfare Symposium on 12 February.

The Legion Pod combines Lockheed Martin's IRST21 infrared sensor with networking and data processing technology for detection and tracking of airborne targets, company officials said. The pod can hold additional sensors within its current structure, they said.

"Legion Pod has been right-sized to accommodate future payloads based on customer requirements," Don Dolling, director of business development at Lockheed's Missiles and Fire Control, told during a 13 February interview at the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium.

Egypt Says It Has Bombed Militants In Libya.

Egypt said on 16 February that it had carried out airstrikes against Sunni Islamist militants in Libya in response to the release of a video showing Egyptian Coptic Christians being beheaded.

Egypt Says It Has Bombed Militants In Libya.

"The airstrikes hit their targets precisely and the falcons of our air forces returned safely to their bases," 

IAI Teams Up With Local Firm To Build Bird-Eye UAS In India.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed an agreement with India's Alpha Design Technologies for the production and marketing of mini unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in India. 

IAI Teams Up With Local Firm To Build Bird-Eye UAS In India.

Under this agreement, Alpha will undertake the production of IAI's Bird-Eye 400 and Bird-Eye 650 mini UAS, while the marketing will be jointly handled by both the companies.