Rapid Fire 2011-03-09: UK Defence Cuts

* More UK defense cuts this year, says Defence Equipment Minister Peter Luff. * North Korea attacks South Korean government computers. * The Pentagon’s quasi-decoy blimps idea is a good one. * The Sultanate of Brunei, in the Indonesian archipelago, has finally inducted its new 80m Darusalaam-class OPV/FAC boats, after backing away from a corvette buy that might have ruffled feathers in neighboring Malaysia. As a regional diplomacy follow-on, in April 2012 they’re donating 2 of their old Waspada-class patrol craft to Indonesia as training vessels. * Russia considering purchases of western naval guns and engines for its warships. * Royal Navy Albion-class landing platform dock ship HMS Bulwark returns to operational fleet after a GBP 30 million refit by Babcock and BAE Systems. * Japan’s stealth fighter prototype could be ready to fly in 2014. The Feb 22/11 Rapid Fire included more in-depth background links re: Japan’s next-stage fighter programs and plans. * Israel may seek $20 billion more in US military aid to manage threats from Arab turmoil. That would be spent over multiple years, of course, with the standard provisions mandating American-made equipment. * BAE Systems Australia receives an initial $20.9 million, 6-year performance-based depth maintenance contract […]