Rapid Fire 2011-04-12: Israel’s Defense Budget

* Growth in worldwide military spending slowed to 1.3% in 2010, down from 5.9% in 2009, but overall spending still hit a record $1.63 trillion, according to an annual report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. * The Israeli Knesset’s Finance Committee approves a NIS 260 million increase in defense spending, but balks at another NIS 124 million increase requested by the Finance Ministry. * Separated at birth: China’s M20 ballistic missile system for export looks a lot like Russia’s 9K720 Iskander (SS-26 Stone) system. * Dutch auction: Netherlands Defense Ministry is planning to put 60 Leopard tanks, 17 Cougar helicopters, 4 mine-sweepers, and at least 19 F-16s up for sale. * Prospects for sales of Avibras Industria Aerospacial’s ASTROS II and III multiple launch rocket systems remain slim, says Forecast International. * Russia, Brazil are in talks to jointly produce GAZ-2330 Tiger light-armored police vehicles.