* Canada’s federal government is working on its 2014 budget [PDF], with defense and personnel spending targeted to help balance the books: Canadian Press | National Post | CBC. Key takeaway: “The Government is moving $3.1 billion in National Defence...
Peace in Our Time: Mid East Edition * The UAE & Saudi Arabia are both reportedly looking at submarines, with the UAE focused on a smaller design (300t – 1,000t) to patrol the shallow Gulf waters. Fincantieri’s UAE JV Eithad Ship Building could have an...
* The US Congressional Budget Office put together a presentation [PDF] on DoD’s budget prospects for the next 10 years. They note that not only DoD’s 5-year plan is above sequester caps by $60B-$90B a year, but acquisition, operations & maintenance,...
* The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates Saudi Arabia’s 2013 budget to be about $2.6B higher than the UK’s. Unlike recent figures from IHS Jane’s this contradicts the British government’s claim to the 4th...
* Indian Defense Minister AK Antony said that 92% of the ministry’s capital account for the current fiscal year were already spent. That makes sense 11 months into a fiscal year that ends on March 31st, but the Rafale deal won’t be finalized by then. With...
