* Reuters: riots in Turkey kill 19 over failure to aid besieged Syrian Kurds. This conflict is getting increasingly regional. * The Guardian describes the hi-tech media jihad conducted by ISIS: "Isis's global media operation appears to have two key objectives: to...
Westpac, Expressin'(click to view full) The Westpac Express fast ferry ship has been instrumental in changing the way the US Navy approaches sealift in the Western Pacific. It's fast enough to substitute for airlift in many cases, and large enough to move a Marine...
* ISIS has reportedly gained control [Reuters] of part of Ayn al-Arab/Kobani [CNN], a Syrian town near Turkey that Kurdish forces have been defending for weeks. * The jihadists are also gaining ground in the Anbar province west of Bagdhad: McClatchy | Institute for...
* The US State Department confirmed that the US embargo on weapons sales to Vietnam has been partly lifted, so far only as far as maritime security-related items are concerned. Defense News notes that this may include aviation assets. * That thawing between the US and...
Patriot PAC-2(click to view full) It's becoming clear that Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, have stepped up their defense spending in recent years. Uncertainty creates perceptions of risk, and perceptions of risk lead to responses aimed at reducing that risk....
M142 HIMARS(click to view full) In September 2006, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the United Arab Emirates official request High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (M142 HIMARS) as well as associated equipment that included GPS-guided missiles...
* France's Ministry of Defense released its 2015 budget plans [in French]. They're looking at a nominally flat (i.e. excluding inflation) 31.4 billion euros ($39.7B) budget, within which €5.7B go to major programs and €2.8B are assigned to the nuclear deterrent. 1...
PC-21(click to view full) Qatar is in the middle of overhauling its air force, with a competition for new fighters that has attracted interest from around the world. They're also busy upgrading their pilot training, to serve with the newly established Air Force...
* US SecDef Chuck Hagel and Acquisition defense chief Frank Kendall met with Indian Prime Minister Modi. They have a list of potential cooperative projects, but Kendall downplayed [Reuters] expectations of any immediate major announcements. There's indeed not much in...