* Australia and the UK signed a treaty to cooperate on areas including cyber security and defense tech. Britain pitched their Type 26 Global Combat Ships. Official statements: Australia | UK | Joint press conference. * Earlier in the week Indonesia said it was...
USA Articles
Rapid Fire Jan. 17, 2013: Airbus Military 2012 Sales, Deliveries
* Airbus Military delivered 29 aircraft in 2012 - 20 light and medium military transport, 4 P-3 conversions, and 5 A330 MRTTs - and received orders for 32 planes: 28 C295s and 4 CN235s. The backlog stands at 220 aircraft: 174 A400Ms, 17 MRTTs, 5 CN235s, 20 C295s, and...
Rapid Fire Jan. 16, 2013: Middle East/Africa Aircraft
* Egypt is doubling the number of C295 transport aircraft it will own, to a total of 12, after an initial order in October 2010. * Rolls-Royce won a 4-year contract to support the RB199 engines of Saudi Arabia's fleet of Tornado aircraft. The firm's press release...
Planes, from Spain, to Colombia’s Gain
EADS' CN-235 & C-295(click to view full) In December 2005, fresh from an expedition that tentatively sold $2 billion worth of military hardware to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez regime, Spain's Defence Minister made the neighboring state of Colombia an offer. A combination...
Stryker DVH Armored Vehicles for Colombia
Stryker DVH(click to view full) In January 2013, the Colombian Ministry of National Defence awarded a $65.3 million contract to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, for 24 of the firm's double-V hulled LAV-IIIs with add-on armor. In the USA, this LAV-III is known as...
Israel’s New Basic Trainer Aircraft: T-6A ‘Efroni’
Before: Fouga Magister(click for alternate) In November 2005, Israel's Ministry Of Defense (GOI/MOD) announced its interest in replacing the IAF "Zukit" ("Thrush," an upgraded 1950s-era Fouga Magister) basic training aircraft with a new trainer. The Zukit's high fuel...
Rapid Fire Jan. 15, 2013: DoD FY12 Operational Testing Report
* The Pentagon's FY2012 annual report from the Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) is now available online. We will update our coverage of major programs accordingly in the days to come. * DARPA launched its 1st of 3 public challenges meant...
Rapid Fire Jan. 14, 2013: Extended Life for Old Missiles
* The Air Force indicated last year that the life of air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM aka AGM-86) would be extended through this decade and the next. Boeing is the lead contractor since the 70s but BAE Systems has indicated they intended to compete as a prime for...
Rapid Fire Jan. 11, 2013: Pentagon Preempts Budget Squeeze
* Soon-departing US SecDef Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dempsey held a press conference (transcript, video) mostly focused on budget issues: "The continuing resolution (CR) expires on March 27th. If Congress fails to pass the...

