FRANCE TO HIKE DEFENCE SPENDING BY OVER 40 PERCENT

Computer generated image of a concept Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAS) Defence cooperation between the UK and France has been strengthened following agreements signed at the Farnborough Air Show today. Philip Hammond and Jean-Yves Le Drian agreed to bolster cooperation relating to the acquisition and support of military equipment for both the UK and French Armed Forces. The agreement follows on from the communiqué that was signed by Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande at RAF Brize Norton in January, which set out plans for closer ties between the two countries. As part of the deal signed today, the UK and France agreed a £120m Feasibility Phase with six industry partners for the joint development of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle concepts and technologies. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the SCALP/Stormshadow programme with MBDA that continues our cooperation on this important cruise missile capability.

Sourced: France24 France on Wednesday announced plans to boost defence spending by more than 40 percent, bringing it into line with NATO targets after complaints from US President Donald Trump that Europe is not pulling its weight. European NATO members have come under pressure from Trump to relieve the burden on the US, which currently… Continue reading FRANCE TO HIKE DEFENCE SPENDING BY OVER 40 PERCENT

US WOOS INDIA INTO 100-YEAR ALLIANCE AGAINST INDIA

Sourced : Asia Times By M.K. Bhadrakumar Even as the countdown begins for US President Donald Trump’s highly anticipated state visit to China, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is heading to India next week in a delicate geopolitical balancing act. A landmark speech Tillerson gave at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in… Continue reading US WOOS INDIA INTO 100-YEAR ALLIANCE AGAINST INDIA

TRUMP WOULD BE “HONORED” TO MEET NORTH KOREA’S LEADER

Sourced : DW US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would be honored to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “under the right circumstances.” “If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him, I would absolutely, I would be honored to do it,” Trump told the New York-based Bloomberg News… Continue reading TRUMP WOULD BE “HONORED” TO MEET NORTH KOREA’S LEADER