Sourced: Asia Times Two US Navy guided missile destroyers passed through the Bosporus Strait and entered the Black Sea bordering Russia on Friday in what was described as a “proactive” presence mission, according to USNI News. “Our decision to have two ships simultaneously operate in the Black Sea is proactive, not reactive,” US 6th Fleet… Continue reading TWO US NAVY ARLEIGH-BURKE CLASS DESTROYERS ENTER BLACK SEA
NEW NORTH KOREA THREAT: HOVERCRAFT AND NAVY SNIPER BRIGADES
Sourced: Asia Times Nuke missiles aren’t the only lethal military capability being developed by North Korea. Analyst Joseph S. Bermudez says Pyongyang may be expanding its hovercraft and navy sniper brigade forces in an asymmetric military threat to South Korea. Bermudez noted earlier this month in an article for Beyond Parallel, a website dedicated to… Continue reading NEW NORTH KOREA THREAT: HOVERCRAFT AND NAVY SNIPER BRIGADES
EDI RAMA CRITICISED FOR ALBANIA-KOSOVO “JOINT PRESIDENT” IDEA
Sourced: Balkan Insight Albanian premier Edi Rama’s suggestion that Albania and Kosovo could share the same joint president was described as impractical by analysts in Pristina and strongly condemned by officials in Belgrade. Analysts in Pristina told BIRN on Monday that Albania and Kosovo should take serious steps towards practical cooperation instead of the idea… Continue reading EDI RAMA CRITICISED FOR ALBANIA-KOSOVO “JOINT PRESIDENT” IDEA
IDF GENERAL: REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS MAKE WAR IN 2018 MORE LIKELY
Sourced: Jerusalem On Line By Becca Noy A senior IDF general told Army Radio on Monday morning that the military has raised its level of preparedness due to the likelihood of a war on the northern front this year. “In the year 2018, there’s a potential for an escalation [of military conflict], not necessarily because… Continue reading IDF GENERAL: REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS MAKE WAR IN 2018 MORE LIKELY
USA BLOCKS ADDITIONAL RAFALE SALES TO EGYPT
Sourced: Egypt Daily News Negotiations for the sale of additional Rafale between France and Egypt are hampered by the United States. Washington refuses to export an American component aboard the Scalp cruise missile that Cairo wants to acquire. Negotiations between Paris and Cairo are seriously stuck in for the sale of additional Rafale (12 fighter… Continue reading USA BLOCKS ADDITIONAL RAFALE SALES TO EGYPT
U.S NAVY PICKS FIVE CONTENDERS FOR NEXT GENERATION FRIGATE PROGRAM
Sourced:USNI By: Sam LaGrone and Megan Eckstein Five ship designs will compete in the Navy’s bid for 20 next-generation guided-missile frigates (FFG(X)) that will follow the Littoral Combat Ship, the service announced on Friday. Five shipbuilders were awarded contracts for conceptual design of the frigates, which the Navy will evaluate over the next 16… Continue reading U.S NAVY PICKS FIVE CONTENDERS FOR NEXT GENERATION FRIGATE PROGRAM
TURKEY, RUSSIA TO SIGN DEAL FOR SECOND S-400 REGIMENT IN 2020
Sourced: Daily Sabah Turkey will sign an agreement with Russia for the second S-400 missile defense system regiment in 2020, a Russian official said Wednesday. “After the delivery of the first regiment is completed in May-June 2020, the parties plan to sign a new contract on the delivery of the second S-400 regiment in 2021.… Continue reading TURKEY, RUSSIA TO SIGN DEAL FOR SECOND S-400 REGIMENT IN 2020
CHINA’S MILITARY REACH GOES GLOBAL, LEAVING RIVALS BEHIND
Sourced: Asia Times By William Holland An annual assessment of global military capabilities and defense economics has been released by the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. Titled “The Military Balance,” it provides government leaders with sound analysis regarding contemporary spending trends on military capabilities. This year’s report startled many in the US defense establishment,… Continue reading CHINA’S MILITARY REACH GOES GLOBAL, LEAVING RIVALS BEHIND
GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER: SERBIA MUST ACCEPT KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE TO JOIN EU
Sourced: Reuters By Fatos Bytyci Serbia will need to accept the independence of Kosovo, its former province, in order to join the European Union, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in Pristina late on Wednesday. Kosovo declared independence 10 years ago, almost a decade after NATO bombed Serb forces to halt the killing and expulsion… Continue reading GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER: SERBIA MUST ACCEPT KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE TO JOIN EU
INDIAN AIR FORCE REQUESTS BRIEFING ON THE F-35A FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
Sourced: Defence Blog By Dylan Malyasov The Indian Air Force (IAF) is requesting a classified briefing on the F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft, the Business Standard reports on 15 February. Business Standard learns the IAF top brass is formally requesting for a classified briefing by the F-35’s prime builder, Lockheed Martin, on the capabilities of… Continue reading INDIAN AIR FORCE REQUESTS BRIEFING ON THE F-35A FIGHTER AIRCRAFT