International Defence Green and White Papers

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

As most know been busy "over" in Korea now it's catch up time with news of the LW+.

The general theme is arms procurement and disarmament, the winners and the losers and some other issues. Sorry have to break the "Rule of Three" but these are just articles.

1. The world is up! South America keeps on spending while most of Europe is in decline. Also see my "My Case for can Venezuela..." on Pg. 2 WinSPMBT main page thread for further details.
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/792/

2. Russia looking for further expansion into South America they have after all a major defence modernization and Carrier program to pay for among other projects.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/23676/
http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20110413/163504009.html

3. You broke your arms export sales record last year, your looking to expand your markets elsewhere, so what to do with that extra money? Spend 705 Billion on modernizing your military of course!
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/23580/

4. Not happy that the Japanese are trying to negotiate to get back their Northern Islands or that China is expanding it's military especially the Navy with Carriers and modern Submarines within the next ten years? Then project the power first with Carriers of your own from France-yes the deal is now done. These are very capable ships and countries like Georgia are very worried about them, check your maps you'll understand why.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/23761/

5. Asia is very busy to as I've reported on so I'm resubmitting this again as posted earlier today in the MBT thread.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/art...pons-purchases.

6. The U.S. is streamlining and killing programs to keep things going, note the source in the UR corner then note Para. 6.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/23746/

7. Yes I've reported on this before, those "pesky" Chinese have everyone dare I say it, up in arms! Or in this case building and improving IAFB's along it's borders.
http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2011/...rnise-air.html

8. With India's MMRCA program pending isn't it a good thing for them that Libya came along so that they had a chance to evaluate most of the fighters on their short list in a combat situation. Sadly to some extent, sometimes it's just about timing and location, location... The articles are from "DID" site.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...4?pageNumber=1
8a. A bonus here for you developers and I know someone is contemplating a "Libyan Liberation" scenario, here's some weapons info for you.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011...-weapons-qatar

9. Now for Europe it's bad over there if you're in the uniform. Portugal is expected to be maybe the next to go after Greece and Ireland in regards to the EU stepping in to keep them solvent, we'll know by the Fall or have a clearer picture by then.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/hom...ulting-Defense

10. Also from the MBT thread for the tank issue this belongs here as well. The Dutch are making major cuts in their military also given the size of it. I think most of the equipment will be sold. This might give Canada a further buy opportunity. They are being frugal but have taken advantage of earlier buy opportunities for LEO tanks from the Dutch and Swiss earlier.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/hom...ulting-Defense
http://www.shephard.co.uk/news/defen...bilities/8772/

11. I've saved the BEST for last, it's back to the Korean Peninsula!!!
And yes there was much rejoicing!?! Good ole MP & The HG!?!
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/23657/

In the Planes and Jets thread in the next couple of days I'll tell you how you can get a head start on that new inground swimming pool you've always wanted!?!

Going to be bed-Good Day all!!

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

The news from the LW+:

There just has been so much going on so my apolizies, as I've gotten behind. The underlying theme remains the same defence and program cuts. This is the new reality. And if the U.S. should come close to or actually allows it to default for even a short time it could trigger a world wide recession. I don't think it'll happen but the possibility is certainly there if people decide to play politics over the realities of the situation. The only upside I see is that certain people like myself will have less work for Don and Andy to do, well don't celebrate yet it's almost time to get my first PP for 2011/2012 started!?!
Anyway here we go:

1. A snapshot on the UK defence industry. Like what happened to the RAF HARRIERS where several hundred million dollars was spent on system upgrades in the last five years or so of service, could the same fate face the GR.4 TORANDOS? The F3 version was just retired.
http://www.army-technology.com/features/feature115959/

2. The USA harvesting tech from cancelled programs to better existing ones i.e. NLOS 155mm to the PALADIN PIM.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/23843/

3. The "new", old threats and options to counter it for the U.S.
http://www.cnas.org/node/5022
http://www.cnas.org/node/6003

4. Something we do in recruiting as well to a lesser extent, but a major tool for Al Qaeda. An interesting perspective.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/article...craft?page=0,0

5. This is a good one how the law and defence budget is guided by it, these are the type of reports the SECDEF and Congress looks at to determine the future of programs. The highlights SLAMRAAM completes development with FMTV Launcher and is shelved until we need it, MEADS to complete developmental phase until
FY 2014 (Oct. 2013.), SECNAV ordered to smoothly shutdown and cancel the EFV and the F-35 is at a "critical" over budget limit. I'll have more on it in the JETS and PLANES... thread but, the F-35 is delayed further as announced by the program manager until the end of 2016 this could put back the operational date to 2018.
http://www.defense.gov/releases/rele...eleaseid=14411

6. SECDEF has been directed by the President to further find defence spending cuts above what is being done to this point already as announced on 6 Jan. 2011. These additional cuts are to go through 2023. Though the article does not provide for how much of the 400 billion is to come from defence, the national media has already reported estimates as high as 200 billion more in cuts.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php...10&c=AME&s=TOP

7. Germany arguably the strongest economy in Europe is facing the reality of the economic crisis in it's military as well.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php...23&c=EUR&s=LAN

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

News of the LW+

MORE ON THE ARTICLE SIDE, AGAIN.

1. Updated Iraqi order of battle, you designers need to pay attention while "Uncle Sam" is still providing this info.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...ay-2011-06861/
The BTR-4s have been delivered as already reported in the APC thread.

2. Saudi Arabia keeping up with the "Jones" in case being the UAE. I guess I could be busy in the helo department? We'll see. Though of interest here will be if the Saudis become the first country outside the U.S. to get the APACHE Block III.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...l-guard-02462/

3. FY12 National Defence Authorization Bill PDF. The blank pages are the stuff we don't get to see, it's that old "need to know" thing.
http://armedservices.house.gov/index...f-ed2fa468b791

4. USA acquisition issues. Ties into #3 as discussed.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/24072/

5. This next is an in depth view of India's military dealing in the political, equipment and acquisition and procurement process. I think a good overview of most countries in general if you've been following along with these posts over the last couple of months or so.
http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2011/...y-road-to.html

"The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving" - Ana. from my calendar at work.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

1. PLA disarming? Only if you believe the sky is falling!
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/24297/

2. Overview of Australia's and Norway's upcoming defence budgets.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/24337/
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/24276/

3. A good read on Taiwan's efforts to modernize it's military.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...ization-04250/

4. Are joint forces the way of the future? Ask the UK and France!
http://www.army-technology.com/features/feature118448/

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

It's hot, more humid and it feels like I lose 20lbs. very time I go to work so I need a change of pace so...it's been awhile since I've posted here and I needed to learn more things.

1. The logic of Warfighting Experimentation.
http://www.army-technology.com/downl...ation/file926/

2. All about that STRATCOM stuff. Background, issues etc.
http://www.army-technology.com/downl...iles/file2589/

3. Oh that GPS made my world work, but there are issues involved. The threats and the cures, GPS is everywhere and controls more then you think.
http://www.army-technology.com/downl...ures/file2553/

Some bonus articles defence related procurement (Or loss of.) and budget issues. Items from papers are from the DID site.

A. Someone call UPS please!! This situation is not unique to the UK by a long shot, just find a mirror.
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/...ee8ac06750ac90

B. There's no such thing as a "safe" weapons program, the history of the "weapons program highway" is littered with them, and there will be more to come.
http://www.defenseprocurementnews.co...program-costs/
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php...89&c=AME&s=TOP

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I bet somebody buys me a beer for this because I can be a sneaky sort of guy let's see who catches on to these actually very good articles on the topics presented as these two countries try to keep up in challenging times. Besides it's been a long time since I've posted here. But we again can have fun with these!
http://www.army-technology.com/downl...tion/file1076/
http://www.army-technology.com/downl...tion/file1086/
http://www.army-technology.com/downl...nd-and-status/
This ought to keep some busy on those slow days.

To expand your mind is too expand your horizons-by me-who knows?

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

The results of the cuts in the DOD Defence budget are released, DI provides an overview of them. For further info click on the links within the para of concern for additional background or other leading to the conclusions made.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...preview-07285/

A companion short article on the Ukraine 2012 Defence Budget. Putting to use partly the recent arms sales to Iraq and Thailand I would think.
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...rope&Itemid=57

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Well I'll provide fair warning if you don't have an interest in how the geopolitical economic situation has affected defence spending, then this post isn't for you. Russia has or will overtake China in the export of tanks and jets within the last year, where political realities in the U.S. has the DOD scrambling to figure out ways to maintain a premier military force and determine it's future composition, abilities and equipment needs to meet those goals. Many countries are on the rise, others are maintaining while still others are drastically cutting back. So a little defence economics 101 and house cleaning for me...

First an overview then a little "TIT for TAT" between Russia and Algeria...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/febru...2_1702121.html
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...everage-02024/

Tha Panda is still rising...
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/32999/

Shared information makes the process of weapons procurement easier and cheaper "lessons learned" if you will though the next is a little out of the ordinary between India and Brazil...
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...rica&Itemid=58

A series of stories on the U.S. DOD Budget. How does it work and a look at the 2011-2013 budgets...
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...slation-07303/
http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2011/
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/31711/
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/...a4c92215277e27
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...-budget-07304/

A look at how the USAF is dealing with this...
http://www.af.mil/shared/media/docum...120201-027.pdf

If you can't afford to buy, try a lease as Hungry has done for the GRIPEN. The original lease is now extended until 2026.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/31785/

Austria has armor? Well yes but not much after 2013...
http://www.army-technology.com/news/...hicles-by-2013

Well this should keep some of you busy!?!

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Well its been a longtime since I posted anything here but, I think it's time to separate out items like the below that work their way into the more equipment orientated threads I use for my submission work and for others as they see fit. So this will be more for the "bigger picture" items.

1. EU President calls for a unified EU Army and Air Force. The article concerning a unified AF is more in depth as it appears in full length and touches on the first issue. Once in a while JANES will present you with a gift and the latter is just that.
http://www.janes.com/article/49843/e...-european-army
http://www.janes.com/article/49838/a...pean-air-force

2. The next is perspective on Germany's military situation, recently Lithuania had asked for light armor but, last week was refused for a variety of reasons to include internal security. However it's likely they will still receive the PHZ- 2000 SPA units also requested. For background I've included Lithuania's situation as well driven by Russia's resurgence in Europe.
http://www.janes.com/article/49362/l...e-conscription
http://www.armyrecognition.com/febru...ania_army.html
http://www.defence24.com/news_german...itzers-anyway#
http://www.defence24.com/analysis_ge...the-bundeswehr

3. Eurocorps Commander warns that Europe cannot continue to rely on "soft power"...
http://www.janes.com/article/49619/e...ommander-warns

4. Is it time for us to come back to Europe with more armor?
http://www.defence24.com/news_americ...eastern-europe

5. Is the "Hybrid War" in Ukraine working for Russian?
http://www.janes.com/article/49469/u...ine-is-working

This is a good start for now. Any feedback on Defence24 from Items 2 and 4 would be appreciated here by SERIOUS readers please.

Regards,
Pat

[Suhiir]

I can see where the eastern Europeans would probably like to have some US units (I doubt they really care what kind, just as long as they're US) permanently stationed inside their borders.
But, of course certain western European nations (bet you can guess which ones) will be totally opposed.

The real question is - Does anyone think Russia is actually going to attempt to reoccupy it's former satellites?