DefenceTalkBrussels: NATO head Jens Stoltenberg said Monday the alliance will approve plans this week to more than double the size of its rapid response force, having already created a special spearhead unit in the fallout from the Ukraine crisis. “NATO defence ministers… (will) take a decision to further increase the strength and capacity of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-head-says-alliance-to-more-than-double-rapid-response-force-size-64611/

DefenceTalkThis year, NATO is conducting its largest maneuver since the end of the Cold War. Now the rapid action forces, established last autumn, are displaying their fighting skills. Barbara Wesel reports from Poland. “Birdman” is the name that maneuver planners have given the opponent in the Bothnian enemy camp. He must be retrieved from a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-rapid-reaction-force-trains-in-poland-64601/

DefenceTalkU.S. Army and Israeli scientists are conducting testing and research on active flow control devices as a means to reduce drag on future Army aircraft. The Suction and Oscillatory Blowing Actuator, or SaOB, invented by Israeli scientist, Dr. Avraham Seifert of Tel Aviv University, uses the active control of airflow to reduce drag. Testing of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/joint-us-israeli-device-seeks-to-reduce-airflow-drag-64589/

DefenceTalkSoldiers, from the 76th Iraqi Infantry Brigade, received M16A2 rifles and infantry equipment sets, May 24-26, as part of the fielding of combat brigade equipment sets supplied to Iraqi Security Forces from the United States to support the fight against Daesh. Under the direction of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade Forward Support Element on Fort Stewart, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-supplies-critical-weapons-to-iraqi-forces-in-fight-against-isil-64533/

DefenceTalkDRAWSKO POMORSKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland: Standing in an open field, a sea of Soldiers salute four different flags flying side-by-side. Despite being from different countries, the raising of the flags represents the beginning of a historic training exercise amongst allies. U.S., Polish, German and Danish Soldiers gathered for the opening ceremony of Saber Strike 15, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/exercise-saber-strike-15-begins-in-poland-64444/

DefenceTalkEver since man has waged war, he has sought to unleash devastation on his enemy en masse. No conventional weapon is more capable of delivering mass destruction than artillery. Early artillery were large projectile weapons intended to destroy enemy fortifications (walls, castle turrets & ramparts), like the stone catapult or ballista (heavy mounted crossbow). These […]https://www.defencetalk.com/arty-arty-king-of-the-battlefield-64369/

DefenceTalkIn an effort to increase sales of its tanks in the face of declining global demand, China North Industries Group Corp, the country’s biggest developer and maker of land armaments, is turning to a popular smartphone social networking app. WeChat is often used by Chinese arms producers to release comparisons between their weapons and other […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-tank-maker-seeks-to-increase-exports-on-land-armaments-64398/

DefenceTalkCAMP KONOTOP, Poland: Soldiers, from the U.S., Polish, and French armies, completed a multi-battalion-sized training exercise at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area in Poland, May 29. Although between NATO allies, Exercise Puma 15 marks the first time the partners have conducted with battalions from each respective nation. The annual Polish-led exercise simulated an operation, where armored […]https://www.defencetalk.com/exercise-puma-15-marks-first-for-u-s-polish-french-armies-64392/

DefenceTalkApproximately 250 soldiers, from the Romanian Land Forces, are participating in the multinational Exercise Combined Resolve IV to improve operations in a coalition structure alongside NATO allies and European partners. Since 2003, the Romanian Land Forces have deployed three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and once in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In […]https://www.defencetalk.com/romania-proving-a-strong-ally-during-exercise-combined-resolve-iv-64362/

DefenceTalkIraq’s leadership was indignant after US accusations that its forces lack the will to fight but assessments of the army’s ability suggest the rank-and-file have reasons to shy from battle. Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said Sunday, a week after the loss of Ramadi to the Islamic State group, that there was “an issue with the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/litany-of-problems-keep-iraqi-army-weak-64352/