DefenceTalk30 Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected Vehicles (the MRAPMaxx Pro for logistic use), donated by the U.S. Government to the Republic of Croatia, were officially taken over in the “Croatia” Barracks in Zagreb on 7 April 2014. The official ceremony was attended by the Assistant Defence Minister of the Republic of Croatia for Material Resources, Viktor Koprivnjak as […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-donates-30-mrap-vehicles-to-croatia-59284/

DefenceTalkAutonomy options for the Marines have taken a major step forward, as officials at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced today two successful helicopter flight demonstrations with unmanned flight capability at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., part of the Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) program. AACUS will enable the Marine Corps to rapidly resupply […]https://www.defencetalk.com/robocopter-new-technology-brings-new-capabilities-to-the-marine-corps-59253/

DefenceTalkThe Japanese Ministry of Defence has ordered four Bushmaster vehicles for deployment with the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). The vehicles, all troop carrier variants, will be manufactured at the company’s facility in Bendigo, Victoria in Australia, for delivery in late 2014. Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins said: “This new export order demonstrates the ongoing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-buys-thales-bushmasters-59251/

DefenceTalkThe most recent version of the Army’s 3D virtual training game, Virtual Battle Space 3, allows players to personalize their avatar within the simulation and the scenes and scenarios look a lot more real as well. Using new human dimensioning modeling within Virtual Battle Space 3, known as VBS3, Soldiers using the training will put […]https://www.defencetalk.com/latest-virtual-battle-space-release-adds-realism-to-scenarios-avatars-59242/

DefenceTalkResearch, development and acquisition investments have declined 37 percent since the fiscal year 2012 budget planning cycle, said the G-8. Historically, the research, development and acquisition, or RDA, account averaged about 22 percent of the Army’s obligation authority. But for fiscal year 2015, the RDA account is at 17 percent or about $20 billion, Lt. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-modernization-strategy-soldier-focused-in-lean-years-59236/

DefenceTalkRenault Trucks Defense said Wednesday its project to develop an armored infantry fighting vehicle together with a Russian manufacturer is on hold due to the Ukraine crisis. “The project is on hold because of the political situation, but that is not saying it has been halted,” RTD marketing director Marc Chassilian told journalists in Paris. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/french-russian-tank-project-on-hold-due-to-ukraine-crisis-59218/

DefenceTalkA British sniper killed five Taliban insurgents and a would-be suicide bomber in Afghanistan with one bullet, the Ministry of Defence has said. The 20-year-old marksman, a lance corporal in the Coldstream Guards, hit the trigger switch of the device from 930 yards away, causing the bomb to explode. The blast killed the would-be bomber […]https://www.defencetalk.com/single-snipers-bullet-kills-six-taliban-fighters-59195/

DefenceTalkMarine Corps Light Armored Vehicle Anti-Tank prototypes are in the midst of developmental tests of upgrades that could extend their lives for decades to come. The modernization program is taking shape at various sites throughout the country. Development of the LAV-ATs has already successfully met threshold testing as four of the prototypes have fired 14 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-marines-test-lav-at-anti-tank-modernization-upgrade-59178/

DefenceTalkHaving effectively annexed Crimea, Russia now threatens the territorial integrity of the rest of Ukraine. How are Ukraine’s ground forces configured to deal with the challenge? This map is the closest approximation of Ukrainian ground force (along with airborne and air-mobile units) deployments based on research of Ukrainian armed forces until February 2014. Readers will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/current-status-of-ukraines-ground-forces-59171/

DefenceTalkHis eyes glazed and his step heavy, former Ukrainian soldier Sergei walks out of a naval office in Sevastopol after switching allegiance to the Russian army. He is one of many making the choice to stay on in Crimea where the Ukrainian army stood by helplessly as Russia seized its military facilities in a matter […]https://www.defencetalk.com/beaten-and-demoralised-ukraine-soldiers-sign-up-with-russia-59184/