DefenceTalkThe prototype of Russia’s next generation Armata main battle tank is ready for testing, which will begin by November, the head of the Russian Tank Forces said Saturday. “The prototypes will be unveiled soon at an exhibit in Nizhny Tagil, and their tests will kick off within a month or two, I believe,” Lt. Gen. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-armata-tank-to-enter-testing-in-november-49000/

DefenceTalkBritish arms maker BAE Systems said on Friday that it will close a small Pennsylvania plant that overhauls and upgrades military equipment for Bradley fighting vehicles, and blamed spending cutbacks. “BAE Systems announced today the planned closing of its Fayette facility in Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania,” BAE said in a statement that was issued overnight. The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/bae-systems-says-closing-pennsylvania-facility-48984/

DefenceTalkFull-pace, full-scope testing of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle prototypes began Sept. 3 and will last for 14 months. Each of the three vendors — Oshkosh Defense, Lockheed Martin and AM General — delivered 22 vehicles and six trailers for testing to three sites — Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.; Yuma, Ariz.; and Redstone Arsenal, Ala. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/jltv-testing-begins-program-on-schedule-budget-48972/

DefenceTalkWashington is weighing expanding support for Syrian rebels by having the Pentagon take charge of arming the opposition instead of a clandestine effort by the CIA, officials said Wednesday. “It’s under consideration,” said a US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “If and how (it would be done) are both questions being discussed,” the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-may-take-charge-of-arming-syrian-rebels-us-officials-48958/

DefenceTalkThe top NATO commander in Afghanistan says the country’s police and army are losing too many men in battle. U.S. General Joseph Dunford said Afghan security forces may need up to five more years of Western training and support before they can handle combat operations entirely on their own. Dunford made the comments in an […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-afghan-security-force-casualties-too-high-48928/

DefenceTalkMaoist rebels killed four paramilitary troops and injured two others by setting off a landmine on a highway in eastern India on Tuesday, police officials said. The powerful blast sent the soldiers’ vehicle flying through the air, with photographs showing the upturned, mangled van lying in a crater in Orissa state’s Koraput district, located 366 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/maoist-rebels-kill-four-troops-in-india-landmine-blast-48912/

DefenceTalkSoldiers facing rugged terrain and extreme temperatures are continually searching for ways to reduce the weight of their gear. In a search for solutions to this persistent issue, U.S. Army scientists and engineers have preliminarily demonstrated body armor that is 10 percent lighter through new manufacturing processes. The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/armys-manufacturing-improvements-yield-lighter-body-armor-48905/

DefenceTalkAll 66 Joint Light Tactical Vehicle prototypes have been delivered to the military so that 14 months of testing can begin at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., and Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. Full-scale testing is scheduled to begin next week, according to the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle joint program office. Each of the three vendors competing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-marine-corps-take-delivery-of-jltvs-for-user-testing-48903/

DefenceTalkIn a first-of-its-kind deal worth about $500 million, the United States has agreed to sell eight new Apache AH-64E attack helicopters and Longbow radars to Indonesia, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said here today. Hagel announced the deal during a joint news conference with Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro after productive meetings this afternoon with Yusgiantoro […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-announces-us-deal-to-sell-ah-64e-attack-helicopters-to-indonesia-48884/

DefenceTalkTextron Marine & Land Systems (TM&LS) announced today a $31.6 million contract award from the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) to provide 28 Commando Advanced Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), with 40mm/.50 cal remote turrets, to the Colombian Army (COLAR). Initial APC deliveries to the U.S. Army, for shipping to Colombia, are expected to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/colombian-army-acquires-additional-commando-apcs-48853/