DefenceTalkGermany’s voluntary military service is a soldier’s taster course for young men and women. Almost 30 percent of those who take part abandon the training early. The army doesn’t seem to mind – it has other priorities. Homesickness, a career, false expectations: Those are the main reasons why young men and women decide to end […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-frets-over-high-military-dropout-rate-48829/

DefenceTalkIn a move which belies the often-heard canard that it is slow to make decisions, the U.S. Army is moving out decisively to reduce overhead spending and protect as much as it can of the fighting force. In an August 14 memorandum to every major command and agency, the Secretary of the Army, the Honorable […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-leadership-takes-the-lead-in-cutting-overhead-48825/

DefenceTalkIndia’s Defense Ministry has signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited for delivery of T-90 tank missiles manufactured under Russian license to the Indian army, The Hindu daily newspaper reported Tuesday. Under the contract, estimated at $470 million, the deliveries of the Invar missiles, to be put on T-90 tanks, are to be completed within […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-defense-ministry-signs-contract-for-t-90-missiles-48823/

DefenceTalkLockheed Martin celebrated the delivery of 22 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps under the JLTV program’s Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract. JLTV team members marked the milestone during a ceremony at the Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control facility in Dallas. The vehicles will be transferred to the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lockheed-delivers-22-jltv-development-vehicles-to-u-s-army-and-marines-48783/

DefenceTalkCanceling U.S. participation in the Bright Star military exercise with Egypt sends a strong objection to the Egyptian government about the recent violence in the country, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today. President Barack Obama announced the decision earlier today. Despite the cancellation, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has told Egyptian Defense Minister Lt. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-cancels-bright-star-exercise-with-egypt-48779/

DefenceTalkA Dutch company is allowed to sell some 21 million euros of military equipment to Algeria. Thales Nederland has received an export licence, Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans says in a letter to parliament. The deal involves radar systems and so-called C3 systems (command, control and communication). This equipment will go to Algeria via China, where […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dutch-ok-military-equipment-supply-to-algeria-48774/

DefenceTalkGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) today announced its successful demonstration of Predator B’s Electronic Attack capability at the U.S. Marine Corp’s (USMC’s) Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course held at Marine Corp Air Station (MCAS) Yuma on April 12. “With this highly effective display of Predator B as a viable and capable EW platform, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ga-asi-successfully-demonstrates-electronic-attack-in-usmc-exercise-48748/

DefenceTalkIntense, excitement and fun are some of the words that begin to describe the way two parachute riggers from the 101st Sustainment Brigade “Task Force Lifeliner,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), feel as they prepare for sling load operations. Spc. Vonza Abney, a native of Hinesville, Ga., and Pfc. Hanook M. Chi, a native of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/riggers-push-supplies-out-to-troops-with-sling-load-operations-48733/

DefenceTalkThe XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement weapon system is now in development. But by this time next year, the system may have moved into low-rate initial production and if so, will lose the experimental “X” prefix. Lt. Col. Shawn Lucas, the PEO Soldier program manager for individual weapons at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., said the XM25 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/xm25-counter-defilade-target-engagement-system-may-lose-x-by-next-august-48712/

DefenceTalkA Russian company is developing nanotechnology that would allow production of light-weight ceramic armor for the military and police as early as by the end of 2015, the Izvestia newspaper said Tuesday. Ceramic armor plates manufactured with the use of boron carbide powder will be used to make bulletproof vests, armor protection for combat vehicles […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-military-to-receive-nano-armor-by-2015-report-48719/