DefenceTalkThis report seeks to inform the debate over the extent of U.S. military presence overseas by providing a rigorous estimate of the costs associated with maintaining U.S. Air Force installations and units overseas rather than in the United States. The authors describe the various types of expenditures required to maintain bases and military units overseas […]https://www.defencetalk.com/cost-analysis-of-the-us-air-force-overseas-posture-49092/

DefenceTalkConfronted by sclerotic economies and sovereign debt concerns, defense spending remains largely a tertiary concern across much of Europe, according to Forecast International’s latest Europe Military Markets analysis. Countries throughout the region are simultaneously seeking to achieve savings while protecting their social welfare nets, thus creating pressures on military budgets that are placing defense investment […]https://www.defencetalk.com/europes-era-of-austerity-defense-continues-to-fade-into-the-background-48988/

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/

DefenceTalkBudget pressures mean defense acquisition workers’ lives “are going to stay difficult for a while,” their chief told the workforce here this week, but he reminded them that they have a critical mission for the country. Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, visited here Sept. 3 to discuss the Pentagon’s Better […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-official-predicts-bleak-budget-picture-for-fiscal-2014-48965/

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/

DefenceTalkJapan’s defence ministry is looking for its biggest budget hike in two decades, partly to create a Marines-like force, it revealed Friday, as neighbors fret about Tokyo’s rising assertiveness. Military bosses want more than 4.8 trillion yen ($49 billion) — three percent up on last year — with much of their focus on safeguarding remote […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-eyes-defence-budget-increase-marines-like-unit-48941/

DefenceTalkSecretary of the Navy Ray Mabus today directed the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy/Deputy Chief Management Officer (DUSN/DCMO) to begin a comprehensive assessment of the business challenges facing the Navy and Marine Corps. He also instructed the offices of the DUSN/DCMO to begin developing a plan to address the multiple budgetary […]https://www.defencetalk.com/department-of-the-navy-prepares-to-face-new-challenges-48915/

DefenceTalkThe United States has announced a major increase in U.S. funding for military education and training programs in Southeast Asia. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made the announcement Sunday during a speech at the Malaysian Institute of Defense and Security in Kuala Lumpur. He said the latest Pentagon budget includes $90 million for the programs, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-significantly-boosts-military-funding-for-southeast-asia-48882/

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/

DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chinese Minister of National Defense Gen. Chang Wanquan today announced that their countries will take a series of steps to improve military-to-military relations. Speaking to reporters at a Pentagon news conference, both leaders said that close U.S.-China relations will provide stability and security for the Asia-Pacific region and the world. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-chang-seek-to-bolster-military-to-military-relations-48808/