DefenceTalkPlans to expand the American naval presence in the Pacific with new ships and hi-tech weaponry will go ahead despite steep budget cuts, the US Navy chief said before a trip to the region. Admiral Jonathan Greenert told AFP in an interview he will seek to “reassure” partners during a nine-day trip to Japan, Singapore […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-shift-to-asia-on-track-despite-budget-cuts-admiral-47720/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon plans to cut its vast civilian workforce by 5-6 percent over the next five years to match similar reductions in the number of US troops, Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday. “These reductions are largely proportional to military end strength reductions that we proposed,” Carter said at the National Press Club in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-plans-to-cut-civilian-workforce-47722/

DefenceTalkWith sequestration firmly in place, the Army will be buying a lot less stuff, and leaders are concerned about ensuring the businesses they buy things from don’t whither. Lawmakers with the House Armed Services Committee, subcommittee on tactical air and land forces, met April 26, with Lt. Gen. James O. Barclay III, deputy chief of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/budget-cuts-mean-army-must-consider-where-it-will-buy-weapons-47648/

DefenceTalkSenior Defense Department officials testified yesterday before Congress highlighting the activities the department has undertaken to save an estimated $1 billion and provide a balanced national security space program. Gil I. Klinger, deputy assistant secretary of defense for space and intelligence, and Douglas L. Loverro, deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy, appeared before […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-officials-detail-1-billion-in-space-program-savings-47630/

DefenceTalkThe fiscal year 2014 budget “meets future challenges, strengthens global engagements, provides for resets, sustains the industrial base and fulfills commitments to Soldiers, civilians and families,” the Army’s top civilian leader told lawmakers. Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno testified April 25 before the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-says-fiscal-year-2014-budget-request-meets-future-challenges-47641/

DefenceTalkDefense acquisition professionals need to apply common-sense thinking as they make decisions, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics said here today. Frank Kendall issued a memo on the “Better Buying Power 2.0” that re-emphasized the power people have in the acquisition process and seven common-sense ways that acquisition and contracting personnel can […]https://www.defencetalk.com/top-acquisition-official-unveils-better-buying-power-2-0-47618/

DefenceTalkAffordability remains the priority for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, the Pentagon’s program executive officer for the Defense Department’s most expensive procurement told Congress yesterday. Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan told the Senate Armed Services Committee’s airland subcommittee that the program has made progress, but he acknowledged it is enormously complicated […]https://www.defencetalk.com/affordability-remains-priority-for-joint-strike-fighter-program-47608/

DefenceTalkThe final assessment phase in a program that could lead to the overhaul of MOD’s equipment and support management commences today. Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) is the organization that buys and supports all of the equipment used by the UK’s Armed Forces. A core element of the Transforming Defence program is reforming the acquisition […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-mod-moves-closer-to-defence-acquisition-reform-47606/

DefenceTalkThe Army says a round of base realignment and closure for fiscal year 2015 is necessary to save tax dollars, consolidate resources and adapt to force reductions. With a smaller total force over the next years — from a high of 570,000 in 2010 to 490,000 in 2017 — the Army’s need for facilities will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-seeks-round-of-base-closure-realignment-for-2015-47588/

DefenceTalkLast month, the Army’s senior-most officer told lawmakers budget cuts could result in a decrease in training readiness for follow- on forces to Afghanistan that could result in extended tours for Soldiers already there. That is no longer the case. During testimony on Capitol Hill April 23, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-says-no-go-on-extended-tours-for-soldiers-in-afghanistan-47586/