DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel today signaled possible big changes ahead for his department in acquisition, personnel and organization as he delivered his first major policy speech as Pentagon chief. Hagel outlined his plan of attack for the strategic and financial challenges the Defense Department faces during remarks at the National Defense University here. “We need […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-review-will-lead-to-big-choices-hagel-says-47355/

DefenceTalkWith the U.S. Government facing significant challenges to the overall budget, tough cuts can be expected to the defense budget – one of the largest areas of discretionary spending. Frost & Sullivan’s latest research looks at the envisioned future defense capabilities and identifies various market opportunities that will appear if those capabilities are fully funded. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/where-can-a-us-contractor-find-future-growth-47362/

DefenceTalkRussian President Vladimir Putin says Russian arms sales last year reached $15.2 billion, an increase of 12 percent compared to the previous year. Putin said Russian weapons manufacturers exported arms and military equipment to 66 countries last year and currently have contracts worth some $46 billion with 75 countries. Putin said those figures make Russian […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-arms-exports-up-12-percent-47357/

DefenceTalkThe United Nations has overwhelmingly approved (154-3 with 23 abstentions) a landmark treaty regulating trade in conventional arms. The legally-binding treaty sets international standards to regulate the import, export and transfer of conventional weapons – from battle tanks, warships and attack helicopters to small arms and light weapons. Major arms exporters, such as the United […]https://www.defencetalk.com/un-passes-landmark-arms-treaty-47338/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Department has revised from 22 to 14 the number of days hundreds of thousands of civilian employees could be furloughed this year because of the budget sequester, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced March 28. In addition, a senior Defense Department official speaking on background, told reporters the start of the furloughs will be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-announces-fewer-furlough-days-for-civilians-47315/

DefenceTalkSoaring tensions on the Korean peninsula have seen dire North Korean threats met with an unusually assertive US response that analysts warn could take a familiar game into dangerous territory. By publicly highlighting its recent deployment of nuclear-capable B-52 and stealth bombers over South Korea, Washington has, at times, almost appeared to be purposefully goading […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-strategy-takes-korean-crisis-into-new-territory-47323/

DefenceTalkThe Iraq and Afghanistan wars will cost the United States between $4-6 trillion in the long term, constraining the government’s budget for decades to come, a study said. Harvard University scholar Linda Bilmes concluded that the United States will face increasing costs to care for an estimated 2.5 million veterans, and to pay down debt […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iraq-afghan-wars-to-cost-us-up-to-6-trillion-study-47307/

DefenceTalkNorth Korea’s military has put rocket units on a war footing with a fresh threat to strike US targets as well as South Korea, as Washington said it was ready to respond to “any contingency”. The move came as South Korea on Tuesday marked the third anniversary of the sinking of its naval vessel “Cheonan” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/combat-ready-north-korea-threatens-us-mainland-hawaii-47279/

DefenceTalkNewly-elected Chinese President Xi Jinping has affirmed that China and Russia will continue to strengthen and develop their military, political and strategic relations, including cooperation between their armed forces. Xi Jinping, who is on a three-day visit to Russia – his first foreign visit since becoming Chinese president last week, met on Saturday with the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinese-leader-vows-stronger-military-ties-with-russia-47256/

DefenceTalkAs ISAF prepares to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan, the instability of transport routes out of the country through Pakistan has opened up a powerful window of opportunity for Uzbekistan. A route northwards through the former Soviet state has become a preferred alternative to an exit via Karachi for the removal of vast quantities of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-uzbekistan-and-the-isaf-withdrawal-47234/