DefenceTalkRussia’s deputy defense minister has suggested updating the agreements on conventional weapons control, which no longer match the political situation and the effectiveness of modern high-precision arms. Speaking at a session of the Russia-NATO council, Anatoly Antonov said that the new ideas could be used when the European countries start building a new space of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-calls-on-nato-to-review-cold-war-methods-of-arms-control-48647/

DefenceTalkThe national security strategy will help France to ward off risks and threats, direct or indirect, likely to endanger the life of the nation. This concept, introduced by the 2008 White Paper and enshrined in law in 2009, has been confirmed. It is grounded in recognizing the continuity of the internal and external threats menacing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/the-french-white-paper-on-defence-and-national-security-48609/

DefenceTalkThe top US general has informed Congress of options for military intervention in Syria, but stressed that the decision of whether to go to war was one for civilian leaders. In a non-classified letter made public Monday, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey set out five options — from nonlethal intelligence […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-general-lays-out-military-options-in-syria-48560/

DefenceTalkThe German parliament has taken on the task of conducting a rapid-fire investigation into the Euro Hawk drone debacle. With elections looming, the defense minister’s testimony could prove politically explosive. In a period of just days, German parliamentarians hope to conduct an investigation into the failure of the 600-million-euro Euro Hawk drone project, a process […]https://www.defencetalk.com/german-defense-minister-to-face-grilling-over-euro-hawk-debacle-48549/

DefenceTalkDespite Taliban resistance, U.S. military objectives in Afghanistan are on track, senior U.S. military leaders told the Senate Armed Services Committee today. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. told the committee during their reconfirmation hearing that the International Security Assistance Force mission is on track to achieve its objectives […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-on-track-in-afghanistan-military-leaders-tell-senate-48529/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon has no plans to halt a $550 million deal with Russia to acquire helicopters for the Afghan Special Mission Wing, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday. In late June the Special US Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction urged the Pentagon to put the deal on hold until the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-stands-by-russian-arms-deal-48527/

DefenceTalkThe British government said Thursday it would look again at how it safeguards its telecommunications networks from feared security risks posed by the involvement of Chinese giant Huawei. Britain, the United States and Australia have all raised concerns that Huawei’s alleged ties to the Chinese state could see telecoms equipment supplied by the company used […]https://www.defencetalk.com/britain-to-review-cyber-security-agreement-with-huawei-48522/

DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a 20 percent cut in funding for the Pentagon’s top civilian and military headquarters by 2019, saying everyone has to “do their part.” Hagel announced the order Tuesday during a visit to a naval air base in Jacksonville, Florida, portraying the move as a signal that no element of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-orders-cuts-for-pentagon-headquarters-48512/

DefenceTalkThe Netherlands’ military partnership with the Chinese armed forces is to be expanded, the defence ministry announced Monday. Chinese General Hou Shu Sen spoke on Monday with the Dutch military top brass, General Tom Middendorp. The idea is to strengthen maritime cooperation in particular. The navies of the two countries already work in partnership on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/netherlands-military-partnership-with-china-expanded-48490/

DefenceTalkTaiwan started a computerized military drill on Monday, set against an imagined scenario in which China invades the island in 2017. The five-day exercise is part of the island’s biggest annual military maneuver which is this year codenamed ‘Han Kuang 29’ (Han Glory 29), officials at the defence ministry said Monday. The drill simulates a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/taiwan-military-drill-stages-china-attack-scenario-48475/