DefenceTalkDefense companies warned Friday they are days away from placing thousands of workers on unpaid leave if the US government shutdown drags on and halts arms manufacturing. Failure by Congress to approve a budget for the new fiscal year has dramatically disrupted military contract work because the Pentagon has no money to cover compulsory inspections […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-shutdown-threatens-defense-contractors-49302/

DefenceTalkIn a joint statement today, U.S. and Japanese diplomatic and military leaders agreed to revise the 1997 Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation, increase security and defense collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, and advance the realignment of American troops in Japan. Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-japan-agree-to-expand-security-defense-cooperation-49280/

DefenceTalkThe US military’s bureaucratic watchdog on Monday accused companies building the F-35 fighter of shoddy management that could jeopardize the reliability, performance and cost of the aircraft. The Pentagon inspector general cited 363 problems in the design and manufacture of the costly Joint Strike Fighter, the hi-tech warplane that is supposed to serve as the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-f-35-jet-plagued-by-shoddy-quality-control-audit-49237/

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/

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/

DefenceTalkAn array of large-scale contracts have been signed on the first day of the MAKS-2013 airshow, just outside Moscow. Defense The United Aircraft Corporation and the Defense Ministry have signed a 80 billion ruble ($2.5 billion) contract for the servicing of aircraft, avionics and related equipment, the UAC said in a press release. The contract, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/major-deals-signed-at-moscows-maks-2013-airshow-48895/

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/

DefenceTalkMilitary relations between China and the United States are steadily improving but Beijing remains determined to defend its maritime rights, the country’s defense minister said Monday during a US visit. Although General Chang Wanquan and his US counterpart, Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel, struck an optimistic tone after more than three hours of talks, the Chinese […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-will-defend-its-maritime-rights-defense-minister-48820/

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/

DefenceTalkExperts from the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs gathered Aug. 14 at the Military Health System Research Symposium to discuss the future of research on mental health and traumatic brain injury. Discussions turned toward the National Research Action Plan, or NRAP, which is the result of an executive order signed a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-partners-to-combat-brain-injury-48799/