DefenceTalkThe United States has lifted restrictions on a small portion of its military assistance to the Philippines that was withheld over human rights concerns, the foreign minister said Thursday. The gesture affects about $15 million dollars that have been withheld over the last five years, a fraction of Washington’s total military assistance to the South […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-says-us-has-lifted-restrictions-on-military-aid-funds-62089/

DefenceTalkThe purpose of operational testing is to assure the Military Services field weapons that work in combat. This purpose has been codified in both USC Title 10 and in the Department of Defense’s (DOD) 5000-series regulations for many years without substantive alteration. Operational testing is intended to occur under “realistic combat conditions” that include operational […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-dod-operational-test-and-evaluation-annual-report-fy-2014-62057/

DefenceTalkMoscow and Tehran have signed military cooperation deal that implies wider collaboration in personnel training and counter-terrorism activities. It may also resolve the situation concerning the delivery of Russian S300 missiles, Iranian media reported. Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan, signed the document during a visit by Russia’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-and-iran-sign-defense-deal-may-resolve-s300-missile-delivery-issue-62028/

DefenceTalkNATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urged Germany on a visit to Berlin Wednesday to mirror its leadership role in Europe as the bloc’s biggest economy in its defense spending. Describing Germany as a “staunch and important” NATO ally, Stoltenberg stressed the need for members of the US-led alliance to bump up investment amid challenges such as […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-chief-urges-germany-to-lead-way-on-defense-spending-61927/

DefenceTalkThe government of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a 2.8 percent rise in defense spending on Wednesday, with Tokyo seeking to bolster defenses in its waters bordering China. “The situation around Japan is changing,” Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said on Sunday. “The level of defense spending reflects the amount necessary to protect Japan’s air, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-ramps-up-military-budget-to-ward-off-china-61912/

DefenceTalkThe Department of Defense announced today the consolidation of some U.S. infrastructure in Europe, including the return of 15 sites to their host nations. These actions, taken as part of the European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) process, will save the U.S. government approximately $500 million annually. The DoD also announced the first F-35 basing in Europe […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-announces-european-infrastructure-consolidation-actions-and-f-35-basing-in-europe-61812/

DefenceTalkTurkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced five defense projects on Wednesday, following a Defense Industry Executive Committee meeting in Ankara. Davutoglu said that Turkey would order four more fifth generation stealth F-35s, which will be the new front line fighters of the Turkish Air Force. “We will have four more next generation F-35 fighters, of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-prime-minister-announces-major-defense-projects-61805/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command is warning the greater Army community about a new carjacking scam targeting unsuspecting holiday shoppers. Criminal Investigation Command, commonly referred to as CID, special agents were recently alerted through law enforcement channels about a new ploy, where criminals use the lure of free cash as a distraction. The crime […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-cid-warns-of-new-carjacking-scam-provides-holiday-safety-tips-61082/

DefenceTalkA pair of frontrunners have emerged to take charge at the Pentagon after President Barack Obama announced the departure of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. If former under-secretary Michele Flournoy gets the nod, she would be the first woman to hold the role, and neither she nor former deputy secretary Ashton Carter have served in uniform. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/frontrunners-emerge-for-top-pentagon-job-61073/

DefenceTalkUS Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will resign on Monday, senior officials told reporters, as the White House faced mounting criticism over its handling of the war against the Islamic State group and the campaign in Afghanistan. The former senator, who has been in the job for less than two years, was chosen to oversee a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-defense-secretary-hagel-resigns-61068/