DefenceTalkNorthrop Grumman Corporation’s (NOC) Moss Point, Miss., Unmanned Systems Center started production of the first NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Block 40 Global Hawk aircraft, enhanced to meet NATO operational requirements. NATO representatives, state dignitaries, community leaders and Northrop Grumman employees gathered to celebrate the start of production for the first of five aircraft. The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/northrop-begins-production-of-first-nato-global-hawk-49826/

DefenceTalkAt the end of 2014, the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan is scheduled to end, and a new train, advise and assist mission called Resolute Support begins. During Europe’s recent combat training conference, the top brass of more than 35 nations outlined a way ahead to prepare for the transition that involves combined […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-envisions-afghan-mission-change-to-train-advise-assist-49804/

DefenceTalkSweden will contribute eight Gripen fighter jets and one mine-hunting boat next year to NATO’s Response Force, the alliance’s most elite military unit, news agency TT reports. Sweden deepen its cooperation earlier this fall with the military alliance’s reserve force and the Swedish government decided on Thursday to make available eight JAS 39 Gripen planes, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-providing-jets-to-nato-military-force-49777/

DefenceTalkTop U.S., Romanian and NATO officials broke ground Oct. 28 on a new ballistic missile defense facility being built to boost regional stability and strengthen the alliance’s collective security stance. The high-profile ceremony signaled the start of construction for the Aegis Ashore complex, the second stage of the three-part European Phased Adaptive Approach to ballistic […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-romania-begin-work-on-aegis-ashore-missile-defense-complex-49552/

DefenceTalkNATO’s chief said Tuesday he hoped Turkey would keep in mind the military alliance’s views as it mulls a missile defence deal with China. Anders Fogh Rasmussen said NATO member Turkey could buy equipment from any source after Ankara raised the possibility of accepting a Chinese bid to build its first long-range anti-missile system. “Our […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-wants-say-in-turkey-china-missile-deal-49455/

DefenceTalkForeign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Tuesday responded to NATO and U.S. concern over Turkey’s decision to co-produce a missile defence system with a Chinese firm by describing such military trade between China and Turkey as normal. Turkish Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz announced the decision to award the contract to China Precision Machinery Import and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-defends-turkey-china-missile-defence-deal-49330/

DefenceTalkTurkey on Wednesday defended its decision to enter talks with China to acquire its first long-range anti-missile system, in spite of protests from its ally Washington. It also made clear that no deal had yet been finalized. “The Chinese gave us the best price,” Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz told Vatan newspaper, explaining that the system’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-ally-turkey-defends-choice-of-chinese-missiles-49276/

DefenceTalkOn a cool and cloudy morning, personnel from NAPMA, Force Command and the E-3A Component landed in Manching, Germany, for a ceremony in commemoration of the completion of the NATO E-3A Large Aircraft Infra-Red Counter Measures (LAIRCM) Retrofit Program. The LAIRCM project to install a Northrop Grumman countermeasure system on the NATO E-3A AWACS started […]https://www.defencetalk.com/upgrade-to-self-protection-system-keeps-awacs-safe-49088/

DefenceTalkThe top NATO commander in Afghanistan says the country’s police and army are losing too many men in battle. U.S. General Joseph Dunford said Afghan security forces may need up to five more years of Western training and support before they can handle combat operations entirely on their own. Dunford made the comments in an […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-afghan-security-force-casualties-too-high-48928/

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/