DefenceTalkRussia continues to build up along its border with Ukraine and has moved sophisticated weapons systems into the country, the Pentagon press secretary said here today. Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters that Russian military forces are part of those movements. Russian forces are, “facilitating the movement and then helping the separatists use the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-russia-intensifies-efforts-inside-ukraine-60455/

DefenceTalkWith the recent collapse of the Iraqi state and its armed forces, the American taxpayer might correctly question how effective U.S. security assistance to Afghanistan has been over the past decade and whether the Afghan security state might similarly falter after the bulk of U.S. and NATO forces redeploy from the country at the end […]https://www.defencetalk.com/c-27a-shining-example-of-the-billions-wasted-in-afghanistan-60038/

DefenceTalkThe US military temporarily grounded its entire F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jet fleet at the weekend after an apparent engine oil leak, the latest glitch for the much-vaunted program. Joint Strike Fighter program officials described Friday’s move as “prudent action” and most the F-35s were back on line the next day after inspections, the latest […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-temporarily-grounds-f-35-fighter-jets-59897/

DefenceTalkAn annual report released by the Pentagon on Chinese military and security development on Thursday, which mainly focuses on China’s defense spending increase, continued to overlook China’s peaceful defense policy. The 96-page report, thicker than last year’s, even targeted Chinese army’s reconnaissance satellites and use of low-observable technology. The report is far from factual, as […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-report-ignores-chinas-peaceful-defense-policy-59815/

DefenceTalkUS Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will fly to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel next week for talks that are expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear program and Syria’s civil war, officials said Friday. “This trip will be the secretary’s third to the Middle East in just over a year, and it will advance America’s regional […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-chief-to-head-to-saudi-israel-next-week-59563/

DefenceTalkAt a time when technological development is flourishing in countries such as China and North Korea, the United States is at risk of falling behind due to budgetary constraints, the acting assistant secretary of defense for research and engineering said here today. “Although we’re budgeting this way, research and development is not a variable-cost activity,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-official-research-development-no-place-to-cut-costs-59070/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon is in fear of losing its edge in technology it has held onto for so long and is now factoring this important aspect into its budget. Worry over significant cuts in defense spending might wear down the US military, making its technological edge over Russia and China a fact of the past. This […]https://www.defencetalk.com/budget-plan-pentagon-panics-over-possibly-losing-tech-edge-to-russia-china-58948/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon plans to scale back the US Army by more than an eighth to its lowest level since before World War II, signaling a shift after more than a decade of ground wars. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel recommended shrinking US forces from 520,000 active duty troops to between 440,000 and 450,000. In a speech […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-proposes-to-shrink-us-army-to-pre-wwii-level-58851/

DefenceTalkThe Department of Defense spends around $400 billion a year on goods and services. This includes everything from ships, tanks, planes and ballistic missiles to freight hauling, medical care and even the cut-rate toothpaste provided in government-subsidized commissaries. It also spends a lot of money and devotes a significant number of people to manage all […]https://www.defencetalk.com/defense-department-needs-to-act-like-ibm-to-save-itself-50243/

DefenceTalkPentagon chief Chuck Hagel on Friday praised a decision by Japanese officials to allow the relocation of a US air base in Okinawa, calling it a “milestone” for relations with Tokyo. Hagel welcomed the approval of the long-delayed move of the US Marine Corps base, which he said would permit a redeployment of American forces […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-welcomes-deal-on-relocating-air-base-in-japan-49992/