DefenceTalkThe Pentagon is fighting an uphill battle against a fractured Congress eager to rein in deficits, though lawmakers thus far appear either unwilling or unable to do so in a sound and practical manner, according to a recent analysis by Forecast International. “The discord on Capitol Hill threatens to undermine the Pentagon’s acquisition plans through […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-bracing-for-major-acquisition-decisions-49888/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Department’s senior leaders announced changes today in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff designed to save money and better align the department’s structures and resources. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed decisions made as part of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-reductions-first-step-in-realigning-defense-spending-49840/

DefenceTalkPentagon chief Chuck Hagel on Friday acknowledged “troubling lapses” among troops managing the country’s nuclear arsenal and warned their job allowed “no room for error.” In a speech marking a change of leadership at the US military’s Strategic Command that oversees nuclear forces, Hagel noted recent failings in upholding “professionalism,” an apparent reference to alleged […]https://www.defencetalk.com/no-room-for-error-for-us-nuclear-forces-hagel-49668/

DefenceTalkFurloughs of civilian employees as a result of the government shutdown cost the Defense Department at least $600 million in productivity, the Pentagon’s top financial officer said today. During a Pentagon news conference, DOD Comptroller Robert F. Hale said that in addition to the lost productivity, the shutdown generated a number of other costs that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/comptroller-shutdown-cost-dod-600-million-in-productivity-49422/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon said Thursday it plans to sell Washington’s Gulf allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates $10.8 billion worth of missiles and munitions, including “bunker-buster” bombs. The move follows a series of US weapons deals in recent years that have bolstered the air power and missile arsenals of Gulf states, which view Iran […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-to-sell-10-8-bln-in-missiles-bombs-to-saudis-uae-49415/

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/

DefenceTalkThe US military’s nearly 1.4 million troops will stay on the job in the case of a government shutdown but they will not get paid, the Pentagon said Friday. And if Congress fails to agree on a new budget measure by the close of the fiscal year on Monday, September 30, “roughly half” the Defense […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-troops-wont-get-paid-during-shutdown-pentagon-49232/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon is shifting its drone operations from a US base in Djibouti to a more remote airfield after local officials voiced concern about possible collisions with commercial aircraft, officials said Wednesday. “There was a concern over what would happen if a MQ-1 (Predator drone) obstructed a runway, and that it would have a significant […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-relocates-drones-airfield-after-djibouti-crashes-49208/

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/