DefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Brazil for M109A5+ upgrade kits and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $110 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Jun 11, 2014. The Government […]https://www.defencetalk.com/brazil-to-upgrade-m109-sp-guns-m113-apcs-in-241m-deals-59876/

DefenceTalkMalaysia: Exercise Cope Taufan kicked off today, a biennial Large Force Employment exercise between the Royal Malaysian Air Force and Pacific Air Forces. More than 450 Airmen are participating, as well as four U.S. Air Force airframes, which includes the inaugural deployment of the F-22 Raptor to a Southeast Asian exercise. The Hawaii National Guard’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-22s-deploy-to-malaysia-for-exercise-59864/

DefenceTalkChina has confirmed it will participate in a major US-organized naval drill for the first time, official media said Monday, amid heightened distrust between the two military powers. The Chinese navy will participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational naval exercises, the military’s official People’s Liberation Army Daily reported. China is embroiled in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-to-join-us-led-naval-drill-for-first-time-pla-59813/

DefenceTalkAn evaluation team from the Air Force will test Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II before signing a deal to purchase 40 of the stealth aircraft for its “next-generation” fighter jet, the nation’s procurement agency said Sunday. “The 10-man team will visit the company’s plant in Fort Worth, Texas Monday for two weeks of tests,” said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-korea-to-evaluate-f-35-by-simulator-59709/

DefenceTalkArmy software engineers faced a challenge: Saving Soldiers’ lives. With the development of new simulation applications, Soldiers can now use advanced computers to train for worst-case scenarios. U.S. Special Operations Command representatives visited the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center, known as AMRDEC, at Redstone Arsenal, in the fall of 2012, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-software-researchers-develop-mrap-simulator-59669/

DefenceTalkA squadron of Russia’s Navy Pacific Fleet has arrived in Shanghai to participate in joint Russian-Chinese naval training dubbed ‘Joint Sea-2014’. The drills in the northern part of the East China Sea start on Tuesday and will go on until May 26. The Russian squadron consists of six battleships and support vessels: the flagship of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-battleships-in-shanghai-for-joint-naval-drills-59640/

DefenceTalkSoldiers training as small arms/artillery repairers will soon get the opportunity to earn a certification upon graduation from advanced individual training. The free-of-charge certification program could be implemented by the end of the year, said Damon Dean, chief of the Ordnance School’s Conventional Weapons Division, Armament Electronics- Maintenance Training Department. “I’m hoping for the first […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ordnance-school-small-arms-course-on-schedule-to-offer-gunsmith-certification-59630/

DefenceTalkThe United States has begun a new military exercise with Estonia amid no indication of a Russian troop pullback from its border with Ukraine. Pentagon Spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren announced today that Exercise Spring Storm began earlier this week. At the same time, he said there has been no change in the Russian posture […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-announces-more-exercises-with-east-european-allies-partners-59545/

DefenceTalkSouth Korea’s military said Thursday it would hold its largest-ever joint air drill with the United States as tensions mount over a series of threats from North Korea. The twice-yearly Max Thunder exercise — to be held from Friday to April 25 — will be the largest-ever involving 103 aircraft and 1,400 troops, the air […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-korea-us-to-hold-largest-ever-joint-air-drill-59299/

DefenceTalkThe most recent version of the Army’s 3D virtual training game, Virtual Battle Space 3, allows players to personalize their avatar within the simulation and the scenes and scenarios look a lot more real as well. Using new human dimensioning modeling within Virtual Battle Space 3, known as VBS3, Soldiers using the training will put […]https://www.defencetalk.com/latest-virtual-battle-space-release-adds-realism-to-scenarios-avatars-59242/