Jane's Defense News

US Pacific Fleet on 22 August relieved Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, commander of the Japan-based Seventh Fleet, from his job following a slew of major accidents. Admiral Scott Swift, the US Pacific Fleet commander, relieved Vice Adm Aucoin “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to

The United States is cutting USD96 million in aid from Egypt and withholding USD195 million in funds for military assistance as a result of humanitarian concerns, Reuters first reported on 22 August. Although US officials have yet to confirm the decision publicly, an Egyptian official criticised the

Key Points NORINCO has recently paraded the VT4 MBTs it is producing for Thailand Thailand is the first known export customer for the VT4. The Thai order, placed in 2016, is for 28 tanks NORINCO has paraded the first batch of VT4 main battle tanks (MBTs) that have been produced for Thailand at

In Arafah, Kirkuk, Kirkuk province, the Asayish arrested a female alleged would-be Islamic State suicide bomber.

NINE people were killed and 10 others wounded when at least 60 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) militants raided the town of Maluso in the Philippines' Basilan province early on 21 August, AFP reported. Reports added that the militants also set fire to four residences and a day care centre in the town.

The Chinese military has recently undertaken bilateral training activities with the Tanzania Naval Command (TNC), and completed the training of a new rapid reaction brigade for the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC). Details of the Tanzanian training programme were

UK firm Cohort announced on 22 August that it had made the final payment in the acquisition of electronics and surveillance systems firm Marlborough Communications Ltd (MCL). MCL was acquired by Cohort in 2014 for an initial consideration of GBP6 million (USD7.7 million), with an earn-out of up to

Event On 22 August 2017, the Ukrainian Ministry for Temporarily Occupied Territories and IDPs said that Russia has violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by limiting navigation to Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov by the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge (KSB).

Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) has claimed that its FA-50 will be a more affordable option for Botswana than the ex-Swedish Air Force JAS 39C/D Gripen multirole fighters the southern African country is considering acquiring to replace its Canadair CF-5 jets, Botswana’s Sunday Standard

Event Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune was dismissed from office on 15 August, after only 80 days in the role. His replacement, Ahmed Ouyahia, the leader of the Rally for National Democracy (Rassemblement National Démocratique: RND), had until his appointment served as President

At the Baiji Refinery, Salah ad Din province, two Islamic Suicide bombers targeted the 60th Brigade 20th Infantry Division Iraqi Army and killed a soldier and damaged three vehicles.

Key Points HAL is looking to increase production of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft from 8 to 16 platforms per year from 2019-20 The type only entered squadron service in January 2015, 32 years after the LCA programme began India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) aims to

Key Points The development of Estonia’ s defence sector has been market driven A number of innovative and niche technology areas have emerged Although it is among the few NATO members meeting the alliance’s expected spending benchmark of 2% of GDP, Estonia’s limited defence

Key Points Following several incidents in Barcelona and Mallorca against businesses providing services for tourists, similar action is probable in the Basque Country in the coming months. There is a high risk of property damage to hotels, restaurants, tourist offices, and other businesses

Marc Parent, chief executive officer of CAE, confirmed on 10 August that the training-systems integrator's efforts to build alternative revenue streams are increasingly focusing on naval opportunities. "Our capabilities go beyond air," Parent told analysts during the company's

A Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson has slammed the latest 'freedom of navigation operation' (FONOP) conducted by the US Navy (USN), claiming that the move infringed upon Beijing's sovereignty and endangered lives. The remarks came on 11 August, after the USN's Arleigh Burke-class

Beijing Sifang Automation (Sifang) – a research and manufacturing company specialising in power automation and generation, as well as transportation systems – plans to roll out a production-ready model of its SeaFly intelligent unmanned surface vehicle (USV) by the end of 2017. The

A set of common cyber security standards is gaining ground in the defence sector, as organisations seek to shield themselves from potential threats across their supply chains. The Center for Internet Security (CIS), a US non-profit organisation that promotes cyber security awareness, has developed

ACCORDING to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on 9 August, at least 39 soldiers were killed and 25 others were wounded during armed clashes with Islamic State militants in unspecified locations in Syria's Homs governorate during the preceding 24 hours, Al Arabiya reported. The militants

A VIDEO released by the Islamic State-affiliated Amaq News Agency on 9 August showed three Islamic State militants threatening attacks in Iran, Reuters reported. A militant in the video speaking in Farsi said: The same way we are cutting the necks of your dogs in Iraq and Syria we will cut your