Jane's Defense News

ONE civilian was killed and two were wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED), emplaced by unidentified militants, detonated near a shopping area in al-Maleef area southwest of Iraq's capital Baghdad on 24 May, Iraqi News reported. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

FIVE civilians were killed and six others were wounded in a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) attack by a Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen militant near a police checkpoint near the sea port in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on 24 May, Reuters reported. Al-Shabaab claimed

Key Points Iran's expansionist regional policies and involvement in Iraqi and Syrian conflicts have revived latent Arab, Baluchi, and Kurdish separatist insurgencies within its borders. There is an alignment of interests between Iran's various separatist militant groups to carry out more ambitious

German Luftwaffe planners have officially requested a confidential briefing on the capabilities of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter from their US Air Force counterparts. Germany is not involved in the international F-35 programme. The request, which Jane's understands was

On 15 May, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially announced what is being called a programme for the strategic economic security of the nation. This set of initiatives that will run through to 2030 can be found on the official Russian government website that publishes decrees and other legal

The share of modern equipment in service with the Russian military has increased to 58% and is expected to reach 62% by the end of 2017, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The announcement came on the sidelines of a meeting to formulate the key concepts behind the 2018-2025 State

In the first known move of its kind, the US-led coalition defended Syrian rebels by attacking pro-government forces in Syria on 18 May. "The coalition struck pro-regime forces that were advancing well inside an established de-confliction zone … that posed a threat to US and partner

Two Chinese Sukhoi Su-30-type fighter aircraft carried out what US officials described as an "unprofessional" intercept of a US Air Force (USAF) Boeing WC-135 Constant Phoenix atmospheric collection aircraft while it was conducting a routine mission in international air space over the East

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland issued a statement responding to the launch of a US Department of Commerce investigation into Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier on 18 May. Ms Freeland expressed her disagreement with the proceedings, which were initiated by rival

Russian Helicopters has pledged to increase co-operation with Peru as it expands its operations in the country, a statement released by Rostec on 18 May reports. The company will appoint an official representative to the country to oversee the creation of “an integrated life cycle management

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering bartering rubber as part of an offset programme that will support its proposed acquisition of Sukhoi Su-35 'Flanker-E' multirole combat aircraft from Russia. Indonesian trade minister Enggartiasto Lukita told reporters in Jakarta on 18 May

The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has appointed a director for its new Defence NSW organisation. Retired Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Commodore Peter Scott is to lead the new body, the Department of Industry announced on 18 May, as the NSW government seeks to increase its presence in the

The state-owned Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), in Kamra, northern Pakistan, is looking at counter-insurgency (COIN) roles for its Super Mushshak training aircraft. The move comes after the company successfully integrated a new glass cockpit into the aircraft and sold units of the basic

After years of dancing around the issue, the 28 EU nations have nailed down their intent to launch so-called permanent structured co-operation (PESCO) in defence. Spurred by Brexit and the growing threats to Europe's security, PESCO will enable any self-selected group of member states to pull ahead

The Pentagon held its second ever Department of Defense (DoD) Lab Day on 18 May, with dozens of booths displaying various technologies development in the military service laboratories. The current head of acquisition for the agency took the opportunity to counter the notion that innovation is only

The US Army hopes to add a laser to its next-generation air defence system known as the Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC). Accordingly, US Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT) has evolved the High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator

The US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is developing a prototype for a body-worn weapon mount, called the Third Arm, to help soldiers stabilise a heavier weapon. The Third Arm is "a passive mechanical appendage that interfaces with a soldier's protective vest and counterbalances the weight of

Australia’s Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) - an independent entity that promotes collaborative research projects with research and industry – has signed an agreement with the Welding Technology Institute of Australia (WTIA), it has been announced. The DMTC said in a press

Boeing expects to begin flying prototype Block 2-configured CH-47 Chinook helicopters the next couple of years, with production for the US Army set to follow after, a senior company official told reporters on 18 May. Speaking at the Philadelphia production facility, Boeing's vice-president and

The Chilean Ministry of Defence (MoD) has authorised the Chilean Navy to start a selection process to buy two new submarines, aiming to replace its two Type 209/1400L boats currently in service. In 2016, the Navy finished defining requirements for the new vessels and, with the MoD's authorisation,