NATO Strengthens its Anti-Submarine Warfare Skills with Exercise Dynamic Manta in Italy

NATO’s Submarine Warfare Exercise DYNAMIC MANTA 2016 (DYMA 16) began one week ago off the Sicilian coast, with ships, submarines, and aircraft and personnel from 8 Allied nations converging on the Central Mediterranean Sea for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare training. 

USAF deploys B-52 Stratofortress bombers in Europe for Cold Respons 2016

B-52 Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana arrived in Europe Saturday, Feb. 27, in preparation for their participation in a large-scale NATO training exercise, the USAF in Europe announces on its website. 

Royal Thai Army to consider buying arms from Russia including T-90 tanks

Thailand is pursuing closer ties – and possible arms deals, particularly tanks – with Russia following the Moscow visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, an army source reported.

3rd Astute Class SSN Submarine HMS Artful Fires 1st Torpedo Using New Common Combat System

The Royal Navy’s latest and most advanced Astute class submarine, Artful, has test fired her first torpedo using a new Common Combat System designed and integrated by our Submarines business.

ROK Navy Opens New Naval Base on Jeju Island for KDX-III Aegis Destroyers

The Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea) Navy announced it has officially opened its new naval base on the southern resort island of Jeju. Jeju island is strategically located in a sea passage connecting the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan (East Sea) in the northwest Pacific Ocean. According to the ROK Navy, it took the country 23 years and more than 1 trillion won (US$806 million) to complete construction of the base.

India produced 290 under licensed T-90S main battle tanks in 2015

As of late 2015, India produced about 290 T-90S main battle tanks (MBT) under license provided by Russia, according to the Stockolm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) arms transfer database.

Japan Will Soon Launch Replacement Program for JMSDF 3 Towada class Replenishment Oilers

The Japanese Minister of Defense should soon launch a new replenishement oiler program to replace the three Towada class replenishment ships. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Towada, Tokiwa and Hamana were ordered in the 1980ies and commissioned in 1987 and 1990.

Fighter aircrafts F-15 from Saudi Arabia arrived in Turkey to join air campaign against ISIL in Syria.

Saudi fighter aircrafts F-15 arrived on Friday, February 26, 2016, at a Turkish base to join the air campaign against Islamic State jihadists in Syria only hours before a ceasefire is to take force, local media reported. Four F-15 jets landed at Incirlik air base in the Adana province in southern Turkey, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported.

The U.S. Army's S&T effort is committed to pursuing high-energy laser weapons

The U.S. Army's S&T (Science and Technology) effort is committed to pursuing high-energy lasers, said Mary J. Miller, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Research and Technology. That effort has been used in an analysis of alternatives for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability program of record.

Asia and the Middle East Lead Rise In Arms Imports; US, Russia Remain Largest Arms Exporters

The volume of international transfers of major weapons has grown continuously since 2004 and rose by 14 per cent between 2006–10 and 2011–15, according to new data on international arms transfers published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Six of the top 10 largest arms importers in the 5-year period 2011–15 are in Asia and Oceania: India (14 per cent of global arms imports), China (4.7 per cent), Australia (3.6 per cent), Pakistan (3.3 per cent), VietNam (2.9 per cent) and South Korea (2.6 per cent). Viet Nam’s arms imports rose by 699 per cent. Arms imports by states in Asia and Oceania increased by 26 per cent between 2006–10 and 2011–15, with states in the region receiving 46 per cent of global imports in 2011–15.

‘China continues to expand its military capabilities with imported and domestically produced weapons,’ said Siemon Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Program. ‘Neighboring states such as India, Viet Nam and Japan are also significantly strengthening their military forces.’

Imports by Middle Eastern states on the increase
Arms imports by states in the Middle East rose by 61 per cent between 2006–10 and 2011–15. In 2011–15 Saudi Arabia was the world’s second largest arms importer, with an increase of 275 per cent compared to 2006–10. In the same period, arms imports by the United Arab Emirates rose by 35 per cent and those by Qatar went up by 279 per cent. Egypt’s arms imports increased by 37 per cent between 2006–10 and 2011–15, primarily due to a steep rise in 2015.

‘A coalition of Arab states is putting mainly US- and European-sourced advanced arms into use in Yemen,’ said Pieter Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Program. ‘Despite low oil prices, large deliveries of arms to the Middle East are scheduled to continue as part of contracts signed in the past five years.’

Arms exporters: the USA remains well ahead
With a 33 per cent share of total arms exports, the USA was the top arms exporter in 2011–15. Its exports of major weapons increased by 27 per cent compared to 2006–10. Russian exports of major weapons increased by 28 per cent between 2006–10 and 2011–15, and Russia accounted for 25 per cent of global exports in the recent 5-year period. However, in 2014 and 2015 Russian exports returned to the lower annual levels observed in 2006–10.

Chinese exports of major arms were just above those of France in 2011–15, growing by 88 per cent compared to 2006–10. French exports decreased by 9.8 per cent and German exports halved over the same period.

‘As regional conflicts and tensions continue to mount, the USA remains the leading global arms supplier by a significant margin,’ said Dr Aude Fleurant, Director of the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme. ‘The USA has sold or donated major arms to at least 96 states in the past five years, and the US arms industry has large outstanding export orders, including for a total of 611 F-35 combat aircraft to 9 states.’

Other notable developments

• Between 2006–10 and 2011–15 imports by states in Africa increased by 19 per cent. Algeria and Morocco remained the two largest arms importers in the region with a combined total of 56 per cent of African imports.
• Due to economic constraints most sub-Saharan African states imported only small volumes of arms in 2011–15, despite many being involved in armed conflicts during that period.
• Mexico’s arms imports grew by 331 per cent in 2011–15 compared with 2006–10.
• Azerbaijan increased its arms imports by 217 per cent between 2006–10 and 
2011–15.
• Arms imports by Iraq rose by 83 per cent between 2006–10 and 2011–15.
• France concluded several major arms export contracts in 2015, including the first two firm contracts for its Rafale combat aircraft.
• Imports by states in Europe decreased by 41 per cent between 2006–10 and 
2011–15.
• Submarines are an important element of the maritime forces of a growing number of states. In 2011–15 a total of 16 submarines were exported to 8 states.

The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database contains information on all international transfers of major conventional weapons (including sales, gifts and production licences) to states, international organizations and armed non-state groups from 1950 to the most recent full calendar year. SIPRI data reflects the volume of deliveries of arms, not the financial value of the deals. As the volume of deliveries can fluctuate significantly year on year, SIPRI presents data for 5-year periods, giving a more stable measure of trends.

This is the second of three major data set pre-launches in the lead-up to the publication of SIPRI Yearbook 2016. On 14 December 2015 SIPRI released its data on the largest arms-producing and military services companies for 2014 (the SIPRI Top 100). On 5 April 2016 SIPRI releases its world military expenditure data (comprehensive information on global, regional and national trends in military spending). Finally, in September, SIPRI will launch its 2016 Yearbook (cutting-edge information and analysis on the state of the world’s nuclear forces, the international peacekeeping agenda and steps to control weapons of mass destruction).

The comprehensive annual update of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Database is accessible from today at www.sipri.org.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. SIPRI is regularly ranked among the most respected think tanks worldwide.

USAF deploys KC-135 tanker aircraft in France to support Operation Juniper Micron

Three KC-135 Stratotankers along with 50 Airmen from the USAF 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, temporarily deployed to Istres-Le Tubé Air Base, France, in support of Operation Juniper Micron. The U.S. has been supporting the French Government in OJM at their request since 2013, providing air refueling and airlift support of French operations in Mali and North Africa. 

Australia will raise defence spending of 2 percent over the next seven years

Australia will raise defence spending to 2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) over the next seven years in a formal announcement to be made by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull later this week.

Russian Navy New Project 22160 Patrol Ships to Be Used For Wide Range of Missions

The third Project 22160 patrol ship, the Pavel Derzhavin, was laid down at the Gorky Shipyard in the town of Zelenodolsk in the middle of last week. The completion of the first and second ships - the Vassily Bykov and Dmitry Rogachov - has been under way since 2014. In all, six ships of the class were ordered from the shipyard for the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet.

China reportedly redeployed fighter jets on disputed Woody Island

China has sent fighter jets to an island where it has deployed surface-to-air missile batteries, U.S. media said Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. Citing U.S. officials, Fox News reported that Chinese Shenyang J-11s and Xian JH-7s fighter jets had been spotted over the past few days by U.S. intelligence on Woody Island in the Paracel chain. The isle is where Beijing has deployed HQ-9 missiles, which have a range of about 200 km. 

China Commissioned the 22nd Type 054A Frigate Xiangtan with PLAN East Sea Fleet

The guided missile frigate Xiangtan (Hull Number 531) officially joined the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) today. A naming and flag-presenting ceremony was held to mark the commissioning of the Type 054A Frigate to the East Sea Fleet of the PLAN at a naval port in Zhoushan city (China's Zhejiang province) on February 24, 2016. Xiangtan is the 22nd Type 054A Frigate and is assigned to the PLAN's East Sea Fleet.

Japan's X-2 stealth fighter prototype proceeds in ground test phase

According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, Tokyo conducted another ground test of the country's first domestic fighter jet. Japan held a ground test on Wednesday Feb. 24, 2016, of its first aircraft designed with stealth technology. 

French Navy Carrier Strike Group Concludes Operations in the Gulf, Heads To Mediterranean

On February 22, 2016, French Navy (Marine Nationale) aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulleleft the Persian Gulf to sail back to the Mediterranean. U.S. Navy aicraft carrier USSHarry S. Truman took command on Febrary 14th of the naval forces in the coalition against Daech, the Task Force 50 (TF 50).

SAAB has selected Thales to secure satellite communications for the Royal Norwegian Navy

The Swedish group SAAB has selected Thales to secure satellite communications for the Royal Norwegian Navy. SAAB's Danish subsidiary will soon be integrating Thales's Modem 21 system on board the navy's new Logistic Support Vessel (LSV).

US and South Korea to practice largest joint military drills amid North Korean threat

The United States and South Korea will reportedly practice preemptive military strikes to take out North Korean nuclear sites next month when they begin the largest joint exercises ever conducted by the two allied forces.

New Russian railway missile complex Barguzin will carry six RS-24 Yars ICBM missiles.

Colonel Nesterov said that in 2020 Russia’s armed forces will receive a new generation of ICBM-(Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) launching trains called Barguzin. It will carry six RS-24 Yars ICBMs, as compared to three RT-23 (NATO Reporting name SS-24 Scalpel) carried by its predecessor, the Molodets railroad ICBM system.

Airbus Helicopters Delivered the 16th NH 90 NFH Maritime Helicopter to the French Navy

Airbus Helicopters delivered the 16th NH90 NFH (Nato Frigate Helicopter) to the French Navy (Marine Nationale) on 19 February 2016. The was delivery ceremony was held at Marignane, the manufacturer’s headquarters in Southern France.

BAE Systems started final assembly of Royal Air Force of Oman's first Typhoon fighter jet

BAE Systems has started final assembly of the first Typhoon jet destined for delivery to the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) at its final assembly facility in Warton, Lancashire, UK. Assembly of the twin-seat Typhoon starts with the marry-up of the fuselage, wings and undercarriage using special automated alignment facilities which use laser-trackers and computer-automated jacks.

Third Astute Class SSN Submarine HMS Artful in Final Sea Trials Ahead of Maiden Deployment

Artful, the third of the Royal Navy’s new Astute-class attack submarines, has been busy conducting her final Contractor Sea Trials ahead of her maiden deployment. The sophisticated submarine sailed from Barrow-in-Furness in August last year for her new home at HM Naval Base Clyde and since then has been proving her systems and equipment at sea.

U.S. Navy Took Delivery of Pathfinder-class Oceanographic Survey Ship USNS Maury (T-AGS 66)

The U.S. Navy accepted USNS Maury (T-AGS 66) from builder VT Halter Feb. 16. The USNS Maury was designed to perform acoustic, biological, physical and geophysical surveys. The vessel will provide the U.S. military with essential information on the ocean environment.

French Army Barkhane Force has deployed LRU MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket Systems in Mali.

Since February 14, 2016, the French Army "Barkhane Force" which operates in Mali against Islamic terrorism in Africa has deployed three LRU (Lance- Roquette Unitaire - MLRS Multiple launch Rocket System) from the 1st Artillery Regiment of Belfort. This is the first operational deployment for this type of weapon since its entry into service in 2014.

Missile forces of Russia will test-fire RS-26 Rubezh ICBM missile second quarter of 2016.

Missile Forces of Russia will test-fire an RS-26 Rubezh state-of-the-art intercontinental ballistic missile in the second quarter of 2016, a source in the defense industry sector told TASS Saturday, February 20, 2016. The RS-26 Rubezh is an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) based on the RS-24 Yars road-mobile ICBM. 

People of Portsmouth challenged to join mega welcoming party for navy’s new flagship

Portsmouth should host its biggest-ever party to mark the arrival of the navy’s new aircraft carriers.

That’s the call from the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas, who says the eyes of the world will be on the city and it needs to rise to the challenge by marking the moment with a memorable day.

Portsmouth has just a year to muster its troops until the 65,000-tonne leviathan docks at the naval base’s newly-named Princess Royal Jetty.

In a speech to council bosses, the retiring sea lord called for schools, businesses, residents and visitors to rally.

‘So my challenge to Portsmouth, and for the Royal Navy, is to put on an even greater show.

‘Let’s make this a day to remember. Let’s make sure that in 50 years’ time, people in Portsmouth still talk about the day they were given off school to see this 65,000-tonne giant arrive.

‘Come on Portsmouth – let’s show the world how we welcome a queen!’

The carrier is receiving the finishing touches at the naval base in Rosyth, Scotland.

She is due to arrive in Portsmouth early next year.

Now the pressure is on for the city to begin its party preparations.

Council leader Donna Jones is confident Portsmouth can deliver.

She will write to all the city’s headteachers, calling on them to allow children to have a half-day so they can see Queen Elizabeth’s arrival as well as encouraging businesses to fly flags from their windows.

‘This is going to be one of the most historic occasions the city has played host to in decades,’ said Cllr Jones.

odd names for Royal Navy ships

HMS Bat

One of the shortest names ever assigned to a ship, ironically she operated before the days of radar, the animal equivalent of which is a feature of the flying mammals after which she was named. Built at the end of the 1800s she became the first destroyer in the Royal Navy to receive a torpedo fitted for a gyroscope and was broken up after the First World War.

HMS Beaver

HMS Beaver, pictured, was commissioned in December 1984. Her name might have raised a few eyebrows but at least it gave the Royal Navy a chance to offer honorary crew membership to any Beaver Scout who cared to apply. She was decommissioned in 1999.

HMS Black Joke

This bizarre name was given to anti slave trade vessel, captured by the Royal Navy from Brazil. Detail on forcesreunited.co.uk says that after commissioning into the Royal Navy, she went on to capture 13 slave vessels and free over 4080 slaves.

HMS Camel

It’s called ‘the ship of the desert’ so perhaps it’s appropriate that seven Royal Navy vessels have borne the name HMS Camel. It’s a name that has fallen out of favour though - the last HMS Camel was an Albacore-class wooden screw gunboat launched in 1856 and broken up in 1864.

HMS Spanker

We have no idea who devised this name for the Algerine Class Minesweeper launched in 1943 or indeed what sort of punishment they received as a result.

F-22 Raptors in South Korea as warning to 'provocative' North

American F-22 Raptors have joined locally based F-16s and F-15K Slam Eagles in South Korea for a show of force following “provocative actions” by the North.

Considered the world’s premier air superiority fighter, the Lockheed Martin-built supercruise jet was sent to the Korean Peninsula from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.

A Ship that Still Isn’t a Frigate Royal Navy

One of the first multi-part series on Think Defence was called a Ship that is not a Frigate, so called because it was a few thoughts on how the Royal Navy could create a class of vessels that could operate in the area between the RFA logistics support vessel and the frigate or destroyer, specifically on a range of non-war-like tasks that constitute the bulk of peacetime deployments.

The reason I called it ‘not a frigate’ was because it was not intended to be a frigate on the cheap, or a surrogate frigate, and to emphasise the point so that people would not get carried away by adding medium calibre guns and cruise missiles.

The reason this article is ‘still not a frigate’ is because that still stands.

If one wants a Frigate (light or global) ask those nice chaps at BAE to design and build one for you.

So, why bother, the simple point, the whole raison d’être for this, is one of cost, trying to squeeze the maximum utility from the smallest pot of cash. A class of ships that fulfils a plethora of roles that are less than high-intensity combat, and might use some notional future budget for an Argus and Diligence replacement, and perhaps with a nod to future mine countermeasures and survey budgets.

These ships would be either a conversion of a second-hand civilian vessel, or largely based on a civilian design with minimal modifications during build.

Iran unveils new design for its Shahed 129 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) showed the newly-designed model of its UAV, Shahed (Eye Witness) 129, during the annual February 11 rallies on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the state media Farsnews announced

Russia and India may sign a contract for the delivery of S-400 Triumf SA-21 air defense missile.

Russia and India may sign a contract for the delivery of S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) air defense missile systems this year, a military and diplomatic source told TASS at the Singapore Airshow 2016 on Friday, February 19, 2016.

French company ECA Group sees orders soar for its UAV IT180 with €3 million contracts

Twenty-two months after the acquisition of Infotron, ECA Group is seeing orders soar for its airborne drones UAV IT180. Eleven of these drones have been sold since the beginning of the year with contracts totaling over €3 million. All these drones are deliverable during 2016. These orders have solidified the objective of 30 to 40 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - UAVs for 2016

USMC selects Aero Dynamix's MFD-640 display for its KC-130T aircraft fleet

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) Reserve has selected Universal Avionics MFD-640 Multi-Function Display for their fleet of KC-130T aircraft. The contract for 32 displays was awarded to Aero Dynamix Inc. by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland. Aero Dynamix will modify the displays for Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) compatibility and deliver to the customer in support of their aircraft modification program. 

BAE Systems started final assembly of Royal Air Force of Oman's first Typhoon fighter jet

BAE Systems has started final assembly of the first Typhoon jet destined for delivery to the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) at its final assembly facility in Warton, Lancashire, UK. Assembly of the twin-seat Typhoon starts with the marry-up of the fuselage, wings and undercarriage using special automated alignment facilities which use laser-trackers and computer-automated jacks. 

BRITAIN'S NAVAL ELITE DESIGN THEIR IDEAL STEALTH SHIP

The stealthy, semisubmersible ship is designed to move agilely around a battle zone and remain flexible in any type of mission, says Mark Steel, a manager of the Combat Systems Team at BMT Defence Services, a naval design firm involved in the project.

The battleship could function with a crew as small as 50, as opposed to the usual 200. It would serve as a mobile command center, unleashing and directing armies of drones, missiles, and rovers. “Robotics allows us to operate the ship at range to keep people out of harm’s way,” Steel says.

1. Moon Pool

The moon pool—a floodable dock area at the ship’s stern—would allow for the rapid deployment of unmanned underwater rovers or Royal Marine divers.

2. Drone Launcher

An extendable flight deck and hangar would enable the launch of remotely piloted drones, many of which could be 3-D-printed on board.

3. Tethered Quadcopter

Above the ship, a hovering quadcopter would provide 360-degree visibility. Its sensors could capture emissions at frequencies across the electromagnetic spectrum to detect enemy ships. A cryogenically cooled tether made of carbon nanotubes would transmit energy from the ship to keep it flying. Also, the quadcopter could be equipped with lasers that could take out close-range threats, such as enemy missiles, craft, or pirates that have slipped past the ship’s other defenses.

4. See-Through Strength

The ship’s hulls would be made of ultra-strong acrylic coated in graphene (the material’s hydrophobic properties cut down on drag). “Smart windows” would change to translucent when a certain amount of voltage is applied, allowing unobstructed views of close-in operations.

5. Stealth Propulsion

To propel the ship, a fusion reactor (or, if that fails to materialize, highly efficient turbines) would drive silent electric motors. Dreadnought would also be the first surface fighting ship able to use ballast to lower parts of the ship below water, making it harder to detect with radar or infrared.

6. Holo-Op Room

Inside the Dreadnought’s control room, commanders could zoom in and out of battles using a holographic command table. This would offer a 3-D view of a battle in real time from any vantage point—in the air, on the ocean’s surface, on land, or even underwater.

7. Firepower Trifecta

First, the ship would be armed with hypersonic missiles capable of knocking out would-be attackers.

Second, it would have super-cavitating torpedoes. These rocket-propelled weapons move so fast, they vaporize the water around them to create a nearly frictionless air bubble. These could pursue enemy ships at speeds of 300-plus knots.

Third, an electromagnetic railgun could fire projectiles hundreds of miles, comparable to today’s long-range missiles.

Scots oak and elm for rebuild of Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory

Combined, they will give 10 oak trees and 11 elm trees towards the 15-year conservation project on the world's oldest commissioned warship, docked at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. 

HMS Victory, which carried Nelson for his greatest and final battle at Trafalgar, was built from more than 5,500 oak trees and inspired the Royal Navy's anthem march, Hearts of Oak. 

The Aberdeenshire estates of Charles Pearson, of Dunecht, will donate 10 oaks and four elms, Lord Aberdeen, of Haddo, is to provide five elms, and Rear Admiral Christopher Hockley, of the MacRobert Trust, has promised two elms as HMS Victory - launched in 1767 - enters its 250th year. 

Andrew Baines, head of historic ships at the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN), explained that recent research shows oak is the best timber to use for future conservation.

He said: "The ship comprises a variety of hardwoods from years of maintenance. The return to oak is much welcomed.

"It demonstrates the serious archaeological research we are undertaking about the ship's composition, from timber to paint analysis, and our commitment to ensure she remains sustainable for centuries to come. 

"Interestingly, we understand some 30 per cent of the fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar hailed from Scotland, so it feels entirely appropriate that timber from these estates should be playing such a big part in her future security." 

The elm, which will remain in large blocks, is being used for the ship's structure below the waterline, where it will be used for the keel, while the oak is likely to become planking. 

Once felled, following a delay due to the recent poor weather, the timber will be transported to Whitney sawmill in Hereford, where it will be inspected and sawed to specific dimensions.

US says the UK needs Trident to maintain 'outsized role on global stage'

Britain must keep its Trident nuclear deterrent to maintain its "outsized" role in the world, according to the US defence secretary.

MPs are expected to vote on Government plans to renew the weapons system, while Labour is split over its policy on the issue.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) estimates that acquiring four new submarines to carry the Trident deterrent will cost £31 billion over the course of the 20-year procurement programme, with a further £10 billion set aside to meet any additional unexpected cost increases.

Mr Carter told the BBC that Trident enables Britain to "continue to play that outsized role on the global stage that it does because of its moral standing and its historical standing".

"It's important that the military power matches that standing and so we're very supportive of it," he added.

"We depend upon the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom depends on us, that's part of the special relationship. We build Joint Strike Fighters together, we build Trident missiles together."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn favours unilateral disarmament but faces a showdown with some of his shadow cabinet, including shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, who said he believed in multilateral action.

Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham, a supporter of Trident renewal, said the party's split "may be impossible to reconcile".

In the House of Commons earlier this month, Julian Lewis, chairman of the Defence Select Committee, questioned why No 10 was delaying a vote on renewal, which he said had been expected within weeks.

Commons Leader Chris Grayling replied a debate would be held "in due course" but did not give a date.

Russia's Pacific Fleet Maritime Patrol Aircraft Hold ASW Drill in Sea of Japan

Naval aircraft of Russia’s Pacific Fleet have practiced searching for a simulated enemy’s submarine in the Sea of Japan during anti-submarine defense drills, Russian Eastern Military District spokesman Roman Martov said on Thursday.

HAL plans to introduce Hawk Mk 132 combat jet variant by early 2017

India is set to soon offer a locally made combat version of the Hawk aircraft for export to the world with license producer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) set to roll out the first of the highly weaponised light attack planes by February 2017, the Indian newspaper Economic Times unveils today, Feb. 12, 2016. 

Kuwait and Italy to finally sign deal for Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets next week

The Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Jarrah Al-Sabah held talks with the Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti which tackled several issues including Kuwait's purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, Kuwait's official news agency Kuna announced yesterday, Feb. 11, 2016.