Jane's Defense News

Japan's Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to issue a reprimand to Admiral Tomohisa Takei, chief of staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), for pressuring subordinates in the selection of next-generation utility helicopters, Kyodo news agency quoted unnamed government sources as saying on

EVENT Following a "mutual understanding agreement" with the government, the commander of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Tlali Kamoli, is set to retire on 1 December, with his deputy, Major-General Khoantle Motsomotso, promoted as his successor. Kamoli's removal meets a recommendation

EVENT The ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Institucional: PRI) renewed its political council on 27 November with the objective of preparing the party's electoral platform in the run-up to the 2017 Coahuila, Estado de Mexico, and Nayarit gubernatorial elections, as

General Qamar Javed Bajwa is to replace General Raheel Sharif as the Pakistan Army's chief of staff when the latter's three-year term expires on 29 November. Gen Bajwa was appointed on 26th November by Pakistan's prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, in a smooth change of guard at what some regard as the

Israeli company RADA is replacing its CEO, the company announced on 28 November. Zvi Alon, who had run the company for 10 years, is set to be replaced by Dov Sella. Sella is an alumnus of Elbit, but has been with RADA since 2003 serving in several senior positions including COO. RADA produces a

Key Points Operators of smaller submarine fleets in the Asia-Pacific region are likely to expand fleet numbers for scalability, as submarine warfare becomes a significant feature of regional maritime rivalry Navies will need larger submarine fleet numbers to ensure conventional deterrent

Boeing is creating a new services division by pulling services offerings from its defence and commercial units, the company announced on 21 November. Boeing will also be shuffling the leadership of its units, with the new unit to be headed by Stanley Deal while the head of the company's commercial

The Canadian government on 22 November announced plans to replace Canada's fleet of Boeing F/A-18 (CF-18/CF-188) Hornet fighters, including an interim procurement and longer-term competition. Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan confirmed that the government would launch an "open and

The modernised Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal has begun a five-year stint as the Royal Canadian Navy's experimental ship, trialling novel manning arrangements and serving as a test platform for the new CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter. The X-Ship programme is intended to "advance

Key Points The UK's forthcoming National Shipbuilding Strategy is planned to set out the framework within which the Type 26 GCS and the Type 31 GPFF will be delivered The HCDC warns that 'woefully low' escort force levels could fall further An ageing frigate force, delays to replacement

The US Navy (USN) completed acceptance trials of the tenth Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) on 18 November. The trials are used to demonstrate the performance of the propulsion plant, ship handling, and auxiliary systems and are the last significant milestone

Lockheed Martin has held meetings with a host of Indian companies to support the corporation's proposal to build its F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in India. Randy Howard, director of business development in Lockheed Martin's Integrated Fighter Group, said in comments to IHS Jane's on 22 November

China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) has developed a 40-round artillery rocket system (ARS) that features a number of enhancements over its previous systems in this calibre. The SR4 122 mm system is similar to the widely deployed, Russian-built 122 mm BM-21 (40 round) launcher and, like

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has signalled an intention to invest in developing cyber defence capabilities in light of a growing number of attacks. In comments reported by the government's information bureau on 22 November, a senior AFP officer indicated that this investment would be

Key Points SM-2 purchase is the top priority for the service, but funding remains the challenge The navy will also make a decision on a planned frigate BMD upgrade path in 2018 Funding to acquire a stock of Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA medium-range missiles for its Iver Huitfeldt-class

Switzerland has outlined its plans to maintain the air force's frontline combat capabilities out to 2025 and beyond. The plans revealed by the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection, and Sport (VBS [previously DDPS]) on 21 November show that a portion of the country's approximately 30

US company Cubic reported its 2016 year-end earnings on 21 November, with sales increasing 2% but net income dropping 92% compared with 2015. The company reported net sales of USD1.5 billion for 2016, up from USD1.4 billion the year before. Along with that sales growth, however, was a USD99 million

ECA Group has bought 60% of naval architecture firm BE Mauric, the company announced on 22 November. The stake was bought from Ciranoë, who will retain some ownership of BE Mauric. Financial terms were not disclosed. Both groups are based in France. ECA said in a press release that it would be

The Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) has received its first batch of Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ) Bren 2 assault rifles. The rifles are the first of 2,600 ordered in May for CZK417 million (USD16.6 million). The first batch was delivered in early November, will the entire order due to be delivered by the

Key Points DNI James Clapper delivered his resignation on 16 November, although he will serve through the end of the Obama administration. Several reports using anonymous sources indicated that President-elect Trump was considering eliminating Clapper's position, and that President Obama had been