DefenceTalkThe Iraq and Afghanistan wars will cost the United States between $4-6 trillion in the long term, constraining the government’s budget for decades to come, a study said. Harvard University scholar Linda Bilmes concluded that the United States will face increasing costs to care for an estimated 2.5 million veterans, and to pay down debt […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iraq-afghan-wars-to-cost-us-up-to-6-trillion-study-47307/

DefenceTalkAs ISAF prepares to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan, the instability of transport routes out of the country through Pakistan has opened up a powerful window of opportunity for Uzbekistan. A route northwards through the former Soviet state has become a preferred alternative to an exit via Karachi for the removal of vast quantities of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-uzbekistan-and-the-isaf-withdrawal-47234/

DefenceTalkThe US Air Force has chosen a Brazilian firm for a $427 million contract to supply light attack planes to Afghan forces, the company said Thursday, despite competition from an American bid. Brazilian planemaker Embraer said 20 of its AT-29 Super Tucano aircraft would be manufactured in Florida in partnership with an American firm, after […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-chooses-brazilian-plane-to-outfit-afghan-force-46996/

DefenceTalkThe reset of equipment returning from Afghanistan may be affected by sequestration, said the commander of U.S. Army Materiel Command. The cancellation of reset would affect post-combat repair for about 1,000 vehicles, 14,000 communications devices and 17,000 weapons, Gen. Dennis Via, commander of U.S. Army Materiel Command, or AMC, told an audience of about 500 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sequestration-may-affect-reset-from-afghanistan-46959/

DefenceTalkNATO has said it is strongly considering a proposal to extend funding for a security force of Afghan troops through 2018. The proposal comes amid speculation that the US will reduce support for post-2014 operations. NATO is considering plans to continue supporting about 350,000 Afghan troops in the country until 2018, its Secretary General Anders […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-mulls-funding-afghan-troops-through-2018-46911/

DefenceTalkIn another historic step for the Afghan Air Force, an AAF Cessna 208 configured for battlefield casualty evacuation successfully transported a seriously injured solider and three minor casualties from Kandahar, Afghanistan to Kabul International Airport Feb. 11. The Afghan-tasked, planned and led mission validated the recently-signed CASEVAC Concept of Operations between AAF Commander Maj. Gen. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-afghan-air-force-c-208-casevac-a-success-46851/

DefenceTalkOn the battlefield, situational awareness technologies provide Soldiers with the locations of friendly forces and hostile activity, which can mean the difference between life and death. Now, the Army is upgrading those technologies in theater to operate at increased speeds and include the lowest echelons. With boots on the ground in Afghanistan, Project Manager Joint […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-upgrades-blue-force-tracking-in-afghanistan-to-prepare-for-new-network-46814/

DefenceTalkU.S. troops in Afghanistan will decrease by 34,000 over the coming year, President Barack Obama announced tonight in his annual State of the Union address. “After a decade of grinding war, our brave men and women in uniform are coming home,” he said early in his remarks to a joint session of Congress. Later in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/obama-announces-34000-cut-to-us-force-in-afghanistan-46780/

DefenceTalkSoldiers from Security Forces Assistance and Advisory Team – 5, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, assisted in the training of the Afghan National Army on the D-30 Howitzers at Combat Outpost Monti, Afghanistan, Jan. 18. The Afghan National Army, or ANA, soldiers, who represent the 2nd Brigade, 201st Kandak Corps, worked to develop […]https://www.defencetalk.com/afghan-troops-train-on-d-30-howitzer-46601/