DefenceTalkDefence budgets in the Asia Pacific region will overtake the United States and Canada by 2021, according to a study by respected analysts IHS Jane’s published on Tuesday. Weapons spending in China and other Asia Pacific countries is expected to rise 35 percent above its 2013 level to $501 billion (383 billion euros) by 2021, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/asia-pacific-defence-budgets-to-outstrip-north-america-by-2021-48269/

DefenceTalkNew figures published today by UK Trade & Investment’s Defence and Security Organization (UKTI DSO) show that UK defence exports totaled £8.8 billion over the past year, a rise of 62% from 2011 in a global market that grew by 45%. These results mean the UK maintains its position as the second most successful defence […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-defence-exports-largest-increase-in-5-years-48208/

DefenceTalkThree top European defence firms called Sunday on governments to launch a program to manufacture drones that European countries are currently having to buy from Israel or the United States. France’s Dassault Aviation, European aerospace giant EADS and Italy’s Finmeccanica argued such a joint program would “support the capability needs of European armed forces while […]https://www.defencetalk.com/defence-giants-call-for-european-drone-program-48116/

DefenceTalkThe 2013 Defence White Paper (the White Paper) addresses the range of significant international and domestic developments which influence Australia’s national security and defence settings, including their impact on force posture, future force structure and the Defence budget. The White Paper outlines the capabilities that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will need in the coming […]https://www.defencetalk.com/budget-2013-14-australian-defence-budget-overview-47770/

DefenceTalkThe Defence Reform Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech in May 2013 will enable the Ministry of Defence to make radical changes to defence acquisition. The proposed reforms are significant. The Government wants to change Defence Equipment and Support, the body responsible for procuring and supporting defence equipment, into a Government-owned, Contractor-operated entity, known as […]https://www.defencetalk.com/in-brief-outsourcing-defence-procurement-47744/

DefenceTalkPrime Minister Julia Gillard and Defence Minister Stephen Smith today released the 2013 Defence White Paper. The 2013 Defence White Paper complements the National Security Strategy released on 23 January 2013, and the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper released on 28 October 2012. These three documents are a statement of the priority the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/release-of-the-2013-australian-defence-white-paper-47668/

DefenceTalkPrime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Mike Kelly today announced further steps the Government has taken to progress the Future Submarine Program. The 2013 Defence White Paper highlights the strategic value and importance of Australia’s submarine capability and confirms the Government’s commitment to replacing the existing Collins […]https://www.defencetalk.com/2013-defence-whitepaper-the-future-australian-submarine-program-47665/

DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s first trip to the Middle East included a visit and official dinner with Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the United Arab Emirates armed forces. The two men met last night and reaffirmed the strong U.S. commitment to defense and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-crown-prince-discuss-us-uae-defense-cooperation-47628/

DefenceTalkChina plans to raise its central government defense budget by 10.7 percent to 720.2 billion yuan (114.3 billion U.S. dollars) in 2013, according to a budget report submitted to the national legislature for review on Tuesday. The military spending will be used to improve living and working conditions of service people, make the armed forces […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-defense-budget-to-grow-10-7-in-2013-report-47066/

DefenceTalkChina’s national legislature declined to announce the country’s 2013 defence budget at a press conference Monday, in a departure from normal practice the day before its annual session opens. Fu Ying, spokeswoman for the National People’s Congress (NPC), which begins Tuesday, responded with frustration when she was asked about military spending at a press conference […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-legislature-declines-to-reveal-defence-spending-47045/