DefenceTalkUS Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Monday advised NATO countries worried about the arrival of Donald Trump at the White House to talk to the incoming administration to ensure he respects the alliance. During the campaign ultimately won by Trump in a shock victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton, the Republican billionaire said he might think […]https://www.defencetalk.com/talk-to-team-donald-trump-pentagon-to-nato-68586/

DefenceTalkEuropean Union foreign ministers insisted on Sunday they expected good relations with Donald Trump, after a crisis meeting that Britain, France and Hungary snubbed in a move that exposed rifts over the US president-elect. The ministers said they wanted more details about Republican Trump’s plans following his shock election win, which has sparked anxiety in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-ministers-seek-strong-partnership-with-trump-68580/

DefenceTalkThe United States is continuing to reinforce its military forces in Europe as planned, irrespective of President-elect Donald Trump’s future intentions, the Pentagon said Thursday. Trump, who will take office in January, raised serious concerns in Europe by promising during his campaign that US engagement in NATO under his presidency would be conditional on members’ […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-reinforcing-troops-in-europe-as-planned-68569/

DefenceTalkGermany has confirmed it is sending Leopard 2 tanks to Lithuania as part of NATO plans to reinforce the Baltic states. But the presence is largely symbolic, since Russia is still militarily superior in the region. Protecting Lithuania from Russia is to be Germany’s responsibility, according to the new NATO defense plans that emerged at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-to-send-tanks-to-russian-border-68511/

DefenceTalkThe United States will deploy over 300 troops in Norway, the Norwegian government announced Monday, in a move set to upset neighbouring Russia. The 330 Marines, to be stationed on rotation around 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from the Russian border, will be engaged in training and manoeuvres in almost Arctic conditions, the Norwegian defence ministry […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-to-deploy-330-troops-in-norway-68475/

DefenceTalkRussia expressed surprise Friday about the mooted deployment of US troops in neighboring Norway. “Taking into account multiple statements made by Norwegian officials about the absence of threat from Russia to Norway, we would like to understand why Norway is so much willing to increase its military potential, in particular through the stationing of American […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-puzzled-by-talk-of-us-troop-rotation-in-norway-68463/

DefenceTalkRotational forces, including heavy armored and aviation brigades, in addition to the storage of massive amounts of equipment at strategic sites, will be a big emphasis next year to help America and its European allies keep Russia at bay, according to the general who oversees the U.S. Army’s mission in Europe. “This is all about […]https://www.defencetalk.com/long-term-rotational-units-other-efforts-to-boost-us-army-in-europe-68344/

DefenceTalkChinese people believe the United States is the “top threat” facing their country, a poll showed Wednesday, with most suspecting the world’s number one economy of trying to “prevent China from becoming an equal power”. A survey by the Washington-based Pew Research Center revealed 45 percent of Chinese consider US power and influence to be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinese-rank-us-as-top-threat-survey-68313/

DefenceTalkGermany and France announced plans Tuesday to share an air base and transport planes as part of a military shake-up in the wake of Britain’s vote to quit the European Union. The two countries signed an agreement with a view to sharing C-130J Super Hercules military transport planes, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-and-france-to-share-military-facilities-aircraft-68290/

DefenceTalkLithuania said Monday it is in talks to buy Norwegian anti-aircraft missile systems to address the defence gap on NATO’s eastern flank, amid concerns over Russia. The NASAMS medium-range air defence systems, which would be the first such shield in the Baltic states, would cost around 100 million euros ($115 million), defence ministry spokesman Vaidotas […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lithuania-eyes-norway-air-defence-deal-amid-russia-fears-68224/