DefenceTalkNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Sunday that US President Donald Trump’s regular complaints about the alliance had not undermined it — adding that his criticism on defense spending was having a positive impact. Trump has frequently blasted members of the 29-nation western security partnership for not paying more into their national defense budgets. Before […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-chief-says-trumps-funding-gripes-having-real-results-72090/

DefenceTalkThe German government has allocated 400 million euros ($465 million) to fund the construction of up to three spy satellites for the country’s foreign intelligence service, the BND. This has been reported by a consortium of newspapers and is part of a general trend within Germany of increasing surveillance and surveillance capabilities. It is expected […]https://www.defencetalk.com/german-intelligence-agency-gets-spy-satellite-system-funds-70750/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Navy’s original $5.1 billion Unfunded Priorities List (UPL) released in February 2016 has grown into a massive $12 billion wish list. Curiously, the Navy says the new list is not a formal update of the original UPL. Rather, the service has provided a list of “executable” FY17 unfunded items, adding needs that have […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-funding-readiness-aircraft-weapons-ships-68972/

DefenceTalkThe Army would like to see a few more Soldiers in the ranks, if it were authorized by Congress — but only if those additional Soldiers are funded to keep them war-ready, said Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark A. Milley. The Army has been directed to reduce its total end strength, across […]https://www.defencetalk.com/increased-manpower-must-come-with-funding-us-army-66874/

DefenceTalkThe Army’s vice chief of staff said the $613 billion Overseas Contingency Operations, or OCO, funding does not allow the Army the flexibility required to get at home-station readiness for units that are not deploying. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn testified before the House Armed Services subcommittee on readiness, March 25. “It also does not allow […]https://www.defencetalk.com/allyn-army-needs-predictable-consistent-funding-to-get-at-readiness-63685/

DefenceTalkThe United States has lifted restrictions on a small portion of its military assistance to the Philippines that was withheld over human rights concerns, the foreign minister said Thursday. The gesture affects about $15 million dollars that have been withheld over the last five years, a fraction of Washington’s total military assistance to the South […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-says-us-has-lifted-restrictions-on-military-aid-funds-62089/

DefenceTalkThe US Congress approved $225 million for Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile defense system, credited with destroying missiles fired by Hamas before they could reach their targets. House of Representatives approved the funding by 395-8 in a late Friday vote. The Senate earlier approved the measure unanimously before the start of its five week summer recess. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/congress-approves-aid-funding-for-israels-iron-dome-60300/

DefenceTalkThe Department of Defense’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 budget submission provides the resources necessary to protect and advance U.S. interests and to execute the updated defense strategy, although at increased levels of risk for some missions relative to the planned funding levels in the FY 2014 budget. This budget complies with the limits established for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/estimated-impacts-of-sequestration-level-funding-59331/

DefenceTalkThe United States has announced a major increase in U.S. funding for military education and training programs in Southeast Asia. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made the announcement Sunday during a speech at the Malaysian Institute of Defense and Security in Kuala Lumpur. He said the latest Pentagon budget includes $90 million for the programs, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-significantly-boosts-military-funding-for-southeast-asia-48882/

DefenceTalkAnti-access/area denial (AA/AD) challenges require continued technology investment. Potential adversaries are expected to exploit the current U.S. dependence on satellites, unmanned vehicles, computer systems, and the global positioning system. Frost & Sullivan research finds that the AA/AD programs are budgeted for $57.47 billion in 2013 and estimates this to reach $61.00 billion in 2017. Budget […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-dod-anti-accessarea-denial-challenges-are-a-funding-priority-47967/