DefenceTalkBoeing will continue to increase the B-52 bomber’s effectiveness and versatility under a new U.S. Air Force contract that calls for the aircraft’s smart weapons capacity to expand by 50 percent. Under the $24.6 million agreement, Boeing will develop a modification to existing weapon launchers so the aircraft can carry smart weapons in the bomb […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-boeing-b-52-upgrade-to-increase-smart-weapons-capacity-by-half-49600/

DefenceTalkSouth Korea’s spy agency said Monday that North Korea was using Russian technology to develop electromagnetic pulse weapons aimed at paralysing military electronic equipment south of the border. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) said in a report to parliament that the North had purchased Russian electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weaponry to develop its own versions. EMP […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-developing-electromagnetic-pulse-weapons-south-korea-49562/

DefenceTalkThe head of Russia’s air force, General Viktor Bondarev, met his Iranian counterparts in Tehran to discuss boosting military cooperation between the countries, local media reported Monday. Talks centred on “electronic listening systems, radar and missiles,” Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili, head of Khatam-ol-Anbia Air Defence Base, said in comments quoted by daily Sharq. Esmaili also […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-holds-talks-with-russia-to-boost-military-cooperation-49442/

DefenceTalkThe United States is suspending the delivery of major weapons to Egypt over delays in progress toward an inclusive government. The decision follows the ouster of the country’s first democratically-elected leader. The Obama administration says it is holding back the delivery of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of jets, tanks, missiles, and attack helicopters, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-suspends-large-part-of-military-assistance-to-egypt-49346/

DefenceTalkChina’s arms buildup over the last two decades would give it the power to invade Taiwan by 2020 even if allies came to the island’s aid, a military report said Tuesday. The mainland’s annual military spending has grown on average by double-digit rates over the past 20 years or so, according to Taiwan’s 2013 National […]https://www.defencetalk.com/taiwan-military-says-china-able-to-invade-by-2020-49326/

DefenceTalkChina has banned exports to North Korea of technologies and goods that could be used to make missiles and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, the government said, as it moves to comply with UN resolutions. Beijing, the North’s sole major ally and economic lifeline, has publicly supported sanctions against Pyongyang in the past, though it […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-bans-weaponry-related-exports-to-north-korea-49183/

DefenceTalkBARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE: The B-52 Stratofortress is set to receive an upgrade that will significantly increase its weapons payload, officials said. The initial 1760 Internal Weapons Bay Upgrade will allow the B-52 to house up to eight advanced precision-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions in its internal weapons bay, in addition to the 12 it […]https://www.defencetalk.com/upgrade-gives-b-52-bomber-more-teeth-49162/

DefenceTalkRussian President Vladimir Putin meets Iran’s new president for the first time this week, reportedly armed with an offer to supply missile systems and build a second nuclear power reactor that is likely to gladden Tehran and trouble the United States. President Hassan Rowhani is set to meet Putin on the sidelines of a summit […]https://www.defencetalk.com/putin-to-offer-iran-arms-nuclear-deal-at-summit-49050/

DefenceTalkUN Security Council members are seeking “clarity” on opposition claims that Syrian troops used chemical weapons in an attack near Damascus, Argentina’s UN envoy, the council president, said Wednesday. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s office said earlier he was “shocked” by the reports and that UN weapons experts in Syria to probe previous allegations were […]https://www.defencetalk.com/un-council-seeks-clarity-on-syria-chem-weapons-claim-48846/

DefenceTalkRussia’s state arms exporter said Wednesday that its order portfolio stood at $34 billion as of June 1. Rosoboronexport delivered $6.5 billion worth of weaponry to foreign customers in the first half of this year, deputy head Igor Sevastyanov announced, adding that the current order portfolio included contracts with 67 countries. Russia, which last year […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russias-weaponry-exporter-reports-34bln-in-orders-48283/