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The US Defense Department has announced that it will provide additional military support to the Secret Service in order to enhance security for the major presidential and vice presidential candidates during the upcoming election. This decision comes in response to a request from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service. The specific reasons for this increased support were not disclosed, but it is worth noting that the Secret Service has faced criticism for security failures in the past. The military support is expected to continue until the inauguration of the president-elect and vice president-elect in January. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Navy ships and aircraft plans are competing for funds in the challenging budget environment due to the Iraq war.

The battle-tested Abrams tank is poised to remain in service for at least 25 more years, or until the Army is certain that it has an adequate replacement. The tank [...]

Immediate needs for equipment repairs and upgrades--rather than long-term plans for transformation--are the dominant forces in Marine Corps vehicle programs today, officials said. The focus is on fixing war-torn equipment [...]

A top Republican lawmaker, Representative Ken Calvert, has criticized Northrop Grumman Corp. for causing delays in the delivery of the Pentagon's next-generation nuclear-missile submarine. Calvert stated that a subcontractor for Northrop Grumman overpromised and under-delivered on a crucial part of the submarine. The turbine generators, which were supposed to be delivered by 2021, are now projected to be delivered in early 2025, potentially causing a delay of up to 16 months for the submarine's delivery. The article also mentions delays in the delivery of the vessel's bow section by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). Calvert's defense panel is proposing funding for the procurement of the second submarine and improvements to the US submarine industrial base. [Extracted from the article]

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has expressed concern that Ukraine's recent attacks on Russian oil refineries could have a negative impact on global energy markets. He urged Ukraine to focus on military targets instead. The US has been trying to balance cutting President Vladimir Putin's revenue from petroleum exports with maintaining global energy market stability. Austin's remarks were criticized by Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who accused the administration of discouraging effective Ukrainian action for political reasons. Austin also called on Congress to approve additional military aid to Ukraine. [Extracted from the article]

In anticipation of extended peacekeeping duties in Iraq and future contingencies in urban areas, the Army is stepping up efforts to field its first Stryker light-armored vehicle brigade. Despite a [...]

China is reportedly building up its military and nuclear arsenal at a scale not seen since World War II, with the aim of being ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, according to Admiral John Aquilino, the leader of the Indo-Pacific Command. Despite economic challenges, China's defense budget has increased by 16% in recent years to over $223 billion. Aquilino stated that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has added over 400 fighter aircraft and more than 20 major warships in the past three years, as well as doubling its inventory of ballistic and cruise missiles since 2020. Aquilino also mentioned that the Chinese military has been rehearsing various tasks related to operations against Taiwan. Chinese officials have responded by stating that Taiwan is China's internal affair and accused the US of causing division in the Asia-Pacific region. China's defense budget is still significantly less than that of the US, with President Joe Biden proposing an $850 billion Pentagon budget for fiscal 2025. US lawmakers and military leaders have debated China's intentions for Taiwan, with the US intelligence community assessing that China does not want a military conflict over Taiwan but is determined to bring the island under its control. China's partnership with Russia is also a concern, as it has provided economic and security assistance to Russia for the invasion of Ukraine. [Extracted from the article]

China is rapidly building up its military and nuclear arsenal, with the goal of being ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, according to Admiral John Aquilino, the leader of the Indo-Pacific Command. Despite economic challenges, China's defense budget has increased by 16% in recent years to over $223 billion. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has added hundreds of fighter aircraft, major warships, and doubled its inventory of ballistic and cruise missiles. Aquilino stated that all indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinping's directive to unify Taiwan with mainland China by force. The Chinese military has also been practicing operations against Taiwan, including simulating an encirclement with a maritime and air blockade. While US intelligence assesses that China does not want a military conflict over Taiwan, it remains determined to bring the island under its control. China's defense spending has allowed it to field modern systems and project power in the Pacific region. China's partnership with Russia is also concerning, as it provides assistance to Russia in the invasion of Ukraine. [Extracted from the article]

The US Senate has shown support for providing war aid to Ukraine and Israel in a test vote, ending a four-month blockade by Republicans on the security assistance package. The vote allows the Senate to begin considering a standalone war aid package, although further voting is required to pass the funding. However, the funding still faces challenges in the House, where Republican leaders are demanding stricter border enforcement policies. This article provides an update on the ongoing political developments regarding war aid and border enforcement in the US. [Extracted from the article]

The US Senate has shown support for providing war aid to Ukraine and Israel in a test vote, signaling a shift in Republican stance on the security assistance package. However, the funding still faces obstacles in the House, where Republican leaders are demanding stricter border enforcement policies before approving the aid. Hardline conservatives in the House have warned against voting on aid to Ukraine without imposing new US immigration restrictions. The situation in Ukraine has worsened, with Russian forces launching offensives and supplies dwindling, while the US has been delayed in providing over $60 billion in assistance. The Senate funding package, which also includes funds for Israel and allies in the Pacific, would benefit the US defense industry with approximately $35 billion and support American jobs. [Extracted from the article]

A Senate compromise has been unveiled that would provide about $35 billion to the US defense industry. This funding would include support for Ukraine, Israel, and allies in the Pacific. The bill faces opposition in the House, but if passed, it would benefit companies such as Lockheed Martin, RTX Corp., General Dynamics, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and HII. The legislation also includes provisions to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region and support US operations in the Middle East. Israel would receive $10.6 billion for its defense systems, while the US would allocate funds to counter Iranian-backed groups. [Extracted from the article]

The commander of US Navy forces in the Middle East has stated that the Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen show no signs of backing off from their attacks in the Red Sea. The US-led force has successfully shot down 19 drones and missiles launched by the Houthis in less than a month. A coalition task force has been protecting international merchant ships in the Red Sea since December 18, with five vessels employing a "zone defense" strategy. The US and its allies have issued stern warnings to the Houthis, stating that they will bear the responsibility for any consequences resulting from their continued threats to lives and global commerce. The UK has indicated that it may take action against the Houthis if they do not heed the warning. The ongoing attacks in Yemen add to the risks of the conflict between Israel and Hamas expanding into a broader regional conflict. The Houthi threat has led to major shipping operators taking longer and costlier routes to avoid the Red Sea, driving up short-term rates for container shipping. [Extracted from the article]

CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS IN THE PERSIAN GULF ARE reshaping the U.S. Navy's maritime security tactics and its approach to forming coalitions. These operations 'connote a range of things required of the [...]

AL BAZRA OIL TERMINAL, NORTHERN PERSIAN GULF--The U.S. sailors stationed here have taken to calling it the 'ABOT Marriott.' While this 'Marriott' is complete with a guest book and a [...]

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES AROUND THE world are being molded in the image of the elite military units of the United States, a development that is likely to shape future coalitions. [...]

U.S. Navy and Marine Corps plans to deploy floating bases are predicated on the notion that ships and aircraft will be able quickly to ferry or fly troops and their [...]

The notion that ground forces can be launched, supported and sustained solely from ships at sea initially was conceived by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, but now is attracting [...]

The lonely, neon lights of the aviation schoolhouse penetrate the dark before dawn at Fort Rucker, Ala. Inside, crammed in a small classroom, about a dozen pilots are huddled over [...]

Caught between the pressures of war in the Middle East and the need to reorganize, the U.S. Army is juggling new methods of combat training while rewriting the rulebook for [...]

The U.S. Army's aviation branch is working to make a collective simulation exercise a staple of the pre-deployment package for pilots heading to Iraq and Afghanistan. Already, the aviation training [...]

Despite accounting for each and every missing soldier in the Iraq war--a first in U.S. military history--the combat search and rescue community is stretched thin and grappling with gaps raging [...]

The creation of the European Defense Agency is sending ripples across the Atlantic and raising questions about Europe diverting resources away from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Trans-Atlantic tensions over [...]

Army aviators--rehashing lessons garnered in Vietnam and seizing on recent experience gained in Iraq and Afghanistan--are forcing a revolution in combat helicopter training. Armed with hard won know-how, veteran pilots [...]

To overcome limitations on the size of its armed forces, the Asian city-state of Singapore is exploiting cutting-edge technology by combining home-grown research and international collaboration. While its high-stakes fighter [...]

The U.S. Army is committing increasing resources to developing sharply enhanced surveillance, communications and weapons for unmanned aerial vehicles. It also is developing tactical doctrine to deploy these assets from [...]

A long-awaited robotic security system--capable of detecting intruders, assessing their intentions, communicating their location and even stopping them in their tracks--will be evaluated next month at Hawthorne Army Depot, Nev. [...]

Naval warfare will change in the years ahead, as new capabilities enter the fleet. But, for the most part, the battle space of the future will be made up primarily [...]

The U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems program, now heading into its development and demonstration phase, will see increased Pentagon oversight, not only as a result of its multibillion-dollar price tag, [...]

The Army's vision for its future soldiers could begin to materialize this decade, under the Objective Force Warrior program. The technical challenges ahead, however, are formidable. The Objective Force Warrior, [...]

Japan is reshaping its military forces as it attempts to tackle a perceived nuclear threat from North Korea and strengthen its role in multinational peacekeeping operations, Japanese officials told National [...]

They call themselves the masters of improvisation. They comb the mountainsides on horseback, conducting humanitarian assistance missions, as well as search and rescue at extreme heights. The Romanian 21st Mountain [...]

Less than a year after Romania became a NATO invitee, its defense market has become ripe ground for Western and Israeli companies, vying for contracts primarily in the areas of [...]

Senator Tommy Tuberville has ended his months-long holds on military promotions, allowing the Senate to confirm over 400 senior officers. Tuberville had placed the holds in order to pressure the Defense Department to end a policy allowing personnel to travel for abortion care. After Senate Democrats proposed a temporary resolution to allow the nominations to be taken up in bulk, Tuberville released the holds. President Joe Biden criticized Tuberville's actions, stating that they had needlessly harmed service members and military families. [Extracted from the article]

House Speaker Mike Johnson has rejected efforts to include controls on US investment in Chinese technology in a must-pass defense bill. This decision is a setback for bipartisan efforts to require firms to notify the government about certain investments in China and other countries of concern. The issue has caused a divide among Republican leaders, with some opposing the language. Instead, Johnson has tasked several chairmen with resolving their differences on the matter by early next year. The compromise defense authorization bill, known as the NDAA, is set to be released soon. [Extracted from the article]

The US Defense Department has failed its financial audit for the sixth year in a row. Despite this, Pentagon officials claim progress in tracking assets and correcting deficiencies. The audit required 1,600 auditors and 700 site visits, costing $187 million. The Pentagon's inspector general's office will issue its own findings. Lawmakers have pushed for a "clean" audit by 2027, but the Pentagon blames unreliable budgeting by Congress. Of the 29 Defense Department components audited, seven received a clean opinion, one received a qualified opinion, and the rest received disclaimers. The audit identified $621 million in payments subject to improper payment testing, resulting in a 99.76% proper payment rate. The department measures audit progress in areas such as workforce modernization and reliable networks. The Navy uncovered $330 million during the audit. [Extracted from the article]