South African soldiers during a joint patrol with Central African soldiers in the streets of Bangui. Reuters/Luc Gnago
South Africa’s Military Meltdown -- New Statesman
On the face of it, life continues as normal, but behind the scenes the South African military has been cut to the point where it's doubtful it will be able to live up to its African responsibilities.
The South African military – once feared across much of Africa – is today in steep decline. Its budget has been slashed; its equipment unserviced and unserviceable and its troops demoralised. In the 1980s – at the height of apartheid – the country spent four per cent of GDP on the military. Today that figure stands at around one per cent. While cuts were certainly justified, the scale of the reductions has done lasting damage to the Defence Force.
This is, of course, not the impression the Ministry of Defence provides the South African public. On the face of it, life continues as normal. A major military exercise is currently under way with the United States military.
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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS
Russia begins construction of advanced attack submarine -- Space War/UPI
Russia should use own electronics in defence industry-deputy PM -- Reuters
Russia Develops Silent Robotic Armored Vehicle -- RIA Novosti
Indian Army most influential in Asia Pacific region: US General -- Economic Times
INS Vikramaditya sea trials successful -- The Hindu
India’s First Ballistic Missile Sub to Begin Sea Trials -- The Diplomat
Xi’an air base hosts reporters in military media day first -- Global Times
China’s Military Preparing for ‘People’s War’ in Cyberspace, Space -- Washington Free Beacon
Singapore, Brazil firms eye Latin American defense market -- Space Daily/UPI
Israeli military exports hit record $7.5B -- Space Daily/UPI
Sources: Israel Slated for Refurbished US Army Rocket Launchers -- Defense News
Israel gets ready to expand its submarine fleet -- UPI
Kazakh General, Ukrainian Arms Dealers Convicted of Bribery -- Defense News
Turkey’s $50 billion jet program in question -- Hurriyet Daily news
Iraq requests Bell 412 EP helicopters sale from US -- Air Force Technology
Royal Navy pulls out of Nato commitments -- Scotsman
Russia to Hand Over ‘Black Hole’ Sub to Vietnam in November -- RIA Novosti
U.S. Army won't bar contractors linked to Afghan insurgents -watchdog -- Reuters
Lockheed, Pentagon reach deal on 71 more F-35s -source -- Reuters
F-16 pilots may soon be using small Windows 8 tablets in flight -- CITE World
DoD To Unveil Strategic Review Findings -- Defense Daily
The Heart of the Navy’s Next Destroyer -- USNI News
Keeping the USS Wasp Ready to Respond -- BAE Systems
Two of the Army’s Key Vehicle Programs in Limbo -- Defense News
Pentagon Likely to Cut Furlough Days -- AP
Pentagon Furlough Days Inflated -- Weekly Standard
Mattis to DoD: Lighten Up on Sequester Talk -- Military.com
Recordings are new perspective on Navy jet crash -- Stars and Stripes/Virginia-Pilot
FBI to Rand Paul: Domestic drone surveillance doesn’t require a warrant -- Washington Examiner
Air Force Asks Students to Solve Real-World Problems -- New York Times
Who Serves in the U.S. Military? The Demographics of Enlisted Troops and Officers -- Heritage Foundation
Japan could soften U.S. cuts -- Hisahiko Okazaki, Japan Times
Veterans of WWII raid holding 70th reunion in Ohio -- AP
The would-be Navy chaplain who doesn't believe in God -- Stars and Stripes
U.S. Military Deaths in Afghanistan -- New York Times
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