Thursday, March 20, 2014

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 20, 2014



How Ukraine’s Military Stacks Up Against Russia’s -- Charles Recknagel, Defense One/The Atlantic

The worst-case scenario in the Russia-Ukraine crisis would be a war between the two states. How do their respective forces compare?

Russia has about four times as many soldiers as Ukraine does, twice as many tanks, and more than six times as many combat aircraft. The huge imbalance in forces reflects the defense budgets of the two countries. Russia spends about $78 billion on its armed forces annually, Ukraine $1.6 billion.

However, only a part of Russia’s forces is available to deploy against Ukraine. Moscow cannot afford to remove forces from its North Caucasus region, from its border with China, or from the Pacific. Mark Galeotti, a Moscow-based regional expert with the Center for Global Affairs at New York University, estimates Russia might be able to muster a force twice the size of Ukraine’s for any war. That leaves open the possibility that the difference in strength might not be so overwhelming as to guarantee victory.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs

Ukraine to pull troops from Crimea as Obama rules out military action -- FOX News

Cyber Peace Reigns Despite Russia, Ukraine Tensions -- Voice of America

Crimea has revealed an improved Russian military -- Daily Star

U.S. says Russian military moves creating dangerous situation -- Reuters

After Crimea, West plans for Russia military threat -- Reuters

US, UK military to stage NATO exercises in Ukraine -- RT

Russian Navy Unveils New Class of Submarines -- RIA Novosti

Russian Navy to Deploy Conventional Deterrence Force -- RIA Novosti

German government intervenes to stop defense delivery to Russia -- Reuters

French DM: Cancellation of Carrier Sale to Russia an 'Extreme Measure' -- Defense News

As U.S. ponders next moves on Crimea, experts rethink NATO’s defense posture -- Washington Post

With Russia, as With China, Unnerved U.S. Allies Seek Reassurances -- New York Times

Base Plan Puts American Troops on China’s Doorstep: U.S. troops return to The Philippines -- Kyle Mizokami, War is Boring

USAF: Taiwan Will Still Receive F-16 Radar Upgrades -- Defense News

China Unveils More Capable Stealth Fighter Prototype -- USNI News

Analysis points to China's work on new anti-satellite weapon -- Reuters

Australia's Army and a Balanced Defense -- Justin Goldman, The Diplomat

U.S. may have paid Afghan police force for ‘ghost workers’ -- Washington Times

B-1B, F-16s Could Be Next If Congress Blocks Air Force PlanTo Retire A-10 -- Defense News

New Threats, New Technologies Push New USAF Radar Program -- Defense News

Pentagon steps up plan for long-range anti-ship missile -- USA Today

LCS Alternative Task Force Named -- Defense News

Why SSC Evolution Portends a Further Decline in US Navy Fleet Numbers -- Information Dissemination

Hypersonic Weapons Face Major Milestone In August Test -- Colin Clark, Breaking Defense

Pentagon goes hypersonic with long-range rapid attack weapon -- Washington Times

Pentagon withholds internal report about flawed $2.7 billion intel program -- Stars and Stripes/Foreign Policy

US tech giants knew of NSA data collection, agency's top lawyer insists -- The Guardian

How Women Are Reshaping the Defense Industry -- Rep. Kay Granger, Time

Army General Could Learn Fate in Sex Case Thursday -- AP

Hagel, Army Leaders Induct ‘Valor 24’ Into Hall of Heroes -- US Department of Defense

It’s Time to Award More Medals of Honor for Iraq Vets -- Rep. Duncan Hunter, Defense One

The Pentagon Needs a New Way of War -- Robert Haddick, War On The Rocks

The Grunts: Damned If They Kill, Damned If They Don’t -- David Wood, Huffington post

1 comment:

Don Bacon said...

"With Russia, as With China, Unnerved U.S. Allies Seek Reassurances" -- NYTimes

If they're smart they'll put Victoria Nuland on a watch list.