Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 29, 2014

White markings on tail of helicopter are meant to distinguish Ukrainian chopper from nearly identical craft flown by Russian Army. (Ukrainian Ministry of Defense)

Facing Crisis With Russia, Ukraine Scrambles To Get Military Up To Speed -- FOX News

As tensions with Russia continue to flare, Ukraine's army is adding markings to planes and helicopters in order to distinguish them from nearly identical Russian equipment and avoid friendly fire incidents should the situation escalate further.

The addition of painted white stripes, first reported in the military blog War is Boring, comes as Ukraine tries to get its military – which consists mostly of Soviet-era equipment – up to speed in the wake of the revolution in February and the subsequent invasion of parts of Ukraine by Russian forces. But the cosmetic change may be the least of Ukraine's issues concerning its outdated military gear. The Ukrainian military went through years of neglect under the now-toppled pro-Russian government, which "deliberately dismantled" the military according to the current president, Arseniy Yatsenyuk. And experts agree.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs

Russia's Ukraine actions highlight its military limits -- USA Today

Russia’s main weapons exporter gets a pass in new round of sanctions -- Washington Times

Russian Navy Ships Take Part in Anti-Drug Drills in Caribbean -- RIA Novosti

Panel Advocates Deeper U.S.-Russian Nuclear Cuts, Despite Tensions -- Global Security Newswire

Romania To Boost Military Spending Over Ukraine Crisis -- Defense News/AFP

Fledgling Iraqi Military Is Outmatched on Battlefield -- WSJ

North Korea conducts live-fire exercises amid escalating tensions -- CNN

North Korea Stages Exercise, Issues New Nuclear Warning -- Global Security Newswire

Venezuelan ex-intelligence chief Eliecer Otaiza killed -- BBC

Europe, Asia plan to spend big on drone development -- Washington Times

Australian Buy Comes at Key Time for F-35 Program -- Defense News

Senior U.S. lawmaker will not sign off on aid for Egyptian military -- Reuters

Obama says US-Philippines military pact will improve Asia's security -- FOX News/AP

US military pact with the Philippines gives Asia 'pivot' some military muscle -- Anna Mulrine, Christian Science Monitor

US, Philippines boost military ties. Why now? -- Donald Kirk, CSM

Pentagon quietly sends more intelligence officers to Iraq -- RT

2 NATO Troops Die in Attack in Eastern Afghanistan -- AP

Report: U.S. Mulls War Budgets for Afghanistan -- DoD Buzz

Navy Shipbuilders Share $17.6 Billion Submarine Order -- WSJ

Navy orders 10 nuclear subs for $17.6B in most lucrative contract ever -- Washington Times

US Navy: Upcoming budget crunch could unravel new deployment plan -- Navy Times

McCain chides Air Force leaders over retirement of A-10 fleet -- The Hill

Ayotte Goes Silent on Fight to Save A-10 -- DoD Buzz

US military’s mysterious X-37B space plane passes 500 days in orbit, but we still have no clue what it’s actually doing up there -- Extreme Tech

Marine dirt bike 'gangs' of Afghanistan -- CNN

Pentagon’s Largest Solar Project Yet Coming This Fall -- Charles S. Clark, Defense One/Government Executive

Pentagon to Force Military Recruits to Buy Ugly Sneakers -- Gawker

Senate intelligence panel leaders draft cyber legislation -- Washington Post

Armed Services seeks more cyber oversight -- The Hill

App gains you entry into cockpits of military aircraft -- FOX News/Military.com

Pentagon to Consider Whether Drone Pilots Deserve Top Military Honors -- ABC News

Two U.S. Soldiers Lose Bid to Dress According to Religious Custom -- NYT/Reuters

Rite Of Spring: Pentagon Bashes The Best Fighter Engine Ever Built -- Loren Thompson, Forbes

Editorial: US Defense Poll Paints Troubling Picture -- Defense News

Senate probe creates tension with CIA, agents -- Walter Pincus, Washington Post

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