Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 12, 2016

Russian servicemen prepare a Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jet at Hmeimim military base in Latakia province, Syria (AFP Photo/Paul Gypteau)

AFP: Fewer Russian jets on ground in Syria but Moscow still key to fighting

Hmeimim air base (Syria) (AFP) - Around a dozen Russian warplanes stand on the tarmac at the Hmeimim base inside government-held territory on Syria's Mediterranean coast.

Nearby the giant radar of an S-400 air defence system -- the most modern in Russia's arsenal -- whirs non-stop.

A month ago Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised the West by ordering the "main part" of his forces to pull out -- just as he had when launching Moscow's bombing campaign in Syria around five months earlier to back up ally Bashar al-Assad.

After regime troops managed to claw back key territory, Putin said Russia's warplanes had "on the whole" completed their task after flying some 9,000 bombing raids over Syria.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 12, 2016

Two Russian pilots killed in helicopter crash over rebel territory in Syria -- The Independent

Procurement: How Russia Profits From Syria -- Strategy Page

Carter: Iraq politics won't stall beefed up military fight -- AP

Marine’s Death in a Secret Iraqi Base Reflects a Quietly Expanding U.S. Role -- New York Times

Russia begins S-300 sales to Iran, deal to be completed by yearend - Russian deputy PM -- TASS

Russian Long-Range Cruise Missiles Renew US Worries - Ex-Pentagon Official -- Sputnik

Paramilitary: China Has A Secret Weapon At Sea -- Strategy Page

South Korea’s Armored Fighting Vehicle Is Like America’s Bradley — But Better -- War Is Boring

South Korean Army chief to visit Japan for military talks -- Korea Herald

Norway Chief of Defense Warns Armed Forces Ill-Prepared for Attack -- Sputnik

New report calls for ban on 'killer robots' amid UN meeting -- AP

U.S. F-22 Raptors make surprise deployment to RAF Lakenheath, UK -- The Aviationist

Panama Papers reveal spies used Mossak Fonseca -- AFP

US Defense Secretary Carter voicing optimism on improved US-India cooperation on military issues -- AP

Pentagon chief to advance 'growing security network' in Asia Pacific -- The Hill

US to probe deadly drone strikes in Afghanistan -- Al Jazeera

U.S. Official: Lt. Cmdr. Edward Lin Accused of Passing Secrets to Taiwan in Addition to China -- USNI News

Here’s the Charge Sheet for the US Sailor Accused of Spying for China -- Defense Tech

Did an Accused Navy Spy Trade Secrets for Sex? -- Daily Beast

Navy, Marines Developing New CONOPS For Contested Littoral Operations -- USNI News

Pratt & Whitney Gets $1 Billion Contract for More F-35 Engines -- DoD Buzz

Replacing, Not Just Retiring, the A-10 -- Defense News

US Troops May Face Prison for Refusing Trump Presidency’s ‘Illegal’ Orders -- Sputnik

Why Pentagon Priorities Will Soon Change No Matter Who Becomes President -- Loren Thompson, Forbes

America Strikes Back: US Serves up Cyber Justice Against Foreign Hackers -- Riley Walters, National Interest

Inside the cyberspace race -- Jacqueline Klimas, Washington Examiner

How Smartphones Will Reshape the Modern Battlefield -- Ernest Wong, Real Clear Defense

Ex-DOD official: No 'substantive' opposition to transgender troops -- The Hill

Only the Pentagon Could Spend $640 on a Toilet Seat -- William D. Hartung, The Nation

A Daring Step for the Secretary of Defense -- Walter Pincus, Cipher Brief

Act Now to Preserve Our Strategic Deterrent -- Jonathan Ruhe & John Bird, Real Clear Defense