Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 2, 2016

Ministry of Defense

BBC: RAF strikes in Iraq and Syria have killed 996, MoD estimates

Nearly 1,000 members of the Islamic State group have been killed in RAF air strikes in Iraq and Syria in the last 18 months, figures suggest.

In response to a freedom of information request, the Ministry of Defence estimated 974 "enemy combatants" had died since the UK bombing campaign started in Iraq in September 2014.

A further 22 had been killed in Syria since air strikes began in December last year, it estimated.

The MoD said no civilians had died.

The figures cover the period from September 2014 to March 2016 and were released in response to a request made by Vice News.

The MoD said they were estimates based on "post-strike analysis" because the UK was unable to visit sites to verify the numbers dead.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 2, 2016

Exclusive: UK Airstrikes in Iraq and Syria Have Killed Almost 1,000 'Enemy Combatants' — But No Civilians -- VICE News

Carrier's deployment extended in move to crush ISIS -- Navy Times

Russia challenges US after Baltic jet face-off -- BBC

Russian Navy to Showcase Modern Robotic Systems at Army-2016 Forum -- Sputnik

First Russian-made Ka-62 helicopter prototype performs debut flight -- TASS

Russia, China to hold 1st computer-assisted missile defense drills in May -- TASS

Estonia expects 1,500 NATO troops for major Spring Storm drills -- RT

Finland Flexes Military Muscles Alongside US Troops, Armored Vehicles -- Sputnik

200 US Soldiers Due in Moldova for Military Exercises -- ABC News

NATO to place 4,000 troops in Poland and the region: report -- Radio Poland

NATO to deploy 4,000 troops on Russia's borders in Baltic region -- Baltic Times

India’s First Conventional Submarine to Join Navy After Successful Test -- Sputnik

French leader says all new subs will be built in Australia -- AP

Canada should boost military spending, former NATO commander says -- CBC

NATO May Extend Role in Libya, Stoltenberg Tells Le Figaro -- Bloomberg

Some 10 UK Soldiers Arrive in Somalia to Help Counter Al-Shabaab Militants -- Sputnik

US Army Spy Plane Deploys To SOUTHCOM, AFRICOM -- Defense News

This U.S. Navy carrier was set to visit Hong Kong. Then Beijing pulled the welcome mat. -- Navy Times

Bath Iron Works Will Build First Flight III Arleigh Burke DDG -- USNI News

Army Special Ops Mulls What’s Next After Little Bird -- Defense News

The Futuristic Aircraft That May Replace the Black Hawk Will Fly Next Year -- Defense One

Textron Eyes Next-Gen Shadow Drone With Greater Payload -- Defense News

US Army's top general: Be prepared to fight 'little green men' -- FOX News

Pilots, crew of AC-130 gunship acknowledged confusion before striking Kunduz hospital -- Air Force Times

Pentagon: No war crimes were committed in US bombing of Afghan hospital -- The Hill

CIA's Recounting of Bin Laden Raid Gets Mixed Reaction -- VOA

CIA director says secret 9/11 report pages full of hearsay, inaccurate info -- FOX News

CIA Chief: 'No Evidence' of Saudi Backing of 9/11 Attacks -- VOA

Pentagon protests escalating inquiries from Benghazi panel -- The Hill

Military Trying to Smear Officer Accused of Spying, Family Says -- Shane Harris, Daily Beast

Arming military recruiters: Inside the Pentagon's agonizing policy review -- Military.com

The House of Representatives Just Fashioned A Heavily Overspending, Pork-Filled Defense Bill -- Forbes

Has the American military fallen behind? -- Bear F. Braumoeller, UPI

Fact Check: Has President Obama 'Depleted' The Military? -- NPR

Here’s how the US military got hooked on a high-caffeine energy drink called ‘Rip It’ -- Raw Story