Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 2, 2017

Washington Times: North Korea prepares for new round of nuclear weapons tests

North Korea is reportedly in the final stages for a new round of nuclear weapons tests, Pyongyang announced Sunday.

The tests are focused on the country’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile, North Korean President Kim Jong-un said in a nationally televised speech on New Year’s Day, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap News

“Research and development of cutting edge arms equipment is actively progressing and … test launch preparation is in its last stage,” Mr. Kim said.

The new weapon, he said, could be used to launch nuclear strikes against neighboring South Korea and the U.S. if both nations refuse to cut military ties.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 2, 2017

U.S. says N.K. ballistic missile launches unacceptable -- Yonhap News Agency

Pentagon Warns North Korea Over Its Latest Threat to Test a Long-Range Missile -- TIME/AFP

South Korean military plane accidentally drops anti-ship missiles into sea -- RT

U.S. fills gap in SDF to watch N. Korea -- Japan News

New Weapons on China’s Artificial Islands Don’t Violate 'Non-Militarization' of South China Sea -- The Diplomat

This is China's 'Riskiest and Most Complex' Active Defense Program -- Sputnik

Should America Really Fear China’s Growing Navy? -- James Holmes, War Is Boring

Indian Strategic Forces Command Test-Fires 2,500-Mile Agni IV Ballistic Missiles -- Sputnik

Pakistan Military Chief Tells Afghan Leaders He'll Work for Peace -- VOA

Japan to Launch First Military Communications Satellite on January 24 -- Space War/Sputnik

Russia offers sub, drones to Philippines -- Phistar

Onboard Holiday: Admiral Kuznetsov Crew Celebrate New Year at Sea -- Sputnik

Best Of 2016: Russia Resurgent -- Breaking Defense

Air Defense: Iron Dome Finds A New Home -- Strategy Page

In Israeli Military, Guarded Optimism for 2017 -- Defense News

Qatar, India, Italy purchase Raytheon Stinger missiles -- UPI

Unidentified country orders Patriot system upgrade -- UPI

U.S. Special Operations Numbers Surge In Africa's Shadow Wars -- The Intercept

After 40 years of service legacy mission system for high-altitude U-2 is replaced -- Dvids

New in 2017: PACAF focused on readiness in an 'increasingly complex' theater -- Air Force Times

Pentagon to Accelerate Rail Gun Projectile Weapon - Fires From Army Howitzer -- Scout Warrior

U.S. Navy orders 214 Raytheon Tomahawk missiles -- UPI

Watch: F-35 Air Force Pilot Compared to the Lightning II vs F-16, F-22 and A-10 -- Sofrep

Armor: Replacing M113 Is Not Easy -- Strategy Page

For Veterans, Trauma Of War Can Persist In Struggles With Sexual Intimacy -- NPR

US government subcontractor leaks confidential military personnel data -- ZDNet

When James Mattis Gave Away His Dinner -- Frances Tilney Burke, Weekly Standard

Northrop Grumman's New Super Stealth Bomber Is Getting Ready for a Very Dangerous Mission -- Kris Osborn, National Interest

No, the U.S. Doesn’t Need to Expand Its Nuclear Weapons Program -- Steven Pifer, Politico

9 Countries That Control the World’s Nuclear Weapons -- 24/7 Wall Street

U.S., Russia dominate nuclear weapons list -- USA Today

The US and Russia are dominating the global weapons trade -- Business Insider

The Ten Most Popular DARPA Stories of 2016 -- ECN

Stunning images show how the US military, under fire, is celebrating New Year's in Afghanistan -- Business Insider

Best Of 2016: The Next War -- Sydney J. Freedberg Jr., Breaking Defense