Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 22, 2017

Kim Jong-un has approved North Korea's intermediate-range ballistic missile for deployment. (Reuters/KCNA)

ABC News Online: North Korea: Kim Jong-un says ballistic missile ready for 'action' after test

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says the intermediate-range ballistic missile that was tested yesterday is ready for "action", according to the reclusive state's news agency.

The test was reported by South Korea yesterday, and the KCNA news agency today released a statement claiming the launch was a success.

The launch verified the reliability and accuracy of the solid-fuel engine's operation and stage separation and the late-stage guidance of the nuclear warhead which was recorded by a device mounted on the warhead, KCNA said.

Mr Kim supervised the launch of the Pukguksong-2 missile and was pleased with the results, KCNA said.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 22, 2017

North Korea: Medium-range missile ready for deployment -- Al Jazeera

North Korea says missile meets all specifications, ready for mass-production -- Reuters

Primary U.S. targets for North Korean ICBMs -- Alert 5

2 US Aircraft Carriers May Join Joint Drill in East Sea -- KBS World

Why China still can’t beat US to become the world’s most powerful navy -- South China Morning Post

Eye in the Sky: China Rolls Out Advanced Radar for Jet Fighters -- Sputnik

Chinese newspaper applauds reported 'anti-espionage' killing of CIA sources -- The Guardian

Spy report claiming China Killed or jailed 18-20 CIA sources ‘won’t harm Sino-US ties’ -- South China Morning Post

Chinese Industrial Spies Cast a Wider Net -- Levi Maxey, Cipher Brief

Pakistan Investigating Social Media Users for Anti-Army Posts: Official -- US News and Review/Reuters

New Zealand navy paid $700,000 to firm mired in ‘Fat Leonard’ sex and bribery scandal -- The Guardian

Nicaragua insists Russian satellite station 'not for spying' -- Defense News

South Sudan's Army may have Committed War Crimes: UN -- Newsweek

Germany Is Quietly Building a European Army Under Its Command -- Foreign Policy

NATO chief in talks with Germany, Turkey over Incirlik dispute -- DW

Nato to welcome Montenegro to the defence alliance in first expansion of membership in eight years -- The Independent

NATO Laying Groundwork to Send More Troops To Iraq, Afghanistan - Defense One

Argentina purchased several refurbished Mirages and engines for Pucaras -- Merco Press

Buying 3 carriers at once could save $1.5 billion, cut 2 years off production, shipyard says -- Virginia Pilot

Russia tried to take over Pentagon Twitter accounts: report -- The Hill

Better Than Boots on the Ground: Pentagon's Tiny Drones Score ‘High Value’ Kills -- Sputnik

The Army Is Testing A Microwave Weapon System In The Mountains Of New Mexico -- Task & Purpose

These gourmet-style meals were created from military MREs -- Military Times

Lawmakers Rap Littoral Combat Ship, New Handgun, Intel System -- Defense Tech

Report: SOCOM Has More Troops In Africa Than Anywhere Except The Middle East -- Task & Purpose

Trump budget to cut Foreign Military Financing, with loan option looming -- Defense News

No More Money for Nothing: Trump’s Budget Proposal May Frustrate Ukraine, Others -- Sputnik

Trump’s Military Budget Proposal Gives Defense Hawks the Political Upper Hand -- Sandra Erwin, RCD

US Services required to report plans to accept new transgender troops -- USA Today

Amphibious Warfare Experts Emphasize the Need to Adopt New Concepts -- James Peterson, SeaPower

Gallery: War aircraft through the lens of a US Army training manual -- Ars Technica

The Pentagon Is Almost Ready for Its Close-Up -- Russell Berman, The Atlantic