Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 16, 2018

The Economist: China will soon have air power rivalling the West’s

In some technologies, it has surpassed it

THERE is no question which country gets the starring role in “The Military Balance”, the latest annual review of the world’s armed forces by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a London-based think-tank. Amid renewed jostling between the world’s great powers, it is the pace of military modernisation in China that stands out.

China’s president, Xi Jinping, wants to be able to challenge America’s military might in the western Pacific. He is making big progress. China’s once bloated armed forces are becoming leaner and a lot more capable. They are also benefiting from a defence budget that is growing at a steady 6-7% a year, in line with GDP. The IISS declares that China has become an innovator in military technology and is “not merely ‘catching up’ with the West”.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 16, 2018

U.S. intelligence: Russia and China will have ‘operational’ anti-satellite weapons in a few years -- Space News

US General: '100 percent confident' in North Korea missile defense -- The Hill

US Cyberattacks On North Korea Precede Military Options, Former Intelligence Experts Say -- IBTimes

Is This North Korea's Fatal Missile Flaw? -- Peter J. Brown, National Interest

For South Korea's military to thrive, it needs to get off the US dole -- Doug Bandow, The Hill

Wary over North Korea threat, Japan flexes military muscle despite Olympic reconciliation -- The Independent

Pakistan to send troops to Saudi Arabia on training mission -- AP

Israel to receive F-35 air vehicle deliveries -- UPI

Russian aircraft producer to deliver first batch of Sukhoi-57 fighter jets in 2019 -- TASS

Russian defense contractor completes trials of new-generation fighter jet -- TASS

Russia tests new Arctic air-defense system (VIDEO) -- RT

Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen: Germany will spend more on its military -- DW

European spy chiefs in joint plea for post-Brexit co-operation -- BBC

SecAF Says B-21 ‘On Schedule’ As China Rises To Air Force’s Top Threat -- Breaking Defense

US Marines are flying more than the Air Force -- Marine Times

US Pacific Command Admiral ready for war with China, but hopes it won’t happen -- RT

US Seeks Hypersonic Weapons as China Zooms Ahead -- Sputnik

U.S. planning radars in Hawaii to deter North Korea missiles -- UPI

Navy turns to General Dynamics for anti-missile protection -- UPI

The Navy Might Finally Get the Cash to Fix One Its Greatest Flaws -- Dave Majumdar, National Interest

US Army Tests Advanced Guided Missiles from Apache Helicopters -- Sputnik

US Army’s next-gen combat vehicle prototyping to be accelerated -- Defense News

US Army sees faster path for Patriot radar replacement -- Defense News

Pentagon's 'deploy-or-be-removed' policy takes effect -- UPI

Pentagon's New Deploy-or-Out Policy Could Separate Up to 286K -- Military.com

Personnel bosses are latest to weigh in on limiting military moves -- Navy Times

Mattis: Talks with Turkey centered on ‘absolute honesty and transparency’ -- The Hill

Democrats Ask Mattis to Probe Kelly’s Handling of Any Military Misconduct -- Daily Beast

Could the Military Start Drafting Hackers in Their 40s? -- Joseph Marks, NextGov

Army strips general of star over inappropriate texts with soldier's wife: report -- The Hill

Why USS Missouri is Easily the Most Famous Battleship of All Time -- Robert Farley, National Interest

'Discover your inner spy' at New York's latest museum -- AFP