Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 24, 2018

Soldiers stand at attention during the training for the military parade of the 60th National Day celebration, Beijing, September 7, 2009. [Xinhua]

SCMP: Seven Chinese defence firms in world’s top 20, international think tank says

Chinese weapons makers are among the world’s biggest defence companies, accounting for seven of the top 20 by revenue, according to a report by a London-based think tank.

In its first such survey, the International Institute for Strategic Studies said the seven state-owned Chinese defence firms each had more than US$5 billion in revenue in 2016, thanks largely to China’s massive and ever-rising military spending.

But they still have to make a lot of improvements before they can compete with their counterparts in the West, an institute researcher said.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 24, 2018

These 7 Chinese companies each topped $5B in defense sales — and could rival American firms -- Defense News

President Xi Jinping takes aim at more top Chinese generals as anticorruption drive rolls on -- SCMP

China’s rising military stars take centre-stage as annual promotions pass over old guard -- SCMP

Chinese Military Joining Russians for Nuclear War Games -- Washington Free Beacon

India and China to increase military cooperation after defence talks -- SCMP/Reuters

South Korean appeals court acquits conscientious military objectors -- UPI

Philippine president says buying US F-16 jets ‘utterly useless’ -- AP

What Did the Philippines Military Chief's Russia Voyage Achieve? -- The Diplomat

Russia’s 5th-gen Su-57 stealth fighter will have AI combat mode – report -- RT

Russia’s anti-tank missile system gets ‘top attack’ capability similar to US Javelin -- TASS

Russian Navy to focus on unmanned warships -- TASS

Russia’s new anti-radar missile outshines predecessor 150% by combat efficiency -- TASS

Russian firm may sell a drone resembling the US Predator to a Mideast customer -- Defense News

French Air Force diverts A400M aircraft from military mission for rescue effort -- Defense News

General Atomics receives contract for MQ-9 drones for France -- UPI

German military turns to under 18s to boost recruitment -- Reuters

US Reactivates 2nd Fleet, Responding to Threats Allegedly Posed by Russia, China -- Sputnik

Lockheed delivers two new LCS ships to the U.S. Navy -- UPI

Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Sioux City and USS Wichita -- Navy.mil

Another F-35 Incident at Eglin: Bird Strike Follows Nose Gear Mishap -- Military.com

Bell contracted for AH-1Z attack helicopters for Marine Corps -- UPI

US Army Brass Warns Against Overuse of Drones, But ‘Pandora’s Box’ Already Open -- Sputnik

After canceling the XM25, the Army looks to other options for battling concealed enemies -- Army Times

Raytheon, Lockheed receive contract for Javelin missile upgrades -- UPI

US Air Force Tests Upgraded ‘Earth-Penetrating’ Nuclear Bomb -- Sputnik

Faced with opposition, Erik Prince shops his plan for Afghanistan -- The Hill

Elevated levels of lead found in child’s blood at Wyoming Air Force base -- Military Times

U.S. senators seek review of lead in military housing, citing Reuters -- Reuters

Oversight chair presses Mattis for details on probe into spokeswoman -- The Hill

Leaker of secret report on Russian hacking sentenced -- Reuters

Judge in transgender troops lawsuit knocks administration for withholding information -- The Hill

Many enlisted women suffer adverse mental health effects after combat injury, study finds -- Military Times