Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 22, 2019

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SCMP: Chinese army now makes up less than half of PLA’s strength as military aims to transform itself into modern fighting force

* State news agency says PLA has been cutting back on ground forces as part of ‘transformational change’ to military
* Number of officers and non-combatants also falls as part of ambitious restructuring of world’s largest armed forces

The Chinese military has significantly boosted its navy, air force and new strategic units and downsized its land-based army as part of a strategic shift designed to transform the People’s Liberation Army into a comprehensive modern force, Xinhua reported.

In a feature report on Sunday highlighting the “transformational changes” made by the PLA, China’s official news agency said: “This new data is unprecedented in the history of the PLA – the army now accounts for less than 50 per cent of the total number of PLA troops; almost half of our non-combatant units have been made redundant, and the number of officers in the PLA has been reduced by 30 per cent.”

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 22, 2019

China’s military overhaul likely to raise neighbours’ concerns over improved offensive capabilities -- SCMP

China's hypersonic weapons can sink U.S. aircraft carriers, state media says -- UPI

Trump's missile defense plan faces reality check -- The Hill

Bell receives $439M contract from Navy for 25 AH-1Z Viper helicopters -- UPI

BAE contracted for services on video intelligence analysis -- UPI

U.S. destroyer Donald Cook arrives in Black Sea region for NATO drills -- UPI

The Navy's Zumwalt-Class 'Stealth' Destroyer Has One Big Problem -- National Interest

Navy Studying Hyper Velocity Projectile, Other Ammo for Zumwalt Guns -- USNI News

The Navy's Newest Fleet Is Bulking Up For 'Leaner, Agile' Operations To Counter Russia In The Atlantic And Arctic -- Task & Purpose/Business Insider

Why the Navy backed off railguns (and China should too) -- We Are the Mighty

The U.S. Navy's Ultimate Weapon: "Mother Ship" Strikes? -- National Interest

What does Lockheed Martin’s version of a future frigate look like? -- Defense News

The U.S. Army May Cut Nearly Half Of Its Already Underappreciated Naval Fleet -- Warzone/The Drive

7 surprising facts you probably don't know about the US Army -- We Are The Mighty

The Army Wants Israel's Iron Dome Missile System To Swat Down Cruise Missiles -- Warzone/The Drive

Supreme Court allows transgender military ban to be enforced -- The Hill

U.S. made $1B 'final offer' to South Korea on troop costs -- UPI

No, The Pentagon Did NOT Waste $28 Billion -- Mackenzie Eaglen and Rick Berger, Breaking Defense

Army’s long-awaited Iraq war study finds Iran was the only winner in a conflict that holds many lessons for future wars -- Army Times

Has the Government Legalized Secret Defense Spending? -- Matt Taibbi, Rolling Stone

Tony Mendez, The CIA Spy Who Inspired 'Argo,' Dies At 79 -- Fortune

Report to Congress on Russian Compliance with INF Treaty -- USNI News

Russia confirms new missile, disputes treaty breach -- The Hill

North Korea condemns Japan for military talks with Britain, France -- UPI

Dispute escalates between South Korea and Japan over radar claims -- UPI

British soldier sues Army over Q fever chronic fatigue -- BBC

Russian Military Detects Launch of Israeli Missile Drone Over Mediterranean -- Sputnik

Israel Successfully Tests Arrow 3 Air Defence System (PHOTO) -- Sputnik

Helmet saves Israeli soldier hit by Palestinian sniper at Gaza border -- Jerusalem Post

Signs of fraying in military support for Venezuela president -- AP