Rapid Fire: 2010-12-28: State of Defense Stocks

* US government’s rush to cut defense spending ignores the lessons of history, warns author Mark Helprin.

* 2010 was mixed year for defense and aerospace industry stocks.

* Research and Markets: The French defense budget is expected to grow at an anemic 1.5% annually, dropping from 2.3% of GDP in 2009 to 2% of GDP by 2015.

* Shopping spree: BAE Systems continues cybersecurity acquisition hunt with DKK 1.2 billion purchase of Denmark’s ETI.

* Germany to set up a cybersecurity defense center after cyber attacks tripled this year.

* GTEC snags $48 million contract to provide USMC expeditionary field kitchens.