* Debate regarding the shape of operations after Libya shifts from a NATO-centric perspective to budget concerns, as the case is made for cutting back on the Army and continued emphasis upon combined Special Operations-Air Power Teams.
* A senior official from India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation says the country will be able to deploy an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system in 2014. Meanwhile, an Indian perspective emerges on the reasons behind the fifth-generation T-50 fighter’s aborted take off at MAKS 2011 air show and prospects for further Indian-Russian cooperation.
* A dispute between Rafael and Israeli Military Industries (IMI) regarding Defense Ministry proposals to merge their respective Trophy and Iron Fist missile defense systems has resulted in the deployment of new Namer (Tiger) armored personnel carriers without either system.
* The Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, General Norton Schwartz, says there are no plans to follow-up on proposals made by a set of retired generals and merge the Air National Guard and Reserve.
* South Korean media speculates that North Korea’s Air Force Commander accompanied Kim Jong-il on his recent visit to Russia and China to seek help to modernize the country’s armed forces in general, and air force in particular.
* The M-90 Eurotorp lightweight torpedo buy remains on Australia’s Projects of Concern list, but recent media reports were misleading.
* Some interesting comparative data emerges on the operational cost per flight hour (CPFH) of several US military aircraft, including Lockheed Martin’s F-22, Bell Boeing CV-22 and WC-135 Constant Phoenix.
* Iran has reportedly inaugurated its first carbon fiber production line at the Defense Ministry’s aerospace department.