* Germany and France have reportedly agreed to end up each owning 12% of EADS. Deutsche Welle | Handelsblatt [in German].
* EADS North America CEO Sean O’Keefe expects defense budget cuts, whether the Administration and Congress reach a budget deal or not. Bloomberg.
* The Office and Management Budget (OMB)’s Balances of Budget Authority for FY 2012 [PDF] shows unobligated funds for military programs decreasing to a still very sizable $78.4B, down from $128.6B and $85B at the end of the two previous federal fiscal years. The Pentagon recently issued a memo on what to do with unobligated funds. Inside Defense reports a higher number of $105.7B for total DoD unobligated funds, which likely accounts for funds allocated to something else than military programs such as construction. The OMB tends to underestimate that balance.
* AgustaWestland announced a contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration for 7 AW139 search and rescue helicopters. Deliveries will be spread between 2013 and 2014. Press release.
* Rafael is working non-stop shifts to resupply Israel’s 5 Iron Dome batteries. The system has continued to receive an unusual amount of interest from mainstream media with countless infographics and videos, and even has its own unofficial Twitter and Facebook accounts.
* Spain and Portugal intend to strengthen their defense cooperation. Ministerio de Defensa [in Spanish] | Ministerio da Defesa Nacional [in Portuguese].
* Japan and India signed a memorandum of understanding on rare earth materials. China produces most of these elements and has not been shy of restricting exports to gain political and/or commercial leverage. Japan is a top importer because of its large electronics sector. Indian Express | IDSA.