Rapid Fire: 2010-02-08

* NATO Ministerial: Gates pledges greater sharing of classified technology with allies; NATO chief calls for more resources to train Afghan army and police, while France agrees to send 80 more trainers. * European defense ministers call for speedy conclusion to talks on troubled Airbus A400M military airlift program. * The US Navy UCAS program receives $2 billion QDR push. * US Army pays $253.3 million to service US Stryker vehicles around the world. * Australia ready to OK final version of $547 million integrated HF communications system for armed forces. * US Navy orders $122.5 million in spares and extra engine maintenance for V-22 Osprey. * Obama administration beefs up missile defense budget. BMD report focuses on regional missile threats. * Romania to allow US ballistic missile defense inceptor missiles to be deployed, following US cancellation of larger BMD deployments in Poland and the Czech Republic. * Boeing gets $99.3 million order to supply 13 more AH-64D Block II helicopters to the US Army. * Which defense firms will benefit from FY 2011 defense budget? * Northrop Grumman feels Pentagon heat over KC-X aerial refueling tanker RFP. * Taiwan’s order for Eurocopter EC225s could strain China-European Union relations – […]