Rapid Fire 2010-07-20: Russian Spending

* The Russian Defense Ministry plans to spend 20 trillion rubles ($656 billion) on its 2011-2020 state arms procurement program, which includes purchases of 1,000 helicopters, 20 An-124 Ruslan transport planes, and 70 T-50/PAK-FA fighter jets. * A report issued by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense estimates that China will have 2,000 short- and medium-range missiles, capable of destroying 90% of Taiwan’s infrastructure, pointed at the island by the end of 2010. * US DoD’s National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency awards 5-year TASER contracts worth up to $1 billion to 18 firms to provide engineering, prototype, integration/deployment, and sustainment support to the agency. * Dutch are refurbishing their force’s Diemaco/Colt rifles, but their KCT special forces are trading up to the HK416. * First Harrier GR9 equipped under the TIEC datalink program flies, as part of the RAF’s “Capability E” upgrades. * Flexing Muscle: The USS George Washington [CVN-73] heads to Pusan in preparation for joint US-South Korean naval exercises. * Skill Shortage: The Professional Services Council, the US government services contractors association, wonders whether the Pentagon has the personnel to handle the work being in-sourced as a result of congressional mandates. * United Technologies’ Pratt & Whitney, Volvo Aero Norway team […]