* M&A Fever: August was a busy month for mergers and acquisitions in the US defense industry, particular in the areas expected to be spared from the Pentagon cuts, such as sensors, RF technology, and UAVs.
* UK-based Chemring Group completes the purchase of Belgian ammunition manufacturer Mecar and its US subsidiary Mecar USA from US-based Allied Defense Group for $59.6 million in cash.
* CENTCOM(US Central Command, covers Middle East and Central Asia) is proposing to spend $1.2 billion over five years to build up Yemen’s military forces to fight Al Qaeda; the Pentagon has already announced plans to spend $155 million this year on helicopters, Hummers, and night-vision equipment for Yemen.
* Argentina’s Minister of Defence commits to raising spending from 0.9% of GDP to 1.5% of GD, with a 50% increase to modernize equipment. Can Argentina’s government actually pay for it, or finance it? Time will tell. Meanwhile, 2 new Mi-17 helicopters are a very small step for Argentina, but a big step for Russia.
* Around the world, UUV(Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) development is moving along as the robotic evolution gains steam. But is the US Navy really buying in?
* Will Japan’s growing economic dependence on China create problems for the island nation’s plans for an expanded military role in East Asia?
* Talking Turkey: The US tells Turkey that it will not participate in the Anatolian Eagle air exercises in October, amid reports that the US had conditioned its participation on Israeli participation.