* Russia says Da: NATO leaders agree on NATO missile defense shield at Lisbon summit; Russia pledges to cooperate if it is a “full-fledged strategic partner.”
* Hotly disputed: As early as fiscal 2014, Japan plans to deploy 100 ground self-defense forces to the Diaoya (Senkaku) islands – ownership of which is disputed with China and Taiwan – the Nikkei newspaper reported.
* UAV bazaar: China unveils more than 25 different models of UAVs at Zhuhai air show, Wall Street Journal reports.
* Research and Markets: China’s double-digit annual growth rate in defense spending continues, reaching a total of $78 billion this year.
* Slither bots: Snake-like robots being developed under DARPA’s Multi Dimensional Mobility Robot program will offer US military the ability to see into tight spaces and surveil tough terrain.
* Oh Rats! US military team observes use of bomb-sniffing rats in Tanzania; well, at least they eat less than dogs.