* Michael Flynn, the Director of the US Defense Intelligence Agency, submitted his annual threat assessment [PDF] to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
* Australia’s Department of Defence contracted Telstra for telecommunications services worth $1.1B over 6 years and a half.
* Germany’s Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière announced they plan to keep between 600 and 800 troops for advisory and training purposes in Afghanistan – mostly in Kabul – after 2014. Statement [ in German] | Q&A [in English].
* Russia’s State Duma ratified the country’s agreements with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan that extend the authorization for Russian military bases in these two countries for at least the two decades to come.
* What future for Canada’s army? The author has more questions than answers.
* US NAVAIR is setting up a classified industry day on May 7 in Lexington Park, MD, to discuss MH-60 Seahawk helicopters recapitalization decisions, with retirement currently planned around 2028.
* Earlier this year the US Marines Corps Product Manager for Infantry Combat Equipment was considering launching a solicitation for 76,000 Enhanced Flame Resistant Combat Ensembles (EFRCE), which we believe translates to “uniforms that don’t spontaneously combust.” They have changed their mind and will revisit the issue next year based on inventory levels then.
