Rapid Fire 2010-05-25: South Korea’s Defense Reform 2020

• North Korea’s sinking of the ROKS Cheonan is causing South Korea to rethink its planned Defense Reform 2020 restructuring and procurement program. Among other changes the Navy could see a shift toward more FFX type light patrol frigates.

• US Army’s next generation Ground Combat Vehicle IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) attracting teams & bids. GDLS with Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and MTU Detroit Diesel; BAE Systems with Northrop Grumman; and Future Combat Systems leads Boeing and SAIC with Germany’s KMW.

• Orders in Afghanistan: no HMMWVs off-base, only MRAPs. Similar orders were issued in Iraq, at the height of the fighting.