Rapid Fire 2010-09-03: CENTCOM in Yemen

• 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.