Rapid Fire 2011-07-27: China’s Aicraft Carrier Intentions

• The Vice Chiefs of Staff tell the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness that a decade of conflict has eroded operational preparedness. Concerns were also raised regarding the impact of $400 billion worth of defense cuts upon equipment. A video of the hearing is available below in the extended part of this entry. DODbuzz summary.

• China officially confirms for the first time that it is in pursuit of an aircraft carrier program. Reports also emerge that the development of two indigenous carriers is now underway. Meanwhile, the country follows up its strategic dialogue with South Korea by resuming defense talks – and eventually military exchanges – with Japan.

• Reports emerge that the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has spent almost £1 billion ($1.6 billion) on taxpayer-funded credit cards over the past four years. The news follows recent announcements concerning the reduction of UK troop levels.

• Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin demands the prompt completion of the remaining 30% of contracts under 2011 state arms procurement program.

• EADS’ Airbus subsidiary announces that it has made a bid to acquire Denmark’s Satair. Airbus has offered $504 million for the aircraft parts manufacturer and hopes to complete the acquisition in the third quarter of this year.

• General Dynamics awarded a £110 million ($180 million) Bowman ComBAT Information and Platform BISA (BCIP) Sustainment Programme contract by the UK MoD. The contract will include the migration from BCIP 5.4 capability to BCIP 5.5 capability within two years.

• The US Army awards MSE Technology Applications with a contract with a potential value of almost $23 million for basic research related to missile and space systems.