Rapid Fire Sept. 12, 2013: US Federal, Global Defense Spending Outlooks Not So Great

• A fourth quarter surge in US federal spending? Not exactly:

“Yes, September of the federal fiscal year is the get-well month for sales, or at least that’s what many in the federal market like to believe. But the reality this year is quite different: while agencies are on track to finish spending their funds, the totals they will spend will be substantially less.”

• The Financial Times reports a less-than-rosy outlook from the DSEI tradeshow in London in the video below:

• Tianjin Myway International Trading Co. and Magforce International, from China and France respectively, were thrown out of the DSEI show “having been found with literature in breach of British law”, according to the event’s organizers. The offending material promoted electric shock weapons and leg restraints.

• Lockheed Martin acquired Armor Group, a UK-based IT firm operating in non-defense markets, for undisclosed terms.

• Today’s viral Op Ed is Vladimir Putin’s article on Syria: “My working and personal relationship with President Obama is marked by growing trust.” No comment.