Army Goes from Cutting M1 Tank to Burnishing It

Typical of the stop-start volatility in an uncertain budget time that Ashton Carter referenced in his addresses to Congress, the Army is moving 180 degrees from its original position that the M1 tank fab lines should be cut from the budget. Congress objected, and the Army didn’t just come back with an even funding proposal, but now wants 50 percent more for upgrades. The request totals $368 million.

Asia

• India is talking with Japan about possibly purchasing six Soryu-class diesel-electric submarines. India is asking Japan to consider having them manufactured in India.

• South Korea is putting off its tender for the KF-X, the would-be indigenous fighter. Only one bid came in (from KAI), and the tender will be re-deadlined to February 24 in the hopes that Korea Air will also bid.

• China is curbing its military class, proscribing income from non-military sources. The word comes directly from President Xi Jinping.

Americas

• Canada has written off the loss of three artillery shells worth more than half a million (Canadian) dollars. The Excalibur rounds were packed with U.S.-bred International Traffic in Arms Regulation technology.

Europe

• Rolls Royce won three contracts totaling $442 million for F-35B parts. Rolls Royce makes the bits that allow the B variant to have vertical lift capacity.

Today’s Video

• Still more strange dog-like robots coming out of Boston Dynamics….