Pakistan Bloodies Its Indigenous Armed Drone | China Opening Up Unlicensed Defense Research, Production| New U.K. Drone Pilot School Opening

Asia

• Pakistan announced that it had used its own indigenously-built armed drone against militants near the Afghan border, marking the first time the air asset – first revealed in March – has been used. It said that three militants were killed in the strike.

• China, through state-owned media, is announcing that it is widening the categories of defense-related items that can be researched, produced and sold in China without special licenses. According to the Xinhua news service, the move is designed to eventually lower the domestic cost of military goods by introducing more competition.

• Indonesia again indicated continued interest in purchasing Su-35s to replace its long-in-the-tooth F-5Es. Indonesia already has some earlier models, the Su-27, which appears to have been a positive influence over others being considered, such as the F-15 and F-16, of which the country already owns eight.

Americas

• Lockheed is upgrading laser targeting on the AH-64E Apaches, upgrading the M-LRFD modules. The work will cost $21.7 million.

Europe

• A new school for would-be drone pilots is opening up in the U.K., staffed by commercial drone pilots

Today’s Video

• Pakistan Tests First Indigenous Armed Drone…