* India’s problems with its Russian-made Kilo-class submarines continue: an explosion aboard INS Sindhurakshak sank the boat while docked in Mumbai. The status of the crew of 18 trapped onboard, and the cause of the explosion, remain unclear, though at least some of the crew are expected to have died. Firemen managed to contain the fire before it could damage as 2nd sub berthed right next to the one which exploded.
* India’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found much to criticize in the way the VVIP helicopter procurement was conducted by the Ministry of Defence and the Air Force.
* Recently re-elected (after terms in the 1990s) Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may have a sincere peaceful disposition towards India, but whether that inclination is supported by Pakistan’s military brass is another matter.
* China is growing its C4ISR and naval assets very quickly. The big question: is the PLA’s organizational skills and readiness following suit?
* The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) makes the case [PDF] for Australia–Canada security cooperation in the Asia–Pacific region.
* Israel made its first rocket intercept in the city of Eilat where it recently deployed its Iron Dome system. Launches in the area are claimed by jihadists operating from the Sinai peninsula in Egypt.
* An unnamed sales agent in Turkey for a Western defense manufacturer, commenting on recent military appointments made by Prime Minister Erdogan: “The days when we used to try to impress the generals are over. Now the only sensible counterpart for all international bidders is the government.”
* Pratt & Whitney laid off 400 employees, half of them in Connecticut.
* The US Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) held an industry day last week to present their procurement forecast. Here are the slides [PDF] from that event.
* An amendment to Title 10 of the United States Code, Section 2409, extending whisteblower protection to DoD subcontractors is in effect since last month and may lead more people to feel safe exposing wrongdoing.
* An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operator from the British Army explains what goes through his head during the “long walk” to an IED in the video below:
