* The Philippines is to buy 2 Maestrale-class frigates from Italy, confirming reports from last year, and following President Benigno Aquino III’s vows to modernize the country’s air force.
* India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) intends to tap a potential $2B home market for UAVs, reports AviationWeek. As well they should, since the Indian government has telegraphed that they would let local manufacturers shoot in a barrel.
* From Reuters: “Exploiting a loophole in Western sanctions, Iran is importing a high grade of refined alumina ore from several European countries including Germany and France that Tehran could be using to make armor parts and missile components.”
* USAF Colonel Michael Pietrucha explains [PDF] in Air & Space Power Journal what a next generation unmanned lightweight fighter could be useful for, as a complement rather than replacement for manned jets.
* The San Diego Union-Tribune recapitulates work planned by the US Navy at their San Diego Naval Base.
* RAND Corporation has recommendations for the US Air Force to better identify and manage sustainment supply chain risks.
* Michael O’Hanlon from the left-leaning Brookings Institution makes (again) the case for the opening of more US bases in the Mideast, as substitutes for aircraft carriers. He barely acknowledges that bases come with many strings attached. Yes, aircraft carriers are very expensive, but settling for an ersatz would have significant costs in terms of diplomatic and projection available options.
* British Forces News gives an update on the UK’s A400M Atlas in the video below:
