London, UK – 3 October 2013
Digital wires
United Kingdom
A new cyber reserve unit has been created according to the MoD. The government wants to recruit hundreds of computer experts as cyber reservists to help defend the UK’s national security. These reservists will be also be trained on how to counter-attack in cyberspace and will strike if necessary. The flight deck of the HMS Queen Elizabeth has been completed. The flight deck is the size of 60 tennis courts or just smaller than 3 football pitches. HMS Queen Elizabeth will begin sea trials in 2017 and flight trials from its deck in 2018.
North America
Two US generals, Major General Charles Gurganus and Major General Gregg Sturdevant, have been asked to retire, reports Reuters. The two generals were asked to retire because a four-month investigation found that they did not take adequate precautions to defend a major base in Afghanistan from a deadly Taliban attack in 2012. In the attack, two Marines were killed, eight wounded and millions of dollars in damages were incurred, including the destruction of six Marine AV-8B Harrier jets.
Canada may be changing how it handles military procurement, reports the CBC. Years of delays, missteps and political pressure may force the Harper government to take action. The government has been criticized for how it has handled most procurement projects. It is not clear whether a single agency or a secretariat will be formed or if it will happen at all.
The US government has shut down after the budget bill was not allowed on the floor to be voted on. The Pentagon has placed about half of its 800,000 civilian workforce on unpaid leave until the budget is resolved. It has been 20 years since the Black Hawk Down incident in Somalia that US soldiers and hundreds of Somalis were killed.
Europe
China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp has won the USD 4 billion (GBP 2.46 billion) bid to deliver its FD-2000 air defence missile system in a joint production agreement to Turkey, reports Reuters. This has been hailed as a great success for the Chinese firm as this is the first time a major order for state-of-the-art military equipment from a NATO member. A NATO official in Brussels warned that the Chinese system may not be compatible with the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System. The deal is not final as it has not been signed.
Russia
RIA Novosti reports that Russia will test launch its newest ICBM by the end of the year. The specifications of the Rubezh rocket are classified, but it is speculated that the ICBM will be equipped with a new warhead and will be able to evade current missile defence systems. A Russian defence industry official stated that Russia’s 20-ton unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) will be unveiled by 2018, reports RIA Novosti. The 20-ton UCAV will be based on the fifth generation T-50 fighter that is in development.
Africa
Reuters reports that Malian troops clashed with Tuareg rebels in the city of Kidal. The clashes threaten the peace deal that is being negotiated. The Malian government has recently freed 23 prisoners and the military reform committee was dissolved after former junta officers staged an unruly protest. The Nigerian Air Force bombed Boko Haram camps after 41 college students were dragged out of their beds and shot, reports Reuters. 15 people suspected of involvement in the attacks have been arrested.
Middle East
Gunmen attacked the Russian Embassy in Libya, reports Reuters. Security guards fired shots to disperse the group of approximately 60 people that approached the embassy. Although it is not clear what sparked the attack, RIA Novosti reports that the Libyan media speculated that it may be linked to the killing of a Libyan Air Force serviceman by a Russian woman only days beforehand.
Yemeni troops regained control of a military base after it was overrun by suspected al-Qaida militants, reports AP. At least 10 soldiers and security personnel have been killed. Militants dressed in fatigues and riding in military trucks overran the military base and planted explosives and deployed snipers to keep security forces at bay.
Haaretz is reporting that the US government shutdown could affect the Israeli military. The Obama administration requested USD $3.1 billion (GBP 1.9 billion) for Israel in its budget. This funding was to begin on 1 October. The US government shutdown would not only affect military transfers to Israel, but other US allies that receive such transfers.
Asia-Pacific
South Korea’s Armed Forces Day showcased two new missiles developed and built by South Korea, reports Chosun Ilbo. South Korean officials claim that the new Hyumu-3 cruise missile has a range between 1,000-1,500 km(621-932 miles) and it as accurate as a US Tomahawk cruise missile. The second missile only has a range of 300km (186 miles), but can hit targets within 10 metres.
AP reports that the US will deploy a new radar system and UAVs in Japan next year. This is the first time the defence agreement between the US and Japan has been revamped in 16 years. Japan will contribute USD 3.1 billion (GBP 1.9 billion) to relocated the US Marines from the base on Okinawa to new facilities that will be developed on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands
The Times of India reports that the US has submitted a list of 10 defence technologies that it is willing to transfer to India. India is reviewing these offers and will reply back to the United States.
Social media wires
There was a purported government crackdown outside a mosque in Khartoum, Sudan.
What’s waiting outside big mosques today in khartoum if anyone decided to protest #khartoum #protest #SudanRevolts pic.twitter.com/cH4NYhcQdT — Siddig Elhafyan (@Siddig93) September 27, 2013
Pictures of armoured vehicles purportedly used by various Syrian rebel groups.
Ahrar Al Sham Fighters in Lattakia countryside, few miles away from Assad’s Family stronghold. #Syria #FSA pic.twitter.com/uqliojIQpp — X (@TaziMorocco) September 27, 2013
YPG bring tanks to the front (Afrin-Idlib) for the 1st time. #TwitterKurds #Syria via @mela_ehmed pic.twitter.com/UA2uzuIwcD — A Donan (@ArjDnn) September 28, 2013
Reports compiled by Stewart Webb Feature photo / “US Capitol Hill” – Wikimedia Commons, 2013 The Wires Brief is a mid week breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep can not verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates.