Author: Michael

Japan has selected Patria’s Armoured Modular Vehicle (pictured above) to replace the JGSDF’s existing Type 96 APCs. (Patria)
The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has outlined a five-year plan to procure Finnish company Patria’s Armoured Modular Vehicles (AMVs) for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s (JGSDF’s) wheeled armoured personnel carrier (WAPC) programme.

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Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a two-part series. The first was published yesterday. This scenario may sound immediately familiar to War on the Rocks readers: In the midst of an animated discussion at a work function, your interlocutor’s gaze suddenly begins to wander, slowly sweeping around the room, logging faces and names, […]
The post How to Get Ahead in Washington: Lessons from the Renaissance and Baroque Eras, Part 2 appeared first on War on the Rocks.

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Melanie, Chris, and Zack debate nuclear proliferation in Northeast Asia. Are Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling, North Korea’s advancing capabilities, and China’s nuclear modernization program likely to spur additional nuclear proliferation? How satisfied are South Korea and Japan with current U.S. nuclear extended deterrence guarantees? And what should policymakers in Washington do in response to questions about […]
The post The Risks of Nuclear Proliferation in Asia appeared first on War on the Rocks.

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European Defence Agency (EDA) has announced that its Tactical Personnel Recovery Mission Simulator (TPRMS) system has achieved full operational capability (FOC).
The FOC milestone was marked by a ceremony held at the Italian Air Force Base Poggio Renatico on 7 December.
It was attended by officials and representatives from eight member nations, including the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Romania.

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The Romanian Ministry of National Defense (MND) has awarded a framework contract to Israel-based company Elbit Systems to provide Watchkeeper X uncrewed aircraft system (UAS).
The estimated ceiling value of this award is approximately $410m (RON1.89bn). It is valid for a period of five years.
The deal includes delivery of up to seven Watchkeeper X UAS for the Romanian armed forces.

The company said that the MND has not made any specific purchase orders yet under this framework contract.
Watchkeeper X is based on Elbit Systems’ family of Hermes aircraft systems.

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