Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 15, 2015

Military Times: China, Russia military spending surges



While U.S. military spending from 2007 to 2014 remained largely flat, military spending among the world's top 15 military spenders skyrocketed, according to data released Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.


The U.S. spent about $610 billion on its military in 2014, making up nearly 43 percent of the funds spent by the top 15 spending nations. Trailing in a distant second was China, which spent an estimated $216 billion (15.1 percent), followed by Russia, which spent an estimated $84.5 billion (5.9 percent) and Saudi Arabia, which spent $80.8 billion (5.7 percent), according to the data.


Altogether, military spending by the top 15 countries in 2014 came to about $1.4 trillion, representing about 80 percent of worldwide military spending.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 15, 2015

U.S. troops stunned by inept Iraqi forces: ‘What training did they have after we left?’ -- Washington Times



Highlights: Military Weapons Delivered to Iraq, Planned Aid -- AP



Kurds who stopped Islamic State’s march desperately need delivery of American weapons -- Washington Times



Saudi Arabia boosts military spending to record level -- CNN



Iranian Minister to Discuss S-300 Missile Defense System Delivery in Moscow -- Sputnik



Russian submarine patrols up 50 percent over last year -- Barents Observer



How Russia Plans to Save Its Massive Military Buildup -- Nikolas K. Gvosdev, National Interest



Russian bombers were escorted by British fighter jets, not intercepted — Defense Ministry -- ITAR-TASS



Secretive Military Jets Pose Threat to Civil Planes -- Scientific American/Reuters



European Agency: Military Jets Putting Civilian Aircraft at Risk -- VOA



Embraer and Saab discuss exporting Brazilian fighters from 2023 -- Reuters



After 5 Years, Japan, South Korea Hold Security Dialogue -- The Diplomat



US and Japan sign bilateral defence agreement -- World Bulletin



US military strategies directed against China: Sina -- Want China Times



Beijing considers US’ missile policy a threat: US report -- Taipei Times



China's YJ-18 Missiles a ‘Major Threat’ to US Navy -- Sputnik



The US Carried Out 674 Military Operations in Africa Last Year. Did You Hear About Any of Them? -- Nick Turse, The Nation



Coast Guard Commandant Says U.S. Falling Far Behind Russia in Arctic -- DoD Buzz



US Navy: New Destroyers 'Looking Good' -- Defense News



Problems plaguing F-35's next-gen maintenance system -- Defense News



House panel unveils $77B bill to fund military bases, vets' benefits -- The Hill



GOP boosts U.S. nuclear weapons upgrades in 1st spending bill -- AP



$830M in Veteran Affairs cost overruns sparks outrage -- The Hill



The military’s quest for bombs that won’t accidentally explode -- Washington Post



Marine Corps tests new camo to cloak against thermal sensors -- Washington Times



Swarm robots poised to fly amid acquisitions and military investment -- ZDNet



X-47B Unmanned Demonstrator Could Begin Aerial Refueling Tests This Week -- Sea Power



U.S. Military’s Anti-Hacking Force Won’t Be Ready Until 2018 -- Bloomberg



Terror targets: U.S. troops urged to keep low profile, avoid ‘military slang’ in public -- Washington Times



U.S. vets return to Mideast to battle past and present demons -- Military Times/AP



Fallen soldier monument stirs controversy in Milford -- Military Times/Michigan.com



Military dogs save lives and serve our nation: They deserve better -- FOX News



Attrition: The Myths Of Suicide In The Military -- Strategy Page



How a Twitter Propaganda Army Can Be Yours for Less Than $20 -- Sputnik