India’s Modi to leave Washington with host of defense, tech agreements in his wake

India’s Modi to leave Washington with host of defense, tech agreements in his wake
India’s Modi to leave Washington with host of defense, tech agreements in his wake

“We intend to support India in the creation of logistics, repair, and maintenance infrastructure for aircraft and ships… that is obviously something that will be important as we work together to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.

Key House committee passes divisive $886 billion national security spending bill

Key House committee passes divisive $886 billion national security spending bill
Key House committee passes divisive $886 billion national security spending bill

One Republican-backed amendment funds a special inspector general for Ukraine spending, while a Democrat-backed add-on targets “excessive contractor payments.”

With draft bill, Republican appropriators tee up defense spending divide in House

With draft bill, Republican appropriators tee up defense spending divide in House
With draft bill, Republican appropriators tee up defense spending divide in House

When the House Appropriations Committee marks up the FY24 defense spending bill this week, social issues and a roadblock for multi-year munition deals appear to be on the table.

House appropriators’ $826B Pentagon spending bill sets up fights with authorizers

House appropriators’ $826B Pentagon spending bill sets up fights with authorizers
House appropriators’ $826B Pentagon spending bill sets up fights with authorizers

The DoD topline is a 3.6% increase over last year and roughly $285 million more than the White House sought.

As GOP frustration mounts, officials eye ways to get weapons to Taiwan ‘more quickly’

As GOP frustration mounts, officials eye ways to get weapons to Taiwan ‘more quickly’
As GOP frustration mounts, officials eye ways to get weapons to Taiwan ‘more quickly’

“We agree that there is urgency to make sure that Taiwan is prepared as part of deterrence to keep China from moving forward,” said State Department’s Assistant Secretary Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis.

Debt default would hurt troops, US military’s ‘reputation,’ US defense leaders warn

Debt default would hurt troops, US military’s ‘reputation,’ US defense leaders warn
Debt default would hurt troops, US military’s ‘reputation,’ US defense leaders warn

“China, right now describes us in their open speeches…as a declining power,” Gen. Mark Milley said “Defaulting on the debt will only reinforce that thought and embolden China and increase risk to the United States.”

White House greenlights Army plan for Patriot and GMLRS multi-year buys

White House greenlights Army plan for Patriot and GMLRS multi-year buys
White House greenlights Army plan for Patriot and GMLRS multi-year buys

The Office of Management and Budget has notified Congress this week with its FY24 budget request amendments.

How Space Force, NRO are sharing the ground-tracking mission, for now

How Space Force, NRO are sharing the ground-tracking mission, for now
How Space Force, NRO are sharing the ground-tracking mission, for now

“The good news about this approach is this really fits my priority of speed, speed and speed,” Frank Calvelli, space acquisition czar at the Department of the Air Force, said of the plan to have NRO take the lead with Space Force oversight and some funding.

National Guard leaders petition Biden, Harris for dedicated Space Force branch

National Guard leaders petition Biden, Harris for dedicated Space Force branch
National Guard leaders petition Biden, Harris for dedicated Space Force branch

“OMB’s opposition to establishing a SNG and directive to transfer current National Guard space missions to an unestablished ‘Space Component’ will create a 7–10 year gap in the capabilities Air National Guard Space Units provide today,” the 51 Guard adjutant generals argue in a letter to President Joe Biden.

Army poised to decide CH-47F Chinook Block II buy this year

Army poised to decide CH-47F Chinook Block II buy this year
Army poised to decide CH-47F Chinook Block II buy this year

It’s been roughly four years since the service put the brakes on buying the CH-47F Chinook Block II configuration, but a decision is expected this calendar year.

Here are 3 future missiles INDOPACOM says it needs to challenge China

Here are 3 future missiles INDOPACOM says it needs to challenge China
Here are 3 future missiles INDOPACOM says it needs to challenge China

“The bottom line is the entire joint force is required to help deliver effects to both deter and fight and win,” said US Indo-Pacific Command head Navy Admiral John Aquilino.

Pentagon asks Congress for right to launch new tech programs before it has a budget

Pentagon asks Congress for right to launch new tech programs before it has a budget
Pentagon asks Congress for right to launch new tech programs before it has a budget

“One of the reasons it hasn’t happened in the past is because Congress is reluctant to give up even this much authority,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said today. “I think it’s a minimal amount of authority to give up for a very high return.”

Not ‘inevitable’ that China invades Taiwan, but US needs to help prepare cross-strait fight: Officials

Not ‘inevitable’ that China invades Taiwan, but US needs to help prepare cross-strait fight: Officials
Not ‘inevitable’ that China invades Taiwan, but US needs to help prepare cross-strait fight: Officials

“Taiwan also certainly needs to be able to make sure that any invading force is caught dead in its tracks in the strait as it comes across [and] to be able to defend at the beaches and to be able to be resilient, in depth, on [the] island,” said Jedidiah Royal, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.

GAO denies Sikorsky-Boeing FLRAA protest; Bell, Army clear to proceed

GAO denies Sikorsky-Boeing FLRAA protest; Bell, Army clear to proceed
GAO denies Sikorsky-Boeing FLRAA protest; Bell, Army clear to proceed

“In denying the protest, GAO concluded that the Army reasonably evaluated Sikorsky’s proposal as technically unacceptable because Sikorsky failed to provide the level of architectural detail required by the RFP,” the office wrote in a statement.