Japan unveils first stealth fighter jet
Komaki, Japan (AFP) Jan 28, 2016 -
Japan on Thursday unveiled its first stealth fighter jet, officials said, with the maiden test flight planned for next month.
The defence ministry's acquisition agency showed off the domestically developed, radar-dodging X-2 fighter at a regional airport near the central city of Komaki.
Its first flight is scheduled in mid-February before delivery to the defence ministry by the end of Ma ...
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France delivers 3 more Rafale fighters to Egypt
Cairo (AFP) Jan 28, 2016 -
Egypt was to receive three Rafale fighters from France on Thursday, a French embassy official said, six months after Paris delivered the first three of a consignment of 24 of the warplanes.
The delivery is part of a 5.2 billion-euro ($5.6 billion) deal Cairo signed with Paris in February 2015 to purchase 24 Rafale multi-role combat jets, a frigate and missiles.
The sale of Rafales to Egy ...
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N.Korea apparently readying 'some kind of launch': US officials
Washington (AFP) Jan 28, 2016 -
North Korea appears to be readying some kind of a rocket launch, two US defense officials said Thursday, amid concerns Pyongyang is preparing to test a ballistic missile in violation of UN Security Council rules.
The officials' comments came after Japanese media reported that satellite images showed North Korea seemed to be setting up a long-range ballistic missile launch from the Dongchang- ...
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Images suggest N. Korea may be preparing missile launch: reports
Tokyo (AFP) Jan 28, 2016 -
North Korea may be preparing a long-range ballistic missile launch, Japanese media said Thursday, following a nuclear test this month that raised international alarm and sparked a diplomatic clash between Washington and Beijing.
Imagery collected over the past several days suggested the launch from the western Dongchang-ri site could come in about a week, Kyodo News said, citing a Japanese g ...
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Afghan security forces need 'years' of help: US general
Washington (AFP) Jan 28, 2016 -
The American general picked to head the US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan said Thursday it would take years before Afghan forces are fully capable of independently controlling the country's security situation.
Lieutenant General John "Mick" Nicholson is slated to replace General John Campbell, whose nearly 18-month tour in Afghanistan is coming to an end.
Speaking to senior lawmakers at ...
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Polish minister urges stronger NATO presence in eastern Europe
Berlin (AFP) Jan 28, 2016 -
Poland's defence minister said on Thursday that NATO's presence must be boosted in eastern Europe to counter the threat posed by Russia.
For Poland, "strengthening the eastern flank of NATO is a priority," Antoni Macierewicz said during a meeting with his German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen in Berlin.
"The issue of Russian aggression in Ukraine remains a very important issue" for Pol ...
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NATO mulls first Russia talks since 2014: Stoltenberg
Brussels (AFP) Jan 28, 2016 -
NATO head Jens Stoltenberg confirmed Thursday the alliance is discussing whether to hold its first formal talks with Russia since 2014 when the Ukraine crisis plunged relations into a deep freeze.
Stoltenberg said NATO and Russia needed transparency to avoid misunderstandings and incidents such as the November shooting down of a Russian fighter jet by key alliance member Turkey after it viol ...
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