NATO

US concerns over EU PESCO defense pact cloud NATO talks

Brussels (AFP) – NATO defence ministers met in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss Washington’s concerns over the European Union’s new plans to deepen defense ties between its members, and increasingly strained U.S.-Turkey relations. Washington and Ankara, two of the transatlantic alliance’s most important members, are at loggerheads over Turkey’s military offensive in northern Syria. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday warned it was detracting from the fight against the Islamic State group. The two-day meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels is expected to approve changes to the alliance’s command structure. It aims to meet the challenges of warfare in the 21st century, particularly cyber attacks and other novel “hybrid warfare” tactics, as fears grow about Russian assertiveness. But a working dinner with E.U. diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini later Wednesday has taken on greater significance after senior US officials voiced fears about the impact the bloc’s new landmark defence pact could have on the balance of power in NATO. The E.U.’s so-called permanent structured cooperation on defence agreement, known as PESCO, has projects in view already to develop new military equipment and improve cooperation and decision-making. But on Sunday a senior official working with U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis …

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NATO chief signals new training mission in Iraq

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg defense ministers will likely begin planning for a training mission in Iraq when they meet in Belgium this week.

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Latvia to buy Israeli Spike guided missiles for CVR-T vehicles for €108 million

Latvia is to buy Israel-made Spike anti-tank guided missiles for it CVR-T armored vehicle fleet for €108 million ($132 million)

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US approves $735 million sale to Finland of Harpoon anti-ship and ESSM air defense missiles

The U.S. State Department approved the $735 million sale of 112 Harpoon anti-ship missiles and 68 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles used to defend ships from aerial attack, the Defense Cooperation Security Agency said.

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UK Royal Navy assault ship Albion to lead NATO task group

The U.K. Royal Navy amphibious assault ship HMS Albion will lead Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 beginning next week. Albion is set to leave Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth next week and will serve as the SNMG2 flagship, operating in the Mediterranean Sea, the Royal Navy said in a Friday press release. A Royal Marines group will also embark aboard the ship. “It is a huge privilege for us to fly the flag of the NATO task group commander in such a high profile deployment,” HMS Albion commanding officer said. “This symbolises the importance that the UK and the Royal Navy places on our role in NATO and in assuring the collective defence and security of NATO allies and partners.’’ HMS Albion is one of the Royal Navy’s two amphibious assault ships. It recently completed a two-year modernization period followed by training and sea trials. The NATO task group will undertake security operations and conduct multi-national exercises while in the Mediterranean.

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Russia begins deliveries of S-400 to China, but isn’t transferring the technology

Russia has begun deliveries of the S-400 Triumf air defense missile system to China, but the 2014 contract does not include transfer of technology

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Qatar signs security agreement with NATO

Qatar and NATO have signed a security agreement that will establish a framework for protection of the exchange of classified information

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Denmark and Belgium take command of NATO naval groups

Denmark and Belgium have assumed command of two NATO standing maritime groups, the alliance said

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UN Security Council members meet Afghan leaders during 3-day visit

Representatives of the United Nations Security Council held talks with Afghanistan's top leaders during a three-day visit to the country

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Pakistan counter-strike on Trump threatens US anti-terror efforts in Afghanistan

Pakistan’s suspending security cooperation with the US over Trump's freeze on aid is likely to hinder counter-terror efforts in the region

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