The defence industry briefing

The news, views and numbers you need to know about this month

News in numbers

AU$270bn

Planned increase in Australia's defence spending over the next decade

$23bn

Value of the 105 F-35 joint strike fighters Japan is planning to buy

20,000

Potential cut to personnel from the British Army under government plans

$2.4bn

Value of India's deal with Russia for MiG-29 purchases and upgrades

$250m

Cost of the upgrade USS Bonhomme Richard was undergoing prior to being destroyed by a fire

€1bn

Budget approved by the German Bundestag for defence equipment purchases and upgrades

15,000

Number of jobs Airbus is planning to cut by summer 2021 in response to the disruption caused by Covid-19

This month on twitter

Nuclear modernisation & myths

#MythMonday: Nuclear modernization is starting a new arms race?

Our #modernization plan is about meeting EXISTING threats by upgrading the capabilities that we currently have. We are in no way starting, or engaging in, an #ArmsRace. That’s a fact.#Deterrence #Assurance pic.twitter.com/MmBWfeOdbm
— US Strategic Command (@US_Stratcom) July 13, 2020

The fight for USS Bonhomme Richard

Get a firsthand look as Sailors and Federal firefighters responded to a fire onboard the #USNavy amphibious assault ship #USSBonhommeRichard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego. July 12, a fire was called away aboard the ship and continues to be fought. pic.twitter.com/UHb9OV2d3j
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) July 14, 2020

This is an issue close to our hearts

What's in a word?

Language can be emotive. Here's one view arguing the gender neutral terms are important for Defence. https://t.co/XpWPWvdeyZ
— Wavell Room - British Military Thinking (@wavellroom) June 30, 2020

👏👏👏

Picture of an unmanned aircraft. pic.twitter.com/CxaAQdfhxS
— Andy Netherwood (@AndyNetherwood) July 11, 2020

A tech history lesson

The Battle of Britain began 80 years ago. Over 16 weeks the RAF was pushed to its limits defending the UK.

In 1935, radio was first used to detect aircraft. By 1940, the UK had an advanced radar system, a key advantage in the Battle.https://t.co/DwXJjFn6wF #DetectAndDefend pic.twitter.com/nL3hDseaYW
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) July 10, 2020

We're onboard with these numbers

72,913 inches to a nautical mile.

12,000 nautical miles = 874,956,000 inches.

Length of standard English sausage, 4 inches.

QE has steamed for 218,739,000 sausages. https://t.co/GU3w9pOKz9
— David Bober 😷 (@mrdavidboberesq) July 1, 2020

07/15/2020 16:25:53