News
The Wagner Group is losing so many fighters in Bakhmut that it’s launching a recruitment drive
Things are going great for the mercenary firm, why do you ask?
US turns to new ways to punish Russian oligarchs for the war
The U.S. has begun an aggressive new push to inflict pain on Russia’s economy and specifically its oligarchs with the intent of thwarting the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Business
Pentagon wants to spur cyber talent exchange with tech industry
The Pentagon is evaluating how its 225,000-member cyber workforce can more easily transition to and from private industry, picking up new skills and fresh perspectives and spurring defense innovation in the process.
Antsy about its aging tanks, Italy is mulling a rush purchase
Italy is considering the quick procurement of 125 tanks as well as infantry fighting vehicles to serve as gap fillers before long-term projects take shape, Italian defense officials and sources have said.
Greece counts down to $1.6 billion corvette competition decision
Greece plans on acquiring three ships while retaining an option for a fourth, with industry competitors committing to supporting local shipbuilding as part of their bids.
Defense
White House asks for $11 billion more for Navy, Marine Corps spending
The Navy and Marine Corps’ budget would increase from the $244.7 billion Congress enacted for fiscal 2023 to nearly $256 billion in the next fiscal year.
Military academies see unprecedented rise in sexual assaults
By all metrics, the military’s sexual assault problem has only grown worse even with more resources committed to fight it — especially at military service academies, which recorded the highest rate of sexual assault since 2006, when the Defense Department started measuring the problem.
Defense Production Act to speed hypersonics development, Pentagon says
The White House’s recent decision to invoke Defense Production Act authorities to mobilize the hypersonics-industrial base will “accelerate” the transition from development to production of high-speed systems, Pentagon officials told lawmakers March 10.
Navy unveils new leave policy for abortions, IVF treatments
The Navy is authorizing up to 21 days of administrative leave for sailors seeking abortions and other reproductive health care that Department of Defense health care providers typically donít — or cannot — provide.
B-21 will be ‘backbone’ of bomber fleet, AFGSC boss says as new images are released
The B-21 Raider will be the “future backbone of the bomber fleet,” the head of Air Force Global Strike Command Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere said March 7.
Pentagon’s counter-drone boss tackles rising threat
The internet is awash in videos claiming to show Russian and Ukrainian forces dropping shells and grenades on each other from small commercial drones. And while the veracity of the footage can’t be proved in every case, Pentagon officials say there’s no question the threat of small unmanned aerial systems is growing.
Veterans
Vets employment improves as national jobless rate worsens
The unemployment rate among veterans improved last month even as the national jobless rate slightly worsened, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on March 10.