News
AUKUS standoff: Australia, UK wait on Congress to approve pact
The AUKUS agreement is intended to draw the three countries’ defense industries closer together by helping Australia develop its own nuclear-powered submarine fleet while sharing top secret technology among the allies.
Russia says southeast Ukraine is now the main focus of fighting in war
Russia’s defense minister says southeast Ukraine has become the most recent hot spot for battles in the 18-month war.
Blinken visits Kyiv in show of support for Ukraine’s efforts to push out Russia’s forces
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit Sept. 6, hours after Russia launched its first missile attack in a week against the Ukrainian capital.
Business
Poland is first foreigner to buy US Army’s new missile defense radar
Poland will be the first international customer for the U.S. Army’s new air and missile defense radar still in development, according to a Sept. 5 statement by manufacturer RTX.
Bulgaria wants to negotiate $1.5 billion Stryker deal with US
Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev said the government aims to negotiate a lower price in the potential deal to buy 183 Stryker combat vehicles from the United States than the $1.5 billion estimate published by the U.S. government.
Defense
Air Force eases restrictions on airmen taking HIV-prevention pills
The changes aim to keep more service members in the air and in uniform, the service said.
Biden, Manchin at odds over revival of Pentagon cost-cutting office
The White House and Sen. Joe Manchin are at odds over reviving a high-ranking Pentagon office tasked with reforming the department’s business practices.
Pentagon plans vast AI fleet to counter China threat
Defense Department seeks an array of air-, land- and sea-based autonomous systems to keep pace with adversaries.
Tuberville’s hold on promotions ‘corroding’ US forces, burdening military families, secretaries of Army, Navy, Air Force say
The Pentagon’s three service secretaries who oversee the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Space Force on Tuesday condemned the move by freshman Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama to block hundreds of military promotions — an act they say is putting American service members at risk across the globe.
Kendall pledges ‘major’ review of DAF’s readiness to meet China challenge
A week after saying the Department of the Air Force was not as prepared as it could be for war against an adversary like China, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall pledged a sweeping review of Air Force and Space Force organization, training, supply, and readiness in an open letter to Airmen and Guardians released Sept. 5.
Kendall Pledges ‘Major’ Review of DAF’s Readiness to Meet China Challenge
Veterans
Former VA leaders ask public to call vets to help prevent suicide
The effort is part of a national campaign set for November to help increase awareness of veterans mental health struggles.
VA failed to process 56,000 requests to update veterans’ dependents dating as far back as 2011
The Department of Veterans Affairs said Sept. 5 it failed to properly process 56,000 requests from veterans to add or remove dependents — some dating back to 2011.