This ASPI policy analysis paper by Mark Thomson considers fiscal and economic arguments and concludes that spurious arguments about the 'affordability' of defence spending should not be allowed to skew the long-term plans for Australia's defence.

A summary of the latest news and views in the defence industry, locally and overseas. Check out our webpage for daily news updates on the ADM home page and make sure you bookmark/RSS this for a regular visit.

Babcock has delivered the weapons handling equipment for the first of class, new Spanish S-80 submarine under construction at Navantia's Cartagena shipyard, marking a significant milestone in the project.

US Air Force Secretary Michael Donley has announced that Luke AFB has been chosen as the location of the US Air Force's F-35A Lightning II pilot training center.

UK Ministry of Defence scientists are inviting UK industry and academia to showcase their innovative ideas for detecting improvised explosive devices.

Further to British interest in new counter IED concepts the US Government Accountability Office has identified 1,340 potential, separate C-IED initiatives funded from FY2008 through the first quarter of FY2012.

InsideDefense reports that one of the most unshakable Pentagon acquisition narratives to emerge from the past decade is the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles which is said to have been well worth the US$40 billion investment.

Engineering study contracts for Increment 3 of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft have been awarded to four contractors already involved in the P-8 program, in a move that has drawn criticism from industry who feel the program's promise to open up competition for work on the aircraft hasn’t occurred.

Unmanned tactical wheeled vehicles that have the potential to serve as a force multiplier and reduce soldiers' exposure to lethal attacks continue to come closer to reality.

The US Navy and Raytheon Missile Systems are advancing plans to develop a maritime interdiction modification package for the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile to meet an urgent USN requirement for a so-called Interim Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare missile.

DARPA has announced its Adaptive Radar Countermeasures program which seeks to develop EW capability to counter hostile adaptive radar systems based on their over-the-air signals.

The US Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a US$6.9 million contract modification to plan maintenance and modernisation work on the Los Angeles-class submarines USS Hartford and USS Toledo.

The full version of Defence Week Premium no.216 of 2 August 2012 can be downloaded here as a PDF. A separate PDF of the latest Defence tenders can also be downloaded here.

Further to ADM's previous report, Sydney-based weapon mount manufacturer W&E Platt has reached a major milestone with delivery of its 800th MR660 Mod 1 Ring Mount.

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation is seeking to encourage development of Australian Defence capability, by providing an opportunity for industry to acquire its Filter Patch Wear Debris Tool technology and its Hole Rework Alignment Tool technology.

Boeing Defence Australia will provide Integrated Logistics Support during the next stage of development of Thales Australia's Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle - Light prototypes.