US defence secretary James Mattis (R) wrote to his UK counterpart Gavin Williamson. SKY News
The Guardian: US defence secretary intervenes in UK military budget row
James Mattis hints Britain could be replaced by France as Washington’s closest ally
The US defence secretary, James Mattis, has made a surprise intervention in the row over UK defence spending by warning France could replace the UK as Washington’s closest military ally in Europe.
In a leaked letter to the British defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, Mattis expressed concern the UK’s military power was at risk of erosion and compared the UK unfavourably with France, which Mattis pointed out had committed to significant increases in defence spending.
“As global actors, France and the US have concluded that now is the time to significantly increase our investment in defense. Other allies are following suit,” he said.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 2, 2018
US hints that FRANCE could become its closest military ally unless Britain pumps more money into forces -- Daily Mail
Should the US permanently station troops in Europe? New US Army Europe chief weighs in -- Defense News
Former Army Europe boss: Pulling US troops from Germany would be a big win for Russia -- Stars and Stripes
The case of Germany could test Mattis’ standing with Trump -- Sebastian Sprenger, Defense News
NATO troops on the front line with Russia are taking new steps to protect against electronic attacks -- Business Insider
NATO Needs a Strategy for Countering Russia in the Arctic and the Black Sea -- Mathieu Boulègue, Chatham House
Abe plans to visit NATO to deliver speech during Europe tour -- Japan Today
US, Japan agree to continue joint military exercises -- Military Times/AP
US stands firm with Japan, says James Mattis, as allies eye North Korea talks with unease -- The Telegraph
US Plans for Dismantling North Korea Nukes May Face Resistance -- Military.com/AP
RIMPAC Begins Without China but Adds Army and Air Force Firepower -- Military.com/Stars and Stripes
China Militarizes Its Coast Guard -- VOA
Australia officially announces $26B frigate contract. Here are the build details -- Defense News
Challenges Ahead for Brunei's Military as It Marks 57 Years -- The Diplomat
Is Turkey Playing a Double Game with NATO? -- Debalina Ghoshal, Gatestone Institute
Israel To US: Don’t Sell F-35s To Turkey -- Breaking Defense
Air Force T-6 squadron pauses training after more physiological scares -- Air Force Times
Air Force T-6 squadron pauses training after more physiological scares -- Air Force Times
US Navy Cuts Short Sailors' Shore Duty Tours to Fill Gaps at Sea -- Military.com
US The Army Is Adding Israeli Missile 'Shields' To the Mighty M1 Abrams Tank -- National Interest
Army Lays Out Plans For Pilot-Optional 'Knife Fighter' Attack Reconnaissance Rotorcraft -- Warzone/The Drive
Cyber Command moves closer to a major new weapon -- Fifth Domain
You Should Be ‘Significantly Concerned’ There’s No White House Cyber Coordinator, Policy Experts Say -- NextGov
DoD stands up its artificial intelligence hub -- C4ISRNet
Pentagon’s AI surge on track, despite Google protest -- Foreign Policy
Military needs AI help from companies like Google -- Axios
Are robots the future of paratroopers? -- Kelsey Atherton, C4ISRNet
These are the worst weapons an army could buy -- Business Insider/We Are The Mighty
The batty, explosive history of bats in the military — and why this new idea just might work -- Washington Post
Former Army pilot Amber Smith: ‘Each aircraft has its own personality’ -- The Hill
This new law could allow US troops to keep their battle-damaged protective gear -- Army Times
West Point gets 1st black superintendent in 216-year history -- Army Times/AP
