Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 27, 2011

Gen. Martin E. Dempsey of the Army on Tuesday at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Philip Scott Andrews/The New York Times

Nominee To Lead Joint Chiefs Warns Against Deep Cuts -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, President Obama’s nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned on Tuesday that proposed cuts in the military budget of up to $1 trillion would be “extraordinarily difficult and very high risk.”

General Dempsey, who is currently the Army chief of staff, made his comments at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee for the Joint Chiefs chairmanship. Mr. Obama has already ordered the Pentagon to come up with $400 billion in cuts over the next 12 years, but other deficit-reduction proposals under debate in the battle over the nation’s borrowing would cut far more.

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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

IAF: Iron Dome prevented reprise of Gaza war over April. -- Haaretz

Putin asks to purchase Russia-made weaponry -- Xinhuanet

NATO warns Turkey against buying Chinese, Russian air defense systems -- Hurriyet Daily News

New Top U.S. General: Pakistan Arms Deals Suck -- Danger Room

China refitting aircraft carrier body for research, training -- Xinhuanet

Southeast Asia’s underwater bazaar (South Asia's Submarine Shopping Spree) -- Jakarta Post

Australia’s Submarine Program In the Dock -- Defense Industry Daily

Morocco military plane crash kills 78 -- BBC

Did Taiwan Rescue a U.S. Spy Plane? -- Defense News

China protests against U.S. spy flights near its coast -- Reuters

Navy OKs plan to sink ships in Gulf of Alaska -- Navy Times

Agreement Reached on U.S. Destroyer Deal -- Defense News

A New, Old Air Force -- Ares/Aviation Week

Will Tiny Sats Have Their Day? -- Ares/Aviation Week

Navy tests unmanned water craft to protect ships in harbor -- Stars and Stripes

Navy’s Next Laser Mashes Up Machine Guns and Death Rays -- Danger Room

BAE Putting Lasers on Mk 38 Naval Gun -- Defense Tech

Vice chiefs bemoan readiness in bid to save budgets -- DoD Buzz

Debt limit failure would be 'totally devastating' to military, vets -- Stars and Stripes

Dempsey: Pay, Benefits Part of Budget Debate -- Defense News

Families seek Purple Hearts for soldiers shot at Ark. military recruiting center -- Washington Post

Texas Lawmaker Calls for Congressional Probe Into Ban of Christian Prayers at Military Funerals -- FOX News

The F-35B: Keep It or Kill It? -- Bring the heat, Bring the Stupid

At least 1,571 US military deaths in Afghanistan since 2001 -- Washington Post/AP

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,473 -- AP