BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's defense chief has said his military will not be fully ready to defend Iraq from external threats until 2020 to 2024, according to a U.S. inspector's report released on Sunday.

(Reuters) - Three big defense contractors posted solid profits on Wednesday, but their shares fell on concerns that leaner budgets would hurt performance.

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta arrived in Japan on Monday hoping to persuade Tokyo to relocate a military base which Washington says is vital to its role as a Pacific power.

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Sunday that Washington will continue to develop military ties with Indonesia but keep a watchful eye on rights abuses, after over a decade of suspended cooperation.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on Sunday praised China for what he said was a restrained response to an arms sale to Taiwan, saying he hoped for improved military cooperation with Beijing.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq will continue talks with Washington on how U.S. trainers can work with Iraqi forces after a complete withdrawal of American troops at the end of the year, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Saturday.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Just weeks before U.S. troops plan to leave Iraq, the country's political elite and Washington are at odds over whether American soldiers stay as trainers: Baghdad rejects any legal immunity for U.S. soldiers and Washington says that means no deal.

A US military investigation into the August crash of a helicopter in Afghanistan that killed 30 Americans has found no major mistakes were made in the operation, officials said Wednesday.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said U.S. troops might still be able to stay in Iraq as trainers beyond a 2011 withdrawal date, even though the country's political blocs have rejected giving immunity to any American soldiers.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration is weighing fresh arms sales to Taiwan as part of a sweeping effort to deter any Chinese attack on the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own, administration officials told Congress on Tuesday.

Iraqi leaders said in a statement Tuesday there was "no need" for US forces that stay beyond year-end to receive immunity from prosecution, a key condition set by Washington for any post-2011 training deal.

The United States is China's "committed partner and friend," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said as she sent greetings to Beijing ahead of its National Day celebrations.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp <LMT.N> is helping arm U.S. lawmakers for a renewed push to sell its new F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, not just the Obama administration's planned $5.3 billion upgrade of old ones.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp is helping arm U.S. lawmakers for a renewed push to sell its new F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, not just the Obama administration's planned $5.3 billion upgrade of old ones.

Taiwan said Wednesday that it plans to upgrade a fleet of 56 home-grown fighters and buy more than 50 trainers as part of a major air force modernisation package.

Beijing said on Wednesday Washington's decision to upgrade Taiwan's F-16 fighters would damage military ties between the United States and China, impacting military exchanges and high-level visits.

Beijing said on Wednesday Washington's decision to upgrade Taiwan's F-16 fighters would damage military ties between the United States and China, impacting military exchanges and high-level visits.

China will likely keep up a fledgling dialogue with the US military despite friction over Washington's decision to upgrade Taiwan's fleet of F-16 fighters, a top US officer said Tuesday.

Iraq has signed an agreement with the United States to buy 18 F-16s and has already made an initial payment as part of the deal, Iraqi and American officials said on Tuesday.

China will likely keep up a fledgling dialogue with the US military despite friction over Washington's decision to upgrade Taiwan's fleet of F-16 fighters, a top US officer said Tuesday.