Forces: October 29, 1999

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NATO has allocated $28 million to integrate Iceland's air defenses into the Link-16 communications network which joins all NATO nations.--Stephen V Cole

Seeking US approval for their NATO membership bid, Bulgaria has announced plans to cut its Army from 105,000 to 45,000, to reduce its Navy to a coastal defense squadron, and to reduce its Air Force to a single multi-role combat wing including modern fighters (to be bought later; the MiG-29s will have to do for now) and helicopters.--Stephen V Cole

The Polish Navy is negotiating to obtain four US FFG7-class guided-missile frigates. The first to be handed over to the Poles is reported to be FFG-11 Clark.--Stephen V Cole

Putative Presidential candidate George W Bush has said that he does not believe in throwing money at problems, and that instead of spending more money on education he will require existing programs to produce measurable results. But George W Bush has also said that he plans to increase spending on the military because this is the only way to solve problems of too small a force without adequate equipment.--Stephen V Cole