The first signs are emerging that falling commodity prices are starting to hurt U.S. defense exports, as companies deal with varying levels of demand for equipment, especially in the Middle East. Analysts suggest that this reflected some changing priorities among overseas buyers, with a focus on boosting air defenses and munitions stockpiles. The Middle East is the largest export market for U.S. defense companies, which have been selling billions of dollars in combat aircraft, missile defense systems and other equipment to the region. “The Mid-East has slowed down, and Australia as well,” said L-3 Chief Executive Michael Strianese on an investor call, adding that demand has strengthened in other parts of Asia. Oshkosh, a big maker of mine-resistant military trucks, said a hoped-for deal to sell hundreds of its M-ATV armored vehicles to a Middle East nation failed to materialize last quarter, forcing the company to trim its 2016 […]