Is Apple Inc. (AAPL) About To Give Research In Motion Ltd (BBRY) The Death Blow?

It has been well documented that Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) BlackBerry is struggling to keep up with the likes of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) as well as smartphones powered by the Android operating system.

While BlackBerry is doing its best to grab ahold of more market share with each passing month, biting into the lead held by Apple iOS and Android is no easy task.

In the past, Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) was able to hang its hat on its dominance when it came to military use. For the most part, this smartphone manufacturer had a stronghold on the Pentagon.

However, things change and BlackBerry now finds Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) closing in on them in a hurry.

With its recent security approval, is it possible that Apple could begin to steal business away from BlackBerry? This is something that was covered in depth by CRN.com: Federal Integrators: Pentagon’s Approval Of Apple Is Trouble For BlackBerry

According to the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), “BlackBerry devices are used by 470,000 Department of Defense employees compared with just 41,000 Apple iOS-based devices and just 8,700 Android systems.”

This shows that Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) has a comfortable lead. But remember, these numbers were taken into account before the Pentagon gave clearance to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Now, the real competition begins.

Here is an excerpt from the CRN piece, talking about why BlackBerry should be concerned:

“Federal system integrators say the Pentagon’s recent approval of Apple devices running the iOS 6 platform could give fits to the BlackBerry platform. Apple iPhones and iPads running a version of the iOS 6 mobile platform on May 17 joined the line-up of Pentagon-approved devices cleared as a secure platform for U.S. military use.”

That pretty much says it all. There are people with knowledge of the situation who feel that Apple has the potential to give BlackBerry “fits” within this segment of the smartphone market.

Until earlier this month, Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) was the mobile provider of choice for the military. But as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) devices began to gain in popularity, the Pentagon realized the importance of implementing a “multi-vendor mobility strategy.”

Let’s put it this way: it is time for Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) to put up or shut up. With Apple Inc. (AAPL) closing hard, it will be interesting to see what happens in the months to come.

How do you feel about this fight for business within the Pentagon? Who are you putting your money on? BlackBerry may have a long standing history, but Apple is pushing hard to grab its share of the pie.