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353: Top Hamas Leader Killed by IDF Tank Fire + US Strikes Houthi Targets with B-2 Bombers + North Korea Destroys Border Road and Rail Lines Connecting to South Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Top Hamas Leader Killed by IDF Tank Fire.
Israel on Thursday night announced that IDF troops had killed Hamas terror chief Yahya Sinwar in Gaza.. A force from the 828th Bislamach Brigade killed Sinwar and the other two terrorists.
2. Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Israeli citizens concerning Sinwar's death.
PM Netanyahu: "I stand before you today to tell you that Yahya Sinwar has been eliminated. Today, as we promised we would, we settled accounts with him."
3. US Strikes Houthi Targets with B-2 Bombers.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the B-2 bombers targeted “five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.”
4. North Korea Destroys Border Road and Rail Lines Connecting to South.
In the 2000s, the two Koreas reconnected two pairs of road and rail links across their heavily fortified border.
In response to the explosions, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said its military fired warning shots within southern sections of the border as it bolstered its readiness and surveillance posture.

352: Israel Defense Minister on Iran Strike: Targets Are Clear - It's a Matter of Time + Iranian Foreign Minister: Iran Will Respond + Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine + Armor Not Dead: Netherlands to Build Tank Battalion + More Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israeli Defense Minister on Iran Strike: Targets Are Clear - It's a Matter of Time.
Israel has described its general attack plans to the US but has yet to give an update on specific targets- however, “the targets could also change at the 11th hour.”
2. Iran Foreign Minister: Iran Will Respond.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned UN chief Antonio Guterres that Tehran is ready for a “decisive and regretful” response if Israel attacks his country in retaliation to the ballistic missile attack- from Iran- on Israel (01 October).
3. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $425 million.
Includes: air defense capabilities; air-to-ground weapons; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; armored vehicles; and anti-tank weapons.
4. Ukraine Preside Zelensky outline Victory Plan to Ukrainian Parliament.
At the heart of the plan is Ukraine’s desire for an invitation to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which would be a precursor to full NATO membership.
5. Russia captures (second) Ukrainian Leopard 2A6 Tank.
Germany has provided Ukraine with 18 Leopard tanks of the 2A6 variant, while Portugal has contributed three.
6. Armor Not Dead: Netherlands to Build Tank Battalion.
The Netherlands plans to buy 46 x Leopard 2A8 tanks for more than €1 billion- in order to rebuild a heavy armor capacity.
7. Australia to provide 49 x M1A1 Tanks to Ukraine.
This donation is possible since the Australian Army has begun receiving the first of its new fleet of 75 x M1A2 Tanks.
8. 30mm Stryker Double V-Hull A1 Infantry Carrier Vehicles due for fielding in 2025.
269 x vehicles will be fielded across 3 x Stryker Brigades, with another 20 vehicles slotted for the training base.

351: Israel PM & French President Discuss Lebanon Ceasefire + N. Korean Soldiers Supporting Russian Fight in Ukraine? + France to Increase Defense Spending in 2025 + US Army to Develop Hypervelocity Air Defense Cannon + More Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel PM & French President Discuss Lebanon Ceasefire.
The two leaders spoke by phone, with PM Netanyahu telling the French President he was opposed to agreeing to a “unilateral ceasefire” in Lebanon, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.
2. N. Korean Soldiers Supporting Russian Fight in Ukraine?
South Korea's Defence Minister Kim Yong-Hyun said on Tuesday that "there was a high possibility" North Korea could deploy troops to help Russia in the war with Ukraine. Defense Minister Kim also told a parliamentary hearing that news reports of North Korean military officers having been killed in a Ukrainian strike on territory controlled by Russian forces were likely true.
3. France to Increase Defense Spending in 2025.
The French government has proposed to lift the 2025 defense budget to €50.54 billion ($55 billion), up from €47.23 billion in 2024.
4. AUSA Speech: US Army Chief of Staff (General Randy George), outlines plan to continue modernization in 2025.
“Everything we do is about building lethality and cohesive teams, and given our current operating environment, we have to do it as fast as we can.”
5. US Army to Develop Hypervelocity Air Defense Cannon.
RCCTO stood up a product office for the Multidomain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) in July 2024. The goal is to get a prototype battery out in FY27, & an operational assessment in FY28- with a battery equipped with 8 x cannons.
6. US Army selects 5 x Companies for new self-propelled artillery effort.
The five companies are: Rheinmetall, BAE Systems, Hanwha, General Dynamics, and Elbit Systems.
7. L3 Harris protests US Army HADES Fixed-Wing ISR decision.
The protest was filed on 16 Sep, GAO said, and the oversight agency has a deadline to deliver its verdict by 26 Dec- to either to dismiss, deny or sustain the protest.

350: Defence Media Awards '24 + Israel PM Netanyahu - UNIFIL Forces Must Leave Danger Zone + UNIFIL Chief - Peacekeepers Stay + US Sends THAAD Battery and Troops to Israel + More Oct 14, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. 2024 Defence Media Awards held in Washington D.C.. Congratulations to all Nominees & Winners (and those not Nominated as well).
2. Israel PM Netanyahu - UNIFIL Forces Must Leave Danger Zone.
Addressing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, PM Netanyahu said in a Hebrew-language message, “It is time for you to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and from the areas of combat.”
3. UNIFIL Chief - Peacekeepers Stay.
“The decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its positions in spite of the calls that were made by the Israel Defense Forces to vacate the positions that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line,” says UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
4. US Sends THAAD Battery and Troops to Israel.
The THAAD Battery will augment Israel's integrated air defense system. Each battery consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and requires 95 soldiers to operate.
5. Iran Foreign Minister - "No red lines" in response to Israel's potential attack.
Iran on Sunday said it has “no red lines” in defending itself.
6. Hezbollah Drone attack kills 4 IDF Soldiers at training base.
In the wake of the deadly strike, the IAF has also set a goal of completely eliminating Hezbollah’s Unit 127, responsible for its UAV production, maintenance and operation. The effort to kill every member of the unit will now take priority, in terms of intelligence collection and airstrikes.
7. According to Walla outlet, Israeli Shin Bet leader met with Egyptian Intel Chief to restart Hostage Negotiations with Hamas.
8. Towed Artillery Not Dead: Armenia to procure 6 x 155mm Towed Artillery systems from India. The Armenian Army has completed trials of its initial batch (6 systems) of 155mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) purchased from India in 2023.
9. Bell Textron breaks with Spirit AeroSystems following proposed acquisition announcement by Boeing (for Spirit) . Spirit AeroSystem was slated for fuselage work on the Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) effort.
Bell Textron will now produce fuselages in house after this decision.

349: IDF Ground Offensive in S. Lebanon Finds Stored Weapons + Presidents of Russia & Iran Meet in Turkmenistan + Rafael Lite Beam 10kw Laser Air Defense System + More Oct 12, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. No Israeli response to Iran. Discussions and coordination with US continues.
Among the challenges of an aggressive response is the potential for tit-for-tat strikes that will draw in other Middle Eastern countries. Tehran has threatened Western-backed Arab states that it will attack them next if an Israeli-US retaliatory action against Iran goes through their territory or airspace.
2. IDF Ground Offensive in S. Lebanon locates cached weapons stored in villages.
One house had three rooms packed with mortar shells, Kalashnikov rifles, RPGs, hand grenades, rain suits, and Kevlar vests.
3. IDF under protest for harming UN Peacekeepers during engagements with Hezbollah. France, Italy, Spain issue joint statement condemning IDF for harming UNIFIL forces.
4. Presidents of Russia & Iran Meet in Turkmenistan.
The two leaders hailed their countries growing economic ties and similar views on world affairs.
5. Russian Troops to withdraw from Armenian border with Iran in 2025.
Deal stipulates that by January 1, 2025, Moscow’s forces will transition control of the Armenia-Iran border checkpoint to Armenian border guards.
6. Rafael Lite Beam 10kw Laser Air Defense System.
The system has a reported range of around 2,000 meters.
7. Northrup Grumman Bushmaster 230LF counter-UAS system.
Integrated on a remote weapon system, the new 30mm medium caliber cannon can be equipped on 4×4, 6×6, or 8×8 land vehicles.

348: President Biden & PM Netanyahu Discuss Response to Iranian Missile Attack + France to Provide Ukraine Mirage Warplanes in 2025 + Royal Thai Army Pilots Fly Boeing AH-6 Little Birds in Arizona + More Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. President Biden & PM Netanyahu Discuss Response to Iranian Missile Attack.
PM Netanyahu held a phone call with US President Biden on Wednesday for the first time in nearly 50 days, as Jerusalem aims to coordinate with Washington its' response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack.
2. IDF destroys Hezbollah tunnel crossing into Israel.
“Tonight we reported that we located and dismantled a tunnel of about 25 meters long, which crossed the border fence about 10 meters … into Israeli territory,” an IDF military spokesman said in a televised briefing.
3. France to Provide Ukraine Mirage Warplanes in 2025.
“The Mirage 2000s that will be delivered to Ukraine will be equipped with new equipment,” said the French Armed Forces Minister.
4. French Army combat brigade to evaluate rapid deployment to NATO's eastern flank during military exercise in Romania next year.
5. Romania selects Otokar (Turkey) Cobar II wheeled armored vehicle- ordering 1,059 vehicles. The planned sale is estimated to be worth around $940 million.
6. NHI Industries, is optimistic that the NH-90 Helicopter Block 2 upgrade will satisfy existing users, and attract new customers.
NH90’s Software Release 3 upgrade includes integration of a Electro-Optical gimbal, sonar equipment and additional weapons integration.
7. Royal Thai Army Pilots Fly Boeing AH-6 Little Birds in Arizona.

347: IDF Combat Data from One Year of War + Iran Denies Quds Force Commander Missing From Beirut Strike + Netherlands: Ukraine F-16s Can Strike Targets in Russia + Sweden & NATO Operations in 2025 + More Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Navy identifies vessels with faulty welds in Secretary of Navy letter to HASC & SASC. The impacted ships include the aircraft carrier George Washington and the brand-new attack submarines Hyman G. Rickover and New Jersey.
2. IDF Combat Data from One Year of War.
The Israel Defense Forces on Monday published new data on its operations in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
3. Hezbollah Chief Presumed Dead in Beirut Strike. The chances that Hashem Safieddine was killed by an Israeli strike in southern Beirut on Friday are increasing, an unnamed official told Sky News Arabia.
4. Iran Denies Quds Force Commander in Missing From Beirut Strike.
5. Brasil pauses deal with Elbit Systems (Israel) for 36 x ATMOS 2000 155mm Howitzers- due to Israeli operations in Gaza.
6. Netherlands: Ukraine F-16s Can Strike Targets in Russia.
Dutch Chief of Defence General Otto Eichelsheim said Dutch leaders had placed no restrictions on how Ukrainian pilots can use them, including striking military targets in Russia.
7. Sweden & NATO Operations in 2025.
Based upon Swedish Parliament's approval- up to 1,200 ground troops; six warships complete with crew; and a fleet of up to 24 fighter jets — to back NATO deterrence operations in the North Atlantic.
8. Lithuania to procure more NASAMS Air Defense systems.
This is the Baltic nation’s third NASAMS purchase, following acquisitions in 2017 and 2023.
9. USAF lists possible basing locations for KC-46A Pegasus Tankers.
- Bangor Air National Guard Base in Maine
- Forbes Field Air National Guard Base (Topeka) in Kansas
- Key Field Air National Guard Base (Meridian) in Missouri
- McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base (Knoxville) in Tennessee
- Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio
- Scott Air Force Base in Illinois
- Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base (Birmingham) in Alabama.

346: No Contact with Hezbollah Chief After Beirut Strike - No Statement from Hezbollah + US CENTCOM Commander in Israel to Discuss Response to Iran Attack + France Orders Uncrewed Deep Sea Vehicles + Ireland to Increase 2025 Defense Budget + More Oct 06, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. No Contact with Hezbollah Chief After Beirut Strike - No Statement from Hezbollah.
2. IDF says response to Iranian missile attack will be "serious and significant."
3. US CENTCOM Commander in Israel to Discuss Response to Iran Attack.
United States CENTCOM chief General Michael Kurilla landed in Israel this evening to meet with Israeli defense and military officials, amid preparations in the IDF for a response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack.
4. French President Emmanuel Macron urged a halt to deliveries of arms to Israel that can be used in its war against Hamas in Gaza.
Responding to President Macron on Saturday evening, Israeli PM Netanyahu called his comments “a disgrace.”
5. Ireland's President reacts to IDF requests for UN Peacekeepers to leave positions in Southern Lebanon.
“It is outrageous that the IDF have threatened this peacekeeping force and sought to have them evacuate the villages they are defending,” President Michael Higgins says in a statement.
Ireland accounts for 347 of the 10,000 soldiers serving in the UNIFIL forces.
6. France Orders Uncrewed Deep Sea Vehicles.
The French Navy has ordered an autonomous underwater vehicle that will surveil critical infrastructure at depths of up to 6,000 meters.
7. Ireland to Increase 2025 Defense Budget.
The record” €1.35 billion defense budget for 2025, offers funding for air surveillance radar, subsea awareness, force protection equipment projects, and recruitment of 400 additional armed forces personnel.
8. North Korean Leader threatens use of nuclear weapons in event of attack from South.
9. US House Armed Service Committee directs US Navy to provide information concerning faulty welds, used on under construction aircraft carriers and submarines- from the shipbuilding company HII Newport News Shipbuilding.

345: IDF Targets New Hezbollah Chief in Beirut Strike - Status Unknown + IDF Reveals Hamas Senior Leader Eliminated During July Airstrike + Queensland Australia 155mm Munition Plant + More Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. IDF Targets New Hezbollah Chief in Beirut Strike - Status Unknown.
Hezbollah Leader Hashem Safieddine was meeting with other senior Hezbollah leaders in an underground bunker during the IDF strike. It remains unclear if Safieddine was harmed in the Israeli strike.
2. IDF Reveals Hamas Senior Leader Eliminated During July Airstrike.
Senior Hamas official Rawhi Mushtaha, the de facto prime minister of the Gaza Strip, was killed in an Israeli strike several months ago, the IDF and Shin Bet said Thursday, announcing that they had confirmed his death.
3. US and Israel to discuss response to Tuesday's Iranian missiles attack.
The United States on Wednesday signaled a willingness to support Israel in a potential response, with the White House promising “severe consequences for this attack,” and saying it “will work with Israel to make that the case.”
4. Recent IDF ground operation in S. Lebanon result in casualties.
The IDF’s ground offensive began some two weeks into intensified fighting with Hezbollah, and after Operation Northern Arrows was launched earlier in September.
5. New Zealand and Australia participate in Senior (General) Officer Exchange.
The armed forces of New Zealand and Australia have swapped deputy commanders at their respective joint forces headquarters.
6. Queensland (Maryborough) Australia 155mm Munition Plant.
The plant, a joint venture between the Rheinmetall (51 percent ownership) and NIOA, a privately-held company, is the only plant capable of producing larger artillery shells in the country.
7. US Foreign Military Sale - Australia.
The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to 100 x Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) with global positioning systems (GPS), with an estimated cost of $405 million (US).

344: Iran Targets Israel With More Than 180 Missiles - PM Netanyahu Reaction: "Big Mistake" + IDF Cross-Border Raids into S. Lebanon + US Destroyers Intercept Iranian Missiles + New NATO Secretary General + More Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Iran Targets Israel With More Than 180 Missiles - PM Netanyahu Reaction: "Big Mistake".
At a security cabinet meeting in the aftermath of the attack, PM Netanyahu warned that Tehran had made a “big mistake tonight” and vowed that “it will pay for it.”
2. Iran celebrates missiles attack on Israel.
Iran’s IRGC boasted of its ballistic missile attack on Israel and threatened to carry out “crushing attacks” against the Jewish nation if it retaliates.
3. IDF Cross-Border Raids into S. Lebanon.
The IDF said Special Forces have carried out more than 70 small raids, destroying numerous Hezbollah positions, tunnels and thousands of weapons. The IDF said the sites were located both inside Lebanese villages and in forested areas.
4. US Destroyers Intercept Iranian Missiles.
USS Bulkeley (DDG-84) and USS Cole (DDG-67) fired a dozen interceptors as part of the US response to Iranian missiles launched at Israel, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.
5. US augments forces in Middle East with additional troops and warplanes.
The US Central Command announced Tuesday that three additional squadrons of warplanes were arriving in the region, while one was already present.
6. New NATO Secretary General.
Mark Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister, officially took charge of NATO today, succeeding longtime leader Jens Stoltenberg as the alliance’s new secretary general.
7. Netherlands will collaborate with Naval Group (France/Thales) to develop new submarine to replace the current Walrus-class.
Naval Group is set to deliver the first two of the four submarines by 2034, with the new vessel a conventionally-powered variant of the Barracuda class.

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