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323: Israel Accepts US "Bridging Proposal" in Negotiations + Ukraine Destroys Key Bridges in Kursk Region + USMC Marine-One Helicopter First Flight with President + More Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Accepts US "Bridging Proposal" in Negotiations.
Statement from Israeli Prime Minister's Office:
“The Prime Minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to the current American proposal on the release of our hostages, which takes into account Israel’s security needs, which he strongly insists on."
2. Ukraine Destroys Key Bridges in Kursk Region.
This weekend, Ukraine destroyed a key bridge in the region and struck a second one nearby, disrupting supply lines as it pressed the Kursk incursion.
3. China alarmed at deployment of US Mid-Range Fire Capability in the Philippines.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, expressed China’s concern over the U.S. mid-range missile deployment to the Philippines.
4. China and Philippines continue to spar over disputed shoals in the South China Sea.
Philippine and Chinese Coast Guard vessels collided in the South China Sea near two disputed shoals on Monday morning in the latest encounter at sea between Manila and Beijing.
5. Latest US Foreign Military Sales:
- South Korea: 36 x AH-64E Apache Helicopters in deal worth $3.5 billion.
- Netherlands: CH-47 & AH-64 Helicopter training package in deal worth $305 million.
- Finland: M1156A1 Precision Guided Kits in deal worth $70 million.
- Australia: FGM-148F Javelin Missiles in deal worth $100 million.
6. USMC Marine-One Helicopter First Flight with President.
President Joe Biden on Monday took his first flight aboard the newest Marine One Helicopter (Sikorsky VH-92A Patriot) in Chicago, Illinois.

322: Israel - Hamas Negotiation Update + US Carrier & Guided-Missile Submarine Moving Toward CENTCOM AOR + AUKUS Countries Lower Arms Export Restrictions + More Aug 18, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Carrier (USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72) & Guided-Missile Submarine (USS Georgia SSGN-728) Moving Toward CENTCOM AOR.
2. Israel - Hamas Negotiation Update.
The US “bridging proposal” does not provide for an ongoing Israeli presence along the Gaza-Egypt border or for a mechanism in central Gaza to prevent the return of armed Hamas forces to the Strip’s north.
3. Bulgaria to procure IRIS-T Air Defense Systems in support of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The deal includes five additional IRIS-T SLM systems and one long-range IRIS-T SLX (Surface-Launched Extended-Range) system by 2032.
4. Australian Army Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles to receive vehicle display that hosts C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) applications. 129 x Redback IFVs ordered for the Army will be delivered by 2028.
5. French Navy Frigate FS Bretagne (D655) operates in the Indo-Pacific Region with naval forces from the US, Japan, and Philippines.
Royal Australian and US Navy Sailors to cooperate during a Submarine Tender Maintenance Period (STMP) over the next several weeks during a US submarine port visit at Stirling Naval Base in Western Australia.
6. AUKUS Countries Lower Arms Export Restrictions.
The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom have agreed to new rules for sharing arms — a major step to make their defense industries more accessible to one another.
7. US Navy to secure a Multi-ship procurement deal for 4 x amphibious ships.
The four ships that will be purchased under the deal are 3 x San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks (LPD-33 in fiscal 2025, LPD-34 in FY27, & LPD-35 in FY29) and 1 x amphibious assault ship (LHA-10 in FY27).

321: US President: Significant Progress on Negotiations + IDF Destroys Tunnels & Rehearses Long-Range Strikes + US Navy Installs Drone Control Room on Aircraft Carrier + IVAS Update + More Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US President: Significant Progress on Negotiations.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas were the most constructive that mediators had seen in months, a senior Biden administration official told reporters on Friday.
2. IDF Combat Engineers have destroyed over 50 tunnels along the Philadelphi Corridor. The IDF did not detail how many of the tunnels crossed into Egypt.
3. Israeli Air Force rehearse long-range strikes, employing F-35 and F-15 warplanes and Boeing 707 refueling Tankers.
4. Hezbollah release video showing lighted tunnel system with trucks, motorcycles, and missile launcher.
Titled “Our mountains are our storehouses,” the video shows a trapdoor opening and a missile launcher directed skyward.
5. New Iranian defense minister, Brigadier General Aziz Nazirzedah, has ambitious defense modernization strategy.
Defense Minster's aim is to expand the aerospace, naval, missile and air defense sectors- as well as increase Iranian defense exports to neighboring countries, Latin America, and Africa.
6. US Foreign Military Sales include:
- Germany: 600 x Patriot missiles and related equipment worth $5 billion.
- Italy: 6 x Block 5 MQ-9 Reaper Drones worth $738 million.
- Denmark: 5,832 x M1156 Precision Guided Kits (for 155mm artillery munitions), worth $85 million.
7. Japanese Coast Guard to procure 2 x MQ-9B, Sea Guardian Drones from General Atomics. The Sea Guardian is a medium-altitude, long-endurance system that can fly for 24 hours or more.
8. US Navy Installs Drone Control Room on Aircraft Carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)- to support MQ-25A Stingray tanker and ISR Drones.
The control system was developed by the Navy and includes capabilities from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works.
9. Latest update in the US Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program. Over the past year, Army leaders have teased a “IVAS Next” initiative.
The Army could make a decision to recompete the prime contractor position- according to multiple sources.

320: IDF Division Commander Discusses Gaza Operations + China Urges De-Escalation after Kursk Incursion + Norway to Procure M142 HIMARS + Poland Signs Deal for AH-64E Apache Helicopters + More Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. President Biden hopeful that successful negotiations between Israel & Hamas will stave off Iran retaliatory strike.
President Biden was asked by reporters if he expected Iran to hold off on a retaliatory strike if a deal is reached. “That’s my expectation,” the President replied.
2. IDF 98th Division Commander Discusses Gaza Operations, including mission where the IDF was "minutes" from capturing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Brigadier Gen. Dan Goldfus said: “We were close. We were in his compound. We got to an underground compound. It was ‘hot.’”
3. US clears $20 billion worth of Foreign Military Sales to Israel. Includes:
F-15 warplanes, 120mm Mortar Rounds, and 120mm Tank Munitions, plus other materiel.
4. China Urges De-Escalation after Kursk Incursion. China on Monday urged all sides in the Ukraine war to de-escalate as Kyiv's forces pierced deep into Beijing ally Russia's Kursk border region.
5. Norway to Procure M142 HIMARS.
Norway has requested to buy 16 x Lockheed Martin M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems in a deal worth as much as $580 million.
6. Poland Signs Deal for 96 x AH-64E Apache Helicopters.
Once the 96 aircraft are delivered, the Polish military will be the Apache’s second largest user in the world, preceded only by the US military.
7. South Korea begins development of the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS). This maritime capability will provide accurate target geo-location to enable mine neutralization procedures. The system can be mounted on a variety of helicopters and be deployed for day and night operations.
8. US Army continues mounted High Energy Laser effort.
The Army is “encouraging” industry to use the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) for the prototyping effort.

319: Report: Ukraine Combat Brigades Digging In at Kursk + Hamas Supports Negotiations But Will Not Send Delegation to Upcoming Talks + US Army 2d MDTF in Morocco Exercise + More Aug 11, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Forbes Report: Ukraine Combat Brigades Digging In at Kursk.
There’s growing evidence that some or all of the 5 x Ukraine Combat Brigades- have plans to stay. (The Russians are digging in, too.)
2. Hamas Supports Negotiations But Will Not Send Delegation to Upcoming Talks.
It (Hamas) said it had asked mediators to present a plan based upon past negotiations, instead of engaging in new talks for a deal based on amended frameworks.
3. US making infrastructure improvements to Basa Air Base in the Philippines.
Funded under the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, Basa Air Base is set to receive a 625,000-square-foot parking apron capable of hosting up to 20 aircraft.
4. US Navy launches final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship- USS Pierre (LCS 38). Main sea trials begin in late-2024.
5. Expert Pentagon Contract Broker (Shay Assad), to assist USAF with Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) contract talks (with RTX). Mr. Assad has previously assisted the USAF with Boeing E-7 Wedgetail negotiations.
6. US Army 2d Multi-Domain Task Force MDTF (Effects Battalion) tests unmanned air and Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) systems during Morocco Exercise- Arcane Thunder 2024.
7. US Army reports successful End-to-End Flight Test of Hypersonic Missile.
The first flight test took place in May 2024, at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii.

318: Defense News Annual Top 100 Defense Companies (2023) + Ukraine Sends 5 x Combat Brigades into Russia's Kursk Oblast + Iran's IRGC Claims Undetectable Naval Cruise Missiles + More Aug 10, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Ukraine Sends 5 x Combat Brigades into Russia's Kursk Oblast.
Russia declared a “federal-level” emergency in the region and sent reinforcements there on Friday. Russia’s Defense Ministry said reinforcements were on their way to Kursk to counter Ukraine’s raid.
2. Ukrainian First Person View Drone takes down Russian MI-28 Havok Attack Helicopter. “The future use of helicopters in combat can and should be rethought, especially with the growth of unmanned systems,” Serhii Kuzan, a former adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, told Defense News.
3. Elbit to provide Iron Fist Active Protection System to unnamed European country- for fit onto CV90 IFVs.
4. UK Telegraph: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is reportedly disagreeing with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on level of retaliatory strikes (against Israel).
5. Iran IRGC Claims Undetectable Naval Cruise Missiles.
IRGC said on Friday that its navy has new cruise missiles equipped with highly explosive warheads that are undetectable.
6. US Army will develop a second interceptor for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) launcher. The Army is still testing out the launcher and using the RTX AIM-9X Sidewinder as the first interceptor.
7. US Army to evaluate a hypervelocity munition for 155mm artillery systems.
Goal is to have the capability ready for operational testing in FY28.
8. Defense News Annual Top 100 Defense Companies for 2023.

317: Organization of Islamic Cooperation Meets in Saudi Arabia + Russia Malva 152mm Mobile Artillery + Thailand to Procure Chinese Assault Rifles + More Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Secretary of National Security Sergei Shoigu, delivers Russian President Putin's message of restraint during his visit to Tehran on Monday.
2. Organization of Islamic Cooperation Meets in Saudi Arabia. Iranian and Palestinian officials called for Wednesday’s gathering of the 57-member OIC in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, saying the body needed to respond to the killing of the Hamas leader.
3. Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have rebuffed requests to contribute troops to a postwar peacekeeping force in Gaza. However, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have expressed willingness to participate in the effort.
4. Russia Malva 152mm Mobile Artillery.
A new batch of 2S43 Malva 152mm self-propelled howitzers has been shipped to Russian troops. The quantity of guns has not been disclosed.
5. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded Raytheon a $478-million contract to deliver Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-Ts) to Germany.
6. US and Australia discuss future defense cooperation.
The two nations announced a series of joint initiatives including new “operating locations,” more frequent troop rotations and the formalization of plans to coproduce two key, long-range missile systems.
7. Thailand to Procure Chinese Assault Rifles.
Once delivered, the QBZ-195T (5.56mm assault rifle), will be distributed to the country’s special operations units to support a variety of missions.
8. USAF has received the first production MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter from Boeing.
The helicopter will be stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana- to patrol Minuteman III nuclear missile fields.

316: US Forces in Iraq Struck in Rocket Attack + IDF Locates Vehicle-Size Tunnel on Philadelphi Corridor + Russian National Security Council Secretary Shoigu Visits Tehran + More Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Forces in Iraq Struck in Rocket Attack.
Several US personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack at a military base in Iraq, Defense officials said Monday.
2. Russian National Security Council Secretary Shoigu Visits Tehran.
Russian state news agencies reported that Sergei Shoigu was scheduled to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian; the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Akbar Ahmadian; and chief of the Iranian military’s General Staff, Mohammad Bagheri.
3. IDF Locates Vehicle-Size Tunnel on Philadelphi Corridor.
According to the IDF, the tunnel is about three meters (10 feet) tall and will be investigated before it is destroyed.
4. The Spanish army has signed a “framework agreement” with German defense firm Rheinmetall for an order of “around half a million modular propellant systems for 155mm extended-range artillery ammunition.”
5. BAE Systems has been awarded a $493-million contract to continue producing the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer and M992A3 ammunition carrier for US Army Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs).
6. USAF B-52 Modernization (Radar and Engine) plans are running into schedule and cost troubles.
7. USAF estimating costs to refit 30 x B-52s, from Conventional to Nuclear-capable.
The 30 B-52s in question had previously been equipped with the ability to carry nuclear weapons but were converted to conventional aircraft about 10 years ago to comply with a key US-Russia arms control treaty known as New START.
8. USAF relieves Commander after Accident Investigation Board report is released concerning the 04 January 2024, B-1 Bomber crash at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.

315: US CENTCOM Commander Travels to Region + Report: US Deploys F-22 Squadron to CENTCOM AOR + Australia Invests in Collins-Class Submarines + Senate Appropriations Committee FY25 Spending Bill Info + More Aug 04, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Iran State TV reports that a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh- and not an explosive device planted in the building beforehand (as previously reported by other media). The televised statement says a rocket with a seven-kilogram warhead was used to target the residence of Haniyeh in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation.
2. New York Times Report: Iran has arrested dozens of suspects in the investigation of the Ismail Haniyeh assassination. The arrested parties included senior intelligence officers, military officials, and staff workers at the guest house where Haniyeh was killed.
3. US CENTCOM Commander Travels to Region.
According to a US official, General Michael Kurilla is expected to visit several Gulf countries, Jordan and Israel.
4. Article from Air & Space Forces Magazine: US Deploys F-22 Squadron to CENTCOM AOR.
5. During comments at the funeral for Senior Military Commander Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah promised a “new phase” of conflict with Israel.
6. Australia Invests in Collins-Class Submarines.
A government statement reports that $2.2 billion (AUD) is for sustainment, and part of a broader “$4 to $5 billion (AUD) commitment to keeping the Collins-class submarines as a potent strike and deterrence capability.”
7. The Royal Australian Air Force has received the first MQ-4C Triton Drone. The MQ-4C Triton will be used for high-altitude and long-endurance maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting missions alongside the Royal Australian Air Force’s current P-8A Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.
8. USAF anticipates annual foreign military sales to grow by 60% this fiscal year to more than $46 billion- up from $23 billion in FY23. Projected increase is due largely to F-35 and F-16 purchases.
9. Senate Appropriations Committee FY25 Spending Bill Info.
Senate appropriators have put forward a $852.2 billion defense spending bill for FY25.

314: Getting Ready for Iran: US Increasing Presence in CENTCOM AOR + Ukraine President: Russia Invited at Next Peace Summit + US Army Making Progress With Future Long Range Assault Aircraft Program + More Aug 03, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US to exit final installation (Air Base 201) in Niger next week.
Air Base 201 was the final US military site in the West African country after forces exited Air Base 101 in July. The US spent years building it to launch drone operations and has used its military presence to train Nigerien forces as well.
2. Getting Ready for Iran: US Increasing Presence in CENTCOM AOR.
The US bolsters military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East following reports that Iranian military officials and proxy forces in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen will meet to discuss options to retaliate against Israel following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
3. UK Outlet Telegraph: Mossad hired Iranian security agents to plant explosives that killed Hamas Official Ismail Haniyeh.
4. IDF confirms that the Commander of Hamas' Military Wing (Muhammad Deif) was killed during the 13 July strike in Southern Gaza.
5. Ukraine President: Russia Invited at Next Peace Summit.
President Zelensky: "The majority of the world today says that Russia must be represented at the second summit, otherwise we will not achieve meaningful results. Since the whole world wants them to be at the table, we cannot be against it."
6. USAF Accident Investigation Board releases report for the fatal CV-22 crash that killed eight elite Air Commandos off the coast of Japan in November 2023.
7. US Army Making Progress With Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) Program.
FLRAA Program goals:
1. Limited User Tests - FY27-28.
2. Low-Rate Initial Production - FY28
3. First Unit Equipped: FY31

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