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293: Israel Defense Minister to Washington + Kongsberg New Short Range Air Defense System + Rheinmetall 155mm Munition Order worth $9.1 Billion + Hanwha to Purchase Philly Shipyard + More Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu): Once the IDF completes its intense fighting in Rafah, “we will face north.”
2. IDF locate and raid Hamas headquarters and training complexes in Rafah- find weapon depots, tunnel shafts, and intelligence materials.
3. Israel Defense Minister (Yoav Gallant) to Washington.
The Defense Minister meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director William Burns and Special Envoy Amos Hochstein.
4. Kongsberg (Norway) New Maneuverable Short Range Air Defense System (NOMADS) can defend against small, short-range targets such as drones and cruise missiles.
5. European Defense firm MBDA has developed a man-portable module (Ground Warden)- that utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) and beyond-line-of-sight technology to provide precise target detection capability.
6. Rheinmetall 155mm Munition Order is worth $9.1 Billion.
The order is primarily intended to increase the stocks of the German Armed Forces, its allies, and to support Ukraine.
7. At Eurosatory 2024 in Paris, US Army leaders discuss the right balance between precision fires and “dumb” mass deep attack capability.
8. South Korean firm Hanwha Systems, to Purchase Philly Shipyard for $100 million.
(only 100 million?)

292: US Gaza Pier Operational Again + Romania to Procure K9 Thunder 155mm SP Howitzers + USAF to Open F-35 Training Site in Arkansas + US Carrier Eisenhower (CVN-69) Departs Red Sea + More Jun 22, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Gaza Pier Operational Again. The pier was reattached to Gaza’s shoreline on 19 June 2024.
2. France signals support for a potential Lebanese Armed Forces security mission on its' southern border.
3. US re-prioritizes deliveries of Patriot & NASAMs air defense interceptors. Ukraine moves to front of line. Taiwan and Israel not affected. Countries affected by delay not mentioned.
4. Northrup Grumman makes plans to produce medium-caliber ammunition in Ukraine. Venture could expand into tank and 155mm artillery munitions.
5. Romania to Procure K9 Thunder 155mm SP Howitzers (54) from Hanwha Aerospace (South Korea).
6. US Army to develop a second interceptor for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) program. The Army needs a second interceptor that is “more capable” against lower flying, supersonic cruise missiles.
7. USAF to Open F-35 Training Site at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas.
The site will train foreign pilots across the global F-35 enterprise.
8. US Carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) Departs Red Sea.
A carrier currently on station in the Pacific is planned to head to the Middle East to continue a US presence mission in the region.

291: Hezbollah Leader Warns Israel about Conflict Escalation in Lebanon + Philippines & China Clash at Second Thomas Shoal + Armor Not Dead: Advanced Tank Concepts at Eurosatory 2024 + More Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. In response to comments by NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg (concerning China's support for Russia), Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian urges NATO "to do something practical for the political settlement of the crisis (Ukraine-Russia conflict). "
2. Netherlands Prime Minister (Mark Rutte) expected to become the next NATO Secretary General in October 2024, replacing Jens Stoltenberg.
3. Philippines & China Clash at Second Thomas Shoal.
A Philippine sailor suffered injury after an "intentional-high speed ramming" by the Chinese Coast Guard.
4. US Foreign Military Sales of Loitering Munitions to Taiwan is worth $360 million. Includes 291 x ALTIUS 600M-V & 720 x Switchblade 300s systems.
5. Hezbollah Leader (Hassan Nasrallah) Warns Israel about Conflict Escalation in Lebanon.
6. French Army Chief of Staff, General Pierre Schill comments on French Army modernization and Ukraine operational lessons learned.
7. Armor Not Dead: Advanced Tank Concepts at Eurosatory 2024.

290: Shots Fired Across Korean DMZ + IDF Says Half of Rafah Brigade Dismantled + Israeli Army Generals Approve Lebanon Offensive Plan + Army to Remove Hellfire Launcher from M-SHORAD + More Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Update: Court rules that Israeli Military Companies can attend Eurosatory 2024 Exhibition in Paris.
2. IDF Says Half of Rafah Brigade Dismantled. Of the four battalions in Hamas’s Rafah Brigade, two — Yabna (South) and East Rafah — are considered to be almost completely dismantled, while the capabilities of the other two — Shaboura (North) and Tel Sultan (West) — are somewhat degraded due to IDF operations.
3. Israeli Army Generals Approve Lebanon Offensive Plan. The head of the IDF’s Northern Command Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin and head of the Operations Directorate Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk approved Lebanon battle plans on 18 June 2024.
4. Shots Fired Across Korean DMZ. South Korea's military fired warning shots after North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line in the border area between the two Koreas on 18 June 2024.
5. Russia President Vladimir Putin to visit North Korea and Vietnam.
6. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that China should face consequences for supporting Russia during the war in Ukraine.
7. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Marine Corps Commandant General Eric Smith sign formal document, “Memorandum of Understanding on Amphibious Warfare Ship Terms of Reference.”
Purpose: The new terms of reference serve as supplemental guidance to existing readiness reporting criteria and will ensure consistency and uniformity in Navy and Marine Corps amphibious force planning, assessment, and operational mission execution.
8. US Army to Remove Hellfire Launcher from M-SHORAD (Sergeant Stout).
US Army will retrofit those existing M-SHORAD platforms by swapping out the Hellfire launcher and for a second Stinger pod — a move that would give the platform eight Stinger rounds.

289: Despite Daily Humanitarian Pause- IDF Will Continue Rafah Fight + Ukraine Peace Summit Concludes in Switzerland + US Army Names M-SHORAD Platform after Medal of Honor Hero + More Jun 16, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Despite a daily humanitarian pause- IDF Will Continue Rafah Fight.
IDF: The pause “for humanitarian purposes will take place from 8:00 am (0500 GMT) until 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) every day until further notice along the road that leads from the Kerem Shalom crossing to the Salah al-Din road and then northwards.”
2. Israel and Hezbollah continue cross-border strikes, leading to fears of escalation in the conflict.
3. Ukraine Peace Summit Concludes in Switzerland.
More than 90 countries and international organizations attended the summit. Russia was not invited, and its biggest backer China was not present, leading some to cast doubt on the summit's effectiveness.
4. USAF Chief of Staff (General David Allvin) coy about the future budgeting priority of Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) stealth fighter.
5. Defense News Interview with French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill, concerning Force Modernization- by Rudy Ruitenberg.
6. US Army Names M-SHORAD Platform after Vietnam Medal of Honor Hero- Sergeant Stout.
On 12 March 1970, U.S. Army Sergeant Mitchell William Stout grabbed an enemy grenade thrown into his bunker and used his body to shield the blast from his fellow Soldiers.
Sergeant Stout is the only Army Air Defense Artilleryman in US Army history to earn the Medal of Honor.

288: US Gaza Pier Dismantled Due to Weather + Russian President Offers Ukraine Ceasefire - with Conditions + Greece Considers Procurement of Precision Strike Missiles + V22 Osprey Fleet Limited Flight Status until '25 + More Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Gaza Pier Dismantled Due to Weather.
US CENTCOM Statement: "After the period of expected high seas, the pier will be rapidly re-anchored to the coast of Gaza and resume delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza."
2. Washington Post Report: Since 07 October 2023, US has assisted Israel with intelligence via drone footage, satellite imagery, communications intercepts, and data analysis using advanced software, some of which is powered by artificial intelligence.
3. Russian President Offers Ukraine Ceasefire - with Conditions. Russia ready to start negotiations if Kyiv begins withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and renounce plans to join NATO.
4. Sweden Military to upgrade their Trossbat Light Cable Boat Fleet.
Trossbat logistic vessels utilize water jet propulsion to maintain ammunition, water, and good supplies between warfighters and corresponding vehicles in shallow waters and areas close to land. The vessels can also be configured to carry larger containers and amphibious vehicles.
5. Greece (Hellenic Army) Considers Procurement of Precision Strike Missiles for their MLRS platforms.
6. US V22 Osprey Fleet under Limited Flight Status until 2025.
US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) chief Vice Admiral Carl Chebi:
“I will not certify the V-22 to return to unrestricted flight operations until I am satisfied that we have sufficiently addressed the issues that may affect the safety of the aircraft.”
7. US Senate Armed Service Committee (SASC) FY25 NDAA is $911.8 billion:
$878.4 billion for Department of Defense & $33.4 billion of defense-related activities for Department of Energy.
8. USAF (new) Air Force One platform (VC-25B) continues to run behind schedule.
First flight not expected until March 2026.

287: Hezbollah Rocket Assault in Response to IDF Targeted Strike + US - Ukraine Security Agreement + Germany Sends Patriot Missiles to Ukraine + Mobile Artillery Showcased at Eurosatory '24 + More Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Houthi forces strike cargo ship with two anti-ship cruise missiles in Gulf of Aden.
US CENTCOM statement: “Both missiles struck MV Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier."
2. Hezbollah Rocket Assault in Response to IDF Targeted Strike on high-level commander.
3. Report from Saudi Arabian news outlets (Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath):
Senior Hezbollah official killed in Southern Lebanon missile strike.
4. US - Ukraine Security Agreement provides for long-term cooperation on building up Ukraine’s current defenses, its future forces and its defense industry.
5. Germany Sends Patriot Missiles to Ukraine.
Three x Patriot systems are operational in Ukraine: two donated by Germany and one by the US.
6. Ukraine Main Directorate of Intelligence Chief (Kyrylo Budanov): The Russian Armed Forces have moved its S-500 air defense system to occupied Crimea.
7. White House releases statement concerning the HASC FY25 NDAA.
8. Mobile Artillery Showcased at Eurosatory '2024 in Paris- featuring at least 10 artillery systems.

286: Hamas Provides "Amendments" to Ceasefire Proposal + Russian Naval Action Group Operates off Florida's Atlantic Coast + Norway to Assemble Leopard Main Battle Tanks + More Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Hamas Provides "Amendments" to Ceasefire Proposal.
A Hamas spokesman said the response included “amendments that confirm the ceasefire, withdrawal, reconstruction and [hostage] exchange.”
2. Ukrainian Air Force Aviation Chief: Ukraine will station a "certain number" of F-16s outside Ukraine to prevent Russia from targeting them. These F-16s are separate from those Kyiv plans to deploy, as they can be used to replace damaged aircraft or train more Ukrainian pilots abroad.
3. Russian Naval Action Group Operates off Florida's Atlantic Coast. The Naval Group is bound for the Caribbean Region, with port calls likely in Cuba and possibly Venezuela.
4. Norway to Assemble Leopard Main Battle Tanks.
Under an agreement with Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Norway’s RITEK will become a subcontractor for the German tank maker.
5. Leonardo (Italy) and KNDS (France-Germany) end their partnership effort for the development and production of Leopard 2A8 MBTs.
6. Some information on the US House Appropriators FY25 Defense Spending Bill ($883 billion).
7. U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton (2) unmanned aerial vehicles deploy to Okinawa in support of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions around Japan’s southwest islands.
The Triton UAVs will be operate from Kadena Air Base until October 2024.

285: IDF Operation Arnon Details + UNSC Adopts Israel - Hamas Ceasefire Resolution + Israeli Roem/Sigma Automatic 155mm Mobile Howitzer + Some 90 Countries Will Attend Swiss Hosted Ukraine Peace Summit + More Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. IDF Operation Arnon Hostage Rescue Details.
2. UN Security Council Adopts US Sponsored - Israel - Hamas Ceasefire Proposal. 14 in Favor with 1 x Abstain (Russia).
3. Israeli Roem/Sigma Automatic 155mm Mobile Howitzer ready for fielding.
4. Around 90 Countries Will Attend Swiss Hosted Ukraine Peace Summit, (15-16 June).
Swiss officials say the conference aims to set a course toward “lasting peace” in Ukraine, to reach a “common understanding” toward getting there, and draw up the “roadmap” on how to get both sides involved in talks.
5. Ukraine helicopters to receive Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS), from Hensoldt. System components include the Missile Launch Detection Sensor, a Control and Display Unit, and an active confirmation system.
6. Royal Australian Navy to equip Destroyers & Frigates with Naval Strike Missiles.
7. US peer & near-peer threat are adroit at Electromagnetic Warfare (EW).
Great article from Breaking Defense on EW by Kollen Post: Inside Ukraine, Startups Try to Edge Russia in the EW Race.

284: IDF Rescues 4 Hostages (Alive) in Central Gaza + Latest US Security Assistance to Ukraine is Worth $225 Million + France to Provide Mirage 2000-5 Warplanes to Ukraine + US Gaza Pier Back in Operation + More Jun 08, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Gaza Pier Back in Operation.
2. IDF Rescues 4 Hostages (Alive) from Nuseirat, in Central Gaza.
3. Latest US Security Assistance to Ukraine is Worth $225 Million.
Includes air defense interceptors; artillery systems and munitions; armored vehicles; and anti-tank weapons.
4. France to Provide Mirage 2000-5 Warplanes to Ukraine. In addition, France will begin training pilots, with completion by the end of year. France will also propose to train and equip a brigade of 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers, according to French President (Emmanuel Macron).
5. Germany plans to procure 20 x Eurofighter Typhoon Jets- in an effort to fortify the European Defense Industry (German Chancellor Olaf Scholz).
6. NATO-member Finland has no plans to permanently station US or NATO troops- but supports multi-national training events- Finland's President Alexander Stubb.
7. USAF test-fires 2 x Minuteman II Missiles (unarmed). Both tests successful. Launched from Vandenburg Space Force Base in California, the reentry vehicle of each missile landed at the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
8. Australian Navy to develop 11 x general-purpose frigates to replace eight existing Anzac-class frigates.
Estimated commissioning of the first frigate is 2030.

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