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263: Israel: Make Hostage Deal or Rafah Operation + Latest US Security Package to Ukraine is Record $6 billion + Russia Producing War Materiel Beyond Need of Frontline Use + More Apr 28, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel to Hamas: Make Hostage Deal or Rafah Operation.
2. Latest US Security Package to Ukraine is Record $6 billion. Includes additional Patriot interceptors, HIMARS munitions, cannon artillery munitions (152mm & 155mm), UAS, and UAS Components, among other materiel.
3. AP Report: Ukraine removes US M1A1 Abrams tanks from front line duty due to drone and UAV threat. 5/31 tanks have been destroyed since arriving in September 2023.
4. France and Germany officially sign agreement on Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).
French Defense Minister (Sebastien Lecornu): “the future of the tank and not the tank of the future” had been “at the heart” of the negotiations “because we both need the same tank by 2040.”
5. German Defense Minister (Boris Pistorius): Russia is producing weapons and equipment beyond the need of frontline duty in Ukraine.
UK Intelligence Report: Russia has the industrial capacity to produce at least 1,200 tank per year.
6. Sweden to increase defense spending to 2.6% GDP by 2030. Proposal to create 3 x Mech Infantry Brigades, 1 x Infantry Brigade, & 1 x Infantry Regiment.
7. What is the Army Aviation Strategy after the Future Recon Attack Aircraft (FARA) Program cancellation?
8. US Army continues development of Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) program.
First Unit Equipped planned for 2026.
9. Sikorsky plans to compete in the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) effort. Also in the mix:- Bell & Leonardo (teaming) and Airbus.

262: IDF Ready for Rafah Operation + Latest US Security Package to Ukraine worth $1 billion + US Army to Restructure Aviation Brigades + More Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine is worth $1 billion. Includes Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, air defense interceptors, artillery rounds (155mm & 105mm), armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons.
2. US quietly shipped the long-range variant Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to Ukraine in March 2024. Range up to 300 kilometers.
3. IDF Ready for Rafah Operation. No timeline given. IDF ready at moment it receives approval. Pre-positioning Brigades in support of operation.
4. Latest on the US Gaza Pier Effort.
US Official: Gaza militants attack with mortars “marshalling yard area for humanitarian assistance that will soon be delivered by sea." The attack does not delay efforts for the maritime corridor, and effort is still on schedule to begin initial operations in early May, the military official said.
5. US Army to Restructure Aviation Brigades.
6. US Army moving forward with CH-47 Chinook modernization. Army anticipates full rate production contract for CH-47 Block II aircraft in late 2025.
7. Textron Bell to deliver Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), V-280 Valor, to US Army in 2026.
First Unit Equipped planned for 2031.

EP 261: IDF Restructures Tank Battalions + Army Mobile Protected Firepower M10 Booker Delivered for Testing + UK to Increase Defense Spending to 2.5% GDP by 2030 + Air Defense Systems to Ukraine + More Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. IDF restructures Tank Battalions.
2. Iran claims the the latest variant of the Bavar-373 Long-Range Air Defense Systems can defeat Stealth Aircraft. The systems employs the Sayyad-4B as the missile interceptor.
3. Germany to deliver the 4th IRIS-T SLM (Medium-Range) Air Defense System to Ukraine later this month.
4. Netherlands to invest $224 million in Ukraine Air Defense initiatives.
Netherlands Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren: “Air defense equipment and artillery ammunition are desperately needed in Ukraine. The situation threatens to become critical.”
5. Spain to procure a fifth NASAMS from Kongsberg in a $438 million deal.
NASAMS = National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems.
6. Lockheed Martin announces partnership with Spanish Firm (Grupo Oesia), to enable potential production of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) components in Spain.
7. UK to Increase Defense Spending to 2.5% GDP by 2030.
8. China's new H-20 Stealth Bomber to be unveiled soon. Reportedly, the H-20 is similar to the USAF B-21 Raider Bomber.
9. US Army Mobile Protected Firepower - M10 Booker - has been delivered for testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
10. The new Marine One Helicopter (VH-92 Patriot), scorches the White House South Lawn's landing/pick-up zone. The V-92 is restricted from moving the President from this location. The older, VH-3D Sea King helicopter still performs this duty.

260: Follow-Up Report: Iran S-300 Radar System Damaged from 19 Apr Strike + US to Withdraw from Niger Drone Base + US House Passes Ukraine - Israel - Indo Pacific Aid Bills + More Apr 21, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. 19 April- Iran backed Armed Group base struck south of Baghdad. US and Israel deny involvement.
2. Follow-Up Report: Iran S-300 Radar System Damaged from 19 Apr Strike.
3. In address to Israel- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to strike Hamas- "with additional painful blows" - hinting at Rafah Operation.
4. US to Withdraw from Niger Drone Base. The base- in the city of Agadez- was used for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations.
5. Russia increases presence in Eastern Libya.
6. Russian forces receive latest tranche of SU-35S warplanes from Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (United Aircraft Corporation).
7. Poland to join German-led European Sky Shield Initiative.
Initiative's objective: Improve the interoperability of air defense systems and streamline joint procurement of capacities across the continent.
8. US House Passes Military Aid Bills. Next step- US Senate.
Ukraine: $48 billion.
Israel: $14 billion.
Indo-Pacific: $4 billion.

259: Missile Strike on Air Defense Radar Site inside Iran + US & Israel Still Apart on Rafah Operation + Ukraine Reports Downing a Russian TU-22M Bomber + US Army Names Multi-Domain Task Force Stations + More Apr 20, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Missile Strike on Air Defense Radar Site inside Iran. Reported location is town of Isfahan- 75 miles south of the Natanz nuclear enrichment complex.
2. After second meeting, US & Israel Still Apart on Rafah Operation. Third meeting planned.
3. Breaking Defense article (Agnes Helou)- lays out Iran's Air Defense Long-Range, Medium-Range, & Short-Range capabilities.
4. Ukraine Reports Downing a Russian supersonic TU-22M "Backfire" Bomber.
5. General Atomics pitches Gray Eagle Short Take-off & Landing (STOL) combat drone as potential solution for the Army's now cancelled Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Program. Still in development, the Gray Eagle STOL has the capability to carry a maximum payload of 16 Hellfire missiles
6. Pre-Decisional: The Army Names Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) Stations.
1st MDTF: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. (Indo-PACOM)
2d MDTF: Germany with some subordinate battalions at Fort Drum, NY. (EUCOM)
3d MDTF: Hawaii with some subordinate battalions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. (Indo-PACOM)
4th MDTF: Fort Carson, CO. (Indo-PACOM)
5th MDTF: Fort Liberty, NC. (Global Response?)

258: IDF Strikes Hezbollah Air Defense Site in NE Lebanon + Lithuania & Rheinmetall Partner to Build 155mm Munition Plant + Argentina Finalizes Purchase of F-16 Fighters from Denmark + US Army Procures More ENVG-Bs + More Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu: "Israel appreciates advice and suggestions (from Allies), nevertheless- Israel will make our own decisions."
2. IDF Strikes Hezbollah Air Defense Site in Northeast Lebanon.
3. US CENTCOM X:
16 Apr-CENTCOM Forces engaged two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas in Yemen.
4. US Secretary of Navy tells Senate Appropriations Committee that the Navy has fired over $1 billion in munitions during Middle East operations. These munitions include
SM-2s, SM-3s, and SM-6s (SM = Standard Missile).
5. US Navy Ship (USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo) returns to port in Jacksonville, Florida after catching fire enroute to Mediterranean Sea- in support of mission to build a temporary pier- to allow Humanitarian Aid into Gaza.
6. Czech Republic plan to provide 155mm artillery munitions to Ukraine continues progress. Czech government reports that it has secured 500,00 rounds, with first deliveries to Ukraine in June 24.
7. Lithuania & Rheinmetall Partner to Build 155mm Munition Plant.
8. Argentina Finalizes Purchase of 24 x F-16 Fighters from Denmark.
9. Lawmakers from Connecticut question Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky possible layoffs (400) due to the cancellation of the US Army Future Assault Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Program.
10. US Army to procure more Enhanced Night Vision Goggle- Binocular (ENVG-Bs) from L3 Harris in contract worth $256 million.

257: Israel Discusses Response to Iranian Attack & IDF Provides Target Options + Germany to Send Patriot ADA System to Ukraine + US Missile Defense Agency Selects Next Gen ICBM Interceptor + More Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
13-14 Apr: CENTCOM & EUCOM Forces engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen.
2. Israel Discusses Response to Iranian Attack & IDF Provides Target Options.
3. US CENTCOM & EUCOM Air, Ground, & Naval Assets assist Israel in repelling Iranian attack.
4. US Navy Guided-Missile Destroyers USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) & USS Carney (DDG-64) intercept Iranian ballistic missiles with SM 3s (Standard Missile) - first time these munitions have been used in combat.
5. Israeli F-35I Adir Fighters targeted at Nevatim Air Base in Southern Israel during Iranian strike. No reported damage to warplanes.
6. Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky, says the front-line situation is “deteriorating” along the frontier of the Eastern part of the country. Russian forces are moving toward the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region.
7. Russia reportedly creates new Corps-sized "Operational Strategic Group" named Sever (North in Russian) for operations in Ukraine.
This unit will join five other Strategic Groups- Center, South, West, & Dnipro.
8. Germany to send Patriot Air Defense Artillery System to Ukraine.
9. US Missile Defense Agency Selects Next Generation ICBM Interceptor (Lockheed Martin).
10. US Army deploys the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) to Philippines (from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA). Unit is equipped with the Mid-Range Capability Launcher that employs the SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles.
Mid-Range Capability fills ranges between the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) (500 kilometers) and the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) (2,776 kilometers).

256: Iran Attacks Israel with Missiles & Drones + Iran IRGC Seizes Commercial Vessel near Strait of Hormuz + Germany to Provide Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine + Lockheed Hypersonic Missile (Mako) + More Apr 14, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Navy Special Operations Forces from the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized a commercial vessel (container ship MSC Aries) with ties to Israel, near the Strait of Hormuz.
2. Iran Attacks Israel with Missiles & Drones. Retaliation for Damascus strike in early April.
3. Russian President (Vladimir Putin) comments on upcoming round of Peace talks in Switzerland- without Russian invitation or attendance.
Quote from Russian President: "Moreover, they think there is nothing for us to do there, but at the same time they say that’s it’s impossible to decide anything without us. It would have been funny if it weren’t so sad.”
4. US European Combatant (EUCOM) Commander (General Christopher Cavoli): Ukraine is outgunned. For every artillery shell (round) it fires, Russia returns five.
5. Germany to send 20 x Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine.
The German 2024 Budget allows for $8.5 billion in assistance to Ukraine.
6. UK Navy to have Direct Energy Weapons by 2027.
7. US EUCOM Unfunded Priority List is $141 million.
Main priority is US Air Force’s base defense network, allowing it “to detect and identify cruise missiles, large, and small unmanned aerial systems, and other incoming attacks.”
8. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Unfunded Priority List is $500 million.
Main priority is $219 million to “support a layered base defense configuration” involving a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), interceptors, radars and other “short-range air defense equipment to counter” small- to medium-sized drones.
9. Lockheed Martin says that their Hypersonic Missile (Mako) is ready now.
Lockheed’s Senior Program Manager: this is a multi-mission, highly capable system, highly survivable, affordable, so you’re going to hold many targets at risk with one weapons system that’s ready now.”

255: Israel Defense Minister: IDF Ready to Respond Any Scenario + US Donates Brigade's Worth of Seized Arms & Ammo to Ukraine + Greece Prepared to Transfer F-16s to Ukraine + Serbia to Procure Rafale Warplanes from France + More Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

1. US CENTCOM X:
09 Apr- US transfers an Infantry Brigade's worth of seized arms and ammunition to Ukraine. It includes over 5,000 x AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s- and over 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
09 Apr- USS Mason (DDG 87) successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen over the Gulf of Aden.
10 Apr- CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
10 Apr- CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed eight UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
2. Israel Defense Minister (Yoav Gallant): IDF Ready to Respond Any Scenario.
Israel has been on high alert amid Iranian officials’ promises of revenge for a Damascus airstrike.
3. US believes a major Iranian attack on Israel is imminent and could happen in the coming days. Iran could launch strikes involving high-precision missiles and drones targeting military and government sites in Israel (Bloomberg).
4. Greece Prepared to Transfer 32 x F-16C/D Fighters to Ukraine- and possibly 24 x Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 warplanes as well.
5. Russia is developing more lethal ammunition based on its study of NATO combat vehicles captured in Ukraine.
6. Serbia to Procure 12 x Rafale Warplanes from France.
7. Update on key USAF Modernization programs: B-21 Raider Bomber & LGM-35A Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)- (replacement for the LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM).
8. Follow-up on previous story about factors contributing to the US Navy's Columbia-Class Submarine (District of Columbia - SSBN-826) delivery schedule.

254: IDF Departs Gaza - Leaves 1 x Brigade + IDF Creates New UAV Squadron + Poland Creates Drone Component + Canada to Increase Defense Spending + More Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
06 Apr- CENTCOM Forces destroyed one mobile surface-to air missile system in Houthi controlled territory of Yemen. CENTCOM Forces also shot down one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the Red Sea.
08 Apr- CENTCOM Forces destroyed an air defense system with two missiles ready to launch, a ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, and one unmanned aerial system.
2. Leaders of Egypt (President El-Sissi), France (President Macron), and Jordan (King Abdullah) call for cease fire, release of hostages, and increase in humanitarian aid in a Washington Post OpEd.
3. IDF Departs Gaza - Leaves One Brigade.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: "the point of withdrawing troops from the Strip was to prepare for the expected offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah."
4. IDF Creates New UAV Squadron.
Purpose: Carry out tasks of intelligence gathering, recording aerial footage, and strikes in cooperation with the ground forces in ground operations.
5. Poland creates Drone Component and plans to incorporate UAVs at all levels.
6. Canada to Increase Defense Spending. Increase still short of the 2% GDP encouraged by NATO.
7. US Navy & USMC Study.
Purpose: "Study amphibious warship readiness and how the services can get ahead of ship maintenance challenges."
8. AUKUS Members ok for Japan to join as Pillar II Tech partner.
Pillar II tech partner "covers a collection of new defense technologies, as opposed to the nuclear-submarine portion of the security agreement."

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