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253: Iran Army CoS: Damascus Strike Response "Maximum Damage" + IDF Creates Mountain Brigade + US Navy Report Identifies Ship Building Delays + Norway to Double Defense Spending by 2036 + More Apr 06, 2024

Show notes

For review
1. US Navy Report Identifies Ship Building Delays. Columbia-Class Submarine (12-16 month delay) and Constellation-Class Frigate (36 month delay) Programs are listed.
2. Iran Army Chief of Staff (General Mohammad Reza Zahedi) promises "maximum damage" in revenge for Damascus strike.
3. IDF destroys three Hamas tunnels- one of which entered hundreds of meter inside Israel.
4. Israel Opposition Leader (Yair Lapid) visits Washington to meet with US Senior Officials- Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, and Senate Majority Leader.
5. IDF Creates Mountain Brigade. Unit will operate in the Northern Border Area and fall under the 210th Division.
6. Ukraine Official- F-16 Fighter Jets no longer relevant for 2024 operations against Russia.
7. Poland and Italy not affected by F-35 deliveries. Poland to continue fighter purchases.
8. Norway to Double Defense Spending by 2036- from $8.75 billion in 2024 to over $17 billion in 2036.
9. UVision (Hero 120) and SAIC join to increase production of Hero-120 Loitering Munition systems.

252: Israel Readies for Possible Iranian Response to Damascus Strike + Russia - France Defense Ministers Phone Call + US Official: Russia Almost Reconstituted Militarily + Estonia to purchase Caesar 155mm Mobile Artillery + More Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
03 Apr- , USS Gravely (DDG 107) successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) and two unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen towards USS Gravely in the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. Additionally, CENTCOM Forces destroyed a mobile surface-to-air missile system in Houthi controlled territory.
04 Apr- CENTCOM Forces destroyed one anti-ship missile (ASM) in a Houthi-controlled territory of Yemen. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships.
2. Israel Readies for Possible Iranian Response to Damascus Strike.
3. US White House threatens change in support unless Israel changes approach to war against Hamas in Gaza. No details on what those changes might be.
4. Russia (Sergei Shoigu) - France (Sebastien Lecornu) Defense Ministers have phone call- first in almost two years.
5. During visit to India, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba discussed a possibility that Russia - Ukraine negotiations could be in the future.
6. US State Department Official, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kurt Campbell:
“We have assessed over the course of the last couple of months that Russia has almost completely reconstituted militarily.”
7. Denmark Government relieves Chief of Defense due to unreported readiness problems with Frigate Iver Huitfeldt during Red Sea combat deployment.
8. Germany to "overhaul" military command structure. Will combine two separate command centers into one operational command. In addition, Cyber & Information Domain will become a fourth arm of German defense- joining Army, Navy, & Air Force.
9. Estonia to purchase 12 x Caesar Mobile Artillery (155mm). Will be fielded to Artillery formation in the 1st Division.

251: US & Israel Continue to Disagree on Rafah Operation + Army Fields Next Gen Squad Rifle & Auto Rifle + Guam Air & Missile Defense + Germany orders new Panzerhaubitze 2000 (155mm) + More Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Army Fields Next Gen Squad Rifles & Automatic Rifles to 1-506 Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101 ABN Division (Fort Campbell, KY).
2. Strike in Damascus Kills 2 x IRGC Generals.
3. US and Israel continue to disagree on Rafah Operation.
4. Germany orders new 22 x Panzerhaubitze 2000 (155mm) from Rheinmetall in deal worth $145 million. First systems to arrive in mid-2025.
5. French manufacturer KNDS Nexter says that Caesar Mobile 155mm Howitzers have greater survival rate in Ukraine than other self-propelled or towed systems.
6. Guam Air & Missile Defense effort to have own Joint Program Executive Office- JPEO Guam Defense Systems. US Army's Rapid Capabilities & Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), will take lead.
7. US Army requests and receives (from Congress) the ability to have multi-year contracts on Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and Patriot Advanced Capability - 3 (PAC-3) munitions.
8. F-35A variant can now fly in lightning /thunderstorms after four year ban due to safety problem (now solved).

250: US Alternatives to IDF Rafah Ground Operation + US Arms Package to Israel includes F-35s + France & Denmark to deliver more Caesar 155mms to Ukraine + Argentina to buy F-16s from Denmark + More Mar 31, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. 1000 ton lift-capacity derrick barge Chesapeake- supporting Key Bridge salvage (Baltimore, Maryland)- linked to the Hughes Glomar Explorer CIA operation to recover Soviet submarine (K-129 sunk in 1968).
2. US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff (General Charles Brown) discusses Alternatives to IDF Rafah Ground Operation. They are: Secure Gaza border with Egypt with technological advances to prevent the smuggling of weapons through the Philadelphi Corridor, the isolation of the city of Rafah and the launch of targeted raids, and the establishment of a joint control room to coordinate on the targeted operations.
3. US Arms Package to Israel includes 1,800 x MK-84 2,000-pound bombs, 500 x MK-82 500-pound bombs, & 25 x F-35s.
4. Ukraine Top General Oleksandr Syrsky conducts interview- discusses munition shortages and consequences on military operations.
5. France & Denmark to deliver more Caesar 155mms (78) to Ukraine.
6. European Union to fund increased production of MBDA Enforcer shoulder-launched missile system.
7. With the addition of Sweden and Finland to NATO- US Army to study new Army Pre-positioned Stock locations in Europe. Current location are in Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium.
8. Argentina to buy 24 x surplus F-16s from Denmark in deal reportedly worth $320 million.
9. US Army continues Directed Energy air defense weapons development.
10. BAE develops vehicle top plate for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). This allows the placement of various turrets on the vehicle. Examples: Counter-UAS model, 30mm gun model, and turreted 120mm mortar model.

249: Potential Ukraine F-16 Basing in NATO Countries "Legitimate Target" (Russian President) + UK to Conduct Future Force Design Review + Is US Army Towed Artillery Dying? + US Army & Navy will Conduct Hypersonic Missile Test this Spring + More Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
27 Mar- US CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed four long-range unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.
28 Mar- US CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed four long-range unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen. (2d Day in a row).
2. Lebanon News Outlet via Times of Israel: Per Egyptian sources- IDF will conduct Rafah operation in April or May.
3. US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff (GEN Charles Brown) on military aid to Israel- "Although we’ve been supporting them with capability, they’ve not received everything they’ve asked for. Some of that is because they’ve asked for stuff that we either don’t have the capacity to provide or not willing to provide, not right now ."
4. Pakistan Day Parade in Islamabad (23 Mar) displays military hardware including VT-4 Main Battle Tank and the HQ-9/P Surface-to-air missile.
5. Potential Ukraine F-16 Basing in NATO Countries "Legitimate Target" (Russian President Vladimir Putin).
6. UK to Conduct Future Force Design Review. There are three core elements of the review: How Britain fights future conflicts; Any potential restructuring of the armed force; and Other “capability choices.”
7. France's Defense Minister (Sebastien Lecornu) motivates the French Defense Industry. "Expects some effort from industrialists."
8. Is US Army Towed Artillery Dying?
AFC Commander (GEN James Rainey): “I personally believe that we have witnessed the end of the effectiveness of towed artillery: The future is not bright for towed artillery.”
(is that yes?)
9. US Army & Navy will Conduct Hypersonic Missile Test this Spring.

248: US Sec Def to Discuss Rafah Operation Alternatives with Israel Def Minister + Lithuania Aid Package to Ukraine Worth $217 Million + Bradley Fighting Vehicle Active Protection System + US Army All Domain Sensing Cross Functional Team + More Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US announces that Israel is in compliance with new National Security Memorandum that assures all aid recipients act in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights laws. Announcement comes the same day as the UNSC Resolution 2728 Vote.
2. US Sec Def to Discuss Rafah Operation Alternatives with Israel Def Minister.
3. Canada House of Commons votes to pause exports of defense equipment to Israel. Defence Minister Bill Blair told reporters that the issuing of export permits for military shipments to Israel has been temporarily put on hold.
4. Pakistan employing "intel gathering ship" purchased from China in 2023. China is reported to instrumental in helping the Pakistan Navy modernize.
5. Lithuania Aid Package to Ukraine Worth $217 Million. Distribution will occur between 2024 through 2026. Includes ammunition, unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-drone equipment, and training and logistics support.
6. Saab to build new ground weapons and missile manufacturing facility in the US. Six unnamed locations are under consideration. Ground breaking in 2024 and production in 2026.
7. Bradley Fighting Vehicles to receive the Elbit Iron Fist Light Decoupled Active Protection System.
8. US Army creates the new All Domain Sensing Cross Functional Team (CFT) at Redstone, Alabama.
Will be created from the former Assured Positioning Navigation & Timing (APNT) CFT.

247: UNSC Resolution 2728 Passes (US Abstains) + Houthi Rebels Engage Chinese Ship in Red Sea + Spain to Provide More Leopard Tanks to Ukraine + US Army Next Gen Squad Weapon Ammo Plant + US Navy Unfunded Priority List + More Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Security Council passes Resolution 2728- demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and "the urgent need to expand the flow" of aid into Gaza. There were 14 votes in favor with the US abstaining. Ramadan ends o/a 09 April.
2. After UN Security Council Resolution passes, Israel cancels delegation to US for Rafah ground offensive discussions.
3. US CENTCOM X:
23 Mar- USS Carney (DDG 64), engaged six Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over the southern Red Sea. Five crashed into the Red Sea, and one flew inland into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
4. On 24 Mar, Houthi Rebels Engage Chinese Ship (M/V Huang Pu) in Red Sea. No casualties reported. Vessel continued voyage. Experts say likely a mistake.
5. Spain to provide 19 x Leopard 2 A4 tanks to Ukraine. Spain previously provided 6 x Leopards in 2023.
6. Estonia to provide a $22 million aid package to Ukraine. Package includes 155mm artillery munitions, anti-tank weapons, sniper rifles, and small-caliber ammunition.
7. UK developing sub-launched nuclear warhead to replace the Trident system. Program in parallel with US efforts.
8. US Navy FY25 Unfunded Priority list worth $2.2 billion. Includes improvements to the submarine industrial base, Standard Missile-2s, MK-48 torpedoes, and other materiel.
9. US Army to build Next Generation Squad Weapon ammunition plant (6.8mm) at Independence City, Missouri.

246: Russia-China-Algeria Veto US Sponsored UNSC Resolution + Morocco to Procure Javelin Missile Systems + Armor Not Dead: France & Germany Move Forward with Main Ground Combat System + US Congress Finally Passes Defense Bill + More Mar 23, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
21 Mar- Coalition aircraft successfully engaged and destroyed one unmanned surface vessel (USV) launched by Iranian backed Houthi terrorists. Additionally, coalition forces successfully engaged and destroyed two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists.
22 Mar- US CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defense. During this timeframe, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired four anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. Additionally, CENTCOM forces conducted self-defense strikes against three Houthi underground storage facilities in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen.
2. US Navy incorporating lessons learned from Red Sea operations into technology and training.
3. Russia-China-Algeria Veto US Sponsored UNSC Resolution. Guyana Abstains.
Draft Resolution called for “an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides”, facilitating “essential” aid delivery and supporting ongoing talks between Israel and Hamas militants to create a sustainable end to the hostilities, tied to the release of hostages.
4. Morocco to Procure US Javelin Missile Systems (612), in a deal worth $260 million.
5. Armor Not Dead: Germany & France Move Forward with Main Ground Combat System. System will replace Germany’s Leopard tanks and France’s Leclerc fleet sometime in the 2040s. Future system will incorporate level of innovation regarding connectivity, electronic warfare, drone integration, armor and self-defensive measures.
6. Armor Not Dead: Ukraine Defense Contact Group's Armor Coalition (led by Germany & Poland) officially launches on 26 March. Other partners include Italy, UK, and Sweden. One of eight capability coalitions. The other 7 are: Drone, Air Force, Artillery, Ground-based Air Defense, De-mining, Maritime Security, and Information Technology.
7. Armor Not Dead: Australia Defense Industry achieves $660 million export deal featuring over 100 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carriers. Vehicle are made in Queensland under Rheinmetall Australia.
8. US Congress Finally Passes FY24 Defense Bill. President to sign today?
9. US Army and US CENTCOM FY25 Unfunded Priority List.

245: IDF Rafah Preparations Will Take Time (Israel PM) + Bahrain to Procure M1Tanks + Czech-Led Artillery Munition Purchase Plan Making Progress + Indo-PACOM FY25 Unfunded Priorities + More Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
18 Mar- CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed seven anti-ship missiles, three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and three weapons storage containers in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defense.
19 Mar- Coalition aircraft successfully engaged and destroyed one unmanned aerial vehicle and CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed one unmanned surface vessel, both launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
20 Mar- US imposed sanctions on procurement networks based in Iran, Türkiye, Oman, and Germany that have acquired goods for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization, Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), the Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, and other U.S.-sanctioned entities that are part of Iran’s military-industrial base.
2. Work continues at Fort Eustis, Virginia on the causeway bound for the Gaza Humanitarian Support Mission (conducted by the US Army 7th Transportation Brigade).
3. IDF Rafah Operation Preparations Will Take Time (Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu).
4. Bahrain to Procure 50 x US M1Tanks in a $2.2 billion deal.
5. Czech-Led Artillery Munition Purchase Plan Making Progress , Several countries already pledging funds: Germany, France, Portugal, Sweden, Canada, Norway, and Netherlands.
6. US Indo-PACOM FY24 Unfunded Priority list is $11 billion. Priorities include Regional Infrastructure, Space-based capabilities, Long-Range munitions, and Guam Missile Defense.
7. Tranche 1 of the Pentagon's Replicator (All-Domain Uncrewed/Unmanned Autonomous System(s)) has at least 1 x Army submission (Switchblade 600?) and 1 x Navy- Uncrewed Surface Vessel.

244: Russia-China-Iran Conduct Naval Drills in Gulf of Oman + German Chancellor Visits Israel + EU Plan to Increase Artillery Munition Production + USAF Hypersonic Efforts + More Mar 17, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel targets Hamas senior leaders in precision strike operations. Israel sends negotiating team to Doha. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Israel- meets with Prime Minister.
2. Russia-China-Iran Conduct Naval Drills in Gulf of Oman.
3. EU Plan to Increase Artillery Munition Production.
4. USAF Hypersonic Efforts.
5. US Army FY25 Budget discusses new Air Defense effort:
the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS).
Description: MDACS will provide the Joint Force with defense of fixed and semi-fixed sites against cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft systems while significantly increasing magazine depth and reducing cost-per-engagement.

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