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399: Israel - Hamas Ceasefire & Hostage Talks Continue + NATO Secretary General Pitches Increased Spending by Alliance Members + Greece Adds Rafale Fighters to Warplane Arsenal + More Jan 14, 2025

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For review:
1. Israel - Hamas Ceasefire & Hostage Talks Continue.
Key mediator Qatar it had presented both parties with a “final” draft of the agreement. Israel’s Channel 12 news reported Monday that Jerusalem considered it broadly acceptable. CNN cited an Egyptian official as saying the mediating countries — Qatar, Egypt, and the United States — had not yet received a response from Hamas.
2. NATO Secretary General (Mark Rutte) Wants Commitment for Increased Spending by Alliance Members.
Reuters reported on Monday that Secretary Rutte is of the view that new military capability targets could require members to commit to “as much as” 3.7 percent GDP.
3. Greece Adds Rafale Fighters to Warplane Arsenal.
The latest Rafale delivery supports Greece's goal to operate 200 x aircraft from the 4.5 and 5th generations comprising the F-16 Viper, F-35s, and the Rafales by 2030.
Greece now operates 24 x Rafale fighters.
4. USMC awards contract to integrate the Forterra autonomy package on JLTVs in support of the ROGUE Fires Vehicle & NMESIS program.
NMESIS = Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System.
5. US Navy Vice Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral Jim Kilby) makes a statement at the annual Surface Navy Association symposium regarding the downing of the F/A-18 by friendly fire, in December 2024.
6. Secretary of Defense Nominee Pete Hegseth appears before the Senate Armed Service Committee for confirmation hearing.

398: Israel Strikes Targets Amid Hezbollah Threat + Russia Transferring Materiel from Syria to Libya + After GAO Protest Ruling - US Army Restarts Work on Fixed-Wing ISR Program + More Jan 12, 2025

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For review:
1. Israel Strikes Targets Amid Hezbollah Threat.
Israel says that before the strikes, it made the threats known to an international mechanism set up as part of the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, but “the threats weren’t addressed.”
Israel struck several Hezbollah targets, including a rocket launcher, an unspecified military site, and “routes along the Syria-Lebanon border used to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah.”
2. Governance row between two main Palestinian groups- Hamas and Fatah- plays out in West Bank.
3. Russia Transferring Materiel from Syria to Libya.
On December 18- the Wall Street Journal, citing Libyan and American officials, said there had been a transfer of Russian radars and defense systems from Syria to Libya, including S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft batteries.
4. Russia claims advances in the Donetsk and Kharkiv Regions.
5. Ukraine claims that it has captured two wounded N. Korean Soldiers in Russia's Kursk Region.
6. After GAO Protest Ruling - US Army Restarts Work on Fixed-Wing ISR Program.
7. US Army Launched Effects (LE) program.
Launched Effects is the Army's term of art for an unmanned segment among its aerial platforms, capable of delivering a wide range of capabilities such as targeting, reconnaissance, surveillance, network extension or kinetic strike.

397: Israel Responds to Houthi Drone & Missile Attacks - IDF Strikes Houthi Coastal Ports and Sanaa Powerplant + Iranian Media: Military to Field 1000 Strategic Drones + France's Defense Exports are Second Largest in the World + More Jan 10, 2025

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For review:
1. Israel Responds to Houthi Drone & Missile Attacks - IDF Strikes Houthi Coastal Ports and Sanaa Powerplant. The Israel Defense Forces said over 20 IAF aircraft — including fighter jets, refuelers and spy planes — participated in the Israeli strikes.
2. Iranian Media: Military to Field 1000 Strategic Drones.
Reportedly the unmanned aerial vehicles to be delivered include Ababil-4 and Ababil 5, which serve multipurpose missions from reconnaissance, patrolling and combat operations.
3. UK Defense Ministry Release: The Ukraine Defense Contact Group - Drone Capability Coalition (led by UK & Latvia), will deliver 30,000 drones to Ukraine.
These state-of-the-art, first-person view drones will help Ukraine fight against Russian aggression, allowing Ukraine’s Armed Forces to manoeuvre past Russian air defences to target enemy positions and armoured vehicles.
4. Serbia looks to countries other than Russia- for defense materiel (France, Israel, & China).
Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces: "When it comes to weapon deliveries from the Russian Federation, they are currently practically impossible."
5. France's Defense Exports are Second Largest in the World. In the 2019-2023 period- France was the second-largest arms shipper, after the United States, accounting for 11% of global arms exports, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
6. Indo-Pacific countries are taking steps to improve their amphibious capabilities (Japan; Philippines; Australia; & India).
7. An Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition survey says that US Navy multi-ship buys lead to immediate benefits.
Under multi-ship buys, the Navy and defense shipbuilding industry agree on the prices of multiple ships years in advance and within the same contractual agreement.

396: Lebanon's Lawmakers Elect New President + Latest US Security Package to Ukraine Worth $500 Million + Armor Not Dead: Sweden Procures New Leopard Tanks & Upgrades CV90 Combat Vehicles + More Jan 09, 2025

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For review:
1. Lebanon's Lawmakers Elect New President.
Lebanon’s lawmakers elected on Thursday army chief Joseph Aoun as president on Thursday. Under multi-confessional Lebanon’s power-sharing system, the president must be a Maronite Christian, as do military chiefs.
2. Iran's former top General Officer in Syria conducts Q & A session at Tehran mosque.
Brigadier General Behrouz Esbati provided information and answered questions about operations in Syria and attacks against the US and Israel.
3. Latest US Security Package to Ukraine Worth $500 Million.
The package includes missiles for air defense; air-to-ground munitions; and equipment to support Ukraine's use of F-16s.
4. In Germany, Ukraine's allies meet at the 25th Ukraine Defense Contact Group- notable as this is the last meeting with US Secretary of Defense (Lloyd Austin) under the Biden Administration.
5. Armor Not Dead: Sweden Procures New Leopard Tanks & Upgrades CV90 Combat Vehicles.
The armor deal covers 44 new Leopards and upgrades for 66 older Leopard 2 tanks. The new tanks are set to begin delivery in 2028, with all units expected to be in service by 2031. In addition, Sweden has approved the renovation of 90 existing CV90 combat vehicles, set to be completed by 2030.
6. Australia procures 40 x Bushmaster Combat Vehicles for the 2d Long Range Fires Regiment. The new Bushmasters will provide C2 capabilities for the Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM) or Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 contract, to be awarded by the end of this year.
7. US President-elect Trump's nominee for the Secretary of Defense (Pete Hegseth)- goes to Capitol Hill next Tuesday to begin the confirmation hearing process before the Senate Armed Service Committee.

395: Iran Conducts Air Defense Drills near Nuclear Site + Germany to Procure PULS Rocket Artillery System + N. Korea Test Launches Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile into Sea of Japan + More Jan 07, 2025

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For review:
1. Iran Conducts Air Defense Drills near Nuclear Site.
Iran’s military has begun drills focusing on air defenses near the Natanz nuclear enrichment plant in the center of the country as part of exercises planned nationwide, state media reported on Tuesday.
2. US State Department moves $95 million of assistance designated for Egypt and $7.5 million dollars of assistance designated for Israel to Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces, in support of the ceasefire agreement.
3. Germany to Procure PULS Rocket Artillery System.
The German armed forces, can spend roughly €65 million, or $68 million USD, on five systems. PULS = Precise and Universal Launching System.
4. N. Korea Test Launches Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile into Sea of Japan.
Japan Defense Minister Gen Nakatani: “Further details, including whether the missile was a hypersonic weapon, are still under analysis.”
5. The Pentagon awarded defense-technology firm Kratos a contract worth up to $1.45 billion in support of Hypersonic Missile development and testing. This effort is led by the Pentagon’s Test Resource Management Center and the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division.
6. During a radio interview- President-elect Donald Trump discusses requirements creep as related to the US Navy’s Constellation-class frigate program.

394: Iran: Future Attacks by Israel Could Lead to Full War + IDF May Extend 30 Days in S. Lebanon Based On Delayed LAF Deployment + US Army Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon Effort + More Jan 05, 2025

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For review:
1. Iran: Future Attacks by Israel Could Lead to Full War.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: “We are fully prepared for the possibility of further Israeli attacks. I hope Israel will refrain from taking such reckless action, as it could lead to a large-scale war.”
2. IDF May Extend 30 Days in S. Lebanon Based On Delayed LAF Deployment.
The IDF was gearing up for the possibility that troops would stay beyond the 60-day period (outlined in the ceasefire agreement) as the Lebanese army is currently deploying too slowly to the southern Lebanon area, allowing Hezbollah time to regroup.
3. Russia vows to retaliate after Ukraine ATACMS strike in Belgorod.
4. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet with President-elect Donald Trump soon after inauguration.
5. US Army Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon Effort.
The Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office “has a requirement to develop and deliver a full Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) Battery no later than Q4FY27 followed by an operational demonstration in FY28.
A full MDACS battery consists of eight Multi-Domain Artillery Cannons, four Multi-Function Precision Radars, two Multi-Domain Battle Managers, and separately, no less than 144 Hypervelocity Projectiles.”

393: IDF Releases Details from September 2024 Commando Raid in Syria + Senegal to Remove Foreign Military Presence in 2025 + Russian Navy Accepts 5th Yasen-class Nuclear Attack Sub + More Jan 02, 2025

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For review:
1. Israel to send Team to Qatar for Hostage Negotiations.
The Prime Minister’s Office said that “Netanyahu authorized a working-level delegation from the Mossad, Shin Bet and IDF to continue negotiations in Doha.”
2. IDF Releases Details from September 2024 Commando Raid in Syria.
The raid — dubbed internally by the Israel Defense Forces “Operation Many Ways” — was aimed at destroying an underground facility used by Iranian forces to manufacture precision missiles for Hezbollah in Lebanon and for the Assad regime in Syria.
3. Senegal to Remove Foreign Military Presence in 2025.
Senegal's President (Bassirou Dioumaye Faye): “I have instructed the minister for the armed forces to propose a new doctrine for cooperation in defence and security, involving, among other consequences, the end of all foreign military presences in Senegal from 2025.”
4. Russian Navy Accepts 5th Yasen-class Nuclear Attack Sub.
The Attack boat Arkhangelsk was turned over to the Russian Navy on Dec. 27 in a ceremony at the Sevmash shipyard on the White Sea just south of the Arctic Circle. The 13,800-ton Yasen-Ms can field the 1,000-mile range 3M-54 Kalibir NK land attack cruise missile, the P-800 Oniks anti-ship missile, and the 3M-22 Zircon hypersonic anti-ship cruise missiles.
5. China sanctions US Defense companies over arms sales to Taiwan.
They will be prohibited from import and export activities or making new investments in China, while their senior managers will be banned from entering the country, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday.

392: US CENTCOM Forces Strike Houthi Rebel Targets + Israeli Ambassador to UN Gives Last Warning to Houthis + Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $1.25 Billion + More Dec 31, 2024

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For review:
1. US CENTCOM Forces Strike Houthi Rebel Targets.
On Dec. 30 and 31, US Navy ships and aircraft targeted a Houthi command and control facility and advanced conventional weapon (ACW) production and storage facilities that included missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).
2. Israeli Ambassador (Danny Danon) to UN Gives Last Warning to Houthis.
“To the Houthis, perhaps you have not been paying attention to what has happened to the Middle East over the past year. Well, allow me to remind you what has happened to Hamas, to Hezbollah, to Assad, to all those who have attempted to destroy us. Let this be your final warning,” Danon told the UN Security Council.
3. Latest in Israel - Hamas Hostage Negotiations. Israel & Hamas disagree on number of living Hostages to be released.
4. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $1.25 Billion.
In addition, the US Treasury Department meanwhile announced the disbursement of $3.4 billion in direct budgetary support for Ukraine.
5. Greece to provide 24 x Sea Sparrow Missiles to Ukraine.
The missiles are part of a broader defense package for Ukraine, including artillery shells, weaponry, and ammunition.
6. Russian Foreign Minister (Sergei Lavrov) on President-elect Trump Peace proposal: “Of course, we are not satisfied with the proposals being voiced by representatives of the president-elect to postpone Ukrainian NATO membership for 20 years and to send to Ukraine a peacekeeping contingent of ‘British and European forces,'” Lavrov said.
7. Turkish Drone Maker Baykar purchases Italian aviation firm Piaggio Aerospace.

391: Details Released on the Haniyeh Assassination + IDF Operations from Neztarim Corridor + Finland Seizes Tanker from Undersea Cable Incident + China's Amphib Assault Ship Can Launch & Recover Fighters + More Dec 29, 2024

Show notes

For Review:
1. Details Released on the Haniyeh Assassination.
2. IDF Operations from Neztarim Corridor.
3. Finland Seizes Tanker from Undersea Cable Incident.
4. Finland to increase defense spending to 3.3% GDP by 2032. Currently, Finland spends 2.4% of GDP on defense- well above the NATO mark of 2%.
5. China's Amphib Assault Ship Can Launch & Recover Fighters.

390: Another Round of IDF Strikes on Houthi Targets + Mossad Chief: We Need to Go Head to Head with Iran + Slovakia to Procure Barak Air Defense Systems + Australian Air Force Receives Final Batch of F-35A Warplanes + More Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Another Round of IDF Strikes on Houthi Targets.
The targets included “infrastructure used by the Houthi terror regime for its military activities” at Sanaa International Airport, and the Hezyaz power plant just outside the Houthi-controlled capital.
2. Mossad Chief: We Need to Go Head to Head with Iran.
3. Slovakia to Procure Barak Air Defense Systems.
4. Report: Russian Naval Vessels departing Syria for Libya. Italy concerned.
5. Netherlands to procure anti-drone systems to defeat small unmanned aircraft systems.
6. Australian Air Force Receives Final Batch of F-35A Warplanes.

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