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389: Israel Opposition Leader: Target Iran Directly + Philippines Wants to Acquire US Army Mid-Range Fires Capability + US & Japanese V-22 Ospreys Cleared to Fly After Required Inspections + More Dec 23, 2024

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For review:
1. Israel Opposition Leader: Target Iran Directly.
Faced with Houthi attacks from Yemen and dangers posed by other Iranian proxies, Israel “must target Iran directly,” opposition politician Benny Gantz declared on Monday. Mr. Gantz stated that “the solution to putting an end to the attacks lies in Tehran.”
2. US President-elect Donald Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a meeting to discuss Ukraine conflict soon after his (Trump) return to office.
3. Italy to procure 24 x Eurofighter Typhoons.
The new jets will be equipped with advanced avionics and enhanced weapon systems capable of operating Brimstone III and Meteor missiles.
4. Philippines Wants to Acquire US Army Mid-Range Fires Capability.
The system is intended to hit targets at ranges between the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) – and the developmental Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system.
5. US & Japanese V-22 Ospreys Cleared to Fly After Required Inspections.

388: Israel Turns Attention Toward Houthis + US Authorizes $571 Million in Military Assistance to Taiwan + US Army Self-Propelled Howitzer (155mm) Modernization + More Dec 22, 2024

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For review:
1. US Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen.
2. US Navy F/A 18F Super Hornet Downed by friendly fire over the Red Sea.
The Super Hornet, assigned to aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), was flying over the Red Sea when guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) fired upon it, according to the CENTCOM statement. The two pilots ejected safely, and were recovered.
3. Israel Turns Attention Toward Houthis.
The Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel in the past year.
4. US Authorizes $571 Million in Military Assistance to Taiwan.
The White House said in a brief statement that President Biden had authorized the drawdown "of up to $571.3 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan."
5. USAF study supports manned-6th Generation fighter- potentially in support of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
6. US Army Self-Propelled Howitzer (155mm) Modernization.

387: Israel Strikes Houthi Ports, Depots, & Power Stations + UK Troops in Ukraine for Training Mission? + Hanwha (S. Korea) Purchases Controlling Stake in Philly Shipyard + More Dec 19, 2024

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For review:
1. Israel Strikes Houthi Ports, Depots, & Power Stations.
Fourteen fighter jets, alongside refuelers and spy planes, flew some 2,000 kilometers in the early hours of Thursday morning and dropped over 60 munitions on Houthi “military targets,” the IDF said.
2. Russian President Putin addresses country during four-hour news conference- with broad range of topics.
The news conference saw Mr. Putin address a possible end to the war, as he said he is "ready to compromise" in possible talks with US President-elect Donald Trump.
3. UK Troops in Ukraine for Training Mission?
UK Forces could be sent to Ukraine to directly train soldiers there, the British defense secretary (John Healey) suggested — as he unveiled a further £225 million worth of weapons and other military gear for Kyiv.
4. Slovakia to purchase 12 x UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters.
5. Hanwha (S. Korea) Purchases Controlling Stake in Philly Shipyard.
6. USAF Secretary (Frank Kendall) has public disagreement with Elon Musk over the future of manned fighter aircraft. Secretary Kendall said Musk’s idea of a drone Air Force that can take the place of the current crewed fleet is still years away from having the necessary technology to work.
7. Senate Armed Service Committee Chairman (Senator Roger Wicker) to introduce legislation designed to streamline and improve the Department of Defense's Acquisition process.

386: IAEA Report: Iran has Enriched Uranium at Military Grade + Armor Not Dead: Lithuania to Procure Leopard 2 Tanks + US Navy & USMC LSM Program Stalled due to Cost + More Dec 17, 2024

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For review:
1. Israeli PM visits Mount Hermon on Syrian Side.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Tuesday that Israeli troops would remain stationed inside Syria for the foreseeable future.
2. New Syrian Leader (Abu Muhammad al-Julani) speaks with journalists- presents moderate proposals and ideas for new Syrian State.
Speaking to journalists at the prime ministerial headquarters in Damascus, Julani said rebel factions in Syria would be disbanded, and their fighters placed under the defense ministry. He played down the prospect of a Syria run by Islamic law, and vowed to protect minority rights. He also called for sanctions to be lifted so refugees can return.
3. International Atomic Energy Agency: Iran has Enriched Uranium at Military Grade.
According to an IAEA report, Iran has begun dramatically expanding its production of uranium enriched to near-weapons grade levels, collecting enough material for several bombs already.
4. Top Russian General Killed by Explosive in Moscow.
Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, Chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed outside an apartment building on along with his assistant.
5. Armor Not Dead: Lithuania to procure 44 x Leopard 2 Tanks- with the goal is to have the tanks by 2030. The Lithuanian government is calling the procurement, the single largest defense acquisition project in the country’s history.
6. Portugal to procure 12x A-29N Super Tucano Aircraft in a deal worth $210 million.
7. US Navy & USMC LSM Program Stalled due to Cost.
After receiving bids from industry, the Navy canceled the request for proposals for the Landing Ship Medium. While the USMC has pushed for a more affordable ship- built to commercial standards- the Navy’s requirements for improved survivability have increased the cost.

385: Israel - Hamas Potential Hostage Deal in Two Weeks + Japan to Purchase T-6 Texan Trainer Aircraft + Australia Test Fires Tomahawk Cruise Missile from Destroyer + More Dec 15, 2024

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For review:
1. Israel - Hamas Potential Hostage Deal in Two Weeks.
An unnamed Israeli official told the Israel Hayom daily on Sunday that a ceasefire-hostage deal will likely be completed by Hanukkah, which begins this year on the evening of December 25.
2. Hezbollah leader (Naim Qassem) acknowledges that the supply route from Iran- through Syria- to Lebanon, has been cut. “Yes, Hezbollah has lost the military supply route through Syria at this stage, but this loss is a detail in the resistance’s work,” Qassem said.
3. Kurdish-led forces in Syria (allied with the United States), accidently shot down a US MQ-9 Drone on Monday. Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces were conducting operations when they downed the MQ-9, a U.S. official familiar with the situation confirmed to Defense News.
4. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to procure more Avante 2200 Corvettes from Spanish-firm Navantia.
5. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warns European countries to prepare for war with a volatile Russia. Rutte listed a series of recent “hostile actions” by Russia against NATO allies, including cyber-attacks, assassinations, an explosion at a Czech ammunition depot, the jamming of radars in the Baltic region to disrupt air traffic, and the “weaponization” of migrants to destabilize Europe.
6. Japan to Purchase T-6 Texan Trainer Aircraft.
The Japanese government has selected the US-built basic trainer aircraft and associated ground equipment for its air force’s pilot training program.
7. Australia Test Fires Tomahawk Cruise Missile from Destroyer.
On Tuesday, Australia announced that destroyer HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41) conducted a successful first firing of an RGM-109E Tomahawk cruise missile off the US West Coast.

384: IDF Will Remain on the Syrian Side of Mount Hermon During Winter + Israel - Hamas Negotiations Show Encouraging Signs + Poland Establishes Drone Force + US Army Successful Hypersonic Missile Test + More Dec 13, 2024

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For review:
1. With lowered air defense threat in Syria, "air road" to Tehran less dangerous to Israeli Air Force. According to the IDF, the IAF destroyed 86% of the former Assad regime’s air defense systems across Syria, totaling 107 separate air defense components and another 47 radars.
2. IDF Will Remain on the Syrian Side of Mount Hermon During Winter.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Friday that he had ordered the military to prepare to stay atop the Syrian side of Mount Hermon during the coming winter months as Israel aims to prevent the border region from falling into the wrong hands following the ouster of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
3. Israel - Hamas Negotiations Show Encouraging Signs.
4. US President-elect Trump's national security team is meeting with Biden Administration as negotiations between Ukraine and Russia potentially appear on the horizon. President Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has held several conversations with his named successor, Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla.
5. Trilateral Nations- Japan, UK, and Italy- establish Joint Venture to manage and develop the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
GCAP aims to replace UK Royal Air Force and Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-2 combat jets. It is slated for entry to service in 2035.
6. Poland Establishes Drone Force.
Starting on 01 January 2025, the Drone Force will comprise aerial, land, naval surface, and underwater unmanned systems.
7. US Army Successful Hypersonic Missile Test.
On Thursday evening, Army released two announcements:
- It successfully tested a conventional hypersonic missile (in partnership with the Navy).
- It successfully launched a pair of Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 1 weapons from a HIMARS launcher.

383: In 48 Hours - IDF Destroys 70-80% of Assad Regime's Strategic Weapons + Poland PM: Russia - Ukraine Peace Talks This Winter + Dutch F-35s Intercept Russian Aircraft Near NATO Airspace + More Dec 11, 2024

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For review:
1. In 48 Hours - IDF Destroys 70-80% of Assad Regime's Strategic Weapons.
The airstrikes destroyed many long-range projectiles, Scud missiles, cruise missiles, coast-to-sea missiles, air defense missiles, fighter jets, helicopters, radars, tanks, hangars and more.
2. Poland PM: Russia - Ukraine Peace Talks This Winter.
Peace talks to end the war in Ukraine could begin this winter, Polish PM Donald Tusk said on Monday before holding talks with Volodymyr Zelensky in Warsaw.
3. Biden Administration pushes Ukraine to lower the Draft age to 18- to increase manpower for Ukraine's armed forces.
White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett in a statement said the administration will continue sending Ukraine weaponry but believes “manpower is the most vital need” Ukraine has at the moment.
4. Dutch F-35s Intercept Russian Aircraft Near NATO Airspace.
Amsterdam said the Russian systems involved in the first incident were an Antonov An-72 Coaler transport aircraft and a Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer tactical bomber. The second report was received in the afternoon of the same day, this time with an Ilyushin Il-20M spy plane.
5. US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) reports successful intercept of ballistic missile during Guam test.
From MDA release: During the “experiment,” the Aegis air defense system used a new AN/TPY-6 radar to track the target and a Vertical Launching System to fire a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA at an incoming, air-launched medium-range ballistic missile flying over the ocean near Andersen Air Force Base (Guam).
6. Opinion Article from Defense Post (Mark Fulton) concerning artillery lessons- learned from Ukraine.
Summary:
As militaries around the world rethink their artillery strategies, the lessons from Ukraine make one thing clear: success lies not in having the most advanced equipment but in striking the right balance between simplicity, efficiency, and sustainability.

382: IDF Deploys into Buffer Zone with Syria & Controls Strategic Mount Hermon + IDF Strikes Syrian Military Hardware Following Collapse of Assad Regime + US Strikes ISIS Targets in Syria + More Dec 09, 2024

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For review:
1. IDF Deploys into Buffer Zone with Syria & Controls Strategic Mount Hermon.
On Sunday, the IDF captured the Syrian side of strategic Mount Hermon, along with a buffer zone that has existed between the countries since the 1970s. The 235-square-kilometer demilitarized buffer zone was established in the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria, which concluded the Yom Kippur War, and has been manned for decades by UN peacekeepers.
2. IDF Strikes Syrian Military Hardware Following Collapse of Assad Regime.
On Sunday, the IAF hit advanced missile storage sites, air defense systems, and planes, helicopters, and tanks that belonged to the Assad regime’s military.
On Monday, Israeli planes bombed at least three major Syrian army air bases that housed dozens of helicopters and jets.
3. US Strikes ISIS Targets in Syria.
US Central Command said that its warplanes conducted “dozens” of airstrikes on more than 75 sites, including known “ISIS leaders, operatives and camps.”
The attacks used B-52 bombers, F-15 fighters, and A-10 Warthogs.
4. Russia to provide warplanes to N. Korea in return for troop combat deployment.
US Indo-PACOM Commander (Admiral Samuel Paparo): Russia has reached an agreement with North Korea to send MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter aircraft to Pyongyang in return for that nation deploying soldiers to help with Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
5. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes rare comment on troop causalities.
The Ukrainian President said that some 43,000 Ukrainian Soldiers have been killed and 370,000 injuries had been reported, since the war with Russia began in February 2022.
6. US Military pauses V-22 Osprey Fleet following near-accident at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.
The pause was recommended last week “out of an abundance of caution” by Vice Admiral Carl Chebi, the head of Naval Air Systems Command.

381: Qatar Returns as Mediator Between Israel & Hamas + Amid Fighting in Syria - IDF Reinforces Golan Heights + US Sec of Defense Announces $1 Billion in Security Aid to Ukraine + More Dec 07, 2024

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For review:
1. Qatar Returns as Mediator Between Israel & Hamas.
Unnamed source confirmed to The Times of Israel that Doha had quietly resumed its role as a mediator at the behest of officials from US President-elect Trump’s transition team.
2. Syrian rebel forces are closing in on the capital Damascus from the north, east, and south. CNN reported Saturday that the US was increasingly believing that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime could collapse within days.
3. Amid Fighting in Syria - IDF Reinforces Golan Heights.
IDF Chief of Staff (Lieutenant General Halevi): “We are very closely following what is happening. The main emphasis is to see the Iranian exit [from Syria]… and the second thing is to see the local elements taking over the area, what they are doing, how they behave, how they are deterred, and [making sure they] don’t get confused and turn in our direction."
4. US Sec of Defense Announces $1 billion in Security Aid to Ukraine.
This $988 million package will come from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, through which the US buys new equipment for Ukraine rather than shipping kit directly from American stocks.
5. BAE wins contract worth $2.5 billion to build CV90 Fighting Vehicles for Denmark and Sweden. Denmark has ordered 115 new CV9035 MkIIICs, and Sweden is acquiring 50 new vehicles.
6. The US House and Senate today released their compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act, with a $895.2 billion topline.

380: Egypt Proposals Hostage Deal to Hamas - Israel Open to Discuss + Israel Cautiously Observes Fighting in Syria + Latest US Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $725 Million + More Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Egypt Proposals Hostage Deal to Hamas - Israel Open to Discuss.
Reportedly, the proposal is not for an end to the war, but an extended ceasefire that will allow the elderly, children, women, ill and badly wounded hostages to be released.
2. Israel Cautiously Observes Fighting in Syria.
Statement from IDF: “The IDF will not allow a threat near the Syrian-Israeli border and will act to thwart any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel.”
3. Argentina and Israel sign accord to increase defense ties.
The agreement will involve a focus on joint projects “in cyber defense, unmanned aerial vehicles, border protection, satellite communications, and future government-to-government (G2G) contracts in light arms, light munitions, radios, and related equipment.”
4. Latest US Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $725 Million.
Package includes air defense capabilities; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; and anti-tank weapons.
5. Despite recent prospect of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a news outlet in an interview published Wednesday that Russia sees "no grounds for negotiations yet."
6. Australia down-selects two companies for development of general-purpose frigates- in program worth A$10 billion.
- Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS)
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
7. Australian leaning toward development of sovereign produced maritime mobile strike platform based upon Bushmaster system- equipped with two Naval Strike Missiles (StrikeMaster). The StrikeMaster is similar to the USMC- Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), which pairs Naval Strike Missiles with a modified unmanned Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.
8. President-elect Donald Trump selects Daniel Driscoll as the nominative Secretary of the Army. Mr. Driscoll served in the Army and deployed to Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division as a Cavalry Scout platoon leader.
9. USAF kicks the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) can (Program) down the road for the next administration to solve.
USAF Statement: “The Secretary of the Air Force will defer the Next Generation Air Dominance way ahead decision to the next administration, while the Department of the Air Force continues its analysis and executes the necessary actions to ensure decision space remains intact for the NGAD program.”

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