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329: IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostages Murdered by Hamas + Ukraine President Fires Senior Air Force Commander + Lithuania to Modernize Soldier Weapons & Equipment + More Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. According to final investigation report, the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May 2024, was caused by bad weather.
The main cause of the helicopter crash was the “complex climatic and atmospheric conditions of the region in the spring.”
2. IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostages Murdered by Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the ongoing failure to reach a ceasefire deal that would have secured their release while they were still alive.
3. Ukraine President Fires Senior Air Force Commander.
The Air Force Senior Officer was removed on Friday, four days after an F-16 warplane crashed during a Russian bombardment, killing the pilot.
4. F-35Bs assigned to Italian aircraft carriers reach Initial Operating Capability (IOC).
The F-35B fighter fleet achieved IOC four months ahead of schedule, and comprised a total of 2,600 flight hours and over 2,700 maintenance interventions.
5. Lithuania to Modernize Soldier Weapons & Equipment.
The Lithuanian government plans an investment of up to $1.33billion to equip its soldiers with modern weapons and equipment over the next decade.
The amount will be spent for the purchase of FN MINIMI 7.62 MK3 light machine guns, night vision devices, and laser sights.
6. Latvia's Ministry of Defense opens a new military facility that will support the NATO Multinational Brigade.
The $7.7 million facility incorporates armored vehicle storage and sustainment facilities to house allied tanks and other platforms.
7. US Army conducting study to gain lessons-learned ffrom the Gaza JLOTS pier deployment.
The mission's Senior Commander called the mission "the biggest organizational leadership challenge” he had ever experienced.

328: Israeli Security Cabinet Supports Remaining on Philadelphi Corridor + Qatar & Turkey Joint Air Force Squadron + UK New Medium Helicopter Program Has Only 1 x Bidder + More Aug 30, 2024

Show notes

For review.
1. USAID Report on Gaza Pier- available at USNI News.
2. Israeli Security Cabinet Supports Remaining on Philadelphi Corridor.
Israel's security cabinet voted Thursday to back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position in favor of maintaining IDF presence along the Gaza-Egypt border as part of any potential ceasefire and hostage release deal.
3. Qatar & Turkey Joint Air Force Squadron revealed on X by the Commander of the Turkish Air Force.
While the exact number and type of aircraft employed by the squadron were not publicized, a photo showed Turkish F-16s as well as Qatari Rafales and Eurofighter Typhoons.
4. Serbia to procure 12 x Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation to replace its MiG-29 fleet.
5. UK New Medium Helicopter Program Has Only 1 x Bidder - Leonardo Helicopters UK. Airbus and Lockheed Martin have both decided to withdraw from the UK’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) program ahead of a deadline.
6. US Army continues increasing the production of 155mm artillery munitions.
7. US Army awards Javelin Joint Venture partners Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, the largest single year contract in program history- $1.3 billion.
8. After Fixed-wing ISR Program (High Accuracy Detection & Exploitation System) contract award to Sierra Nevada- and barring any protest from former competitors- the US Army expects that work on first HADES plane will be completed by the end of 2025, with an operational assessment in 2026.

327: IDF Says 80% Tunnels Destroyed on Philadelphi Corridor - Rafah Brigade Collapsed + Poland Preparing to Receive F-35s + Thailand Leans Toward Saab's Gripen E/F Warplanes + More Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Among Hostage Negotiations, Israel PM faces tough decisions on status of Philadelphi Corridor.
2. IDF Says 80% Tunnels Destroyed on Philadelphi Corridor - Rafah Brigade Collapsed.
3. Israel & Hamas likely to agree to humanitarian truce for child polio vaccinations.
Unnamed Egyptian sources as expecting a truce to kick off within days, lasting through daylight hours for 3-5 days, excluding places in the Strip where the IDF is operating.
4. Russia reportedly facing challenges with SU-57 warplane production.
A new production plant has been opened aimed at scaling up the sluggish delivery tempo of these fifth-generation stealth warplanes.
5. Poland Preparing to Receive F-35s.
The first aircraft will then be delivered in-country in the 2026 timeframe, according to Lockheed Martin.
6. Thailand Leans Toward Saab's Gripen E/F Warplanes.
According to a statement posted to the Thai Air Force’s Facebook page, the Gripen has been identified as the “most suitable” option for modernizing its fleet.
7. US Army procuring 6 x Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher System (EAGLS)- counter UAS/Drone system. These systems will be fielded to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility.
8. Retired USMC Officer's website discusses and shares Warfighting Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) among the Infantry enterprise- with recent focus on operations in Ukraine.

326: US SEC DEF - 2 x US Carriers to Remain in CENTCOM AOR + North Korea Demonstrates Loitering Munitions that Curiously Resemble Israeli Design + Chinese Y-9 Aircraft Violates Japanese Airspace + More Aug 26, 2024

Show notes

For review.
1. Hezbollah attacks Northern Israel with missiles and drones in retaliation for strike on senior commander.
2. US SEC DEF: 2 x US Carriers to Remain in CENTCOM AOR.
With the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), there will now be 2 x aircraft carriers and their warships available for US Central Command.
3. US Israel - Hamas Hostage Negotiations.
A US official says that the hostage talks held in Cairo the past several days have been “constructive.”
Notably, US officials appear to be the only party in the talks who sound hopeful about their trajectory.
4. Norway and NAMMO collaborate to increase 155mm munition production domestically and in Ukraine. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Store: “This government has taken several measures to increase the production of artillery ammunition in Norway. At the same time, we see that it is important to strengthen the Ukrainians’ ability to produce modern artillery ammunition in Ukraine."
5. Turkey opens the world’s largest submarine floating dock with 3,000-ton lifting capacity. The dock is expected to be used as submarine maintenance and overhaul floating facility.
6. North Korea Demonstrates Loitering Munitions that Curiously Resemble Israeli Design. Experts said the drones in the images released by state media looked similar to the Israeli-made “HAROP” suicide drone and Israeli “HERO 30.”
7. Chinese Y-9 Aircraft Violates Japanese Airspace.
According to Japanese officials. a Chinese Y-9 electronic intelligence aircraft carried out a two-minute violation of the airspace over Japan’s territorial waters at the Danjo Islands in the East China Sea on Monday.
8. Hanwha (South Korea) opens new Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle production plant in Geelong, Victoria (Australia).
The facility will also support the manufacturing of Huntsman AS9 self-propelled howitzers and K10 armored ammunition resupply vehicles. Following its opening, the site is expected to support 2,100 jobs,

325: Israel & Hamas Negotiations Continue - No Deal Yet + Indian PM Visits Kiev - Encourages Dialogue + Germany to Station Combat Brigade in Lithuania by End of Decade + More Aug 24, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel & Hamas Negotiations Continue - No Deal Yet. Philadelphi Corridor still a sticking point.
Egypt-based Alghad TV reported Saturday, citing citing an unnamed informed source, that Israel had notified Cairo it was prepared to withdraw under a deal from five security points out of eight discussed along the Philadelphi Corridor. There was no other confirmation of the report.
2. Latest US Assistance Package to Ukraine is worth $125 million.
Included in this package are air defense capabilities; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; and anti-tank weapons.
3. Indian PM Visits Kiev - Encourages Dialogue.
India's Narendra Modi urged President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday to sit down for talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine and offered to help bring peace as the two leaders met in wartime Kyiv.
4. The Croatian Ministry of Defense has announced plans to acquire High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, for the country’s armed forces.
5. Germany to Station Combat Brigade in Lithuania by End of Decade.
Lithuania and Germany agreed in December 2023- to station 4,800 military and 200 civilian German personnel at the Rūdninkai Training Area in the country’s southeast.
6. Taiwan increase annual defense spending to 2.45% GDP. Objective is to attain 3% GDP in the future.
7. US Army awards Fixed-Wing ISR contract to Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC).
Under the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program, SNC will now be charged with integrating sensing technologies aboard the Bombardier Global 6500 business jet for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. SNC will largely carry out HADES work at the company’s facilities in Hagerstown, Md.

324: US Carrier Abraham Lincoln Arrives in CENTCOM AOR + IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostages in Khan Younis + Australia and Kongsberg to Build Joint & Naval Strike Missiles in New South Wales + More Aug 21, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Arrives in the Middle East according US Central Command. The Lincoln is set to relieve USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), which has been operating in the Middle East since June.
2. IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostage in Khan Younis.
3. Israel - Hamas Negotiations losing momentum.
4. Ukraine Kursk operation strengthens hand for potential Peace Talks. Russia not in the mood.
5. Germany lays out Ukraine war materiel for the remainder of 2024, and 2025.
Includes air defense systems, dozens of armored vehicles, rocket launchers, and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition.
6. Australia and Kongsberg to Build Joint & Naval Strike Missiles in New South Wales.
7. New Radar system (AN/TPY-6) heads to Guam in support of the strategic island's Air and Missile Defense Architecture.
8. Missile Defense Agency says the Long-Range Discriminator Radar (LRDR) to undergo further testing in 2025.
Built by Lockheed Martin, LRDR was fielded at Clear Space Force Station in central Alaska in late 2021, though the radar has not yet been operationally accepted by the US Space Force.

323: Israel Accepts US "Bridging Proposal" in Negotiations + Ukraine Destroys Key Bridges in Kursk Region + USMC Marine-One Helicopter First Flight with President + More Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Accepts US "Bridging Proposal" in Negotiations.
Statement from Israeli Prime Minister's Office:
“The Prime Minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to the current American proposal on the release of our hostages, which takes into account Israel’s security needs, which he strongly insists on."
2. Ukraine Destroys Key Bridges in Kursk Region.
This weekend, Ukraine destroyed a key bridge in the region and struck a second one nearby, disrupting supply lines as it pressed the Kursk incursion.
3. China alarmed at deployment of US Mid-Range Fire Capability in the Philippines.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, expressed China’s concern over the U.S. mid-range missile deployment to the Philippines.
4. China and Philippines continue to spar over disputed shoals in the South China Sea.
Philippine and Chinese Coast Guard vessels collided in the South China Sea near two disputed shoals on Monday morning in the latest encounter at sea between Manila and Beijing.
5. Latest US Foreign Military Sales:
- South Korea: 36 x AH-64E Apache Helicopters in deal worth $3.5 billion.
- Netherlands: CH-47 & AH-64 Helicopter training package in deal worth $305 million.
- Finland: M1156A1 Precision Guided Kits in deal worth $70 million.
- Australia: FGM-148F Javelin Missiles in deal worth $100 million.
6. USMC Marine-One Helicopter First Flight with President.
President Joe Biden on Monday took his first flight aboard the newest Marine One Helicopter (Sikorsky VH-92A Patriot) in Chicago, Illinois.

322: Israel - Hamas Negotiation Update + US Carrier & Guided-Missile Submarine Moving Toward CENTCOM AOR + AUKUS Countries Lower Arms Export Restrictions + More Aug 18, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Carrier (USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72) & Guided-Missile Submarine (USS Georgia SSGN-728) Moving Toward CENTCOM AOR.
2. Israel - Hamas Negotiation Update.
The US “bridging proposal” does not provide for an ongoing Israeli presence along the Gaza-Egypt border or for a mechanism in central Gaza to prevent the return of armed Hamas forces to the Strip’s north.
3. Bulgaria to procure IRIS-T Air Defense Systems in support of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The deal includes five additional IRIS-T SLM systems and one long-range IRIS-T SLX (Surface-Launched Extended-Range) system by 2032.
4. Australian Army Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles to receive vehicle display that hosts C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) applications. 129 x Redback IFVs ordered for the Army will be delivered by 2028.
5. French Navy Frigate FS Bretagne (D655) operates in the Indo-Pacific Region with naval forces from the US, Japan, and Philippines.
Royal Australian and US Navy Sailors to cooperate during a Submarine Tender Maintenance Period (STMP) over the next several weeks during a US submarine port visit at Stirling Naval Base in Western Australia.
6. AUKUS Countries Lower Arms Export Restrictions.
The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom have agreed to new rules for sharing arms — a major step to make their defense industries more accessible to one another.
7. US Navy to secure a Multi-ship procurement deal for 4 x amphibious ships.
The four ships that will be purchased under the deal are 3 x San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks (LPD-33 in fiscal 2025, LPD-34 in FY27, & LPD-35 in FY29) and 1 x amphibious assault ship (LHA-10 in FY27).

321: US President: Significant Progress on Negotiations + IDF Destroys Tunnels & Rehearses Long-Range Strikes + US Navy Installs Drone Control Room on Aircraft Carrier + IVAS Update + More Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US President: Significant Progress on Negotiations.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas were the most constructive that mediators had seen in months, a senior Biden administration official told reporters on Friday.
2. IDF Combat Engineers have destroyed over 50 tunnels along the Philadelphi Corridor. The IDF did not detail how many of the tunnels crossed into Egypt.
3. Israeli Air Force rehearse long-range strikes, employing F-35 and F-15 warplanes and Boeing 707 refueling Tankers.
4. Hezbollah release video showing lighted tunnel system with trucks, motorcycles, and missile launcher.
Titled “Our mountains are our storehouses,” the video shows a trapdoor opening and a missile launcher directed skyward.
5. New Iranian defense minister, Brigadier General Aziz Nazirzedah, has ambitious defense modernization strategy.
Defense Minster's aim is to expand the aerospace, naval, missile and air defense sectors- as well as increase Iranian defense exports to neighboring countries, Latin America, and Africa.
6. US Foreign Military Sales include:
- Germany: 600 x Patriot missiles and related equipment worth $5 billion.
- Italy: 6 x Block 5 MQ-9 Reaper Drones worth $738 million.
- Denmark: 5,832 x M1156 Precision Guided Kits (for 155mm artillery munitions), worth $85 million.
7. Japanese Coast Guard to procure 2 x MQ-9B, Sea Guardian Drones from General Atomics. The Sea Guardian is a medium-altitude, long-endurance system that can fly for 24 hours or more.
8. US Navy Installs Drone Control Room on Aircraft Carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)- to support MQ-25A Stingray tanker and ISR Drones.
The control system was developed by the Navy and includes capabilities from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works.
9. Latest update in the US Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program. Over the past year, Army leaders have teased a “IVAS Next” initiative.
The Army could make a decision to recompete the prime contractor position- according to multiple sources.

320: IDF Division Commander Discusses Gaza Operations + China Urges De-Escalation after Kursk Incursion + Norway to Procure M142 HIMARS + Poland Signs Deal for AH-64E Apache Helicopters + More Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. President Biden hopeful that successful negotiations between Israel & Hamas will stave off Iran retaliatory strike.
President Biden was asked by reporters if he expected Iran to hold off on a retaliatory strike if a deal is reached. “That’s my expectation,” the President replied.
2. IDF 98th Division Commander Discusses Gaza Operations, including mission where the IDF was "minutes" from capturing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Brigadier Gen. Dan Goldfus said: “We were close. We were in his compound. We got to an underground compound. It was ‘hot.’”
3. US clears $20 billion worth of Foreign Military Sales to Israel. Includes:
F-15 warplanes, 120mm Mortar Rounds, and 120mm Tank Munitions, plus other materiel.
4. China Urges De-Escalation after Kursk Incursion. China on Monday urged all sides in the Ukraine war to de-escalate as Kyiv's forces pierced deep into Beijing ally Russia's Kursk border region.
5. Norway to Procure M142 HIMARS.
Norway has requested to buy 16 x Lockheed Martin M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems in a deal worth as much as $580 million.
6. Poland Signs Deal for 96 x AH-64E Apache Helicopters.
Once the 96 aircraft are delivered, the Polish military will be the Apache’s second largest user in the world, preceded only by the US military.
7. South Korea begins development of the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS). This maritime capability will provide accurate target geo-location to enable mine neutralization procedures. The system can be mounted on a variety of helicopters and be deployed for day and night operations.
8. US Army continues mounted High Energy Laser effort.
The Army is “encouraging” industry to use the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) for the prototyping effort.

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