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319: Report: Ukraine Combat Brigades Digging In at Kursk + Hamas Supports Negotiations But Will Not Send Delegation to Upcoming Talks + US Army 2d MDTF in Morocco Exercise + More Aug 11, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Forbes Report: Ukraine Combat Brigades Digging In at Kursk.
There’s growing evidence that some or all of the 5 x Ukraine Combat Brigades- have plans to stay. (The Russians are digging in, too.)
2. Hamas Supports Negotiations But Will Not Send Delegation to Upcoming Talks.
It (Hamas) said it had asked mediators to present a plan based upon past negotiations, instead of engaging in new talks for a deal based on amended frameworks.
3. US making infrastructure improvements to Basa Air Base in the Philippines.
Funded under the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, Basa Air Base is set to receive a 625,000-square-foot parking apron capable of hosting up to 20 aircraft.
4. US Navy launches final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship- USS Pierre (LCS 38). Main sea trials begin in late-2024.
5. Expert Pentagon Contract Broker (Shay Assad), to assist USAF with Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) contract talks (with RTX). Mr. Assad has previously assisted the USAF with Boeing E-7 Wedgetail negotiations.
6. US Army 2d Multi-Domain Task Force MDTF (Effects Battalion) tests unmanned air and Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) systems during Morocco Exercise- Arcane Thunder 2024.
7. US Army reports successful End-to-End Flight Test of Hypersonic Missile.
The first flight test took place in May 2024, at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii.

318: Defense News Annual Top 100 Defense Companies (2023) + Ukraine Sends 5 x Combat Brigades into Russia's Kursk Oblast + Iran's IRGC Claims Undetectable Naval Cruise Missiles + More Aug 10, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Ukraine Sends 5 x Combat Brigades into Russia's Kursk Oblast.
Russia declared a “federal-level” emergency in the region and sent reinforcements there on Friday. Russia’s Defense Ministry said reinforcements were on their way to Kursk to counter Ukraine’s raid.
2. Ukrainian First Person View Drone takes down Russian MI-28 Havok Attack Helicopter. “The future use of helicopters in combat can and should be rethought, especially with the growth of unmanned systems,” Serhii Kuzan, a former adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, told Defense News.
3. Elbit to provide Iron Fist Active Protection System to unnamed European country- for fit onto CV90 IFVs.
4. UK Telegraph: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is reportedly disagreeing with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on level of retaliatory strikes (against Israel).
5. Iran IRGC Claims Undetectable Naval Cruise Missiles.
IRGC said on Friday that its navy has new cruise missiles equipped with highly explosive warheads that are undetectable.
6. US Army will develop a second interceptor for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) launcher. The Army is still testing out the launcher and using the RTX AIM-9X Sidewinder as the first interceptor.
7. US Army to evaluate a hypervelocity munition for 155mm artillery systems.
Goal is to have the capability ready for operational testing in FY28.
8. Defense News Annual Top 100 Defense Companies for 2023.

317: Organization of Islamic Cooperation Meets in Saudi Arabia + Russia Malva 152mm Mobile Artillery + Thailand to Procure Chinese Assault Rifles + More Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Secretary of National Security Sergei Shoigu, delivers Russian President Putin's message of restraint during his visit to Tehran on Monday.
2. Organization of Islamic Cooperation Meets in Saudi Arabia. Iranian and Palestinian officials called for Wednesday’s gathering of the 57-member OIC in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, saying the body needed to respond to the killing of the Hamas leader.
3. Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have rebuffed requests to contribute troops to a postwar peacekeeping force in Gaza. However, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have expressed willingness to participate in the effort.
4. Russia Malva 152mm Mobile Artillery.
A new batch of 2S43 Malva 152mm self-propelled howitzers has been shipped to Russian troops. The quantity of guns has not been disclosed.
5. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded Raytheon a $478-million contract to deliver Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-Ts) to Germany.
6. US and Australia discuss future defense cooperation.
The two nations announced a series of joint initiatives including new “operating locations,” more frequent troop rotations and the formalization of plans to coproduce two key, long-range missile systems.
7. Thailand to Procure Chinese Assault Rifles.
Once delivered, the QBZ-195T (5.56mm assault rifle), will be distributed to the country’s special operations units to support a variety of missions.
8. USAF has received the first production MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter from Boeing.
The helicopter will be stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana- to patrol Minuteman III nuclear missile fields.

316: US Forces in Iraq Struck in Rocket Attack + IDF Locates Vehicle-Size Tunnel on Philadelphi Corridor + Russian National Security Council Secretary Shoigu Visits Tehran + More Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Forces in Iraq Struck in Rocket Attack.
Several US personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack at a military base in Iraq, Defense officials said Monday.
2. Russian National Security Council Secretary Shoigu Visits Tehran.
Russian state news agencies reported that Sergei Shoigu was scheduled to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian; the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Akbar Ahmadian; and chief of the Iranian military’s General Staff, Mohammad Bagheri.
3. IDF Locates Vehicle-Size Tunnel on Philadelphi Corridor.
According to the IDF, the tunnel is about three meters (10 feet) tall and will be investigated before it is destroyed.
4. The Spanish army has signed a “framework agreement” with German defense firm Rheinmetall for an order of “around half a million modular propellant systems for 155mm extended-range artillery ammunition.”
5. BAE Systems has been awarded a $493-million contract to continue producing the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer and M992A3 ammunition carrier for US Army Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs).
6. USAF B-52 Modernization (Radar and Engine) plans are running into schedule and cost troubles.
7. USAF estimating costs to refit 30 x B-52s, from Conventional to Nuclear-capable.
The 30 B-52s in question had previously been equipped with the ability to carry nuclear weapons but were converted to conventional aircraft about 10 years ago to comply with a key US-Russia arms control treaty known as New START.
8. USAF relieves Commander after Accident Investigation Board report is released concerning the 04 January 2024, B-1 Bomber crash at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.

315: US CENTCOM Commander Travels to Region + Report: US Deploys F-22 Squadron to CENTCOM AOR + Australia Invests in Collins-Class Submarines + Senate Appropriations Committee FY25 Spending Bill Info + More Aug 04, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Iran State TV reports that a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh- and not an explosive device planted in the building beforehand (as previously reported by other media). The televised statement says a rocket with a seven-kilogram warhead was used to target the residence of Haniyeh in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation.
2. New York Times Report: Iran has arrested dozens of suspects in the investigation of the Ismail Haniyeh assassination. The arrested parties included senior intelligence officers, military officials, and staff workers at the guest house where Haniyeh was killed.
3. US CENTCOM Commander Travels to Region.
According to a US official, General Michael Kurilla is expected to visit several Gulf countries, Jordan and Israel.
4. Article from Air & Space Forces Magazine: US Deploys F-22 Squadron to CENTCOM AOR.
5. During comments at the funeral for Senior Military Commander Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah promised a “new phase” of conflict with Israel.
6. Australia Invests in Collins-Class Submarines.
A government statement reports that $2.2 billion (AUD) is for sustainment, and part of a broader “$4 to $5 billion (AUD) commitment to keeping the Collins-class submarines as a potent strike and deterrence capability.”
7. The Royal Australian Air Force has received the first MQ-4C Triton Drone. The MQ-4C Triton will be used for high-altitude and long-endurance maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting missions alongside the Royal Australian Air Force’s current P-8A Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.
8. USAF anticipates annual foreign military sales to grow by 60% this fiscal year to more than $46 billion- up from $23 billion in FY23. Projected increase is due largely to F-35 and F-16 purchases.
9. Senate Appropriations Committee FY25 Spending Bill Info.
Senate appropriators have put forward a $852.2 billion defense spending bill for FY25.

314: Getting Ready for Iran: US Increasing Presence in CENTCOM AOR + Ukraine President: Russia Invited at Next Peace Summit + US Army Making Progress With Future Long Range Assault Aircraft Program + More Aug 03, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US to exit final installation (Air Base 201) in Niger next week.
Air Base 201 was the final US military site in the West African country after forces exited Air Base 101 in July. The US spent years building it to launch drone operations and has used its military presence to train Nigerien forces as well.
2. Getting Ready for Iran: US Increasing Presence in CENTCOM AOR.
The US bolsters military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East following reports that Iranian military officials and proxy forces in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen will meet to discuss options to retaliate against Israel following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
3. UK Outlet Telegraph: Mossad hired Iranian security agents to plant explosives that killed Hamas Official Ismail Haniyeh.
4. IDF confirms that the Commander of Hamas' Military Wing (Muhammad Deif) was killed during the 13 July strike in Southern Gaza.
5. Ukraine President: Russia Invited at Next Peace Summit.
President Zelensky: "The majority of the world today says that Russia must be represented at the second summit, otherwise we will not achieve meaningful results. Since the whole world wants them to be at the table, we cannot be against it."
6. USAF Accident Investigation Board releases report for the fatal CV-22 crash that killed eight elite Air Commandos off the coast of Japan in November 2023.
7. US Army Making Progress With Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) Program.
FLRAA Program goals:
1. Limited User Tests - FY27-28.
2. Low-Rate Initial Production - FY28
3. First Unit Equipped: FY31

313: Iran Supreme Leader Orders Direct Strike on Israel + IDF Tough Response to Hezbollah + US SECDEF: US Will Help Defend Israel + AP Report: F-16s Arrive in Ukraine + More Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Iran Supreme Leader Orders Direct Strike on Israel.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered a direct strike on Israel for the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. Israel has not commented on the incident.
2. IDF Tough Response to Hezbollah. The IDF confirms that top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut. Shukr has been managing Hezbollah’s attacks against Israel, including the deadly strike in the Druze Village of Majdal Shams over the weekend that killed 12 children.
3. US SECDEF: US Will Help Defend Israel.
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Washington would come to Israel's defense if needed, hours after Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran early Wednesday.
4. Associated Press Report: F-16s Arrive in Ukraine.
Ukraine has received the first F-16 fighters, a U.S. official confirmed to The Associated Press. A Ukrainian lawmaker also confirmed Ukraine had received a small number of F-16 fighter jets.
5. US to provide Ukraine advanced munitions for F-16 Fighters. A senior US official recently told The Wall Street Journal that the warplanes will feature the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). Additionally, the Ukrainian F-16s will reportedly have AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles for air-to-air engagements.
6. Russia considers deploying offensive missiles that can strike Western Europe.
Move is in response to US announcement of “episodic deployments” of conventional missiles to Germany in 2026.
7. USAF Secretary (Frank Kendall) announces formal “pause” in the effort to field a new stealth fighter.
Secretary Kendall did not specify how long the pause will be to begin development on the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Program.
8. IDF procuring Iron Sting 120mm mortars in deal worth $220 million.
Iron Sting 120mm rounds have laser and GPS guidance systems, that enable precision targeting, while minimizing collateral damage.

312: Diplomats Work to De-escalate Israeli Response to Druze Village Rocket Attack + Kyiv Post Opinion Article - Is Peace Coming to Ukraine? + US Army Fixed-Wing ISR Program Ready in 12-18 Months + More Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Diplomats Work to De-escalate Israeli Response to Druze Village Rocket Attack.
Israeli officials suggested that the response would be serious but not lead to an all-out conflagration (conflagration = an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property).
2. Spain to provide another Hawk Air Defense System to Ukraine.
Spain will send another Hawk air defense system to Ukraine in September, Minister of Defense Margarita Robles told her Ukrainian counterpart (Rustem Umerov), last week.
3. UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) will expand the ability to produce gun barrels by partnering with Sheffield Forgemasters.
The initiative will help maintain the flow of L119 Light Guns and AS90 self-propelled howitzers into Ukraine.
4. Kyiv Post Opinion Article - Is Peace Coming to Ukraine?
Opinion piece written by Timothy Ash on signs leading to potential peace talks before the end of the calendar year.
5. Royal Australian Navy to receive new Landing Craft Light (LCL) vessels.
The LCLs will transport up to 4.5 tons of payload or up to 30 personnel and will provide a ship-to-shore connector capability.
6. US Navy creates a new position for overseeing investments in the surface and submarine industrial bases.
US Navy Statement: “The Direct Reporting Program Manager for the Maritime Industrial Base (or the DRPM for the MIB) will play an instrumental role in realizing Secretary Del Toro’s vision to engage in a whole-of-government effort to rebuild the Nation’s comprehensive maritime power." The US Navy announced Frederick “Jay” Stefany as the DRPM.
7. US Army Fixed-Wing ISR Program Ready in 12-18 Months.

311: Israel PM: Hezbollah Will Pay Heavy Price for Druze Village Rocket Attack + Greece Joins F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Club + Boeing to Purchase Spirit AeroSystems - Shaking Up US Army FLRAA Program + More Jul 28, 2024

Show notes

1. Boeing to Purchase Spirit AeroSystems - Shaking Up US Army FLRAA Program.
Bell (winner of the FLRAA competition), intends to step away from Spirit AeroSystem as the fuselage provider for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft after the Boeing acquisition is finalized.
2. Israel PM: Hezbollah Will Pay Heavy Price for Druze Village Rocket Attack.
Following the deadly strike, PM Netanyahu spoke to the spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community Sheikh Muafak Tarif, the Prime Minister’s Office said, and vowed that Israel would not sit idly by.
3. Greece Joins F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Club.
Greece has officially signed off on the procurement of 20 x F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, becoming the 19th country to operate the Lockheed Martin-made fifth-generation jet, according to defense minister Nikos Dendias.
4. Royal Australian Navy Admiral is concerned about dry dock and port facilities in Western Australia for the AUKUS submarine effort.
The military and government needed to “get going” on crucial work to ready Western Australia for AUKUS submarines or risk falling behind, Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm said at the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference.
5. US to announce a new Three-Star Joint Force Headquarters in Japan.
US Defense Official: "Secretary Austin (US SEC DEF), plans to announce that the United States intends to reorganize US Forces Japan as a Joint Force Headquarters, reporting to the Commander of U.S. INDOPACOM."
6. Latest update (23 July 2024) from the Congressional Research Service on the Navy Medium Landing Ship (LSM) (Previously Light Amphibious Warship [LAW]) Program - Background and Issues for Congress.

310: Israel - Saudi Arabia Normalization Still Possible + Armor Not Dead: Netherlands & Denmark Sending Leopard 2 Tanks to Ukraine + Armor Not Dead: Italy to Have New Tanks in Three Years + More Jul 27, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel - Saudi Arabia Normalization Still Possible.
A normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia is still possible before the US presidential election, a top Israeli official told reporters Friday, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the matter with US President Joe Biden during their Thursday meeting at the White House.
2. Germany to receive the Arrow-3 Air Defense System by 2025.
Germany will be the first country besides Israel to field the system. The $4 billion deal includes launchers, interceptors and the Green Pine radar system.
3. Armor Not Dead: Netherlands & Denmark are sending 12 x Leopard 2 Tanks to Ukraine, by the end of Summer.
4. NATO to Develop Medium Lift Helicopter.
NATO has awarded three Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) contracts to Airbus, Leonardo and Lockheed Martin, to study “potential integrated platform concepts.” NATO plans to have a new class of medium lift helicopters between 2035 and 2040.
5. Armor Not Dead: Italian Army to have new Panther Tanks & Lynx Armored Vehicles in three years.
6. In addition to ISR payloads, Australia to develop lethal capabilities for Boeing-made MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone.
7. USAF releases accident report for the 04 January 2024, B-1 Bomber crash at Ellsworth AFB, North Dakota.

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