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299: Israel - Hamas Negotiations Resume + Hungarian PM to Russia - Talks Peace + German Arms Exports on Record Pace + Amphib Vessel USS Boxer Prepares for Deployment Return + More Jul 06, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel - Hamas Negotiations Resume. Israel said the Friday talks were only an initial meeting, and their delegation will return to Doha next week to resume talks.
2. Report from Reuters: Masoud Pezeshkian leads rivals in Iran Presidential race.
Masoud Pezeshkian is reported to be moderate and has pledged to open Iran to the world and deliver freedoms its people have yearned for.
3.Hungarian PM Viktor Orban to Russia - Talks Peace.
Statement from Press Secretary: “The talks with President Putin at the Kremlin focused on the Ukraine settlement and bilateral relations, emphasizing Hungary’s unique position to communicate with both warring sides.”
4. Russia strikes Ukraine installations housing aircraft. Raises continued concerns over air defense protection of potential airfields basing F-16 fighters after their delivery. Russia claims 5 x Ukraine SU-27 warplanes were destroyed at a location 150 kilometers from Russian border.
5. Latvia & Estonia to receive advanced radars for IRIS-T SLM air defense upgrades as part of the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative. The European Sky Shield Initiative was launched by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in 2022. The initiative now counts 21 participating countries, including Austria and Switzerland.
France, Italy, and Spain are not participants.
6. German Arms Exports on Record Pace. The first half of 2024 saw Germany export more than $8 billion of military goods. Ukraine is #1 destination, with 65% of army going there.
7. Amphib Vessel USS Boxer (LHD-4) Prepares for Deployment Return. The amphib got underway on 03 July 2024, according to ship-spotters. Since April 2024, USS Boxer has been under repair at Pier 2 at Naval Station San Diego, California- following the damage to the starboard rudder. In a statement, Naval Surface Force said that the pier-side tests have been completed and the Boxer was preparing for sea trials.

298: IDF Strikes Senior Hezbollah Commander in S. Lebanon + Hungarian President Visits Ukraine - Talks Ceasefire + Boeing Delivers Block II CH-47 Chinook to Army + US Navy & Army Test Hypersonic Missile + More Jul 04, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. IDF Strikes Senior Hezbollah Commander in Southern Lebanon.
2. Lebanon's Foreign Minister (Abdullah Bou Habib) statement to Israel: "We are interested in peace, we do not want war.” Message to Israeli Foreign Minister (Israel Katz) was delivered via Azeri Foreign Minister (Jeyhun Bayramov). Bayramov said that the Lebanese had chosen him to deliver the message because they knew of the good relationship that existed between Azerbaijan and Israel.
3. Quote from Commander of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Forces (Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh): “We await an opportunity for ‘True Promise II'. Iran’s next attack, “will lead to a complete victory for the Palestinian people.”” ('True Promise' is Iran's name for its 13 April 2024 attack on Israel, comprising more than 300 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and suicide drones.
4. Latest US Security assistance package to Ukraine is worth $150 million and includes air defense interceptors, artillery munitions, and anti-tank weapons.
An addition $2.2 billion will purchase Patriot and NASAMS air defense missiles for Ukraine from US arms manufacturers under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
5. Hungarian President Visits Ukraine. Talks Ceasefire with President Zelensky.
6. Armor Not Dead: Leonardo & Rheinmetall team to develop and build new tanks and armored vehicles for Italy. Rheinmetall will offer its prototype Panther KF51 and the Lynx tracked fighting vehicle as baselines.
7. Boeing Delivers Block II CH-47 Chinook to US Army.
8. US Navy & Army Test Hypersonic Missile.
Reportedly, the two-stage missile was launched from a ground stand in Hawaii more than 2,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, to a test range in the Marshall Islands, with the missile flying its intended course and releasing the glide body, which flew to the target.

297: Financial Times Report: Israeli Patriot Air Defense Systems to Ukraine? + Russia Prepares Response to US Black Sea Drone Operations + European Combined Development of Long-Range Strike Capability + More Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Military raises security alert level of bases in European Command.
2. Israeli Defense Minister (Yoav Gallant) visits Rafah.
Defense Minister Gallant vowed the IDF will “continue and push until we reach a situation where we choke [Hamas’s] windpipe, and do not allow it to rebuild its strength. This is the goal of this operation.”
3. IDF locates and destroys the largest underground production site for long-range rockets site in the Tel-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah.
4. Financial Times Report: Unnamed sources say that the United States, Israel and Ukraine are in talks to provide Kyiv with up to eight Patriot missile air defense systems- currently owned and employed by Israel.
5. Russia Prepares Response to US Black Sea Drone Operations.
The Russian Defense Ministry noted a recent “increased intensity” of U.S. drones over the Black Sea, saying they “conduct intelligence and targeting for precision weapons supplied to the Ukrainian military by Western countries for strikes on Russian facilities.”
6. European Combined Development of Long-Range Strike Capability.
A letter of intent is expected to be signed during the 09-10 July NATO Summit, laying the foundation of the European Long Strike Approach (ELSA).
7. Former top Estonian General (Martin Herem), describes the purpose and objective of the future Baltic defensive project that will consist of bunkers, obstacles, and fighting positions in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
“So the idea is actually to shape [the invasion]...in order to strike the Kremlin’s forces wherever they’re funneled".
8. Defense News (Stephen Losey) interview with USAF Secretary Frank Kendall concerning the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Fighter Platform.
Secretary Kendall: “I can tell you that we are looking at the NGAD platform design concept to see if it’s the right concept or not. … We’re looking at whether we can do something that’s less expensive and do some trade-offs there.”

296: Iran UN Mission Threatens "Obliterating War" if IDF Offensive in Lebanon + USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group in Mediterranean + Finland to Procure Border Surveillance Aircraft + New Royal Canadian Navy Destroyers + More Jun 29, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Iran UN Mission Threatens "Obliterating War" if IDF Offensive in Lebanon.
2. IDF has 2 x Divisions and 1 x Mountain Brigade on Northern Border. These units are back-up by two more Divisions.
3. Finland to Procure Border Surveillance Aircraft (2).
Finland has selected Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) Bombardier Challenger 650 (with sensor package), for its border surveillance jet program. Production will occur out of the SNC integration center in Hagerstown, Maryland.
4. Italy signs $535 million deal for the fourth U-212 Near Future Submarine- built by Italian Shipyard Ficantieri.
5. Construction starts on the New Royal Canadian Navy Destroyers- in support of the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) Project. The project will see the construction of 15 warships to replace the current fleet of Halifax-class frigates. The 15 new vessels will be classified as destroyers. The first ship will not be delivered until the early 2030s.
6. The US Navy is conducting tests to integrate the Lockheed Martin Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), onto the Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
7. USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in Mediterranean Sea.
The Wasp ARG consists of the USS Wasp (LHD-1), the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD-21), and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51).
Embarked is the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit consisting of a command element, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Battalion 24.

295: Israel Prime Minister Visits Northern Border + Germany to Develop Super-Sonic Strike Missile with Norway + US Army Precision Strike Missile Engagement in Pacific Exercise + More Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. NATO Statement: Outgoing Netherlands Prime Minister set to become the new NATO Secretary General on 01 October 2024. The position is a four year term, which can be extended repeatedly.
2. Pentagon Inspector General (IG), in collaboration with US Agency for International Development (USAID), will investigate the effectiveness of the Gaza pier mission in delivering humanitarian aid.
3. Israel Prime Minister Visits Northern Border.
Speaking to the 55th Paratrooper Brigade, Prime Minister Netanyahu asserted that Israel would achieve “victory” in the north in case of a full-blown war with Hezbollah.
4. Germany to Develop Super-Sonic Strike Missile with Norway.
The "Tyrfing" Super Sonic Strike Missile (3SM), will replace the Naval Strike Missile and is forecasted to be ready in 2035.
5. US Army continues development of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Extended Range (GMLRS ER) at the Camden, Arkansas facility. The Extended Range version can reach 150-plus kilometers compared to the 70-kilometer range capability of GMLRS.
6. US Army Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Engagement in Pacific Exercise.
US Army statement: During Indo-PACOM Exercise Valiant Shield, Soldiers from 3d MDTF & and 1-181 Artillery Regiment launched two PrSMs from the Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML) and “was able to engage a moving maritime target in conjunction with other joint assets.”
7. Japan launches the ninth vessel from the Mogami Guided-Missile Frigate class.
The future JS Natori is scheduled for delivery and commissioning in 2025, with the entire fleet of 12 warships planned for induction by 2028.
The warship is armed with a BAE Systems 127 mm naval gun and is equipped with a vertical launching system for Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile, and two launchers for anti-ship missiles.

294: US & Israel Discuss Strategies for De-escalation in North + US Sec Def has Call with Russian Def Minister + BAE Increases Production of AMPV + Finland's Senop Unveils Carl Gustaf Day/Thermal Sight + More Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. USNI posts the Memorandum of Understanding (11 June 2024), between the USMC & US Navy concerning amphibious warship readiness terms.
2. US has fully cleared equipment from Base 101 in Niger. Work on Base 201 continues in order to meet the 15 September 2024 departure date of US Forces agreed upon by the US & Niger.
3. US Secretary of Defense (Lloyd Austin) has Call with Russian Defense Minister (Andrei Belousov). Last call between Secretary Austin and Russian Defense Minister was 15 March 2023.
4. US & Israel Discuss Strategies for De-escalation in North with Hezbollah (Lebanon Border region).
5. IDF to control all of Rafah with two weeks. 162d Division has operational control of 60-70% of Rafah (Division Commander, Brigadier General Itzik Cohen).
6. BAE Increases Production of AMPV at York, PA facility. Goal is to produce up to 220 AMPVs per year- almost 2 x Brigades worth.
7. Oshkosh has contract worth $27.3 to deliver Medium Equipment Trailers (METs) to the US Army. METs are used for loading and shipping Bradley armored fighting vehicles, Paladin turreted self-propelled howitzers, M992 field artillery ammunition support vehicles, and Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles.
8. Germany is planning to order 105 additional Leopard 2 A8 battle tanks from defense firm KNDS. If approved, the tanks will be delivered from 2027 to 2030, with around 70 during the contract’s final two years. Estimated purchase is worth 2.9-billion euros ($3.1 billion).
9. Finland's Senop Unveils Carl Gustaf Day/Thermal Sight.
The sight consists of a day camera, thermal camera, laser rangefinder, and ballistic calculation- which aids in first round probability of hit. The sight weighs 1.7 kilograms (3.74 pounds).

293: Israel Defense Minister to Washington + Kongsberg New Short Range Air Defense System + Rheinmetall 155mm Munition Order worth $9.1 Billion + Hanwha to Purchase Philly Shipyard + More Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu): Once the IDF completes its intense fighting in Rafah, “we will face north.”
2. IDF locate and raid Hamas headquarters and training complexes in Rafah- find weapon depots, tunnel shafts, and intelligence materials.
3. Israel Defense Minister (Yoav Gallant) to Washington.
The Defense Minister meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director William Burns and Special Envoy Amos Hochstein.
4. Kongsberg (Norway) New Maneuverable Short Range Air Defense System (NOMADS) can defend against small, short-range targets such as drones and cruise missiles.
5. European Defense firm MBDA has developed a man-portable module (Ground Warden)- that utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) and beyond-line-of-sight technology to provide precise target detection capability.
6. Rheinmetall 155mm Munition Order is worth $9.1 Billion.
The order is primarily intended to increase the stocks of the German Armed Forces, its allies, and to support Ukraine.
7. At Eurosatory 2024 in Paris, US Army leaders discuss the right balance between precision fires and “dumb” mass deep attack capability.
8. South Korean firm Hanwha Systems, to Purchase Philly Shipyard for $100 million.
(only 100 million?)

292: US Gaza Pier Operational Again + Romania to Procure K9 Thunder 155mm SP Howitzers + USAF to Open F-35 Training Site in Arkansas + US Carrier Eisenhower (CVN-69) Departs Red Sea + More Jun 22, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Gaza Pier Operational Again. The pier was reattached to Gaza’s shoreline on 19 June 2024.
2. France signals support for a potential Lebanese Armed Forces security mission on its' southern border.
3. US re-prioritizes deliveries of Patriot & NASAMs air defense interceptors. Ukraine moves to front of line. Taiwan and Israel not affected. Countries affected by delay not mentioned.
4. Northrup Grumman makes plans to produce medium-caliber ammunition in Ukraine. Venture could expand into tank and 155mm artillery munitions.
5. Romania to Procure K9 Thunder 155mm SP Howitzers (54) from Hanwha Aerospace (South Korea).
6. US Army to develop a second interceptor for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) program. The Army needs a second interceptor that is “more capable” against lower flying, supersonic cruise missiles.
7. USAF to Open F-35 Training Site at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas.
The site will train foreign pilots across the global F-35 enterprise.
8. US Carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) Departs Red Sea.
A carrier currently on station in the Pacific is planned to head to the Middle East to continue a US presence mission in the region.

291: Hezbollah Leader Warns Israel about Conflict Escalation in Lebanon + Philippines & China Clash at Second Thomas Shoal + Armor Not Dead: Advanced Tank Concepts at Eurosatory 2024 + More Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. In response to comments by NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg (concerning China's support for Russia), Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian urges NATO "to do something practical for the political settlement of the crisis (Ukraine-Russia conflict). "
2. Netherlands Prime Minister (Mark Rutte) expected to become the next NATO Secretary General in October 2024, replacing Jens Stoltenberg.
3. Philippines & China Clash at Second Thomas Shoal.
A Philippine sailor suffered injury after an "intentional-high speed ramming" by the Chinese Coast Guard.
4. US Foreign Military Sales of Loitering Munitions to Taiwan is worth $360 million. Includes 291 x ALTIUS 600M-V & 720 x Switchblade 300s systems.
5. Hezbollah Leader (Hassan Nasrallah) Warns Israel about Conflict Escalation in Lebanon.
6. French Army Chief of Staff, General Pierre Schill comments on French Army modernization and Ukraine operational lessons learned.
7. Armor Not Dead: Advanced Tank Concepts at Eurosatory 2024.

290: Shots Fired Across Korean DMZ + IDF Says Half of Rafah Brigade Dismantled + Israeli Army Generals Approve Lebanon Offensive Plan + Army to Remove Hellfire Launcher from M-SHORAD + More Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Update: Court rules that Israeli Military Companies can attend Eurosatory 2024 Exhibition in Paris.
2. IDF Says Half of Rafah Brigade Dismantled. Of the four battalions in Hamas’s Rafah Brigade, two — Yabna (South) and East Rafah — are considered to be almost completely dismantled, while the capabilities of the other two — Shaboura (North) and Tel Sultan (West) — are somewhat degraded due to IDF operations.
3. Israeli Army Generals Approve Lebanon Offensive Plan. The head of the IDF’s Northern Command Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin and head of the Operations Directorate Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk approved Lebanon battle plans on 18 June 2024.
4. Shots Fired Across Korean DMZ. South Korea's military fired warning shots after North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line in the border area between the two Koreas on 18 June 2024.
5. Russia President Vladimir Putin to visit North Korea and Vietnam.
6. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that China should face consequences for supporting Russia during the war in Ukraine.
7. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Marine Corps Commandant General Eric Smith sign formal document, “Memorandum of Understanding on Amphibious Warfare Ship Terms of Reference.”
Purpose: The new terms of reference serve as supplemental guidance to existing readiness reporting criteria and will ensure consistency and uniformity in Navy and Marine Corps amphibious force planning, assessment, and operational mission execution.
8. US Army to Remove Hellfire Launcher from M-SHORAD (Sergeant Stout).
US Army will retrofit those existing M-SHORAD platforms by swapping out the Hellfire launcher and for a second Stinger pod — a move that would give the platform eight Stinger rounds.

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