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289: Despite Daily Humanitarian Pause- IDF Will Continue Rafah Fight + Ukraine Peace Summit Concludes in Switzerland + US Army Names M-SHORAD Platform after Medal of Honor Hero + More Jun 16, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Despite a daily humanitarian pause- IDF Will Continue Rafah Fight.
IDF: The pause “for humanitarian purposes will take place from 8:00 am (0500 GMT) until 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) every day until further notice along the road that leads from the Kerem Shalom crossing to the Salah al-Din road and then northwards.”
2. Israel and Hezbollah continue cross-border strikes, leading to fears of escalation in the conflict.
3. Ukraine Peace Summit Concludes in Switzerland.
More than 90 countries and international organizations attended the summit. Russia was not invited, and its biggest backer China was not present, leading some to cast doubt on the summit's effectiveness.
4. USAF Chief of Staff (General David Allvin) coy about the future budgeting priority of Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) stealth fighter.
5. Defense News Interview with French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill, concerning Force Modernization- by Rudy Ruitenberg.
6. US Army Names M-SHORAD Platform after Vietnam Medal of Honor Hero- Sergeant Stout.
On 12 March 1970, U.S. Army Sergeant Mitchell William Stout grabbed an enemy grenade thrown into his bunker and used his body to shield the blast from his fellow Soldiers.
Sergeant Stout is the only Army Air Defense Artilleryman in US Army history to earn the Medal of Honor.

288: US Gaza Pier Dismantled Due to Weather + Russian President Offers Ukraine Ceasefire - with Conditions + Greece Considers Procurement of Precision Strike Missiles + V22 Osprey Fleet Limited Flight Status until '25 + More Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Gaza Pier Dismantled Due to Weather.
US CENTCOM Statement: "After the period of expected high seas, the pier will be rapidly re-anchored to the coast of Gaza and resume delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza."
2. Washington Post Report: Since 07 October 2023, US has assisted Israel with intelligence via drone footage, satellite imagery, communications intercepts, and data analysis using advanced software, some of which is powered by artificial intelligence.
3. Russian President Offers Ukraine Ceasefire - with Conditions. Russia ready to start negotiations if Kyiv begins withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and renounce plans to join NATO.
4. Sweden Military to upgrade their Trossbat Light Cable Boat Fleet.
Trossbat logistic vessels utilize water jet propulsion to maintain ammunition, water, and good supplies between warfighters and corresponding vehicles in shallow waters and areas close to land. The vessels can also be configured to carry larger containers and amphibious vehicles.
5. Greece (Hellenic Army) Considers Procurement of Precision Strike Missiles for their MLRS platforms.
6. US V22 Osprey Fleet under Limited Flight Status until 2025.
US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) chief Vice Admiral Carl Chebi:
“I will not certify the V-22 to return to unrestricted flight operations until I am satisfied that we have sufficiently addressed the issues that may affect the safety of the aircraft.”
7. US Senate Armed Service Committee (SASC) FY25 NDAA is $911.8 billion:
$878.4 billion for Department of Defense & $33.4 billion of defense-related activities for Department of Energy.
8. USAF (new) Air Force One platform (VC-25B) continues to run behind schedule.
First flight not expected until March 2026.

287: Hezbollah Rocket Assault in Response to IDF Targeted Strike + US - Ukraine Security Agreement + Germany Sends Patriot Missiles to Ukraine + Mobile Artillery Showcased at Eurosatory '24 + More Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Houthi forces strike cargo ship with two anti-ship cruise missiles in Gulf of Aden.
US CENTCOM statement: “Both missiles struck MV Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier."
2. Hezbollah Rocket Assault in Response to IDF Targeted Strike on high-level commander.
3. Report from Saudi Arabian news outlets (Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath):
Senior Hezbollah official killed in Southern Lebanon missile strike.
4. US - Ukraine Security Agreement provides for long-term cooperation on building up Ukraine’s current defenses, its future forces and its defense industry.
5. Germany Sends Patriot Missiles to Ukraine.
Three x Patriot systems are operational in Ukraine: two donated by Germany and one by the US.
6. Ukraine Main Directorate of Intelligence Chief (Kyrylo Budanov): The Russian Armed Forces have moved its S-500 air defense system to occupied Crimea.
7. White House releases statement concerning the HASC FY25 NDAA.
8. Mobile Artillery Showcased at Eurosatory '2024 in Paris- featuring at least 10 artillery systems.

286: Hamas Provides "Amendments" to Ceasefire Proposal + Russian Naval Action Group Operates off Florida's Atlantic Coast + Norway to Assemble Leopard Main Battle Tanks + More Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Hamas Provides "Amendments" to Ceasefire Proposal.
A Hamas spokesman said the response included “amendments that confirm the ceasefire, withdrawal, reconstruction and [hostage] exchange.”
2. Ukrainian Air Force Aviation Chief: Ukraine will station a "certain number" of F-16s outside Ukraine to prevent Russia from targeting them. These F-16s are separate from those Kyiv plans to deploy, as they can be used to replace damaged aircraft or train more Ukrainian pilots abroad.
3. Russian Naval Action Group Operates off Florida's Atlantic Coast. The Naval Group is bound for the Caribbean Region, with port calls likely in Cuba and possibly Venezuela.
4. Norway to Assemble Leopard Main Battle Tanks.
Under an agreement with Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Norway’s RITEK will become a subcontractor for the German tank maker.
5. Leonardo (Italy) and KNDS (France-Germany) end their partnership effort for the development and production of Leopard 2A8 MBTs.
6. Some information on the US House Appropriators FY25 Defense Spending Bill ($883 billion).
7. U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton (2) unmanned aerial vehicles deploy to Okinawa in support of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions around Japan’s southwest islands.
The Triton UAVs will be operate from Kadena Air Base until October 2024.

285: IDF Operation Arnon Details + UNSC Adopts Israel - Hamas Ceasefire Resolution + Israeli Roem/Sigma Automatic 155mm Mobile Howitzer + Some 90 Countries Will Attend Swiss Hosted Ukraine Peace Summit + More Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. IDF Operation Arnon Hostage Rescue Details.
2. UN Security Council Adopts US Sponsored - Israel - Hamas Ceasefire Proposal. 14 in Favor with 1 x Abstain (Russia).
3. Israeli Roem/Sigma Automatic 155mm Mobile Howitzer ready for fielding.
4. Around 90 Countries Will Attend Swiss Hosted Ukraine Peace Summit, (15-16 June).
Swiss officials say the conference aims to set a course toward “lasting peace” in Ukraine, to reach a “common understanding” toward getting there, and draw up the “roadmap” on how to get both sides involved in talks.
5. Ukraine helicopters to receive Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS), from Hensoldt. System components include the Missile Launch Detection Sensor, a Control and Display Unit, and an active confirmation system.
6. Royal Australian Navy to equip Destroyers & Frigates with Naval Strike Missiles.
7. US peer & near-peer threat are adroit at Electromagnetic Warfare (EW).
Great article from Breaking Defense on EW by Kollen Post: Inside Ukraine, Startups Try to Edge Russia in the EW Race.

284: IDF Rescues 4 Hostages (Alive) in Central Gaza + Latest US Security Assistance to Ukraine is Worth $225 Million + France to Provide Mirage 2000-5 Warplanes to Ukraine + US Gaza Pier Back in Operation + More Jun 08, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Gaza Pier Back in Operation.
2. IDF Rescues 4 Hostages (Alive) from Nuseirat, in Central Gaza.
3. Latest US Security Assistance to Ukraine is Worth $225 Million.
Includes air defense interceptors; artillery systems and munitions; armored vehicles; and anti-tank weapons.
4. France to Provide Mirage 2000-5 Warplanes to Ukraine. In addition, France will begin training pilots, with completion by the end of year. France will also propose to train and equip a brigade of 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers, according to French President (Emmanuel Macron).
5. Germany plans to procure 20 x Eurofighter Typhoon Jets- in an effort to fortify the European Defense Industry (German Chancellor Olaf Scholz).
6. NATO-member Finland has no plans to permanently station US or NATO troops- but supports multi-national training events- Finland's President Alexander Stubb.
7. USAF test-fires 2 x Minuteman II Missiles (unarmed). Both tests successful. Launched from Vandenburg Space Force Base in California, the reentry vehicle of each missile landed at the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
8. Australian Navy to develop 11 x general-purpose frigates to replace eight existing Anzac-class frigates.
Estimated commissioning of the first frigate is 2030.

283: IDF Destroys 2k Tunnel Adjacent to Rafah Border Crossing + IDF to Build a third F-35 Squadron + Houthi Rebels Fire Solid Fuel Missile + US B-1B Bomber Drops Precision Munition at South Korean Range + More Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Follow-up. More than 70 Israeli defense firms uninvited to Eurosatory Defense Expedition in Paris. Some defense firm executives shrug-off decision as unpleasant but note little effect on the bottom line.
2. IDF Destroys 2k Tunnel Adjacent to Rafah Border Crossing.
3. Israel - Hamas hostage negotiations continue without sign of breakthrough.
4. IDF to Build a third F-35 Squadron. First aircraft deliveries to begin in 2028, with final delivery estimated in 2036 for all 25 warplanes.
5. Houthi Rebels Fire Solid Fuel Missile toward Israeli town of Eilat. No injuries or damage reported. Houthi rebels unveiled a new, solid-fuel missile that resemble one displayed by Iran that Tehran described as hypersonic.
6. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) affiliated news agency (Tasnim), reports that missile technology is at the disposal” of the militias (Houthi).
7. Large Baltic NATO Exercise runs from 07-20 June and will include warships from over 20 nations. BALTOPS 2024 will include antisubmarine warfare, gunnery drills, amphibious operations, mine clearing and medical responses.
8. US B-1B Bomber Drops Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), at South Korean Range.

282: IDF Prepares for Operations on Northern Border + President Biden Will Not Attend Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland + Japan Rail Gun Development + US Army IVAS Update + More Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. IDF Prepares for Operations on Northern Border.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi : “We are approaching the point where a decision will have to be made, and the IDF is prepared and very ready for this decision."
2. President Biden Will Not Attend Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland.
Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will represent the US.
3. Russia considers western military instructors inside Ukraine a legitimate target.
Kremlin spokesman (Dmitry Peskov): "Any instructors who are engaged in training the Ukrainian regime do not have any immunity. It does not matter whether they are French or not."
4. Security package and NATO-member bilateral agreements will be offered to Ukraine during the NATO Summit in July (held in Washington D.C.).
5. Italy preparing to send 9th security assistance package to Ukraine. Package will include a SAMP/T air defense battery.
6. Finland strengthening coastal defense capabilities with mobile artillery procurement.
7. Chinese Defense Minister speaks at the Shangri La Dialogue and drives home disapproval of Taiwan Independence (repeatedly).
8. Japan enters Rail Gun development cooperation agreement with France and Germany.
9. US Army 155mm artillery modernization stirs defense industry opportunities and competition.
10, Latest US Army Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) update.
Microsoft reorganization will "prioritize" work on IVAS.

281: Latest on Israel - Hamas Hostage Release Deal + Ukraine President Appearance at Shangri-La Dialogue + US Army M1E3 Abrams Developments + More Jun 02, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Latest on Israel - Hamas Hostage Release Deal.
2. Israeli Defense companies uninvited to the 2024 Eurosatory Defense Show in Paris, France. More than 70 Israeli companies had been scheduled to participate
3. Ukraine President surprise appearance at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Seeks the support of Asian governments and attendance at the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland later this month.
4. US and other NATO countries authorize Ukraine to conduct limited cross-border strikes into Russia with donated weaponry.
5. Sweden to arm amphibious assault boats with air defense weapons.
6. Sierra Nevada preparing to start development and build of the Survivable Airborne Operations Center aircraft. SNC plans to buy five Boeing 747-8 planes from Korean Air to convert into flying operations centers, with the last scheduled for delivery in September 2025.
7. US Army M1E3 Abrams future developments include an active protection system, reduced weight (from 73 tons to under 60 tons), and autoloader capabilities among other modern features.

280: IDF Controls Philadelphi Corridor + US-UK Strikes Houthi Rebels + Italy to Develop New Armored Fighting Vehicle + F35B Crash in New Mexico + More May 31, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US-UK Strikes Houthi Rebels with airstrikes.
2. IDF Controls Philadelphi Corridor. Along the corridor, IDF said it has located so far some 20 tunnels that cross into Egypt.
3. IDF finish operations in Northern Gaza city of Jabalya. In addition to destroying 12 kilometers of tunnels, the IDF finds the remains of seven hostages taken and killed by Hamas on 7 October.
4. Israel considers development of the M61 Vulcan for counter-drone use.
5. Sweden to provide Ukraine military equipment worth $1.3 billion. Includes 155mm artillery rounds, Medium Range Air-to-Air missiles, and PBV 302 Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
6. Sweden and Austria to procure 12 each, UH-60M Black Hawks helicopters- in a deal worth $900 million & $1.05 billion respectively.
7. Italy to Develop New Armored Fighting Vehicle (Tracked). Italian Army wants a design by December 2024, prototypes between 2027 & 2028, deliveries starting in 2029. The goal is to build 1,050.
8. F35B Crash in New Mexico. Pilot injured.
9. US Defense Secretary (Lloyd Austin) meets with Chinese Defense Minister (Dong Jun) in Singapore.

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