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269: US Pauses Delivery of 2000lb & 500lb Bombs to IDF + Israel PM: If We Need To, We'll Fight With Our Fingernails + Ukraine Defense Contact Group Capability Coalitions + US Army HIMARS Contract + More May 09, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Pauses Delivery of 2000lb & 500lb Bombs to IDF.
US President (Joe Biden): (if Israel goes into Rafah), “we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used.”
2. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) reaction to US weapon pause:
“We are determined and we are united to defeat our enemy and those who seek to destroy us… If we need to, we will fight with our fingernails. But we have much more than fingernails.”
3. Great Article from Breaking Defense (Tim Martin) concerning the Ukraine Defense Contact Group- Eight Capability Coalitions.
We discuss the first four (alphabetical order):
- Air Force: Denmark, Netherlands, US
- Armor: Germany, Poland
- Artillery: France, US
- Demining: Iceland, Lithuania
4. Estonia Senior Leaders discussed sending troops to Ukraine in "non-combat roles (medical or logistics)."
Prime minister of Lithuania (Ingrida Šimonytė): "open to sending Lithuanian troops into Ukraine to train Kyiv’s forces there."
5. US Army HIMARS Contract with Lockheed Martin is worth $861.3 million.
Purpose: Replace US Army systems that were sent to Ukraine.

268: IDF "Limited" Ground Operation in Eastern Rafah + US Completes Gaza Pier - Emplaced in Near Future + France Denies Troops (Foreign Legion) Deployed in Ukraine + Rheinmetall: Prototype 155mm Munition with 100k Range to Ukraine + More May 07, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Completes Gaza Pier, which will be emplaced in near future.
Delay is due to high winds and seas.
2. IDF conducting "Limited" Ground Operation in Eastern Rafah. Ground operation follows over 100 airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force.
3. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) denies sabotaging the latest round of talks between Israel and Hamas.
4. From ABC: 3 x Unnamed US Officials tell ABC News that the White House Security Council has delayed the delivery of ammunition to Israel.
5. French Foreign Ministry denies a deployment of French Troops to fight in the Russia-Ukraine War.
6. US State Department claims Russia is pursuing a space-deployed, anti- satellite nuclear weapon.
7. Rheinmetall: Prototype 155mm Munition with 100k Range to be sent to Ukraine.
8. USMC operationally deploys the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) to Balikatan 2024 Exercise in the Philippines. via the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49).

267: No Israel - Hamas Hostage Deal Yet: Negotiations Continue + Germany Provides Air Defense System to Ukraine + USMC Air Defense Modernization Efforts + USAF Creates Modernization Command + More May 05, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US and Russian Forces co-located on same base in Niger, as US forces plan drawdown.
2. US construction of Gaza temporary humanitarian pier, part of the Joint Logistics Over-the Shore capability (JLTOS), is 50% complete. Once fully operational, the pier will facilitate the delivery of roughly 150 truckloads of aid per day.
3. No Israel - Hamas Hostage Deal Yet. Negotiations continue.
4. Germany latest assistance package to Ukraine includes the Skynex Air Defense System- plus 10 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, medium-range missiles, a surveillance radar, and tank transporter tractors.
5. USMC Air Defense & counter Drone Efforts:
- Medium Range Intercept Capability (MRIC).
- Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS).
- Light MADIS.
6. US Navy Sailors and Marines injured during amphibious training off Jacksonville, Florida coast.
7. Settled F-35 lawsuit between Lockheed Martin and Subcontractor Howmet Aerospace involved titanium supply. Case was formally dismissed on 02 April 2024.
8. USAF Creates Modernization Command.

266: Report: Ukraine Strikes Russian Troop Concentration with ATACMS + French President Discusses French Troops to Ukraine (Again) + US Army New M2A4EI Bradley Variant + Pakistan Navy Hangor II Submarines + More May 03, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Intelligence Agencies (Mossad, Shin Bet, & IDF Intelligence Chief) release unified public report- first since 07 October.
2. French President (Emmanuel Macron) Discusses French Troops to Ukraine (Again).
3. Ukraine Strikes Russian Troop Concentration with ATACMS.
4. US Army New M2A4EI Bradley Variant. New Variant equipped with Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS).
5. USMC selects Kongsberg RT20 Remote Turret for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle - 30 mm Cannon (ACV-30) Variant.
6. USMC Commandant (General Eric Smith) & US Navy Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral Lisa Franchetti)- sign letter directing study into requirements and certification of amphibious ships.
7. Secretary of US Navy (Carlos Del Toro) testifies before House Armed Service Committee regarding FY25 Budget.
Discusses Amphibious ship production, pauses, and required number.
8. Pakistan Navy Hangor II Submarines (8), launched at Chinese shipyard.

265: Israel PM: Rafah Operation With or Without Hostage Deal + Israel to Retire Patriot ADA Systems + Russia Says it Shot Down 6 x ATACMS + USAF MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter Nunn-McCurdy Breach + More Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu): Rafah Operation With or Without Hostage Deal.
2. Israel to Retire Patriot ADA Systems- in service since 1991.
3. International Court of Justice: No action against Germany for arms sales to Israel.
4. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transit Suez Canal from Red Sea to Mediterranean Sea. Carrier deployed on 13 October 2023 to Red Sea. Expected replacement carrier will be the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).
5. Russia displays captured M1 Tank in Moscow. Tank captured from combat operations near the city of Avdiivka.
6. Russia Says it Shot Down 6 x ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System).
7. USAF MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter breaches Nunn-McCurdy Act.
Helicopter purpose is to patrol USAF Nuclear Missile Silos.
8. USMC Force Design concept learning from Houthi anti-ship tactics in the Red Sea.

264: Israel Awaiting Hamas Response to Truce Deal + US Continues Work on Gaza Pier + Australia Security Package to Ukraine worth $100 million + USAF Selects Sierra Nevada to Develop E-4B Successor + More Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Awaiting Hamas Response to Truce Deal.
2. US Continues Work on Gaza Pier.
The Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system is estimated to be operational in early May.
3. Russia continues to make gains along Eastern Ukraine front.
Ukrainian Army Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged Ukraine’s overall situation had deteriorated.
“The situation at the front has escalated. Trying to seize the strategic initiative and break through the front line, the enemy has concentrated its main efforts in several directions, creating a significant advantage in forces and in means."
4. Latest Australia Security Package to Ukraine worth $100 million.
Includes: $50 million for short-range air defense systems; $30 million for drones; & $15 million for high priority equipment such as combat helmets, rigid hull inflatable boats, boots, fire masks and generators.
5. According to statement by the UK Defense Minister (Grant Shapps), Italy has provided Ukraine with Storm Shadow Long-Range Missiles.
"It’s the UK, France and Italy positioning those weapons for use, particularly in Crimea. These weapons are making a very significant difference.”
6. From Spanish Defense Minister (Margarita Robles): Madrid "to provide a set of long-range Patriot anti-aircraft interceptor missiles (to Ukraine)."
7. US Army Fixed-Wing High Accuracy Detection & Exploitation System (HADES) effort progressing. Army has selected the fixed-wing platform: Bombardier Global 6500 jet, Army will hold competition and select vendor to integrate government furnished sensor package(s) onto the jet. The Army will field 14 x HADES Aircraft by 2035.
8. USAF Selects Sierra Nevada to Develop E-4B Successor, in program worth $13 billion.

263: Israel: Make Hostage Deal or Rafah Operation + Latest US Security Package to Ukraine is Record $6 billion + Russia Producing War Materiel Beyond Need of Frontline Use + More Apr 28, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel to Hamas: Make Hostage Deal or Rafah Operation.
2. Latest US Security Package to Ukraine is Record $6 billion. Includes additional Patriot interceptors, HIMARS munitions, cannon artillery munitions (152mm & 155mm), UAS, and UAS Components, among other materiel.
3. AP Report: Ukraine removes US M1A1 Abrams tanks from front line duty due to drone and UAV threat. 5/31 tanks have been destroyed since arriving in September 2023.
4. France and Germany officially sign agreement on Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).
French Defense Minister (Sebastien Lecornu): “the future of the tank and not the tank of the future” had been “at the heart” of the negotiations “because we both need the same tank by 2040.”
5. German Defense Minister (Boris Pistorius): Russia is producing weapons and equipment beyond the need of frontline duty in Ukraine.
UK Intelligence Report: Russia has the industrial capacity to produce at least 1,200 tank per year.
6. Sweden to increase defense spending to 2.6% GDP by 2030. Proposal to create 3 x Mech Infantry Brigades, 1 x Infantry Brigade, & 1 x Infantry Regiment.
7. What is the Army Aviation Strategy after the Future Recon Attack Aircraft (FARA) Program cancellation?
8. US Army continues development of Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) program.
First Unit Equipped planned for 2026.
9. Sikorsky plans to compete in the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) effort. Also in the mix:- Bell & Leonardo (teaming) and Airbus.

262: IDF Ready for Rafah Operation + Latest US Security Package to Ukraine worth $1 billion + US Army to Restructure Aviation Brigades + More Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine is worth $1 billion. Includes Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, air defense interceptors, artillery rounds (155mm & 105mm), armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons.
2. US quietly shipped the long-range variant Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to Ukraine in March 2024. Range up to 300 kilometers.
3. IDF Ready for Rafah Operation. No timeline given. IDF ready at moment it receives approval. Pre-positioning Brigades in support of operation.
4. Latest on the US Gaza Pier Effort.
US Official: Gaza militants attack with mortars “marshalling yard area for humanitarian assistance that will soon be delivered by sea." The attack does not delay efforts for the maritime corridor, and effort is still on schedule to begin initial operations in early May, the military official said.
5. US Army to Restructure Aviation Brigades.
6. US Army moving forward with CH-47 Chinook modernization. Army anticipates full rate production contract for CH-47 Block II aircraft in late 2025.
7. Textron Bell to deliver Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), V-280 Valor, to US Army in 2026.
First Unit Equipped planned for 2031.

EP 261: IDF Restructures Tank Battalions + Army Mobile Protected Firepower M10 Booker Delivered for Testing + UK to Increase Defense Spending to 2.5% GDP by 2030 + Air Defense Systems to Ukraine + More Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. IDF restructures Tank Battalions.
2. Iran claims the the latest variant of the Bavar-373 Long-Range Air Defense Systems can defeat Stealth Aircraft. The systems employs the Sayyad-4B as the missile interceptor.
3. Germany to deliver the 4th IRIS-T SLM (Medium-Range) Air Defense System to Ukraine later this month.
4. Netherlands to invest $224 million in Ukraine Air Defense initiatives.
Netherlands Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren: “Air defense equipment and artillery ammunition are desperately needed in Ukraine. The situation threatens to become critical.”
5. Spain to procure a fifth NASAMS from Kongsberg in a $438 million deal.
NASAMS = National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems.
6. Lockheed Martin announces partnership with Spanish Firm (Grupo Oesia), to enable potential production of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) components in Spain.
7. UK to Increase Defense Spending to 2.5% GDP by 2030.
8. China's new H-20 Stealth Bomber to be unveiled soon. Reportedly, the H-20 is similar to the USAF B-21 Raider Bomber.
9. US Army Mobile Protected Firepower - M10 Booker - has been delivered for testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
10. The new Marine One Helicopter (VH-92 Patriot), scorches the White House South Lawn's landing/pick-up zone. The V-92 is restricted from moving the President from this location. The older, VH-3D Sea King helicopter still performs this duty.

260: Follow-Up Report: Iran S-300 Radar System Damaged from 19 Apr Strike + US to Withdraw from Niger Drone Base + US House Passes Ukraine - Israel - Indo Pacific Aid Bills + More Apr 21, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. 19 April- Iran backed Armed Group base struck south of Baghdad. US and Israel deny involvement.
2. Follow-Up Report: Iran S-300 Radar System Damaged from 19 Apr Strike.
3. In address to Israel- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to strike Hamas- "with additional painful blows" - hinting at Rafah Operation.
4. US to Withdraw from Niger Drone Base. The base- in the city of Agadez- was used for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations.
5. Russia increases presence in Eastern Libya.
6. Russian forces receive latest tranche of SU-35S warplanes from Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (United Aircraft Corporation).
7. Poland to join German-led European Sky Shield Initiative.
Initiative's objective: Improve the interoperability of air defense systems and streamline joint procurement of capacities across the continent.
8. US House Passes Military Aid Bills. Next step- US Senate.
Ukraine: $48 billion.
Israel: $14 billion.
Indo-Pacific: $4 billion.

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