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239: F-35A Now Nuclear-Capable Fighter + UK to Provide Large Numbers of First Person View Drones & Loitering Munitions to Ukraine + US Army Transportation Brigade Deploys to Mediterranean + More Mar 10, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
09 Mar- U.S. and Coalition forces downed a total of at least 28 uncrewed aerial vehicles between 1600-2030 (local time).
U.S. Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank S. Besson (LSV-1) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, departed Joint Base Langley-Eustis en route to the Eastern Mediterranean less than 36 hours after President Biden announced the U.S. would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea. Besson, a logistics support vessel, is carrying the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies.
2. US Army 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) will construct Joint-Logistics Over the Shore pier. The JLOTS military purpose: It allows a heavy force to be moved from ship to shore without the benefit of a modern deepwater port.
3. When Ramadan arriving (10 Mar) and no Hostage deal- will IDF begin operations in Rafah.
4. Strong potential for (future) IDF incursion into Southern Lebanon against Hezbollah.
5. UK to Provide Large Numbers of First Person View Drones & Loitering Munitions to Ukraine.
6. V-22 Osprey Fleet flying again (08 Mar).
7. F-35A (variants) are now nuclear-capable fighters.

238: US to Build a Temporary Pier for Gaza Humanitarian Support + China to Develop 4th Aircraft Carrier + US Army to Establish Deep-Sensing (Targeting) Cross Functional Team + More Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

For review- (shorter episodes planned for next two weeks)
1. US CENTCOM X:
06 Mar- At approximately 11:30 a.m. (local time) an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) was launched from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen toward M/V True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier, while transiting the Gulf of Aden. The missile struck the vessel, and the multinational crew reports three
fatalities, at least four injuries, of which three are in critical condition, and significant damage to the ship.
07 Mar- Central Command Forces and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict.
07 Mar- CENTCOM Forces conducted self-defense strikes against four mobile Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) and one Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Additionally, CENTCOM Forces shot down three UAVs launched from Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden.
2. President Biden says that the US will Build a Pier (temporary) for Gaza Humanitarian Support .
3. China 2024 Defense Budget increases 7.2%. 2024 budget is $236.1 billion.
4. China to develop a 4th Aircraft Carrier.
5. US Navy Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral Lisa Franchetti) is committed to the requirement of 31 Amphibious Ships.
6. US Army defends change of Aviation Strategy as a result of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA).
7. US Army (Army Futures Command) to announce a "Deep Sensing" Cross-Functional Team. Time frame and location unknown.

237: Israel-Hamas Hostage Negotiations Continue + Netherlands to Develop New Frigates + Iran Weapons Display at Doha (Qatar) Trade Show + Canada & Germany Procure Boeing P-8 Poseidon Aircraft + More Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
04 Mar- Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired 2 x anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen into the Gulf of Aden at M/V MSC SKY II, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss-owned container vessel. One of the missiles impacted the vessel causing damage. Initial reports indicate there were no injuries; the ship did not request assistance and continued on its way. At 8 p.m. (local), CENTCOM Forces conducted self-defense strikes against 2 x anti-ship cruise missiles.
2. Israel-Hamas Hostage Negotiations Continue as Ramadan gets closer.
3. Sudan rejects Iran’s bid for Red Sea naval base.
4. Iran Weapons at Doha (Qatar) Trade Show- include air defense systems, Naval Vessel Mock-ups, and rifles and machine guns.
5. Netherlands plans to order 4 x new air-defense frigates to replace current fleet (worth $3.8 billion).
6. Poland continues defense modernization. Signed deal for the US Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System- which will integrate with the Wisla (Patriot) & Narew Air Defense programs. In addition, will purchase 286 x light armored recon vehicles.
7. Canada & Germany Procure Boeing P-8 Poseidon Aircraft- Canada (14); Germany (3).
8. Thailand Air Force Modernization includes new Fighters, Air Defense Systems, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
9. US Army tests Next Generation Squad Weapon- XM7 Rifle and XM250 Automatic Rifle- plus the XM157 Fire Control (Optic)- at the Cold Regions Test Center (Fort Greeley, Alaska).

236: Pentagon will Lift V-22 Osprey Grounding Next Week +Israel-Hamas Hostage Negotiations Falter + Army National Guard Grounds all Helicopters following AH-64 Crash + US Army Sends DE-MSHORAD to CENTCOM AOR + More Mar 02, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Pentagon will Lift V-22 Osprey Grounding Next Week.
2. Army National Guard Grounds all Helicopters following fatal AH-64 Crash in Mississippi.
3. US CENTCOM X:
29 Feb- between 1800-1915 hours (local), CENTCOM Forces conducted 2 x self-defense strikes against 6 x mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea. Earlier, at approximately 1710 (local), CENTCOM Forces shot down 1 x unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the southern Red Sea in self-defense.
4. US Army Sends DE-MSHORAD to CENTCOM AOR. In early Feb, US Army sent 4 x DE-MSHORAD to CENTCOM for testing.
The Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE-MSHORAD) integrates a 50-kilowatt laser onto a Stryker Combat Vehicle to down Group 1-3 (type) aerial drones, plus incoming rockets, artillery and mortars.
5. Israel-Hamas Hostage Negotiations Falter.
6. US blocks UN Security Council resolution blaming Israel for deaths during Gaza aid incident. The text of the draft resolution was not available.
7. European nations source hundreds of thousands artillery rounds for donation to Ukraine.
8. Netherlands orders 9 x DITA Self-propelled 155mm Howitzers from Czech Republic for donation to Ukraine. DITA rate of fire is six rounds per minute, reducing to five rounds per minute during prolonged firing. The system basic load 40 x rounds and can displace in 45 seconds.
9. Pressure mounts on Germany ( and Chancellor Olaf Scholz) to provide Taurus long-range precision missiles to Ukraine.
10. From Canada Defense Minster (Bill Blair):
Canada is open to sending a limited number of troops to Ukraine.
Canadian troops will not take part in combat operations, but will train Ukrainian soldiers (far from the front-lines).

235: Ukraine Considers Inviting Russia to Peace Summit in Switzerland + France Considers Sending Troops to Ukraine? + Singapore to Procure More F35s + US Army Force Structure Changes + More Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
27 Feb- Between 2150 & 2255 (local), US aircraft and a Coalition warship shot down 5 x Iranian-backed Houthi one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the Red Sea.
2. Israel and Hamas continue Hostage-Prisoner negotiations as Ramadan gets closer (10 Mar).
3. Ukraine Considers Inviting Russia to Peace Summit in Switzerland .
4. France Considers Sending Troops to Ukraine? US, Italy, UK, and Germany say no. Spain, Czech Republic, and Poland also against the idea.
5. Ukraine Ambassador (Vasyl Myroshnychenko) visits Australia. Makes appeal for Australia's unused MRH-90 Taipan Helicopters and aging M1 Tanks.
6. Australia to dispose MRH-90 Taipan Helicopter fleet by removing and selling valuable parts- then burying remaining airframes. Controversy ensures at this disposal plan due to conflicts with other option of donating the helicopters to Ukraine for wartime CASEVAC missions.
7. Digging deeper into the above story. Article from Asia-Defence Reporter (Kym Bergmann) that accuses the Australia Army and Government of not wanting to provide the MRH-90 Taipan fleet to Ukraine- " to stop anyone else (Ukraine) from using them. In their minds (Government of Australia & Army), the fate of Ukraine is far less important than covering up for their own incompetence and mismanagement (of not properly employing the Taipan fleet)."
8. Australian Navy to more than double surface fleet- from 11 to 26 warships.
Future surface fleet will feature 9 x Tier 1 destroyers and frigates, 11 x Tier 2 frigates, and 6 x optionally manned vessels.
9. Singapore’ Air Force to buy 8 x F-35A Fighters- adding to the 12 F-35Bs already on order. Singapore will become the 4th Nation to have both F-35 A & B variants- joining US, Japan, & Italy.
10. US Army new Force Structure released.
Snapshot:
Reductions in Brigade Combat Team Engineer Battalions, Cavalry Squadrons, and Heavy Weapons Companies.
Additions in Multi-Domain Task Forces (2); Indirect Fore Protection Capability Battalions, and Counter-UAS Batteries.
Read Defense News Article (Jen Judson) for full rundown.
Or read the Whitepaper:
https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2024/02/27/091989c9/army-white-paper-army-force-structure-transformation.pdf

234: US-UK Conducted Strikes Against Houthis + IDF Will Continue Strikes in North + Iron Sting 120mm Precision Mortar + Hungary Ratifies Sweden NATO Membership + More Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
26 Feb- CENTCOM Forces destroyed 3 x unmanned surface vessels (USV), 2 x mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), and 1 x one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in self-defense.
2. From Department of Defense statement (24 Feb):
US and UK, with support from allied nations, struck 18 Houthi targets on 24 Feb.
Supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand, the strikes focused on 8 x locations in Yemen that held underground weapons storage facilities, drone systems, air defense systems, and missile storage facilities.
3. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with American TV (CBS Face the Nation).
Money quote: "A lot of things that we were told by the best of friends initially turned out to not be true- they said you can’t enter the ground war without having enormous complications, they said you can’t enter Gaza City, you can’t go into the tunnels, it will be a terrible bloodbath.’ All that turned out to be not true."
4. Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: Israel would increase its strikes on Hezbollah in response to its daily attacks on northern Israel, including amid a potential temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
5. Reportedly (Jerusalem Post)- Post Israel-Hamas War- Palestinian Technocratic Officials could take over (Palestinian) government management during an initial transitional phase until elections can be held at a later time.
6. Nice report on the Iron Sting- a 120mm Precision Mortar system (Mounted)- used by the IDF in combat.
7. Hungary Ratifies Sweden NATO Membership. Sweden becomes the 32d NATO Member state. (AT4s and Carl Gs for everyone!)
8. Russia-Ukraine War at Year 2: 155mm production, NATO Member GDP, Russia War Economy, & US support.
9. Canada's Defense Minister Bill Blair: I’ve entered into the memorandum of understanding with the Czech Republic, with respect to perhaps acquiring munitions that they currently have in their possession that will enable us to … make them available more rapidly to Ukraine as we ramp up our own production.
In addition- Canada will send 800 x SkyRanger R70 Drones to Ukraine worth $70.3 million.
10. US Department of Defense Inspector General: The US Defense Department (US Army) provided Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles, M1 Abrams Tanks, and Patriots Air Defense Systems to Ukraine, without a sustainment plan (for the future).

233: IDF Prepares for War in North + USMC Force Design Opinion Piece (it's brutal) + Russia-Ukraine War at Year 2 + Hungary Orders More Gripen Warplanes + More Feb 24, 2024

Show notes

For review:
US CENTCOM X:
18 Feb- Iran-backed Houthi terrorists attacked the M/V Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier. The attack caused significant damage to the ship, which caused an 18-mile oil slick.
22 Feb- US aircraft and a coalition warship shot down 6 x Iranian-backed Houthi one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Red Sea. Later, Houthis rebels fired 2 x anti-ship ballistic missiles from southern Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. The missiles impacted MV Islander a Palau-flagged, U.K.-owned, cargo carrier causing one minor injury and damage. The ship is continuing its voyage.
22 Feb- CENTCOM Forces conducted self-defense strikes against 4 x Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and 2 x mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. On
23 Feb- CENTCOM Forces shot down 3 x Houthi one-way attack UAV near several commercial ships operating in the Red Sea. There was no damage to any ships.
23 Feb- CENTCOM Forces destroyed 7 x Iranian-backed Houthi mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea.
2. Post-Gaza War plan put forward by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Plan includes IDF freedom to provide security inside Gaza and the establishment of a security buffer zone.
3. IDF Prepares for War in North (Lebanon) against Hezbollah.
4. Russia-Ukraine War entering third year. Braking Defense publishes list of articles- by Domain. We cover the Land Domain in this episode.
5. Hungary Orders More Gripen Warplanes from Saab (Sweden). Hungary's government could approve Sweden's NATO membership bid as soon as Monday, 26 Feb.
6. US Army Maneuver- Short Range Air Defense (MSHORAD) system requirement preparing for Joint-level approval.
7. USMC Force Design Opinion Piece (Defense Post), by Gary Anderson.
Mr. Anderson served as the Chief of Plans (G-5) of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Force responsible for the Indo-Pacific area.
The title of the Opinion Piece is "How to Ruin the Marine Corps".

232: US MQ-9 Downed by Houthi Rebels + Indian Army Wants New Towed-155mm Howitzer + Turkey's 5th Gen Fighter Makes First Flight + UK Trident II Launch + More Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. CENTCOM X:
- 20 Feb: At 0030 (local), USS Laboon (DDG 58) identified a one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) headed in its direction. The USS Laboon shot down the ASCM.
- 21 Feb: Between 1200 and 1845 (local), CENTCOM Forces conducted 4 x
self-defense strikes against 7 x mobile Houthi Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles and
1 x mobile Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile launcher that were prepared to launch
towards the Red Sea.
2. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary concerning downed US MQ-9 Drone:
“On February 19, a US MQ-9 was downed or went down off the coast of Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, in the Red Sea. Initial indications are that it was shot down by a Houthi surface-to-air missile."
3. The UN Security Council met again in emergency session in New York on Gaza Tuesday, where the United States vetoed a resolution put forward on behalf of Arab States by Algeria demanding “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire that must be respected by all parties”. UK abstains. 13 other Council members vote in support.
4. Syrian State media reports two killed during airstrike in Damascus neighborhood.
5. Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz: Israel was prepared to launch offensive in Rafah (during Ramadan) if a hostage deal is not reached by the time the Muslim holy month starts around 10 March.
6. Unidentified problem with a British Trident II D5 unarmed missile launch (21 Feb), from Royal Navy HMS Vanguard Submarine.
7. Turkey's indigenous 5th Gen Fighter (KAAN) makes first flight. Flight lasted 13 minutes with an altitude of 8,000 feet and speed of 230 knots.
8. Indian Army releases tender for new towed 155mm howitzer.
Desired characteristics:
- No heavier than 15 tons.
- Fire existing 155mm rounds to a distance of 40-plus kilometers.
- Minimum service life of 20 years.
- Barrel life of 1,500 equivalent full charges.
9. Latest second interceptor competition news for the US Army's Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) effort.

231: Israeli Cabinet Rejects International Diktats Pushing Palestinian Statehood + European Coalition Intends to Deliver 1 Million Drones to Ukraine + Denmark to Donate All Artillery Rounds to Ukraine + More Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
- 17 Feb: CENTCOM Forces conducted five self-defense strikes against 3 x mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, 1 x unmanned underwater vessel (UUV), and 1 x unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. This is the first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began in October 2023.
2. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: Hamas has no leadership on the ground in Gaza. Yahya Sinwar has reportedly been out of contact with the terror group’s leadership abroad since the end of January 2024.
3. Israeli Cabinet Rejects International Diktats Pushing Palestinian Statehood.
An accord, should it be reached, will only come through direct negotiations between the sides, without preconditions.
4. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Munich Security Conference:
"Virtually every Arab country now genuinely wants to integrate Israel into the region to normalize relations… to provide security commitments and assurances so that Israel can feel more safe."
5. Finland's newly elected head of state (Alexander Stubb), wants China to play a significant role in to peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
6. European Coalition Intends to Deliver 1 Million Drones to Ukraine. This Coalition is led by Latvia and the UK. UK will fund$250 million toward the effort and Latvia will invest $10.8 million.
7. Russian defense industry think tank (Center for Analysis of Strategies & Technologies) has increased the reward for a captured Milrem THeMIS Unmanned Ground Robotic Vehicle operating in Ukraine. Reward is $22k. The robotic vehicle is being used for de-mining operations and cargo transport.
8. At the Munich Security Conference, Prime Minister (Mette Frederiksen) announces that Denmark will deliver all the artillery rounds from its stockpiles to Ukraine.
Amount not specified.
9. Turkey and Greece will join the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), bringing the total number of participating nations to 21. The ESSI aims to streamline procurement of air defense capabilities across Europe- focusing on interoperability.

230: Strikes in Iran Target Energy Sector + Ukraine Defense Agreements with Germany & France + Armor Not Dead: Greece Considers Upgrading Leopard I Tank Fleet + North Korea Test Launches Anti-Ship Missile + More Feb 17, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
- 14 Feb: CENTCOM Forces conducted four self-defense strikes against 7 x mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), 3 x mobile unmanned aerial vehicles(UAV), and 1 x explosive unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen,.
- 15 Feb: US Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr (WPC 1147), forward deployed to CENTCOM AOR, seized advanced conventional weapons and other lethal aid originating in Iran and bound to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen from a vessel in the Arabian Sea on Jan. 28.
- 15 Feb: At approximately 1630 local time, an anti-ship ballistic missile was launched from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. The missile was headed toward MV Lycavitos, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned and operated bulk carrier. The ship reported no injuries but very minor damage, and continued its voyage.
-15 Feb: Between the hours of 1510 & 2000 local time, CENTCOM Forces conducted two self-defense strike against 3 x mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
2. Strikes in Iran target major gas pipelines. Strike on chemical factory outside Tehran also reported. There has been no comment from Israel.
3. President Biden expresses hope for stopping (impending) IDF ground operation in Rafah during hostage release negotiations.
4. IDF has advanced plan for ground operation in Rafah. Awaiting approval from National Civilian Authorities.
5. Ukraine signs defense agreements with Germany & France.
Germany to provide 1.1 billion-euro ($1.2 billion) package of military aid, including 36 x howitzers, 120,000 x rounds of artillery ammunition & 2 x air-defense systems.
6. US House of Representatives fail to advance (or address) Senate-approved defense funding bill for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
7. Ukraine Army faces difficulties in Avdiivka. Russian forces reportedly surround town on three sides.
8. Armor Not Dead: Greece Considers Upgrading Leopard I Tank Fleet (500 tanks). Prospective improvements include: introduction of a stronger engine and reinforced suspension; new fire control system; modernized turret; digital open architecture allowing adaption of systems such as an anti-drone weapon station, and the integration of loitering munitions.
9. US Army Javelin System: The Light Weight Command Launch Unit (LW-CLU) and the new G-model missile (to be designated the FGM-148G) continue modernization improvement efforts, despite delays.
10. US Army will upgrade Bradley Fighting Vehicles with Elbit Systems Iron Fist Active Protective System. 1,242 vehicles- assigned to 9 x Armored Brigade Combat Teams- will receive the upgrade, during the 8-year effort.
11. North Korea test launches new surface-to-sea missile (Padasuri-6) into the Sea of Japan. The missile will enter service with the North Korean Navy.

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