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199: Israel PM - PA won't control Gaza after war + Joint Statement of Intent for Defense Cooperation: France/Philippines & UK/Turkey + US Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Maintenance in Australia via AUKUS Arrangement + More Dec 03, 2023

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) press conference. Emphatically states that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will not control Gaza after the defeat of Hamas.
2. Israel informs several Arab states (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, & Egypt) and Turkey- that it will propose security-buffer zone between Gaza and Israeli territory at the war's end.
3. Oshkosh Defense will continue to produce Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) through 2025 to support foreign sales.
4. Boeing out of the E4B Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft competition. Sierra Nevada Corporation 9SNC) remains the only known competitor. Contract award expected in 2024.
5. Boeing on contract to provide 15 more KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers for the USAF. Contract is worth $2.3 billion.
6. Canada to procure Boeing P8A Poseidon aircraft as a replacement for aging CP-140 fleet. Initial acquisition to be 14 x aircraft with option for two more at a later date.
7. US Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Maintenance in Australia via AUKUS Arrangement will occur in Summer 2024.
8. Joint Statement of Intent for Defense Cooperation: UK & Turkey.
9. Joint Statement of Intent for Defense Cooperation: France and Philippines.

198: Israel - Hamas Temporary Truce Ends + US Navy Destroyer Downs Iranian-made Drone Over Red Sea + Ukraine Building Defensive Fortifications + China AI-Enabled Hypersonic Missile Simulation + More Dec 02, 2023

Show notes

For review:
1. US Air Force Special Operations CV-22B Osprey crashes off Yakushima Island (Japan).
2. USS Carney (DDG-64) downs Iranian-produced drone, (KAS-04 unmanned aerial vehicle), over Red Sea.
3. Israel - Hamas temporary truce ends. Fighting resumes in Gaza Strip.
4. Israel - Hamas war by the numbers. Analysis by Seth Frantzman (Breaking Defense article).
5. Ukraine to build defensive fortifications along front- specifically in Eastern Ukraine.
6. China claims that it can shoot down the USAF B21 Raider Bomber- with AI-Enabled Hypersonic Missiles- in simulation.

197: Israel - Hamas Temporary Truce Extended + German Air Force Plans Indo-Pacific Deployment in '24 + Romania bids for Short-Range Air Defense Systems + Iran Procures Russian Warplanes & Attack Helicopters + More Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel - Hamas temporary truce extended. Combat actions occurred on Monday, but truce continues to hold. Potential for more Israeli hostages (women and children) to be released in return for Palestinian prisoners.
2. Germany and Israel finalize deal for Arrow 3 Air Defense Systems. Delivery expected in 2025.
3. German Air Force plans large Indo-Pacific deployment in the Summer of 2024. Visits include- Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, Australia, Indonesia or Malaysia, and finally- India.
4. German Army fielding of upgraded Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), are delayed almost three months due to software challenges.
5. Norway and Germany will collaborate on a Next Generation Naval-Strike Missile. Fielding estimated to be in 2035.
6. Belgium will join Germany, France, and Spain- in the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program by June 2025.
7. Romania seeks bids for Short-Range & Very Short-Range Air Defense Systems. Effort is funded for $2.1 billion.
8. Iran Procures Russian Warplanes & Attack Helicopters. Aircraft include: Sukhoi SU-35 Fighters; Mi-28 Attack Helicopters; & Yak-130 Jet Trainers.
9. UK Royal Navy begins flying Banshee Jet 80 drones from Predannack Airfield; Lizard Peninsula; Cornwall, England.

196: Israel-Hamas Temporary Truce Holds Thru Day 2 + Netherlands Wants to Join European Armaments Organization + Germany To Provide $1.4 billion Security Package to Ukraine + India to Produce Stryker Combat Vehicles + More Nov 26, 2023

Show notes

For review:
1. Day 1 analysis of Israel - Hamas Temporary Truce, by Zoran Kusovac.
2. Latest in release of Israeli Hostages & Hamas prisoners- through Day 2- of temporary truce.
3. Germany to provide $1.4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. Package includes: 4 x IRIS-T medium-range air defense systems; drone defense systems; electronic warfare equipment; artillery munitions; surveillance drones; de-mining combat vehicles; and directional anti-tank mines.
4. Netherlands want to joint the European Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR = French acronym). Organization formed in 2001 by France, UK, Germany, & Italy. Spain and Belgium are also members. Organization is currently working 17 programs.
5. India to produce Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles, (variant- unknown).
6. China and Pakistan complete seven-day, naval exercise.

195: IDF Exposes Tunnels Under Al-Shifa Hospital Complex + Israel-Hamas Temporary Truce + USAF AC-130 Strikes Iranian-backed Militia + North Korea Launches Recon Satellite - Terminates Military Agreement with South Korea + More Nov 24, 2023

Show notes

For review:
1. USAF AC-130 gunship strikes Iranian-backed Militia in Iraq.
2. US Navy Guided Missile Destroyer, USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) shoots down multiple one-way attack drone over Red Sea.
3. IDF exposes tunnels under Al-Shifa Hospital Complex.
4. Israel - Hamas temporary cease fire (4 days) begins on Friday at 0700, Israel time. First Israeli hostages to be released at 1600.
5. Enforcing the Israel - Hamas Truce. Analysis and commentary by Zoran Kusovac.
6. Canada delays procurement of General Atomics MQ-9B Reaper Drones until Arctic modifications are ready.
7. US Navy follows Department of Defense Inspector General Recommendation- and delays the Milestone C Decision and Initial Operational Capability (IOC) until after proper development and operational tests.
8. UK Nuclear Submarine (Vanguard-class) secondary depth gauge keeps crew safe during operational patrol.
9. North Korea Launches Recon Satellite: Terminates Military Agreement with South Korea over fall-out.

194: IDF Locates/Explores Tunnel Shaft in Al-Shifa Complex + France Tests Strategic Ballistic Missile + UK Navy Launch/Recovers Large Mojave UAS from Aircraft Carrier + India-Australia Defense Talks + More Nov 21, 2023

Show notes

For review:
1. US Foreign Military Sales: South Korea- SM 6 missiles + AIM 9 Sidewinder Missiles; & Japan- Tomahawk Missiles.
2. US Security Assistance to Ukraine is worth $100 million. Includes 1 x HIMARS; 155 & 105mm artillery rounds; AT weapons, etc.
3. US Secretary of Defense visits Ukraine.
4. IDF locates and explores tunnel in the Al-Shifa hospital complex.
5. IDF 36th Division ground operations in Gaza employ Infantry-Armor-Combat Engineer teams.
6. US Army Long-Range Precision Fires effort- Mid-Range Capability or new name- Strategic Mid-Range Fires System- will be fielded in Indo-Pacific AOR next year. Exact location- not disclosed yet. (South Korea? Guam? Hawaii?)
7. Sweden to procure Common Anti-Air Missiles for Royal Navy Corvettes.
8. France successfully tests M51.3 Strategic Ballistic Missile.
9. India and Australia to hold defense & security dialogue.
10. UK Navy successfully launch/recovers large Mojave UAS from HMS Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier off the Virginia Coast.

193: IDF Infantry Combat in Gaza + Netherlands to Provide $2.2 billion in Military Aid to Ukraine + USMC Activates the second Marine Littoral Regiment (12th MLR) + US Army Precision Strike Missile Close to Fielding + More Nov 18, 2023

Show notes

For review:
1. Excellent article on IDF infantry Combat in Gaza. Interview with IDF Infantry Battalion Commander by Emanuel Fabian- Times of Israel.
2. Netherlands to provide $2.2 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
3. EU to miss providing 1 million (155mm) artillery munitions to Ukraine as pledged last Spring and blames European defense industry.
Aerospace, Security, & Defense Industries Association of Europe provides (logical) rebuttal.
4. USAF LGM-35A Sentinel Nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program is struggling. This program is designed to replace Minuteman III ICBMs and achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) by 2030.
5. Army Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is close to fielding. PrSM will replace the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
6. USMC activates a second Marine Littoral Regiment. The 12th Marine Regiment has transformed into the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment at Camp Hansen, Okinawa.
7. US Army and Lockheed Martin improve and test Q53 Radar System to detect drone threats.

192: US Navy Destroyer Downs Drone Over Red Sea + IDF Ground Operations Update + Germany to Procure Anti-Tank Mines + French Army Griffon Armored Vehicles + US Army Fixed Wing ISR Contract + More Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

For review:
1. Update on US Army MH-60 Black Hawk crash.
2. US Navy Destroyer, USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), downs drone over the Red Sea.
3. US Defense Official confirms Hamas tunnels and and command/control node under Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.
4. IDF enters Al-Shifi Hospital in Gaza.- finds weapons. Operations to locate Hamas assets will continue.
5. IDF provides estimation of disruption of Hamas Regional Brigades/Battalions.
6. UN Security Council Resolution 2712 adopted. Calls for extended humanitarian pauses, release of all hostages held by Hamas, and immediate humanitarian access. US/UK/Russia abstain.
7. French Army receive 16 more Griffon Armored Vehicles. Fleet increased to 533/887 total vehicles.
8. US Army selects Sierra Nevada Corporation to provide Fixed-wing ISR platform.
9. Germany to procure PARM directional, anti-tank mines. Will replace internal stocks provided to Ukraine.

191: IDF Ground Operations Update + US Army Delays Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Fielding + Finland Purchases David's Sling Air Defense System + Chinese Carrier Strike Group Transits Taiwan Strait + More Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

For review:
1. US Department of Defense Release concerning helicopter crash in Mediterranean Sea.
2. IDF Ground Operations Update in Gaza. Actions in vicinity of Shifa Hospital.
3. Jerusalem Post Reporter visits IDF Intelligence Center.
4. Zoran Kusovac analysis on the potential of Hezbollah widening the war.
5. US Army delays fielding of the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon.
6. Israel to supply unnamed air defense system- to an unnamed customer- in a $1.2 billion deal.
7. Finland to procure David's Sling Air Defense System from Israel for $340 million.
8. Chinese Carrier Strike Ground- CNS Shandong (17)- transits the Taiwan Strait.

190: IDF Combat Engineers Find & Destroy Tunnels in Gaza + B21 Raider Makes First Flight Over California + USAF F15s Strike E. Syria + More ATACMS to Ukraine (Opinion Article) + More Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

For review:
1. Happy Birthday USMC- 248 years.
2. B21 Raider Bomber makes first flight over California.
3. US F15s strike targets in Eastern Syria.
4. Yemen Houthi Rebels down US MQ-9 Drone. Confirmed by US Official.
5. Israel begins formal humanitarian pauses in Gaza (roughly 4 hours daily for civilians to move south). No cease fire until all hostages released.
6. Analysis by Zoran Kusovac concerning tunnel warfare in Gaza.
7. Time sof Israel reported embedded with IDF Combat Engineers. Discuss discovering tunnels in Gaza.
8. US Foreign Military Sale to Romania- $2.5 billion- for 54 x M1A2 SEPv3 Tanks; 4 x M88A2 Hercules Recovery Vehicles; 4 x M1110 Joint Assault Bridges; 4 x M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles; & 4 x Heavy Assault Scissor Bridges.
9. US Army to pay more than double (than estimated) for Maneuver Support Vessel-Light Watercraft. Estimated cost per unit: $27.8 million. Actual cost per unit: $63.1 million.
10. ATACMS/Ukraine Opinion Article from Breaking Defense (Hardie-Bowman).
Summary- the US should provide more ATACMS missiles- and in both warhead variants (anti-personnel/anti-materiel & unitary)- to Ukraine.

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