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I - On Defense Podcast

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Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca on Friday.

The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three would be regarded as an attack on all, they said in a joint statement.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says that the defense pact his country signed yesterday with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is technically the same as NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense agreement.

Egypt could potentially join the pact once certain technical matters are resolved, he adds.

A member of Iran's Parliament and National Security and Foreign Policy Commission has criticised the new defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey and said that even though the agreement has been signed, it would not guarantee Riyadh lasting security.

Ebrahim Rezaei reacted to the defence agreement on X and wrote, "Saudis must know that a paper agreement with Turkey and Pakistan will not bring them security, just as years of one-sided nursing to the Americans did not bring them security."

Houthi attacks on a strategic Yemeni province killed at least 10 people Friday, according to a minister and military source, as the rebels escalated strikes on the oil-rich region.

A source close to the Saudi military told AFP that the Saudi-led coalition supporting the Yemeni government since 2015 would not stand “idly by” against the Houthi attacks and that Marib was a “red line.”

In an interview with Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance says that Iran has told the US that it has “no plans” to impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz.
As the US-backed Board of Peace pushed ahead with its roadmap for postwar Gaza, Hamas asserted Saturday it remained ready to proceed with the plan and urged Washington to pressure Israel to implement it, as Israeli officials warned that the terror organization was exploiting the process to prevent renewed military action.
The US Senate overwhelmingly approves a punishing Russian sanctions package, the result of a year-long campaign by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.

The bipartisan legislation, which passes the Senate 86-11, would penalize countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports.

The U.S. Air Force has committed $75 million to an initial production run of a jet-powered guided bomb that can fly more than 300 nautical miles.

Boeing’s Payload Delivery Unit is a wing-and-turbojet engine kit that converts a 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) into a long-range JDAM (JDAM LR) dubbed the GBU-75. The result is a gravity bomb with the reach of a cruise missile.

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Report: Mossad chief removes 2 senior officials behind aborted Iran regime-change plan
Iran’s foreign ministry said Wednesday that Iran and Oman have agreed on a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and are putting the final touches on arrangements for jointly managing the waterway.
Lebanon and Israel held a fresh round of US-sponsored talks in Rome on Tuesday. This week’s negotiations mark the seventh round of Washington-mediated talks.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have killed at least 30 government soldiers and injured 15 in missile attacks on Yemeni military, government sources

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the attacks, using missiles and drones, led to “hundreds” of casualties.

The Yemeni military confirmed the attacks, framing them as a response to their own attacks on the Houthis.

A Ukrainian cargo plane targeted by a drone carrying explosives at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport was loaded with ammunition at the time of the incident, German media reported on Aug. 6.
US Triples Patriot and Quadruples THAAD Interceptor Production.

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US President Donald Trump held a phone call earlier today with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during which the pair discussed “efforts to deescalate tensions between the US and Iran,” the latter’s office says.
Iran and the Gulf Arab state of Oman have made progress toward a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a potential breakthrough that could help wind down the war in the Middle East, regional officials say.

Under the emerging agreement, ships would enter the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route and exit through a route controlled by Oman, with service fees charged for providing security and preserving the maritime environment, two regional officials tell The Associated Press.

In his first public comments on the matter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel has not agreed to the Board of Peace’s Hamas disarmament plan, which was accepted by the terror group last week.
The US-backed Board of Peace appeared to change its conditions for the IDF to withdraw from Gaza after its top officials held a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, shortly before a fresh Israeli airstrike was reported in the enclave.
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's former ambassador to the U.S., has been charged with illicit enrichment, an anti-corruption prosecutor said at a hearing of the High Anti-Corruption Court on Aug. 5.
Ukraine will never become a member of NATO despite years of pursuing accession, Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.K. and former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said on Aug. 3.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said Zaluzhnyi's remarks had been "taken out of context and caused a stir," noting that the ambassador's full answer referred primarily to the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), not NATO.

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US President Donald Trump on Monday said that Washington and Tehran were currently engaged in talks, pushing back on Iranian claims to the contrary and accusing the Islamic Republic of being “unbelievably duplicitous.”

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump lashed out at Iran and insisted that negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz had already begun and that more were scheduled imminently.

As Israel faced growing criticism from the Board of Peace for its continued strikes on Gaza, despite Hamas’s recent signing of a US-backed disarmament plan, a senior Israeli spokesman said Monday that the roadmap “does not reflect Israel’s positions,” and “stands in direct contrast to the current reality” in the Strip.
Former Mossad chief David Barnea is joining Ondas Defense Ltd. as its global president and chairman, the NASDAQ-traded company announced on Monday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Olha Stefanishyna from her post as Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., according to a decree published on the presidential website on Aug. 3.
Ukraine President Zelensky on Tuesday (21 July) fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and named his replacement, following days of mass protests in Kyiv, the country’s capital, and other cities across the nation demanding his removal.

President Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander according to a statement on social media.

President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov as head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, according to a decree published on the presidential website on Aug. 3.
Poland is preparing to host the first military drills for the so-called Coalition of the Willing with British and French forces.

A spokesperson for the Polish Ministry of National Defence told Defense News that the military exercise, which is scheduled to be held this fall, is part of the group’s preparations for the post-war reality in Ukraine.

Anduril’s first Ohio-made unmanned, semi-autonomous aircraft rolled off the production line Monday, just four months after its beginning.

In January 2026, Anduril declared that its first product would be the YFQ-44A, a missionized variant of the company’s FQ-44, or “Fury,” autonomous fighter jet, for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

The $1 billion, 5 million-square-foot facility is located near Rickenbacker International Airport.

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US Sec of State Rubio raised concerns about Cuba’s ability to infiltrate and influence top-level U.S. institutions, detailing what he described as a dangerous Cuban spy network that is undermining American interests.
Secretary of State Rubio: Diplomatic Efforts in the Coming Weeks to Restart Moscow - Kiev Negotiations.
The Pentagon is giving up leadership of a U.S.-led NATO command in Germany that coordinates military aid to Ukraine. Another NATO member will eventually take over running the Security Assistance Group, according to a U.S official.
A deal is being mediated to return the United States and Iran to the memorandum of understanding the two countries signed last month, sources aware of the details told Israeli-outlet Channel 12 on Sunday.

The deal would ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for 60 days without fees and renew a ceasefire between the two sides, according to the report.

Israeli airstrikes overnight Saturday and into Sunday killed at least 17 people, according to local health officials, and a senior Israeli minister vowed that strikes in the territory will not stop despite Hamas signing a US-backed disarmament plan and earlier reports that Israel agreed to halt attacks.

The strikes followed similar heavy attacks on Saturday, which the IDF said targeted several Hamas weapon depots.

The U.S. Air Force’s F-47 program has begun its engineering and manufacturing development phase and will fly in the coming years, a service official said.

The first Boeing F-47 is on track for its first flight in 2028. The Air Force plans to buy at least 185 F-47s, matching the size of the F-22 Raptor fleet it intends to replace.

US Navy announced that it is awarding contracts for another round of ballistic missile and fast-attack submarines.

The Defense Department is granting a collective $76.6 billion to General Dynamics Electric Boat for five Columbia-class submarines and to both General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding for nine Virginia-class submarines to be built in the coming years.

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Saudi Arabia is gearing up for a major offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, by sea and possibly including a ground operation, The Guardian reported Thursday.
The United States and Israel are planning what would be one of the harshest bombing campaigns to date against energy infrastructure in Iran, multiple sources told CBS News, with strikes possible throughout the weekend.
The Israeli military blew up a Hezbollah tunnel system beneath the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced late Thursday night in a joint statement.

They said the Israel Defense Forces used 700 tons of explosives to demolish the subterranean facility.

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his Board of Peace had reached an agreement on the “complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza.”
USMC F-35B crasheded today in California, according to the service.

The pilot ejected and is in stable condition at a local medical facility, the service said in a statement. The pilot is being treated and evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries, the statement added.

No additional details were immediately available.

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Iran fired multiple ballistic missiles at a U.S. base in the Middle East on Tuesday evening, in what U.S. Central Command called an attempted surprise attack.
US Central Command announces that it has renewed airstrikes in Iran, in what it calls “a powerful response to yesterday’s attempted Iranian attacks on US forces based in the Middle East.”
A drone hit a US-owned gas storage tanker at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Damietta, British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Wednesday, citing an initial assessment of the incident.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the incident.

Iran is expected to receive within weeks a first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers, as it rebuilds its defenses amid ongoing fighting with the United States, three sources told Reuters.
Yemen’s Houthis are considering imposing fees on commercial ships sailing through the southern Red Sea, a week after declaring a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, regional sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not push any one particular strategy regarding Iran during his Oval Office meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, according to a senior Israeli official, who characterized the sit-down as an “exchange of ideas.”
The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday struck a mosque in Gaza City, saying Wednesday that it was one of several Hamas weapons depots in the central and northern Gaza Strip that it destroyed this week.
The Pentagon has formally launched the Europe force posture review Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced last month, beginning a process to examine U.S. military troop presence, force posture and basing across Europe.

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Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq reported drone attacks in their territory Monday amid a lull in US air strikes against Iran.
US President Donald Trump said Monday that he paused military strikes on Iran to give diplomacy another chance, amid a report of “significant” progress in talks to end the war.

But he added that he is prepared to authorize another major attack on the Islamic Republic if the talks fail.

Iran will top the agenda in his meeting with US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday, minutes before taking off from an Israeli Air Force base for Washington, DC.

PM is set to meet Trump on Tuesday at 11 a.m, local time, after more than five months since their last meeting.

WSJ Report: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talked the late Republican senator Lindsey Graham out of convincing US President Donald Trump to join Israel’s fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said in an interview aired Sunday that his country is working toward a security agreement with Israel, which he said could eventually pave the way for comprehensive peace between the two neighbors.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday vowed to respond against Ukraine for a deadly attack in the Caspian Sea that the minister claimed was carried out “at Israel’s behest.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Kyiv struck “vessels used in military cargo shipments involving Iran” in the Caspian Sea.

The Kremlin said on Monday that it had ‌not seen any specific information regarding new proposals for a peace settlement in Ukraine ahead of a meeting in Washington between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
India has successfully tested a long-range surface-to-air interceptor missile.

The project includes development of three variants with approximate ranges of 150 kilometers, 250 kilometers, and 350–400 kilometers.

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The United States refrained from striking Iran overnight Friday-Saturday for the first day in two weeks.

After the quiet night in Iran, there were also no reports on Saturday of attacks by Iran on its Gulf neighbors, which have been taking place daily as well.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday at the White House, the premier’s office announced Friday, in what will be the leaders’ first sit-down since the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28.
The Israel Defense Forces has in recent days announced a series of strikes in the Gaza Strip targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad members who it said were involved in the October 7 attack, or the subsequent holding of hostages.
Khalil al-Hayya has been elected to be the new leader of Hamas, the terror group announced Monday.

Al-Hayya, who previously served as the head of the group’s political bureau in Gaza, defeated former Hamas chief and veteran leader Khaled Mashaal.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has maintained that Turkey does not currently meet the criteria necessary for purchasing F-35 fighter jets from the United States.

To address US concerns, Turkey has been in talks with Washington about offloading the S-400 system.

Ukraine and the U.S. are coordinating a new round of peace proposals to present to Moscow, hoping that changing war dynamics could create the opportunity to push Russia toward negotiations, Ukrainian and U.S. officials told the Kyiv Independent.
Greece has approved the purchase of a multi-layer air defense system worth up to €3.5 billion ($4 billion) from Israel, its defense minister said on Thursday.

Greece wants to build a multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system, called “Achilles Shield,” with Israeli radars and missiles from Rafael and IAI defense companies forming the core of the system.

Australia successfully tested a “Frankenstein” medium-range air defense system last month, harnessing existing and new capabilities in a way nobody has tried before.

This first-of-type integration, which successfully fired an SM-2 interceptor missile, offers an alternative to buying expensive air defense systems.

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Iran has reportedly rejected a ceasefire deal passed along from the United States by Iraqi mediators.

According to The New York Times, citing Iranian and Iraqi officials, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi traveled to Iran today with a proposal formulated not long after he met with US President Donald Trump in the White House earlier this month.

The US military says it completed its latest round of strikes on Iran that marked a 13th consecutive night of American attacks.

The latest wave of strikes lasted more than two hours, according to the US Central Command.

CENTCOM says the latest attacks concluded shortly before 5 a.m. local time.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he is considering ordering the largest US attack on Iran yet, adding that Israel would join the strikes upon his request.
US President Donald Trump threatened Wednesday to bomb one Iranian bridge or power plant in return for each attack on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating his longstanding threat to go after Iranian infrastructure as fighting has escalated in recent weeks and could reportedly further intensify in the coming days.

According to a Wednesday report in Hebrew media, the US informed Israel that it will soon deploy heavy bombers for strikes on Iran, presumably targeting fortified nuclear sites, in what would be a major escalation.

Iranian drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf have prompted US intelligence analysts to investigate whether Russia assisted by providing targeting information or advanced drone technology, said four people familiar with US intelligence.
The Iran-backed Houthis struck two Saudi oil tankers on Thursday that they accused of violating a naval blockade imposed by the group, signaling a potential new front in the US-Iran conflict,

Yemen’s Houthis said they targeted two Saudi oil tankers, identified as Encelia and Laylia, saying the vessels violated their naval blockade.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the agreement reached with Saudi Arabia for acivilian nuclear program would require Riyadh to normalize relations with Israel, prompting praise from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Lebanon’s prime minister on Wednesday visited a battered southern village that was vacated by Israeli troops, planting a Lebanese flag at the scene and declaring that it marked the beginning of a complete Israeli withdrawal.
The US House passed its version of a $1.15 trillion fiscal 2027 defense authorization bill on a 216-to-212 vote.

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US Central Command (CENTCOM) says it has completed its 11th consecutive evening of air strikes against Iran to further degrade the country’s “ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz”.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that his country was in a “full-scale war” with the United States and that Tehran should accept the repercussions of the conflict, even as mediators reportedly proposed a 10-day truce to deescalate the fighting.
US President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that the US will be striking Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain “probably pretty soon,” amid reports that Tehran has moved nuclear centrifuges, and possibly even enriched uranium, to the secretive underground enrichment site.
Houthi Rebels on Monday announced they are imposing a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia in retaliation for a blockade on Yemen and a recent attack on the Sanaa Airport.
Israeli intelligence has reportedly assessed that Iran has moved thousands of nuclear centrifuges into a site in the Natanz area known as Pickaxe Mountain, burying them deep underground and making them harder to target in aerial strikes.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday, where he declared that his country will permanently end hostilities with Israel and asked for backing in his efforts to disarm Hezbollah.
Lebanese army troops began deploying in the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh Tuesday after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) said in a statement, in line with a US-brokered plan for “pilot zones” in the south.
Two Hamas terrorists, including a commander, who invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, and were responsible for the abduction of hostages, were killed in separate recent airstrikes, the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet announced on Tuesday.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman warned Bulgaria on Tuesday against allowing the U.S. to use its territory for operations against Iran.

The Bulgarian government has said it will seek parliamentary approval to station up to eight U.S. tanker aircraft at an air base in the Balkan country, which is a member of NATO and the European Union.

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US President Donald Trump says the latest military strikes on Iran are being carried out in honor of US servicemembers killed in recent days.

The US military launched a new wave of strikes targeting Iran early on Monday, the ninth consecutive night of attacks.

"The strikes will continue degrading Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz," the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X.

As the US sent dozens of refueling jets back to Israel in anticipation of a possible further escalation, Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reported, citing an unnamed American official, that the US was also sending dozens of warplanes to the Middle East, bolstering its F-16 and F-35 fleets there.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Sunday met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the start of his official visit to Washington, according to a US State Department readout.

The meeting, held at the State Department, discussed the US-Israel-Lebanon Trilateral Framework, the readout said.

Breaking Defense Interview with USAF Chief of Staff.

In a one-on-one with Breaking Defense, Air Force Chief of Staff GEN Kenneth Wilsbach laid out his big concerns for the service.

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China on Thursday voiced strong opposition to any potential US military action against Cuba after reports that the Pentagon was examining contingency plans for possible operations against the island.
The US military said it carried out the seventh night of strikes on Iran since President Donald Trump declared the temporary ceasefire agreement was "over".

In a statement shared on X, US Central Command wrote that its forces "hit surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities".

The US has reportedly notified Israel that it is sending dozens of additional refueling aircraft to Israel, as US President Donald Trump weighs launching another massive bombing offensive against Iran.
Iran has reportedly told its regional allies, including Hezbollah, to prepare for the possibility of a broader conflict amid military escalations with the United States, raising the prospect of Israel becoming directly involved in the fighting.
Iran has asked Yemen’s Houthi rebels to stand ready to close the Red Sea oil route if the United States strikes Iranian power infrastructure, three sources told Reuters on Thursday.
A Hamas company commander who held hostages during the war and served as the “right-hand man” of senior leaders in the terror group was killed in an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip yesterday, the IDF and Shin Bet announced.
The Kremlin said on Thursday that there is no immediate prospect of resuming peace talks with Ukraine, though it said that Russia remains open to ‌the idea of negotiations.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was appreciative of Turkey's willingness to help peace efforts, but no new talks were expected for now.

Ukraine has agreed on a plan to acquire 16 Rafale fighter jets from France together with the accompanying weapon systems.
The Pentagon doesn’t have a unified strategy for investing in a key hypersonic missile capability for the Navy and the Army — and failing to figure one out could result in additional program delays and inefficient use of funds, a new watchdog report warns.

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US Military planners have in recent weeks examined a range of options for possible action against the island, including an Army-led air assault involving thousands of U.S. soldiers to be carried out by the 101st Airborne Division, the only unit trained for such a task, according to multiple U.S. officials with knowledge of the discussions.
US President Trump is leaning toward further expanding US military operations in Iran, according to reports Wednesday, after huddling with top aides in the White House Situation Room the previous night to discuss potentially launching a major offensive against Iran in the coming days.
The United States launched fresh waves of strikes on Iran on Wednesday afternoon and evening after reimposing a naval blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran threatened to shut off more regional energy exports.
Iran is signaling it could use Yemen’s Houthi allies to shut the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to the United States on Saturday night, a senior Israeli official told The Times of Israel on Wednesday.
Russia said on Wednesday that any multinational force sent by Ukraine's allies to ‌deploy there in the event of a peace deal would be unacceptable to Moscow, which would view it as a threat and a legitimate military target.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Mykhailo Fedorov as the country’s minister of defense after just six months in office.
The Army could award contracts for its high-profile Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML) program next month, according to Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano, the service’s portfolio acquisition executive for Fires.

The CAML program is set to serve as a replacement for the Army’s Typhon — its Mid-Range Capability (MRC) long-range launcher — as the service discovered the Typhon was a bit too large to operate on the battlefield.

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United Nations Ambassador Mike Walzon Sunday said Cuba’s regime is “a national security threat,” as the Trump administration keeps its sights on the Caribbean island nation.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government said it struck Sanaa airport Monday, as the Houthis blamed the government’s Saudi backers for the attack, in the biggest escalation in years between authorities and the Iran-backed rebels.
US President Donald Trump said Monday he would probably soon order a strike on the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site, as he declared American military forces would hit Iran hard over the coming two days.

The President's remarks came as the US military confirmed launching strikes on Iran for a third consecutive night.

Israel engaged in a multi-year effort to recruit and re-install as leader Iran’s former hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, The New York Times reported Monday.
The U.S. will resume its blockade of Iranian ports, coasts and ships, according to a Monday announcement from U.S. Central Command, signaling an end to the 60-day ceasefire between Iran and Washington.
US forces used unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for the first time in combat operations — striking a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran on Sunday, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).

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The US military is carrying out a new round of strikes on Iran, the third in recent days, in response to the Revolutionary Guards’ announcement that it has attacked a vessel there and closed the waterway until further notice, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announces.
US President Donald Trump said Saturday that he had ordered the military to be prepared to launch major strikes against Iran if the Iranian government carries out or attempts an assassination of the president.
A US military delegation met with Lebanon’s army in Beirut to discuss the implementation of Israel’s withdrawal fro6. m a “pilot zone” in occupied territory, a Lebanese military official told AFP on Saturday.
Board of Peace officials have briefed reporters in recent days about their plans to establish a pilot humanitarian zone in the Rafah area of south Gaza.
China could play a decisive role in pressuring Russia towards peace talks, helping end its war in ‌Ukraine, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on Friday.
Canada announced this week that it will purchase up to 12 attack boats from Germany following an intense bidding competition between Seoul and Berlin for the next-generation of Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) submarines.
Germany will purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States and station them on German soil, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday.

According to German government sources, Washington committed to granting approval in August for Germany to procure Tomahawk missiles and corresponding ground-based Typhon launchers.

The Pentagon is planning to reroute roughly $4.3 billion from fiscal 2026 coffers in order to pay for “higher priority items,” including increased personnel and operational costs around the globe, the department told lawmakers in a new reprogramming notification.

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Iran’s slain supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khamenei was buried in the country’s holiest shrine, state media said early on Friday.

The burial in Mashhad in northeast Iran follows a week of mass funeral processions, rallies and mourning.

The United States is demanding that Iran publicly state it will stop attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and that all lanes in the strait will be open to shipping with no tolls, senior US officials say.
US President Donald Trump said Friday that the US has agreed to continue holding talks with Iran, but reiterated that the ceasefire with Tehran is over.
Iran fired missiles into Jordan as it targeted US military infrastructure across the Middle East after the American military carried out another wave of strikes on Iran, including attacks that Iran said hit near the perimeter area of the Bushehr nuclear plant.
A series of unclaimed airstrikes that hit Iran after the US said it finished its attacks have again raised questions of who else may be targeting the Islamic Republic.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir all declared on Thursday that Israel would be ready to return to war with Iran at a moment’s notice.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday dismissed objections from Israel and Greece concerning the possible US sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have signed an agreement to co-produce the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) at Rheinmetall’s Unterlüß site in northern Germany, marking the first time the ballistic missile is set to be manufactured outside the United States.
The United Kingdom announced today it planned to join the US Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program after having set aside £190 million ($254 million) to buy the long-range munitions.

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The United States launched fresh strikes on Iran late Wednesday and into early Thursday morning after striking Iranian targets a day earlier in response to attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday fumed at Iran following renewed military strikes overnight, saying he thought the US-Iran memorandum of understanding “is over,” calling Tehran’s leadership “scum” and adding: “We’re going to hit them hard tonight.”
Funeral processions for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were held Wednesday in the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala with masses of mourners present.
Lebanon is demanding that Israel fulfill its pledge to withdraw from two “pilot zones” in the nation’s south and hand them over to the Lebanese military before it agrees to participate in the next round of direct talks, scheduled for next week in Rome, a Lebanese diplomatic source told AFP Wednesday.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday informed his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa that he had decided to remove the country from the US list of designated state sponsors of terrorism.
President Trump said Wednesday he is undecided on whether to readmit Turkey into the U.S.’s F-35 fighter jet program after expelling the country during his first term.
President Trump at NATO Summit in Turkey.
Cuba’s foreign minister accused the United States of committing an "act of war" by restricting fuel shipments to the island Tuesday, prompting U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz to deliver a forceful response blaming Cuba’s communist government for years of blackouts, repression and economic collapse.

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President Trump held separate calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, which is now in its fifth year.
Norway wants China to use its ⁠ties to the Russian ⁠leadership to help bring about ⁠a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine, also for the sake of better relations with Europe, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said on Monday.
NATO Summit in Turkey 07-08 July 2026.
As US President Donald Trump heads to Turkey for a NATO summit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday urged Washington not to sell advanced weaponry to Ankara, and in particular F-35 jets.
Iran’s top officials and brothers of the country’s new supreme leader emerged into public view Sunday to attend the funeral prayers for the late ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Hamas government in Gaza on Monday announced the resignation of the so-called “Emergency Committee” — the Hamas-led administration that governs the Strip — in preparation for the transfer of authority to the technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
Seoul and Jakarta are ironing out the transfer of a singular KF-21 fighter jet prototype, capping a decade-long back and forth over deal to manufacture the South Korean jets in Indonesia that once envisioned the handover as one of many.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy test fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile from the South China Sea to the Pacific Ocean on Monday.

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Iran’s ambassador to China insists that new fees will be charged to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz — an idea rejected by Washington — while assuring that “friendly” nations would receive special treatment.
Recent satellite imagery shows no signs that Iran has begun repairing key damage at its main nuclear facilities following US and Israeli strikes, though construction appears to be taking place at the Pickaxe Mountain tunnel complex adjacent to the Natanz Nuclear Facility, the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security says.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump agreed to meet in the US in the near future during a phone call Friday, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Iranian security officials have rejected Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s request to attend the burial of his slain father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, because they fear Israel will kill the son or track him back to his hiding spot, NYT Report.
US officials indirectly warned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf during negotiations earlier this year that Israel might try to assassinate them.
Massive crowds gathered as Iran began a days-long funeral Saturday for the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with many calling for “revenge” and “death to Israel,” months after an airstrike killed him at the start of the war.
The United States has withdrawn most of the forces it deployed for a recent operation against Islamic State militants in Nigeria and is now providing intelligence support at Abuja’s request, the head of U.S. Africa Command said.

In May, U.S. and Nigerian forces conducted military operations in northeastern Nigeria that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS globally.

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US-Saudi relations have significantly deteriorated in recent months amid anger in Riyadh over Washington’s decision to launch a war against Iran that has caused massive blowback for the rest of the region, to the extent that the US is reportedly considering pulling troops from the Gulf kingdom.
Funeral processions for Khamenei will begin on Saturday in Tehran and conclude on July 9 with his burial in his hometown of Mashhad, with additional ceremonies planned in Qom and Iraq in between.

The ceremonies are expected to draw 15 to 20 million mourners, according to officials, which would make it the biggest state funeral in the country’s history.

Syria’s foreign minister said during a visit to Beirut on Thursday that Syria was open to meeting the Iran-backed Lebanese terror group Hezbollah “if interests require it,” Lebanon’s state news agency reported.

Asaad al-Shaibani met Lebanese government leaders, including President Joseph Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally.

Israel has successfully completed a series of tests on an upgraded version of its Iron Dome aerial defense system, demonstrating new joint operational capabilities with the Iron Beam laser system, the Israeli ministry of defense said on Tuesday.

This integration is a prerequisite for future operational deployments allowing commanders to dynamically toggle between missile and laser interceptions based on the nature of the incoming threat, system availability and cost-benefit calculations.

President Donald Trump will traveled for the first time on the new Air Force One aircraft Wednesday, according to the White House.

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Talks between Cuba and the U.S. are at a standstill, despite the island recently approving a series of free-market reforms, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez announced Tuesday.
Attackers shot dead two members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps at their home in the western city of Paveh, near the border with Iraq’s Kurdistan region, state media reported Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the shooting.

Top US envoys Steve Witkoff and ‌Jared Kushner were in Doha on Tuesday for meetings with Qatari mediators to discuss negotiations with Iran, but Qatar and Iran said there would be no high-level meeting between Washington and Tehran on Tuesday or in the coming days.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told IDF troops in the southern Lebanon security zone on Tuesday that the military would remain in the area for the foreseeable future, crediting the soldiers’ work for the recent agreement between Israel, Lebanon, and the US that demands Hezbollah’s disarmament to enable an Israeli withdrawal.
The Israel Defense Forces’ Military Intelligence Directorate and Southern Command submitted a warning last week to Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir that Hamas’s military wing is preparing for renewed war with Israel, the Kan public broadcaster reported Sunday.
Russian President Putin has admitted that there was no deal with President Trump to end the war in Ukraine, after Kremlin officials insisted such an agreement was made between the two leaders last August in Alaska.
China called on Ukraine and Russia to resume peace talks “as soon as possible” and reiterated its support for an immediate ceasefire during a UN Security Council meeting on Monday, June 30.
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that British defense spending will reach close to £80 billion ($105 billion) annually by 2029.
Based in Townsville in northern Queensland, the Australian Army’s 3rd Brigade is undergoing a massive transformation, as the heavy armored formation absorbs whole new fleets of vehicles.
Russia and China conducted joint bomber patrol flights on Saturday for the first time this year, prompting Japan and South Korea to scramble fighter aircraft.

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US & Iran have agreed to halt attacks on each other and to meet again on Tuesday in Doha to discuss the issues of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Israel-Lebanon framework agreement, signed last week, explicitly preserves the Israel Defense Force’s full freedom to act against threats in the southern Lebanon security zone, an official familiar with its contents told The Times of Israel on Sunday.
Hezbollah’s leader on Saturday pilloried the Israel-Lebanonframework agreement signed in Washington as “null and void” and a surrender of Lebanon’s sovereignty, with the terror group’s top ally in Beirut’s parliament going as far as calling it an “incitement to civil war.”
A top commander in Hamas’s naval police and a Hamas terrorist who invaded Israel during the October 7, 2023, onslaught were among four terrorists killed in recent strikes in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday.
Turkey Offers to Host Russia - Ukraine Peace Talks.
The German Navy is moving two ships to the Red Sea in preparation for a possible mine-clearing mission in the Strait of Hormuz, the country’s defense minister confirmed on Thursday.
During a meeting with his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo, Canada’s defense minister has said that Ottawa is “interested in learning more about” the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) next-generation fighter.

The GCAP is a multinational effort between Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom that envisions a sixth-generation fighter jet as well as collaborative combat drones and high-tech data sharing.

Japan’s government has confirmed it will rename its air force to reflect a broadened mission set to include outer space.

The upper house of Japan’s parliament approved a bill today to rename the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to the Japan Aerospace Self-Defense Force.

North Korea commissioned its largest warship to date, the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon (51), in a ceremony Tuesday in the port city Nampho.

Choe Hyon was domestically made, and was armed with indigenous weapons systems.

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US Central Command (CENTCOM) says its forces conducted strikes against Iran earlier this evening in response to an attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it attacked US sites in the Gulf region in retaliation to American strikes in Iran, according to state television.
The United States is considering moving Middle East military installations westward, including to Israel, to reduce their exposure to Iran’s missiles and drones.
Israel, Lebanon and the US reached an agreement Friday that will see the Israel Defense Forces begin to withdraw from small parts of southern Lebanon.
Officers from the Moroccan military, whose deployment was announced in February, have arrived in Israel to join a nascent international force for Gaza, US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace said Tuesday.

An official from the board separately told AFP on condition of anonymity that the contingent arrived on June 18 at the headquarters of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in southern Israel.

The Kremlin said Wednesday that contacts between Moscow and Washington on the Ukraine war will resume when the American envoys become available amid their occupation with other issues.

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The U.S. government on Tuesday hit Cuban state companies with new sanctions.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions target five Cuban entities, including three linked to Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A., a business conglomerate operated by Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Washington would not accept Iranian tolls or fees on the Strait of Hormuz, as disputes over the vital waterway, nuclear inspections, and missiles exposed early strains in negotiations to end the Middle East war.
Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed Wednesday that the IDF will not withdraw from its southern Lebanon security zone, “even if there is an American demand,” while adding there was no such demand at this time.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel needs to be “free” from military dependence on the United States and develop its own weapons-production capabilities, arguing that this is needed to support the ongoing fight with Iran and its terror proxies.
A senior Islamic State leader was killed by an airstrike last week, Central Command announced on Wednesday,.

Ali Husayn al-Ulaywi was killed in a precision airstrike on June 19.

U.S. President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Group of Seven summit in France that he would consider letting Ukraine build its own Patriot interceptor missiles.
The Missile Defense Agency today awarded Lockheed Martin a $35 billion undefined contract action (UCA) to quadruple production of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors over a seven-year period, the company and the Defense Department announced.

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The United States and Iran began talks in Switzerland on Sunday after signing a preliminary agreement to end their war.

American and Iranian representatives gathered alongside delegations from mediators Pakistan and Qatar at the luxury Swiss resort of Burgenstock.

Iran and the United States agree on a roadmap toward reaching a final deal to end the war within 60 days, mediators Pakistan and Qatar say in a joint statement on Monday.
Iran and the United States agree to set up a “de-confliction cell” with Lebanon to stop military operations there, Pakistan and Qatar, which are mediating the US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland, say in a joint statement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed to keep Israeli troops in the south Lebanon security zone “for as long as necessary” to protect northern Israel from Hezbollah.
IDF Captures Hezbollah Subterranean Drone Base / Factory in S. Lebanon.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday ruled out intervening militarily in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, after US President Donald Trump again suggested Damascus could get involved.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given Belarus a one-week ultimatum to remove relay equipment on its territory that he says is helping Russia attack Ukraine, warning that Kyiv will otherwise intervene itself to halt the transmissions.
The U.S. Department of Defense is open to Poland’s offer to host a permanent U.S. military presence in Poland, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Thursday after meeting U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Brussels.
The Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) inked a pair of conditional loans totaling $1.2 billion this week within the rare earth elements sector, according to department announcements.

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A B-52 on a routine test mission crashed shortly after takeoff Monday (15 June) in Southern California, killing all eight crew members on board.
US Army aims to release proposal requests for its heavy variant of the ISV this fall, a senior service official told lawmakers, adding that the Army is attempting to field the capability as quickly as possible. The Army is seeking vehicles that can provide 60 kW of continuous high-voltage DC power, 15 kW of 28V DC power and 4.8 kW of 120V AC power.
After eight years as US Indo-Pacific Command, the Pentagon has announced it is restoring the original name to simply Pacific Command (PACOM).
KNDS, the French-German maker of the Leopard tank and the Caesar truck-mounted gun, pitched a new howitzer with a barrel longer than any NATO production artillery, which the company said gives the weapon a range of up to 60 kilometers (37 miles) with standard high-explosive shells.

The 155mm howitzer, named Loras for long-range artillery system, is equipped with a 58 caliber gun tube, about 12% longer than the 52 caliber barrels that equip most recent European cannons.

President Trump on Friday unveiled the Boeing 747-8 that will serve as the new Air Force One, that the U.S. accepted as a gift from the Qatari government last year.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is traveling to Switzerland for the first round of talks with Iran on a potential nuclear deal, Axios reports, citing a US official.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is already in Switzerland, it adds.

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire on Friday afternoon, a US official said, after another flare-up in southern Lebanon that saw four Israeli soldiers and dozens of Lebanese casualties.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has set up secretive new cells in Iraq to carry out attacks on Gulf countries that host American forces, bypassing established militia networks to avoid detection, eight Iraqi sources told Reuters.

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Cuban lawmakers unanimously approved sweeping reforms backed by the Communist Party and former leader Raul Castro that would privatize a vast swath of the country's socialist economy in a bid to survive punishing U.S. sanctions.

The ‌measures, if implemented as passed, would represent the single largest change to Cuba's socialist model since former leader Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution and a major shift towards a market economy.

President Trump on Wednesday signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran ending the war between the two countries.
Iran will invite the UN’s nuclear watchdog agency to inspect its nuclear sites and begin work on identifying and uncovering the locations of Tehran’s enriched material, US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff tells US lawmakers in a private briefing.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman warned Thursday that a continued IDF presence in southern Lebanon would mean the “annulment” of the memorandum of understanding it signed with the United States, as Israel doubled down on its plans to keep troops in the area amid its ongoing conflict with the Hezbollah terror group.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO Thursday the Pentagon will review its force presence in Europe within six months.

“This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe,” Hegseth told a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.

USAF CCA Update.

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Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar opened Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, the eighth top-level diplomatic mission in the capital.

The United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Fiji also have embassies in Jerusalem, while other countries — including Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia — have embassy branches in Jerusalem.

The Hamas terror group carried out its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel partly in order to thwart the Jewish state’s rapprochement with Saudi Arabia, according to seized documents.
US & Iran MOU (Reaction/Analysis).

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Senior Hezbollah commander Ali Mussa Daqduq, mastermind of a January 2007 attack that killed five US troops in Iraq, was killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon over the weekend, the IDF announced Sunday.
US & Iran Reach Deal; Ceasefire Extened 60 Days; Formal Signing in Switzerland Friday.
Ahmad Vahidi, the commander in chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, emerged as a key player during negotiations between the US and Iran, according to a Saturday profile in the Wall Street Journal, which found that the senior paramilitary leader pushed for a hard line in talks, advocating against any concessions to Washington. According to the report: Vahidi has “frequently overruled” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Israel was bracing for Iranian missile fire on Sunday after Tehran vowed that an Israeli Air Force strike on a Hezbollah target in Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier in the day would “not go unanswered.”

The strike in the Lebanese capital’s Dahiyeh district came shortly after Hezbollah fired drones into Israeli territory.

It was Israel’s first strike in a week in the Hezbollah stronghold, with the previous strike also a response to rocket fire on northern Israel.

“The IDF has just struck Hezbollah terror targets in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, in response to Hezbollah’s firing at Israeli territory,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement after the strike on the Hezbollah stronghold.

CNN Report: Iran has, in recent weeks, deliberately collapsed tunnels and mined entrances to its bombed Isfahan nuclear complex in a bid to stop the US from launching a raid to retrieve the Islamic Republic’s store of highly enriched uranium that is believed to be buried at the site.

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The U.S. imposed sanctions Thursday on Cuba’s state-owned oil company, part of a Trump administration effort to restrict fuel supplies and increase pressure on the island’s Communist government.
US President Donald Trump called off strikes on Iran Thursday evening, claiming an agreement to end the war had been reached and would be signed shortly.

He later said the document should “get done in the next few days,” possibly in time for a signing in Europe this weekend.

A US official said Friday that the emerging memorandum of understanding with Iran “leads to” Washington getting Tehran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The official, who held a phone briefing with reporters on condition of anonymity, also said the draft agreement was “broad” and would include Lebanon, where Israel is fighting Iran’s proxy group Hezbollah.

He added that Iran’s loosening grip on the Strait of Hormuz has cost it leverage in the talks, and that he was “80 to 85 percent” sure the deal would happen.

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US Defense Secretary on Wednesday said the future of Cuba is in the hands of President Trump and Havana’s leadership amid increased U.S. pressure on the communist-ruled island.

“No matter what, the Department of War is going to be prepared and postured for any possible contingency,” Sec Hegseth told troops during a visit to the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said two U.S. Army aviators “got very lucky” after an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter was downed by Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that US retaliation is not over.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the president declared, “We hit them hard yesterday and we’re going to hit them hard again today.”

US President Donald Trump said the US would be attacking Iran again on Wednesday, indicating that Tuesday night’s strikes against the regime were only the first part of Washington’s retaliation against the Islamic Republic for shooting down an American military helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command confirms it has launched fresh “self-defense strikes” on “multiple targets in Iran at the direction” of President Donald Trump.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says that it struck bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in response to the latest US strikes.
The United States and Iran have honed in on four key points of negotiation during talks to permanently end the fighting that began with a joint US-Israeli offensive back in February, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.

According to the newspaper, the deal will include agreements on an extended suspension of uranium enrichment by Iran; the dilution of Tehran’s existing stockpile of enriched uranium; the dismantling of Iranian nuclear sites; and the right for international nuclear watchdogs to conduct snap inspections in the Islamic Republic.

Iraq and the United Arab Emirates are fast-tracking plans to expand oil pipelines to replace the capacity lost by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as new data reveals their stark dependency on the Persian Gulf.
The Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) has collapsed following the failure of industrial mediation between Dassault and Airbus on several issues, multiple reports said Monday.
The House Appropriations Committee released its $1 trillion defense spending bill for FY27.

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Israel on Sunday carried out airstrikes in Beirut, with the military saying it targeted a Hezbollah headquarters in the group’s stronghold of Dahiyeh, a large suburb just south of the Lebanese capital.

Iran threatened to retaliate, saying, “Watch the sky of the occupied territories tonight.”

Iran fired a volley of missiles at northern Israel Sunday night, catapulting the region back to the cusp of all-out war after two months of a shaky ceasefire

No Israelis were hurt in the attack, which involved some 10 missiles fired in quick succession around 10 p.m.

Iran said it launched the missiles in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern Dahiyeh suburb earlier in the day targeting the headquarters of the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group.

Israel launched strikes on Iranian military targets and a petrochemical plant on Monday morning in response to the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile attacks on northern Israel hours earlier.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly called off a major strike on Iran with fighter jets on the runway. PM Netanyahu said he would halt attacks on Iran “for now,” but warned that Israel would strike Iran and Hezbollah if it is attacked again.
The European Union said on Monday it had imposed sanctions on two Iranian individuals and a unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for threatening the freedom of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of the world’s oil flows.

The move marked the first time the bloc has used new powers to sanction Iran for restricting freedom of navigation.

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Raúl Castro, Cuba’s low-profile former president and revolutionary guerrilla, appeared in public for the first time since being indicted by the United States for his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft, official video released Saturday showed.
The United States and Iran exchanged fire overnight Friday amid a fragile ceasefire as American officials stepped up preparations for potential nuclear negotiations, including consultations this week with experts who could help determine the fate of Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile.

The US military said it carried out strikes on Iranian radar sites in what it described as a defensive action after Iran launched four attack drones toward the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States will make Iranian assets available to Gulf allies to support rebuilding and repairs for future damage caused by Iran, a source familiar with the matter says.

The US will also consider using those assets to support repairs for past damages, the source says, adding that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has directed a team to assess costs for damage already inflicted on Gulf allies by Iran.

A plan developed by Israel and the Mossad intelligence agency to topple the Iranian regime could still succeed if given time, but it has not been carried out to completion due to the United States’ decision in April to halt the war against the Islamic Republic, a former senior Mossad official told Channel 12 on Saturday. In any event, he insisted, the regime will fall sooner or later.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Iran Friday of using Lebanon as a “bargaining chip” in negotiations with the United States, and called on both Hezbollah and Israel to embrace diplomacy in a bid to end the fighting between them.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he does not see any point in meeting Volodymyr Zelensky after the Ukrainian leader requested face-to-face talks over ending the war between the two nations.
In a rare moment of bipartisanship in the US Congress, the House tonight passed a package of Russian sanctions and military aid for Ukraine.

House members voted 226-195 to pass the Ukraine Support Act, which authorizes $8 billion in military finance loans to Ukraine and extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through 2027.

Russia could attack a NATO country within four years according to western intelligence assessments, UK PM warned on Friday.
The U.S. will sell Australia three in-service Virginia-class submarines, pivoting from the planned acquisition of one new and two in-service Virginias, the countries announced.

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The United States imposed sanctions Thursday on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel in the latest move by the Trump administration.
A statement attributed to Iran’s supreme leader on Thursday said that the United States and Israel had been dealt a “decisive blow” in their war with the Islamic Republic, as the US sent mixed signals about whether the fighting could resume.
US President Donald Trump tells reporters that Washington does not need a deal with Iran to get enriched uranium from the country.

“We could get it right now. I don’t think they could stop us if we wanted, but there’s no reason to. It’s entombed,” he says.

Israel and Lebanon agreed on Wednesday to renew their fragile ceasefire and create a number of “pilot” security zones inside Lebanon from which Hezbollah terrorists would be banned.
The Israeli Air Force and Israeli Navy carried out strikes in the Gaza Strip overnight into Thursday, killing top commanders in Hamas’s general security mechanism, the military announced.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a face-to-face meeting between himself and Vladimir Putin in a renewed bid to end the war.

In an open letter to the Russian president, the Ukrainian leader said it would be "wrong to simply wait" until the war in Europe becomes the focus of the US's attention once more, adding peace could only come "through direct engagement between" Ukraine and Russia.

Republicans defeated an amendment to the FY27 Defense Policy Bill that would have stripped $1 billion in funds for the Trump-class Battleship during a House Armed Services Committee mark up of the bill today.
US Army SP Howitzer Modernization.

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Cuba on Tuesday defended a military-run conglomerate long the target of U.S. sanctions, saying the group of businesses known as GAESA has ‌contributed to the nation's economic and social development.
US forces successfully defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, and conducted self-defense strikes on Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks by Iran across the Middle East.

Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional neighbors; however, all failed to hit their intended targets.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Tuesday that Iran has signaled a willingness to negotiate elements of its nuclear program that weren’t previously on the table, as US President Donald Trump denied talks had been cut off.
A new round of talks between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors was held in Washington on Tuesday, a day after US President Donald Trump said he had received commitments of de-escalation from both Jerusalem and Hezbollah.
Two of Iraq’s most powerful Iran-backed militias said on Tuesday they would begin handing in their weapons to the authorities, a major step in the new government’s effort to rein in militias that have long operated on their own even though they were nominally under state command.
South China Morning Post Report: President Trump Asked Xi Jinping to Push Russia Back to Negotiating Table.
U.S. officials are engaged in NATO-internal discussions about the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons to new countries within the alliance, a new report says, in what would be a remarkable proliferation in nuclear sharing.
Norway has become the ninth European country to sign up for French nuclear protection.

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US SOUTHCOM X: SOUTHCOMCommander Gen. Francis L. Donovan (USMC) personally inspected all aspects of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay’s security posture, leading a comprehensive perimeter security assessment and discussing force protection, operational readiness, and measures to ensure the safety and security of service members, their families, and the joint force stationed at the installation with base officials.
US President Donald Trump put off his decision on the memorandum of understanding with Iran after demanding his team secure more concessions on Iran’s nuclear program.
The US military stopped a merchant vessel trying to break through its blockade of Iranian ports by firing a missile into its engine room, the US Central Command said on Saturday.

The Gambia-flagged cargo ship Lian Star ignored more than 20 warnings from US forces overnight as it tried to enter an Iranian port, the military said.

Bloomberg: An Iranian ballistic missile strike has targeted a major US military hub in Kuwait on Saturday, May 30, wounding multiple personnel and destroying high-value aviation assets.

According to intelligence and military sources, Iran deployed a Fateh-110 short-range ballistic missile targeting the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

CNN: Iran has salvaged entrances to dozens of missile facilities struck by the US and Israel in the recent war, a Sunday report said, as the Islamic Republic continues to rebuild its military infrastructure amid ceasefire talks with the US.

Citing satellite images, Iran has been able to dig out 50 of 69 tunnel entrances at 18 separate underground missile facilities across the country. It has also repaired other damaged areas of those bases, including key access roads that the US and Israel bombed during the war.

Israel captured the historic Beaufort Castle and the surrounding strategic ridge as it pushed deeper into Lebanon, the IDF announced on Sunday.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addresses the Shangri-La dialouge on May 30, 2026. The head of the Pentagon called on U.S. Western Pacific allies to maintain military strength and called on China not to disrupt the regional equilibrium while praising the current state of affairs between Washington and Beijing.
Japan’s defense minister has pushed back against Chinese allegations that Japan’s push to broaden regional defense cooperation was “new militarism,” saying that Tokyo’s increased defense spending and broader regional footprint has been conducted in a transparent fashion with regional security in mind.

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The head of the U.S. military's Southern Command met with top Cuban military officials Friday at the edge of the American naval base at Guantanamo Bay.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Friday that troops of the IDF’s 36th Division have crossed Lebanon’s Litani River.

PM Netanyahu: “Our forces crossed the Litani, and they’ve advanced to the dominating terrain,” Netanyahu said on a visit to troops on the northern border. “We’re also operating in Beirut, and in the Beqaa, across the entire front, and hitting Hezbollah hard.”

The International Stabilization Force for Gaza was announced with great aplomb at the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in February.

Three months on, none of the five countries that pledged troops have made any significant contributions. Hamas has refused to disarm and Israel has seized more territory while continuing to strike terror targets.

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he was entering the White House Situation Room to make a “final determination” on a MOU to extend the ceasefire with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The proportion of vessels not linked to Iranian ownership that are transiting the Strait of Hormuz has risen, according to data from maritime firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence shared Thursday.
The United Arab Emirates launched dozens of airstrikes in Iran in the first days of the US-Israeli war on Iran, and after the ceasefire in April was announced, according to a WSJ report published Friday.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Thursday that Europe cannot combine its strong backing for Ukraine with a neutral mediator role in future peace talks, as EU foreign ministers met informally in Lemesos, Cyprus.
NATO accused Moscow on Friday of reckless behavior and pledged to “defend every inch of Allied territory” after Romania said a Russian drone had crashed into an apartment block in the alliance member state during an attack on neighboring Ukraine.

Russia’s TASS news agency cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying President Vladimir Putin had been informed about the incident.

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The Pentagon has spent months positioning the troops and weapons needed for the U.S. to launch a military attack on Cuba — all it needs is a final go-ahead from the President.
The US military carried out new strikes overnight Wednesday-Thursday in Iran, targeting a military site that officials believed posed a threat to US forces and commercial maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official tells Reuters.

US forces attacked missile sites in southern Iran and boats trying to lay mines on Monday, US Central Command said, as top Iranian negotiators arrived in Doha for talks to end the war.

US President Donald Trump indicated during a Wednesday cabinet meeting that progress in talks with Iran on a deal to end the war had slowed, departing from his assertion at the start of the week that an agreement was nearly finalized.
Hamas on Wednesday confirmed the death of Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed head of the terror group’s military wing, who Israel killed in a strike in Gaza City.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday that Israel is “intensifying operations” in Lebanon by taking strategic positions and reinforcing the security buffer zone as the IDF pushed past the lines it held as it seeks to counter the recent surge in drone attacks by Hezbollah.
Ukraine is urging the EU to help negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a topic that will be discussed in detail at an informal meeting of European foreign ministers in Cyprus.

Ukraine's foreign minister has told the BBC that Kyiv is keen to introduce some "new dynamics" into the negotiation process.

The U.S. intends to significantly reduce military contributions available to assist European allies in a crisis, including fighter jets, warships and mid-air refueling aircraft, German news outlet Spiegel reported.
North Korea test fired a newly-developed lightweight multi-purpose missile launching system and multiple tactical cruise missile weapons systems on Tuesday, state media Korean Central News Agency reported.

North Korea’s state media did not disclose the exact nature of the special mission warhead, but imagery released shows the tactical ballistic missile being the Hwasong 11-D tactical ballistic missiles capable of carrying conventional explosive, fragmentation, submunition, chemical or nuclear warheads.

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Latest on US - Iran Negotiations and Deal.
Israel Ramping Up Strikes Against Hezbollah

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The U.S deployed the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its accompanying strike group into Caribbean waters this week.
US President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that the US and Iran were finalizing a deal to end the war.

Iran has agreed to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of an agreement with the US to end the war, two US officials tell the New York Times.

The Israel Defense Forces on Saturday said it hit Hezbollah sites in the terror group’s strongholds in south and east Lebanon overnight following evacuation warnings.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on May 22, that peace negotiations regarding Ukraine are currently suspended, though Washington remains ready to resume its mediating role if future discussions prove constructive.
Poland will receive its first batch of F-35 stealth fighter jets under a deal signed with the United States.
On Thursday, President Trump said in a Truth Social post he was "pleased to announce that the United States will be sending an additional 5,000 Troops to Poland."

It wasn't clear whether the troops would be based in the country permanently or on a rotational basis.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is casting new doubt on NATO's relevance to the United States after key allies recoiled from backing Washington’s “Operation Epic Fury.”
A drone wingman built by General Atomics has resumed flying roughly one month after crashing in the California desert shortly after takeoff.

In a press release Thursday, the company said its YFQ-44A aircraft “returned to flight testing following a round of safety reviews and software enhancements.”

The drone is being developed for the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Program.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that there were “good signs” for a deal to end the war with Iran, but that an agreement would be “unfeasible” if Tehran pursues its plan to toll ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
WSJ Report: Israel has created a list of all Palestinians who took part in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and is working to kill or arrest each one.
The Navy doesn’t have the bandwidth to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Navy’s top officer- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle.
Russia launched its largest nuclear exercises in years on Tuesday, mobilizing nearly 65,000 troops, over 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 surface vessels and 13 submarines, including eight strategic nuclear submarines, in a three-day drill that runs through Thursday.

The exercises involve the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific Fleets, Long-Range Aviation Command, and units from the Leningrad and Central Military Districts, according to the ministry statement. Live launches of ballistic and cruise missiles at ranges inside Russia are planned as part of the drills.

The remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper was the workhorse in the U.S. air campaign against Iran, Air Force leaders told Congress on May 20.
The carrier-based MQ-25A Stingray reached the milestone C authorization that the Pentagon requires for a program to enter the low-rate initial production stage of acquisition.

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Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez insisted Cuba "poses no threat" to the United States and doesn't have "aggressive plans or intentions against any country," after Axios reported that the island nation has hundreds of military drones and has been allegedly discussing plans to strike the U.S. military base in Guantanamo Bay and potentially Florida's Key West.
The Republic of Somaliland will open an embassy in Jerusalem, its first anywhere in the world, the state’s ambassador to Israel said Tuesday.

Currently, seven countries have embassies in Jerusalem — the US, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Fiji.

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he had called off a major attack against Iran, which he claimed was slated to take place on Tuesday after Gulf allies assured him that a deal with Tehran was now possible thanks to the renewal of “serious negotiations.”
The US State Department has cleared potential military support deals worth a combined $428.2 million for India’s Apache rotary-wing aircraft and M777A2 155mm howitzers.
The Trump administration is planning to tell NATO allies this week that it will shrink the pool of military capabilities that the U.S. would have available to assist the alliance’s European nations in a major crisis.
NATO Supreme Allied Commander: Europe should “absolutely” expect additional United States troop withdrawals in the future as European NATO allies strengthen their capability to provide more of their own conventional defense.

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Cuba has posted a “family guide” on provincial websites on how to survive “potential enemy attacks,” as the communist-run island reels from US pressure and energy shortages.

The release of the document– comes days after the head of the CIA visited Cuba, an extraordinary step in contact between Washington and Havana.

The Israel Defense Forces on Saturday confirmed killing Hamas military chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the terror group’s leader in Gaza, in a “precise strike” on Gaza City in the Strip’s north the previous day.
NYT Report: Israel built two covert bases in Iraq to aid in its wars with Iran.
President Trump told Axios in a phone call that "the clock is ticking" for Iran and warned that if the Iranian regime doesn't come with a better offer for a deal "they are going to get hit much harder."
NYT Report: Israel and the United States are carrying out their most intense preparations yet to renew attacks on Iran, possibly as soon as next week.
Iranian state television said on Saturday that European countries were in talks with Tehran over transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK has down-selected a group of four competitors to develop drone wingman aircraft capable of teaming with British Army Apache attack helicopters.
Four Navy pilots are safe after their EA-18G Growlers crashed during the Gunfighter Skies air show at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on Sunday. The crash is under investigation.

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CIA Director Ratcliffe met with counterparts from Cuba's Ministry of the Interior on Thursday during a high-level visit to the island nation amid "complex bilateral relations" between the long-time adversaries.
President Donald Trump says he has not yet decided whether a major sale of US arms to Taiwan can move forward following his three-day visit to China.
Israel said that it had targeted Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip and the head of the terror group’s military wing, in an airstrike in Gaza City on Friday.

A senior Israeli security official told reporters that were “initial indications” that Haddad was killed. The IDF has not yet officially commented on the strike.

US President Donald Trump counted “the military decimation of Iran” among his administration’s accomplishments in a social media post on Thursday, adding, “to be continued!”

The phrase, included in a lengthy Truth Social Post suggested he may resume the war against Iran after he returns from his trip to China on Friday.

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he would accept a 20-year suspension of the uranium enrichment at the heart of Iran’s rogue nuclear program if Tehran gave a “real” guarantee, in an apparent shift from his previous demand that Iran permanently halt its program and his pledge to ensure Iran can never attain nuclear weapons.
US CENTCOM CDR Admiral Brad Cooper appears at SASC Hearing.

Admiral Cooper:

US has the military power to permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s ability to threaten its neighbors and US interests has been dramatically reduced by US bombings, and Tehran’s defense industry has been set back by 90%.
Iran was no longer able to transfer arms and other resources to its main allies in the region: Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and Hamas in Gaza. “Those transfer paths and methods have been cut off.”
The United States on Friday announced a 45-day extension of a porous ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, even as the Iran-backed terror group continued to clash with IDF soldiers and launch missiles and drones into Israeli territory.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah party on Thursday began a three-day conference to elect its highest leadership body for the first time in 10 years.

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US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the Iran war, trade, and US arms sales to Taiwan.
If Iran does not accept US terms for a deal to end the war and address its nuclear program, the United States will “finish the job,” US President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday.
Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the US said on Monday the Islamic Republic is “ready to deliver a well-deserved response to any aggression,” as US President Donald Trump reportedly considered restarting the war after negotiations with Tehran reached a dead end.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Wednesday that he made a secretive visit to the United Arab Emirates and met with its leader, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, during the US-Israeli war with Iran earlier this year.
The heads of Israel’s two main intelligence agencies separately visited the United Arab Emirates in recent months, including during the war with Iran, according to Wednesday reports.

The reported visits are the latest reported signs of increased cooperation between the two countries during the war.

Saudi Arabia launched numerous, unpublicized strikes on Iran in retaliation for attacks carried out in the kingdom during the war, two Western officials briefed on the matter and two Iranian officials said.
Russia will deploy its new Sarmat strategic nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile at the end of this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after his forces tested it on Tuesday, describing the missile as “the most powerful in the world.”
US Army has canceled the deployment of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division — more than 4,000 soldiers and associated equipment — to Poland.

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US military intelligence-gathering flights are surging off the coast of Cuba, a CNN analysis of publicly available aviation data shows.

Since February 4, the US Navy and Air Force have conducted at least 25 such flights using manned aircraft and drones, most of them near the country’s two biggest cities, Havana and Santiago de Cuba, and some coming within 40 miles of the coast, according to FlightRadar24.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said the ceasefire with Iran was “on life support,” a day after he rejected the proposal submitted by Iran over the weekend for a permanent truce.
The United Arab Emirates carried out military strikes on Iran, making it the only other country to join the United States and Israel in its war against the Islamic Republic, according to a report on Monday.

During the US-Israel war on Iran, Tehran launched sustained attacks on the UAE, firing some 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 2,200 drones, according to the Emirati defense ministry, making it the most targeted country in the region, including Israel.

The UK and France will on Tuesday host a multinational meeting of defense ministers on military plans to restore trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz, the British government said.

The announcement came hours after Iran warned London and Paris against sending warships to the region.

The EU has dismissed Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that the Kremlin-friendly former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder could serve as a European mediator in peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
A 10-ship Russian convoy transited Japan’s Tsushima Strait to enter the East China Sea over the weekend, according to Japan’s Joint Staff Office.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) spotted two Russian corvettes, a fleet oiler, a tugboat and six cargo ships around 5 p.m. Saturday sailing southwest 140 kilometers northeast of Tsushima.

Taiwan’s parliament has approved a proposed government boost to defense spending after a protracted standoff — although it pared back the proposed supplementary budget by a third, and limited spending to US defense systems.
United States, Philippine, Japanese and Canadian forces combined land, sea and air platforms to sink two decommissioned ships off the western Northern Luzon coast during Balikitan 2026 last week, according to a Defense Department release.

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President Trump Announces Russia & Ukraine Ceasefire and Priosner Exchange.

The ceasefire will begin on Saturday and run through Monday, President Trump wrote on Truth Social. "This ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prisoner swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country."

NYT Report: Russia is sending drone components to Iran via Caspian Sea shipping, US officials told the NYT in a report published Saturday, turning the world’s largest lake into a key conduit for both covert and overt trade.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff met today in Miami with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, as Doha assists in efforts to mediate a permanent ceasefire deal between Washington and Iran, a source familiar with the matter tells The Times of Israel.

Qatar has been quietly operating as a go-between, while allowing Pakistan to play the main mediating role, the source says, confirming an earlier report.

Fresh “sporadic clashes” broke out Friday between Iranian and US naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media, marking the latest flare-up despite a monthlong ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

The fighting came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington expected a response from Tehran on Friday to its latest proposal.

Iran’s foreign ministry issued an unusual warning on Wednesday to the “rulers of Abu Dhabi,” the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

It accused the tiny oil-rich state of conspiring with the United States and Israel against Iran, and threatened “dangerous consequences” unless the Emirates pulled away from those countries.

Israel reportedly set up a secret military base in the Iraqi desert in February in order to support its aerial campaign against Iran.
The UK will deploy one of its warships to the Middle East as part of planning for a European-led mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz once there’s a stable ceasefire.

France recently announced it had moved its Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Red Sea in a move aimed at signaling that the coalition stood ready to secure the strait.

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US Secretary of State Rubio announced new sanctions Thursday on Cuba's military-industrial enterprise, its leader and a state-owned natural resources company.
US President Donald Trump says three US Navy destroyers transited out of the Strait of Hormuz under fire, adding that the American destroyers were not damaged but “great damage was done to Iranian attackers.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday that he had met with the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since his appointment in early March.

President Pezeshkian did not say when their meeting took place.

The US will host the third round of ambassador-level talks between representatives from Israel and Lebanon on May 14 and 15, a State Department official and an Israeli official confirmed to The Times of Israel on Wednesday.

Joining diplomats from each side will, for the first time, be military representatives, an Israeli official said, adding that the sides would discuss more concrete measures that can be taken to disarm Hezbollah.

Israel on Wednesday evening carried out its first airstrike in Beirut since before the ceasefire in Lebanon entered into effect last month, killing the commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, who the military said had advanced plans to invade the Galilee.
The 23-year-old son of Hamas’s chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya succumbed Thursday to wounds sustained in an Israeli strike on Gaza City on Wednesday, a hospital and senior Hamas official said.

Reports of Azzam al-Hayya’s death came as Hamas leaders were in Cairo to discuss the future of the ceasefire agreement.

The United Arab Emirates transferred $100 million to the Board of Peace in recent days to fund a contract for the training of a new Palestinian police force for Gaza, a US official and a Middle Eastern diplomat told The Times of Israel this week.
Israel said Thursday that it was working to help counter rat infestations in Gaza, helping move hundreds of cartons of rat poison into the territory as the warmer weather sees a surge in pests spreading through the tents of displaced Palestinians.
European Council President Costa said on Thursday that he believed there was “potential” for the bloc to negotiate directly with Moscow, adding that it had the backing of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to do so.

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A high-level Trump administration official informed Iran on Sunday of the impending US operation to "guide" ships through the Strait of Hormuz and warned Tehran not to interfere, according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge.
US President Donald Trump says the US will be pausing the operation it launched just one day earlier to assist vessels stuck in the Strait of Hormuz due to progress made in talks toward a permanent ceasefire with Iran.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned on Tuesday it would respond firmly to any ships that diverge from Iran’s approved route through the Strait of Hormuz, as Israeli television reported US President Donald Trump came close to ordering renewed strikes over the weekend before calling them off.
Iran fired over a dozen missiles and several drones at the United Arab Emirates on Monday, renewing attacks on the Gulf state for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold last month.

The UAE Defense Ministry said its air defenses had engaged 15 missiles and four drones fired by Iran.

The United Arab Emirates’ contracting authority has inked a deal with Brazilian firm Embraer to procure 10 C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft with an option to procure 10 more in the future.

With this deal, the UAE is the first country in the Middle East to be on contract with the C-390 aircraft.

Germany’s ambitions to close a long-range strike capability gap are facing a fresh setback after the Trump administration moved to withdraw thousands of U.S. troops from German soil and effectively shelved a Biden-era plan to temporarily deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 missiles there.
The U.S. Army Pacific’s 1st Multi-Domain Task Force and the Philippine Army Artillery Regiment have test-fired a Tomahawk cruise missile from the Typhon Launcher in the central Philippines — and successfully hit a target around 600 kilometers away.
USMC Commandant Gen. Eric Smith told audience members in Washington on Thursday that the demand for ARG-MEUs has exceeded the 3.0 presence he previously called for.

Calls for ARG-MEUs are coming from the U.S. military’s Southern Command, European Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command.

A 3.0 presence indicates a three-ship ARG-MEU deployed at all times: one out of the East Coast, one out of the West Coast and the 31st MEU delivering periodic deployments out of Okinawa, Japan.

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President Trump said the U.S. Navy will start guiding ships from foreign countries through the Strait of Hormuz from Monday and warned that if Iran tries to disrupt the process the American military will use force.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday rejected Iran’s latest proposal to end its war with the US and Israel, calling it unacceptable.

The 14-point proposal reportedly includes multiple stages of negotiations, with the sides first bringing the fighting to a close and opening the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days.

The US and Iran would only later begin talks on Tehran’s nuclear program, according to reports on the Iranian terms.

Amid a spike in Hezbollah drone strikes against Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he has initiated a counter-drone project.
Israel will procure two more squadrons of F-35I and F-15IA fighter jets from the United States, following lessons learned from the recent Iran war, the Defense Ministry announced on Sunday.
NATO said on Saturday it was working with the United States to understand Washington’s decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany as a rift in transatlantic ties deepens over the Middle East war.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on Friday the withdrawal of around 5,000 troops from Germany was expected “to be completed over the next six to twelve months.”

Naval aviators will no longer command amphibious warships, according to a directive issued last week by Chief of Naval Operations Daryl Caudle.

Citing poor amphibious ship readiness and operational availability, Caudle said that surface warfare officers would become the only officers authorized to command amphibs starting in Fiscal Year 2028, according to the April 24 memo reviewed by USNI News.

The Defense Department’s unfunded priority lists have hit Capitol Hill. Two of the military services and several combatant commands said they have no unfunded requirements due to the size of the $1.5 trillion defense budget request for fiscal 2027.

In the UPL letters, leaders of the Marine Corps, Space Force, Strategic Command, Space Command, Africa Command and Central Command, told Congress that they had no unfunded requirements for the year.

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The White House asserts to US Congress in a letter that hostilities with Iran have “terminated” despite the continued presence of US armed forces in the region.

The message from President Donald Trump effectively skirts a May 1 legal deadline to gain approval from members of Congress to continue the war with Iran.

Axios Report: The Pentagon estimates Iran has lost $4.8 billion in oil revenue due to the US Navy’s blockade of its ports.
US President Donald Trump on Friday said he was dissatisfied with a new ceasefire offer from Tehran and confirmed he had been briefed on ways to “blast the hell out of them” if no deal were reached.
Any shippers paying tolls to Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, including charitable donations to organizations such as the Iranian Red Crescent Society, are at risk of punitive sanctions, the US Treasury warned on Friday.
Israel is on heightened alert, ramping up preparations for a possible return to fighting with Iran, amid indications that US President Donald Trump may be nearing a decision on renewed military action, Israeli television reported Thursday.
Iran’s supreme leader purportedly said Thursday that the only place Americans belong in the Persian Gulf is “at the bottom of its waters” and that a “new chapter” was being written in the region’s history.
Israel dispatched a version of the Iron Beam laser-based air defense system to the United Arab Emirates during the recent fighting with Iran to help protect the Gulf nation from missile and drone attacks, according to a report on Thursday, in a significant step for the defense ties between the two countries.
The US State Department said on Friday it was approving military sales totaling over $8.6 billion to Middle Eastern allies Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.
The United States is withdrawing 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday.

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US CENTCOM Commander: CENTCOM Forces have redirected 42 x commercial vessels attemtiong to violate the Strait of Hormuz blockage.
President Trump told Axios he's going to keep Iran under a naval blockade until the regime agrees to a deal that addresses U.S. concerns about its nuclear program.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has prepared a plan for a "short and powerful" wave of strikes on Iran in hopes of breaking the negotiating deadlock, three sources with knowledge said.

The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday announced it had located and destroyed two major Hezbollah tunnels in the southern Lebanon town of Qantara, which it said were constructed by the terror group with “direct guidance” from Iran.

The tunnels were built over a decade, reaching depths of some 25 meters.

US Secretary of War appears in hearing before the US House Armed Services Committee.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he discussed a possible ceasefire in the four-year war in Ukraine in a phone call with Russian President Putin.

He spoke after the Kremlin reported the two leaders discussed a temporary Ukraine ceasefire to mark the anniversary of the end of World War II next month.

The UK Ministry of Defence will resume tests and acceptance of Ajax fighting vehicles after a safety review cleared the program to move forward.
Australia has announced further boosts for its army with the acquisition of more Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) for long-range strike and Thales Bushmaster wheeled armored vehicles.
The first of the new Columbia-class of ballistic missile submarine is tracking for a 2028 delivery due to improvements in workforce efficiency and the supplier base, General Dynamics officials said Wednesday (District of Columbia - SSBN-826).

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that a reported offer from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under strict conditions is not acceptable to the United States or other countries.

Secretary of State Rubio: “What they mean by opening the straits is, yes, the straits are open, as long as you coordinate with Iran, get our permission, or we’ll blow you up, and you pay us.”

The IDF said it launched a wave of airstrikes Monday against Hezbollah infrastructure in the Beqaa Valley and several areas of southern Lebanon as a fragile ceasefire appeared to be rapidly unraveling just days after it was extended.

The strikes came following repeated recent attacks by the Hezbollah on IDF troops and Israel during the truce, including a deadly FPV drone attack in Lebanon the previous day that killed an IDF soldier and wounded six.

Battered but still breathing, Hamas is set to hold a long-delayed internal election to choose a new chief and political bureau in the coming weeks.

Hamas generally holds leadership elections every four years, but the latest vote, initially scheduled for 2025, was delayed by the war sparked by the terror group’s October 7, 2023, massacre.

Israel sent the United Arab Emirates an Iron Dome air defense system with troops to operate it early in the war with Iran, two Israeli officials and one U.S. official tell Axios.
A 14 percent increase in European defense spending contributed significantly to global military expenditure increasing for the 11th consecutive year, reaching $2.89 trillion in 2025, according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) think tank.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, with the Russian president telling the Iranian diplomat that he hoped for peace soon.
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov held talks in Kyrgyzstan on Monday with Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister Reza Talaei-Nik, state-run TASS news agency reports.
Under Project Sea 3000, Australia and Japan inked a deal to buy three upgraded Mogami-class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The contract was signed by the two countries’ defense ministers aboard JS Kumano in Melbourne earlier this month.

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US President Donald Trump canceled a trip to Islamabad by two envoys to meet Iran war mediator Pakistan on Saturday after Iran’s foreign minister flew out of the Pakistani capital following talks, dealing a new setback to peace prospects.

Presidnet Trump said in a social media post that he had called off the planned visit by his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, citing what he said was tremendous confusion in the Iranian leadership.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the IDF to go after Hezbollah targets “with force” on Saturday, as the terror group and the Israeli military continued to trade fire in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, despite the extension of the tenuous ceasefire between the warring sides by several more weeks.
East Coast carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is now operating in the Middle East after a sailing around the southern tip of Africa, U.S. Central Command announced on Thursday.

Bush’s entrance into CENTCOM marks the first time three carriers have been in the Middle East since the height of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) has been operating in the Arabian Sea since January while USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) has been operating in the Red Sea since last week, USNI News reported.

North Korea recently launched five short range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) armed with cluster munitions against an island target in the Sea of Japan for the second time this month, further trialing the warhead’s capabilities, state media reported Monday.
USAF plans to more than double its F-15EX Eagle II fleet to 267 aircraft, up from the previously planned 129, as part of the fiscal 2027 budget request rolled out this week.

The revised plan calls for 24 additional Eagle IIs next year at a cost of roughly $3 billion, according to the service’s fiscal 2027 budget request.

The Pentagon’s Munitions Acceleration Council (MAC) is homing in on 14 legacy and “emerging” munitions as part of its ambitious plan to ramp up the production and ink a series of multi-year deals, according to fiscal 2027 budget documents.

The Legacy Weapons:

· Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors

· Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) interceptors

· Standard Missile-3 IIA

· SM-6

· SM-3 Block IB

· Tomahawk Land Attack Missile

· Joint Advanced Tactical Missile

· Low-Cost Cruise Missile

· Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile

· Maritime Strike Tomahawk

· Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range

· Long Range Anti-Ship Missile

Emerging Capabilities:

· Low-Cost Hypersonic Strike Weapon

· Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 1

US Army has unveiled plans for the future of its ground vehicle fleet, as well as what it refers to as its biggest modernization priority: Next Generation Command & Control (NGC2).

The newly released budget documents reveal, that the service is looking to procure over 100 XM30 vehicles in the coming years, provide hundreds of millions of dollars for the Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program, and invest almost $4 billion across consolidated NGC2 budget lines.

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Iranian forces seized two container ships on Wednesday, according to global security monitors and the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. They also attacked but didn’t seize a third.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said the US Navy would “shoot and kill” any boat mining the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel was ready to renew the fighting with Iran and was awaiting a “green light” from the US to target Iranian energy sites and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

The ceasefire between Israel & Lebanon will be extended by another three weeks, President Trump said after hosting the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in the Oval Office on Thursday.
French President Macron said Thursday he will not continue in politics after leaving in 2027, after serving two terms, the maximum number allowed.
The Kremlin said Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but only if such a meeting is to sign peace agreements.
France is moving closer to a decision on its future rocket artillery system, with the country testing domestically developed weapons this month that will allow for a comparison with foreign systems in a few weeks’ time, the head of the country’s armaments agency said.
Estonia’s government has decided to put on hold its planned acquisition of new infantry fighting vehicles.

The Baltic nation will instead direct the funds toward drones, counter-drone measures and air defense systems, while squeezing more service life out of the country’s existing fleet of second-hand CV90 vehicles.

John Phelan is out as the Secretary of the Navy, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

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The Board of Peace’s lead envoy for Gaza admitted Monday that talks with Hamas on disarmament were going to take more time, even though the deadline he gave for the terror group to accept his proposal on handing over its weapons expired nine days earlier.

“We’ve had some very serious discussions with Hamas over the last few weeks. They’re not easy,” Nickolay Mladenov told Reuters in an interview during a visit to Brussels. “

Hours before a two-week ceasefire with Iran was set to expire, US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he was extending the truce for the time being and that the US will hold off on attacking Iran.

Israel and the US have been preparing for a resumption of the war since the ceasefire began, sources familiar with the matter told the network, including conducting exercises involving fighter jets and refueling tankers across the Middle East.

The Hezbollah terror group violated a ceasefire in Lebanon on Tuesday by firing several rockets at Israeli troops stationed in the south of the country, as well as launching a drone at Israel, the military said.

Hezbollah took responsibility for the attacks, which it claimed were in response to Israeli violations of the ceasefire.

The IDF said that it struck the launcher used in the attack within a few minutes.

A second round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place on Thursday, an Israeli and a US official tell The Times of Israel.
The head of the U.S. command for the Indo-Pacific region on Tuesday stressed the importance of Taiwan passing its stalled defense budget, saying the United States “can’t want Taiwan’s defense more than they want it itself.”

Taiwan’s President last year proposed $40 billion in extra defense spending to counter China.

US Department of War Releases FY27 Defense Budget Request of $1.5 Trillion.
The U.S. medium-sized USV fleet could jump from roughly four to 30 vessels by 2030 in the Indo-Pacific, according to officials.
US SOUTHCOM is standing up a new unit aimed at connecting tactical missions to long-term outcomes with unmanned systems.

The development of the Autonomous Warfare Command was mandated by the SOUTHCOM CDR, GEN Francis Donovan (USMC).

The Air force’s Experimental Operations Unit conducted hands-on testing with the Anduril YFQ-44A aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

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American forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship after it tried to bypass a U.S. naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, President Trump said Sunday.

“Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea at 17 knots en route to Bandar Abbas, Iran. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade,” the US Central Command says in a statement.

Vice President JD Vance will lead a U.S. delegation for another round of talks with Iran in Islamabad before the ceasefire is scheduled to end on Tuesday night, two U.S. officials tell Axios.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that talks with Iran on extending the ceasefire would resume on Tuesday, while the Islamic Republic indicated it was not planning to send a delegation and was pessimistic about the prospects of the talks.

Iran swiftly reversed course on reopening the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, reimposing restrictions on the critical waterway after the US said it would not end its blockade of Iran-linked shipping.
The Israeli military on Saturday confirmed carrying out several strikes in southern Lebanon over the previous day against Hezbollah operatives who “violated the ceasefire understandings,” in the first such action since the truce took effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said Hezbollah was responsible for the death of a French soldier in an attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, while the UN Interim Force in Lebanon blamed “non-state actors,” code for the Iran-backed terror group.
Australia has outlined plans to boost its defense spending to three percent of its Gross Domestic Product in the coming years, while reaffirming that the US remains its closest ally and principal strategic partner.
Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is now operating in U.S. Central Command, two defense officials confirmed to USNI News on Friday.

Ford joins the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group already in CENTCOM.

The move to the Red Sea comes as a third carrier strike group is approaching U.S. Central Command. USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) is transiting around the southern tip of Africa, heading to the Middle East, USNI News reported last week.

If the US Army gets its way, it will not be buying additional M109A7 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) howitzers next year as it looks at alternative options to fill the gap.

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A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah appeared to take effect at midnight Thursday-Friday after being declared hours earlier by US President Donald Trump, who also announced that he was inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Lebanese president for peace talks at the White House.
The Israeli military said Friday that it remains on high alert and ready to return to fighting in both Iran and Lebanon if the fragile ceasefires in both countries collapses or expire without an extension in the coming weeks.
US War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday accused Iran of piracy and terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz, and said the US was ready to resume fighting “with more power than ever before” if the current ceasefire ends.
US President Donald Trump signaled growing optimism Friday about a potential deal with Iran to end the war amid a temporary ceasefire, saying negotiators could meet as soon as this weekend and that an agreement may be reached within days.
Axios Report: US & Iran talks are expected to take place in Islamabad, likely on Sunday, according to a source familiar with the mediation efforts.
Pakistan’s air force escorted Iranian negotiators home from inconclusive peace talks with the US last weekend, launching a major operation after the Iranians said Israel might seek to kill them, three sources told Reuters.

Pakistan deployed some two dozen jets in the escort, as well as the force’s Airborne Warning and Control System for aerial surveillance to ensure the safety of the delegation back from Islamabad, said two Pakistani sources with knowledge of the operation.

Iran used a Chinese spy satellite to target US bases in the Middle East for missile and drone strikes, according to a report by The Financial Times published on Wednesday. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force acquired the sophisticated spy satellite from China in late 2024, agreeing to pay roughly $36.6m for the system, the report said.
Australia this week announced three major shifts in military leadership, appointing a new Chief of Defence Force, as well as new leaders of the Navy and Army.

Vice Adm, Mark Hammond, the current navy chief, will take over as Australia’s top military officer.

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Military planning for a possible Pentagon-led operation in Cuba is quietly ramping up, in case President Trump gives an order to intervene there, USA TODAY has learned.

Two sources familiar with the order spoke to USA TODAY on condition of anonymity because they're not authorized to speak to media.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was not considering extending a ceasefire with Iran, predicting “an amazing two days ahead” amid renewed diplomatic efforts with Tehran for an agreement to end the war.
The US Navy prevented an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel from leaving Iran on Tuesday after it attempted to evade the maritime blockade that began Monday, US CENTCOM announced.
The military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warns that Iran will sink American ships in the Strait of Hormuz if the United States decides to “police” the key shipping bottleneck.
Iran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack as part of proposals it has ‌offered in negotiations with the United States, providing a deal is clinched to prevent renewed conflict, a source briefed by Tehran said.

The source, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Iran could be willing to let ships use the other side of the narrow strait in Omani waters without any hindrance from Tehran.

US Brokers Talks Between Israel and Lebanon.

Before the meeting, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun expressed his hope that “an agreement will be reached on a ceasefire in Lebanon, with the aim of initiating direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, which will be handled by a Lebanese negotiating team to put an end to hostile actions.”

US Secretary of State Rubio: “The hope today is that we can outline the framework upon which a permanent, lasting peace can be developed so that the people of Israel can live in peace and the people of Lebanon can live, not just in peace but in the prosperity and security that they deserve."

The US Army has officially given a new name for its MV-75 tiltrotor, calling it the Cheyenne II, though the service is closely holding additional details about the rotorcraft’s timeline, including its expected first flight.

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The U.S. proposed that Iran accept a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment during talks over the weekend, according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge.. The Iranians countered with a shorter "single digit" period, according to the sources.
US Aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is operating off the coast of Namibia, as it sails around the African continent and is set to join a growing naval force in the Arabian Sea amid a U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, USNI News has learned.
The US military on Monday detailed the boundaries of its Strait of Hormuz blockade, saying it would extend east to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, while ship-tracking data showed two ships turned around in the strait as the blockade went into effect.

The blockade began at 10 a.m. US Eastern Time on Monday.

Responding to the US blockade announcement, Iran said the move was illegal and “amounts to piracy,” and threatened a “forceful response” to any renewed military action amid a fragile 14-day ceasefire that was reached last week.
France and Britain will co-host a summit this week to discuss a “coordinated, independent, multinational plan” to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday.
All three major Hebrew TV networks reported that the IDF is gearing up for renewed conflict with Iran after the ceasefire talks between the United States and the Islamic Republic collapsed, in what appeared to be a coordinated leak by defense officials on Sunday.
The Israeli military has nearly completed the capture of the Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, killing more than 100 members of the terror group in the area in the process, the Israel Defense Forces said Monday.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Monday urged Lebanon to cancel a planned meeting with Israel in Washington the following day, reiterating his group’s rejection of direct negotiations with its sworn enemy.
Israeli PM Netanyahu castigated Europe on Monday, as Israel ushered in Holocaust Remembrance Day in a pre-recorded ceremony, amid ongoing hostilities with Iran and the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon.
European allies must wean themselves off an “addiction” to US defense capabilities and step up regional military planning and rearmament, Swedish defense minister Jonson told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview.

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The talks in Islamabad stretched into the early hours of Sunday morning following hours of marathon negotiations, even as Iran warned that Washington was making “excessive demands” over the Strait of Hormuz that could undermine Pakistan’s peacemaking efforts.
The US military said on Saturday that it had begun a mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz, with two US warships passing through the key waterway.

Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of Central Command, said in a statement: “Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warns that any attempt by military vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz will be met with “a strong response,” saying only non-military vessels would be allowed to pass under specific regulations, the IRGC declares in a statement carried by Iranian media after the US Central Command announced two US Navy warships transited the strategic waterway to clear mines laid by Tehran.
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is still recovering from severe facial and leg injuries suffered in the airstrike that killed his father at the beginning of the war, three people close to his inner circle told Reuters.
Israel and Hezbollah traded fire throughout Saturday, with the Israel Defense Forces striking hundreds of targets in Lebanon and the Iran-backed terror group launching dozens of rockets and drones at northern Israel.
The first in-person meeting in the expected negotiations between Israel and Lebanon will take place on Tuesday in Washington, a US official familiar with the details told The Times of Israel on Friday.
China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks, according to three people familiar with recent intelligence assessments.
The Board of Peace does not expect to receive a final approval from Hamas to its disarmament proposal by the Saturday deadline set by the international body overseeing the postwar management of Gaza, three sources familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel.
Finland has signed a €547 million ($642 million) contract with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace to procure 112 additional K9 self-propelled howitzers, accelerating its artillery expansion.

Finnish authorities announced the government-to-government deal on Thursday, expected to bring its total K9 inventory to over 200 systems, making Finland the second-largest European operator behind Poland.

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Items from the 10-Point Ceasefire Plan.
The lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions on Iran.
Continued Iranian control over the strait of Hormuz.
US military withdrawal from the Middle East.
An end to attacks on Iran and its allies.
The release of frozen Iranian assets.
A UN security council resolution making any deal binding.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday night renewed his threat to use unprecedented force against Iran if it doesn’t comply with the terms of the ceasefire, ahead of scheduled peace talks between Washington and Tehran.
The Israeli Air Force on Wednesday carried out its largest wave of airstrikes yet against Hezbollah.

The IDF branded the wave of strikes launched on Wednesday with the codename of “Eternal Darkness.”

According to the IDF, the strikes were carried out across Lebanon by 50 fighter jets that dropped some 160 bombs on 100 targets within 10 minutes.

The secretary of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem was killed on Wednesday evening in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, the Israel Defense Forces announced Thursday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday evening that Israel would begin negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” aimed at disarming Hezbollah and reaching a full peace agreement between the countries.
The UK and several EU countries on Thursday condemned the large wave of IDF airstrikes in Lebanon.
Francetoday announced a €36 billion ($42 billion) boost to its defense budget for the next four years as part of an updated military planning law.

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The White House asserts that the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is a victory for Washington.

The U.S. has agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran proposed by Pakistan, President Trump said Tuesday night.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Tehran's acceptance and said Iran would allow "safe passage" of the Strait of Hormuz during those two weeks "via coordination with Iran's armed forces."

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is unconscious and being treated for a “severe” medical issue, rendering him unable to govern the country, according to an intelligence assessment obtained by the UK News Outlet The Times.
The Israeli Air Force bombed eight rail sections and bridges in Iran on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the US military conducted strikes on military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, the Axios news outlet reported on Tuesday, citing an unidentified senior US official.

The Israeli Air Force launched a wave of attacks on Iran overnight Sunday and on Monday, killing two senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers in Tehran, hitting the country’s largest petrochemical plant and blowing up several airports used by the IRGC as fighting continued despite efforts to reach a ceasefire.
The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had completed deployment of ground troops along a strategic ridge in southern Lebanon from which Hezbollah could fire anti-tank guided missiles directly at Israeli communities.

The so-called anti-tank line is located several kilometers deep in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah’s anti-tank missiles have an estimated range of around 10 kilometers.

Russian satellites have made dozens of detailed imagery surveys of military facilities and critical sites across the Middle East to help Iran strike US forces and critical infrastructure in Israel, according to a Ukrainian intelligence assessment seen by Reuters this week.
France has completed the delivery of armored personnel carriers to the Lebanese Armed Forces, fulfilling its commitment to strengthen the country’s ground mobility capabilities.

The donation includes 39 Armored Forward Vehicle (VAB) platforms, originally developed for the French military and in service since the 1980s.

Israeli defense firm Elbit announced today the Greece is formally acquiring the Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS) rocket artillery system in a $750 million agreement.

Elbit noted that its PULS system had been selected by Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark.

The U.S. Navy is requesting $3 billion to replenish its stockpile of Tomahawk missiles that have been depleted over the course of the Iran war, according to the Defense Department’s fiscal 2027 budget request.

As part of the $1.5 trillion budget request released Friday, the Navy has asked for a 1,200% increase in the number of the long-range land attack missile.

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US special forces conducted a daring raid deep into enemy territory to safely rescue a wounded US airman who was shot down over southwest Iran, with US President Donald Trump triumphantly declaring “WE GOT HIM,” on Sunday, ending a 36-hour race to find the aviator before he could be captured by pursuing Iranian forces.
In an expletive-laden post on his Truth Social account on Sunday, US President Donald Trump warned that the US would attack power plants and bridges in Iran starting Tuesday — when his latest ultimatum for Tehran to make a deal ends — if the Islamic Republic failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran fired four salvos of missiles at northern and southern Israel on Sunday, with one projectile hitting an industrial zone, as the Islamic Republic damaged critical infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Russian President Putin and Turkish counterpart President Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East war during a phone call on Friday, the Kremlin said.
NATO Secretary General Rutte will meet President Trump next week on a visit to Washington, as the US president lashes out at the alliance over the Iran war, NATO said Friday.

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A U.S. F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, and one crew member from the plane was later rescued by American forces, U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News.

The F-15E is flown by a two-member crew, and the search for the second crew member, a weapons system officer, is continuing, two U.S. officials said.

An A-10 Warthog was part of the search and rescue mission when it took fire and was damaged. The Warthog pilot ejected over the Persian Gulf and was successfully recovered, according to the officials.

Current mediation efforts led by regional countries, including Pakistan, to broker a ceasefire between the United States and Iran have reportedly reached a dead end.

Iran has officially told mediators that it is unwilling to meet US officials in Islamabad in the coming days and considers US demands unacceptable.

US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that the United States can “easily” open the Strait of Hormuz with “a little more time,” and suggested that Iran’s power plants were next on his target list, as the US military shifted to striking civilian infrastructure.
A senior Israeli military official said Friday that while the Israel Defense Forces aims to significantly weaken Hezbollah and remove the threat the terror group poses to residents of northern Israel, the prospect of fully disarming the group was unrealistic and not a “required goal” of the army’s ongoing ground offensive.

The Israeli military later clarified in a statement that it was still committed to a “long-term objective” of disarming the terror group.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday accused Russia of escalating its attacks on Ukraine days before Easter as he spoke by phone with Pope Leo XIV during the latest aerial barrage by Moscow.

"At the very moment of our conversation, the Russians attacked Ukraine yet again," Zelensky said, adding that "the Russians have only intensified their strikes, turning what should have been silence in the skies into an Easter escalation."

Ukraine's President Zelensky had said earlier that Kyiv was ready for a truce over the Easter holidays, but the Kremlin said it had not received any proposals.

In the coming weeks, the Pentagon is expected to release in-depth FY27 budget justification documents detailing how it wants to funnel $1.5 trillion to specific programs next year.

The Department of the Navy, comprising the Navy and Marine Corps, gets the largest share of the planned spending in FY27, with $150 billion — $126 billion in the budget request and another $24 billion planned in reconciliation.

The Department of the Air Force, which includes both the Air and Space Forces, gets $101.2 billion, with $83.4 billion in the budget request and $17.6 billion in reconciliation.

And the Army brings up the rear, sitting at $60.5 billion total, of which $36 billion is from the budget request and $24 billion is from reconciliation.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and take immediate retirement, sources familiar with the decision told CBS News.
The U.S. military is poised to double its A-10 presence in the Middle East, as the close air support plane plays a key role in combating Iranian boats and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq as part of Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Israel and the United States were close to completing their key objectives in the war against the Iranian regime and that the conflict would soon be over, without providing an exact timeline.
A US military option to seize some 450 kilograms of highly enriched uranium would reportedly require flying in excavation equipment and building a runway for cargo planes to fly off with the radioactive material.

US President Donald Trump was presented with the plan by his military over the past week, two people familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.

Israel came under attack from Iran, Yemen’s Houthis and Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Thursday, as Tehran and its proxies increased their assaults amid the Passover holiday.
An overnight Israeli Navy strike in Beirut killed the commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front.

The strike in the Lebanese capital killed Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashem, who took over the Southern Front from Ali Karaki in September 2024, after the latter was killed alongside Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli strike.

A senior Houthi official warned that the Iran-backed terror group in Yemen could move to shutter the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if any Gulf countries join the US and Israeli strikes against Iran.

The strait, a key shipping chokepoint and narrow passageway that controls sea traffic toward the Suez Canal, is located at the southern mouth of the Red Sea, between Houthi-controlled Yemen and Djibouti.

About 40 countries discussed joint action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to stop Iran holding “the global economy hostage,” Britain said Thursday, after US President Donald Trump said securing the waterway was for others to resolve.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Iran’s “recklessness” in blockading the Persian Gulf waterway was “hitting our global economic security” as she chaired the virtual meeting, which included France, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and India, but not the US.

The Trump administration plans to propose a $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal 2027, broken into a $1.15 trillion base budget request and an additional $350 billion from a forthcoming reconciliation bill, according to a spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget.

It will mark the first time the base budget defense spending has hit the $1 trillion mark.

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The US Central Command confirms that CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper visited Israel this week and met with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush deployed Tuesday and is slated to go to the Middle East along with three destroyers, two U.S. officials said. The carrier strike group consists of more than 6,000 Sailors.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Iran does not have to agree to a deal to end the ongoing US-Israeli war with the Islamic Republic, as he stated that the United States will probably wrap up the war in two or three weeks.
China and Pakistan presented on Tuesday a new initiative for ending the war in Iran that includes an immediate ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulf allies of the United States, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are urging US President Donald Trump to continue prosecuting the war against Iran, arguing that Tehran hasn’t been weakened enough by the monthlong US-Israeli bombing campaign, according to US, Gulf, and Israeli officials.
The day after Spain announced it was closing off its airspace to US planes involved in the Iran war, senior US officials seemingly called into question a fundamental pillar of the NATO alliance: collective defense.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he will ask US mediators to relay his offer of an Easter truce to Russia, halting attacks on the country’s energy facilities, amid an ongoing deadlock in peace talks.

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Hundreds of U.S. Special Operations Forces, including Navy SEALs and Army Rangers, are now in the Middle East, as well as thousands of Marines and Army paratroopers, according to sources familiar with the deployments.

The NYT first reported the forces had arrived in the region.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that progress was being made in “serious discussions” with Tehran about ending the war, but warned that the US would destroy Iranian energy sites and infrastructure if a deal is not reached in the near future.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the war on Iran has achieved more than half its aims, without putting a timeline on when it would end.
A month into the war with Iran, the Israeli military has almost completed bombing all of the targets it defined for itself at the start of the conflict, and has now been ordered by Israel’s political leadership to shift to hitting “economic” targets of the Iranian regime.
Israeli PM Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel would capture additional territory in southern Lebanon to expand a security zone on Israel’s northern border.
Iran on Monday defied Lebanon's expulsion order for its ambassador by saying he would stay.

Lebanese officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Japanese destroyer JS Chokai is now capable of launching U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles, making it the first Japanese warship that can strike targets beyond 1,000 kilometers.

Japan committed to acquiring 400 Tomahawks last year to equip its eight Aegis destroyers as part of a larger standoff capability.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has rolled out the first production KF-21 fighter jet, less than two years after construction on it began and four years after the first prototype aircraft made it maiden flight.

The KF-21 is considered a 4.5 generation fighter jet and will be equipped with a mix of indigenous and Western sensors and weapons in service, including the KGGB precision glide bomb and European MBDA Meteor air-to-air missile.

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US President Trump said Friday “Cuba is next. President Trump did not specify what he planned to do with Cuba, telling the media to “disregard that statement” before repeating “Cuba’s next.”
US Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group & USMC 31st MEU Arrives CENTCOM AOR.
Pakistan’s prime minister said he had a “detailed” call with Iran’s president on Saturday, as foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey prepared to meet in Islamabad for talks on the war in the Middle East. The US and Iran are not expected to be present.

Top diplomats from Riyadh, Cairo and Ankara are due in the Pakistani capital Sunday and Monday,” the Pakistan foreign ministry said.

Yemen’s Houthis launched a ballistic missile attack at southern Israel on Saturday morning, triggering sirens in Beersheba, in their first offensive action since the start of the war.
The Israel Defense Forces assessed on Saturday that it would finish targeting nearly all of Iran’s key military industry sites in the coming days.
Two soldiers were seriously wounded and seven others were moderately hurt during clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Friday and overnight into Saturday, Israel Defense Forces said, as the terror group continued to pound northern Israel with rocket and drone attacks.
Last year represented the first time that all NATO countries met or exceeded the 2 percent benchmark on defense spending, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte revealed during a press conference on March 26, something he largely attributed to US President Donald Trump’s relentless pressure to end allies’ free-riding.
The US State Department has approved a proposed sale to Japan of equipment and services to support its program to develop hypersonic weapons.

The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) announcement on Wednesday flagged the possible sale to Japan in support of its indigenous Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectiles (HVGP) program, in a deal that would cost an estimated $340 million.

Last year, Army Materiel Command's LTG Christopher Mohan told Breaking Defense the Army was considering jettisoning the mobile cache in the Indo-Pacific, known as APS-3, in favor of dispersing the equipment throughout the INDOPACOM theater. The reasoning behind the potential decision derived from the Army “doubling down on the INDOPACOM from a theater standpoint,” he said then.

LTG Mohan: “The idea is to put much of that ground based, and we started doing that in several countries overseas,” Mohan said in an interview. “The end state will be that we will have a much, much reduced APS afloat.”

The Trump administration will send its fiscal 2027 budget request to Congress on April 3, an Office of Management and Budget spokesperson confirmed today.

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Ten U.S. service members were wounded Friday in an Iranian missile strike on Prince Sultan Airbase in Saudi Arabia, the Wall Street Journal reported. Friday’s strike reportedly damaged multiple U.S. refueling aircraft and involved Iranian drones.
The Pentagon is considering sending up to 10,000 more ground troops to the Middle East to potentially support operations in Iran in a move aimed at giving President Donald Trump more military options, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he was postponing his deadline for Iran to agree to an American proposal to end the war, setting a new date of April 6. President Trump is reported to be considering ordering a ground operation in Iran to pressure Tehran into acquiescing to American terms to end the nearly monthlong war.
The US expects the bombing campaign in Iran to conclude within weeks, not months, and Washington can meet all its objectives without using ground troops, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday.
The Israeli Air Force on Friday bombed two of Iran’s largest steel factories, according to Iranian media and Israeli security sources, as well as two facilities linked to Iran’s nuclear program, in moves that sparked vows of retaliation from Tehran.

The Fars news agency reported that Israeli strikes hit Khuzestan Steel near Ahvaz and Mobarakeh Steel in Isfahan, two major production facilities.

From the Iran War, Pakistan has emerged as an unexpected mediator, offering to help bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table.

Pakistani government officials have said that their public peace effort follows weeks of quiet diplomacy, though they have provided few details.

The Pentagon is weighing whether to redirect weapons originally meant for Ukraine to the Middle East, as the war in Iran strains supplies of some of the U.S. military’s most critical munitions, the Washington Post reported Thursday.
Russia is in contact with the United ‌States about a new round of talks on a Ukraine peace settlement as soon as conditions allow, the Kremlin said on Thursday.

"We remain open, we are in contact with the Americans, and we are counting on holding the next round of talks as soon as circumstances permit," Kremlin ⁠spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

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The U.S. military is preparing to deploy at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in the coming days, according to three people with knowledge of the plans.
Chief of the US Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, says the American military has struck over 10,000 targets in Iran since the start of the war, as part of which it destroyed two-thirds of the regime’s military production facilities.
Iran has been laying traps and moving additional military personnel and air defenses to Kharg Island in recent weeks in preparation for a possible US operation to take control of the island, according to multiple people familiar with US intelligence reporting on the issue.
Iranian officials on Wednesday gave a cold reception to the current US proposal to reach a ceasefire, as the White House warned Tehran it would be hit harder than before if it did not accept the offer to end the conflict.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem purportedly said Wednesday that negotiating with Israel under fire would amount to “surrender” for Lebanon, and urged the government to reverse its ban on the party’s military activities.

Mr. Qassem called on the Lebanese people to embrace “national unity,” saying this could be achieved by the government reversing its decision to ban Hezbollah’s military activities.

Lebanon’s foreign ministry said Tuesday it had withdrawn the accreditation of Iran’s ambassador, giving him until Sunday to leave the country.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Israel will maintain control of a “security zone” in southern Lebanon, up to the Litani River, until the threat of Hezbollah is removed.
Airstrikes in Iraq killed 15 members of Iraq’s umbrella group for Iran-backed Shiite militia on Tuesday, the deadliest attack on the group since the Iran war began.
Recent Israeli airstrikes off the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea targeted a key shipping route used by Iran and Russia for the exporting and importing of weapons, including those used by Moscow in its war on Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The United States has tied its offer of security guarantees for a Ukraine peace deal to Kyiv’s giving up its entire eastern Donbas region to Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday.

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The United States is reportedly planning a weeks-long operation to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, an Israeli report claimed Sunday
In a bombshell announcement, US President Donald Trump revealed early Monday that his administration was engaged in productive talks with Iran regarding a “complete and total resolution” of the US-Israeli war with the Islamic Republic.

Trump’s initial statement, made on social media, came nearly two days after he had threatened to bomb Iran’s power plants unless it opened the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

On Monday, Trump said he had postponed those strikes for five days to allow for more negotiations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday evening that any deal to end the hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran would protect Jerusalem’s “vital interests,” in his first comments since US President Donald Trump announced earlier in the day that he was holding talks with Tehran about ending the war.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, is taking a more central role, as Israeli and US strikes pick off the Islamic Republic’s political leadership, making him a critical figure at a decisive moment.
The Israeli Air Force blew up a bridge over Lebanon’s Litani River on Sunday, accusing Hezbollah of using it to move operatives and weapons into the country’s south, as Israel warned that its fight against the Iran-backed terror group had “only just begun.”
In partnership with France, Germany says it is working to a deadline next month aimed at resolving a long-running industrial dispute over the troubled New Generation Fighter (NGF) element of Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
Polish Deputy State Assets Minister Konrad Gołota has announced that Poland is considering to join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), aiming to involve its defense sector in the project to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet.
Lockheed Martin Australia is seeking to sustain the Australian Army’s fleet of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) vehicles in-country.

The company is working with Rheinmetall Defence Australia to explore potential opportunities at the latter’s military vehicle production and sustainment facilities.

Direct talks between US and Iran could be held in Islamabad as soon as this week. A Pakistani official and a second source tell Reuters that direct talks on ending the war could be held in Islamabad as soon as this week.

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The United States struck Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility on Saturday, several media reports claimed,

Iranian media said US-Israeli forces attacked the Shahid Ahmadi-Roshan Natanz enrichment complex on Saturday morning. Technical experts found that no radioactive leaks had occurred, and nearby residents were not at risk.

US President Donald Trump on Friday ruled out a ceasefire with Iran, as American officials said more US Marines were headed to the Middle East in a possible sign of a coming ground operation three weeks into the war.
US President Donald Trump threatens to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if it doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
The Pentagon is reportedly sending the Wasp class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer and the rest of its Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), loaded with elements of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

This follows reports last week that the America class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and its ARG, carrying elements of the 31st MEU, had also begun moving from the Pacific toward the Middle to support ongoing operations against Iran.

The Israeli Air Force recently struck an Iranian nuclear weapons research and development site in Tehran, the military announced on Saturday, as Israel and the United States continued their operations to eliminate the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
Iran was “unsuccessful” in targeting the joint UK-US Indian Ocean military base at Diego Garcia, a UK official source confirmed on Saturday, a day after the Wall Street Journal reported Tehran fired two ballistic missiles at the base but failed to hit it.

The Iranian attack on the Diego Garcia air base — located about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from Iran — indicated Tehran has in its stockpile missiles that can travel much further than it had previously acknowledged.

A British nuclear-powered submarine equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles has taken position in the Arabian Sea, giving Britain the capability to launch long-range strikes if regional conflict escalates, the Daily Mail reports.

Reuters cannot immediately verify the report. The British Ministry of Defense does not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Over 100 people were injured by Iranian strikes in the southern cities of Dimona and Arad on Saturday.

Iranian state media said the strikes were targeting Israel’s nuclear research facility, located some 10 kilometers (six miles) outside of Dimona and 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) outside of Arad, in retaliation for an alleged US attack on Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility earlier in the day.

Hezbollah fired several rockets at northern Israel on Saturday, damaging a number of buildings and infrastructure, as the Israeli Air Force struck targets belonging to the terror group, and soldiers operating in south Lebanon killed gunmen in exchanges of fire.

The army announced Saturday that its 162nd Division had completed preparations ahead of deployment in southern Lebanon.

If the 162nd is deployed, it would bring the total number of IDF divisions operating in southern Lebanon to five.

The disarmament proposal presented to Hamas by Gaza ceasefire mediators this month in Cairo envisions all armed groups in the Strip gradually handing over their weapons over the coming months, two Arab diplomats familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel on Friday.

The proposal requires Hamas to — within 90 days — hand over its heavy weaponry, such as missiles and rocket launchers, in addition to maps of its tunnel network.

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The Israeli Air Force struck Iranian gas infrastructure in the country’s south on Wednesday. The strikes targeted Iran’s massive offshore South Pars natural gas field. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strikes on the gas facility, but an Israeli official confirmed the strike was carried out by the IAF.
US President Donald Trump said early Thursday that he would not allow another Israeli attack on Iran’s South Pars natural gas field.
US War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday said the US would again launch “the largest strike package yet” in the ongoing US-Israeli campaign in Iran, and said Israel’s recent strike on an Iranian gas field was a “warning.”

“To date, we’ve struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure,” Secretary Hegseth said at a Pentagon briefing. “

Iran can no longer enrich uranium or manufacture ballistic missiles, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.

“After 20 days, I can tell you — Iran today has no ability to enrich uranium, and no ability to produce ballistic missiles,” said PM Netanyahu.

The Israel Defense Forces said it struck Hezbollah targets in response to the Iran-backed terror group’s rocker barrage on northern Israel overnight.

The IDF also renewed its call for residents of Hezbollah’s southern Lebanon heartland to flee northward, and said it would bomb crossings used by Hezbollah to move troops and equipment south over the Litani River, which runs some 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of the Israeli border.

Israel reopened the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Thursday, allowing a group of Palestinians wounded in the Israel-Hamas war to leave for treatment after a nearly three-week closure due to the war with Iran.
The Pentagon plans to ask lawmakers for some $200 billion in supplemental funds to pay for operations in Iran and refill American munition stockpiles, War Secretary Pete Hegseth said today.
The U.S. Army has confirmed that its first operational Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon battery is only weeks from full fielding.

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Top Iranian official Ali Larijani was killed in an Israeli airstrike overnight Monday-Tuesday, Israel’s military and top leaders announced on Tuesday.

The Israel Defense Forces said that the commander of Iran’s oppressive Basij force had been killed in a separate overnight strike as well.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the US would not be fighting Iran for “much longer,” but declined to give a clear timeline, as he disparaged NATO for not doing more to help.

President Trump reiterated his disappointment with NATO over its members’ refusal to heed the US request to help secure the Iran-blocked Strait of Hormuz.

European NATO allies pushed back against demand from President Trump to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force.
The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday that it has pushed even more forces deeper into southern Lebanon to create an expanded buffer zone, as Hezbollah attacked towns in northern Israel with rockets and drones.
Gulf Arab states did not ask the US to go to war with Iran, but many are now urging it not to stop short by leaving the Islamic Republic still able to threaten the Gulf’s oil lifeline and the economies that depend on it.
The US aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, deployed in operations against Iran, is expected to temporarily pull into port after a fire on board, US officials said on Tuesday, the 18th day of the war with Tehran.

The carrier, America’s newest and the world’s largest, is currently located in the Red Sea. It is expected to temporarily go to Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete, the two officials said.

US President Donald Trump mused over whether he would have the “honor of taking Cuba” on Monday.

For review:

A missile strike on a house in Baghdad on Tuesday killed two people, with initial reports suggesting they are “Iranian advisers” to Tehran-backed groups, a security official tells AFP.
Rockets and at least five drones were launched at the US embassy in Baghdad early Tuesday from areas around the city, Iraqi security sources say, describing the attack as the most intense since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.
Amid the latest Iranian missile attack on Israel, the military announces that it has launched “extensive” strikes against targets in both Tehran and Beirut.

In the Iranian capital, the IDF says it’s striking “infrastructure of the terror regime,” while in Beirut it’s attacking Hezbollah targets.

US President Donald Trump’s administration is urging US diplomats abroad to push allies to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Lebanon-based Hezbollah as terrorist groups, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters.
US efforts to open Strait of Hormuz:

Both The Wall Street Journal and Axios reported that President Trump was planning to announce the formation of such a multinational coalition as early as this week.

Axios added, citing unnamed US officials, that President Trump was also mulling the option of seizing Iran’s key oil depot on Kharg Island -- if Tehran continues to deny oil tankers passage through the strait, a move that would require American boots on the ground.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told NBC earlier Sunday that he has been “in dialogue” with some of the countries Trump had mentioned previously, and said he expected China “will be a constructive partner” in reopening the strait.

“It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, and that’s why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard from the European side,” Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said Monday ahead of a meeting of the 27-nation bloc’s foreign ministers in Brussels.

Iran’s military apparatus is “in distress” and incapable of launching many missiles at Israel, while members of the country’s security forces stay inside for fear of Israeli and US warplanes, according to an assessment reportedly delivered by the IDF intelligence chief to political leaders.
Iraq’s powerful armed group Kataeb Hezbollah said Monday that its senior security commander, Abu Ali al-Askari, had been killed, without providing details on the circumstances of his death.
A “significant Israeli ground offensive” in Lebanon must be averted since it could have devastating humanitarian consequences, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Britain say in a joint statement.
US Navy mine warfare capabilities.
Lockheed Martin has announced it carried out the first flight test for the Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 2 program, the service’s initiative at developing a multimode seeker capable of hitting maritime targets on the move.

Lockheed’s announcement comes shortly after the Army announced its PrSM Increment 1 capabilities, also developed by Lockheed Martin, were used for the first time in combat during the ongoing conflict in Iran.

For review:

On Sunday, citing “a senior source close to the new Iranian leader,” Kuwait’s Al-Jarida news outlet reported that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had been smuggled out of Iran in a secretive Russian operation on Thursday to receive medical treatment in Moscow for injuries sustained in the same airstrikes that killed his father and wife on the first day of the ongoing US-Israeli offensive.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that Tehran had neither requested a ceasefire nor sought negotiations with Washington.
Iran’s relations with Arab Gulf states will require a “serious review” in light of the US-Israeli war on Iran, limiting the power of external actors so the region can become prosperous, Tehran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia told Reuters on Sunday.

Asked if he was concerned that relations would be harmed by the war, Ambassador Alireza Enayati said: “It’s a valid question, and the answer may be simple.

The Israel Defense Forces’ campaign in the joint war with the United States against Iran is proceeding according to plan, and at a faster pace than initially expected, military officials said on Sunday.

Despite being apparently ahead of schedule, the military has said it is preparing for at least three more weeks of operations in Iran, as it still has thousands more targets to hit, both in Tehran and in other parts of the country.

The IDF is now focusing its efforts on destroying Iran’s military industry, according to the officials.

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speak today about the “importance” of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, currently blocked by Iran, the UK leader’s office says.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denied reports on Sunday that Israel and Lebanon are set to hold direct talks in the coming days amid the fighting with Hezbollah, and demanded that Beirut first act against the terror group on its soil.
As the United Arab Emirates confronts a large number of attacks from Iran, the small Gulf nation just to Iran’s south appears to be sharing less information about how successful its air defenses have been in recent days.
The Australian government announced on March 10 it would send an E-7A Wedgetail early-warning aircraft to the Middle East and help replenish United Arab Emirates stocks of AIM-120 air-to-air missiles.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry issued a response on March 14 after Iranian politician Ebrahim Azizi called Ukrainian territory "a legitimate target for Iran" in a social media post.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called the threat "absurd" in a statement from a Spokesperson to the media.

"The Iranian regime has been supporting the murder of Ukrainians for years, by directly sharing drones and technology for Russian aggression against Ukraine,"

For review:

US President Donald Trump’s administration has rebuffed efforts by Middle Eastern allies to start diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the Iran war. Iran, for its part, has rejected talk of a ceasefire until US and Israeli strikes end, two senior Iranian sources told Reuters,
US President Donald Trump says that the United States may carry out more strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub, saying that while Tehran appears ready to make a deal to end the conflict, “the terms aren’t good enough yet.”
President Trump on the Strait of Hormuz: Tthe US “will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline” and “one way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait open, safe and free.”

Later on Saturday Trump said that “countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — a lot!

The US will also coordinate with those countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well.

Hamas on Saturday called on its benefactor Iran to refrain from striking neighboring nations, including Qatar and Turkey, two of the terror group’s other leading state sponsors.
Lebanon was said Saturday to be seeking talks with Israel on ending the renewed flareup between the Jewish state and the Hezbollah terror group, with landmark direct negotiations reportedly expected to be held within days.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Friday his terror group was ready for a long confrontation with Israel, as the latter threatened to make Lebanon pay an “increasing price” in damage to infrastructure.
Israel is planning to launch a “massive” ground invasion of southern Lebanon in order to push the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group away from the border and destroy its weapons stores and positions, US and Israeli officials told the Axios news site on Saturday.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on March 13 confirmed his government is holding talks with the Trump administration, in the latest sign that the communist-run nation is open to signing a historic economic deal with the United States.
The US Navy has prolonged the service life of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to March 2027.

For review:

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is “wounded and likely disfigured,” US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a briefing Friday.
US President Donald Trump announces that American forces “totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.
Five US Air Force refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing two US officials.

The planes, which were hit during an Iranian missile strike on the Saudi base in recent days, were damaged but not fully destroyed and are being repaired, the Journal says, adding that no one was killed in the strikes.

All six crew members of a KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed while supporting operations against Iran are dead, the U.S. military said Friday.

CENTCOM said the crash in Western Iraq on Thursday followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace” and that the other plane landed safely.

After several statements over the past months and weeks urging Iranians to prepare to take to the streets and seize power from the government once the bombing stops, US President Donald Trump on Friday acknowledged that it will be very difficult for them to overthrow the regime.
Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday threatened the Lebanese government that Israel would destroy the country’s national infrastructure used by Hezbollah if the terror group isn’t disarmed, after the Israel Defense Forces struck a bridge that it described as a “key crossing” for the group.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tapped former minister and longtime aide Ron Dermer to handle the Lebanon file for the duration of the ongoing Mideast war, Channel 12 news reported Friday, citing senior Israeli and US officials.

Dermer, who served as strategic affairs minister from 2022 until his resignation late last year, will lead talks with the US government regarding Lebanon, the report said.

The Pentagon’s supplemental funding request to replace weapons expended in Iran is expected to involve buying new types of equipment, not just legacy systems, the department’s chief financial officer said today.
On March 4, when a U.S. Navy submarine sunk an enemy combatant ship for the first time since World War II, three Australian submariners were aboard.

Two days later, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the presence of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) sailors aboard the U.S. submarine when the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was sunk.

A fire broke out aboard aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) on Thursday, multiple sources confirmed to USNI News.

The initial fire has been extinguished, but the crew is still doing damage control, according to a U.S. official.

“On March 12, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) experienced a fire that originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces,” reads a U.S. Central Command statement posted to social media website X. “The cause of the fire was not combat-related and is contained.

For review:

1.Two oil tankers were struck in the Gulf, killing one person, as Iran continued its attacks on targets across the region and the IDF reported hitting a “critical” nuclear site near Tehran, amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has yet to appear in public, ostensibly vowed on Thursday to avenge the deaths since the start of the war with the US and Israel, in a statement read out by a presenter on state TV.
UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a Bahrain-led resolution condemning Iranian attacks on several regional states, while a separate draft resolution introduced by Russia on the wider crisis failed to pass.
Spain permanently withdrew its ambassador to Israel on Wednesday as a diplomatic standoff worsened between the two countries over Spain’s opposition to Israeli policies.

Israel’s embassy in Spain is also run by a charge d’affaires after Israel in May 2024 recalled its ambassador, Rodica Radian-Gordon, in protest of Spain's decision to recognize a Palestinian state.

Israel and the US appeared Wednesday to be increasingly at odds over the time frame for the war with Iran, with US President Donald Trump saying the conflict would end “soon” as there was “practically nothing left to target” and Israel’s defense minister meanwhile insisting there was no time limit to the US-Israeli operation against Iran.
There is no guarantee that the Iranian people will rise up after Israel “creates the conditions” for them to topple the regime in Tehran, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“You can lead someone to water, you cannot make him drink,” says PM Netanyahu. “We will create optimal conditions to do this, including airstrikes as we did yesterday, as we are doing these days, to try to give them the space needed to take to the streets.”

The IDF said it continued to strike key strategic targets across Iran, while the US military said it had struck around 6,000 targets since the start of the war. Among the targets hit by US forces were more than 90 Iranian vessels — around 60 ships and 30 minelayers — according to US Central Command,

Targets struck by Israel included members of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force as well as its drone operations and capabilities.

At least 25 Iranian attacks have targeted US sites or locations housing American military personnel in the Middle East since the start of the war, according to an AFP analysis.

Of Iran’s attacks, recorded between February 28 and March 11 at 5 p.m. in Israel, four targeted US embassies or consulates in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq.

The other 21 Iranian missiles or drone attacks targeted 13 different military sites housing American personnel.

The US Central Command on Thursday said a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq in an apparent accident involving another tanker.

“The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday he has warned Lebanon that if it does not stop the Hezbollah terror group’s continuing rocket and drone attacks, Israel will “take the territory and do it ourselves.”

On Wednesday, Hezbollah launched some 200 rockets and around 20 drones at Israel over a period of several hours. The vast majority of the rockets were intercepted or struck open areas.

The International Energy Agency agreed Wednesday to release the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in its history, in a bid to counter the effects on energy markets of the war in the Middle East.

The Paris-based organization said it will make 400 million barrels of oil available from its members’ emergency reserves

For review:

1.The Swedish Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, published its global arms export and import report on Monday, comparing the arms exports of various countries in the years 2016–2020 to 2021–2025.

Kurdish rebels say they are ready to fight the Islamic Republic, but hope for an uprising before they intervene, with or without US support.
In a press conference at the Pentagon, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that Tuesday would be “the most intense day of strikes” on Iran. “The most fighters, the most bombers, the most intelligence, more defined and better than ever.”

At the same time, he said, the last 24 hours saw the lowest number of missiles Iran has fired over the course of one day in the ongoing campaign.

The US military said it destroyed 16 Iranian minelaying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the key waterway, through which roughly a fifth of global oil shipments travel.

“US forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz,” the US Central Command wrote on X.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Tuesday that Israel was not seeking an “endless war” in Iran, while hosting German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Jerusalem.

While declining to give a timeline for the operation, Mr. Sa’ar said Jerusalem does not aim to continue the conflict indefinitely and would coordinate with Washington on when to end the fighting.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday his country would keep fighting as long as necessary, casting doubt on US President Donald Trump’s insistence the previous day that the conflict would be over “soon.”

And the Islamic Republic’s security chief, Ali Larijani, dismissed Trump’s “empty” threats, insisting that the people of Iran did not fear them.

About half of the roughly 300 ballistic missiles Iran has launched at Israel in the current war carried cluster bomb warheads, according to Israel Defense Forces assessments published Tuesday.
British warplanes have begun “defensive air sorties” in support of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and taken out drones elsewhere in the Middle East amid the ongoing war, the UK defense ministry says.

More US B-52 bombers landed at the UK air force base in Fairford, in southwestern England, today, AFP witnessed, after a first one landed on Friday.

Saudi Arabia says that it has intercepted seven ballistic missiles in separate attacks targeting an airbase and its eastern region.
The IDF says it has launched a wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

The strikes come after the military on Tuesday reiterated its warning to evacuate the area, a Hezbollah stronghold known as the Dahiyeh.

For review:

Turkey said on Monday that NATO air defenses shot down a second ballistic missile that was fired from Iran and had entered Turkish airspace, warning it will take any necessary steps against threats.
Turkey deployed six F-16C fighter aircraft to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Monday, defense officials here said.

The warplanes were sent as part of a phased approach to enhancing security in light of recent developments in the region, the Ministry of Defense wrote in an announcement.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke by phone with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, after an incoming Iranian missile was intercepted in Turkey’s airspace.
The French Navy will send eight frigates and two amphibious assault ships to the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, joining aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R91).
US President Donald Trump doubles down on his threat to strike Iran with unprecedented force if it stops the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far,” Trump writes on Truth Social.

US President Donald Trump said Monday he was “not happy” with the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s next supreme leader, and asserted he had a replacement in mind, without saying who that was.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards pledge allegiance to the country’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, after he was appointed his father’s successor by the Assembly of Experts.

“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps… is ready for complete obedience and self-sacrifice in carrying out the divine commands of the Guardian Jurist of the time, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei,” the Guards say in a statement.

President Donald Trump described Iran War as “short term” Monday — suggesting the 10-day conflict could be nearing its end while also warning of intensifying strikes if a key oil route is restricted.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it will “determine the end of the war” in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump said the conflict would end “soon.”

“It is we who will determine the end of the war,” the IRGC says in a statement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges Iraq’s leadership to keep protecting the US embassy after violent protests over the US-Israeli war on neighboring Iran.

In a call with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Rubio “reiterated the importance of the Iraqi government taking all possible measures to safeguard US diplomatic personnel and facilities.

Another Iranian naval vessel has sought refuge in a neutral port following an expansion of the Iran conflict to the Indo-Pacific and U.S. efforts to target Tehran’s naval forces.

IRIS Lavan (514) docked at the Port of Kochi following engine troubles, government officials told Indian news outlet Wion.

Alongside the now stricken frigate IRIS Dena (75) and currently interned oiler IRIS Bushehr (422), Lavan was a part of Tehran’s diplomatic naval mission around the Indian Ocean region.

Talks to advance US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war have been on hold since last week when the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran.

The pause threatens to stall implementation of Trump’s flagship Middle East peace initiative.

For review:

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was chosen Sunday to succeed him, despite never having been elected or appointed to a government position.

A secretive figure within the Islamic Republic, Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen publicly since the start of the war.

US President Donald Trump told The Times of Israel on Sunday that a decision on when to end the war with Iran will be a “mutual” one that he’ll make together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel Defense Forces chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned on Sunday that there was “no safe place” for the Iranian regime to hide.

The military provided details on a strike carried out on Saturday against the newly appointed military secretary to Iran’s supreme leader,

Abol-hasem Babian, who was appointed last week- was confirmed killed by the IDF.

Iranian Fars news agency reported that Israel's Saturday strikes hit four oil storage facilities and an oil production transfer center in Tehran and Alborz.

Residents reported the smell of burning lingering in the air, with many saying it appeared dark even as the sun rose and rain poured on the city.

·NYT Report: Iran may be able to access and move highly enriched uranium that had been previously thought to have been buried underground by US strikes on the Isfahan nuclear facility last June.
·Emirati officials raged on Sunday over what they called false Israeli media reports claiming that the United Arab Emirates had carried out a military strike on Iran amid the ongoing US-Israeli bombing campaign against the Islamic Republic.
· Saudi Arabia has told Tehran that while it favors a diplomatic settlement to Iran’s conflict with the United States, continued attacks on the kingdom and its energy sector could push Riyadh to respond in kind, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Saturday.

For review:

Six top defense contractors have agreed to quadruple production of what President Donald Trump has termed “Exquisite Class Weaponry” following a meeting at the White House on munitions production.

Meeting attended by:

RTX, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrup Grumman, BAE, L3 Harris, & Honeywell.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday he ruled out Kurdish involvement in the war with Iran, saying Washington does not want the conflict to become “more complex.”
The United States has started using British bases for certain operations against Iran during the Middle East war, the UK’s government announced on Saturday.

Britain’s defense ministry said the US had begun using the military sites for “specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region.”

Israel continued its military campaign against Iran overnight Saturday, striking key missile infrastructure and IRGC aircraft, as Tehran launched repeated salvos of ballistic missiles at Israel and issued new threats against European countries that might join the war.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said the US-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran would continue unabated and that the “moment of truth” was nearing for Iranians to overthrow their government.

His comments came as the IDF said it struck Iran’s two “most central” ballistic missile sites, and, in an apparent first, oil infrastructure in Tehran.

Iran’s president apologized Saturday for attacks on regional countries even as its missiles and drones flew toward Gulf Arab states, indicating that Tehran’s political leadership either cannot or does not seek to exercise full command over Iran’s armed forces.

On Saturday, Fox News reported that the US was expected to deploy a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

On Saturday, Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets and drones from Lebanon at northern Israel, with no reports of injuries.

The IDF on Saturday confirmed launching a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut’s southern Dahiyeh district, a Hezbollah stronghold.

says it carried out a targeted strike on key commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

It says the targets were members of the Lebanon Corps of the Quds Force, the IRGC’s extraterritorial arm, who “acted to advance terror plans against the State of Israel and its citizens from Lebanese territory.”

Helicopter-born Israeli commandos landed deep in eastern Lebanon in an overnight raid aimed at locating the body of missing Israeli Air Force navigator Ron Arad, the military said.

The raid was accompanied by heavy Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 41 people, according to local officials. There were no Israeli casualties.

The Israel Defense Forces said no findings relating to Arad were discovered during the operation in Nabi Chit.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged Latin American nations to use military power against the “cancer” of drug cartels and offered to support them with US missile strikes targeting narco kingpins.

Operation Epic Fury & Roaring Lion for review:

Concerning Iran's New Supreme Leader: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Wednesday that Israel would target whoever leads the Islamic Republic. “

Any leader appointed by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan to destroy Israel, threaten the US and the free world and the countries of the region, and oppress the Iranian people, will be an unequivocal target for elimination,” Katz said in a statement.

“It does not matter what his name is or where he hides,” he said.

An American submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Wednesday, the first US sinking of an enemy ship by torpedo since World War II.
Within a week, the US and Israel “will have complete control over Iranian skies,” US War Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted on Wednesday during a press conference at the Pentagon alongside Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, exclaiming that Iran was “toast.”
An Israeli Air Force F-35I fighter jet shot down a Russian-made Iranian Yak-130 jet over Tehran on Wednesday, the IDF said, in the first-ever downing of a manned aircraft by an F-35.
The Israeli Air Force carried out “extensive” strikes against regime targets across Iran overnight and into Wednesday, as the Islamic Republic continued to fire salvos of ballistic missiles at Israeli population centers.
The US and Israel, in their ongoing airstrikes throughout Iran, are targeting members of the regime’s forces that took part in the crackdown on anti-government protesters earlier this year, hoping to make it easier for demonstrators to return to the streets once the bombing subsides, a US official and an Israeli official told The Times of Israel on Wednesday.
In a televised address, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Wednesday said his terror group’s resumption of rocket attacks on Israel this week is a response to Israel’s continued presence and airstrikes in Lebanon since the November 2024 Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal.
Hezbollah fired on central Israel on Tuesday, the terror group’s first long-range attack since the start of the Iran war, as Israeli airstrikes hammered the organization and Israel threatened Iranian officials in Lebanon.

Hezbollah fired three rockets toward Tel Aviv and the Haifa area, setting off sirens across central Israel and parts of the north.

NATO air and missile defense systems stationed in the eastern Mediterranean destroyed a ballistic missile fired from Iran as it headed into Turkish airspace after passing Syria and Iraq, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told his country’s neighbors in the region that he respects their sovereignty after Iran launched a number of airstrikes at Gulf nations in recent days.
Iranian Kurdish militias have consulted with the United States in recent days about whether, and how, to attack Iran’s security forces in the western part of the country, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The groups have requested US military support, and Iraqi leaders in Erbil and Baghdad have also been in touch with the Trump administration in recent days, they said.

Operation Epic Fury / Roaring Lion for review:

France plans to send anti-missile and anti-drone systems to Cyprus after a British air base on the island was attacked by drones, the semi-official Cyprus News Agency (CNA) said on Tuesday.
US President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday to sever all trade with Spain after it refused to let US planes use its bases to attack Iran, while also lashing out at Britain for not cooperating more.
An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps senior official said on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, threatening that if any vessels pass through it, Iran “will set those ships ablaze,” state media reported.
US Navy ships could start accompanying tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz in an attempt to safeguard maritime trade in the region, according to President Donald Trump.
The U.S. operation against Iran has hit nearly 2,000 targets over the last 100 hours, according to Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command.
Israeli Air Force jets on Tuesday destroyed a secret underground site on the outskirts of Tehran where Iran transferred much of its nuclear program after the war with Israel in June, the IDF said.
Overnight, the Israeli Air Force struck Iran’s “leadership complex” in Tehran, the military said Tuesday, saying that around 100 fighter jets dropped over 250 bombs on the complex.
Israel hacked into Tehran’s extensive traffic camera network in order to track the bodyguards of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top Iranian officials ahead of Saturday’s assassination of the supreme leader, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
An Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit the building of a body tasked with electing Iran’s new supreme leader, the IDF’s spokesman said, after former leader Ali Khamenei was killed by Israel on Saturday.
The son of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the front-runner to succeed his father as the Islamic Republic’s next head, according to a NYT report that says the senior clerics tasked with choosing the next supreme leader could announce their choice as early as Wednesday morning.
The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday it had deployed troops deeper into southern Lebanon, beyond the five posts it currently holds.

The expanded deployment came after Iran-backed Hezbollah began launching rockets and drones at northern Israel early Monday in response to Israel’s killing of the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader.

Syria has reinforced its border with Lebanon with rocket units and thousands of troops, eight Syrian and Lebanese sources said Tuesday.
Russia, China and Turkey on Tuesday called for an immediate end to the war launched by the US and Israel on Saturday against Iran.

Operation Epic Fury & Roaring Lion update for review:

US CJCS: “Our military objectives are clear,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine told reporters. “Our mission is to protect and defend ourselves, and together with our regional partners, prevent Iran from the ability to project power outside of its borders and be ready for follow on actions as appropriate.”
Three US F-15 fighter jets crashed over Kuwait on Monday after they were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in a so-called friendly fire incident, the American military confirmed.
On Monday, President Trump laid out more specific goals for the operation — targeting Iran’s ballistic missiles, nuclear program, navy, and support for proxy groups — and said that the largest wave of strikes was still to come. He declined to rule out using ground troops and said that the campaign could last about four weeks.

“We haven’t even started hitting them hard. The big wave hasn’t even happened. The big one is coming soon,” President Trump told CNN.

Israel said Monday that the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence arm was killed in an overnight strike and Beirut said it would ban the terror group’s military activities, hours after the Iran-backed organization fired rockets and drones at Israel, leading to major retaliatory strikes overnight and throughout Monday.
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco shut its Ras Tanura refinery after a drone strike caused a blaze, an industry source said on Monday, after Tehran launched strikes across the region in response to the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

A source familiar with the incident told AFP the blaze had already been extinguished.

An attack using at least two drones on the US embassy in Riyadh sparked a small fire, a Saudi defense ministry spokesman says in a statement, as Iran presses on with its campaign of retaliatory strikes across the Gulf.

“The US Embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones, according to initial assessments.

Britain’s Royal Air Force base in Cyprus was hit by a drone strike overnight, causing limited damage and no casualties, Cypriot authorities and the UK’s Ministry of Defense said early Monday.
France is “ready” to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iran if necessary, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Monday.

His remarks came as key European ally Germany also spoke of readiness to defend its interests against Iranian assaults.

For review:

Operation Epic Fury / Roaring Lion Continues.

Three American soldiers have been killed, and five have been seriously wounded in the ongoing conflict with Iran, the US Central Command said Sunday, announcing the first US casualties in the conflict.
The United States and Israel clashed with Iran at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Saturday as the United Nations chief led calls for a halt to attacks by either side and a return to negotiations to prevent the conflict from spreading further.
China, Russia and North Korea condemned the news that Iran’s notorious strongman Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed an Israeli airstrike, as did Iranian proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
As outlined in its constitution, Iran on Sunday formed a council to assume leadership duties and govern the country, while the process to select a new Supreme Leader begins.

The council is made up of Iran’s sitting president, the head of the country’s judiciary, and a member of the Guardian Council chosen by Iran’s Expediency Council, which advises the supreme leader and settles disputes with parliament.

Israeli and American authorities spent weeks tracking the movements of senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sharing information that allowed the strikes to be carried out in a surprise daylight attack, according to an Israeli military official and a person familiar with the operation.
US President Donald Trump threatened early Sunday morning to hit Iran with unprecedented force after Tehran warned it would step up attacks in retaliation for the killing of its supreme leader and fired successive volleys of rockets at Israel for a second consecutive day Sunday.
Israeli Air Force fighter jets have dropped over 2,000 bombs in strikes against hundreds of Iranian regime targets and military sites since the start of the conflict with the Islamic Republic on Saturday morning, the Israel Defense Forces said Sunday.

The amount of munitions dropped on targets in Iran over the first 30 hours of the conflict was around half of what the IAF said it used over the entire course of the 12-day war in June 2025.

The warhead of an Iranian missile hit a site just several dozen meters from the Old City of Jerusalem, and just several hundred meters from the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, during the course of Saturday, police announced on Sunday.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah terror group claims responsibility for firing rockets at northern Israel tonight for the first time since the November 2024 Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.
Lebanese and Arabic news outlets report Israeli strikes in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, after several rockets were fired at northern Israel earlier tonight.

Lebanese security sources tell Reuters that at least one target in Beirut’s southern suburbs was hit in the strikes.

There is no immediate comment from the IDF.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he would “be talking” with Iran’s leaders at their request, even as he continued to call on “Iranian patriots” to seize the moment created by the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei the previous day and topple the regime.
Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, is seeking to return to the negotiating table with the United States, less than two days after the start of a coordinated assault on Iran by the US and Israel, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing US and Arab officials familiar with the matter.

According to the report, Larijani reached out to the US through Omani mediators to see about resuming negotiations.

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US & Israel Strike Iran.

US: Operation Epic Fury

Israel: Operation Roaring Lion

US & Israel Strike Iran; Iran's Supreme Leader Dead; IRGC Commander Dead.
Iran Hits Back at Israel and Six Arab Regional Neighbors.
World Reaction

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US President Donald Trump said Friday that he was “not happy” with Iran’s conduct in nuclear negotiations after the sides held a third round of talks in Geneva but that he hadn’t made a decision on whether to authorize a military strike on the Islamic Republic.
The United States and Iran made significant progress in talks on Thursday aimed at resolving a longstanding nuclear dispute and averting new US strikes, said mediator Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi.
At least nine American refueling tankers arrived at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport overnight as part of the United States’s massive buildup of military forces in the Middle East, according to footage and analysts monitoring open-source flight tracking data.

This week, several American refuelers and cargo planes were spotted at Ben Gurion Airport, and 11 F-22 stealth fighter jets — along with accompanying logistical support planes and aircrews — landed at Ovda Airbase in southern Israel.

There are now at least 14 US refuelers deployed at Ben Gurion Airport.

Iran has not allowed the United Nations nuclear agency access to its nuclear facilities bombed by Iran and the United States during a 12-day war in June, according to a confidential report by the watchdog circulated to member states and seen Friday by The Associated Press.
The US State Department on Friday authorized non-emergency personnel and the family members of those stationed in Israel to leave the country due to “safety risks,” with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee reportedly telling embassy staff that if they want to leave Israel, they “should do so TODAY.”
Britain, France, Germany and Poland on Friday warned against non-vital travel to Israel and the West Bank, joining multiple countries, including the US and China, that have issued warnings against travel to the region amid soaring tensions with Iran.
Ukraine has repatriated the bodies of 1,000 fallen soldiers, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported on Feb. 26.

The exchange comes as talks between Ukraine and the U.S. continue in Geneva, Switzerland, with preparations underway for a new round of trilateral negotiations with Russia that Washington hopes to broker in the coming weeks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's adviser, Vladimir Medinsky, said that Russia, in turn, received the bodies of 35 fallen Russian soldiers, Russian state-run media outlet RIA Novosti reported.

A drone suspected to be of Russian origin was intercepted by the Swedish Navy some 13 kilometers from France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier anchored in the port of Malmö, according to Sweden’s chief of defense.

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The United States sees evidence that Iran is trying to rebuild its nuclear program after US-led strikes against Iranian nuclear sites in June, US Vice President JD Vance says.
US Secretary of State Rubio warns that Iran must negotiate on its missile program, a day after US President Donald Trump alleged Tehran was working on rockets that could hit the United States.
Iran’s foreign minister arrived in Geneva ahead of a third round of crucial negotiations with the US, as American envoy Steve Witkoff demanded that any deal over Tehran’s nuclear program remain in effect indefinitely.
The Australian government has told dependents of its diplomats in Israel and Lebanon to leave the two Middle East countries, citing a deteriorating security situation in the region, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
In a clear message to the region emphasizing the strength of their alliance, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Wednesday to work in lockstep to confront Islamist terrorism, with the Indian leader telling the Knesset in a historic address that his nation stands “firmly” with the Jewish state.
A Hezbollah official said Wednesday that the Lebanese terror group will not intervene militarily in the event of “limited” US strikes on its backer Iran, but will consider any attack against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a “red line.”
Israel sent an indirect message to Lebanon that it would strike the country hard, targeting civilian infrastructure, including the airport, in the event that Hezbollah gets involved in any US-Iran war, two senior Lebanese officials said Tuesday.
Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov is scheduled to meet with US Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Geneva on Feb. 26.
Ukraine supplementing (replacing) understrength frontline ground units with unmanned systems.

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The next round of talks between the United States and Iran will be Thursday in Geneva, Oman’s foreign minister said.
American refueler and cargo planes were spotted at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on Monday, amid a massive US buildup of military forces ahead of a potential attack on Iran.

There was no comment from Israeli authorities regarding the American military deployment at Israel’s main civilian airport.

Bulgaria’s Sofia International Airport briefly suspended civilian air operations twice over the weekend while a fleet of American military aircraft staged at the facility, fueling speculation that Washington is positioning forces ahead of a potential strike on Iran.
US President Donald Trump hits back amid a series of reports that his top general has been warning him against the consequences of a prolonged military campaign against Iran.
Another round of talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine could be held at end of this week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff told Ukrainian media on Monday.

"I think at the end of the week, this week," Kyrylo Budanov told reporters when asked about the next round of talks.

The Air Force today announced a new agreement with Northrop Grumman to “ramp” production of the in-development B-21 Raider, using $4.5 billion in reconciliation funding to help deliver the bomber by 2027.
The US Army briefly published and then removed new official images of its Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), offering rare updated views of the system as it nears operational fielding.
The US Marine Corps has confirmed it will not field the Sig Sauer M7 assault rifle, steering away from a potential adoption in partnership with the US Army.

This decision leaves the service operating its M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) due to its proven effectiveness in amphibious deployments.

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Iran and the United States continued to slide rapidly toward military conflict at the weekend, as hopes faded for a diplomatic solution. Israel and Iran’s Gulf neighbors now consider a conflict to be more likely than a settlement.
The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that it struck three Hezbollah command centers belonging to the terror group’s missile force in the Baalbek area, in eastern Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley.
Officers from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have effectively taken charge of Hezbollah in anticipation of a war with the US and Israel, Saudi outlet Al-Arabiya reported Saturday, as Lebanese officials were said to assail the possibility of their country getting dragged into battle.

The IRGC officers, some of whom recently arrived in Lebanon from Iran, are tasked with rebuilding Hezbollah’s military capabilities.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said Friday that his terror organization is open to international peacekeeping forces in Gaza, but rejected any interference in the territory’s “internal affairs.”
Estonia has started public procurement of 600 modular bunkers as part of a joint push by the Baltic states to secure their border with Russia and Belarus.
Germany does not want to pursue nuclear weapons of its own, but is interested in incorporating French and British atomic bombs in a deterrence arrangement reminiscent of NATO’s U.S.-based nuclear umbrella, according to Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
France-Germany-Spain FCAS 6th Generation Fighter Dead.
Shipbuilder Austal Defence Australia has been selected to build 8 x Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels for the Australian military under an approximately $4 billion Australian dollar ($2.82 billion) contract, the company announced today.

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Iran on Thursday repeated its assertion that no country can “deprive” it of its “right” to nuclear enrichment, as US President Donald Trump continued to send US military assets into the Middle East in what a report called the biggest build-up of American air power in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
WSJ Report: US President Donald Trump is considering launching preliminary limited strikes on Iran with the aim of forcing the Islamic Republic to agree to his demands for a nuclear deal.
US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Thursday that it must reach a deal over its nuclear program or “bad things” will happen, and appeared to set a 10-15 day deadline before the US might take action.
Iran tells UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Tehran will consider bases, facilities and assets of the “hostile force” in the region as legitimate targets if it faces military aggression.
Satellite images show that Iran has recently built a concrete shield over a new facility at a sensitive military site and covered it in soil.

In addition, images show that Iran has buried tunnel entrances at a nuclear site bombed by the US during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran last June, fortified tunnel entrances near another, and has repaired missile bases struck in the conflict.

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday issued a sharp threat to Tehran’s leaders, should they fire missiles at Israel.

“We are prepared for any scenario.” “And one thing is certain — if the ayatollahs make a mistake and attack us, they will face a response they can’t even imagine.”

A wave of Israeli airstrikes in several areas of southern Lebanon early Thursday morning targeted Hezbollah weapon depots, missile launchers, and other military sites, the Israel Defense Forces said.
President Trump Hosts Board of Peace Inaugural Meeting in Washington D.C.

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US & Iran Talk in Geneva While More US Warplanes Move to Region.

The aircraft included F-22, F-35, and F-16 jets. Several refuelers were also spotted on the move, according to social media accounts dedicated to tracking military flights.

A US official also confirmed to the Axios news site that more than 50 fighter jets were moved to the region in the past 24 hours.

Iran says it temporarily closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf.

The move came as semiofficial Iranian news agencies reported live fire exercises in the vital waterway, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes.

Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. held a new round of trilateral peace talks in Geneva on Feb. 17, as Washington presses for progress toward a deal before summer.

A follow-up session is scheduled for Feb. 18.

General Atomics’ LongShot is aiming to have its first flight test “as early as the end of 2026,” — three years after the company first said tests would begin, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced today.

LongShot is an unmanned aircraft system dropped from a bomber or fighter that can launch missiles of its own. It could potentially be useful for both the Air Force and Navy, DARPA says.

Australia is one of the pioneers exploring collaborative combat aircraft, or CCAs, as it throws its full weight behind Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat platform.
The U.S. Air Force said Tuesday it expects its next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel nuclear missile to reach initial capability in the early 2030s, following a revamp of the over-budget program’s acquisition plan set to finish this year.

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The U.S. Air Force on Tuesday awarded Boeing a sole-source contract for newvGBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs , to replace the munitions used in last June’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran launched live-fire naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.

The drill, called "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz," was led by the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under the supervision of IRGC Commander in Chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour.

3.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had told U.S. President Donald Trump to make four key demands of Iran in any deal to avert military strikes against the Islamic regime in Tehran.

All enriched uranium must leave Iran.
Iran to have no enrichment capability.
Limits on the range of Iranian ballistic missiles (Range of 300km and under).
Dismantle support/infrastructure for Iranian militia proxies in the Region.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation left for the Swiss city after the first round of indirect talks took place in Oman last week. Oman will mediate the talks in Geneva, the IRNA state-run news agency reported on its Telegram channel.

Mr. Araghchi is also expected to meet with his Swiss and Omani counterparts, as well as the director general of the U.N.’s atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

A Republican senator seen as close to US President Donald Trump suggested Monday that an American decision on potential military action against Iran was “weeks, not months” away and opined that it would be a “strategic victory” for the Islamic Republic if its supreme leader isn’t toppled amid the current standoff.
Lebanon’s government says its army will have a four-month extendable period to implement phase two of the military’s plan to disarm Hezbollah in south Lebanon.

Phase two covers an area north of the Litani river.

The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday evening said that it carried out an airstrike targeting members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group in eastern Lebanon, close to the Syrian border.
A Ukrainian delegation was heading to Geneva on Monday for another round of U.S.-brokered talks with Russian officials,

There was no anticipation of any significant progress on ending the war at the Tuesday-Wednesday meeting in Switzerland as both sides appear to be sticking to their negotiating positions on key issues.

US Secretary of State Rubio sharply criticized the UN for having “virtually no role” in resolving conflicts, and called for global institutions to be reformed.

“The United Nations still has tremendous potential to be a tool for good in the world,” he told the Munich conference.

“But we cannot ignore that, today, on the most pressing matters before us, it has no answers and has played virtually no role,” he said.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has announced his country is in talks with the United States to buy an additional four F-16 fighter jets on top of the 14 copies already ordered.
Estonia’s arms procurement agency has signed a contract with France and KNDS for the acquisition of 12 additional Caesar self-propelled howitzers.

The newly ordered systems are scheduled for delivery later this year.

The Pentagon, along with the Department of Energy, on Sunday airlifted a small nuclear reactor, the first such transportation as the Trump administration looks to quickly deploy nuclear power across the U.S.

The Ward 250 is a 5 megawatt nuclear reactor that could potentially power roughly 5,000 homes, according to the Pentagon.

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Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), its escorts and embarked Carrier Air Wing 8 have been tasked from their current position in the Caribbean to the Middle East to support a U.S. naval buildup in the region.
Asked Friday about potential regime change in Iran, US President Donald Trump said, “it seems like that would be the best thing that could happen,” as he confirmed sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East “in case we don’t make a deal” with the Islamic Republic.
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to intensify the “maximum pressure policy” in order to force Iran to give up its nuclear program, including clamping down on the sale of Tehran’s oil to China, according to a Saturday report citing two US officials.
The US military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, two US officials told Reuters, in what could become a far more serious conflict than previously seen between the countries.
The Board of Peace’s High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov said at the Munich Security Conference on Friday that the Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with governing Gaza in place of Hamas cannot enter the Strip if violations of the ceasefire continue.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to represent Israel at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC next Thursday.
The leader of an anti-Hamas militia based in IDF-controlled areas of the southern Gaza Strip said recently that it is working on demolishing the terror group’s tunnels, a confirmation that further shows Israel’s support for the armed gang.
A wave of Israeli airstrikes in several areas of southern Lebanon this evening targeted Hezbollah weapon depots and rocket launchers, the military says.
The governments of Russia and Ukraine confirmed Friday that they would participate in a third round of U.S.-mediated peace talks next week, on Feb. 17 and 18 in Geneva.
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio offered a reassuring message to America’s allies on Saturday, striking a less aggressive but still firm tone about the administration’s intent to reshape the trans-Atlantic alliance and push its priorities.
Co-development of the French-German-Spanish Next-Generation Fighter (NGF) is almost certainly headed for collapse, with negotiations between Airbus and Dassault halted on the next phase of the project amid a long-running industrial dispute over leadership and workshare, an industry source said today.
As part of discussions between Belgium and US giant Lockheed Martin for a potential deal covering 11 additional F-35A fifth-generation fighter jets, Brussels is pushing hard for hefty domestic industrial returns, according to the country’s defense minister.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that US President Donald Trump believes the Iranians could be forced to accept “a good deal,” though the premier clarified that he is skeptical of the possibility.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday derided a report by the Israel Hayom newspaper that the Islamic Republic had secretly executed thousands of people who participated in protests after telling Washington it would not do so.
An Iranian state-run TV channel on Thursday broadcast a hit list of seven Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, appearing to threaten their assassination.
Wall Street Journal Report: President Trump Orders Second Carrier Strike Group to Prepare for Deployment.

“The order to deploy could be issued in a matter of hours,” the WSJposited, citing anonymous officials. However, the order hasn’t been given and plans can change, it added.

Syrian government forces have taken control of a base in the east of the country that was run for years by U.S. troops as part of the war against the Islamic State group, the Syrian Defense Ministry said in a statement Thursday.

The al-Tanf base sits on a strategic location close to the borders with Jordan and Iraq.

In a statement, the Syrian Defense Ministry said the handover of the base took place in coordination with the U.S. military and Syrian forces are now “securing the base and its perimeters.”

Ukraine's partners pledged nearly $38 billion in new military aid at the 33rd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format on Feb. 12, Ukraine Defense Minister Fedorov said.

He added that most of the funding will go toward strengthening Ukraine's air defense systems and expanding its drone capabilities.

Russia may have lost about twice as many soldiers in Ukraine in December 2025 as the Soviet Union lost during the Soviet-Afghan War, a former British intelligence chief Sir Richard Moore (MI6) said on Feb. 10.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 11 that Ukraine has accepted the U.S. invitation to hold a new round of peace talks next week.

"The American side has proposed a meeting in America, in Miami, next week. And we immediately confirmed it," President Zelenskyy said.

President Zelenskyy initially told Bloomberg that the negotiations would be hosted by the U.S. and will occur on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18. He later said there was a chance the meeting could be held in Abu Dhabi, and that Ukraine was willing to attend talks in any location.

The talks, however, depend on Russia's agreement to participate, something that Ukraine and the U.S. have not yet received.

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On the eve of his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump said that the Israeli premier “wants a deal” with Iran, and that the current talks on Tehran’s nuclear program show promise.
Entrances to Iran's Isfahan Nuclear Site Purposely Buried in Preparation of US/Israeli Attack.
IDF Preparing for Gaza Offensive to Disarm Hamas.

Hinting at the military’s offensive plans, Defense Minister Israel Katz this month said that Israel was "determined to disarm Hamas, threatening to “dismantle” the terror group if it doesn’t agree to lay down its arms.

Indonesia is preparing for the potential deployment of 5,000 to 8,000 troops to Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, the country’s army chief of staff, Maruli Simanjuntak, said Monday following a security meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta.
The Israel Defense Forces captured a “senior” member of the al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya terror organization during an overnight raid in southern Lebanon, and separately killed two Hezbollah operatives, the military said Monday.

According to the IDF, the al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya operative was nabbed late Sunday from a building in the Mount Dov area near the border by a special forces unit operating under the 210th “Bashan” Regional Division.

Russia cannot launch an attack on NATO this year or next but is planning to increase its forces significantly along the alliance’s eastern flank, depending on the outcome of the war in Ukraine, a senior European intelligence official said.
NATO today announced a command restructuring plan that will see the US giving up leadership of two allied operational-level commands to European senior officers.

The US will hand over charge of Joint Force Command Norfolk to the United Kingdom and relinquish leadership of Joint Force Command Naples to Italy, a statement from the alliance said. The statement also noted that Joint Force Command Brunssum will now be led by Germany and Poland on a rotational format.

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Iran: Dilution of Enriched Uranium for Sanctions Relief.
Israeli PM Netanyahu to Visit Washington D.C. on Wednesday.
Ukraine and Sweden are discussing the prospect of arming Kyiv with Europe’s top air-to-air missile- the Meteor.
Ukraine and France took a step toward joint arms production on Feb. 9, as Ukrainian Defense Minister Fedorov and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin signed a letter of intent in Kyiv, Ukraine's Defense Ministry announced.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed accelerating the delivery of French Mirage 2000 fighter jets, as well as a record shipment of Hammer air-to-ground bombs.

Ukraine and France addressed the supply of long-range weapons, including SCALP missiles.

US Warship (USS Cincinnati) Visits Cambodian Port.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Defense has reportedly signed a $250-million contract with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to locally produce the Spike Firefly loitering munition.
Rafael Systems Global Sustainment (RSGS) announced today it was selected for Phase I of the Army’s second Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 interceptor program, joining the pack with Lockheed Martin and the Boeing-Anduril team.

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Iran rejected calls by the United States to halt uranium enrichment on its territory during talks in Oman on Friday.

A regional diplomat briefed by Tehran told Reuters Friday that while the Islamic Republic would not budge on its right to enrich uranium inside Iran, it was willing to discuss the “level and purity” of enrichment or a regional consortium.

The Israel Defense Forces said it struck a Hamas arms depot in Gaza City on Friday in response to an attack on troops a day earlier, after issuing an evacuation warning for a residential building for the first time since the start of the ceasefire.
The United Arab Emirates has drafted plans to build a compound to house thousands of displaced Palestinians in a part of south Gaza under Israeli military control, according to a map seen by Reuters and people briefed on the plans.

The planning map shows where the “UAE Temporary Emirates Housing Complex” would be constructed near Rafah.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Friday that Lebanon’s army must be given the means to disarm the terror group Hezbollah and replace a United Nations peacekeeping force after its mandate ends this year.

“France’s vision for Lebanon is that of a strong, sovereign state holding a monopoly on arms,” Barrot told AFP.

Russian Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev has been shot multiple times in Moscow by an unknown assailant, the Kremlin said on Feb 6.

In response to the shooting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blamed Kyiv for the assassination attempt, accusing Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky of "provocations aimed at destabilizing the (peace) negotiation process."

Ukraine is yet to comment on the shooting.

US President Donald Trump inked a new executive order today, calling for national production interests to be taken into greater account when the US sells foreign nations weapons, creating a new list of platforms to push on the market, and prioritizing arms sales for countries who invest more in their own defense spending.
Singapore is slated join the F-35 operator club once the first of its Lockheed Martin F-35B fighters enter service later this year, becoming the fourth Asia-Pacific nation to fly the fifth-generation fighter.
The U.S. Army has stood up a rotational force in the Philippines, according to recently released defense media.

While details regarding the rotational force’s formation date, capabilities and mission remains unclear, the force is headed by a lieutenant colonel and has assigned a liaison officer with Task Force-Philippines.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USNI News.

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US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei “should be very worried” in the wake of reports that suggested that planned nuclear talks set for the end of the week were unravelling.

A White House official confirmed to The Times of Israel that nuclear talks with Iran would be held Friday in Muscat.

Iran’s army spokesperson said Thursday that the military is ready for a conflict, if that is what the US wants,

Commenting on the addition of 1,000 drones to the Iranian military, Iranian Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia said Thursday: “We have always announced that we are ready to confront any option and any scenario that the enemy considers, and if the enemy chooses the option of war, we are ready for any option in war conditions.”

Trilateral talks between American, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators concluded in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, with Moscow and Kyiv exchanging hundreds of prisoners of war.
The ‍US and Russia have agreed to reestablish high level military-to-military dialogue, following ‍talks in Abu Dhabi, more than four years after suspension, according to the US military.
The Kremlin said Thursday it regretted the expiration of the last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the United States, while U.S. President Donald Trump declared he was against keeping its limits and wants a better deal.

New START restricted each side to no more than 1,550 nuclear warheads on no more than 700 missiles and bombers — deployed and ready for use.

Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) will gain internal weapons bays along with an increased wingspan, the global program director announced during this week’s Singapore Airshow.

Boeing is currently developing the Ghost Bat in Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which has ordered seven aircraft for delivery in 2028.

Two aviation companies under contract to develop armed, unmanned aircraft and control systems for the U.S. Navy teased what they are working on this week during the Singapore Air Show.

Anduril’s YFQ-44 Fury, under development for the Air Force’s CCA program, is in competition with the General Atomics YFQ-42A.

The Navy wants its own version of the “uncrewed, modular, interoperable, interchangeable and versatile platforms” that it can field from an aircraft carrier.

Aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) is back at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division after wrapping up builder’s trials, the company said Wednesday.

John F. Kennedy, the second in the Ford class of aircraft carriers, is slated to deliver to the Navy in March 2027.

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President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed into law a massive funding package to end the US government shutdown that began Saturday.
A Marine F-35C Lighting II fighter shot down an Iranian military drone that approached a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea.

The fighter shot down the Iranian Shahed-139 drone on Tuesday after it approached aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), according to a statement from U.S. Central Command.

Iran and the United States will resume nuclear talks on Friday, Iranian and US officials told Reuters on Monday, and US President Donald Trump warned that with US warships heading to Iran, “bad things” would probably happen if a deal could not be reached.
After Iran expressed its desire to upend reported US plans for nuclear talks later this week, President Donald Trump declines to share the location of the Friday meeting.

Asked where the talks will be held, President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, “all over… There’s more than one” location.

Israel reacted angrily Monday night after the Palestinian technocratic committee replaced its logo with the one used by the Palestinian Authority.
Gaza's ‌Rafah crossing ⁠with ‌Egypt reopened on Monday ‍for residents to enter and leave, in what is seen as a key move heralding the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday rejected calls for a Europe-wide army, warning that it could be “extremely dangerous” as the bloc considers ways to provide its own security.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kallas: "Those who say that we need a European army, maybe those people haven’t really thought this through practically. If you are already part of NATO then you can’t create a separate army.”

The Army is aiming to award a contract for its SP Howitzer program by July, a spokesperson from the service’s Program Acquisition Executive for Fires confirmed to Breaking Defense today.
The US Marine Corps has selected L3Harris as the winner of its Precision Attack Strike Munition (PASM) program, providing a new weapon for use on the AH-1Z helicopter.

The contract, worth $86.2 million, will cover delivery of an unspecified number of L3Harris’ “Red Wolf” weapons by end of fiscal 2027.

Years after announcing a deal, Boeing is ending plans to sell its F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet to Indonesia, the company confirmed today.

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According to an Axios report, Turkey, Egypt and Qatar are working to organize a meeting this week between White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian officials in Ankara, Turkey’s capital.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Sunday that if the US attacks Iran, the hostilities will broaden into a regional conflict.
An Iranian official on Sunday denied that the country had any plans to carry out live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz this week, amid sky-high tensions in the region.

On Friday, the US military issued a statement warning Iran against carrying out such exercises and urging it to avoid “unnecessary risk.”

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir was in Washington, DC, over the weekend for a series of discussions with American defense officials regarding Iran.
The Rafah Border Crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt opened Sunday for a day of systems checks and tests ahead of its expected opening for pedestrians Monday.
The Israel Defense Forces launched wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon Friday evening that it said destroyed Hezbollah infrastructure and heavy machinery.
Ukraine President: Tr-Lateral Meeting in U.A.E. from 4-5 Feb.

Neither the Kremlin nor the United States has confirmed the new dates.

Russia will unveil its newest multiple launch rocket system, the Sarma, at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh next month.

The 300mm Sarma MLRS, mounted on a 8x8 armored chassis, represents Russia’s attempt to field a lighter, more mobile alternative to its existing heavy rocket artillery systems.

Beijing’s newest class of surface combatant achieved operational capability, Chinese military media reported last week.

The milestone was unveiled Jan. 22 during a state media report covering the first Type 054B guided-missile stealth frigate Luohe (545).

Japan and South Korea agreed Friday to resume a joint naval search and rescue exercise that was discontinued in 2017.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 30 rejected the Kremlin's proposal for holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow but signaled readiness for a meeting in a more appropriate format.
It was Vladimir Zelensky who insisted on a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, not the other way around, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov recalled at a news briefing, commenting on statements from Kiev about its desire to host a Russia-Ukraine summit.
Speaking at the White House on Thursday, President Trump said he asked Russian President Putin not to fire on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, “and the various towns for a week and he agreed to do that.”
Satellite images show activity at two Iranian nuclear sites bombed last year by Israel and the United States that may be a sign of Tehran trying to obscure efforts to salvage any materials remaining there.
US President Donald Trump on Friday confirmed he has had dialogue with Iran, as The New York Times reported he was considering potential raids by American troops on facilities within the Islamic Republic.
US President Donald Trump said Friday he had given Iran a deadline to make a deal, as Washington moved significant military assets to the Middle East ahead of a potential strike on the Islamic Republic.
New Zealand has decided against accepting US President Donald Trump’s invitation to join his Board of Peace, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.
The US State Department has approved more than $6.5 billion in potential military sales to Israel in three separate contracts, the Pentagon says.

The US State Department approved a potential sale of Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.98 billion, and another sale of AH-64E Apache Helicopters for $3.8 billion, the Pentagon says in separate statements.

A third military contract was also awarded for $740 million to provide Namer armored personnel carrier power packs & integrated logistics support.

The Syrian government and Kurdish forces declared a ceasefire deal on Friday that sets out a phased integration of Kurdish fighters into the state, averting a potentially bloody battle and drawing US praise for a “historic milestone.”
Norway selected Hanwha Aerospace’s Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system over prominent Western competitors for its ground-based long-range precision fires system.

The 19 billion Norwegian kroner (around $2 billion) deal includes 16 launch systems and an unspecified “larger number of missiles” across three range variants, including the 500-kilometer (310-mile) range.

The Senate passed the $838.7 billion fiscal 2026 defense spending bill today, after Democrats and the White House reached a deal to largely avert a government shutdown.

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US President Donald Trump threatened Wednesday that time was running out for Iran, and that the next potential US attack on the Islamic Republic — if Tehran doesn’t make a nuclear deal — would be far worse than the June 2025 strikes.
The United States announced on Tuesday that it was conducting an aerial military exercise in the Middle East amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
Iranian officials issued stark warnings Wednesday against any US strike on the country, with a top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader threatening that Tehran would attack Israel in any such event with an “unprecedented” retaliation, including “at the heart of Tel Aviv.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his assertion that Israel will not allow Gaza’s reconstruction before terror groups in the Strip disarm, and said Israel would maintain security control over Gaza and the West Bank, in a wide-ranging press conference on Tuesday evening.
Israel is preparing for talks with the Trump administration on a new 10-year security deal.

In 2016, the US and Israeli governments signed a memorandum of understanding for the 10 years through September 2028.

Territorial issues over Donetsk are the remaining item that still require a bridging of views at US-mediated talks to end Russia's war in Ukraine, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday, describing the issue as "a very difficult one."
Sweden has had very early discussions with France and the United Kingdom about possible nuclear weapons cooperation, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has revealed.

No concrete proposals or timelines for any cooperation were outlined, and Kristersson emphasized that talks remain preliminary in early stages.

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The body of the final hostage held in Gaza was identified and brought back to Israel on Monday, 843 days after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.

Master Sergeant Ran Gvili, 24, a police officer killed fighting the Hamas invaders, had been the last of 251 people kidnapped that day to remain captive, following the return of the rest of the hostages, living and dead, under the current ceasefire.

President Trump told Axios in an interview on Monday that the situation with Iran is "in flux" because he sent a "big armada" to the region but thinks Tehran genuinely wants to cut a deal.

Sources with knowledge of the situation say Trump hasn't made a final decision. He will likely hold more consultations this week and be presented with additional military options.

Those options will be enhanced by the arrival of an aircraft carrier strike group to the region. The USS Abraham Lincoln entered CENTCOM's area of responsibility on Monday.

U.S. officials leading the talks are convinced that Russian negotiators have taken a more pragmatic tone behind closed doors than Moscow's public hardline rhetoric suggests.

The next round of talks is expected on Feb. 1.

The most difficult issues — Russian demands for Ukrainian withdrawal from parts of Donbas and control of the nuclear power plant— are set to dominate the agenda.

NATO chief Mark Rutte warned Monday, January 26, that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States.
Estonia is gearing up to acquire a missile defense system, participating in broader efforts by the Baltic States to boost investments in expanding their air-defense network.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has invited seven domestic firms to present autonomous drone concepts designed to operate alongside the British Army’s Apache AH-64E attack helicopters.
Armor Not Dead: Israeli arms developer Elbit Systems has received a $228-million contract to provide its proprietary Iron Fist active protection system for the US Army’s Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.

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The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Sunday evening that it was searching for the remains of Master Sergeant Gvili, the last remaining hostage held in the Gaza Strip, on the Israeli side of the ceasefire line in the enclave’s north.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Sunday that Israel will reopen the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt after it completes a military operation launched Sunday to recover the body of the last deceased hostage, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili.
Commander of the United States Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper was in Israel on Saturday for meetings with senior officials.

Admiral Cooper met with IDF Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv. Intelligence Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder and Operations Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Itzik Cohen also participated in a meeting with the military chiefs.

Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, , is “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger,” its commander said Saturday, as US warships headed toward the Middle East.

The IRGC commander, Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, warned the United States and Israel “to avoid any miscalculation.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has gone into hiding in a Tehran bunker, according to the opposition-affiliated Iran International news site.

According to the report, which cites “information received” by the opposition news site, the Supreme Leader went underground after senior officials assessed an “increased risk of a potential US attack,” as the US moves significant military forces into the region.

IDF Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo said Sunday that the military is preparing for the possibility that a US strike on Iran could trigger Iranian retaliation against Israel.

He added that Israel is also closely watching whether Hezbollah could join a wider confrontation, saying, “We are very alert, very prepared, and ready both in strong defense and in preparing offensive responses.”

Ukraine and Russia ended a second day of U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi on Saturday without a deal.

A UAE government spokesperson said there was face-to-face engagement between Ukraine and Russia - tackled “outstanding elements” of Washington’s peace framework.

The UAE statement said the talks were conducted in a “constructive and positive atmosphere.

US Army Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML) Program.
Blackbeard Hypersonic Strike Weapon.

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Commander of the United States Central Command Adm. Brad Cooper is expected to arrive in Israel on Saturday for meetings with senior officials.
Air France and Dutch airline KLM have canceled flights to Israel, Dubai and Saudi Arabia until at least Sunday, citing “security tensions in the region” amid concern of renewed conflict with Iran.
Iran’s foreign minister launched a furious tirade on Friday against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the latter commented in Davos that the deadly crackdown on protests in the Islamic Republic showed that if authorities “kill enough people,” they stay in power.
US - Russia - Ukraine Tri-Lateral Talks in Abu Dhabi.
Latvia’s government has approved the planned purchase of Archer 155 mm self-propelled howitzers for the country’s armed forces.
Pentagon leadership has made “no decision” yet about a potential reorganization that would affect the future of US Africa Command.

In December The Washington Post reported that the Defense Department was weighing a significant reorganization of the combatant commands that could see AFRICOM subsumed with US Central Command and US European Command under a new US International Command.

The Pentagon’s unclassified version of the National Defense Strategy places the homeland as the department’s number one priority above the Indo-Pacific.

The top four priorities for the Pentagon, as ordered by the NDS, are: Defend the US homeland; Deter China in the Indo-Pacific “through strength, not confrontation”; Increase burden-sharing with US allies and partners; & “Supercharge” the US Defense industrial base

Armor Not Dead: The Army is rolling out four prototypes of the M1E3 to a platoon this summer — five years earlier than the service initially planned, the Army Chief of Staff said.

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Eight prominent Muslim countries jointly announced their decisions to join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on Wednesday

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates will each appoint a representative to sit on the panel of world leaders, their foreign ministers announced in a joint statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted US President Donald Trump’s invitation to join the Board of Peace, the premier’s office announced Wednesday.

A meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to take place on Thursday with “land deals” over Ukraine on the table, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff told CNBC.
President Trump: "Concept of a Deal" on Greenland; No Tariffs.
Germany will finance the delivery of five Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine under a contract signed in December 2025, with the first systems expected to arrive in the coming weeks, Rheinmetall announced Monday.
Trophy active protection systems will be integrated on the Leopard 2 A8 main battle tanks of Lithuania, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Croatia under a €300 million ($351 million) deal, manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced on Monday.
The British Army’s newly upgraded Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank has undergone and completed crewed live firing, ticking off a key milestone for the £800 million ($1.08 billion) program, expected to eventually deliver 148 vehicles into service.
House and Senate appropriators have agreed on an $838.7 billion defense topline for fiscal 2026 in a bipartisan deal that would boost defense funds by $8.4 billion over the Pentagon’s request.

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The Syrian government and the Kurdish SDF announced a new four-day truce after a previous ceasefire between government forces broke down. The two sides have been clashing for two weeks, amid a breakdown in negotiations over the implementation of a deal to merge their forces together.
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that “we think we know” where the body of the final hostage, slain Israel Police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, is being held in the Gaza Strip

MSG Gvili, a member of the Yasam police unit, was killed battling terrorists at Kibbutz Alumim on October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted to Gaza, where it is still being held.

Several European countries are considering whether to stop sending personnel to a US military-led coordination center for Gaza, saying it has failed to increase aid flows to the war-shattered enclave or achieve political change, diplomats said.

The Civil-Military Coordination Center was established in southern Israel in October under US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza. It was tasked with monitoring the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, facilitating the entry of aid, and developing postwar policies for the Palestinian territory.

US Plans Signing Ceremony for Board of Peace in Davos.
Israel on Tuesday began demolishing the East Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees and their descendants, with Israeli forces entering the compound with bulldozers and other demolition equipment in the early morning and destroying buildings in what UNRWA called an “unprecedented attack.”
Iran’s foreign minister hit out at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos late Monday for canceling his appearance over a brutal crackdown on recent protests and said the decision was based on “lies and political pressure from Israel.”
Wall Street Journal Report: US President Donald Trump is continuing to push his aides to devise what he calls “decisive” military options against Iran, days after he called off strikes against the Islamic Republic.

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A U.S. military strike in northwest Syria resulted in the death of a leader affiliated with Al-Qaeda who was linked to the ISIS attack that resulted in the death of two U.S. Army soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter, the U.S. Central Command announced Saturday.
President Trump's Board of Peace Invitations Sent: 60 Countries Invited; France Says No.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Monday that Turkish and Qatari forces would not set foot in Gaza, days after the White House announced that officials from the countries would sit on a key committee set to oversee the Strip’s postwar management.
U.S. President Donald Trump is also attending in person for the first time since he addressed the forum during his first term in 2020. Alongside President Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are set to attend in person.
Ukraine's top negotiator Rustem Umerov said on Sunday that talks with U.S. officials would continue at the World Economic Forum opening this week in the Swiss resort of Davos.
- U.S. President Donald Trump has linked his drive to control Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize, saying he no longer thought "purely of Peace" as the row over the island threatened to reignite a trade war with Europe.

The President declined to tell NBC News in an interview whether he would use force to seize Greenland. He did reiterate his threat to hit European nations with tariffs if a deal is not reached.

A pair of U.S. naval vessels carried out Washington’s first reported Taiwan Strait transit of 2026, according to Chinese and U.S. officials.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command claimed that Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113 ) and Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship USNS Mary Sears (T-AGS 65) transited the strategic strait between Friday and Saturday.

The U.S. and Japan have pledged to further expand joint training across Japan’s southwest region, including the first island chain, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Thursday.

In a 50-minute meeting held this week in Washington D.C., the two defense leaders agreed to prioritize several initiatives meant to strengthen the response capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance.

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US Announces (Gaza) Board of Peace Executive Committee; Includes Turkey & Qatar.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday said authorities “must break the back of the seditionists” and blamed US President Donald Trump for “casualties” after the Islamic Republic’s bloody crackdown on a protest wave against the country’s clerical authorities.
US President Donald Trump, for the first time, appeared to call on Saturday for the end of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s rule in Iran.

“It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran,” the President told Politico.

Mossad director David Barnea was reported to arrive Friday in the US for consultations on Iran’s deadly crackdown on protests and a potential American military response.
Ukraine Delegation Arrives in US to Discuss Peace Agreement.

Ukrainian negotiators will meet with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.

Troops from several European countries continued to arrive in Greenland on Thursday in a show of support for Denmark as talks among representatives of Denmark, Greenland and the U.S. highlighted “fundamental disagreement” over the future of the Arctic island.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday reaffirmed that "no intimidation or threat" could influence them following US President Donald Trump's announcement to impose new tariffs on eight European countries over the Greenland dispute.
US Navy Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle: US defense spending needs to be rebaselined to at least 4 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product to enable the Navy to meet current readiness demands and to expand its fleet of warships to contend with future threats.
The first Trump-class Battleship could cost up to about $21 billion if ordered today, with the price inching toward $22 billion if ordered in 2030, according to an estimate put forward by the Congressional Budget Office.

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US Forces seize 6th sanctioned tanker in Caribbean Sea.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump reportedly informed Iran that he won’t be ordering a strike on the country over its deadly crackdown on protesters after the leaders of four Arab countries convinced him to hold off.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday announced the launch of phase two of President Donald Trump’s plan for ending the war in Gaza, including the establishment of a new technocratic Palestinian administration for the Strip.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyyresponded Thursday to President Trump that Ukraine was stalling a peace deal in the country’s ongoing war with Russia, saying his country will “never be a stumbling block for peace.”

The President told Reuters this week that he believes Russian President Putin is “ready to make a deal,” but “Ukraine is less ready.” The President specifically named Zelensky as the person holding up the negotiations.

Moscow agrees with U.S. President Donald Trump’s view that Ukraine is holding up a peace deal to end the almost four years of fighting, a Kremlin official said Thursday.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “Yes, we can agree with it, it’s indeed so.”

Ukrainian military resistance, with France alone providing two-thirds of Ukraine's intelligence capabilities in the war against Russia.

This was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, January 15, in his New Year's address to the army at the Istres airbase near Marseille, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.

The White House meeting to discuss Greenland lasted about an hour. Participating in the meeting were: U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenland’s Vivian Motzfeldt.

Denmark’s Rasmussen described the conversation as “frank but constructive,”

The U.S., Denmark and Greenland agreed to establish a high-level working group to try to determine a way forward for the self-governing Danish territory.

Armor Not Dead: US Army Shows M1E3 Tank Prototype at Detroit Auto Show; A Working Platform to Test Ideas.

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Latest on Iran Protests.
Iranian Officials: More Than 2000 Killed in Protests: Iran Blames US and Israel.
Appearing to depart from the notion of negotiating with the Iranian government, US President Donald Trump told protesters in Iran on Tuesday that “help is on its way” and urged them to keep protesting and take control of the country’s institutions.
Israeli and Arab officials have suggested the Trump administration hold off on striking Iran for now, believing that the Islamic Republic may not be sufficiently weakened in order for an American attack to topple it.
The Israel Defense Forces said Monday that it remained on alert for possible “surprise scenarios” as anti-government unrest in Iran has prompted the United States to threaten intervention over the killing of protesters.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party warned on Monday that foreign intervention in Iran could spark wider turmoil in the region.
The United States accused Russia on Monday of a "dangerous and inexplicable escalation" of the war in Ukraine after Moscow launched new attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, despite ongoing U.S.-led negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
Russia and China are increasingly working together in the Arctic, and their presence there will be a growing threat to NATO allies, said Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Vice President Vance & Secretary of State Rubio to Meet with Foreign Ministers from Greenland & Denmark in Washington D.C..

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US and Jordan Strike ISIS Targets in Syria.
Human Rights Group: More Than 500 Killed in Iran Protests; President Trump Weighing Military Options.
Hamas says it has instructed its government agencies to prepare to hand over their powers to the independent committee of Palestinian technocrats that is supposed to administer Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan.
Israel on Sunday carried out major airstrikes against seven Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, using more than 30 munitions in two waves of strikes, the military said.
A group of European countries, led by Britain and Germany, is discussing plans to boost their military presence in Greenland to show U.S. President Donald Trump that the continent is serious about Arctic security, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday.
EU countries should weigh whether to set up a combined military force that could eventually replace US troops in Europe, the bloc’s defense chief said Sunday.

EU defense commissioner Andrius Kubilius floated creating a “powerful, standing ‘European military force’ of 100,000 troops” as a possible option to better protect the continent.

The UK Friday earmarked 200 million pounds ($268 million) to prepare British troops to be deployed to Ukraine as part of a “multinational” force if a ceasefire is agreed between Moscow and Kyiv.
Armor Not Dead: US Army to Unveil M1E3 Prototype at Detroit Auto Show.

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Iranian Protests Continue for 13th Day; Spread Across Iran's 31 Provinces.
During visit to Beirut, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi has said his country is seeking to open a new chapter in relations with Lebanon, at a time when Lebanon is continuing with plans to disarm Tehran's most potent proxy- Hezbollah.
Iran’s supreme leader signaled Friday that security forces would crack down on protesters after they screamed from windows and marched through the streets overnight, directly challenging US President Donald Trump’s pledge to support those peacefully demonstrating.
Report: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will escape to Moscow if his regime collapses- an intelligence report shared with The Times of Israel says.

The Supreme Leader Khamenei, 86, will flee Tehran with his aides and family members if his security forces fail to halt the growing demonstrations or desert his side amid the unrest, the report says.

Russia fired its new Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile at the western Ukrainian city of Lviv overnight on Jan. 9, the Russian Defense Ministry said, calling the attack "retaliation" for an attempted Ukrainian drone strike on one of President Vladimir Putin's residences, a claim Kyiv has denied.
The US has seized another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, US Southern Command said on Friday.
The head of NATO’s forces in Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich, said Friday the military alliance was far from being in “a crisis,” following President Donald Trump‘s threats to bring Greenland under US control.
Lockheed Martin says it delivered 191 F-35 Stealth Fighters in 2025, a record for the program facilitated by a backlog of jets held in storage.

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US Seizes Oil Tanker in N. Atlantic Ocean.
President Trump's advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Wednesday in Paris with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev to discuss the U.S. plan for peace in Ukraine.
Somaliland in Talks with Israel About Possible Military Base.
US Ready to Start Phase 2 of Gaza Peace Agreement.
The Lebanese army announced Thursday that it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah, covering the area in the country’s south between the Israeli border and the Litani River.

But Israel, which maintains a troop presence in a number of key locations in southern Lebanon to defend the border, was skeptical about the Lebanese claim.

President Donald Trump issued a warning to Raytheon on Wednesday, saying he would cut the defense giant’s government contracts if it does not accelerate weapons production and act to rein in stock buybacks.
USMC has selected a team of Northrop Grumman and Kratos to deliver the service’s first batch of drone wingmen, the companies announced today.

Under the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR) program, Northrop will serve as the prime contractor, integrating mission equipment onto Kratos’s unmanned XQ-58 Valkyrie

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At least seven U.S. service members were injured during Operation Absolute Resolve, according to a Pentagon official and a person familiar with the situation.

The Cuban government said this week that 32 of its officers died in the raid.

France, the United Kingdom and Ukraine signed a “Declaration of Intent” on Tuesday to send their forces to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.
Israel and Syria on Tuesday agreed during the second day of talks in Paris to create a mechanism that will facilitate de-escalation, diplomacy and commercial opportunities between the two countries, according to a joint statement from the two countries and the US that was released by Washington.
Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met his Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani in Paris on Tuesday.
Israeli military intelligence has warned that Iran is plotting to assassinate Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. According to the Israeli military's assessment, al-Sharaa is facing threats from Iran alongside other hostile actors.
Iran Warns of Preemptive Strikes Against Imminent Security Threats.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar visited Somaliland on Tuesday for the first official visit since Israel recognized the breakaway state last month, where he met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
N. Korea launches 2 x hypersonic missiles into the Sea of Japan.

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Former Venezuelan Vice-President (Delcy Rodriguez) sworn in as official President.
President Trump: US Not at War with Venezuela.
Britain and France on Sunday said they had carried out joint strikes on the Islamic State group in Syria to prevent the Islamist extremists from resurging.
A fifth round of talks between Israel and Syria started on Monday in Paris, the first meetings in nearly two months, after progress toward a security arrangement between the two countries stalled.
Israel launched a series of airstrikes deep inside eastern and southern Lebanon on Monday, which the Israel Defense Forces said targeted buildings used by Hamas and Hezbollah.
Azerbaijan's President: No Peacekeeping Force Envisaged (in Gaza).

Azerbaijan has no intention of sending a contingent of its troops to take part in peacekeeping operations outside its borders, including in the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, President Ilham Aliyev says.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump's adviser Jared Kushner will take part in a leaders' summit on Ukraine's security guarantees in Paris on Jan. 6, a White House official told the Kyiv Independent.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will also attend the summit, the alliance's press service said. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-host the meeting.

The German military has awarded a 4.2-billion-euro ($4.92-billion) contract to a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland for the delivery of 200 Puma infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).
USAF Designates Northrup Grumman Talon CCA as YFQ-48A.

The Air Force in early 2025 dubbed the first round of CCAs, made by Anduril and General Atomics, the YFQ-44A & the YFQ-42A, respectively.

US Raid Captures Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

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The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday it was pulling its remaining forces out of Yemen after Saudi Arabia backed a call for UAE forces to leave within 24 hours.
Somaliland FM: No Resettlement of Palestinians or Military Bases.

Somaliland on Thursday officially denied that it had agreed to accept Gazan refugees or allow Israel to establish military bases on its soil in exchange for Israeli recognition.

The Iranian foreign ministry designated the Royal Canadian Navy a terrorist organization on Tuesday in what it said was retaliation for Canada’s 2024 blacklisting of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Reuters Report: In the weeks before the Gaza ceasefire on October 10, Israel widely deployed a new weapon: M113 Armored Personnel Carriers repurposed to carry between 1 and 3 tons of explosives.
Ukraine's President Zelenskyy New Years Address.
Russian President Putin New Years Address.
Russia's Oreshnik Missile Fielded in Belarus.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry said Tuesday that the Oreshnik has a range of up to 5,000 kilometers, or 3,100 miles.

China Tests YJ-20 Hypersonic Missile from Type 055-class Destroyer.

Along with a 1,500-2000 km range, the YJ-20 has the capability to maneuver upon reentry.

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Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen’s port city of Mukalla on Tuesday over what it described as a shipment of weapons for a separatist force there, which arrived from the United Arab Emirates.
US Drone Strike on Venezuelan Port.

The drone strike targeted a remote dock on the Venezuelan coast that the US government believed was being used by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to store drugs and move them onto boats for shipping. There were no casualties, according to the sources.

The United States is offering Ukraine security guarantees for a period of 15 years as part of a proposed peace plan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday.
A top Russian official on Monday issued personal threats against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Russia claimed that Ukraine launched a drone attack on one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's official residences.
President Trump meets wit Israeli PM Netanyahu; Discusses Gaza Peace Deal; Iran Missile Development; Lebanon; & Syria.
The United States defended Israel’s right to recognize the breakaway territory of Somaliland as a state at the United Nations on Monday, comparing it to the recognition of a Palestinian state by numerous countries.
Chinese forces fired more than two dozen rockets and rehearsed port seizures on the second day of ongoing blockade drills around Taiwan.

In statements and posters, Beijing cites Washington’s recent $11 billion arms sale of artillery systems, short-range ballistic missiles and loitering munitions to Taipei as one of the main reasons for the Justice Mission drills.

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The United States hasn’t given up its pursuit of the massive, rusted oil tanker it chased into international waters near Venezuela last weekend,

Officials no longer expect the Bella 1 to return to the country to load up with oil as the US military and Coast Guard chase it. The ship is currently empty.

Busy Week: President Trump to Meet with Ukraine President & Israeli PM.
Israel on Friday became the first country to recognize Somaliland, a former British protectorate that unilaterally declared independence from formerly Italian-ruled Somalia in 1991.
The United Nations Security Council will convene an emergency session on Monday to discuss Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, with members slated to condemn the move.

The European Union joined the chorus of condemnations of Israel’s move.

The Israeli Defense Ministry announced on Sunday the delivery of the first operational high-power laser interception system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., dubbed “Iron Beam,” to the Israel Defense Forces.
The Pentagon has claimed that Chinese missile forces are operating a new type of anti-ship ballistic missiles that are capable of reaching the West Coast of the United States, according to the annual report on Beijing’s military power.

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US Strikes ISIS Militants in Nigeria.
Venezuela’s ambassador to the United Nations on Tuesday accused the United States of committing the “greatest extortion known in our history” at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council called over Washington’s seizures of Venezuelan oil tankers.
Russia's foreign ministry said on Thursday that the United States was reviving piracy and banditry in the Caribbean Sea by blockading Venezuela and said it hoped that U.S. President Donald Trump's pragmatism would help avoid a disaster.
US Coast Guard Still Pursuing Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker in Caribbean.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will meet US President Donald Trump in Florida at the weekend, as talks continue on ending Russia's full-scale war.
Lebanon’s foreign minister on Wednesday criticized Hezbollah and demanded its entire military system be dismantled and disarmed, saying that it was “unacceptable” that a non-state armed organization continues to operate within the country.
China Sanctions 20 US Companies over Recent Taiwan Arms Package.

The recent announcement of the $10 billion U.S. arms-sale package for Taiwan has drawn an angry response from China, which claims Taiwan as its own and says it must come under its control.

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US Continues Military Build-Up in Puerto Rico.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that at least 10 CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, which are used to transport special forces, arrived in the Caribbean theater from Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.

The Journal also reported that C-17 cargo planes from Fort Stewart and Fort Campbell Army bases arrived in Puerto Rico on Monday.

Israel reportedly started shipping weapons to the Syrian Druze just days after Syria’s Iran-backed President Bashar al-Assad was ousted a year ago.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met on Wednesday with Hamas officials in Ankara to discuss the ceasefire in Gaza and advancing to the second phase of the agreement, a Turkish foreign ministry source said.
As President Volodymyr Zelensky unveiled details of a U.S.-Ukraine draft peace plan on Dec. 24, aimed at ending Russia's full-scale war, two key provisions remain unresolved.

The disagreements center on provisions 12 and 14 of the 20-point proposal. Both deal with issues Kyiv calls existential: territories and the future of critical infrastructure.

Senior Russian General Killed by Car Bomb in Moscow.
Sweden will soon have the capability to conduct deep strikes far behind enemy lines, as the Gripen will be integrated with the German-made Taurus cruise missile earlier than planned (2028).
China Plans Future Naval Force with Nine Aircraft Carriers.

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Israel has reportedly warned the Trump administration that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may be using an ongoing military exercise focusing on missiles as cover to launch an attack on Israel, amid fears that Jerusalem and Tehran are readying for another confrontation.
Finland's President (Alexander Stubb): Russia - Ukraine Peace Closer than Any Point in the War
US Coast Guard Pursuing 3d Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker.
President Trump Announces New "Trump-Class" Battleship.

The U.S. Navy will buy two new “battleships” as part of the “Golden Fleet” effort, President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Navy Secretary John Phelan announced Monday at Mar-a-Lago.

The U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class will serve as the basis of a new Navy frigate program, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle announced on social media Friday.

The new frigate design will focus on American designs and American yards.

The US Air Force has awarded nine companies contracts for an early stage of the second round of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, selecting a wide array of designs that will be evaluated for potential future prototyping, an Air Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense today.

The spokesperson did not say when the awards were made or what companies were picked. The nine successful firms will now compete for a prototyping deal, which the spokesperson said could be offered to more than one company.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law a nearly $1 trillion annual defense policy bill. The fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, authorizes a record $901 billion in annual military spending, $8 billion more than the President requested.

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US Seizes Second Venezuelan Sanctioned Tanker.
US Strikes 70 ISIS Targets in Syria.

The attack was conducted using F-15 Eagle jets, A-10 Thunderbolt ground attack aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters, the U.S. officials said. F-16 fighter jets from Jordan and HIMARS rocket artillery also were used.

NBC Report: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will present plans for a possible fresh attack on Iran to US President Donald Trump during his upcoming visit to Washington. According to the report, Israel is growing increasingly concerned that Iran is rebuilding and even expanding its ballistic missile production in the wake of the nations’ 12-day war in June.
Russia & France Consider Dialogue.
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Fujian 18 Sails Thru Taiwan Strait.

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President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is leaving the possibility of a war with Venezuela on the table.
US Secretary of State: We Need to Clarify (ISF) Mandate Before We Can Expect Countries to Contribute Troops.
Report: Turkey to Return S400 System to Russia to Allow F-35 Purchase.
European leaders on Dec. 19 approved a $105 billion interest-free loan for Ukraine.
Potential US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases for Taiwan- estimated $11 billion include:

· 82 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), 420 ATACMS systems and other strike weapons, valued at up to $4.05 billion

· 60 M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzers valued at up to $4.030 billion

· Altius Autonomous Air Vehicles valued at up to $1.1 billion

· Tactical Mission Network Software valued at up to $1.01 billion

· 1,050 Javelin Missiles valued at up to $375 million

· 1,545 TOW 2B Missiles valued at up to $353 million

· AH-1W Helicopter spare and repair parts valued at up to $96 million.

“China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it,” said a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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President Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tankers.
Speaking at an annual meeting with top military officers, Russian President Putin said Moscow would prefer to achieve its goals and “eliminate the root causes of the conflict” by diplomatic means, but he added that “if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means.”
Six Countries Join (Gaza) Board of Peace. The US has secured commitments from Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany to have their leaders join US President Donald Trump on the Board of Peace.
The United States Central Command hosted a conference in Qatar on Tuesday with dozens of partner nations to discuss plans for an International Stabilization Force for the Gaza Strip.

Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Italy, France, the UK, and Azerbaijan were among the attendees.

Other countries at the summit included Cyprus, Georgia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Jordan, Japan, Greece, Singapore, the EU, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Morocco, Bahrain, Bosnia, Finland, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Spain, and Yemen.

Senators voted 77-20 on a bipartisan basis to send this year’s National Defense Authorization Act to the desk of President Donald Trump, who has indicated he will sign the bill.

The 2026 NDAA authorizes $900.6 billion in defense funds, or about $8 billion more than the White House’s request.

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US Agrees to Unspecified Security Guarantees for Ukraine; Talks to Continue.
Estonia Begins Installing Concrete Bunkers on Border with Russia. The initial batch represents the first phase of the Estonian 600-bunker network as part of the Baltic Defense Line project- coordinated with Lithuania and Latvia.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday met with the US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria and Lebanon Tom Barrack, amid concerns that Israel could launch a major military offensive against Hezbollah if Beirut does not step up its campaign to disarm the terror group.
The US is hosting a conference in Doha tomorrow aimed at offering potential donor countries more details on how the ISF will operate in a bid to move ahead with the initiative that has appeared to stall since the UN Security Council backed its formation roughly a month ago.
Tom Barrack (US Ambassador to Turkey), said there were “ongoing discussions with Türkiye regarding their desire to rejoin the F-35 program and their possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system.”
Trinidad & Tobago Allow US Military Access to Airports.

Only 7 miles (11 kilometers) separate Venezuela from the twin-island Caribbean nation at their closest point. It has two main airports: Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago.

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Joint US-Syrian Patrol Ambushed; Two US Soldiers Killed; President Trump Vows Serious Retaliation.
WSJ Report: A US special operations team in the Indian Ocean raided a ship headed to Iran from China last month and seized military-related articles.
The Israel Defense Forces on Saturday issued a warning to residents of the southern Lebanon town of Yanouh ahead of planned airstrikes against Hezbollah infrastructure, but postponed the strike after Lebanese troops went to search the site.
On Friday, Lebanese Officials received warnings from Arab and international parties that Israel is preparing for a wide-scale military operation against Hezbollah.
Top Hamas commander Raad Saad was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Saturday afternoon, the Israel Defense Forces said.
International troops could be deployed in the Gaza Strip as early as next month to form a UN-authorized stabilization force, two US officials told Reuters, but it remains unclear how the Palestinian terror group Hamas will be disarmed.
US and Ukrainian negotiators are set to meet for high-stakes peace talks in Berlin on December 14 as disagreements persist over territorial control and security guarantees.
Switzerland has decided to cut an order of 36 Lockheed Martin F-35A fifth-generation fighter jets due to a price increase of roughly $610 million enforced by the US government.

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US President Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly planning to appoint an American two-star general to command the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza.
Taiwan’s high-profile Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu made a previously unpublicized visit to Israel recently, three sources familiar with the trip told Reuters, at a time when Taiwan is looking to Jerusalem for defense cooperation.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Thursday that he would travel to Beirut for talks after his Lebanese counterpart had declined a day earlier to visit Tehran.
The United States has suggested creating a “free economic zone” in parts of the eastern Donbas region from which Ukraine would withdraw under a negotiated peace with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday.
The Croatian Ministry of Defense has placed an order for 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks, a deal valued at almost €1.5 billion ($1.8 billion).
Russian and Chinese bombers conducted a joint patrol Tuesday, flying over the East China Sea and Western Pacific, prompting Seoul and Tokyo to scramble fighter aircraft to monitor the flights.
— South Korea’s Hanwha is set to invest in a new $1 billion plant in the United States to produce Modular Charge Systems (MCS) for 155mm howitzer ammunition.
The House passed the fiscal 2026 defense policy authorization bill, setting up passage in the Senate before Congress goes on holiday break.

Lawmakers voted 312-112 to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes $900.6 billion in defense funds, or about $8 billion more than the White House’s request.

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Latest in Ukraine/US/European negotiations to end war.
A Hamas source told The Times of Israel on Sunday that the group will only agree to give up its weapons through negotiations that result in the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Armor Not Dead: Australian Army's 3d Brigade (Armored) Transformation.

The first tranche of the new AS9 Huntsman SP 155mm howitzers is set to reach the 3d Brigade by the end of 2027,.

Other new kit heading the brigade’s way includes M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicles, several types of Abrams-based combat engineering vehicles, and Boxer 8x8 combat reconnaissance vehicles.

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Ukrainian President to Meet with E3 Leaders in London to discuss last week's US Negotiations (Miami).
US Envoy Kellogg Says Deal Close; Sticking Points include Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant.
The Russian and Chinese militaries conducted joint anti-missile drills in on Russian territory in early December as part of scheduled military exercises, China's Defense Ministry said on Dec. 6.

These drills followed joint artillery and anti-submarine exercises that were conducted in the Sea of Japan in August.

Hamas is ready to discuss “freezing or storing” its arsenal of weapons as part of its ceasefire with Israel, a senior official says, offering a possible formula to resolve one of the thorniest issues in the US-brokered agreement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza is “almost” complete, and that he expects to move on to its second phase soon.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani suggested Sunday that his country will not foot the bill for rebuilding Gaza, despite speculation that it would be the main backer of reconstruction.

“We are not the ones who are going to write the check to rebuild what others destroyed,” Al Thani said during an onstage interview at the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference.

During a visit to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said that the Yellow Line, demarcating where the Israeli military withdrew to under the terms of the ongoing ceasefire, is “a new border line.”

“We will not allow Hamas to reestablish itself. We control large parts of the Gaza Strip and stand along [strategic] lines. The Yellow Line is a new border line, a forward defensive line for the communities and an offensive line.”

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called for stepped-up military recruitment after the United States deployed a fleet of warships and the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean.
President Javier Mileion Saturday hailed the arrival of Argentina’s first six F-16 jets purchased from Denmark, describing them as “guardian angels” that will strengthen the South American country’s armed forces.

The US-built aircraft are among the 24 fighters bought last year from Copenhagen for roughly $300 million.

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Remains of Thai Hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak Returned From Gaza Strip.
Israel has told mediators in Cairo that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad know how to reach the remains of Master Sergeant Ran Gvili, the last hostage held in the Gaza Strip, Israeli television reported Friday.
The Israel Defense Forces carried out a wave of airstrikes against what it said were Hezbollah weapons depots in southern Lebanon on Thursday.
The head of the US military’s Central Command congratulated Syria’s security forces on Friday for thwarting several weapons shipments to Lebanon’s Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah.
Iran Launches Cruise & Ballistic Missiles During Naval Drill Near Strait of Hormuz.
US & Ukraine to Continue Third Day of Talks in Miami on Saturday.
The United States has offered to sell Poland 250 used Stryker vehicles for a single ceremonial dollar, and Warsaw is preparing to accept that deal as soon as the logistics can be worked out, according to Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense.
UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said today he would order a review into advice he received from top military officials that the Ajax armored vehicle was “demonstrably safe to operate"- just weeks before many soldiers grew sick from riding in the vehicle that the program had to be paused.

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President Trump: US is Preparing for Land Operations Against Narcotics Manufacturers in Venezuela.
US - Russian Talks in Moscow "Useful & Constructive" - But No Concrete Deal.
The Israel Ministry of Defense delivered the first operational Arrow 3 Air Defense System to Germany in a formal ceremony at a German Air Force base near Berlin, Israel’s Ministry of Defense said today.
The Red Cross transferred the body of a presumed hostage from Hamas to Israeli security forces in Gaza on Wednesday evening.
The family of Sudthisak Rinthalak, one of the two remaining hostages whose bodies are held in the Gaza Strip, spoke Wednesday about the long wait for the return of their son and brother.

Mr. Rinthalak came from the town of Ratnawee in northern Thailand.

Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks in decades Wednesday, part of a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism in the war with Hezbollah.

The meeting was held at the UN peacekeeping force’s headquarters in Naqoura in Lebanon, near the border with Israel.

Australia is launching a new independent acquisition system to better cope with increasingly complex weapons systems, one that will report directly to the defense minister and not pass through the secretary of the Defense Department.

“It is the biggest reform to the Defense Organization in 50 years,” Pat Conroy, Minister for the Defense Industry, told reporters on Monday,

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President Trump Discusses Venezuela with Key Advisors.
Pope Leo XIV arrived Sunday in Lebanon from Turkey, where he opened his first trip as Pope. He is set to wrap up his visit on Tuesday with a prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut port blast and a Mass on the waterfront.
US Cautions Iraq Against Support to Hezbollah.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine on Sunday focused on where the de facto border with Russia would be drawn under a peace deal.

Representing the US were Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner. The Ukrainian side was represented by national security adviser Rustem Umerov, military chief of staff Gen. Andrii Hnatov and deputy head of military intelligence Vadym Skibitskyi.

Ukraine's former military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi has called for political change and reform once a peace deal is reached, in an op-ed for the Telegraph published on 29 Nov.
Taiwan Funds Island-Wide AD System.

The Taiwan President outlined his administration’s proposal for a $40 billion defense supplemental this week that would fund an island-wide air defense system and the procurement of missiles, drones and other anti-invasion capabilities.

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President Trump: Airspace Above Venezuela Considered To Be Closed In Its Entirety.

“To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY,” President Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

President Zelensky's Chief of Staff Resigns From Corruption Scandal.

Andriy Yermak resigned as chief of staff on Friday after an anti-corruption raid at his home.

Ukraine is sending a high-level delegation to the U.S. on Saturday for more talks on the Trump administration's Peace Plan- ahead of White House envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to Moscow expected early next week.

The Ukrainian delegation will now be led by the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff was forced to resign on Friday amid a corruption scandal.

German Chancellor Merz said Friday he is pressing the Belgian government to come to an agreement with the EU to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine.

Belgium, which hosts international deposit organization Euroclear, fears such a move could expose it to crippling legal and financial reprisals from Moscow.

Hezbollah’s leader (Naim Qassem) on Friday said the terror group had the right to respond to Israel’s killing of its top military chief in a strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
The Lebanese army took dozens of journalists from local and and international media outlets Friday on a tour of the rugged border area between Israel and Lebanon.

Parts of the zone south of the Litani River and north of the border with Israel were formerly a Hezbollah stronghold, off limits to the Lebanese national army and UN peacekeepers deployed in the area.

The IDF is considering an expanded operation in southern Syria if it finds that Syrian government forces were involved in gunfire at IDF soldiers during an arrest operation in Syria’s south early Friday morning. The IDF could transition to conducting fewer arrest operations against terror operatives active near the border and instead increase airstrikes to eliminate targets.
The US Navy is cancelling its Constellation frigate program following months of cost overruns and delays but plans to keep two vessels that are already being built in Wisconsin.

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US Sec of State: Security Guarantees to Ukraine After Ceasefire.
The body of Mr. Dror Or was returned to Israel from Gaza by Palestinian terror groups on Tuesday evening, Israeli authorities announced Wednesday morning.

The bodies of two slain hostages now remain held in Gaza.

Israel reportedly conveyed a proposal to Hamas last week that would allow the release of dozens of Hamas fighters believed to be trapped in tunnels in an IDF-controlled area of eastern Rafah, as long as they surrender.
Report: Iran Continuing to Fund Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In November, the US undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, John Hurley, stated that Iran had managed to funnel about $1 billion to Hezbollah in 2025.

The IDF confirmed launching a wave of strikes on southern Lebanon Thursday — the first anniversary of the ceasefire largely ending the cross-border fighting last year — saying it hit rocket-launching sites, weapon depots and military posts belonging to Hezbollah.
Poland to Procure Saab A26 Submarines.
BAE Systems has received a $390-million contract to produce additional Bradley A4 Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

The vehicle has been a core component of the military’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams since the early 1980s, with more than 6,500 currently in service.

US Army Developing New 155mm Cluster Munition.

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US Official: Ukraine Agrees with Revised 19-Point Peace Deal; President Trump Dispatches Steve Witkoff to Meet With Russian President.
European Union lawmakers voted on Tuesday to deepen integration of the bloc’s defense industry with Ukraine. European Parliament legislators voted 457-148, with 33 abstentions, to approve a 1.5-billion euro ($1.7 billion) program, with 300 million euros ($345 million) slated for the Ukraine Support Instrument.
IDF Military Drill Evaluates Readiness After Strike on Senior Hezbollah Official.
Gazan terror groups handed over what they said was the body of one of the three remaining deceased hostages on Tuesday evening, with Israel saying the remains were brought to a forensic institute for identification.
Dozens of Hamas operatives remain trapped in an area of the southern Gaza Strip that is under Israeli control, military commanders told reporters on Sunday, vowing that they would hunt them all down.

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Europe Preparing Counterproposal to President Trump's 28 Point Russia - Ukraine Peace Plan; Talks Occurring in Switzerland & Angola.
Estonia still wants to buy six additional M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from the US, and possibly more, according to Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.

Estonia Minister of Defense statement: “This is why we are looking for additional systems for the deep strikes. It’s not only HIMARS and it’s not only Chunmoo,” he later added. “It’s also the cruise missiles. It’s loitering munitions. So different types of systems. What will give us more reach, because we don’t have the strategic depth.”

Israel Eliminates Hezbollah's Second-in-Command in Beirut Missile Strike.

Israel said on Sunday it had killed Hezbollah’s military chief of staff, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, in a targeted airstrike in the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. Mr. Tabatabai was considered second only to Secretary-General Naim Qassem, in the Iran-backed terror group’s command structure.

A Hamas delegation was in Cairo on Sunday to meet with Gaza mediators on the recent escalation of hostilities in the Strip, as both Israel and the Palestinian terror group continued to trade accusations of ceasefire violations.

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President Trump 28 Point Peace Plan for Russia & Ukraine Released.
Initial Reaction

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that there will not be a Palestinian state, even at the cost of normalization with Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio guaranteed him that Israel’s “qualitative military edge” will remain intact in a phone call following US President Donald Trump’s announcement this week that he would sell F-35 warplanes to Saudi Arabia.
IDF-Hamas Combat Along Gaza Strip Yellow Line.
US Draft 28-Point Plan to End Russia-Ukraine War.

A senior White House official confirmed to CBS News on Thursday that President Trump was backing a 28-point plan drafted by envoy Steve Witkoff and an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received a draft plan, his office confirmed Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine, Retired LTG Keith Kellogg, will step down from his role in January, the White House confirmed on Nov. 19.
Russian Su-57 (NATO - Felon) at the Dubai Airshow. The warplane is billed as Moscow’s answer to the F-35.
Armor Not Dead: New Leopard 2A8 Main Battle Tank.

The German army is slated to get 123 tanks, with deliveries beginning in 2027 and to be finalized in 2030.

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UN Security Council Passes US-Sponsored Gaza Resolution.

(Russia & China Abstain)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Tuesday during his White House meeting with US President Donald Trump that Riyadh wants to join the Abraham Accords, but calls for the need to secure a path towards a two-state solution.
Saudi Arabia to Procure F-35 Fighters & M1 Tanks from US.
The Israeli Air Force presented an explicit objection to the US’s potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a formal position paper submitted to Israel's political leaders on Sunday.
The Israel Defense Forces carried out an airstrike Tuesday, on a Hamas training facility, near the Lebanese coastal city of Sidon.
Russian troops have been spotted outside the northern outskirts of the Pokrovsk, the Ukrainian military has reported, as intense battles for the city continue.
President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Turkey on Nov. 19 to "reinvigorate negotiations" with Russia, the Ukrainian president announced on Nov. 18.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff will also visit Turkey and join possible talks with the Ukrainian president, Reuters reported on Nov. 18, citing an unnamed Turkish source.

A blast that destroyed a train track in a village south of the country’s capital Warsaw was an act of sabotage, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Nov. 17, one day after the resulting damage was detected on the rail link used to connect Poland with Ukraine.
Ukraine signed a letter of intent to buy up to 100 Rafale warplanes from France, the Ukrainian Embassy and the French president’s office said.

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US Defense Secretary Hegseth announced a new military and surveillance campaign in the Western Hemisphere on Thursday, dubbed “Operation Southern Spear,” to pummel “narco-terrorists.”
US SOUTHCOM Release: On Nov. 15, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization.
CNN Report: The UK has stopped sharing intelligence with the US for its campaign against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean.
The U.S. will not be sending military forces to Mexico or undertaking any unilateral actions in the fight against drug trafficking, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday.
UNSC Vote Expected Monday on Gaza Peace Plan Resolution.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed Hamas will be disarmed, following reports that the United States is considering moving ahead with rebuilding parts of Gaza even as the terror group retains its weapons.
Russia & Ukraine Negotiating Prisoner Exchange.
Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald Ford (CVN-78) Enters Caribbean Sea.

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The body of slain hostage Israeli Meny Godard was returned to Israel by Hamas on Thursday night, officials confirmed. The bodies of three slain hostages now remain held in the Strip — two Israelis and one Thai national.
US Secretary of State Optimistic About Gaza International Stabilization Force.
Indonesia has trained up to 20,000 troops to take on health and construction-related tasks during a planned peacekeeping operation in the war-torn enclave of Gaza, the defense minister said on Friday.
US President Donald Trump urged Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in a phone call last month to normalize relations with Israel following the October 9 Gaza ceasefire.
President Trump Considers F-35s for Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine President Zelenskyy said Ukraine is facing a “very difficult” situation in the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, where Russian forces are attempting to seize control after months of intense fighting.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, President Zelensky said decisions about any troop withdrawals from the area are being left to military commanders on the ground. “Nobody is pushing them to die for the sake of ruins,” he said.

The U.S. Coast Guardsaid Thursday that it had detected and tracked a Russian intelligence-gathering vessel off the coast of Hawaii late last month.
Colombia on Friday signed an agreement for 17 Gripen E/F fighter jets, with a value of €3.1 billion ($3.6 billion).

Delivery of the jets will take place between 2026 and 2032.

The US Navy has begun efforts to salvage a fighter jet and helicopter from the South China Sea, Breaking Defense has learned.

The MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter crashed within 30 minutes of each other on the afternoon of Oct 26 while conducting routine operations from the USS Nimitz.

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US Envoys Visit Israel to Discuss Hamas Fighters Trapped in Rafah Tunnels.
France hosted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris for a meeting on Tuesday, during which French President Emmanuel Macron committed to helping the PA draft a constitution for a future state.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa threw cold water on the prospect of his country joining the Abraham Accords, saying that conditions were premature for talks on a normalization deal with Israel.
Houthis Indicate a Halt to Military Operations Against Israel and Red Sea Shipping.
Inspectors of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited Iranian nuclear sites last week, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
Dense Fog Enables Russian Forces Entry into Pokrovsk.
Finland’s former president Sauli Niinistö has called on the European Union to open direct channels of communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin to press for an end to the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is keen on ordering more than two dozen Raytheon-produced Patriot air defense systems.

Figures from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) thinktank claim that a Patriot battery costs $1.1 billion — split between $690 million for the weapon systems’ missiles and $400 million for the system itself.

The Navy has awarded General Dynamics a $1.7 billion contract to construct two more John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oilers.

The fleet oilers are 742 feet in length with a displacement of nearly 50,000 tons when fully loaded and can carry 162,000 barrels of oil and dry cargo.

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Pakistan said Sunday it was committed to “dialogue” with Afghanistan despite peace talks ending after deadly violence, with Islamabad stressing its security concerns persist.
IDF Officer's Body Returned After More Than 11 Years in Hamas Captivity; 4 Hostages Remain.
Israel has warned Lebanon’s army that it is not satisfied with the actions taken so far against the Hezbollah terror group, vowing to continue its stepped-up bombing campaign unless the situation changes.

The Israel Defense Forces has recently stepped up these strikes, killing three Hezbollah members in two separate strikes on Saturday, after an intense bombing campaign on Thursday.

In a late Friday interview, John Hurley, the undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said Iran has managed to funnel about $1 billion to Hezbollah this year despite a raft of Western sanctions that have battered its economy.
Another Israel-Iran war is “only a matter of time,” according to a report by The NY Times, which says Iran still has a stockpile of enriched uranium and is racing to build thousands of missiles.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Ready to Meet with US SEC of State Rubio to Discuss Ukraine.
German Armed Forces counter-Drone Munition.

Dubbed SADM, the Small Anti-Drone Missile will be fitted onto Rheinmetall-made Skyranger 30 anti-aircraft vehicles. The missile will extend the Skyranger’s effective engagement range from 2 to about 6 kilometers

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Secretary of War Hegseth Speech to Defense Industry Leaders.
Ukrainian forces continue to stubbornly defend the pocket around Pokrovsk despite relentless Russian assaults, leading to an ever-increasing threat of encirclement.
US to Establish Presence at Airbase in Syria.
The US has added the entire text of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the Gaza war to the UN Security Council Resolution.
US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the Central Asian, Muslim-majority country of Kazakhstan will be the first country to join the Abraham Accords in his second term.
Senate Republicans blocked a war powers resolution on Thursday aimed at preventing President Trump from conducting strikes against Venezuela.

The vote to advance the resolution failed with 49 supporting it and 51 senators opposing.

A pair of US B-52 bombers flew over the Caribbean Sea along the coast of Venezuela on Thursday, in the fourth such show of force by American military aircraft in recent weeks.

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Hamas & PA Agree on Temporary Committee to Manage Gaza.
Saudi Arabia Requests Purchase of F-35 Fighters from US.

The Trump administration is considering a Saudi Arabian request to buy as many as 48 F-35 fighter jets.

US President Donald Trump will host Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa for talks on November 10, the White House announced Tuesday.
Ukraine General Staff: No Encirclement of Units & Divisions in Pokrovsk.

The important hub in Ukraine’s Donetsk region lies on a major supply route for the Ukrainian army and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a year.

North Korea has dispatched around 5,000 military construction troops and 1,000 engineers to Russia since September, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Ukraine has signed up approximately 2,000 Colombian nationals as contract soldiers to help fill critical manpower gaps according to German media (Die Welt).
A Russian Il-76 cargo plane that recently arrived in Venezuela- later made several stops in other Kremlin-aligned Latin American countries before returning to Russia, flight records show.

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US Draft UNSC Resolution to Establish Gaza International Stabilization Force.

International Stabilization Force will be in charge of securing the borders with Israel and Egypt, ensuring the safety of civilians and humanitarian zones, and training new Palestinian police officers who it will partner with.

The force’s mandate will apparently include disarming Hamas.

Gaza’s future must be Palestinian-led and avoid any new system of foreign hegemony, Turkey and six of its top Muslim allies said Monday, after talks in Istanbul.
IDF said Monday that it killed two Hezbollah operatives in separate strikes within an hour in southern Lebanon.
IRGC Says Precision Missile Killed Hamas Leader Haniyeh; Not Remote Bomb.
Renewed US Nuclear Testing: President Trump alleged Sunday that countries including Russia and China have conducted underground nuclear tests unknown to the public, and that the United States would follow suit.
Washington Post Report: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for military assistance as the U.S. concentrates forces in the Caribbean.

According to the report, President Maduro requested help to strengthen air defense systems, including the delivery of 14 missile units, and the restoration of several Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighters. Plus, the overhauls of eight engines, five radars, and unspecified “logistical support.”

A Russian transport aircraft (Ilyushin Il-76) has landed in the Venezuelan capital over the weekend, signaling heightened Russian interest in the Latin American country.
Australian Navy Receives First Ghost Shark Extra-large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle.

Australia plans to use the platform for stealthy long-range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike operations.

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President Trump said Friday he is not considering strikes on Venezuela, which fears that a major US military buildup in the region is aimed at regime change in Caracas.
President Trump Directs Department of War to Prepare for Action in Nigeria.

President Trump on Saturday announced the US will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria if its government continues to allow the killing of Christians.

Jordan and Germany said on Saturday that the International Stabilization Force expected to deploy in Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s postwar governance plan should have a UN mandate.
US Ambassador Tom Barrack had blunt words for Lebanon on Saturday, repeatedly calling the country a “failed state,” dubbing its leaders “dinosaurs” and saying that it probably won’t be able to comply with the central US demand that it disarm Hezbollah.
At least 59 UN personnel are being held by Houthis in Yemen, according to the United Nations, which has condemned what it calls arbitrary detentions.

Forty-three detained local United Nations staff will face trial on suspicion of links to an Israeli airstrike that assassinated top Houthi leaders in August.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has no desire for direct talks with the US over its nuclear or missile program, insisting that the Islamic Republic would not give up its ability to enrich uranium.
Kyiv Closes Embassy in Havana; Cuban Citizens Fighting Alongside Russia in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s military intelligence reported that at least 1,076 Cuban Nationals have joined or are currently fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.

Anduril’s prototype bid (YFQ-44A) for the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program achieved its first flight, the USAF announced today.
US Secretary of War to Give Acquisition Speech to Top Defense Industry Leaders on 07 Nov.

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President Trump Meets Chinese President in S. Korea; Discusses Ukraine.
President Trump Directs Renewed Nuclear Testing.
Qatari Prime Minister al-Thani indicated on Wednesday that Hamas violated the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday when it attacked IDF soldiers- but did not specifically blame Hamas, referring instead to “the Palestinian party.”
Hamas on Thursday returned to Israel the remains of two deceased hostages, Amiram Cooper, 84, and Sahar Baruch, 25, with Israeli authorities confirming their identities within hours.

The remains of 11 deceased hostages are still being held in Gaza.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday that Hamas will be disarmed and the Gaza Strip demilitarized, asserting that if the international community doesn’t do it, then Israel will.
IAEA Estimates Iran Still Has 400kg of 60% Enriched Uranium.
Officials in Budapest on Thursday said that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, November 7.
President Donald Trump in a social media post Wednesday said the United States will share sensitive nuclear submarine propulsion technologies with South Korea,

“South Korea will be building its Nuclear Powered Submarine in the Philadelphia Shipyards, right here in the good ol’ U.S.A. Shipbuilding in our Country will soon be making a BIG COMEBACK,” Trump said on Truth Social.

US Senate Confirms New USAF Chief of Staff- General Kenneth Wilsbach.

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President Trump Meets Japan's Prime Minister; On to S. Korea for Meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Russian President Vladimir Putin received North Korea's top diplomat at the Kremlin on October 27.

North Korean media said Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui discussed "many future projects to constantly strengthen and develop" the bilateral relationship while also passing on leader Kim Jong Un's "brotherly regard" to Putin.

Gaza Ceasefire Holding Despite Violations & Reprisals.
Lebanon’s army has blown up so many Hezbollah arms caches that it has run out of explosives, as it races to meet a year-end deadline to disarm the Shiite terror group in the south of the country under a ceasefire agreed with Israel, two sources told Reuters.
UK & Turkey Agree to Eurofighter Deal Worth $11 Billion.
Germany’s navy could have a fielded laser weapon ready by 2029, following nearly a decade of work between contractors Rheinmetall and MBDA, the companies said today.
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) is pushing its railgun program forward, positioning it as a potential modern air defense solution for saturation attacks and high-speed threats.

General Atomics said it has three scalable railgun designs.

The smallest, a 3-megajoule demonstrator dubbed “Blitzer,” is roughly the size of a 35mm gun.

A 10-megajoule medium-caliber model is comparable to the size of a howitzer, while the more powerful 32-megajoule variant is larger than a 155mm artillery system.

The US Navy is investigating the fuel supply of aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) as a possible cause for two U.S. aircraft crashes in the South China Sea.

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While in Malaysia - President Trump Oversees Peace Agreement Between Thailand & Cambodia; Next Stop Japan.
Israel Allows Egyptian & Hamas Search Teams Access Beyond the Yellow Line.
Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, said Friday that Russia, US, & Ukraine are “quite close” to reaching a diplomatic solution to end the war.
Russia Tests Nuclear-Powered Skyfall (NATO) Cruise Missile.

A video released by the Kremlin showed Russian President Putin receiving a report from Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s chief of general staff, who told the Russian leader that the Burevestnik Missile (NATO designation Skyfall) covered 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) in a key test Tuesday.

The Chinese Communist Party has named a veteran (Zhang Shengmin) who has overseen anti-corruption efforts in the military to be the country's second highest ranking general, just days after nine generals were expelled in a major purge.
On Friday, South Korea’s unification minister- Chung Dong-young- said he believed there was a “considerable” chance that President Trump will meet with N. Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, during his visit to the peninsula next week.
Estonia inked a deal to purchase K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers, made by Hanwha Aerospace of South Korea, for its next tranche of launchers (press release).

The release did not disclose how many Chunmoo systems Estonia will receive, nor how much the deal is worth.

An F/A-18F Super Hornet and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) crashed in the South China Sea on Sunday in two separate incidents in the Pacific.

All crew are safe and in stable condition and the incidents are under investigation.

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US Secretary of State Visits Israel.
IDF Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon.
Russia Exercises Nuclear Triad.
Latest in US Army Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization.

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US Secretary of State Travels to Israel; Far East this week.
United States Vice President JD Vance projected confidence on Tuesday that the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was going to last as he paid a visit to a new US-Israel ceasefire coordination center in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel.
There will be no Turkish troops in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office insisted Wednesday- as part of the planned International Stabilization Force (ISF).
IDF Strikes Hezbollah Targets in S. Lebanon.
US Sanctions Russian Oil Companies; President Trump and Putin Meeting in Budapest Cancelled.

The US blacklisted Rosneft and Lukoil and issued other sanctions because Russia has failed to commit seriously to the peace process, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

Opinion Article in Defense News written by John Moore, a former British Ministry of Defense official: Should the US Army bring back the Pentomic Division?
President Trump nominates LTG Christopher LaNeve to replace GEN James Mingus as US Army Vice Chief of Staff.

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Vice President Vance Travels to Israel to Shore Ceasefire Agreement.
Ceasefire Status Returns After Two IDF Soldiers Killed in Rafah Leads to Israeli Retaliation.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday told US President Donald Trump to “keep dreaming” if he thinks US airstrikes in June destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would honor the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and have him arrested if he traveled to Canada in an interview published on Friday.
Ukrainian general Mykhailo Drapatyi has been named the commander of the Armed Forces' new Joint Forces Task Force, a new command structure responsible for the front line in and around Kharkiv Oblast, the force announced on Oct. 20.
Germany and the Netherlands are set to receive hundreds of Jackal infantry fighting vehicles under a €3.4 billion ($4 billion) contract.

The procurement is based on a split between 150 Jackal units for German armed forces and 72 for the Dutch military. A “call off” of up to an additional 248 units is also included.

Poland's Defense officials have sent requests for information to six countries for submarine designs for the Polish Orka (Orca) submarine program.
Azerbaijan and South Korea have held defense talks in Baku to expand cooperation on military development and regional security.
President Donald Trump threw his support behind the trilateral AUKUS agreement today, even suggesting the US is moving more quickly to provide nuclear-powered subs to Australia.

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Pakistan & Afghanistan Agree to Ceasefire.

Security issues are at the heart of the tensions, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring militant groups led by the Pakistani Taliban on its soil- a claim Kabul denies.

Hamas terror group transferred to Israel two caskets Saturday night which it said contained the remains of two dead hostages held in Gaza. If the bodies are confirmed to belong to hostages, it would mean that the number of bodies of dead captives still held in the Strip would go down to 16, after 28 were there at the start of the current ceasefire.
Hamas intends to maintain security control in Gaza during an interim period, a senior Hamas official told Reuters, adding he could not commit to the terrorist group disarming.
The White House is considering sending US Vice President JD Vance to Israel on Monday to hold meetings with top Israeli officials on implementing the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
A multinational team meant to help secure the Gaza Strip following the end of Israel’s war with Hamas will likely be headed up by Egypt, according to a report Saturday. Citing unnamed diplomats, The Guardian reported that Egypt would likely lead the stabilization force, although Cairo has not issued any statements on the matter.
President Trump to Ukraine: No Tomahawks - At least For Now.
Over the past three months, an Australian E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft has been employed as part of NATO operations to monitor Russian activities near Ukraine.
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) transited the Singapore Strait on Friday and is now operating in the South China Sea following a three-month stint in the Middle East.
The Army plans to expand its autonomous air capability portfolio with a CCA-like option.

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The military commander of the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Muhammad al-Ghamari, has died, the Iran-backed group announced Thursday afternoon.

The Israel Defense Forces later confirmed that al-Ghamari had been killed during a 28 Aug airstrike in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.

US-Led Gaza Coordination Center Operational in Days.

The command center will be led by a US three-star general, at least initially, who has not been identified publicly. The commander will have a foreign deputy, who would be the equivalent of a two-star officer, the officials said.

US denies Hamas violating ceasefire deal, vows no hostage will be ‘left behind’ in Gaza.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told The Associated Press that 15 Palestinian technocrats have been selected to administer postwar Gaza.
Russia' postponed Arab summit. May be held in November instead.
President Trump and Russian President to Meet in Budapest within Two Weeks.

The Trump-Putin meeting is expected to follow talks next week between teams led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, at a location to be determined.

United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned Moscow on Wednesday that if its war on Ukraine does not come to an end, the US and NATO allies would “impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression.”
The US and the Netherlands signed a pact today for the European nation to participate in the development of the US Air Force’s CCA program.

CCA = Collaborative Combat Aircraft

First US Army Hypersonic Battery Fully Equipped in December.
The Army plans to "field" its next-generation M1E3 Abrams tank before the end of next year.

The test vehicle would be sent to a small unit (identity and location not yet been determined).

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Israel To Keep Rafah Crossing Closed & Limit Aid Until Hamas Returns Remaining Hostages.
Post Gaza Ceasefire: Hamas gunmen tightened their grip in Gaza on Monday and Tuesday, sources in the Strip said, including carrying out public executions.

Hamas has killed at least 33 people since a ceasefire took effect on Friday in a crackdown on groups that have tested its grip, sources in the strip said.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday that supplying U.S. Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine could end badly for everyone, especially U.S. President Donald Trump.

Mr. Medvedev, said it is impossible to distinguish between Tomahawk missiles carrying nuclear warheads and conventional ones after they are launched - a point that President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has also made.

Secretary of the Army Driscoll today teased a shake-up in the way the Army buys its weapons and platforms, saying that he wants to adopt more of a private sector-like model that “speeds up the cycle of innovation for us.”
Leonardo DRS is partnering with European land defense specialist KNDS to throw their hat in the ring for the US Army’s forthcoming howitzer competition.

The two signed a “strategic teaming agreement” to offer the Army the CAESAR self-propelled howitzer. Though KNDS makes the CAESAR, Leonardo DRS, the US arm of Italian parent Leonardo, will be the integrator and prime for the project.

A year after the program was cancelled, the Army may reverse course and back the development of a next-generation interceptor for the Patriot Missile System- called the Lower-Tier Future Interceptor (LTFI).
The UH-60 Black Hawk is now fully reconfigured to be an unmanned aircraft capable of flying a variety of missions, according to Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky.

The aircraft is designated the S-70 UAS and nicknamed the U-HAWK.

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20 Living Hostages Returned to Israel After Two Plus Years of Captivity; 4 of 28 Hostages Bodies Also Returned.
President Trump Addresses Knesset.
President Trump and Leaders of Egypt, Qatar, & Turkey Sign Peace Declaration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that President Donald Trump’s success in brokering a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has renewed his hope that Trump can help facilitate a similar agreement in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

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Pakistan & Afghanistan Trade Fire on Border Regions.
All of Israel Prepares for the Return of the Hostages (Monday AM).
President Trump to Arrive in Israel to address Knesset; Then to Egypt for Summit.

Egypt will host an international summit in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday to finalize an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza, an Egyptian presidential spokesperson said on Saturday.

The summit will be attended by more than 20 leaders, including US President Donald Trump, the spokesperson said in a statement.

Several leaders have confirmed their attendance, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

Iran dismissed the idea that it would establish diplomatic ties with Israel, describing the idea on Saturday as “wishful thinking.”

The statement came nearly two weeks after US President Donald Trump suggested that Iran could normalize relations with Israel after decades of calling for its elimination.

The Department of War plans to siphon $8 billion in leftover fiscal 2025 research and development funding to ensure troops get a paycheck during the ongoing government shutdown, a department official said in a statement on Saturday.

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IDF Withdraws to Yellow Line in Gaza; 72-Hour Clock to Release Hostages Begins. Noon Monday (13 Oct) is the deadline for Hostage Release.
US President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Israel on Monday morning and address the Knesset (in Jerusalem) before departing that same day.
Opposition activist María Corina Machado of Venezuela won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, dashing US President Donald Trump’s hopes of collecting the prestigious award after mediating a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
An American military team of 200 people will be deployed in the Middle East to “oversee” the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of the US military’s Central Command (US CENTCOM), “will initially have 200 people on the ground. His role will be to oversee, observe, make sure there are no violations,” one senior official told reporters.

Qatar will build an air force facility at a US military base in Idaho to host its F-15 fighter jets and to train pilots, according to an agreement signed Friday between US War Secretary Pete Hegseth and his visiting Qatari counterpart.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday praised US President Donald Trump’s peace efforts, despite not winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
Denmark to Procure 16 More F-35s; Includes CCAs.

CCA = Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) wingman drones.

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President Trump Announces Ceasefire & Hostage Agreement between Israel & Hamas.

Deal to be Signed Thursday in Egypt.

Hostage Release to Begin Saturday.

President Trump to Visit the Region this Weekend.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty tells the Saudi channel Al-Arabiya that “additional Arab countries will sign peace agreements with Israel if the war in Gaza comes to an end.”
The German budget committee approved a long-planned order of advanced Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, greenlighting the €3.75 billion ($4.36 billion) procurement of 20 additional aircraft, designed to the Tranche 5 standard.
Spain is reportedly considering acquiring Turkey’s incoming fifth-generation KAAN fighter jets after shelving plans to purchase US-made F-35s.
Bangladesh’s top air force officer, announced last month that his country’s interim government had given an in-principle approval for the purchase of “multirole combat and attack aircraft”.

Though not specified, there is a strong likelihood it will be the J-10CE fighter from China.

The US Department of War is expected to decide as soon as this week which US company will assemble the US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation stealth aircraft.

According to Reuters- Boeing and Northrop Grumman competing for the contract.

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"Positive Atmosphere" at First Day of Talks in Egypt.
IDF on High Alert for 07 October Anniversary and Holiday Period (Sukkot).
Families of hostages held in Gaza urged the Norwegian Nobel Committee on Monday to give the Nobel Peace Prize to United States President Donald Trump this month for his efforts to secure the release of their loved ones.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 6 that he has "sort of made a decision" on whether to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk long-range missiles.

"I think I want to find out what they're doing with them, where they're sending them, I guess. I have to ask that question," Trump mused to reporters in the Oval Office.

Chinese Underwater Drone Found in Philippine S. China Sea Waters.

Filipino fishermen discovered the 12-foot-long drone and turned it over to a Philippine Coast Guard station. The drone was equipped with a conductivity, temperature, and depth sensor for oceanographic survey operations.

Sierra Nevada Corp. for the first time publicly displayed the Battery Revolving Adaptive Weapons Launcher—Reconfigurable (BRAWLR), which SNC says can carry up to four types of rockets and missiles at once to take out enemy drones and cruise missiles from the back of a pickup truck, a trailer or the ground.

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Negotiations to Enact President Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan Begin Monday in Cairo.
The head of Hezbollah said Saturday that Washington’s plan for a ceasefire in Gaza was “full of dangers,” - but said the decision of whether to accept it was ultimately Hamas’s.
The IDF says it has intercepted a single missile fired by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. There are no immediate reports of impacts, injuries or damage after sirens sounded in parts of central Israel and the southern West Bank.
Russian President Putin: Supplying US Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine - "This would mark a qualitatively new, completely new stage of escalation between Russia and the U.S.”

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Hamas Agrees to Release Israeli Hostages & Hand-over Gaza to Technocrats; Other Plan Details Require Negotiation.
IDF to Halt Gaza City Campaign: Will Prepare for Operations to Support Hostages' Return.
World Reaction

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Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot condemns the deadly attack on Jewish worshippers outside a synagogue in Manchester, which took place on Yom Kippur.
Hamas to Submit Amendments to President Trump's 20-Point Plan.
Hamas Fires Rockets at Israel on Yom Kippur; IDF Surrounding Gaza City.
US to Support Ukraine with Intelligence for Long-Range Targeting.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz & Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban clashed during talks (01 October) concerning EU's strategy to defend itself against the Russian threat and support for Ukraine.

Berlin and Budapest have not commented on these reports.

The US arm of British BAE and Forterra, a company specializing in “driverless technology,” announced a partnership today to develop a prototype version of an AMPV outfitted with autonomous capabilities by 2026.
The Pentagon has downgraded the USAF Europe-Air Forces Africa Commander from 4-Star to 3-Star General.
President Donald Trump has formally selected USAF General Kenneth Wilsbach to serve as the next Air Force Chief of Staff.

The US Senate formally received his nomination Monday evening.

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US Government shutdown imminent. US Senate to meet Wednesday morning for further round of voting.
US Secretary of War Hegseth meets with Senior Military Leaders at Quantico, VA.
Israel Agrees to President Trump's 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan; Hamas Response Due Wednesday.
A ballistic missile (with cluster bomb warhead) was launched by the Houthis at Israel overnight on Sunday. The missile was intercepted by air defenses, the military said.
President Trump Considers Tomahawk Missiles for Ukraine.

Tomahawk missiles have a range of 2,500 km (1,500 miles).

US Army Restarts Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization Effort.

Five potential candidates: BAE Systems, Elbit Systems, General Dynamics, Hanwha, and Rheinmetall.

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Iran Snapback Sanctions.

Widespread UN sanctions against Iran return into force for the first time in a decade, after last-ditch nuclear talks with Western powers failed to produce a breakthrough.

US 21-Point Plan for Post War Gaza.
Around 780,000 Palestinians have so far evacuated Gaza City to the Strip’s south, Israel said Saturday, as the IDF intensified its offensive to defeat the remaining Hamas forces.
As supporters marked the anniversary of Hezbollah's former leader (Hassan Nasrallah), Lebanese media reported Israeli drones flying above the ceremony in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the reported overflights.

Ukraine received a US-made Patriot air defense system from Israel a month ago, with two more expected in the coming months, President Zelenskyy said Saturday.
Russian Navy Borei-class Ballistic Missile Submarine Spotted North Of Hokkaido.

The transit marked the first time a Borei-class ballistic missile-equipped nuclear-powered submarine operating near Japan was spotted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Russia has eight Borei-class submarines in its fleet with two more under construction. Russia is planning for an additional two submarines to be constructed, bringing the country’s Borei-class to a total of 12.

The Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on Thursday against Houthi military sites in Yemen’s capital Sanaa.
Israeli PM Speech at UN General Assembly.

PM Netanyahu: "You know deep down that Israel is fighting your fight. I want to tell you a secret. Behind closed doors, many of the leaders who publicly condemn us, privately thank us."

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he was holding intensive talks with Middle Eastern nations on a Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal and that Israel and the Palestinian terror group Hamas were aware of the discussions.
Efforts to reach a security pact between Syria and Israel have hit a last-minute snag over Israel’s demand that it be allowed to open a “humanitarian corridor” to Syria’s southern province of Sweida.
The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, confirmed Friday that inspections of Iranian nuclear sites had resumed this week after a hiatus following Washington and Israel’s strikes.

IAEA Statement: “Inspections are… confidential and we cannot confirm their location but we can confirm that inspections have taken place this week.”

US President Donald Trump held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Thursday and signaled that the United States might soon lift its hold on sales of advanced fighter jets to Ankara.
Secretary of War Calls for Meeting with Senior Military Officers in Quantico, VA next week.

News from the UN General Assembly in New York.

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Multiple Countries Recognize Palestinian State at UNGA Summit.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Monday that Hamas must have “no role” in governing Gaza in the future and called on the militant group to hand over its weapons.
Hamas has drafted a letter to US President Donald Trump requesting that he guarantee a 60-day truce in Gaza in exchange for releasing half of the remaining 48 hostages, Fox News reported Monday,
France is advancing an initiative aimed at establishing an “International Stabilization Mission” that would replace the IDF in Gaza and work to disarm Hamas after the war ends, according to a draft of the proposal obtained by The Times of Israel.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, visiting New York for the UN General Assembly, voiced hope Monday for a security deal that eases tensions with Israel but he played down the prospect of recognition.
Saudi Arabia & Pakistan Joint Defense Accord.
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Fujian18 Launches Warplanes Using Advanced Catapult System.

Visuals, published the Chinese military, showed J-15T, J-35 fighters and KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft being launched from the Fujian’s electromagnetic catapults.

The USAF F-47 advanced jet is expected to have its initial flight in 2028, Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said Monday.

The Air Force plans to buy at least 185 F-47s, which would match or exceed the size of the F-22 fleet.

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IDF Continues Gaza City Campaign; Egypt massing military force on border with Gaza.
PA President Abbas to Speak Virtually at UN General Assembly.
The Trump administration has told Congress it plans to sell nearly $6 billion in weapons to Israel. The planned package includes 30 AH-64 Apache helicopters, and 3,200 infantry assault vehicles for the Israel Defense Forces, according to a US official.
France, UK, & Germany Reimpose Snapback Sanctions Against Iran (will take effect on September 28).

The European governments have said they will not delay the reimposition of UN sanctions unless Iran resumes full cooperation with the IAEA and reopens nuclear talks with the United States.

President Trump Phone Call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Estonia summoned a Russian diplomat to protest after three Russian fighter aircraft (MIG-31s) entered its airspace without permission Friday and stayed there for 12 minutes, the Foreign Ministry said.
China cautioned Papua New Guinea against “undermining” its interests and sovereignty in signing a mutual defense pact with Australia widely seen as a counter to Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific.
Breaking Defense Opinion Article by Foundation for Defense of Democracies - Mariam Wahba and Ryan Brobst.

Title: As Beijing beckons, is Washington sleepwalking on Egypt?

Mariam Wahba is a Research Analyst at Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where Ryan Brobst is the Deputy Director of the Center on Military and Political Power. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.

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Houthi Drone Hits Hotel in Southern Israeli city of Eilat. Some damage, no injuries.
IDF Strikes Hezbollah Targets in S. Lebanon. The strikes had targeted several weapon depots belonging to Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Wednesday that ongoing negotiations with Israel to reach a security pact could lead to results “in the coming days.”
Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad appeared in a TV interview on Wednesday, his first public appearance since the Israeli strike targeting the terror group’s leaders in Qatar last week. His appearance was the latest sign that the attack had failed to kill the terrorist organization’s leadership.`
US Vetoes UNSC Resolution on Gaza.

US Policy Advisor (to UN) Morgan Ortagus: “It (the Resolution) fails to condemn Hamas or recognize Israel’s right to defend itself, and it wrongly legitimizes the false narratives benefiting Hamas, which have sadly found currency in this council.”

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer was set to meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff in London on Wednesday night- in a last-ditch effort to revive negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage-release deal.
Former UK Prime Minister Blair's Plan on Post-War Gaza.
Israel’s high-powered laser interception system, dubbed “Iron Beam,” has been declared operational after completing development and final tests, and is set to be delivered to the military by the end of the year, the Defense Ministry and manufacturer Rafael said on Wednesday.

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Israeli PM Netanyahu to visit White House on 29 Sep, after scheduled address to US General Assembly.
Three IDF Divisions Operating inside Gaza City.

The military said that the 162nd and 98th divisions were expanding their operations in Gaza City, and in the coming days, a third division, the 36th, would join.

In addition to the Gaza City offensive, the IDF said the 99th Division was conducting defensive operations in Israel’s buffer zone in northern Gaza, while the Gaza Division was operating in the Strip’s south.

Spain appears to have cancelled a €697 million ($823 million) contract for the acquisition of the High Mobility Rocket Launcher System (SILAM), developed from Israeli firm Elbit Systems’ Precise and Universal Rocket Launcher (PLUS) design.
Japan is deploying eight aircraft, including four F-15 fighter jets, to bases in the United States, Canada and Europe in an unprecedented mission to support NATO.
China urged Tokyo and Washington on Tuesday to withdraw the US-developed Typhon missile system, after it was unveiled in Japan for the first time during joint military exercises. Beijing’s foreign ministry on Tuesday called on the United States and Japan to “promptly withdraw” the missile system.
A U.S. and U.K. warship transited the Taiwan Strait last week drawing protests from Beijing, USNI News has learned.

U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG-76) and anti-submarine frigate HMS Richmond (F239) sailed through the strait on Sept. 12, a Pentagon official confirmed to USNI News on Tuesday.

Thomas Global Systems has finished delivery of its M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 Immersive Tactical Trainer (M1A2 ITT) to the Australian Army, marking it as the world’s “only full-crew simulator” for the platform.
Congressional Republican leaders today put forward a stopgap funding bill to keep money flowing to the federal government through Nov. 21.

Lawmakers face a ticking clock to get the bill through the House and Senate to avert a government shutdown, before federal funding expires on Oct. 1.

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Arab and Muslim leaders called for a review of ties with Israel after emergency talks in Doha on Monday following last week’s IDF strike on Hamas members in the Qatari capital.

The Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation joint session brought together nearly 60 countries.

On Monday, US Secretary of State Rubio met with Israeli PM Netanyahu one-on-one for about an hour and a half before an expanded meeting with aides. He also met Monday with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and President Isaac Herzog.

Secretary Rubio will visit Qatar on Tuesday, the WP reported, citing two American sources.

Axios Report: IDF Gaza City Ground Campaign Begins.

Airstrikes in Gaza City intensified on Monday evening local time before Palestinian media began reporting that IDF tanks had entered the city.

Sweden to Increase Defense Spending to 2.8% GDP in 2026.
Poland’s state-run defense group PGZ has chosen UK's BAE Systems as its technology partner for the planned boost in domestic 15mm ammunition production.
Poland Receives 3d Batch of M1 Tanks.

Poland has received 38 new M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks from the US. The shipment included 14 M88A2 Hercules tactical recovery vehicles.

China's 3d Aircraft Carrier Spotted in East China Sea. People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) carrier Fujian (018), which has not yet been commissioned, sailed southwest in the East China Sea around 124 miles northwest of Uotsuri Island, according to Japan’s Joint Staff Office (JSO).
Australia will spend 12 billion AUD towards a new defense precinct that will include naval shipyards and AUKUS-related programs in the west of the country.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the Henderson Defence Precinct will be critical to Australia’s shipbuilding and sustainment industry, as well as sustainment and maintenance of Australian and allied submarines.

Australia is due to receive three Virginia-class submarines from the United States under AUKUS Pillar 1, before eventually transitioning to five SSN-AUKUS submarines from the early 2040s.

US Army revealed Monday that the mid-range missile system (Typhon MRC) is participating in the US-Japan annual bilateral exercise Resolute Dragon. The exercise has more than 19,000 U.S. and Japanese troops focusing on maritime defense and littoral protection operations.

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WSJ Report: IDF Employed Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles in Doha Strike.

According to the report, eight F-15s and four F-35s took part in the operation, flying south from Israel over the Red Sea before launching ballistic missiles toward Qatar from the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula.

President Trump to Meet with Qatari Prime Minister in NYC. US Sec of State Rubio to Visit Israel.
The United Nations General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly endorsed a declaration outlining “tangible, time-bound and irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, without the involvement of Hamas. 142 voted in favor; 10 against; 12 abstained.
The Israel Defense Forces says air defenses successfully downed 2 ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels (Saturday).
President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Friday that Syria was negotiating with Israel to reach a security agreement that would see Israel leave areas it occupied after the December overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.
Denmark plans to buy the French-Italian SAMP/T system to cover the long-range component of the integrated ground-based air defenses the country is building, picking the only European alternative to the U.S. Patriot.
Second USAF B-21 Bomber Flies to Edwards AFB for Testing.
As Sentinel ICBM program continues delays, USAF may keep the Minuteman III system operating until 2050.

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IDF Hits Houthi Camps in Sanaa.
Indications Point Doha Strike on Hamas Leaders Unsuccessful.
Qatar will host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha on Sunday and Monday to discuss the Israeli attack on the Gulf state’s capital city that targeted Hamas leaders.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Thursday evening that “there will be no Palestinian state,” as he signed an agreement to push ahead with the controversial E1 settlement expansion plan that will cut across West Bank land.
IDF expanding operations in preparation of Gaza City campaign.

In total, five IDF divisions are set to participate in the Gaza City offensive.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that enriched nuclear material remained “under the rubble” of facilities damaged during the recent war with Israel.
The US Department of Defense announced it would provide the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) a security package worth $14.2 million to help in its new mission to disarm Hezbollah.

The aid package includes shaped and demolition charges, detonating cords, electric and non-electric caps, fuse igniter generators and transportation.

NATO allies shot down three Russian drones that illegally entered Polish air space on Wednesday. A senior Army official told reporters on Wednesday that eight other Russian drones crashed after entering Poland.
The House passed its version of the fiscal 2026 defense policy bill today.

The 231-196vote was split mostly down party lines.

Israel Strikes Hamas Leaders in Doha.
Defense News Top 100 Defense Companies for 2025.

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A drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels evaded Israeli air defenses and smashed into the Ramon Airport terminal in southern Israel on Sunday. The unmanned aerial vehicle struck the passenger terminal at the airport north of Eilat, causing damage, according to airport authorities.
President Trump Warns Hamas to Accept Terms for Hostage - Ceasefire Deal.

According to the reported proposal, Hamas would release all 48 hostages, living and dead, on day one, while Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian terrorists with blood on their hands, and thousands of other prisoners.

In addition, the IDF would call off its conquest of Gaza City and would remain outside the city, according to the report.

The two sides would engage in talks over the end of the war under the personal oversight of President Trump, and the ceasefire would continue as long as negotiations last.

Lebanon's cabinet on Friday welcomed a plan by the Army that would disarm Hezbollah and said the military would begin executing it, without setting a timeframe for implementation and cautioning that the Army had limited capabilities. But it said continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon would hamper the Army's progress.
President Zelensky Responds to Russian President Putin: "He can come to Kyiv."
China said Saturday that its military monitored the passage of Australian and Canadian warships through the Taiwan Strait, criticizing their presence in the sensitive waterway as “causing trouble.”
Marines from the 3rd Marine Division trained with the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) in recent weeks after the system arrived July 10 in Japan, the Marine Corps said.
The Air Force and Sierra Nevada Corporation have started flight tests on the service’s next-generation “doomsday plane.”

Flight tests for the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Control, or SAOC, are being held at the Aviation Innovation and Technology Center in Dayton, Ohio, the company said in a Wednesday release.

For review:

President Trump's Executive Order Returns Department of War Title.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly met in Paris with Qatari officials on Thursday to discuss efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, though Israeli officials sounded skeptical about progress toward an agreement.
Finland is joining a declaration calling for the implementation of a two-state solution to Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians. The declaration is a product of an international conference at the United Nations in July, hosted by Saudi Arabia and France.
IDF Controls 40% of Gaza City.

In a televised briefing, military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that “we hold 40 percent of the territory of Gaza City,” adding that the offensive “will continue to expand and intensify in the coming days.”

A drawing outlining a map of Hamas tunnels under part of Rafah was reportedly found in the pocket of Yahya Sinwar, when he was killed in the southern Gaza city last year.
Russian President Putin invites President Zelenskyy to Moscow.

Speaking from Beijing on Wednesday, the Russian leader said US President Donald Trump had asked him to hold talks with (President) Zelensky.

“Donald asked me if it was possible to hold such a meeting. I said yes, it is possible. In the end, if Zelensky is ready, let him come to Moscow. Such a meeting will take place,” Putin said.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Hyundai Rotem have teamed up to integrate, the Israeli Trophy vehicle-protection system on the South Korean K2 Tank.

The agreement includes the Poland-specific K2PL version, following the supply of a 180 K2 tanks deal signed between Poland and South Korea.

US Navy CCA Program.

The US Navy has awarded contracts to four major aerospace prime contractors — Anduril, Northrop Grumman, Boeing and General Atomics — for “conceptual designs” for a carrier-based autonomous combat drone.

For review:

A top United Arab Emirates official warned Israel on Tuesday that annexing the West Bank would cross a “red line” that would “end the vision of regional integration.”

It would foreclose the idea of regional integration and be the death knell of the two-state solution,” Emirati special envoy Lana Nusseibeh told The Times of Israel.

Belgium will recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly later this month, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced Tuesday, adding that sanctions will be imposed on the Israeli government.

Belgium will not take formal measures, like opening an embassy, until Hamas is disarmed and excluded from any governing role, said the official.

Israeli PM: War Entering Decisive Stage.

Premier Benjamin Netanyahu said the war was entering its “decisive stage,” while IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told troops that the Gaza City campaign was already moving forward, that operations would be intensified and expanded, and that the IDF would not accept anything less than the complete defeat of Hamas.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged India to press its close ally Russia to return to peace talks over the war in Ukraine.
China today used a military parade to show off a new Air-Launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM) and two new Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), joining a previously shown Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM).

The parade was held in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, and was overseen by Chinese leader Xi Jinping and included several invited world leaders- notably Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un.

USAF Minuteman III Silo Offline During Transition to Sentinel.

Statement from Air Force Global Strike Command: “During the transition process, there will be no degradation of the land-based leg of the nuclear triad."

US SPACECOM to Redstone Arsenal.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will move the military’s US Space Command to Huntsville, Alabama — undoing a decision by the Biden administration to keep operations in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

For review:

Israel declared on Sunday that Hamas spokesman Hudayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout, alias Abu Obeida, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City.
Russia & China Reject E3 Snapback Sanctions Against Iran.
Chinese President XI Jinping hosted more than 20 leaders of non-Western countries at a summit in the Chinese port city of Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization- a China-backed initiative given renewed impetus by the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Russia & China Conduct Submarine Patrol in Sea of Japan.
EU President's Plane Jammed While Landing in Bulgaria.

A plane carrying EU chief Ursula von der Leyen was hit by GPS jamming as it readied to land in Bulgaria on Sunday, Brussels said Monday, alleging Russia was thought to be behind the incident.

The US Army has been tasked with standing up a new Joint Interagency Task Force 401 that is expected to give it broader oversight over tech to counter small drones across the Defense community.
The Army has given Sikorsky a $43 million contract to modernize the service’s UH-60 Black Hawks with capabilities that will enable the helicopters to carry and launch unmanned aerial systems.
USAF CCA update.

For review:

Houthi Prime Minister Reported Killed in IDF Strike.

Yemen’s Al-Jumhuriya channel and the Aden Al-Ghad newspaper reported that Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi was killed in an Israeli attack on an apartment in the capital Sanaa,

The IDF assesses that the entire Houthi cabinet — including the prime minister and 12 other ministers — were likely killed in Thursday’s strikes in Yemen, Channel 12 reported Friday, without citing any sources.

The notorious spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing in the Gaza Strip was said to have been the target of an Israeli airstrike on Saturday.

While the statement did not provide the identity of the targeted terror operative, multiple Hebrew media outlets reported that it was the longtime Hamas spokesman, Hudayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout, who is more widely known by his nom de guerre Abu Obeida.

US to Ban PA President's (Mahmoud Abbas)Travel to UN General Assembly Meeting in September.

President Abbas’s office said it was astonished by the visa decision and argued that it violated the UN “headquarters agreement.”

Forces from the military and Shin Bet security service recovered the body of slain hostage (Ilan Weiss) in an operation in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces said Friday.

His body was recovered along with the remains of a second hostage, whose name was not immediately published as the identification process was still ongoing.

What is Europe's "Reassurance Force" for Ukraine?
NATO said all alliance members will spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense this year, the first time for that to happen since the spending target was set more than a decade ago.
Poland will increase its defense spending next year (2026) to 4.8 percent of GDP ($55.0 billion), its finance minister said Thursday.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has submitted its budget request of $59.9 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.

For review:

Report: IDF Strikes Gathering of Houthi Leadership in Sanaa.

The strike was first reported by the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, and then confirmed by Defense Minister Israel Katz and the Israel Defense Forces, though they did not confirm the targets.

IDF Ground Operation on Syrian Military Installation Near Damascus.

According to a Syrian source who spoke to Al Jazeera, the raid involved four helicopters and two fighter jets, as well as dozens of soldiers.

Saudi outlet Al-Hadath reported that Israeli forces had located and confiscated “secret and sensitive equipment,” citing an unnamed senior Israeli security official.

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday unanimously extended “for a final time” a long-running peacekeeping mission in Lebanon until the end of 2026, when the operation will then begin a year-long “orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal.”
Wall Street Journal Report: The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog has been guarded by a 24/7 security detail in recent weeks due to a specific Iranian threat against him.
Britain, France and Germany announced Thursday their decision to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. The step was announced in a letter to the UN Security Council sent by the European powers as they launched a 30-day process to once again level punitive measures against the Islamic Republic.
Sweden and the Netherlands have urged the EU to adopt sanctions on Israel and Hamas over the war in Gaza, including suspending the EU-Israel trade deal.
USAF Sentinel ICBM Update.

For review:

Australia expels Iran's Ambassador over connection to antisemitic events.
Israeli Defense Minister: IDF Troops Remain on Syrian Side of Mt. Hermon.
Lebanon's Plan to Disarm Hezbollah Due on 29 Aug.
President Donald Trump is signaling fresh doubts about whether Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Russian President Putin will meet anytime soon.

“I don’t know that they’ll meet — maybe they will, maybe they won’t,” the President said.

Sweden and Thailand finalized an agreement to buy four Gripen E/F fighter jets from Swedish defense firm Saab, with an order value of around ($550 million USD). Deliveries are scheduled between 2025 and 2030.
China's New Amphibious Warship.

China launched its fourth Type 075 Amphibious Assault Ship- CNS Hubei.

The Type 075 is built for amphibious landings and can deploy troops via helicopters- as well as offload combat vehicles from its interior.

US Navy Vice Admiral Daniel Cheever (Commander Naval Air Forces, Pacific): “We’re dedicated in the Navy to maintain the National Defense Authorization Act [level] of 11 aircraft carriers and nine airwings.“
Navy Secretary John Phelan said the Navy established the Naval Rapid Capabilities Office.

The new office will help the Navy identify operational gaps and provide quick solutions, as well as enable the service to respond to emerging threats promptly.

Defense Innovation Unit head Doug Beck has resigned, Breaking Defense has learned.

For review:

Warning Shots Fired Across Korean DMZ.
Israel Strikes Houthis; Destroys Presidential Palace in Sanaa.
Israeli planes and tanks pounded the eastern and northern outskirts of Gaza City overnight Saturday and into Sunday- as the IDF increased its troop presence in northern Gaza as part of an offensive aimed at bolstering the army’s control in the area.
Report: Possible security deal between Israel and Syria.

The report said the two sides would agree to the demilitarization of the Syrian side of the Golan Heights; the prevention of the restoration of the Syrian military; the barring of entry of any weapons into Syria that would threaten Israel; and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to the Jabal al-Druze region of Syria- in exchange of the rehabilitation of Syria.

Russia & Ukraine Exchange 146 Prisoners of War.
Russia accused Ukraine Sunday of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight. The United Nations' nuclear watchdog said it was aware of media reports that a transformer at the plants had caught fire "due to military activity," but hadn't received independent confirmation.
North Korean leaderKim Jong Un has overseen the test-firing of two new air defense missiles, state media said Sunday.
South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace has signed an export agreement with Vietnam for its K9 self-propelled howitzers. Under the $250-million government-to-government deal, Hanwha will supply 20 K9s to Vietnam.

Iranian Naval Exercise in Gulf of Oman & Indian Ocean.
The Houthis in Yemen take responsibility for carrying out today’s ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel.
A Hezbollah weapon depot in southern Lebanon’s Deir Kifa was targeted in an Israeli strike, the IDF says. The military says the site was a violation of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
Israeli Defense Minister: If Hamas Does Not Capitulate- Gaza City Will Become Rafah.
Israel has approved a $1.5 billion initiative to accelerate the production of main battle tanks and armored support vehicles as part of a five-year pathway to enhance its ground capabilities.
Ukraine Foreign Intelligence Report: Iran is interested in receiving assistance from Belarus to restore its air defense and electronic warfare systems.
US Army Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML).
Goodbye Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process.

For review:

Israeli PM to IDF: Shorten Timeline for Seizing Gaza City.
Israel to Call up 60k Reservists to Support Gaza City Campaign

The forces included 12 brigade-level teams, each of which has infantry, armored, artillery, and combat engineering forces, along with combat support. In addition, the Gaza Division’s northern and southern brigades — normally tasked with the border — are set to participate in the offensive, bringing the total number of brigades to 14.

Russia says it must be part of international talks on Ukraine’s security

Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov dismisses European diplomacy as ‘clumsy effort to sway President Trump.'

President Trump: US Air Power Could Be Part of Ukraine Security Guarantee.
NATO Defense Chiefs meet to discuss Ukraine security guarantees.
The foreign ministers of the Nordic nations (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland) and Canada release joint statement of support for Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Industry competitors line up for next phase of Army’s Common Tactical Truck program.

In 2023, the Army awarded agreements to American Rheinmetall, Mack Defense, Navistar Defense and Oshkosh Defense to develop load handling and off-road tractor & on-road line haul prototypes.

Breaking Defense Opinion Piece.

China’s carriers cruised past the Second Island Chain. What now?

(Brent Sadler & Allen Zhang)

Brent Sadler is a Senior Research Fellow for Naval Warfare and Advanced Technology in the Allison Center for National Security.

Allen Zhang is a Research Assistant in the Asian Studies Center.

President Trump Hosts Ukraine President - European Leaders at White House.

Hopes of a breakthrough (in Peace) rose after President Trump said he had spoken by phone with Russian counterpart Putin -- following a "very good" meeting with the Europeans and the Ukrainian president at the White House.

European Leaders who attended:

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission
U.K Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Finnish President Alexander Stubb
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
French President Emmanuel Macron
Hamas Agrees to Latest Hostage & Ceasefire Proposal; Israel Weighing Options.

The proposal agreed to on Monday by Hamas would see the release of 10 living hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian security prisoners during a 60-day truce.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar decided on Monday to revoke the residency visas of Australia’s representatives to the Palestinian Authority, hours after Canberra barred an Israeli lawmaker from entering the country.
Israeli plans to close France’s consulate in Jerusalem would provoke a “strong response” from Paris, a French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
The Army is finalizing the requirements and funding for taking over development of an air defense, hypervelocity cannon (from the Strategic Capabilities Office). The Army will call the effort-- the Cannon-Based Air Defense initiative-- a 155mm self-propelled artillery system with Hypervelocity Projectiles.
US Navy Fields Coyote Interceptors on Destroyer.

The counter-drone system was spotted on the aft superstructure of the USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) during a drill in the Ionian Sea.

USAF Chief of Staff General David Allvin- will retire this November after two years as the service’s highest-ranking uniformed officer.

For review:

Hamas negotiators in Cairo this week signaled a willingness to come down from demands they made last month that led to the collapse of hostage talks in Doha.

Arab mediators passed along the development to Israel, but Jerusalem responded that it is not interested in another partial ceasefire.

The IDF on Friday said it destroyed dozens of “terror targets” in its new offensive on Zeitoun on the outskirts of Gaza City. In addition, the IDF said Friday that seven kilometers (4.3 miles) worth of Hamas tunnels in northern Gaza’s Beit Hanoun were sealed with concrete.
Hezbollah Chief Threatens Lebanese Government Over Seizure of Arms.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem claimed that there would be “no life in Lebanon” should its weapons be taken by force.

US President Trump early Saturday ruled out an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine after his inconclusive summit with Russian counterpart President Putin, saying a direct peace agreement would end the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.
Australia and Philippines Conduct Combined Military Exercise. Military officials said defense forces from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Indonesia will join as observers.

For review:

Mossad Chief to Qatar. Mossad Director David Barnea was in Doha on Thursday to meet with the Qatari Prime Minister al-Thani. The Mossad Director conveyed to the Prime Minister that Israel was not bluffing with its plan to conquer Gaza, and intends to do so unless there’s progress in the talks to free the hostages.
IDF CoS Approved Gaza City Take Over Plan.
During a meeting in Beirut with Ali Larijani (secretary of Iran’s top security body), Lebanon' President Joseph Aoun warned against foreign interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs, saying the country was open to cooperation with Iran but only within the bounds of national sovereignty and mutual respect.
Turkey and Syria inked a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday after meetings between their foreign and defense ministers and intelligence chiefs.

Under the accord, Turkey will provide weapons and logistical tools to Syria- and potentially could train the Syrian army in using such equipment if needed.

Still A Go: President Trump to Meet Russian President in Alaska Friday.

The top-level Russian delegation will include President Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and President Putin's longtime friend and investment envoy- Kirill Dmitriev.

Switzerland Committed to Procure F-35As.
The United States is disputing China’s claim that it chased away an American warship conducting a freedom of navigation operation near Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday.
South Korea aims to reclaim wartime operational control (OPCON) from the US, a role Washington has assumed from around the time of the Korean War.

S. Korean President Lee Jae-Myung signaled a firm commitment to achieving this goal as a key part of his administration’s foreign and security policy under a five-year policy roadmap, the Korea Times reported.

For review:

Australia will recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Monday.
Israel - Hamas Hostage & Ceasefire Negotiations Could Restart This Week.

Israel may send negotiators to Doha this week for meetings on a comprehensive agreement for the release of hostages held by Hamas and a ceasefire in Gaza.

New US CENTCOM Commander.

Incoming Commander US Navy Admiral Brad Copper replaced US Army General Michael Kurilla.

President Trump to Meet with Russian President Without Ukraine.
Azerbaijan has warned that it could lift its arms embargo on Kyiv- if Russia keeps targeting energy infrastructure in Ukraine linked to the South Caucasus country.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Azerbaijan has refrained from transferring weapons to either side.

Finland has planned a live-firing event to assess the potential of laser-guided artillery munitions. The demonstration event is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Japan & Philippine Defense Agreement starts next month. The agreement will permit troops from both countries to train within their respective territorial waters, territories, and air spaces.
A China Coast Guard vessel and People’s Liberation Army Navy ship crashed into each other in the South China Sea on Monday while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.

For review:

Israeli PM explains why recognition of Palestinian Statehood will not bring peace to region.
IDF Plan for Gaza City Complete Next Week.
Iranian nuclear scientists have been sent into hiding after dozens were killed by Israel during its 12-day offensive against Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic-missile programs in June.
Iran has arrested 20 people it alleges are operatives of Israel’s Mossad spy agency in recent months.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that the deputy head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog was set to arrive in Tehran.

“Our talks with the agency tomorrow will focus on a new cooperation framework… Until we reach an agreement on a new framework, cooperation will not begin,” Mr. Araghchi told reporters.

Iran threatened on Saturday to block a corridor planned in the Caucasus under a regional deal sponsored by US President Donald Trump.

The proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) would run across southern Armenia, giving Azerbaijan a direct route to Turkey.

It was not immediately clear how Iran, which borders the area, would block it.

Europeans Push for Ukraine Attendance at Alaska Summit.
España Decides Against F-35 Procurement.
Canada to Achieve 2% GDP Defense Spending This Year.

For review:

Israeli Cabinet Decision: IDF to Take Over Gaza City.
President Trump to Meet with Russian President in Alaska (15 Aug).
President Trump Oversees Azerbaijan & Armenia Peace Agreement.

For review:

Kadena AB in Japan to inspect all F-15E Eagles after fighter landed w/o landing gear wheel.
Gaza Occupation Plan to Israeli Cabinet Thursday.

According to report, in the plan’s first phase, Israel will issue an evacuation notice to the residents of Gaza City to allow time for the establishment of civilian infrastructure in central Gaza, including hospitals and camps for evacuees.

Israel would then launch a military offensive in the second phase.

Lebanese Cabinet Tasks Army to Control Arms (Disarm Hezbollah).
President Donald Trump could meet in person with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week as he seeks to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, an unnamed White House official said Wednesday.
Russia and China wrapped up their joint exercise – Maritime / Joint Sea 2025 by on Aug. 5, 2025- following several days of drills.
US Army Deploys LRHW to Australian Exercise Talisman Sabre.
US Army is planning to grow its air and missile defense force by 30%, according to the Commander of the service’s Space and Missile Defense Command.

Adding:

3 x Patriot Battalions
5 x Indirect Fire Protection Capability Battalions (inside MDTFs)
7 x counter UAS Batteries

For review:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told ministers this week that he will seek cabinet backing for a plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip.
Netherlands & Germany Committed to Send Patriot Systems to Ukraine.
President Trump threatens high tariffs/secondary sanctions on buyer's of Russian oil (that economically support Russian war effort).
France Continues Development of Archangel SIGINT Aircraft.

The Archangel is based on the Dassault Aviation Falcon 8X and equipped with Thales’ new-generation payload CUGE (universal electronic warfare capability).

CUGE uses multi-polarization antennas to simultaneously detect and analyze radar and communication signals.

India has signed an agreement with Elbit Systems to build the Israeli firm’s Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS) multiple rocket launcher (MRL) in India.

The agreement covers the system’s production and supply for both domestic and international customers and transfer of technology.

An F-15E Strike Eagle deployed to Kadena AB (Japan)- landed safely despite a missing landing gear wheel, the Air Force said Monday morning.

The wheel was recovered on the flightline at U.S. Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean. The two airmen flying the fighter were uninjured in the emergency landing, the Air Force said in a statement.

Breaking Defense Opinion Article by John Venable (Mitchell Institute):

Four Reasons to Accelerate F-35 Acquisition Now.

Hamas on Saturday said it would not disarm “as long as the occupation exists,” despite announcement from Arab League, urging the terror group to disarm.
The Israel Defense Force defeated Hamas’s Beit Hanoun battalion, the IDF declared on Saturday. The majority of the Hamas gunmen in the Beit Hanoun Battalion were either killed during the fighting or fled.
President Trump Announces Submarine Movements- in response to remarks from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries.
Armor Not Dead: Poland to Procure 180 K2 Tanks from S. Korea. Under the plan, the tanks are to be supplied to the Polish Armed Forces between 2026 and 2030.
Russia & China Conduct Naval Drills in Sea of Japan- hosted by the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet. The goal of the annual joint exercise is to exchange experience between the Russian Navy and the PLAN, a Russia Navy release stated.
South Korea has completed the initial deployment of the second phase of its Cheongung-II air defense system, an advanced platform capable of intercepting both aircraft and ballistic missiles.

The Cheongung-II forms a core part of the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system, a multi-layered defense architecture designed to counter North Korea’s evolving missile threat.

The Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor or LTAMDS, arrived in Guam earlier this month- as part of the Air and Missile Defense Architecture designed to protect Guam from evolving threats.
US Senate Confirms Navy CNO.

For review:

1.Arab League Condemns 7 October Attack; Calls for Hamas to Disarm.

Arab and Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, signed a declaration (New York Declaration) Tuesday condemning for the first time Hamas’s onslaught of October 7, 2023, and calling on the Palestinian terror group to release all the hostages it is holding, disarm and end its rule of Gaza.

Givati Infantry Brigade combat in Northeast Gaza town of Beit Hanoun.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed in an interview with Fox Radio on Thursday that the White House is nearing a critical decision point regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
India Rejects F-35 Purchase.
The first of Japan’s Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) F-35B Lightning II fifth-generation fighters will arrive from the United States in early August, according to the country’s defense ministry.
A US Navy pilot is “safe” after their F-35C crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore on Wednesday evening, according to a Navy spokesperson.
AM General has received a $126.5-million contract to deliver additional M1165A1B3 Humvees, for the US Army. The Pentagon did not disclose the quantity of the latest order.

Work on the program will be carried out in South Bend, Indiana, with completion expected by August 2027.

Senate Appropriators Pass Committee Defense Spending Bill.

Senate appropriators passed their $852.5 billion defense spending bill for fiscal 2026 today, adding $21.7 billion to the Pentagon’s topline.

For review:

Ceasefire Between Thailand & Cambodia. After efforts by Malaysia, the United States, and China to bring both sides to the table, the two countries' leaders agreed during talks in Putrajaya, Malaysia to end hostilities, resume direct communications and create a mechanism to implement the ceasefire.
Dozens of ministers gathered at a United Nations conference on Monday to urge the international community to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

The 193-member UN General Assembly decided in September last year that such a conference would be held in 2025. Hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, the conference was postponed in June due to the Israel-Iran war.

IDF Assessment on Hezbollah Capabilities.

In terms of firepower, Israel claims to have destroyed 70-80% of Hezbollah's rocket fire capabilities. The IDF has estimated that Hezbollah possesses several thousand rockets — the vast majority of them short-range projectiles like mortars, and only several hundred long-range ones.

Turkey has secured a landmark defense export agreement with Indonesia, signing contracts for 48 5th Generation KAAN fighter aircraft. Deliveries of the 48 aircraft will be carried out over a 10-year period.
Taiwan Receives Second Tranche of US M1 Main Battle Tanks.
US Army cancels plan to develop the A3 Variant of the M88 Hercules Recovery Vehicle. Instead, the Army will pursue upgrades to the current A2 Variant.

The A3 variant was designed to eliminate the need to use two (A2 Variant) vehicles to raise and move some of the newer and heavier M1 Tanks.

The House and Senate Armed Services Committees have sent the Pentagon guidance for how lawmakers want to see $150 billion in defense funding from the reconciliation bill spent.

For review:

IDF Announces Daily 10-Hour Humanitarian Pauses in Gaza. The pauses will take place from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. in areas where the IDF is currently not operating with ground troops.
As a result of stalled negotiations- Hamas is taking additional precautionary measures to undermine potential efforts by Israeli special forces or others to rescue the hostages. For example, Hamas has reinstated a policy to kill hostages if captors believe that Israeli forces are approaching.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Saturday that recognizing a Palestinian state before it is established could be counterproductive.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in an interview aired Sunday that while he supports a two-state solution, his country does not plan to “imminently” recognize a Palestinian state.
Neutral Austria Considers Joining NATO.
Thailand and Cambodia Clash Over Border Dispute.

A long running border disputed started combat actions from both sides on Thursday with jets, tanks and ground troops battling in a rural border region.

India’s Prime Minister Modi offered $565 million to the Maldives on Friday to bolster its defense forces and infrastructure.
New construction at a N. Korean missile complex has experts unsure what role the new facility will play in the ecosystem of North Korea’s weapons technology.

The complex is nestled in a hard-to-access valley between three mountain peaks, secured by checkpoints on the entry roads, and defended by air defense systems.

For review:

Iran and E3 Nations (France, Germany, UK) meet in Turkey for nuclear talks.
A ballistic missile launched at Israel Friday night by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen was intercepted by air defenses, the Israel Defense Forces said.

There were no reports of impacts or injuries in the attack.

Israel and Hamas Hostage & Ceasefire Talks Stall: Will Resume Next Week.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday that recognizing Palestinian statehood should be part of a wider plan for lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis, in an apparent split from France, which announced its plan to take the step already in September.
US $4 Billion Military Financing to Poland.
Germany and France will “clarify the situation” regarding their Future Combat Air System project by the end of the year.

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is a joint program between France, Germany, and Spain to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet to replace their existing aircraft.

Japanese Patrol Aircraft Spots Chinese Submarine Support Ship Entering Sea of Japan.
Defense News Opinion Article concerning Taiwanese Exercise Han Kuang 41.

This year’s joint, multidomain exercise expanded in length from five to 10 days, ran continuously, and included fighting in urban areas.

In addition, the exercise featured several critical US-produced systems, including M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, M142 HIMARS, Patriot long-range air and missile defense systems, and man-portable Stinger missiles.

For review:

Syria’s interim government has requested Turkey’s support to strengthen its defense capabilities following sectarian violence over the past two weeks.
US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack has urged Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to recalibrate his policies and embrace a more inclusive approach after a new round of sectarian bloodshed last week, or risk losing international support.
Hezbollah has informed Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri that it will not surrender its weapons to the government, contradicting previous indications that the terror group was willing to disarm- even if Israel were to withdraw from the five strategic points it has been holding since a ceasefire between the adversaries came into effect in November.
Mediators: Hamas Truce Demands Unacceptable.

Hamas has demanded that Israel further withdraw toward the Gaza border; end the operations of the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation; and raise the ratio of security prisoners who will be released for each Israeli hostage.

Russia & Ukraine Agree to Prisoner Swap in Istanbul. An exchange of around 250 Russian and 250 Ukrainian prisoners of war will be completed along the Ukrainian-Belarusian border.

The two sides had also agreed “that in the near future an exchange of at least 1,200 more prisoners of war from each side will be carried out.”

Turkey and the United Kingdom signed a memorandum of understanding on the export of Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Turkey is reportedly seeking to buy as many as 40 of the jets.
Rafael Advanced Systems will supply Spyder short-range air defense systems to Romania for over $2 billion, the Romanian Ministry of Defense announced this week.

The Spyder is a mobile air defense system whose components are mounted on combat vehicles, and is built around Python-4 heat-seeking missiles and radar-guided Derby missiles, designed to intercept targets at low altitudes and at a distance of tens of kilometers.

Romania and Poland are advancing plans to increase their tracked vehicle fleets.
USAF Sentinel ICBM Program Update.

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Iran and E3 Nuclear Talks in Istanbul on Friday. Iran, Britain, France and Germany will hold nuclear talks in Istanbul on Friday- following warnings by the three European countries that failure to resume negotiations would lead to international sanctions being reimposed on Iran.
Iran could withhold security commitments if European states invoke a UN mechanism to reimpose international sanctions on the Islamic Republic, a member of Iran’s parliamentary national security commission said on Monday. In the past, Iran has used the threat of disrupting maritime transit in the Strait of Hormuz as a means to push back against Western pressures on its nuclear program.
IDF Drone Strike on Houthi Port. Israeli Air Force drones struck Yemen’s Houthi-controlled Hodeida port in response to the Iran-backed group’s continued attacks on Israel, the IDF said Monday.
Russia and Ukraine Peace Talks in Turkey on Wednesday.
Australia Delivers First Tranche of M1 Tanks to Ukraine. Australia pledged to give Kyiv 49 Abrams tanks that it recently retired.
Belgium to increase defense spending to 2% GDP in 2025- will order more F-35s and procure air defense systems.
The US House passed its $832 billion defense appropriations bill for FY26 in a 221-209 vote on 18 Jul.

This version of the FY26 defense budget is not the final word on the topic, as the House bill will have to be reconciled with the Senate’s spending bill further down the line. The Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to release its defense spending proposal.

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Ceasefire in S. Syrian City of Sweida Between Druze & Bedouin.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said elections will be held before the end of the year for the Palestinian National Council, for the first time since 2006.
Ukraine proposes new round of peace talks with Russia next week.
New Round of EU Sanctions Against Russian Energy.
UK & Germany Sign New Defense Pact.

The new bilateral agreement, referred to as the “Kensington Treaty,” was signed on Thursday in London. It includes a broad range of promises, ranging from joint military-industrial exports to facilitating school exchanges between the two countries. It additionally commits the NATO allies to “assist one another, including through military means, in the event of an armed attack on the other.”

Marine Corps LTG Greg Masiello has taken the reins of the Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO) F-35, from its outgoing leader Air Force LTG Mike Schmidt.

JPEO F-35 is a global enterprise that has grown to 19 customers internationally. LTG Masiello was nominated for the F-35 post in June and subsequently confirmed by the US Senate.

Breaking Defense Opinion Article: Why selling F-35s to Turkey is smart business for US and NATO.

In a response to an op-ed previously published on Breaking Defense, Barın Kayaoğlu and Özgür Ekşi argue that Turkey can and should be trusted with F-35s.

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US Army Mid Range Capability Live-Fire During Talisman Sabre '25. The U.S. Army hit an at-sea target with a Standard Missile 6 fired from its Typhon missile system as part of the Talisman Sabre 2025 exercise in Australia.

The live-fire test is the first time the Army has tested the containerized missile launcher derived from the Navy MK 41 launchers used on warships outside the US.

IDF Strikes Damascus in Support of Druze Community.
The U.S. State Department has informed Switzerland of delays in the delivery of Patriot air defense systems due to a decision to prioritize shipments to Ukraine, the Swiss Defense Ministry said on 17 July.
France and Italy have declined to participate in a new NATO initiative to supply US-made weapons for Ukraine, including air defense systems, financed by European allies.
France Departs Last Senegal Posts. France returned Camp Gélie, its largest base in the West African country, and its airfield at Dakar Airport.
Singapore participates in Australian Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. More than 100 personnel from Singapore will be taking part in the exercise, including from the Special Operations Task Force of the Singaporean army and Republic of Singapore Air Force Special Operations Aviation Task Group crew.
US to build a fast boat facility on the western coast of Palawan in the Philippines.

The new fast boat facility is slated to be operational in the first quarter of fiscal 2026.

Shipbuilder Austal USA delivered the final Independence-class littoral combat ship to the US Navy on Friday, marking the end of a construction phase that’s lasted 15 years.

The final ship will be christened as the Pierre, named after the capital of South Dakota.

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No progress on Israel - Hamas Hostage and Ceasefire negotiations.
In a meeting in Amman on Sunday with British former prime minister Tony Blair, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged Hamas to release the hostages it is holding and hand over its weapons to the PA, stressing that the terror group “will not rule the Gaza Strip” after the war there ends.
Israeli jets carried out a wave of airstrikes deep inside Lebanon aimed at stopping an elite Hezbollah unit from regrouping and rebuilding its strength, authorities said Tuesday.

The strikes in Lebanon’s northeastern Beqaa Valley were aimed at military facilities belonging to the Hezbollah terror group’s Radwan force.

Israel Strikes Syrian Govt Forces in Druze-Majority Sweida- in what Israeli PM Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz said was meant to protect “the Druze in Syria due to the deep brotherly alliance with our Druze citizens in Israel.”
Ukraine could secure victory over Russia if international partners supply Kyiv with additional air defense systems and end resistance to long-range strikes inside Russian territory, according to a Major Oleh Shyriaiev, Commander of Ukraine’s 225th Separate Assault Battalion.
France to Spend $74.8 Billion on Defense in 2027. The move would represent a full doubling of the nation’s defense spending since 2017.
US-Australian Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.

Countries participating in the drills alongside the US and Australia are Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and the United Kingdom with Malaysia and Vietnam as observers.

China is expected, as has been the case in past iterations of Talisman Sabre, to deploy a surveillance ship to spy on the sea phases of the exercise.

Tropic Lightning Division Now Equipped with HIMARS.

This week the US Army's 25th Infantry Division (Schofield Barracks, Hawaii) began the six-week process of replacing eight 105mm and six 155mm howitzers with 16 HIMARS launchers.

The Division is not completely shedding towed artillery, as it will retain a single cannon battalion with two batteries of 105mm howitzers and one battery of M777 155mm howitzers.

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Doha Hostage & Ceasefire Talks Stalled.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “confident” he will be able to reach a deal to free hostages held in the Gaza Strip, in an interview with US media aired late Saturday.
Russian President Putin Supports Zero Enrichment for Iran.
A Syrian official and an Israeli official are expected to meet in Baku later Saturday on the sidelines of President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s current visit to Azerbaijan,.
Ukrainian security agents have killed a group of Russian spies near Kyiv in another escalation of the secret war between the two countries.

It follows the assassination of a top Ukrainian intelligence officer days earlier.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered Moscow his full support for their war in Ukraine during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, Pyongyang state media said Sunday.
Japan Protests to Chinese Ambassador Concerning Unsafe Aircraft Incident over E. China Sea.
A Philippine Coast Guard cutter intercepted a Chinese Navy spy ship within Manila’s western exclusive economic zone over the weekend.

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No significant progress has been made on Hostage and Ceasefire Negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Lebanon's President Aoun: Peaceful Relations but No Normalization with Israel.

Addressing relations with Israel, President Aoun “distinguished between peace and normalization,” according to a statement by his office.

US Sec of State Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Meet in Kuala Lumpur. This was their second in-person meeting since Mr. Rubio has become the US Secretary of State.
The United States is selling weapons to its NATO allies in Europe so they can provide them to Ukraine as it struggles to fend off a recent escalation in Russia’s drone and missile attacks- (President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Rubio).
The US State Department today cleared the potential sale of up to nine HH-60W helicopters to Norway, a deal valued at $2.6 billion.
Argentina to Procure US Stryker Infantry Carriers.
The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved $913.9 billion in defense spending for fiscal 2026.

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Israeli PM on Hostage & Ceasefire Deal: "Not at any price."

Israeli PM Netanyahu: “President Trump and I have a common goal. I want to achieve the release of our hostages. We want to end Hamas rule in Gaza. We want to make sure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel anymore.”

Israeli ground troops raided several sites inside Lebanon in recent days, destroying Hezbollah weapon depots and other infrastructure, the Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem admitted that the Lebanese terror group drastically underestimated the extent of Israel’s surveillance capabilities in the run-up to the pager operation last September.
Pope Leo told visiting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on Wednesday that the Vatican was willing to host Russia - Ukraine peace talks.
US Lifts Pause on Munition Shipments to Ukraine.

Munitions heading into Ukraine include 155mm munitions and precision-guided rockets known as GMLRS. It was not clear if Patriot missiles would be added.

Denmark considering the purchase of more F-35 Fighters.
Army - Navy - USAF Unfunded Priority List (Budget).

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During interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed that Israel attempted to assassinate him.
IDF Strikes Houthi Ports in Yemen. More than 50 munitions were dropped by IAF fighter jets on the Houthi targets, in response to repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Sunday his group would not surrender or lay down its weapons in response to Israeli threats, despite pressure from Lebanon’s Western-backed government demanding the terror group disarm.
BBC Report: A senior Hamas commander quoted in a BBC report published Sunday said that the terror group has lost control of around 80 percent of the Gaza Strip and that there is “barely anything left” of its military structure, after 21 months of intense fighting with the Israeli military.
Israeli PM in Washington DC to Discuss Hostage Negotiations & Regional Issues.

President Trump is slated to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dinner on Monday evening, with Gaza at the top of the agenda along with the recently diminished Iranian nuclear threat and other regional issues.

In preparation for the dinner, PM Netanyahu met separately on Monday afternoon with US Envoy Witkoff and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Blair House.

Wall Street Journal Report: A group of five leading sheikhs in the Palestinian Authority’s Hebron district sent a letter to the Israeli government expressing a desire to join the Abraham Accords and to have peace with Israel.

The letter expresses the sheikhs’ desire to break off from the Palestinian Authority and establish Hebron as an emirate that “recognize[s] the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people.”

Meeting in Brazil, BRICS Leaders Condemn Military Strikes on Iran.

BRICS 11 = Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.

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Israel Sending Team to Qatar for Hostage Talks. However, the Prime Minister’s Office cautioned in a statement that Hamas had suggested several amendments to the proposal, which Israel found to be unacceptable.

According to a source involved in the mediation efforts, Hamas proposed three amendments to the proposed framework.

The source said that Hamas wants the agreement to say that talks on a permanent ceasefire will continue until an agreement is reached; that aid will fully resume through mechanisms backed by the United Nations and other international aid organizations; and that the IDF withdraw to positions it maintained before the collapse of the previous ceasefire in March.

UK Reestablishes Diplomatic Ties with Syria.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday made his first public appearance since the 12-day war between Israel and Iran began last month. There was no immediate report on any public statement made.
President Volodymyr Zelensky described his recent phone call (occurred on 04 July) with US President Donald Trump as "the best conversation in all this time" in an evening address on 05 July.
Breaking Defense Opinion Article - Titled: S-400s or not, don't give Turkey the F-35.

Authored by:

Bradley Bowman is senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).

Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at FDD and director of its Turkey Program.

Japan's Ministry of Defense all-in on Australian Frigate competition. Japan's shipbuilder (Mitsubishi Heavy Industry) is competing against Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to sell Australia 11 x Frigates.. A final decision on the winner is expected by the end of this year. Delivery of the first ship is expected by the end of 2029.
The US Military is preparing for the difficult challenge of sustaining a possible protracted operation in the Pacific theater, by developing Joint Theater Sustainment Distribution Centers.

Universal characteristics:

a. Port capability to move surface vessels with large amounts of materiel.

b. Storage capacity for classes of supply.

c. Airfield/air capability to move materiel and supplies rapidly.

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Syrian state media reported Wednesday that statements on signing a peace deal with Israel were “premature.”
The IDF carried out an airstrike Thursday in the Lebanese village of Sil, near Beirut, targeting an operative for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. According to the IDF, the target was involved in smuggling weapons and advancing terror plots, acting on behalf of the Quds Force, the IRGC’s foreign arm.
Iran on Wednesday formally suspended its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog- the International Atomic Energy Agency. Following a parliament vote on the matter last week, the bill was approved by the Guardian Council, a body tasked with vetting legislation, before it received a final ratification from the presidency.
Axios Report: US & Iran to Resume Nuclear Talks in Oslo. There is not yet a final date for the talks in the Norwegian capital. Neither Washington nor Tehran has publicly confirmed the meeting.
Hostage & Ceasefire Efforts Between Israel and Hamas Advancing.
US President Trump said on Thursday that a phone call earlier in the day with Russian President Putin resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Pentagon Reviews US Military Support to Foreign Countries. The Trump administration is pausing some weapons shipments to Ukraine, including air defense missiles, following a review of military spending and American support to foreign countries, a senior White House official told CNN.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed off on the review, which the official noted had been underway for months.

The House has passed President Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill,” sending the bill with $150 billion for defense to the President’s desk ahead of his 04 July deadline.

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Iranian Foreign Minister: Diplomacy Not Off the Table. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it will take time and assurances from the US before Tehran is ready to re-engage in talks on its nuclear program.
US President Donald Trump said Monday he is not holding discussions with Iranian leaders and not offering them anything.
Israel & Syria Hold Talks on Security Matters. The neighboring states have been opposing sides of conflict in the Middle East for decades, including from the 1948 War of Independence through the 1982 First Lebanon War.
After months of diplomatic stalling, the Kremlin on June 29 blamed Kyiv and Washington for the lack of progress in peace talks.
Australia & UK Conduct Freedom of Navigation Patrol Around Spratly Islands.
USAF plans to use leftover funds from the LGM-35A Sentinel nuclear missile program to help pay for refurbishing the Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 into a new Presidential transport aircraft.
US Army is considering scrapping General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) management of the three new 155mm artillery production lines in Mesquite, Texas, according to a “show cause” letter obtained by Breaking Defense.
US Senate passed a massive party-line spending package Tuesday ("One Big Beautiful Bill Act"), by a vote of 51-50. Next, the bill goes back to the House for final consideration.

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Israel - Iran War Summary.
UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi says Iran likely will be able to begin to produce enriched uranium “in a matter of months,” despite damage to several nuclear facilities from US and Israeli attacks, CBS News said Saturday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel’s operation against Iran has opened up “broad regional possibilities,” while stressing that freedom for hostages was a top priority.
A ballistic missile launched at Israel by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen was likely intercepted by air defenses on Saturday morning, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Ukrainian President Zelensky signed a decree to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines. The 1997 treaty, joined by over 160 countries, bans the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines in efforts to protect civilians from the scattered explosives.
Japan Tests Type 88 Surface to Ship Missile. The truck-mounted Type 88 guided missile, developed by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, have a range of about 100 kilometers (62 miles).
Latest on development of US Army Multi-Domain Task Forces (5 of them) and new Multi-Domain Commands.

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IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has told colleagues that Iran is no longer a nuclear threshold state following the Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear program. While Iran may still maintain parts of its nuclear program, it has been set back by years, LTG Zamir has concluded.
Iranian Parliament votes to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. Bill sent to Iranian President for ratification.
President Trump prepared to remove sanctions on Iran- changes mind after Iranian Supreme Leader's "blatant and foolish" statement. In a video statement on Thursday, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the (US) strikes did not "achieve anything significant."
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a circuit of interviews aired Thursday evening that Israel sought to eliminate Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during its 12-day conflict with Iran, but the opportunity never presented itself.
The IDF said Thursday that it had eliminated two Hezbollah operatives in separate airstrikes in southern Lebanon in the span of two hours.
Russian President: Moscow Ready for New Round of Direct Talks with Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with Politico on 25 June that President Donald Trump will resist European pressure to escalate sanctions on Russia, arguing that doing so could close the door to potential peace negotiations with Moscow.
US Army & USAF FY26 Budget Info.
US Army Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML) program.

CAML = autonomous/optionally crewed, highly mobile, air transportable, cross domain fires launcher with the potential to augment or replace existing Army launchers (offensive & defensive).

For review:

In a video statement on Tuesday summing up the war against Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel “achieved a historic victory” that would “abide for generations."

“Now, the focus returns to Gaza, to bringing the hostages home and toppling Hamas rule,” he added.

IDF: Iran's Nuclear Program Set Back Years.

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Brigadier General Effi Defrin said Wednesday: "I can say here that the assessment is that we significantly damaged the nuclear program, and I can also say that we set it back by years, I repeat, years.”

Iran Foreign Ministry: Nuclear Facilities "Badly Damaged." Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei on Wednesday conceded the Sunday strikes by American B-2 bombers using bunker-buster bombs had been significant.
Iran has, over the last 12 days, arrested more than 700 people accused of ties with Israel, state-linked media reported Wednesday.
The United States and Qatar said Wednesday that the ceasefire in Iran has created an opportunity to advance truce-hostage talks they are mediating between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
NATO Agrees to Boost Spending to 5% GDP. The 5% GDP figure is a bit of a workaround, with 3.5% for core defense tasks and an additional 1.5% on measures that support defense and security- such as cyber defense.
The United Kingdom announced today it will buy “at least” 12 F-35As and will use the jets to “join NATO’s dual capable nuclear mission” in what it called a “major boost” for the alliance’s security.

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1.President Trump Announces Ceasefire Agreement between Israel and Iran.

There was no immediate Israeli comment on President Trump’s announcement.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later insisted on X that “as of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations.”

He said, however, that the Islamic Republic would not launch further attacks if Israel immediately ceased strikes.

Many questions remain after Sunday’s strikes, especially about the whereabouts of Iran’s sensitive stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent.

IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi on Monday demanded access to Iran’s nuclear sites, saying the agency needs to “account for” the uranium stockpile.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had “interesting intelligence” on the matter, declining to elaborate.

Iran Fires Missiles at US Base in Qatar - No Injuries. The strikes targeted the Al Udeid air base in Qatar, which is used by local forces as well as American, British and other foreign troops.
IAF Launches Extensive Strikes in Tehran. Another wave of “extensive” strikes carried out by over 50 IAF fighter jets hit “military headquarters of the Iranian regime, missile production sites, radar systems, and missile storage infrastructure” in the Tehran area, the military said.
NATO Summit Begins Tomorrow.

The NATO summit will be held at The Hague in the Netherlands from June 24-25.

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US CJCS: 7 x B2 Bombers Dropped 14 x GBU-57/B MOP Bombs.
IAEA Chief on Fordo: "Clear Indications of Impacts...Cannot Announce Degree of Damage.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Sunday morning of “everlasting consequences” after the American military had carried out an attack” on the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites in Iran.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that he would be traveling to Moscow later in the day to hold “serious consultations with the Russian president tomorrow.”
World Reaction.
Israeli PM Netanyahu on Iran Campaign: “We won’t pursue our actions beyond what is needed to achieve [the goals], but we also won’t finish too soon- vowing to avoid entering a war of attrition. When the objectives are achieved, then the operation is complete and the fighting will stop,” he told Israeli reporters.
The bodies of three slain hostages, Ofra Keidar, Jonathan Samerano, and Staff Sgt. Shay Levinson, were recovered in a joint military and Shin Bet operation from the Gaza Strip overnight, the IDF announces.
Israel's Campaign continues: According to the IDF, some 30 fighter jets carried out bombing missions in four areas of Iran earlier Sunday, targeting missile and drone sites.

A second sortie later Sunday involved 20 planes dropping 30 bombs on various sites, including in the capital, Tehran.

Current and former senior officials in the Israeli security establishment are cited by Ynet’s Ronen Bergman as saying the US may ultimately unilaterally declare a ceasefire in Iran.

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US Strikes Iranian Nuclear Sites at Fordo, Natanz, & Isfahan.
NY Times Report: Iran Supreme Leader Has Nominated Potential Successors.
IDF Eliminates Three More IRGC Commanders.

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On Thursday night, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem offered "all forms of support" to Iran in its fight against Israel and the US.
On Friday, the Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck several Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon, the IDF says.
Iran Launches Another Missile with Cluster Warhead. The apparent targeting of Beersheba with a cluster bomb came after the IDF Home Front Command on Thursday confirmed that Iran had launched at least one ballistic missile carrying a cluster bomb warhead at central Israel.
Reports from Tehran said that an IDF drone targeted and killed an Iranian nuclear scientist who had been holed up in a safe house. The Israel Defense Forces have not yet commented on the reported strike.
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said Friday that Israelis must prepare for a “prolonged campaign” against Iran- indicating that a quick end to the campaign was unlikely.
A meeting between Iran’s foreign minister and top European diplomats on Friday yielded hopes of further talks but no indication of any immediate concrete breakthrough. Foreign ministers from Britain, France and Germany, as well as the European Union’s foreign policy chief (Kaja Kallas)- met with Iran’s Foreign Minister (Abbas Araghchi).
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans to boost production of medium- and long-range missiles so no country dares attack Turkey.
5 x US Navy Guided Missile Destroyers in the Mediterranean Sea.

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Iran has appointed a new chief of intelligence at its Revolutionary Guards on Thursday, the official Irna news agency says, after his predecessor was killed in an Israeli strike last week.
IDF Strikes Heavy Water Reactor at Arak & Khondab.
The IAEA confirmed Thursday that IDF strikes had hit Iran’s partially built Khondab Heavy Water Research Reactor and damaged the nearby plant

“IAEA has information the Khondab (former Arak) heavy water research reactor, under construction, was hit. It was not operational and contained no nuclear material, so no radiological effects."

Iranian Missile Hits Hospital in Beersheba.
Iranian missile barrage on Thursday contained cluster-bomb warhead.

The IDF Home Front Command said the missile’s warhead split while descending, at an altitude of around 7 kilometers (4.3 miles), spreading around 20 smaller munitions at a radius of around 8 kilometers (5 miles).

Missile strike on Beersheba Hospital raises temperature on regime-change questions.
White House Statement (from President Trump): “Based on the fact that there is a chance for substantial negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future — I will make my decision on whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”
US Moving Ships and Planes from Vulnerable Sites.
Iran could shut the Strait of Hormuz as a way of hitting back against its enemies, a senior Iranian lawmaker said on Thursday.

The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran and is the primary export route for Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait.

About 20 percent of the world’s daily oil consumption — around 18 million barrels — passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is only about 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point.

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The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain plan to hold nuclear talks with their Iranian counterpart on Friday in Geneva, a German diplomatic source told Reuters.
Iran Supreme Leader: US Involvement Will "Result in Irreparable Damage." “Americans should know that any military involvement by the US will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage to them.”
Iranian media said that Israel briefly hacked state television broadcast on Wednesday.
Iran announced Wednesday heavier internet curbs, accusing Israel of misusing the network for military purposes. Critics accused the regime of restricting internet use in order to prevent internal unrest amid the instability caused by the Israeli offensive.
In a letter to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Iran of seeking to “annihilate” Israel through its nuclear program, its plan to build thousands of ballistic missiles, and attacks on the Jewish state by its numerous terror proxies in the region.
The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday issued a public message in Persian calling on Iranians worried about the situation in the country — to consider contacting Mossad.
The IDF warns residents of the cities of Arak and Khondab in central Iran to evacuate for their safety. A heavy-water reactor is on the outskirts of Khondab.
“I may do it, I may not do it,” President Donald Trump said in an exchange with reporters at the White House amid growing speculation the US could be on the verge of joining the Israeli offensive.
Senior officials in the US are getting ready for a possible strike on Iran in the coming days, Bloomberg News Outlet reports, citing “people familiar with the matter.”

Some of the sources say that a strike over the weekend is a possibility.

For review:

Iran Supreme Leader Defiant : "No mercy."

Iran fired a pair of ballistic missile barrages at Israel early Wednesday, as Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared “the battle begins” and called to show “no mercy” toward Israelis.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issues an evacuation warning for part of Tel Aviv, according to Iranian news agencies.
Iran has prepared missiles and other measures for potential strikes against US forces in the Middle East, (New York Times reports). The Iranian military is planning the possible attacks as a retaliatory measure if American forces join Israel’s strikes against Iran, the report says, citing American officials.
Iran has been launching smaller salvos of missiles at Israel over the past two days because its capabilities have been degraded by Israeli strikes, the IDF believes.
In an interview with the London-based opposition outlet Iran International on Monday, PM Netanyahu responded to a question on whether eliminating Iran’s ruler was on the table, saying, “I’m not gonna get into specific targets because I’m leaving that open.”
IDF Kills Latest Senior General of Iranian Armed Forces. An airstrike Monday night killed Major General Ali Shadmani, the new head of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, also known as Iran’s military emergency command.
IAEA Statement: Direct Impacts on Underground Enrichment Halls at Natanz.

On Tuesday, the IAEA said on X: “Based on continued analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday’s attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz.”

Will US Bunker-Busters Be Used at Fordo?

The US GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb: The roughly 30,000 pound (13,600 kilogram) precision-guided bomb is designed to attack deeply buried and hardened bunkers and tunnels, according to the US Air Force.

It’s believed to be able to penetrate about 200 feet (61 meters) below the surface before exploding.

US President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that he is seeking Iran’s “Unconditional Surrender” and that Washington is only holding off on assassinating Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei “for now.”
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) sailed west through the Singapore Strait Monday, bound for the Indian Ocean (and Middle East Region).

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Israeli PM on Targeting Iranian Supreme Leader: "We're Doing What We Need to Do." Targeting the Iranian Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) would be a surefire way to “end the conflict” with the Islamic Republic.
Eight people were killed by Iranian ballistic missiles that slammed into Israeli cities in at least five locations early Monday, and nearly 300 others were injured, as the conflict entered a fourth day.
Iran Strikes Oil Refinery in Haifa.
IDF bombed an Iranian refueling plane at Mashhad Airport in northeast Iran, some 2,300 kilometers (1,430 miles) from Israel, marking what it said was the most distant strike since the beginning of the operation.
IDF Reports One Third of Iran's Missile Launchers Destroyed.
Israel bombed Iran’s state broadcaster building in Tehran on Monday evening, after issuing a large and unprecedented evacuation warning for one of the capital’s most central districts.
Reuters Report: Tehran had asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to press (President) Trump to influence Israel to agree to an immediate ceasefire in return for Tehran’s flexibility in nuclear negotiations, citing two Iranian and three regional sources.

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The UN conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians has been postponed French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday. France and Saudi Arabia had been set to host the gathering between June 17-20 in New York.
Israel smuggled attack drones into Iran using a variety of means, including trucks, shipping containers, and even suitcases, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing sources familiar with the Mossad operation.
Israeli PM & President Visit Site of Deadly Missile Strike in Bat Yam.
IDF Warns Citizens of Tehran to Evacuate. Widespread Israeli Air Force strikes were reported in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Sunday afternoon, hours after the IDF issued an unprecedented evacuation warning for Iranian civilians to evacuate areas around weapons factories.
Some Iranians began to flee the capital, Tehran, on Sunday as Israeli airstrikes continued to target military infrastructure and nuclear facilities across the Islamic Republic for a third day.
IDF Strikes Oil Refineries, Fuel Depots, and Gas Fields.
Iran has asked Cyprus to convey “some messages” to Israel, the President President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday. However, Iran swiftly denied the claim, with its Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei saying Iran did not send any message to Israel via a third country.
US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 50-minute phone call Saturday to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East, the White House and Kremlin confirmed.

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Latest information concerning Israel and Iran.

Iran cancels talks with US scheduled for Sunday in Oman.
Update on Iran missile strikes in Israel.
Israeli Defense Minister (Israel Katz): "Tehran will burn" - if Iran Supreme Leader does not stop missile attacks on Israel's Home Front.
IDF strikes Iran's energy infrastructure.
Israeli Official (unnamed): assassination of Supreme Leader "not off limits."

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Roll-up of today's events concerning the Israeli attack on Iran's Nuclear Sites and Iran's reaction.

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Israel Strikes Iran.

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Hamas and Abu Shabab Group clash in Gaza.

Gaza’s Hamas-run police force said Thursday that it killed 12 members of the Abu Shabab militia in Gaza, which said its fighters had killed five Hamas operatives.

On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Hamas Has New Leader in Gaza (Az al-Din Haddad).
US & Iran to Meet Sunday in Oman. A US official told Reuters that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff plans to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman on Sunday and discuss Iran’s response to the recent American proposal for a nuclear deal.
IDF Ready for Strike on Iran Nuclear Sites. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday that a “friendly” regional country had alerted Tehran over a potential military strike by Israel.
Russia will establish a dedicated military branch for unmanned systems.
US Army Stops M10 Booker Full-Rate Production. "The Army has 26 Booker production vehicles on hand and the final number of M10 Bookers will be determined once those that are in final stages of completion are accepted by the Army (Army Spokesperson)."
US Army XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV) program continues moving forward.

American Rheinmetall and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) have received the greenlight to continue designing a replacement for the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Each Company will produce seven identical prototypes for testing before the Army selects a winner in 2027 and fielding begins in 2029.

USAF Sentinel ICBM program update. Restructuring of the program has left its flight testing schedule up in the air, and a new date for the missile’s first flight is now unknown.

After repeated warnings, the activist vessel (Madleen) intercepted by Israeli Navy. Four activists have been deported (voluntarily), and the remaining eight will appear before an Israeli tribunal- to authorize their deportation.
For the first time, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Hamas’s October 7 attack on Tuesday, while reiterating his call for the terror group to release the remaining hostages in Gaza.

“What Hamas did in October 2023 in killing and taking civilians hostage is unacceptable and condemnable and Hamas must immediately release all hostages,” Mr. Abbas wrote in a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who this month will co-chair a UN conference aimed at advancing a two-state solution.

IAEA Chief Statement on Iran's Claim of Sensitive Documents.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (Rafael Mariano Grossi) said Monday that the information Iran claimed it seized regarding Israel’s nuclear program “seems to refer” to the country’s Soreq Nuclear Research Center.

Soreq is a national laboratory for nuclear science established in Israel in 1958, engaged in nuclear science, radiation safety and applied physics.

Russia & Ukraine Prisoner Exchange. Russia and Ukraine held the first stage of a prisoner swap on Monday, both countries confirmed, following an agreement reached during peace talks in Istanbul last week.
The United States will reduce funding allocated for military assistance to Ukraine in its upcoming defense budget, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a congressional hearing on June 10.
Two Chinese Carrier Groups Operating in W. Pacific.

Two Chinese aircraft carrier strike groups (CNS Liaoning 16 & CNS Shandong 17) have simultaneously deployed to the Western Pacific – a first for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), Japanese officials said on Tuesday.

FY26 Pentagon Procurement Budget Info.

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As of Sunday AM, the activist humanitarian aid vessel (Madleen) is roughly 160 nautical miles from Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Katz said Sunday that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to “prevent the ‘Madelaine’ hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza.”
Israeli outlet Channel 12 reports that documents found during IDF operations in Gaza show a close effort between Qatar and Hamas to thwart US President Donald Trump’s “deal of the century” peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians and efforts for Arab countries to normalize relations with the Jewish state.
The IDF and Shin Bet confirm that the body of Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar was found in a tunnel that ran underneath the European Hospital in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis.
Iran Claims "Treasure Trove" of Israeli Sensitive Documents.

Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib said the documents were related to Israel’s nuclear facilities and its relations with the United States, Europe, and other countries, and to its defensive capabilities.

Russian Ministry of Defense claims elements of the 90th Tank Division have reached the border of the town of Dnipropetrovsk (Donetsk Region). News outlet CNN is unable to verify the battlefield reports, and Ukraine has denied the Russian advance.
German Taurus Missiles to Ukraine?

A statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 26 about long-range strikes inside Russia resurrected a long-held hope in Ukraine — that Berlin is finally about to send Kyiv its Taurus missiles. (There has so far been no confirmation of actual delivery of Taurus to Ukraine.)

Taiwan on Friday condemned Beijing’s “provocative” actions after it conducted a "combat readiness patrol" around the island. Taipei’s defense ministry said it detected 21 Chinese military aircraft, including fighters and drones, of which 15 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
Chinese FC-31 Warplanes to Pakistan "Within Months". A Pakistani government source told Janes outlet, that the FC-31 aircraft “will begin arriving within months.” The source did not provide further acquisition details, but it was previously reported that China could supply 30 to 40 jets to Pakistan.

The USMC has received its final MQ-9A Reaper from General Atomics. The USMC currently have three air stations manning the drones, located in Arizona, Hawaii, and North Carolina.

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Wall Street Journal Report: Iran Ordered Solid-Fuel Material From China for Missile Production. The Journal report, which cited people familiar with the transaction, said Tehran had ordered enough ammonium perchlorate to potentially manufacture up to 800 missiles.
Israel has been arming the Abu Shabab Clan in the Gaza Strip as part of an effort to strengthen opposition to Hamas in the enclave, defense sources confirmed on Thursday.
The Israeli Navy is expected to block a high-profile activist mission sailing to Gaza to challenge Israel’s blockade. Israeli defense officials told The Times of Israel that they are monitoring the boat’s route (the Madleen). At its current pace, the Madleen would likely reach the Strip sometime over the weekend.
Russia Launches Large Drone & Missile Strike Across Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky said Russia had used more than 400 drones and 40 missiles in the overnight attack, making it among the war’s largest.
Ukrainian President Zelensky intends to hold a meeting with US President Donald Trump during the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak said on June 6. The summit is scheduled to take place from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta.
Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania are accelerating efforts to acquire new submarines (Poland) and Attack vessels (Latvia & Lithuania) that will broaden their capabilities suitable for the Baltic Sea’s shallow waters.
Poland’s Armament Agency announced today it has halted a procurement process covering the acquisition of 32 S-70 Black Hawk utility helicopters as it looks to reassess equipment priorities in light of Ukraine war developments.
The Philippines’ defense department sealed the order for 12 FA-50 light combat aircraft in a $700 million package with Korea Aerospace Industries.
President Trump Nominates New SACEUR / EUCOM Commander.

LTG Alexus Grynkewich (USAF) is currently the Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Secretary of the Air Force (Troy Meink) estimates it will cost less than $400 million to modify a luxury aircraft gifted from the Qatari government into President Donald Trump’s flying command center.

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US Vetoes UNSC Gaza Ceasefire Resolution.

“The United States has been clear we would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza,” Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the council before the vote.

Iran Rejects US Nuclear Deal Proposal. The supreme leader insisted Iran would not abandon its uranium enrichment program.
IDF responds with artillery barrage to rocket fire targeting the Israeli Golan Heights. A group calling itself the Mohammed Deif Brigades claimed the attack in a post on Telegram. After the rocket fire, Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Israel considered “the Syrian president directly responsible for every threat and [rocket] fire toward the State of Israel.”
Israeli defense firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will showcase its family of high energy laser weapon systems at the upcoming Paris Air Show. The IDF said that a lower-powered laser interceptor system shot down some 35 Hezbollah drones over northern Israel last year.
President Trump phone call with Russian President.

President Trump said Wednesday that Russian President Putin told him that Moscow would retaliate against Ukraine's drone attack over the weekend, casting doubt that a peace deal to end the war could come soon.

NATO Secretary General: US is Committed to NATO; No Plans to Withdraw Troops.
Senate Armed Service Committee Defense Reconciliation Bill.

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Ukrainian negotiators said Russia had again rejected an "unconditional ceasefire - but the two committed to return the bodies of 12,000 Soldiers. The two sides agreed to exchange all sick and heavily wounded prisoners of war, as well those aged under 25.
During talks in Istanbul, the Russian delegation handed Ukraine a "peace memorandum" with its proposals for a ceasefire, Russian-state media outlet TASS reported on June 2, publishing the alleged document.

According to the document, among Russia key demands are the official recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea, as well as the annexation of Ukraine's Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts. Other demands include that Ukraine sticks to its neutral status, abandons its aspirations to join NATO, and an official end to Western arms supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

Iran Readies a "No" Response to US Talks Proposal. “Iran is drafting a negative response to the US proposal, which could be interpreted as a rejection of the US offer,” the senior diplomat, who is close to Iran’s negotiating team, told Reuters.

The US proposal for a new nuclear deal was presented to Iran on Saturday by Oman's Foreign Minister (Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi).

The Israel Defense Forces said Monday it had expanded its ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza over the past day. Palestinian media reported overnight that Israeli ground forces were approaching southern Gaza’s Khan Younis.
UK to Increase Defense Spending to 2.5% GDP by 2027.

The UK Prime Minister (Sir Keir Starmer) said the increases represent “the largest sustained increase in defense spending since the end of the Cold War.”

The United States is urging Australia to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP.

Australia already plans to raise its defense budget to 2.4% of GDP by 2033-34, up from the about 2% it spends now.

The Navy awarded a $536 million contract to NorthStar Maritime Dismantlement Service to dismantle, recycle and dispose of the former aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN-65)- a four-year undertaking.

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The foreign ministers of Arab countries who had planned to visit the West Bank over the weekend condemned on Saturday Israel’s decision to block their trip. Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates had been expected to take part alongside Turkey.
Ukraine's Drone Strikes on Russian Airfields Target Bombers. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported that the 01 June “Spider Web” drone operation caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile carriers in key Russian airbases. More than 40 aircraft are known to have been hit, including the A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3.
Russian Missile Strike Targets Ukrainian Training Grounds. A Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian army training area killed at least 12 soldiers and wounded dozens more Sunday, Kyiv said, in a rare admission of its military losses.
On Saturday, 31 May, Hamas responded to US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff’s latest proposal with amendments and demands, leading the mediator to blast the stance as one that is “totally unacceptable and only takes us backward.”
Nuclear Watchdog IAEA Reports Iranian Activity at Non-Declared Sites. Meanwhile, Iran warned Sunday it will retaliate if European powers “exploit” the Report showing it has stepped up production of highly enriched uranium and detailing its past secretive nuclear activities.
Speaking at the African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Kenya, General Michael E. Langley, head of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), told reporters that China is attempting to “replicate every type of thing” the US military does to build and maintain relationships on the continent.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces (Major General Anil Chauhan) confirmed Pakistan shot down Indian Air Force fighter jets during the clashes in early May.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth used a key address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, to assert that while the US doesn’t seek war with China, it also will not be pushed out of the “critical” Indo-Pacific theater.

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Houthi rebels threaten to target Israeli civilian aircraft after latest IDF strike on Sanaa International Airport.
Israel to block a delegation of Middle Eastern foreign ministers from making a visit to the West Bank. The foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Turkey were slated to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Sunday.
In April, Saudi Arabia Advised Iran to Negotiate with Washington. Saudi Arabia dispatched Prince Khalid bin Salman to Tehran, with the warning that it would be better to reach a deal with the US than face the possibility of an Israeli attack if the talks broke down, according to the two Gulf sources.
Text of US Envoy Steve Witkoff's Israel - Hamas Ceasefire Proposal.
Russia Prepared to Consider Ceasefire if Europe Halts Military Aid.

Russia is prepared to consider a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine, but only if Kyiv stops receiving Western weapons and halts mobilization, Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's envoy to the United Nations, said on May 30, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.

President Donald Trump has decided to appoint the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Reuters reported on May 30, citing unnamed officials. The leading candidate is reportedly U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich, who currently serves as Director for Operations of the Joint Staff.
French President Emmanuel Macron gives keynote speech at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

"Giving in to Russia’s demands to annex a significant portion of Ukraine without consequences would deal a blow to American and European credibility that could be felt as far away as the Indo-Pacific."

The United States is not ruling out a reduction in forces deployed to S. Korea, two senior American defense officials told reporters traveling with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

There are 28,500 U.S. troops deployed to S. Korea as part of the U.S. long-term commitment to help defend Seoul from any attack from N. Korea.

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A senior Israeli official said Monday that a Hostage release and Ceasefire deal with Hamas has been rejected. The proposal- as reported by Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen- called for a ceasefire of about 70 days during which 10 living hostages would be released in two phases, modifying the so-called Witkoff outline, which laid out a shorter ceasefire for the release of about 10 living hostages.
US Initiative Begins Aid Distribution in Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), stated that roughly 8,000 boxes of food have been distributed in the foundation’s first two days of operation, with each box feeding 5.5 people for 3.5 days, totaling 462,000 meals.
Russia Rejects Next Round of Peace Talks to Occur in Vatican; Perhaps Geneva.

It remains unclear when another round of talks will be held. The Russian foreign ministry on Tuesday claimed it was still working on its memorandum of terms.

Sweden Security Assistance to Ukraine Worth $501 Million. Part of the measure focuses on targeted areas such as drones, naval operations, demining, and digital systems. Sweden is also contributing over $105 million to fast-track ammunition procurement, split between Czech- and Estonian-led initiatives.
The British Army intends to adopt a military strategy shifting from reliance on conventional military assets to drones and autonomous systems, The Times reported. The modernized military framework is set to be officially unveiled in the UK’s upcoming Strategic Defense Review 2025.
New Zealand to spend $2.4 billion on defense in 2025. New Zealand’s defense spending is scheduled to reach 2% of GDP by 2032/33.
US Army to Upgrade M270 MLRS Launchers to the A2 Variant. The A2 variant features an improved fire control system, a new 600-horsepower engine, an armored cab, and a new transmission- plus other system components.

Work will take place in Texas and Arkansas, with an estimated completion date of December 30, 2030.

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Houthis continue missile attacks on Israel. A ballistic missile launched at Israel by the Houthis was successfully intercepted by air defenses, the military said Sunday. It was the third attack in four days, and the fifth since last Sunday.
IDF Prepares for Ground Offensive in Gaza with 5 Divisions. When the major ground offensive is launched, the Palestinian population will be pushed into three small zones in Gaza. The IDF will then capture the rest of Gaza, clear it of Hamas infrastructure, raze most buildings, and hold it for the foreseeable future. This captured territory will include all of Rafah, Khan Younis, and the towns north of Gaza City.
US Lifts Economics Sanctions on Syria. US Secretary of State Rubio said the waiver would “facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water, and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria.”
Russia & Ukraine Complete Largest Prisoner Exchange of the War. The prisoner exchange took place in three phases carried out over three days and was agreed on during peace talks held in Turkey on May 16.
US President Trump voiced strong disapproval of Russia’s weekend bombardment of Ukraine, telling reporters that he's "not happy with Putin.”

The President's comments followed Russia’s massive air assault on Ukraine over the weekend, during which more than 600 drones and dozens of missiles were launched from Friday to Sunday.

In a possible retaliatory action, Russia temporarily stopped the Greek oil tanker Green Admire (that departed from Estonia) in its territorial waters on Sunday following the Estonia's Navy’s attempt last week to stop the unflagged and unresponsive Jaguar tanker in the Estonian exclusive economic zone. The vessel Jaguar is suspected to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet.
Switzerland has received the EU’s approval to join a multinational military cybersecurity project, the EU’s Council announced this week. Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Italy and Luxembourg are already members of the project, in addition to Estonia.
The US House passed a massive funding package (One Big Beautiful Bill), paving the way for Congress to add $150 billion in defense spending aimed at boosting major Trump administration priorities like Golden Dome. The measure now moves to the US Senate.

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Updated Info on Strike that Targeted Hamas Leader. The strike that targeted and possibly eliminated Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar in Gaza earlier this month was made possible when the terror chief made the rare mistake of moving without a defensive “hostage belt” protecting him, according to a Friday report.
Israel will receive a “devastating and decisive response” if it attacks Iran, the IRGC said on Thursday as Tehran vowed to defend its nuclear sites, days after two separate reports suggested Israel was making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Tehran’s discussions with the United States over its nuclear program were “complicated,” as the fifth round of talks concluded in Rome. Asked about the negotiations, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said “we believe that we are going to succeed” in the talks and in Washington’s push for no enrichment.
Russia & Ukraine Swap 390 Prisoners; More Expected in Coming Days.

Russia will be ready to hand Ukraine a draft document outlining conditions for a long-term peace agreement once a prisoner exchange is completed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.

A former leading Ukrainian official has been shot dead outside an American school in the Spanish capital Madrid, authorities have confirmed.
German defense firm Rheinmetall and India’s Reliance Defence announced a “strategic partnership” on ammunition supplies today after officials from both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A future production base in the Watad Industrial Area of Ratnagiri, will become one of the largest in South Asia and hold the capacity to manufacture up to 200,000 artillery shells, 10,000 tons of explosives and 2,000 tons of propellants annually.
General Atomics is in talks to sell Saudi Arabia up to 200 MQ-9 unmanned systems, according to a company spokesperson. The discussions are part of the $142 billion in defense deals announced by President Donald Trump during last week’s visit to the Gulf Region.
USAF Test Launches Minuteman III Missile. Air Force Global Strike Command launched the Minuteman III at 12:01 Pacific time from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. It flew about 4,200 miles, at a speed of more than 15,000 miles per hour, to a test site at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The missile was randomly selected and came from Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.
Article from Military.com: Summary of Transformative changes to the Army.
US Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar early this morning as it headed home following an eight-month deployment. The carrieris westbound in the Atlantic Ocean, a Navy official confirmed to USNI News Friday.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will travel to the Shangri-La Dialogue, the largest defense conference in Asia, where he will deliver a speech on the Pentagon’s approach to the region under the second Trump administration.

The 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue event will take place in Singapore on 30 May–1 June.

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US & Iran to Meet Friday in Rome for 5th Round of Talks.
Report: Israel Ready to Strike Iran if Nuclear Talks with US Break Down. Israel is getting ready to quickly strike Iran if ongoing talks between the United States and the Islamic Republic over the latter’s nuclear program break down, Axios reports, citing a pair of Israeli sources.
Israel and Turkey have reached an agreement in principle aimed at preventing any unwanted incidents between both countries’ militaries operating in Syria, and established a hotline to avert such conflicts, according to media reports on Wednesday.
The Lebanese and Palestinian Authority presidents agreed Wednesday that Palestinian factions won’t use Lebanon as a launchpad for any attacks against Israel, and to remove weapons that aren’t under the authority of the Lebanese state.
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs on Ceasefire in Ukraine:

Foreign Minister Lavrov rejects the push to "have a truce and then we'll see," claiming that the "root causes" of Russia's war need to be resolved.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on May 21 that the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague will focus on the military support for Ukraine to ensure it is in the strongest position possible both during its ongoing defense and in the eventual pursuit of a lasting peace.
President Trump on the US Golden Dome Missile Shield: “Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they’re launched from space. And we will have the best system ever built.”

The President has appointed General Michael Guetlein (Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations) to oversee the effort.

DoD Accepts Qatari 747 Jet: Will Undergo Modification for President's Use.

An Air Force spokesperson added that the service is “preparing to award a contract to modify” the plane, but details “related to the contract are classified.”

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President Trump Phone Call with Russian President. President Trump sought to emphasize what he described as an excellent “tone and spirit” shared with the Kremlin leader. President Putin, meanwhile, described the call as “meaningful and frank.”
EU Preparing Sanctions Package. The EU is preparing an important sanctions package against Russia as Moscow continues to refuse a ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a press conference on May 19.
The EU & the UK agreed on a security and defense partnership which they said will allow for closer cooperation in areas such as support for Ukraine, and which may open the door for UK companies to benefit from an EU plan to boost defense-industrial spending.
De facto Hamas Leader (Muhammad Sinwar) Killed in Khan Younis Tunnel Strike. The strikes that reportedly killed Sinwar on Tuesday targeted an underground command compound below the European Hospital where he was believed to have been sheltering.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi: Nuclear talks between Iran and the United States “will lead nowhere” if Washington insists that Tehran drop its uranium enrichment activity to zero.
Raytheon has signed a $1-billion agreement with Qatar to deliver the Fixed Site – Low, Slow, Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), making Doha the system’s first international customer. The system integrates radar, electro-optical/infrared sensors, and effectors, such as jamming or kinetic interceptors, to respond to unmanned aerial threats.
Upgraded THAAD Radar Tracks Hypersonic Missiles.

Raytheon Spokesman: The new version of AN/TPY-2 has a longer range and can provide targeting coordinates to other missile defense interceptors beyond just the Army’s THAAD batteries. The radar can see things twice as far, so (commanders) can make that command and control decision a lot earlier on which effector to use, whether it’s an SM series or it’s a Patriot, or it’s a THAAD.

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Russia and Ukraine Istanbul Talks Last Under 2 Hours with Large Prisoner Exchange Agreement and Consensus to Meet Again. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called the POW swap as a “confidence-building measure” and said the parties had agreed in principle to meet again.
US President Donald Trump says he will be speaking to Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday about ending the war in Ukraine, saying the call would be about "stopping the 'bloodbath'". The President said the call would take place at 10:00 EST & he would then speak to Ukrainian President Zelensky, and leaders of some NATO countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Colonel General Andrey Mordvichev, who led the assault on Mariupol in 2022, as the Commander of the Russian Ground Forces.
IDF Airstrikes on Houthi Ports. Israeli fighter jets targeted two Houthi-controlled ports in the west of the country, and threatened to kill the terror group’s leader (Abdul-Malik al-Houthi), in response to the Iran-backed group’s ongoing missile and drone attacks on Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces announced that it has launched the first stages of a major offensive in the Gaza Strip, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots,” that will seek to “seize strategic areas.”
In Baghdad, Leaders at an Arab League summit demanded increased pressure on Israel to end the war in Gaza, and reiterated the 22-nation body’s rejection of President Trump’s plan to take over the enclave, oust its residents, and rebuild it as a coastal resort.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday said US President Donald Trump was lying about his intentions for the region, and once again called Israel a “cancerous tumor” that must be uprooted.
Armor Not Dead: Netherlands Building Tank Battalion. The new battalion, equipped with at least 46 x Leopard 2A8 Tanks, will be based at Bergen-Hohne Training Area (Germany), where the Dutch says there is enough space for realistic training, something that is lacking in the Netherlands.
The Hungarian Defence Forces has received 3 x Leopard 2A7HU main battle tanks and their first Leguan 2HU armored vehicle-launched bridge as part of a contract signed in 2018. The plan will integrate up to 44 x tanks and associated support equipment to modernize the military’s ground-based armored firepower.

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President Trump on Last Leg of Middle East Visit.
Despite No President Putin- Russia & Ukraine Delegations Still to Meet on16 May.
US Army's First Unit Fielded with FLRAA will be 101st Airborne Division.
US Army High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) aircraft procurement down to 6 systems instead of 12, as originally thought. Last year, the Sierra Nevada Corporation won an Army contract to integrate a suite of capabilities onto the Bombardier Global 6500 jet under the HADES program. The service wants to have an initial aircraft ready for the force by the end of 2026 or early 2027.
USMC Commandant said the Marine Corps is still committed to the JLTV program. “It is our workhorse on the ground tactical vehicle fleet,” General Eric Smith told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

Speaking to reporters in Tennessee on Wednesday, Army Vice Chief General James Mingus said the Army’slast tranche of JLTVs was purchased in January.

US Senate Confirms Troy Meink as Air Force Secretary.

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Russia - Ukraine Talks in Istanbul Thursday: Will Russian President Attend? In what may have been a surprise for the Russian leader, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy responded by accepting the invitation, saying he was ready to meet Putin in Turkey on 15 May.
President Trump said he might take a detour during his Mideast trip to visit Turkey for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on 15 May.
Calm in Kashmir Border Region as Ceasefire Holds. Indian and Pakistani authorities said Monday there was no firing reported overnight along the heavily militarized region between their countries, the first time in recent days the two nations were not shooting at each other.
US-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander Freed from 580 Days in Hamas Captivity.
NATO’s top military officer (Admiral Giuseppe Dragone - Italy) said he has no indication yet that the United States will withdraw forces committed to the alliance’s defense plans and shift them to the Indo-Pacific.
NATO must make drastic changes to its electromagnetic warfare (EW) capabilities if the alliance wants to win a future war against Russia.
President Donald Trump’s plan to “temporarily” transform a Boeing 747 originally owned by Qatar’s royal family into a new Air Force One plane has come under fire from congressional Democrats.

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Ukraine Agrees to Direct Talks with Russia in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he would agree to meet Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump told him immediately to accept Putin's proposal of direct talks.
India & Pakistan Ceasefire. India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire Saturday after US-led talks to end the most serious military confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades, but they accused each other of violating the deal just hours later.
The Indian Navy massed naval forces in the Northern Arabian Sea and sent a carrier battle group, surface combatants, submarines and naval aviation to keep their Pakistani adversaries in a “defensive position,” Indian officials said this week.
President Trump Heads to Middle East Region, 13-16 May. US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday is also set to include Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, Arabic media reported Sunday.
Iran and the United States wrapped up nuclear talks in Oman on Sunday with no apparent breakthrough and a public standoff over enrichment, but with both sides confirming plans for future negotiations.
The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday evening issued an “urgent” evacuation warning to the three Houthi-controlled ports in western Yemen, ahead of potential Israeli strikes.
Defense News (Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo) Interview with Lithuania Minister of National Defense- Dovilė Šakalienė.
Armor Not Dead: Australia Activates New Tank Squadron. The formal establishment of D Squadron within the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2 CAV) is a significant milestone for the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, representing the first time in the Corps’ history that a regiment has two tank and cavalry squadrons positioned in the same location.

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Israeli Defense Minister (Israel Katz) warned Iran of consequences for sponsorship of Houthi Rebels.

Defense Minster Katz: “I also warn the Iranian leadership that funds, arms and operates the Houthi terror organization… You are directly responsible. What we did to Hezbollah in Beirut, Hamas in Gaza, to Assad in Damascus and the Houthis in Yemen, will also be done to you in Tehran.”

IRGC General Threatens to "open the gates of hell" if US & Israel Attack Iran.

IRCG Chief Hossein Salami: “I’m issuing a serious warning. If you make one wrong move, we will open up the gates of hell on you. Sit down and stay in your place…we have made extensive preparations.”

Russia's Victory Day Parade in Moscow.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hit out at leaders and others who attended Moscow’s Victory Day parade on Friday.

Mr. Macron and Mr. Tusk were in the French city of Nancy to sign a bilateral treaty, aimed at reinforcing defense and security cooperation between the two countries.

Denmark will allocate €830 million ($935 million) to the Ukrainian defense industry in 2025 on behalf of the European Union, using windfall profits from frozen Russian assets to buy Ukraine-made weapons. Last year’s equipment purchases using the Danish model included howitzers, long-range drones, anti-tank and anti-ship missile systems.
Israel and Greece Collaborate on Large Underwater Drone. The "BlueWhale" sails at 7 knots (13 kilometers/8 miles per hour), has a depth range of 300 meters (984 feet), and can support endurance operations for up to four weeks. Applications of the system include acoustic reconnaissance, special force support, and as a conventional submarine wingman.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has received its first five OA-1K Skyraider II close air support prop planes. The program of record covers a total requirement for 75 aircraft, with deliveries slated to run through 2029. However, it is currently only budgeted for 62 aircraft.

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US President Donald Trump indicated Wednesday that he is seeking to “blow up” Iran’s nuclear centrifuges through an agreement with Tehran, but is also prepared to blow them up in an attack if necessary.
UAE Facilitates Indirect Security Talks Between Israel & Syria. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday confirmed that his country was currently taking part in indirect talks with Israel. Reports earlier in the day said that the United Arab Emirates had facilitated a backchannel for dialogue between Jerusalem and Damascus.
Moscow Victory Day Parade Guest List. The most high-profile guests in attendance this year will be Chinese President Xi Jinping and the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Other world leaders set to attend are those from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Palestine, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled to Paris on his first foreign trip as head of government to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron- with the two leaders promising closer defense ties.
US Navy Sea Launched Cruise Missile - Nuclear in 2034. The proposed $150 billion defense reconciliation bill includes $2 billion to develop the missile and an additional $400 million to develop the warhead.
Department of Defense IG Report on Gaza Pier.
USAF and Boeing look to deliver the Presidential Jet, VC-25B (Air Force One) in 2027.

IDF Airstrikes Disable Sanaa International Airport. Dozens of Israeli Air Force aircraft were involved in the strikes on Yemen on Tuesday, including fighter jets, refuelers, and spy planes. The IDF said the fighter jets dropped 50 munitions on the targets.
President Trump Announces Truce with Houthis; Halts Bombing in Yemen. Oman revealed that it had mediated the ceasefire deal under which neither side will target the other, including US vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
A fourth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States is likely to take place over the weekend in the capital of Oman, with Iranian state media pointing to May 11 as a probable date.
Mediated by United Arab Emirates, Russia & Ukraine Exchange 205 Prisoners of War. This marks the fifth known prisoner of war swap of 2025.
Ukraine dismisses idea of attacking the Russian Victory Day Parade in Moscow on 9 May.
US Army tests 2 x counter UAS systems in Philippines- the Integrated Fires Protection Capability–High-Powered Microwave (IFPC-HPM) and the Fixed Site–Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS).
USAF Sentinel ICBM Program Update. The Sentinel program will procure up to 634 missiles, with an additional 25 for development and testing — and deploy 400 of them in silos spread across missile fields in the US Great Plains.
USMC Landing Ship, Medium update.

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Israeli PM Vows Retaliation Against Iran & Houthis for Airport Missile Strike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed to retaliate against the Houthis in Yemen and to act against “their patron” Iran, hours after the rebel group struck Ben Gurion Airport with a ballistic missile.
President Trump said in an interview aired Sunday that the aim of his administration’s nuclear talks with Iran is to achieve “total dismantlement” of Tehran’s nuclear program, but that he is open to letting the Islamic Republic pursue civilian nuclear energy.

A fourth round of talks between the US and Iran initially scheduled for Saturday, was postponed, mediator Oman said earlier this week, citing “logistical reasons.”

President Trump dismissed Mike Waltz as national security advisor and announced his nomination as the next US ambassador to the United Nations, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio was named as his interim replacement.

According to a Washington Post report. President Trump was angered by his hawkish position on Iran and focus on military options to destroy Tehran’s nuclear program.

Pres Zelenskyy to Delegations Visiting Moscow Parade: We cannot be held responsible for what happens (in) Russian Federation. The Ukrainian President said his government could not guarantee the safety of foreign delegations visiting Moscow to attend the Victory Day Parade next Friday, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
During an interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow has the "strength and means" to bring the war with Ukraine to a "logical conclusion."

"We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires."

US SECDEF orders US Army transformation.

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Update on Israel wildfires.
Israel Strikes Damascus in Message to Syrian Regime. Israel conducted airstrikes early on Friday near Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s official residential compound in Damascus in response to violence in Syria against the country’s Druze minority, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Lebanon has warned Hamas not to conduct operations that compromise the country’s security or sovereignty, Beirut’s Supreme Defense Council said on Friday.
Reuters article via Times of Israel concerning US/Iran Nuclear negotiations.

In three weeks, the US and Iran have held three rounds of talks aimed at preventing Tehran from building a nuclear weapon in return for sanctions relief. A fourth round is expected to take place in Rome soon.

US State Department to Ukraine & Russia: US Will Not Be Mediators If Progress Not Made.

US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters Thursday that Kyiv and Moscow need to engage directly with each other and that the US will no longer “fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings.”

US Secretary of State Rubio, said that unless a “real breakthrough” is made soon, President Trump “is going to have to make a decision about how much more time we’re going to dedicate to this.”

UK RAF Collaborative Drone Effort. The first autonomous collaborative platform (ACP) drone, labelled StormShroud, entered into service into the UK Royal Air Force. The new StormShroud aircraft combines the UK-Portuguese Tekever 3 tactical uncrewed aerial system (UAS) with Leonardo UK’s BriteStorm stand-in jammer, effectively transforming it into an ACP, to work in tandem with RAF fighter jets.
USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Effort. USAF announcedit has selected Beale Air Force Base in California to host the service’s first “Aircraft Readiness Unit” dedicated to its future fleet of drone wingmen. General Atomics and Anduril are facing off for the Air Force program after their selection last year. USAF expects to field CCA by 2030.
Acting Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Kilby to USMC: We owe you a three-ship ARG [Amphibious Ready Group]. I owe you a three-ship ARG that’s ready to embark Marines and conduct the training cycle and deploy on schedule. I do not meet that requirement.”

The Amphibious Ready Group is the USMC three-ship formation generally consisting of an assault ship (LHA), a transport dock (LPD) and a support vessel (LSD).

USMC goal is to maintain what’s known as a 3.0 presence: That means one ARG deployed from the East Coast to the Mediterranean or coast of Africa; one from the West Coast to the Pacific and a third “episodically” deployed forward from Japan.

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Israel seeks international aid in fighting wildfires across the country. A statement from Israel's Foreign Ministry said the minister had spoken with the foreign ministers of the UK, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Argentina, Spain, North Macedonia, Azerbaijan, and other unspecified countries.
IDF's Drone Strike "Message" Supports Syrian Druze Community. Joint Statement from Israel's PM and Defense Minster: “Israel will not allow harm to the Druze community in Syria, out of a deep commitment to our Druze brothers in Israel, who are connected by family and historical ties to their Druze brothers in Syria.”
US & Ukraine Agree to Mineral Deal. The Ukrainian Cabinet approved the agreement Wednesday. The deal still needs to be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament before it can take effect.
EU Will Not Recognize Crimea as Russian. EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on April 30: "On the European side, we have said this over and over again… Crimea is Ukraine."
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un calls for accelerating the nuclear weapon capability of the Korean People’s Army Navy.
At Modern Day Marine conference, Polaris unveiled MRZR Alpha vehicle with one kilowatt of exportable power. The company is also working on a MRZR variant capable of generating five kilowatts of power.
US Navy has awarded a long-awaited contract modification to General Dynamics Electric Boat, and major subcontractor HII, for the construction of two Virginia-class submarines appropriated through fiscal 2024 funding.

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Iran Port Blast Caused by "Negligence". Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said Monday that a deadly explosion at the country’s largest commercial port two days earlier was caused by “negligence” and failure to comply with safety measures.
An Israeli official said Monday that there is “no chance” Israel would accept the five-year truce proposal with the Hamas terror group that is currently being discussed by Arab mediators.
Russian President Announces Ceasefire from 8-11 May. The Kremlin said in a note to the media that the ceasefire would begin at midnight local time May 8 and end at midnight May 11, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of “Victory Day,” when Russia celebrates its victory over the Nazis.
US Secretary of State Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke on 27 April, with Secretary Rubio emphasizing the need to end the war.
Australian Delivery of Older M1 Abrams Tanks Delayed. The Australian Defense Ministry told the ABC that the promised tanks are "on target" to reach Ukraine in 2025.
India Tests Hypersonic Engine for Missile Program. The over 16-minute test was an upgrade over a previous test in January that lasted 120 seconds. It was performed at the newly-built Scramjet Connect Test Facility in India’s southern city of Hyderabad.
The U.S. military has hit more than 800 targets in Yemen during a 40-day airstrike campaign against the Houthis. During the recent airstrike campaign, Houthi ballistic missile attacks have fallen by 69% and kamikaze drone attacks have fallen by 55%, according to Central Command.
An F/-18E Super Hornet assigned to the carrier air wing embarked aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) was lost at sea during a towing incident in the hangar bay Monday, according to a Navy announcement. No personnel were lost and one sailor sustained minor injuries, according to the service.

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Iranian MP Blames Israel for Port Explosion. MP Mohammad Siraj: “Israel was involved in the explosion. It was not accidental. Clear evidence points to Israeli involvement.” Israel’s leadership has not commented on the blast.
IDF strikes missile warehouse in Beirut suburbs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that missiles stored in the Lebanese capital “posed a significant threat to Israel.”
US continues to facilitate peace negotiations to end the Russia - Ukraine War. President Trump meets Ukraine President Zelenskyy in Vatican City.
Car Bomb Kills Russian Senior Officer in charge of Army Operations (General Lieutenant Yaroslav Moskalik) in the town of Balashikha, east of Moscow.
Car Bomb Kills Russian Electromagnetic Warfare Expert (Yevgeny Rytikov) in Bryansk- 100 kilometers north of the Russia-Ukraine Border. Mr. Rytikov headed the design bureau at the Bryansk Electromechanical Plant and was responsible for upgrading the Krasukha EW system, which Russian forces use to counter drones and airborne weapons.
North Korea reveals that it deployed troops to fight in Kursk Region.
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports that sustaining and modernizing the US Nuclear arsenal will cost $946 billion between 2025-2034.
US Army officially names the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon- "Dark Eagle".

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IDF strikes Hamas command center in Northern Gaza.
From interview with Time Magazine: US President Trump said he would not be dragged by Prime Minister Netanyahu into war with Iran, but vowed Washington could instead “be leading the pack” if diplomacy were to fail.
President Trump: Russia & Ukraine Close to a Deal.
Estonia to Achieve Over 5% GDP on Defense Spending.
Spain to Meet NATO Goal of 2% GDP Defense Spending in 2025.
Netherlands increases defense budget to 22 billion euros in 2025.
Armor Not Dead: UK Army's Challenger 3 Tank effort moving forward. UK Minister for Defence Procurement (Maria Eagle) revealed that “The [Armour Main Battle Tank] programme has now delivered four prototypes, with four more currently in build,” out of the 148 tanks expected. The Challenger 3 MBTs are expected to achieve initial operational capability in 2027, with full operational capability expected by 2030 until 2040.
US Reconciliation Bill includes $150 Billion for Defense.

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Houthi rebels have downed 6 MQ-9 Reaper Drones since 15 March, and 15 Reapers since October 2023. The U.S. Air Force has about 280 Reapers in its inventory, each costing about $28 million, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Iran Fortifies Nuclear Sites. Commercial satellite images taken on March 29 showed hardened entrances to (nuclear) complexes beneath Mt. Kolang Gaz La.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday told Hamas to release hostages it is holding in order to eliminate what he said was Israel’s pretext to continue its war in Gaza.
Deadly ambush by Hamas on an IDF vehicle operating inside Israeli-held buffer zone, illustrates the terror group is still a dangerous threat.
Crimea Becomes a Key Issue in Russia-Ukraine Peace.
Chinese aircraft carrier CNS Shandong (17) once again deployed again to the Philippine Sea, marking the second time this month.
Royal Australian Navy Enlisted Sailors Graduate US Navy Nuclear Power Training Course. Eight Royal Australian Navy sailors graduated from the six-month course on April 18 and are now qualified to handle the reactors and other associated systems on the nuclear attack boats that Canberra is set to receive under the 2021 AUKUS Agreement.
Northrop Grumman reported a $477 million loss on the B-21 Raider bomber in the first quarter of 2025, as higher costs for manufacturing and materials affect the company.

The B-21′s inflation adjusted average procurement unit cost is about $692 million.

The Air Force plans to buy at least 100 B-21s but has left the door open to buying more bombers.

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Latest US airstrikes target Farwa neighborhood in Sanaa. US Central Command declined to answer questions about the strike.
Israeli Air Force conducts drills that simulate Iranian missile attack on IAF bases. IAF bases were targeted in previous Iranian strikes in April and October 2024.
IDF Ground Operations in Rafah Continue. The IDF has not only cut off Rafah from Khan Younis overground, but also located two major Hamas tunnels connecting the two cities.
IDF experimenting unmanned D9 bulldozers.
Russian President Putin Open to Bilateral Talks with Ukraine.
US & Canada Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) Effort. The OTHR effort is envisioned as a partnership with Canada to modernize NORAD’s defenses, where original plans would reportedly see the US procure four radar systems and Canada two systems.
US Army's Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) achieves Low Rate Initial Production. Raytheon plans producing eight LTAMDS per year- and based on international customers- the company said it wants to ultimately be able to produce 12 radars per year.

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US Strikes Houthi Oil Terminal.

The US military said it had destroyed Ras Isa terminal "to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue".

WSJ Report: Anti-Houthi militias are planning ground offensive against the terror organization. American officials said the United States is “open to supporting a ground operation by local forces” but “a decision on whether to back the effort hasn’t been made yet.”
US & Iran Meet in Rome. A second round of negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program ended Saturday after several hours of talks, Iranian and American officials said.
Israel Has not Ruled Out Strike On Iran's Nuclear Sites. Attack plans include a mix of airstrikes and commando operations that vary in severity and could set back Tehran’s ability to weaponize its nuclear program by just months or a year or more, sources said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: US may move on from trying to secure a Russia - Ukraine peace deal if there is no progress in the coming days.
Russian President Putin Declares Easter Truce. “Guided by humanitarian considerations, today from 18:00 to 00:00 from Sunday to Monday, the Russian side declares an Easter truce. I order that all military actions be stopped for this period,” the Russian President said.
Serbian Leaders plan to attended Russian Victory Day Parade in Moscow, despite warnings from EU Foreign Affairs and Security Representative Kaja Kallas. Ms. Kallas: “Any participation in the May 9th parades or celebrations in Moscow will not be taken lightly on the European side".
UK Army defeats drone swarms using radio-frequency, direct energy weapon. Radio-frequency directed energy weapon systems can defeat airborne targets at ranges of up to 1 kilometer.
Japan Installs Rail Gun on Test Ship.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) released an image of its state-of-the-art railgun currently undergoing testing aboard the test ship JS Asuka. The railgun systems are expected to be employed as naval or land-based artillery.

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NYT Report: President Trump Suspended Attack on Iranian Nuclear Sites Planned for May.
IDF continues pressure on Hamas during Gaza Strip operations with three Divisions. No deadline for major offensive yet.
US Secretary of State Traveling to Paris to Discuss Ukraine & Middle East. Separately, on Thursday, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu will travel to Washington to meet with his counterpart, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani will discuss efforts to find a possible peace deal (Russia - Ukraine), when they meet in Moscow tomorrow.
Turkey Hosts Black Sea Security Talks in Event of Russia - Ukraine Ceasefire.

According to an official statement by the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, the meeting includes military representatives from several countries, including Ukraine, France, the United Kingdom and Turkey.

Opinion Article via Breaking Defense. In order to defend its' air and sea approaches more effectively, Australia should invest in long-range strike systems via air power- more specifically USAF B-2A Spirit Bombers.
Latest on US Space Command Headquarters final location- either Colorado Springs or Huntsville.

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President Trump On Iran's Nuclear Ambition: "I'll solve that problem." US President Donald Trump vowed Monday to “solve” the issue of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, even if it means taking “very harsh” actions to thwart them.
Israel - Hams Hostage Negotiations. The Haaretz daily, citing Palestinian sources involved in the talks, reported that Cairo and Doha are working with the US toward a potential additional stage of the ceasefire-hostage release deal reached in January that would also include talks to end the 18-month war.
New Ukraine Capability Coalition: Electromagnetic Warfare. The goals include protection of friendly communication and disruption of the enemy’s, persistent reconnaissance, drone defense, and effectiveness of weapon systems.
Ukraine troops provide feedback on German weapons employed in war with Russia.
Switzerland plans to buy four or five IRIS-T SLM medium-range air-defense systems from Germany’s Diehl Defence, as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative.
Armor Not Dead: US M1E3 Tank Variant in 24 - 30 Months. Desired characteristics for the new variant included making it lighter, better protected and giving it an autoloader.
President Trump on April 9 signed into law, a policy aimed at revitalizing the American shipbuilding industry. Navy officials in March 2024 stated the service’s goal is to grow the fleet of battle force ships to 381 over the next 30 years.

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US & Iran Talks in Oman: "Productive and Positive". Both countries agreed to hold a second round next week.
Rafah cut-off from rest of Gaza between two IDF Security Corridors. The IDF said Rafah was now surrounded by its forces, with the 36th Division holding the Morag Corridor and the Gaza Division operating in the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border area.
US Envoy Steve Witkoff met in St. Petersburg with Russian President Putin for more than 4 hours on Friday. Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev as described the talks as "productive".
Former US intelligence official (unnamed) told Reuters that Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing’s approval to observe and draw tactical lessons from the war.
Germany & UK-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group Pledges $23.8 Billion.
US Senate Confirms New Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Dan Caine's experience includes numerous roles in the special operations community, director of joint operations and training on the Joint Staff, and — most recently — three years as the CIA’s associate director for military affairs before his retirement in 2024. General Caine is also a former F-16 pilot.
US Secretary of Navy John Phelan pledges a focus on shipbuilding and expanding the industrial base.
Upcoming US Navy Submarine and Aircraft Carrier efforts are facing delays.

The lead Columbia-class submarine vessel (USS District of Columbia SSBN-826), is 12-18 months behind schedule.

The future aircraft carrier (USS Enterprise CVN-80), is estimated to be 28 months behind schedule, with delivery now anticipated to be in the 2028-29 timeframe.

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Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Arrives in CENTCOM AOR. The USS Carl Vinson — which is armed with F-35C stealth warplanes — is now working alongside the USS Harry S. Truman in the region, US Central Command says.
The Commander of Iran’s Army Ground Force revealed plans to set up the new unmanned-focused facilities in country's border regions.
Israeli and Turkish Delegations Meet in Azerbaijan to Discuss Syria Deconfliction.
France and UK Co-lead "Coalition of the Willing" Discussion in Brussels.
France to develop tactical (150 kilometer range) rocket artillery system and test by mid-2026.
Speaking at SASC Hearing on Thursday, US Forces Korea Commander (Army General Xavier Brunson) supports current US Troop levels on the Korean Peninsula.
President Trump's Executive Order Calls for Modernization Review of Programs & Processes.

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US DoD: No Plans to Relinquish NATO SACEUR Post. The Pentagon does not have plans to relinquish the post of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), said Katherine Thompson, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs.
Suspected US airstrikes pounded the area around Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeida on Tuesday night.
US and Iran Nuclear Talks in Oman. Negotiations are to be mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi and led by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The US military will deploy long-range surveillance drones (Northrup Grumman MQ-4C Triton) in the Japanese region of Okinawa near Taiwan, Tokyo’s defense minister said Tuesday.
US Secretary of Defense Hegseth visits Panama- meets with Panama's President José Raúl Mulino. Secretary Hegseth said the U.S. will not allow China or any other country to threaten the (Panama) canal’s operation.
NATO Supreme Allied Commander and EUCOM Commander. General Christopher Cavoli (US Army) told US House of Representative lawmakers that current force levels in Europe should remain.
President Trump: $1 Trillion Defense Budget (FY26). Defense Secretary Hegseth seemed to confirm that Trump was referring to the fiscal year 2026 request, saying on X, “COMING SOON: the first TRILLION dollar @DeptofDefense budget.”
US Navy's F/A XX program could be last manned fighter. US Navy officials would not say when an announcement on F/A-XX would be made, but it could come soon.

Breaking Defense reported last month that Lockheed Martin had been eliminated from the running for F/A-XX, leaving Boeing and Northrop Grumman as the remaining competitors.

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Iran willing to engage in dialogue with US as equals. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian: “The Islamic Republic of Iran wants dialogue on equal footing.”
US Sends 2d THAAD Battery to Israel. The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, is an advanced anti-missile system- capable of hitting targets at ranges of 150-200 kilometers (93-124 miles).
Norway plans to nearly double its fleet of self-propelled artillery, proposing to buy an additional 24 K9 Thunder howitzers from Hanwha Aerospace (South Korea). The added 155 mm howitzers will equip a new artillery battalion within the planned Finnmark Brigade.
India to procure 100 x South Korean Hanwha Aerospace K-9 Vajira-T 155mm SP Howitzers. The contract calls for more than 60 percent of local (India) materials and parts during manufacture of the systems.
US Army Mobile 155mm Artillery Effort.
US Navy Commissions Virginia-class Attack Submarine (USS Iowa SSN-797).

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US CENTCOM Commander Visits Israel.

General Michael Erik Kurilla, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), held an assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF said Thursday.

UK Telegraph Newspaper Report: Iran has reportedly ordered its military personnel to leave Yemen and is pulling back its support for the Houthis amid extensive US airstrikes on the rebel group.
Russian Envoy: "Some (Ukrainian) security guarantees, in some form, may be acceptable." Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev held two days of talks with American envoy Steve Witkoff, as part of President Donald Trump’s push for a ceasefire and peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
US Combatant Command Restructure? NBC Report: The Defense Department is considering relinquishing the role atop the NATO chain of command, which has always been held by an American four-star, historically by the head of US European Command, since the alliance’s founding.
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group sailed through the Malacca Strait on Friday as it makes its way to U.S. Central Command. The PLA Navy’s Shandong CSG sailed back into the South China Sea on Thursday after participating in drills against Taiwan.
Japan's Self-Defense Force to develop new long-range, precision-guided missiles to “prevent and eliminate invading troops.”
Australian military leaders are scrambling to cobble together fresh air defense capabilities.

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US Army identifies the four Dogface Soldiers (3d Infantry Division) who perished during training exercise in Lithuania. All assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, they were identified as: Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez; Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco; Pfc. Dante D. Taitano; and Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins.
US Sends More F-35s to CENTCOM. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dispatched the extra air wing of F-35 fighters to Jordan.
IDF Creates New Security Corridor in S. Gaza. The route, which separates Rafah from Khan Younis to its north, will likely cut off Rafah from the rest of the Strip.
Hamas is prepared to release all of the remaining hostages at once in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, a senior Palestinian official familiar with the ongoing truce talks told The Times of Israel on Wednesday.
A top Russian official (Kirill Dmitriev) is in Washington this week for meetings with the Trump administration, as negotiations continue on a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
US SECDEF Pete Hegseth skips the latest Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels.
Finland to Increase Defense Spending to 3% GDP by '29.
Greece will spend 25 billion euros ($27 billion) over the next decade to adapt its military to evolving high-tech warfare technologies. The plan also includes new programs such as next-generation soldier gear equipped with sensors and communication systems, and the development of dedicated satellite capabilities to ensure secure communications.
US Army Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Test in Dec '25. The Army is forecasting that the first unit to get the hypersonic capability will begin receiving the rounds at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, in the May time frame.
The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale of 20 F-16 fighters to the Philippines, with an estimated price tag of $5.58 billion.

The approved package, which covers 16 F-16C Block 70/72 jets and four F-16B Block 70/72 fighters, comes just days after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Manilla.

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US President Trump threatens Iran with bombing and tariffs over nuclear program. If they (Iran) don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” President Trump said in a telephone interview. “It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”
In response to US President Trump's threat of bombing and tariffs, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday the US would receive a strong blow if it acts on President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb unless Tehran reaches a new nuclear deal with Washington.
IDF Prepares Return to Rafah. The Israel Defense Forces issued an evacuation warning on Monday for Palestinians in the entire Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip, saying the military was “returning to fight with great force to eliminate the capabilities of terror organizations in these areas.”
President Trump reportedly "disappointed" in President Putin but thinks the peace negotiations "are making progress, step by step."
Russia Launches Submarine Armed with Hypersonic Zircon Missile. The Zircon has a reported range of 500 to 1,000 kilometers, depending on its trajectory.

It can fly at Mach 8, making it nearly impossible to intercept with current air defense systems, according to the US-based Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA).

Egypt in Talks for S. Korea's FA-50 Light Attack Aircraft. Egypt's Ambassador to Seoul, stated that discussions between the two countries are progressing positively after months of negotiations for an initial order of 36 aircraft.
US Army Contracts LM for Precision Strike Missiles. With an operational range exceeding 499 kilometers (310 miles), a PrSM launch pod is capable of carrying and firing two missiles.
The Army's Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor ready for low-rate production.

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US Continues Strikes Against Houthis. Suspected U.S. airstrikes pounded Yemen overnight into Saturday, as the American military acknowledged earlier bombing a major military site in the heart of Sanaa controlled by the Houthi rebels.
Israel receives Hamas Hostage proposal from mediators and returns counterproposal. The Israeli statement came after media reports on Saturday said Hamas had agreed to an Egyptian proposal to release five living hostages in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire in Gaza
IDF Strikes S. Lebanon & Beirut in Response to Rocket Attack.

After the rocket attack, Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Friday morning that “the fate of Kiryat Shmona is the same as the fate of Beirut,” in a threat to the Lebanese capital. He said that without peace in Israel’s northern border communities, “there will be no peace in Beirut either.”

Ukraine President Warns - Russia Preparing for Offensive. "I can confirm that Putin is trying to get time and is preparing for a spring offensive. We see preparations for this upcoming operation," President Zelensky said on March 27.
USMC to Deploy Unmanned Missile System (NMESIS) to Philippine Exercise Balikatan in April. US SECDEF Pete Hegseth pledged anti-ship missile deployments, increased military training and defense industrial base cooperation to the Philippines under steps to “re-establish” deterrence in the Indo-Pacific Region.
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) departed San Diego, California for what is expected to be its last deployment. Following the carrier’s deployment, the USS Nimitz is set to shift homeports- from Bremerton, Washington to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, in 2026- ahead of its planned decommissioning.
USAF Secretary Nominee drills down on Nuclear Modernization during US SASC hearing.

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Hamas open to negotiate release of small number of Hostages for a truce during Eid al-Fitr holiday period. The Kan public broadcaster acknowledged that it was still unclear what Hamas will ask in return for those it releases, though it did say that the freed hostages would include American-Israeli IDF lone soldier Edan Alexander.
Iran: US Bases not safe if Americans attack. Tehran would strike US bases in the region if Washington follows through on its warning of military consequences for Iran in the absence of a new nuclear deal, the speaker of the Iranian parliament said on Friday.
White House Releases: Outcomes of the US-Russia & US-Ukraine Expert Discussions on the Black Sea (23-25 March 2025).
UK and France to Meet in Ukraine to Discuss "Reassurance Force". Ukrainian, British and French general staff representatives will hold a meeting in Ukraine within a week to discuss the potential deployment of foreign troops to the country, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 28.
US Army considers "sunsetting" the afloat Army Preposition Stock (APS) - 3. If Pentagon leaders ultimately sunset the floating APS, the Army is eyeing plans to distribute the equipment sets throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

APS =Sets of equipment, such as all the tanks and wheeled vehicles of an armored brigade combat team, that are strategically prepositioned in climate controlled facilities worldwide.

US Army to deploy mature air and missile defense equipment prototypes to selected locations in Europe and Ind-Pacific.
Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensors, or LTAMDS, to Guam
Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) platoon with prototype launchers to South Korea
Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) capability to Europe to modernize a Patriot air defense battalion
US to Fire Mid-Range Capability Missile System During Upcoming Australian Exercise Talisman Sabre in mid-July 2025.

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US Airstrikes on Houthi Rebels Continue. The Houthis described American airstrikes targeting sites around the city of Saada, a Houthi stronghold, the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, and Marib province, home to oil and gas fields still under the control of allies to Yemen’s exiled central government.
IDF strikes over 100 white pickup trucks used by Hamas during the 07 October attack as well as propaganda ceremonies for the release of Israeli Hostages.
Iran Open to "Indirect Talks" with US. “The way is open for indirect negotiations,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, dismissing the prospect of direct talks “until there is a change in the other side’s approach toward the Islamic republic.”
From Riyadh: Monday's talks between the US and Russia lasted 12 hours. Russian news agencies said a joint statement would be released on Tuesday. Ukrainian and US delegations will meet on Tuesday for talks to follow Russia-US negotiations.
Estonia to provide Ukraine with $108.4 million in assistance. The assistance will incorporate unmanned aerial and ground systems, watercraft, medical solutions, and related supply sources from Estonian industry partners. Tallinn has not revealed the timeline of the potential donation, quantities, or other specifics due to security reasons.
Switzerland joins the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) Patriot Support Partnership (PATRIOT SP). The initiative aims to enhance security and improve the availability of spare parts for the country’s Patriot ground-based air defense systems. Bern emphasized that the initiative aligns with its neutrality policy, with the option to withdraw from the partnership if any member country becomes involved in an international armed conflict.
Australia Receives First Delivery of 142 HIMARS Launchers. The first two of a planned 42 HIMARS launcher vehicles had already arrived from the US, the government said in a statement, describing the system as a “game changer” that would bolster security in Australia and the region.
US Senate Confirms John Phelan as SECNAV.

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Senior Hamas Political Official killed during IDF Gaza Strike. Ismail Barhoum, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau, was killed on Sunday evening in a targeted Israeli airstrike on a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz in a statement hailed the killing of Barhoum, saying he was “the new Hamas prime minister in Gaza, who replaced Issam Da'alis, the previous prime minister who was eliminated a few days ago.”
Iran Deploys Missile Systems on Persian Gulf Islands. The weapons were deployed on Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa near the Strait of Hormuz, a globally vital shipping lane.

Naval Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: “We are capable of attacking enemy bases, vessels, and assets in the region. The new systems can completely destroy any target within 600 kilometers (370 miles).”

US-Russia-Ukraine Talks Begin in Riyadh. The talks — with American representatives mediating — are expected to iron out details of a possible limited cease-fire in what could be a crucial step toward a full cessation of hostilities in the war.
Turkish Defense Firm (Aselsan), claims successful test of mobile laser weapon system designed to track and kill (hard & soft) First Person View Drones. The firm distributed a video showing the system- composed of a laser system, and camera (Thermal)- mounted on a vehicle and eliminating multiple types of drones.
Australia procures MK-48 heavy torpedoes in deal worth $125 million. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin and SAIC, the MK-48 is a joint program between the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and United States Navy. The weapons can be used and maintained both by nations’ maritime services.
US Secretary of Defense to Visit Indo-Pacific- first visiting the Philippines. Secretary Hegseth will be in Manila on March 28-29 to meet his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The U.S. Army will not conduct a live-fire operation of its Mid-Range Capability missile system during exercises in the Philippines this spring. The Mid-Range Capability consists of a vertical launch system that uses the Navy’s Raytheon-built Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk missiles, and can strike targets in the 500- to 2,000-kilometer range. The complete system has a battery operations center, four launchers, prime movers and modified trailers.

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Boeing Wins USAF Next-Gen Air Dominance Fighter (F-47). Boeing has won the contract to develop the first ever sixth-generation fighter, dubbed the F-47, President Donald Trump announced today. The fighter will be expected to operate with the service’s forthcoming fleet of drone wingmen known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Anduril are in competition for the separate CCA contract.
US Sec Def Extends USN Carrier USS Harry Truman (CVN-75) in CENTCOM AOR; USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Enroute. The Truman will stay in CENTCOM AOR for another month, according to a U.S. official. The Carl Vinson, which was operating in the East China Sea this week, has been tasked to the Middle East region to make for an overlapping two-carrier presence as the Trump administration ramps up its aggression against the Yemen-based Houthis.
IDF Strikes Airfields in Central Syria. The IDF confirms carrying out airstrikes on the Palmyra military airport and the nearby T-4 airbase in central Syria. The strikes targeted “remaining strategic military capabilities” at the two sites.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that Israel would annex areas of the Gaza Strip should the terror group Hamas refuse to release the remaining hostages it is still holding. It was unclear if Israel would follow through on its threat to annex parts of Gaza, a move that would likely draw a massive international backlash.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Friday that the Houthis act on their own motivations, after US President Donald Trump said he would hold Tehran accountable for the group’s actions.
EU releases joint statement on Ukraine- minus Hungary.

"The European Council reaffirms its continued and unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders," leaders wrote in a statement signed off by 26 countries.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer comes off ground troops in Ukraine- stresses air and sea power instead.

Speaking to journalists at Northwood UK Military HQ, Sir Keir insisted the priority had to be to support Ukraine in defending itself, “They’ve got the capability, they’ve got the numbers and they’ve got the frontline experience. So we’re not talking about something that replaces that capability — we’re talking about something that reinforces that and then put around it capabilities in relation to air, water and sea and land.”

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IDF Starts Ground Operations in Gaza. The IDF said Wednesday it had launched “pinpoint” ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip. The IDF said its operations were aimed at expanding the security zone near the border and creating a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza.
Captured documents from Gaza show that in the years leading up to 07 October attack, Hamas developed a concrete plan to destroy the Jewish state, in full coordination with Hezbollah and Iran.
President Trump and President Zelenskyy Phone Call. President Donald Trump has held what he described as a "very good" hour-long phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. President Zelensky described his conversation with President Trump as "positive", "frank", and "very substantive".
Ukraine Receives Shipment of F-16 Warplanes. The Ukrainian President stated that several F-16s had arrived but did not reveal the exact number of jets delivered.
The Ukrainian Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces claims fielding of a laser (direct energy) anti-aircraft system. Known as the Triton (English), the system was first publicly mentioned in mid-December 2024- and in February 2025, the Commander confirmed that the weapon was operationally deployed.

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The Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile at Israel from Yemen Tuesday evening, marking the first attack from the Iran-backed group since the ceasefire came into effect in the Gaza Strip two months ago.
IDF Aerial Offensive in Gaza. The Israeli PM- Benjamin Netanyahu- said that the military campaign was launched on the recommendation of Israel’s intelligence services and the IDF, and that it was a last resort after weeks of failed efforts to get Hamas to free more hostages.
President Trump & Russian President Putin Phone Call.
Germany’s parliament on Tuesday voted in favor of amending the constitution to enable significantly increased defense spending. As a result, a new aid package to Ukraine worth €3 billion ($3.28 billion) could be released by Berlin by the end of this week.
F-35 Joint Program Office Assures Allies that the Warplane Has "No Kill Switch".

The Pentagon today attempted to reassure its international partners in the F-35 program that there is no “kill switch” on the stealth fighter jet that the US could use to render it ineffective — the latest signal that there are real concerns abroad about American stewardship of the program amid tensions with historical allies.

US “near peer” adversaries are “practicing dogfighting” in space to simulate orbital combat in yet another step up their wide-ranging effort to develop capabilities to deny, disrupt, degrade and/or destroy US space capabilities, the Space Force’s second in command warned today (General Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations).

And while General Guetlein did not specify which countries five satellites were involved, a Space Force spokesperson later told reporters that the demonstration was Chinese.

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US CENTCOM Campaign Against Houthis. More airstrikes are planned in the coming days.

USAF LTG Alexus G. Grynkewich, director for operations for the Joint Staff: "US CENTCOM began precision strike operations against the Houthis to restore freedom of navigation and American deterrence. The initial wave of strikes hit over 30 targets at multiple locations, degrading a variety of Houthi capabilities. Included among those targets were terrorist training sites, unmanned aerial vehicle infrastructure, weapons manufacturing capabilities and weapons storage facilities."

IDF Strikes Iranian Proxies in Gaza, S. Lebanon, & S. Syria.
President Trump & Russian President to Speak Tuesday About Peace Negotiations.
BBC Report: Ukranian Soldiers talk about combat actions in Kursk region. The BBC has received extensive accounts from Ukrainian troops, who recount a "catastrophic" withdrawal in the face of heavy fire, and columns of military equipment destroyed and constant attacks from swarms of Russian drones.
Sweden will donate 18 Archer artillery units and five Arthur counter-battery radar systems to Ukraine as part of its 18th aid package for Kyiv. The total value of the donations is 3 billion kronor ($296 million), with deliveries of Arthur systems planned to begin this year and Archer systems in 2026.
Canada Reconsidering Future F-35 Fighter Purchase. The Canadian military said while it is committed to the first 16 F-35As it’s on contract to buy from American defense giant Lockheed Martin, it is actively re-evaluating the rest of the multi-billion-dollar order.

Ottawa’s reconsideration of the deal could open a door for alternatives like the Saab Gripen Fighter- which was beat out by the F-35 for the competition to replace Canada’s legacy F-18 fleet.

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US and Israeli Officials reach out to Sudan, Somalia, & Somaliland to discuss Palestinian resettlement during US proposed Gaza reconstruction plan. Officials from Sudan and Somalia said they had rejected overtures from the US, while officials Somaliland told The AP that they were not aware of any contacts.
US President Donald Trump has praised talks held with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the US proposed ceasefire deal with Ukraine as "good and productive". This comes after Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff met in Moscow on Thursday evening.
NSA Mike Waltz on Ukraine- Russia Negotiations - "Both sides are going to have to make compromises."
B-52 Bomber Flyover Marks Sweden's NATO Anniversary. In addition, the bombers were taking part in a Bomber Task Force mission called Viking Nebula, alongside a pair of Swedish JAS 39 Gripens. The Swedish fighters escorted the B-52s to Vidsel Test Range, where the bombers released GBU-30 joint direct attack munitions. USAF said this was the B-52s’ first live weapons drop in Sweden since the country joined NATO last year.
US Budget CR Passes Senate. The Senate approved a funding bill that will keep federal agencies funded until Sept. 30, with a $892.5 billion defense topline that slightly exceeds that of fiscal 2024.
The US Senate today confirmed billionaire financier Stephen Feinberg to be the Defense Department’s number two official. Mr. Feinberg’s nomination was cleared in a 59-40 vote this afternoon.

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Interim Syrian President Signs Temporary Constitution. The temporary constitution leaves the country under Islamist rule while promising to protect the rights of all Syrians for five years during a transitional phase.
A group of around 100 senior figures from among Syria’s Druze are expected to visit the Israeli Golan Heights on Friday, and meet Sheikh Muafak Tarif, spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel.
Russian President Putin on Ukraine Ceasefire - "We are in favor- but there are nuances. A ceasefire should lead to "an enduring peace and remove the root causes of this crisis", the Russian President said.
Russian forces have recaptured Sudzha, the largest town that Ukraine once occupied in the Kursk Region. Russia’s top general Valery Gerasimov claimed Wednesday that Russian forces had recaptured more than 86% of the Kursk area taken by Ukraine.
Defense Ministers from Estonia and Latvia are concerned that even if Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to a ceasefire deal, the reprieve may only allow Moscow to further consolidate its military and industrial might, and use it again elsewhere.
Royal Netherlands Navy Fires Tomahawk Missile from Frigate. The Netherlands’ Ministry of Defence announced that the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS De Ruyter (F804) launched a Tomahawk cruise missile off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia on Tuesday, marking the first time a Dutch warship fired the missile.
US Foreign Military Sale to Australia: The US State Department has approved a potential $91.2-million sale of precision-guided munitions to Australia. Canberra will receive 54 x Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems-Alternate Warhead (GMLRS-AW) rounds, along with telemetry kits, engineering services, and related support. Lockheed Martin and Lockheed Martin Australia are the principal contractors.

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Ukraine Will Agree to a 30 Day Ceasefire with Russia - US to Restart Military Aid and Intel Sharing. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: "We'll take this offer now to the Russians. And we hope that they'll say yes, that they'll say yes to peace. The President's objective here is, number one, above everything else, he wants the war to end, and I think today Ukraine has taken a concrete step in that regard. We hope the Russians will reciprocate."
Iranian President to President Trump: "Do Whatever the Hell You Want." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that his country would not negotiate with the United States over its nuclear program while being threatened.
Israel and Lebanon agreed on Tuesday to open negotiations to delineate the border between the two countries, the Prime Minister’s Office said. Jerusalem and Beirut negotiated a maritime boundary in 2022 — but the two countries have yet to adopt an official land border.
Israeli journalists tour IDF posts atop Mount Hermon, on Syrian side of border. The IDF has established nine military posts inside Syrian territory, including two atop Mount Hermon. Three IDF brigades, under the 210th Bashan Regional Division, are deployed to the area.
Latest US Budget News: The Republican-led House voted Tuesday to pass a six-month funding bill that would prevent a government shutdown at the end of the week. The measure now heads to the US Senate, where its fate is uncertain.

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Iran Supreme Leader Not Interested in Talks with "Bullying" Countries. Iran's Supreme leader has criticized "bullying" countries in an apparent response to US President Donald Trump's letter demanding negotiations over its nuclear program.
Israel on Sunday prepared to send a delegation to Doha for further talks on the Gaza truce.
Israel’s Energy Minister on Sunday instructed the Israel Electric Corporation to immediately cut off the supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip, in an apparent bid to pile pressure on Hamas, where 24 hostages presumed to be alive, and the bodies of 35 more, are still held.
Russian Forces Advance in Kursk Region. Russian forces on Sunday recaptured three more settlements in Russia's western Kursk region, the Defence Ministry said (Russian), as part of an operation to evict Ukrainian troops holding chunks of territory seven months after a cross-border incursion.
Norway will more than double its aid to Ukraine in 2025 to bring the annual total to $7.8 billion, Prime Minister Jonas Store announced Thursday.
France on Friday began handing over military bases in Senegal, as part of a withdrawal of troops from the west African nation where it has had a presence since 1960. The withdrawal follows the departure of French forces from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Ivory Coast in recent years.
Iran - Russia - China Naval Drills in Indian Ocean. The drills “will begin on Tuesday in the port of Chabahar,” located in southeast Iran on the Gulf of Oman, the Tasnim news agency said, without specifying their duration. Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka will attend as observers.
The U.S. military’s classified mini-space shuttle- the X-37B- returned to Earth on Friday after circling the world for 434 days. The space plane blasted into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in December 2023 on a secret mission. Launched by SpaceX, the X-37B vehicle carried no people, just military experiments.

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President Trump Sends Letter to Iran Supreme Leader. US President Donald Trump said he wants to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran and sent a letter to its leadership this week suggesting talks with the Islamic Republic.
New Syrian government consolidating security against Pro-Assad forces in the Alawite Minority. A Syria war monitor reported on Saturday that over 530 civilians from the Alawite minority had been killed in recent days by security forces, as authorities clash with militants loyal to the former government of Bashar al-Assad. The civilian deaths bring the overall toll to 745 people, including 93 members of the new government’s security forces and 120 pro-Assad fighters.
France - Germany - Italy - UK - Support Arab Rebuild Plan for Gaza. “The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises – if implemented – swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians living in Gaza,” the ministers said in a joint statement.
US & Ukraine to Discuss Peace in Saudi Arabia. From Ukrainian President Zelenskyy: "Next Monday, I have a visit planned to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with the Crown Prince. After that, my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with our American partners," Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X. "Ukraine is most interested in peace."
Singapore announced a 12.4% defense budget hike on 03 March, with major new equipment on order. The FY2025 defense budget is slated to reach US $17.4 billion.
USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes (two variants) receive series designations: General Atomics designation: YFQ-42A; & Anduril designation: YFQ-44A. (Y = Prototype; F = Fighter; & Q = Drone.)
US Army selects Textron Ripsaw M3 as promising Robotic Combat Vehicle prototype for development.

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New IDF Chief of Staff: 2025 - A Year of War. New IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir stated that 2025 would be “a year of war” with a focus on the Gaza Strip and Iran.
US Unfreezes $95 Million Aid Package to Lebanese Armed Forces.
US Pauses Intelligence Sharing with Ukraine. Comments from top Trump administration officials suggest the decision is part of the broader negotiations between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to negotiate a peace deal with Russia, and that intelligence could begin flowing to Ukraine again soon. CIA Director John Ratcliffe called the suspension a “pause".
Denmark picked Norwegian ammunition maker Nammo to restart a shuttered ammo plant for production of small- and large-caliber ammunition, the country’s defense ministry said. Nammo will produce 155 mm and 120 mm shells at the Elling plant, as well as 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm caliber cartridges.
As development continues, the USAF is fielding inquiries on Foreign Military Sales for new MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter. The MH-139 Fleet is primarily tasked with supporting nuclear security, as well as ferrying VIPs in the Washington, DC-area.

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Arab Leaders Adopt Egypt's Gaza Reconstruction Plan. The Egyptian plan, called “Early Recovery, Reconstruction, Development of Gaza,” is based on “preserving the rights, dignity and humanity of the Palestinian people, and on the horizon of a two-state solution.”
Ukraine President Proposes Partial Ceasefire. Ukraine is proposing to Russia a “truce in the sky” – that is, a halt to mutual long-range drone and missile strikes against civilian infrastructure and, above all, against their respective energy industries.
EU Ready to Spend $843 Billion to Rearm Europe. Unveiling the plan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, was blunt, saying, “We are in an era of rearmament. And Europe is ready to massively boost its defense spending.” “This is Europe’s moment, and we must live up to it,” she added.
During an address to a Joint session of Congress, President Trump announced the creation of a shipbuilding office in the White House centered on revitalizing the nation’s commercial and naval shipbuilding industry.
20 Additional Missile Silos emplaced at Fort Greely, AK. Boeing has finished building 20 x new silos for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System at Fort Greely, Alaska, growing the number of interceptors that can be emplaced there from 40 to 60.
Lockheed Martin Out of Navy's F/A XX Competition- leaving Northrop Grumman and Boeing in the running to replace the F/A-18 and E/A-18 with a new air superiority fighter.

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Israel PM thanks US for recent Foreign Military Sales of weapons to "finish the job" against Iran and their terror proxies. On Saturday, US Secretary of State Rubio said he had signed a declaration to expedite around $4 billion in military assistance to Israel, adding that a partial arms embargo imposed under former administration had been reversed.
Egypt Prepares Plan for Gaza Reconstruction. Egypt’s vision will be presented at an Arab League summit on Tuesday.
US Pauses Military Aid to Ukraine. US President Donald Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine on Monday, a White House official said, sharply escalating pressure on Kyiv to agree to peace negotiations with Russia.
UK & France Want to Lead "Coalition of the Willing" in Ukraine Peace Agreement. British Prime Minister Kier Starmer announced the proposal on Sunday during a meeting of 18 European leaders in London.
The UK placed an order worth as much as $2 billion with Thales to supply more than 5,000 air defense missiles for Ukraine, the government said.
US President Donald Trump’s administration is loosening restrictions on military airstrikes by giving Commanders more autonomy to make lethal decisions, according to a U.S. defense official.

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US Foreign Military Sale to Israel Worth $3 Billion- includes $295 million for Armored D9 Caterpillar bulldozers and related equipment. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.
President Trump & President Zelensky Oval Office Meeting. (You have to listen to the whole meeting.)
European Leaders react to the President Trump & President Zelensky Oval Office Meeting. Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni, proposed “an immediate summit” between the United States and European allies “to speak frankly about how we intend to face today’s great challenges, starting with Ukraine.”
Wall Street Journal Report: Ukraine has enough weapons to sustain fighting until Summer without further US aid.
In response to President Donald Trump's "America First" Policy- Germany (and Europe) will increase defense industrial capacity to gain military materiel independence.
Poland Leases AH-64 Apache Helicopters before Full Fleet Delivery.

The Polish Ministry of National Defence has signed a $300 million deal to lease 8 x Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters from the United States. The contract comes in anticipation of the deliveries of 96 x AH-64E helicopters Poland ordered in August 2024.

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IDF Probe on 7 Oct Hamas Attack. Israeli reporters were presented with the investigations conducted by the Southern Command, Operations Division, Israeli Air Force, and Israeli Navy.
US & Russian Diplomats Meet in Istanbul. A U.S. Embassy official in Ankara confirmed that the Istanbul talks focused on the issues affecting the operation of respective diplomatic missions.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said that North Korea appears to have sent additional troops to Russia, after its soldiers deployed on the Russian-Ukraine fronts suffered heavy casualties.
Poland & Slovakia Collaborate on Defense Materiel. Poland and Slovakia have signed a letter of intent to jointly produce ammunition and cooperate on the procurement of armored vehicles, tank, and air defense weapons.
Senate Confirmation Hearings for Top Pentagon Positions.
John Phelan (President Trump's Nominee for the Secretary of the Navy) testified today before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Mr. Phelan told lawmakers he’d be focused on correcting the course of problematic shipbuilding programs as well as replenishing dwindling munitions stockpiles.
Stephen Feinberg (President Trump's Nominee for Deputy Defense Secretary) listed shipbuilding, aircraft development, nuclear modernization, cyber defense, hypersonics, counterspace capabilities and counter-drone platforms as key technology “shortages” needed to beat China, which he called the biggest and most challenging threat the United States.

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Israel & Hamas Agree on Hostage - Prisoner Release as Phase I of Deal Closes. The first phase of the deal, which includes the ongoing ceasefire, ends on Saturday.
French President Macron visits White House- "feasible" to talk about a truce in the war and the start of negotiations for a sustainable peace within weeks.
Ukraine President Zelenskyy to visit Washington this week and possible agree on rare earth and mineral deal with US- in exchange for continued US support to Ukraine.
Competing resolutions in UN highlight daylight between US and European Leaders.
Norway continues aid to Ukraine with $312 million allocation of military equipment support.
Latest Estonian military aid package to Ukraine is worth $104 million- including 10,000 rounds of artillery ammunition.
US to Field Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon in '25.
US Senate Confirms new Army Secretary- confirmed on a 66-28 vote.

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Israeli Forensic Doctor Reports Bibas Family Murdered by Terrorists - Not Killed by Airstrike.
Israel to delay freeing of 600 Palestinian Prisoners after humiliating release ceremony of six Israeli Hostages.
IDF Warplanes conduct flyover of former top Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's funeral ceremony in Beirut. Defense Minister Israel Katz: “You will specialize in funerals, and we will specialize in victories.”
Arab Leaders Meet in Riyadh to Discuss Gaza Reconstruction. The meeting – including Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf Arab nations – took place ahead of a larger Arab summit on March 4, Saudi Arabia said. A meeting of Islamic countries is expected to follow, according to the Egyptian foreign ministry.
Polish President Duda met with President Trump in Washington to discuss Ukraine.

6, US President Trump announced a second meeting for Ukraine negotiations will occur on 25 Feb in Riyadh.

UK and French Leaders to visit Washington for Ukraine discussions with President Donald Trump. Mr. Macron, is due at the White House on Monday and Mr. Starmer is set to follow on Thursday.
US and Ukraine / EU send competing UN resolutions to General Assembly on 3d year anniversary of the war.
President Trump Removes Chairman of the Joint Chiefs & Navy CNO. In addition, the USAF Vice Chief of Staff and the Judge Advocate Generals of the Army, Navy and USAF have reportedly also been removed.

Short episode- For review:

Bodies of Four Hostages Returned to Israel include Shiri, Ariel & Kfir Bibas.
President Trump & Leader of Ukraine Have War of Words.

President Trump: “Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelensky, talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a War that he, without the US and ‘TRUMP,’ will never be able to settle.”

Australia and Papua New Guinea negotiate defense treaty.
Australia Monitoring Chinese Warships Off the Continent's East Coast. Three Chinese navy vessels — a frigate, a cruiser and a supply tanker — were spotted last week in waters off mainland Australia.
Australian UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters achieve Initial Operating Capability- 15 months after arrival. The IOC achievement follows extensive testing, evaluation, and training, along with the launch of a fleet support and maintenance system. In 2023, Australia signed a deal to procure 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters via the US Government foreign military sales program.

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Hamas to release six Israeli Hostages on Saturday.
IDF Strikes Weapon Sites in Syria. The strikes targeted Syrian tanks used to store weapons, according to the IDF.
IRGC General Threatens Israel with Third Missile Attack. “The True Promise 3 will be carried out in appropriate time,” said deputy commander-in-chief of the IRGC Brigadier General Ali Fadavi.
US & Russia Establish Goals for Cooperation in Riyadh Talks. The two sides agreed broadly to pursue three goals: to restore staffing at their respective embassies in Washington and Moscow, to create a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks, and to explore closer relations and economic cooperation.
US President Trump said he would not oppose the Europeans if they wanted to send peacekeepers to Ukraine to provide security guarantees in the event of a peace deal. "Having troops over there would be fine, I wouldn't object to it at all," President Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach.
Russian defense companies make comeback at the biennial 2025 IDEX Defense Show in Abu Dhabi- United Arab Emirates. The 2025 IDEX setting is noticeably different from the 2023 edition, when Russian companies were not even listed on the show’s official website. One of the top Russian exhibits is the Kalashnikov Group's Kub-2-E strike drone equipped with guided munitions as part of a drone-swarming concept.
UK begins competition for new 5.56mm light machine gun. Named “Project TROUBLER,” the initiative seeks to address capability gaps left by the decommissioning of the L110 A2, a 7.2-kilogram (15.8-pound) machine gun. The new weapon must be lighter and more modern than its predecessor, enhancing the mobility and combat effectiveness of Infantry Soldiers.
US Navy continues recovery of the EA-18G Growler that crashed in the San Diego Bay last week. The entire recovery operation could take up to two weeks, according to a US Navy news release.
US Tests Unarmed Minuteman III Ballistic Missile. A test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled for Tuesday night from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. The missile will likely be visible from Los Angeles and well beyond as is flies on a trajectory to the central Pacific Ocean. The launch might be visible from as far away as Oregon, Nevada, western Utah and Arizona, and northwest Mexico.

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: IDF will Remain on 5 Strategic Hills in S. Lebanon. The US authorized the IDF to remain in the five points, though it was not clear how long troops would stay there.
Lebanon extend ban on flights from Iran. US advised Lebanon that Israel may shoot Iranian planes down. Israel asserts that Tehran was using civilian aircraft to smuggle cash to Beirut to arm the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah.
Unconfirmed reports say that Hamas has agreed to allow the Palestinian Authority to lead Gaza after a permanent ceasefire.
US & Russian Officials Meet in Saudi Arabia. Senior American and Russian officials will hold talks on improving their ties and negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine President Calls for 200k Soldier European Army.
Top European Leaders Meet in Paris to Discuss Next Steps in Ukraine.
US Indo-Pacific Combatant Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo say that Chinese military exercises around Taiwan are “not exercises; they are rehearsals” for forced reunification with the mainland.

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Three Israeli Hostages Released after 498 Days in Captivity. In exchange for the three Hostages, Israel released 369 Palestinian detainees and security prisoners, including 36 terrorists serving life sentences for murder.
Per Washington Post report- President Donald Trump and PM Benjamin Netanyahu discussed US support for a potential Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites during the Israeli leader's visit to Washington D.C. last week.
IDF strikes a prominent member of Unit 127- the Hezbollah formation in S. Lebanon responsible for aerial drone attack and surveillance flights over Israel.
Lebanon arrests 25 for attack on UNIFIL Convoy that wounded two Peacekeepers. UNIFIL = UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
From Politico: US & Russian Officials to Meet in Saudi Arabia to Discuss Peace in Ukraine. Representing the US are the National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Steve Witkoff, the president’s Middle East Envoy. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian government and the State Department didn’t respond to a request for comment.
On Friday, US Secretary of Defense Hegseth visited Poland where he held talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the country’s defense minister. Secretary Hegseth: "We see Poland as the model ally on the continent, willing to invest not just in their defense, but in our shared defense, and the defense of the continent.”
Due to long lead times for Lockheed Martin-made M142 HIMARS, Estonia is considering other long-range fires options for a second tranche order. Rocketsan’s Khan, from Turkey; the Elbit Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS), out of Israel; and South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace-made K239 Chunmoo- are said to be in the running for selection.
Indonesia to Procure Bayraktar TB3 Drones. Turkish drone maker Baykar will supply Indonesia with 60 Bayraktar TB3 armed drones and nine Akinci surveillance drones, according to Indonesian firm Republikorp.
US Army to deploy the ATHENA - R (Army Theater level High Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne ISR- Radar) to South Korea for a four-month Operational Test and Evaluation. The ATHENA effort is in support of the US Army's High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program- that is also integrated on the Bombardier Global 6500 business jet.

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Israel to Hamas - Ceasefire Continues if 3 Hostages Released Saturday.
IDF conducts airstrikes in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah weapon stores, launchers, and facilities.
Iran to unveil and new indigenous, cruise missile in March- with a reported range of 2000 kilometers. Quote from IRGC Rear Admiral Tangsiri: “We now have missiles that can be launched from the depths of the Iranian territory, eliminating the need for coastal launches.”
Speaking at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, the US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says no NATO Membership for Ukraine. Secretary Hegseth: "the war between Ukraine and Russia must end", that Kyiv joining NATO is unrealistic and that the US will no longer prioritize European and Ukrainian security.
President Trump Speaks with Russian President - Directs Negotiations to End War.
US President Donald Trump wants to have nuclear arms talks with Russia and China. President Trump: “There’s no reason for us to be building brand new nuclear weapons, we already have so many,” Trump said. “You could destroy the world 50 times over, 100 times over. And here we are building new nuclear weapons, and they’re building nuclear weapons.” The US President continues: “One of the first meetings I want to have is with President Xi of China, President Putin of Russia. And I want to say, ‘Let’s cut our military budget in half.’ And we can do that. And I think we’ll be able to.”
Japan to procure Boeing CH-47 Block II Chinooks. Beside the US, Japan will join Germany and the UK as operators of the latest Chinook variant.
Two Naval Aviators in good condition after their EA-18G Growler crashes during an attempted landing at the NAS North Island (San Diego, CA).

For review:

US President Trump suggests that Israel end the ceasefire agreement with Hamas if all remaining Hostages are not freed by Saturday.
Israel PM Warns Resumption of "Intense Fighting" in Gaza if Hostages Not Released on Saturday. In preparation, the IDF announced that it is “extensively” bolstering its forces in the Southern Command, and approving battle plans for the Gaza Strip in the event that the ceasefire-hostage deal with Hamas collapses.
Egypt to Present Plan for Gaza Reconstruction. Egypt plans to “present a comprehensive vision for the reconstruction” of the Gaza Strip that ensures Palestinians remain on their land, the Egyptian foreign ministry says in a statement.
Houthi Rebels in Yemen vow to launch attacks on Israel if fighting resumes in Gaza.
Belgium Promises to Increase Defense Spending. The government of Prime Minister Bart De Wever plans to set the Belgian defense budget on track to reach current NATO spending targets by 2029 (2% GDP).
Germany Selects PULS (Precise and Universal Launching System) Rocket Artillery System. For Germany, a key PULS feature is that it can fire rockets of various calibers, ranging from 122mm to 370mm, produced by different manufacturers.
Latest US Army update on the IVAS program. IVAS = Integrated Visual Augmentation System. Microsoft is seeking to transfer its entire IVAS contract over to Anduril (10-year - $22 billion contract).

For review:

IDF Withdraws from Netzarim Corridor After 5th Hostage Release Cycle. According to the ceasefire deal, Israeli forces had to withdraw after the fifth swap was carried out.
US President Donald Trump comments on the poor state of appearance of the three Israeli Hostages released on Saturday. President Trump: “They are in really bad shape, they have been treated brutally, horribly. Even the ones that came out earlier, they were in a little bit better shape, but mentally they were treated so badly. Who could take that? “You know, at some point, we’re gonna lose our patience.”
IDF continues strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Israeli fighter jets carried out several airstrikes in Lebanon on Sunday evening, including against a tunnel between Lebanon and Syria used by Hezbollah to smuggle arms. Additionally, the Israeli Air Force targeted several Hezbollah sites in other areas of Lebanon, which included weapons and rocket launchers that “posed an immediate threat” to Israel.
President Trump Reveals Conversations With Russian President Putin About Ending War in Ukraine. “I’d better not say,” said Trump when asked how many times the two leaders have spoken.
European Union Defense Spending in 2024 Expected be 326 Billion Euros.
US Secretary of Defense Hegseth pledges to prioritize cutting waster in the Department of Defense. Secretary Hegseth said that in addition to rooting out waste, fraud and abuse, the Pentagon needs to slash hierarchies and layers of bureaucracy that aren’t serving the military. That could also involve a reduction in the number of four-star generals and flag officers, he said. “We won World War II with seven four-star generals. Today we have 44. Do all of those directly contribute to warfighting success? Maybe they do. I don’t know, but it’s worth reviewing to make sure they do.”

For review:

IDF Warplanes Strike Hezbollah Weapon Depots in Lebanon.
Three Israeli Hostages set for release on Saturday morning from Gaza Strip. Israel will release 183 Palestinian prisoners in return.
In a speech from Tehran, the Iranian Supreme Leader vows Iran will respond to any threat or violation of the country's security by the US.
Iran Unveils IRGC Navy Drone Carrier. According to an IRGC Navy Commander- the drone carrier is capable of carrying several squadrons of unmanned aerial vehicles, launching and landing unmanned fighter jets, deploying various reconnaissance and combat drones, launching and recovering various light and fast combat vessels, as well as carrying and deploying various combat and support helicopters.
US Special Envoy to Ukraine & Russia- Keith Kellogg- will participate in the Munich Security Conference from 14-16 February. Though he will speak at the event, Mr. Kellogg denied that he will release the US Peace Proposal to stop the fighting between Russia and Ukraine. Mr. Kellogg: "The person that's going to present the peace plan is the President of the United States, not Keith Kellogg."
Russian Army receives first batch of BMP-3 Fighting Vehicles. The BMP-3 is armed with a 100-millimeter gun launcher, a 30-millimeter autocannon, a grenade launcher, machine guns, and an optional remote weapon station with a 57-millimeter autocannon.
France Sends Mirage Fighters to Ukraine. Sébastien Lecornu, France’s Armed Forces Minister, said last year that the Mirage 2000 Fighters would be equipped with air-to-ground weapons and new electronic warfare equipment.
UK to Chair Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels. United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defense John Healey will chair the event as it gathers for its 26th time next week in Brussels, marking the first time an American defense secretary has not convened the meeting in its three-year history.
Dutch military renews focus on the strategic importance of rail transport for heavy military equipment and supplies.
Panama declines to renew Panama Canal infrastructure agreement with China after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit.

For review:

President Trump's Idea Relocates Palestinians During Gaza Reconstruction. Asked how many Gazans he intended to relocate, the President said, “All of them.” Asked to clarify whether the White House was shifting away from President Trump’s talk of “permanent” to “temporary” relocation, the WH Press Secretary responded, “The President has made it clear that they need to be temporarily relocated out of Gaza for the rebuilding of this effort as it’s a demolition site right now it’s not a livable place for any human being.”
President Trump denies that the US is working in conjunction with Israel to blow Iran into "smithereens".
US Ongoing Negotiations with Russia & Ukraine. President Trump described the talks as “very good, very constructive” and hinted at “progress” on the Russia-Ukraine issue—though he did not offer specifics.
In 2024, Turkey's defense exports increased 29% from the previous year. Turkey’s biggest defense exporters include drone maker Baykar, Turkish Aerospace Industries, ASFAT, armored vehicle producer MKE and ARCA.
India to increase defense budget by 9.5% during the 2025-2026 period.
Philippines to increase defense budget by 12.3% in 2025.
US Navy Tests High-Energy Laser from Arleigh Burke Destroyer, USS Preble (DDG-88).
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to host first foreign counterpart at the Pentagon- Mr. Richard Marles- the deputy prime minister and defense minister of Australia.

For review:

Israeli PM Visits Washington D.C.
Major General Eyal Zamir to be the new Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff. Major General Zamir’s background in the armored corps is unique for a Israeli Chief of Staff.
New Iranian Ballistic Missile (Etemad) can reach Israel with a 1,700 kilometer range.
Saudi Arabia Increases Defense Spending in 2025. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has allocated $78 billion for defense spending in 2025, up from $75.8 billion spent in 2024.
Ukrainian President Denies Receiving $177 Billion in American Aid. In an interview with the AP: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy noted during an interview that he does not know where $100 billion of the $177 billion that the US has given to Ukraine.
US President Trump wants Ukrainian Rare Earth Materials as condition for continued American support to Ukraine. President Donald Trump: “We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earth and other things.”
German Army to Develop 120mm Turreted Mortar. Germany and Patria have signed a research and development agreement for the Common Armored Vehicle System (CAVS) NEMO mortar and mortar command & control variants for the German Armed Forces.
Estonia receives the first six of twelve Caesar mobile 155mm howitzers. The newly-established 3rd self-propelled artillery battalion operating under the command of the Estonian Division will be assigned the 155 mm truck cannons.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth travels to Fort Bliss, Texas and meets with US Troops operating on the Southern Border. Secretary Hegseth will also likely announce a further 400 to 500 troops heading to the area. Members of the 10th Mountain Division, stationed at Fort Drum in New York, will travel to Texas this week to set up a separate headquarters to command the military’s expanded role at the U.S.-Mexico border.

For review:

From DoD Release: US AFRICOM conducts airstrikes against ISIS operatives in the Golis Mountains of Somalia.
Three Israeli Hostages Released After 484 Days of Hamas Captivity.
Iran Threatens War in Region if Nuclear Sites Attacked.
US Wants Ukraine Presidential Elections Possibly This Year. Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, told Reuters that presidential and parliamentary elections, suspended since the all-out war began, "need to be done." He argued that most democratic nations hold elections during wartime and that doing so would strengthen Ukraine’s democracy.
Russia declines to comment of status of N. Korean Troops operating in the Kursk Region.
Denmark supports the Ukraine war effort by spending military aid funding on locally-made materiel, instead of foreign equipment. Buying local gets weapons to the front faster and at lower cost, and facilitates training and maintenance.
US Army Mobile 155mm Artillery Effort in 2025. The Army is planning to pick an unspecified number of companies to proceed and award Phase I contracts around the July to September timeframe. Those vendors will then participate in additional “competitive evaluation testing” that will run through fiscal 2026.
US President Trump directs building of the Iron Dome Missiles Defense Shield for America.

For review:
1. US Army Black Hawk Collides with Passenger Jet Near Reagan National Airport.
The two aircraft crashed as the American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, with 64 people aboard, was approaching the runway flying over the Potomac River. The Black Hawk was on a training flight from Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir.
There were no survivors found.
2. Eight Hostages released from Gaza after 482 days in captivity- 3 Israelis & 5 Thai citizens.
3. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visits Hamas leaders in Qatar.
4. Iran Unveils Long-Range & Long-Endurance Drone- Shahed-149.
5. Sweden's Latest Military Aid Package to Ukraine Worth $1.2 Billion.
Sweden will also provide financing for priority needs such as artillery, long-range strike capabilities, and drones.
6. Netherlands to procure 22 x Skyranger Mobile Air Defense Systems protect the maneuver battalions of its medium and heavy infantry brigades.
The Skyranger’s Oerlikon 30 mm revolver cannon has a firing rate of around 1,200 rounds per minute, and can fire programmable airburst munitions.

For review:
1. Three Israeli and Five Thai Hostages Set for Release on Thursday.
In exchange for the three hostages to be freed on Thursday, Israel will free 110 Palestinian security prisoners.
2. In Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa is appointed President to lead the transitional phase.
After cancelling the country's constitution passed in 2012 under the Assad regime, Mr. al-Sharaa will be authorized to form a temporary legislative council until a new constitution is drafted.
3. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Russian President Putin trade insults while war continues on. (Neither ready to commit to peace negotiations).
4. Denmark to invest $2 billion to strengthen Arctic defense capabilities.
Copenhagen said the spending pledge covers the purchase of three Arctic naval vessels capable of carrying helicopters and drones; two long-range drones with the “ability to conduct surveillance over large areas at great distances;” and increased situational awareness through additional satellite “capacity.”
5. Poland continues high-level modernization by signing a $745 million contract to purchase 200 x Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles – Extended Range missiles. The missiles- to be used on Poland’s fleet of F-35A Joint Strike Fighters- are scheduled to be delivered between 2029 and 2035.
6. US Navy MQ-25 Unmanned Tankers to Operate From Aircraft Carriers in 2026.
7. USAF F-35A Crash in Alaska - Pilot Safely Ejected.
The stealth fighter exploded on impact and is likely a total loss.
8. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth revokes the security clearance and removes the security detail of Retired General Mark Milley - former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In addition, a second portrait of General Milley (Retired) was removed- one that marked his service as a former Army Chief of Staff.
(This is the 2d portrait of him removed from the Pentagon. The first portrait- one that marked his service as a CJCS- was removed hours after President Donald Trump was inaugurated on 20 January 2025.)

After broken agreement & negotiations, Hamas to Release Three Hostages on Thursday- Gazans can begin moving north tomorrow.
Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office says Israel reached an agreement with Hamas after “strong and determined negotiations,” and reiterates that it will “not tolerate any violation of the agreement.”
US President Trump to end delivery hold on 2,000 pound bombs to Israel.
President Trump said to reporters aboard Air Force One, “We released them (the bombs). We released them today. And they’ll have them. They paid for them and they’ve been waiting for them for a long time. They’ve been in storage.”
Syria Seizes Shipment of Weapons Bound for Hezbollah.
The shipment was heading to Hezbollah via smuggling routes on the Lebanon-Syria border, in the area of the border city of Sarghaya. Images showed several assault rifles, RPG launchers, and ammunition.
Italy’s Leonardo and Turkish drone maker Baykar are discussing a team-up which could see Leonardo’s electronics and radar mounted on Baykar’s TB2 drones.
Trump Administration looking into future support for Ukraine war effort.
President Trump Directs US Forces to Reinforce Southern Border.
There are already roughly 2,500 military personnel along the border supporting the US Customs and Border Protection mission- & today’s announcement brings the total up to around 4,000 troops deployed. Other assets, such as drones, are also under consideration to be sent to the border.

For review:.
1. Pete Hegseth Confirmed as US SECDEF.
2. Second Set of Israeli Hostages Released - Four Female IDF Soldiers Free After 477 Days in Captivity.
3. IDF to continue presence in S. Lebanon.
A ceasefire signed in late November, stipulated that Israeli forces should withdraw as Hezbollah's weapons and fighters are removed from the south and the Lebanese army deploys. The deal set a 60-day period which ends on Sunday. Israel said on Friday the terms had not been fully enforced by the Lebanese state, meaning Israeli troops would stay beyond Sunday.
4. Houthi Rebels release 153 conflict-related prisoners for humanitarian reasons.
5. Ukraine and Russia exchange bodies of Soldiers Killed in Action.
Friday’s repatriation is at least the fifth involving 500 or more Ukrainian bodies since October.
6. Ukraine President Zelenskyy said any peace deal with Russia would require at least 200,000 European peacekeepers to oversee it.
7. UK Manufactured Boxer Combat Vehicle.
Variants on order from the UK include infantry carrier, specialist carrier, command post carrier and an ambulance type.
The local build of Boxer is the first time the UK has manufactured an armoured vehicle since the Terrier armoured engineering vehicle.

For review:
1. IDF Chief of Staff to Resign in March.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and the head of the IDF Southern Command (Major General Yaron Finkelman) said they would both be resigning over their roles in the failures that led to the Hamas 07 October onslaught.
2. Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs (Mohammad Zarif) discusses conflict with Israel while at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
3. US President Donald Trump's first call with a foreign leader is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
4. Houthi terrorist group finally releases the crew of the merchant vessel M/V Galaxy Leader. In an Executive Order, new US President Trump declares the Houthi group a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
5. During Russian Security Council videotaped meeting, Russian President Putin open to peace talks with US only if "root causes" of the conflict are addressed.
6. Sweden Deploys Mechanized Infantry Battalion to Latvia.
The six month deployment consists of 600 Soldiers, CV90 armored vehicles, and Leopard 2 main battle tanks.
7. Latest Update on US Army IVAS Program.
IVAS = Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS).

For review:
1. Israel Releases 90 Palestinian Prisoners As Part of Ceasefire Deal.
2. Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th American president at the US Capitol in Washington (2d Term).
3. Portrait of former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff (General Mark Milley) taken down, hours after President Trump's swearing in. Whereabouts unknown.
4. UK and Ukraine Sign 100-Year Partnership Agreement.
Under the deal, the UK has committed to providing Ukraine with at least £3 billion ($3.7 billion) in military aid each year up until 2030-31, with a promise of additional support as needed.
5. Ukraine To Reassign Air Force Personnel to Infantry Service.
However, there were no plans to transfer essential Air Force aviation [maintenance] personnel—those who service and repair aircraft—to infantry roles.
6. Polish General Officer removed from position after anti-tank mines were found in Ikea furniture warehouse.
7. Lithuania will increase defense spending 5 to 6 percent of GDP.
Lithuania’s State Defence Council, met and agreed on the new 2026-2030 spending plan today, according to public broadcaster Lithuanian Radio and Television.
8. Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth clears Senate Armed Service Committee vote. Hegseth’s nomination is set for the Senate floor later this week, where it is expected to pass along party lines. (Republicans hold the majority).

For review:
1. Hostage Deal Begins - Three Hostages Released After 471 Days of Captivity in Gaza.
The first three hostages freed under the deal were civilians Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31. Romi Gonen was abducted from the Supernova music festival, while Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were taken from their homes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
2. Syrian leader (Ahmed Al-Sharaa) pushes for Israel to leave buffer zone between the two countries.
“Israel’s advance in the region was due to the presence of Iranian militias and Hezbollah. After the liberation of Damascus, I believe that they have no presence at all. There are pretexts that Israel is using today to advance into the Syrian regions, into the buffer zone,” said Sharaa.
3. Iran State TV Shows Secret Underground Naval Missile Base.
State television said the base was built at a depth of 500 meters, somewhere in the Gulf, showed tunnels with long rows of what it said were a new version of Taregh-class radar-evading speedboats which can launch cruise missiles, and said that some of the vessels were “capable of destroying US warships and destroyers.”
4. One and a half mile-long airstrip being built on Yemen's Abd al-Kuri island.
Abd al-Kuri is part of the Socotra Archipelago, separated from Africa by only 60 miles and from Yemen by some 250 miles.
5. Norway and France to increase defense cooperation.
Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram Gram welcomed his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu for talks in Oslo on Thursday, followed by meetings with the French and Norwegian defense industries, the government said in a statement.
6. First US Navy Destroyer Fitted with Hypersonic Missile Tubes.
USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) is back in the water after the installation of four missile tubes that will eventually carry the Conventional Prompt Strike weapon.
The tubes that will field three missiles a piece- for a total of up to 12 hypersonic missiles.

For review:
1. Israel Cabinet to Vote on Hostage & Ceasefire Deal - Set to Begin on Sunday.
The deal is currently scheduled to take effect on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Unconfirmed reports in Hebrew media said the release of the first three female hostages was expected at 4 p.m. that day.
2. Palestinian Authority President (Mahmoud Abbas) said on Friday that the PA is ready to assume “full responsibility” in post-war Gaza, in his first statement since the Gaza ceasefire deal was announced.
3. Russia & Iran Sign Strategic Partnership Treaty.
The agreement- “covers all spheres, including defense, counter-terrorism, energy, finance, transport, industry, agriculture, culture, science and engineering,” according to Russian news agency TASS.
4. Armor Not Dead: Slovakia Ready to Procure New Battle Tanks.
Two Options listed (CV-90120 & Leopard 2):
The CV-90120 would compete against new Leopard 2A8 tanks from German manufacturer KNDS or used 2A4s, an older Leopard variant that would be modernized.
5. India's Prime Minister Modi launches new Submarine, Frigate, and Destroyer from State-run shipyard in Mumbai.
6. US Navy's Senior Requirements Officer for Surface Warfare (Rear Admiral Willian Daly)- skeptical about developing the Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle (LUSV).
“The Large USV has a great purpose, but it has it has walked that path towards exquisite, expensive [and] unpalatable,” Rear Admiral Daly said. “I’m skeptical about that landing in the fleet.”
7. President-elect Donald Trump nominates Troy Meink as the next Secretary of the Air Force.
Mr. Meink began his career as a KC-135 tanker navigator in 1988. He went on to hold a variety of roles across the Air Force’s space enterprise, serving as a chief technical advisor to the Air Force Research Laboratory and later the deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for space. If confirmed, Meink will lead both the Air Force and the Space Force

For review:
1. Israel - Hamas Ceasefire & Hostage Talks Continue.
Key mediator Qatar it had presented both parties with a “final” draft of the agreement. Israel’s Channel 12 news reported Monday that Jerusalem considered it broadly acceptable. CNN cited an Egyptian official as saying the mediating countries — Qatar, Egypt, and the United States — had not yet received a response from Hamas.
2. NATO Secretary General (Mark Rutte) Wants Commitment for Increased Spending by Alliance Members.
Reuters reported on Monday that Secretary Rutte is of the view that new military capability targets could require members to commit to “as much as” 3.7 percent GDP.
3. Greece Adds Rafale Fighters to Warplane Arsenal.
The latest Rafale delivery supports Greece's goal to operate 200 x aircraft from the 4.5 and 5th generations comprising the F-16 Viper, F-35s, and the Rafales by 2030.
Greece now operates 24 x Rafale fighters.
4. USMC awards contract to integrate the Forterra autonomy package on JLTVs in support of the ROGUE Fires Vehicle & NMESIS program.
NMESIS = Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System.
5. US Navy Vice Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral Jim Kilby) makes a statement at the annual Surface Navy Association symposium regarding the downing of the F/A-18 by friendly fire, in December 2024.
6. Secretary of Defense Nominee Pete Hegseth appears before the Senate Armed Service Committee for confirmation hearing.

For review:
1. Israel Strikes Targets Amid Hezbollah Threat.
Israel says that before the strikes, it made the threats known to an international mechanism set up as part of the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, but “the threats weren’t addressed.”
Israel struck several Hezbollah targets, including a rocket launcher, an unspecified military site, and “routes along the Syria-Lebanon border used to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah.”
2. Governance row between two main Palestinian groups- Hamas and Fatah- plays out in West Bank.
3. Russia Transferring Materiel from Syria to Libya.
On December 18- the Wall Street Journal, citing Libyan and American officials, said there had been a transfer of Russian radars and defense systems from Syria to Libya, including S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft batteries.
4. Russia claims advances in the Donetsk and Kharkiv Regions.
5. Ukraine claims that it has captured two wounded N. Korean Soldiers in Russia's Kursk Region.
6. After GAO Protest Ruling - US Army Restarts Work on Fixed-Wing ISR Program.
7. US Army Launched Effects (LE) program.
Launched Effects is the Army's term of art for an unmanned segment among its aerial platforms, capable of delivering a wide range of capabilities such as targeting, reconnaissance, surveillance, network extension or kinetic strike.

For review:
1. Israel Responds to Houthi Drone & Missile Attacks - IDF Strikes Houthi Coastal Ports and Sanaa Powerplant. The Israel Defense Forces said over 20 IAF aircraft — including fighter jets, refuelers and spy planes — participated in the Israeli strikes.
2. Iranian Media: Military to Field 1000 Strategic Drones.
Reportedly the unmanned aerial vehicles to be delivered include Ababil-4 and Ababil 5, which serve multipurpose missions from reconnaissance, patrolling and combat operations.
3. UK Defense Ministry Release: The Ukraine Defense Contact Group - Drone Capability Coalition (led by UK & Latvia), will deliver 30,000 drones to Ukraine.
These state-of-the-art, first-person view drones will help Ukraine fight against Russian aggression, allowing Ukraine’s Armed Forces to manoeuvre past Russian air defences to target enemy positions and armoured vehicles.
4. Serbia looks to countries other than Russia- for defense materiel (France, Israel, & China).
Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces: "When it comes to weapon deliveries from the Russian Federation, they are currently practically impossible."
5. France's Defense Exports are Second Largest in the World. In the 2019-2023 period- France was the second-largest arms shipper, after the United States, accounting for 11% of global arms exports, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
6. Indo-Pacific countries are taking steps to improve their amphibious capabilities (Japan; Philippines; Australia; & India).
7. An Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition survey says that US Navy multi-ship buys lead to immediate benefits.
Under multi-ship buys, the Navy and defense shipbuilding industry agree on the prices of multiple ships years in advance and within the same contractual agreement.

For review:
1. Lebanon's Lawmakers Elect New President.
Lebanon’s lawmakers elected on Thursday army chief Joseph Aoun as president on Thursday. Under multi-confessional Lebanon’s power-sharing system, the president must be a Maronite Christian, as do military chiefs.
2. Iran's former top General Officer in Syria conducts Q & A session at Tehran mosque.
Brigadier General Behrouz Esbati provided information and answered questions about operations in Syria and attacks against the US and Israel.
3. Latest US Security Package to Ukraine Worth $500 Million.
The package includes missiles for air defense; air-to-ground munitions; and equipment to support Ukraine's use of F-16s.
4. In Germany, Ukraine's allies meet at the 25th Ukraine Defense Contact Group- notable as this is the last meeting with US Secretary of Defense (Lloyd Austin) under the Biden Administration.
5. Armor Not Dead: Sweden Procures New Leopard Tanks & Upgrades CV90 Combat Vehicles.
The armor deal covers 44 new Leopards and upgrades for 66 older Leopard 2 tanks. The new tanks are set to begin delivery in 2028, with all units expected to be in service by 2031. In addition, Sweden has approved the renovation of 90 existing CV90 combat vehicles, set to be completed by 2030.
6. Australia procures 40 x Bushmaster Combat Vehicles for the 2d Long Range Fires Regiment. The new Bushmasters will provide C2 capabilities for the Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM) or Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 contract, to be awarded by the end of this year.
7. US President-elect Trump's nominee for the Secretary of Defense (Pete Hegseth)- goes to Capitol Hill next Tuesday to begin the confirmation hearing process before the Senate Armed Service Committee.

For review:
1. Iran Conducts Air Defense Drills near Nuclear Site.
Iran’s military has begun drills focusing on air defenses near the Natanz nuclear enrichment plant in the center of the country as part of exercises planned nationwide, state media reported on Tuesday.
2. US State Department moves $95 million of assistance designated for Egypt and $7.5 million dollars of assistance designated for Israel to Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces, in support of the ceasefire agreement.
3. Germany to Procure PULS Rocket Artillery System.
The German armed forces, can spend roughly €65 million, or $68 million USD, on five systems. PULS = Precise and Universal Launching System.
4. N. Korea Test Launches Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile into Sea of Japan.
Japan Defense Minister Gen Nakatani: “Further details, including whether the missile was a hypersonic weapon, are still under analysis.”
5. The Pentagon awarded defense-technology firm Kratos a contract worth up to $1.45 billion in support of Hypersonic Missile development and testing. This effort is led by the Pentagon’s Test Resource Management Center and the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division.
6. During a radio interview- President-elect Donald Trump discusses requirements creep as related to the US Navy’s Constellation-class frigate program.

For review:
1. Iran: Future Attacks by Israel Could Lead to Full War.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: “We are fully prepared for the possibility of further Israeli attacks. I hope Israel will refrain from taking such reckless action, as it could lead to a large-scale war.”
2. IDF May Extend 30 Days in S. Lebanon Based On Delayed LAF Deployment.
The IDF was gearing up for the possibility that troops would stay beyond the 60-day period (outlined in the ceasefire agreement) as the Lebanese army is currently deploying too slowly to the southern Lebanon area, allowing Hezbollah time to regroup.
3. Russia vows to retaliate after Ukraine ATACMS strike in Belgorod.
4. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet with President-elect Donald Trump soon after inauguration.
5. US Army Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon Effort.
The Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office “has a requirement to develop and deliver a full Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) Battery no later than Q4FY27 followed by an operational demonstration in FY28.
A full MDACS battery consists of eight Multi-Domain Artillery Cannons, four Multi-Function Precision Radars, two Multi-Domain Battle Managers, and separately, no less than 144 Hypervelocity Projectiles.”

For review:
1. Israel to send Team to Qatar for Hostage Negotiations.
The Prime Minister’s Office said that “Netanyahu authorized a working-level delegation from the Mossad, Shin Bet and IDF to continue negotiations in Doha.”
2. IDF Releases Details from September 2024 Commando Raid in Syria.
The raid — dubbed internally by the Israel Defense Forces “Operation Many Ways” — was aimed at destroying an underground facility used by Iranian forces to manufacture precision missiles for Hezbollah in Lebanon and for the Assad regime in Syria.
3. Senegal to Remove Foreign Military Presence in 2025.
Senegal's President (Bassirou Dioumaye Faye): “I have instructed the minister for the armed forces to propose a new doctrine for cooperation in defence and security, involving, among other consequences, the end of all foreign military presences in Senegal from 2025.”
4. Russian Navy Accepts 5th Yasen-class Nuclear Attack Sub.
The Attack boat Arkhangelsk was turned over to the Russian Navy on Dec. 27 in a ceremony at the Sevmash shipyard on the White Sea just south of the Arctic Circle. The 13,800-ton Yasen-Ms can field the 1,000-mile range 3M-54 Kalibir NK land attack cruise missile, the P-800 Oniks anti-ship missile, and the 3M-22 Zircon hypersonic anti-ship cruise missiles.
5. China sanctions US Defense companies over arms sales to Taiwan.
They will be prohibited from import and export activities or making new investments in China, while their senior managers will be banned from entering the country, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM Forces Strike Houthi Rebel Targets.
On Dec. 30 and 31, US Navy ships and aircraft targeted a Houthi command and control facility and advanced conventional weapon (ACW) production and storage facilities that included missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).
2. Israeli Ambassador (Danny Danon) to UN Gives Last Warning to Houthis.
“To the Houthis, perhaps you have not been paying attention to what has happened to the Middle East over the past year. Well, allow me to remind you what has happened to Hamas, to Hezbollah, to Assad, to all those who have attempted to destroy us. Let this be your final warning,” Danon told the UN Security Council.
3. Latest in Israel - Hamas Hostage Negotiations. Israel & Hamas disagree on number of living Hostages to be released.
4. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $1.25 Billion.
In addition, the US Treasury Department meanwhile announced the disbursement of $3.4 billion in direct budgetary support for Ukraine.
5. Greece to provide 24 x Sea Sparrow Missiles to Ukraine.
The missiles are part of a broader defense package for Ukraine, including artillery shells, weaponry, and ammunition.
6. Russian Foreign Minister (Sergei Lavrov) on President-elect Trump Peace proposal: “Of course, we are not satisfied with the proposals being voiced by representatives of the president-elect to postpone Ukrainian NATO membership for 20 years and to send to Ukraine a peacekeeping contingent of ‘British and European forces,'” Lavrov said.
7. Turkish Drone Maker Baykar purchases Italian aviation firm Piaggio Aerospace.

For Review:
1. Details Released on the Haniyeh Assassination.
2. IDF Operations from Neztarim Corridor.
3. Finland Seizes Tanker from Undersea Cable Incident.
4. Finland to increase defense spending to 3.3% GDP by 2032. Currently, Finland spends 2.4% of GDP on defense- well above the NATO mark of 2%.
5. China's Amphib Assault Ship Can Launch & Recover Fighters.

For review:
1. Another Round of IDF Strikes on Houthi Targets.
The targets included “infrastructure used by the Houthi terror regime for its military activities” at Sanaa International Airport, and the Hezyaz power plant just outside the Houthi-controlled capital.
2. Mossad Chief: We Need to Go Head to Head with Iran.
3. Slovakia to Procure Barak Air Defense Systems.
4. Report: Russian Naval Vessels departing Syria for Libya. Italy concerned.
5. Netherlands to procure anti-drone systems to defeat small unmanned aircraft systems.
6. Australian Air Force Receives Final Batch of F-35A Warplanes.

For review:
1. Israel Opposition Leader: Target Iran Directly.
Faced with Houthi attacks from Yemen and dangers posed by other Iranian proxies, Israel “must target Iran directly,” opposition politician Benny Gantz declared on Monday. Mr. Gantz stated that “the solution to putting an end to the attacks lies in Tehran.”
2. US President-elect Donald Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a meeting to discuss Ukraine conflict soon after his (Trump) return to office.
3. Italy to procure 24 x Eurofighter Typhoons.
The new jets will be equipped with advanced avionics and enhanced weapon systems capable of operating Brimstone III and Meteor missiles.
4. Philippines Wants to Acquire US Army Mid-Range Fires Capability.
The system is intended to hit targets at ranges between the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) – and the developmental Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system.
5. US & Japanese V-22 Ospreys Cleared to Fly After Required Inspections.

For review:
1. US Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen.
2. US Navy F/A 18F Super Hornet Downed by friendly fire over the Red Sea.
The Super Hornet, assigned to aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), was flying over the Red Sea when guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) fired upon it, according to the CENTCOM statement. The two pilots ejected safely, and were recovered.
3. Israel Turns Attention Toward Houthis.
The Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel in the past year.
4. US Authorizes $571 Million in Military Assistance to Taiwan.
The White House said in a brief statement that President Biden had authorized the drawdown "of up to $571.3 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan."
5. USAF study supports manned-6th Generation fighter- potentially in support of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
6. US Army Self-Propelled Howitzer (155mm) Modernization.

For review:
1. Israel Strikes Houthi Ports, Depots, & Power Stations.
Fourteen fighter jets, alongside refuelers and spy planes, flew some 2,000 kilometers in the early hours of Thursday morning and dropped over 60 munitions on Houthi “military targets,” the IDF said.
2. Russian President Putin addresses country during four-hour news conference- with broad range of topics.
The news conference saw Mr. Putin address a possible end to the war, as he said he is "ready to compromise" in possible talks with US President-elect Donald Trump.
3. UK Troops in Ukraine for Training Mission?
UK Forces could be sent to Ukraine to directly train soldiers there, the British defense secretary (John Healey) suggested — as he unveiled a further £225 million worth of weapons and other military gear for Kyiv.
4. Slovakia to purchase 12 x UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters.
5. Hanwha (S. Korea) Purchases Controlling Stake in Philly Shipyard.
6. USAF Secretary (Frank Kendall) has public disagreement with Elon Musk over the future of manned fighter aircraft. Secretary Kendall said Musk’s idea of a drone Air Force that can take the place of the current crewed fleet is still years away from having the necessary technology to work.
7. Senate Armed Service Committee Chairman (Senator Roger Wicker) to introduce legislation designed to streamline and improve the Department of Defense's Acquisition process.

For review:
1. Israeli PM visits Mount Hermon on Syrian Side.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Tuesday that Israeli troops would remain stationed inside Syria for the foreseeable future.
2. New Syrian Leader (Abu Muhammad al-Julani) speaks with journalists- presents moderate proposals and ideas for new Syrian State.
Speaking to journalists at the prime ministerial headquarters in Damascus, Julani said rebel factions in Syria would be disbanded, and their fighters placed under the defense ministry. He played down the prospect of a Syria run by Islamic law, and vowed to protect minority rights. He also called for sanctions to be lifted so refugees can return.
3. International Atomic Energy Agency: Iran has Enriched Uranium at Military Grade.
According to an IAEA report, Iran has begun dramatically expanding its production of uranium enriched to near-weapons grade levels, collecting enough material for several bombs already.
4. Top Russian General Killed by Explosive in Moscow.
Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, Chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed outside an apartment building on along with his assistant.
5. Armor Not Dead: Lithuania to procure 44 x Leopard 2 Tanks- with the goal is to have the tanks by 2030. The Lithuanian government is calling the procurement, the single largest defense acquisition project in the country’s history.
6. Portugal to procure 12x A-29N Super Tucano Aircraft in a deal worth $210 million.
7. US Navy & USMC LSM Program Stalled due to Cost.
After receiving bids from industry, the Navy canceled the request for proposals for the Landing Ship Medium. While the USMC has pushed for a more affordable ship- built to commercial standards- the Navy’s requirements for improved survivability have increased the cost.

For review:
1. Israel - Hamas Potential Hostage Deal in Two Weeks.
An unnamed Israeli official told the Israel Hayom daily on Sunday that a ceasefire-hostage deal will likely be completed by Hanukkah, which begins this year on the evening of December 25.
2. Hezbollah leader (Naim Qassem) acknowledges that the supply route from Iran- through Syria- to Lebanon, has been cut. “Yes, Hezbollah has lost the military supply route through Syria at this stage, but this loss is a detail in the resistance’s work,” Qassem said.
3. Kurdish-led forces in Syria (allied with the United States), accidently shot down a US MQ-9 Drone on Monday. Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces were conducting operations when they downed the MQ-9, a U.S. official familiar with the situation confirmed to Defense News.
4. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to procure more Avante 2200 Corvettes from Spanish-firm Navantia.
5. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warns European countries to prepare for war with a volatile Russia. Rutte listed a series of recent “hostile actions” by Russia against NATO allies, including cyber-attacks, assassinations, an explosion at a Czech ammunition depot, the jamming of radars in the Baltic region to disrupt air traffic, and the “weaponization” of migrants to destabilize Europe.
6. Japan to Purchase T-6 Texan Trainer Aircraft.
The Japanese government has selected the US-built basic trainer aircraft and associated ground equipment for its air force’s pilot training program.
7. Australia Test Fires Tomahawk Cruise Missile from Destroyer.
On Tuesday, Australia announced that destroyer HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41) conducted a successful first firing of an RGM-109E Tomahawk cruise missile off the US West Coast.

For review:
1. With lowered air defense threat in Syria, "air road" to Tehran less dangerous to Israeli Air Force. According to the IDF, the IAF destroyed 86% of the former Assad regime’s air defense systems across Syria, totaling 107 separate air defense components and another 47 radars.
2. IDF Will Remain on the Syrian Side of Mount Hermon During Winter.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Friday that he had ordered the military to prepare to stay atop the Syrian side of Mount Hermon during the coming winter months as Israel aims to prevent the border region from falling into the wrong hands following the ouster of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
3. Israel - Hamas Negotiations Show Encouraging Signs.
4. US President-elect Trump's national security team is meeting with Biden Administration as negotiations between Ukraine and Russia potentially appear on the horizon. President Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has held several conversations with his named successor, Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla.
5. Trilateral Nations- Japan, UK, and Italy- establish Joint Venture to manage and develop the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
GCAP aims to replace UK Royal Air Force and Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-2 combat jets. It is slated for entry to service in 2035.
6. Poland Establishes Drone Force.
Starting on 01 January 2025, the Drone Force will comprise aerial, land, naval surface, and underwater unmanned systems.
7. US Army Successful Hypersonic Missile Test.
On Thursday evening, Army released two announcements:
- It successfully tested a conventional hypersonic missile (in partnership with the Navy).
- It successfully launched a pair of Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 1 weapons from a HIMARS launcher.

For review:
1. In 48 Hours - IDF Destroys 70-80% of Assad Regime's Strategic Weapons.
The airstrikes destroyed many long-range projectiles, Scud missiles, cruise missiles, coast-to-sea missiles, air defense missiles, fighter jets, helicopters, radars, tanks, hangars and more.
2. Poland PM: Russia - Ukraine Peace Talks This Winter.
Peace talks to end the war in Ukraine could begin this winter, Polish PM Donald Tusk said on Monday before holding talks with Volodymyr Zelensky in Warsaw.
3. Biden Administration pushes Ukraine to lower the Draft age to 18- to increase manpower for Ukraine's armed forces.
White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett in a statement said the administration will continue sending Ukraine weaponry but believes “manpower is the most vital need” Ukraine has at the moment.
4. Dutch F-35s Intercept Russian Aircraft Near NATO Airspace.
Amsterdam said the Russian systems involved in the first incident were an Antonov An-72 Coaler transport aircraft and a Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer tactical bomber. The second report was received in the afternoon of the same day, this time with an Ilyushin Il-20M spy plane.
5. US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) reports successful intercept of ballistic missile during Guam test.
From MDA release: During the “experiment,” the Aegis air defense system used a new AN/TPY-6 radar to track the target and a Vertical Launching System to fire a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA at an incoming, air-launched medium-range ballistic missile flying over the ocean near Andersen Air Force Base (Guam).
6. Opinion Article from Defense Post (Mark Fulton) concerning artillery lessons- learned from Ukraine.
Summary:
As militaries around the world rethink their artillery strategies, the lessons from Ukraine make one thing clear: success lies not in having the most advanced equipment but in striking the right balance between simplicity, efficiency, and sustainability.

For review:
1. IDF Deploys into Buffer Zone with Syria & Controls Strategic Mount Hermon.
On Sunday, the IDF captured the Syrian side of strategic Mount Hermon, along with a buffer zone that has existed between the countries since the 1970s. The 235-square-kilometer demilitarized buffer zone was established in the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria, which concluded the Yom Kippur War, and has been manned for decades by UN peacekeepers.
2. IDF Strikes Syrian Military Hardware Following Collapse of Assad Regime.
On Sunday, the IAF hit advanced missile storage sites, air defense systems, and planes, helicopters, and tanks that belonged to the Assad regime’s military.
On Monday, Israeli planes bombed at least three major Syrian army air bases that housed dozens of helicopters and jets.
3. US Strikes ISIS Targets in Syria.
US Central Command said that its warplanes conducted “dozens” of airstrikes on more than 75 sites, including known “ISIS leaders, operatives and camps.”
The attacks used B-52 bombers, F-15 fighters, and A-10 Warthogs.
4. Russia to provide warplanes to N. Korea in return for troop combat deployment.
US Indo-PACOM Commander (Admiral Samuel Paparo): Russia has reached an agreement with North Korea to send MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter aircraft to Pyongyang in return for that nation deploying soldiers to help with Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
5. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes rare comment on troop causalities.
The Ukrainian President said that some 43,000 Ukrainian Soldiers have been killed and 370,000 injuries had been reported, since the war with Russia began in February 2022.
6. US Military pauses V-22 Osprey Fleet following near-accident at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.
The pause was recommended last week “out of an abundance of caution” by Vice Admiral Carl Chebi, the head of Naval Air Systems Command.

For review:
1. Qatar Returns as Mediator Between Israel & Hamas.
Unnamed source confirmed to The Times of Israel that Doha had quietly resumed its role as a mediator at the behest of officials from US President-elect Trump’s transition team.
2. Syrian rebel forces are closing in on the capital Damascus from the north, east, and south. CNN reported Saturday that the US was increasingly believing that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime could collapse within days.
3. Amid Fighting in Syria - IDF Reinforces Golan Heights.
IDF Chief of Staff (Lieutenant General Halevi): “We are very closely following what is happening. The main emphasis is to see the Iranian exit [from Syria]… and the second thing is to see the local elements taking over the area, what they are doing, how they behave, how they are deterred, and [making sure they] don’t get confused and turn in our direction."
4. US Sec of Defense Announces $1 billion in Security Aid to Ukraine.
This $988 million package will come from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, through which the US buys new equipment for Ukraine rather than shipping kit directly from American stocks.
5. BAE wins contract worth $2.5 billion to build CV90 Fighting Vehicles for Denmark and Sweden. Denmark has ordered 115 new CV9035 MkIIICs, and Sweden is acquiring 50 new vehicles.
6. The US House and Senate today released their compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act, with a $895.2 billion topline.

For review:
1. Egypt Proposals Hostage Deal to Hamas - Israel Open to Discuss.
Reportedly, the proposal is not for an end to the war, but an extended ceasefire that will allow the elderly, children, women, ill and badly wounded hostages to be released.
2. Israel Cautiously Observes Fighting in Syria.
Statement from IDF: “The IDF will not allow a threat near the Syrian-Israeli border and will act to thwart any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel.”
3. Argentina and Israel sign accord to increase defense ties.
The agreement will involve a focus on joint projects “in cyber defense, unmanned aerial vehicles, border protection, satellite communications, and future government-to-government (G2G) contracts in light arms, light munitions, radios, and related equipment.”
4. Latest US Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $725 Million.
Package includes air defense capabilities; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; and anti-tank weapons.
5. Despite recent prospect of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a news outlet in an interview published Wednesday that Russia sees "no grounds for negotiations yet."
6. Australia down-selects two companies for development of general-purpose frigates- in program worth A$10 billion.
- Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS)
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
7. Australian leaning toward development of sovereign produced maritime mobile strike platform based upon Bushmaster system- equipped with two Naval Strike Missiles (StrikeMaster). The StrikeMaster is similar to the USMC- Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), which pairs Naval Strike Missiles with a modified unmanned Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.
8. President-elect Donald Trump selects Daniel Driscoll as the nominative Secretary of the Army. Mr. Driscoll served in the Army and deployed to Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division as a Cavalry Scout platoon leader.
9. USAF kicks the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) can (Program) down the road for the next administration to solve.
USAF Statement: “The Secretary of the Air Force will defer the Next Generation Air Dominance way ahead decision to the next administration, while the Department of the Air Force continues its analysis and executes the necessary actions to ensure decision space remains intact for the NGAD program.”

For review:
1. Israel Alert for Iranian Weapon Transfers to Hezbollah.
The IDF on Monday said it would ensure Iran does not smuggle weapons from Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon as the Islamic Republic sends reinforcements to its ally Syrian President Bashar Assad to counter an ongoing rebel assault.
2. NATO Sec General Talks Ukraine Negotiations.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte: "The front is not moving eastwards. It is slowly moving westwards,” Rutte said. “So we have to make sure that Ukraine gets into a position of strength, and then it should be for the Ukrainian government to decide on the next steps, in terms of opening peace talks and how to conduct them.”
3. French-German defense form KNDS to get new CEO.
Formed in 2015, KNDS is a joint venture between France’s Nexter and Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMV), two of Europe’s largest land system manufacturers. The company makes the Leopard 2 main battle tank, Puma infantry fighting vehicle, and PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer (155mm).
4. US Army Autonomous Precision Strike Missile Variant.
The US Army is developing a fifth Precision Strike Missile (variant), that it could potentially launch from an autonomous launcher to hit targets beyond 1,000 km.
5. USMC 3d Marine Littoral Regiment (Hawaii) receives over an unspecified amount of Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction Systems (NMESIS).
In 2021, the Marine Corps identified the procurement of 14 NMESIS batteries, composed of 18 launchers each. These unmanned launchers are equipped with two low-observable Naval Strike Missiles capable of reaching targets 185 kilometers away.
6. GAO Reports Poor Condition of US Navy Amphibious Fleet.
Half of the Navy ships the Marine Corps would use to make amphibious assaults are in “poor condition,” and some of the vessels have been unavailable for operational or training use for years at a time, according to a pointed new watchdog report.
7. Indo-PACOM Combatant Commander (US Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo) concerned of strategic, long-range weapon transfers outside of US arsenal.
“Inherently, it imposes costs on the readiness of America to respond in the Indo-Pacific region, which is the most stressing theater … because [China] is the most capable potential adversary in the world,” he stated.

For review:
1. Israel Plans for Northern Border Communities Return.
Northern border residents will not be asked to return to their homes until February 1, 2025, despite the ceasefire. At that point, assuming the truce has been held, those who return immediately will receive a grant based on the size of their household.
2. Over Syria and Iraq, Israeli Air Force forces Iranian aircraft, with suspected arms for Hezbollah, to turnaround.
3. Ukraine President Pushes for NATO Membership of Kyiv-controlled Territory before Peace Negotiations.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country needed security guarantees from NATO and more weapons to defend itself before any talks with Russia.
4. From Associated Press: Ukrainian Army faces desertion problems, particularly in front-line combat Brigades.
5. Lithuania & Poland Invest in 155mm Munition Production.
- German defense giant Rheinmetall and Lithuania on Friday signed deals to begin construction of a $190-million ammunition plant to make artillery shells.
- Polish lawmakers have voted to allocate $740 million for investments in ramping up the country’s ammunition production capacities, with a particular focus on much-needed 155mm artillery shells.

For review:
1. US General to Beirut for Ceasefire Implementation.
US CENTCOM announced that Major General Jasper Jeffers, Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), would oversee the implementation and monitoring mechanism of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, alongside his co-chair, US Mideast envoy Amos Hochstein.
2. IDF Continues to Strike Hezbollah Targets in Syria.
Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck military infrastructure in Syria near border crossings with Lebanon on Saturday, which the IDF said were being “actively” used by Hezbollah to transfer weapons.
3. Hamas Ready for Negotiations with Israel.
Hamas is displaying increased flexibility in long-stalled talks for an elusive ceasefire and hostage deal in the Gaza Strip, and may agree to the IDF temporarily remaining on the Philadelphi Corridor.
4. Hezbollah will cooperate with Lebanese Armed Forces during Ceasefire Agreement with Israel.'
5. Russia strikes anti-government forces in Syria in response to attack on Aleppo.
“The Russian air force is carrying out rocket-bomb attacks on the equipment and manpower of illegal armed groups, control points, warehouses and artillery positions of terrorists,” news agencies reported a spokesperson for the defense ministry’s Reconciliation Centre for Syria as saying.
6. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to discuss military cooperation.
7. Russia & China Conduct Joint Bomber Flights Over Sea of Japan.
Statement from the Chinese Ministry of National Defense:
“According to the annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian militaries, on Nov. 29, the two sides organized and implemented the ninth joint air strategic cruise in the relevant airspace of the Sea of Japan.”

For review:
1. IDF Strikes Hezbollah in S. Lebanon after Ceasefire Violation.
IDF Fighter jets struck a Hezbollah facility, which was used to hold medium-range rockets, after identifying activity there.
2. Israel warns Syria of allowing weapons transfers from Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces has said that amid the truce it would continue to act to prevent all weapon deliveries to the Lebanese terror group, including by striking shipments anywhere in Lebanon or Syria.
3. President-elect Trump selects Retired Army General as Ukraine-Russia Envoy.
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Keith Kellogg, a former national security adviser and retired lieutenant general in the US military, to be special envoy to Ukraine and Russia in his second administration.
4. Russian SU-27 Warplanes Intercept B-52H Bombers near Baltic Sea.
The B-52s were conducting a training flight when the Russian Su-27 fighters intercepted them near Kaliningrad. A US defense official said the interception was safe and professional, and the B-52s continued with their planned flight.
5. President-elect Trump selects businessman John Phelan as Nominative Secretary of the Navy.
If confirmed, Phelan would replace current Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, who is expected to step down ahead of Trump’s inauguration.

For review:
1. Israel and Hezbollah Ceasefire to Begin at 0400 Local Time.
Israeli PM Netanyahu said there were three reasons for accepting the ceasefire now. “The first is to focus on the Iranian threat, and I won’t elaborate,” he said.
The second was to allow troops to rest and to replenish weapon stores.
The third reason, he said, is to delink the northern and southern fronts and isolate Hamas."
2. Le Monde Report: France & UK Discuss Support for Ukraine.
3. Top defense leaders from Germany, France, the U.K, Poland, and Italy met in Berlin on Monday to discuss continuing support of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

For review:
1. Israel Agrees to US-backed Ceasefire in Lebanon (In Principle).
2. Russian President (Vladimir Putin): Oreshnik Missile in Production.
The Russian Presidentsaid that Moscow would carry out more tests of the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile in “combat conditions- and the missile will be put into serial production.
3. Russia equips quad-copter drone with flamethrower payload to counter Ukrainian First Person View (FPV) drones.
4. US and Allies discuss cooperation between Russia, China, N. Korea, and Iran at the Halifax International Security Forum (Canada).
5. Finland Hosts NATO Artillery Exercise.
The 12-day military exercise (Exercise Dynamic Front 25) is considered the alliance’s largest-ever artillery exercise held in Europe, located in the Finnish Northern Lapland. The inaugural exercise in the series involved about 5,000 soldiers from 28 countries.
6. US to Sign Basing Agreement with Fiji.
The US is negotiating two separate deals:
- A status of forces agreement- allowing the stationing of US troops- either permanently or temporarily.
- an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, or ACSA- that would allow the US to leave stores of military equipment on the island.
7. Pentagon and Boeing contracts for KC-46A Pegasus & P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
The Pentagon this week awarded Boeing a pair of separate contracts for 15 x KC-46A Pegasus tankers and 7 x P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, deals that are collectively worth more than $4 billion.

For review:
1. IDF kills Hezbollah Commander in Syria that participated in the attack on US Forces in Karbala, Iraq in 2007.
2. US Rejects International Criminal Court (ICC) Warrants for Israeli PM & Former Defense Minister.
The White House said Thursday that it “fundamentally rejects” the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. The warrants effectively bar PM Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant from entering the ICC’s 124 member states. Israel and the US are not members of the court.
3. IDF continues pushing into Southern Lebanon- searching & clearing a "second line of villages" of Hezbollah weapons and attack positions. In the second line of villages, the IDF is still finding Hezbollah staging grounds, along with fighting positions from which the terror group has launched anti-tank missiles directly at Israeli border communities and military posts along the border.
4. Russia Strikes Ukraine with Intermediate-Range Missile.
Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed that Russia’s missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. The attack struck the Pivdenmash munition plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles (6 1/2 kilometers) southwest of the center of Dnipro.
5. Sweden to fund long-range missile and drone production inside Ukraine.
Swedish Defense Minster Pal Jonson: "This will be produced in Ukraine by the Ukrainian defense industry. It will be financed by Sweden. President [Vladimir] Zelenskyy has stated that there is an especially high demand for funding long-range weapons and long-range drones.”
6. Romania Commits to Procure F-35A Warplanes.
Romania has formally committed to the acquisition of 32 x Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jets after signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) today. The procurement is valued at approximately $6.4 billion.
7. Australia and Canada to collaborate in hypersonic missile defense.
The two nations plan to spend up to $474 million over the next five years developing a “range of solutions."
A press release noted that the Defence Research and Development Canada and the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group will work together researching the emerging missile threats- to develop detection, monitoring, targeting and counter-measure technologies.

For review:
1. Hamas officials have left Qatar for Turkey, but still maintain their office.
Turkey confirmed on Monday that Hamas’s key foreign leaders are in Ankara while insisting that it has not opened an office for them.
2. US Vetoes UN Security Council Ceasefire Resolution for Gaza.
“A durable end to the war must come with the release of the hostages. These two urgent goals are inextricably linked. This resolution abandoned that necessity, and for that reason, the United States could not support it,” said Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood.
All other members of the 15-seat council voted in favor of the resolution, which was sponsored by the panel’s 10 non-permanent members: Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
3. Argentina to leave Southern Lebanon UN Mission- UNIFIL.
The move by Argentina appeared to represent the first sign of cracks in the unity of the mission, which has been caught in the crossfire as Israel battles against Lebanese terror group Hezbollah.
4. In reaction to Ukraine's long-range missile strikes into Russian territory with US-made ATACMS missiles, Russia modifies nuclear weapon employment doctrine.
The new nuclear doctrine allows Moscow to unleash a nuclear response in the event of a “massive” air attack, even if it is only with conventional weapons.
5. US will send anti-personnel mines to Ukraine.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin: “They’ve asked for these, and so I think it’s a good idea. Rather than advancing with a vanguard of tanks and armored vehicles, Moscow’s troops are now fighting will smaller, more spread out squadrons."
6. Latest US Security Package to Ukraine worth $275 Million.
Package includes munitions for rocket systems and artillery, and anti-tank weapons.
7. Turkey's Launch & Recovery of TB3 Drone from Ship (TCG Anadolu).
The flight, conducted at the convergence of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, lasted for 46 minutes before the aircraft successfully landed back on the same short runway, without the need for any landing support equipment.
8. India conducts hypersonic missile test. Few details.
The weapon, produced by the Defense Research and Development Organization, has a range of greater than 1,500 km, according to a government statement.
9. Chinese Defense Minister (Dong Jun) refuses to meet with US Secretary of Defense during the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - Plus defense ministers meeting in Laos- citing objections over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
10. US Army Precision Strike Missile Test.
In a first, the US Army fired two new Precision Strike Missiles in a salvo test shot at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The test proved the missile's capability to be fired one after another, from the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Launcher.

For review:
1. Hamas to leave Qatar for Turkey?
An Arab Diplomat told the Times of Israel on Sunday that senior members of Hamas’s leadership abroad left Qatar last week for Turkey,
A Turkish diplomatic source on Monday dismissed reports that Hamas had moved its political office to Turkey, adding that members of the Palestinian terror group only visited the country from time to time.
2. Report: Hezbollah Accepts US-sponsored Ceasefire Proposal.
A top Lebanese official told Reuters Monday that Lebanon and Hezbollah have agreed to a US proposal for a ceasefire with Israel, but have some comments on the content. There was no immediate comment from Israel.
3. German Chancellor at G20: No Taurus Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine.
The missiles could only be used if "responsibility for targeting" was shared, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, a move he has previously said would risk the perception of direct German participation in the war.
4. Germany to provide IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine.
Germany will deliver the sixth planned IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine by the end of this year, German Chancellor Scholz told Ukrainian President Zelenskyy last week.
5. Sweden joins Germany, Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden to procure 1000 Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles- in a contract worth $5.6 billion (US).
6. US Army & Lockheed Martin to increase Patriot Advanced Capability - 3 (PAC-3) Missile production to 650 units annually. This year, missile production increased by 30 percent, with projections indicating a further 20 percent rise next year.
7. Australia - UK - US Partner for Hypersonic Testing.
The agreement falls within the second pillar of the trilateral defense pact known as AUKUS, which is focused on technology sharing and advanced capability development.
8. Japanese Marines to participate in annual Australian Exercise.
Japanese troops will become regular participants in the Talisman Sabre starting next year, as well as boost their participation in Exercise Southern Jackaroo.

For review:
1. Qatar suspends its' mediation role between Israel and Hamas. Hamas refrains from appointing a sole successor to the organization- instead choosing to use a 5-member committee approach, until leadership elections in March 2025.
2. Top Hezbollah Spokesman Killed in IDF Airstrike.
An Israeli airstrike on a building in a central neighborhood of the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday killed the top spokesman (Mohammed Afif) for the Hezbollah terror group.
3. US: Ukraine Can Employ Long-Range Weapons inside Russia.
The US Biden administration has allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-made weapons to strike deep into Russia. Ukraine plans to conduct its first long-range attacks in the coming days, the sources said. There was no immediate response from the Kremlin.
4. Saab (Sweden) awarded four year contract to provide maintenance and training support for the Australian Army's 84mm Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle.
Canberra procured the Carl Gustaf system in 2018 under a $15.46-million deal, and purchased more in 2023 under $36.8 million dollar contract.
5. US Navy: First Columbia-Class Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine Combat Ready in 2030. The first sub in the class is the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826).
6. USAF Next Generation Ejection Seat (NGES) Program under review.
By the end of the year, the Air Force plans to complete a review of the Next Generation Ejection Seat (NGES) program, whose contract is currently held by Collins Aerospace (who beat out Martin-Baker in 2019). Once the review concludes, the Air Force could still stick with its incumbent acquisition strategy, where Collins is already underway with work on the F-15E- or theoretically- result in some split of work between the two companies.

For review:
1. During 26 October Strike - Israel Hit Undeclared Iranian Nuclear Site.
The Israeli strike on Parchin, destroyed sophisticated equipment used to design the explosives that could surround uranium in a nuclear device, significantly damaging Iran’s efforts to resume its nuclear weapons research.
2. As IDF continues attacks in Beirut and Southern Lebanon, Iran signal support for ceasefire deal. Senior Advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader (Ari Larijani) said Friday- that it (Iran) would support any decision taken by the Lebanese government and Lebanon’s “resistance” in current talks on a ceasefire.
3. Ukrainian President Zelensky said that the war with Russia will “end sooner” than it otherwise would have done once Donald Trump becomes US president next year.
4. German Chancellor & Russian President Speak by Phone.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have spoken directly for the first time since 2022. The Kremlin said that despite differences of the two leaders, the dialogue was "extremely positive".
5. Turkey to (possibly) procure 40 x Eurofighter Typhoon Jets from Germany.
Turkey's Defense Minister (Yasar Guler) “We will acquire 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Germany had been reluctant for a long time, but with the constructive contributions of our NATO allies Italy, the UK, and Spain, they finally gave a positive response.” The German Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment (to Breaking Defense).
6. Croatia to procure 6 x Bayraktar TB2 UAVs (Turkey) in deal worth $95 million.
The six aircraft will be equipped with electro-optical cameras for reconnaissance, an initial set of weapons, and have double radio coverage of the entire territory of Croatia in the stationary and mobile version.
7. Taiwan receives ATACMS and HIMARS systems from US.
The systems have been delivered to the 58th Artillery Command of the 10th Army Corps in Taichung.
8. US Navy Sub Launched Nuclear Cruise Missile Effort.
The Sea-Launched Cruise Missile – Nuclear (SLCM-N) was first initiated by the Trump administration. The Biden administration attempted to cancel the program but was overruled by Congress. President-elect Trump’s return will likely fuel the effort.

For review:
1. International Atomic Energy Agency Chief in Iran.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi traveled to Tehran on Wednesday, to negotiate with the country’s top nuclear and political officials, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency.
2. Israeli Official (unnamed) denies Washington Post report concerning efforts to secure ceasefire in Lebanon as a "gift" to the incoming Trump administration (in January 2025).
3. Russia Open to Peace Negotiations Under Pres-Elect Trump Initiation.
Russia is open to negotiations on an end to the Ukraine war if initiated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, but any talks need to be based on the realities of Russian advances, Moscow's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva (Gennady Gatilov), told reporters on Thursday.
4. US Navy & USMC Missile Contract with Kongsberg.
The company will provide its Naval Strike Missile, which is being installed on the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships and Constellation-class frigates, and for the USMC Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS).
5. Latvia selects the Ascod Infantry Fighting Vehicle (tracked).
Though the number of vehicles is not disclosed, the estimated worth is $265 million.
6. Australia down-selects to two vendors for a competition to build 11 x frigates to replace the aging ANZAC-class ships. The two vendors are Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).
7. US-Canada-Finland Icebreaker Effort.
American, Canadian and Finish officials committed to the joint development, construction and maintenance of polar icebreakers with the signing of the Icebreaker Collaborative Effort (ICE) Pact.
8. The USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Program continues progress.
Two vendors- Anduril and General Atomics have completed Critical Design Review for their respective offerings: Anduril Fury and General Atomics Gambit.
The CCA effort aims to initially field roughly 1,000 of the drone wingmen that are expected to fly and fight alongside USAF aircraft.

For review:
1. Israel's New Submarine.
The Israeli Navy announced on Tuesday the name of its sixth submarines, dubbed “the Dragon”, in a ceremony in Germany with the naval vessel expected to be delivered to Israel later in 2025.
2. Israeli President Isaac Hertzog presents gift to US President Biden, on what is most likely, the last official visit by a Senior Israeli Official before his term ends in January 2025.
President Hertzog presented President Biden with a gift, an archaeological finding from the foot of the Temple Mount inscribed with the name “Joseph,” an apparent reference to the Biblical figure.
3. Iran to Increase Defense Budget by 200%.
The Iranian government plans to triple its military budget for the upcoming year amid an unprecedented escalation in attacks exchanged with Israel in recent months. Previously, Iran’s military budget was reportedly $10.3 billion, significantly lower than those of regional power such as Saudi Arabia, with approximately $70 billion.
4. President-Elect Trump Picks New Secretary of Defense and other key National Security Posts.
- Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth
- National Security Advisor: Mike Walz
- Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
- Director of the Central Intelligence Agency: John Ratcliffe
5. UK, Italy, and Japan continue forward in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) effort.
Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, RAF Chief of the Air Staff: “GCAP is very deliberately being designed to complement and enhance the capabilities of F-35, not replace it, but we also know that even a force of F-35 and GCAP will need to be augmented by what we call Autonomous Collaborative Platforms [ACPs] to defeat the threats that we see emerging.” (The acquisition of ACPs to sit alongside GCAP and F-35 jets as a way of increasing combat mass and allow crewed platforms to be less vulnerable to attack.)
6. Italian company Iveco joins Leonardo and Rheinmetall to develop combat vehicles (Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Main Battle Tanks).
Iveco said it would be looking to offer its capabilities in “advanced propulsion and drivetrain systems.

For review:
1. US & UK strike Houthi targets in in Yemen.
The Houthi-run Al Masirah television network reported three American and British raids that targeted the capital Sanaa’s southern Al Sabeen district.
2. US Strikes Iranian-backed Groups in Syria.
US CENTCOM forces attacked nine targets in two locations in Syria in response to several attacks on US personnel in Syria over the last 24 hours.
3. IDF Frontier Construction Along Alpha Line with Syria.
While Israel has not acknowledged the construction, it sent a 71-page letter in June to the UN outlining what it described as “Syrian violations of the Alpha Line and armed presence in the area of separation (that) occur daily.”
4. Washington Post reported (on Sunday), that President-elect Trump held a phone call with Russian President Putin (on Thursday).
A Kremlin spokesperson said the reports were "pure fiction", while Trump's team told the BBC that it would not comment on the president-elect's "private calls".
5. NATO's Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems (JCGMUS) will deliver and test an anti-submarine warfare barrier project demonstrator, at the September 2025 experiment in Portugal. The project involves 12 other countries, including Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the U.S., Portugal, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Australia.
6. Sweden selects Embraer C-390 (Brazil) transport aircraft to replace 6 x C-130Hs. Sweden joins Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Netherlands and Portugal as European operators of the C-390 Millennium.
7. US Army to Build Domestic TNT Plant in Graham, Kentucky.
“For the first time in decades, America will produce TNT on its own soil, manufacturing the explosive material our military uses for everything from hand grenades to 155mm artillery,” outgoing Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY).
8. US SPACECOM HQ Back to Redstone in 2025?
Space watchers say the odds are high that President-elect Donald Trump will redirect US Space Command headquarters to Huntsville, Ala., once he is in office — reversing the July 2023 decision by President Joe Biden to keep the command based in Colorado Springs, CO.
In January 2021, then President Trump decided on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL as US SPACECOM’s home just before he left the Oval Office.

For review:
1. Newly appointed Israeli Defense Minister (Israel Katz) conducts first phone call with American counterpart- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
2. From US Formal Request: Qatar Directs Hamas to Leave Doha.
Qatar told Hamas that it must close its diplomatic office in Doha roughly ten days ago following a request by the US, senior Biden administration officials tell The Times of Israel. Qatar has hosted Hamas officials in Doha since 2012, amid requests from successive US administrations who felt it was important to have a communication channel with the terror group.
3. US to Allow American Contractors to Operate in Ukraine.
The Biden administration has lifted a ban on American military contractors deploying to Ukraine to help the country’s military maintain and repair US-provided weapons systems, particularly F16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems.
4. Saab (Sweden) develops "Autonomous Ocean Core" program.
Integration of this software enables surface and subsurface watercraft to function autonomously on various maritime missions, such as mine detection and clearance, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and rescue missions in remote locations.
5. Switzerland Selects RCH 155mm Mobile Artillery System.
The RCH 155 combines the firepower and the range of the operational PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer with an automated and remotely controlled gun module.
Increased automation also reduces the crew size to two (driver/operator, commander), which in turn enables a quick “shoot and scoot” capability.
6. US Navy extends life of 3 x Cruisers and 12 Destroyers.
- The Cruisers: USS Gettysburg (CG-64), USS Chosin (CG-65), and USS Cape St. George (CG-71) will now remain in service up until fiscal year 2029, rather than 2026.
- The Arleigh Burke Flight I Guided-Missile Destroyers:
One Year: USS Carney (DDG-64) and USS Stethem (DDG-63) will receive one-year extensions.
Three Years: USS Barry (DDG-52) USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) will each get extended three years.
Five Years: USS Gonzalez (DDG-66), USS Cole (DDG-67), USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54), USS Laboon (DDG-58), USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) and USS Stout (DDG-55) will each get extended for five years.

For review:
1. IDF conducts airstrikes north of the Litani River, targeting rocket launch sites.
2. Squadron of F-15 Strike Eagles Arrive in US CENTCOM AOR.
3. Israel to Procure 25 x F-15IA Warplanes from US.
The Israel Ministry of Defense has signed what it called a “landmark transaction” to acquire 25 more F-15 fighter aircraft in a deal worth $5.2 billion. The warplanes will be delivered beginning in 2031, and it will take around five years for them all to arrive.
4. Romania to purchase 44 x USMC Amphibious Assault Vehicles from US in deal worth $210 million.
5. Australian Officials are confident in secure AUKUS deal with new US President Elect Donald Trump. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles: "AUKUS is in the strategic benefit and interest of Australia, the United States and the UK. That’s the fundamental point here.”
6. US Test Launches Minuteman III ICBM on Election Night.
The ICBM was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at about 11 p.m. Pacific time. It then flew about 4,200 miles, at roughly 15,000 miles per hour, to a ballistic missile test site in the Marshall Islands’ Kwajalein Atoll. Airmen from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron from Offutt Air Force Base in Nevada launched the missile using an airborne launch control system aboard a Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft. The U.S. has about 400 nuclear-armed Minuteman III missiles based in 450 silos across Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado and Nebraska.
7. US Army Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) fuselages to be built in Wichita, Kansas. Bell will use an existing facility near Textron Aviation Defense and plans to start work there “in the next several months,” according to a statement.
8. US Army has successful test (White Sands Missile Range, NM), integrating both the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) and the Raytheon-developed Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radar.
9. USMC Purchases Fire Control System for Crew Served Weapons.
The fire control system utilizes an integrated laser rangefinder and ballistic computer to provide enhanced accuracy, eliminating targeting errors such as range estimation and terrain angle.

For review:
1. Lebanon Army conducts probe concerning Israeli Navy’s Shayetet 13 commando unit raid.
A Lebanese judicial official said that the probe had found that operatives from the Israeli Navy’s Shayetet 13 commando unit entered Lebanese waters in a speedboat equipped with radar-jamming devices that evaded detection by Lebanon’s and UNIFIL’s naval radars during the raid in Batroun, south of Tripoli, some 140 kilometers (87 miles) north of Israel’s maritime border with Lebanon.
2. Israel PM Netanyahu Fires Defense Minister Gallant.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday evening, citing a lack of mutual trust during a time of war as his reason for doing so. He (PM Netanyahu) said that the two disagreed on the management of the war, and that Gallant had made statements and taken actions that contradicted cabinet decisions.
3. AP Report: N. Korean Troops in Combat with Ukraine Forces.
Ukrainian and North Korean troops engaged in “small-scale” fighting, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov told South Korea’s public broadcaster KBS in an interview.
4. France to field unmanned naval surface vessel.
The drone, dubbed Seaquest (needs better name) and measuring approximately 30 feet long and 10 feet wide, and can be equipped with payloads focusing on intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting.
5. France to Send Loitering Munitions to Ukraine.
The OSKAR (Opportunity Strike Kinetics Aircraft Ruggedized) platform integrates a 2.3 kilogram (5 pound) warhead and can fly for up to 45 minutes. The system is back-packable and is designed to strike fixed targets, light vehicles and personnel.
6. Netherlands to procure 12 x H225M Caracal helicopters for Special Operations Forces.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence announced that a new unit, (300 Special Operations Squadron) based in the southern Netherlands, had been formally stood up to support the future rotary fleet.
7. Possible US Foreign Military Sale to S. Korea for 4 x Boeing E-7 Wedgetail surveillance and early warning aircraft.

For review:
1. IDF Strikes Hezbollah targets in Syria.
In a rare acknowledgment, the IDF confirmed launching airstrikes in Syria on Monday, targeting what it said were infrastructure and assets of Hezbollah’s intelligence division.
2. Hamas Rejects Egyptian Offer for Short-term Ceasefire.
The Egyptian proposal envisioned a 12-day ceasefire during which Hamas would agree to release four hostages and the sides would hold talks about a permanent ceasefire.
3. Update on Czech Republic Effort to Obtain Cannon Artillery Ammo for Ukraine.
Seven months into the Czech initiative, problems have surfaced, particularly regarding the concealment of shell imports and verifying their technical reliability.
4. USAF to send bomber task force to Europe.
Details about the deployment are scant. USAF declined to say what type of and how many bombers would make up the task force, when they would arrive in Europe, and where they would be stationed. The deployment has been “long-planned,” the USAF said.
5. Latest variant of the famous Exocet Missiles unveiled.
Named the SM40, submarine-launched missile is designed to strike heavily protected naval vessels and other strategic targets.
6. Pakistan to purchase 100 x MRAPs from Thailand.
Pakistan has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Thai government to procure 100 x First Win Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The First Win system is currently employed across the Malaysian Army, the Indonesian Army, and other UN peacekeeping missions in the Eastern Himalayas.
7. US Foreign Military Sale of 34 x F-16s to Argentina is Worth $941 Million.
The package also includes Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, general-purpose bombs, and components for laser-guided weapons.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM Release:
- US Forces assigned to CENTCOM strike ISIS camps in Syria resulting in 35 operatives killed.
- B-52 Stratofortress Bombers arrive in CENTCOM AOR from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota from the 5th Bomb Wing.
2. Israeli Commando Raid in Northern Lebanon.
According Al-Akhbar report, operatives from the Navy’s Shayetet 13 commando unit captured suspected Hezbollah Naval Official, some 140 kilometers (87 miles) north of Israel’s maritime border with Lebanon.
3. IDF captures Syrian man conducting surveillance for Iran.
Israeli commandos recently carried out a raid in southern Syria where they captured a Syrian man who was allegedly carrying surveillance operations on the border on behalf of Iran. The raid in Syria was carried by the Egoz commando unit, along with field interrogators of the Intelligence Directorate’s Unit 504.
4. Iran President (Masoud Pezeshkian) says that a ceasefire between Israel and Iranian allies- "could affect the intensity" of retaliation.
5. On the border with Lebanon, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu: "with or without an agreement” with Lebanon, restoring security in the north and returning residents to their homes requires pushing Hezbollah north of the Litani River, preventing the terror group from rearming and responding to any activity against Israel.
6. Axios Report: US tells Iran (through Switzerland), "We won’t be able to hold Israel back, and we won’t be able to make sure that the next attack will be calibrated and targeted as the previous one.”
7. US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine Worth $425 Million - Includes 200 Stryker Combat Vehicles.
8. Lithuania provides new military assistance package to Ukraine- including electricity generators, ammunition, and mortar rounds. The Lithuanian Defense Ministry said that the equipment is expected to reach Kyiv this week. Lithuania has already donated 155 mm ammunition, M113 armored personnel carriers, anti-drone systems, and drones this year.
9. North Korea's Foreign Minister visits Moscow.
NK FM Choe Son Hui: “We will always stand firmly by our Russian comrades until victory day,” Choe declared in Moscow after talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
10. India Procures 31 x US-Built MQ-9B Drones in deal worth $3.8 billion.
11. India to develop attack submarine fleet.
India is now working on a new class of attack submarines (SSN) after the government approved US$4.8 billion for the construction of an initial two 6,000-ton boats, and that an eventual six SSNs in this class are planned for the Indian Navy.

For review:
1. US Sends B-52s to CENTCOM AOR.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is sending additional bomber aircraft and Navy warships to the Middle East to bolster presence in the region, as an aircraft carrier and its warships are preparing to leave.
2. US and Israeli Officials continue discussions on ceasefire plans in Lebanon.
A US official told The Times of Israel that US special envoy Amos Hochstein and White House Mideast czar Brett McGurk’s meetings with top Israeli officials in Jerusalem on Thursday were “substantive and constructive."
3. Iran Supreme Leader Orders Retaliation Attack on Israel.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered plans be drawn up by his Supreme National Security Council, after being briefed on the extent of the damage from the Israeli strikes.
4. Ukraine President: "Zero Reaction" Concerning N. Korean Troops in Kursk.
Regarding the reaction to the deployment of North Korean troops, Zelensky said, "Putin is checking the reaction of the West ... And I believe that after all these reactions, Putin will decide and increase the contingent ... The reaction that is there today is nothing, it is zero."
5. Turkey and Indonesia collaborate on Armored Personnel Carrier.
Manufacturing is set to begin in 2025. Deliveries are expected by the end of 2026, with the timing dictated by the Indonesian Army’s specific needs.
6. Japan launches amphibious warship planned for Maritime Unit.
The JS Nihonbare (LCU-4151) is an amphibious vessel that can transport a dozen vehicles or containers at speeds of 15.5 knots.
7. Taiwan to procure loitering munitions from the US in deal worth $360 million.
The US State Department approved the sale of 291 x Altius 600M-V and 720 x Switchblade 300 loitering munitions

For review:
1. Iran Threatens "Painful" Response to Israel.
Unnamed Source to CNN: Iran will deliver a “definitive and painful” response to Israel’s recent attack on its territory, likely before the US presidential election on 05 November.
2. IDF Chief Warns Iran "Not to Pursue Further Attacks."
Speaking to aircrews at the Ramon Air Base in southern Israel, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said that if Iran “makes the mistake and launches another barrage of missiles at Israel, we will once again know how to reach Iran.”
3. New Hezbollah Chief (Naim Qassem) threatens Israeli PM.
“Netanyahu survived this time, but perhaps his time has not yet come,” Qassem said. The pre-recorded speech, delivered from an undisclosed location, was his first address as the terror group’s leader. His appointment was announced on Monday.
4. Lebanon's PM Najib Mikati hopeful for ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
“We are doing our best… to have a ceasefire within the coming hours or days,” Mikati said adding that he was “cautiously optimistic.”
5. US Secretary of Defense (Lloyd Austin) expects N. Korean troops to join combat against Ukraine. Secretary Austin said the administration is working with allies on how to respond to the deployment, though he wouldn’t specify how.
6. Ukraine to Mobilize 160,000 citizens. On Tuesday, the Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security told Parliament that the army planned to recruit another 160,000 people. An AFP source said the recruitment would take place over three months.
7. Armor Not Dead: Croatia to Procure Leopard Tanks.
The government of Croatia has signed a letter of intent with Germany to acquire up to 50 new Leopard 2A8s tanks for the country’s armed forces.
8. Armor Not Dead: German Leopards Receive Trophy Active Protection System.
The Trophy system has been integrated on the IDF’s Namer armored personnel carriers, on US M1 Abrams Tanks, and also on the UK's Challenger 3 tanks.

For review:
1. Israel: Escalation Dominance Against Iran.
Israel’s attacks on Saturday crippled Iran’s ability to produce long-range ballistic missiles and rendered crucial energy facilities vulnerable to future attacks by destroying air defense batteries protecting them.
2. Israeli PM: Stop the Iran Nuclear Program.
Israel is determined to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, the Prime Minister said Monday at the opening plenum of the Knesset’s winter session.
3. Head of Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps: Israel had “failed to achieve its ominous goals” with its Saturday strikes on Iranian military sites. The attack was a sign of “miscalculation and helplessness.”
4. US security Council meets to discuss Israeli strikes on Iran.
The United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting Monday to discuss the situation in the Middle East following Israel’s retaliatory strikes against Iran. Council president Switzerland said Iran requested the meeting with the support of Algeria, China and Russia.
5. Israel to field the Iron Bean air defense system.
Iron Beam systems will be integrated into the network of Israeli air defense weapons within a year, the Israeli Ministry of Defense said on Monday. Rafael is the main developer of the Iron Beam system, and Elbit supplies the laser cannon for it.
6. NATO Secretary General: N. Korean Troops Deployed to Kursk.
“I can confirm that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia and that North Korean military units have been deployed to the Kursk Region,” Secretary General Mark Rutte said in a press briefing.
7. French & German collaboration on Future Combat Air System (6th Generation Fighter) and Main Combat Ground System (Main Battle Tank) experience delays.
8. USAF likely to award Northrup Grumman a second, Low Rate Initial Production contract for B-21 Raider Bomber.

For review:
1. Israel Strikes Military Targets in Iran.
After reports of explosions near Tehran began to emerge around 2:15 a.m. local time, the Israel Defense Forces released a statement confirming that it was attacking Iran in response to “months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel.”
2. Israeli & Egyptian Spy Chiefs Meet to Re-start Hostage Talks.
Mossad chief David Barnea met in Cairo, with newly appointed Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, ahead of the resumption of hostage deal negotiations in Qatar next week.
3. Latest group of Ukrainian Pilots complete Elementary Flying Training in UK.
Training in the UK is Phase I out of three, where the pilots flew for about 80 hours on a GROB-115 general aviation aircraft.
Phase II is advanced flight training from the French Air Force using the Alpha Jet.
Phase III occurs at the European F-16 Training Center in Romania, where pilots will fly over 80 hours in the F-16 (& another 60 hours in simulator).
4. Russian President Putin comments on use of N. Korean troops in Russia: "This is our business." President Putin said on Thursday it is up to Moscow how to run its mutual defense clause with Pyongyang. Ukraine's military intelligence service said that the first North Korean units trained in Russia had been deployed in the Kursk region.
5. Poland's President Andrzej Duda visits S. Korea- rejects sending any new military hardware to Ukraine. "There is no scenario under consideration in which we transfer the weapons that we have acquired … with taxpayers’ money, to anyone.”
6. Australia Donates 49 x M1A1 Abrams Tanks to Ukraine (17 October).
This came just weeks after a first batch of new M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams replacements arrived in Australia from the U.S.

For review:
1. IDF Confirms Death of Hezbollah Chief from 04 October Strike.
Hashem Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah’s executive council, was presumed to be the successor of Hassan Nasrallah following his assassination in late September.
2. Israeli Air Force prepares for combat over Iran.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday told pilots and air crews at Hatzerim base that “after we strike in Iran, everyone will understand what you did in the preparation and training process.”
3. US Sec Defense: 3000 N. Korean Troops Training in Russia.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and other U.S. officials announced for the first time Wednesday that North Korean soldiers were in Russia.
4. US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine is Worth $400 million.
Package includes: munitions for rocket systems and artillery; mortar systems and rounds; armored vehicles; and anti-tank weapons.
5. Estonia tests defensive bunker prototypes.
One of the bunker prototypes was “made from smaller elements that the military can install themselves,” while the other two were both “one piece” type constructs.
6. Australia to Produce 155mm Munitions.
Australian Defense Acquisition Minster Pat Conroy confirmed that the NIOA-Rheinmetall team pitched on the deal, with French firm Thales also competing. However, the minister indicated that there is a third, currently unidentified, competitor as well. Currently, Australia imports its 155mm shells from a South African subsidiary of Rheinmetall.
7. Australia to procure Raytheon SM-2 & SM-6 missiles, in a deal with the US worth $4.7 Billion. No reported delivery timeline or amount.
8. USMC F-35B lands on the Japanese Destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184).
The Kaga underwent several changes to allow for F-35B, the US Marine Corps’ short-take-off-and-vertical-landing variant, to land on the ship, including painting the flight deck with a heat-resistant material, installing lights for nighttime operations and reshaping the flight deck’s bow from a trapezoid to a rectangle.
9. US Navy announces the future Virginia-Class Submarine (SSN-813) will be named after the city of Atlanta, Georgia.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro: "Today, it is my honor and privilege to name the next Virginia-class submarine, SSN-813, USS Atlanta.”

For review:
1. Israeli Politicians: Drone Attack on PM Home - "Big Mistake."
Israeli politicians aimed their rhetoric in Iran’s direction, vowing Tehran would “pay a price” for a drone attack by Tehran’s proxy Hezbollah that struck the Israeli PM's home.
2. Nordic Countries to Collaborate on future Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
Major General Lars Lervik, Chief of Staff of the Norwegian Army said that the four nations are “currently investigating” the project, in the hope that it could lower procurement costs and make development and maintenance issues “easier.”
3. Breaking Defense Interview with Australian Major General Richard Vagg (Head of Land Capability).
4. AM General Ready for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) A2 production.
Full production = a maximum of 20,682 vehicles and 9,883 trailers.
5. US Army XM30 Mechanized Infantry Fighting Vehicle Progressing.
American Rheinmetall Vehicles and General Dynamics Land Systems were selected (by the Army) in June 2023, to continue into a detailed design phase of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle. The first vehicles are expected to be fielded in fiscal 2029.

For review:
1. Hezbollah Drone Strike On Israel PM Home.
A drone fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon that exploded in the central seaside town of Caesarea early on Saturday targeted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private home, his office said. The premier and his wife were not present and no injuries were reported.
2. Iran United Nations Mission statement concerning drone strike on Israel PM home: “This action was taken by the Lebanese Hezbollah,” the mission says in response to a question about Iran’s role in the attack, according to the official IRNA news agency.
3. Axios Report: US-Leaked Online Documents Describe Israel Preparations for Iran Strike. The US is investigating a leak of highly classified US intelligence about Israel’s plans for retaliation against Iran, according to three people familiar with the matter. One of the people familiar confirmed the documents’ authenticity.
4. S. Korea National Intel Service Report: 1,500 N. Korean Troops in Russia Receiving Uniforms & Arms. N. Korea transported its special forces fighters on seven Russian ships earlier in October, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said in a press release on Friday.
5. AP Article on Russia's Nuclear Triad and future strategic weapons.
Like the U.S., Russia has a nuclear triad of ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, long-range bombers and ICBM-armed submarines.
6. United Arab Emirates Brokers Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Exchange.
Russia & Ukraine carried out a new exchange of prisoners of war on Friday, each side bringing home 95 prisoners in an agreement in which the United Arab Emirates acted as mediator.
7. Group of 7 Nations (G7) Defense Minsters meet in Naples, Italy to discuss Middle East and Russia-Ukraine, conflict escalations.
G7 = Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, UK, and US.

For review:
1. Top Hamas Leader Killed by IDF Tank Fire.
Israel on Thursday night announced that IDF troops had killed Hamas terror chief Yahya Sinwar in Gaza.. A force from the 828th Bislamach Brigade killed Sinwar and the other two terrorists.
2. Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Israeli citizens concerning Sinwar's death.
PM Netanyahu: "I stand before you today to tell you that Yahya Sinwar has been eliminated. Today, as we promised we would, we settled accounts with him."
3. US Strikes Houthi Targets with B-2 Bombers.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the B-2 bombers targeted “five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.”
4. North Korea Destroys Border Road and Rail Lines Connecting to South.
In the 2000s, the two Koreas reconnected two pairs of road and rail links across their heavily fortified border.
In response to the explosions, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said its military fired warning shots within southern sections of the border as it bolstered its readiness and surveillance posture.

For review:
1. Israeli Defense Minister on Iran Strike: Targets Are Clear - It's a Matter of Time.
Israel has described its general attack plans to the US but has yet to give an update on specific targets- however, “the targets could also change at the 11th hour.”
2. Iran Foreign Minister: Iran Will Respond.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned UN chief Antonio Guterres that Tehran is ready for a “decisive and regretful” response if Israel attacks his country in retaliation to the ballistic missile attack- from Iran- on Israel (01 October).
3. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $425 million.
Includes: air defense capabilities; air-to-ground weapons; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; armored vehicles; and anti-tank weapons.
4. Ukraine Preside Zelensky outline Victory Plan to Ukrainian Parliament.
At the heart of the plan is Ukraine’s desire for an invitation to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which would be a precursor to full NATO membership.
5. Russia captures (second) Ukrainian Leopard 2A6 Tank.
Germany has provided Ukraine with 18 Leopard tanks of the 2A6 variant, while Portugal has contributed three.
6. Armor Not Dead: Netherlands to Build Tank Battalion.
The Netherlands plans to buy 46 x Leopard 2A8 tanks for more than €1 billion- in order to rebuild a heavy armor capacity.
7. Australia to provide 49 x M1A1 Tanks to Ukraine.
This donation is possible since the Australian Army has begun receiving the first of its new fleet of 75 x M1A2 Tanks.
8. 30mm Stryker Double V-Hull A1 Infantry Carrier Vehicles due for fielding in 2025.
269 x vehicles will be fielded across 3 x Stryker Brigades, with another 20 vehicles slotted for the training base.

For review:
1. Israel PM & French President Discuss Lebanon Ceasefire.
The two leaders spoke by phone, with PM Netanyahu telling the French President he was opposed to agreeing to a “unilateral ceasefire” in Lebanon, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.
2. N. Korean Soldiers Supporting Russian Fight in Ukraine?
South Korea's Defence Minister Kim Yong-Hyun said on Tuesday that "there was a high possibility" North Korea could deploy troops to help Russia in the war with Ukraine. Defense Minister Kim also told a parliamentary hearing that news reports of North Korean military officers having been killed in a Ukrainian strike on territory controlled by Russian forces were likely true.
3. France to Increase Defense Spending in 2025.
The French government has proposed to lift the 2025 defense budget to €50.54 billion ($55 billion), up from €47.23 billion in 2024.
4. AUSA Speech: US Army Chief of Staff (General Randy George), outlines plan to continue modernization in 2025.
“Everything we do is about building lethality and cohesive teams, and given our current operating environment, we have to do it as fast as we can.”
5. US Army to Develop Hypervelocity Air Defense Cannon.
RCCTO stood up a product office for the Multidomain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) in July 2024. The goal is to get a prototype battery out in FY27, & an operational assessment in FY28- with a battery equipped with 8 x cannons.
6. US Army selects 5 x Companies for new self-propelled artillery effort.
The five companies are: Rheinmetall, BAE Systems, Hanwha, General Dynamics, and Elbit Systems.
7. L3 Harris protests US Army HADES Fixed-Wing ISR decision.
The protest was filed on 16 Sep, GAO said, and the oversight agency has a deadline to deliver its verdict by 26 Dec- to either to dismiss, deny or sustain the protest.

For review:
1. 2024 Defence Media Awards held in Washington D.C.. Congratulations to all Nominees & Winners (and those not Nominated as well).
2. Israel PM Netanyahu - UNIFIL Forces Must Leave Danger Zone.
Addressing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, PM Netanyahu said in a Hebrew-language message, “It is time for you to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and from the areas of combat.”
3. UNIFIL Chief - Peacekeepers Stay.
“The decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its positions in spite of the calls that were made by the Israel Defense Forces to vacate the positions that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line,” says UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
4. US Sends THAAD Battery and Troops to Israel.
The THAAD Battery will augment Israel's integrated air defense system. Each battery consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and requires 95 soldiers to operate.
5. Iran Foreign Minister - "No red lines" in response to Israel's potential attack.
Iran on Sunday said it has “no red lines” in defending itself.
6. Hezbollah Drone attack kills 4 IDF Soldiers at training base.
In the wake of the deadly strike, the IAF has also set a goal of completely eliminating Hezbollah’s Unit 127, responsible for its UAV production, maintenance and operation. The effort to kill every member of the unit will now take priority, in terms of intelligence collection and airstrikes.
7. According to Walla outlet, Israeli Shin Bet leader met with Egyptian Intel Chief to restart Hostage Negotiations with Hamas.
8. Towed Artillery Not Dead: Armenia to procure 6 x 155mm Towed Artillery systems from India. The Armenian Army has completed trials of its initial batch (6 systems) of 155mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) purchased from India in 2023.
9. Bell Textron breaks with Spirit AeroSystems following proposed acquisition announcement by Boeing (for Spirit) . Spirit AeroSystem was slated for fuselage work on the Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) effort.
Bell Textron will now produce fuselages in house after this decision.

For review:
1. No Israeli response to Iran. Discussions and coordination with US continues.
Among the challenges of an aggressive response is the potential for tit-for-tat strikes that will draw in other Middle Eastern countries. Tehran has threatened Western-backed Arab states that it will attack them next if an Israeli-US retaliatory action against Iran goes through their territory or airspace.
2. IDF Ground Offensive in S. Lebanon locates cached weapons stored in villages.
One house had three rooms packed with mortar shells, Kalashnikov rifles, RPGs, hand grenades, rain suits, and Kevlar vests.
3. IDF under protest for harming UN Peacekeepers during engagements with Hezbollah. France, Italy, Spain issue joint statement condemning IDF for harming UNIFIL forces.
4. Presidents of Russia & Iran Meet in Turkmenistan.
The two leaders hailed their countries growing economic ties and similar views on world affairs.
5. Russian Troops to withdraw from Armenian border with Iran in 2025.
Deal stipulates that by January 1, 2025, Moscow’s forces will transition control of the Armenia-Iran border checkpoint to Armenian border guards.
6. Rafael Lite Beam 10kw Laser Air Defense System.
The system has a reported range of around 2,000 meters.
7. Northrup Grumman Bushmaster 230LF counter-UAS system.
Integrated on a remote weapon system, the new 30mm medium caliber cannon can be equipped on 4×4, 6×6, or 8×8 land vehicles.

For review:
1. President Biden & PM Netanyahu Discuss Response to Iranian Missile Attack.
PM Netanyahu held a phone call with US President Biden on Wednesday for the first time in nearly 50 days, as Jerusalem aims to coordinate with Washington its' response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack.
2. IDF destroys Hezbollah tunnel crossing into Israel.
“Tonight we reported that we located and dismantled a tunnel of about 25 meters long, which crossed the border fence about 10 meters … into Israeli territory,” an IDF military spokesman said in a televised briefing.
3. France to Provide Ukraine Mirage Warplanes in 2025.
“The Mirage 2000s that will be delivered to Ukraine will be equipped with new equipment,” said the French Armed Forces Minister.
4. French Army combat brigade to evaluate rapid deployment to NATO's eastern flank during military exercise in Romania next year.
5. Romania selects Otokar (Turkey) Cobar II wheeled armored vehicle- ordering 1,059 vehicles. The planned sale is estimated to be worth around $940 million.
6. NHI Industries, is optimistic that the NH-90 Helicopter Block 2 upgrade will satisfy existing users, and attract new customers.
NH90’s Software Release 3 upgrade includes integration of a Electro-Optical gimbal, sonar equipment and additional weapons integration.
7. Royal Thai Army Pilots Fly Boeing AH-6 Little Birds in Arizona.

For review:
1. US Navy identifies vessels with faulty welds in Secretary of Navy letter to HASC & SASC. The impacted ships include the aircraft carrier George Washington and the brand-new attack submarines Hyman G. Rickover and New Jersey.
2. IDF Combat Data from One Year of War.
The Israel Defense Forces on Monday published new data on its operations in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
3. Hezbollah Chief Presumed Dead in Beirut Strike. The chances that Hashem Safieddine was killed by an Israeli strike in southern Beirut on Friday are increasing, an unnamed official told Sky News Arabia.
4. Iran Denies Quds Force Commander in Missing From Beirut Strike.
5. Brasil pauses deal with Elbit Systems (Israel) for 36 x ATMOS 2000 155mm Howitzers- due to Israeli operations in Gaza.
6. Netherlands: Ukraine F-16s Can Strike Targets in Russia.
Dutch Chief of Defence General Otto Eichelsheim said Dutch leaders had placed no restrictions on how Ukrainian pilots can use them, including striking military targets in Russia.
7. Sweden & NATO Operations in 2025.
Based upon Swedish Parliament's approval- up to 1,200 ground troops; six warships complete with crew; and a fleet of up to 24 fighter jets — to back NATO deterrence operations in the North Atlantic.
8. Lithuania to procure more NASAMS Air Defense systems.
This is the Baltic nation’s third NASAMS purchase, following acquisitions in 2017 and 2023.
9. USAF lists possible basing locations for KC-46A Pegasus Tankers.
- Bangor Air National Guard Base in Maine
- Forbes Field Air National Guard Base (Topeka) in Kansas
- Key Field Air National Guard Base (Meridian) in Missouri
- McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base (Knoxville) in Tennessee
- Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio
- Scott Air Force Base in Illinois
- Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base (Birmingham) in Alabama.

For review:
1. No Contact with Hezbollah Chief After Beirut Strike - No Statement from Hezbollah.
2. IDF says response to Iranian missile attack will be "serious and significant."
3. US CENTCOM Commander in Israel to Discuss Response to Iran Attack.
United States CENTCOM chief General Michael Kurilla landed in Israel this evening to meet with Israeli defense and military officials, amid preparations in the IDF for a response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack.
4. French President Emmanuel Macron urged a halt to deliveries of arms to Israel that can be used in its war against Hamas in Gaza.
Responding to President Macron on Saturday evening, Israeli PM Netanyahu called his comments “a disgrace.”
5. Ireland's President reacts to IDF requests for UN Peacekeepers to leave positions in Southern Lebanon.
“It is outrageous that the IDF have threatened this peacekeeping force and sought to have them evacuate the villages they are defending,” President Michael Higgins says in a statement.
Ireland accounts for 347 of the 10,000 soldiers serving in the UNIFIL forces.
6. France Orders Uncrewed Deep Sea Vehicles.
The French Navy has ordered an autonomous underwater vehicle that will surveil critical infrastructure at depths of up to 6,000 meters.
7. Ireland to Increase 2025 Defense Budget.
The record” €1.35 billion defense budget for 2025, offers funding for air surveillance radar, subsea awareness, force protection equipment projects, and recruitment of 400 additional armed forces personnel.
8. North Korean Leader threatens use of nuclear weapons in event of attack from South.
9. US House Armed Service Committee directs US Navy to provide information concerning faulty welds, used on under construction aircraft carriers and submarines- from the shipbuilding company HII Newport News Shipbuilding.

For review:
1. IDF Targets New Hezbollah Chief in Beirut Strike - Status Unknown.
Hezbollah Leader Hashem Safieddine was meeting with other senior Hezbollah leaders in an underground bunker during the IDF strike. It remains unclear if Safieddine was harmed in the Israeli strike.
2. IDF Reveals Hamas Senior Leader Eliminated During July Airstrike.
Senior Hamas official Rawhi Mushtaha, the de facto prime minister of the Gaza Strip, was killed in an Israeli strike several months ago, the IDF and Shin Bet said Thursday, announcing that they had confirmed his death.
3. US and Israel to discuss response to Tuesday's Iranian missiles attack.
The United States on Wednesday signaled a willingness to support Israel in a potential response, with the White House promising “severe consequences for this attack,” and saying it “will work with Israel to make that the case.”
4. Recent IDF ground operation in S. Lebanon result in casualties.
The IDF’s ground offensive began some two weeks into intensified fighting with Hezbollah, and after Operation Northern Arrows was launched earlier in September.
5. New Zealand and Australia participate in Senior (General) Officer Exchange.
The armed forces of New Zealand and Australia have swapped deputy commanders at their respective joint forces headquarters.
6. Queensland (Maryborough) Australia 155mm Munition Plant.
The plant, a joint venture between the Rheinmetall (51 percent ownership) and NIOA, a privately-held company, is the only plant capable of producing larger artillery shells in the country.
7. US Foreign Military Sale - Australia.
The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to 100 x Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) with global positioning systems (GPS), with an estimated cost of $405 million (US).

For review:
1. Iran Targets Israel With More Than 180 Missiles - PM Netanyahu Reaction: "Big Mistake".
At a security cabinet meeting in the aftermath of the attack, PM Netanyahu warned that Tehran had made a “big mistake tonight” and vowed that “it will pay for it.”
2. Iran celebrates missiles attack on Israel.
Iran’s IRGC boasted of its ballistic missile attack on Israel and threatened to carry out “crushing attacks” against the Jewish nation if it retaliates.
3. IDF Cross-Border Raids into S. Lebanon.
The IDF said Special Forces have carried out more than 70 small raids, destroying numerous Hezbollah positions, tunnels and thousands of weapons. The IDF said the sites were located both inside Lebanese villages and in forested areas.
4. US Destroyers Intercept Iranian Missiles.
USS Bulkeley (DDG-84) and USS Cole (DDG-67) fired a dozen interceptors as part of the US response to Iranian missiles launched at Israel, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.
5. US augments forces in Middle East with additional troops and warplanes.
The US Central Command announced Tuesday that three additional squadrons of warplanes were arriving in the region, while one was already present.
6. New NATO Secretary General.
Mark Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister, officially took charge of NATO today, succeeding longtime leader Jens Stoltenberg as the alliance’s new secretary general.
7. Netherlands will collaborate with Naval Group (France/Thales) to develop new submarine to replace the current Walrus-class.
Naval Group is set to deliver the first two of the four submarines by 2034, with the new vessel a conventionally-powered variant of the Barracuda class.

For review:
(Episode mostly dedicated to the IDF strike that killed the Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah.)
1. US Foreign Military Sales:
- Australia: 100 x Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range and related equipment for an estimated cost of $405 million.
- Egypt: 720 x Stinger Missiles for vehicle-based use on existing Avenger systems, and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $740 million.
- Bulgaria: 218 x Javelin FGM-148F missiles and 107 x Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LWCLU). The estimated total cost is $114 million.
2. Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Confirmed Dead in Friday's Beirut Strike.
3. Senior IRGC Officer killed in Friday Beirut strike.
The deputy commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, Abbas Nilforoushan, was killed in the strike.
4. Iran's senior leadership undecided on actions in response to the IDF strike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah Chief and Senior IRGC Officer.
While conservative Iranians want a strong response, including a direct attack on Israel, moderates are urging restraint.
5. Reactions concerning Hassan Nasrallah's death by leaders from Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Russia, Houthi Rebels (Yemen), Hamas, Fatah, Cuba, and Venezuela.
6 Time of Israel Report: Hashem Safieddine will replace Nasrallah as Hezbollah Chief.
As head of the executive council, Safieddine oversees Hezbollah’s political affairs. He also sits on the Jihad Council, which manages the group’s military operations.
7. IDF attacks Houthi targets at Yemeni ports in response to missile attack on Ben Gurion airport. The strikes targeted sites used by the Houthi regime for military purposes at the port city of Hodeidah and the nearby Ras Isa port in western Yemen, the IDF said.
8. US strikes targets in Syria.
US Central Command said it struck northwestern Syria on 24 Sep, targeting a senior terrorist from the al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Deen group and eight others.
It also announced a strike from 16 Sep, in which it conducted a “large-scale airstrike” on an Islamic State training camp in a remote undisclosed location in central Syria.
9. NY Times Report: IDF (may be) conducting limited ground operations in Lebanon.

For review:
1. IDF Targets Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut Strike - Status Unknown.
- A US official told The Times of Israel that Israel notified the US about the airstrike after planes were already in the air and the operation was in motion.
- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called an emergency session of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Friday. Officials said the meeting was called following the Israeli strikes on Hezbollah headquarters in southern Beirut, targeting Hassan Nasrallah.
- Hezbollah launched some 65 rockets at Israel on Friday night, hours after the strike in Beirut.
- Hamas panned the strike, condemning “the brutal and ongoing Zionist aggression and escalation against the brotherly Lebanese people through savage air strikes.”
2. US to End CJTF Joint Resolve Mission in Iraq by 2025.
US Official: The US and Iraq have agreed “on a two phase transition plan for operations in Iraq.
In the first phase, we’ll be concluding the global coalition’s military mission in Iraq, the Combined Joint Task Force Inherent Resolve, and ending the presence of coalition forces in certain locations in Iraq as mutually determined. That phase will begin this month and finish by the end of September 2025.
The second phase involves an “understanding to allow the coalition to continue to support counter-ISIS operations in Syria from Iraq- until at least September 2026."
3. US Army Mid-Range Capability Missile System to remain in Philippines.
American and Filipino security officials have agreed to keep the missile system in the northern Philippines indefinitely to boost deterrence (against China).
4. Chinese Nuclear Submarine Sinks at Pier.
The Pentagon has confirmed the submarine that sank pierside at a Wuhan shipyard is a “new class” of nuclear vessels being developed by the Chinese navy.
5. USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Competition.
In April, the USAF awarded contracts for CCA prototypes to General Atomics and Anduril, which prevailed over larger defense aerospace companies-Lockheed Martin. Boeing, and Northrup Grumman.

For review:
1. US Congress passes Continuing Resolution (CR) for continued Federal Government funding.
The CR now makes its way to the White House, which has indicated that the President will sign the bill well in advance of the 30 Sep deadline.
2. IDF Prepares for Ground Combat in S. Lebanon.
Israel has continued to launch hundreds of strikes against Hezbollah targets and warned that a ground offensive was looming. IDF chief LTG Halevi told Soldiers they would likely soon find themselves in Lebanon.
3. France Proposes 21-Day Ceasefire in Lebanon.
France outlined the proposal at an emergency UN Security Council session. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the two Western powers (France & US) were proposing a truce of 21 days "to allow for negotiations and a more sustainable ceasefire."
4. US Security Package to Ukraine worth $375 Million.
Capabilities include: air-to-ground weapons; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; armored vehicles; and anti-tank weapons.
5. US approves $920 million Foreign Military Financing (FMF) loan to Romania.
FMF dollars have to be spent on US-made weapons and the loans come with interest that will have to be paid back to the US government.
6. South Korean defense company Hanwha Ocean no longer pursues bid to purchase Australian ship building firm Austal.
7. China fires ICBM into Pacific Ocean during test.
Chinese Defense Ministry reports that the ICBM carried a dummy warhead and fell into a designated area of the sea, and that the test complied with international law and was not directed against any country or target.
8. Northrup Grumman Selected to Build Hypersonic Glide Interceptors (GPI).
The fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act is pushing the US Missile Defense Agency to ensure initial operational capability (IOC) for the GPIs by the end of 2029 and full operational capability (FOC) by 2032, as well as to deliver at least 24 x GPIs by 2040.

For review:
1. IDF Pounds Hezbollah Rocket & Missiles Sites in S. Lebanon.
The IDF said it struck some 1,600 targets across Lebanon on Monday, including many homes it said housed weapons directly threatening Israel.
2. Monday IDF airstrike in Beirut targets Senior Hezbollah Commander.
An Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Monday evening targeted Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki, fueling speculation as to whether the senior terror leader had been killed in the attack.
3. Iranian President accuses Israel of instigating a wider war after recent kinetic operations in Lebanon.
Masoud Pezeshkian told media representatives that Iran does not want to see the current war in Gaza and airstrikes across the Israeli-Lebanon border expanded, saying that while Israel insists it does not want a wider war, it is taking actions that show otherwise.
4. US Carrier Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) Departs Norfolk for CENTCOM AOR.
The Harry S. Truman Strike Group deployment follows the departure of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group from the Middle East.
5. Japan lodges protest after Russian Aircraft violates airspace.
Japanese Defense Minister: “We confirmed today that a Russian Il-38 patrol aircraft has violated our airspace over our territorial waters north of Rebun Island, Hokkaido, on three occasions,” he said.
6. Australian Army's unmanned aircraft system strategy.
The Army has combined various efforts under the umbrella program DEF 129, divided into four size categories: nano-UAS, small drones (SUAS), SUAS-plus, and tactical drones (TUAS).
7. Australian Army Repurposes Armored Unit into Experimental Force.
LTC Jake Penley, its commanding officer, told Defense News that the unit will hand in its M1A1 Abrams tanks later this year, before achieving an initial operational capability in the experimentation mission on 1 Feb 2025.
The unit's mission is to evaluate new technologies such as unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), drones, robotics and counter-drone systems.

For review:
1. IDF Strikes Hezbollah's Radwan Force Leadership.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Saturday that it had eliminated many of the top commanders of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force in the Friday strike in Beirut.
2. Iraq to Procure Medium-Range Air Defense Systems.
Iraq’s Ministry of Defense announced Thursday that it signed a contract with a South Korean company to procure a number of advanced medium-range batteries.
3. Armor Not Dead: UK Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank.
Rheinmetall unveiled the UK's new Challenger 3 main battle tank to the public at a British Army event this week. With upgraded armor and a 120mm smoothbore cannon- Rheinmetall calls the Challenger 3, the most advanced tank in NATO.
4. Mistral Inc. (Bethesda, Maryland) protests the awarding of the US Army Lethal Unmanned Systems Requirement to AeroVironment Switchblade 600.
The protest has resulted in the Army filing a stop work order, while the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviews the case and makes a ruling.
5. US Navy Chief of Naval Operations will issue guidance to the Fleet via "America's Warfighting Navy" plan. The plan outlines her priorities for the service, which include fixing maintenance backlogs, recruiting, and improving combat readiness and capabilities.
6. Anduril and Microsoft to team-up for the US Army IVAS effort.
Details about the two companies’ current and future IVAS arrangements remain under wraps, but spokespeople from both said Anduril’s Lattice platform has been “successfully integrated” into Microsoft’s hardware and software platform for both the IVAS 1.1 and 1.2 versions.

For review:
1. Israeli Defense Minister tells US Envoy that only "military action" can restore security and return residents to the border region.
2. Pager & Hand-Held Radio Explosions in Lebanon - Iranian Ambassador Wounded.
Thousands of Hezbollah group pagers exploded on Tuesday, killing nine people and wounding nearly 3,000.
In addition, a fresh wave of explosions ripped across Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting hand-held radios used by Hezbollah members.
Mojtaba Amani, the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, lost one eye and his other was seriously wounded in the Tuesday pager attack, according to The New York Times. Iran told the UN in a letter that “reserves its rights under international law to take required measures deemed necessary to respond.”
3. Sweden Increases Defense Spending to 2.4% GDP in '25.
Also, the Swedish Army is reportedly moving to three mechanized brigades and one infantry brigade by 2030; upscaling air defense capabilities to counter drones; and planning additional orders of air-to-air and cruise missiles.
4. Italy Procuring More F-35 Warplanes plus new Tranche 4 Eurofighter Typhoons.
The F-35 order, is split between 15 x F-35A variants for the Italian Air Force and 10 x F35B variants for the Italian Navy.
24 x Tranche 4 Eurofighters will be procured as a replacement for 26 x older Tranche 1 models.
5. USAF B-21 Raider Program Progressing Well.
USAF Officials say that the flight test program for the B-21 Raider is moving along- with the bomber periodically flying up to 2 x times a week.
6. AFSOC Commanding General says that CV-22 Ospreys are 60% operational, with the remainder of the fleet following in late 2024 or early 2025.
The CV-22 units in Japan and the United Kingdom “are almost back to full mission readiness.
7. Kongsberg to build missile facility in James City County, Virginia (between Richmond & Norfolk). The company’s new Virginia factory will focus on producing the Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile.

For review:
1. US Foreign Military Sales:
- Japan: KC-46A Refueling aircraft.
- Israel: Heavy Duty Tank Trailers.
2. Houthi Rebels Claim Downing of MQ-9 Reaper.
The U.S. military said it was aware of the Houthis' claimed downing of a drone over the country's southwestern Dhamar province, without elaborating.
3. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar congratulates Houthi Rebels for missile attack on Israel. In his letter, Sinwar congratulated Houthi leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi on his “success in reaching the depth of the enemy entity,” referring to Israel.
4. Israel PM - Large Scale Confrontation with Hezbollah in Future.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was said to have warned security chiefs during a strategic discussion on Thursday that Israel was facing a “large-scale confrontation” with Hezbollah in the north of the country.
5. USAF Secretary provides update on the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) effort.
6. USAF to consolidate AC-130J training at Kirtland AFB in New Mexico.
“Creating a consolidated training location will reduce travel costs and allow for training timelines to be accelerated,” a spokesperson for the 58th Special Operations Wing said.
7. US Navy Contracts Construction of John Lewis-Class Oilers.
The Navy today announced it has awarded General Dynamics NASSCO a contract worth up to $6.7 billion for the construction of up to eight John Lewis-class fleet oilers, a block buy deal the service anticipates will save $491 million.
8. US Army Orders Bradley A4 IFVs.
The US Army has awarded BAE Systems a $440-million production contract for over 200 x Bradley A4 infantry fighting vehicles. It is intended to replenish some of the over 300 combat vehicles sent to Ukraine, with an updated version.

For review:
1. US Secretary of the Navy Violates Hatch Act.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has apologized for comments he made to British reporters in January that the Office of the Special Trial Counsel found violated a US law that prevents federal employees from endorsing political candidates during their official duties.
2. IDF Tunnel Warfare in Khan Younis.
According to the Commanding General of Division 98 (Major General Dan Goldfus), the Gaza tunnels are a single giant network from which it was possible to enter around Erez in northern Gaza and come out at Rafah and Egypt – like the process of water seeping through and flowing down a mountain.
3. Russian President Putin of allowing Ukraine to strike targets with Western-provided long-range weapons. President Vladimir Putin said such a move would drag the countries supplying Kyiv with long-range missiles directly into the war since satellite targeting data and the actual programming of the missiles' flight paths would have to be done by NATO military personnel because Kyiv did not have the capabilities itself.
4. US President and UK Prime Minister met at White House on 14 September to discuss Ukraine "strategy".
In a separate briefing on Friday, ahead of the two leaders' meeting, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Washington was not planning any change in the limits it has placed on Ukraine's use of US-made weapons to hit Russian territory.
5. Ukraine pitches for 12 x Bell Viper Helicopters on offer to Slovakia.
Vadym Ivchenko, a Ukrainian lawmaker, told Defense News that Ukraine has shown interest in the 12 x Vipers since 2022. At that time, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces filed a letter of request to the US to obtain the aircraft through a foreign military sale.
6. US Foreign Military Sale of F-35As to Romania.
The U.S. State Department on Friday announced it has approved the sale of 32 x F-35A Joint Strike Fighters to Romania in a deal worth roughly $7.2 billion.
7. Boeing’s machinists union in Washington state votes to strike on late Thursday evening, putting near-term deliveries of the KC-46 & P-8 military aircraft in limbo.

For review:
1. US Carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Departs CENTCOM AOR.
The Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is heading back home eight months into its deployment, Pentagon officials announced on Thursday.
2. IDF Reports 13 kilometers of Tunnels Destroyed in Rafah.
Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, 162d Division Commander said that his combat engineering forces located 203 separate, but interconnected tunnels in the Philadelphi Corridor, to about 300 meters away on the outskirts of the city of Rafah. “Most of them we have destroyed. We are operating at the other sites to investigate them, and when we will finish investigating, they will be destroyed.”
3. Israel Defense Minster Yoav Gallant reveals captured document reportedly written by Hamas Kahn Younis Brigade Commander to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Gallant said the document showed “a real hardship that affects Hamas and affects the most senior commanders.”
4. The UK’s National Audit Office (NAO) reports that the British Army's training mission of Ukrainian Soldiers has had an adverse affect on the training effectiveness of UK units.
British Army units bidding for training areas were reportedly rejected eight times more often in 2023 than the previous years. The UK has trained more than 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers on its soil, according to the MoD.
5. Armor Not Dead: Rheinmetall Tank Destroyer Concept.
The 4×4 wheeled platform is equipped with the Israeli-designed Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missile as its main weapon system, featuring a range of 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles). The platform’s open architecture allows the integration of other guided missiles and HERO loitering munitions, according to Rheinmetall.
6. Poland continues defense modernization. Anticipates signing a contract with South Korea's Hyundai Rotem for 180 x advanced K2PL tanks (in November).
The upgraded K2PL tank will be equipped with a remote control weapons system, counter UAS jammer, and an active protection system.
7. Is the Australian Army interested in the Bell V-280 Valor?

For review:
1. Israel Defense Minister - Hamas as Military Formation is Gone.
Hamas is no longer an organized military force in the Gaza Strip after Israel’s 11-month ongoing military campaign, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told foreign journalists on Monday.
2. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said US will present new formula for Hostage Deal between Israel and Hamas.
3. Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar issued a rare statement- congratulating Algeria’s incumbent President after he was declared the winner of an election whose results have been challenged by opposition candidates.
4. German Chancellor Calls for Peace Efforts in Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a renewed effort to bring peace to Ukraine adding that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had both agreed in recent talks on the need for a new peace conference that would include Russia.
5. Netherlands Defense Modernization.
The Netherlands plans to bolster its armed forces by reconstituting a tank battalion, buying more F-35 fighter jets, and adding anti-submarine frigates.
6. Iran Provides Russia with Close-Range Missiles.
Iran has sent close-range ballistic missiles to Russia, which could start using them to attack Ukraine “within weeks,” Pentagon officials said Tuesday.
7. Russia and China conduct massive Naval Drill.
The “Ocean-24” exercise spans the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, the Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic Seas and involves over 400 warships, submarines and support vessels, more than 120 planes and helicopters and over 90,000 troops.
8. Japan coordinates with Allies as it increases efforts to prepare for F-35B operations.
Japan’s largest warship, the carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184), is headed to California later this year to hold F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter developmental tests off San Diego, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) announced.

For review:
1. Israel - Hamas Hostage Deal Remote.
The chances of a phased hostage-ceasefire agreement being achieved on the basis of Israel’s May proposal are “close to zero” and there is “very broad pessimism” among the Israeli negotiators.
2. Germany to Provide 155mm Howitzers to Ukraine.
Germany will deliver a batch of 12 x Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, the Defense Minister announced. 6 x howitzers will be delivered by the end of this year and the rest next year.
3. UK to provide 650 x Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) to Ukraine as part of a 162-million-pound ($212 million) contract.
4. EU spends too much money on US defense items.
A report on European Union Defense Competitiveness says that from mid 2022 to mid-2023, the 27-Member Nation contracted 63% of their defense orders with US suppliers.
5. US Defense Security Cooperation Agency- Foreign Military Sale:
The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy two hundred forty-six (246) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles. The estimated total program cost is $691 million.
6. Poland offered Boeing CH-47F Block II Chinooks.
Boeing announced today at the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) that it has formally offered the heavy-lift helicopter to Poland.
7. Norwegian Army to upgrade Sniper rifle capability with the American Barrett M107A1. The M107A1 is capable of delivering precision and rapid fire on targets up to 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) away.
8. Two USAF F-35As land on highways during exercise in Finland.
The F-35s, which were from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in England, carried out the landings on the Hosio Highway Strip in Ranua, Finland.

For review:
1. Egypt's Army Chief of Staff Visits Gaza Border.
Egypt’s army chief of staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa made a surprise visit on Thursday to the country’s border with the Gaza Strip to inspect the security situation.
2. IDF Infantry Brigade Prepares for Combat in North.
The IDF’s Yiftah Brigade carried out a drill over the past week simulating fighting in Lebanon. The drill included fighting and maneuvering in complex terrain, advancing along a “mountainous route,” and using firepower in various scenarios.
3. Latest US Security Assistance to Ukraine.
The package has an estimated value of $250 million, and will provide Ukraine with capabilities that include: air defense missiles; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; armored vehicles; and anti-tank weapons.
4. US denies claims that donated long-range missiles to Ukraine, such as ATACMs, will be effective at targets deep inside Russia.
5. Netherlands to procure Spike LR2 anti-tank missile systems (Rafael Advanced Defense Systems).
6. Germany military to employ first IRIS-T SLM air defense system.
The system delivered on Wednesday marked the first of six IRIS-T SLMs to be delivered to the Bundeswehr.
7. FY25 US Defense Budget Update.
8. US Army Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) update.
The Army is aiming for one more major test of the LRHW by the end of 2024 in order to decide whether to field it to the first unit next year, Doug Bush, the service’s acquisition chief, said Thursday.

For review:
1. Israel PM - IDF Potentially Off Philadelphi Corridor in Phase 2 but Not Without Security Arrangements.
PM Netanyahu: “The conditions that we shall have for a permanent ceasefire must include a situation where the Philadelphi Corridor cannot be perforated.”
2. Slovakia to Procure Barak MX Air Defense Systems.
The Slovak government has approved the purchase 6 x Barak MX air defense systems for an estimated €554 million ($615 million).
3. China & Russia present at Egypt International Airshow.
China and Russia are using the first-ever Egypt International Airshow to show off their military hardware for sale, in an attempt to cement their presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
4. USAF conducting "deep-dive scrub" of Sentinel ICBM program requirements.
The Air Force is now going “line by line” through Sentinel’s requirements to look for places to bring its costs down. The Pentagon originally expected to spend $77.7 billion on Sentinel, but the Pentagon said even a “reasonably modified” restructure would still probably cost $140.9 billion, or 81% more than the original estimate.
5. USMC to test Stern Landing Vessel (LSV) to help determine and inform requirements for the Medium Landing Ship (LSM) program. The “foreign collaborative” tests would take place around Australia over the next several years in conjunction with the Australian Army.
6. US Army IVAS Update.

For review:
1. US White House reports that new Hostage Deal has Israel mvoing off populated areas of the Philadelphi Corridor.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby: “The deal itself, including the bridging proposal that we started working with… includes the removal of Israeli Defense Forces from all densely populated areas… in phase one… and that includes those areas along and adjacent to that corridor. That’s the proposal that Israel had agreed to.”
2. Israeli PM Makes Case for Maintaining IDF Presence on Philadelphi Corridor.
Speaking with reporters during a press conference in Jerusalem, PM Netanyahu insisted that the 14-kilometer strip of land is essential for Israel to achieve its war aims and that retaining control there is “central” and determines Israel’s very future.
3. UN Security Council Extends Peacekeeping Mandate in Lebanon.
Resolution 2749, adopted by the Security Council on Wednesday, extends UNIFIL’s nearly two-decade long mission of keeping peace between Israel and Lebanon through Aug. 31, 2025.
4. UK's Symbolic Sanction of Arms to Israel.
On Monday the UK’s new government announced it would suspend exports of 30 items out of a total of 350 current arms licenses.
5. USAF plans procurement of at least 56 MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopters.
The Air Force previously sought 80 airframes, but the FY25 budget reduced the procurement number.

For review:
1. According to final investigation report, the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May 2024, was caused by bad weather.
The main cause of the helicopter crash was the “complex climatic and atmospheric conditions of the region in the spring.”
2. IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostages Murdered by Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the ongoing failure to reach a ceasefire deal that would have secured their release while they were still alive.
3. Ukraine President Fires Senior Air Force Commander.
The Air Force Senior Officer was removed on Friday, four days after an F-16 warplane crashed during a Russian bombardment, killing the pilot.
4. F-35Bs assigned to Italian aircraft carriers reach Initial Operating Capability (IOC).
The F-35B fighter fleet achieved IOC four months ahead of schedule, and comprised a total of 2,600 flight hours and over 2,700 maintenance interventions.
5. Lithuania to Modernize Soldier Weapons & Equipment.
The Lithuanian government plans an investment of up to $1.33billion to equip its soldiers with modern weapons and equipment over the next decade.
The amount will be spent for the purchase of FN MINIMI 7.62 MK3 light machine guns, night vision devices, and laser sights.
6. Latvia's Ministry of Defense opens a new military facility that will support the NATO Multinational Brigade.
The $7.7 million facility incorporates armored vehicle storage and sustainment facilities to house allied tanks and other platforms.
7. US Army conducting study to gain lessons-learned ffrom the Gaza JLOTS pier deployment.
The mission's Senior Commander called the mission "the biggest organizational leadership challenge” he had ever experienced.

For review.
1. USAID Report on Gaza Pier- available at USNI News.
2. Israeli Security Cabinet Supports Remaining on Philadelphi Corridor.
Israel's security cabinet voted Thursday to back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position in favor of maintaining IDF presence along the Gaza-Egypt border as part of any potential ceasefire and hostage release deal.
3. Qatar & Turkey Joint Air Force Squadron revealed on X by the Commander of the Turkish Air Force.
While the exact number and type of aircraft employed by the squadron were not publicized, a photo showed Turkish F-16s as well as Qatari Rafales and Eurofighter Typhoons.
4. Serbia to procure 12 x Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation to replace its MiG-29 fleet.
5. UK New Medium Helicopter Program Has Only 1 x Bidder - Leonardo Helicopters UK. Airbus and Lockheed Martin have both decided to withdraw from the UK’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) program ahead of a deadline.
6. US Army continues increasing the production of 155mm artillery munitions.
7. US Army awards Javelin Joint Venture partners Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, the largest single year contract in program history- $1.3 billion.
8. After Fixed-wing ISR Program (High Accuracy Detection & Exploitation System) contract award to Sierra Nevada- and barring any protest from former competitors- the US Army expects that work on first HADES plane will be completed by the end of 2025, with an operational assessment in 2026.

For review:
1. Among Hostage Negotiations, Israel PM faces tough decisions on status of Philadelphi Corridor.
2. IDF Says 80% Tunnels Destroyed on Philadelphi Corridor - Rafah Brigade Collapsed.
3. Israel & Hamas likely to agree to humanitarian truce for child polio vaccinations.
Unnamed Egyptian sources as expecting a truce to kick off within days, lasting through daylight hours for 3-5 days, excluding places in the Strip where the IDF is operating.
4. Russia reportedly facing challenges with SU-57 warplane production.
A new production plant has been opened aimed at scaling up the sluggish delivery tempo of these fifth-generation stealth warplanes.
5. Poland Preparing to Receive F-35s.
The first aircraft will then be delivered in-country in the 2026 timeframe, according to Lockheed Martin.
6. Thailand Leans Toward Saab's Gripen E/F Warplanes.
According to a statement posted to the Thai Air Force’s Facebook page, the Gripen has been identified as the “most suitable” option for modernizing its fleet.
7. US Army procuring 6 x Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher System (EAGLS)- counter UAS/Drone system. These systems will be fielded to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility.
8. Retired USMC Officer's website discusses and shares Warfighting Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) among the Infantry enterprise- with recent focus on operations in Ukraine.

For review.
1. Hezbollah attacks Northern Israel with missiles and drones in retaliation for strike on senior commander.
2. US SEC DEF: 2 x US Carriers to Remain in CENTCOM AOR.
With the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), there will now be 2 x aircraft carriers and their warships available for US Central Command.
3. US Israel - Hamas Hostage Negotiations.
A US official says that the hostage talks held in Cairo the past several days have been “constructive.”
Notably, US officials appear to be the only party in the talks who sound hopeful about their trajectory.
4. Norway and NAMMO collaborate to increase 155mm munition production domestically and in Ukraine. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Store: “This government has taken several measures to increase the production of artillery ammunition in Norway. At the same time, we see that it is important to strengthen the Ukrainians’ ability to produce modern artillery ammunition in Ukraine."
5. Turkey opens the world’s largest submarine floating dock with 3,000-ton lifting capacity. The dock is expected to be used as submarine maintenance and overhaul floating facility.
6. North Korea Demonstrates Loitering Munitions that Curiously Resemble Israeli Design. Experts said the drones in the images released by state media looked similar to the Israeli-made “HAROP” suicide drone and Israeli “HERO 30.”
7. Chinese Y-9 Aircraft Violates Japanese Airspace.
According to Japanese officials. a Chinese Y-9 electronic intelligence aircraft carried out a two-minute violation of the airspace over Japan’s territorial waters at the Danjo Islands in the East China Sea on Monday.
8. Hanwha (South Korea) opens new Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle production plant in Geelong, Victoria (Australia).
The facility will also support the manufacturing of Huntsman AS9 self-propelled howitzers and K10 armored ammunition resupply vehicles. Following its opening, the site is expected to support 2,100 jobs,

For review:
1. Israel & Hamas Negotiations Continue - No Deal Yet. Philadelphi Corridor still a sticking point.
Egypt-based Alghad TV reported Saturday, citing citing an unnamed informed source, that Israel had notified Cairo it was prepared to withdraw under a deal from five security points out of eight discussed along the Philadelphi Corridor. There was no other confirmation of the report.
2. Latest US Assistance Package to Ukraine is worth $125 million.
Included in this package are air defense capabilities; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; and anti-tank weapons.
3. Indian PM Visits Kiev - Encourages Dialogue.
India's Narendra Modi urged President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday to sit down for talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine and offered to help bring peace as the two leaders met in wartime Kyiv.
4. The Croatian Ministry of Defense has announced plans to acquire High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, for the country’s armed forces.
5. Germany to Station Combat Brigade in Lithuania by End of Decade.
Lithuania and Germany agreed in December 2023- to station 4,800 military and 200 civilian German personnel at the Rūdninkai Training Area in the country’s southeast.
6. Taiwan increase annual defense spending to 2.45% GDP. Objective is to attain 3% GDP in the future.
7. US Army awards Fixed-Wing ISR contract to Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC).
Under the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program, SNC will now be charged with integrating sensing technologies aboard the Bombardier Global 6500 business jet for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. SNC will largely carry out HADES work at the company’s facilities in Hagerstown, Md.

For review:
1. US Carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Arrives in the Middle East according US Central Command. The Lincoln is set to relieve USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), which has been operating in the Middle East since June.
2. IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostage in Khan Younis.
3. Israel - Hamas Negotiations losing momentum.
4. Ukraine Kursk operation strengthens hand for potential Peace Talks. Russia not in the mood.
5. Germany lays out Ukraine war materiel for the remainder of 2024, and 2025.
Includes air defense systems, dozens of armored vehicles, rocket launchers, and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition.
6. Australia and Kongsberg to Build Joint & Naval Strike Missiles in New South Wales.
7. New Radar system (AN/TPY-6) heads to Guam in support of the strategic island's Air and Missile Defense Architecture.
8. Missile Defense Agency says the Long-Range Discriminator Radar (LRDR) to undergo further testing in 2025.
Built by Lockheed Martin, LRDR was fielded at Clear Space Force Station in central Alaska in late 2021, though the radar has not yet been operationally accepted by the US Space Force.

For review:
1. Israel Accepts US "Bridging Proposal" in Negotiations.
Statement from Israeli Prime Minister's Office:
“The Prime Minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to the current American proposal on the release of our hostages, which takes into account Israel’s security needs, which he strongly insists on."
2. Ukraine Destroys Key Bridges in Kursk Region.
This weekend, Ukraine destroyed a key bridge in the region and struck a second one nearby, disrupting supply lines as it pressed the Kursk incursion.
3. China alarmed at deployment of US Mid-Range Fire Capability in the Philippines.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, expressed China’s concern over the U.S. mid-range missile deployment to the Philippines.
4. China and Philippines continue to spar over disputed shoals in the South China Sea.
Philippine and Chinese Coast Guard vessels collided in the South China Sea near two disputed shoals on Monday morning in the latest encounter at sea between Manila and Beijing.
5. Latest US Foreign Military Sales:
- South Korea: 36 x AH-64E Apache Helicopters in deal worth $3.5 billion.
- Netherlands: CH-47 & AH-64 Helicopter training package in deal worth $305 million.
- Finland: M1156A1 Precision Guided Kits in deal worth $70 million.
- Australia: FGM-148F Javelin Missiles in deal worth $100 million.
6. USMC Marine-One Helicopter First Flight with President.
President Joe Biden on Monday took his first flight aboard the newest Marine One Helicopter (Sikorsky VH-92A Patriot) in Chicago, Illinois.

For review:
1. US Carrier (USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72) & Guided-Missile Submarine (USS Georgia SSGN-728) Moving Toward CENTCOM AOR.
2. Israel - Hamas Negotiation Update.
The US “bridging proposal” does not provide for an ongoing Israeli presence along the Gaza-Egypt border or for a mechanism in central Gaza to prevent the return of armed Hamas forces to the Strip’s north.
3. Bulgaria to procure IRIS-T Air Defense Systems in support of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The deal includes five additional IRIS-T SLM systems and one long-range IRIS-T SLX (Surface-Launched Extended-Range) system by 2032.
4. Australian Army Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles to receive vehicle display that hosts C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) applications. 129 x Redback IFVs ordered for the Army will be delivered by 2028.
5. French Navy Frigate FS Bretagne (D655) operates in the Indo-Pacific Region with naval forces from the US, Japan, and Philippines.
Royal Australian and US Navy Sailors to cooperate during a Submarine Tender Maintenance Period (STMP) over the next several weeks during a US submarine port visit at Stirling Naval Base in Western Australia.
6. AUKUS Countries Lower Arms Export Restrictions.
The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom have agreed to new rules for sharing arms — a major step to make their defense industries more accessible to one another.
7. US Navy to secure a Multi-ship procurement deal for 4 x amphibious ships.
The four ships that will be purchased under the deal are 3 x San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks (LPD-33 in fiscal 2025, LPD-34 in FY27, & LPD-35 in FY29) and 1 x amphibious assault ship (LHA-10 in FY27).

For review:
1. US President: Significant Progress on Negotiations.
Israel and Hamas were the most constructive that mediators had seen in months, a senior Biden administration official told reporters on Friday.
2. IDF Combat Engineers have destroyed over 50 tunnels along the Philadelphi Corridor. The IDF did not detail how many of the tunnels crossed into Egypt.
3. Israeli Air Force rehearse long-range strikes, employing F-35 and F-15 warplanes and Boeing 707 refueling Tankers.
4. Hezbollah release video showing lighted tunnel system with trucks, motorcycles, and missile launcher.
Titled “Our mountains are our storehouses,” the video shows a trapdoor opening and a missile launcher directed skyward.
5. New Iranian defense minister, Brigadier General Aziz Nazirzedah, has ambitious defense modernization strategy.
Defense Minster's aim is to expand the aerospace, naval, missile and air defense sectors- as well as increase Iranian defense exports to neighboring countries, Latin America, and Africa.
6. US Foreign Military Sales include:
- Germany: 600 x Patriot missiles and related equipment worth $5 billion.
- Italy: 6 x Block 5 MQ-9 Reaper Drones worth $738 million.
- Denmark: 5,832 x M1156 Precision Guided Kits (for 155mm artillery munitions), worth $85 million.
7. Japanese Coast Guard to procure 2 x MQ-9B, Sea Guardian Drones from General Atomics. The Sea Guardian is a medium-altitude, long-endurance system that can fly for 24 hours or more.
8. US Navy Installs Drone Control Room on Aircraft Carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)- to support MQ-25A Stingray tanker and ISR Drones.
The control system was developed by the Navy and includes capabilities from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works.
9. Latest update in the US Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program. Over the past year, Army leaders have teased a “IVAS Next” initiative.
The Army could make a decision to recompete the prime contractor position- according to multiple sources.

For review:
1. President Biden hopeful that successful negotiations between Israel & Hamas will stave off Iran retaliatory strike.
President Biden was asked by reporters if he expected Iran to hold off on a retaliatory strike if a deal is reached. “That’s my expectation,” the President replied.
2. IDF 98th Division Commander Discusses Gaza Operations, including mission where the IDF was "minutes" from capturing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Brigadier Gen. Dan Goldfus said: “We were close. We were in his compound. We got to an underground compound. It was ‘hot.’”
3. US clears $20 billion worth of Foreign Military Sales to Israel. Includes:
F-15 warplanes, 120mm Mortar Rounds, and 120mm Tank Munitions, plus other materiel.
4. China Urges De-Escalation after Kursk Incursion. China on Monday urged all sides in the Ukraine war to de-escalate as Kyiv's forces pierced deep into Beijing ally Russia's Kursk border region.
5. Norway to Procure M142 HIMARS.
Norway has requested to buy 16 x Lockheed Martin M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems in a deal worth as much as $580 million.
6. Poland Signs Deal for 96 x AH-64E Apache Helicopters.
Once the 96 aircraft are delivered, the Polish military will be the Apache’s second largest user in the world, preceded only by the US military.
7. South Korea begins development of the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS). This maritime capability will provide accurate target geo-location to enable mine neutralization procedures. The system can be mounted on a variety of helicopters and be deployed for day and night operations.
8. US Army continues mounted High Energy Laser effort.
The Army is “encouraging” industry to use the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) for the prototyping effort.

For review:
1. Forbes Report: Ukraine Combat Brigades Digging In at Kursk.
There’s growing evidence that some or all of the 5 x Ukraine Combat Brigades- have plans to stay. (The Russians are digging in, too.)
2. Hamas Supports Negotiations But Will Not Send Delegation to Upcoming Talks.
It (Hamas) said it had asked mediators to present a plan based upon past negotiations, instead of engaging in new talks for a deal based on amended frameworks.
3. US making infrastructure improvements to Basa Air Base in the Philippines.
Funded under the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, Basa Air Base is set to receive a 625,000-square-foot parking apron capable of hosting up to 20 aircraft.
4. US Navy launches final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship- USS Pierre (LCS 38). Main sea trials begin in late-2024.
5. Expert Pentagon Contract Broker (Shay Assad), to assist USAF with Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) contract talks (with RTX). Mr. Assad has previously assisted the USAF with Boeing E-7 Wedgetail negotiations.
6. US Army 2d Multi-Domain Task Force MDTF (Effects Battalion) tests unmanned air and Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) systems during Morocco Exercise- Arcane Thunder 2024.
7. US Army reports successful End-to-End Flight Test of Hypersonic Missile.
The first flight test took place in May 2024, at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii.

For review:
1. Ukraine Sends 5 x Combat Brigades into Russia's Kursk Oblast.
Russia declared a “federal-level” emergency in the region and sent reinforcements there on Friday. Russia’s Defense Ministry said reinforcements were on their way to Kursk to counter Ukraine’s raid.
2. Ukrainian First Person View Drone takes down Russian MI-28 Havok Attack Helicopter. “The future use of helicopters in combat can and should be rethought, especially with the growth of unmanned systems,” Serhii Kuzan, a former adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, told Defense News.
3. Elbit to provide Iron Fist Active Protection System to unnamed European country- for fit onto CV90 IFVs.
4. UK Telegraph: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is reportedly disagreeing with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on level of retaliatory strikes (against Israel).
5. Iran IRGC Claims Undetectable Naval Cruise Missiles.
IRGC said on Friday that its navy has new cruise missiles equipped with highly explosive warheads that are undetectable.
6. US Army will develop a second interceptor for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) launcher. The Army is still testing out the launcher and using the RTX AIM-9X Sidewinder as the first interceptor.
7. US Army to evaluate a hypervelocity munition for 155mm artillery systems.
Goal is to have the capability ready for operational testing in FY28.
8. Defense News Annual Top 100 Defense Companies for 2023.

For review:
1. Secretary of National Security Sergei Shoigu, delivers Russian President Putin's message of restraint during his visit to Tehran on Monday.
2. Organization of Islamic Cooperation Meets in Saudi Arabia. Iranian and Palestinian officials called for Wednesday’s gathering of the 57-member OIC in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, saying the body needed to respond to the killing of the Hamas leader.
3. Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have rebuffed requests to contribute troops to a postwar peacekeeping force in Gaza. However, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have expressed willingness to participate in the effort.
4. Russia Malva 152mm Mobile Artillery.
A new batch of 2S43 Malva 152mm self-propelled howitzers has been shipped to Russian troops. The quantity of guns has not been disclosed.
5. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded Raytheon a $478-million contract to deliver Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-Ts) to Germany.
6. US and Australia discuss future defense cooperation.
The two nations announced a series of joint initiatives including new “operating locations,” more frequent troop rotations and the formalization of plans to coproduce two key, long-range missile systems.
7. Thailand to Procure Chinese Assault Rifles.
Once delivered, the QBZ-195T (5.56mm assault rifle), will be distributed to the country’s special operations units to support a variety of missions.
8. USAF has received the first production MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter from Boeing.
The helicopter will be stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana- to patrol Minuteman III nuclear missile fields.

For review:
1. US Forces in Iraq Struck in Rocket Attack.
Several US personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack at a military base in Iraq, Defense officials said Monday.
2. Russian National Security Council Secretary Shoigu Visits Tehran.
Russian state news agencies reported that Sergei Shoigu was scheduled to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian; the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Akbar Ahmadian; and chief of the Iranian military’s General Staff, Mohammad Bagheri.
3. IDF Locates Vehicle-Size Tunnel on Philadelphi Corridor.
According to the IDF, the tunnel is about three meters (10 feet) tall and will be investigated before it is destroyed.
4. The Spanish army has signed a “framework agreement” with German defense firm Rheinmetall for an order of “around half a million modular propellant systems for 155mm extended-range artillery ammunition.”
5. BAE Systems has been awarded a $493-million contract to continue producing the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer and M992A3 ammunition carrier for US Army Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs).
6. USAF B-52 Modernization (Radar and Engine) plans are running into schedule and cost troubles.
7. USAF estimating costs to refit 30 x B-52s, from Conventional to Nuclear-capable.
The 30 B-52s in question had previously been equipped with the ability to carry nuclear weapons but were converted to conventional aircraft about 10 years ago to comply with a key US-Russia arms control treaty known as New START.
8. USAF relieves Commander after Accident Investigation Board report is released concerning the 04 January 2024, B-1 Bomber crash at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.

For review:
1. Iran State TV reports that a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh- and not an explosive device planted in the building beforehand (as previously reported by other media). The televised statement says a rocket with a seven-kilogram warhead was used to target the residence of Haniyeh in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation.
2. New York Times Report: Iran has attested dozens of suspects in the investigation of the Ismail Haniyeh assassination. The arrested parties included senior intelligence officers, military officials, and staff workers at the guest house where Haniyeh was killed.
3. US CENTCOM Commander Travels to Region.
According to a US official, General Michael Kurilla is expected to visit several Gulf countries, Jordan and Israel.
4. Article from Air & Space Forces Magazine: US Deploys F-22 Squadron to CENTCOM AOR.
5. During comments at the funeral for Senior Military Commander Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah promised a “new phase” of conflict with Israel.
6. Australia Invests in Collins-Class Submarines.
A government statement reports that $2.2 billion (AUD) is for sustainment, and part of a broader “$4 to $5 billion (AUD) commitment to keeping the Collins-class submarines as a potent strike and deterrence capability.”
7. The Royal Australian Air Force has received its' initial MQ-4C Triton Drone. The MQ-4C Triton will be used for high-altitude and long-endurance maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting missions alongside the Royal Australian Air Force’s current P-8A Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.
8. USAF anticipates annual foreign military sales to grow by 60% this fiscal year to more than $46 billion- up from $23 billion in FY23. Projected increase is due largely to F-35 and F-16 purchases.
9. Senate Appropriations Committee FY25 Spending Bill Info.
Senate appropriators have put forward a $852.2 billion defense spending bill for FY25.

For review:
1. US to exit final installation (Air Base 201) in Niger next week.
Air Base 201 was the final US military site in the West African country after forces exited Air Base 101 in July. The US spent years building it to launch drone operations and has used its military presence to train Nigerien forces as well.
2. Getting Ready for Iran: US Increasing Presence in CENTOM AOR.
The US bolsters military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East following reports that Iranian military officials and proxy forces in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen will meet to discuss options to retaliate against Israel following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
3. UK Outlet Telegraph: Mossad hired Iranian security agents to plant explosives that killed Hamas Official Ismail Haniyeh.
4. IDF confirms that the Commander of Hamas' Military Wing (Muhammad Deif) was killed during the 13 July strike in Southern Gaza.
5. Ukraine President: Russia Invited at Next Peace Summit.
President Zelensky: "The majority of the world today says that Russia must be represented at the second summit, otherwise we will not achieve meaningful results. Since the whole world wants them to be at the table, we cannot be against it."
6. USAF Accident Investigation Board releases report for the fatal CV-22 crash that killed eight elite Air Commandos off the coast of Japan in November 2023.
7. US Army Making Progress With Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) Program.
FLRAA Program goals:
1. Limited User Tests - FY27-28.
2. Low-Rate Initial Production - FY28
3. First Unit Equipped: FY31

For review:
1. Iran Supreme Leader Orders Direct Strike on Israel.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered a direct strike on Israel for the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. Israel has not commented on the incident.
2. IDF Tough Response to Hezbollah. The IDF confirms that top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut. Shukr has been managing Hezbollah’s attacks against Israel, including the deadly strike in the Druze Village of Majdal Shams over the weekend that killed 12 children.
3. US SECDEF: US Will Help Defend Israel.
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Washington would come to Israel's defense if needed, hours after Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran early Wednesday.
4. Associated Press Report: F-16s Arrive in Ukraine.
Ukraine has received the first F-16 fighters, a U.S. official confirmed to The Associated Press. A Ukrainian lawmaker also confirmed Ukraine had received a small number of F-16 fighter jets.
5. US to provide Ukraine advanced munitions for F-16 Fighters. A senior US official recently told The Wall Street Journal that the warplanes will feature the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). Additionally, the Ukrainian F-16s will reportedly have AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles for air-to-air engagements.
6. Russia considers deploying offensive missiles that can strike Western Europe.
Move is in response to US announcement of “episodic deployments” of conventional missiles to Germany in 2026.
7. USAF Secretary (Frank Kendall) announces formal “pause” in the effort to field a new stealth fighter.
Secretary Kendall did not specify how long the pause will be to begin development on the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Program.
8. IDF procuring Iron Sting 120mm mortars in deal worth $220 million.
Iron Sting 120mm rounds have laser and GPS guidance systems, that enable precision targeting, while minimizing collateral damage.

For review:
1. Diplomats Work to De-escalate Israeli Response to Druze Village Rocket Attack.
Israeli officials suggested that the response would be serious but not lead to an all-out conflagration (conflagration = an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property).
2. Spain to provide another Hawk Air Defense System to Ukraine.
Spain will send another Hawk air defense system to Ukraine in September, Minister of Defense Margarita Robles told her Ukrainian counterpart (Rustem Umerov), last week.
3. UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) will expand the ability to produce gun barrels by partnering with Sheffield Forgemasters.
The initiative will help maintain the flow of L119 Light Guns and AS90 self-propelled howitzers into Ukraine.
4. Kyiv Post Opinion Article - Is Peace Coming to Ukraine?
Opinion piece written by Timothy Ash on signs leading to potential peace talks before the end of the calendar year.
5. Royal Australian Navy to receive new Landing Craft Light (LCL) vessels.
The LCLs will transport up to 4.5 tons of payload or up to 30 personnel and will provide a ship-to-shore connector capability.
6. US Navy creates a new position for overseeing investments in the surface and submarine industrial bases.
US Navy Statement: “The Direct Reporting Program Manager for the Maritime Industrial Base (or the DRPM for the MIB) will play an instrumental role in realizing Secretary Del Toro’s vision to engage in a whole-of-government effort to rebuild the Nation’s comprehensive maritime power." The US Navy announced Frederick “Jay” Stefany as the DRPM.
7. US Army Fixed-Wing ISR Program Ready in 12-18 Months.

Boeing to Purchase Spirit AeroSystems - Shaking Up US Army FLRAA Program.
Bell (winner of the FLRAA competition), intends to step away from SpiritAeroSystem as the fuselage provider for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft after the Boeing acquisition is finalized.
Israel PM: Hezbollah Will Pay Heavy Price for Druze Village Rocket Attack.
Following the deadly strike, PM Netanyahu spoke to the spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community Sheikh Muafak Tarif, the Prime Minister’s Office said, and vowed that Israel would not sit idly by.
Greece Joins F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Club.
Greece has officially signed off on the procurement of 20 x F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, becoming the 19th country to operate the Lockheed Martin-made fifth-generation jet, according to defense minister Nikos Dendias.
Royal Australian Navy Admiral is concerned about dry dock and port facilities in Western Australia for the AUKUS submarine effort.
The military and government needed to “get going” on crucial work to ready Western Australia for AUKUS submarines or risk falling behind, Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm said at the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference.
US to announce a new Three-Star Joint Force Headquarters in Japan.
US Defense Official: "Secretary Austin (US SEC DEF), plans to announce that the United States intends to reorganize US Forces Japan as a Joint Force Headquarters, reporting to the Commander of U.S. INDOPACOM."
Latest update (23 July 2024) from the Congressional Research Service on the Navy Medium Landing Ship (LSM) (Previously Light Amphibious Warship [LAW]) Program - Background and Issues for Congress.

For review:
1. Israel - Saudi Arabia Normalization Still Possible.
A normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia is still possible before the US presidential election, a top Israeli official told reporters Friday, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the matter with US President Joe Biden during their Thursday meeting at the White House.
2. Germany to receive the Arrow-3 Air Defense System by 2025.
Germany will be the first country besides Israel to field the system. The $4 billion deal includes launchers, interceptors and the Green Pine radar system.
3. Armor Not Dead: Netherlands & Denmark are sending 12 x Leopard 2 Tanks to Ukraine, by the end of Summer.
4. NATO to Develop Medium Lift Helicopter.
NATO has awarded three Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) contracts to Airbus, Leonardo and Lockheed Martin, to study “potential integrated platform concepts.” NATO plans to have a new class of medium lift helicopters between 2035 and 2040.
5. Armor Not Dead: Italian Army to have new Panther Tanks & Lynx Armored Vehicles in three years.
6. In addition to ISR payloads, Australia to develop lethal capabilities for Boeing-made MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone.
7. USAF releases accident report for the 04 January 2024, B-1 Bomber crash at Ellsworth AFB, North Dakota.

For review:
1. Gaza Post-War Plan Discussions in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Officials from Israel, the United States and the United Arab Emirates reportedly held a secret meeting in Abu Dhabi last week to discuss plans for a postwar Gaza.
2. From Farnborough Air Show: Israel Aerospace Industries announces air-to-surface missile named Wind Demon. The missile can be launched from various aerial platforms such as helicopters or warplanes. The missile's warhead weighs over 20 kilograms and has a range of 200 kilometers.
3. US to Broker Sudan Ceasefire Talks in Switzerland.
The war in Sudan has continued for more than a year and is between the regular forces under Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by al-Burhan's former Deputy Mohammed Dagalo.
4. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Visits China.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in Guangzhou, China on Wednesday.
5. German-firm Rheinmetall received formal order to build an ammunition plant in Ukraine. Rheinmetall did not reveal the value of the contract beyond saying it was “in a low three-digit million euro range."
6. Canadian Army Procures Tactical Vehicles for Light Forces.
Canada awarded GM Defense a contract to deliver 90 Light Tactical Vehicles- 54 personnel variant & 36 cargo variant.
7. From Farnborough Air Show: Boeing will compete for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Increment 2 effort in support the USAF Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Fighter program- unless it is a "Fixed-Price Contract."
Under a fixed-price contract, a company agrees to create a system for the military at a set price tag. If the program busts its budget, the company is on the hook for cost overruns.

For review:
1. Royal Australian Navy Destroyer Employs Naval Strike Missile at RIMPAC 2024.
Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG-42) successfully fired a Naval Strike Missile and sank former amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1) in the waters off Hawaii during the biennial Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercise.
2. China & Philippines open a direct line of communication between respective presidential offices to prevent escalation of events during territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
3. Israel Prime Minister in Washington D.C. (Monday).
PM Netanyahu will address a joint session of the US Congress on Wednesday and will meet with President Joe Biden in the White House on Thursday.
4. At Farnborough Air Show, Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) partners (Italy, Japan, & UK), unveil a concept of the future crewed fighter. The concept design is a delta wing shape, with increased wingspan ,compared to previous iterations.
5. At Farnborough, USAF Secretary comments on the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter program.
6. US releases Arctic Strategy document: 2024 National Strategy for the Arctic Region.
7. US Army Reports 6 Month Schedule Delay in JLTV Production.
According to PEO Combat Support & Combat Systems Support Spokesperson: AM General’s initial delivery of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), has been delayed by six months- due to challenges starting up a new production line.

For review:
1. Israeli Response: IAF F-35s and F-15s Strike Houthi Port Facilities in Yemen.
At least a dozen IAF aircraft, including F-35 stealth fighter jets, F-15 fighters, reconnaissance aircraft and refueling planes were involved in the attack — the latter of which was due to the target being some 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) from Israel.
2. Estonia Sends Mistral Air Defense Systems to Ukraine.
Estonia's Ministry of Defense confirmed on 06 July 2024, a shipment of French-made Mistral short-range anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine. Mistral (missile) has a speed of 900–950 meters per second (around Mach 2.7), allowing it to effectively target helicopters, UAVs, attack aircraft, and cruise missiles.
3. Denmark to procure Wisent 2 armored support vehicles for the Royal Danish Army's 1st Brigade. The Wisent 2 has a lifting capacity of up to 32 tons and is designed for recovery operations for Leopard Tanks and CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.
4. USAF to Restructure Acquisition Plan for Sentinel ICBM Program.
Due to severe program cost overruns, the Air Force is required by law to formulate a new acquisition strategy that could contain an alternate approach for developing Sentinel’s infrastructure.
5. USAF comes to terms with Boeing over E-7 Wedgetail Program.
Andrew Hunter, (USAF top acquisition official), said Boeing and the Air Force were eventually able to hammer out a deal due to the service’s investment in upgrading mission systems aboard the Wedgetail that will ultimately make it more attractive to potential international customers.
6. Department of Defense (DoD) resumes receiving F-35 deliveries after one-year pause.
The DoD halted deliveries due to software problems with an upgrade known as Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3). Consisting of features like a more powerful processor and greater memory, TR-3 essentially serves as the backbone for a suite of forthcoming upgrades known as Block 4.

For review:
1. Last Story on US-built Gaza Pier (I think).
2. Houthi-launched explosive drone hits Tel Aviv.
The drone, identified by the IDF as an Iranian-made Samad-3, had been modified to have an extended range, had flown to the country for several hours at a low altitude.
3. Lebanon files complaint with the UN over GPS jammed Southern Lebanon. GPS jamming has taken a toll on Lebanese civil aviation.
4. Manned Attack Helicopters Dead? Great article from Defense News (Elisabeth Gosselin Malo) on Drone Operations in Ukraine and their effects on future manned aviation- particularly rotary-wing aircraft.
5. UK all in on US-made Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) for AH-64E Apache fleet. In 2023, the UK was cleared by the US State Department to buy 3,000 x JAGM munitions under US Foreign Military Sale (FMS) valued at $957 million- in support of the British Army’s 50 x AH-64s.
6. France to Train New Ukraine Combat Brigade. Brigade will be manned with 2,100 Soldiers and equipped with 128 x VAB armored personnel carriers, 24 x light tanks, and 18 x Caesar 155mm truck-mounted howitzers.
7. US Pairs Navy SM-6 with Army Radar in Indo-Pacific Test.
A US Navy Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) guided by the US Army's Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTMADS), intercepted a target in a recent test during Valiant Shield 24 in the Indo-Pacific, Raytheon announced in a July 18 statement.
8. US Army 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF), Long-Range Fires Battalion (1 x Battery) participates in Navy Exercise- Resolute Hunter.
The Battery practiced the deployment of a Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) transport erector launcher, including reloading and preparing to fire.
A LRHW battery includes four launchers with two missiles each, a battery operations command vehicle and a battery operations command support vehicle.

For review:
1. IDF monitored Hamas' Khan Yunis Brigade Commander's residence for weeks before airstrike. Senior Hamas Commander was reported to have been at the compound for significant periods in recent months,
2. Israel is a Real-Time Proving Ground for Layered Air Defense- Short, Medium, & Long-range systems.
3. US & Armenia Conduct Eagle Partner 24 Military Exercise (in Armenia).
The Eagle Partner 24 Exercise is aimed at increasing the interoperability of units participating in international peacekeeping missions, according to Armenia’s Defense Minister Suren Papikyan.
4. India Developing New Light Tank for use in mountainous terrain. The "Zorawar" combat vehicle runs on composite rubber tracks, and side-mounted sponsons indicate it is amphibious. It will apparently integrate drones and loitering munitions. The 105mm main gun features an autoloader, meaning only three crewmen are required.
5. US & Australia collaborate on integration of hypersonic missiles on F/A 18F Super Hornets. Testing will occur at Woomera Test Range (WTR) in South Australia
WTR is the world's largest land-based weapons testing facility, covering 127,000 square kilometers (49,000 sq mi).
6. Boeing Working to Launch Hypersonic Missiles from C-17.
The innovative system features an advanced electromagnetic catapult mechanism that enables the rapid launch of up to twelve (12) X-51A Waverider hypersonic cruise missiles.

For review:
1. US President and Secretary of Defense Statements on Former President Donald Trump assassination attempt.
2. Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) press conference at IDF Headquarters in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister discusses strike on Senior Hamas Commander and reasons for the Rafah operation.
3. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. General Herzi Halevi has no plans to resign.
Lt. General Herzi Halevi says he will make a decision once “the tasks are completed.”
4. US Navy Carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN- 71) arrived in CENTCOM Area of Responsibility on 12 July 2024- "to deter aggression, promote regional stability, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region.”
5. Five Countries to Purchase US ATACMS.
Morocco was among the five nations covered by a new $227-million contract for the missiles. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland were also included in this order.
6. Jordan and Croatia to purchase UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters (Sikorsky) in a deal worth $251.4 million.
7. Slovenia announces modernization plans during the 2024 NATO Summit. Plans include new artillery systems, air defense systems and armored vehicles.
8. Italy considers new aircraft tanker competition. Two potential contenders are Boeing's KC-46 and Airbus A330 MRTT.
9. Retired CJCS General Mark Milley comments on future US Military organizational structure: “Ten to fifteen years from now, my guess is a third, maybe 25% to a third of the U.S. military will be robotic.”
10. US to Close Down Gaza Pier.
US Central Command tried to reattach the temporary pier to the beach in Gaza on Wednesday (10 July 2024), but were unsuccessful due to bad weather and technical problems.

For review:
1. Israel PM (Benjamin Netanyahu) Denies IDF Withdrawal from Philadelphi Corridor as part of Hostage Negotiations.
Israeli PM statement: “The prime minister insists that Israel remain in the Philadelphi Corridor.”
2. NATO to Open Liasson Office in Jordan.
3. Northrup Grumman Ammo Co-Production in Ukraine.
Northrup Grumman Spokesperson: “As part of the co-production agreement Northrop Grumman will provide the equipment and training to install an assembly line so that [Ukranian firm Ukroboronservice] can produce and test advanced medium caliber ammunition in Ukraine.”
4. Switzerland moves to formalize admission into the European Sky Shield Initiative (air defense). The ESSI project has grown from 15 to 21 participating states, with Greece and Turkey announcing their intention to join in February. Member nations now have two months to decide on Switzerland’s membership bid.
5. Slovakia's purchase of 4 x additional F-16 warplanes from US continues controversy between current and former government administrations over shuttered Bell AH-Z Viper deal and previous military aid to Ukraine.
6. Long-presence of Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy vessels at the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia sparks worry in the US.
7. Sino-Belarusian Exercise Timed with NATO Summit.
China Defense Ministry Statement: Exercise in Belarus with Chinese Army will work “improve combat techniques and deepen cooperation and communication between the two armies."

For review:
1. Hezbollah to cross-border Stop Attacks with Israel-Hamas Ceasefire.
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Wednesday his Lebanese terror group would accept Palestinian ally Hamas’s decision on Gaza hostage negotiations and would stop cross-border attacks on Israel if a ceasefire were reached.
2. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the NATO Summit in Washington D.C:
The long-awaited first tranche of F-16 fighter jets are in the process of being transferred to Ukraine from their European owners. Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Norway have all agreed to supply around 80 F-16s under an air force capability coalition for Ukraine.
3. NATO: Ukraine Irreversible Path to Membership.
NATO alliance statement: “We fully support Ukraine’s right to choose its own security arrangements and decide its own future, free from outside interference. Ukraine’s future is in NATO.”
4. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban travels to China- meets with President Xi Jinping. During his meeting with Xi, Orban described China as a stabilizing force amid global turbulence and praised its “constructive and important” peace initiatives. China has been promoting its own six-point peace plan, which it issued with Brazil in May (2024).
5. Romania to Procure 54 x K9 155mm SP Howitzers & 36 x K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicles from Hanwha Aerospace (South Korea).
6. Canada working toward procurement of 12 x conventionally powered, under-ice capable submarines- in deal worth $44 billion.
Canadian Government Press Release: “Canada’s key submarine capability requirements will be stealth, lethality, persistence and Arctic deployability — meaning that the submarine must have extended range and endurance.”
7. US & Germany Agree to American Long-Range Fires Basing.
These systems will be assigned to the 2d Multi-Domain Task Force in Germany- and will include:
- HIMARS Battery: Precision Strike Missile (PrSM)- 500-kilometer range.

Long Range Hypersonic Weapon Battery: Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon - 2,776-kilometers range.
Mid-Range Capability Battery: Mid-Range Capability system with ground-based launcher for SM-6 & Tomahawk Missiles- between 500k & 2,776 k range.

Pitch Black Exercise in Australia will see 20 nations participating. Of these, 16 are contributing combat jets to the exercise, with more than 140 aircraft and over 4,000 personnel. The three-week exercise will run 12 July - 02 August 2024.
US Navy vessel rundown in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
IDF Hamas tunnel assessment in Gaza Strip.
After nine months of war, much of Hamas’s tunnel network is still in a “good functional state” in many parts of Gaza. It could take years to dismantle the tunnels, noting that underground passages must be mapped and checked for booby traps and hostages before the IDF can destroy them.
Israel PM Nonnegotiable Demands for Hostage Talks.
“Any deal will allow Israel to return to fighting until its war aims are achieved.”
“Weapons smuggling to Hamas from the Gaza-Egypt border will not be possible.”
“The return of thousands of armed terrorists to the northern Gaza Strip will not be possible.”
“Israel will maximize the number of living hostages who will be returned from Hamas captivity.”
NATO Command to be created up to coordinate training and equipment for Ukraine. The command will have about 700 personnel from NATO countries and partner nations assigned.
NATO Summit Starts in Washington D.C. Summit will take place from 09-11 July 2024.
US provides $2 billion loan to Poland. The money is allocated through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, which stipulates the dollars have to be spent on American-made weapons.
USAF Sentinel ICBM Program is reset due to severe cost overruns.
Restructuring the program will delay it by several years.

For review:
1. Reformist candidate (Masoud Pezeshkian) wins Iranian Presidential election. President-elect Pezeshkian advocates for improved ties with the West, "except for Israel."
2. IDF Strikes Key Figure in Hezbollah Air Defense Unit. Prominent Hezbollah member was killed by an IDF drone strike in Northeastern Lebanon, about 100 kilometers from the Israeli border.
3. Latest on F-16 Fighters to Ukraine from the Kyiv Post. According to open sources, between ten and fifteen Ukrainian pilots completed training in Romania. The Netherlands formally approved the export of 24 jets to Ukraine, and Copenhagen announced a core cadre of 50 F-16 maintainers had completed training in Denmark.
4. Switzerland to procure air defense systems in support of their participation in the European Sky Shield initiative. Switzerland’s system criteria is that it must already be successfully in use and that the inclusion of Swiss industry in the contract is “of particular importance.” Diehl Defense's IRIS-T SLM system is the sole candidate for selection.
5. NATO eyeing a goal for all member states to achieve 2.5% GDP in defense spending. This goal will not be discussed at the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington D.C this month but at the 2025 Summit in Netherlands. 23/32 member states meet or are expected to mee the 2.0% GDP target this year.
6. Pentagon announces USAF Fighter modernization moves in Japan at two air bases- Kadena & Misawa. Kadena Air Base will replace 48 x 15C/Ds with 36 x F-15EXs. At Misawa, the USAF will upgrade 36 x F-16s with 48 x F-35As.
7. USMC re-activates Light Helicopter Squadron (HMLA 269), under the 2d Marine Air Wing (Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina). The Squadron operates AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters & UH-1Y Venom Utility Helicopters. Reactivation brings the number of USMC Light Helicopter Squadrons to six.

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.

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.

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.”

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 inHagerstown, 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.

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.

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).

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?)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For Review:
1. US Gaza Pier Needs Repair. The pier will be pulled from the beach and sent to the southern Israeli city of Ashdod, where U.S. Central Command will repair it.
2. IDF continues investigation into the deadly fire that occurred after a strike on two Hamas commanders in Rafah. IDF suspects that munitions or some other combustible substance caused a secondary explosion and a fire to spread in a complex housing displaced Gazans.
3. IDF Pushes Tanks into Central Rafah. IDF tanks were spotted near Al-Awda mosque, a central Rafah landmark, the witnesses said.
4. Report: IDF Using Unmanned M113 APCs in Rafah ground campaign.
5. Spain and Belgium provide commitments for future military aid to Ukraine.
6. Switzerland to host Ukraine Peace Summit from 15-16 June 2024. Russia not invited.
7. Sweden's Air Force wants long-range missiles and more personnel.
8. Sweden brings increased naval capability to NATO via vast submarine experience and an increased focus on sea bed warfare.

For review:
1. Israel - Egypt Cross Border Shooting results in death of Egyptian Soldier.
Spokesperson for Egypt’s military said it was carrying out an investigation “into the shooting incident in the border area in Rafah, which led to the martyrdom of one of the [security] personnel.”
2. In Rafah, IDF carries out strike that kills two Senior Hamas Commanders. As a result, Israel believes shrapnel from the strike ignited a fuel tank near tents housing Palestinian, causing civilian casualties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Despite our efforts not to hurt them, there was a tragic mishap. We are investigating the incident."
3. Sweden Permits Weapons Use in Russia. Sweden has provided Ukraine Archer self-propelled howitzers (155mm), anti-ship missiles, and anti-tank weapons- as well as ammunition and spare parts.
4. Ukraine Senior General Oleksandr Syrsky: France Sending Military Instructors to Ukraine.
“I have already signed the documents that will allow the first French instructors to visit our training centers soon and get acquainted with their infrastructure and personnel."
5. International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) announces military aid worth $190 million.
Allows procurement of air defense systems and maritime equipment including small boats and loitering munitions.
6. Poland investing $2.5 billion into eastern border (with Belarus) infrastructure project called Shield-East.
7. USAF B-21 Raider continues flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
8. US Army seeking 155mm munitions to achieve 70k range. Munition must be capable of operating in GPS denied environments and compatible with current and future 155mm cannons. Initial Operational Capability is FY30.

For review:
1. US Gaza Pier Vessels Disconnect in Stormy Seas.
Four vessels broke free from moorings, and efforts to recover the vessels were underway with assistance from the Israeli Navy.
2. IDF continues Rafah Operation despite ruling from International Criminal Court. Israeli officials said they consider the ICJ order to allow room for some operations in Rafah.
3. US Department of Defense Release from 24 May 2024, concerning SECDEF Health Status.
4. US Department of Defense Release from 24 May 2024:
Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine Worth $275 Million.
Includes, HIMARS munitions, cannon artillery ammunition, and anti-tank weapons, among other materiel.
5. NYT Report via Defense Post: US to consider allowing Ukraine to employ American long-range weapons in Russian territory.
6. Opinion Article by Geoff LaMear via Defense News. Based upon Russian overmatch in personnel, artillery, and combat drones, the author argues that US should encourage Ukraine to begin negotiation with Russia.
6. Ukraine F-16 Pilots Ready for Combat in Weeks.
It is that the first F-16 combat sorties could take place in June or July.
7. Opinion Article by Chan Mo Ku & Jinwan Park via Breaking Defense.
Authors make case for a Quad of Northern Pacific Nations (US, Canada, South Korea, & Japan) to counterbalance Russian and Chinese collaboration (and expansion) in the Arctic Region.

For review:
1. Three US Soldiers Sustain Non-Combat Injuries during Gaza Pier Operations.
2. Iran claims that Turkey's assistance (via infrared capable drone) did not aid in finding Iranian President's helicopter wreckage site.
Story calls into question the capabilities of Iranian drones and unmanned aircraft systems.
3. Hezbollah fires 30 munitions into Northern Israel (from Lebanon). This occurred after IDF strike that killed senior Hezbollah member responsible for weapons procurement.
4. IDF (Paratroopers and Engineers) Locate 4 Hostages in Tunnel Shaft Underneath House in Jabaliya.
5. Russian forces capture THeMIS robotic vehicle in Ukraine.
The robotic vehicle has a two million ruble bounty ($22,000.00) from a Russian Think Tank (Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies ).
The THeMIS is made by Milrem Robotics and is used for equipment transport and de-mining operations in Ukraine.
6. US House Armed Service Committee (HASC) Draft NDAA is $883.7 billion.
Next step- the Draft NDAA goes to full House for vote.
7. China's Peoples Liberation Army conducts provocative drills around Taiwan.

For review:
1. Follow-up: Iranian President (Ebrahim Raisi) dies in helicopter crash in bad weather and mountainous terrain. Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has named the first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, as interim President. The election for a successor will be held 28 June.
2. IDF Controls Half of Philadelphi Corridor. The IDF has estimated that some 950,000 Palestinians had evacuated the Rafah area, as ground forces operate in East Rafah.
3. Ukrainian President (Volodymyr Zelensky) wants NATO nations to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine from their own airspace.
4. Spain's latest Security Package to Ukraine includes Patriot Missiles, Leopard Tanks, & 155mm Munitions.
5. The Czech-led initiative to procure 122mm & 155mm artillery ammo for Ukraine is progressing.
Deputy Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic: The first 180,000 shells have been contracted and should arrive by June.
6. South Korean Defense Firms sign two large deals in Peru:
- Heavy Hyundai Industries (HHI) for construction of one frigate, two landing craft units, & an offshore patrol vessel. Deal is worth $460 million with delivery in 2029.
- Hyundai Rotem for 30 x White Tiger Armored Vehicles for Peruvian Army.
Deal is worth approximately $60 million.
7. US Navy Successfully Fires Patriot Missile via Aegis System at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
8. US Army signs a $756 million contract with Lockheed Martin to support the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) effort.
Lockheed Martin will provide LRHW Battery equipment, system & software engineering, and logistics support.

For Review:
1. Iranian President's (Ebrahim Raisi) Helicopter Crashes in Mountainous Region.
Condition of passengers unknown. Heavy fog and bad weather challenge rescue efforts.
2. Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) rejects normalization with Saudi Arabia at the cost of a two-state solution- (with Hamas in control- marginalized or not).
3. US Forces Begin Departing Niger. All US Forces will depart country by 15 September 2024.
4. Latest Denmark Assistance to Ukraine worth $813.5 million.
5. The European Defense Fund (EDF) to invest $1.3 billion on 54 multinational research and development military projects.
These include: future main battle tanks; new airlift capabilities; counter unmanned aerial systems (c-UAS); and directed energy weapons.
6. MBDA will lead multi-national group for a European Hypersonic Defense Interceptor Study. Project partners include France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Project goal is to develop an endo-atmospheric hypersonic and ballistic missile interceptor by 2035.
7. Rheinmetall to open air defense repair facility in Ukraine.
Facility will serve as a repair base for IRIS-T SL, Skynex 30, and Gepard systems.
8. Germany and Slovakia negotiate to continue operating the KNDS repair hub for German & French manufactured combat vehicles damaged in Ukraine,

For review:
1. US Gaza Pier ready for operation. Goal is for 500 tons of humanitarian assistance daily via the pier.
2. IDF airstrike in southern Lebanon potentially reveals that Hezbollah has Iranian-made Sayyad-2 surface-to-air missiles.
3. Report: Hezbollah has the capability to arm drones with 2 x S-5 rockets.
The S-5 is a Soviet-era 57-mm unguided air-to-surface rocket equipped with a high-explosive warhead.
4. Israel: Nearly 700 tunnel shafts have been identified in Rafah, from which approximately 50 tunnels cross into Egypt.
5. Ukraine President Zelensky on Russian offensive in Kharkiv Region:
"We have about 25 percent of what we need to defend Ukraine (air defense systems). Ukraine needs 120 to 130 F-16 fighter jets or other advanced aircraft to achieve air parity with Russia."
6. Poland receives final Tranche Bayraktar TB2 combat drones.
The $270 million deal includes 4 x systems. Each system has 6 x aircraft and 3 ground control stations.
7. Defense News Article (Rudy Ruitenberg): France’s lower-house defense committee describes Germany as having a "self-interested approach" in European defense matters.
8. China's Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Drone Carrier in development.
9. USMC MRZR Alpha will deliver tactical power via two Polaris products:
A 1-kilowatt exportable power system that can be added onto existing vehicles by installing a kit, and a 5-kilowatt system that can be built into new vehicles on the production line.
10. All Department of Defense V-22 Ospreys are operating with a "limited envelope" (flight).
From Draft NDAA: ..."current CMV-22 operations are limited to flights and missions that stay within 30 minutes of a suitable divert airfield.”
Osprey variants include the Air Force’s CV-22, the Marine Corps’ MV-22 and the Navy’s CMV-22B.

For review:
1. IDF locating and destroying tunnels in Rafah operation.
Israel Defense Minister (Yoav Gallant): "many tunnels have already been destroyed and many more will be destroyed soon."
2. Strange Story: US Secretary of State (Antony Blinken) visits Kyiv weeks after Washington approved a $61 billion package of aid for the country- and plays guitar.
3. Finnish Leaders: No Appetite for Troops in Ukraine.
4. Australia defense budget for 2024-2025 is AU$55.7 billion.
5. US & Japan Collaborate on Hypersonic-Glide Intercept Effort.
Initial Operational Capability estimated in late 2029.
Full Operational Capability in 2032, with at least
24 x Hypersonic Interceptors by 2040.
6. US Army DE M-SHORAD Struggling in CENTCOM AOR.
4 x systems fielded in February 2024.
7. US Army IVAS running out of time? Commander of Army Futures Command (General James Rainey): "if it (IVAS) does not work, then I think we would have to take a very hard look at whether we continue down that path or use that money for other critical aspects of our night-vision strategy...".
8. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter facing delivery delays from the Technology Refresh 3
(TR-3) upgrade.
The TR-3 effort provides more computing power and memory to support a suite of planned upgrades known as Block 4.

For review:
1. US - built Gaza Pier ready in one or two days.
US Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary (Sabrina Singh): "Improved sea conditions will allow the U.S. Army to anchor a causeway onto the beach this week."
2. IDF Moves Further into Rafah. Israel's relations with Egypt strained.
3. Ukrainian Commander of Kharkiv Region Removed.
Offensive in Kharkiv Region has given Russian forces control of an estimated 162 square kilometers of border territory and ten villages in a pair of 5-8 kilometer-deep salients projecting into Ukrainian defenses.
4. Sweden Defense Minister: No Troops Planned for Ukraine.
5. Employment of First Person View (FPV) Drones in Russia-Ukraine War, force change of tactics on both sides including additional armor protection for combat vehicles and use of Electronic Warfare.
6. UK Hypersonic Missile developmental effort (Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework).
7. UK Multi-Role Support Ships (MRSS) program. This program plans a fleet of six amphibious support ships capable of carrying drones, larger aircraft and insertion craft for the Royal Marines.
8. US Army Watercraft- the Maneuver Support Vessel - Light (MSV-L), to undergo operational testing in Hawaii.
This vessel replaces the Landing Craft, Mechanized-8 (LCM-8) and has an improved capability to transport M1 Tanks, and Bradley & Stryker Vehicles. US Army plans to procure 13 x MSV-Ls.

For review:
1. Report: Hamas leader (Yahya Sinwar) is not hiding in Rafah, but possibly in the Khan Younis area- some five miles away.
2. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine is Worth $400 million. It includes air defense munitions, artillery ammunition, and anti-tank weapons among other materiel.
3. Apparently referencing the AP report about US M1 Tanks pulled from frontline duty (due to targeting by Russian drones), the Netherlands Ministry of Defense states that it does not impose any conditions on donated equipment to Ukraine- other than obligations arising from UN Charter and international humanitarian law.
4. German Defense Minister (Boris Pistorius) calls for future defense spending to 3% GDP and hints at possible conscription. Germany ended compulsory military service in 2011.
5. Ukraine Defense Contact Group #2- Eight Capability Coalitions.
We discuss the last four (alphabetical order):
- Drones: Latvia, UK
- Integrated Air Defense: France, Germany
- Information Technology: Estonia, Luxembourg
- Maritime Security: Norway, UK
6. UK Armed Forces Minister (Leo Docherty): UK DragonFire Laser Weapon under development. Will be ready in 2027. Not ready operational use in Ukraine.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For review:
1. Missile Strike on Air Defense Radar Site inside Iran. Reported location is town of Isfahan- 75 miles south of the Natanz nuclear enrichment complex.
2. After second meeting, US & Israel Still Apart on Rafah Operation. Third meeting planned.
3. Breaking Defense article (Agnes Helou)- lays out Iran's Air Defense Long-Range, Medium-Range, & Short-Range capabilities.
4. Ukraine Reports Downing a Russian supersonic TU-22M "Backfire" Bomber.
5. General Atomics pitches Gray Eagle Short Take-off & Landing (STOL) combat drone as potential solution for the Army's now cancelled Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Program. Still in development, the Gray Eagle STOL has the capability to carry a maximum payload of 16 Hellfire missiles
6. Pre-Decisional: The Army Names Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) Stations.
1st MDTF: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. (Indo-PACOM)
2d MDTF: Germany with some subordinate battalions at Fort Drum, NY. (EUCOM)
3d MDTF: Hawaii with some subordinate battalions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. (Indo-PACOM)
4th MDTF: Fort Carson, CO. (Indo-PACOM)
5th MDTF: Fort Liberty, NC. (Global Response?)

For review:
1. Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu: "Israel appreciates advice and suggestions (from Allies), nevertheless- Israel will make our own decisions."
2. IDF Strikes Hezbollah Air Defense Site in Northeast Lebanon.
3. US CENTCOM X:
16 Apr-CENTCOM Forces engaged two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas in Yemen.
4. US Secretary of Navy tells Senate Appropriations Committee that the Navy has fired over $1 billion in munitions during Middle East operations. These munitions include
SM-2s, SM-3s, and SM-6s (SM = Standard Missile).
5. US Navy Ship (USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo) returns to port in Jacksonville, Florida after catching fire enroute to Mediterranean Sea- in support of mission to build a temporary pier- to allow Humanitarian Aid into Gaza.
6. Czech Republic plan to provide 155mm artillery munitions to Ukraine continues progress. Czech government reports that it has secured 500,00 rounds, with first deliveries to Ukraine in June 24.
7. Lithuania & Rheinmetall Partner to Build 155mm Munition Plant.
8. Argentina Finalizes Purchase of 24 x F-16 Fighters from Denmark.
9. Lawmakers from Connecticut question Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky possible layoffs (400) due to the cancellation of the US Army Future Assault Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Program.
10. US Army to procure more Enhanced Night Vision Goggle- Binocular (ENVG-Bs) from L3 Harris in contract worth $256 million.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
13-14 Apr: CENTCOM & EUCOM Forces engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen.
2. Israel Discusses Response to Iranian Attack & IDF Provides Target Options.
3. US CENTCOM & EUCOM Air, Ground, & Naval Assets assist Israel in repelling Iranian attack.
4. US Navy Guided-Missile Destroyers USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) & USS Carney (DDG-64) intercept Iranian ballistic missiles with SM 3s (Standard Missile) - first time these munitions have been used in combat.
5. Israeli F-35I Adir Fighters targeted at Nevatim Air Base in Southern Israel during Iranian strike. No reported damage to warplanes.
6. Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky, says the front-line situation is “deteriorating” along the frontier of the Eastern part of the country. Russian forces are moving toward the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region.
7. Russia reportedly creates new Corps-sized "Operational Strategic Group" named Sever (North in Russian) for operations in Ukraine.
This unit will join five other Strategic Groups- Center, South, West, & Dnipro.
8. Germany to send Patriot Air Defense Artillery System to Ukraine.
9. US Missile Defense Agency Selects Next Generation ICBM Interceptor (Lockheed Martin).
10. US Army deploys the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) to Philippines (from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA). Unit is equipped with the Mid-Range Capability Launcher that employs the SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles.
Mid-Range Capability fills ranges between the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) (500 kilometers) and the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) (2,776 kilometers).

For review:
1. Navy Special Operations Forces from the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized a commercial vessel (container ship MSC Aries) with ties to Israel, near the Strait of Hormuz.
2. Iran Attacks Israel with Missiles & Drones. Retaliation for Damascus strike in early April.
3. Russian President (Vladimir Putin) comments on upcoming round of Peace talks in Switzerland- without Russian invitation or attendance.
Quote from Russian President: "Moreover, they think there is nothing for us to do there, but at the same time they say that’s it’s impossible to decide anything without us. It would have been funny if it weren’t so sad.”
4. US European Combatant (EUCOM) Commander (General Christopher Cavoli): Ukraine is outgunned. For every artillery shell (round) it fires, Russia returns five.
5. Germany to send 20 x Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine.
The German 2024 Budget allows for $8.5 billion in assistance to Ukraine.
6. UK Navy to have Direct Energy Weapons by 2027.
7. US EUCOM Unfunded Priority List is $141 million.
Main priority is US Air Force’s base defense network, allowing it “to detect and identify cruise missiles, large, and small unmanned aerial systems, and other incoming attacks.”
8. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Unfunded Priority List is $500 million.
Main priority is $219 million to “support a layered base defense configuration” involving a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), interceptors, radars and other “short-range air defense equipment to counter” small- to medium-sized drones.
9. Lockheed Martin says that their Hypersonic Missile (Mako) is ready now.
Lockheed’s Senior Program Manager: this is a multi-mission, highly capable system, highly survivable, affordable, so you’re going to hold many targets at risk with one weapons system that’s ready now.”

US CENTCOM X:
09 Apr- US transfers an Infantry Brigade's worth of seized arms and ammunition to Ukraine. It includes over 5,000 x AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s- and over 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
09 Apr- USS Mason (DDG 87) successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen over the Gulf of Aden.
10 Apr- CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
10 Apr- CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed eight UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Israel Defense Minister (Yoav Gallant): IDF Ready to Respond Any Scenario.
Israel has been on high alert amid Iranian officials’ promises of revenge for a Damascus airstrike.
US believes a major Iranian attack on Israel is imminent and could happen in the coming days. Iran could launch strikes involving high-precision missiles and drones targeting military and government sites in Israel (Bloomberg).
Greece Prepared to Transfer 32 x F-16C/D Fighters to Ukraine- and possibly 24 x Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 warplanes as well.
Russia is developing more lethal ammunition based on its study of NATO combat vehicles captured in Ukraine.
Serbia to Procure 12 x Rafale Warplanes from France.
Update on key USAF Modernization programs: B-21 Raider Bomber & LGM-35A Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)- (replacement for the LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM).
Follow-up on previous story about factors contributing to the US Navy's Columbia-Class Submarine (District of Columbia - SSBN-826) delivery schedule.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
06 Apr- CENTCOM Forces destroyed one mobile surface-to air missile system in Houthi controlled territory of Yemen. CENTCOM Forces also shot down one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the Red Sea.
08 Apr- CENTCOM Forces destroyed an air defense system with two missiles ready to launch, a ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, and one unmanned aerial system.
2. Leaders of Egypt (President El-Sissi), France (President Macron), and Jordan (King Abdullah) call for cease fire, release of hostages, and increase in humanitarian aid in a Washington Post OpEd.
3. IDF Departs Gaza - Leaves One Brigade.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: "the point of withdrawing troops from the Strip was to prepare for the expected offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah."
4. IDF Creates New UAV Squadron.
Purpose: Carry out tasks of intelligence gathering, recording aerial footage, and strikes in cooperation with the ground forces in ground operations.
5. Poland creates Drone Component and plans to incorporate UAVs at all levels.
6. Canada to Increase Defense Spending. Increase still short of the 2% GDP encouraged by NATO.
7. US Navy & USMC Study.
Purpose: "Study amphibious warship readiness and how the services can get ahead of ship maintenance challenges."
8. AUKUS Members ok for Japan to join as Pillar II Tech partner.
Pillar II tech partner "covers a collection of new defense technologies, as opposed to the nuclear-submarine portion of the security agreement."

For review
1. US Navy Report Identifies Ship Building Delays. Columbia-Class Submarine (12-16 month delay) and Constellation-Class Frigate (36 month delay) Programs are listed.
2. Iran Army Chief of Staff (General Mohammad Reza Zahedi) promises "maximum damage" in revenge for Damascus strike.
3. IDF destroys three Hamas tunnels- one of which entered hundreds of meter inside Israel.
4. Israel Opposition Leader (Yair Lapid) visits Washington to meet with US Senior Officials- Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, and Senate Majority Leader.
5. IDF Creates Mountain Brigade. Unit will operate in the Northern Border Area and fall under the 210th Division.
6. Ukraine Official- F-16 Fighter Jets no longer relevant for 2024 operations against Russia.
7. Poland and Italy not affected by F-35 deliveries. Poland to continue fighter purchases.
8. Norway to Double Defense Spending by 2036- from $8.75 billion in 2024 to over $17 billion in 2036.
9. UVision (Hero 120) and SAIC join to increase production of Hero-120 Loitering Munition systems.

For review:

US CENTCOM X:
03 Apr- , USS Gravely (DDG 107) successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) and two unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen towards USS Gravely in the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. Additionally, CENTCOM Forces destroyed a mobile surface-to-air missile system in Houthi controlled territory.
04 Apr- CENTCOM Forces destroyed one anti-ship missile (ASM) in a Houthi-controlled territory of Yemen. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships.
Israel Readies for Possible Iranian Response to Damascus Strike.
US White House threatens change in support unless Israel changes approach to war against Hamas in Gaza. No details on what those changes might be.
Russia (Sergei Shoigu) - France (Sebastien Lecornu) Defense Ministers have phone call- first in almost two years.
During visit to India, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba discussed a possibility that Russia - Ukraine negotiations could be in the future.
US State Department Official, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kurt Campbell:
“We have assessed over the course of the last couple of months that Russia has almost completely reconstituted militarily.”
Denmark Government relieves Chief of Defense due to unreported readiness problems with Frigate Iver Huitfeldt during Red Sea combat deployment.
Germany to "overhaul" military command structure. Will combine two separate command centers into one operational command. In addition, Cyber & Information Domain will become a fourth arm of German defense- joining Army, Navy, & Air Force.
Estonia to purchase 12 x Caesar Mobile Artillery (155mm). Will be fielded to Artillery formation in the 1st Division.

For review:
1. Army Fields Next Gen Squad Rifles & Automatic Rifles to 1-506 Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101 ABN Division (Fort Campbell, KY).
2. Strike in Damascus Kills 2 x IRGC Generals.
3. US and Israel continue to disagree on Rafah Operation.
4. Germany orders new 22 x Panzerhaubitze 2000 (155mm) from Rheinmetall in deal worth $145 million. First systems to arrive in mid-2025.
5. French manufacturer KNDS Nexter says that Caesar Mobile 155mm Howitzers have greater survival rate in Ukraine than other self-propelled or towed systems.
6. Guam Air & Missile Defense effort to have own Joint Program Executive Office- JPEO Guam Defense Systems. US Army's Rapid Capabilities & Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), will take lead.
7. US Army requests and receives (from Congress) the ability to have multi-year contracts on Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and Patriot Advanced Capability - 3 (PAC-3) munitions.
8. F-35A variant can now fly in lightning /thunderstorms after four year ban due to safety problem (now solved).

For review:
1. 1000 ton lift-capacity derrick barge Chesapeake- supporting Key Bridge salvage (Baltimore, Maryland)- linked to the Hughes Glomar Explorer CIA operation to recover Soviet submarine (K-129 sunk in 1968).
2. US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff (General Charles Brown) discusses Alternatives to IDF Rafah Ground Operation. They are: Secure Gaza border with Egypt with technological advances to prevent the smuggling of weapons through the Philadelphi Corridor, the isolation of the city of Rafah and the launch of targeted raids, and the establishment of a joint control room to coordinate on the targeted operations.
3. US Arms Package to Israel includes 1,800 x MK-84 2,000-pound bombs, 500 x MK-82 500-pound bombs, & 25 x F-35s.
4. Ukraine Top General Oleksandr Syrsky conducts interview- discusses munition shortages and consequences on military operations.
5. France & Denmark to deliver more Caesar 155mms (78) to Ukraine.
6. European Union to fund increased production of MBDA Enforcer shoulder-launched missile system.
7. With the addition of Sweden and Finland to NATO- US Army to study new Army Pre-positioned Stock locations in Europe. Current location are in Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium.
8. Argentina to buy 24 x surplus F-16s from Denmark in deal reportedly worth $320 million.
9. US Army continues Directed Energy air defense weapons development.
10. BAE develops vehicle top plate for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). This allows the placement of various turrets on the vehicle. Examples: Counter-UAS model, 30mm gun model, and turreted 120mm mortar model.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
27 Mar- US CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed four long-range unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.
28 Mar- US CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed four long-range unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen. (2d Day in a row).
2. Lebanon News Outlet via Times of Israel: Per Egyptian sources- IDF will conduct Rafah operation in April or May.
3. US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff (GEN Charles Brown) on military aid to Israel- "Although we’ve been supporting them with capability, they’ve not received everything they’ve asked for. Some of that is because they’ve asked for stuff that we either don’t have the capacity to provide or not willing to provide, not right now ."
4. Pakistan Day Parade in Islamabad (23 Mar) displays military hardware including VT-4 Main Battle Tank and the HQ-9/P Surface-to-air missile.
5. Potential Ukraine F-16 Basing in NATO Countries "Legitimate Target" (Russian President Vladimir Putin).
6. UK to Conduct Future Force Design Review. There are three core elements of the review: How Britain fights future conflicts; Any potential restructuring of the armed force; and Other “capability choices.”
7. France's Defense Minister (Sebastien Lecornu) motivates the French Defense Industry. "Expects some effort from industrialists."
8. Is US Army Towed Artillery Dying?
AFC Commander (GEN James Rainey): “I personally believe that we have witnessed the end of the effectiveness of towed artillery: The future is not bright for towed artillery.”
(is that yes?)
9. US Army & Navy will Conduct Hypersonic Missile Test this Spring.

For review:
1. US announces that Israel is in compliance with new National Security Memorandum that assures all aid recipients act in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights laws. Announcement comes the same day as the UNSC Resolution 2728 Vote.
2. US Sec Def to Discuss Rafah Operation Alternatives with Israel Def Minister.
3. Canada House of Commons votes to pause exports of defense equipment to Israel. Defence Minister Bill Blair told reporters that the issuing of export permits for military shipments to Israel has been temporarily put on hold.
4. Pakistan employing "intel gathering ship" purchased from China in 2023. China is reported to instrumental in helping the Pakistan Navy modernize.
5. Lithuania Aid Package to Ukraine Worth $217 Million. Distribution will occur between 2024 through 2026. Includes ammunition, unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-drone equipment, and training and logistics support.
6. Saab to build new ground weapons and missile manufacturing facility in the US. Six unnamed locations are under consideration. Ground breaking in 2024 and production in 2026.
7. Bradley Fighting Vehicles to receive the Elbit Iron Fist Light Decoupled Active Protection System.
8. US Army creates the new All Domain Sensing Cross Functional Team (CFT) at Redstone, Alabama.
Will be created from the former Assured Positioning Navigation & Timing (APNT) CFT.

For review:
1. US Security Council passes Resolution 2728- demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and "the urgent need to expand the flow" of aid into Gaza. There were 14 votes in favor with the US abstaining. Ramadan ends o/a 09 April.
2. After UN Security Council Resolution passes, Israel cancels delegation to US for Rafah ground offensive discussions.
3. US CENTCOM X:
23 Mar- USS Carney (DDG 64), engaged six Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over the southern Red Sea. Five crashed into the Red Sea, and one flew inland into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
4. On 24 Mar, Houthi Rebels Engage Chinese Ship (M/V Huang Pu) in Red Sea. No casualties reported. Vessel continued voyage. Experts say likely a mistake.
5. Spain to provide 19 x Leopard 2 A4 tanks to Ukraine. Spain previously provided 6 x Leopards in 2023.
6. Estonia to provide a $22 million aid package to Ukraine. Package includes 155mm artillery munitions, anti-tank weapons, sniper rifles, and small-caliber ammunition.
7. UK developing sub-launched nuclear warhead to replace the Trident system. Program in parallel with US efforts.
8. US Navy FY25 Unfunded Priority list worth $2.2 billion. Includes improvements to the submarine industrial base, Standard Missile-2s, MK-48 torpedoes, and other materiel.
9. US Army to build Next Generation Squad Weapon ammunition plant (6.8mm) at Independence City, Missouri.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
21 Mar- Coalition aircraft successfully engaged and destroyed one unmanned surface vessel (USV) launched by Iranian backed Houthi terrorists. Additionally, coalition forces successfully engaged and destroyed two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists.
22 Mar- US CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defense. During this timeframe, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired four anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. Additionally, CENTCOM forces conducted self-defense strikes against three Houthi underground storage facilities in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen.
2. US Navy incorporating lessons learned from Red Sea operations into technology and training.
3. Russia-China-Algeria Veto US Sponsored UNSC Resolution. Guyana Abstains.
Draft Resolution called for “an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides”, facilitating “essential” aid delivery and supporting ongoing talks between Israel and Hamas militants to create a sustainable end to the hostilities, tied to the release of hostages.
4. Morocco to Procure US Javelin Missile Systems (612), in a deal worth $260 million.
5. Armor Not Dead: Germany & France Move Forward with Main Ground Combat System. System will replace Germany’s Leopard tanks and France’s Leclerc fleet sometime in the 2040s. Future system will incorporate level of innovation regarding connectivity, electronic warfare, drone integration, armor and self-defensive measures.
6. Armor Not Dead: Ukraine Defense Contact Group's Armor Coalition (led by Germany & Poland) officially launches on 26 March. Other partners include Italy, UK, and Sweden. One of eight capability coalitions. The other 7 are: Drone, Air Force, Artillery, Ground-based Air Defense, De-mining, Maritime Security, and Information Technology.
7. Armor Not Dead: Australia Defense Industry achieves $660 million export deal featuring over 100 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carriers. Vehicle are made in Queensland under Rheinmetall Australia.
8. US Congress Finally Passes FY24 Defense Bill. President to sign today?
9. US Army and US CENTCOM FY25 Unfunded Priority List.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
18 Mar- CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed seven anti-ship missiles, three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and three weapons storage containers in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defense.
19 Mar- Coalition aircraft successfully engaged and destroyed one unmanned aerial vehicle and CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed one unmanned surface vessel, both launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
20 Mar- US imposed sanctions on procurement networks based in Iran, Türkiye, Oman, and Germany that have acquired goods for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization, Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), the Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, and other U.S.-sanctioned entities that are part of Iran’s military-industrial base.
2. Work continues at Fort Eustis, Virginia on the causeway bound for the Gaza Humanitarian Support Mission (conducted by the US Army 7th Transportation Brigade).
3. IDF Rafah Operation Preparations Will Take Time (Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu).
4. Bahrain to Procure 50 x US M1Tanks in a $2.2 billion deal.
5. Czech-Led Artillery Munition Purchase Plan Making Progress , Several countries already pledging funds: Germany, France, Portugal, Sweden, Canada, Norway, and Netherlands.
6. US Indo-PACOM FY24 Unfunded Priority list is $11 billion. Priorities include Regional Infrastructure, Space-based capabilities, Long-Range munitions, and Guam Missile Defense.
7. Tranche 1 of the Pentagon's Replicator (All-Domain Uncrewed/Unmanned Autonomous System(s)) has at least 1 x Army submission (Switchblade 600?) and 1 x Navy- Uncrewed Surface Vessel.

For review:
1. Israel targets Hamas senior leaders in precision strike operations. Israel sends negotiating team to Doha. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Israel- meets with Prime Minister.
2. Russia-China-Iran Conduct Naval Drills in Gulf of Oman.
3. EU Plan to Increase Artillery Munition Production.
4. USAF Hypersonic Efforts.
5. US Army FY25 Budget discusses new Air Defense effort:
the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS).
Description: MDACS will provide the Joint Force with defense of fixed and semi-fixed sites against cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft systems while significantly increasing magazine depth and reducing cost-per-engagement.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X
16 Mar- Iranian-backed Houthis launched two unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAV) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea. US CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed one UAV and the other is presumed to have crashed into the Red Sea.
16 Mar- US CENTCOM Forces destroyed five unmanned surface vessels and
one UAV in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defense.
2. ABC Report via Times of Israel: Complaints of slowdown of military materiel (155mm & 120mm munitions) from US to Israel. US says there is no change to current policy.
3. NATO Annual Report (2023).
4. Netherlands Selects Naval Group (France) to Build 4 x New Submarines.
Vessel names already decided: Orka (Orca), Zwaardvis (Swordfish), Barracuda and Tijgerhaai (Tiger Shark).
5. UK Army sends the 1st Deep Recce Strike Brigade Combat Team (1 DRS BCT) to participate in Project Convergence 2024.
6. US Navy FY25 Budget— $203.9 billion for the US Navy and $53.7 billion for USMC.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
14 Mar- Iranian-backed Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden and two additional ASBMs towards the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported to U.S. or coalition ships. Additionally, United States Central Command successfully engaged and destroyed nine anti-ship missiles and two unmanned aerial vehicles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
15 Mar- Iranian-backed Houthis fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships.
2. Israel - Hamas Negotiations Continue While IDF Rafah Plan Set. Talks to continue in Qatar.
3. Leaders of Germany, France and Poland meet in Berlin to discuss Ukraine support.
4. UK to Procure CH-47 Extended Range Chinooks.
5. UK Defense Minister Plane Jammed Flying near Kaliningrad.
6. USMC FY25 Budget Request.
7. USMC Medium Landing Ship (LSM) (once called the Light Amphibious Warship), makes the FY25 Budget Books. Ship designed to fill the gap in capability between the Navy’s large, multipurpose amphibious warfare class ships and smaller landing vessels. Ship will deploy tailored logistics, select power projection and support strike capabilities via the embarked Marine Littoral Regiment.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
12 Mar- U.S. Army Vessels (USAV SP4 James A. Loux (LSV-6), USAV Monterrey (LCU30), USAV Matamoros (LCU26), and USAV Wilson Warf (LCU11) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), departed Joint Base Langley-Eustis en-route to the E. Mediterranean to establish a roll-on, roll-off dock capability that allows ship to shore humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
12 Mar- Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired one close-range ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon in the Red Sea. The missile did not impact the vessel and there were no injuries or damage reported. United States Central Command and a coalition vessel successfully engaged and destroyed two unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
2. IDF reports over 4,000 targets struck during the war in the north (Lebanon) against Hezbollah.
3. US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine Worth $300M. Includes artillery ammunition (105mm & 155mm), Stinger missiles, Anti-tank munitions, and other materiel.
4. US Army and Lockheed Martin test the Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missile at White Sands, NM. Range reported to be over 150k (nearly doubled from 70k).
5. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program achieves Milestone C (yay).
6. FY2025 USAF Budget Request from Breaking Defense (Michael Marrow).

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
11 Mar- Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of into the Red Sea toward merchant vessel Pinocchio, a Singaporean-owned, Liberian-flagged ship. The missiles did not impact the vessel and there were no injuries or damage reported.
Also on 11 Mar, United States Central Command conducted six self-defense strikes destroying an unmanned underwater vessel and 18 anti-ship missiles in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen.
2. Politico Report: Unnamed US Officials say that President could establish conditions of US military support to Israel- in regards to potential Rafah operation.
3. France to Collaborate with Ukraine for Arms Production in areas of drone and land equipment sectors.
4. UAE Tests the Infantry Squad Vehicle. Test included 2 x day sustainment/recovery evaluation and over 2,000 kilometers of operation over varied terrain.
5. A report published by the Association of the US Army (AUSA) argues that Army should invest more in its wet-gap crossing capabilities to prepare for its role in future conflict.
6. US Army FY25 Budget Request is $185.9 Billion. Nice rundown by Ashley Roque (Breaking Defense).

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.

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.

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).

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).

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

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).

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".

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.

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.

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.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X: 12 Feb- Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired two missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Bab al-Mandeb. Both missiles were launched toward MV Star Iris, a Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel transiting the Red Sea. The ship reports being seaworthy with minor damage and no injuries to the crew.
2. IDF airs footage of Hamas leader (Yahya Sinwar) in Gaza tunnel. Footage is reportedly from 10 October 2024.
3. Jordan Kin Abdullah II visits with US President Joe Biden at the White House. The Jordanian King criticized Hamas’s 7 October onslaught in southern Israel, declaring that the massacre should be unacceptable to all Muslims. He also called for a “lasting” ceasefire and immediately to start working to create a political horizon that leads to a just and comprehensive peace, based on the pre-1967 lines.
4. Talks involving the US, Egypt, Israel and Qatar on a hostage release deal ended without a breakthrough on 13 Feb 2024. The Israeli delegation was led by Mossad head David Barnea and Shin Bet director Ronen Bar. They met with US CIA director William Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and Egyptian officials for talks on a truce framework.
5. Netherlands Court Halts F-35 Parts to Israel (routed through Woensdrecht Air Base warehouse and distribution center.
6. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired a ballistic missile from its new Shahid Mahdavi warship. The ship is a converted cargo vessel- 240 meters in length- and able to reportedly carry missiles and air defense munitions.
7. Ukraine's new Chief of Armed Forces General Syrskyi, reveal top priorities- emphasizing the well being of Soldiers.
Quote: "The life and health of servicemen have always been and are the main value of the Ukrainian Army”.
8. The Air Force still isn’t sure when it might resumeflying the CV-22 Osprey. Air Force investigators are continuing to probe the deadly crash off the coast of Japan on 29 Nov 2023.
9. US Navy C-2A Greyhounds Fill V-22 Osprey Gap. The last remaining US Navy Greyhound squadron (VRC Squadron 40- Norfolk Virginia- with 15 aircraft) is supporting deployed aircraft carriers in US 5th and 7th Fleets.
10. , Lockheed announced it successfully fired 8 x Spike Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) rounds from AH-64E Apache V6 at Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona- in support of the US Army's Long-Range Precision Munition (LRPM) effort.
11. US Army orders 600 x Coyote 2C kinetic drone interceptors from a rapid acquisition authority contract worth $75 million.

For review:
1. US Central Command (CENTCOM) X:
- 09 Feb- CENTCOM Forces conducted self-defense strikes against two mobile unmanned surface vessels (USV), four mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, and one mobile land attack cruise missile (LACM) that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
- 10 Feb- CENTCOM Forces conducted self-defense strikes against two unmanned surface vessels (USV) and three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) north of Al Hudaydah, Yemen.
- 11 Feb- USAF deployed Airmen participate in a Rapid Airfield Damage Repair exercise at an undisclosed location within US CENTCOM AOR.
2. German Navy Sends Air Defense Frigate to Mediterranean. The Air Defense Frigate Hessen's final destination could be the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden, once receiving mandates from the German Government and the EU.
3. Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc says International Military Operations in the Red Sa cannot guarantee commercial shipping in the region.
4. IDF night time raid rescues two hostages in Rafah. The operation was carried out by the IDF, Shin Bet and the National Counter-Terrorism Unit.
5. IDF air strike kill senior Hamas security officials in Rafah. IDF finds Hamas Data Center underneath UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) complex.
6. Senior Israeli Security Officials communicating with Egyptian counterparts ahead of looming Rafah operations. Israeli Officials told their Egyptian contacts that Israel would not make any unilateral moves and that they would work in coordination with Cairo.
7. Background on Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky- General Zaluzhny's replacement as Commander in Chief of Ukraine Armed Forces.
8. From Kiev Post: Five Challenges Facing Colonel General Syrsky as new Commander in Chief of Ukraine Armed Forces: 1. Foreign Aid; 2. Mobilization: 3. Defense Lines; 4. Ukraine Airspace (and Airspace Defense); & 5. Filling General Zaluzhny's shoes.
9. Op-Ed (Breaking Defense) on US Army Cancelling Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Program- by retired Major General John Ferrari.
(spoiler alert- he is ok with it.)
10. US Senate passes $95.34 billion aid package for Ukraine ($61 billion), Israel ($14 billion), and Taiwan ($4.83 billion). Next step- package moves to US House of Representatives.

For review:
1. USMC identifies five crewmembers killed in CH-53E Super Stallion crash. The helicopter crashed over Pine Valley, California (about 50 miles east of San Diego).
2. US drone strike in Baghdad kills high-ranking militia leader (Abu Baqir Al-Saadi), commander in charge of Kataib Hezbollah’s operations in Syria.
Al-Saadi was linked to attacks on American troops in the region.
3. IDF Preparing for Operations in Rafah.
Statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office: "It is impossible to achieve the war goal of eliminating Hamas and leave four Hamas battalions in Rafah."
4. Saudi Arabia Procures 10 x KM-SAM Block II Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile Systems from South Korea (LIG Nex 1 & Hanwha Aerospace) in a deal worth $3.2 billion.
5. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Replaces Senior Armed Forces General. General Valerii Zaluzhnyi will be replaced by Сolonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who is currently leading Ukraine's Ground Forces.
6. Baltic nations Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to build an anti-mobility defensive line across their collective borders in a $65 million effort. The line will have an estimated 600 bunkers, with emplacements beginning in 2025. The bunkers will protect against artillery and mortar strikes and can house up to 10 Soldiers.
7. US Army Kills Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA)Program.- a once signature effort under the Future Vertical Lift Cross-Functional Team.
The Army will use freed funding for further investments in Black Hawk helicopters, CH-47F Block II Chinooks, the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program and research & development efforts for unmanned aerial reconnaissance capabilities.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
06 Feb:Iranian-Backed Houthi Terrorists conduct Multiple Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Attacks in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden .
05 Feb: US CENTCOM Forces conducted a strike in self-defense against two Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicles (USV).
04 Feb: US CENTCOM Forces conducted strike in self-defense against a Houthi land attack cruise missile. CENTCOM Forces struck 4 x anti-ship cruise missiles- which were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
2. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry rejects US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby’s suggestion that Riyadh is prepared to normalize relations with Israel, before a ceasefire in Gaza and without progress toward Palestinian statehood.
3. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations says Tehran is sending weapons, training and empowering Palestinian groups but denies any influence on Houthis in Yemen.
4. US Foreign Military Sales to Netherlands:
- 386 x Hellfire Air-to-Ground Missiles ($150 million).
- 120 x Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range ($908 million).
5. Netherlands to increase number of f-16 Fighters to Ukraine to 24. Netherlands will cease operating F-16s in October 2024, and begin operating F-35s.
6. Armor Not Dead: Netherlands Wants a Tank Battalion - but needs to secure funding for this effort.
7. Should the European Union establish an Army? Some members countries say the proposal is unrealistic and unnecessary.
8. Estonia Provides $88 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine. Package includes: Javelin anti-tank missiles, machine guns, assorted vehicles, vessels, and diving equipment.
9. Part of AUKUS - Royal Australian Sailors Aboard US Submarine Tender. 37 Officers and Enlisted Sailors will embed on the USS Emory S. Land (AS-39), located in Guam, for up to five months. Purpose: Integrate with US Sailors and build knowledge, skills and experience in how the US Navy conducts nuclear-powered submarine maintenance.
10. US Army exploring ways to modernize operational units with new equipment. This effort includes learning what equipment those units will need and how they receive it, under the Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model (ReARMM).

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
- 03 Feb: US CENTCOM Forces & UK Armed Forces conducted strikes against 36 Houthi targets at 13 locations in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen. US CENTCOM Forces included F/A18-E/F Super Hornets from the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) and US Navy Guided-missile destroyers USS Carney (DDG-64) and USS Gravely (DDG-107).
- 04 Feb: UUS CENTCOM Forces conducted a strike in self-defense against a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
2. US has deterrence problem in dealing with Iran and its' proxy forces in the region - from former US CENTCOM Commander (US Army General (R) Joseph Votel - quoted in Breaking Defense article).
3. Hamas Resurfaces in Northern Gaza after IDF withdraws forces. Chief of the IDF Southern Command - MG. Yaron Finkelman - told troops that the Army will continue to battle Hamas in the area, despite having focused on other locations recently. An Israeli defense source blames the lack of plans for a civilian body to manage affairs in Northern Gaza as a major factor in Hamas being able to move in to refill the power vacuum.
4. Norway orders National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) from Kongsberg in deal worth $134 million. Will replace system donated to Ukraine in 2023.
5. Italy to receive 4 x SAMP/T New-Generation (NG) Air Defense System. SAMP/T NG has a detection range of 350+ kilometers and an intercept range of 150+ kilometers.
6. South Korea continues development of the KF-21 Fighter (Korean Aerospace Industries). The KF-21 is set to replace the F-4 and F-5 fleets. South Korean Air Force plans to have 120 KF-21s by 2032.
7. US Foreign Military Sale: India to buy 31 x MQ-9B Sky-Guardian Drones in $3.9 billion deal.
8. USMC receives the first test vehicle of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle 30mm Cannon (ACV-30) variant. USMC ACV variants (BAE & Iveco) will replace the Assault Amphibious Vehicles (in service since 1972).
9. US Army to receive additional M109A7 self-propelled howitzers (155mm) and M992A3 ammunition carriers, with delivery due by 2025 (BAE). Number of units is not disclosed. Deal is valued at $418 million.

For review:
1. US strikes Iran-backed militant targets in Syria and Iraq in response to the attack in Jordan that killed three US Army Soldiers. US CENTCOM Forces struck over 85 targets. B-1 Lancer long-range bombers, flying from the US, took part in the strikes.
2. Israeli Defense Minister (Yoav Gallant) announces Hamas forces in Khan Yunis have been defeated- however, the IDF has not announced full operational control of Southern Gaza.
3. US tries to broker Israel and Saudi Arabia normalization deal (before 2024 US Presidential election).
4. Report (NBC): Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy preparing to relieve General Valerii Zaluzhni as Commander of Ukraine Armed Forces.
5. The European Union (EU) has approved a $54 billion economic aid package for Ukraine. Funding is allocated to support reconstruction and boost immediate economic needs.
6. France spends $21.9 billion on materiel procurement in 2023. Some items include: $5.5 billion on 42 x Rafale Fighters; $378 million on 109 x Next Gen Caesar MKII 155mm Mobile Artillery; $539 million on 420 x Serval multi-role lightweight armored vehicles; and 8 x NH90 Caiman Standard 2 Helicopters for French Special Forces.
7. Australia Defence Force (ADF) to salvage and sell MRH-90 Taipan Helicopter parts from retired fleet. ADF retired the fleet in July 2023 after years of maintenance and reliability issues and a tragic fatal crash (also in July 2023).
8. Latest US Army Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) news.
(Spoiler Alert: There is a Version 1.2 Phase 2 now)

For review:
1. US Soldiers (3) killed in Drone strike at base in Jordan. Soldiers assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion.
2. In wake of deadly drone attack, US CENTCOM to analyze counter-UAS needs and procedures at bases within the Area of Responsibility.
3. Syrian state media reports Iranian advisers killed in strike near Damascus. Iranian Ambassador to Syria denies Iranian casualties.
4. IDF develops advanced subterranean tactics in Southern Gaza against Khan Younis Hamas battalions.
5. Denmark sends Air Defense Frigate (Iver Huitfeldt) to the Red Sea to protect international shipping. Vessel will join the US-led Prosperity Guardian.
6. Czech Republic signs deal to purchase 24 F-35 Fighters, becoming the 18th nation to employ the 5th Generation warplanes. First aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2031. Full Operational Capability in 2035. Deal is worth $5.6 billion.
7. North Korea (reportedly) launched 2 x cruise missiles (Pulhwasal 3-31) from submarine into the Sea of Japan.
8. US and Japan will partner on the future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The CCA will operate with manned platforms during electronic warfare, suppression of air defenses, and other missions (lethal).

For review:
1. Russian report: Russian Il-76 Transport Plane shot down carrying 65 Prisoners of War set for exchange. Associated Press outlet and US government cannot confirm.
2. Report; UK and Germany in discussion for long-range missile transfer: UK Storm Shadows to Ukraine -in return- Germany provides Taurus missiles to the UK.
3. Skynex air defense battery (Rheinmetall Italia) goes to Ukraine- a second battery due in March 2024.
4. US Central Command (CENTCOM) X:
26 Jan: USS Carney (DDG 64) shoots down 1 x anti-ship ballistic missile, fired by Iran-backed Houthi militants, in the Gulf of Aden.
26 Jan: Iran-backed Houthi militants strike Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda, with anti-ship ballistic missile . All crew safe. Fire in a cargo tank has been put out. Ship was now sailing towards a safe harbor.
27 Jan: U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea.
5. US, Australia, Canada, UK, Italy, Netherlands, and Finland pause funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) due to employee ties to the 07 October 2023 massacre in Israel.
6. Large numbers of Palestinian citizens evacuate Southern Gaza during IDF Offensive in Western Khan Younis.
7. Turkey's F-16 Deal Approved & Greece to purchase F-35s. Deals tied to Sweden's NATO membership.
8. German Consortium to develop Short and Very Short Range Air Defense System. Three companies are: Rheinmetall (35mm Gun); Diehl (IRIS-T SLM Guided Missile) , and Hensoldt (Sensor). Contract worth $1.3 billion.
9. US Army starts competition for a second interceptor for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc2). Down-select planned for FY27.
10. USMC Assistant Commandant ( and Acting Commandant), provides update on V-22 Osprey grounding.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X: 24 Jan 2024; US CENTCOM Forces strike Kataib Hezbollah (KH) capabilities in Iraq. Targets included KH headquarters, storage and training locations for rocket, missile, and one-way attack UAV capabilities.
2. US and Iraq discussing future of US Military presence in the country. Currently, the US has 2,500 Troops in Iraq as part of the anti-ISIS coalition.
3. US CENTCOM X: 24 Jan 2024; Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the U.S.-flagged/ owned/operated container ship M/V Maersk Detroit (Gulf of Aden). One missile impacted in the sea. The two other missiles were successfully engaged and shot down by the USS Gravely (DDG 107). No reported injuries/damage to the vessel.
4. No Deal on Latest Hostage Negotiations between Israel & Hamas. Egypt and Qatar are brokering these negotiations.
5. Ukraine Defense Contact Group #19 Establishes Armor & Drone Coalitions. Poland will lead the Armor Coalition. Latvia will lead the Drone Coalition. These latest 2 coalitions are added to existing capability coalitions: Air Force; Artillery; Maritime Security; Ground-Based Air Defense; De-mining; & Information Technology.
(That's 8 x capability coalitions- by my count)
6. From the Armor Not Dead Files: Lithuania to Procure 1 x Battalion of Leopard 2 Tanks from Germany.
(roughly 58 Tanks for a pure Armor Battalion- my guess)
7. Romania will increase Defense Spending in 2024. Planned 2 x major contacts for land systems: 1. Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicles (298 x new vehicles); and 2. Tracked Artillery Systems- (54 x self-propelled 155mm).
8. North Korea fires several cruise missiles toward the Yellow Sea- increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

For review:
1. Sad Story: US Navy identified two Navy Seals lost at sea following a boarding mission on 11 January 2024.
2. US and UK strikes Houthi Rebels in Yemen with Tomahawk Missiles and Warplanes (F/A 18E/F Super Hornets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), and UK Royal Air Force Typhoon jets). Tomahawks fired from Guided Missile Cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), and Guided Missile Destroyers USS Mason (DDG-87) & USS Gravely (DDG-107).
3. IDF reports fierce fighting in Southern Gaza. Four Units from the 98th Division in action: Commando Brigade, Paratroop Brigade, Givati Brigade, & 7th Brigade.
4. Israel reportedly offers proposal for (up to two-month) pause in Gaza fighting for return of all hostages. Release of Palestinian prisoners is also reported to part of the proposal.
5. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment (Dr. William La Plante) directs USAF B-21 Raider bomber to begin Low-Rate Production.
6. From the Armor Not Dead Files: UK Shows Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank Prototype. Upgrades from Challenger 2 include: 120mm smoothbore gun; Digitized Turret; Trophy Active Protection System (APS); & Modular Armor System.
7. UK Army Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) news. British Army has received 2 x prototypes which are undergoing trials.
(Artec- Rheinmetall Landsysteme-Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) joint venture makes Boxer MIV)
8. France Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announces Artillery for Ukraine framework that will focus on sending 78 x Caesar Mobile 155mm artillery systems plus other materiel (including 155mm munitions). Other systems include: ground-to-air defense, armored vehicles, air forces (platforms), and maritime security.
9. South Korea leads the way. South Korean military establishes the Drone Operations Command that consolidates drone (offensive) and counter-drone (defensive) operations and training. This Joint Command is led by Major General (Army).

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X (Twitter) 20 January- multiple ballistic missiles and rockets were launched by Iranian-backed militants targeting al-Assad Airbase. Most missiles were intercepted by the base’s air defense systems while others impacted on the base. Damage assessments are ongoing.
2. 1. US CENTCOM X (Twitter) 19/20 January- US CENTCOM Forces destroy Houthi Anti-ship missiles aimed at the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
3. President Biden acknowledges that US strikes have not deterred Houthi forces and that more US strikes will occur.
4. Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Chief in Syria and his Deputy are killed during a precision air strike in Damascus. Other IRGC members also killed- ranks unknown.
5. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells President Biden that he has not ruled out the creation of a Palestinian State- however, Israel must maintain security control (a vital condition).
6. UK tests Direct Energy weapon in Northwest Scotland.
7. Pakistan's Air Force claims that it possesses hypersonic missile capability.
8. Defense News Opinion Article on US failure to develop a threat hypersonic missile defense capability (against China).
9. USAF Sentinel ICBM Program Exceeds Cost Projections. Projected cost (2020 dollars) $118 million per missile; new projected cost- $168 million per missiles (37% increase).
10. US Army activates a second Mid-Range Capability (also known as Strategic Mid-Range Fires System) battery in the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA). Battery will employ Tomahawk and SM-6 Missiles- with ranges between 300 miles (Precision Strike Missile) and 1,750 miles (Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon).

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X (Twitter); 17 Jan: one-way attack UAS, launched from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen, struck M/V Genco Picardy in the Gulf of Aden (Marshall Islands flagged, U.S. owned/operated bulk carrier ship). No injuries and some damage reported. Vessel is seaworthy and continuing underway.
2. Statement from US National Security Advisor (Jake Sullivan): US to Designate Houthis as Specifically Designated Global Terrorists (effective 30 days from 17 Jan 2024).
3. US CENTCOM reports that US Navy Forces operating from the USS Lewis B. Puller, seized Iranian materiel bound for the Houthis in Yemen. Items seized include propulsion, guidance, and warheads for Houthi medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), as well as air defense associated components. 2 US Navy Seals lost at sea during this operation on 11 Jan 2024.
4. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) reportedly rejects proposal from US Secretary of State (Antony Blinken) that would normalize Israel's relations with Saudi Arabia- in return for Palestinian statehood. Report is from three unnamed senior US officials.
5. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi say war in the North (with Lebanon) in increasing. The IDF goal in Lebanon — is (to set conditions), for the return of Israeli residents to communities in the north,.
6. France to supply Ukraine with Scalp-EG cruise missiles (French President Emmanuel Macron).
7. Spain Purchasing 120mm Mortars & 155mm Artillery Munitions.
(Destination Ukraine?)
8. Belarus to develop doctrine concerning the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons, stationed in the country.
9. USMC Developing Medium-Range Intercept Capability (MRIC).
First Unit Equipped will be the 1st Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (Hawaii), in 2025.

For review:
1. US CENTCOM X (Twitter): 14 Jan- US Fighter shoots down anti-ship cruise fired from Houthi-Controlled Yemen. No injuries or damages reported.
2. US CENTCOM X (Twitter): 15 Jan- Iran backed Houthi Rebels fired and struck the M/V Gibraltar Eagle- Marshall Islands-flagged/US owned and operated container ship. The ship reported no injuries or significant damage and continue journey. Later US Forces detected an anti-ship missile, fired toward Southern Red Sea shipping lanes. The missile failed in flight, and impacted on land in Yemen. No damage or injuries reported.
3. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Strikes Targets in Northern Iraq/Syria. Statement from IRGC: "Ballistic missiles were used to destroy espionage centers and gatherings of anti-Iranian terrorist groups in the region."
4. IDF Prepares Ground Forces for Long War. Rotates the 36th Division back to Israel for Rest/Relaxation, followed by training for future operations. 3 x Divisions continue operations in Gaza Strip: 162d Division in Northern Gaza; 99th Division in Central Gaza; and 98th Division in Southern Gaza.
5. UK Pledges $3.2 billion to Ukraine in 2024. Aid will include funding for drones, artillery ammunition, long-range missiles, air defense and maritime security.
6. Belgium turret and firing system defense company, John Cockerill, to purchase French defense vehicle manufacturer, Arquus. John Cockerill spokesman says "the planned acquisition will be “transformative” for the European defense industry in the area of light tanks".
7. Russian Fighter SU-75 will receive new distorting paint scheme, designed to divert vision away from aircraft contour.
8. North Korea Claims Hypersonic Ballistic Missile Launch, (14 Jan 2024).
9. US Navy Aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), deployed this week from San Diego, California to the Indo-Pacific Theater.
10. US Navy still committed to developing Direct Energy (laser) weapons for future Frigates and Destroyers.
11. US Secretary of the Navy directs comprehensive shipbuilding review. Interim progress review is due in 90 days (*o/a 01 March 2024- my guess).
12. USMC continues testing the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS). More testing, system verification, and Initial Operational Evaluation(s) are due before fielding. First Unit Equipped is scheduled to be the 3d Littoral Anti-Air Battalion.

For review:
1. 3 x US Foreign Military Sales: 1. Kosovo: Javelin Missiles with Light-weight Command Launched units worth $75 million; 2. Egypt: 28-meter Patrol Craft kits worth $129 million; & 3. Light Tactical Vehicle Chassis and Fleet build (AM General), worth $200 million.
2. US Strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen with Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles fired by US Navy Destroyer Carney (DDG-64).
3. Israel informs Egypt of Possible IDF Ground Operation along Philadelphi Corridor. Philadelphi Corridor is the 12k (8 mile) border between Egypt & Gaza Strip.
4. France orders 42 x new Rafale Fighters (Dassault Aviation) in the Standard 4 configuration. Delivery will be between 2027 and 2032. Deal is worth $5.5 billion.
5. French Navy Vice Admiral Emmanuel Slaars defends use of expensive intercept missiles (Aster 15) to down drones in the Red Sea (fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen). These missiles were fired from the French Frigate, Languedoc.
6. Spanish 120mm Alakran Mortar System integrated on Indian Army Armored Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV). The Alakran system can also employ an 81mm mortar system.
7. Australian Army trains Officers (with the Australian Navy), in support of the Littoral Manoeuvre Program. 18 months of training will prepare Army Officers for employment of Landing Craft, Medium Vessels (ready in 2027) and Landing Craft, Heavy Vessels (ready in 2028).
8. Defense Post Editorial by Gary Anderson (former G-5, Chief of Plans, USMC Expeditionary Force) concerning the NDAA 2024 Directive for the USMC to conduct an Independent Evaluation of the Force Design 2030 Concept.

For review:
1. US and UK repel complex Houthi attack in Red Sea. Combination of F/A18 Warplanes from the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69), US Navy Destroyers, and a UK Naval Vessel (HMS Diamond) downed incoming UAVs and missiles.
2. US & UK Strike Houthi Targets in Yemen. Targets include UAV, Ballistic & Cruise Missile, Coastal Radar, and Air Surveillance capabilities.
3. UN Security Council passes Resolution to demand end to Houthi Rebel attacks on commercial shipping. Russia , Algeria, China, and Mozambique Abstain.
4. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posts video on social media. Main point is that "Israel has no intention of displacing Gaza population".
5. Based upon intelligence, the IDF reports that Hamas used more than 6,000 tons of concrete and 1,800 tons of steel to build tunnel complexes underneath the Gaza Strip.
6. Lockheed Marin delivers first two (2) of fourteen (14) F16 Block 70 Fighters to Slovakia. 14 order aircraft deal is worth $1.8 billion (December 2018). Deliveries will run through 2025.
7. South Korea to begin production of indigenous fighter (KF-21 Combat Jet). The Contract is with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). Once operational, these fighters will replace the F4 Phantom and F5 Tiger fleets.
8. India's New Assault Rifle (7.62mm). Called "Ugram", has range of 500 meters and weighs 8.8lbs.
9. US Navy to Upgrade Flight IIA Destroyers. Will begin with four: USS Pickney (DDG-91); USS James E. Williams (DDG-95); USS Chung Hoon (DDG-93); and USS Halsey (DDG-97). Upgrades include new Aegis Combat System, Air & Missile Defense Radar, and Electronic Warfare (EW) system.
10. US Navy seeks proposal for the Landing Ship Medium Program. Contract award is set for FY2025.
11. Germany's High-Tech Defense Industry reacts to Ukraine War and Supply Chain shadows from COVID-19.

For review:
1. Pentagon Press Secretary MG Patrick Ryder, explains US Secretary of Defense's hospitalization and timeline of notification to key leaders in the administration.
2. US CENTCOM X (Twitter) Post: 06 Jan 2023, USS Laboon (DDG-59) shoots down UAV launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen.
3. IDF strikes central figure in Syria responsible for cross-border rocket attacks.
4. Commander of Hezbollah Radwan Force killed in Lebanon strike.
5. Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, interview in Wall Street Journal: "The world needs to understand. This (war) is different".
6. IDF: Iran plays key role in Hamas (guided) missile production. Underground manufacturing facility discovered in Gaza.
7. Germany lifts hold on Eurofighter Typhoon sale to Saudi Arabia. Despite lifted hold, no deal in place yet.
8. Indonesia pauses procurement of (12) Mirage 2000-5 Fighters from Qatar, due to budget constraints.
9. Taiwan to spend $329 million on repair parts for fleet (54) of operational Mirage 2000-5 Fighters.
10. China sanctions 5 US Defense Companies: BAE Systems Land & Armaments; AeroVironment; Viasat; Alliant Techsystems Operation; & Data Link Solutions.
11. US Navy Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826)); departs Newport News, VA for Quonset Point, RI for continued build. Lead boat in the Columbia-class nuclear ballistic submarine program- will replace the Ohio-class.

For review:
1. US Strikes Terror Leader in Iraq (self-defense strike).
2. Analysis of assassination strike of Hamas Deputy in Beirut by Zoran Kusovac (Al Jazeera).
3. Israel Defense Minister Post-War Gaza Plan. Four "pillars": 1. Israel will coordinate and plan oversight in civil governance; 2. Multi-national task force will run civil affairs and economic rehabilitation; 3. Egypt (and Israel) will be responsible for civilian border crossing into Gaza; & 4. Administrative governing mechanisms will be maintained by Palestinians.
4. Indian Navy repsonds to pirate hijacking of commercial vessel in the Arabian Sea (off Somali coast).
5. B1 Bomber Crashes during attempted landing at Ellsworth Air Force Base (South Dakota): Crew Ejects Safely.
6. BAE Systems to Restart M777 155mm Artillery (Towed) Production. There are 1,250 M777 in service with: US, Canada, Australia, India, and Ukraine. (Interesting that UK Army does not employ the M777)
7. Pakistan Air Force to procure Chinese FC-31 Gyrfalcon fighters (Shenyang).
8. Finland to procure 40 (additional) Patria 6 x 6 armored vehicles- as option to previous contract.
9. New South Korean light-armed helicopter program (Korean Aerospace Industries) will feature GPS/communications anti-jamming solution.

For review:
1. Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah warns Israel against war after the killing of Hamas #2 political leader (Salah al-Arouri) in Beirut. Israel has not spoken about the strike but is preparing for any scenario.
2. Israel shifting to a new stage in Hamas ground operations. Will new stage include raids and precision strikes based upon intelligence?
3. Joint Statement from 13 nations condemning Houthi attacks against commercial shipping in Red Sea. Countries are: US, UK, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Singapore.
4. USS Carrier, Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is heading to home port (Norfolk, VA), after 244 days of deployment and 2 x extensions by the US Secretary of Defense.
5. US Navy to test Hypersonic Missile Launcher for Zumwalt Destroyer.
6. US Army awards Bombardier Defense to provide 1 x Global 6500 aircraft for prototype airframe for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program (ISR). Aircraft delivery date is 01 October 24.
7. Record High German Arms Exports in 2023. Top countries (no particular order): Ukraine; Israel; Norway; Hungary; UK; US; Poland; France; South Korea; and Cyprus.
8. Germany delivers weapons package to Ukraine. Includes: 3 x Gepard Air Defense Systems; 155mm artillery ammunition; Mine Clearance vehicles, Reconnaissance Drones; plus other materiel.
9. NATO Alliance Contracts for Patriot Missiles. Missile production facility will be set-up in Germany.
10. Turkey blocks UK minesweeper vessel loans to Ukraine from entering Black Sea- as per 1936 Montreux Convention Treaty.

For Review- last episode of 2023:
1. From CENTCOM X (Twitter) post: US Navy Helicopters from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), Sink Houthi Boats in the Red Sea.
2. Ukraine counteroffensive analysis from Washington Post article (December 2023.
3. Kyiv Post summary of Washington Post counteroffensive analysis (December 2023).
4. Happy New Year.

US Foreign Military Sale to Israel (155mm Artillery Ammunition) is worth $147.5 million.
US Central Command (US CENTCOM) releases 2 x statements via X (Twitter) announcing US Navy Destroyers downing Houthi drone and ballistic missiles over Red Sea. US Navy Destroyers are: USS Mason (DDG-87); 1 x drone; 1 x anti-ship ballistic missile & USS Gravely (DDG-107); 2 x anti-ship ballistic missiles.
Breaking Defense Op-Ed on Operation Prosperity Guardian written by 2 x V. Admirals (Retired)- Mark Fox & John Miller- both with CENTCOM experience.
Strikes in Syria target Iran proxies.
IDF Ground Operations Update in Gaza Strip.
Pakistan Tests New Long Range Precision Strike Missile (Fatah-2).
US Army organizational restructure coming in 2024.
Latest USAF B21 Raider news.
North Korea Defense Modernization Goals for 2024 include strengthening nuclear and missile forces; building unmanned drone fleet; expanding the submarine fleet; and developing electronic warfare capabilities.

For review:
1. IDF Destroys Tunnel Complex Under Gaza (Rantisi) Hospital.
2. IDF Requests (additional) AH-64 Apache Helicopters from the US, to reinforce two IDF (organic) Flight Squadrons. Requested amount is unknown.
3. Latest US Security Assistance to Ukraine is worth $275 million. Includes Stinger missiles, TOW & Javelin Missiles, and 155mm & 105mm artillery munitions, plus other materiel.
4. Biden Administration shifting strategy on Ukraine - Russia War. Pushing Ukraine to negotiations? Article from Politico (Michael Hirsh, 27 Dec).
5. Russian Navy Commissions Hypersonic Missile Frigate. Will launch the Zircon hypersonic missile (plus Kalibr & Onik missiles also).
6. Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee approves Sweden's NATO bid. Next step is the Parliament's General Assembly.
7. US Army to expand counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (c-UAS) capability. Wants to procure 6,000 Coyote Block II and 700 Block III interceptors plus fixed and mobile launchers, Ku-band radars, and mobile radars.
8. US Congress House Committee on Oversight and Accountability request V-22 Osprey safety records from US Department of Defense.

For review:
1. US Foreign Military Sale: Flight training for Royal Saudi (Arabia) Air Force worth $1 billion.
2. US retaliatory airstrikes on Kataib Hezbollah after US Troops wounded in Erbil Base (Iraq) drone attack.
3. US Guided Missile Destroyer Laboon (DDG-58) and F/A 18E/F Super Hornet warplanes from the Carrier Strike Group USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), down drones, cruise missiles, and anti-ship missiles from Yemen in the Red Sea.
4. Indian Navy deploys Destroyers, P-8 Poseidon aircraft, and MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) to counter attacks on merchant vessels.
5. US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian analysis by Zoran Kusovac (Al Jazeera).
6. Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Killed in Syrian Airstrike.
7. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Op-Ed in Wall Street Journal, defines three requisites for peace in the region: 1. Destruction of Hamas; 2. Demilitarization of Gaza; and 3. Deradicalization of Palestinian society.
8. US to have access to military installations in Finland.
9. UK Leads F-16 Flight Training for Ukraine Pilots (in Denmark).
10. US to have basing access in Philippines.

For review:
1. UN Security Council adopts Resolution #2720 calling for immediate delivery of humanitarian aid and to create conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. 13 Nations vote In Favor; US and Russia Abstain.
2. IDF destroys tunnel network underneath Palestine Square in Gaza City.
3. IDF combat footage from the IDF Nahal Brigade engaging Hamas terrorists in multi-story building in Northern Gaza.
4. Latest in the US Army's Air and Missile Defense Modernization Priority: the Indirect Fire Protection Capability.
5. US Army Readies for Project Convergence 2024 at Camp Pendleton and Fort Irwin, California.
6. Netherlands preparing to deliver 18 x F-16 Warplanes to Ukraine.
7. Slovenia receives first multi-purpose C-27J Spartan aircraft.
8. US Coast Guard grounds entire fleet (14) of C-27J Spartan aircraft due to structural cracks.

For review:
1. Russian President Vladimir Putin open to negotiations with Ukraine, US, and Europe. Adamant about no NATO membership for Ukraine.
2. Israel rejects Hamas demand for cease fire and Gaza withdrawal as preconditions for hostage(s) release.
3. IDF Update. Ground operations in Northern Gaza almost complete. Focus will shift to Southern Gaza.
4. International Naval Force to operate in Red Sea. Multinational Security Initiative called Operation Prosperity Guardian includes UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, and Spain. Based in Bahrain under the Combined Maritime Force (CMF) & Task Force 153.
5. US Army to reduce UH-60 Black Hawks numbers- from 2,135 to 1,978.
6. Czech Republic tp Procure Leopard 2A8 tanks, F35 fighters, and C-390 transport aircraft.
7. Germany continues purchasing 155mm artillery munitions for Ukraine.
8. Spain orders Airbus C295 aircraft for maritime patrol and surveillance missions.

For review:
1. USMC Squadron Operating in Red Sea Can Fly Ospreys.
2. US and UK Naval Warships down drones launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen.
3. IDF discovers large (4k) Hamas tunnel near North Gaza crossing of Erez.
4. US Army 1st Cavalry Division with 36th Engineer Brigade- conducts wet gap crossing exercise at Fort Cavazos, Texas in support of modernizing the US Army Armored Division Force Structure (Armored Strike Division).
5. US Army continues development of Active Protection System (APS) for Stryker Combat Vehicle(s).
6. USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft program announces competitive vendors: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Anduril, General Atomics, and Northrup Grumman.
7. Slovenia Procures 2 x IRIS-T Air Defense Systems (Germany).
8. Norway to Send NASAMS (systems) to Ukraine.
9. Argentina's new President wants to modernize armed forces.

For review:
1. US Senate & House of Representatives pass the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with topline of $886 billion. NDAA sent to President for signature.
2. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $200 million. Includes Anti-tank weapons, Air Defense components, and Artillery ammunition.
3. IDF floods Hamas tunnels with seawater. Combat method proves successful.
4. Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) treat prepared by Japan, UK, and Italy. Effort will develop 6th Generation Fight for fielding by 2035.
5. Dassault Aviation CEO- Eric Trappier- provides comments on latest company efforts in defense acquisitions and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program.
6. German Army orders 62 x multi-role H145M Airbus helicopters- with option for 20 more. Transaction estimated at $3.0 billion.
7. Finland to double heavy ammunition production (Nammo) by 2026-2027. Munitions include: 155mm artillery; 120mm mortar; and 81mm mortar.
8. South Korea scrambles jets to monitor Russian and Chines warplanes operating in the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ)- over the Sea of Japan.
9. US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) recommended to analyze force structure in support of procuring AT-802U Armed Overwatch Aircraft. USSOCOM plan to procure 75 aircraft through 2029.

For review:
1. IDF Ground Operations update.
2. French Guided Missile Frigate Downs Two Drones in Red Sea.
3. Ukraine President Zelenskyy visits Washington D.C- meets with President Biden; addresses Senate.
4. UK, Norway, and Netherlands to aid Ukraine in increasing Black Sea maritime capabilities with minehunter vessels and Marine Corps development.
5. UK Army Mobile Fires Platform program (155mm Artillery effort).
(just procure Archers already?)
6. UK Ministry of Defense considers procurement of H-47 Extended Range Chinooks.
7. US Army Special Operations Aviation Command to receive 6 x re-manufactured MH-47G Block II Chinooks in deal worth $271 million. Completed by 2027.
8. Belgium Receives First F35A Fighter- designated (aircraft) AY-01.

For review:
1. Yemen Houthi rebels to target ships in Red Sea bound for Israel.
2. IDF ground operations in Gaza update.
3. 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) highlights.
4. US Navy NDAA 2024 highlights.
5. 2024 NDAA directs independent review of USMC Force Design 2030 concept.
6. US Army 30mm Stryker Infantry Carrier development.
7. US Foreign Military Sale of 80 x MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo(s) (RTX) to Germany worth $300 million.
8. Australia to procure 129 x Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (Hanwha Defence Australia), in deal worth $2.4 billion.

For review:
1. US Military grounds all variants of the V-22 Osprey (USAF, USMC, & US Navy).
2. US vetoes UN Security Council Cease Fire Resolution, UK abstains.
3. Jerusalem Post interviews 2 x Reservists Officers: 1 x Armor Officer & 1 x Engineer Officers. Officers provide perspective on ground operations in Gaza.
4. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine is worth $175 million.
5. US Military assistance and aid is nearing zero. US lawmakers moving slow on funding Ukraine's war effort.
6. US and Kyiv agree on producing arms in Ukraine- in specific areas of air defense, critical munitions, repair, and sustainment.
7. Older article (Politico), discusses retired Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, GEN Mark Milley's suggestion- that Ukraine should have began negotiations (from position of strength) in November 2022.
8. Very nice Armor Not Dead Op-Ed- from LTG (retired) Yavuz Turkgenci, via Breaking Defense.

For review:
1. USAF identifies Special Operations Airmen lost in CV-22 Osprey crash off the coast of Japan.
2. White House warns that lack of military assistance funding could cause Ukraine to lose the war.
3. USS Carney (DDG-64) shoots down 3 x drones over the Red Sea. Provides assistance to 3 x commercial vessels.
4. IDF Chief of Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi provides insights on the 3d Phase of the Ground Offensive, plus comments on the Wall Street Journal Report of the IDF potentially using seawater to flood Hamas tunnel networks underneath the Gaza Strip.
5. US Army Senior Acquisition Official, Honorable Doug Bush, comments on the future testing plan for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon. Potential fielding in Summer of 2024 (at JBLM).
6. US and Australia to collaborate on hypersonic weapon experiments in 2024.
7. Poland procures 155mm artillery and munitions from South Korea's Hanwha Defense in $2.6 billion deal.
8. Romania and Elbit Systems to establish 155mm Autonomous Truck-Mounted Artillery System (ATMOS) production and assembly facility in Romania.
9. The US Army dismounted, Terrestrial Layer System-Brigade Combat Team Manpack (TLS-BCT Manpack) Electronic Warfare (EW) system tested at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For review:
1. Netherlands provides F16s for Ukraine pilot training (in Romania).
2. Poland & UK Collaborate on Next Gen Air Defense System.
3. Poland set to acquire MQ-9B Sky-Guardian Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
4. US submarine in CENTCOM AOR identified as the ballistic missile submarine, USS Florida (SSGN-728).
5. Update on IDF Ground Operations.
6. Prime Minister of Israel (Benjamin Netanyahu) provides war update.
7. President Biden's funding request for military aid to Israel is $14 billion.
8. Details on US Army's return of Iron Dome Systems (2 each) to Israel.
9. US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) may remove the 105mm cannon form the AC-130J Gunship- potentially replace with addition of small-cruise missiles.

For review:
1. If provided to Ukraine, the German Taurus air-launched cruise missile will require months to integrate into SU-24 Fighters and even longer for F16 warplanes.
2. Russia test-fires nuclear capable ballistic missile (Bulava) from submarine.
3. Defense News Opinion Article from Retired Army Major General John Ferrari. The US Army should donate an armored division's worth of vehicles and equipment to Ukraine.
4. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu)- No cease fire without return of hostages.
5. Palestinian Authority (PA) President (Mahmoud Abbas) tells US Secretary of State (Antony Blinken) that PA is ready to assume control of Gaza after the war.
6. Analysis: IDF Ground Operations (2 x stories).
7. IDF combat vehicles employed during ground operations: Eitan Armored Fighting Vehicle & Armored D9R Dozer.
8. It was 20 years ago (2003)- last time 2 x US Carriers were in Eastern Mediterranean. Now (2023), it is the USS Gerald Ford (CVN-78) & the USS Dwight Eisenhower (CVN-69), in support of CENTCOM.
9. CENTCOM announces (X- Twitter)- Ohio-Class nuclear powered submarine arrived in AOR.

For Review:
1. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine.
2. US Secretary of State Blinken in Israel. No Humanitarian Pause or Cease Fire. On to Jordan for meeting with Arab Foreign Ministers.
3. Israel's Air Campaign Cost Analysis from Zoran Kusovac (Al Jazeera).
4. IDF surrounds Gaza City. IDF Engineers demolish tunnel systems.
5. Israeli F-35I Adir Fighter destroys cruise missile.
6. German Defense Arm looks at anti-tank hypersonic missiles to defeat advanced armor.
7. German Air Force looks to speed up drone development in support of Multi-National Future Combat Air System.
8. US Army to develop mobile long-range precision strike missile program. Will mount system on JLTVs/ISVs.

For review:
1. US Foreign Military Sales: Japan- Rolling Airframe (Naval) Missiles; Latvia- M142 HIMARS.
2. Pentagon Press Brief Notes (31 Oct 23).
3. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken returns to Israel. Will also visit Jordan.
4. Israel-Hamas war and foreign factors- Analysis by Zoran Kusovac.
5. IDF ground operations approach Gaza City.
6. IDF Arrow Air Defense System intercepts ballistic missile for the first time (over Red Sea).
7. Switzerland to procure advanced Patriot ADA system.
8. Russian Air Defense Systems challenge Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 Drones.
9. Canada's future surveillance plane program under scrutiny over perceived Boeing P8 Poseidon bias.
10. USMC Commandant hospitalized from medical emergency.
(hope the Commandant has a quick return to duty)

For review:
1. US Department of Defense Briefing (30 October 2023).
2. IDF Ground Incursions into Gaza- Analysis (Zoran Kusovac- Al-Jazeera).
3. IDF Ground Incursions into Gaza- Analysis (Yonah Jeremy Bob- Jerusalem Post).
4. US Department of Defense Factsheet- B61 Variant Nuclear Gravity Bomb.
5. US Navy ship deployments in the Red Sea in support of US Central Command.
6. Jordan requests Patriot Air Defense system against ballistic missile threats.
7. Kuwait continues to receive Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes.
8. Sweden receives first batch (20) of new armored troop transport vehicles- Patgb 300 (Patria).
9. Poland continues to receive FA-50 Light Combat Fighters.

IDF ground offensive news.
UN General Assembly Resolution passes. Calls for Truce; Protection of Civilians; Humanitarian Aid Access; Release of Civilian Captives.
Czech Republic to purchase 48 x I-Derby Long-Range Air-to-Air Missiles from Israel (Rafael). Can be used with Spyder air defense batteries.
Chinese Carrier CNS Shandong back in Western Pacific. China intercept of USAF B52 over South China Sea.
US Navy plans future carrier development.
USAF B21 Raider conducts ground tests and prepares for first flight by year's end (tentative).

For review:
1. US F16s strike targets in Eastern Syria.
2. IDF conducts limited raid 1 kilometer inside Gaza. Return back to Israel territory after targeted raid with Infantry and Armor.
3. Iron Dome & SkyHunter Interceptor Missiles to produced at new facility in Arkansas. Missile production to begin in 2025.
4. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $150million.
5. Ukraine pilots begin F16 training in US.
6. Australia security assistance package to Ukraine worth $12.7 million. Includes counter-UAS and de-mining equipment.
7. Slovakia new Prime Minister announced halt of military aid to Ukraine. Humanitarian aid will continue.
8. UK Army validates AH-64E Apache helicopters during operational exercise.

3 x US Foreign Military Sales: Finland (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles - Extended Range); Lithuania (AIM 120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-To Air Missiles); United Kingdom (Joint Air-To-Ground Missiles).
US to send Air Defense Artillery Systems to CENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR)- Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Battery and addition Patriot Battalions.
US Defense Briefing Q&A considering 155mm artillery munitions to Israel.
Pentagon Press Briefing discusses LTG Glynn's (USMC) deployment to Israel to advise Israeli Defense Force (IDF).
US sends 2 x Iron Dome Batteries back to Israel.
Pakistan test-fires Ababeel missile (nuclear-capable).
China Coast Guard collides with Philippine Supply ship in South China Sea.
Philippine Military Modernization.
Germany to procure Israeli (Elbit) Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS)- mobile rocker artillery system. This system will replace MARS II rocket systems sent to Ukraine.
Turkey's President sends Sweden's NATO Membership bid to Turkish Parliament.

For review:

Follow-up on Ukraine's employment of ATACMS.
Israeli Defence Force (IDF) operations on the Northern Border.
Former IDF Gaza Division Commander (143d Fire Fox) comments on potential operations in Gaza.
US Army Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) news.
US Army Artillery Tactical Fires Study. Study will shape Army Artillery modernization and budget decisions.
Italy to increase defense spending.
Czech Republic negotiates to purchase military transport aircraft.
German Army seeks proposals for Next Generation Reconnaissance Vehicles.
Japan to purchase 300 Carl Gustaf Medium Anti-Armor Weapon Systems from Saab.
South Korean Marine Corps to arm future helicopter with Mistral Short-Range Anti-Air Missiles.
Pentagon reports that China has doubled nuclear arsenal since 2020.
China assets that its' Nuclear Program is for self-defense only.

For review- 1 x Ukraine story and the remainder on the Israel war against Hamas.

Ukraine uses ATACMS Missiles for first time. Ukraine targeted nine Russian helicopters and other equipment at two airfields used by Russian forces.
President returns from visit in Israel. Asks Congress for &100 billion Defense Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel, Indo-Pacific.
USS Destroyer, USS Carney (DDG-64) downs missiles and drones in the Red Sea.
US Congressman drafts Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) to strike Iran backed forces throughout the Middle East in support of Israel.
Israel suspends defense cooperation with Columbia over Israeli-Hamas war.

Short episode- for your review:
1. President Biden to visit Israel- and after meet with other Middle East leaders (Egypt, Jordan, & Palestinian Authority).
2. Carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) will travel to Eastern Mediterranean and join the USS Gerald R, Ford (CVN-78).
3. Israel Merkava Tank Crews prepare for First Person View (FPV) Drones.
4. France to increase defense spending and production- 155mm munitions, Caesar 155mm Mobile Artillery, Mistral Short-Range Missiles, etc.
5. Netherlands Navy retires first Walrus-Class submarine. Another to follow.
6. Spain to procure 8 x MH-60R anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare helicopters from the US.
7. Japan to speed up purchase/delivery of long-range precision missiles. North Korea criticizes as preparation for "reinvasion".

For review:
1. US Foreign Military Sales
a. Oman: TOW Missiles
b. Spain: Patriot Missile Defense Systems
2. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives in Israel to illustrate US support.
3. 2d US Carrier Strike Group (USS Eisenhower: CVN-69) moves through the Atlantic Ocean toward the Mediterranean Sea.
4. US Navy Aircraft Carrier- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) conducts port call in South Korea, US Navy P8 Orion transits Taiwan Strait.
5. US approves sale of F16 warplanes to Argentina in bid against China's competition pitch of JF-17 fighters.
6. Russia & North Korea military partnership.
7. Rare Russian BTR-90 Armored Personnel Carrier spotted in Ukraine (part of Russian armored column). This combat vehicle was not mass produced nor exported.
8. Finland expected to increase defense spending above NATO standard of 2.0% in FY2024.
9. US Navy to commission the latest Virginia-Class Fast Attack submarine at New London, Connecticut: USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795).
10. US Army to procure more than 100 Switchblade 600 loitering munitions under the Low Altitude Stalking & Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program.

For review:

Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine.
US Official: US can support both Israel & Ukraine with materiel and munitions during operations.
US to provide Iron Dome Tamir Missiles and ammunitions to Israel.
Germany's latest Security Assistance Package to Ukraine .
Belgium to provide F16s to Ukraine (in 2025).
Norway to invest in Air Defense Artillery and Long-Range Fires.
US Army tests long-range cannon artillery & munitions.

For review:

US prepares to send Israel materiel and munitions.
US directs USS Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group to Eastern Mediterranean.
Israel and Hezbollah trade cross-border (Lebanon) fire.
US awards $1.5 billion in contracts to increase 155mm artillery shell production. From 28,000 rounds a month (now)- to- 100,000 a month by FY26.
UK Army receives first Archer Mobile 155mm artillery system from Sweden.
UK out of weapons to send to Ukraine (from unnamed senior military official).
Sweden will send Gripen warplanes to Ukraine after their membership to NATO (Sweden's).
Greece requests UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters through the US Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program.

Third and last in a series of episodes that are based upon the National Defense Magazine articles that track the progress of the Army Modernization priorities- based upon the former Army Chief of Staff, GEN James McConville and his statement that 24 modernization priorities will be in Soldiers' hands by the end of FY23.

In this episode- I will cover the following programs:
15. Indirect Fire Protection Capability
16. Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD)
17. Directed Energy M-SHORAD
18. Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor
19. Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense
20. Integrated Visual Augmented System (IVAS)
21. Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer
22. Enhanced Night Vision Goggle- Binocular
23. Squad Immersive Virtual Trainer
24. Training Simulation Software/Training Management Tools/One World Terrain

Overall score for all 24 programs: B+

National Defense Article link: https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/10/3/a-snapshot-of-24-programs-the-army-promised-to-expedite

Second in a series of episodes that are based upon the National Defense Magazine articles that track the progress of the Army Modernization priorities- from the former Army Chief of Staff, GEN James McConville and his statement that 24 modernization priorities will be in Soldiers' hands by the end of FY23.

In this episode- I will cover the following programs (6 - 14):
6. Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV)
7. Robotic Combat Vehicle - Light (RCV-L)
8. M10 Booker Combat Vehicle (Former Mobile Protected Firepower)
9. Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS)
10. Integrated Tactical Network
11. Mounted Computing Environment/Command Post Computing Environment
12. Mounted Assured Positioning, Navigation, & Timing System (MAPS)
13. Dismounted Assured Positioning, Navigation, & Timing System (DAPS)
14. Command Post Integrated Infrastructure

Keep a look out for one more episode (I think) that will discuss the remaining Army Modernization Priorities (15-24).

National Defense article link is here:

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/10/4/the-24-programs-the-army-promised-to-expedite-part-two-ground-and-air-vehicles

First in a series of episodes that are based upon the National Defense Magazine articles that track the progress of the Army Modernization priorities- based upon the former Army Chief of Staff, GEN James McConville and his statement that 24 modernization priorities will be in Soldiers' hands by the end of FY23.

In this episode- I will cover the following programs:
1. Precision Strike Missile
2. Extended Range Cannon Artillery
3. Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon
4. Strategic Mid-Range Fires System
5. Next Generation Squad Weapon

Keep a look-out for two more episodes (I think) that will discuss the remaining Army Modernization Priorities.

National Defense article link is here:

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/10/4/the-24-programs-the-army-promised-to-expedite-part-two-ground-and-air-vehicles

For your review:

Pentagon transfers 1.1 million rounds of 7.62mm ammunition seized from Iran to Ukraine.
Russian S500 Air Defense System.
Follow-up on Australian MRH-90 Taipan retirement.
Australian Warships (3 vessels) to conduct Indo-Pacific deployment.
US Army to study force restructure to meet Large Scale Combat Operation(s) (LSCO) needs.
Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) effort to develop, test, and field drone technology.
Germany purchases drone systems for fielding into reconnaissance and artillery formations.
USMC tests Valkyrie drones to determine future requirements.

US Space Command basing decision in Colorado under investigation... again.
UK to invest almost 4 billion pounds into AUKUS Submarine infrastructure.
Australian Army to specialize 3 x infantry brigades to operate in littoral and amphibious environments.
US lawmakers threaten to cut military aid to Egypt.
US Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia- sustainment & maintenace of combat vehicle fleet (M1s, M60s (tanks not machine guns), Bradleys, MRAPS, etc.
Saudi Arabia wants to become a nuclear state.
Poland to receive a 2 billion dollar load under the US Foreign Military Financing Program- to buy US -made military hardware (M142 HIMARS, AH-64 Apaches, etc).
Poland procures two Saab 340 AEW airborne surveillance aircraft.

Back from time off. Please review (in order):

US Congress passes Continuing Resolution to prevent shutdown.
Farewell General Mark Milley after 43 years of service- including 4 years as an impactful Army Chief of Staff and 4 years as Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
US Navy decommissions two Freedom-Class Littoral Combat Ships- USS Little Rock (LCS-9) & USS Detroit (LCS-7)- after less than 8 years of active service.
US Navy commissions Independence Variant, Future Littoral Combat Ship- USS Augusta (Maine), (LCS-34).
Taiwan Navy launches first domestic submarine- the Hai Kun. Goal is to build 7 more for a total of 8.
Thailand tests domestic built (prototype) 105mm towed howitzer.
Australia has enough of the Taipan helicopter and retires the entire fleet ahead of schedule. Will replace with Black Hawks.
Brasil Army Modernization plan.
Bulgaria to procure (possibly) 183 Strykers. Plan to consolidate 3 x mechanized battalions into one brigade (smart).
Israel to supply Germany with Arrow 3 Air Defense system (defeats long-range ballistic missiles).

US M1 Abrams arrive in Ukraine.
Precision Strike Missile news.
Army Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light down to four vendors.
Army Future Tactical UAS (Shadow replacement) down-selects to two vendors.
Army IVAS program (Version1.2) shows improvement. IVAS version 1.0 fielding at Fort Moore, GA.
Army Next Generation Squad Weapon (Rifle & Automatic Rifle) news.
USAF A10 Warthogs train with Navy Destroyer in Gulf of Oman.

Latest US Security Assistance to Ukraine worth $325 million.
US to send ATACMS to Ukraine (NBC Report), but no US announcement.
New UK Defence Secretary (Grant Shapps) promises Air Defense and Long-Range munitions to Ukraine.
Artillery is still the King of Battle. Global spending to increase over the next 10 years on modernized artillery systems and munitions.
Chiefs of Defense from Germany and France discuss future Main Battle Tank (MBT) development & collaboration. To be different from Leopard and Leclerc MBTs.
US F35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet maintenance readiness rates are low (GAO).
Large Russian Navy Exercise in the Chukchi & Bering Seas (off Siberia).

Nice episode- hope you enjoy it:

Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait- Sustainment of Patriot Missile systems.
From the Armor not Dead File- Israel Merkava IV Main Battle Tank upgrade.
Israel Sky Striker loitering munition(s) to unnamed European customer.
Israel defense companies innovate vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones and loitering munitions.
US Army, USMC, and SOCOM to receive more Saab AT4s and Carl G ammunition.
US Army Next Generation Squad Weapon news.
Australia deploys F35s to Indonesia for Exercise.
Australia conducts UN air surveillance patrols over North Korea.
Very nice story about the Princess of Wales and her visit to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton (Somerset, UK)- in her role as the Commodore-in Chief of the Fleet Air Arm.

Defense Security Cooperation Agency Foreign Military Sale- Canada- MQ-9B Drone systems and munitions.
NATO air reconnaissance missions over Finland.
Sweden to upgrade amphibious units with new missile systems.
Netherlands to upgrade Navy with improved radar and Tomahawk missiles.
Romania may join other European nations in Mistral 3 procurement.
Ukraine ATACMS watch continues as Ukraine President visits US (NYC-UN & Washington DC- White House) this week.
Australia to invest in US submarine shipyards in support of AUKUS agreement.
US Navy decommissions USS Milwaukee (Littoral Combat Ship) after less than 10 years of service.
UK Army Chief discusses initiative for future force.
US Army Senior Leaders discuss organizational changes across the service.

1. US Foreign Military Sales: F35A variant (South Korea) & F16 support (Poland).
2. Ukraine Pilots train on Gripen warplanes (Sweden).
3. Dr. William LaPlante (Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition
and Sustainment ), describes increase in US 155mm ammunition production.
4. B21 Raider undergoing ground tests in preparation for first flight.
5. M1E3 potential characteristics (Engine, Crew-size, Protection).
6. BAE develops counter-UAS AMPV.
7. General Dynamics pitches updated Foxhound armored protected vehicle to UK Army.
8. US Navy-Army collaborate on missile launch from Littoral Combat Ship (USS Savannah).
9. China Carrier Strike Group and North Korea Missile Launch.

In Order:
1. Ukraine F16 Pilot training in Arizona.
2. US Foreign Military Sale to Poland: Integrated Air & Missile Defense (IAMD), Battle Command System.
3. Poland to purchase HIMARS Launchers from Lockheed Martin.
4. UK Army AJAX program heads toward Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2024.
5. Lockheed Martin UK competes for UK's New Medium Helicopter program.
6. Latvia and Estonia purchase German Medium-Range Air Defense System (IRIS-T).
7. Sweden increases defense spending.
8. BAE Hagglunds (Sweden) develops Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system around BvS10 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC).
9. Norway Ministry of Defense & Teledyne develop UAS Vehicle Reconnaissance System.
10. New Zealand to modernize naval fleet.
11. Australia & Philippines strengthen ties during combined naval patrols and exercises.

In order;
1. ATACMS missiles to Ukraine? Decision from US soon?
2. London think tank issues analysis report from Ukraine counteroffensive- with recommendations.
3. First donated 10 Leopard 1 tanks arrive from Germany, Denmark, & Netherlands.
4. Javelin missiles to be manufactured in Poland.
5. Poland to buy Boeing F15 EX?
6. Poland PGZ to collaborate with MBDA to develop medium-range air defense missile.
7. North Korea ballistic submarine.
8. North Korea Anniversary parade- with Russian and Chinese delegations in attendance.
9. US and Canadian warships transit Taiwan Strait.
10. Chinese Peoples Liberation Army's Navy reacts to US-Canada transit of Taiwan Strait. Assumes "high alert" status.
11. Singapore Air Force F16 fighters integrate Python-5 air-to-air missiles.

Packed episode. Hope you enjoy it.
1. Latest US Security Package to Ukraine worth $600 million.
2. Latest on US Army Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Test.
3. US Army M1A2 SEPv4 variant cancelled. Focus now on the M1E3 Abrams program.
4. Leopard 2 Tanks (Germany & Norway) and Challenger 3 (UK) Tanks to be equipped with Trophy Active Protection System (APS)- joining M1 Abrams and Merkava IV Tanks.
5. UK Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB) to receive new rifle- Alternative Individual Weapon System (AIWS)- L403A1. Fielding begins at end of 2023.
6. UK Navy's aircraft carrier drone development.
7. USMC develops autonomous vessel to move missiles and supplies.
8. Department of Defense Replicator Drone Program (2 x stories: Defense News & USNI).

In order (I think):
1. US latest Security Assistance to Ukraine worth $175 million.
2. US send depleted uranium tank rounds to Ukraine as part of $175 million package.
3. US to send long-range fires to Ukraine?
4. Poland to increase defense spending to 4% GDP ($33 billion).
5. Poland develops armed counter-drone armed with 5.45mm machine gun.
6. Poland to purchase US Army's Lower Tier Air & Missile Defense Sensor (12).
7. Poland will buy $2 billion worth of Naval Strike Missiles (Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace).
8. Germany to produce 35mm Gepard air defense ammunition. Will send to Ukraine.
9. Finland's Patria may manufacture combat vehicles in Ukraine.
10. Lockheed Martin extends range of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (munition) to 150k.
11. UK upgrades Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank to Challenger 3 variant. Will field in two Armor Regiments.

In order:
1. US Foreign Military Sale to Bulgaria - 183 Stryker vehicles (6 x variants).
2. Netherlands, Romania, & Lockheed Martin to open F16 Training facility (in Romania).
3. 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine by the Fall- Dr. William LaPlante (Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment).
4. US Army Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle hits Full Rate Production.
5. Russia leads military exercise in Belarus.
6. Russian T14 Armata Tank News and Information.
7. Russian T90M Tank News and Information.

In order:

USMC Command Directed Safety Review.
US Foreign Military Sales: Taiwan (F16 Infrared Search & Track Systems) and Japan (Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range).
US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine.
German Navy to lead Multinational Baltic Sea Drill.
UK's new Defence Minister.
Spain supports European Defence Investments.
Japan's defense budget items.
North Korea ballistic missile launch.
JADC2 Q&A with USAF Lieutenant General (Retired).
US Navy F/A-XX Fighter Program news.

In order:

USMC Osprey crash in Australia.
Ukraine counteroffensive opinion piece- Washington Post.
US Army to upgrade Bradley Fighting Vehicles (70).
Spain to develop and procure fleet of Armored Vehicle (400)- in different variants.
Pentagon to field large numbers of "attritable" drones in two years under Replicator program.
INDO-PACOM Commander focused on Directed Energy & Microwave weapons.
US Army Multi-Function Electronic Warfare - Air Large program testing.
Iran conducts large EW exercise.
Indonesia wants S-70M Blackhawks (24).

Long episode:

US to train Ukraine F16 pilots in Texas (language) & Arizona (flight).
Commanding General USAF Europe & Africa discusses integrated air defense and other priorities in Europe.
Finland uses highway system as take-off/landing for warplanes (older article- August 2022).
UK and International Fund for Ukraine to provide UAS & c-UAS systems.
US Army Sentinel A4 radar system achieves Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
USMC to procure CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters.
Brazil to double Gripen (Saab) fighter fleet.
Iran's latest combat drone.
Australia to procure Tomahawk and Spike AT missiles. Will pursue domestic missile production.
North Korea (attempts) launch of satellite.
Newest US Navy aircraft carrier- USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)- has port call in Antalya, Turkey.

Ukraine F16 update.
Netherlands to receive additional MQ-9A Drones.
Netherlands to receive counter-UAS system (Elbit).
Poland ok'd for AH-64E Apaches.
Poland receives first K-239 CHUNMOO MLRS.
Indonesia and USAF to get F15EX warplanes.
USAF latest hypersonic weapon test.
US Navy to equip USS Zumwalt Destroyer with hypersonic weapons.
UK Army Infantry Company participates in jungle training in Belize.

In order:
1. Ukraine F16 news.
2. Ukraine and Sweden (Saab) Gripen warplane discussion.
3. USMC trains in Norway with Italian & Norwegian forces.
4. Russia-China combined naval patrol nears Japan.
5. UK pilots intercept Russian Tu-142 Bears.
6. . China's military exercise in Taiwan Strait.
7. US Foreign Military Sale to Australia- M142 HIMARS.
8. Germany to procure Arrow 3 Air Defense System.
9. US Army procures more heavy TOW missiles from RTX (Raytheon).
10. Navistar to build JLTV trailers.
11. XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV) news.
12. Czech Republic procures AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters via USMC & Bell.

15 August 2023
In order:
1. Top global defense companies- (Defense News).
2. Latest US Security Assistance package to Ukraine.
3. EU to provide artillery munitions to Ukraine- assumption is 155mm.
4. US to increase 155mm artillery munition production.
5. Sweden to provide munitions to Ukraine in support of donated materiel.
6.Germany to provide Drones & counter-Drone materiel to Ukraine.
7. Poland to procure local defense industry combat vehicles.
8. Japan F35 deployment to Australia.
9. US provides 3 x Protector Class boats to Lebanon Navy.

In order (I think):

USMC & US Navy personnel train to board commercial vessels in Strait of Hormuz.
F16s to Ukraine- when? What about facilities, pilot training, and maintenance training?
UK F35 accident report.
Russia launches hypersonic missiles at Western Ukraine.
US Army Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon and Mid-Range Capability almost ready for fielding.
Army Electronic Warfare Efforts- Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and Echelon above Brigade (EAB).
Loitering munitions tested in Finland's Arctic conditions.
Indonesia receives 18 Rafale warplanes.

In order:
1. US Navy extends life of 4 x Destroyers.
2. USS Carter Hall and USS Bataan enter the Red Sea in support of US Navy 5th Fleet.
3. US to possibly place armed personnel on commercial vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
4. Directed Energy weapons difficult to sustain in austere environments.
5. 50kw laser Strykers (4 each) ready for developing tactics, techniques, and procedures (with crews) ahead of operational assessment.
6. US Army wants more Patriot Battalions.
7. Interview with Commanding General of Army Futures Command (AFC).

Sunday episode 151- In Order:

US to help Australia manufacture Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (missiles) by 2025.
Australian-led Exercise Talisman Sabre '23 closes. Executes amphibious assault by three countries: US; Germany; and Japan.
Russia and China Bering Sea naval patrol off Alaska coast.
Russia transport (VIP) aircraft spotted in North Korea.
Denmark procures Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) & Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS).
Poland to buy hundreds of Spike Long Range Anti-tank missiles.
Turkey and 5th Generation Fighter development.
Northrup to open hypersonic development facility in Maryland.
UK Army units (Royal Scots Dragoon Guards & Royal Irish Regiment) receive Lightweight Recovery Vehicles (LWRV).

In order:
1. Army IVAS update. More problems.
2. Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) achieve Full Rate Production.
3. USMC INDO-PACOM MQ-9 Reaper Squadron achieves Initial Operational Capability (IOC) at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
4. Pakistan unveils new drone & missiles at defense conference in Turkey.
5. UK Hypersonic Missile report.
6. UK Army Wargame '23.
7. China to join Ukraine peace summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Short Episode. In order:

US Foreign Military Sales: Assault Amphibious Vehicles (Romania) and MLRS Upgrade (Finland).
Finland to receive David's Sling Air Defense System.
Israel to procure more 155mm ammunition.
US Army to develop new artillery strategy for conventional and long-range precision systems.
US Navy issues contract to build nine Arleigh Burke Destroyers.
China and United Arab Emirates to conduct combined exercise.
Russia naval exercise in the Baltic Sea.
Ukraine peace plan discussion in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Poland builds HIMARS Rocket Brigade and HIMARS Training Academy.

In order:

US Navy christens new Guided Missile Destroyer- USS Harvey C. Barnum (DDG 124).
US $345 million military aid package to Taiwan.
Senate NDAA and Navy ships.
Senate Appropriators Defense spending bill.
Latest US Army IVAS news- Version 1.2.
Northrup Grumman will not compete as prime in the USAF Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
German Air Force Deployment Exercise to Iceland- "Rapid Viking".
German Army to purchase more 120mm tank ammunition from Rheinmetall.
9. Japan to increase defense spending during next five years.
King Charles visits UK Army in Wales.

New microphone.
In order.
1. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine.
2. Poland receives first (of 48) FA-50 fighters from South Korea.
3. Lithuania selects Leopard 2 tanks over Abrams (US) and Black Panther (South Korea).
4. UK Royal Navy (and Allies) train Ukraine EOD operators in Scotland.
5. US Army Fixed Wing ISR Aircraft (development).
6. USMC activates first Tomahawk Battery (ROGUE-Fires/NMESIS) at Camp Pendleton, California.
7. Australia selects the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Hanwha).
8. China and Russia Naval Exercise in the Sea of Japan (Northern Interaction '23).
9. North Korean nuclear weapons program report.

In order:
1. Army Air & Missile Defense Effort: Indirect Fire Protection Capability- High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL).
2. USMC Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) test in California.
3. North Korea fires cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea.
4. Japan & South Korea fire missiles during Australian-led Talisman Sabre '23.
5. Royal Australian Air Force procures 20 x C130J Hercules aircraft.
6. US Navy's newest Littoral Combat warship (USS Canberra-LCS 30) is commissioned in Australia.
7. New Zealand expands military relations with Pacific neighbors.
8. Iran updates Shahed-149 Drone.
9. Why are Turkey's Baykar drones popular?

Nice episode. In order.
1. US Foreign Military Sale to Germany (AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
2. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine.
3. US sends USMC Amphibious ships to the CENTCOM AOR.
4. US Navy (4th Fleet) operationalizes unmanned systems during exercise.
5. Poland's Field Experimental Exercise (FEX) tests combat formations and new technology (Ground Robotic Vehicles).
6. Hungary purchases loitering munitions.
7. Netherlands Army orders Floating Bridge Systems (Improved Ribbon Bridge).
8. Singapore receives 1st (of four) submarines (Impeccable) from Germany.
9. Australian-led Talisman Sabre Exercise '23 kicks off- and monitored by China.

In order:
1. F35s and Navy Destroyer sent to CENTCOM AOR.
2. Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine- USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) makes port call in South Korea.
3. Congressionally mandated report- the US Navy Battle Force Ship Assessment and Requirement.
4. USMC Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) achieves Full Rate Production.
5. UK Royal Air Force (RAF) E7 Wedgetail aircraft procurement.
6. China's J-20 5th Generation Fighter has domestic engine (Woshan-15).
7. Saudi Arabia to procure Akinci combat drones from Turkey .
8. UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Excalibur program supports Future Combat Air System.

In order:
1. USAF B1 bombers land in Sweden.
2. UK New Medium Helicopter program.
3. UK Defense Minister to leave this year.
4. China protests US Navy P8 flight over Taiwan Strait.
5. North Korea launches ICBM in the Sea of Japan + Russian naval activity near Japan.
6. North Korea reacts to US surveillance activity + possible port call by US Nuclear submarine in South Korea.
7. India gits warship to Vietnam.
8. India and Argentina may have agreement on Tejas MK1 warplanes.
9. Interview with New Zealand Defense Chief.

In order;
1. NATO Summit from Vilnius, Lithuania.
2. Sweden to officially join NATO in three months (October).
3. Turkey and defense exports.
4. USAF Europe & Africa Commanding General comments on US weapon stockpiles.

& from Armor is Not Dead- a small series of stories:

USMC Amphibious Combat Vehicle production (variants).
Italy to procure Leopard 2 A8 tanks.
UK Challenger 3 tanks trial Trophy Active Protection System (APS).
Germany to purchase Boxer armored fighting vehicles from Australia.

& an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) story:

Serbia may join Spanish Tactical UAS program.

Trying to expand the audience.

This episode will be played on WWPR 1490 AM - Bradenton (Tampa Bay), Florida on Friday, 14 July at 1530 hours (3:30 PM).

In order.
1. Sweden to join NATO.
2. France and Germany to develop new tank.
3. Commandant of the US Marine Corps- General David Berger retires. Admired his courage and conviction to make difficult choices.
4. USMC Scout Sniper reductions came from USMC Division Commanders.
5. Army force structure changes coming.
6. Army wants loitering-munitions for the Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs).
7. Army Mid-Range Capability Battery fires Tomahawk Missile.
8. China-Taiwan article from USNI.
9. US FMS to France and Sweden.

In order:
1. US Foreign Military Sale- Romania (F16 upgrades).
2. US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine ($800million)- includes 155mm Dual- Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM).
3. NATO reaction to US decision to provide 155mm DPICM to Ukraine. We'll know next week from Vilnius, Lithuania (11-12 July 2023).
4. EU to fund nearly $1 billion dollars in defense projects.
5. UK and Poland military partnership.
6. IAW AUKUS Agreement, Australian Naval Officers Graduate from US Nuclear Power School in S. Carolina.
7. Iran Destroyer (Damavand 2) to have Hypersonic Missile(s).
8. US Navy "Snakehead" Unmanned Undersea Vehicle.
9. Ground robotic vehicle development.

3 x stories from Australia + 2 x robotic & autonomous system stories.

In order (I think):
1. Australia to procure Carl G. shoulder launched systems from Saab.
2. RAAF Townsville upgrades to support AH-64 Apache posting.
3. Australia test AS9 SP 155mm system in South Korea.
4. USMC flies 4 x F35C variants 7,800 miles to Australia from Miramar, California.
5. Royal New Zealand Navy upgrades two Anzac-class frigates with modular communication systems.
6. UK and Netherlands to collaborate on future littoral strike platform- the Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS).
7. UK Royal Navy trials autonomous mine-hunting vessels.
8. BAE Amphibious Combat Vehicle teams with Rex MKII unmanned infantry combat support system.
9. US Army orders 300 DVH A1 (Double Vee-Hull) Strykers.
10. USMC Commandant says goodbye.
11. NATO Sec General is extended one year.

Good episode.
In order:
1. CJCS General Milley- quotes from 30 June 23 speech at National Press Club.
2. US Foreign Military Sales:
-Norway- Small Diameter Bomb.
- Canada- P8A Aircraft.
- Poland- Integrated Air-Missile Battle Command System.
- Czech Republic- F35 Aircraft & Munitions.
- Taiwan- Logistics Support & 30mm ammunition.
3. Norway to establish F35 maintenance facility.
4. House Appropriations weighs in on F35 Engine Replacement.
5. German Army Logistic Trucks.
6. UK Army buys c-UAS rifle sights for close-combat force.
7. Italy & Norway collaborate on submersible.
8. Australia and US will collaborate on sensor-to-shooter exercise in July.
9. US Army Terrestrial Layer System- Echelons Above Brigade (TLS-EAB).

Enjoyed this episode. Highlight is the Op-Ed by Mark Cancian on the USMC 31 Amphibious ship requirement.

In order:
1. Latest US security assistance package to Ukraine.
2. Latest US Army Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle news.
3. Comments from British Army Chief of General Staff of lesson from the war in Ukraine.
4. New French Army combat vehicle camouflage.
5. Danish Armed Forces to receive new combat boots.
6. Australia and Japan naval drill in South China Sea.
7. Op-Ed on the USMC 31 Amphibious Ship Requirement by Mark Cancian (Breaking Defense).

EP 136 in order:

USAF Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Fighter program.
F35 engine upgrade/replacement debate- between Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney.
UK RAF Typhoons intercept Russian aircraft.
Greece selects French-made tactical drone.
France to develop new anti-armor loitering munition.
Germany to develop wheeled rocket artillery system (HIMARS-type).
House Armed Service Committee budget news.
Senate Armed Service Committee budget news.

Nice episode. In order:
1. US Foreign Military Sale to Netherlands (4 x MQ-9 Drones).
2. India procures 31 x MQ-9 B drones.
3. France reveals new long-endurance drone at Paris Air Show.
4. Belgium to join France-Spain-German Future Combat Air System as Observer.
5. Sweden decides not to join the UK-Japan-Italy Global Air Program.
6. Spain purchases C295 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft.
7. Ukraine/Czech Republic/Slovakia to purchase CV90 IFVs.
8. Merkava MBT to Unknown European customer.
9. UK Destroyer Duncan on Mediterranean Patrol.
10. USS Michigan in South Korea.
11. US Secretary of Navy receives heat from SASC over Amphibious ship building plan.

Two themes in this episode: 1. Ukraine & 2. Future Combat Air System (FCAS or SCAF) efforts in Europe. We get into the weeds on a great article from Tim Martin (Breaking Defense) on Europe's (& Japan) latest efforts to develop a 6th Generation fighter. Also in there is a story about the US military gaining base access in New Guinea.

In order:

US CJCS GEN Milley comments at Ukraine Defense Contact Group #13 in Brussels.
Number of Ukraine Army Brigades at the start of the war.
Norway & Denmark provide 155mm artillery rounds to Ukraine.
Denmark plans to train Ukrainian F16 pilots by the end of Summer.
US Military gains access to bases in New Guinea.
6. Europe's (& Japan) latest effort(s) to develop a 6th Generation fighter.
Belgium hints at possibly joining the French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS or SCAF) effort- maybe.

First- Happy Birthday to US Army. 248 years. The Senior US military service- carries the Colors and is Escort to the President. Here's to 248 more.

Stories in order for Episode 133:

US foreign Military Sales (FMS)- Spain (Excalibur munitions); France (E2C Hawkeye Sustainment Support); & Kuwait (F18 Technical Support).
Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine.
US to send more Bradley Fighting Vehicles & Strykers to Ukraine.
Netherlands to train Ukraine pilots on F16 fighters.
UK and Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations provide air defense package to Ukraine.
Estonia defense modernization- both in defense budget increase, armed forces increase, and materiel procurement.
UK Ajax news (Not Boxer- my mistake).
8. Germany to procure Arrow-3 missile defense system.
Turkey and Sweden's NATO bid.
Vietnam may purchase India's Brahmos missile(s).
Australia Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV).
US Congress and the US Navy shipbuilding strategy.

Episode 132 is short but lots of nice stories.

In order:

US Army MPF renamed to M10 Booker Combat Vehicle.
Latest news in the Oshkosh JLTV protest.
Defense News Opinion Story on how the US can be successful against a conflict with China. Best part of the article is the description of the 1st and 2d Island Chain (if you didn't know already).
HASC subcommittee (Sea Power & Projection Forces) supports USMC Amphibious vessels.
New US Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) nominated by SECDEF. (Could be a surprise).
Denmark considers procuring submarines.
UK RAF Typhoons intercept Russian aircraft from base in Estonia.
UK Army, 2d Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles, 16th Air Assault Brigade train with India Infantry Company in Wiltshire.
Australia Army Autonomous Resupply Convoy Mission Trial.

Episode 131 is a short episode. Not on purpose- its just shook out that way.

In order:
1. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine.
2. Norway sells F16s to Romania.
3. Sweden ready for temporary NATO basing and combined operations.
4. UK to modify Carriers for Crewed/Un-crewed systems.
5. US-Japan-Taiwan to share drone data.
6. Russia & Chinese joint air patrols in vicinity of Japan.
7. Azerbaijan to purchase C27J Spartan aircraft.
8. US HASC Subcommittee (Tactical Air & Land Forces) marks concerning USAF, USN, & US Army programs.

The theme for episode 130 was definitely Indo-Pacific focused. At the end- out of left field- I threw in a couple materiel stories from Europe. And at the start- we talk a bit about D-Day.

In order:

D-Day anniversary.
China Minister of National Defense remarks at Shangri-La Dialogue.
Canada Indo-Pacific Naval Deployment.
Singapore Defense Minister & Indo-Pacific defense spending.
US HASC discusses China/Ukraine spending.
Turkey and China at Malaysia Defense Exhibition.
US and India discuss defense industry cooperation.
Finland procures Patria (Finland) armored personnel carriers.
Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS) to possibly integrate Joint Fire Support Missile & Naval Strike Missile.

Line up of stories in episode 129. I usually like writing a paragraph, but I thought that I would try something new tonight.

US FMS to Netherlands (MK 41 Naval Missile Cannister).
CJCS discusses M1 Tank and F16 training/fielding.
US Iron Dome news.
Army IFPC Inc. 2 delayed.
Space Force basing.
NZ to possible join AUKUS?
Australia Prime Minister speech from Shangri-La Dialogue.
Iran tests hypersonic missile.

Here we go for episode 128. Lots of stories here. We begin with the latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine- followed by- not a good news story- of equipment from Army Prepositioned Stocks that is/was- not in the best of shape for deployment to Ukraine. We then have two stories from Poland and two from Spain. We then move to a follow-up article on the bizarre Chinese ship that is harvesting WWII wrecks for scrap. Then, on to the Defense Post for three articles- Morocco (Chinese AT Missiles); Sweden (Carl G ammunition); and Norway (retirement of the P3 Orion for P8 Poseidon). Then we have a great story from the UK about 1st Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles training in Australia. Finally- we have the latest on CJCS and USMC Commandant nomination(s) by the President.

A little something different for episode 127. Based on an article from Defense News (D, Wright)- discussing the intercept of a Kh-47 Kinzhal (Dagger-Killjoy) missile in Ukraine by a Patriot system- I decided to spend the whole episode on hypersonic weapons- including the US Army Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) effort.

A little something different for episode 127. Based on an article from Defense News (D, Wright)- discussing the intercept of a Kh-47 Kinzhal (Dagger-Killjoy) missile in Ukraine by a Patriot system- I decided to spend the whole episode on hypersonic weapons- including the US Army Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) effort.

Lots of stories packed in under 45 minutes. Quite a few drone (UAV) and aviation stories. A couple of articles on armored vehicles. And, a very good op-ed from the head of French Land Forces (LTG Bertrand Toujouse) on modernization plans. Plus we have the latest in the US Army Future Tactical UAS program. And somewhere in there, is a US Foreign Military Sales release about a NASAMS (system) going to Ukraine.

Quick-fire episode. Thought I would knock one out. Hope you enjoy it. We have four stories from Europe: Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine; UK to send Unknown Long-Range Drones to Ukraine; Latvia and Estonia procure medium-range Air Defense System(s); and a nice interview from Breaking Defense with the Lithuania Defense Minister (very insightful). Plus, we have two stories from the Pacific: New Zealand Defense Budget and an article by the Defense Post about Australia providing (maritime) surveillance drones to the Philippine (type unknown).

Good episode. We even have 2 x CENTCOM stories. Plus 2 x stories from Spain & 2 x stories from the UK. As usual, we transition from EUCOM to INDO-PACOM- with 2 x stories about Ukraine (on the EUCOM side). Somewhere in there- we discuss an analysis article from National Defense about the recent Australian Strategic Review (April 2023).

I must be on to something here. 2 consecutive episodes at 45 minutes or less. We have 5 x stories (I think) from the Defense Post tonight- all within the last two days. Quick tour of location stories: UK and Netherlands to provide fighter support to Ukraine; France to provide unknown-type missiles to Ukraine; Denmark is working on a new Short Range Air Defense System (SHORAD); Japan & China establish a Defense Hotline; Poland to receive HIMARS and Apaches; and finally- somewhere in there, we have 2 x stories from Australia- one concerning AUKUS submarines and the other about the BAE Type 26 warship controversy. Oh- and new Amphibious warships for Italy. Hope you like the episode.

It's a short episode. Really trying to work under 45 minutes. We'll see how it goes.

We begin with 4 x FMS to Australia, Poland, Slovakia, and Germany. We then cue in on another story from Germany and later in the episode- another story from Poland. We plugged in to a new source for UK defense news- and we have a nice article about a UK-led NATO Exercise in Estonia (SPRING STORM). And, from the Defense News (Print Version, May 2023), we have a trio of stories- a NATO survey, Poland & ADA upgrade, and the development of an EW system for the Armored Multipurpose Vehicle- AMPV. Finally- we have a story from the Indian Navy and their latest Cruise Missile test.

Been a few days since my last episode. but I think this one is pretty strong. First time in awhile with no Indo-PACOM story- oh wait- we have a nice story from Australia concerning their defense budget.

Also- two stories from Germany, two stories from the UK, and the latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine. Finally- two very good US Army stories from Ashely Roque (Breaking Defense): the latest on the IVAS Program & the planned production increase of Javelin Missiles and CLUs.

Episode 120 is posted.
Big day for the UK Armed Forces as they support the Coronation of the new King. Also, we have an article about the NATO Exercise in Scotland. A couple of good stories from Lithuania and Germany-plus a cool story about an unmanned submarine from Israel (very capable system). We come back to the US to cover a bit about the FY24 Army Budget and the Army Secretary is questioned in regards to the recent FLRAA decision.

Fully packed episode. We cover a ton of information- just so many good articles this week to choose from. We have 5 x US Foreign Military Sales (Norway x 2, Latvia, UK, & Czech Republic). Plus, we discuss the latest security assistance package to Ukraine. We then discuss stories from Europe- UK & cUAS Radar system purchase from Sweden; Germany and UK collaboration on 120mm tank ammunition; and the latest in Turkey's drone lethality. We also have stories from the United States Army (FLRAA), USAF (U2 aircraft retirement), Navy (LA Class sub life extension), and USMC (Amphibious ships). We're only missing the Space Force.

All in all- a good episode.

Just can't get away from the long episodes. Good stories though. Two in-depth stories from National Defense- Rail Gun (Japan) & SOCOM/AFSOC Armed Overwatch OA-1K. Then, we have quite a few stories from the Army AAAA conference in Nashville: Lockheed GMLRS Production; Boeing CH-47 Chinook Production Line; Army Aviation Safety Stand-down; and the upcoming Army Aviation-centric EDGE Exercise. And a related story on the Army TITAN system for JADC2 application(s).

Episode 117 is purposely short- under 40 minutes.
Four stories from Europe- two from Germany (HIMARS & BvS10 vehicles); one story from Romania (Turkey TB2 Drones); and one from Turkey (US FMS F16 Avionics).
We then head to the Pacific for three stories (China/Japan/Russia Navy; India Missiles; & Thailand Amphibious Ship) and then on to the US for two Army stories. Great story about the new Sentinel Radar Operational Test and the nomination for the new Army Chief of Staff.

Super-long episode. Quite possible our longest yet. Not sure what's got into me. I'll work on making shorter episodes. Anyway- good stories tonight though. We lead off with information from the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (#11- I think)- held in Germany. We then discuss the UK's 2023 National Security Review through an Opinion Piece (Breaking Defense). Next, on to Japan for a nice naval story and remain in the Pacific to discuss long-range precision missiles for Australia and the US INDO-PACOM. Finally, we finish with three stories on Air & Missile Defense (including counter-UAS) from US CENTCOM, Germany, and India. All in all a good episode- long- but good. Hope you like it.

Sorry that this episode is so long. I guess I got a bit long-winded tonight. Well, it's almost the weekend. We have two Ukraine stories, and three US Army stories- one of which is about the 2023 Best Mortar Competition. We have two stories from Australia, one story from Canada, and one from the UK. Finally- our last story discusses the new Amphibious Training Course that the USMC is working on to integrate the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) into their formations safely. Safely is the key word.

Episode 114 is all over the map. Sorry about the disjointed feel of the stories. We start with 2 x stories from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency- Morocco Foreign Military Sale(s). We then have two Ukraine support articles from Spain and Canada. We then move on with two aviation stories from Brazil and South Korea. Finally, we finish in the US with three stories- DEMSHORAD; FY24 DOD Budget Unfunded Priority List; and an Opinion piece about USMC Force Design & Talent Management 2030.

Episode 113 has ten stories- three of which involve submarines (US-UK-Japan). Most of our stories come from Defense News- in fact all but two. We have three stories that involve Army modernization (ISV; IBCS; and Watercraft). Plus- two aircraft stories: Italy (Electronic Attack) & Romania (F35s). Finally, a cool article from National Defense (April 2023 edition)- about Israel's Direct Energy, Iron Beam Air Defense weapon.

Nice stories across the board. Two stories from NATO's newest member (Finland) and two stories from the UK. Plus, a very Interesting article from Canada on the future, layered Arctic surveillance system. And a well-written story from Defense News (V. Machi) about France's plan to increase the military budget. Also in there, we have some Indo-Pacific stories as well.

It was one year ago today.

The I - On Defense Podcast's first episode. It was rough at the start- and not much has changed. Thanks for tuning in- and sticking around- for one or all of our episodes.
This episode takes us around the world as usual. But the big story is in the US. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has upheld the Army's selection of the Bell V-280 Valor as the winner of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft competition.

Tune in to this episode for many more stories including- the latest in the Navy/USMC Amphibious ship program; update on the ASW competition in Guam; Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine; Defense Budget in Canada; UK Cavalry participating in the UN Mission in Cyprus- plus much more.

It's a great episode for our one year anniversary.

110 is a long episode. It's the weekend- why not.
Two stories from Germany- Leopard 2 Tanks vs South Korean K2 Tanks (in European market); and the procurement of PzH2000 155mm artillery systems. And two stories from the UK- New Army Cap Badges (in honor of King Charles) and robotic combat vehicle testing.
We also have our usual US defense items- JLTV production; BAE plant in York, PA does some rearranging to meet AMPV & ACV production needs; and finally a decision on the latest San Antonio Class Amphibious ship. Somewhere in there- we have some cool stories from Canada (ASW Exercise in Guam); Japan (c UAS system prototypes); and Australia (RAAF moving 1 million year old ice core samples from Antarctica to Tasmania).

Is that incredible or what?

Lots of stories in this episode. We start with 2 x Foreign Military Sales for Bahrain & Kuwait and end up in the Sea of Japan for some US/Japan/South Korea Naval news- with stops in Redstone Arsenal Alabama, Spain, UK, New Zealand, and Singapore along the way.

Pretty cool episode. We start off discussing the latest US security assistance package to Ukraine.
Then, we cover two main themes- the Arctic region and then the Pacific. For the Arctic region- we have two stories involving military collaboration. One between the US and Canada and their ski-equipped C 130 landing on ice and the second story involving a combined airborne operation (parachute jump) by the UK Royal Marines & Dutch forces. Also, somewhere in there, is an article that discusses planning for a NATO Northern Flank air collaboration between Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden.
For the Pacific, we have two stories from Australia (Boxer & Taipan), one from North Korea (Underwater Drone), and one that illustrates some USMC unfunded priority concerns- particularly for the San Antonio Class amphibious ship.

Finally- we close out with a nice anti-tank missile story from Egypt.

Lots of stories packed into such a short episode. We have five stories on combat vehicles- ranging from M1 Tanks to 30mm Stryker to M-SHORAD. We also have a couple of updates on security assistance to Ukraine (US & Slovakia). And an article about US - India intelligence cooperation. Also- some where in there we have a story about US-Japan-South Korea reaction to another North Korean ICBM launch.

I admit that episode 106 could be a bit dry. We cover the USMC and USN budget with some detail. We also discuss 3 x Foreign Military Sales to Poland, Australia, and Greece. We also talk about the UK Army procuring Archer 155mm artillery systems from Sweden. Finally, somewhere in there is a follow-up from the last episode- AUKUS story- and some reaction(s) from Australia.

Episode 105 is a pretty good episode. We have quite a few stories from Eastern Europe- including the MQ-9 Drone incident with Russia over the Black Sea- and other stories from Poland, Romania, and Lithuania. We cover the latest on the AUKUS agreement announced in San Diego this week between the US, UK , and Australia. Finally, we cover some US Army stories- some budget stuff, AMPV fielding, and the potential location of a new Multi-Domain Task Force. Also in there is the latest in Finland's bid to join NATO.

Episode 104 has two separate themes that have stories from Europe and the Pacific. Some stories from the Pacific include-the US Indo-Pacific Budget request; 3d Multi-Domain Task Force (Hawaii) to be fully operational in May 23; Taiwan upgrading their M60A3 tanks (who knew?); and some interesting news concerning Australia's pursuit of nuclear submarines and the AUKUS agreement. From the European side- we discuss a bit about the Defense Summit in Paris between the UK & France; Romania's interest in a battalion's worth of M1 tanks; and a story about Estonia's testing for a new sniper rifle. Plus, we have started coverage of the US Defense Budget cycle- with more stories to come.

Episode 103 is all over the place. I tried to tie and link stories together based upon a common theme- region, service, capability, domain, etc. Anyway- we start with 2 x US Foreign Military Sales- Javelins to Australia & E2-D Hawkeyes to Japan. We also cover the Oshkosh protest to the GAO reference the latest Army JLTV (and Trailer) contract. We cover defense funding for Japan and China. And also a mystery to solve on which NATO country will receive Elbit Artillery systems (ATMOS & PULS). Hints will be provided. Finally- somewhere in there, we have another Army Futures Command story- which I always like doing.

Episode 102 is a bit long. We cover stories from the UK, Australia, Taiwan, Iran, and of course, the US. Plus, we discuss the latest security assistance package to Ukraine. One of the featured stories from this episode is the "fireside chat" from CNAS with the Honorable Doug Bush (ASA AL&T) and the Commanding General, Army Futures Command - GEN Rainey. We finish the episode with the latest in Finland bid to join NATO.

Episode 101 is in the books- and I decided at the last minute not to sing Rendezvous With Destiny (sorry).
We start with a US Foreign Military Sale to the UK for Javelin Missile Systems and then continue with the UK for a nice story about 216 (Para) Signal Squadron transmitting data from Belize to Colchester, UK (16 Air Assault BCT HQ) via ATAK.
We also have a series of acquisition stories about Japan & Tomahawks; Finland and the great NLAW; Poland and IFVs; and finally- a potential development of manufacturing precision guided munitions in Australia (in concert with US Industry). Finally- we close out with two great stories: One from Defense News (Jen Judson) that gives us the latest in the US Army's Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System Program; & an interesting and perhaps controversial story from the Marine Corps Times about USMC Scout Sniper reorganization.

Episode 100 is in the books. This episode we have two stories from the DoD website- one discusses the $2 billion security assistance package to Ukraine and the other discusses the new USNS Cody. We also talk about the latest news from the missile launch events by North Korea last week. In addition, we discuss the FA-50 fighter(s) that Malaysia just selected. Somewhere in there we have a story from the Naval Defence & Security Exposition in Dubai. And finally- a really nice story from the UK- as King Charles visits Ukraine Recruit training provided by the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and the UK Ranger Regiment- along with instructors from the New Zealand, Australian and Canadian forces.

Episode 99 is a short episode- compared to the last few. We begin with a 155mm ammunition story from the Defense Post. Next, we introduce the International Defense Exposition (IDEX) from Dubai, UAE. From the photographs (via Breaking Defense)- it looks very exciting with lots of interesting exhibits. We have a good story about the USMC & Japan participating in the Iron Fist Exercise (in Japan for the 1st time). Also- we have some Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) Commentary- in support of the Sikorsky variant. Finally, a fantastic story from the UK Defence Journal that discusses the latest Gurkha Recruit Intake '23.

Another good episode- Yes, I am biased. Great Ukraine training stories- combined arms training from the US (Mech Infantry Battalion & Artillery) and Infantry Training from Australia. We also have two new sources- the UK Defence Journal and the Asia Military Review- and we discuss a story from each- actually two from the UK Defence Journal. Also- somewhere in there we talk about M142 HIMARS for the Netherlands via a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS). Finally- the CH47 Chinooks are back flying via a new part.

In this episode, we spend a fair amount of time discussing news from the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting #9. We use the DOD Transcript from Brussels as the source document. Also, we discuss Latvia's increase in defense spending (up to 3% GDP in the future) to purchase materiel such as M142 HIMARS and Naval Strike Missiles. We also discuss a story about the Finland and Sweden bid to join NATO. Finally, we talk about the "Object" over Lake Huron in Michigan- this time being shot down by an F16 fighter.

Episode 96 is complete (and not 95 as I kept mentioning in the episode).
We begin with the latest news in Balloons or flying objects. Whatever they are, the F22 seems to have 0 problems in shooting them down. Next, we talk about the collaboration between the UK, Italy, and Japan for their 6th generation fighter project. We then cover a commentary piece from Defense News that recommends one tank model for use in Ukraine (spoiler alert- Leopard 2). Finally we end the episode with two shoulder-launch munition stories- always a favorite with the podcast.

Episode 95 takes us around the world. Below are the destinations:
Singapore for Air-Ground Munitions FMS.
Poland for M142 HIMARS + ammunition FMS.
Taiwan & Long Range Missiles.
N. Korea & ICBMs.
Japan and military hardware restructuring.
UK and training for Ukraine Military- Pilots; Marines; and Tank Crews.
Ireland Naval story.
US Army's new JLTV Contract.
US Army Project Convergence 24.

Episode 94 may be a bit disjointed but I assure you- all the stories are good. We begin with a tale that- I hope- contrasts the thrill of victory (F22 Raptor) and the agony of defeat (Chinese Surveillance Balloon). Plus, we have a couple of International stories from South Korea and the Czech Republic. Somewhere in there is another story about the V-22 Osprey and the (reoccurring?) clutch issue. Finally- we get in some (not much) detail about the US and the UK approaches to defense acquisition materiel.

Episode 93 has the latest Ukraine equipment news from France and the US. Plus, we have the latest update in Army Vehicle Modernization- in particular the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) & the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF). A couple of good stories from the Defense Post- Javelins to Poland & Leopard Tanks (upgraded) to Norway. And finally- what's up with this Chinese Balloon- literally & figuratively?

Episode 92 is- what I consider- a pretty assorted episode. I enjoy having international stories on the podcast and this episode has five of them: 2 from Sweden; 1 from Finland; 1 for the UK; and 1 from Japan. We also round out the episode with our first US Navy Project Overmatch story (& hope many more to follow) and an article of commentary about USMC Aviation from 3 x Retired Marine General Officers. The content is great- I just hope my delivery matches the content!

In episode 91, we continue the tank discussion with Canada and Poland providing (more) tanks to Ukraine. We also discuss France's contract with Saab for AT4 shoulder-launched munitions. We have a story from Tim Martin (Breaking Defense) on Germany's modernization plan for their Army. And another great story from Jen Judson (Defense News) on the latest in the US Army's Common Tactical Truck competition. Finally- we talk about the IVAS- as mentioned in the Director's Operational Test & Evaluation Annual Report.

Tanks and Ukraine were the big topic this week. We try to sum it all up in episode 90. We also discuss 155mm ammunition and the M198 towed howitzer. It was my opinion that 155mm ammo was the biggest-little story of 2022- and it may continue into 2023. Finally we finish the episode with a great article from USNI that discusses Japan's Naval modernization.

Long episode. Probably too long. I could have cut some of the content and streamlined it...but I packed it- so I have to ride it in (so to speak).

We spend some time on the 8th session of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany. I also go over the press conference, from the event, by Sec Defense Austin and CJCS GEN Milley. From there- we go into a USMC story that I have been thinking about for some time. And finally, we do our 2d US Space Force story and the Lines of Effort for this new service. This organization is young- and any guidance from senior leadership to serve as a bedrock for the future- is needed. Also in there- we discuss France's commitment to increase defense spending over the next 5 years.

Episode 88 is pretty close to 30 minutes. Big news in the latest US security assistance package to Ukraine is 90 Stryker vehicles is on the list. Two 155mm stories from Denmark and Sweden- which those systems- Caesar (Denmark) and Archer (Sweden) are headed to Ukraine. Also- who doesn't like a good mortar story- especially a mobile mortar system. Finally- we have a great story from Breaking Defense that discusses the British Army's Future Soldier Modernization strategy. Somewhere in there, we explain why the US Army's NGSW-R is now called the XM7 and not the XM5.

Had fun working on the stories from episode 87 and I hope you enjoy listening. We start off with an update on the armor platforms that are being committed to Ukraine. I work a math problem on how to build a US-type armored brigade- measured against the list of platforms that are being committed. Next, we discuss the Bradley training in Germany- by the US- for Ukrainian Soldiers. Remember last episode, when we discussed that the US is sending 50 BFVs to Ukraine.
Next, we talk about Estonia and their increased purchase of KP 155mm SP howitzers. Also thrown in there- is a story about Japan's aim to increase in defense spending. Finally- a great story about the Sikorsky FLRAA protest that was submitted to the GAO in late December.

Full episode loaded with lots of great stories. Tanks are going to Ukraine- and from the looks of it- 2 x Companies worth- 12 Challengers from the UK and 12 Leopards from Poland. Also- we discuss the stationing of two Iron Dome Batteries at Fort Lewis, Washington. In addition, we discuss a little bit about the (new) 12th Marine Littoral Regiment's basing in Okinawa, Japan. In other stories- we discuss upcoming Patriot training to be held in Fort Sill, OK for Ukraine. And finally, a story about the new Mechanized Infantry Division being built by Poland- along the border with Belarus.

It's a long episode (didn't plan it that way though). We had to spend some time on the latest security assistance package to Ukraine. It includes Bradley Fighting Vehicles and a lot of artillery. In addition, we have three articles from the Breaking Defense website: #1: Discusses the latest armored vehicles heading to Ukraine; #2. A great update on the Army's IVAS program; and #3. A story about the USMC and their Air & Missile Defense effort that includes the Iron Dome system. And as a bonus- some unnecessary commentary from me on why Stryker Formations strive to maintain a light-fighter ethos.

Lots of different stories in this episode. First- we recap a story from last episode concerning the Guam Missile Defense Architecture. Jen Judson from Defense News does a great job summarizing what I was trying to say in episode 83. Next, we have an interesting story of Iran repurposing civilian ships into combat vessels- and in this story- a drone carrier. Then, we have two modernization stories from India. Plus, an article about CH-47 F models Chinooks heading to Egypt. Almost done here- we have a great story from Breaking Defense about 2d Brigade, 3d Infantry Division and their upcoming trip to the National Training Center. They are deploying with the most upgraded legacy armored vehicles in the Army. Finally, we another armored vehicle story. This one concerns France- who is sending 105mm Armored Gun Systems- the AMX-10RC- in support of Ukraine. Lots of stuff in 35 minutes or less.

In case you haven't heard- it's 2023. So, I thought we would start the new year by covering some light topics such as Hypersonic Missiles and Missile Defense Architecture. Plus- we have a part 2 concerning the Sikorsky FLRAA protest. And finally, I weigh in (needlessly) on if the Bradley is a light tank or not (it isn't?).

Is this the last episode for 2022? Could be. We have three...count them...three back-to-back-to-back stories concerning Lithuania. We also cover the Foreign Military Sale of the Volcano AT Mine System to Taiwan. In addition, we talk about the growing drama surrounding the Army's Future Vertical Lift- Future Long Range Assault Aircraft program- in which the Bell V-280 Valor was announced as the winner. Sikorsky has filed a protest to the decision (released earlier this month). This is a story that we will be watching with interest.

Unprecedented for the podcast- 4 x Naval Stories ( 2 x US; 1 x Japan; & 1 x Spain). Plus, we have two stories from Finland- one concerning the Saab MANPADS RBS-70 & one that discusses three variants of the SPIKE Missile. Finally, we have another SWITCHBLADE 600 story- this time from Lithuania.

Happy Holidays to everyone. Here in the US, it's cold everywhere so stay warm- especially if you are listening in the Mid-West & Upper Plains. Use this as an opportunity to listen to the podcast by the fire.
In this episode we discuss the latest assistance package to Ukraine- which includes 1 x Patriot Battery. We also discuss the potential impact of a Patriot Battery in Ukraine. We also talk about B2 Spirit Bombers, the Japanese Defense Budget, and the latest Anti-Submarine Ship for India. Somewhere in there, we discuss the FY23 Budget.

Lots of stories in this episode. We start out with the FY23 Defense Budget, Things are moving and it looks like things are getting sorted out- maybe before the 23 Dec 22 deadline. Also- three stories from the Defense Post- 2 concerning 155mm ammunition (becoming our favorite subject) and one about Germany's latest assault rifle. We also discuss a fine article from Jen Judson (at Defense News) and the Army's Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) effort. Finally, somewhere in there- we have a Saab Carl G article (10 year contract with Latvia)- which as you know- we just can't resist any shoulder-launched munition story. Oh- and a great story about the Prototype Mid-Range Capability Battery (can't miss that one).

Episode 78 has us following up on a few stories that we covered in previous episodes such as the DOD Maintenance Awards, Combined Arms training for Ukraine, and the FY23 NDAA. Plus we have some new stories- Australia's new Drone Sub and basing for MQ-9 Reaper Drones. And finally, what's going on with the procurement of tanks for Norway? That's a question and not a quote.

Another long episode (breaking the 30 minute barrier...again). We get a bit in depth on the FY 23 NDAA. Sorry- had to. But, we have some good materiel stuff in there as well. UK orders more of the fantastic NLAW (from Saab) plus our first story on the USMC Advanced Recon Vehicle (ARV) - the Cottonmouth. Also somewhere in there are comments from USMC Commandant- GEN David Berger- and finally- we discuss the latest Security Assistance Package to Ukraine from 09 Dec 2022.

Busy episode (37 minutes plus). We manage to cover three Foreign Military Sales as reported by the Def Sec Cooperation Agency plus the latest news concerning the FY23 NDAA. We also discuss a great article from National Defense (Nov issue) on the Army's plans to modernize Infantry weapons (rifles, machine guns, mortars, & shoulder launched munitions). Finally-somewhere in there- we talk about the 50 kw Laser equipped DE-MSHORAD (Stryker).

Two big stories.

Future Vertical Lift (Army Modernization Priority #3) contract awarded to Bell V-280 as the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).

Army plans to increase production of key munitions including: 155MM ammo; Javelins; Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (munitions); and NASAMS (systems).

EP 74 is the 2d episode within 24 hours. Just getting to stories that I could not get to in EP 73. Two good stories from The Defense Post- one concerning possible combined arms training provided by the US (in Germany)- and the 2d discusses Unmanned Ground Vehicles that will be provided by Germany to Ukraine for the purposes of Route Clearance & Casualty Evacuation. Finally, we (try to) discuss defense funding- first with Poland's modernization efforts and then- the ever contentious US National Defense Authorization Act (and subsequent Appropriations Bill).

Full packed show discussing 3 x FMS to Finland & Qatar. Nice story from National Defense concerning a dismounted cUAS system. And finally, two stories of major end item(s) modernization: B21 Raider Bomber and the potential replacement for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle- also known as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV).

Lots of International Stories in Episode 72. Established theme in many countries shows an increase in Defense spending. The stories in EP 72 illustrate (hopefully) this theme.

Quick moving episode 71. We discuss latest US security assistance package to Ukraine along with Brimstone-2 missiles from the UK. Along with a Space Force story, we also add a USMC one (ACV). We close out PC '22 with another story on the TITAN system. Somewhere toward the end- we do a quick update on the latest IVAS and FLRAA news.

Longest episode yet. We've talked about new US Army FM 3.0 (Operations) for awhile. So now brace yourself- this is the where we finally tackle the manual (released in October 2022). I do my best to show comparisons between the 2022 version and the previous 2017 edition. Plus- I spend some time on each chapter. I could have split the subject into two episodes- but I decided to push it all into one.

We cover the press conference by Sec. Austin & CJCS GEN Milley + DOD Contracts to continue assistance to Ukraine and replenish US weapon stockpiles. We also have a 6th Project Convergence story. Will there be a 7th? Hope so. And finally- we talk a bit more about the Ia Drang Valley Campaign (Vietnam 1965). This time we briefly discuss the Battle at LZ Albany between the 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry & (3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile)) vs PAVN regulars.

Enjoyed this episode. We talked a bit about HIMARS and the M3/M4 Carl Gustaf. Plus we did our 5th (I think) Project Convergence story. This involved modernization efforts from the UK & Australia. And finally- we talked about the 57th anniversary of the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. From 14-16 November 1965, elements from the 1st & 2d Battalions of the 7th Cavalry Regiment (Garry Owen), 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile)- fought valiantly and outnumbered against a tough and determined foe - units from the Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN).

Lots of stories in episode 67. Hopefully it's not too rambling. We talk a bit about Ukraine support efforts that include assistance packages and training- plus the US creates a new command to oversee their efforts in this arena. We also discuss France's Strategic Review- and finally, another Project Convergence story involving Space integration into a JADC2 platform (TITAN).

EP 66 is (mostly) an all Breaking Defense Episode. We discuss information concerning the latest US Security package to Ukraine- including T-72s & HAWK Missiles. We also cover a insightful story concerning Russian ISR failures in Ukraine. And finally, we discuss Norway's acquisition of 155mm(s) from Hanwha Defense (S. Korea).
+ somewhere in there- we talk about Belgium & AMRAAM missiles.

In this episode, we discuss 2 x FMS cases to Australia and Finland- along with the latest US Security Assistance package to Ukraine. We also discuss a great story on mobile mortar systems plus some OMFV news. In addition, somewhere in the episode we discuss B52s.

This is an international episode as we cover military and defence stories from the UK, Australia, and Turkey.

Episode done in a hurry. JADC2 stuff.

Back for another Project Convergence story. This one discusses the Joint JADC2 efforts with statements of support from senior USMC, USAF, and Army Officials. We also cover the latest Foreign Military Sales to Pacific Allies -Japan and Australia + we discuss the MLRS deal between Poland and South Korea & finally we talk about the German Air Defense System that is being provided to Ukraine.

Quite a range of stories in this episode. We talk about the increase in HIMARS production and the Common Tactical Truck Competition. Plus, we have an Air Force story concerning the new B21 Stealth Bomber and finally- our second story about Project Convergence '22.

Finally, we get to our first story on Project Convergence '22. This is the Army's Learning Experiment for new technology and integration among the Services plus Allied partners from UK & Australia. We also discuss France's effort to train Soldiers from Ukraine (in France). In addition- we talk about the Javelin's Lightweight Command Launch Unit (CLU) as it goes into Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP). And we briefly discuss the latest Security Assistance Package to Ukraine.

How to describe Ep 59? Probably jumbled. Bear with the episode as I try to cover some highlights from the AUSA Conference that occurred from 10-12 October 2022 in Washington D.C.

In episode 58, we spend some time discussing the FLRAA competition. We read an article in support each competitor ( Bell vs Boeing/Lockheed/Sikorsky) describing why their system is right for the FLRAA role. This is anticipation that the winner will be announced this week at the AUSA Conference in Washington D.C.. We also discuss some of the 24 Army Modernization Programs that the Secretary and CSA want in Soldiers' hands in FY23. Finally, we give an update on the F35 Delivery Waiver signed by Dr. Bill LaPlante (Senior DoD Acquisition Official).

In this episode, we finally get to discuss the latest in IVAS news (it has been awhile). We also talk about two Army units- activation of the new 52d Air Defense Artillery Brigade in Germany & the modernization of the 2d ABCT / 3 Infantry Division (Dogface Soldiers) of Fort Stewart, GA. Finally, somewhere in there- we discuss the latest FMS of NASAMS to Kuwait.

A busy episode. We start out discussing the US DOD Policy on cluster munitions and then transition into the latest security package to Ukraine. We then briefly discuss the US USD A&S appearance in Brussels during a session of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Other topics covered are the planned production of the SAAB CARL G shoulder-launch munitions (M4) in India, the new AFC Commander (GEN J. Rainey), and the big story of grounded USAF C130H models (propeller issue).

In this episode, we discuss the latest security assistance package (28 Sep) to Ukraine and give a complete roll-up of assistance (so far). We also discuss two US Army stories: the Precision Strike Missile contract and a nice update on how the 4th & 5th SFABs are supporting the Compete Phase of US MDO (Multi-Domain Operations) in Europe & the Indo-Pacific. Plus, we always like a good shoulder-launch munition story and we have a good one that talks about the NAMMO M72 EC that is going to Finland. Finally, we have 2 x US Space Force stories.

We spend a fair amount of time on four Direct Energy Weapon efforts by the DOD. Plus, we scour the DOD official website for interesting recent news including the BG Ryder Press brief from 27 Sep 22- and a few other interesting items.

Episode 53 finds us discussing many topics. First, we provide an update on the AFSOC CV-22 Osprey clutch issue and the Service's plan to mitigate risk. Then, we talk about France's approach to defense acquisition in response to the turbulent conditions in Europe. Finally, we provide some US Army organizational news- specifically- the activation of the 3d Multi-Domain Task Force at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

We cover two articles that discuss the impact on US stockpiles from the multiple security assistance packages to Ukraine. We detail of some of the most impacted weapon systems. We also quickly (or not so quickly) talk about the latest DOD Press briefing from 20 September 2022.

100% of this episode discusses Poland's current (& recent) modernization efforts (since 2020).

Apologize in advance for the volume late in the episode. Not sure what happened.

BPT turn up volume at 15:25 (minutes : seconds).

Episode 50 has us discussing the Army's Synthetic Training Environment (STE) enabling effort to produce the One World Terrain in support of training systems. We also discuss the latest Foreign Military Sales to Taiwan and China's reaction. Pretty heavy stuff for this Podcast- but we got through it.

In episode 49, we finally discuss the Army's Next Generation Fixed Wing ISR Program (HADES). In addition, we highlight the Army Secretary's comments at the Maneuver Warfighter Conference held this week at Fortress Benning + the latest Security Assistance Package to Ukraine.

We discuss the latest Security Assistance Package to Ukraine which includes 155mm delivered Remote Anti-Tank Mines (RAAM) + Army Futures Command new (potential) 4-Star is Nominated & finally- the F35 makes headlines again.

It's not often we discuss Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Test Launches, but we do in this episode. We also take a dive into the Army Futures Command and their relationship with the ASA ALT. Plus, we give a rundown of all the 4-Star positions in DOD.

Episode 46 is a hasty episode covering the latest US Army IVAS news. + who can resist an F35B story?

In episode 45, we discuss the return to flight of AFSOC CV-22s + the latest US & Iran competition incident in the Red Sea. We also discuss Foreign Military Sales to Taiwan. In addition, we introduce the Biden Administration Nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research Development, and Acquisition (ASN RDA).

In Episode 44, we discuss the the grounding of the US Army fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters. Plus, we follow up on the recent news concerning Australia's recent purchase of Blackhawk- and now Seahawk helicopters. And finally, we discuss Sweden's purchase of small arms & machine gun thermal sights.

Ep 43 takes a dive into delivery information on NASAMS - VAMPIRE c-UAS - Switchblade 600 systems. Plus we discuss the Australian MHR-90 Taipan replacement. Plus-plus, we talk about two Senior DOD Acquisition Executives' visit to HIMARS facility in Arkansas- and we also throw in a USMC Force Design 2030 story.

In episode 42, we discuss the latest security assistance package to Ukraine + two Foreign Military sales- one to Morocco & one to Australia. In addition, we discuss the M1 SEP v3 Tank(s) sale to Poland & also- planned upgrades to the USAF B52H.

We danced around it for a few episodes, but now we dive in to JADC2. Plus- we have some nice and easy coverage about the US Army's work on the CATV & UAS programs and my favorite...Water Trailers (Bison & Bison Lite).

In episode 40, we discuss the latest security package to Ukraine plus USMC Osprey news.

In this episode, we discuss the Army Tactical Truck competition plus an update on the USAF F35 Lightning II ejection seat inspections. We also cover the CV-22 Osprey fleet grounding and a little bit more on the Multi-Domain Task Force.

In episode 38, we discuss the Army's Multi-Domain Task Force with (some) detail on the Strategic Fires Battalion.

In this episode we discuss the latest assistance package to Ukraine that includes the M18 Claymore Mine. Also the Army has plans to field Directed Energy weapons on two platforms. And finally we talk about the top defense companies in the world. Oh, we also throw some Foreign Military Sales information for good measure.

In this episode, we discuss a wide range of topics- from the SOCOM Armed Overwatch program decision to IVAS & FLRAA news.

In this episode, we discuss the potential sale of 35 x F35A Models to Germany + the latest news on the F35 Ejection Seat issue.

In this episode, we discuss all things F35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (Lockheed Martin).

In this episode, we discuss the latest US package to Ukraine- which includes over 500 Phoenix Ghost Loitering Munitions. Plus, we discuss the possible integration of IVAS & ENVG-B systems into Army Close Combat Formations.

In this episode (32), we discuss the latest HIMARS package to Ukraine plus some basic information on the Senate Armed Service Committee (SASC) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) FY 23.

Episode 31 is the all USMC episode. We discuss some of the USMC Force Design 2030 equipment plus some commentary on the Stand In Forces concept and even throw in the M777 155mm.

In this episode, we discuss a few stories about the USMC Modernization 2030 effort. Plus, we discuss the latest security assistance package to Ukraine- including 155mm precision ammunition.

In episode 29, we discuss the latest US troop assignments in Europe plus some information about the future Bradley replacement vehicle- the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV).

Latest US Security Assistance Package sends Surface to Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) to Ukraine.

Episode27 is a special report on the selection of General Dynamics Land Systems to build the US Army Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF). This effort falls under one of the six priorities for the Army's Modernization Strategy- Next Generation Combat Vehicle (Priority #2).

In Episode 26, we discuss Mobile Artillery systems (155mm) that were recently displayed during the Eurosatory Defense Expo (2022) in Paris, France. Watch for information about these systems on our Twitter account- @defense_podcast.

In Episode 25, we discuss the latest defense security package to Ukraine. Plus, the Army's IVAS program is still under scrutiny from the HASC. Finally, we talk (just a bit) about the House Appropriations Committee Defense Bill for FY23.

In this episode (24) of the I - On Defense Podcast, we talk about the Eurosatory Defense and Security Global Event that occurred last week in Paris. Plus some US Army Arctic news and the upcoming down-select of a new Cold weather All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV).

In Episode 23, we discuss counter-fire radar systems and possible replacements for the M240 medium machine gun at platoon level (dismounted).

We cover a lot of information in Episode 22. We discuss the recent hearing on the FY23 Army budget request and the HASC concerns with tactical missile system replenishment (anti-air & anti-tank), future aerial ISR platforms, and the small arms & (machine gun) industrial base.

In Episode 21, we discuss the USSOCOM Armed Over-watch Aircraft competition. Plus, we discuss the delay of the Army doctrinal publication that will codify the Multi-Domain Concept as Doctrine.

In Episode 20 of the I - On Defense Podcast, we talk about the GAO Report concerning the selection of Redstone Arsenal (Alabama) as the next US Space Command HQ.
We also list the Top 10 Defense Companies from 2021.

In this episode of the I - On Defense Podcast, we discuss the first fielding of the Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon - Rifle & Automatic Rifle (NGSW - R & AR). We also discuss the USMC M27 and the Infantry Counter-Defilade gap.

In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the M142 HIMARS and the capability it can provide to current, potential, future users.

In this episode, we explore the House Armed Service Tactical Air & Land Subcommittee hearing on the FY 2023 Army Modernization Programs (dated 17 May 2022). The SLRC project- part of the Army's Long Range Precision Fires priority- takes a funding hit.

In episode 16, we discuss the high points from the CSIS USMC Force Design 2030 Panel discussion plus some details on the activation of the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska.

In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the Army's Cross Functional Teams (CFTs). In addition, we discuss the USSOCOM interest in the JLTV mounted Spike missile system.

In Episode 14, we discuss three articles from the Modern Day Marine 2022 event that occurred this week in Washington D.C.. In addition, we talk about the future of Stryker vehicles in Alaska, as the 11th Airborne Division makes the news again.

In this episode, we discuss the Army maneuver divisions plus the importance of a strong NCO Corps.

In this episode, we recap a previous USMC modernization story plus the Infantry Squad Vehicle is being fielded into Army units. Also- a historic Airborne Division is slated for a comeback in Alaska.

In this episode, we discuss the Biden administration's latest defense request package to Ukraine plus US Marine Corps support to US EUCOM.

In Episode Number 9 (Number 9, Number 9...), we discuss the roll up of US arms and equipment sent to Ukraine between December 2021 and 21 April 2022.

In Episode 08, we break down the 18 April 2022, DOD Inspector General Report concerning the US Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS).

Welcome one and all!

This week on Episode 07:

Big news from the Army on the Next Generation Squad Weapon. Plus, another great article concerning three Army modernization programs. And finally- as promised- the Top 10 Army shoulder sleeve insignias. Some may surprise you.

On this episode of I - On Defense Podcast, we discuss the USMC Force Design 2030.

In this episode, we update the US Combatant Commands and their correlation with the Fab Four Beatles. We also discuss the latest arms shipment from the US to Ukraine.

In this episode of I - On Defense, we discuss (ramble on) the Infantry Squad Vehicle and touch on Chapter 9 of the Bernard Falls classic "Street With No Joy". Also the anticipated correlation of the Fab Four Beatles and the US Combatant Commands. And finally, the answer to a question that nobody is asking- "How long is the average daily commute for the US worker from their home to their job"?

Discussion about the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF), the latest NAMMO M72 LAW variants, and how great Van Halen is/was.

Next Episode we will correlate the Beatles with the US Combatant Commands- weird right?

Today on I-ON DEFENSE, we'll discuss LAWs, MAWs, & HAWs and also the selected Fire Control System for the Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon program.

-Introduction
-Russia-Ukraine surprises/not surprises
-Where I get my Russia-Ukraine news