Above photo: From Orinoco Tribune/Twitter. “The Legal Process is Far From Over in Cape Verde” – Femi Falana “Detention of Venezuelan Diplomat Alex Saab is a Barbarity” – Baltasar Garzon Real The International Defence Team of Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab wishes to condemn the numerous ill-informed statements that have been made about the status of the legal process underway in Cape Verde. Femi Falana, SAN, who heads up Alex Saab’s ECOWAS Defence commented “Contrary to some of the statements which have been made in the media, the legal process is far from over and His Excellency Alex Saab will not be going to […]
Defence
159 posts
Poland has confirmed it will acquire Turkish-made armed drones. “We have signed a contract for the purchase of four sets, that is, 24 aircraft armed with anti-tank missiles,” Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on the air of Polish Radio 24, announcing the purchase of Bayraktar TB2 armed drones. The first medium-altitude, long-range tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system is due to be delivered in the coming year, according to Mariusz Blaszczak. ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW The new drone system was developed by Kale-Baykar, a joint venture of Baykar Makina and the Kale Group. It can perform reconnaissance, intelligence, and […]
Rendering credit Oleksandr Mamay SE SPC Iskra, the Ukrainian manufacturer of surveillance radar systems, is revealing details of its new multi-mission radar, called the 1L300 Mangust (Mongoose). The Ukrainian company has developed a project for a new multi-mission radar capable detects and classifies all types of aerial threats and generates a real-time Air Situation Picture (ASP). In a recent interview with Security Talks, director of SE SPC Iskra Yuriy Pashchenko said that the new Mangust radar will provide long-range air defense, air surveillance and fire control capabilities. ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW The 1L300 Mangust radar is a mobile radar that […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107626/14/1076261446_0:160:3072:1888_1200x675_80_0_0_4ab53df00697281457c2ef9deca9564f.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/military/202010141080770524-two-tu-160s-flew-over-barents-norwegian-north-seas-defence-ministry-says/ MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Two strategic missile carriers Tu-160 flew over the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas, escorted by aircraft from the Royal Air Force and the Royal Norwegian Air Force, the Russian Defence Ministry reports. “Two strategic missile carriers Tu-160 performed a planned flight in the airspace over neutral waters of the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas,” the statement says. It is noted that the flight’s duration was 12 hours. “At certain stages of the route, the strategic missile carriers were escorted by the MiG-31 fighters of the Russian Navy, as well as the […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/08/1080709988_6:0:1277:715_1200x675_80_0_0_117dede4d05ea519c57476137aa6eea4.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Tim Korso. Sputnik International https://sputniknews.com/asia/202010081080709949-azerbaijans-ministry-of-defence-posts-video-of-alleged-destruction-of-armenian-armoured-column/ Baku stated that it has launched a counter-offensive in response to alleged attacks by the Armenian military along the line of contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Yerevan later accused Azerbaijan of shelling the Holy Saviour Cathedral in the city of Shushi in Karabakh, injuring civilians, including a journalist, although Baku has denied this. Azerbaijan claims to have destroyed an Armenian armoured column in the latest escalation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The country’s Ministry of Defence said that Yerevan was trying to move the column during the day, but came under Azerbaijani artillery […]
Facebook and other technology giants have become the subject of controversy, being accused by government bodies of stymieing competition with their acquisition of other companies as well as impacting politics and freedom of expression. Legal representatives of Facebook Inc. have warned that attempting to break-up social media giants like Instagram and WhatsApp would defy established law, cost billions, and harm consumers. Amid rising antitrust legal threats, the lawyers produced a 14-page document, reportedly seen by The Wall Street Journal, which includes a glimpse of the social media giant’s defense. According to the WSJ, the document was formulated based on work it commissioned from legal officers […]
Iran’s Air Defence Troops already operate four battalions of upgraded S-300PMU2s, including launchers themselves plus the accompanying target detection and designation radar equipment. Furthermore, the country’s domestic defence industries have created a range of first-rate air defence systems, including the Bavar 373 and the Khordad-3. Moscow would have “no problem” selling its S-400 air defence system to Iran, Russian Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan has said. “As you know, S-300s have already been delivered. Russia has no problem delivering S-400s to Iran. This was never a problem from the very beginning,” Dzhagaryan said, speaking to Iran’s Resalat newspaper in an interview published Saturday. […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo-itemprop.png Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/world/202010041080660873-armenian-defence-ministry-claims-karabakh-forces-destroyed-three-azerbaijani-jets/ Source link
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/03/1080651031_0:43:2842:1642_1200x675_80_0_0_e29256fc5dfee514c92f0d0a7279ff55.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/us/202010031080650781-defence-of-kenosha-gunman-demands-biden-remove-video-depicting-him-as-white-supremacist/ WASHINGTON, October 3 (Sputnik) – A legal team representing teenager Kyle Rittenhouse, who shot and killed two people during riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August, is demanding that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden take down a video depicting their client as a white supremacist, according to a letter from the Lin Wood legal firm. The lawyer said in the letter on Friday that Rittenhouse demands Biden and his campaign to immediately issue a full retraction and a public apology. “There is no evidence whatsoever that Kyle Rittenhouse is a white supremacist either, and he […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/01/1080343001_0:289:3071:2016_1200x675_80_0_0_2c261a25cecf94c425c0c62ec1706389.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/us/202010011080627646-us-defence-contractor-ceo-charged-for-covid-19-relief-fraud/ WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The head of a Hawaiian defense contractor has been charged for trying to steal nearly $13 million in COVID-19 relief funds, the US Justice Department said in a press release. “A Hawaii man has been taken into custody on allegations he fraudulently obtained more than $12.8 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act,” the release said on Wednesday. Martin Kao, 47, who is the chief executive officer of Navatek LLC, now known as Martin […]
According to Yerevan, the pilot of the Armenian aircraft hit by the Turkish fighter died. An Armenian Su-25 jet has been downed by a Turkish F-16 warplane in Armenia’s airspace, the country’s Ministry of Defence stated on Tuesday. According to preliminary reports, the attack was carried out from the Azerbaijani airspace. Turkey hasn’t commented on the incident yet. Previously, Yerevan stated that multiple Turkish planes were engaged in the conflict on the side of Baku, with Turkish F-16s supporting Azerbaijani jets and drones during strikes against Armenian troops and bases. © REUTERS / Staff A tank of the self-defense army of […]
Local councils and refuges continue to lack the necessary funding to assist victims of domestic abuse in the UK, and while the upcoming Domestic Abuse Bill offers some important developments it doesn’t go far enough, argues Lisa Longstaff of Women Against Rape. Britain’s House of Lords is due to start debating a new domestic abuse bill in October 2020, with the proposed law having already passed through the House of Commons in July of this year. While the legislation has some support a key grass-roots victims’ rights organisation is one of several that remains critical of many aspects of the bill. Lisa Longstaff is […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107865/75/1078657527_0:0:3242:1824_1200x675_80_0_0_990afd92d256b8c047de5988d071a159.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/russia/202009281080601487-russias-su-27-escorted-us-german-aircraft-over-baltic-sea/ MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian fighter jet Su-27 was scrambled to escort two aircraft of the US Navy and the German Navy over the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry’s National Defence Control Centre (NDCC) said on Monday. “On 28 September 2020, Russian airspace control devices detected two air targets approaching the Russian state border over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea”, the statement says. To identify air targets and prevent violation of the Russian state border, a Su-27 fighter from the Baltic Fleet’s air defence forces was scrambled. “The crew of the Russian fighter […]
BAKU (Sputnik) – Armenia’s armed forces have opened fire at settlements along the line of military confrontation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, there are casualties among the civilian population, a spokesperson of Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry said. “On 27 September, at around 06:00 [02:00 GMT] the armed forces of Armenia, having carried out large-scale provocations, subjected to intensive shelling the positions of the Azerbaijani army along the entire front line, as well as our settlements located in the frontline zone,” the spokesperson said. According to the spokesperson, at least six settlements came under attack and there are dead and wounded among the local […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo-itemprop.png Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/asia/202009241080555493-south-korean-defence-ministry-accuses-dprk-of-shooting-missing-state-official-burning-body/ The South Korean official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries disappeared from the inspection boat in waters near the island of Yeonpyeong on Monday, according to Yonhap. South Korean Defence Ministry said in a statement that North Korea fatally shot a missing South Korean official and burned his body, demanding “to provide an explanation and punish those responsible”, state-run news agency Yonhap reported. “North Korea found the man in its waters and committed an act of brutality by shooting at him and burning his body, according to our military’s thorough analysis of diverse […]
In the words of Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson, the new tax will make you “feel that you’re doing a good deed having your Friday beer”. The Swedish government has raised alcohol taxes with the aim of kickstarting the economy and funding the country’s military strategy, that includes a major defence beef-up. Together with an increased tax on cigarettes, smokeless tobacco snuff and nicotine products, the tax hike is expected to bring in around SEK 1 billion ($110 million). According to the Swedish finance minister, the tax hike will help fund increased defence spending. “You can feel that you are doing a […]
On 3 June, the US Air Force issued a request for information to industry, to conduct market research on available technologies as well as conceptual designs for a new drone. Several US defence companies have lined up to present their concepts of a new stealthy drone amid the US Air Force’s efforts to replace the MQ-9 Reaper drone, Defense News reported on Thursday. The Air Force has been using the MQ-1 Predator and later the MQ-9 Reaper, both developed by General Atomics, for the last two decades in the surveillance and strike missions in the Middle East. However, according to the Air Force’s top acquisition […]
On Thursday UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the country continued to see a concerning rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, as he announced new coronavirus restrictions on entertainment venues in England’s north-east. Britain’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock was forced to respond to a barrage of questions regarding the possibility of a second nation-wide lockdown in the country, reported Sky News. As the minister acknowledged on Friday that there had been a steady rise in new coronavirus cases registered across the country, with hospital admissions doubling every eight days, he claimed that a lockdown was a last resort. He […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107897/84/1078978475_0:320:3071:2048_1200x675_80_0_0_9e67a26cf7c84231250774f7cc4062b7.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/russia/202009141080455870-russian-fighters-scrambled-to-intercept-3-us-bombers-over-black-sea/ MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian fighters Su-27 and Su-30 were scrambled to intercept three US Air Force bombers over the Black Sea, no violation of the Russian border was allowed, the Russian Defence Ministry’s National Defense Control Centre (NDCC) said on Monday. “Radar reconnaissance of the Southern Military District’s air defence forces detected three air targets approaching the Russian state border from Ukraine over the Black Sea. To identify the detected air targets and prevent violation of the Russian state border, two Su-27 fighters and two Su-30 fighters were from the Southern Military District’s air […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105750/71/1057507174_0:163:3061:1885_1200x675_80_0_0_cecfcb5b119bad64afd06c2ff2d3c45b.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/military/202009081080396415-belarusian-russian-serbian-military-to-hold-counter-terrorism-drills-defence-ministry-says/ MINSK, (Sputnik) – Belarusian, Russian and Serbian troops will practice counter-terrorism tasks during the Slavic Fraternity military exercise, which Belarus will host later in September, the Belarusian Defence Ministry said on Tuesday. “The Brest firing ground of the 38th air assault brigade will host the annual multinational Belarusian-Russian-Serbian tactical drills Slavic Fraternity-2020 under the guidance of the Belarusian armed forces’ special operations forces chief. Unit of the Belarusian, Russian and Serbian armed forces will take part in the exercise, a multinational tactical group will be formed,” the Belarusian Defence Ministry said in a statement. […]
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been under increased pressure to stop the construction of the nearly complete joint pipeline project of numerous European energy companies and Russian Gazprom ever since Berlin claimed to have found traces of nerve agent from the Novichok group in the blood of a hospitalised Russian opposition figure. German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has said that the possibility of sanctions being imposed against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project will depend on how Moscow reacts to the situation with political activist Alexei Navalny, who had purportedly been poisoned with a Soviet-era military-grade nerve agent. She noted that […]
According to the Russian military, NATO has increased its aerial surveillance efforts near the Russian border by 30 percent compared to the previous year. Russia is not interested in an arms race, but is forced to combat capabilities in response to unfriendly actions by NATO, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Saturday. “All measures taken are aimed exclusively at strengthening the defense, are limited in scale and correspond to modern military dangers”, Shoigu told reporters. “We are not interested in the arms race. To reduce tensions, we intend to adhere to the maximum openness regarding military activity”, the minister said adding […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo-itemprop.png Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/world/202009051080371758-chinese-defence-ministry-says-india-responsible-for-escalation-of-border-tensions/ BEIJING (Sputnik) – Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe told his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, that New Delhi is fully responsible for the escalation of tensions in the border area. “The border issues have recently significantly impacted the relations between our countries and armed forces. Causes and the real situation, which have resulted in the current border tensions, are absolutely clear: the Indian party is fully responsible for that”, the Chinese minister said, as quoted by the national Ministry of Defence. He added that China would firmly protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both ministers […]
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Friday he had been inoculated with the country’s coronavirus vaccine, according to the Defence Ministry. “When asked by his foreign colleagues, Sergei Shoigu said he had recently been inoculated with the Russian coronavirus vaccine”, the ministry said. The statement was released as Shoigu is taking part in a meeting of defence chiefs from the Commonwealth of the Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation on Friday. Russian Trade Minister Denis Manturov earlier said he had been inoculated with the vaccine, adding that he had a slightly higher […]
The Turkish-Greek conflict over exclusive rights to sea areas in the eastern Mediterranean Sea escalated again this week, with the US approving non-lethal military exports to Cyprus, Greece announcing talks with France for Rafale fighter jets, and Athens slamming Ankara’s decision to extend seismic surveying activities off Greek-claimed waters. Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has attacked France’s interference in the Turkish-Greek dispute in the Mediterranean, accusing Paris of acting like ‘mafiosi’. “There are some ‘mafiosi’ here whose actions are hard to comprehend. For example, France: you’re not a guarantor country, there are no agreements between you [and regional nations], you’re not […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo-itemprop.png Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/world/202008291080311905-japan-us-agree-to-further-cooperate-to-develop-new-missile-defence-system/ TOKYO (Sputnik) – Japanese Defence Minister Taro Kono and US Defence Secretary Mark Esper have agreed to further cooperate on developing a new missile defence system, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday. The agreement was reached during a meeting in Guam focused on security cooperation and partnership, as well as regional issues. According to the news agency, the officials discussed interaction in missile defence after Japan abruptly refused to deploy US Aegis Ashore land-based missile defence systems. In addition, the ministers discussed the situation in East China and South China seas in connection […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/07/1d/1080007342_0:0:1254:705_1200x675_80_0_0_ac3ea6add4aed773b011555c95239bca.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/india/202008281080299012-french-defence-minister-to-join-indias-rajnath-singh-for-rafales-formal-induction-on-10-september/ India received the delivery of five Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets on 29 July. Amid a border standoff with China, India had urged France to expedite the delivery. India and France signed a $8.7 billion government-to-government deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets in 2016. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be joined by French Defence Minister Florence Parly on 10 September for the formal induction of Rafale fighter jets into the 17th Squadron at Ambala Air Station along the western border. The 17th Squadron, also known as the “Golden Arrows”, is the first Indian Air Force squadron […]
Earlier this week, Washington slapped sanctions on 24 Chinese companies over their alleged role in building military fortifications on artificial islands in the South China Sea. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper slammed Beijing during his visit to Palau, stating that China has repeatedly fallen short of promises to follow international laws. “Communist China is exerting financial and political pressure, publicly and privately, on many Indo-Pacific and European nations – large and small – while pursuing new strategic relationships worldwide… In fact, the smaller the country, the heavier the hand of Beijing”, Esper said. The official stressed that Beijing seems to be […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/106319/24/1063192499_0:168:3043:1880_1200x675_80_0_0_a430f067d39f5a620a494a7ba2100ae6.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/russia/202008241080258331-russian-defence-ministry-plans-to-sign-155bln-worth-of-contracts-at-army-forum—shoigu/ KUBINKA, Russia (Sputnik) – The Russian Defence Ministry is planning to sign 39 contracts worth a total of 1.2 trillion rubles ($15.5 billion) at the Army-2020 military forum, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday. “We are expecting to sign 39 contracts, and the total will be almost 1.160 trillion rubles,” Shoigu said as aired on Zvezda broadcaster. The forum held in a Moscow suburb of Kubinka began on Sunday and will last through Saturday. The sixth international defence industry forum ARMY-2020, organized by the Russian Defence Ministry, will open in the Moscow Region on […]
New Delhi (Sputnik): Previously, India used Boeing 747 jets from the Air India fleet to fly VVIPs. These planes were occasionally also used to fly members of the general public. However, the new plane is exclusively meant for the highest dignitaries of the country. A wide-bodied Boeing 777-300 ER, exclusively meant for VVIPs of the country, such as the prime minister, the vice-president, and the president, is set to arrive in India next week. The State of the Art , VVVIP🇮🇳 ‘Air India One’ arrives in India Next Week The aircraft will have Bharat and India written over it, besides the […]
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DOHA (Sputnik) – A meeting of the Lebanese Supreme Defence Council said that a massive blast in the port of Beirut on Tuesday evening might have been the result of maintenance work at the site, as a door to the port hangar, where explosive materials were being stored, did not close properly, LBCI reported. “[Some] 2,750 tonnes — the amount of that ammonium exploded in the port of Beirut — is material that was seized in 2014 from the Rhosus dry-cargo ship, registered in Moldova, when it was heading to Africa and suffered damages during navigation”, the Defence Council said at […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105607/76/1056077692_0:159:3076:1889_1200x675_80_0_0_39c449819e7afee743319eb996c402eb.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/us/202008041080051288-white-house-withdraws-nomination-of-anthony-tata-for-undersecretary-of-defence-for-policy/ WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The Trump administration pulled the nomination of retired Army General Anthony Tata, under fire from lawmakers for past criticism of Islam, to take over a key Defence Department post, the White House said in a press release. The release issued on Monday, dubbed “Withdrawals Sent to the Senate”, named Tata but offered no explanation for the decision. President Donald Trump nominated Tata for Undersecretary of Defence for Policy, the No. 3 post at the Defence Department. Criticism of Tata centered on a series of past statements hostile to Islam and for […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/07/14/1079933849_0:0:3070:1727_1200x675_80_0_0_1cf93ea0472a92b97960b86c6d8bbcba.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/russia/202008031080046261-covid-vaccine-trial-volunteers-in-russia-show-immune-response-defence-ministry-says/ MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The final check-up of volunteers testing the coronavirus vaccine at the Burdenko Hospital in Russia showed immunity in all participants, the Russian Defence Ministry said Monday. According to the ministry, the check-ups were held at a key ministry hospital earlier on Monday. The vaccine is being developed jointly by the ministry and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. “The results of the check-up clearly demonstrate an unmistakable immune response attained through the vaccination. No side effects or issues with the body of the volunteers were found”, the ministry said. […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107738/90/1077389085_0:0:3062:1723_1200x675_80_0_0_ae271363cfd059cfc5e227b40e01dc9f.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/europe/202007261079985081-uk-defence-secretary-stresses-need-for-policy-review-after-alleged-russian-space-arms-test/ MOSCOW (Sputnik) – UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has stressed the importance of the current comprehensive security review after the reports about the alleged anti-satellite weapon test by Russia. “This week, we have been reminded of the threat Russia poses to our national security with the provocative test of a weapon-like projectile from a satellite threatening the peaceful use of space. Space, and our access to it, is fundamental to our way of life. But Russia is not alone. China too is developing offensive space weapons, and both nations are upgrading their capabilities right […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105607/76/1056077692_0:159:3076:1889_1200x675_80_0_0_39c449819e7afee743319eb996c402eb.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/us/202007241079979117-us-government-invokes-defence-act-to-safeguard-rare-earths-magnets-production/ WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The US government has authorized Defence Production Act Title III actions to sustain and strengthen industrial base capabilities and defence-critical workforce in the aviation, rare earth materials, and electronics industries, the Department of Defence announced in a press release. “[T]he Department of Defence entered into a $33.6 million agreement with eMagin Corporation to sustain and expand critical industrial base production of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) microdisplays capable of meeting high-performance requirements in resolution and brightness”, the release said on Friday. The Defence Department has also entered into a $14.9 million agreement […]
Norwegian Naval Academy researcher Ida Holst-Pedersen Kvam has warned that in the event of a conflict, Russia will be able to gain control of Norway’s northernmost Finnmark County without even going in with ground forces. Instead, she argued, the Lofoten archipelago has emerged as a new military focal point. From the Cold War-era onward, the Norwegian Armed Forces have planned for a Russian invasion to start in Finnmark County, which borders Russia’s Murmansk Oblast and the Kola Peninsula. According to a Norwegian Naval Academy researcher, however, the situation has changed and the planning of the past 60 years is outdated. “Norway […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo-itemprop.png Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/us/202007211079946584-white-house-vows-to-veto-national-defence-authorisation-act-over-afghanistan-funds-renaming-policy/ The Trump administration has threatened to veto the National Defence Authorisation Act in its current form. The White House said the bill would constrain the president’s authority on security and noted that it objects to the legislation’s requirement to rename military institutions and limit funds for the US military campaign in Afghanistan. According to an amendment to the National Defence Authorization Act proposed by Democrat Elizabeth Warren, the Pentagon would have to change the names of 10 US military bases named after Confederate generals. The White House said the proposal was part of a “sustained […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo-itemprop.png Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/us/202007211079940546-us-house-adds-measure-to-defence-bill-that-bars-funding-for-new-nuclear-testing-in-2021/ WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The US House of Representatives has added an amendment to the new National Defence Authorization Act that would prohibit funding for nuclear testing in the fiscal year 2021. The amendment, introduced by lawmakers Steven Horsford and Dina Titus introduced on 8 June, was adopted on Monday evening with a 227-179 vote. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering conducting the United States’ first nuclear test since 1992 to pressure Russia and China into negotiating a trilateral arms control deal. In light of the reports, US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107972/28/1079722892_0:0:3072:1728_1200x675_80_0_0_55e2b36135b5f381291923d25abafe56.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/military/202007211079940405-leonardo-drs-wins-190-million-contract-to-make-mobile-anti-drone-air-defence-system/ WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – DRS Sustainment Systems has won an almost $190 million US Army contract to manufacture the mobile integrated defeat system to guard ground forces against drone attacks, the Department of Defence announced in a press release. “DRS Sustainment Systems [of] St. Louis, Missouri, was awarded a $189,828,895 … contract for development, production, deployment and support of the Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System”, the release said on Monday. The Defence Department said work on the contract is scheduled to last for five years, with an estimated completion date of 30 […]
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian Defence Ministry said on Monday that clinical trials of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine conducted jointly with the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology on 20 volunteers had been completed, adding that all the participants had been discharged. “The Russian Defence Ministry together with the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology has successfully completed clinical trials of the vaccine against COVID-19 with the participation of volunteers at the Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital”, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry said that the second group of 20 volunteers had been discharged. “Test results […]
Last week, Berlin expressed its “regret” after the Pentagon approved the withdrawal of 9,500 US troops from Germany over its alleged failure to commit a significant enough portion of its GDP to defence spending. Europe’s defence by the US is no longer something that can be taken for granted, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said. “It must be said that 30 years after Germany’s reunification, 30 years after the end of the Cold War, the world is positioning itself in a new way. That which we took for granted, for example, that the United States will defend the European Union, is […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/07/0e/1079878470_0:0:3359:1890_1200x675_80_0_0_4d3f5aaa0b9f193333dcb21d9e0ae0d7.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/world/202007141079878508-philippines-strongly-supports-us-position-on-south-china-sea-defence-ministry-says-/ MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Philippines has expressed strong support for the latest position voiced by the United States regarding the territorial claims in the South China Sea, the country’s Department of National Defence said in a statement on Tuesday. “We strongly agree with the position of the international community that there should be a rules-based order in the South China Sea,” the statement said in response to the US position on maritime claims in the South China Sea. The statement also urged China to comply with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling, which […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/07/0e/1079876553_0:13:3071:1741_1200x675_80_0_0_ab42c1ddb07177669f2ed4c12e3b745f.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/asia/202007141079876584-japan-notes-advancing-military-cooperation-between-russia-china-in-fresh-defence-paper/ TOKYO (Sputnik) – Japan’s 2020 Defence White Paper published on Tuesday contains assessments of growing Russian-Chinese military cooperation, highlighted in a separate chapter. “In July 2019, two Russian Tu-95 long-range bombers carried out joint air patrol with two Chinese H-6 bombers from the Sea of Japan to the East China Sea. In September 2019, Russian Minister of Defence Shoigu and, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission Zhang, signed a package of documents on military and military-technical cooperation,” the section of the document read. The White Paper also contains a general overview of […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo-itemprop.png Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202007121079864937-air-defence-systems-repel-militant-drone-attacks-on-hmeimim-airbase-russian-military-says/ MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Militants in Syria have attempted to launch a drone attack on the Khmeimim airbase, although the unmanned flying vehicles were shot down by air defence systems, Rear Admiral Alexander Shcherbitsky, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry’s centre for Syrian reconciliation, said on Sunday. “Illegal armed groups in the Idlib de-escalation zone continue to make attempts at attacking Russia’s Khmeimim airbase using drones. On 11 July at around 22:30 [19:30 GMT], Russian air defence systems identified drones that were approaching the Khmeimim airbase from the northeast. Two drones that were being […]
The news comes as one of the world’s top defence firms is set to release its second quarter earnings for 2020 later in July, which could reveal figures on losses due to COVID-19 and others. Top executives from eight defence firms in the US have urged the US government to ensure billions will not be reallocated to other firms affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic without replacing the funds, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Defence firms Lockheed Martin Corp, Raytheon Technologies Corp, BAE Systems Inc, General Dynamics, Boeing Co’s defence wing, L3Harris Technologies Inc, Huntington Ingalls Industries and Textron Inc published separate […]
Ghislaine Maxwell, former confidante of the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, has been indicted for the alleged recruitment of women and girls for trafficking and sexual abuse, and awaits an upcoming remote appearance in a Manhattan federal court, set for 14 July. British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, indicted for allegedly scheming with her former boyfriend and close associate, the late Jeffrey Epstein, to groom young women and girls for sexual abuse, has hired the defence lawyer who helped convict notorious drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, The Times reports. Court filings cited by the outlet state that Maxwell, 58, is being represented by […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/103304/53/1033045372_16:223:4494:2742_1200x675_80_0_0_38338fc540d15eaf3b15d0130ad05899.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/world/202007081079824896-secretary-of-defence-us-deterred-in-past-year-aggressive-activities-by-n-korea-iran-russia-china/ WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The US Department of Defense has in the past year deterred aggressive activities by North Korea, Iran, Russia and China, Secretary of Defence Mark Esper said in a Message to the Force on Accomplishments in Implementation of the National Defence Strategy. “Over the past year, the Department conducted or supported international counterterrorism operations that removed dozens of key terrorists from the battlefield; maintained our leadership role in the Defeat-ISIS [Daesh] coalition, whose work resulted in the destruction of ISIS’s physical caliphate in Iraq and Syria,” Esper said. The department also “preserved […]
UK members of parliament and campaigners defending women injured in what the accused men claim was consensual sexual violence have celebrated a milestone victory this week. The UK government has published a new clause to the Domestic Abuse Bill, ruling out “consent for sexual gratification” as a defence for causing serious harm, in England and Wales court cases. Labour MP Harriet Harman and Conservative MP Mark Garnier hailed the change in legislation, saying that it was a “highly significant step forward.” “Now men will no longer be able to say “it was her fault I killed her, because I was only […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107971/77/1079717716_0:194:3130:1954_1200x675_80_0_0_364da2b97bff9fad3502e9a1b3150cf1.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/military/202006301079753350-us-senator-suggests-buying-russian-made-s-400-defence-system-from-turkey/ The purchase of Russian S-400 defence systems by Ankara drew a response from Washington, as the Trump administration expelled Turkey from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program and threatened sanctions against the country for buying Russian-made defence weapons. Republican member of the US Senate has proposed legislation that would make it possible for the United States to buy Turkey’s S-400 Russian-made defence system amid issues between Washington and Ankara over Turkey’s purchase of Russian gear. The proposal was made by Senate Majority Whip John Thune, which envisaged an amendment to the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act […]
Mr Assange faces 18 charges under the indictment, all of which relate to his role in publishing classified documents revealing, among other things, war crimes committed by US forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay in 2010 – 2011. Julian Assange’s case took an unexpected turn at the latest hearing at Westminster Magistrate’s Court on Monday, with the defence telling the judge that it was “surprised” to have learned about the US’s superseding indictment against their client via the press. “A superseding indictment is supposed to do what it says on the tin, it’s supposed to replace the existing indictment’, said […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107233/53/1072335380_0:86:1280:806_1200x675_80_0_0_819371348c74f94f158b9f5b9cf5a150.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/military/202006261079731393-uk-defence-ministry-failed-to-account-for-final-cost-of-aircraft-carriers-public-watchdog-says/ MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The UK’s Ministry of Defence has not counted all future costs of operating its two aircraft carriers in the upcoming budgets, a report by a public spending watchdog has concluded. The National Audit Office said in a 61-page report published Friday that the Ministry did not know how much its aircraft carrier project would cost over time and identified this lack of clarity as an obstacle to the ships achieving their full operational capability. “It has not established a clear view on the future cost of enhancing, operating and supporting Carrier […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107167/64/1071676491_0:155:3000:1842_1200x675_80_0_0_f1e589bb98a95079b2bdf6029c958f55.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/world/202006251079713692-japan-abandons-plans-to-deploy-us-aegis-ashore-missile-defence-system–reports/ MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Japan has abandoned its plans to deploy US Aegis Ashore land-based missile defence system, the Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday, citing Defence Minister Taro Kono. The suspension of the costly and controversial US-made defence system was announced suddenly last week. Kono said that the deployment of the US Aegis Ashore missile defence system in the country was no longer reasonable, as it would cost the budget some $1.86 billion to fix existing technical issues. In December 2017, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved plans to install two US-made Aegis Ashore […]
Israel is already the US’s closest ally in the Middle East, with Washington committing to provide Tel Aviv with $38 billion in military aid over ten years in 2016. Israel became a major US non-NATO ally in 1987, making it eligible to receive the latest US military hardware as it became available. Bipartisan groups of lawmakers in both the House and Senate are working on legislation which would further expand US-Israeli defence cooperation to include a ‘US-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group’. A bill on a ‘United States-Israel Military Capability Act of 2020’, introduced last month by Senate Armed Services Committee members Gary […]
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Turkey has launched new military operation Claw-Tiger in the northern Iraqi region of Haftanin against forces of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and “other terrorist elements”, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday. “#Operation Claw-Tiger is being carried out as part of our legitimate defense rights arising from international law oriented against the PKK and other terrorist elements that have recently attempted increased harassment and attacks on our police station and base areas,” the ministry said, as cited by the Anadolu news agency. #Pençe-Kaplan Operasyonu; son zamanlarda karakol ve üs bölgelerimize artan taciz ve saldırı teşebbüsünde bulunan PKK ve […]
In earlier negotiations with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell set out the prospect of new limited areas of cooperation between the bloc and America by pressing China to reopen access to markets. EU ministers Tuesday are set to discuss the potential for enhanced defence and intelligence cooperation in the bloc, amid fears that US-China tensions will ratchet up still further, growing into a permanent big power standoff, according to a joint Franco-German paper first obtained by Bloomberg. As the memo reads, deeper defence integration is necessitated by “the return […]
The Israeli-made air defence system first went online in 2011, reporting the successful interception of hundreds of primitive rockets and drones launched by Hezbollah and Hamas, but has yet to be tested against major state actors armed with advanced missiles or fourth and fifth-generation delivery systems. The US Army expects to receive two Iron Dome anti-aircraft batteries in December and February for testing at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Air and Missile Defense Cross-Functional Team director Brig. Gen. Brian Gibson has confirmed. According to the military, the Israeli-made air defense system will be put through its paces, including […]
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105167/28/1051672857_17:0:1356:753_1200x675_80_0_0_a6d36b1e412838742e70a61b3c4a9c12.jpg Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/us/202006111079589244-us-senate-panel-approves-more-funds-for-missile-defence-in-2021-ndaa-act/ WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The US Senate Armed Services Committee approved additional funding for missile defence, including for hypersonic weapons, in the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year 2021, a summary of the draft bill revealed. The Armed Services Committee on Thursday voted 25-2 to advance the fiscal year 2021 NDAA to the Senate floor. “The amended measure provides additional funding for missile defence priorities, including the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor, components for an eight Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) battery, Homeland Defence Radar-Hawaii, and additional SM-3IIA interceptors”, the […]
At some point in 2018/19, just over £515,200 was paid for a year’s rent of 184 MoD houses which had in fact been demolished – the payment is categorised as “fruitless” for the obvious reason the department had “no beneficial use of the properties”, as they didn’t exist at that time. The UK Ministry of Defence has released a comprehensive list of “fruitless payments” – money in excess of £30,000 spent unnecessarily, and/or which provided no benefit to the MoD whatsoever – 2016 – 2019, totalling £8.93 million. The 64 payments, released in response to a Freedom of Information request, are […]
New Delhi (Sputnik): The tensions along the India-China border are far from over despite several rounds of talks at the diplomatic and military level. While both countries have agreed to peacefully settle disputes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the two armies continue heavy posturing at the border. Rahul Gandhi, leader of India’s prime opposition party Congress, on Tuesday again questioned the defence minister if the Indian territory in Ladakh has been occupied by troops from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Once RM is done commenting on the hand symbol, can he answer: Have the Chinese occupied Indian territory in Ladakh? […]
The US Defence Secretary has faced heavy criticism after accompanying President Donald Trump in a prearranged photo opportunity in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, where protesters had been dispersed with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades ahead of the president’s visit. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper, a Trump appointee, on Tuesday said that he was not aware of the destination of President Donald Trump when he accompanied the president on a walk from the White House across Lafayette Square to St. John’s Episcopal Church, where the president posed for a widely-criticized photo-op in front of the historic church. “I […]
MP for Bournemouth East, Chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee Tobias Ellwood has called for the UK to collaborate with its top western partner, the US, to work out an effective roadmap for global unity amid China’s “different course”. As UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to chair a meeting of Britain’s National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday, for the second time since the lengthy coronavirus lockdown, China is likely to be the main and only topic to be discussed, Sky News reported. The scheduled get-together comes straight after the chair of the defence select committee, Tobias Ellwood, […]
World 09:55 GMT 02.06.2020Get short URL New Delhi (Sputnik): India is set to receive a portion of its Rafale jet order in July 2020 under an inter-governmental agreement signed between New Delhi and Paris. The Rafale jets will come with various India-specific modifications, boosting India’s combat capabilities. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Sing has expressed his gratitude to the French Armed Forces for ensuring the timely delivery of Rafale aircraft despite a weeks-long halt in production due to the COVID-19 lockdown. “We also appreciated the efforts made by the armed forces of India and France in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. France has affirmed […]
Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr, are currently testing a new variant of MG4 A3 light machine gun, according to a recent service news release. The German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) requested the Army’s Airborne Brigade 26 from Zweibrücken to test the new weapon system in detail. The advanced version of MG4 light machine gun designed and developed by German firearm manufacturer Heckler & Koch. It meets all these requirements perfectly and offers the latest technological advances. It provides unmatched performance characteristics: Owing to its low recoil, the shot is readily controllable, giving high target precision. Its […]
The U.S. National Guard members arrived in Boston late Sunday night to help quell riots that erupted in the city. Clashes with police, vandalism and looting began on Sunday night following a peaceful rally in downtown Boston. A police cruiser was set on fire while several shops were looted, according to media reports. The CBS Boston has reported that around 10 p.m., destruction began to break out near Downtown Crossing as Boston Police officers worked to clear crowds. Several stores were broken into, and a police cruiser was set on fire. WBZ-TV security analyst Ed Davis said the National Guard can […]
According to latest media reports, hundreds of people were arrested as protesters and police clashed in cities across America after the killing of George Floyd. More than 1000 people were arrested Saturday night alone after peaceful demonstrations turned into violent – and in some cases deadly – riots. Mayors of major cities from Los Angeles to Philadelphia to Atlanta imposed curfews and at least 12 states, as well as Washington, D.C., activated National Guard troops in an effort to keep the peace overnight, but protests in several cities descended into violence again as tensions boiled over. Approximately 5,000 National Guard Soldiers […]
The U.S. Navy has announced that its active duty patrol squadrons have successfully completed transition from the P-3C Orion to the newest maritime patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon. According to a recent service news release, the Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 Fighting Marlins has transitioned from the Lockheed P-3C Orion to the Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. VP-40 began the P-8A platform transition in November 2019 following its return to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island after completing the Navy’s final active duty P-3C deployment. On this landmark deployment, the Fighting Marlins made significant contributions to international maritime security while conducting sustained operations from […]
The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team “Greywolf” has received the advanced version of M1A2 Abrams main battle tank. The Greywolf Brigade tweeted images of their newly received M1A2 tanks in Systems Engineering Plan version 3 or SEP v3. It is the latest version of America’s sole main battle tank. “How do you remain the most lethal brigade combat team on planet earth? Through focused maintenance and tough, realistic training of course. The U.S. Army newest version of the M1A2 main battle tank doesn’t hurt either,” said in a statement on an official Twitter account. “The Brigade is first in line to […]
U.S. Forces Korea and South Korean military have delivered new interceptor missiles onto Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) base in Seongju despite local residents protests. South Korea and the United States military brought equipment and vehicles of THAAD missile defense system and other items into an American military base Friday in a surprise overnight operation aimed at skirting opposition from local residents. According to Yonhap, the Korean Defense Ministry said it has supported the ground transportation of the replacement missiles, as well as power generators and electronic equipment for data collection, and other supplies to improve living conditions of military […]
Taiwan’s officials have confirmed that the Ministry of National Defense is close to a deal to purchase the new mobile coastal defense system with Boeing Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles. According to a recent report by the Udn.com, Taiwan’s deputy defense minister Chang Zhe-Ping has confirmed that Taipei has decided to acquire a U.S.-made Harpoon coastal defense system in a mobile configuration. Chang Zhe-Pin also added that the new missiles should enter service with the Navy’s Hai Feng squadron in 2023. The new mobile coastal defense system is intended to perform surveillance of maritime coastal traffic, monitoring and picturing sea lines […]
Ukrainian mobile coastal defense system Neptun has successfully test fired two R-360 cruise missiles in the south of the Odessa region to hit designated targets at the “Alibey” range, the press service of the UkrOboronProm said on Saturday. “On May 29, the newest Ukrainian RK-360MT Neptun coastal missile system made a successful test salvo launch of two R-360 cruise missiles from the designated area in the Odessa region to targets at the Alibey range,” the press service said. During the firing of the “Neptune” land-based cruise missile system, the tactical and technical characteristics, particularly the hitting range and accuracy for naval […]
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, was awarded a $3,4 billion contract by the U.S. Army Contracting Command on 29 May for Hydra 70 rockets. The contract, announced Friday by the Department of Defense, covers production and engineering services for Hydra-70 rocket systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Also added that work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2026. Hydra 70 rocket used primarily in the air-to-ground role. It can be equipped with a variety of warheads, and in more recent […]
On Friday, the U.S. Air Force has announced that its B-1B Lancer bombers from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, conducted a long-range strategic Bomber Task Force mission throughout Europe and the Black Sea region. A Ukrainian Su-27 Flankers and MiG-29 Fulcrums escorted two B-1B Lancers from the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base during jointly exercise. “Bomber Task Force missions to Europe demonstrate commitment to our allies and partners all while providing a clear deterrence message to any adversary,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander. “The integration of our strategic […]
On Thursday, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa announced that it finished the construction process of the first two upgraded Leopard 2PL main battle tanks to the Polish Army. “Works aimed at collecting the next three tanks are to be completed this week,” the news release says. “The formally completing production of vehicles is an important stage in the program, enabling the start of delivery of subsequent batches of modernized Leopards 2PL.” Over the past two weeks, very intensive work has been carried out to complete the tests of the Leopard 2PL tanks and start passing vehicles to the Army. This week, the first […]
Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces have demonstrated the capability of its new advanced fourth-generation main battle tanks, called the Type-10, during the annual live-fire exercise at the Higashi-Fuji firing range in Gotemba in Shizuoka Prefecture. The Type 10 is the main battle tank built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF). The tank entered service with the JGSDF in 2012 and claims outstanding mobility. Type 10 is a new generation of Japanese tanks with improved capabilities for anti-armor combat, mobile strike and countering an attack against special operation units. According to JGSDF’s website, the most remarkable characteristic […]
The 19th Airlift Wing (Air Mobility Command) has received the final C-130J Super Hercules turboprop military transport aircraft. The 19th Airlift Wing is the host wing and provides the Department of Defense mission ready Airmen and supports the largest C-130 fleet in the world. As part of AMC’s Global Reach capability, the wing’s responsibilities range from supplying humanitarian airlift relief to victims of disasters, to airdropping supplies and troops into the heart of contingency operations in hostile areas as well as supporting base partners as the host unit. A brand new C-130J Super Hercules was delivered to Little Rock Air Force […]
The U.S. and Saudi forces are conducting amphibious reconnaissance operations on and around Karan and Kurayn islands, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance their combat skills and effectiveness. U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawks and Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion, MV-22B Osprey assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) have taken part in routine and joint sustainment training on and around Karan and Kurayn islands. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th MEU are conducting sustainment training in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in order to enhance the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to employ operationally relevant and […]
The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of Patriot missiles to Kuwait with an estimated cost of $800 million, a Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on Thursday. The prime contractor for the sale of up to 84 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancements (MSEs) and related equipment is Lockheed Martin Corporation, the Pentagon agency said in a statement. The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy 84 PAC-3 MSEs with canisters; 2 Patriot MSE test missiles 2-Pack per unit of issue; 35 remanufactured (upgrades): Patriot modification kit, missile launchers A902+ Series to A903 Series; 26 PAC-3 Missile Round […]
The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command has contracted BAE Systems for the design and build of the Corps’ new Amphibious Combat Vehicle medium caliber cannon mission role variant. The U.S. Department of Defense said Thursday that BAE Systems Land and Armaments LP won an $11,038,019 modification for contract Line Item Number 8101 to previously awarded contract M67854-16-C-0006 for Phase Two of the design and development new ACV variant with remote Medium Caliber Turret (MCT). Earlier this year, U.S. defense contractor BAE Systems said that it had got a $113.5 million order for delivering additional ACVs to the .S. Marine Corps. This […]
Roshel Defence Solutions CEO Roman Shimonov talks about his company’s armored vehicles spotted at the NASA historic mission to International Space Station (ISS) and Roshel’s innovative approach to the industry Roshel Defence Solutions is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and it specializes in design and manufacturing of a wide range of armored vehicles equipped with intergraded security solutions and innovative defence technologies. Roshel is a privately-held corporation dedicated to the mission of providing complex security solutions to the government and commercial corporations in today’s ever changing security environment. Roman Shimonov, the company’s CEO, answered by email the Defence Blog’s questions about […]
The U.S. Navy is planning to receive the next generation of a torpedo, known as Very Lightweight Torpedo (VLWT). Currently, Northrop Grumman has successfully manufactured and tested the first industry-built VLWT for the U.S. Navy. The prototype torpedo is based on the Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory’s (PSU-ARL) design that was distributed to defense industrial manufacturers in 2016. Northrop Grumman, which independently funded the research and development, will offer the design-for-affordability improvements to this VLWT as Northrop Grumman’s response for the Navy’s Compact Rapid Attack Weapon program. Applying its engineering and manufacturing expertise, Northrop Grumman improved upon the VLWT baseline […]
The Navy’s newest Independence-class littoral combat ship, the future USS Oakland (LCS 24), successfully concluded acceptance trials here May 22 following a series of in-port and underway demonstrations in the Gulf of Mexico. Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the successful completion of acceptance trials for LCS 24 during the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated Austal USA’s capability and reliability to deliver vessels on time, even under COVID-19 challenging circumstances. “Austal USA has clearly answered the call, as part of a mission-essential industry, to continue operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and deliver on commitments to the US Navy,” Mr Singleton said. […]
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa has confirmed that two Russian Su-35 fighter jets flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner while intercepting a U.S. Navy P-8A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea. On Tuesday, the service press release said that a U.S. Navy P-8A aircraft was flying in the Eastern Mediterranean over international waters and was intercepted by two Russian Su-35 aircraft over a period of 65 minutes. The intercept was determined to be unsafe and unprofessional due to the Russian pilots taking close station on each wing of the P-8A simultaneously, restricting the P-8A’s ability to safely maneuver. […]
The three new F-35A multi-role aircraft of the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RoNAF) landed at Orland Air Force Station in central Norway on 26 May after more than 10 hours in the air from the United States. “The three newest editions to Norways increasing fleet of F-35 fighter aircraft arrived at Orland main airstation tonight at 21:57 local time,” it said in a statement. “In a few years, in 2025, the F-35s will reach full operational capability.” Norway is the fourth country after the United States, Israel and Italy to receive the F-35 stealth fighters. According to Lockheed Martin, Norway joined […]
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has announced on Tuesday that the Canadian Army will equip the Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSV) with a newest generation remote weapon station. General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada and Kongsberg have signed a contract for delivery of the Protector Remote Weapon Stations (RWS) to the Canadian Army valued 500 MNOK. The PROTECTOR RWS will be integrated on Canada’s fleet of Armored Combat Support Vehicles. Canada signed their first Protector RWS contract in 2005 followed by additional contracts in 2012 and 2014. “We are very pleased to be chosen again as the supplier of Remote Weapon Stations to […]
German submarine U33 has just concluded a several-week-long assurance measure deployment under NATO in the Eastern Baltic Sea. It arrived back to the naval base and home port of Eckernförde on Monday, 25 May 2020. The submarine, under the leadership of Lieutenant Commander Tobias Eikermann, in the past few weeks has operated under NATO Maritime Command (MARCOM). The patrol was part of the NATO Assurance Measures focused on monitoring the activities of the Russian fleet. U33 is one of the first German submarines detached to MARCOM for this purpose in the Baltic Sea. Assurance measures are a sign of the Alliance’s […]
U.S. Africa Command on Tuesday, May 26 released a series of photos showing that Russia deployed military fighter aircraft to Libya. Russian military aircraft, including Mig-29 Fulcrum fighter jets and Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer combat aircraft, were recently deployed to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors (PMCs) operating on the ground there. At least “six Mig-29 and two Su-24 aircraft escorted by two Russian Air Force Su-35s” have arrived in Libya. The presence of “Russian Air Force Su-35” is particularly surprising, considered that Russia does not participate (officially) in the conflict in Libya. The Russian fighter aircraft arrived […]
On Wednesday (May 27), astronauts will take off from American soil for the first time since 2011, riding aboard a SpaceX capsule in a historic test flight to the International Space Station. NASA astronauts haven’t launched from U.S. soil since the end of the space shuttle program in 2011, relying instead on Russian rockets as commercial companies like SpaceX and Boeing developed their vehicles. NASA during SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission will use recently-ordered Senator light armored vehicles to defend Astronauts Bob Behnken and Colonel Doug Hurley on a short ride from the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space […]
The U.S. Air Force has announced that two B-1B Lancer bombers assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron have completed a 24-hour mission that included a large force exercise. Air Force officials said B-1B aircrews completed a 24-hour mission to support Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with allies, partners and joint forces; and strategic deterrence missions to reinforce the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region. “The 9th EBS deployed to Guam from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, along with 200 Airmen assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas, as part of a Bomber Task Force and is […]
The U.S. Navy released a statement and detailed the ongoing test of the newest high-energy laser weapon system on board of Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27). The details were given in a 22 May media release, to announce that USS Portland (LPD 27) successfully disabled an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a Solid State Laser – Technology Maturation Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) MK 2 MOD 0. LWSD is a high-energy laser weapon system demonstrator developed by the Office of Naval Research and installed on Portland for an at-sea demonstration. LWSD’s operational employment on a Pacific Fleet ship […]
Raytheon Co., one of the world’s largest defense contractors, has received a $10,5 million contract modification to exercise options for maintenance and support for the AN/AQS-20 Sonar Mine Detecting Set. In a statement Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Defense said the AN/AQS-20 is a towed, mine hunting and identification system for program executive office, unmanned and small combatants. Also noted that this option exercise extends the period of performance and allows for continuing support including but not limited to: repair; overhauls and other scheduled maintenance; hardware and software maintenance; tracking and resolution of obsolescence issues; technology improvements; reliability and maintainability improvements; […]
The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) returned to sea after a coronavirus outbreak sidelined the massive warship for nearly two months after more than 1,000 sailors tested positive, Navy officials said Tuesday. “The ship left Naval Base Guam and entered the Philippine Sea May 21 to conduct carrier qualification flights for the embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11,” said in a statement. Theodore Roosevelt is underway conducting carrier qualifications during a deployment to the Indo-Pacific. ”It feels great to be back at sea,” said Rear Adm. Stu Baker, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9. “Getting Theodore Roosevelt and Carrier […]
Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24), a U.S. Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe Bay, conducts a mass air training mission. Utilizing three separate flying platforms, MAG-24 successfully launched seven CH-53E Super Stallions, seven MV-22B Ospreys, and two UH-1Y Venoms, conducting the mass air mission to increase proficiency through integrated training to produce readiness and project power, a Marine Corps news release states. Training events and combat operations aren’t much different. Both require a massive “behind-the-scenes” effort that includes command and control, maintenance, logistics and training. The mass launch is not just for show, the majority of […]
The U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces has announced on Wednesday that two B-1B Lancers from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, fly over Sweden for first-time. The service said B-1s have flown over Sweden to integrate with Swedish Jas 39 Gripen fighter jets while conducting close-air support training with Swedish Joint Terminal Attack Controller ground teams at Vidsel Range. Sweden is not a NATO member but is a partner country. In 2014, Sweden signed a host country agreement with NATO allowing for the allied forces to conduct joint training exercises in the country. “Long-range […]
NATO announced that the Communications and Information (NCI) Agency is looking for ideas from startups, inventors and innovators for new technologies to process radar data and give the Alliance a clearer picture of activities in our skies. Through the challenge, the NCI Agency aims to incentivize innovations that could be scaled to the NATO environment. Startups and small and medium-sized enterprises from all 30 NATO Nations are particularly encouraged to apply. “We are excited to pilot this new way of bringing tangible solutions to NATO problems,” said Dr Michael Street, Head of Innovation and Data Science at the NCI Agency. “The […]
BAE Systems, the weapon’s manufacturer, has won a contract valued at as much as $26 million for modification and installation of electronic countermeasures aboard KC-130J aircraft. KC-130J is one of the U.S. military’s most seasoned aircraft, is battle-tested aerial refueling (AR) tanker which provides the refueling support required by the U.S. Marine Corps for its aircraft. The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s (NAWCAD) Aircraft Prototyping Systems Division has awarded BAE Systems a prime position on a $26.7 million task order to install, integrate, and test the Department of the Navy (DoN) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system on […]
As the U.S. Marine Corps continues to increase the lethality of the infantry squad, Marine Corps Systems Command’s Program Manager for Infantry Weapons has begun the largest modernization effort in decades. According to a recent service news release, Program Manager for Infantry Weapons (PM IW) strives to equip and sustain the Marine Corps with fully-integrated infantry weapons, optics and nonlethal systems for the Ground Combat Element. The portfolio’s modernization efforts adhere to Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger’s vision to redesign the force to meet the challenges of a new age of great power competition. Through PM IW, the […]
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense is close to a deal to purchase the mobile coastal defense system with Boeing Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles, according to UP Media, which cited people familiar with the matter. The new mobile coastal defense system is intended to perform surveillance of maritime coastal traffic, monitoring and picturing sea lines of communication, and identification and detection of hostile targets. It is also capable of countering and interdicting the potential coastal threats in territorial waters. This expands the defended area and enhances the total fighting capability of the force. The potential deal would strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan defense […]
Finnish aerospace and defense Patria Group has confirmed that the U.S. Army is showing interest in its modern turreted 120 mm mortar weapon system. As noted by the company, U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Patria to determine feasibility of incorporating a turreted, breech-loaded 120 mm mortar weapon system in U.S. mortar carriers. Furthermore, in September 2019, the U.S. Army already conducted a test of the newest Nemo mortar system manufactured by the Finnish Patria company. The live-fire demonstration, which took place at Fort Benning Red Cloud Range on Sept. […]
On 19 May, Capt. William Reed, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 Commander has completed his 5,000th flight hour in an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, according to a recent U.S. Navy’s news release. Capt. William Reed is the only Hawkeye pilot currently on active duty to fly 5,000 flight hours, an exceptionally rare accomplishment for military aviators. He is also qualified to pilot the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler and has logged 720 carrier-arrested landings. “The fun of flying never goes away,” Reed said. “The recognition for this achievement is shared with all the great Americans I’ve served with, who put […]