I - On Defense Podcast

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.