Americas
In a display of military efficiency, aircraft maintainers showcased their mastery of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) during a recent operation, performing Integrated Combat Turns (ICT) that involved transferring inert munitions from an A-10 Thunderbolt II to rearm an MQ-9 Reaper. This seamless process took place while the engines of both aircraft were running on the ground, allowing for rapid redeployment and readiness for combat. The operation, aptly named Operation Bruiser, unfolded at the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, where the usually vacant airfield became a hub of activity. A team of skilled maintainers from the 110th Wing and the Air National Guard meticulously planned and executed the event as part of the larger Northern Strike 23-2 exercise. The focus of Northern Agility was on developing and honing ACE tactics to complicate adversary decision-making processes.
More than 3,000 US military personnel have arrived in the Red Sea aboard two warships as part of increased deployment after tanker seizures by Iran, the US Navy said Monday. The US sailors and Marines entered the Red Sea on Sunday after transiting through the Suez Canal in a pre-announced deployment, the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet said in a statement. They arrived on board the USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall warships, providing “greater flexibility and maritime capability” to the Fifth Fleet, the statement added.
Middle East
Finland’s multiyear quest to buy a high-altitude air defense capability a little bit closer to materializing after the US State Department approved the export of the US-Israeli David’s Sling system to the Nordic state. The Finnish version of the David’s Sling system will be jointly developed by Israeli and American companies, led by Rafael Advanced Systems and Raytheon Technologies in partnership with Finnish vendors, the Israeli statement noted.
Europe
According to Defense Post, Elbit Systems has delivered the first batch of contracted ATMOS howitzers and PULSE rocket artillery systems to Denmark. Denmark had ordered the systems in March after pledging to donate all of its 19 French-made Caesar howitzers to Ukraine, including some still on order. Copenhagen ordered a battalion of ATMOS (Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzers) for $119 million and two batteries of PULS (Precise and Universal Launching Systems), including rockets and missiles, for $133 million.
Asia-Pacific
Japan’s Defense Ministry is considering equipping C-2 transport planes of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force with long-range missiles, as reported in a recent government announcement. The addition of these missiles could significantly improve Japan’s ability to conduct counterstrike operations by targeting enemy bases, including missile launch sites, from a safer distance.
The US government will provide the Bangladesh Armed Forces with more weapons and equipment to help defend its sovereignty, US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter Haas has announced. Speaking at the Defence Services Command and Staff College last week, the American diplomat said that the South Asian nation will soon take delivery of more state-of-the-art drones and surface ships from Washington.
Today’s Video
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