Americas
Lockheed Martin has received a US Army contract to develop a future precision strike missile to strike targets more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) away. Called the Long-Range Maneuverable Fires missile, the program will become the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) increment 4, being fired from existing army launchers to defeat distant threats. According to the American defense firm, the new weapon system will give soldiers a decisive edge on the battlefield by extending their reach.
According Defense News, the Canadian government is considering the purchase of as many as 16 P-8A surveillance aircraft from US aerospace company Boeing without a competition, despite objections from Quebec-based Bombardier. On 27 March, Canada announced that Boeings’s P-8A Poseidon is the sole available aircraft that conforms to all operational requirements outlined in the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft project, specifically anti-submarine warfare and C4ISR.
Middle East & Africa
The Israeli Ministry of Defense’s Satellite Administration in the Directorate of Defense Research & Development, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) successfully launched the “Ofek 13” satellite into space in the early hours of the morning (Wednesday). The launch took place at a test site in central Israel using a “Shavit” launcher. The satellite successfully entered orbit, has begun transmitting data, and completed an initial series of inspections in accordance with original launch plans. IMoD and IAI engineers will continue pre-planned inspections before it begins full operational activity in the near future.
Europe
Ukraine said on Tuesday it had shot down a dozen Russian drones over the capital Kyiv, adding that there had been no casualties as a result of Moscow’s latest aerial barrage. Single-use drones were key to a series of attacks that Russia launched against Ukrainian infrastructure over the winter months, disrupting heat, water, and electricity supplies to much of the population.
Asia-Pacific
South Korea has approved a plan to purchase new heavy-lift CH-47F Chinook helicopters from the US defense firm Boeing to replace its aging CH-47D fleet. The Defense Project Promotion Committee has endorsed a $1.15 billion plan to acquire the helicopters through 2028, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The number of new helicopters to be purchased has not been disclosed by DAPA. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency had announced on Dec. 6, 2022 that South Korea has been cleared to purchase 18 Boeing CH-47F helicopters as part of a Foreign Military Sale worth up to $1.5 billion.
South Korea and the US have conducted their first joint training on the operation of a remote launcher for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. The drill took place as part of the Freedom Shield joint exercise, which aims to enhance combat readiness and joint defense posture against North Korea’s advancing missile threat. According to the US Forces Korea (USFK), the training of THAAD forces improved their combat readiness, strengthened the combined defense posture within the alliance, and demonstrated the ironclad commitment to support and defend South Korea. The training also aimed to ensure security and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Today’s Video
WATCH: CH-47 Chinook: Witness the Beast in Action!
