Colombia Plans To Buy Additional Texan II | Ukrainian Troops To Be Trained On Patriot In Fort Still | South Korea To Deploy Baekho Later This Year

Americas

Northrop Grumman demonstrated a scaled-down electronic attack system prototype during the US Navy’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise last year. The company demonstrated key components of the future Ultra-Lite Electronic Attack (EA) Prototype System aboard a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Northrop developed the anti-ship missile defense system for smaller ships that cannot carry larger systems due to space and power constraints.

According to Defense News, the Colombian Air Force plans to buy four additional T-6C Texan II turboprop training aircraft from Textron Aviation in a potential deal worth $38.34 million. The negotiations are part of an effort to acquire up to 24 of the trainers, unveiled by the Defense Ministry on December 9. Colombia previously ordered three T-6Cs in 2020 for $28.74 million. That contract included the option for Colombia to buy up to eight more. The next year, the country ordered an additional four in separate contracts, with an aggregated value of $37 million.

Middle East & Africa

The US Navy said Tuesday it had seized more than 2,000 assault rifles smuggled on a fishing boat along a maritime route from Iran to Yemen. The cargo was discovered on Friday off the coast of Oman “on a route historically used to traffic illicit cargo to the Huthis in Yemen,” the Bahrain-based US Fifth Fleet said in a statement, noting the vessel “was crewed by six Yemeni nationals.”

Europe

It’s been confirmed that the US is planning to train Ukrainian troops on the Patriot missile defense system at Fort Sill, Oklahoma starting as soon as next week. The training will take place at Fort Sill, one of the US Army’s basic training locations, where troops are already taught the operation and maintenance of the Patriot system. The first group of trainees will consist of approximately 90 to 100 Ukrainian service members with some experience in air defense systems. The training, which is expected to last several months, will include classroom instruction, hands-on training on the Patriot systems, and simulated lab work, preparing the Ukrainian troops to operate, maintain, and sustain the air defense missile system.

Asia-Pacific

Chinese researchers recently tested a laser-based drone charging system capable of keeping the platform aloft “forever.” The system involves firing a ground-based laser beam at a flying drone fitted with a photoelectric conversion module that converts light energy into electricity, South China Morning Post explained, citing a report by Northwestern Polytechnical University researchers.

The South Korean Army plans to deploy its new “Baekho” advanced command post armored vehicle later this year, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency. The move aims to accelerate a high-tech program to build a stronger and smarter armed service. Military officials revealed that the 20-ton vehicle will first be deployed to the army’s TIGER brigade along with other cutting-edge weapon systems.

Today’s Video

WATCH: T-6 TEXAN II–An Up Close Look at the Air Force’s Primary Trainer