Americas
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has christened the US Navy’s 14th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock vessel, the USS Harrisburg, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The hull was named after Pennsylvania’s capital city to honor the region’s continuous support for the US armed forces as well as its critical role in the country’s industrial history. Notable contributions by the Harrisburg were recorded throughout the Westward Migration, the American Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution. At the ceremony in Pascagoula, US Navy Ships Program Executive Officer Rear Admr. Tom Anderson provided the keynote address for the event.
The first F-15E Strike Eagles equipped with the advanced Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) have touched down at RAF Lakenheath, marking a significant leap in electronic warfare capabilities for the US Air Force in Europe. The arrival of these upgraded aircraft on January 16, signals a major step in the Air Force’s modernization efforts to ensure the F-15 fleet remains effective against evolving threats.
Europe
The US military has begun deploying upgraded B61-12 nuclear bombs at its bases in Europe, further enhancing its strategic deterrence capabilities. The deployment follows the completion of a $9-billion upgrade to the so-called “gravity bombs,” which extends their service life by at least 20 years.
Middle East & Africa
An Israeli government official proposed handing over seized Russian-made weapons to Ukraine during an official meeting. The potential transfer was discussed at a meeting between Israel’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sharren Haskel and Ukraine’s Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk.
Asia-Pacific
South Korea has pulled back the curtain on its latest military tech development: the ‘short-range air-to-air guided missile-II’, a locally produced missile. Introduced at a recent DAPA event, this missile is destined for the KF-21 fighter, replacing imported counterparts and represents a bold step towards self-sufficiency and technological advancement in the nation’s defence sector. Currently, the KF-21 relies on foreign-made air-to-air missiles, specifically the MBDA Meteor and the Diehl IRIS-T. The high cost of these imported systems, particularly the Meteor, has spurred the need for an indigenous alternative, with the new missile set to replace the IRIS-T. The decision to develop the indigenous air-to-air-II missile was influenced by the relative ease of replacing the IRIS-T, which is technically less challenging.