Americas
The US will accelerate the time it takes to ship Abrams tanks to Ukraine by sending older M1-A1 models of America’s main battle tank instead of the more modern version of the tank, according to two US officials. The switch will allow the tanks to arrive as early as fall of this year, one of the officials said, shaving months off the previous timeline that could have taken a year or longer. On Tuesday morning, the National Security Council’s strategic communications coordinator John Kirby said the US was working to speed up the delivery of tanks to Ukraine.
The US Navy has requested $3.6 billion to fund the production and delivery of 64 Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) all-up rounds over five years. Budget documents reveal that the service wants to earmark $341 million for the first eight rounds in 2024. Additional scheduled deliveries include 10 rounds for $440 million in 2025, 11 rounds for $663 million in 2026, and 16 rounds for $988 million in 2027.
Middle East & Africa
US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) has delivered three Cyclone-class coastal patrol vessels to the Egyptian Navy. A transfer ceremony was held in Alexandria at the conclusion of training and professional exchanges to bolster interoperability between the US and Egyptian navies. The ships turned over include the USS Hurricane (PC 3), USS Sirocco (PC 6), and USS Thunderbolt (PC 12).
Europe
The Ukrainian Armed Forces has taken delivery of its first batch of 122-millimeter artillery shells featuring cutting-edge domestic components. The country’s arms conglomerate Ukroboronprom said it has shipped the third type of ammunition to support Kyiv in countering Russian aggression. The Ukraine currently uses the 120-mm mortar mine and the 125-mm tank projectile to neutralize enemy assets.
Asia-Pacific
British jet developer Aeralis has partnered with Japanese firm ShinMaywa to implement digital engineering processes for aircraft design and manufacturing. Work is scheduled to begin this month to establish how digital engineering can enhance the companies’ businesses. Company experts will be embedded in the processes for knowledge sharing. ShinMaywa, which manufactures the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force’s US-2 amphibious aircraft, is looking to implement full digital engineering processes in its operations.
North Korea launched cruise missiles toward the sea on Wednesday, South Korea’s military said, three days after the North carried out what it called a simulated nuclear attack on South Korea to protest its military drills with the United States. North Korea has stepped up its weapons testing activities, saying they are in response to the ongoing South Korean-US military training that it sees as an invasion rehearsal.
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WATCH: US to ‘expedite’ delivery of Abrams tanks to Ukraine – Pentagon
