Americas
Canada has put off a project to replace its five-decade-old Twin Otter military aircraft used in Arctic operations. The move comes despite the government’s earlier assurance that it is committed to improving its defense capabilities in the north. Instead of procuring new aircraft, Ottawa will extend the service life of its aging Arctic planes.
The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $119.2-million contract to revamp the USS Lassen (DDG 82) Arleigh Burke Class guided-missile destroyer. As part of the depot maintenance period (DMP) agreement, the company will upgrade the ship’s command and control platform, refurbish its crew cabin and engineering stations, and preserve its underwater hull. BAE Systems will dry-dock the ship at its Jacksonville Ship Repair facility in Florida for seven months, while the overall repairs will run until April 2024.
Middle East & Africa
According to Breaking Defense, a number of European nations are in active negotiation to purchase the Rafael Spyder air defense system, designed to intercept short-range ballistic missiles. The interest in the Israeli-made system is being driven by Russia’s use of ballistic missiles in Ukraine, as well as reports that Moscow is looking to import more weapons from Iran. According to Israeli sources, there are negotiations at different levels with Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Romania currently underway.
Europe
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Tuesday he intends to join German-US efforts to arm Ukraine with sophisticated Patriot air-defence systems, citing the “horrible” Russian missile strike on a Dnipro apartment building. Rutte told President Joe Biden at a White House meeting that “we have the intention to join what you’re doing with Germany on the Patriots project, the air-defense system. I think that is important and we joined that.”
Asia-Pacific
The US Air Force F-16s assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany are now in Japan to support the ongoing withdrawal of F-15Cs from Kadena air base, Japan. The F-16s are joined by F-22s deployed from the 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska. Both types of fighters will ensure continued steady-state fighter capabilities at Kadena.
The new long-range cruise missile that Japan is developing will be able to carry reconnaissance and electronic jamming payloads, besides explosive ones. The idea is to have interchangeable payloads for different mission profiles. A missile with an optical reconnaissance payload will be launched first to gather precise information about the target. This will be followed by another missile which will carry out electronic jamming to defeat the enemy vessel’s defenses before a third missile with an explosive warhead strikes the target.
Today’s Video
WATCH: US Navy Replenishment at Sea USS Lassen (DDG 82)
