13/12/2021 EDEX, Petrovsky, PTKM-1R, Rosoboronexport, top-attack EDR News. By Paolo Valpolini It was announced a few years ago but with just a few information on its characteristics, and was shown for the first time in real at Army 2021 last August in Moscow, but the first international appearance of the PTKM-1R Russian antitank mine took place at EDEX. Since their appearance Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) protection was maximized at the front, the glacis and the turret front portion, as initial tactics saw mostly head-to-head confrontations between MBTs armed with guns. The adoption of new tactics as well as the appearance of antitank missiles totally modified the scenario, bringing to increase armour on at least 270°, while also the tank bottom was reinforced to cope with mines. In the end the weakest portion of modern MBTs remains the top portion, therefore top-attack systems have been developed, among which fused munitions that are deployed by rocket launchers or artillery guns, which sense the presence of tanks using IR sensors detonating and generating an EFP (Explosively Formed Penetrator) directed towards the top of the tank turret. At the Cairo exhibition the Petrovsky Plant presented in the Rosoboronexport booth its PTKM-1R top-attack anti–tank mine, which meant that the system is now cleared for export. This mine is made of a transport/launcher element and on the is planted by hand and comes in the form of a cylinder 510 mm high with a diameter of 220 mm, its weight being 19.9 kg of which 2.8 kg is the weight of explosive contained in the warhead. Once the deployment area is reached, the operator plants the mine; he releases the retaining bag, allowing the eight legs that in transport mode are folded along the body to open up. These form the base that gives stability to the PTKM-1R, keeping it in the upright position, two of them hosting seismic sensors. Releasing the bag also allows the four acoustic sensors at the top of the mine transport/launcher element to spring up and deploy into their operational position. After six minutes, the delay mechanism puts the mine in stand-by mode. Vibrations received by acoustic sensors when a vehicles gets closer than 100 meters wake-up the PTKM-1R which enters in combat mode, the upper element tilting by 30 degrees. Acoustic sensors establish the direction of the target, and the control unit turning the launcher towards and tracking starts. Signals received from both types of sensors are processed by the control unit, and only when both noise and vibrations exceed programmed threshold levels target classification starts. If the targets falls among those that have to be destroyed acoustic sensors provide the direction the launcher must aim to while the control unit sets the shooting time. When the target vehicle approaches within 50 meters distance the seismic sensor gives the firing order and the launching charge is activated, which expels the warhead at an initial velocity of 30 m/s. After roughly 2.4 seconds it reaches the apogee, around 30 meters, and the warhead spins at 10 rounds/second thanks to an impulse reaction motor, the warhead IR and radar sensors scanning the ground to acquire the target. Usually at a height of around 20 meters the warhead is detonated generating the EFP that will kill the target. According to data provided by the manufacturer, the PTKM-1R penetrates a minimum of 70 mm rolled homogeneous armour. The PTKM-1R can destroy targets traveling at a maximum speed of 50 km/h, and is fitted with a self-destroying mechanism that can be programmed from one to 10 days. It can operate at temperatures between –40°C up to 70°C. A typical use is to block a road, platting some mines at a distance between 10 and 40 meters from the road itself, or generating a minefield planting mines at 100 meters distance between them. According to images provided by Rosoboronexport, the PTKM-1R is designed to attack from the top the weakest parts of a main battle tank, therefore the warhead is aimed at the power-pack, which is usually installed at the rear of the MBT and is not much protected, air intakes being normally on the top. Photos by P. Valpolini – Graphics courtesy Rosoboronexport https://www.edrmagazine.eu/russia-exhibits-for-the-first-time-abroad-its-ptkm-1r-top-attack-antitank-mine

China’s dominance over the commercial maritime sector may be a source of vulnerability for the U.S. and other geopolitical rivals moving forward. By Matthew Rochat December 18, 2021 Last month, U.S. President Joe Biden announced plans for 24/7 round-the-clock operations at the Port of Los Angeles after similar measures had been implemented at the Port of Long Beach. Together, the two ports account for nearly 40 percent of the containers entering the United States. With the holiday season approaching, extended port operations are intended to address disruptions in the global supply chain and help alleviate a growing backlog of shipping containers that has stretched the coast as far as San Diego. The logjam of goods at U.S. ports has not only contributed to fears over rising inflation but has also brought renewed attention to the critical role of the maritime shipping industry in the global economy. Given that 90 percent of the world’s goods travel across the ocean to reach their destination, the importance of the maritime shipping industry cannot be understated. Historically, command over global shipping lanes has been a central goal of economic and military statecraft. Since the Age of Discovery, maintaining reliable access to the world’s waterways has been understood as a key source of national power. In 1616, English statesman Sir Walter Raleigh proclaimed, “Whosoever commands the sea commands the trade; whosoever commands the trade of the world commands the riches of the world, and consequently the world itself.” Centuries later, one of the most distinguished American naval strategists of the 19th century, Alfred Thayer Mahan, would echo this idea. In his 1890 magnum opus, “The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783,” Mahan argued that national greatness is directly tied to control over the world’s oceans, for commercial advantages in peacetime and strategic advantages in times of war. In particular, Mahan stressed the importance of strategic locations such as chokepoints, refueling stations, canals, and seaports. In this light, growing Chinese investment in the maritime shipping industry, both domestically and abroad, should be a major source of concern for geopolitical rivals such as the United States. In addition to its growing accumulation of shipping ports, China is the leading manufacturer of shipping equipment, producing 96 percent of the world’s shipping containers, 80 percent of the world’s ship-to-shore cranes, and receiving 48 percent of the world’s shipbuilding orders in 2020. China boasts the world’s second largest fleet of commercial shipping vessels and, according to the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence, has now surpassed the United States as the world’s largest navy in terms of total battle force ships. All of this serves as an indication of China’s increasingly assertive and expansionary posture. Focused inward for much of the 20th century, China’s economic interests continue to expand farther and farther beyond its borders. The ascendancy of China in the commercial maritime space over the past decade has been nothing short of prolific. For Chinese officials, however, this development is not merely the result of fortuitous circumstances; rather it is the consequence of careful and strategic planning. A New Economic Strategy In a 2013 speech at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan, Chinese head of state and General Secretary of the Communist Party Xi Jinping first announced plans for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This multi-trillion dollar investment strategy, which spans three continents and nearly 60 countries, is designed to strengthen regional connectivity and cooperation while positioning China as a focal point among regional trade routes. It has been promoted by members of the Chinese government, including Xi, as the “New Silk Road.” Some scholars have suggested that it follows a similar approach as the United States’ Marshall Plan, which stimulated the economic reconstruction of Western Europe following World War II, in addition to deepening economic ties and bringing Europe closer to the U.S. sphere of interest. There are two main components of the BRI. The first component is a land-based economic belt, meant to facilitate the flow of goods in and out of mainland China through the construction of highways, railway networks, gas pipelines, oil refineries, power plants, mines, and industrial parks throughout landlocked Central Asia. The second component is the maritime road, which represents a string of ports and ocean corridors that direct trade to and from China via the waterways. In pursuit of the maritime road strategy, China has demonstrated a growing interest in shipping port ownership. However, this interest has not been limited to the Indo-Pacific region but extends globally. China’s Global Investment in Shipping Ports At present, China is home to more shipping ports than any other country, including seven of the 10 busiest ports in the world. In addition to its massive accumulation of domestic shipping infrastructure, China also owns over 100 ports in approximately 63 countries. Over 80 percent of China’s overseas port terminals are owned by the “big three” terminal operators: China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), China Merchants Group (CMG), and CK Hutchison Holdings. The first two are state-owned enterprises, while CK Hutchison is a private company based in Hong Kong with close ties to mainland China. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, combined state support for the shipping industry totaled $132 billion between 2010 and 2018. In the Indo-Pacific, major examples of Chinese port expansion include a 99-year lease at the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, a 40-year lease at the Gwadar port in Pakistan, and a $350 million investment in the port of Djibouti. Djibouti is also the site of China’s first overseas military base, located near a key strategic chokepoint between the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. In 2018, Chinese Harbor Engineering Company started construction on a port terminal at the Sokhna Port in Egypt near another major trade chokepoint, the Suez Canal. Policy analysts have described these developments as being part of the “String of Pearls strategy.” In Europe and the Mediterranean, it is estimated that China now controls almost one-tenth of port capacity. Examples of this include France’s Le Havre and Dunkirk, Belgium’s Antwerp and Bruges, Spain’s Noatum port, Italy’s Vado port, Turkey’s Kumport port, and Greece’s Piraeus port. A 25-year lease at Israel’s port of Haifa, signed with China’s Shanghai International Port Group, has raised concerns in the United States about potential espionage, given that Haifa port is located less than 1 kilometer away from the docking port for U.S. warships. In South America, China is also expanding its influence via port ownership. In 2015, China Communications Construction Company loaned $120 million to Cuba to assist in the modernization of its second largest port, Santiago de Cuba. In 2017, China’s CMG purchased 90 percent of shares for Brazil’s largest port, TCP Participaccoes SA. In 2019, COSCO signed a $225 million deal with Volcan at Peru’s Port of Chancay for a 60 percent stake in the terminal. In El Salvador, it is alleged that the government will privatize the La Unión Port in 2022, presumably to be set aside for Chinese management. There are additional reports of Chinese involvement in port projects in the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Implications for the United States Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month. Interestingly, the United States has also been a site of Chinese port investment. Two Chinese enterprises have held equity ownership stakes in five U.S. ports. However, neither firm owns an effective majority stake, nor fully operates these American terminals. Two of these ports involve CMG purchasing minority stakes of a French firm’s terminals at Houston Terminal Link Texas and South Florida Container Terminal in Miami. The three remaining ports – in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Long Beach – were partially owned by COSCO. However, the Trump administration required China to divest its ownership stake in the port of Long Beach in 2019. Beyond its direct investment in American ports, which remains inconsequential, China’s increasing dominance of the maritime shipping industry is raising alarm bells in Washington as Sino-American relations continue to trend in a downward direction. At the recent virtual summit between Biden and Xi, the deterioration between the United States and China was particularly evident, given the failure of the two countries to produce a joint statement after the meeting. In previous decades, such declarations were considered little more than formalities. Moreover, despite campaigning on overturning President Trump’s trade war with China, Biden has left intact many aspects of the Trump era trade policy with China. With an increasingly turbulent relationship, China’s growing dominance over the maritime shipping industry may be a source of vulnerability for the United States and other geopolitical rivals moving forward. Just as OPEC used oil as a form of leverage during the oil crisis of the 1970s, Chinese control over the shipping industry has the potential to expose vulnerabilities in access to critical goods. The recent backlog of containers at U.S. ports serves as a stark reminder of the United States’ dependence on global supply chains. Fortunately, as this year’s holiday season approaches, it may only be the timely delivery of gifts at stake. Looking toward the future, however, the consequences may be more serious. Authors: Matthew Rochat is a Ph.D. candidate in political science at the University of California Santa Barbara. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and online news publications such as the Journal of International Relations, Peace Studies, and Development and Modern Diplomacy. https://thediplomat.com/2021/12/chinas-growing-dominance-in-maritime-shipping/

12.18.2021 A new test of the American hypersonic missile AGM-183A under the ARRW (Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon) program ended in failure, TASS reported referring to The War Zone. According to the data presented, tests of the rocket booster were carried out on Thursday. The test missile was supposed to be launched from the B-52 strategic bomber, where exactly is not specified. It was expected to accelerate to more than five times the speed of sound. The sequence of launch operations was interrupted before the missile separated due to an unknown problem, the US Air Force spokesman said. According to him, the rocket will be returned to the manufacturer, the analysis of telemetry and onboard data will begin immediately. The US military expects to resume flight testing as soon as possible. As the portal notes, this is the third unsuccessful test of this rocket. Experts have not yet figured out the reasons for the incident. The US Air Force has not yet responded to a TASS request for comment. Pentagon officials have repeatedly admitted that the United States has lagged behind Russia and China in the production of hypersonic weapons. https://news.am/eng/news/678150.html

By Garrett Reim16 December 2021 The US Air Force (USAF) has hit a target with a cruise missile launched from the ramp of a cargo aircraft for the first time as part of its Rapid Dragon programme. The service deployed a cruise missile with a live warhead from the back of an MC-130J Commando II special operations transport using its Rapid Dragon Palletized Weapon System on 16 December. The test took place at the Eglin AFB Over water Test Range above the Gulf of Mexico, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) says. The USAF has a large fleet of C-130s from which to deploy Rapid Dragon The Rapid Dragon system deploys the cruise missile after its parachute has deployed After the Rapid Dragon system, which contains cells for holding multiple cruise missiles, was dropped off the ramp of the MC-130J cargo aircraft it deployed a parachute to slow its descent and then a cruise missile was released from its bottom side. “Immediately after the vertical release, the [cruise missile] deployed its wings and tail, achieved aerodynamic control, ignited its engine, performed a powered pull-up Maneuver, and proceeded toward its newly assigned target,” says the AFRL. “The cruise missile successfully destroyed its target upon impact.” The type of maritime target and the type of cruise missile used in the experiment were not disclosed. Previous Rapid Dragon demonstrations have used the Lockheed AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER). Given the maritime target, it is likely that the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile – based on the JASSM-ER – was used. “The [Rapid Dragon] programme name is derived from a thousand-year-old Chinese military-designed crossbow catapult that launched multiple crossbow bolts with the pull of a single trigger, raining destruction down on armies from tremendous ranges,” says the AFRL. “These lethal devices were called Ji Long Che – Rapid Dragon Carts.” Constrained by a limited number of bombers, the USAF is looking for new ways to launch its arsenal of cruise missiles – particularly for potential conflicts with China. That the USAF chose to hit a maritime target as part of its first live-fire test of Rapid Dragon may indicate the service’s interest in using the technology for anti-ship missions. If the USAF were to repel an attempted amphibious invasion of Taiwan by Chinese forces it would need to sink a large number of ships. The service says the next step for the Rapid Dragon programme will be a live-fire test with a cruise missile from a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic air-lifter in the spring of 2022. The USAF also wants to try launching additional weapons and unmanned air vehicles in future tests. Ultimately, the service says it plans to move Rapid Dragon from a developmental prototype to an operational prototype over the next two years. Garrett Reim is a military aviation reporter based in Los Angeles. He reports on military aircraft manufacturers and operators in North and South America. Send him your confidential tips, press releases and story ideas via garrett.reim@flightglobal.com. Follow him on Twitter via @garrettreim. https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/usaf-hits-maritime-target-with-cruise-missile-launched-from-c-130/146874.article

Defense News December 2021 Global Security army industry Posted On Wednesday, 15 December 2021 18:08 According to information published by the Russian press agency TASS, the Russian state defense company Rosoboronexport offers the Sprut-SDM1 lightweight amphibious tank to take part in India’s tender for the delivery of light tanks. Russian-made Sprut-SDM1 light amphibious tank. (Picture source Army Recognition) Russia’s state arms defense export agency Rosoboronexport intends to offer the Sprut-SDM1 lightweight amphibious tank and local production of its separate units in a tender for the delivery of light tanks to India, said Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev. In April 2021, Army Recognition has reported that Indian army has issued a new RFI (Request for Information) to acquire 350 light tanks weighing less than 25 tons. According to the RFI, the Indian army would like to have a light tank featuring a multiple, modular and up gradable weapon system with the capability to destroy and offer countermeasures to varied threats. The new light tank Sprut-SDM1 should also feature multiple weapons for anti-aircraft and ground role with different caliber assisted with remote control weapon station. For ammunition, the tank should employ modern advance multipurpose ‘smart munitions’ with a gun able to fire anti-tank guided missiles. The tank should have an auxiliary power unit, preheated, environment control unit and anti-drone capability, UAV jammers, net-enabled. The Sprut-SDM1 lightweight amphibious tank has been developed by the High Precision Weapons Company within the state tech corporation Rostec and is based on the 2S25 Sprut-SD self-propelled anti-tank gun. The new tank features improved team control through special equipment installed for operation within the unified tactical-level command and control system. Its firepower has been enhanced by a new digital fire control system. The Sprut-SDM1 NATO named 2S25M is a light amphibious tank which has the mobility and the firepower of a modern main battle tank. This light tank is fitted with a two-man turret armed with a 125 mm 2A75M smooth bore tank gun which characteristics are virtually match those of the 2A46M5 tank main armament. It fires all types of ammunition designed for the T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks. The Sprut-SDM1 has a combat weight of only 18,000 kg. The 2S25M can run at a maximum road speed of 70 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 500 km. The vehicle is able to negotiate 35% forward and 25% side slopes. It can cross a trench of 2.8 m width and a vertical obstacle of 0.8 m. The 2S25M is also fully amphibious propelled in the water at a maximum speed of 7 km./h thanks to two water jets situated one either side low down at the rear of the hull. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_december_2021_global_security_army_industry/russia_offers_sprut-sdm1_lightweight_amphibious_tank_for_india_light_tank_tender.html

By Min Cheol Gu Dec 13, 2021 South Korean defense giant Hanwha Defense announced on Monday that it has signed a contract to supply and locally produce the AS9 Huntsman Self-Propelled Howitzer and AS10 Armoured Automatic Resupply Vehicle for the Australian Army. The AS9 Huntsman is a special variant of Hanwha’s K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer developed for Australia. With the AS9 Huntsman, Hanwha is offering a proven 52-caliber 155mm gun system that is in-service with multiple nations around the world including the NATO alliance. The AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle is a highly protected and maneuverable ammunition resupply vehicle with a unique loading system that reduces risk to soldiers from enemy fire. As noted by the company, Australia has become the seventh customer of the K9 Thunder howitzer, which is expanding its global presence further. “I am enormously proud for Hanwha to be part of such a significant occasion. To see the Korean President side-by-side with the Australian Prime Minister makes the growing depth of the relationship between Australia and Korea clear to me,” Mr Jaeil Son, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hanwha Defense said. “Both countries have much to gain from each other economically, but benefits are especially significant in terms of regional security. The long-standing trust and friendship between Australia and the Republic of Korea is a great asset,” Mr Richard Cho, Managing Director of Hanwha Defense Australia said. “The team at Hanwha Defense Australia has worked hard for this day. It is an honor to be contracted to supply equipment to the Australian Defence Force,” Mr Cho said. “The Hanwha team is now highly focused on the seamless delivery of what will be a transformative capability to the Australian Army. We will be working closely with our Australian industry partners to ensure that we deliver on our promise to establish sovereign capability here in Australia,” Mr Cho said. The procurement is part of Defence project Land 8116 phase 1 which will see the acquisition of 30 AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers and 15 AS10 armored resupply vehicles. This highly advanced new equipment will bring a genuine transformation to the Australian Army’s artillery capability. The vehicles will be manufactured in Australia at a new Hanwha facility to be constructed in the Greater Geelong area of Victoria. “With Australia’s close proximity to Republic of Korea, and the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries, Hanwha’s Australian facility will also become a critical and important secondary line of supply back to South Korea. The Australian operation also helps Hanwha fulfill contracts in other parts of the world and deliver capacity to engage with Five Eyes nations,” Mr Cho said. Local production of the AS9 and AS10 Huntsman vehicles will see Australia enter the global supply chain for the entire fleet with ongoing development of Australian Manufacturing and Supply Chain to global K9 user community. There will be full engineering support in Australia with reach-back to all original equipment manufacturers. The AS9 Huntsman features the highest levels of protection and survivability for this class of vehicle. Its mission and fire control systems provide fully automated support for planning, coordinating, controlling and executing fire missions. Huntsman is a mature protected mobile fires platform that is low risk with proven ability to deliver. Construction of the new Hanwha manufacturing facility is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2022 and take 24 months to complete. Production of the AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers is scheduled to commence in https://defence-blog.com/south-korea-and-australia-signs-massive-self-propelled-howitzer-deal/

By Dylan Malyasov Dec 15, 2021 Finland’s Ministry of Defense has authorized the Defense Forces to sign a deal with the German tank-maker Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to upgrade the fire control system of the Army’s Leopard 2 A4 and Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks. According to the Army Recognition news magazine, the modernization work on the Leopard 2 A4 and 2 A6 battle tanks is scheduled to commence early next year. “The work is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2022 and to be completed during 2026,” news magazine reported. Also, Army Recognition noted that Finland bought 124 used Leopard 2A4 tanks and six armored bridge-layer Leopard 2L tanks from Germany in 2002 and 2003. Finland has also acquired 100 second-hand Leopard 2A6 from the Netherlands that were delivered between 2015 and 2019. According to the military balance 2020, the Finnish army has a total 100 Leopard 2A6 and 100 Leopard 2A4 in store. The performance of Leopard 2 A4 and 2 A6 battle tanks procured from Germany and the Netherlands will be upgraded. The expert resources of Millog Oy, the strategic partner of the Defense Forces, will also be used for installation work and logistics, with a domestic employment effect of approximately 3 to 4 person-years. https://defence-blog.com/finland-to-sign-11-million-deal-to-upgrade-leopard-2-tanks/

By Dylan Malyasov Dec 14, 2021 Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik (Hunter) Russia has already rolled out another version of its new stealth combat drone that is getting ready for its first flight demonstration. Russia’s Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik (Hunter) in pre-serial configuration was unveiled at the Novosibirsk Aviation Enterprise during the visit of Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko. “The drone’s roll-out signifies the end of the item’s assembly as a whole and its outfitting with all the required onboard equipment in compliance with the requirements for aircraft and the switchover to comprehensive ground tests to prepare for its debut flight,” the deputy defense minister said. The Russian deputy defense minister who is on a working trip to Novosibirsk inspected the pace of the fulfillment of the defense procurement plan at the Novosibirsk Aviation Enterprise and held a meeting with the enterprise’s management where he discussed the implementation of government contracts. The defense official oversaw the roll-out of the first Okhotnik drone flight prototype and inspected the process of the assembly of the drone’s second prototype. “The United Aircraft Corporation of the Rostec state corporation unveiled the S-70 ‘Okhotnik’ drone furnished with a flat jet nozzle,” Rostec said, commenting on the drone’s roll-out. “The new Okhotnik features a flat thrust nozzle as its major feature, which reduces its radar signature,” Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov was quoted as saying. As United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) CEO Yury Slyusar pointed out, the work under the Okhotnik program is a key area for the Sukhoi Company and the UAC. ‘Today we are making all efforts to complete the trials as soon as possible and launch serial production,” the chief executive said. The S-70 ‘Okhotnik’ drone developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau features stealth technology and the flying wing design (it lacks the tail), which reduces its radar signature. According to the data of open sources, the drone has a take-off weight of 20 tonnes and can develop a speed of around 1,000 km/h. The drone’s serial deliveries to the troops are due to begin from 2024. The Okhotnik heavy attack drone performed its debut flight on August 3, 2019. The flight lasted over 20 minutes under an operator’s control. On September 27, 2019, the Okhotnik performed a flight together with a Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet. The drone maneuvered in the air in automated mode at an altitude of around 1,600 meters and its flight lasted over 30 minutes. https://defence-blog.com/russia-rolls-out-flying-prototype-of-its-new-stealth-combat-drone/

"The US effort to cool off the Israeli intention to act is portrayed by small delays and longer evaluation of Israeli requests," one Israeli defense source told Breaking Defense. By Arie Egozi on December 14, 2021 at 4:49 AM Boeing KC-46 TEL AVIV: While Israel is working hard to signal it is gearing up to strike Iranian nuclear sites, government sources here say there is almost no chance of Israeli military action without American approval — approval that does not seem likely to come in the near term. Israeli sources point to two examples of what they view as America attempting to slow Israel’s push towards military action: the unofficial rejection of an Israeli request to get air refueling services from US Air Force tankers if and when Israel decides to attack, and the fact that Israel could not convince the US to make an emergency move to speed up delivery of two KC-46A tanker aircraft, currently scheduled to be delivered in the 2023-2024 timeframe. “The US effort to cool off the Israeli intention to act is portrayed by small delays and longer evaluation of Israeli requests,” one Israeli defense source told Breaking Defense on condition of anonymity. Sources briefed on the results of a recent Israeli delegation to the US noted frustration on the part of Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz over the response from DC. The best-case timeline for an Israeli strike is still some months out, defense sources with knowledge of Israeli preparations tell Breaking Defense. That timeline is the result of the particularly complicated nature of attacking the Iranian nuclear sites, spread around this country and protected by thick layers of rocks and sand. (Had Israel been able to receive the KC-46A tankers earlier than planned, it would have accelerated the timeline for a potential strike.) A spokeswoman for the Pentagon directed inquiries to the State Department; a spokesperson for State declined to comment. While the Biden administration and its European partners are in ongoing negotiations with Iran about a new nuclear deal, officials in Israel have been openly saying for months that they doubt any agreement will come together. The message has been consistent: that Israel will act for its own security, with or without American consent, and is preparing for war. For instance, earlier this month David Barnea, the head of the Israel Mossad, said in an internal ceremony of the covert organization that Israel will do “whatever it takes” to make sure Iran never develops a nuclear weapon and that a bad nuclear deal between powers is “intolerable.” Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Aviv Kohavi has said a few times this year that military planning is underway, most notably in January when he said “I have ordered the IDF to prepare a number of operational plans, in addition to the existing ones. We are studying these plans and we will develop them over the next year.” But experts such as Giora Eiland, a retired IDF general officer who led the Israeli National Security Council, are skeptical that Israel would truly act without Washington’s backing. “If and when Israel will feel that there is no other type of action to stop the Iranians, it will involve a serious dialogue with Washington,” he told Breaking Defense. In lieu of a full-out assault on Iranian locations, Israel may be continuing the “shadow war” efforts that were common against Iran during the previous presidency of Benjamin Netanyahu. https://breakingdefense.com/2021/12/amid-iran-concerns-us-wont-help-israel-speed-up-tanker-buy-sources/

Republic of Korea Navy Successfully Tested Haegung Medium-range Surface-to-air Missile South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has successfully conducted key performance tests of a homegrown ship-based guided missile ahead of its deployment next year. The South Korea Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ) said that the missile, called the Haegung, hit the intended target in two tests, one conducted on Wednesday and one Friday. The missile is designed to intercept incoming missiles or shoot down hostile aircraft. The Republic of Korea Navy plans to deploy the weapons system to its key warships, such as frigates, landing ships, and mine layer ships. The K-SAAM (Korean Surface to Air Anti Missile, “Haegung” or Sea Bow”) is a South Korean medium-range ship-based surface-to-air missile (SAM) system that is being developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), LIG Nex1, and Hanhwa Defense. It features inertial mid-course guidance and a dual microwave and Infrared homing seeker for terminal guidance. It will replace RIM-116 Rolling Air frame Missile (RAM). The 3.07-meter-long K-SAAM is to be housed in a four-cell vertical launch system, four of which are intended to be fitted to the warships, providing 16 missiles per ship. Development started in 2011 which was extended for 2 more years after a series of failures during testing in 2016 with testing in 2017 being deemed successful and questioned by an anonymous source with knowledge involving evaluation test which referred to North Korean Kumsong-3 anti-ship missile as one of the major threats for ROK navy’s ships along with other neighboring countries. The state-funded Agency for Defense Development is in charge of the $140 million projects to produce the medium-range, ship-based missile in collaboration with LIG Nex1, precision-guided missile manufacture. https://militaryleak.com/2021/12/17/republic-of-korea-navy-successfully-tested-haegung-medium-range-surface-to-air-missile/

Naval News December 2021 Navy Forces Maritime Defense Industry Posted On Thursday, 16 December 2021 14:14 Artist rendering of Torpedo 62 (Picture source: Saab) According to a press release published by Saab on December 16, 2021, the company has received an order from the Swedish Defence Material Organization (FMV) for the next phase of the life extension program of Torpedo 62. The order value is SEK 145 million and deliveries will take place by the end of 2023. https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/december/11126-swedish-fmv-wants-life-extension-program-of-torpedo-62.html

By Dylan Malyasov Dec 14, 2021 The U.S. Air Force’s Air Combat Command announced Monday that the first operational unit being used the next-generation smart munition on its fighter jets. The 391st Fighter Squadron became the first operational unit to use the GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bomb, known as StormBreaker, at the Utah Test and Training Range, according to a press release from Air Combat Command released on 13 December. Four F-15Es from the 366th Fighter Wing had the opportunity to employ this new capability as part of WSEP (Weapon System Evaluation Program). The evaluation involved multiple aircraft targeting and engaging four ground-based vehicles with four Storm Breakers. Despite all of the vehicles being moving targets and this being a relatively new munition, all four were successfully hit. The StormBreaker measures at 69 inches long, 6-7 inches in diameter, weighs 204 pounds and carries a 105 pound warhead. By using a combination of millimeter wave active radar homing, semi-active laser guidance, infrared homing, GPS coupled inertial guidance and data-link, the bomb is proven to strike stationary targets at 69 miles and moving targets at 45 miles. According to Capt. Kyle “Scrap” Holifield, 391st Fighter Squadron, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, the integrated connectivity of the new bomb is one of its greatest assets, allowing it to be launched and then, if needed, redirected by the aircrew toward a new target while in transit. “I love that it can get on link,” he said referring to the communication system that is used by the F-15E’s, and numerous other platforms, electronic systems and is the backbone of this capability. “The new small diameter bomb provides F-15E’s with new and complimentary capabilities,” said Holifield. “It is not a replacement for other bombs.” Because of the small size of these new munitions, the F-15E Strike Eagle can carry up to 28 GBU-53/Bs. The ability to carry more munitions is critical in situations where there exists a high number of ground targets that require a high level of accuracy as offered by the StormBreaker. However, there was additional coordination and planning required employing the new bomb. Due to increased capabilities of this munition, the bomb and the aircraft are able to communicate with each other, which requires intelligence airmen to load encrypted communication information into the bomb’s computer. The person responsible for overseeing the process was 1st Lt. Estefania Ortiz-Santiago, 391st Fighter Squadron Officer in Charge of Intelligence. She said “the process was more extensive” compared to the bombs that the F-15E traditionally uses and that there was a fair amount of trouble shooting to ensure assets were communicating properly. Ortiz-Santiago noted that in the future, she expects the process will become more streamlined and take about the same amount of time to prepare as other bombs currently in use by the F-15E. The GBU-53/B is a great addition to the F-15E platform and improves its lethality even further. “I think it’s going to be great. It will be an awesome weapon,” Holifield said. “These tests are critical to paving the way for StormBreaker’ employment by the Combat Air Forces,” said Alison Howlett, program director for StormBreaker at Raytheon Missiles & Defense. “By stress-testing the weapon in an operational environment, we are even more confident in the weapon’s ability to strike targets in difficult conditions.” While the GBU-53/B is currently only approved for integration on the Strike Eagle, results will also support the employment of StormBreaker by joint capabilities with the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and eventually fifth generation platforms such as the F-35. “StormBreaker employment is a team effort. It requires the expertise of our aircrew, intelligence, munitions and maintenance Airmen to ensure we’re implementing the most effective processes efficiently,” said Col Ernesto DiVittorio, the 366th Fighter Wing Commander. “Gunfighters have always been on the leading edge of innovation. I knew the F-15E and the 366th Fighter Wing were the right front line team to first evaluate the integration of the GBU-53/B. This new capability will start by increasing our lethality in today’s fights, but has applicability if the United States must fight on future battlefields.” https://defence-blog.com/us-air-forces-first-operational-unit-uses-new-smart-bomb/