I - On Defense Podcast

For review: 1. US Completes Gaza Pier, which will be emplaced in near future. Delay is due to high winds and seas. 2. IDF conducting "Limited" Ground Operation in Eastern Rafah. Ground operation follows over 100 airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force. 3. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) denies sabotaging the latest round of talks between Israel and Hamas. 4. From ABC: 3 x Unnamed US Officials tell ABC News that the White House Security Council has delayed the delivery of ammunition to Israel. 5. French Foreign Ministry denies a deployment of French Troops to fight in the Russia-Ukraine War. 6. US State Department claims Russia is pursuing a space-deployed, anti- satellite nuclear weapon. 7. Rheinmetall: Prototype 155mm Munition with 100k Range to be sent to Ukraine. 8. USMC operationally deploys the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) to Balikatan 2024 Exercise in the Philippines. via the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49).

For review: 1. US and Russian Forces co-located on same base in Niger, as US forces plan drawdown. 2. US construction of Gaza temporary humanitarian pier, part of the Joint Logistics Over-the Shore capability (JLTOS), is 50% complete. Once fully operational, the pier will facilitate the delivery of roughly 150 truckloads of aid per day. 3. No Israel - Hamas Hostage Deal Yet. Negotiations continue. 4. Germany latest assistance package to Ukraine includes the Skynex Air Defense System- plus 10 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, medium-range missiles, a surveillance radar, and tank transporter tractors. 5. USMC Air Defense & counter Drone Efforts: - Medium Range Intercept Capability (MRIC). - Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS). - Light MADIS. 6. US Navy Sailors and Marines injured during amphibious training off Jacksonville, Florida coast. 7. Settled F-35 lawsuit between Lockheed Martin and Subcontractor Howmet Aerospace involved titanium supply. Case was formally dismissed on 02 April 2024. 8. USAF Creates Modernization Command.

For review: 1. Israel Intelligence Agencies (Mossad, Shin Bet, & IDF Intelligence Chief) release unified public report- first since 07 October. 2. French President (Emmanuel Macron) Discusses French Troops to Ukraine (Again). 3. Ukraine Strikes Russian Troop Concentration with ATACMS. 4. US Army New M2A4EI Bradley Variant. New Variant equipped with Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS). 5. USMC selects Kongsberg RT20 Remote Turret for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle - 30 mm Cannon (ACV-30) Variant. 6. USMC Commandant (General Eric Smith) & US Navy Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral Lisa Franchetti)- sign letter directing study into requirements and certification of amphibious ships. 7. Secretary of US Navy (Carlos Del Toro) testifies before House Armed Service Committee regarding FY25 Budget. Discusses Amphibious ship production, pauses, and required number. 8. Pakistan Navy Hangor II Submarines (8), launched at Chinese shipyard.

For review: 1. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu): Rafah Operation With or Without Hostage Deal. 2. Israel to Retire Patriot ADA Systems- in service since 1991. 3. International Court of Justice: No action against Germany for arms sales to Israel. 4. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transit Suez Canal from Red Sea to Mediterranean Sea. Carrier deployed on 13 October 2023 to Red Sea. Expected replacement carrier will be the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). 5. Russia displays captured M1 Tank in Moscow. Tank captured from combat operations near the city of Avdiivka. 6. Russia Says it Shot Down 6 x ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System). 7. USAF MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter breaches Nunn-McCurdy Act. Helicopter purpose is to patrol USAF Nuclear Missile Silos. 8. USMC Force Design concept learning from Houthi anti-ship tactics in the Red Sea.

For review: 1. Israel Awaiting Hamas Response to Truce Deal. 2. US Continues Work on Gaza Pier. The Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system is estimated to be operational in early May. 3. Russia continues to make gains along Eastern Ukraine front. Ukrainian Army Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged Ukraine’s overall situation had deteriorated. “The situation at the front has escalated. Trying to seize the strategic initiative and break through the front line, the enemy has concentrated its main efforts in several directions, creating a significant advantage in forces and in means." 4. Latest Australia Security Package to Ukraine worth $100 million. Includes: $50 million for short-range air defense systems; $30 million for drones; & $15 million for high priority equipment such as combat helmets, rigid hull inflatable boats, boots, fire masks and generators. 5. According to statement by the UK Defense Minister (Grant Shapps), Italy has provided Ukraine with Storm Shadow Long-Range Missiles. "It’s the UK, France and Italy positioning those weapons for use, particularly in Crimea. These weapons are making a very significant difference.” 6. From Spanish Defense Minister (Margarita Robles): Madrid "to provide a set of long-range Patriot anti-aircraft interceptor missiles (to Ukraine)." 7. US Army Fixed-Wing High Accuracy Detection & Exploitation System (HADES) effort progressing. Army has selected the fixed-wing platform: Bombardier Global 6500 jet, Army will hold competition and select vendor to integrate government furnished sensor package(s) onto the jet. The Army will field 14 x HADES Aircraft by 2035. 8. USAF Selects Sierra Nevada to Develop E-4B Successor, in program worth $13 billion.

For review: 1. Israel to Hamas: Make Hostage Deal or Rafah Operation. 2. Latest US Security Package to Ukraine is Record $6 billion. Includes additional Patriot interceptors, HIMARS munitions, cannon artillery munitions (152mm & 155mm), UAS, and UAS Components, among other materiel. 3. AP Report: Ukraine removes US M1A1 Abrams tanks from front line duty due to drone and UAV threat. 5/31 tanks have been destroyed since arriving in September 2023. 4. France and Germany officially sign agreement on Main Ground Combat System (MGCS). French Defense Minister (Sebastien Lecornu): “the future of the tank and not the tank of the future” had been “at the heart” of the negotiations “because we both need the same tank by 2040.” 5. German Defense Minister (Boris Pistorius): Russia is producing weapons and equipment beyond the need of frontline duty in Ukraine. UK Intelligence Report: Russia has the industrial capacity to produce at least 1,200 tank per year. 6. Sweden to increase defense spending to 2.6% GDP by 2030. Proposal to create 3 x Mech Infantry Brigades, 1 x Infantry Brigade, & 1 x Infantry Regiment. 7. What is the Army Aviation Strategy after the Future Recon Attack Aircraft (FARA) Program cancellation? 8. US Army continues development of Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) program. First Unit Equipped planned for 2026. 9. Sikorsky plans to compete in the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) effort. Also in the mix:- Bell & Leonardo (teaming) and Airbus.

For review: 1. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine is worth $1 billion. Includes Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, air defense interceptors, artillery rounds (155mm & 105mm), armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons. 2. US quietly shipped the long-range variant Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to Ukraine in March 2024. Range up to 300 kilometers. 3. IDF Ready for Rafah Operation. No timeline given. IDF ready at moment it receives approval. Pre-positioning Brigades in support of operation. 4. Latest on the US Gaza Pier Effort. US Official: Gaza militants attack with mortars “marshalling yard area for humanitarian assistance that will soon be delivered by sea." The attack does not delay efforts for the maritime corridor, and effort is still on schedule to begin initial operations in early May, the military official said. 5. US Army to Restructure Aviation Brigades. 6. US Army moving forward with CH-47 Chinook modernization. Army anticipates full rate production contract for CH-47 Block II aircraft in late 2025. 7. Textron Bell to deliver Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), V-280 Valor, to US Army in 2026. First Unit Equipped planned for 2031.

For review: 1. IDF restructures Tank Battalions. 2. Iran claims the the latest variant of the Bavar-373 Long-Range Air Defense Systems can defeat Stealth Aircraft. The systems employs the Sayyad-4B as the missile interceptor. 3. Germany to deliver the 4th IRIS-T SLM (Medium-Range) Air Defense System to Ukraine later this month. 4. Netherlands to invest $224 million in Ukraine Air Defense initiatives. Netherlands Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren: “Air defense equipment and artillery ammunition are desperately needed in Ukraine. The situation threatens to become critical.” 5. Spain to procure a fifth NASAMS from Kongsberg in a $438 million deal. NASAMS = National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems. 6. Lockheed Martin announces partnership with Spanish Firm (Grupo Oesia), to enable potential production of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) components in Spain. 7. UK to Increase Defense Spending to 2.5% GDP by 2030. 8. China's new H-20 Stealth Bomber to be unveiled soon. Reportedly, the H-20 is similar to the USAF B-21 Raider Bomber. 9. US Army Mobile Protected Firepower - M10 Booker - has been delivered for testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. 10. The new Marine One Helicopter (VH-92 Patriot), scorches the White House South Lawn's landing/pick-up zone. The V-92 is restricted from moving the President from this location. The older, VH-3D Sea King helicopter still performs this duty.

For review: 1. 19 April- Iran backed Armed Group base struck south of Baghdad. US and Israel deny involvement. 2. Follow-Up Report: Iran S-300 Radar System Damaged from 19 Apr Strike. 3. In address to Israel- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to strike Hamas- "with additional painful blows" - hinting at Rafah Operation. 4. US to Withdraw from Niger Drone Base. The base- in the city of Agadez- was used for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations. 5. Russia increases presence in Eastern Libya. 6. Russian forces receive latest tranche of SU-35S warplanes from Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (United Aircraft Corporation). 7. Poland to join German-led European Sky Shield Initiative. Initiative's objective: Improve the interoperability of air defense systems and streamline joint procurement of capacities across the continent. 8. US House Passes Military Aid Bills. Next step- US Senate. Ukraine: $48 billion. Israel: $14 billion. Indo-Pacific: $4 billion.

For review: 1. Missile Strike on Air Defense Radar Site inside Iran. Reported location is town of Isfahan- 75 miles south of the Natanz nuclear enrichment complex. 2. After second meeting, US & Israel Still Apart on Rafah Operation. Third meeting planned. 3. Breaking Defense article (Agnes Helou)- lays out Iran's Air Defense Long-Range, Medium-Range, & Short-Range capabilities. 4. Ukraine Reports Downing a Russian supersonic TU-22M "Backfire" Bomber. 5. General Atomics pitches Gray Eagle Short Take-off & Landing (STOL) combat drone as potential solution for the Army's now cancelled Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Program. Still in development, the Gray Eagle STOL has the capability to carry a maximum payload of 16 Hellfire missiles 6. Pre-Decisional: The Army Names Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) Stations. 1st MDTF: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. (Indo-PACOM) 2d MDTF: Germany with some subordinate battalions at Fort Drum, NY. (EUCOM) 3d MDTF: Hawaii with some subordinate battalions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. (Indo-PACOM) 4th MDTF: Fort Carson, CO. (Indo-PACOM) 5th MDTF: Fort Liberty, NC. (Global Response?)

For review: 1. Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu: "Israel appreciates advice and suggestions (from Allies), nevertheless- Israel will make our own decisions." 2. IDF Strikes Hezbollah Air Defense Site in Northeast Lebanon. 3. US CENTCOM X: 16 Apr-CENTCOM Forces engaged two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas in Yemen. 4. US Secretary of Navy tells Senate Appropriations Committee that the Navy has fired over $1 billion in munitions during Middle East operations. These munitions include SM-2s, SM-3s, and SM-6s (SM = Standard Missile). 5. US Navy Ship (USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo) returns to port in Jacksonville, Florida after catching fire enroute to Mediterranean Sea- in support of mission to build a temporary pier- to allow Humanitarian Aid into Gaza. 6. Czech Republic plan to provide 155mm artillery munitions to Ukraine continues progress. Czech government reports that it has secured 500,00 rounds, with first deliveries to Ukraine in June 24. 7. Lithuania & Rheinmetall Partner to Build 155mm Munition Plant. 8. Argentina Finalizes Purchase of 24 x F-16 Fighters from Denmark. 9. Lawmakers from Connecticut question Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky possible layoffs (400) due to the cancellation of the US Army Future Assault Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Program. 10. US Army to procure more Enhanced Night Vision Goggle- Binocular (ENVG-Bs) from L3 Harris in contract worth $256 million.

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 13-14 Apr: CENTCOM & EUCOM Forces engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen. 2. Israel Discusses Response to Iranian Attack & IDF Provides Target Options. 3. US CENTCOM & EUCOM Air, Ground, & Naval Assets assist Israel in repelling Iranian attack. 4. US Navy Guided-Missile Destroyers USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) & USS Carney (DDG-64) intercept Iranian ballistic missiles with SM 3s (Standard Missile) - first time these munitions have been used in combat. 5. Israeli F-35I Adir Fighters targeted at Nevatim Air Base in Southern Israel during Iranian strike. No reported damage to warplanes. 6. Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky, says the front-line situation is “deteriorating” along the frontier of the Eastern part of the country. Russian forces are moving toward the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. 7. Russia reportedly creates new Corps-sized "Operational Strategic Group" named Sever (North in Russian) for operations in Ukraine. This unit will join five other Strategic Groups- Center, South, West, & Dnipro. 8. Germany to send Patriot Air Defense Artillery System to Ukraine. 9. US Missile Defense Agency Selects Next Generation ICBM Interceptor (Lockheed Martin). 10. US Army deploys the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) to Philippines (from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA). Unit is equipped with the Mid-Range Capability Launcher that employs the SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles. Mid-Range Capability fills ranges between the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) (500 kilometers) and the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) (2,776 kilometers).

For review: 1. Navy Special Operations Forces from the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized a commercial vessel (container ship MSC Aries) with ties to Israel, near the Strait of Hormuz. 2. Iran Attacks Israel with Missiles & Drones. Retaliation for Damascus strike in early April. 3. Russian President (Vladimir Putin) comments on upcoming round of Peace talks in Switzerland- without Russian invitation or attendance. Quote from Russian President: "Moreover, they think there is nothing for us to do there, but at the same time they say that’s it’s impossible to decide anything without us. It would have been funny if it weren’t so sad.” 4. US European Combatant (EUCOM) Commander (General Christopher Cavoli): Ukraine is outgunned. For every artillery shell (round) it fires, Russia returns five. 5. Germany to send 20 x Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine. The German 2024 Budget allows for $8.5 billion in assistance to Ukraine. 6. UK Navy to have Direct Energy Weapons by 2027. 7. US EUCOM Unfunded Priority List is $141 million. Main priority is US Air Force’s base defense network, allowing it “to detect and identify cruise missiles, large, and small unmanned aerial systems, and other incoming attacks.” 8. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Unfunded Priority List is $500 million. Main priority is $219 million to “support a layered base defense configuration” involving a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), interceptors, radars and other “short-range air defense equipment to counter” small- to medium-sized drones. 9. Lockheed Martin says that their Hypersonic Missile (Mako) is ready now. Lockheed’s Senior Program Manager: this is a multi-mission, highly capable system, highly survivable, affordable, so you’re going to hold many targets at risk with one weapons system that’s ready now.”

1. US CENTCOM X: 09 Apr- US transfers an Infantry Brigade's worth of seized arms and ammunition to Ukraine. It includes over 5,000 x AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s- and over 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. 09 Apr- USS Mason (DDG 87) successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen over the Gulf of Aden. 10 Apr- CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. 10 Apr- CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed eight UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. 2. Israel Defense Minister (Yoav Gallant): IDF Ready to Respond Any Scenario. Israel has been on high alert amid Iranian officials’ promises of revenge for a Damascus airstrike. 3. US believes a major Iranian attack on Israel is imminent and could happen in the coming days. Iran could launch strikes involving high-precision missiles and drones targeting military and government sites in Israel (Bloomberg). 4. Greece Prepared to Transfer 32 x F-16C/D Fighters to Ukraine- and possibly 24 x Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 warplanes as well. 5. Russia is developing more lethal ammunition based on its study of NATO combat vehicles captured in Ukraine. 6. Serbia to Procure 12 x Rafale Warplanes from France. 7. Update on key USAF Modernization programs: B-21 Raider Bomber & LGM-35A Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)- (replacement for the LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM). 8. Follow-up on previous story about factors contributing to the US Navy's Columbia-Class Submarine (District of Columbia - SSBN-826) delivery schedule.

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 06 Apr- CENTCOM Forces destroyed one mobile surface-to air missile system in Houthi controlled territory of Yemen. CENTCOM Forces also shot down one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the Red Sea. 08 Apr- CENTCOM Forces destroyed an air defense system with two missiles ready to launch, a ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, and one unmanned aerial system. 2. Leaders of Egypt (President El-Sissi), France (President Macron), and Jordan (King Abdullah) call for cease fire, release of hostages, and increase in humanitarian aid in a Washington Post OpEd. 3. IDF Departs Gaza - Leaves One Brigade. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: "the point of withdrawing troops from the Strip was to prepare for the expected offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah." 4. IDF Creates New UAV Squadron. Purpose: Carry out tasks of intelligence gathering, recording aerial footage, and strikes in cooperation with the ground forces in ground operations. 5. Poland creates Drone Component and plans to incorporate UAVs at all levels. 6. Canada to Increase Defense Spending. Increase still short of the 2% GDP encouraged by NATO. 7. US Navy & USMC Study. Purpose: "Study amphibious warship readiness and how the services can get ahead of ship maintenance challenges." 8. AUKUS Members ok for Japan to join as Pillar II Tech partner. Pillar II tech partner "covers a collection of new defense technologies, as opposed to the nuclear-submarine portion of the security agreement."

For review 1. US Navy Report Identifies Ship Building Delays. Columbia-Class Submarine (12-16 month delay) and Constellation-Class Frigate (36 month delay) Programs are listed. 2. Iran Army Chief of Staff (General Mohammad Reza Zahedi) promises "maximum damage" in revenge for Damascus strike. 3. IDF destroys three Hamas tunnels- one of which entered hundreds of meter inside Israel. 4. Israel Opposition Leader (Yair Lapid) visits Washington to meet with US Senior Officials- Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, and Senate Majority Leader. 5. IDF Creates Mountain Brigade. Unit will operate in the Northern Border Area and fall under the 210th Division. 6. Ukraine Official- F-16 Fighter Jets no longer relevant for 2024 operations against Russia. 7. Poland and Italy not affected by F-35 deliveries. Poland to continue fighter purchases. 8. Norway to Double Defense Spending by 2036- from $8.75 billion in 2024 to over $17 billion in 2036. 9. UVision (Hero 120) and SAIC join to increase production of Hero-120 Loitering Munition systems.

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 03 Apr- , USS Gravely (DDG 107) successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) and two unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen towards USS Gravely in the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. Additionally, CENTCOM Forces destroyed a mobile surface-to-air missile system in Houthi controlled territory. 04 Apr- CENTCOM Forces destroyed one anti-ship missile (ASM) in a Houthi-controlled territory of Yemen. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. 2. Israel Readies for Possible Iranian Response to Damascus Strike. 3. US White House threatens change in support unless Israel changes approach to war against Hamas in Gaza. No details on what those changes might be. 4. Russia (Sergei Shoigu) - France (Sebastien Lecornu) Defense Ministers have phone call- first in almost two years. 5. During visit to India, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba discussed a possibility that Russia - Ukraine negotiations could be in the future. 6. US State Department Official, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kurt Campbell: “We have assessed over the course of the last couple of months that Russia has almost completely reconstituted militarily.” 7. Denmark Government relieves Chief of Defense due to unreported readiness problems with Frigate Iver Huitfeldt during Red Sea combat deployment. 8. Germany to "overhaul" military command structure. Will combine two separate command centers into one operational command. In addition, Cyber & Information Domain will become a fourth arm of German defense- joining Army, Navy, & Air Force. 9. Estonia to purchase 12 x Caesar Mobile Artillery (155mm). Will be fielded to Artillery formation in the 1st Division.

For review: 1. Army Fields Next Gen Squad Rifles & Automatic Rifles to 1-506 Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101 ABN Division (Fort Campbell, KY). 2. Strike in Damascus Kills 2 x IRGC Generals. 3. US and Israel continue to disagree on Rafah Operation. 4. Germany orders new 22 x Panzerhaubitze 2000 (155mm) from Rheinmetall in deal worth $145 million. First systems to arrive in mid-2025. 5. French manufacturer KNDS Nexter says that Caesar Mobile 155mm Howitzers have greater survival rate in Ukraine than other self-propelled or towed systems. 6. Guam Air & Missile Defense effort to have own Joint Program Executive Office- JPEO Guam Defense Systems. US Army's Rapid Capabilities & Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), will take lead. 7. US Army requests and receives (from Congress) the ability to have multi-year contracts on Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and Patriot Advanced Capability - 3 (PAC-3) munitions. 8. F-35A variant can now fly in lightning /thunderstorms after four year ban due to safety problem (now solved).

For review: 1. 1000 ton lift-capacity derrick barge Chesapeake- supporting Key Bridge salvage (Baltimore, Maryland)- linked to the Hughes Glomar Explorer CIA operation to recover Soviet submarine (K-129 sunk in 1968). 2. US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff (General Charles Brown) discusses Alternatives to IDF Rafah Ground Operation. They are: Secure Gaza border with Egypt with technological advances to prevent the smuggling of weapons through the Philadelphi Corridor, the isolation of the city of Rafah and the launch of targeted raids, and the establishment of a joint control room to coordinate on the targeted operations. 3. US Arms Package to Israel includes 1,800 x MK-84 2,000-pound bombs, 500 x MK-82 500-pound bombs, & 25 x F-35s. 4. Ukraine Top General Oleksandr Syrsky conducts interview- discusses munition shortages and consequences on military operations. 5. France & Denmark to deliver more Caesar 155mms (78) to Ukraine. 6. European Union to fund increased production of MBDA Enforcer shoulder-launched missile system. 7. With the addition of Sweden and Finland to NATO- US Army to study new Army Pre-positioned Stock locations in Europe. Current location are in Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium. 8. Argentina to buy 24 x surplus F-16s from Denmark in deal reportedly worth $320 million. 9. US Army continues Directed Energy air defense weapons development. 10. BAE develops vehicle top plate for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). This allows the placement of various turrets on the vehicle. Examples: Counter-UAS model, 30mm gun model, and turreted 120mm mortar model.

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 27 Mar- US CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed four long-range unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen. 28 Mar- US CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed four long-range unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen. (2d Day in a row). 2. Lebanon News Outlet via Times of Israel: Per Egyptian sources- IDF will conduct Rafah operation in April or May. 3. US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff (GEN Charles Brown) on military aid to Israel- "Although we’ve been supporting them with capability, they’ve not received everything they’ve asked for. Some of that is because they’ve asked for stuff that we either don’t have the capacity to provide or not willing to provide, not right now ." 4. Pakistan Day Parade in Islamabad (23 Mar) displays military hardware including VT-4 Main Battle Tank and the HQ-9/P Surface-to-air missile. 5. Potential Ukraine F-16 Basing in NATO Countries "Legitimate Target" (Russian President Vladimir Putin). 6. UK to Conduct Future Force Design Review. There are three core elements of the review: How Britain fights future conflicts; Any potential restructuring of the armed force; and Other “capability choices.” 7. France's Defense Minister (Sebastien Lecornu) motivates the French Defense Industry. "Expects some effort from industrialists." 8. Is US Army Towed Artillery Dying? AFC Commander (GEN James Rainey): “I personally believe that we have witnessed the end of the effectiveness of towed artillery: The future is not bright for towed artillery.” (is that yes?) 9. US Army & Navy will Conduct Hypersonic Missile Test this Spring.