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23 Nov 19. Freedom of Navigation in South China Sea Critical to Prosperity, Says Indo-Pacific Commander. Navy Adm. Philip S. Davidson, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, spoke today at the Halifax International Security Forum, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Freedom of navigation by air and by sea is important globally, including in the South China Sea, where trillions of dollars in commerce transit each year, he said.

However, over the years, China has been militarizing islands in the South China Sea and has increased its capability there, he said.

Now, China wants to come up with a code of conduct between it and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for operating in those waters, he said.

ASEAN is a group of nations in Southeast Asia that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation among its 10 members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Davidson urged ASEAN nations to ensure such an agreement, if reached, does not restrict their freedom of navigation and limit their ability to operate there for commerce and exercises.

The admiral said ASEAN nations have been assured that the U.S. and its allies and partners will support their right of freedom of navigation.

Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and India have all sailed through those waters and participated in military exercises there, he noted.

Also, the U.S. has increased its operations in the South China Sea, Davidson said. Several exercises were conducted there in September and October and two freedom of navigation exercises were conducted there in the last week or two.

As well, navigation in those waters will pick up as the U.S. continues to rotate its forces through Singapore and projects air and sea power from bases in Japan, he added.

Davidson then discussed a wider threat from China.

China is expanding its military presence beyond the South China Sea, Davidson said. They are now operating globally, to include areas around South America, Europe and Africa.

There have been more of these global Chinese naval deployments in the last 30 months than in the last 30 years, he said.

They are also developing and fielding advanced ballistic missiles and hypersonics.

In response, the U.S. is ramping up its missile defense systems and is developing long-range precision fires as a deterrence measure, he said.

Davidson concluded that “freedom and support of the international order is worth defending.” (Source: US DoD)

21 Nov 19. U.S. warships sail in disputed South China Sea, angering China. U.S. Navy warships twice sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea in the past few days, the U.S. military told Reuters on Thursday, at a time of heightened tension between the world’s two largest economies.

The busy waterway is one of a number of flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship, which include a trade war, U.S. sanctions, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Earlier this week during high-level talks, China called on the U.S. military to stop flexing its muscles in the South China Sea and adding “new uncertainties” over democratic Taiwan, which is claimed by China as a wayward province.

The U.S. Navy regularly angers China by conducting what it calls “freedom of navigation” operations by ships close to some of the islands China occupies, asserting freedom of access to international waterways.

The littoral combat ship Gabrielle Giffords travelled within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef on Wednesday, Commander Reann Mommsen, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet, told Reuters.

The destroyer Wayne E. Meyer challenged restrictions on innocent passage in the Paracel islands on Thursday, Mommsen said.

“These missions are based in the rule of law and demonstrate our commitment to upholding the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all nations,” she said.

China’s military confirmed on Friday that the two U.S. warships had sailed through the contentious waterways and said it tracked the passage of the American ships.

“We urge (the United States) to stop these provocative actions to avoid any unforeseeable accidents,” the spokesman for China’s Southern Theatre Command said in a statement. “China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and its surrounding area.”

China claims almost all the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea, where it has established military outposts on artificial islands. However, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the sea.

China’s Foreign Ministry also voiced anger, saying it had lodged strong representations with the U.S. over the warships movements.

“The U.S. actions severely damage China’s sovereignty and safety, destroy the peace and stability in the South China Sea, and we express our resolute opposition,” said ministry spokesman Geng Shuang at a daily press briefing on Friday.

The United States accuses China of militarising the South China Sea and trying to intimidate Asian neighbours who might want to exploit its extensive oil and gas reserves.

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper met Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe earlier this week for closed-door talks on the sidelines of a gathering of defence ministers in Bangkok.

Wei urged Esper to “stop flexing muscles in the South China Sea and to not provoke and escalate tensions in the South China Sea”, a Chinese spokesman said.

Esper has accused Beijing of “increasingly resorting to coercion and intimidation to advance its strategic objectives” in the region. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Reuters)

22 Nov 19. US, UK and Japan navy chiefs sign trilateral cooperation agreement. The chiefs of the UK, Japan and US navies have signed a trilateral cooperation agreement for greater cooperation and partnership.

The agreement was signed by Royal Navy First Sea Lord admiral Tony Radakin, US Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) admiral Mike Gilday, and Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Chief of Staff Admiral Hiroshi Yamamura.

The three leaders discussed maritime issues during a trilateral meeting onboard the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08).

Gilday said: “Today, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthen our common efforts, which demonstrates that our relationships are institutional, rather than merely personal.

“This agreement strengthens our naval bonds and codifies our continued dedication to a free and open maritime commons. There is much to celebrate in our trilateral relationship, indeed the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

He stressed on the need for greater cooperation with the UK and Japan to address security challenges and ensure freedom of access to waterways in line with international law.

The three navies recently participated in two trilateral anti-submarine warfare exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.

The trilateral exercise was held in the Western Pacific in March and involved a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft from the US Navy, the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose, and the JMSDF’s destroyer JS Murasame and P-1 aircraft.

Radakin said: “In an increasingly interconnected world, partnerships and alliances such as this are vital for protecting the freedoms of the international community. I look forward to continuing to learn from one another, sharing our experiences and exploring where we can pursue our common aims together.”

In 2016, the navies of the three countries inked the first trilateral cooperation agreement during a meeting in the Pentagon. (Source: naval-technology.com)

22 Nov 19. The UAE wants partnerships to develop cutting-edge tech. The US has questions. Earlier this month, the United Arab Emirates launched a government-owned defense conglomerate formed with the aim of spearheading advanced technology development projects with other nations.

But if the UAE wants to partner with the United States on those efforts, it will need to satisfy U.S. concerns about data security, said R. Clarke Cooper, assistant secretary of state for political military affairs.

“Their aspiration is to get beyond providing, say, nuts and bolts to significant platforms or equipment. They want to move into more of a research and development space, which we would certainly welcome,” Cooper told reporters during a Nov. 18 roundtable at Dubai Airshow.

“The caveat to that is that as they move forward to a research and development space is seeking additional assurances on tech security and seeking additional manifestations or evidence of refined procurement processes.”

The UAE established Edge, a government owned conglomerate of around 25 companies worth a combined annual revenue of $5 billion, to create cutting-edge defense products and rapidly bring them to market. The organization will focus on platforms and systems; missiles and weapons; cyber defense; electronic warfare and intelligence; and mission support, Faisal Al Bannai, CEO and managing director of Edge, told Defense News earlier this month.

To do this, it will rely not only on investments that cut across existing UAE defense firms, but partnerships with international companies and academia.

But if the UAE wants to do research or production with the U.S. military, there will have to be “visible guarantees” in place, Clarke said.

“That means standing up and creation of some entities other than Edge that comport with research and development,” for instance, organizations with oversight authorities and the responsibility to safeguard data and technology.

Clarke also declined to detail what the potential areas of cooperation the United States is interested in pursuing with the UAE.

“Are there opportunities? Yes. But I think one thing that we are equally interested in is what’s available beyond the bilateral,” he said, adding that the U.S. government would give special consideration to projects it can work on with the UAE and other nations in the region or elsewhere. It “doesn’t need to be a NATO state,” but the goal would be to produce technology in line with the “NATO standard,” he said.

Clarke’s comments echo those of the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Dave Goldfein, who on Saturday called on Middle Eastern air chiefs gathered in Dubai to begin work to network together their air defense systems into an enterprise better positioned to thwart Iranian missile attacks.

They might also reflect a growing problem for the U.S. government — international nations’ willingness to risk sanctions to buy technologies from China and Russia instead of the United States. This year, U.S. expelled Turkey from the F-35 program after Ankara ordered Russia’s S-400 air defense system, which has now been delivered. Aside from that, it could also be subject to sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA.

Clarke administered a similar threat to Egypt on Tuesday, saying that Cairo could trigger sanctions if it goes through with its planned purchase of 20 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia. It also “puts them at risk of loss of future acquisitions,” he said.

The United Arab Emirates has shown some interest in high-tech Russian gear. On Monday, UAE defense firm Tawazun announced that it would take a 50 percent stake in VR Technologies, a division of Russian Helicopters. In 2017, Russian defense industry giant Rostec announced an agreement to co-develop a fifth generation fighter jet together. Those efforts seemed to have not borne fruit, but Rostec continues to market the Su-35 and Su-57 to Abu Dhabi.

“The ball is on the other side, and it’s up to the Emirati government to decide when and what to discuss next,” Victor Kladov, Rostec’s director for international cooperation and regional policy, told Defense News on Nov. 18.

“We are open, we are as much open as we can for supplies, for industrial partnership, for transfer of technologies,” he said. (Source: Defense News)

22 Nov 19. South Africa Investigates Saudi IP Theft from Denel. South Africa is investigating the alleged misappropriation of intellectual property rights belonging to state defense firm Denel, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) confirmed.

The IP relates to air-to-air missiles, stand-off weapons, surface target missiles, air defense and unmanned aerial vehicle systems, the SIU told Reuters.

“The focus area for the investigation in question is unlawful, irregular or unapproved measures or practices in relation to the misappropriation of proprietary and intellectual property rights,” SIU said.

Denel told Reuters the claims initially surfaced last year and were looked into.

“Denel did report the allegations of theft of IP to the relevant authorities who investigated the matter and found no substantiating evidence of impropriety,” the company said in a statement.

Denel employees are alleged to have inappropriately passed information to Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) during talks over a potential partnership, The City Press newspaper reported.

Saudi Arabia’s state defense company did not respond to a Reuters request for immediate comment sent on Wednesday.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa authorized the SIU inquiry last month, according to a proclamation published in the official government gazette.

The SIU is already investigating possible corruption and mismanagement at Denel during the administration of former South African President Jacob Zuma under an existing, broader probe.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s third-largest defense spender, is seeking partnerships to develop its own defense industry. Last year it made a $1 billion bid for a partnership with Denel.

Among other things SAMI would have financed research and development of Denel Dynamics, the division of the group that produces tactical missiles and precision guided weapons.

Denel Chief Executive Danie du Toit told Reuters earlier this year that his company was open to partnerships but would not sell equity or relinquish IP rights to SAMI.

As recently as July, SAMI said it was still in commercial talks with Denel.

Denel has not released financial statements for the 2018/19 fiscal year and was projected to be insolvent in a presentation to parliament’s portfolio committee on public enterprises in September.

A pillar of South Africa’s once-mighty defense industry, like a handful of state-run companies Denel has needed government bailouts to stay afloat in recent months. (Source: UAS VISION/Reuters)

21 Nov 19. $270bn to be spent on naval vessels in Asia-Pacific over next decade. New procurement of naval vessels in the Asia Pacific region is proceeding apace, with spending forecast to total nearly $270bn between 2019 and 2029. Beijing provides the largest source of vessel procurement requirements globally as it builds up a blue-water navy capable of power projection. According to Defence Insight analysis, there are 29 ongoing and forecast procurement programmes covering at least 250 vessels as it looks to increase influence abroad. China is forecast to spend $123bn over the next ten years, investing heavily in its domestic shipbuilding capability. Beyond China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan are on the frontline when facing the PLAN.

In Taiwan there are on-going projects for corvettes, minelayers, and a landing platform dock. Looking further into the future Taiwan’s Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) programme is underway, but remains a long-term project with a prototype scheduled by 2025. The are also aspirations to acquire a new Guided-Missile Destroyer and new frigate capability.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is embarking on the 27DD Maya-class destroyer programme for a pair of ships that will focus on ballistic missile defence. The first pair are expected to enter service in 2020-2021. The JMSDF is also expected to receive eight new 30DX frigates under a programme approved in 2017 to replace the existing Asagiri- and Abukuma-class light destroyers and Soryu-class submarines.

In Korea contracts have recently been awarded for a new 8,100t Aegis guided-missile destroyer and Dosan Ahn Chang-ho (KSS-III) class submarines. There are also plans to explore the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine and a LHD capable of supporting F-35B fighters.

Indonesia’s naval upgrade programme includes taking delivery of new frigates and submarines. Two Martadinata-class (PKR) frigates have been delivered and it is expected that with the retirement of older frigate platforms four more new ships will be ordered. Indonesia’s third and final Nagapasa-class submarines was launched on 11 April this year, and it should reach the navy in 2021.

A second batch of three Type 209/1400 diesel-electric submarines will be built by PT PAL and South Korea’s DSME under a $1.02bn contract signed in April 2019.

New Delhi is investing significantly in its naval power as a reaction both to China and its own perception of itself as a global power. Key programmes are the creation of a fleet of indigenously developed aircraft carriers, nuclear and conventional submarines, new air defence destroyers and modern frigates. Indian spending on new naval systems is estimated to increase from $3.9bn to $4.5bn annually by the end of the 2020s.

Australia is also set to spend a substantial amount on deploying new capabilities, but the key programmes have all been won. Major programmes in Australia include the procurement of nine Type 26 Hunter-class frigates from BAE Systems and ASC Shipbuilding at a cost of around US$26 bn under Project Sea 5000; Sea 1000 consisting of the acquisition of 12 conventional attack submarines from Naval Group for around US$36bn; and three Sea 4000 Hobart-class destroyers for US$6.9bn.

In Malaysia, however, a delay to the $2.2bn Maharaja Lela-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme means that the ships will be delivered four years late, in 2023. (Source: Shephard)

20 Nov 19. AIDN calls for urgent review of Australian Industry Capability program. Australia’s peak national industry body for representation of mostly small to medium businesses operating in the country’s defence and national security industry has demanded an urgent review of the Australian Industry Capability (AIC) program, citing concern it wasn’t meeting its objectives of providing opportunities for local SMEs to compete for defence work within our shores and overseas.

The Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN) also noted that its other objective of encouraging investment and intellectual property development in Australian industry may also not be getting met.

“The current AIC policy framework, established by the government through the Department of Defence, is well intentioned and has been warmly received by Australian industry. However, the AIC program as implemented is not facilitating development of sovereign industry capability or business opportunities for the local Australian defence supply chain to the extent envisioned,” said Lester Sutton, chairman of AIDN National.

“Australian industry, particularly small and medium business, is now at risk of losing out on sovereign industry capability, bns of dollars of work, and thousands of local jobs.”

AIDN claims that its members across the country are “reporting significant frustration in getting Australian industry involved to the extent envisioned across major new defence programs including the Future Submarine, Future Frigate, Offshore Patrol Vessel, Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle and Joint Strike Fighter programs”, warning that if the AIC continues down the road it is going, the outcome will be to lock-in more overseas suppliers and exclude Australian industry from participating in these acquisitions, including through-life support.

“Australian industry is not after a hand out, but it wants the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, for the first-of-class of Australian military platforms, otherwise there is a high likelihood Australian industry will be excluded for the life of the platforms – and sovereign industry capability will not be achieved,” Sutton said.

“With these major programs across all of defence, including SEA 1000 Future Submarine, SEA 5000 Future Frigate, SEA 1180 Offshore Patrol Vessels, LAND 400 Phase 2 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle, LAND 400 Phase 3 Mounted Close Combat Vehicle, LAND 4503 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter and LAND 2097 Phase 4 Special Operations Helicopter, now is the time, without detracting from delivering the defence capability our defence forces need, to focus defence acquisition on supporting sovereign industry capability, local jobs and the significant economic benefit this brings to the country.”

With these acquisitions marking the largest defence purchases in Australia’s history, many SMEs feel left out in the cold with subcontracts for these major programs.

For example, French companies have won two of the three subcontracts for major subsystems for the Attack Class submarine established by fellow French company Naval Group, with the other being won by German company MTU.

While it’s not as simple as saying that it’s favouritism, when its likely that these companies were genuinely the best option, decisions such as these have seen local SMEs raise their eyebrows.

The proposed solution

AIDN has announced its recommendations to “improve the AIC program’s effectiveness and to ensure Australian industry, particularly small and medium businesses, are not further excluded from such opportunities”.

They are as follows:

Creation of an AIC program assurance regime to transparently monitor and review AIC quantum and quality contained within actual purchase orders placed, against contractual commitments and any pre-contract assurances made by prime contractors, and be subject to external audit;
Enhancement of the mechanisms for enforcement of AIC program commitments, including material penalties, such as liquidated damages and make-good obligations;
Introduction of incentives for overseas suppliers to team with Australian companies rather than establishing new subsidiaries in Australia, if the genesis of a required capability already exists within Australia industry; and
Immediate application of expert defence resources to the two largest acquisitions (Future Submarine and Future Frigates) to integrate extant Australian industry into the detailed designs, supply chains and production details for these vessels prior to first-of-class vessel construction.

“These are relatively straightforward changes, which we believe can and need to be implemented without delay,” Sutton concluded.

“AIDN members are grateful for the significant reform achieved in defence industry policy by the government over the last five years and fully support the drive to generate more local capability and corresponding jobs through the transfer of overseas technology. But we need to ensure the intent and extent of these good policy settings, particularly around AIC, are actually achieved.” (Source: Defence Connect)

19 Nov 19. Joint operation with Philippines evolves into enhanced defence co-operation program. The federal government has announced that Australia will transition its support under Operation Augury-Philippines to an enhanced defence co-operation program as of next month.

The announcement was made by Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, within the margins of the ADMM-Plus in Bangkok, with the pair saying the boosted co-operation reinforced a shared long-term commitment to countering the regional terrorist threat and building on the well-established bilateral defence relationship. This arrangement will begin as of 1 December 2019.

Minister Reynolds and Secretary Lorenzana recognised that after the siege of Marawi in October 2017, Australia’s contribution under Operation Augury-Philippines has provided counter-terrorism capacity training to over 10,000 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

This training co-operation has included essential land-based activities focused on urban combat and joint co-ordination skills; air training focused on enhancing air co-ordination in the urban environment; and maritime training activities.

“Thanks to #YourADF who’ve trained <10,000 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under Op AUGURY since the Marawi Siege. At #ADMM+ Secretary Lorenzana & I announced #ADF counter terrorism support will continue under an enhanced DCP,” Minister Reynolds tweeted out following the announcement.

Minister Reynolds and Secretary Lorenzana agreed an enhanced defence co-operation program will allow the Australian Defence Force to continue delivering the capacity-building support for counter-terrorism co-operation requested by the Philippines.

The program will also provide funding certainty and greater flexibility to meet the broader needs of the Australia-Philippines bilateral defence relationship.

Minister Reynolds and Secretary Lorenzana underscored that long-term engagement under the enhanced defence co-operation program will strengthen their shared commitment to regional security and stability.

Operation Augury-Philippines sees the deployment of around 100 ADF personnel, from the Australian Navy, Army and Air Force, as well as Royal Australian Navy vessels working on occasion with the Philippine Navy in the Sulu and Celebes seas. (Source: Defence Connect)

19 Nov 19. Syria – Suspected IDF strikes via Lebanese airspace target Syrian capital & Damascus International Airport. On 19 November, suspected Israel Defence Forces (IDF) assets reportedly conducted strikes from the Mount Hermon area over Lebanese airspace (FIR Beirut (OLBB)) against targets in the Syrian capital, including Damascus International Airport (OSDI/DAM). The Assad-regime military reportedly responded to the strike by activating its conventional surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems located near the capital and along the Lebanese-Syrian border. However, no suspected IDF assets are believed to have been damaged as a result, though the Assad-regime claimed its air defence forces engaged incoming “hostile targets”, either over Syrian airspace (FIR Damascus (OSTT)) near Damascus and/or along the Lebanese border. The last reported IDF airstrike in Syria occurred on 12 November when a high-ranking extremist Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group official was killed in a targeted assassination in Damascus. Previously, the IDF conducted a series of airstrikes against an Assad-regime military site in Damascus on 24 August which reportedly thwarted an Iranian-linked advanced attack plan to target sites in Israel via armed drones launched from Syria. Both the US and UK civil aviation authorities have issued notices for airspace areas neighbouring Syria, outlining the risk posed to civil aviation within 200 miles (322 km) of the country, which includes the entirety of FIR Beirut (OLBB), due to increased military activity, GPS disruption and errant conventional SAM launches (KICZ A0009/18, EGTT V0018/19).

Analysis

Suspected IDF airstrikes have targeted sites linked to Iran and/or Hezbollah in Syria on approximately 100 occasions since 2014 with at least 25 sets of strikes taking place during 2019 alone. During the vast majority of these events Assad-regime air-defence units employed conventional SAM systems in response. The following Syrian military conventional SAM systems are routinely employed by Syria for air defence purposes: Russian-made Pantsir-S1 (SA-22 GREYHOUND), 9K317 Buk-M2E (SA-17 GRIZZLY) and S-200 Vega (SA-5 GAMMOIN). The SA-17 is effective up to FL820 and out to 32 miles (50 km) and the SA-22 is capable of engaging targets at altitudes up to FL490 and at ranges out to 12.4 miles (20 km). The SA-5 has the capability to engage aircraft at altitudes well above FL900 and at ranges out to 190 miles (300 km). Russia has supplied the Assad-regime with multiple Russian-made S-300PMU2 Favorit (SA-20PMU2 GARGOYLE) conventional SAM systems during early-October 2018. Though the operational status of the systems remains unclear at this time, the SA-20PMU2s have be deployed in northwest Syria for strategic air defence coverage of the airspace over the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and above Lebanon. The SA-20PMU2 has the ability to engage aircraft at altitudes well above FL800 and at ranges out to 120 miles (193 km). Additional suspected IDF airstrikes into Syria against Assad-regime military, Iranian-linked or Lebanese Hezbollah group targets are likely to occur on at least a monthly basis for the foreseeable future. The Assad-regime will likely continue to use conventional SAM systems to target suspected IDF aircraft, air-to-surface munitions and/or surface-to-surface missiles in response to the majority of strikes into Syria. We continue to assess Lebanon to comprise HIGH risk airspace environments at all altitudes. We continue to assess Syria to be an EXTREME risk airspace environment at all altitudes.

Advice

Approvals: As a precaution, conduct operational risk-based identification of divert and alternate airports for flight schedules with planned stops at aerodromes in the country or with overflight of the airspace. Operators are advised to ensure flight plans are correctly filed, attain proper special approvals for flight operations to sensitive locations and obtain relevant overflight permits prior to departure. In addition, ensure crews scheduled to operate to or over the country in the near term are fully aware of the latest security situation.

Missile Launches: Unannounced rocket and missile launches that transit airspace used by civilian aircraft pose a latent threat to operations at all altitudes. The country has a history of not issuing adequate notice of activities in its airspace that could affect flight safety. Multiple safety of flight concerns emanate from a situation where a missile malfunctions during the boost, mid-course or terminal phases of flight. Such an event would cause the missile to fly an unplanned trajectory and altitude profile which could expose overflying aircraft to mid-air collision, route diversion and or debris splashdown issues. Leading civil aviation governing bodies have standing notices advising operators of the threat to civil aviation in the airspace due to unannounced military activity, rocket test firings and or missile launches.

Shoot-down Policy: The country has an aggressive air intercept and shoot-down policy which allows air and air defence forces to intercept and disable aerial targets violating airspace regulations. Military air and air defence assets may be employed to down aerial targets under the auspice of the policy. While legal civil aviation flights are unlikely to be directly targeted, there remains a latent but credible risk of misidentification and interception by military air and air defence assets. (Source: Osprey)

19 Nov 19. Israel – Northern District: IDF Iron Dome air defence system downs rockets launched from Syria. On 19 November, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Iron Dome conventional surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems deployed to Israel’s Northern District reportedly shot down at least four rockets launched from Syria. The IDF Iron Dome is capable of engaging aerial targets at altitudes up to FL330 and at ranges out to 43.5 miles (70 km). The last reported IDF Iron Dome employment over Northern District occurred on 20 January when the system shot down an extended range rocket launched from Syria over the Golan Heights. During a similar incident, an IDF Arrow conventional SAM system deployed to Northern District reportedly shot down a missile launched from Syria by the Assad-regime military over the Golan Heights on 25 December 2018. Both the US and UK civil aviation authorities have issued notices for airspace areas neighbouring Syria, outlining the risk posed to civil aviation within 200 miles (322 km) of the country, which includes the entirety of Israeli airspace (FIR Tel Aviv (LLLL)), due to increased military activity, GPS disruption and errant conventional SAM launches (KICZ A0009/18, EGTT V0002/19).

Analysis

The IDF is suspected to have conducted retaliatory airstrikes on targets located in southern Syria and the Syrian capital Damascus. We assess there is an increased likelihood of additional follow-on rocket and/or missile fire from Syria into the Golan Heights and/or Northern Israel over the next 72 hours. Significant escalation in the near-term remains a credible but less likely scenario, to include follow-on rocket launches from Syria reaching areas located over 32 miles (50 km) inside Israeli territory. On 24 July 2018, the IDF utilised a US-made MIM-104 Patriot conventional SAM system deployed to Israel’s Northern District to shoot down a manned Syrian military combat aircraft over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Previously, the IDF activated its David’s Sling conventional SAM system deployed to Northern District along the Golan Heights and launched two interceptors to engage two Russian-made OTR-21 (SS-21 SCARAB) short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) as they reportedly posed a potential threat to Israeli territory on on 23 July 2018. The Patriot, Arrow and David’s Sling conventional SAM systems have the capability to engage air targets at altitudes up to FL800 and at ranges out to 100 miles (160 km). The IDF previously employed Patriot conventional SAM systems deployed to Northern District to engage military-grade drones during 2017-2018 along the border with Syria on six occasions. Due to the spillover of air and air-defence activity from Syria, coupled with engagement of military-grade aerial targets via conventional SAM systems over northern FIR Tel AViv (LLLL), we continue to assess areas inside Israel situated within 32 miles (50 km) from the borders of Lebanon and Syria to comprise a HIGH risk airspace environment at all altitudes.

Risk area recommendation: Comprehensive risk mitigation measures

Flights below FL260 not advised; essential flights over FL260 via measures below
Defer diverting from flight plan with the exception of life threatening situations
Security and operational risk-based identification of pre-planned divert airports
Reliable and redundant communications with an established communications plan
Fully-coordinated and robust emergency response plan supplemented by asset tracking

Advice

Military Air Activity: Increased military air operations have the potential to cause airspace congestion and impact the safety of civil aviation flights. Any significant increase in the amount of air operations over the country may impact the availability of airports along with access to the airspace. Aviation operators should monitor airport/airspace-specific airspace-specific notices, bulletins, circulars, advisories, prohibitions and restrictions prior to departure to avoid flight schedule disruption.

19 Nov 19. U.S. says South Korea can do more on costs after talks break down. U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday he believed South Korea “can and should” contribute more on cost-sharing for hosting the U.S. military, after Seoul broke off the talks earlier in the day following a public backlash.

Asked if he was willing to withdraw any U.S. forces if an agreement is not reached, Esper declined to say what the United States might do, adding that the U.S. State Department was leading negotiations.

“I’m sure it’s in capable hands,” Esper said during a trip to the Philippines, referring to the negotiations.

“South Korea is a wealthy country. They can and should contribute more. And beyond that I will leave it to the State Department to work out the particulars.” (Source: Reuters)

18 Nov 19. Readout for Japan Bilateral Meeting ASEAN Defense . Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM+). Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met with Defense Minister Kono Taro in Bangkok, Thailand on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (Plus). Both leaders reaffirmed that the U.S.-Japan Alliance remains the cornerstone for peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen the Alliance to meet the dynamic challenges of today’s security environment.

Secretary Esper and Minister Kono recommitted to maintaining a free and open region and a rules based order in the East and South China Sea, and more broadly in the region and world.

Secretary Esper reiterated the U.S. commitment to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea and complete abandonment of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.

Both Ministers agreed on the need to develop a regional security network of likeminded partners. Secretary Esper welcomed Japan’s efforts to strengthen cooperation and improve interoperability with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, India, Australia, and trilaterally with the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Secretary Esper welcomed the ongoing close cooperation with Japan to operationalize the National Defense Strategy and Japan’s National Defense Program Guidelines in order to strengthen Alliance capabilities, improve deterrence and response options, and remain competitive in a constantly changing security environment.

Secretary Esper and Minister Kono discussed ways to streamline the Foreign Military Sales process and agreed on the importance of strengthening information security practices to protect advanced defense technologies.

The Ministers committed to work together closely to implement U.S. forces realignment initiatives. Secretary Esper and Minister Kono affirmed the importance of sustaining the operational readiness of U.S. forces in Japan. Both Ministers recognized the vital role that local community understanding and cooperation play in ensuring stable stationing of U.S. forces in Japan, and Secretary Esper committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for all U.S. personnel. (Source: US DoD)

16 Nov 19. Joint Communiqué of the 51st ROK-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting.

The 51st Republic of Korea (ROK)-United States (U.S.) Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) was held in Seoul, on November 15, 2019. ROK Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeongdoo and U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper led their respective delegations, which included senior defense and foreign affairs officials. On November 14, 2019, ROK Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Park Hanki and U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, presided over the 44th U.S.-ROK Military Committee Meeting (MCM).
The Minister and the Secretary pledged to continue close communication and cooperation to develop the ROK-U.S. Alliance, which has served as the linchpin of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asian region, in a mutually reinforcing and a future-oriented manner. Both sides praised the SCM’s effective handling of Alliance policy coordination over the past half-century in full expectation that it should continue as the cornerstone venue to affirm national commitments designed to develop the Alliance and enhance security and prosperity in the region. They also assessed the results of the Joint Study for the Future Defense Vision of the ROK-U.S. Alliance regarding future defense cooperation areas of the Alliance and reaffirmed the common understanding that the scope and level of the future Alliance cooperation should continuously expand and deepen.
The Minister and the Secretary reviewed the current security environment in the Korean Peninsula and the region and discussed cooperative measures between the two nations. Both sides reaffirmed the need for close coordination and cooperation to achieve their common objective of complete denuclearization in a verifiable manner and the establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. They also recognized the historic achievements made by the meetings between the leaders of the ROK, the United States, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) during 2018 and 2019 including the ROK-U.S.-DPRK meeting in June 2019 that was held at Panmunjom, a place that once served as a symbol of division. They also decided to continue their efforts towards creating an environment conducive to the implementation of the commitments in the Panmunjom Declaration on Peace, Prosperity, and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula (Panmunjom Declaration), the Pyongyang Joint Declaration of September 2018 (the Pyongyang Joint Declaration), and the Joint Statement of President Donald J. Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un at the Singapore Summit. They engaged in in-depth discussions on the repeated missile launch activities by the DPRK and pledged to remain closely aligned. They also affirmed the importance of full enforcement of UN Security Council resolutions by the international community.
The Minister and the Secretary assessed that the various actions undertaken by the ROK and the DPRK defense authorities to implement the Panmunjom Declaration and the Pyongyang Joint Declaration set conditions for the easing of military tensions and reducing the threat of war on the Korean Peninsula. Minister Jeong noted that all mutual hostilities in the ground, sea, and air have ceased in the border areas and that key projects such as the demilitarization of the Joint Security Area (JSA) and the mutual pilot withdrawal of Guard Posts within the Demilitarize Zone (DMZ) have been successfully completed through the implementation of the Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA). Both sides assessed that the aforementioned efforts supported the stable management of the border areas with no instance of military tension in the border areas over the past year. The Minister and the Secretary pledged to continue to maintain close coordination and cooperation to implement the CMA and emphasized the importance for the DPRK to resume discussions through means including, but not limited to, holding the Inter-Korean Joint Military Committee to implement the CMA fully.
The Minister and the Secretary assessed that the United Nations Command (UNC)’s administering of the Armistice Agreement has contributed to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and enabled the implementation of inter-Korean confidence building measures contained in the CMA. The Minister also stated that the ROK fully supports and respects the Armistice Agreement and the authorities and responsibilities of UNC. In addition, noting that the Northern Limit Line (NLL) has been an effective means of separating ROK and DPRK military forces and preventing military tension to date, the Minister expressed his expectation that the buffer zone, which was agreed through the CMA, would contribute to preventing unplanned encounters and contribute to the establishment of a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. The Secretary shared his understanding that the military confidence-building measures are important for establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula, and noted the important role performed by UNC in implementing the Armistice Agreement and enabling the smooth implementation of confidence-building measures.
The Minister and the Secretary assessed that the U.S.-ROK Alliance is strong and reaffirmed the two nations’ mutual commitment to the defense of the ROK and the enhancement of mutual security of both nations based on the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty and a robust combined defense posture. The Secretary reaffirmed the continued U.S. commitment to provide extended deterrence to the ROK using the full range of military capabilities, including U.S. nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities. The Minister and the Secretary also assessed that the results of the Joint Study on Extended Deterrence brought to light measures to enhance cooperation designed to strengthen extended nuclear deterrence. Both sides pledged to continue to explore jointly measures to enhance the Alliance deterrence posture and implement the Tailored Deterrence Strategy while considering the effects of changes in the security environment on the Peninsula and in the region.
The Minister and the Secretary noted that U.S. forces in the ROK have played a critical role in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula over the past 66 years, and reaffirmed that U.S. Forces, Korea (USFK) will continue to play an important role in preventing armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula and promoting peace and stability in Northeast Asia. Given the current security environment, the Secretary also reaffirmed the commitment to maintain the current level of the U.S. military personnel in the ROK and to enhance combat readiness.
The Minister and the Secretary reviewed preparations for the relocation of the Combined Forces Command (CFC) Headquarters to Camp Humphreys that had been approved by the two sides at the June 3, 2019, ministerial-level meeting. The Minister and the Secretary confirmed that the CFC Headquarters relocation strengthens the ROK-U.S. combined defense posture, and pledged to complete the CFC Headquarters relocation expeditiously. The two sides also pledged to work together so that the relocation contributes toward a stable transition following transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) in accordance with the Alliance Guiding Principles and the Conditions-based OPCON Transition Plan (COTP).
The Minister and the Secretary exchanged views on how the adjusted ROK-U.S. combined exercise and training supported the existing diplomatic efforts to achieve complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. The two sides also assessed that the adjusted combined exercise and training maintained the ROK-U.S. combined defense posture and military readiness while contributing to an environment conducive to OPCON transition, and pledged to continue close coordination on the actions to be implemented in this regard. Both sides assessed that the ROK-U.S. Alliance must continue to focus on military readiness and the combined defense posture to address the dynamic changes on the Peninsula.
The Minister and the Secretary committed to cooperate closely to develop comprehensive Alliance capabilities in response to common security threats. The Minister emphasized the plans of the ROK to continue to reinforce its defense capabilities in order to respond proactively to omnidirectional security threats and to be capable of leading future security environment changes through the ongoing Defense Reform 2.0. The Secretary expressed his expectations that the ROK military’s defense reform would contribute to the enhancement of comprehensive Alliance capabilities and to the establishment of a robust U.S.-ROK binational Future-CFC commanded by a ROK general/flag officer.
The Minister and the Secretary reviewed the progress on relevant tasks for OPCON transition, discussed the way-ahead, and commended realistic achievements and strides made in preparation for the wartime OPCON transition to a ROK-commanded Future-CFC. The two sides reaffirmed the implementation of the Alliance Guiding Principles that had been signed in 2018 to maintain a steadfast combined readiness posture, even after OPCON transition. The Minister and the Secretary concurred in the important role that this year’s combined command post training had played in maintaining a strong ROK-U.S. combined defense posture and in conducting the certification assessment for the future ROK-U.S. CFC Initial Operational Capability (IOC). After review of the assessment report produced by the combined certification team and the MCM, the Minister and the Secretary reviewed the IOC certification assessment results. The Minister and the Secretary decided to pursue an assessment of Full Operational Capability (FOC) for the Future CFC in 2020 and pledged to implement necessary steps, including the development of Strategic Documents, for the FOC certification assessment.
The Minister and the Secretary also affirmed that progress has been made in meeting the conditions for wartime OPCON transition. The two sides noted that the special Permanent Military Committee (PMC) was held to assess the critical military capabilities and the efforts of the special PMC promoted the credibility of the evaluation. The Minister emphasized that the ROK military will continue to acquire defense capabilities necessary to command the future combined defense system and to pursue wartime OPCON transition in a systematic as well as proactive manner. The Secretary reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to continue to provide bridging capabilities until the ROK acquires these capabilities, as well as enduring capabilities. The Minister pledged to acquire these capabilities expeditiously. The two sides pledged to engage in regular evaluation and review of progresses in OPCON transition implementation at the annual SCM and MCM in order to maintain a steadfast combined defense system.
The Minister and the Secretary received a report on the results of the U.S.-ROK MCM from the U.S.-ROK CFC Commander and expressed their satisfaction with the progress in enhancing combined defense capabilities and developing relevant operational plans as well as Strategic Documents early next year. The two sides agreed to conduct a joint study on the development of a combined joint multi-purpose live fire training complex.
The Minister and the Secretary decided to continue to strengthen cooperation in various areas, including space and cyber, in order to ensure an effective joint response against newly emerging threats and to bolster comprehensive Alliance response capabilities. The Minister and the Secretary acknowledged the efforts of the respective defense authorities to attain space capabilities, including the founding of the U.S. Space Command and the establishment of a space surveillance system in the ROK. The two sides also pledged to explore further cooperative measures to strengthen space capabilities as an Alliance, such as space situational awareness information sharing systems, and to expand bilateral and multilateral combined exercises and training events to improve space operation capabilities. They also pledged to continue engaging in cooperation to develop space professionals equipped with the capabilities to address new space threats and challenges.
The Minister and the Secretary reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen Alliance cyber capabilities in light of the increasing scope of cyber security threats. The two sides committed to maintain close communication and coordination in the cyber domain, including sharing trends of cyber threats as well as corresponding policy changes in their respective nations and discussing common issues of interest.
The Minister and the Secretary noted that ROK-U.S. science and technology cooperation has expanded in several domains such as cyber defense, artificial intelligence, automation, and directed energy. The two sides assessed that cooperation is continuing to develop in a way that furthers ROK-U.S. mutual interests.
The Minister and the Secretary concurred in the need to strengthen the national defense capabilities of the Alliance, and to establish more efficient and effective collaboration in their development, acquisition and employment. The two sides concurred in the importance of expanding and deepening cooperation in the areas of defense research and development, industrial cooperation, capability acquisition, and logistics and sustainment, with a focus on strengthening the national defense capabilities of the Alliance as well as interoperability. Going forward, the two sides pledged to continue to devise and deepen cooperative efforts through the regular consultative bodies that support these domains, and approved a reform of those consultative bodies to strengthen their alignment with Alliance policy and strategy.
The Minister and the Secretary pledged to continue and to enhance defense cooperation to address wide-ranging global security challenges of mutual interest, including through peacekeeping operations (PKO), counter-piracy operations, stabilization and reconstruction efforts, regional security cooperation initiatives, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The Minister highlighted the effective global leadership demonstrated by the United States in response to various global security challenges. The Secretary praised the ROK’s dedication and contribution to various global security efforts, including the counter-piracy activities in the Gulf of Aden, UN peacekeeping operations, and the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Based on the common understanding of the Alliance against threats posed by Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), the Minister and the Secretary praised the efforts to improve response capabilities and to guarantee interoperability in the combined force to respond against WMD threats in contingency and to interdict WMD proliferation. They also resolved to continue to strengthen cooperation to improve WMD response capabilities, including efforts that go through the DoD Cooperative Threat Reduction Program.
The Minister and the Secretary concurred in the importance of U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral security cooperation based on common security interests despite the challenges. They committed to continue ROK-U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation such as high-level policy consultations, combined exercises, information-sharing, and personnel exchanges. The two sides also pledged to seek ways to expand such efforts into multilateral regional cooperation to promote peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
The Minister and the Secretary reaffirmed that an expeditious approach to USFK base relocation and returns are in the interest of both countries and pledged to work together closely on relevant matters including environmental conditions to ensure timely base returns in accordance with the U.S.-ROK Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). With regard to the four installations that require an expeditious approach for returns, the Minister and the Secretary commended the efforts to discuss various measures through the SOFA channel. The Minister and the Secretary also reaffirmed their intent to continue to discuss relevant issues through regular consultations in accordance with the SOFA in order to reach mutually acceptable solutions. The two sides also noted that the responsibility to restore the facilities and areas should be determined pursuant to agreements between the two countries and committed to enhance transparency regarding release of relevant information.
The Minister and the Secretary shared the view that ensuring continuous training opportunities for USFK is an essential element to maintaining a strong combined defensive posture. They also concurred in the importance of communication and cooperation between the ROK Ministry of National Defense and the USFK to strengthen civilian-military engagement with local civilians to allow for more effective joint usage of training ranges and to ensure combined live-fire training conditions to sustain the combined defense posture.
The Secretary offered his appreciation for the ROK’s contributions toward ensuring a stable stationing environment for U.S. forces in Korea while emphasizing the importance of defense cost sharing. The Minister and the Secretary noted that the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) has greatly contributed to strengthening U.S.-ROK combined defense capabilities and recognized the desire to conclude the 11th SMA before the expiration of the 10th SMA. Furthermore, the two sides shared the understanding that future SMA contributions must be set at a fair and mutually agreeable level.
Minister Jeong and Secretary Esper expressed appreciation for the courtesy, hospitality, and work by both sides that contributed to the success of this year’s SCM. The Minister and the Secretary affirmed that the discussions during the 51th SCM and the 44th MCM contributed substantively to strengthening the ROK-U.S. Alliance and further enhanced the development of the bilateral defense relationship into a mutually reinforcing Alliance. Both sides expect to hold the 52nd SCM and 45th MCM in Washington, D.C., at a mutually convenient time in 2020. (Source: US DoD)

16 Nov 19. Trump asks Japan to hike payments for U.S. troops to $8bn – Foreign Policy. U.S. President Donald Trump has asked Japan to quadruple annual payments for U.S. forces stationed there to around $8bn, Foreign Policy reported, part of Washington’s efforts to press its allies to increase their defence spending.

The current agreement that covers the 54,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan expires in March 2021.

The demand was made to Japanese officials during a trip to the region in July by John Bolton, at that time Trump’s national security adviser, and Matt Pottinger, who was then the Asia director for the National Security Council, the U.S. global affairs magazine said, citing unidentified former U.S. officials.

A Japanese foreign ministry spokesman said the report was incorrect and no U.S.-Japan negotiations on a new agreement have taken place.

According to Kyodo news agency, Japanese officials told Bolton the increase is “unrealistic”, saying Japan already pays a greater share of stationing costs than other allies.

A U.S. State Department spokesman said in an emailed statement: “The President has made clear that allies and partners should contribute more to their shared defense.”

Negotiations to renew the agreement will start in the first half of next year, the spokesman said, adding that the U.S. commitment to Japan’s defence was “unwavering”.

Japan hosts the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet, including the only permanently forward deployed carrier strike group, as well as the Third Marine Expeditionary Force.

In addition to defending Japan, those units use the archipelago as a base for operations in the wider Asia-Pacific region where U.S. military power acts as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence.

Trump has also insisted Seoul shoulder more of the cost of the U.S. military presence in South Korea, where it serves as deterrence against North Korea, and has floated the idea of pulling U.S. troops from the peninsula. (Source: Reuters)

18 Nov 19. Russian military exports unaffected by sanctions – Rostec CEO. Russia’s military export sales have not fallen despite U.S. sanctions, the head of state conglomerate Rostec said on Monday. Rostec, whose business includes weapons manufacturer Kalashnikov as well as Russian Helicopters and United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), is among Russian firms that have been affected by sanctions imposed on the country over the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and other factors.

Rosoboronexport, the state agency for exports and imports recorded military sales of $13.7bn in 2018, slightly higher than the previous year, Rostec head Sergey Chemezov told reporters at the Dubai Airshow.

Sales for 2019 are expected to be like that of 2018 as the company has already recorded over $11bn currently, he said.

“It is growing, that means our production is of higher quality and reliable.”

Chemezov said Russia would also continue its military cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with several projects underway despite some western countries shunning the two Gulf states because of their role in the Yemen war.

Some countries such as Germany, Norway and others have restricted sale of arms to countries engaged in the Yemen war.

Russia always cooperates only with legitimate governments and has always advocated a diplomatic settlement of the conflict in Yemen. “At the same time, Saudi Arabia is our partner,” Chemezov said.

Several projects are underway in cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including plans for a Kalashnikov plant in the Kingdom, he said, declining to give more details as negotiations are not yet completed.

Chemezov said there had been interest from the Middle East for Russia’s single aisle passenger jet, the MC-21, that would compete with similar jets from Airbus (AIR.PA) and Boeing (BA.N). Discussions are ongoing but no contract has been signed with any Middle East buyer, he said, declining to name potential customers.

Currently, there are orders for more than 170 of the planes, mostly from airlines in Russia.

“Regular production” of around 72 aircraft per year is planned. The first deliveries will begin in 2021, he said.

Asked whether an advance payment of $800m was made by India to Russia relating to the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems, Chemezov said the advance payment was done. “I don’t want to clarify the numbers, negotiations are underway, 2025 is the completion date.” (Source: Reuters)

14 Nov 19. How can Saudi Arabia secure its airspace? Here’s what the kingdom could do, and is already up to. Nearly two months have passed since the attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities by drone swarms and low-altitude cruise missiles. The air defense systems at the Aramco-run facilities were unable to stop the Sept. 14 assault from the north, despite the mix of long-, medium- and short-range platforms. Now, the kingdom’s air defenses are undergoing a realignment to provide a “360-degree air defense umbrella that could counter threats emerging from all sides,” according to a source with ties to the Arabian Gulf’s defense market.

Speaking to Defense News on condition of anonymity, the industry source from Lebanon explained that the Saudi air-defense gap lies in the orientation of the early warning and the air defense systems themselves.

“[The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] KSA owns effective air defense systems to counter drones, and they were used successfully during many Houthi attacks coming from the south. However, the problem that emerged and highlighted the gaps in the air deterrence lie[s] in the deployment of the early warning systems and air defense against these drones,” the source said, adding that the defensive measures “weren’t deployed in a way to address threats emerging from the north, which was the case with Saudi Aramco attacks.”

On Oct. 11, the Pentagon announced the deployment of thousands of additional troops to “enhance the defense of Saudi Arabia,” as well as the deployment of two fighter jet squadrons, an air expeditionary wing, two Patriot batteries and a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.

That deployment is also expected to help build an “air defense umbrella,” the source said.

But Aram Nerguizian, the co-director of the Program on Civil-Military Relations in Arab States at the Carnegie Middle East Center, believes Saudi Arabia’s air defense gap may also be a consequence of the kingdom’s reliance on international allies.

“KSA remains heavily dependent on a mix of U.S. and allied sourced systems for its air defense,” Nerguizian said. “Saudi Arabia has spent decades integrating U.S., U.K. and French air defense systems. Most of these systems are traditional short-, medium- and long-range anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic missile systems.”

“Long-range systems include the MIM-104D/F Patriot PAC-2 GEM/PAC-3. Medium-range capability remains centered on the now-aging MIM-23B I-Hawk. Variants of the Crotale/Shahine short-range missile system are in service, as are M1097 Avenger systems for point defense,” he added. “Saudi Arabia’s [American-made] PAC-2 and PAC-3 systems were not designed to intercept low-altitude, ground-hugging cruise missiles or small, cross-section, low-altitude UAVs — armed or otherwise.”

A member of Lebanon’s parliament agreed with this assessment, but seemed sympathetic to the situation.

“The area of KSA is above 2 million square kilometers, which demands an increased number of air defense systems to allow full protection against threats,” said Wehbe Katicha, who formerly served as a general in Lebanon’s armed forces. “Thus, [U.S. President Donald] Trump’s decision to support Saudi air defense capabilities, specifically ground-based air defense used to intercept missiles and drones.”

But what additional steps can Saudi Arabia take to prevent breaches of its airspace by missiles and drones?

“Saudi defense planning will have to factor in risks that are not unidirectional or from an anticipated attack vector, and to assume that threats can come from any direction,” Nerguizian said. “In parallel, Saudi Arabia will have to focus on deploying, redeploying and acquiring more medium-range systems designed to intercept cruise missiles and UAVs over the horizon. This would have to work in tandem with a greater focus on point-defense systems placement at critically sensitive oil and gas infrastructure.

“Critically, and in line with a 360-degree threat risk,” he added, “the orientation of radar and detection systems, along with the weapons placement will need careful consideration.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)

13 Nov 19. Saudi offset reforms will catalyse localisation, says GAMI governor. Saudi Arabia has overhauled its industrial offset programme as the government works towards ambitious targets enshrined in its Vision 2030 programme. Speaking to Jane’s on 11 November, His Excellency Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Ohali, governor of General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), explained that the new Industrial Participation Program (IPP) includes improved governance mechanisms and greater transparency, as well as incentives to manufacturers that commit to add value, transfer technology, and provide employment opportunities for Saudi nationals.

Al-Ohali was appointed as governor in March 2019 after 20 years as CEO of Saudi petrochemical company Sipchem. He reports directly to GAMI chairman Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who is widely seen as the modernising force behind Vision 2030.

Al-Ohali said GAMI launched the IPP “a few weeks ago” with a series of internal workshops involving local companies and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a Saudi presence. This will be followed by engagement with international OEMs.

GAMI has not released specific details of the IPP, although Al-Ohali said it will not be applied retrospectively to offset projects from procurement contracts that began under the previous scheme. Asked whether the IPP includes different performance metrics, he said plans to modify the parameters have been shared with OEMs operating in Saudi Arabia and “we will share it internationally”. Feedback so far is positive “and we believe it will be more successful and more acceptable [to industry]. Our aim is to have a win-win programme for us, for OEMs, and for local industry”, he added.

GAMI expects the IPP to be a cornerstone for its efforts to boost local defence production in line with government policy. Saudi Arabia has a target to spend 50% of defence procurement expenditure on companies inside the kingdom by 2030 (the total in 2016 was just 2%). (Source: IHS Jane’s)

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