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08 Dec 23. DOD, Singapore Ministry of Defence Enter Into Security of Supply Arrangement. The Department of Defense has entered into a bilateral, non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) with the Republic of Singapore. The arrangement will enable both the U.S. and Singapore to acquire industrial resources they need to quickly meet defense requirements, resolve unanticipated disruptions that challenge defense capacities, and promote supply chain resiliency.
“This SOSA is an important step forward and further strengthens the relationship between Singapore and the United States,” said Dr. William A. LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. “By enabling us to better meet supply chain challenges, we also strengthen our respective defense industrial bases.”
The SOSA was signed on December 5, 2023 by Dr. LaPlante and Mr. Melvyn Ong, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Singapore Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) after details of the SOSA were discussed at the 18th Annual Defense Cooperation Committee (DCC) meeting held in Washington, DC last month. Also, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Singapore’s Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen met in Washington, DC on December 6, and discussed the strengthening of the U.S.-Singapore partnership and recent efforts to deepen defense cooperation between both nations through the establishment of the SOSA.
Under the arrangement, the U.S. and Singapore agree to exchange reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defense. It also creates a streamlined mechanism for DoD and Singapore’s MINDEF to request expedited industrial resources to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions affecting national security requirements. SOSAs are an important mechanism for DoD to strengthen interoperability and are a proven supply chain tool for enabling a resilient, global defense ecosystem for the U.S. and key partners and allies.
Singapore is the seventeenth SOSA partner of the United States. Other SOSA partners include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. For additional information on SOSAs, please see the OASD(IBP) website on the Defense Production Act Title I at https://www.businessdefense.gov/security-of-supply.html.
About the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD (IBP)
The OASD(IBP) works with domestic and international partners to forge and sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base enabling the warfighter, now and in the future. (Source: U.S. DoD)
08 Dec 23. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Call With Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The Secretary and Prime Minister discussed the obligation of the Government of Iraq to protect diplomatic personnel and Coalition advisors and facilities. The Secretary condemned the attack overnight on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad as well as the series of attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria over recent weeks. He welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement this morning that rightly condemned the attack as “acts of terrorism” that “endanger Iraq’s internal security.” The Secretary underscored that the United States reserves the right to act in self-defense against those launching any attack against U.S. personnel. He affirmed that the Iranian-backed militant groups Katai’ib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, both designated terrorist organizations, are responsible for most of the attacks against Coalition personnel, and that the United States reserves the right to respond decisively against those groups – to address threats and attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel. Secretary Austin underscored that attacks by Iran-backed militias undermine the sovereignty and stability of Iraq, risk the safety of Iraqi civilians, and set back the campaign to defeat ISIS. They discussed the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission, which was agreed by the two governments during the U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue in August 2023 and is a consultative mechanism for the transition of the Coalition. However, the Secretary made clear that attacks against U.S. forces must stop. (Source: U.S. DoD)
08 Dec 23. US Defense Policy Bill Calls for Maintaining 28,500 US Troops in Korea. House and Senate negotiators released their compromise draft of an annual defense policy bill Thursday, which calls for maintaining 28,500 US troops in South Korea and deepening nuclear deterrence coordination between Seoul and Washington.
They unveiled the final draft of the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2024 fiscal year. Congress passes the bill each year to set defense policy and funding priorities and give guidance on a range of key security matters.
The NDAA draft includes a call to reinforce the South Korea-US alliance by maintaining the US troop presence in South Korea at its current level and affirming the US’ extended deterrence commitment to using the full range of its defense capabilities.
It also calls for deeper coordination on nuclear deterrence as highlighted in the Washington Declaration that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and US President Joe Biden adopted during their White House summit in April.
The declaration entailed the creation of the Nuclear Consultative Group designed to discuss nuclear and strategic planning issues, and other measures to enhance the credibility of America’s extended deterrence commitment to South Korea.
The mention of the declaration was not included in the initial Senate NDAA bill though it was in the House draft.
On the allies’ efforts for the conditions-based transition of wartime operational control, the bill requests that the secretary of defense in coordination with the secretary of state submit to relevant congressional committees a report on a set of transfer conditions no later than 180 days after the act’s enactment.
The draft also stipulates that no later than 45 days before the transfer, the defense secretary is to notify Congress of such a transfer.
The draft increases the national defense budget by roughly 3 percent to US$886 billion.
“Providing for our national defense is Congress’ most important responsibility under the US Constitution, and the NDAA is key to fulfilling that duty. Our nation faces unprecedented threats from China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea,” representatives of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees said in a statement.
“We urge Congress to pass the NDAA quickly and President Biden to sign it when it reaches his desk,” they added.
After the House and Senate endorsed their respective NDAA versions in July, their negotiators carried out intense negotiations to craft a bipartisan version, which should then be passed by both chambers.
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Korea Herald;)
08 Dec 23. Russian president Vladimir Putin has officially announced he plans to run for another term in next year’s presidential election. Putin made the announcement, which was widely expected, during a ceremony in the Kremlin on Friday attended by soldiers who participated in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Russian leader is expected to win next March’s election, a largely staged event with little real competition, which takes place following years in which any genuine opposition movements have been destroyed. His re-election for a fifth term would keep him in office until 2030 and add up to a 30-year stint as the most powerful man in Russia. Putin’s announcement was presented as a response to an appeal from a member of the public, a device he has previously deployed when announcing an election run. In a huddle after the Kremlin event, a military veteran of Putin’s wars in the Donbas region of east Ukraine appealed to the president to run again, adding that he believed more work needed to be done to integrate the region — forcibly annexed by Moscow from Ukraine — into Russia. “I won’t hide it, at different times I have various thoughts about this,” Putin replied. “But you’re right. Right now is a time when decisions need to be made, and I will run for election to the position of president of the Russian Federation.” Putin has announced previous election runs in the same seemingly orchestrated way, making his candidacy appear the result of popular demand. This time the appeal was presented as coming directly from the front lines and as in tune with the public mood, with the president heading into a likely fifth term at the helm of a country he has taken into a devastating war. “On the front lines, everyone was concerned, wondering whether Putin would run,” the petitioner, Artem Zhoga, told state news agencies. Kyiv and Washington have imposed sanctions on Zhoga for his role in the Russian occupation of eastern Ukraine. He is the speaker of parliament in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and commander of the Sparta battalion, which was led by his son Vladimir until his death in March 2022. Also present at the Kremlin was the mother of Nurmagomed Gadzhimagomedov, a soldier from the Russia’s southern Dagestan republic, who was killed in battle on the first day of the Ukraine invasion and became the first soldier to be awarded Hero of Russia status for what Putin still terms a “special military operation”. This format for Putin’s announcement could not have been more symbolic, said Tatiana Stanovaya, senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center: “Putin chose the war, and now the war chooses Putin.” It also framed the next election not as a question of Russia’s prosperity but of its very survival, Stanovaya added, writing on Telegram. “The stakes have been raised to the highest level.” Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that Putin had made his announcement “absolutely spontaneously”. Putin finished the 2018 election run with about 77 per cent of the vote amid widespread accusations of fraud and vote-rigging. The presidential election is scheduled for March 17 but was likely to take place over a three-day period, Russia’s election chief Ella Pamfilova said on Friday, adding that electronic voting would be permitted in some regions. (Source: FT.com)
08 Dec 23. Defence launches new DISP portal. Defence has launched a new portal to streamline membership applications for the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP).
Defence has outlined that the new portal will streamline application processing, allowing applications to complete and lodge memberships and documentation online.
Chief Security Officer for Defence Peter West explained that Defence will continue to improve and update the portal to better support defence industry.
“The DISP Members Portal simplifies the process for applying for DISP membership and provides improved security for member information,” West explained.
“Defence industry security is critical to protecting and advancing Australia’s Defence capability, and Defence will continue to evolve the DISP Members Portal to provide better support and protective security services to DISP members.”
DISP membership enables companies to establish and maintain security standards required for Defence work, and provide assurances that companies have the systems in place to ameliorate security risks, Defence explained.
The new portal comes weeks after Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas detailed plans to boost Australia’s defence industry workforce with the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report and Action Plan.
The plan was announced on 10 November to deliver a detailed strategy to grow and sustain South Australia’s defence industry workforce for the future. It’s hoped to ensure the necessary support for the delivery of some of the nation’s most complex defence projects, including Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines and continuous naval shipbuilding.
The report details 22 initiatives to further address workforce challenges and grow the South Australian defence industry workforce from 3,500 direct jobs to more than 8,500 in the 2040s.
“This report presents a comprehensive and methodical plan to grow, build, and sustain the South Australian defence industry workforce, which is critical to delivery of SSN-AUKUS, continuous naval shipbuilding, and our other defence projects,” according to Minister for Defence Richard Marles.
“Some initiatives will leverage and expand on existing programs, building on substantial work already underway across government, defence industry, and education and VET sectors. Other initiatives are new to help address identified skills gaps.
“Collaborative and enduring partnerships between the Commonwealth and South Australian governments, defence industry, unions, and education and training providers will underpin this critical workforce expansion and capability uplift over time.’’
The plan sets out solutions-focused initiatives to engage an estimated 27,000 students and 1,500 teachers in at least 180 South Australian schools to support STEM education pathways for students.
Implementation of the package of initiatives will commence from 2024.
South Australian Premier Malinauskas said both the South Australian government and Commonwealth look forward to continuing their close engagement with sector leaders and industry and union partners on this significant undertaking.
“South Australia will play a leading role in building Australia’s industrial base by building the most complex machines in the world,” he said.
“Our critical national defence projects, including nuclear-powered submarines, will be delivered with the strength of a highly educated, highly trained workforce with the cutting-edge skills and capabilities of the future.
“The challenge to grow and sustain a highly skilled defence industry workforce cannot be understated, but neither can the opportunity.
“The South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Taskforce has enabled our South Australian and Commonwealth governments to work together towards a common goal – an agile and highly skilled local workforce equipped to execute Defence’s most complex national security projects.
“It is my hope the integrated workforce and skills plan for South Australia can be used as a best practice model for workforce expansion across the defence industry nationally.”
(Source: Google/Defence Connect)
07 Dec 23. Australia and Papua New Guinea sign bilateral security agreement.
Cyber security will be a key plank of the new agreement between the Pacific neighbours.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape have signed a bilateral security agreement that will increase cooperation between the countries across a range of areas.
In a joint statement released on 7 December, the pair said the agreement would “elevate our security relationship to advance shared security interests while contributing to our region’s security”.
While the agreement notes the agreement will cover the “traditional areas of defence, policing, border and maritime security”, it will also cover cyber security, as well as critical infrastructure, gender-based violence, and climate change.
“We have agreed full circle support for Papua New Guinea’s internal security, from police to courts to correctional services,” the two leaders said. “This includes initiatives that reflect the bilateral security agreement’s focus on climate change, gender-based violence and cyber.”
In detail, the agreement recognises that “non-traditional” threats such as cyber security and climate change are a challenge, one that can only be met by mutual security cooperation. To that end, Australia and Papua New Guinea have agreed to share information across all points mentioned in the agreement and to consult with each other in the case of any “security-related development that threatens the sovereignty, peace or stability” of either country, or the region at large.
Addressing the media after signing the agreement, Albanese said it was a natural move to deepen the relationship between the two countries.
“It will make it easier for Australia to help PNG address its internal security needs and for Australia and Papua New Guinea to support each other’s security and the region’s stability,” Albanese said.
(Source: https://www.cybersecurityconnect.com.au/)
06 Dec 23. Indonesia elevates Air Force capabilities with helicopters and simulator. Indonesian Minister Prabowo Subianto strengthened the TNI Air Force with eight H225M helicopters and inaugurated Southeast Asia’s first full flight simulator.
In a Bogor city, Indonesia’s Atang Sendjaja airstrip event, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto officially delivered eight H225M heavy transport helicopters, a collaborative effort between PTDI and Airbus Helicopters, France.
The ceremony also inaugurated the region’s most advanced full-flight simulator.
The helicopters offer features for diverse missions, including special operations, search and rescue, medical evacuation, maritime surveillance, and aerial fire support.
Indonesia has been looking to boost its fleet to eventually replace some of its older helicopters, as well as add to the new ones that have begun coming online over the past few years, including the Bell 412EP helicopters, according to GlobalData’s intelligence on the Indonesian Defense Market 2023-2028.
The handover ceremony, attended by high-ranking officials, commenced with Minister Prabowo expressing his commitment to improving military equipment and services.
“I, along with the entire ranks, will fight hard to improve the conditions of alutsistas and the services you need. Looking for good equipment and maintenance in order to have a reliable, superior, resilient and strong Air Force,” said Minister Prabowo.
Indonesia’s burgeoning defence budget, forecast to reach $9.7 by 2028, is predominantly channelled into air-focused initiatives, according to GlobalData. The nation’s drive for defence modernization and the need to address natural disasters and counter-terrorism challenges emphasizes a significant focus on military aviation.
The event’s highlight was the unveiling the full flight simulator H225M, positioned as the only one in Southeast Asia qualified based on FAA regulations. The simulator, built at Lanud ATS, is a leap in pilot training capabilities.
The H225M helicopters has a modular design, advanced avionics, and a Turbomeca MAKILA 2A1 power plant to ensure high performance and safety. After a ceremonial process, including key handover and helicopter inspection, the minister inaugurated the full flight simulator by signing an inscription.
The occasion witnessed the presence of guests, including TNI Kasum, Pangkoopsudnas, and representatives from the Ministry of State-owned enterprises, Len, the French Embassy, and Airbus. Indonesia’s acquisition of these assets marks a moment in reinforcing its Air Force capabilities.
PT DI has previously collaborated with Airbus Military and Airbus Helicopters. In a $325m (€302m) agreement, PT DI partnered with Airbus Military to supply nine C295 military transport aircraft. Concurrently, Airbus Helicopters delivered the first EC725 medium transport helicopters to Indonesia. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
06 Dec 23. DOD Hosts Singapore Defense Minister for Security Discussions.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III today welcomed Singapore’s Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen to the Pentagon for discussions on mutual security concerns.
The leaders most recently met in November during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. They also met in June during the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue.
“Our teams have been working hard to expand our defense cooperation over the years,” Austin said. “In September, Acting Undersecretary Sasha Baker visited Singapore to continue our work to improve our force-posture collaboration and to increase high-end air-to-air training.”
During that visit in September, Baker co-chaired the Strategic Security Policy Dialogue with Singapore’s Permanent Secretary (Defense) Chan Heng Kee to further advance combined defense initiatives and discuss regional security issues. In addition to reviewing existing bilateral defense initiatives — including force-posture cooperation and high-end air-to-air training — the two explored new opportunities for cooperation on topics that included maritime domain awareness, emerging technologies and cyber security.
In October, Austin said both nations participated in the inaugural U.S.-Singapore Critical Emerging Technology Dialogue, which was launched in Washington.
Just yesterday, William A. LaPlante, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment and Melvyn Ong, Singapore’s permanent secretary for defense development, concluded a security of supply arrangement, which Austin said is an important step to strengthen supply chain resiliency.
“These accomplishments show the strength of our relationship, and they underscore Singapore’s unique status as a major security cooperation partner of the United States,” Austin said, adding that Singapore remains one of the United States’ most valued defense partners.
“I am truly grateful for your friendship and for all that you personally do for peace and security in the Indo-Pacific,” Austin said.
The U.S. and Singapore regularly cooperate in bilateral exercises, including Pacific Griffin, Commando Sling and Tiger Balm, which are designed to enhance military-to-military cooperation. (Source: U.S. DoD)
06 Dec 23. Pakistan: IED attack in Peshawar highlights increasing threat of militant attacks in urban centers. On 5 December, a roadside IED detonated outside a school on Warsak Road in the provincial capital of Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province), injuring seven, including four children and causing damage to nearby shops. While no militant group has claimed responsibility, this attack comes amid an uptick in militant attacks by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in districts bordering Afghanistan. This incident underscores the increasing threat of attacks targeting civilians in urban centres such as Peshawar, extending beyond the restive districts along the Afghan border. While the military has increased its security presence in the province and is expected to intensify counterterrorism operations in the coming weeks, heightened security risks will likely persist for civilians in the run-up to the February elections. Militant groups are likely to target civilians and election campaign events as part of efforts to disrupt the electoral process. (Source: Sibylline)
06 Dec 23. Israel to Sell Updated Air Defense System, Satellites to Azerbaijan. The Israeli air defense system can counter Armenia’s new military procurements
Azerbaijan will acquire the Barak MX air defense system from Israel. The price of the transaction is estimated at US$1.2 bn.
As reported by Defence Industry Europe some months ago, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) performed a successful demonstration of the Barak MX systems in Azerbaijan.
The Barak MX can deploy missiles with a range of 35, 70 and 150 km against air targets. Each launcher holds eight missiles. The weapon can be used both at sea and on land. Moreover, the land version can be stationary (non-moving), transportable or mobile (self-propelled). Targets of this anti-aircraft system include fighters, helicopters, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles, drones and guided bombs.
Systems of the Barak (Hebrew for lightning) family are not new to the armed forces of Azerbaijan. In 2012 Azerbaijan signed a $1.6 bn contract with IAI, which was supposed to supply drones and the newest air defense systems. As part of this deal, in 2016, Israel delivered the Barak 8 system and its missiles. According to information, the Barak 8 launcher used by Azerbaijan is mounted on the chassis of the Belarusian MZKT-7301 truck, that is, it is a mobile weapon.
Barak MX
Defense analyst Leonid Nersisyan tells Hetq that the Barak MX is a suitable option for the Azerbaijani army, because it has been using these systems for a long time and has appropriate specialists operating the weapon. It is easy to integrate the Barak MX into the management system of the Azerbaijani armed forces.
“This weapon can use air defense missiles against different targets, for example, with a 150 km range missile, which is expensive, to hit high-priority targets, or with a cheaper 35 km range missile to hit targets that are slow moving or nearby,” says Nersisyan.
The Barak MX is also applicable against tactical ballistic missiles. The Russian Iskander is a tactical ballistic system in Armenia’s arsenal. After the 2020 Karabakh war, news spread that in November 2020, a few days before the cease-fire, Armenia launched an Iskander missile in the direction of Baku, which was shot down by an Israeli Barak 8. No evidence of this was ever presented.
Leonid Nersisyan
Nersisyan says the Barak MX may possibly be used against Iskander missiles as well and notes the history of U.S. Patriot air defense systems against Iskander missiles. He adds that after the 2020 war the news that Azerbaijan shot down an Iskander missile by Barak 8 was a propaganda ploy by Baku. “I think it was more of a propaganda move by Azerbaijan to show that they can shoot down Iskanders and that Armenia fired such a missile in their direction.”
Nersisyan says the Barak MX, down the road, can be used to counter weapons that Armenia will buy in the next few years.
The Barak MX is a wholly Israeli weapon, whereas, for example, the MR-SAM, or the LR-SAM of the same family, are designed and produced jointly with India. In January of this year, the Indian Defense Research Wing platform reported that Armenia is considering acquiring medium-range MR-SAM systems from India. The Indian source wrote that according to its information, although Israel’s consent may not be required for the export of MR-SAM, India should inform IAI about the deal with Armenia.
Nersisyan says he is not aware of any Armenian-Indian agreement regarding MR-SAM, supposing that Armenia has only expressed an interest in this type of weapon. He is not optimistic whether Armenia will be able to acquire these weapons from India if it needs Israel’s consent. “Our relations with Israel are not in a very good now, and Israel has its preferred partner in the region,” Nersisyan says referring to Azerbaijan.
It should be noted that there is no information about what components of Barak MX are included in the $1.2 bn deal (i.e., the launcher, command post, radar, refueling and service vehicles) and how many there are.
Azerbaijan will receive new satellites from Israel
Baku’s acquisition of the Barak MX system is not the only result of the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). IAI supplies Azerbaijan with “kamikaze” type Harop drones, LORA tactical ballistic systems, and LAHAT anti-tank missiles.
In the spring of this year, it was revealed that IAI will sell two monitoring space satellites to Azerbaijan.
In June 2014, the European Airbus Defense and Space company launched the SPOT 7 satellite from the territory of India. It was acquired by Azerbaijan in December of the same year and renamed Azersky. According to Azerbaijan, the satellite had a wide range of applications: defense, security, response to emergency situations, natural resources reconnaissance, maritime observation, environmental protection, urban planning, mapping, agriculture, tourism, etc.
After acquiring the satellite, Baku announced the Azersky project cost 157 m euros.
On October 15, 2020, as the war raged on in Karabakh, the French L’Obs newspaper wrote that although Azersky was exclusively for monitoring Baku’s oil and gas fields, in fact it also works in the field of defense and security. The French periodical noted that this civilian satellite allows Baku to remotely oversee operations against Armenians. Ilham Aliyev also confirmed this claim in February 2021.
In fact, when the European-made Azersky (SPOT 7) got out of control (the communication with Azersky was cut off), Azerbaijan turned to Israel for help. The Israeli Globes wrote that in this case it is about IAI’s OptSat 500 observer satellites.
According to IAI data, these satellites take pictures in panchromatic, multispectral (RGB+NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrums. The resolution of the images is 0.4 m or 40 cm, which exceeds the indicators of Azersky (1,5 m for panchromatic and 6 m for multispectral pictures). The lifetime of OptSat 500 satellites is seven years.
“These satellites are a very important purchase for Azerbaijan,” says Nersisyan. “The resolution is quite good. There are commercial satellites of this level from which you can order pictures. The best commercial satellites are the Maxar ones, whose resolution is 0.3 m, but it’s one thing to order and another thing is to have two of your own and have the opportunity to photograph whatever you want.”
Armenia also has its own observing satellite, which was sent into Earth’s orbit on May 25, 2022, from the USA. The Spanish-made satellite, which received the name ARMSAT_1, takes multispectral (RGB+NIR) pictures, and the resolution of the pictures is 1.8 m, which is a weaker indicator than Azersky and the Israeli OptSat 500.
“The observation satellites are for optical reconnaissance,” says Nersisyan. “With a resolution of 40 cm, you can’t see people, but you can see a tank, a car, various military objects, positions quite well. Constantly taking pictures can give Azerbaijan quite a lot of information not only about the Armenian army, but also about other strategic areas.”
Of note is that the satellites to be acquired by Azerbaijan still need to be manufactured. According to Globes, until then IAI must conduct satellite technology and operation courses for Azerbaijanis. According to Azerbaijani media, IAI will take over the design, assembly, integration and testing of the first of the OptSat 500 satellites, involving Azerbaijani specialists.
Furthermore, the Israelis will also help the Azercosmos agency in designing a new center for the preparation of satellites in Azerbaijan. Globes has reported that Azercosmos plans a long-term cooperation deal with IAI that includes the creation of innovative and entrepreneurial centers in the field of space activities in Azerbaijan, academic training in space technologies, as well as the opening of a joint business center.
Summarizing Israeli military purchases by Azerbaijan, Leonid Nersisyan says that the continuous cargo flights between the two countries show that in addition to the supply of Barak MX and satellites, there are other contracts, which, however, Azerbaijan does not publicize.
Nersisyan points out that, contrary to before the 2020 war, Azerbaijan now doesn’t speak much about its military purchases.
(Leonid Nersisyan is a defense analyst and research fellow at APRI Armenia. He focuses on Russia, the South Caucasus, the Indian and Chinese arms markets, and international security matters, among others.)
(Source: Google/https://hetq.am/en/article/162596)
06 Dec 23. Nigeria: Further military drone attacks will sustain indirect risks to staff, assets in northern and central regions. On 5 December, President Bola Tinubu ordered an investigation into a military drone attack that killed 85 civilians in Tudun Biri village in northern Kaduna state on 3 December. The army spokesperson claimed that the troops had mistaken the group of civilians, who were celebrating a religious holiday, for members of armed groups, known locally as bandits. The Nigerian military has launched a series of aerial operations across northern and central regions to combat both bandit activity and jihadist insurgents, with official counts recording around 100 civilian casualties in over 240 airstrikes over the past five years. As such, this incident represents the highest civilian casualty from a drone attack on record, elevating the risk of localised domestic unrest. As the government sustains its offensive against bandit groups by continuing to employ aerial assaults, latent risks to bystanders, particularly NGO staff, and assets in rural areas of northern and central states will remain heightened. (Source: Sibylline)
06 Dec 23. Armenia: Refusal to criminalise recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory will mitigate regional tensions, drive unrest risks. On 5 December, Armenia’s parliament rejected a bill criminalising the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan proposed by the Hayakve initiative, a civil legislative initiative pushing for Yerevan not to abandon Nagorno-Karabakh. So far the initiative has collected 58,000 signatures and has been supported by the national Hayastan opposition party, though it has been opposed by the government which defeated the measure by 57 to 27 votes in parliament. The initiative’s authors want to collect 300,000 signatures to submit the bill to a national referendum. However, the rejection of the bill by the ruling party underscores Yerevan’s efforts to mitigate regional tensions with Azerbaijan amid ongoing, tense peace negotiations. The bill’s rejection will nevertheless exacerbate growing anti-government sentiment among Armenian nationalists and recently arrived ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, elevating the risk of protests in the capital Yerevan in the short to medium term. (Source: Sibylline)
06 Dec 23. The latest edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Armed Conflict Survey.
- The intensity of armed conflicts at the global level is on the rise, marked by a 28% rise in violent events and a 14% increase in related fatalities.
- The importance of Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs) as belligerent parties and providers of security and governance is increasing globally, contributing to conflict intractability.
- The trend of internationalisation of internal conflicts through growing third-party involvement continues as competition among traditional, emerging and revisionist powers exacerbates. NSAGs are also becoming increasingly internationalised in their networks and operations.
- The influence of non-Western powers, including Russia, China, Iran, the Gulf countries and Turkey, add to an ongoing trend of democratic backsliding tied to diminishing Western clout, and drive geopolitical fragmentation in the Global South.
- The increasing number of conflicts have strained international funding and resources to address the mounting humanitarian crises and development issues.
The latest edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Armed Conflict Survey captures a global landscape characterised by increasing intensity and intractability of conflicts driven by rising third-party state interventions and leverage and deepening geopolitical fragmentation.
These trends are reinforced by the growing clout of non-state armed groups (NSAGs) as conflict parties and political actors against a backdrop of declining state legitimacy and reach. According to ICRC estimates, 200 m people live in areas controlled to different degrees by these actors across the world. NSAGs are also becoming more globalised amid international support from third party states and other NSAGs, and increasingly regional and/or global presence, networks, and operations.
These factors have led to a rise in the intensity of global armed conflicts, making conflicts such as the one in Ukraine more protracted in nature. The intractability trend is mirrored in an increasing length of conflicts, presently estimated at around 30 years on average as compared to under 20 in early 1990s.
The Armed Conflict Survey 2023 features the third iteration of The Armed Conflict Global Relevance Indicator (ACGRI), an IISS proprietary composite measure of armed conflict global relevance, combining an assessment of human impact and incidence with geopolitical impact. The ACGRI scores provide a visual snapshot of conflicts’ global significance in terms of their human impact, intensity, and geopolitical relevance.
The Armed Conflict Survey 2023 analyses all active conflicts globally together with their regional and global interlinkages. Among the main highlights:
- The diplomatic deadlock and military stalemate in Ukraine point to a potentially protracted conflict. The feasibility and sustainability of the country’s reconstruction will be inextricably linked to Kyiv obtaining security guarantees that ensure Ukraine’s future territorial integrity against external aggression.
- The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ shocking attacks on October 7, represents one of the most acute phases of the Israel/Palestinian Territories since its inception. Tensions and fighting had already intensified in the period under review, notably in the West Bank, against a backdrop of iron-fist policies in the Territories and following a controversial judicial reform by Israel’s extreme right government which has stoked increased social and political polarization.
Other regional highlights
- Americas:
In the Americas, armed conflicts remain fuelled by criminal dynamics, primarily tied to controlling lucrative illicit economies. Increasingly powerful non-state armed groups have evolved into political actors challenging state control. The constant reconfiguration of drug routes and criminal networks led to outbreaks of violence and escalation in countries that were, until recently, considered relatively peaceful, including Argentina, Ecuador and Paraguay. Mexican criminal actors continued to diversify their portfolio into synthetic-drugs production and exports to the United States. Environmental crime is also on the rise, often converging with traditional drug-trafficking activities. Despite challenges, initiatives like Colombia’s ‘total peace’ process and efforts to stabilise the Venezuela crisis provide hope for regional peace.
- Europe and Eurasia:
Conflict persists due to border disputes within and between countries, along with Russia’s ambitions to regain influence over former Soviet states. Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh culminated in a third full-blown war is September 2023, which concluded in a matter of days with Azerbaijan’s decisive victory and most NK’s residents fleeing to Armenia.
- Middle East and North Africa:
With the exception of the breaking up of the war between Israel and Hamas, the reporting period saw a stalemate in conflicts across the region and a reluctant acceptance of the status quo by the international community, notably in Syria and Yemen. The conflict in Libya remained at a stalemate too, with the country divided between competing governments, while Iraq and Egypt saw reduced fighting, and Turkiye and the PKK clashed without major territorial changes. Rising food prices worsened the region’s climate vulnerability, triggering a severe food insecurity crisis.
- Sub-Saharan Africa:
Sub-Saharan Africa grapples with widespread internal and regional conflicts in the Sahel, the Great Lakes Region, Sudan and the Central African Republic, among others, driven by rising regional and international meddling. The April 2023 breakup of a civil war in Sudan between opposing factions of the army is having disastrous humanitarian consequences, while witnessing the diplomatic mobilisation of regional actors and Gulf states. Jihadist extremist violence is more localised in several theatres, including in the Sahel, where a string of military coups is re-drawing international alliances.
- Asia:
Significant Asian conflicts like Kashmir and Afghanistan have seen reduced violence since a ceasefire began in February 2021. Conversely, the Myanmar conflict between the military junta and pro-democracy forces intensifies despite Western sanctions and suspended aid. Inter-state tensions among nuclear powers, including US-China in the Taiwan Strait, Pakistan-India along the Line of Control, and China-India along the Actual Line of Control, carry risks of escalating into major conventional wars. A resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan, which remains mired in a major economic and institutional crisis, has important repercussions on relations with Afghanistan and regional security dynamics.
A full copy of the IISS Armed Conflict Survey is available to download. (Password: ACS!2023 (case sensitive))
An IISS flagship publication, The Armed Conflict Survey 2023 provides an exhaustive review of the political, military and humanitarian dimensions of armed conflicts active globally in the period from May 1 2022 to June 30 2023.
This edition adopts an expanded regional focus to better capture the transnational drivers and repercussions of conflicts. It notably features Regional Spotlight chapters on trends of global and regional strategic importance, including on: the shifting drug-trafficking dynamics and new conflict zones in the Americas; the centrality of security guarantees in Ukraine’s future reconstruction efforts; policy best practices to weather converging climate, political and food insecurity crises in North Africa; the changing nature of jihadism in Sub-Saharan Africa; and the re-emergence of the Tehrik-e-Taliban in Pakistan, which has implications for Asian security.
About The International Institute for Strategic Studies
The leading global authority on geopolitics and strategy, the International Institute for Strategic Studies generates facts, produces analysis, and exerts influence on matters of war, power and rules for governments, the private sector and the expert community worldwide. The IISS has offices in Bahrain, Berlin, London, Singapore and Washington DC.
Founded in 1958 and fully independent, the Institute is international in composition, perspective and reach. It is widely known around the world for its authoritative research, influential publications and products, such as The Military Balance and Military Balance+. The Institute is also the convenor of major summits, including the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue (The Asian Regional Security Summit) and the IISS Manama Dialogue (The Middle East Regional Security Summit).
06 Dec 23. Modernization efforts to spur Canada’s defense expenditure to $23bn in 2028, observes GlobalData. Canada’s defense strategy is mainly designed to safeguard its national interests and support its allies in their objectives towards global security. The country is expected to increase its defense budget to $23bn in 2028 with a modest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.7% over the period 2024–28 to modernize its armed forces through platform upgrades and the procurement of key military platforms, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s latest report, “Canada Defense Market Size and Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Key Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2023 –28,” reveals that Canada’s defense budget increased from $17.2bn in 2019 to $20.6bn in 2023, reflecting a CAGR of 4.5% over 2019–23. However, despite this growth, the defense budget as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) fails to meet the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards of 2% of GDP.
Rouble, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The Canadian Air Force (CAF) still relies on aging platforms that may not be fully equipped to meet the demands of modern warfare. However, the acquisition of 88 new F-35A fighter jets and frigates is a step in the right direction. The F-35A fighter jets will provide the CAF with several advantages over its current fleet of CF-18 Hornets, including superior air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities, enhanced interoperability, and deterrence.
“The recent decision by Canada to procure Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon under the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) project further underscores the country’s commitment to modernize and adapt to evolving security challenges.”
In line with its defense modernization strategy, Canada is revitalizing its naval capabilities as well. According to GlobalData estimates, Canada’s expenditure on procuring various categories of naval vessels will reach $23.4bn from 2023–28, making it the largest defense sector. At the forefront is the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) Project, the largest procurement initiative in Canadian military history. This project aims to replace the aging Halifax-class frigates with a fleet of up to 15 warships equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and combat systems. However, the CSC Project is facing significant challenges, including cost overruns and delays that have pushed the delivery of the first ship by several years.
Rouble concludes: “The Canadian government needs to strike a delicate balance between defense spending and other social priorities. Budgetary limitations have hindered the acquisition of new platforms, leaving both the air force and navy with outdated equipment, diminishing their effectiveness in safeguarding Canada’s airspace and waters.
“The procurement programs will certainly assist in mitigating some of these concerns; however, a more robust approach is required, involving increased funding, expedited modernization efforts, and the implementation of adaptive strategies to effectively tackle these challenges.” (Source: GlobalData)
05 Dec 23. DOD Seeks to Quell Violent Extremism in Africa’s Sahel Region. Security in Africa’s Sahel region has steadily declined over the last decade, Celeste Wallander, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Sahel is a semiarid region that extends east to west across Africa, separating the Sahara Desert to the north from the tropical savannas to the south.
Violent extremist organizations affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State have taken advantage of weak governments and failed states across the region, she said.
Speaking about U.S. policy options in the region, Wallander said the Defense Department’s strategy focuses on two main lines of effort.
“In the short and medium term, we will support African-led counterterrorism operations to disrupt the most acute terrorist threats, with a particular emphasis on those targeting U.S. interests.”
“In the long term, we will emphasize bilateral security assistance to African defense and security forces in order to build their own homegrown capacity to counter these threats without excessive external assistance,” she said.
Over the last three years, significant changes in the political environment in the Sahel have affected DOD’s ability to work with African and international partners, she said.
Successive military coups in Mali in 2020, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023 have resulted in restrictions on DOD operations and assistance programs, she said.
Other international allies and partners have also reconsidered their presence in the region, requiring DOD to reevaluate its own posture.
“Violent extremist organizations thrive in areas of instability and seek to leverage that instability for their own ends, as evidenced by the attacks we’ve seen in Niger since the coup,” she said.
Russia has been particularly active in stoking anti-Western sentiment and presenting its private military contractors as alternatives to Western trainers, she said.
“We also cannot afford to compromise our regional influence and security partnerships, which are threatened by competitors who are less concerned with democratic values and human rights,” she said.
There’s also a significant risk that violent extremist organizations might expand their influence or capabilities in the region, Wallander said.
“Given this elevated threat environment, the Department of Defense is committed to working with our interagency partners to continue to monitor and disrupt the violent extremist organization threats, while constructively engaging with regional states to restore productive, democratic governance in those countries.”
“In doing so, we are consistently working to strike a balance between offering the practical assistance that our African partners need to face emerging threats, while reinforcing our professional values to help them build strong, resilient institutions that will reinforce not only their physical security, but their democratic stability,” she said. (Source: U.S. DoD)
05 Dec 23. Official Says 2023 Was ‘Most Transformative’ for DOD in Indo-Pacific. This has been the most transformative year for U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific in a generation, Ely Ratner, assistant defense secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs said today.
Even with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Hamas attack on Israel, terror attacks in the Red Sea and more, DOD has concentrated on the “pacing challenge” for the United States – China, he told the Defense Writers Group.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific defense strategy has made steady and impressive progress over the past year, Ratner said. While the force posture progress is perhaps the most notable, other aspects of the strategy have contributed to the overall U.S. position in the region.
On the defense side, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has concentrated on China, because it “has been identified as the only country in the world with both the will and, increasingly, the capability to reshape the international order,” Ratner said. “That was the assessment at the time of the release of the National Defense Strategy, and that remains the assessment today.”
China has the ambition and the will and is developing the capabilities to become “the national security challenge of our time,” Ratner said.
Still, the United States is rising to the challenge, the assistant secretary said.
Austin’s travels throughout the region over the past year have also been marked by major achievements in implementing strategy in the region, Ratner said. In December 2022, the Australia-U.S. talks ushered in major new force posture initiatives in Northern Australia in January 2023, he said.
During talks with Japan, there were announcements of major revisions to U.S. force posture in Japan, including the stand-up of a Marine Littoral Regiment in Okinawa, the Marines most advanced fighting formation. There were other revisions that made “U.S. posture in Japan more resilient, more mobile, more distributed and more lethal,” he said. In addition, the two nations agreed to increase cooperation and exercises and discussed Japan’s counterstrike capabilities.
In February, Austin traveled to Manila where he negotiated for four more enhanced defense cooperation agreement sites. This enhanced the strategic opportunity for U.S. forces to work with Philippine counterparts, he said.
Austin traveled to the region in May and June, met with many allies and partners. Ratner said Austin discussed the United States’ ideas for the region with these partners. The U.S. strategy is shared by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, India, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and by some European nations as, well, Ratner said.
“This is not an American vision for the region,” the assistant secretary said. “This is a vision shared by our allies and partners.”
Austin visited New Delhi and signed a new defense industrial base cooperation road map. Ratner said this is a historic agreement “that is setting our countries toward a deeper level of cooperation and an area that has been aspirational for decades.”
Austin became the first U.S. secretary of defense to travel to Papua New Guinea, where he signed a new Defense Cooperation Agreement. “We are looking to increase access in through some upgrading of their port and airport facilities and other critical step in terms of working toward that more distributed posture in the region.
The secretary journeyed to Brisbane for more talks with Australian leaders that continued furthering force posture cooperation across all domains, including space.
Finally, last month, Austin spent 10 days in the region visiting India, South Korea and Indonesia, where he attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations defense ministers meeting.
“Within a 50-day period the secretary met face-to-face with all five of our treaty allies in the Indo-Pacific region, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, Japan and South Korea,” Ratner said. “These are remarkable engagements with our allies during a time there are other things going on in the world.”
“We are …, through the investments we are making, more capable in the region,” he said. “We’re more forward in the region due to the force-posture changes that we made. And we’re more together in terms of really remarkable progress and deepening our cooperation with our allies and partners.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
05 Dec 23. Australian Industry Proposes Strategy for Sovereign Defence Capability. New Paper Details Strategy for Australian Sovereign Defence Capability. Sovereign Australian Prime Alliance (SAPA) and Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN) have joined forces to provide recommendations for Defence as Australia faces our most challenging outlook since WWII.
A new report sets a path to building genuine sovereign defence capability for Australia, recommending the Department of Defence cultivate Australian defence prime contractors and create a new $1 bn fund to acquire capabilities and services from medium and small Australian companies for defence purposes.
The report, Developing Australia’s Defence Industrial Base, details eight recommendations to the Department of Defence and Australian Government to grow Australia’s defence industrial base, in the interests of strengthening Australia’s deterrence capabilities, improving our self-reliance, and becoming an active contributor to our AUKUS alliance.
Links to Report and Executive Summary.
The paper argues that achieving these objectives will de-risk the nation as we face our most challenging strategic outlook since World War II.
The eight recommendations in the report are for the Australian Government to:
— declare the intent to establish Australian defence industry primes;
— establish a Government Defence Industry Steering Council;
— produce a new definition of ‘industrial sovereignty’;
— revise the Commonwealth Procurement Rules to recognise economic security and industrial sovereignty as ‘value for money’;
— change Defence core processes and structures to enable and grow direct partnerships with Australian companies;
— create a new $1 bn budget line to fund sovereign capabilities and services from medium and small Australian companies for defence purposes;
— make AUKUS Pillar Two – Advancing the Capabilities of the U.S., UK, and Australia – deliver now, by setting industry to work; and
— replace the fruitless search for the perfect lists of ‘Strategic Capabilities Priorities’ and detailed industry plans with practical priorities.
The report examines Australia’s strategic challenges in the context of increasingly expansionist, policies of the People’s Republic of China and the growing grey-zone warfare tactics being perpetrated against Australia and our allies.
Underscoring the geo-political context is Australia’s increasingly important role in the Indo-Pacific, our AUKUS partnership, and concerns expressed by the Albanese and former Morrison governments through the Defence Strategic Review and Defence Strategic Update, respectively.
It also proposes a deeper working partnership between Australian companies, government ministers and the Defence organisation, driven by the urgency of our strategic environment and focused on results that strengthen Australia’s military deterrence capability and national security.
The paper asserts its recommendations will see Australia shore up its defenses by building a stronger industrial base centered on stronger manufacturing capabilities, a multi-pronged approach to reducing supply chain risk – including greater stockpiles of key resources – and building a stronger sovereign defence industry underpinned by Australian primes. The paper argues this would lower Australia’s current overdependence on multinational primes which may be required to support their home nations during a major conflict, potentially at Australia’s expense.
The report looks at examples of how comparable countries, with lower GDP and – in many case – smaller defence budgets, have built highly capable defence industries when faced with strategic threats and uncertainty. These include Israel, South Korea, Sweden, and Turkey, all of which have become defence export powerhouses.
“Even our most trusted security partners will be stretched in the event of a regional war. So, Australia must have more independent capacity to defend ourselves and to be a strong partner with our allies”, said Rob Nioa, CEO of NIOA, a member of SAPA and one of the paper’s co-sponsors.
Nioa underscored how Australian industry is ready to step up to support Defence and the Government meet the current challenge. “Give us the tools and we will finish the job. In this case the tools are the conditions that will allow strong Australian owned and run defence prime companies to emerge and thrive.”
The research was commissioned by the Australian Industry Defence Network (AIDN) and the Sovereign Australian Prime Alliance (SAPA).
The Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN) was established in 1995 to develop a national representation for small-to-medium-enterprises (SMEs) operating in the Defence sector. For more information visit www.aidn.org.au.
The Sovereign Australian Prime Alliance (SAPA) is an informal grouping of large Australian prime contractors to the Federal Government. SAPA’s shared goal is to advocate for Federal Government to cultivate and support Australia’s sovereign prime contractor companies in the interests of achieving a more secure, self-reliant and resilient Australia.
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Austal)
05 Dec 23. RoK Approves $8.8bn Defense Procurement Programs.
Results of the 157th Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee. The 157th Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Defense Acquisition Program Committee) was held in the Ministry of National Defense at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 4.
The agenda below was deliberated at the Bangchu Committee today:
- K21 infantry fighting vehicle 4th mass production plan
- Second mass production plan for small armed helicopters
- Next fighter (FX) 2nd project model decision
- Selection of model for second large-scale transport project
1.The K21 Infantry Combat Vehicle 2nd Tranche is a project to replace the existing armored vehicle (K200A1) by producing additional K21 infantry fighting vehicles to complete the reorganization of the Army’s mobile corps. At this meeting, the 4th production batch was reviewed and approved.
Through this project, operational speed will be improved compared to existing armored vehicles, firepower and protection will be strengthened, and the mobile corps’ offensive mobile operation capabilities will be completed. It is also expected to greatly contribute to job creation and defense industry development by operating the production lines of defense industry companies.
Project period: 2024 – 2028, total project cost: approximately KRW 780bn (approx. $595.8m—Ed.)
2.The Light Armed Helicopter production project light armed helicopters to replace Army’s aging 500MD and AH-1S helicopters. This year, the anti-corruption committee deliberated and decided the second production plan for small armed helicopters.
Through this project, we plan to secure small armed helicopters with improved strike capabilities, mobility, and survivability, and operate them as the Army’s core air force to destroy enemy armored/mechanized units.
Project period (estimated): 2022-2031, total project cost: approximately KRW 5.75trn (approx. $4.392bn).
3.The Next-Generation Fighter (FX) 2nd Tranche is a project to secure additional high-performance stealth fighters, which are the core power of the kill chain among the Korean three-axis system, through foreign purchase (FMS). This year, the Defense Security Committee deliberated and decided that the second project for the next fighter (FX) will determine the F-35A, based on test evaluation and negotiation results.
By securing additional high-performance stealth fighter jets through this project, we will increase our ability to independently deter and respond to asymmetric threats such as North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles during war and peacetime. In addition, we will build national-level depot maintenance capabilities, including full-scale painting capabilities, to increase aircraft utilization rates. It is expected to contribute to improvement and reduction of operation and maintenance costs.
Project period (estimated): 2023~2028, total project cost: approximately KRW 4.26trn (approx. $3.25bn—Ed.)
4.The Large Transport Aircraft 2nd Project is a project to secure additional large transport aircraft operated by the Air Force through overseas purchases to meet the current shortage. As a result of the model decision evaluation, the Defense Security Committee determined that Embraer’s C-390 as the second large transport aircraft.
It is expected that air transportation and peacekeeping capabilities will be improved through this project. Initial costs (2022-2026) are estimated at approximately KRW 710bn ($542.2m-Ed.) (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ S. Korean Defense Acquisition Program Agency; issued Dec. 04, 2023)
05 Dec 23. African Nations Buy Over 30% of Weapons Systems Delivered by Russian Arms Exporter — CEO. African countries’ combined share of Russian weapons systems exports has exceeded 30% of the total volume of deliveries made to date in 2023 by state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, CEO Alexander Mikheyev said before the opening of the EDEX 2023 international defense exhibition in Cairo, noting that this year’s contracts with African countries were worth over $5.2 bn, he added.
“EDEX is the largest defense exhibition on the African continent. Rosoboronexport actively cooperates with 80% of the region’s countries in the military-technical field. The share of exports to African countries in 2023 has surpassed 30% of Rosoboronexport’s total supplies, while the company’s contracts in the region will exceed $5.2 bn by the end of the year,” Mikheyev was quoted as saying by the company’s press service.
At the Cairo exhibition, Russia’s arms exporter intends to establish cooperation in those areas outlined during the Second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in July, as well as continue finalizing agreements reached with Middle Eastern countries during the Dubai Airshow 2023 in November, he added.
The exporter’s participation in EDEX marks the culmination of Rosoboronexport’s 2023 program for taking part in global defense sector trade shows, which in total has encompassed 16 international exhibitions across Russia and abroad, the company said. The specialized exporter has taken part in all previous EDEX trade shows, where it has presented the bulk of Russia-made export specialties, which are quickly gaining “top positions in the global arms market,” an advantageous niche that is enhanced by the successful deployment of Russian systems under actual combat conditions, Rosoboronexport added.
The Russian defense industry’s latest models of aviation and armored vehicles, missile and artillery systems, naval-use products, multi-purpose and combat unmanned aircraft, anti-aircraft and electronic warfare weapons, small arms and ammunition will be presented at this year’s EDEX.
“Today Rosoboronexport is doing its best to remain a reliable partner, being aware of the challenges and threats in the security area facing African countries,” Mikheyev said. “Among other things, the company actively cooperates with the region in the field of cybersecurity and space programs, as well as counter-terrorism facilities. Relevant contracts and memorandums of understanding have been signed with a number of countries and are now being carried out, and we are discussing practical steps for their implementation,” he noted. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/TASS)
04 Dec 23. Sudan: Withdrawal of UN political mission reflects likely conflict extension well into 2024. On 1 December, the United Nations Security Council voted to shut down the UN political mission to Sudan (UNITAMS) following a request from Sudan’s acting foreign minister in November. UNITAMS’ mandate officially ended on 3 December, and it will wind down over the next three months, though the UN country team providing humanitarian and development aid will remain in Sudan. The withdrawal of UNITAMS, formed in 2020 to help the Sudanese state manage its transition back to civilian rule, underlines the currently limited prospect for a political solution to the conflict between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary. Negotiations between the two sides have been indefinitely suspended after neither side implemented agreed-upon confidence-building measures. This will likely sustain conflict in the capital Khartoum and across Sudan’s southern regions, particularly Darfur, well into 2024. In the latter region, instability will continue to drive high rates of inter-communal conflict, driving displacement and increasing pressure on aid agencies. (Source: Sibylline)
04 Dec 23. Iraq: US strike likely to elevate tensions, reflects elevated US military activity. On 3 December, the US military performed an airstrike against Islamic Resistance militants in Kirkuk governorate, northern Iraq, killing five pro-Iranian militants. The strike was later confirmed by the Pentagon and described as a defensive strike against the militants who were preparing to launch a drone targeting US forces in the region. The strike will likely elevate tensions between the US and the Iraqi government as there has been an increased rate of Iranian-backed Iraqi militants targeting US forces since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. Furthermore, the strike reflects a growing activity by the US military to actively counter militant activity in the region, signalling a gradual escalation. This gradual escalation will likely continue throughout the coming weeks, elevating security and bystander risks near military locations in Iraq. Furthermore, there is a realistic possibility that increased US military activity will drive domestic unrest, resulting in elevated risks for US-linked assets in Iraq, particularly in Baghdad, with vandalism being the most likely. (Source: Sibylline)
05 Dec 23. Armenia-Azerbaijan: Reported border fatality will raise tensions; repeat incidents will elevate risk of renewed conflict. Armenia’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported on 4 December that Azerbaijani forces shot and killed an Armenian serviceman. The MoD said Azerbaijani troops opened fire on an Armenian position in Bardzruni (Vayots Dzor province), located near Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave. An unspecified spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s MoD dismissed the reported incident. While Armenia’s claims cannot be verified, if confirmed, it would mark the first such fatality along the countries’ shared border since Azerbaijan staged a military operation on 19-20 September to reclaim Nagorno-Karabakh. Although border skirmishes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces are not uncommon, the latest incident is likely to moderately drive regional tensions in the near term. Further reported or confirmed fatalities from cross-border fire will likely erode the already-limited trust between the two sides, which could realistically diminish the prospect of a peace agreement and increase the risk of a resumption of armed conflict. (Source: Sibylline)
05 Dec 23. Saudi-Arabia-US: Approval of surveillance system sale reflects elevated regional tensions. On 4 December, the US State Department approved the possible sale of RE-3A Tactical Airborne Surveillance System Aircraft Modernization and related equipment to Saudi Arabia, following the Kingdom’s request. Additionally, the US State Department approved the possible sale of AN/TPQ-50 Radar and related equipment to the UAE. Both systems allow locating sources of missile and rocket launches at different distances, as well as early detection of such attacks, with the RE-3A providing also signals intelligence capabilities. The approval comes amid rising regional tensions and increased threats by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Gulf waters. The systems will elevate both the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s capabilities to counter missile attacks and respond to them in the long term. However, the arrival of the systems is likely to take more than a month, reflecting long-term preparation. There is a realistic possibility of a protracted period of elevated regional tensions. (Source: Sibylline)
05 Dec 23. Progress being made in fixing SA Navy – Lobese.
Submarine and frigate refits, new inshore patrol vessels and a new hydrographic survey vessel are some of the markers of progress the SA Navy has reached on its Journey to Greatness, SA Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese has affirmed.
Speaking on 2 December at the SA Navy Gala Evening held at Unisa, Lobese said the SA Navy “is ready to rise again. The SA Navy has charted the course. I am leading the South African Navy to the Journey of Greatness.”
In his prepared remarks, he reminded guests that at last year’s SA Navy Gala Evening, he said the Navy had a mammoth task ahead, with an immediate focus of taking the navy back to where it belongs – at sea – in spite of the budget conundrum confronting it.
“I am very happy to report that the National Treasury has made R1.4 bn available over the three year’s medium cycle to refit our ships and submarines,” Lobese said during the Saturday evening function. “Very soon, Armscor will pronounce on the refit contractor who will work hard to complete the refits of one frigate and one submarine. The SA Navy, Armscor and the refit contractor will work hard together to get our ships to sea. This will allow our ships to again project the might of the SA Navy.”
Lobese explained that the Navy’s leadership has resolved to renew the organisation as part of its Journey to Greatness. “We have taken the fix and now we are plotting a way forward in realisation of this greatness,” he said, adding it will require collaboration and cooperation across the entire spectrum. “The Journey to Greatness is not a destination but an ongoing pursuit of growth and self-improvement.”
The SAN Chief reminded assembled guests that the maritime arm of the SA National Defence Force has made some in-roads in terms of capacitation to better execute its mandate. “As recent as this past October in Durban, Damen Shipyards Cape Town delivered the second Multi Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel, SAS King Shaka Zulu,” Lobese said. The ship is undergoing Operational Training and Evaluation that will be followed by her commissioning.
“The commissioning will signify the operational capability of the ship and that she is ready to fulfil her duty in patrolling our long coastline against any maritime threats and criminals who think that they can undermine our country,” the Vice Admiral said.
The construction of the last Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels, SAS Adam Kok, is on track and it is due to be delivered next year (SAS King Sekhukhune I is already in service). These new vessels are the first locally built large vessels for the SA Navy since 1986 following the SAS Drakensberg and three Warrior Class Strike craft that were built in Durban.
“The construction of the Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels is a major rejuvenation of the South African shipbuilding industry. This industry is again emerging from its slumber, to take part in Government’s Operation Phakisa, which seeks to unlock the vast economic potential of the Blue Economy,” Lobese stated.
“These vessels will provide the SA Navy with a robust patrol capability due to their flexibility. Furthermore, they will have the ability to conduct multiple missions such as patrolling our coastal waters, conducting mine countermeasures, torpedo recovery and deep diving support operations.
“With the same hard-work and dedication we will see Project Hotel also come into fruition and yield the much needed relief that our hydrographers so desperately need. The aim of this project is to capacitate our hydrographic capability by replacing the ageing SAS Protea with a Hydrographic Survey Vessel and three Survey Motor Boats as well as upgrading the South African Naval Hydrographic Office production system,” he explained.
However, Lobese was adamant that the three new inshore patrol vessels are not enough to protect South Africa’s maritime resources from sea robbers. “In fact, we need 15 of these inshore patrol vessels, and at least 12 of the larger offshore patrol vessels. In addition to this we need two hydrographic survey vessels, as well as three combat support vessels. Should this not happen, we as your Navy will not be able to stop the ever-rising scourge of maritime crime and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.”
Returning to more positive developments, the SAN Chief revealed that the Chief Director Maritime Strategy, Rear Admiral Mkhonto, “is hard at work in ensuring the enhancements of the Maritime Domain Awareness Centres,” which will enable the SA Navy to respond swiftly to illicit and piracy activities in its waters.
“These Maritime Domain Awareness centres will allow the South African Navy to integrate and share our maritime picture with those of our neighbouring countries. There have been so many of my counterparts in our neighbouring countries who have pleaded with me to provide this cooperation with them. As you can imagine, threats to our maritime security requires a cooperative response. We simply cannot try to meet this challenge on our own, a properly functioning Maritime Domain Awareness network will be the eyes and ears of the security forces of the entire African continent,” he said. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
04 Dec 23. RoK tests solid-fuel rocket amid space race with North Korea. South Korea on Monday successfully conducted a test flight of a solid-fuel space rocket over the sea near Jeju Island, the defence ministry said, amid a growing space race with neighbouring North Korea.
It was the third test of its kind following two others in December and March last year.
The launch involved technology developed at the state-run Agency for Defense Development and a space rocket and a satellite produced by South Korea’s Hanwha Systems (272210.KS), the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry hailed the launch as achieving a milestone at a time when Pyongyang recently launched a military spy satellite, which the United States and its allies have condemned for using missile technology contravening U.N. security resolution.
South Korea’s successful launch would accelerate the country’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, the ministry said.
Monday’s test flight comes after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried South Korea’s first spy satellite into orbit on Friday from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Last month, North Korea launched its own military reconnaissance satellite, with leader Kim Jong Un receiving photos of White House, Pentagon and U.S. aircraft carriers at the naval base of Norfolk, according to state media.
A functioning reconnaissance satellite could give North Korea its first capability to remotely monitor U.S., South Korean, and Japanese troops. South Korea’s satellites would reduce its dependence on American intelligence systems.
Pyongyang has not released any imagery, however, leaving analysts and foreign governments to debate how capable the new satellite is and has defended satellite launches as part of its sovereign rights in response to criticism. (Source: Reuters)
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