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02 Nov 23. US House Panel Seeks Ban on Federal Purchases of China Drones.
The top members of a U.S. House committee on China are introducing a bill that seeks to ban the U.S. government from buying Chinese drones.
Mike Gallagher, the Republican chair of the committee, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, the ranking Democrat, are introducing the “American Security Drone Act” on Wednesday, the lawmakers said in a statement to Reuters.
“This bill would prohibit the federal government from using American taxpayer dollars to purchase this equipment from countries like China,” Gallagher said. “It is imperative that Congress pass this bipartisan bill to protect U.S. interests and our national security supply chain.”
The bill would also bar local and state governments from purchasing Chinese drones using federal grants and require a federal report detailing the amount of foreign commercial off-the-shelf drones and covered unmanned aircraft systems procured by federal departments and agencies from China.
Krishnamoorthi said the bill
“helps protect against any vulnerabilities posed by our government agencies’ reliance on foreign-manufactured drone technology and will encourage growth in the U.S. drone industry.”
Separately, the U.S. Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved an amendment proposed by Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Mark Warner that would prohibit the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from operating or providing federal funds for drones produced in China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela or Cuba.
“Taxpayer dollars should never fund drones manufactured in regions that are hostile toward our nation,” Blackburn said.
China recently announced export controls on some drones and drone-related equipment, saying it wanted to safeguard “national security and interests.”
The Commerce Department in 2020 imposed export restrictions on China-based drone manufacturer DJI, accusing it of complicity in the oppression of China’s Uyghur minority and helping the military.
Over 50% of drones sold in the United States are made by DJI, and they are the most popular drones in use by public safety agencies, Republican lawmakers said earlier this year.
Congress in 2019 banned the Pentagon from buying or using drones and components manufactured in China.
FOOTNOTE
The American Security Drone Act seeks to ban the federal government from using American taxpayer dollars to purchase or operate Chinese drones, which account for over 50% of all the drones sold in the US.
Lawmakers say the majority of those drones are from one Chinese company – DJI – and are being used by multiple US public safety agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the US Coast Guard.
“For years, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the risks that Chinese-made drones pose to United States’ national security”
said Florida Senator Rick Scott, who spearheaded the legislation.
“The US cannot and will not sit idly by while Xi and the Chinese Communist Party operate within the confines of our government to spy and gather intel on our nation through drones from Chinese-based companies like DJI,” Scott said.
The Shenzhen-based company had hired two lobbyist firms back in July to try and persuade Congress to dismiss the Act.
Once enacted, the American Security Drone Act would also apply to local and state governments, prohibiting them from buying Chinese drones using any federal funds derived from grants, contracts or other agreements.
The Act would also require local and state agencies to file a federal report detailing their current inventory of commercial off-the-shelf drones and unmanned aircraft systems obtained from other countries, like China, identified as national security threats.
Lastly, the bill would provide agencies with a timeline to end the current use of foreign-made drones.
Several agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Justice, would be exempt from the bill’s prohibitions under conditions specified in the bill.. Other agencies could apply for a waiver on a case-by-case basis, according to the bill.
The Act is now part of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was approved in July.
Additionally, another amendment related to the American Security Drone Act was passed unanimously by the Senate on Tuesday.
Besides restricting federal funding, the Senate measure takes the Act a step further by also prohibiting the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from buying or operating drones produced specifically in China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, or Cuba.
The amendment will be added to an Appropriations Minibus funding package for Military Construction-VA, Agriculture, and Transportation agencies to be voted on this week.
US Drone Industry Could Get Needed Boost
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle say both bills will help to boost the drone manufacturing industry in the US.
“The United States should lead the world in drone production and investment”
said Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), who has been vocal on the issues in June.
“Our reliance on drones from foreign adversaries like the People’s Republic of China, which has shown time and time again it will do whatever it takes to get its hands on sensitive American data, is extremely risky,”
Warner said. (Source: UAS VISION)
02 Nov 23. U.S. Transcom Commander Emphasizes Decision Advantage. National Defense Transportation Association and United States Transportation Command’s fall meeting opened, October 31, bringing together military and industry leaders from across the globe to discuss current trends and logistics challenges.
Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, U.S. Transcom commander, delivered a keynote speech that addressed current threats to logistics, emphasized readiness and stressed the importance of creating decision advantage to successfully operate in a contested logistics environment.
“To remain effective in the future, we must adapt now while we have the opportunity to act,” Van Ovost said. “We must help leaders at all echelons preserve time and create better options — a decision advantage.”
Van Ovost cited teamwork between the military, commercial industry and our nation’s allies and partners as a critical piece to affecting change.
“The underlying might to accelerating change through the inflection point, is all of us,” she said. “By, with and through our commercial teammates, and allies and partners, we are underwriting the lethality of our combined forces.”
Continuing to stress the importance of collaborating, Van Ovost said, “Government and industry collaboration is needed to accelerate . Our collaboration is at the heart of acceleration or stagnation – it’s the heart of whether we achieve a decision advantage.”
Van Ovost also highlighted the need for fleet recapitalization, noting the aging state of the U.S. government’s surge sealift ships, saying, “In ten years, more than 50% will reach their end of service life.”
Patient movement, the Joint Transportation Management System and Transcom’s new role as the Defense Department’s single manager for global bulk fuel were also key topics during the generals’ remarks encouraged innovation and new thinking at every opportunity.
Van Ovost said, ” innovative visions, passion to fulfill them and fearless dedication to win are the ones who will help us achieve the impossible.” She proceeded to recognize Mike Sacco, former president of the Seafarers International Union of North America.
” is one of those people who has been critical to all of us in achieving the impossible,” Van Ovost said. “Mike is a true American Patriot…Thank you for being a terrific team player to Transcom, the and our nation.”
For his contributions, Van Ovost presented Sacco with the Pegasus Award, which honors individuals or groups as strong proponents of Transcom and its mission. Though he was unable to receive the award in person, the current SIU President, Dave Heindel, accepted it on Sacco’s behalf.
In closing, Van Ovost reiterated the words of Air Force Gen. CQ. Brown, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, “Our nation needs us ready to fight today’s battles while preparing for tomorrow’s war.” In these words, lay the essence of her message: A call for readiness, resilience and the critical role of trust in shaping a formidable defense posture. (Source: U.S. DoD)
01 Nov 23. Biden Administration Requests $68bn to Further Support Israel, Ukraine. Austin, Blinken Ask for Funds to Defend Embattled Democracies.. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the case for funding to aid two democracies fighting for survival: Israel and Ukraine. The two men testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee today asking for $68.3bn in supplemental funds.
“We are requesting $10.6bn to help Israel defend itself,” Austin said. “The supplemental [funding] also requests $44.4bn to help Ukraine continue to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing aggression. We’re also requesting $3.3bn to meet U.S. military requirements in our submarine industrial base and to fulfill our [Australia-United Kingdon-United States] requirements.”
The Hamas terror group based in Gaza attacked Israel on Oct. 7, murdering more than 1,400 Israelis, wounding many others and kidnapping more than 200 hostages. In the attack, Hamas killed 36 Americans.
The Hamas attack was the deadliest terrorist attack in Israel’s history. “It was cruel, hateful and repugnant,” Austin said. The secretary said it reminded him of some of the bloodiest atrocities that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria committed in 2015 when the group pushed through Iraq and Syria beheading opponents, raping women and burning prisoners alive.
Austin told the senators of his trip to Israel in the aftermath of the attacks, “to underscore America’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security.”
Today, Israeli forces are pushing into Gaza seeking to bring to justice those who attacked Israel and to free those still held hostage by the terror group. The war in the heavily built-up city has placed civilians in the line of fire. “We fully understand that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people,” the secretary said. “And we mourn the loss of Palestinian civilians. I have repeatedly made clear to Israel’s leaders that protecting civilians in Gaza is both a moral responsibility and a strategic imperative. Democracies like ours are stronger and more secure when we uphold the law of war and protect civilians.”
Austin told the senators that DOD is operating on four key lines of effort. “First, we will continue to protect American forces and citizens in the region,” he said. “Our personnel have come under repeated attack in recent days by Iranian-backed militia groups. These attacks must stop.”
He pointed to U.S. strikes on eastern Syria that targeted facilities that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps uses to supply and train their proxy forces in Syria and Iraq. “If Iranian-backed groups continue to attack U.S. forces, we will not hesitate to take further necessary measures to protect our people,” he said.
The secretary also deployed a terminal high-altitude area defense battery and additional Patriot batteries into the region.
He said DOD is flowing security assistance into Israel “at the speed of war.” This aid includes air-defense capabilities, precision-guided munitions, small-diameter bombs and other key equipment. The United States is also helping replenish the quiver of interceptors for the Iron Dome system.
The Defense Department is also working to secure the release of hostages Hamas seized. U.S. military advisers have consulted with the Israelis on hostage recovery operations.
Deterrence is another part of the U.S. effort in the region with two carrier strike groups now in the region, backed by additional Air Force squadrons. These additional forces supplement military capabilities already in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. “All [of] this underscores [President Joe Biden’s] clear warning: No government or group that wishes Israel harm should try to widen this crisis,” Austin said.
Ukraine is another democracy fighting for its life and sovereignty. Vladimir Putin’s Russia invaded the country in February 2022 fully expecting an easy win over an overmatched foe. But the Ukrainians, with help from nations worldwide, stopped the Russian military in its tracks and forced the Russians back from the Great Gate of Kyiv. Austin said that nearly 20 months into Putin’s failed campaign of conquest, the Russian military has been badly weakened. “Ukraine’s brave forces have taken back more than half of the territory seized by Russian invaders since February 2022,” he said. “That was made possible by bipartisan and principled U.S. leadership — and our coalition of some 50 allies and partners.”
Austin said Americans need to understand that what happens in Ukraine and Israel matters to the United States. “It affects our national security, as well,” he said. “We also have to remind ourselves that these countries are in a fight. They’re fighting every day, and there are people dying every day. In Ukraine, Putin continues to attack civilians and commit war crimes [that are] despicable.”
These countries urgently need the resources to ensure that they can continue to defend their sovereign territory, he said “In Ukraine, Putin has felt that he could wait us out,” the secretary said. “That’s … the main part of his strategy. He feels that the West will get tired of supporting Ukraine, and he will soon have his way. If that’s the case, if we don’t support Ukraine, then Putin wins.”
If Putin wins in Ukraine, he will push on, Austin said. NATO nations will be threatened. “I think it is important to do what’s necessary to support Ukraine and Israel and to help them defend their sovereign territory,” he said. “In both Israel and Ukraine, democracies are fighting ruthless foes who are out to annihilate them. We will not let Hamas or Putin win. Today’s battles against aggression and terrorism will define global security for years to come. Only firm American leadership can ensure that tyrants, thugs and terrorists worldwide are not emboldened to commit more aggression and more atrocities.” (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/USD DoD)
31 Oct 23. Austin, Blinken Ask for Funds to Defend Embattled Democracies. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the case for funding to aid two democracies fighting for survival: Israel and Ukraine.
The two men testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee today asking for $68.3bn in supplemental funds.
“We are requesting $10.6bn to help Israel defend itself,” Austin said. “The supplemental also requests $44.4bn to help Ukraine continue to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing aggression. We’re also requesting $3.3bn to meet U.S. military requirements in our submarine industrial base and to fulfill our requirements.”
The Hamas terror group based in Gaza attacked Israel on Oct. 7, murdering more than 1,400 Israelis, wounding many others and kidnapping more than 200 hostages. In the attack, Hamas killed 36 Americans.
The Hamas attack was the deadliest terrorist attack in Israel’s history. “It was cruel, hateful and repugnant,” Austin said. The secretary said it reminded him of some of the bloodiest atrocities that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria committed in 2015 when the group pushed through Iraq and Syria beheading opponents, raping women and burning prisoners alive.
Austin told the senators of his trip to Israel in the aftermath of the attacks, “to underscore America’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security.”
Today, Israeli forces are pushing into Gaza seeking to bring to justice those who attacked Israel and to free those still held hostage by the terror group. The war in the heavily built-up city has placed civilians in the line of fire. “We fully understand that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people,” the secretary said. “And we mourn the loss of Palestinian civilians. I have repeatedly made clear to Israel’s leaders that protecting civilians in Gaza is both a moral responsibility and a strategic imperative. Democracies like ours are stronger and more secure when we uphold the law of war and protect civilians.”
Austin told the senators that DOD is operating on four key lines of effort. “First, we will continue to protect American forces and citizens in the region,” he said. “Our personnel have come under repeated attack in recent days by Iranian-backed militia groups. These attacks must stop.”
He pointed to U.S. strikes on eastern Syria that targeted facilities that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps uses to supply and train their proxy forces in Syria and Iraq. “If Iranian-backed groups continue to attack U.S. forces, we will not hesitate to take further necessary measures to protect our people,” he said.
The secretary also deployed a terminal high-altitude area defense battery and additional Patriot batteries into the region.
He said DOD is flowing security assistance into Israel “at the speed of war.” This aid includes air-defense capabilities, precision-guided munitions, small-diameter bombs and other key equipment. The United States is also helping replenish the quiver of interceptors for the Iron Dome system.
The Defense Department is also working to secure the release of hostages Hamas seized. U.S. military advisers have consulted with the Israelis on hostage recovery operations.
Deterrence is another part of the U.S. effort in the region with two carrier strike groups now in the region, backed by additional Air Force squadrons. These additional forces supplement military capabilities already in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. “All this underscores clear warning: No government or group that wishes Israel harm should try to widen this crisis,” Austin said.
Ukraine is another democracy fighting for its life and sovereignty. Vladimir Putin’s Russia invaded the country in February 2022 fully expecting an easy win over an overmatched foe. But the Ukrainians, with help from nations worldwide, stopped the Russian military in its tracks and forced the Russians back from the Great Gate of Kyiv. Austin said that nearly 20 months into Putin’s failed campaign of conquest, the Russian military has been badly weakened. “Ukraine’s brave forces have taken back more than half of the territory seized by Russian invaders since February 2022,” he said. “That was made possible by bipartisan and principled U.S. leadership — and our coalition of some 50 allies and partners.”
Austin said Americans need to understand that what happens in Ukraine and Israel matters to the United States. “It affects our national security, as well,” he said. “We also have to remind ourselves that these countries are in a fight. They’re fighting every day, and there are people dying every day. In Ukraine, Putin continues to attack civilians and commit war crimes despicable.”
These countries urgently need the resources to ensure that they can continue to defend their sovereign territory, he said “In Ukraine, Putin has felt that he could wait us out,” the secretary said. “That’s … the main part of his strategy. He feels that the West will get tired of supporting Ukraine, and he will soon have his way. If that’s the case, if we don’t support Ukraine, then Putin wins.”
If Putin wins in Ukraine, he will push on, Austin said. NATO nations will be threatened. “I think it is important to do what’s necessary to support Ukraine and Israel and to help them defend their sovereign territory,” he said. “In both Israel and Ukraine, democracies are fighting ruthless foes who are out to annihilate them. We will not let Hamas or Putin win. Today’s battles against aggression and terrorism will define global security for years to come. Only firm American leadership can ensure that tyrants, thugs and terrorists worldwide are not emboldened to commit more aggression and more atrocities.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
31 Oct 23. 300 More U.S. Troops Deploy to U.S. Central Command.
An additional 300 U.S. troops will deploy to the U.S. Central Command area of operations from the continental United States, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said today.
These troops will provide capabilities in explosive ordnance disposal, communications and other support functions for forces already in the region. These forces will not go to Israel, Ryder said. “They are intended to support regional deterrence efforts and further bolster U.S. force protection capabilities,” he told reporters.
There have been more strikes by Iranian-backed militia groups on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria. The American forces are in the countries performing a defeat-ISIS mission. “Since our self-defense strikes , there have been six additional, what I would consider, small scale attacks: Three in Iraq, three in Syria,” Ryder said.
All told this means that there has been a total of 27 attacks with 16 in Iraq and 11 in Syria. There were no injuries or damage due to the attacks, the general said.
Ryder encapsulated Austin’s testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning. DOD submitted an “urgent supplemental budget request” to help fund America’s national security needs to stand by partners and invest in the defense industrial base. “We’re requesting $10.6 bn to help Israel defend itself, $44.4bn to help Ukraine continue to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing aggression and $3.3bn to meet U.S. military requirements in our submarine industrial base and to fulfill our commitments,” he said.
Today, I discussed our urgent need for supplemental funding to both strengthen our national security and stand with both Israel and Ukraine.
I am also deeply committed to working with Congress to enact a full-year appropriations bill to keep America secure. pic.twitter.com/SYT0bc1syR
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 31, 2023
Israeli forces continue to attack Hamas targets in Gaza. In speaking with their Israeli counterparts, American officials stress the need to protect innocent civilians. “Secretary Austin said today that taking civilian safety into account is both a moral and a strategic obligation,” Ryder said. “We do care about civilian casualties, and we’ve made it clear publicly and privately about our concern for the protection of innocent life and the respect for the law of war. That’s not going to change.”
But the Israeli battle against Hamas makes this problematic. “Hamas, which is a terrorist organization, has taken a page out of the ISIS playbook in terms of brutality and wanton disregard for civility, and for human rights,” Ryder said. “Not only did they commit a horrific, horrific slaughter of Israeli civilians and take more than 200 hostages to use as bargaining chips, but they’ve willfully and deliberately integrated their operations, their command-and-control nodes, armories, and rockets targeting Israel, among the innocent Gazan population –in effect, employing them as human shields.”
The Hamas battle plan and their use of innocent civilians as human shields “is creating this extra challenge for Israel as they conduct their operations,” Ryder said. “We’re going to, of course, continue to talk to our Israeli partners about the importance of taking civilian safety into account as they conduct their operations. But we also recognize that they have a responsibility and a duty to their citizens to protect their citizens from future Hamas attacks. And we’re going to continue to support them in that effort.”
Ryder also described the fighting in Ukraine. “What we see are the Ukrainians making some incremental gains, they are making forward progress,” he said. “We are seeing in some places, the Russians attempting offensive operations with limited effect.”
DOD officials continue to stay focused on making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to capitalize on the situation, and “have the battlefield effects that are necessary to not only preserve territory but take back sovereign territory,” Ryder said.
The general said that while the United States will continue to provide what Ukraine needs for short-term survival, it will also provide for the long-term. “The important point is we’re not only focused on the near term, we are focused on the long-term defense cooperation in relationship with Ukraine and ensuring that they have what they need to be able to deter future attacks from Russia and maintain their sovereignty,” he said. (Source: U.S. DoD)
30 Oct 23. Pentagon Official Underscores Impact of Senate Hold on DOD Nominees. Defense Officials continue to push for a path forward on Senate confirmation for hundreds of military nominees, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said today.
A total of 378 general and flag officer nominations have been delayed indefinitely as part of the blanket hold put in place by Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama in February.
“The holds continue to grow, unfortunately,” Singh said.
“We are continuing to be in touch with the Senate on the best way forward, and it’s really up to them to decide on how they decide to lift these holds,” she said. “But we’re going to continue to advocate for all of our general and flag officers.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and his legislative team have, for months, remained engaged with Senate leaders and lawmakers from both parties to clear a path for the held-up nominations.
Austin has underscored the impact the lawmaker’s holds are having on military readiness and the risks posed to national security.
At one point during the summer, three service leaders were among those awaiting Senate confirmation. In July, Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith took over as acting commandant of the Marine Corps. In August, Army Gen. Randy A. George took over as acting chief of staff of the Army, and Navy Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti became acting chief of naval operations.
It was the first time in decades that any one of the branches has been led by an acting service chief — and the first time in history that all three have operated simultaneously without confirmed leadership.
In September, the Senate voted to confirm the individual nominations for Smith and George in addition to confirming Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. to become chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.
While that process allowed lawmakers to sidestep the blanket hold blocking a speedy nomination process, doing so for the remaining nominees consumes considerable time on the Senate floor.
And the list of held-up nominees continues to grow as the Defense Department responds to flashpoints around the globe.
In addition to leading the global coalition helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked invasion, the U.S. remains committed to helping Israel defend itself and to deterring further conflict in the Middle East following the deadly Hamas terrorist attack earlier this month.
Singh said the impact of the holds reverberates across the DOD.
“It’s not just the that is being impacted by these holds,” she said. “It’s also and it’s here at the Pentagon. So, in all of our conversations we’re advocating for all of our nominees to get through, for the holds to be lifted.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
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