Bob Sholtis’ Post

🇪🇺💪 The release of the European Defence Industrial Strategy (#EDIS) is a resounding demonstration of the EU further establishing itself as a #security and #defence actor. 📖 Full report 👉 https://lnkd.in/dvs3eHhZ #EUDefence #StrategicCompass #StrongerTogether

The new UK Labour government has formally launched a major review of its defense posture and policy which it says will take a “clear-eyed” approach to international threats, including Russia, reboot “hollowed out” armed forces and end wasteful acquisitions. The much anticipated Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was commissioned by Labour leader Kier Starmer today and will be overseen by John Healey, UK defence secretary. London said in a statement that the review will be completed “in the first half of 2025” and work is to begin right away, “in recognition of the urgency of the threats” it faces. Among the challenges to consider: Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and the rise of China in the Indo-Pacific.

#Argentina🇦🇷📡🛰️🇺🇸 Workers of the National Commission for Space Activities (#CONAE🇦🇷🛰️), grouped under the #ATE union (Association of State Workers), recently released a public statement expressing their position regarding the visit to their facilities by members of the United States Space Force #USSF🇺🇸 'In response to the news of the visit by the U.S. Space Force to #CONAE (one of the six branches into which that country's Armed Forces are divided) and the statements referring to "a meeting to explore areas of mutual collaboration," the workers of the organization grouped in ATE wish to express our repudiation and our unwavering commitment to work towards using our capabilities for peaceful purposes and oriented towards the sustainable development of our country, as well as the defense of national sovereignty,' the statement said. It continues: 'We repudiate and denounce any approach that implies collaboration in any type of activity with the armed forces of a foreign country, a situation that is exacerbated in the case of the U.S. given its history of promoting coups d'état and military invasions around the world.' Furthermore, it states: 'We understand that this occurs within the framework of the renewed "carnal relations" promoted by the government of Libertad Avanza led by President Javier Milei.' 'They share the same fate as those carried out by former President (Carlos) Menem, where the loss of sovereignty was evident, reaching the point where workers in the Science and Technology complex were sent to wash dishes,' warns the #ATE #CONAE statement." #NarrativeWarfare #CulturalBattle🇦🇷 #EstacionEspacioLejano🇨🇳📡

Civilians must be ready to fight because Britain’s military is so small, warn peers. The House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee has published its report. Damning report says evidence suggests size of Army is inadequate and urges country to think of itself as ‘a nation under genuine threat’ Commenting on the report, Lord de Mauley, who chairs the Committee said: “We welcome the Government’s launch of the Strategic Defence Review, which presents an opportunity to set clear priorities and develop a holistic model for strengthening UK Defence that mobilises all elements of national power, leveraging technology, industry, Reserves, allies, and wider society. Given the perilous threat environment, the Government must not miss this chance and must commit to spending more on defence and spending better.” Key conclusions and recommendations of the report include: Defence industry preparedness: The UK’s defence industry is unprepared for sustained conflict due to years of underinvestment. There is a lack of trust between government and the defence industry, which needs to be addressed through clearer, long-term Government commitments to allow industry to take risks and increase output. Innovation: Non-traditional defence suppliers, such as start-ups, SMEs and tech companies, are key to innovation and accelerating the pace of delivery, but they face barriers in accessing the defence market. The Government needs to facilitate a ‘broad church’ of industry engagement, beyond the traditional defence sector. #AUKUS Michael Sharpe See https://lnkd.in/gEGrChTq

The European Union has released a new defense industry strategy and program in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, calling for increased collaboration among member states and greater spending on defense procurement within the bloc. The plan includes mobilizing 1.5 billion euros of the EU's budget for defense over 2025 to 2027 and setting up an office in Kyiv to promote cooperation between Ukraine's military and businesses and EU firms. Former US President Donald Trump has expressed concern about insufficient European military spending, but the European Commission Vice President emphasized the importance of the EU having its own defense strategy. #AsiaRisk #GeopoliticalConflictandDisputes #Japan Follow us for daily updates on risk and operations in Asia! https://lnkd.in/gz34V-Dj

Having been a “Trail Blazer” in developing International Defense Technology Cooperation (and Collaboration & Mutual Consensus Building) with Japan and other U.S. Allies , I present the following embedded elements that have historically derailed, obfuscated and interfered & intervened to restrict, prevent and or eliminate U.S Department of Defense International Defense Technology Cooperation with Allies and Friendly Nations: - Domestic Political ambitions - Bureaucratic lethargy & obstinacy towards change - Security fears & retrictions - Intelligence limitations & myopia - Contract Short Falls in Negotiations, Management, Administration and Implementation - Import and Export Controls and Restrictions - Poor inclusion of Industry, Academic and external Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) external to the Government Sector - Pork barrel Programs & Investments - “Not Invented Here” Syndrome - Patent and Intellectual Property Rights - Xenophobia - Over extended expectations & frequent Underfunding - Short-term Planning and Failures to consider Long term fiscal, environmental, economic & political consequences both domestically & internationally. #whitehouse #statedepartment #departmentofdefense #departmentofcommerce #departmentofhomelandsecurity #treasurydepartment #australia #unitedkingdom #canada #newzealand #japan #korea #india #philippines #taiwan #ukraine #netherlands #france #italy #norway #sweden #germany #austria #turkey

The U.S. Secretaries of Defense and State are co-hosting their top Australian counterparts this week for ministerial and bilateral meetings where they’re expected to discuss plans for enhanced technology cooperation and shared industrial capacity, according to two senior officials. These engagements will mark the 34th Australia-United States Ministerial Consultation, or AUSMIN, which is considered a key annual forum for deliberation between the long-standing allies. https://lnkd.in/e62M2haD

The U.S. Secretaries of Defense and State are co-hosting their top Australian counterparts this week for ministerial and bilateral meetings where they’re expected to discuss plans for enhanced technology cooperation and shared industrial capacity, according to two senior officials. These engagements will mark the 34th Australia-United States Ministerial Consultation, or AUSMIN, which is considered a key annual forum for deliberation between the long-standing allies. https://lnkd.in/eYtBXEWd

Chad Sbragia on why a breakdown of US-China defence links could be ‘really dangerous’ The former senior Pentagon official discusses the past and present state of relations between the two countries’ militaries Neither defence establishment restarted any of the senior dialogues. The most senior dialogue they restarted was the deputy assistant secretary-level dialogue, the defence policy coordination talks. But the other higher level dialogues, at the assistant secretary level or the undersecretary level or higher, none of those were restarted. That’s an anomaly in a relationship, and it’s also confusing about why. I think that’s a great deal of risk when you have no mechanism to resolve larger strategic policy disagreements in place. It raises questions: does either side expect to resolve large policy disagreements? Or is there no interest on either side in resolving those disagreements? https://lnkd.in/g9sB4wh4?

THE BIG NEWS: The Pentagon, while facing down industrial powers China and Russia, is touting efforts to more tightly integrate the U.S. and allied defense industries. Senator Dan Sullivan is saying he wants to make that a high-level job in DOD writes Joe Gould in POLITICO. The Defense MoU Attachés Group (DMAG) has written letters to HASC and SASC this year advocating to elevate the role within DoD in order for the US to leverage international armaments cooperation with it's allies and partners. In this morning newsletter our Chair Sander Oude Hengel shares that "it is crucial that the DOD is able to create a senior political executive with the mandate to adequately elevate international armaments cooperation to its own benefit. The position would allow the U.S. to leverage its strategic advantage with allies in Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. Closer integration of defense and technology efforts is more than the sum of its parts and essential for addressing shared global challenges." Einar Gustafson #strengththroughcooperation #RDPMoUs #productionisdetterence #supplychainresilience