David M. Luna 🦏 🌎 🐘 Threat Convergence ≜ Kine-Dynamics’ Post

Zelenskyy will visit a Pennsylvania ammunition factory to thank workers Story by Associated Press • 11h • 3 min read WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday will visit the Pennsylvania ammunition factory that is producing one of the most critically needed munitions for his country’s fight to fend off Russian ground forces. He is expected to go to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant to kick off a busy week in the United States shoring up support for Ukraine in the war, according to two U.S. officials and a third familiar with Zelenskyy’s schedule who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that were not yet public. He also will address the U.N. General Assembly annual gathering in New York and travel to Washington for talks on Thursday with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The Scranton plant is one of the few facilities in the country to manufacture 155 mm artillery shells. They are used in howitzer systems, which are towed large guns with long barrels that can fire at various angles. Howitzers can strike targets up to 15 miles to 20 miles away and are highly valued by ground forces to take out enemy targets from a protected distance. Ukraine has already received more than 3 million of the 155 mm shells from the U.S. With the war now well into its third year, Zelenskyy has been pushing the U.S. for permission to use longer range missile systems to fire deeper inside of Russia. So far he has not persuaded the Pentagon or White House to loosen those restrictions. The Defense Department has emphasized that Ukraine can already hit Moscow with Ukrainian-produced drones, and there is hesitation on the strategic implications of a U.S.-made missile potentially striking the Russian capital.

Philippine army test fires Elbit tanks https://ift.tt/bVMkc9q A battalion of the Philippine Army Armored Corps has completed its first test training with the Sapra light tank, with a 105mm main gun, manufactured in Israel by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT; level:ESLTA live-fire drill was conducted at the Ernesto Rabina Air Base target range in Tarlac province, part of the Philippine military’s training to counter concerns about China. The Philippines is an island nation south of Taiwan. The main fear in Manila is that if a Chinese invasion of Taiwan happens, the Philippines will be the next target. That’s why they have been buying huge amounts of defense equipment in recent years from South Korea (37 percent of total defense imports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)) and Israel (28 percent). In the 2020 tank tender, the Israeli company beat out a South Korean-Turkish joint venture, Hanwha and Otokar. The Elbit tank carries a 105mm gun, which can be used with a variety of weapons. The Sabra tank includes an advanced fire control system, enhanced armor, and the ability to locate targets from the highest technological levels. It is suitable for the Philippines with its difficult geographical conditions and rainforests, as it has high agility in the terrain and maneuverability, while carrying a crew of three: commander, gunner and driver. The Philippines signed the contract with Elbit in October 2020, for the purchase of 18 light tanks, with the first tanks to be delivered in late 2022. A key consideration in choosing the Sabra over competitors such as Indonesia’s Pindad’s Harimau tank was that the Sabra’s operating costs were more attractive. System made by Rafael The Sabra system is just one of many Israeli-made weapons that Manila has purchased. Two and a half weeks ago, the Philippine military unveiled the Rafael-made SPYDER air defense system as part of its 77th anniversary celebrations. The system was proudly displayed to showcase the military’s modernization. SPYDER is an advanced air defense system, used by many armies around the world, including the Czech Army, and provides air defense solutions for various ranges and against a variety of air threats, including drones, aircraft, helicopters and short-range ballistic missiles. The system intercepts threats using two families of interceptor missiles manufactured by Rafael – Python and Derby. Related Articles Elbit Systems: Record Orders, Negative Cash Flow Elbit partners with Lufthansa unit on German Navy drones Argentina Considers Buying Spike Missiles From Rafael – Report According to Army Recognition, the Philippines purchased three Spider batteries, while a 2020 report by MaxDefense Philippines stated that the sale of the three batteries amounted to $141 million. The deal also inc...

Loss of Abrams tanks in Ukraine to hurt their image on global weapons market — expert According to Igor Korotchenko, there are no Western armored vehicles that are invulnerable to Russian weapons MOSCOW/ The loss of several Abrams tanks in the course of the special military operation, which was confirmed by Ukrainian army documents, will have a negative impact on the image of Western weapons on global markets, a Russian military analyst told TASS. "Obviously, the data exposed by hackers is another proof that Ukraine’s losses include Abrams tanks. In practical terms, it will influence attitudes on global weapons markets because some contracts were motivated by the image of Western armored vehicles," Igor Korotchenko, the editor-in-chief of National Defense magazine, said. The key conclusion, in his words, is that there are no Western armored vehicles that are invulnerable to Russian weapons. "Today, in the conditions of the special military operation, many are comparing the efficiency of the use of weapons and combat vehicles during a real war. That is why such losses, especially if confirmed by documents, will have a negative impact on their status on the global weapons market," Korotchenko added. Earlier, the Ukrainian Beregini hacker group released Ukrainian army documents on the losses of Abrams tanks. Thus, according to these documents, one Abrams tank (factory number UKR002) was "irretrievably lost." It received damage as a result of an attack by two drones near the village of Berdichi. Its crew was also lost. Another tank, UKR006, according to the leaked documents, was left by its crew and UKR005 was damaged near the settlement of Semyonovka. According to the Russian Defense Ministry’s data as of March 11, Russian forces destroyed three Abrams tanks in the zone of the special military operation. #business #finance #financialservices

A new US-Swedish bomb may have already been pulled from Ukraine because it's useless against Russian jamming Tom Porter Wed, July 10, 2024 at 5:58 PM GMT+5·3 min read Sophisticated US weapons are being jammed by Russian electronic warfare units. A relatively new US-Swedish bomb has been pulled from use, according to reports. Russia is able to scramble the GPS signals used to guide the weapons. A new precision-guided US weapon has been pulled from use by the Ukrainian military because Russia is taking them out using electronic warfare, according to reports. Ukrainian and Western officials told The Wall Street Journal that the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), manufactured by Boeing and Swedish company Saab, had failed and was no longer in use pending an overhaul. The GLSDB is a guided bomb with a range of 94 miles, thanks to its small wings that extend from its body. In 2022, marketing materials for the bomb said its navigation system is "supported by a highly jamming resistance GPS." As previously reported by Business Insider's Mia Jankowicz, Ukraine received the bombs in early February after months of requesting long-range munitions in the hope of hitting targets in areas like Crimea. In April, Defense One reported that Bill LaPlante, the Pentagon's acquisition chief, had said a ground-launched version of an air-to-ground weapon had become vulnerable to Russian electronic warfare. The publication said he was likely referring to the GLSDB. "When you send something to people in the fight of their lives that just doesn't work, they'll try it three times and they'll just throw it aside," said LaPlante, according to the report, adding Ukraine no longer seemed interested in the weapon. A month later, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the bombs' guidance systems were running into Russian jamming, causing many of the launches to miss their targets. Business Insider contacted Boeing, Saab, and the the Ukrainian army for comment. https://lnkd.in/dnTccnxu?

The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments // Riigi Kaitseinvesteeringute Keskus (RKIK) will initiate a selection process in the coming weeks to find a defense industry company to establish production facilities at #Ämari Air Base. The goal is for this facility to begin operations by early next year. The development of a major defense industry park near #Pärnu is underway but is expected to take longer due to the state's special planning process. To expedite the production of defense materials, RKIK is offering a defense industry company the opportunity to set up production at Ämari Air Base, aiming to start munitions manufacturing by early 2025, according to RKIK Deputy Director Katri Raudsepp. A 6,200-square-meter area equipped with protective embankments at Ämari is available for the company, meeting security and safety requirements, Raudsepp said. The company will be responsible for building the necessary production facilities at its own expense. A selection process will be announced in the coming weeks for companies interested and qualified for this opportunity. The criteria include having the necessary licenses, a business plan and compliance with the Weapons Act. The company's operations should support the development of Estonia's defense capabilities, be based on market economy principles and focus on exports, Raudsepp explained during a press briefing. Companies must submit an activity plan, which will be evaluated based on how well they support the security plans of Estonia, NATO and #Ukraine. However, Raudsepp emphasized that the selected company will not be guaranteed defense contracts and will have to compete with other bidders. Tambet Tõnisson, head of RKIK's state property sector, added that the company must comply with the requirements of the Weapons Act and possess a permit for handling explosives. The site allows for handling up to 400 kilograms of explosives at a time. The plot will be leased to the company for five years, with access to storage facilities on military grounds. Raudsepp noted that RKIK does not restrict the type of company or the products to be manufactured at Ämari. Interest has been expressed by multiple companies, ranging from those producing charges to ammunition and air-to-ground munitions. Tõnisson described the Ämari mini-defense industrial park as a pilot project to explore the feasibility of munitions manufacturing in Estonia, providing valuable experience for developing a larger defense industry park. The planning for the larger park is expected to conclude by August next year, after which construction could begin, potentially reaching production within one and a half years, optimistically by the end of 2026. https://lnkd.in/dibSMKhK

#CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Some have predicted the demise of heavy armored vehicles on future battlefields, but #Australian defense officials, in words and actions, are underscoring the enduring relevance of the main battle tank. On Oct. 17, Australia pledged to gift 49 second-hand M1A1 AIM #Abrams tanks to Ukraine. This came just weeks after a first batch of new M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams replacements arrived in Australia from the U.S. Australia never utilized its 59 M1A1 Abrams in combat, but they will soon be used in anger against Russian invaders in Ukraine. Boasting a 120mm main gun, thick armor and advanced sensors, older Abrams still remain a formidable battlefield weapon, whether in Ukraine or the Asia-Pacific region. “There are no other current or emerging technologies – or combination of technologies – that can yet deliver the capability currently provided by a main battle tank,” an Australian Department of Defence spokesperson told Defense News. Brigadier James Davis, the Australian Army’s director general of Future Land Warfare, told Defense News that crew skills – “the basics of warfare, camouflage, concealment” – remain as important as ever amid the advent of loitering munitions and similar threats. “That’s how Western armored vehicles – and Australian armored vehicles – crewed by Western crews and Australian crews, are going to survive on the battlefield; a combination of training, tactics, technology and systems,” he said. The tank donation to Kyiv, worth approximately A$245 million (US$164 million), will “bolster the armed forces of Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion,” Canberra said. Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy commented, “These tanks will deliver more firepower and mobility to the Ukrainian armed forces, and complement the support provided by our partners for Ukraine.” In response to the news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted, “I’m especially grateful for Australia’s brave decision to provide 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks for our defense against Russian aggression.” American permission was required for this handover, but Ukrainian crews are already familiar with the platform after the U.S. promised to donate 31 M1A1 SA Abrams to Ukraine in January 2023. Perhaps half have been destroyed to date. Australia will retain ten M1A1 tanks, and these will assist in the transition to its own fleet of M1A2s. Under Project Land 907, approved in January 2022, the Australian Army is receiving 75 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks, 29 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles, 17 M1074 Joint Assault Bridges and six additional M88A2 armored recovery vehicles. Under the Australian military’s restructure announced in 2023′s Defence Strategic Review, the Army’s 3rd Brigade in Townsville will be the sole repository of this heavy-armor influx.

#KNDSNexter #CaesarHowitzer #Ukraine #CaesarMkII "PARIS – Ukraine has lost less than 10% of the truck-mounted Caesar howitzers it received from France and Denmark, with greater mobility resulting in a higher survival rate than for some other self-propelled or towed systems, according French manufacturer KNDS Nexter. Losses for some other self-propelled or towed systems in Ukraine’s war with Russia amount to nearly 30%, the company said in a statement to Defense News, without providing specifics. The French-built Caesar is the world’s lightest 155mmm self-propelled gun at 18 metric tons, according to Nexter. The howitzer can fire six shells within a minute before packing up and moving away, an artillery tactic known as shoot-and-scoot, and evolving battlefield threats mean that mobility is the Caesar system’s best protection rather than the cannon’s range, Nexter said. “Use of drones and loitering munitions has become a real threat 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the front, where the Caesar operates,” Nexter said in the statement. “Its light weight and ability to leave its position in less than a minute to avoid counter-battery fire are therefore major assets.” Ukraine has received 55 of the truck-mounted systems, with 36 supplied by France, including six purchased this year, and another 19 donated by Denmark. Besides the French cannon, Ukraine operates 155mm artillery systems including the towed American M777 and self-propelled systems such as the German Panzerhaubitze 2000, the Polish Krab and Sweden’s Archer. ... France, Denmark and Ukraine have agreed on financing the purchase of 78 Caesar systems for Ukraine in 2024 as part of the coalition, Lecornu said last week. That includes the six already delivered this year. Nexter has increased monthly Caesar production to six from two before the war, and the target “in the time to come” is 12 cannons per month, Lecornu said in a press conference following the visit. The target is to reach the new capacity within a year, and Nexter has already made investments to boost the output of the system’s components, the company said. “For the time being, all Caesar production is earmarked for Ukraine and for replenishing stocks of the French Army, which may decide to make further divestments to Ukraine,” Nexter said. France in December ordered 109 new-generation howitzers from Nexter for about €350 million, with first delivery expected in 2026. The updated cannon will have an armored cabin to protect against mines and small-caliber arms, based on the feedback from French deployments in Afghanistan and Africa’s Sahel region. The Caesar MkII will get a new 460 HP engine more than double as powerful as the previous 215 HP one, a new six-wheel chassis from military-vehicle maker Arquus, and updated fire control software. The howitzer will keep its 155mm cannon, with a range of more than 40 kilometers, and will remain air-transportable, according to France’s armaments directorate. ..."

Image Source: AP Colombia arms missing (symbolic photo) Bogota: If cannon balls and missiles are stolen from a country, then the security system of that country can be easily estimated. But now you might be wondering whether this is possible. So let us tell you that yes, this has happened. The name of the country from where such shocking news has come is Colombia. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said that thousands of shells (grenades) and bullets have been stolen from two military bases in his country. <!-- /8323530/Khabar_Desktop_VDO_1X1 --> Bullets, shells and missiles missing President Gustavo Petro said in a brief statement that the military conducted inspections this month and found that thousands of bullets, thousands of shells and 37 anti-artillery missiles had been stolen from military bases. One of these military bases is located in the central part of the country while the other is located near the Caribbean coast. What did the President say? President Gustavo Petro said the ammunition may have fallen into the hands of Colombian rebel organizations or been illegally sold to criminal groups in other countries, including Haitian rebels. He said, “Regarding the items that are missing, all that can be said is that there are networks of people in the armed forces who are involved in illegal purchase and sale of weapons.” Inspection will continue Colombia’s president said inspections of military bases will continue “to keep the armed forces away from any criminal organization.” The inspection of military bases comes as Colombia has targeted rebel organizations in the country’s southwest. The fight against FARC-EMC has been resumed. In 2016, after the peace agreement was signed between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the government, this rebel organization was separated and formed ‘FARC-EMC’. (AP) Also read: China launched its ‘Brahmastra’ into the sea, started testing the most advanced aircraft carrier China kneeled down in front of a scientist, allowed the scientist to return to the lab Latest World News function loadFacebookScript(){ !function (f, b, e, v, n, t, s) { if (f.fbq) return; n = f.fbq = function () { n.callMethod ? n.callMethod.apply(n, arguments) : n.queue.push(arguments); }; if (!f._fbq) f._fbq = n; n.push = n; n.loaded = !0; n.version = '2.0'; n.queue = []; t = b.createElement(e); t.async = !0; t.src = v; s = b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t, s); }(window, document, 'script', '//https://lnkd.in/dNCd7S6K'); fbq('init', '1684841475119151'); fbq('track', "PageView"); } window.addEventListener('load', (event) => { setTimeout(function(){ loadFacebookScript(); }, 7000); });