Samir Khayat’s Post

“For roughly two weeks, the 1st Armored Division moved nonstop, finding the enemy and striking from hidden locations all while marching through their battle plan to push back the invaders. Sleepless nights and long, cold, windy days piled on units who’d never done this kind of work en masse…. Many of those at the training exercise, which took place in January, spent their careers fighting insurgencies and terrorist groups in brigades of perhaps 4,000 soldiers or even smaller units. That was by design. The Army converted to a modular brigade combat team formation in the early 2000s for a more nimble global force. But, as the U.S. shifted its focus toward adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, the Army had to examine its role, and how it would fit into the new strategy. The Army sees its role as providing major ground combat power for large-scale combat operations. To do that, they’ll have to fight with divisions and corps — which range from 12,000 to 45,000 soldiers, respectively. Those formations’ headquarters units will orchestrate the battle, striking deep with long-range fires, attack aircraft and hooking into joint capabilities from the Air Force, Navy and Marines.” Cited: https://lnkd.in/eMBBgFb6 Growing up as an Army Brat pre-Vietnam, having served Pre (first) Gulf War and into the 2000’s, and now industry the last 21 years, I have seen fighting strategy go several different directions. I could not agree more with T. R. Fehrenbach: “Americans in 1950 rediscovered something that since Hiroshima they had forgotten: you may fly over a land forever; you may bomb it, atomize it, pulverize it and wipe it clean of life—but if you desire to defend it, protect it, and keep it for civilization, you must do this on the ground, the way the Roman legions did, by putting your young men into the mud. T. R. Fehrenbach, This Kind of War” Being able to “orchestrate the battle, striking deep with long-range fires, attack aircraft and hooking into joint capabilities from the Air Force, Navy and Marines” sounds really cool right….but then what? “If you desire to defend it, protect it, and keep it for civilization, you must do this on the ground, the way the Roman legions did, by putting your young men into the mud” Here come’s the change up: in today’s fight, Throw in Drone, Counter Drone Technology and Communications Electronic Warfare, then what? Hint: Being in the mud really sucks! Are we playing checkers where the goal is to annihilate the entire board? Short term Good. Long Term Bad. OR- Are we training to become chess masters? There are suvivors. Really good. I like the game of chess. Fighting by proxy isn’t working.

As part of the Army's transformation initiatives, the Multi-functional Reconnaissance Company (MFRC) is a newly structured unit within 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). The MFRC will incorporate a wide array of emerging technologies and tactics to be the standard for battlefield reconnaissance. The Strike Brigade is one of the Army's first units to prototype the mobile brigade combat team (MBCT), the MBCT will be lighter and more lethal while providing increased mobility to close combat forces. Continuous transformation is the way the Army remains dominant against rapidly evolving and emerging threats in an era of rapid change in the character of war.

The US Navy has marked a pivotal achievement by successfully launching a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) from a destroyer for the first time, significantly enhancing its naval warfare capabilities. This groundbreaking launch occurred during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise, where the USS Fitzgerald demonstrated its precision by striking a decommissioned ship from approximately 50 nautical miles away. The NSM is designed for long-range engagements, boasting an operational range exceeding 100 nautical miles, which broadens the Navy's strategic options in maritime operations. The integration of the Over-the-Horizon Weapon System (OTH-WS) onto the USS Fitzgerald was completed in an impressive nine months—a notable achievement given that similar upgrades generally require around two years. This system replaces the older Harpoon missile and features innovations such as GPS-assisted inertial navigation and a passive imaging infrared seeker. These advancements enhance the missile's resistance to electronic jamming, making it more effective in contested environments. The NSM's design also incorporates stealth features, enabling it to fly in a sea-skimming mode that helps it evade radar detection. This successful missile launch underscores the U.S. Navy's commitment to modernizing its fleet and improving operational effectiveness in an increasingly complex global security landscape. By investing in advanced missile systems like the NSM, the Navy not only enhances its deterrent capabilities but also demonstrates its readiness to adapt to emerging threats, whether from state actors or non-state entities. Furthermore, the collaboration between various entities, including the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division and defense contractors like KONGSBERG and Raytheon, highlights the importance of teamwork in achieving rapid advancements in military technology. Such partnerships are crucial for ensuring that the U.S. Navy remains at the forefront of naval warfare capabilities. As we move forward, the successful integration and deployment of the NSM will set a benchmark for future military innovations, ensuring that naval forces are well-prepared to meet the challenges of modern warfare. This commitment to excellence not only enhances national security but also strengthens alliances with partner nations seeking to bolster their own defense capabilities. #USNavy #NavalStrikeMissile #MissileLaunch #RIMPAC2024 #NavalWarfare #MilitaryInnovation #DefenseTechnology #OverTheHorizon #StrategicDefense #FleetModernization #InternationalSecurity #DefensePartnerships Please select 💡 if you thought this post made a great point, offered a new idea, or shared helpful insights or advice.

A low cost uncrewed solution will be needed soon for the defense of Taiwan or other countries that challenge China’s hegemony in the Pacific. Ukraine provides great lessons that can be leveraged to deploy low cost uncrewed systems at scale to deter or defeat a force like this.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has officially decommissioned its fleet of Type 74 main battle tanks (MBTs). This decision marks the end of an era for a vehicle that has been a stalwart of Japan’s armored forces for over four decades. The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has not only retired the Type 74 tanks but has also disbanded the units that operated them. This includes the JGSDF 9th Tank Battalion in Iwate, the 10th Tank Battalion in Imazu, and the 13th Tank Troop. The reorganization, completed by the end of the Japanese financial year 2023, resulted in the disposal of approximately 90 Type 74 tanks. With the decommissioning of the remaining Type 74 units in March 2024, the personnel from these units are being reassigned primarily to combat reconnaissance battalions. Developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the Type 74 was designed to address the evolving needs of the JGSDF and to supplement the earlier Type 61. Inspired by the best features of contemporary Western designs such as the US M60 Patton and the German Leopard 1, the Type 74 featured a rifled 105 mm M68 gun and entered service in 1980. However, by this time, many Western nations had already moved on to more advanced designs. The Type 74 was eventually succeeded by the heavier and more capable Type 90, and more recently, the cutting-edge Type 10 tank. Despite these advancements, the Type 74 remained a key component of Japan’s armored forces, known for its balance of firepower, mobility, and armor. #military #defense #defence #militaryleak https://lnkd.in/gn-ehiiQ

The First Upgraded CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle VHT announces the rollout of the first upgraded CV90 infantry fighting vehicle in Bunschoten-Spakenburg. This milestone is a testament to our commitment to enhanced protection, improved maneuverability, and increased firepower. With the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU), all 122 vehicles will remain operational until 2039, ready for deployment by the Dutch army from November onwards. Given the evolving global security landscape, the CV90 required a significant upgrade. The revamped vehicle now boasts a new turret with future-proof IT infrastructure and advanced observation systems, allowing commanders to make decisions faster than their adversaries. Equipped with guided anti-tank missiles and an active protection system, the CV90 can detect and neutralize incoming threats, ensuring superior battlefield performance and enhanced user-friendliness. Through strategic partnerships and investments in advanced technology, the Ministerie van Defensie aims to provide its personnel with the best tools and equipment to protect national security. This achievement is the result of a successful collaboration between Swedish manufacturer BAE Systems Hägglunds AB and Van Halteren Technologies. To celebrate this rollout, Van Halteren hosted a special lunch, fostering camaraderie and collaboration among all stakeholders. We were honored to have Christophe van der Maat, State Secretary of Defense, involved in this significant event. The project will see the delivery of the remaining upgraded CV90s over the coming years, with the final unit operational by early 2027. As Commodore Harold Boekholt, Director of Projects at the Command for Material & IT COMMIT, states, these upgrades enable our forces to maintain a high operational tempo, ensuring dominance now and in the future. #Innovation #Defense #Technology #VanHalterenTechnologies #CV90 #MilitaryExcellence #Collaboration #FutureReady #Celebration #DefenseLeadership

Leading the way in #CUAS through our integrated layered defense strategy.

New heavy #infantry vehicle (IFV) spotted in #russia; this derivation is based on the T-72 and may be less expensive to mass produce in the near term, time to update #orderofbattle, among other tasks… #military #vehicles #capabilities #classification #production https://lnkd.in/eFxfxYZE

M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle: The M2A2 Bradley is considered the best infantry fighting vehicle in the Ukraine war due to its balance of protection, optics, and firepower. Key advantages include: Strong armor that can withstand 30mm armor-piercing rounds. Advanced thermal vision system for detecting targets up to 5 miles away. Powerful 25mm automatic cannon and TOW anti-tank missiles. Ukrainian forces have praised the Bradley's efficiency in offensive, defensive, and survivability roles. It has demonstrated high crew survivability rates compared to other frontline vehicles. The U.S. has committed to sending 50 M2A2-ODS Bradley variants to Ukraine. These vehicles have proven combat effectiveness, having been used successfully in multiple conflicts.