First Combat Use of US SM-3 Interceptor Missiles Against Iranian Ballistic Missiles On April 14, 2024, Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyers deployed Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptors for the first time to counter an Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel. This operation, conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean, involved the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and USS Carney (DDG-64), […]
Iran; Hypersonic SSM Fattah-2 launched during airstrike against Israel
According to Iranian media, Iran conducted its first aerial attack using the newly unveiled hypersonic missile, Fattah-2, during airstrikes against Israel. This missile is considered non-interceptable. The attack, which was launched on April 13, 2024, targeted multiple Israeli airbases and marked Iran’s first combat deployment of this advanced missile technology. The Fattah-2 Iranian-made hypersonic missile […]
Ukraine; Army adopts Turkish anti-uav shotguns
The 68th Jaeger Brigade of the Ukrainian Army has incorporated Turkish Hatsan Escort BTS 12 shotguns into its operations. This integration is part of Ukraine’s efforts to counter evolving unmanned aerial threats in its ongoing conflict with Russia. The choice to employ these shotguns follows a growing trend among global military forces to adopt effective […]
Spain; Army plans to tender new floating bridge acquisition
The Spanish Army is committed to the acquisition this year of a new floating bridge system to modernise the capabilities of the 12th Regiment of Pontoons and Engineer Specialties (RPEI), based in Zaragoza. The Pacdef also includes another item of 1.4 for an auxiliary bridge launcher, which in the end raises the planned investment to […]
Argentina; Air Force seals $300 million deal for 24 F-16 jets from Denmark
Argentina inked a deal for 24 F-16 jets for its air force from Denmark for some $300 million, the government said on Tuesday. President Javier Milei and Defense Minister Luis Petri announced the purchase in a video posted on X. “With these new aircraft we are taking a transcendental step in our defense policy,” Petri […]
Bulgaria; MoD to Increase in military budget to 2.5% of GDP
Amid discussions in the Bulgarian parliament, Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov unveiled ambitious plans for a significant rise in military expenditures, aiming to reach 2.5% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Zapryanov emphasized the necessity of this increase during a briefing in the National Assembly, highlighting the importance of modernizing military equipment while […]
Morocco; France approves transfer 30 Mirage 2000 from UAE
After being suspended for three years, France “has agreed” to the transfer of 30 Mirage 2000 -9s from the UAE (United arab Emirates) to Morocco. This decision, according to North African sources, was made after much hesitation by Emmanuel Macron’s administration, motivated by a desire to repurchase them to deliver to Ukraine. However, after their […]
Iraq; Air Force orders support for its C-172 and AC/RC-208
The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of aircraft contractor logistics support and training to Iraq for an estimated cost of $140 million, the Pentagon said on Monday. The training and support apply to Iraq’s C-172 and AC/RC-208 aircraft fleet, the Pentagon said in a statement. The principal contractor will be Northrop Grumman […]
China; H-20 stealth bomber development nears completion
In March 2024, Chinese Air Force Deputy Commander Wang Wei confirmed that the H-20, a new stealth strategic bomber with long-range strategic strike capabilities, is set to be unveiled. It is noteworthy that this announcement arrived just after the US B-21 Raider stealth bomber entered low-rate production. According to Chinese media reports, the H-20 long-range […]
Netherlands; MoD orders seven additional GM200 MM/C air defense radars
Thales and the Dutch military procurement organization, COMMIT (Command Materiel and IT), have recently finalized an agreement for the delivery of seven Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radars (GM200 MM/C), with an option for two additional systems. This new contract adds to the nine GM200 MM/C radar systems already ordered in 2019, the first of […]