On June 4, India’s Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) successfully tested an antiship version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The launch took place on a test range off the Odisha Coast at India’s Integrated Test Range. An air launched BrahMos variant was also test fired on May 22. The BrahMos missile is jointly developed...
Between May 15-18, a prototype 9M318 surface-to-air missile (SAM) was unveiled by the Belarusian company OKB TSP Scientific Production at the MILEX 2019 defense exhibition. According to a company spokesperson, the prototype missile was developed to equip the Buk-MB2 and Buk-MB3 medium-range SAM systems, and designed to “engage high-speed maneuverable aerodynamic targets with low radar...
On May 29, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) reportedly fired a Bora-1 missile towards a Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) target in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. According to Turkish news outlet Yeni Şafak, this marks the first operational launch of the missile against PKK targets in Operation Claw, a yearlong running operation against the PKK. The Bora-1...
On May 28, Reuters reported that U.S. officials are considering suspending F-35 training for Turkish pilots as Turkey continues to move forward with its plans to purchase Russia’s S-400 and and missile defense system. The delivery of F-35 equipment to Turkey was previously halted in late March due to U.S. objection to the planned purchase....
From May 7-19, NATO ships engaged in live-fire air and missile defense drills off the coast of Scotland. Known as Formidable Shield, the exercise integrated ships from the United States, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom to test allied interoperability. Forces included 13 ships, 10 aircraft, and over 3,300...
On May 18, Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey will work with Russia to produce the S-500 air and missile defense system. Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 system has already strained U.S.-Turkey relations due to concerns that the program could compromise F-35 aircraft. Deliveries of F-35-related equipment to Turkey have been suspended as the...
On May 17, the U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of 94 SM-2 Block IIIB interceptors to South Korea. The deal, which also includes associated systems and technical assistance, is estimated at $313.9 million USD. On the same day, the State Department also announced its approval for the potential sale of 160 AIM-120C-7 Advanced...
On May 13, Russian state media reported the country has completed trials and begun serial production of its new APR-3M air-launched anti-submarine missile. The APR-3M was developed by the Research and Production Enterprise Region, and will equip Russia’s Ka-27M helicopter and other naval aircraft. Related Links: Russia launches serial production of anti-submarine warfare missile,...
On May 12, The Washington Post reported that it had obtained a Defense Department document outlining the Pentagon’s plan to shift $1.5 billion originally designed for military projects such as the Minuteman III ballistic missile program and the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) to fund the border wall. Two days earlier, Acting Secretary Patrick...
UN experts are currently investigating the use of Chinese-made missiles and drones after they identified a Chinese-made Blue Arrow air-to-surface missile and the probable use of a Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the April 19-20 missile strikes near Tripoli, Libya. The panel of experts are also investigating the possible role of the UAE...
