On December 1, the Russian Defense Ministry press service reported the successful test of a new anti-ballistic missile, conducted by a combat unit of Russia’s Air Defense and Missile Defense Forces at the Sary-Shagan Range in Kazakhstan. Quoted by the press service, Missile Defense Task Force Commander Sergei Grabchuk stated that “the new antimissile missile...
On December 1, the U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116). Its name honors Captain Thomas J. Hudner Jr., a naval aviator in the Korean War and a Medal of Honor recipient. Captain Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor for attempting to save the life of squadron...
On November 28, the U.S. Army in Europe activated the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment in Germany. The 5th Battalion was deactivated following the end of the Cold War and is the first such battalion activated in Germany since. Colonel David Shank, commander of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, emphasized...
On November 30, Russia’s Southern Military District’s press service announced that a Pantsir-S air defense battalion had deployed to Crimea earlier in October. According to the statement, these missile systems are “part of the programme to re-equip the district’s troops.” Pantsir-S (SA-22 “Greyhound”) is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and missile (SPAAGM) system that can hold...
On November 29, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet press office announced their deployment of its fourth S-400 Triumf missile system battalion near the Russian-Ukrainian border in Djankoy, Crimea. According to Russia’s TASS news agency, the S-400 systems have moved into position and are now detecting and tracking targets. The surface-to-air missile system (SAM) is capable of...
On November 29, an unnamed Crimean security source told Interfax news agency that Russia intends to install a new missile early-warning radar station in Crimea in 2019. The source noted that the station, to be built near the Sevastopol port where Russia’s Black Sea fleet is based, will be able to track ballistic and cruise...
On November 25, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that it received 12 Tor-M2DT surface-to-air missile systems, which will be the first of these systems to deploy in the Arctic region. First unveiled in Russia at the 2017 Victory Day parade, the Tor-M2DT is the Arctic version of the Tor-M2 (SA-15 “Gauntlet”) and can reportedly detect...
On November 20, Indian Defense Ministry officials announced the signing of a $500 million deal between India and Russia for the design and transfer of technology to build two Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356/Talwar-class) guided-missile stealth frigates. India will begin construction of the two frigates at the Goa Shipyard in 2020. According to Goa Shipyard Ltd...
On November 19, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the U.S. State Department approved three missile and precision-guided munitions sales, two to Japan and one to NATO, totaling $944 million. The first $561 million sale to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will include eight SM-3 missiles and 13 SM-3 Block IIA missiles....
On November 16, North Korean state media announced the test of a new “ultramodern tactical weapon,” which would provide the country with a “steel wall” of defense. According to an anonymous military source in Seoul, the new weapon is most likely a type of long-range artillery. The source also added that the weapon had begun...
