On July 17, Japan’s Ministry of Defense issued a request for proposals to integrate the Mitsubishi Electric AAM-4B air-to-air missiles on its F-15J fighter fleet. Currently in service with Japan’s Mitsubishi F-2 multirole fighters, the AAM-4B medium-range missile is the first of its kind equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) seeker. The weapon...
On July 17, Russia tested the Tor-M2DT, a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed for arctic use. First revealed in 2017, the M2DT is a winterized variant of the Tor missile system built on a DT-30PM tracked chassis. The Russian armed forces first tested the missile at Kasputin Yar in June 2019. The weapon is...
On July 13, the Royal Netherlands Army received its first shipment of recapitalized Patriot fire units from the United States. Under the $105 million sale, the U.S. Army is replacing the radars, launch systems, and fire control units for four Patriot systems. The rebuilt Patriot elements were also installed with a Netherlands-specific dehumidifier system to...
On July 15, the Royal Malaysian Navy conducted missile tests as part of a naval exercise in the South China Sea. In the drill, Malaysian corvette KD Katsuri (F25) and a Super Lynx naval helicopter fired an Exocet MM40 Block II and two Sea Skua antiship missiles, respectively. The Exocet MM40 is a French subsonic...
On July 18, the Russian Ministry of Defence released video footage of naval drills in the Sea of Japan. Two vessels of Russia’s Pacific Fleet—a missile boat and a destroyer—participated in the exercise. Each ship launched one or more SS-N-22 Sunburn (Moskit) antiship missiles, striking a floating target located 60 km from the warships. The...
On July 16, the U.S. Air Force released a request for proposals for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), its next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The GBSD is intended to replace the Minuteman III ICBMs currently in service. Under the solicitation, one prime contractor—either Boeing or Northrop Grumman—will produce the first 5 lots of the...
On July 17, Japan launched its second Maya-class destroyer, JS Haguro (DDG-180), at a ceremony in Yokohama City. The vessel is the second ship of its class and the eighth Japan Marine Self-Defense Forces ship equipped with the Aegis Combat System. Fitted with the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) system, the destroyer will be capable of...
Speaking at a Russian naval exhibition on July 16, a representative of BrahMos Aerospace stated that development was underway for the BrahMos-NG, an upgraded version of the BrahMos cruise missile. The new BrahMos will reportedly reach higher speeds—Mach 3.5 over its predecessor’s 2.8—and be smaller in diameter. It is planned to equip India’s Project 75...
On July 12, Italian police seized a Matra Super 530F air-to-air missile in raids on neo-Nazi groups linked to the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine. According to markings on the missile canister, France originally exported the weapon to Qatar in 1980. The extremist organization had reportedly intended to illicitly sell the missile for 470,000 euros....
On July 12, the U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of 50 Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) surface-to-air missiles to Germany. The PAC-3 MSE can reach double the range of the legacy PAC-3 and offers improved kinematic performance. The sale, which includes logistical support, is estimated to cost $401 million. ...
