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. ...
On July 12, Turkey received its first shipment of the S-400 surface-to-air missile system from Russia. According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, three Russian aircraft with S-400 equipment landed at Murted Air Base in Ankara. Another aircraft with S-400 components is slated to arrive in “the near future,” according to Russia’ state-run TASS news agency....
On July 12, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) struck Iraqi Kurdish militant groups with missiles, artillery, and drones. According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC employed its new armed M-6 drones to attack several positions in the Iraqi Kurdistan region. In a statement, the IRGC said the strikes came in response to...
On July 12, Indian and Israel firms concluded an agreement to assemble Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles. Under the $100 million contract, an Israeli contractor would produce roughly 1000 missile kits for final assembly in India. First developed in 2009, the Barak-8 can intercept airbornetargets at a 100km range. Related Links: Joint Israeli, Indian venture to make...
On July 9, Japan’s Ministry of Defense said it would share information from its planned Aegis Ashore sites with the United States. The Japanese government first announced plans to acquire the system in 2017 and aims to build two Aegis sites in Akita and Yamaguchi prefectures. Japan already operates several shipborne Aegis systems and co-develops...
On July 9, Qatar announced in a joint statement its intent to purchase additional Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air (NASAMS) missile systems from the United States. Qatar first purchased Patriot in 2012 and was approved for a $215 million NASAMS sale in 2018. Qatar’s Patriot PAC-3 and PAC-2 GEM-T missiles entered service in late 2018. ...
