On June 2, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) test fired the JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in Bohai Bay. The June launch is the second known test of the weapon since its first firing in November 2018. The missile is expected to enter service alongside China’s new class of ballistic missile submarines, the Type...
In their fourth “two-plus-two” dialogue, Japanese and Russian foreign and defense ministers failed to reach consensus over disputed island territories north of Japan. Both countries highlighted missile activity as a key issue. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono stated that Russian missile exercises and aircraft deployments on the islands were “unacceptable,” while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei...
On May 23, Huntington Ingalls Industries began construction on the first Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) in a steel-cutting ceremony at its Newport News shipyard in Virginia. The Columbia-class, set to enter service in 2031, will replace the 14 Ohio-class SSBNs currently operated by the U.S. Navy. The lead boat is scheduled for delivery...
On May 27, India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully test fired an updated version of its Akash surface-to-air missile. The missile, which entered service in 2015, has a range of roughly 25 km and can reach altitudes of up to 18 km. The launch marks the second successful flight test of the updated...
On May 24, Inside Defense reported that the U.S. Defense Department is preparing a stop-work order on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense System’s Redesigned Kill Vehicle (RKV). The report comes after unspecified concerns over recent component tests, which motivated the MDA to delay the program by 2 years in March 2019. As of February 2019, the...
On May 22, the Indian Air Force successfully test fired the BrahMos antiship cruise missile from an Su-30MKI fighter. The weapon, co-developed by India and Russia, is among the fastest cruise missiles currently in service, reaching speeds of Mach 3 over its 400 km range. The exercise marks the second successful test of the air-launched...
On May 23, Pakistan’s military successfully tested the Shaheen 2, a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear and conventional payloads. The missile, which can travel up to 1,500 km, landed in the Arabian Sea. Speaking shortly after the test, Pakistani military spokesman Major-General Asif Ghafoor said the test contributed to “Pakistan’s strategic needs towards...
On May 17, India’s Ministry of Defence announced a successful test firing of its Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM). Launched from Indian Navy Ships Kochi (D64) and Chennai (D65), the test demonstrated the ships’ cooperative engagement capability, where one ship coordinated missile launches off both platforms. Co-developed by Indian and Israeli contractors, the...
In a request for proposals issued May 14, the U.S. Army has solicited new prototype radars for its Patriot modernization effort. Initiated in 2017, the Lower Tier Air-and-Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) program will develop a sensor to replace the Army’s Patriot AN/MPQ-53 and -65 phased-array radar. After competing contractors demonstrate radar capabilities in May and...
In a report released May 2019, the Government Accountability Office announced that the Army has revised the range requirements of its upcoming Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) from 300 to 400 kilometers. Having accelerated its acquisition schedule to 2022, the Army plans to replace its Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with PrSM, which would be smaller...
