On July 25, North Korea tested two ballistic missiles from a site near Wonsan, along the country’s east coast. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles flew 430 and 690 kilometers respectively, landing in the Sea of Japan. Officials further stated that both missiles reached a 50 km altitude, but the weapons’...
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...
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 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. ...
On July 8, the U.S. State Department approved a $223 million sale of Stinger surface-to-air missiles to Taiwan. The Stinger is a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) capable of engaging low-altitude airborne threats at short range. In response, the People’s Republic of China expressed “resolute opposition” to the sale at a press conference. Related Links: Taipei...
On June 27, armed forces under the UN-backed Libyan National Army discovered four American-made Javelin antitank missiles at a rebel weapons cache near Tripoli. According to markings on the weapons, the United States originally supplied the missiles to the United Arab Emirates in a 2008 arms sale. The missiles were later found to be of...
In a June 24 release, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a $562 million sale of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to Bahrain, Poland, and Romania. First fielded in 1986, the ATACMS surface-to-surface missile can deliver a 160-560 kg warhead at ranges up to 300 km. The contract is scheduled for completion in June...
On June 19, the U.S. Navy flight tested the Block 2A Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM), a short-range interceptor used to defeat antiship missiles and other airborne threats. Conducted in Southern California, the tests successfully demonstrated the improved guidance systems in the Block 2A upgrade. The missile is slated for delivery by the end of 2019....
