I - On Defense Podcast

For review:1. Israel Strikes Targets Amid Hezbollah Threat.Israel says that before the strikes, it made the threats known to an international mechanism set up as part of the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, but “the threats weren’t addressed.”Israel struck several Hezbollah targets, including a rocket launcher, an unspecified military site, and “routes along the Syria-Lebanon border used to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah.”2. Governance row between two main Palestinian groups- Hamas and Fatah- plays out in West Bank.3. Russia Transferring Materiel from Syria to Libya.On December 18- the Wall Street Journal, citing Libyan and American officials, said there had been a transfer of Russian radars and defense systems from Syria to Libya, including S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft batteries.4. Russia claims advances in the Donetsk and Kharkiv Regions.5. Ukraine claims that it has captured two wounded N. Korean Soldiers in Russia's Kursk Region.6. After GAO Protest Ruling - US Army Restarts Work on Fixed-Wing ISR Program.7. US Army Launched Effects (LE) program.Launched Effects is the Army's term of art for an unmanned segment among its aerial platforms, capable of delivering a wide range of capabilities such as targeting, reconnaissance, surveillance, network extension or kinetic strike. 

For review:1. Israel Responds to Houthi Drone & Missile Attacks - IDF Strikes Houthi Coastal Ports and Sanaa Powerplant. The Israel Defense Forces said over 20 IAF aircraft — including fighter jets, refuelers and spy planes — participated in the Israeli strikes.2. Iranian Media: Military to Field 1000 Strategic Drones.Reportedly the unmanned aerial vehicles to be delivered include Ababil-4 and Ababil 5, which serve multipurpose missions from reconnaissance, patrolling and combat operations. 3. UK Defense Ministry Release: The Ukraine Defense Contact Group - Drone Capability Coalition (led by UK & Latvia), will deliver 30,000 drones to Ukraine.These state-of-the-art, first-person view drones will help Ukraine fight against Russian aggression, allowing Ukraine’s Armed Forces to manoeuvre past Russian air defences to target enemy positions and armoured vehicles.4. Serbia looks to countries other than Russia- for defense materiel (France, Israel, & China).Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces: "When it comes to weapon deliveries from the Russian Federation, they are currently practically impossible."5. France's Defense Exports are Second Largest in the World. In the 2019-2023 period- France was the second-largest arms shipper, after the United States, accounting for 11% of global arms exports, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.6. Indo-Pacific countries are taking steps to improve their amphibious capabilities (Japan; Philippines; Australia; & India).7. An Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition survey says that US Navy multi-ship buys lead to immediate benefits.Under multi-ship buys, the Navy and defense shipbuilding industry agree on the prices of multiple ships years in advance and within the same contractual agreement. 

For review:1. Lebanon's Lawmakers Elect New President. Lebanon’s lawmakers elected on Thursday army chief Joseph Aoun as president on Thursday. Under multi-confessional Lebanon’s power-sharing system, the president must be a Maronite Christian, as do military chiefs.2. Iran's former top General Officer in Syria conducts Q & A session at Tehran mosque.Brigadier General Behrouz Esbati provided information and answered questions about operations in Syria and attacks against the US and Israel. 3.  Latest US Security Package to Ukraine Worth $500 Million.The package includes missiles for air defense; air-to-ground munitions; and equipment to support Ukraine's use of F-16s.4. In Germany, Ukraine's allies meet at the 25th Ukraine Defense Contact Group- notable as this is the last meeting with US Secretary of Defense (Lloyd Austin) under the Biden Administration.5.  Armor Not Dead: Sweden Procures New Leopard Tanks & Upgrades CV90 Combat Vehicles.The armor deal covers 44 new Leopards and upgrades for 66 older Leopard 2 tanks. The new tanks are set to begin delivery in 2028, with all units expected to be in service by 2031.  In addition, Sweden has approved the renovation of 90 existing CV90 combat vehicles, set to be completed by 2030.6. Australia procures 40 x Bushmaster Combat Vehicles for the 2d Long Range Fires Regiment. The new Bushmasters will provide C2 capabilities for the Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM) or Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 contract, to be awarded by the end of this year. 7. US President-elect Trump's nominee for the Secretary of Defense (Pete Hegseth)- goes to Capitol Hill next Tuesday to begin the confirmation hearing process before the Senate Armed Service Committee.  

For review:1. Iran Conducts Air Defense Drills near Nuclear Site.Iran’s military has begun drills focusing on air defenses near the Natanz nuclear enrichment plant in the center of the country as part of exercises planned nationwide, state media reported on Tuesday. 2. US State Department moves $95 million of assistance designated for Egypt and $7.5 million dollars of assistance designated for Israel to Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces, in support of the ceasefire agreement.3. Germany to Procure PULS Rocket Artillery System.The German armed forces, can spend roughly €65 million, or $68 million USD, on five systems. PULS = Precise and Universal Launching System.4. N. Korea Test Launches Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile into Sea of Japan.Japan Defense Minister Gen Nakatani: “Further details, including whether the missile was a hypersonic weapon, are still under analysis.” 5. The Pentagon awarded defense-technology firm Kratos a contract worth up to $1.45 billion in support of Hypersonic Missile development and testing. This effort is led by the Pentagon’s Test Resource Management Center and the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division.6. During a radio interview- President-elect Donald Trump discusses requirements creep as related to the US Navy’s Constellation-class frigate program.