The first evidence has emerged that Iran is shipping weapons to its allies in Yemen in the form of a shipment of anti-tank guided missiles seized off Oman.
The seizure was first announced on 29 September, when Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir told the Al-Arabiya news channel that,
↧
Suspected Iranian missile shipment seized in Arabian Sea
↧
US deploys CSAR aircraft to southern Turkey to support Syria operations
The United States has deployed aircraft and personnel to Diyarbakir Air Base in Turkey to provide combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) capabilities in support of its operations in Syria and Iraq.
The local Dogan news agency reported the arrival of the first US forces at Diyarbakir on 1 October after
↧
↧
US C-130 crashes in Afghanistan
Six US Air Force (USAF) crew members and five passengers were killed when a Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft crashed on 2 October at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, according to ta 455th Air Expeditionary Wing statement.
The passengers were civilian contractors, USAF spokesman
↧
UK reveals extent of UAV losses and serious incidents
The United Kingdom has revealed the extent of its losses of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a response to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request received by IHS Jane's on 2 October.
The response shows that 15 UAVs of different types have been involved in incidents since April 2008, of which,
↧
Sweden receives first series-produced Archer SPA
Sweden has begun receiving series-produced FH-77 BW L52 Archer 155 mm (6x6) self-propelled artillery (SPA) systems from BAE Systems.
The first delivery on 28 September comes two years after the first pre-series production vehicles were delivered in September 2013.
Sweden has 24 Archer systems on
↧
↧
Russia begins airstrikes in Syria
Key Points
Russian aircraft began combat operations against various Syrian rebel groups on 30 September
The US and Russia have yet to announce a formal mechanism for deconflicting their operations in Syrian airspace
Russia launched its first combat operation outside the former Soviet Union since
↧
Finland begins Squadron 2020 OPV programme
Finland has begun its 'Laivue 2020' (Squadron 2020) programme to build a new class of four multipurpose offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).
The new vessels are intended to replace the Finnish Navy's four Rauma-class fast-attack missile boats, and its two Hämeenmaa-class minelayers. Both of these
↧
Dual-use surveillance tools could snag EU's export control review
As the European Commission prepares to revise the EU's export control regime it is unlikely, despite growing pressure, that it will ban surveillance software over human rights concerns. It will turn instead to the evaluation of how importing countries could abuse the product as the basis for a ban,
↧
Boeing gets development deal for USAF F-15 EW suite
Key Points
The USAF has selected Boeing as the prime contractor on a new digital EW suite for the F-15 Eagle
EPAWSS will replace TEWS, which has been in service since the 1980s
The US Air Force (USAF) selected Boeing as the prime contractor on a new digital electronic warfare suite for its F-15
↧
↧
Afghan National Army to receive more Commando Select 4x4s
The Afghan National Army (ANA) is to receive more Textron Commando Select 4x4 armoured vehicles.
Through the US Foreign Miltary Sales (FMS) programme the company was awarded a USD56.2 million firm-fixed-price contract for 55 more Commando Select platforms, Textron announced in late September.
This
↧
AUSA 2015: IAI unveils new GroundPoint geolocation targeting system
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled a new geolocation targeting system for ground forces, called GroundPoint, during the Association of the United States Army's (AUSA) annual symposium in Washington, DC.
"The system can pinpoint targets for GPS-guided munitions and improve the target
↧
AUSA 2015: Army to focus on 'readiness' for hybrid threats, but continue some specific training
Boosting the US Army's 'readiness' to fight effectively is the top priority for the service's new chief of staff, who said soldiers are now largely training for so-called hybrid threats.
Training centre rotations are now mostly preparing units for 'full spectrum' conflict, and specifically hybrid
↧
AUSA 2015: Army expects Apache multiyear deal approval in March
The US Department of Defense (DoD) is expected to approve a multiyear agreement to buy about 240 Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters from fiscal year 2017-21, US Army and company programme managers said on 12 October at the Association of the US Army's annual conference in Washington, DC.
The multiyear
↧
↧
Analysis: UAE may have acquired long-range mod4 ER torpedo vessels
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is probably operating innocuous-looking vessels that are armed with the world's longest-range torpedo: a capability that would enable it to target Iranian Kilo-class submarines at their base.
Confirmation that the UAE has received new torpedo systems came in the form
↧
Afghanistan set to procure new Mi-35s from Russia
The Afghan Air Force (AAF) is to procure additional Mil Mi-35 (Mi-25V) 'Hind' assault helicopters to augment the Sierra-Nevada Corporation/Embraer A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft that is due to enter service in early 2016, Russian media disclosed on 9 October.
The type had been expected to
↧
Thailand signs up for eight more AW139s
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has signed a follow-on contract for eight AgustaWestland AW139 utility helicopters, the company announced on 10 October.
AgustaWestland said the helicopters will be used in the "transport and utility services" roles. A contract value was not disclosed.
The
↧
Poland receives NATO-funded radars
Poland has received three RAT-31 DL long-range air defence radars from Selex ES.
Located at Chrusciel, Labunie, and Szypliszki, the radars were purchased for Poland by the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) under the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP).
The radars will for the
↧
↧
Poland launches tender for 150 multi-calibre sniper rifles
Poland has begun a tender for 150 bolt-action sniper rifles chambered in 8.6x70 mm (.338 Lapua Magnum).
The weapon will be the first .338 Lapua Magnum rifle in Polish service and is to feature an exchangeable barrel, bolt head and magazine so it can use the cheaper 7.62x51 mm NATO round for
↧
Norway to boost defence budget in 2016
Norway intends to increase its defence budget by 12% in 2016, according to the country's new draft budget released on 7 October.
Total defence expenditure is expected to increase by NOK5.2 billion (USD0.8 billion) to reach NOK49.1 billion.
Under the increase planned for 2016, the Ministry of
↧
North Korea unveils new version of KN-08 ICBM
North Korea revealed a modified version of its liquid-fuelled KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with an apparent smaller nuclear warhead in its 10 October parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea.
First seen in North Korea's 15 April 2012 military parade,
↧