I - On Defense Podcast Unknown

For review:
1. Report: Hamas leader (Yahya Sinwar) is not hiding in Rafah, but possibly in the Khan Younis area- some five miles away.
2. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine is Worth $400 million. It includes air defense munitions, artillery ammunition, and anti-tank weapons among other materiel.
3. Apparently referencing the AP report about US M1 Tanks pulled from frontline duty (due to targeting by Russian drones), the Netherlands Ministry of Defense states that it does not impose any conditions on donated equipment to Ukraine- other than obligations arising from UN Charter and international humanitarian law. 
4. German Defense Minister (Boris Pistorius) calls for future defense spending to 3% GDP and hints at possible conscription. Germany ended compulsory military service in 2011. 
5. Ukraine Defense Contact Group #2- Eight Capability Coalitions.
We discuss the last four (alphabetical order):
- Drones: Latvia, UK
- Integrated Air Defense: France, Germany 
- Information Technology: Estonia, Luxembourg
- Maritime Security: Norway, UK
6. UK Armed Forces Minister (Leo Docherty): UK DragonFire Laser Weapon under development. Will be ready in 2027. Not ready operational use in Ukraine. 

For review:
1. US Pauses Delivery of 2000lb & 500lb Bombs to IDF.
US President (Joe Biden): (if Israel goes into Rafah), “we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used.”
2.  Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) reaction to US weapon pause:
 “We are determined and we are united to defeat our enemy and those who seek to destroy us… If we need to, we will fight with our fingernails. But we have much more than fingernails.”
3. Great Article from Breaking Defense (Tim Martin) concerning the Ukraine Defense Contact Group- Eight Capability Coalitions.
We discuss the first four (alphabetical order):
- Air Force: Denmark, Netherlands, US
- Armor: Germany, Poland
- Artillery: France, US
- Demining: Iceland, Lithuania
4. Estonia Senior Leaders discussed sending troops to Ukraine in "non-combat roles (medical or logistics)."
Prime minister of Lithuania (Ingrida Šimonytė): "open to sending Lithuanian troops into Ukraine to train Kyiv’s forces there."
5. US Army HIMARS Contract with Lockheed Martin is worth $861.3 million. 
Purpose: Replace US Army systems that were sent to Ukraine.
 

For review:
1. US Completes Gaza Pier, which will be emplaced in near future.
Delay is due to high winds and seas.
2. IDF conducting "Limited" Ground Operation in Eastern Rafah. Ground operation follows over 100 airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force.
3. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) denies sabotaging the latest round of talks between Israel and Hamas.
4.  From ABC: 3 x Unnamed US Officials tell ABC News that the White House Security Council has delayed the delivery of ammunition to Israel.
5. French Foreign Ministry denies a deployment of French Troops to fight in the Russia-Ukraine War.
6. US State Department claims Russia is pursuing a space-deployed, anti- satellite nuclear weapon.
7. Rheinmetall: Prototype 155mm Munition with 100k Range to be sent to Ukraine. 
8. USMC operationally deploys the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) to Balikatan 2024 Exercise in the Philippines. via the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49). 
 

For review:
1. US and Russian Forces co-located on same base in Niger, as US forces plan drawdown.
2. US construction of Gaza temporary humanitarian pier, part of the Joint Logistics Over-the Shore capability (JLTOS), is 50% complete. Once fully operational, the pier will facilitate the delivery of roughly 150 truckloads of aid per day.
3. No Israel - Hamas Hostage Deal Yet. Negotiations continue. 
4. Germany latest assistance package to Ukraine includes the Skynex Air Defense System- plus 10 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, medium-range missiles, a surveillance radar, and tank transporter tractors.
5. USMC Air Defense & counter Drone Efforts:
- Medium Range Intercept Capability (MRIC).
- Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS).
- Light MADIS.
6. US Navy Sailors and Marines injured during amphibious training off Jacksonville, Florida coast.
7. Settled F-35 lawsuit between Lockheed Martin and Subcontractor Howmet Aerospace involved titanium supply.  Case was formally dismissed on 02 April 2024. 
8.  USAF Creates Modernization Command. 

For review:
1. Israel Intelligence Agencies (Mossad, Shin Bet, & IDF Intelligence Chief) release unified public report- first since 07 October. 
2. French President (Emmanuel Macron) Discusses French Troops to Ukraine (Again).
3. Ukraine Strikes Russian Troop Concentration with ATACMS.
4.  US Army New M2A4EI Bradley Variant.  New Variant equipped with Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS).
5. USMC selects Kongsberg RT20 Remote Turret for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle - 30 mm Cannon (ACV-30) Variant. 
6. USMC Commandant (General Eric Smith) & US Navy Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral Lisa Franchetti)- sign letter directing study into requirements and certification of amphibious ships. 
7. Secretary of US Navy (Carlos Del Toro) testifies before House Armed Service Committee regarding FY25 Budget. 
Discusses Amphibious ship production, pauses, and required number.
8. Pakistan Navy Hangor II Submarines (8), launched at Chinese shipyard. 

For review:
1.  Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu): Rafah Operation With or Without Hostage Deal.
2. Israel to Retire Patriot ADA Systems- in service since 1991.
3. International Court of Justice: No action against Germany for arms sales to Israel.
4. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transit Suez Canal from Red Sea to Mediterranean Sea. Carrier deployed on 13 October 2023 to Red Sea. Expected replacement carrier will be the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).
5. Russia displays captured M1 Tank in Moscow. Tank captured from combat operations near the city of Avdiivka.
6. Russia Says it Shot Down 6 x ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System).
7. USAF MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter breaches Nunn-McCurdy Act.
Helicopter purpose is to patrol USAF Nuclear Missile Silos.
8. USMC Force Design concept learning from Houthi anti-ship tactics in the Red Sea.