Global Scans · Military · Weekly Summary

• [New] The UK Royal Navy will install the DragonFire laser directed energy weapon onboard one of its warships five years earlier than planned under new procurement reforms introduced by the UK Ministry of Defence in April. Janes.com
• [New] Japan and the United States are expected to jointly submit a resolution in the near future to the U.N. Security Council calling for no nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction to be deployed in Earth's orbit. Kyodo News+
• [New] The Philippines and the United States began an annual military exercise Monday that will include a coordinated sail in the South China Sea and other drills set in the Southeast Asia country's northern provinces, amid China's aggressive acts against Philippine vessels in the sea. Kyodo News+
• [New] More U.S. deliveries of air defence systems might come after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a package over the weekend of $61 billion in support, including $13.8 billion for Ukraine to buy weapons. The Washington Post
• [New] Israeli officials criticized US plans to block military aid to an IDF unit due to alleged human rights abuses in the West Bank. Institute for the Study of War
• [New] The US House of Representatives on Saturday approved long-delayed military aid to Ukraine in a rare show of bipartisan unity, while also bolstering Israel and Taiwan defences and threatening to ban Chinese-owned TikTok. Yahoo News
• [New] The top American military commander in Europe told members of Congress that Russia will soon be able to fire ten shells for every Ukrainian shell. NBC News
• [New] US military supplies, including for air defence systems and artillery units, could be moved to Ukraine in a matter of days after final approval. BBC News
• [New] Israel's undetected strike could spur Iran to bolster protections for its nuclear program by driving its facilities further underground, or move its weapons closer to the Jewish state in case of future conflicts. New York Post
• [New] The House of Representatives on Saturday passed a bill that includes more than $14 billion in military aid to Israel and more than $9 billion in humanitarian aid, much of which will go to Gaza. Insider
• [New] The US House of Representatives will finally vote on Saturday on a series of foreign aid bills, bringing an end to a months-long standoff in Congress led mostly by Republicans who refuse to support funding Ukraine's ongoing military defence against Russia's invasion. The Guardian
• [New] Iran would be able to produce enough enriched uranium for a nuclear weapons in a week, and that it could manufacture six nuclear weapons in a month and 12 in five months. GnS Economics
• [New] Israel's long-term credit rating is being downgraded by S&P, which cited the risk of military escalation with Iran. NBC News
• [New] The military standoff between two of the Middle East's regional powers, Israel and Iran, risks escalating into a wider conflict that could plunge the entire region into a complete state of chaos. The Conversation
• [New] Escalation would not only risk a wider conflict at a time when Israel Defense Forces are engaged in Gaza, but would also risk undermining support from partners, most of whom have called for restraint. Atlantic Council
• [New] $13.8 billion will be directed towards the procurement of advanced weapons systems, defence articles, and defence services; another $26 million will be for oversight of U.S. aid to Ukraine. The American Conservative
• [New] The House's version of the aid bill pushes the Biden administration to provide long-range ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) to Ukraine, which could be used to target Russian supply lines. The Independent
• [New] The war in Ukraine is just one of several ongoing armed conflicts where cultural heritage has been at grave risk, including from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Human Rights Watch
• [New] The escalating threat to security require (s) a new European defence mind-set, from member states, to institutions, to industry to investors. Science|Business
• [New] The Kremlin plans to accuse Ukrainian special forces of using US-made weapons in Sudan and leak fabricated photos of trophy weapons supposedly taken from Ukrainian forces in Sudan to Russian and Libyan media. Institute for the Study of War
• [New] Top officials from the U.S. Air Force and Space Force have outlined their fiscal year 2025 budget priorities to support the continued implementation of the 2022 National Defense Strategy and optimize operations to meet challenges posed by competition with China. Executive Gov
• [New] Europe must take the next leap forward on defence as it faces threats from an axis of authoritarian powers from Moscow to Tehran. The Telegraph

Last updated: 25 April 2024