Mil News 5 Domains Update

[BravoZulu]

Sea state
The Russian and Chinese navies held a joint patrol exercise last month involving manoeuvres near the US Pacific coast. The ships travelled more than 7,000 nautical miles through the Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean for over three weeks. China’s Defence Ministry said the exercise was aimed at ‘safeguarding the security of strategic waterways’. American officials noted that the ships didn’t enter US territorial waters.

On 22 August, the coastguards of India and the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation. The main achievement of a five-member Filipino coastguard delegation’s official visit to India, it seeks to enhance professional links between the two coastguards in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and pollution response. It was followed by the first-ever bilateral meeting between the maritime agencies of India and the Philippines.

Flight path
The US will begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets this month to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences and bolster its counteroffensive against Russian forces. The pilots will be trained in Texas and Arizona, with the program consisting of English-language and flight training. According to a Pentagon spokesperson, F-16 training can take around five months for experienced pilots. The announcement builds on plans by Denmark and the Netherlands to donate F-16s to Ukraine and train its pilots.

A US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey crashed on the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin over the weekend, killing three US service personnel and hospitalising five others. The crash occurred during joint exercise Predators Run, conducted by the militaries of the US, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste. The incident is the latest deadly crash involving an Osprey aircraft, which have been involved in numerous accidents over the years.

Rapid fire
Singapore and China are to resume bilateral military exercises in Singapore following a pandemic-induced hiatus, as confirmed by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence. This renewed collaboration, scheduled for a two-week span starting on 1 September, will focus on urban counterterrorism operations, with soldiers engaging in activities such as hand-to-hand combat and live-firing of small arms. The exercise aligns with the Singapore Army’s commitment to cooperate with foreign military forces and coincides with China’s efforts to strengthen security ties in Southeast Asia.

Australia has deployed a troop of M1A1 Abrams tanks, an infantry platoon, an array of armoured vehicles, and command-and-control posts to the northeast of Java, Indonesia. Exercise Super Garuda Shield, initiated by the Indonesian National Armed Forces and US Indo-Pacific Command, will take place over the next two weeks. It focuses on enhancing collaborative deployment capabilities of significant land forces across the Indo-Pacific region.

Final frontier
The Indian Space Research Organisation’s solar-powered Pragyan rover has been exploring the moon’s south pole for the past eight days, with one more week to go. The Chandrayaan-3 mission has recorded temperature variations in the lunar topsoil, achieving one of its main goals and marking its first scientific results, and the rover navigated its first surface obstacle—a lunar crater. The mission completed India’s bid to become the fourth country to execute a controlled moon landing, after the US, Russia and China, and the first to do so on the moon’s unexplored south pole.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Luna 25 spacecraft, its first moon mission in 47 years, collided with the moon’s surface after it spun into an uncontrolled orbit and lost contact with Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency. This mission was Russia’s attempt to be the first to conduct a controlled landing on the moon’s south pole, competing with India’s Chandrayaan-3. In its wake, analysts have noted that Russia’s space program has been declining for years, with state funding increasingly directed to the military, a pattern likely worsened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Wired watchtower
A hacking group suspected to be linked to the Chinese government, Flax Typhoon, has been targeting Taiwanese organisations, including government entities, manufacturing firms and technology companies. Microsoft reported that the attacks were likely aimed at maintaining long-term access to the networks of these organisations for espionage. Microsoft’s reports emerged on the same day that the US approved a new arms sale worth US$500 million to Taiwan. Such attacks are likely to increase as tensions over Taiwan continue to escalate and spill over into the cyber domain.

Hackers likely associated with North Korea have targeted a US–South Korea joint military exercise. A joint investigation by South Korean police and the US military has held Pyongyang responsible for the attack. North Korean state media had earlier described exercises between South Korea and partners as rehearsals for invasion that merit ‘overwhelming’ responses. Officials said that no confidential military information was compromised during the hack, which occurred a day after a joint statement was issued by South Korea, Japan and the US that emphasised strengthening trilateral cooperation to counter North Korea’s cyber operations—some of which reportedly pay for its weapons development.
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[BravoZulu]

Sea state
North Korea has launched its first submarine able to fire nuclear-armed missiles. The diesel-electric-powered Hero Kim Kun-ok is intended by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to counter the nuclear-capable forces of the United States and its Asian allies. The boat, believed to be a modified Soviet-era Romeo-class submarine, has been described by the North Korean government as a ‘tactical nuclear attack submarine’. Kim has promised an accelerated program to build more of them, and to build nuclear-powered submarines. The International Institute for Strategic Studies says it appears that a large missile compartment containing vertical-launch tubes has been added to the vessel’s sail. It may be able to fire both ballistic and cruise missiles.

The Philippine Navy has upgraded its two Jose Rizal–class frigates with an advanced anti-torpedo system as tensions rise in the South China Sea. The system, equipped with the Contralto reaction module, autonomously calculates evasive manoeuvres upon detecting threats. Together with an upgraded combat-management system from Hanwha Systems of South Korea and C-Guard decoy launcher systems from Terma of Denmark, this enhancement completes the armament of the two warships acquired as part of the modernisation of the Philippine fleet.

Flight path
The ability of Britain’s combat aircraft to deter and defend against enemy aggression has been called into question in a new report to the UK parliament which warns that cuts to the air fleet set out in the 2021 defence command paper have created an unacceptable shortfall in aircraft numbers that will persist into the 2030s. The report calls on the government to urgently increase the number of aircraft available to the Royal Air Force and to quickly integrate planned fleet upgrades.

The Royal Australian Air Force has conducted air-to-air refuelling training with the Indonesian Air Force for the first time. Seven Indonesian F-16 Fighting Falcons were refuelled by a RAAF KC-30A multi-role tanker transport, and more than 60 F-16 sorties were flown during last month’s exercise in Indonesian airspace. Australia is one of a small number of countries to have conducted this training with Indonesia, with airborne refuelling a vital force multiplier for that nation’s air operations.

Rapid fire
The US has reportedly approved a military transfer to Taiwan under its foreign military financing program, which is normally reserved to help sovereign states. The US$80 million deal will allow Taiwan to purchase weapons and services to strengthen its self-defence capabilities, including armoured vehicles, drones, ballistic missile and cyber defences, air and coastal defence systems, and advanced communications equipment.

UK-based firearms wholesaler Edgar Brothers has been awarded a initial US$18.7 million contract to supply elements of the British Army with a new Armalite rifle. The rifle, designated L403A1, features an enhanced optical sight system and a ‘signature reduction system’ to lessen the likelihood of exposure in complex and high-threat environments. The Special Operations Brigade’s newly formed Ranger Regiment is expected to receive the first rifles by the end of 2023 and will work alongside UK allies to share skills and drills more efficiently.

Final frontier
The US Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office have launched ‘watchdog’ satellites to monitor the activities of satellites operated in geosynchronous orbit by potential adversaries, including Russia and China. The goal is to track satellite movements and monitor potential threats to high-value assets of the US and its allies. US Space Command says this mission seeks to fill satellite-tracking gaps and is necessary to deter aggression in an increasingly contested domain.

The South African National Space Agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China National Space Administration, bringing South Africa into the fold of the China-led International Lunar Research Station Cooperation. This project aims to construct research facilities on the moon, competing with NASA’s Artemis program. Earlier this year, China revealed a roadmap of the project indicating that a basic version of the research station would be completed by 2028. Russia, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization have also signed agreements to engage with the project.

Wired watchtower
The Royal Australian Navy is investing in the development of uncrewed, AI-controlled submarines against the backdrop of growing US–China competition in military artificial intelligence. The project is run by Anduril’s Australian subsidiary and seeks to develop three Ghost Shark submarines to be delivered by mid-2025. At $23 million each, the Ghost Shark will reportedly cost less than a tenth of 1% of the cost of each nuclear-powered submarine Australia is to receive under the AUKUS agreement. The Ghost Sharks’ low cost and prompt delivery timeline underline how AI-based weapon systems are likely to revolutionise warfare.

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, has announced that it will now investigate and prosecute cybercrimes that violate the Rome Statute. While experts have often called for new international laws and conventions focused on cyberspace, Khan has argued that existing international law applies there. Noting that ‘digital front lines can give rise to damage and suffering comparable to what the founders of the ICC sought to prevent’, the announcement highlights that the court is adapting to advance international law in the face of evolving methods of warfare. This development is salient against the backdrop of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, which is frequently described as the world’s first full-scale cyber war.

 

[LimaCharles]

The parts, sighting system, and accessories that were chosen for the L403A1 was definitely well thought out. IMO the recce rifle as shown in the above is the future of all issued rifles IMO. However I question why they chose the 13.7 barrel length. When tested, a 12.5 has almost an identical velocity reading as a 14.5 when chronographed using M193, M855, and M855A1. Mind blowing, considering that's just two inches that won't matter until the 16" inch mark where it jumps up significantly and adds needless weight to an already heavy rifle because that URX free float is no lightweight at all.

Just my personal opinion though coming from a salted POV having lived at the square ranges for weeks and months on the line and constantly at the low ready, and not just for a few hours, a day or two more.

 

[BravoZulu]

Sea state
The Australian government has inked a $1.5 billion deal to acquire a fourth MQ-4C Triton drone and upgrade its fleet of P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. A maintenance workforce will be established at RAAF Base Tindal southeast of Darwin and RAAF Base Edinburgh north of Adelaide to support the introduction of the MQ-4Cs, with the first aircraft due for delivery in 2024. The upgrades to the P-8As will begin in 2026 and will include improved acoustic sensors and datalinks and the ability to fire AGM-158C long-range anti-ship missiles. The decision is designed to enhance military operations from Australia’s northern bases, a priority identified by the 2023 defence strategic review.

The Pakistan Navy has commissioned the first of four PN MILGEM-class corvettes, PNS Babur, at Istanbul Naval Shipyard. The delivery of the vessels is part of a US$1.5 billion contract signed in July 2018 with ASFAT, a Turkish state-owned defence contractor. The Babur will be armed with the MBDA Albatros NG air-defence system and Harbah anti-ship and land-attack missiles. The three remaining corvettes—PNS Khaibar, PNS Badr and PNS Tariq—are undergoing sea trials in Turkey and Pakistan.

Flight path
The US Air Force will create three deployable, integrated units known as air taskforces to enable and sustain its ‘agile combat employment’ doctrine across the spectrum of conflict. In a press release, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall described the initiative as ‘part of an ongoing effort to build high-end readiness for the future’. Two air taskforces will be assigned to US Central Command and one to US Indo-Pacific Command. They will likely include a command element, along with expeditionary air base squadron and mission generation force elements.

US and Canadian forces recently conducted Operation Noble Defender, a month-long series of exercises around some of the most remote islands in Alaska. The exercise trained combined operations through the air-focused Operation Polar Arrow and the integration-focused Operation Polar Dagger. In Polar Arrow, F-16 Fighting Falcons and CF-18 Hornets operated alongside an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system, supported by a KC-135 tanker aircraft. Polar Dagger combined air, ground, naval and special forces to test new capabilities for defending critical infrastructure with integrated deterrence and layered defence.

Rapid fire
Australian Army soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment have conducted a combined-arms assault exercise with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force as part of Exercise Wantok Warrior. Hosted at Moem Barracks in PNG, the series of annual training activities aims to build on the longstanding relationship between the two countries and provides continuity of training for infantry who had worked closely together in Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Lebanon’s army has said that it fired tear gas at Israeli forces over the border last weekend in response to smoke bombs fired at its troops. The Israeli military responded by saying that Lebanon had started the violence. The Lebanon–Israel border has been relatively calm since Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israel fought a 34-day war in 2006 that left more than 1,200 people dead. However, tensions have escalated in recent months.

Final frontier
A Firefly Alpha rocket has been successfully launched as part of the US Space Force’s second operational tactically responsive space demonstration. Known as the Victus Nox mission, it aimed to showcase the rapid acquisition, integration and launch capabilities of a satellite constructed by Boeing subsidiary Millennium Space Systems. The launch took place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Lieutenant General Michael Guetlein, head of Space Systems Command, said that this achievement signified a ‘culture shift’ in his nation’s ability to respond swiftly to aggression.

China’s People’s Liberation Army has inaugurated Base 37, a new strategic facility dedicated to the Strategic Support Force and aimed at enhancing China’s space-awareness capabilities. It is tasked with improving missile early warning systems and the identification, tracking and analysis of foreign space objects. Base 37 is spread across several provinces and is expected to be used for integrating data from satellites with a primary focus on refining the accuracy of China’s space object catalogue and bolstering collision early warning systems.

Wired watchtower
FBI Director Chris Wray has asserted that China’s cyberespionage program is much larger than the combined efforts of its major competitors. Wray said that even if every FBI cyber agent and intelligence analyst were dedicated solely to countering Chinese cyber threats, Chinese hackers would still outnumber them by ‘at least 50 to 1’. Beijing’s embassy in Washington has yet to respond to requests for comment, maintaining China’s consistent denial of using hackers for espionage against the US.

In a speech to the UN General Assembly, the UK’s deputy prime minister, Oliver Dowden, positioned his country as a leader in shaping global strategies for the advancement of artificial intelligence. Dowden said Britain has a strong foundation of infrastructure that can be used to ensure AI’s success and safety. He referred to the ongoing efforts of his government’s AI taskforce, which is dedicated to evaluating vulnerabilities in AI systems, and mentioned the potential of sharing this expertise on a global scale. The speech foreshadowed the AI safety summit to be hosted by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in November.
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[BravoZulu]

Sea state
Japan is fast-tracking its acquisition of US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, aiming for as early as 2025. The decision, announced by Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru following talks with his US counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, is driven by heightened security concerns in the Taiwan Strait. To achieve the accelerated timeline, Japan will convert half of its initially planned 400 Block V missiles to the Block IV variant for deployment on its Maritime Self-Defence Force’s Aegis-equipped destroyers.

A US carrier strike group has been deployed to the eastern Mediterranean Sea to assist Israel following the weekend’s surprise attack by Hamas. The commander of US Central Command, General Michael Kurilla, said: ‘The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation.’ Among the deployment’s aims are to prevent additional weapons from reaching Hamas and to collect surveillance. The US is also augmenting its fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.

Flight path
A British Airways flight bound for Israel from London has been forced to turn back mid-air as Hamas launched missile strikes on Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Governments around the world have been racing to evacuate their citizens from Israel as the security situation deteriorates in the wake of Hamas’s attack. Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, announced on Wednesday that two emergency Qantas flights had been organised for Friday to brings Australians back home, and arrangements are being made for a third flight next week.

US warplanes have downed a Turkish drone near the town of Hasakah in northern Syria. The incident came amid Turkish strikes against Kurdish forces in Syria following a suicide bombing in Ankara claimed by the Kurdistan workers’ party. US troops observed drones conducting raids inside a declared US restricted operating zone, and when a Turkish drone flew towards the US forces, F-16 fighters took defensive action. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has since spoken with his Turkish counterpart, stressing the importance of de-escalation and adherence to deconfliction protocols in northern Syria.

Rapid fire
The US Army has accepted the first delivery of its long-delayed next-generation engines being developed by General Electric Aerospace as part of its improved turbine engine program. They were supposed to be delivered last year, but delays blamed on manufacturing and supply-chain issues pushed the target date back. The engines are set to power the army’s future attack reconnaissance aircraft and AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, with the first flight using the engine expected in 2024.

The Swedish army is supporting police efforts to combat a recent surge of gang killings in Sweden. The army is providing specialist skills with explosives, helicopter logistics and high-tech forensic analysis. In September alone, 12 people were killed in gang-related events in Sweden, with one killed by a bomb attack and another 11 shot dead in separate incidents. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has blamed the crisis on years of political naivety, stating that ‘irresponsible immigration policy’ and ‘failed integration … brought us here’.

Final frontier
China has announced plans to expand its Tiangong space station from three to six modules to allow the 180-tonne station to hold up to four astronauts. This effort aligns with Chinese ambitions to conduct lunar and deep space missions this decade.

The US Air Force has awarded a US$98 million contract to Virginia-based consulting firm Logistics Management Institute to develop space wargaming software. The company will provide its ‘rapid analysis and prototyping toolkit for resiliency’ to support the US Space Force’s space security and defence program and Space Warfighting Analysis Center. The contract is a step forward for the US in its approach to protecting space assets in degraded operating environments, likely building on lessons learned from two recent wargames.

Wired watchtower
Users of X (formerly Twitter) have faced a flood of disinformation in the wake of the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel over the weekend. Mislabelled videos and unverified images shared online by verified accounts have outpaced and displaced trustworthy information. X has long played a pivotal role in lifting the digital ‘fog of war’ during conflicts but has increasingly relied on user self-regulation for content moderation. Israel’s National Cyber Directorate and the Anti-Defamation League have raised concerns about the spread of false and anti-Semitic claims on the platform.

Pro-Russian hacking group Killnet and the IT Army of Ukraine have agreed to comply with new rules of engagement for non-combatants published by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Dubbed a ‘Geneva code of cyber war’, the eight rules include bans on attacking hospitals and humanitarian facilities, proliferating hacking tools and creating terror among civilians. While not all hacktivists have agreed to follow the rules, the move may help deter some from joining patriotic cyber gangs to engage in digital conflict.

 

[BravoZulu]

Sea state
Israeli naval forces thwarted an infiltration attempt by Hamas divers on Tuesday. The divers entered Israeli waters through a tunnel that took them from land directly into the sea. They were intercepted by the Israeli navy, which opened fire and killed two divers. Since Hamas’s invasion of southern Israel earlier this month, Israel has foiled a number of infiltration attempts by sea, including on the morning of 7 October.

Thailand has announced that it will suspend its purchase of Chinese-built diesel-electric attack submarines. The country has already paid a US$193.7 million instalment to China for one of the three submarines, but has proposed that the money be applied instead to the purchase of a Chinese frigate. Thailand was supposed to receive the first submarine from China this year, but Beijing failed to deliver, citing issues with obtaining ‘appropriate’ engines.

Flight path
Lockheed Martin has withdrawn from consideration to build at least 75 refuelling tankers as part of a multibillion-dollar US Air Force contract. Airbus, however, which Lockheed Martin had planned to collaborate with to build the promoted tankers, will still compete for the contract, which is at the request-for-information stage. Lockheed Martin’s decision to drop out could increase the chances that its competitor Boeing will sell the air force more of its KC-46 Pegasus tankers.

The US Air Force has increased its presence in the Middle East to six squadrons with the deployment of the 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to US Central Command. The addition of the squadron’s F-16 jets will support coalition air operations throughout the region as the US works to deter any further widening of the Israel–Hamas war. The squadron’s deployment follows a series of missile strikes and drone attacks on US bases by Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq and Syria.

Rapid fire
The Australian Defence Force’s MRH-90 Taipan helicopters have been withdrawn from service, more than a year earlier than planned. The ADF is instead focused on acquiring a fleet of 40 UH-60M Black Hawks, the first of which already flying in Australia. Defence Minister Richard Marles has said that the announcement doesn’t suggest any particular outcome of the ongoing investigation into an incident on 28 July this year in which a Taipan crashed during Exercise Talisman Sabre, killing the four crew members on board.

Lithuania has finalised a US$100 million deal to procure 36 AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles from the US. The news comes just three months after Lithuania’s defence minister, Arvydas Anusauskas, urged NATO members to quickly implement the decisions made at the bloc’s summit in Vilnius. The missiles possess beyond-visual-range and home-on-jamming capabilities and will be used with Lithuania’s two ground-based advanced surface-to-air missile systems to strengthen the Baltic’s collective missile defence.

Final frontier
A Chinese military satellite had a near miss with an Australian commercial satellite earlier this month, prompting fears of a collision that would create dangerous space debris. Details of the incident emerged around the same time that the head of Australia’s Defence Space Command warned of new risks from the proliferation of satellites in the skies above earth. According to Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts, Defence Space Command worked with Canberra-based company Skykraft to manage the situation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a new technology safeguards agreement to strengthen space launch activities with the US during his official visit to Washington this week. The agreement provides a legal and technical framework for American space companies to launch vehicles from Australia and is an important step for Australia’s growing space sector. ASPI’s Malcolm Davis says the deal may pressure decision-makers to more quickly approve commercial launch plans at sites in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Wired watchtower
Cyber volunteers are helping evacuees fleeing Gaza regain access to their online accounts and lock out potential intruders. Hamas is holding at least 220 people hostage and has reportedly hijacked victims’ Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp accounts to issue death threats, live-stream attacks and lure civilians from safe rooms. The new tactic is a worrying development, particularly as the war is poised to enter a new phase.

The Australian Signals Directorate will partner with Microsoft to build a ‘cyber shield’ to bolster Australia’s cyber defences as part of a US$5 billion digital infrastructure investment agreement. The initiative forms a key part of the government’s new cybersecurity strategy and will enhance authorities’ ability to identify, prevent and respond to cyber threats. Microsoft will also expand its hyperscale cloud computing in Australia over the next two years and increase its local data centre footprint in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.

 

[BravoZulu]

Sea state
A US destroyer and Canadian frigate transited the Taiwan Strait last week in a second joint passage in less than two months. According to US Pacific Command, the event was an ‘unremarkable’, ‘unprovocative’ and demonstrated the commitment of the US and its partners to ‘a free and open Indo-Pacific’. While Taipei has welcomed such manoeuvres, describing them as promoting regional peace and stability, China said that its troops were ‘on constant high alert’ after the transit.

Lisa Franchetti has been sworn in as the US Navy’s 33rd chief of naval operations. Admiral Franchetti is the first woman to take on the top naval role, which also makes her the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She was confirmed by the Senate in a vote of 95 to 1. She had been performing the job in an acting capacity since August and was first commissioned into the navy in 1985.

Flight path
Last week, the US Air Force terminated an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test over the Pacific Ocean due to an anomaly. A launch analysis group will investigate the cause of the failed test and correct any issues. The Minuteman IIIs have been operational since 1970 and will be replaced by all-new LGM-35A Sentinels in the next decade. The Sentinels will feature upgraded motors, engines and guidance systems but use the same configuration and nuclear warhead design as the outgoing Minutemans.

On 2 November, the Israeli Air Force announced that one of its F-35I Adir fighter jets had shot down a cruise missile fired from Yemen. Video footage taken by the pilot and shared online appears to confirm that Iran-backed Houthi rebels had fired the cruise missile and that an AIM-9X Sidewinder was used in the interception. The mission was a world-first for the American-made stealth fighter, building its combat credibility by showcasing its ability to detect and defeat high-speed threats flying at a low altitude.

Rapid fire
The US Army has received the first of four ‘indirect fire-protection capability—high-power microwave’ prototypes designed to protect American soldiers and facilities from swarms of aerial drones by hitting them with neutralising microwave radiation. The prototypes were developed by Epirus, which won the contract after its Leonidas system outperformed six other systems during testing. The transportable, containerised system will provide fixed and semi-fixed sites with short-range defence against small and medium-sized drones. The last prototype is slated for delivery early next year.

France will send dozens of armoured vehicles to the Lebanese army to help it coordinate with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon. The vehicles will be used to protect Lebanese forces as they conduct patrol missions in the country. The news follows reports of a coordinated attack by Hezbollah on 19 Israeli border positions. Since the outbreak of the Israeli–Hamas war on 7 October, intensifying clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon have claimed the lives of at least 50 Hezbollah fighters, seven Lebanese civilians, eight Israeli soldiers and one Israeli civilian.

Final frontier
South Korea is set to launch its first domestically developed spy satellite at the end of November, aiming to improve its surveillance of North Korea’s nuclear activities. The satellite will be deployed from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. South Korea, which currently relies on US spy satellites, plans to launch four more of its own by 2025, strengthening its independent space-based surveillance capabilities with the goal of achieving near-real-time monitoring of North Korea. This development complements South Korea’s ‘three-axis’ system, a military strategy to deal with threats from North Korea that comprises pre-emptive strike, missile defence and retaliatory strike capabilities.

China successfully launched its Tongxin Jishu Shiyan Weixing-10 (TJS-10) satellite last week, aboard a Long March 7A rocket. Chinese state media said that the satellite will be used for multiband and high-speed communication experiments, operating in geostationary orbit approximately 35,786 kilometres above the earth. However, Chinese authorities haven’t disclosed further details about the TJS-10, raising speculation about its true purpose. Analysts have suggested that it might be part of a broader program encompassing improvements to signals intelligence and missile early warning systems.

Wired watchtower
The US, South Korea and Japan have formed a high-level consultative group to counter North Korean cyber activities. While the primary objective is to bolster the three nations’ collective response capabilities against global cyber threats, it puts specific emphasis on jointly addressing North Korea’s use of cyber activities to finance its build-up of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. The strategic collaboration delivers on a commitment made in August during the trilateral leaders’ summit at Camp David.

Australian government online service platform myGov has suspended thousands of accounts due to concerns that they were compromised by ‘scam-in-a-box’ kits purchasable on the dark web. The kits enable the creation of fake websites and teach scammers to launch phishing attacks on government agencies. Some also offer security controls, helping cybercriminals conduct multiple scams simultaneously and evade detection. Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said Australians had already lost $3.1 billion to scams this year, including through breaches of myGov.
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[BravoZulu]

Sea state
Australia has accused China of ‘unsafe and unprofessional’ conduct after Royal Australian Navy divers were allegedly injured last week by a People’s Liberation Army Navy destroyer inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The incident occurred when the destroyer approached an Australian frigate that had divers in the water clearing fishing nets from the propellers. Australia says that some of the divers suffered minor injuries from sonar pulses emitted by the Chinese ship. China has said that Australia’s account is wrong, and the two countries’ leaders appeared not to have discussed the incident at their meeting in San Francisco later that week.

A US Navy aircraft carrier has returned to its forward-deployed port in Yokosuka, Japan, following a six-month tour of the Indo-Pacific region. USS Ronald Reagan participated in numerous multinational integrated military exercises with participants from Japan, Australia, South Korea and Indonesia. According to the ship’s commanding officer, the deployment between May and November strengthened the US’s ‘relationships and interoperability with partners and allies’ in support of ‘a free and open Indo-Pacific’.

Flight path
The Australian Army conducted its first live-fire of its NASAMS advanced surface-to-air missile system on 14 November. NASAMS, which will replace the army’s RBS-70 air-defence systems, features a Kongsberg launch platform, a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM missile and advanced CEA Technologies radar. NASAMS was acquired to enhance interoperability within the Australian Defence Force and with partner militaries. Army chief Lieutenant General Simon Stuart emphasised the systems significance for army modernisation and collaboration with defence industry partners.

Fiji is set to acquire 14 additional Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles from Australia, boosting its fleet to 24. The initial purchase of 10 Bushmasters in 2017 was prompted by the 2014 kidnapping of Fijian peacekeepers. While specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, it reflects the broader trend of Australia reducing its Bushmaster inventory to aid international partners, including Ukraine and Indonesia. The recent contract follows Australia’s commitment to build 78 more Bushmasters.

Rapid fire
The Pentagon’s Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office, or JCO, is advancing new capabilities in response to the growing use of military drones. Established in 2019, the JCO has conducted five demonstrations to address varying drone threats. Major General Sean Gainey, the JCO director, announced that technologies previously in demonstration phases are now being procured and used by military services across combatant commands. The JCO’s strategic approach involves identifying viable capabilities through demonstrations, conducting fly-offs to select recommended vendors, and swiftly deploying systems to combatant commands once safety thresholds are met.

The United Arab Emirates is in discussions with Korea Aerospace Industries for the procurement of KUH-1E helicopters, aiming to finalise the deal by the end of the year. The UAE is interested in an undisclosed number of KUH-1E helicopters, a maritime variant of the twin-engine KUH-1 Surion. The KUH-1E, equipped with a radar system instead of the gun present in the KUH, can accommodate 18 people, including two pilots. The UAE Defence Ministry is currently evaluating the aircraft, conducting thorough tests before reaching a decision.

Final frontier
The US Space Force has received its first operational-level doctrine for space domain awareness from the Space Training and Readiness Command. Space Doctrine Publication 3-100 establishes a common frame of reference for space force commanders and guardians to preserve freedom of action and enable joint lethality and effectiveness in the space domain. The doctrine is currently supported by five keystone documents covering personnel, intelligence, operations, sustainment and planning. A sixth, on command and control, is in development.

The European Council has upended a decades-long tradition in European space policy development and weighed in on military space matters with its endorsement of the new EU space strategy for security and defence. The council’s decision document calls for an expansion of EU tools to defend space assets and closer coordination with the European Defence Agency and the European Space Agency to maintain the ‘technical sovereignty’ of the EU space industrial base. The endorsement signals a desire by EU member states to coordinate military decision-making in space.

Wired watchtower
Five Australian companies have come together to launch a consortium to support the development of AUKUS Pillar 2 information-warfare capabilities. The Australian Information Warfare Alliance will harness the collective technical expertise of its member organisations to deliver new information-warfare systems and capabilities, data products, and education and training. The establishment of the alliance is a boost for the sector, which a spokesperson said will help ensure ‘a more agile, responsive and effective Australian Defence Force’.

Last week, the US and Indonesian governments signed a historic defence cooperation agreement to strengthen their countering of threats in cyber and space. The two countries will introduce a memorandum of understanding that will guide responses to malicious state and non-state actors that threaten either party and create a conducive environment for technology, energy and financial firms in Indonesia. The move is part of a broader effort to shore up the cyber defences of countries in the Indo-Pacific and minimise the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyberattack.
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[BravoZulu]

Sea state
An American guided-missile destroyer, USS Carney, shot down three drones launched from Yemen by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement during an hours-long assault after commercial vessels were struck by missiles in the Red Sea. Pentagon officials stopped short of saying US Navy ships were targeted, but the strikes are nonetheless a direct threat to seaborne trade and a high-water mark for maritime attacks linked to the Israel–Hamas war. The Carney wasn’t damaged and no injuries were reported on board.

The Chinese military has accused a US Navy ship of ‘illegally’ intruding into waters near Second Thomas Shoal, a contested area between China and the Philippines. The People’s Liberation Army deployed a force from its southern theatre to track the vessel, which the US Navy’s 7th Fleet maintained was conducting routine operations in accordance with international law. The region has been the site of repeated confrontations between Chinese and Philippine naval and coastguard forces, particularly around the Spratly Islands.

Flight path
NATO’s eastern flank and air-policing power will be reinforced during 2024 as Romania takes delivery of 32 F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from Norway. The US$105 million procurement was first approved in July by the US State Department, following Norway’s decisions to donate at least 13 F-16s to Ukraine and acquire the F-35 stealth fighter.

The Royal Air Force will arm its fleet of Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft with the British-built Sting Ray Mod 1 anti-submarine-warfare torpedo. The String Ray Mod 1 is an autonomous weapon already employed by the Royal Navy and is also expected to be used in Norwegian navy ships and airframes, with the goal of improved fleet flexibility and interoperability between NATO militaries.

Rapid fire
Iran has finalised plans to buy Russian Su-35 fighter jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters and Yak-130 jet trainers. The platforms will join the combat units of the Iranian army in early 2024 and supplement Iran’s small fleet of Russian and American jets, most of which were acquired before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The deal has been interpreted as a ‘quid pro quo’ for Russia’s use of Iranian Shahed-129 drones against Ukraine and reflects growing military ties between the two widely sanctioned countries.

Last month, the UK Defence Committee met to address concerns over the British army’s ability to upgrade its Challenger 2 main battle tanks. Despite increased defence spending overall, the army has experienced a £30 billion (A$57 billion) budget reduction and is feeling a loss of operational capacity. A shortage of upgradeable Challenger 2 tanks and potential delays may stall planned improvements to their turrets and main guns. In addition, rising global demand for vehicle protection materials is likely to blow out costs.

Final frontier
The US, the UK and Australia are set to strengthen their space-monitoring capabilities as part of the AUKUS pact. In response to emerging threats in space, the three nations will construct ground-based radars in each country, with the first in Western Australia expected to be operational by 2026 and the others by 2030. The system should enhance space domain awareness, helping protect communication and navigation satellites up to 36,000 kilometres away. British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps emphasised the new radars’ sensitivity, accuracy, power and agility, and their ability to perceive threats beyond cloud cover.

South Korea has successfully launched its first military spy satellite using a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch occurred less than two weeks after North Korea launched its own reconnaissance satellite, highlighting the escalating space race on the peninsula. Operating between 400 and 600 kilometres above earth, South Korea’s satellite boasts the capability to detect objects as small as 30 centimetres. Seoul plans to launch four more spy satellites by 2025 to bolster its monitoring of Pyongyang.

Wired watchtower
The UK’s most hazardous nuclear site, Sellafield, has been hacked by cyber groups strongly associated with Russia and China, as revealed by The Guardian. Senior staff at the vast nuclear waste and decommissioning site allegedly concealed this disclosure and its potential ramifications. Initial breaches were suspected as early as 2015, when sleeper malware was detected in Sellafield’s computer networks. The revelation has raised concerns that hackers could compromise activities like the movement of radioactive waste, monitoring of leaks and fire checks. Despite these claims, the UK government says that it has seen no evidence of a successful state-sponsored attack on the facility.

Japan’s space agency, JAXA, has fallen victim to a cyberattack targeting its network server. The incident likely occurred in mid-2023 but was only discovered in the past month or so when law enforcement contacted the agency. The hackers reportedly gained unauthorised access to JAXA’s central active directory server, compromising employee IDs, passwords and viewing privileges. JAXA temporarily shut down part of its network to assess the situation and, while no significant data leakage has been confirmed, a JAXA official said it was ‘very likely’ that important information was visible to the hackers.