Six days before its southern neighbour is scheduled to elect a new president, North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters today in its 14th weapons test so far this year. The launch took place after leader Kim Jong Un vowed to speed up the development of nuclear weapons “at the fastest possible pace.” [node:read-more:link]
Ukrainian troops have received more than half the 90 BAE M777 155mm howitzers promised by the U.S. for use against invading Russian forces. A Pentagon official said April 27 they have slightly larger calibre than Ukraine’s Soviet-era weapons and required some M777-specific training. [node:read-more:link]
An unmanned eight-tonne submarine developed by a Boeing-led team could be used by the U.S. Navy for covert mine-laying missions. The USN has awarded $72.5 million contract for a prototype of the Orca, based on a smaller Echo Voyager design already in production under a contract signed in February 2019. [node:read-more:link]
German-based HENSOLDT, specializes in electronic protection for aircraft. By combining artificial intelligence, digitization and Active Electronically Scanning Array technologies, HENSOLDT has developed a jamming system called 'Kalaetron Attack', which jams even the latest Russian radars, protecting aircraft against enemy air defence. [node:read-more:link]
The German government will send Ukraine some 50 anti-aircraft platforms for defence against Russian drones. Comprised of a twin-cannon flak unit mounted on a Leopard tank chassis, the Gepard is no longer in the Bundeswehr’s inventory but the manufacturer has kept some in its own stocks. [node:read-more:link]
Fifteen U.S. allies which have donated weaponry to Ukraine are to get $391 million in new grants to buy U.S. military hardware to backfill their inventories. The Department of Defense also has confirmed $322 million in additional funding to support Ukraine’s “transition to more advanced weapons and air defense systems.” [node:read-more:link]
The federal government has shipped four of its 37 BAE Systems M777 howitzers, as well as ammunition, to Ukraine for use against Russian forces. With a stated range of 40km but accurate up to 30km, the 155mm guns were taken from the Canadian Army’s stock and are to be replaced. The government also promised more rounds for its Swedish-manufactured Carl Gustaf anti-tank recoilless rifles already in Ukraine and said it is finalizing contracts for armoured vehicles. [node:read-more:link]
The federal government has shipped four of its 37 BAE Systems M777 howitzers, as well as ammunition, to Ukraine for use against Russian forces. with a stated range of 40km but accurate up to 30km, the 155mm guns were taken from the Canadian Army’s stock and are to be replaced. The government also promised more rounds for its Swedish-manufactured Carl Gustaf anti-tank recoilless rifles already in Ukraine and said it is finalizing contracts for armoured vehicles. [node:read-more:link]
About 50 Ukrainian artillerymen have been getting a crash course on U.S. 155mm howitzers. A first batch of 18 weapons and 40,000 rounds of ammunition was announced earlier this month, followed by 72 more howitzers and 144,000 rounds. “What we’re providing is done in full consultation with the Ukrainians,” a Pentagon spokesman said April 21. [node:read-more:link]
More than 120 hitherto classified tactical drones designed by the U.S. Air Force are included in the latest U.S. arms package for Ukraine. Similar in concept to the proven Switchblade “suicide” weapon, the Phoenix Ghost was developed to meet requirements which “very closely” match what Ukraine needs against Russian invaders in the Donbas region. [node:read-more:link]
A successful test today of Russia’s Sarmat ICBM, launched from the country’ northwest and hitting targets on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east drew praise and a threat from President Vladimir Putin. “This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure the security of Russia from external threats,” he said in a televised address, adding that it would “make those who, in the heat of aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country think twice.” [node:read-more:link]
As Russian forces mount a new offensive in Ukraine, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said April 19 that Canada would have news “in the coming days” about supplying “heavy artillery” to Ukraine. he offered no details but the Canadian Army’s largest artillery piece is the British M777 155mm howitzer, which has a range up to 40 kilometres. [node:read-more:link]
China has delivered anti-aircraft missile systems to Serbia under a contract signed in 2020. Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said April 11 that the delivery was part of the two countries’ annual cooperation plan and has “nothing to do” with current regional tensions. [node:read-more:link]
Australia, Britain and the U.S. have agreed to cooperate on hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare capabilities, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office announced April 5. Australia and the U.S. already have a hypersonics weapon program but while Britain’s involvement is designed to increase all three countries’ options, it would not be joining the bilateral program at this time. [node:read-more:link]
The U.S. Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency have confirmed the successful test of a hypersonic missile in March. The development was not announced earlier to avoid exacerbating tensions with Russia as it invaded Ukraine. Developed by Lockheed Martin and Aerojet Rocketdyne and released from a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, the missile surpassed Mach 5, topped 65,000 feet altitude and flew more than 300 miles. [node:read-more:link]
