Seventeen years after a previous Liberal government rejected participation in the U.S. ballistic missile defence system, Defense Minister Anita Anand says Canada is re-examining the possibility. “We are certainly taking a full and comprehensive look at that question as well as what it takes to defend the continent across the board,” she said May 10. “We are leaving no stone unturned in this major review.” [node:read-more:link]
With Russia’s invasion well into its third month, the U.S. is trying to figure out how best to supply weapons and train Ukrainian troops. Hundreds have either completed or are undergoing training on an array of weapons and a Pentagon official says the challenge is not to “overload their system” by delivering more than the Ukrainians can handle. [node:read-more:link]
As the U.S. sends Javelin anti-tank missiles from its military stockpiles to support Ukraine’s fight against Russian invaders, Lockheed Martin aims to nearly double production at the Alabama plant it operates with Raytheon Technologies. Current annual output of the weapons, each of which contains 250 microprocessors, is 2,100 but LM CEO Jim Taiclet said May 8 the goal is 4,000, which will require its supply chain to “crank up.” [node:read-more:link]
Having reversed a long-standing policy of not sending heavy weapons to war zones, Germany will deliver seven self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said today that the combat-proven 155mm Panzerhaubitze 2000, capable of hitting targets at 40km, will be drawn from Bundeswehr inventory. [node:read-more:link]
A new artillery weapon being developed by the U.S. Army has struck a target at 70 kilometres on the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The Excalibur extended-range shell manufactured by Raytheon is fired with supercharged propellant through a 58-calibre 30-foot gun tube mounted to an M-109A7 howitzer. [node:read-more:link]
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]
