Defence`s Feeds

The United States is developing different versions of nuclear power to use on lunar and other space bases and for long-range interplanetary manned and unmanned probes, Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette told the National Space Council.

Russia has already deployed a ground-based laser weapon which could disable or blind US space-based sensors on orbiting surveillance satellites, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) John Ratcliffe said on Wednesday.

The United States House of Representatives on Tuesday passed an annual defense policy bill, which contained sections supporting continued arms sales to Taiwan and establishing an initiative to bolster the U.S. military's presence in the Asia Pacific region.

The local authority of Taipei, in the island of Taiwan, has investigated a Chinese mainland woman, who is the head of a pro-reunification female NGO on the island, with the excuse of "threatening national security."

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The Russian Foreign Ministry has denounced the detention and investigation of a Russian citizen in Denmark over espionage charges as "anti-Russian hysteria" on the part of Copenhagen.

Authorities in Denmark say they have charged a Russian citizen living in the Scandinavian country with espionage for allegedly providing information about Danish energy technology to Russia.

The White House released the National Space Policy today, which highlights the Department of Defense as a key agency in implementing and achieving the nation’s goals in this important domain.

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Military and civilian departments in Chongqing Municipality and Sichuan Province jointly launched a large-scale drill for environmental emergencies in the Jialing River basin of southwest China on November 26.

A new report has revealed that Nigeria’s Defense Intelligence Agency has acquired Israeli spyware to monitor phone calls and text messages of dissidents and other citizens.

The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed a defense policy bill worth a $740 billion that Republican President Donald Trump has opposed and pledged to veto.

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A Chinese military spokesperson on Tuesday voiced firm opposition to the U.S. sale of military communications systems to Taiwan.

Three people sustained extensive burns in an explosion Wednesday at a military weapons factory in Kaohsiung, which appeared to have been caused by the ignition of raw materials, the city government said.

Americas

L3 Technologies won a contract modification, which exercises an option to procure 12 AN/SRQ-4 kits and associated components for the MH-60 Common Data Link system. Sikorsky Aircraft developed the MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission naval helicopter, also called ‘Romeo’, in order to replace the US Navy’s legacy SH-60B and SH-60F helicopter fleet. The MH-60 R integrates advanced mission systems and sensors developed by Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training (MST). The helicopter is integrated with a data link for data transmission, an ARC210 Gen 5 multi-function radio for flexible and secure communication, and chaff and flare decoys dispenser. It also features an integrated self defense system for protection against RF, IF, laser and missile threats. Work will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah. Estimated completion date is in February 2023.

The House on Tuesday granted overwhelming bipartisan approval to the annual defense spending bill despite threats by President Donald Trump, he would veto the bill. Lawmakers approved the $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 335-78, surpassing the two-thirds necessary to override a presidential veto, although there was no solid commitment that Republican lawmakers would vote against the action by Trump. A total of 140 Republicans joined a majority of Democrats in voting “yes” for the bill, while 37 Democrats voted “no” and one voted present. The NDAA includes funding for major military programs and weapons systems, and authorizes dozens of special pay and bonuses for service members.

Middle East & Africa

Raytheon won a $13.7 million contract modification for the procurement, manufacture and storage of spares in support of sustainment for the Qatar Early Warning Radar (QEWR). QEWR is an early warning radar that will add long-range detection to Qatar’s layered Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) architecture, which includes Patriot systems and an Air Defense Operation Center (ADOC). The 360-degree radar tracks ballistic missiles as part of a missile defense shield, expanding Qatar’s ability to protect its people and assets from missile attack. Work will take place in Andover, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by December 2025.

Europe

France is planning to build a new 300 meter long, 75,000 tonne nuclear powered aircraft carrier. The new nuclear powered aircraft carrier will be able to carry over 30 aircraft and will be in service by 2038. President Emmanuel Macron officially launched the project to build a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to replace the Charles de Gaulle. Macron made the announcement during a visit to a nuclear facility in the Burgundy town of Le Creusot.

Negotiations between France and Indonesia for the purchase of 48 French Rafale fighter jets are advancing at a fast pace and a deal could be inked soon, French website La Tribune.fr said last week, citing several sources.Indonesia would like to seal a deal before the end of the year but French negotiators want to take the time necessary to fine-tune the details, it said.

Asia-Pacific

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Gilbert Gapay, has hinted that Manila has decided to buy F-16s. “Soon, before our President steps down, we will finally have multi-role fighters in the likes of the F-16 in our Air Force inventory,” said Gapay at a Laging Handa press briefing held online. The F-16 is running in the competition together with Saab’s JAS-39. The potential acquisition of F-16 fighter jets was among the topics discussed by American and Philippine officials during the visit to Manila of US Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett in November.

Today’s Video

Watch: Nothing Can Kill the F-16 Fighting Falcon

Development for the new Tempest sixth-generation fighter is moving on with some revolutionary concepts. Team Tempest and the Royal Air Force recently held a virtual event to provide an update about the development opportunities of [...]

The post New Images Of The Tempest Sixth-Generation Aircraft Revealed During UK Industry Engagement Event appeared first on The Aviationist.

“China firmly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan and urges the US to immediately cancel the projects of selling weapons to Taiwan,” said Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Tuesday night, when commenting on the sale of about $280 million worth of military communications equipment to Taiwan region approved by the US State Department on December 7.