RIYADH - In recent months, Saudi Arabia has taken significant steps to diversify its air defenses and expand its local defense industry. In February, Lockheed Martin awarded two subcontracts to Saudi companies for manufacturing components of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, making Saudi Arabia the first country outside the U.S. to produce these parts locally. Riyadh had ordered 44 THAAD launchers and 360 interceptor missiles in a 2017 deal worth $15 billion, with the first systems set to be operational by 2026.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia signed a $3.2 billion deal with South Korea in November for 10 KM-SAM Block II medium-range air defense systems. This agreement includes technology transfers and establishes a committee to develop defense industry cooperation.

The urgency of bolstering air defenses is underscored by regional conflicts, including the current Gaza war and previous Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Diversifying its suppliers and producing defense components locally will reduce Saudi dependency on any single source and enhance its ability to maintain and operate its air defense systems independently. These moves reflect Riyadh's strategic shift to a more self-reliant and resilient defense posture.

Source: Forbes
Associated URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2024/05/14/saudi-arabia-diversifying-air-defenses-and-boosting-local-industries/?sh=43963152377d

WASHINGTON -- It appears probable that the U.S. Army will create a new branch focused on drone warfare. The Army currently fields 22 branches, with military occupational specialties (MOS) organized under each branch. The change was proposed in the version of the 2025 NDAA policy bill advanced by the tactical and land forces subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. The new branch would specialize in drone and counter-drone (C-UAS) operations.

The Army currently trains drone operation and C-UAS skills in a variety of locations, including the Maneuver Center of Excellence and the Joint Counter Small Unmanned Aerial Systems University. Units also conduct drone training within their own brigades. By designating a separate branch within the Army specifically for drone operations, the service would seek to specialize training, increase innovation, and enable more targeted recruitment of drone operators. The change is reflective of similar moves by international partners and draws on lessons learned from Ukraine where drone operations have become a critical component of combat.

The subcommittee’s NDAA proposal would also fund the Army’s top three requirements from its unfunded priority list, all related to C-UAS equipment, for a total of $350 million.

Source: Defense One
Associated URL: https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2024/05/army-drone-branch-idea-advances-house-subcommittee/396513/

WASHINGTON - The United States Department of Defense (DoD) and Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD) have finalized a formal agreement for a Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) Cooperative Development (GCD) Project Arrangement under the U.S.-Japan bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Projects (RDT&E).

By pursuing an agreement on GPI development, the U.S. and Japan will strengthen regional deterrence while enhancing long-standing missile defense cooperation between the two countries.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is leading the development of GPI for the DoD, which will provide hypersonic missile defense capability during the glide-phase portion of hypersonic flight. Per the signed GPI Cooperative Development (GCD), Japan will lead development of rocket motors and propulsion components of GPI.

GPI will deliver a regional defensive capability over time as part of a holistic layered defensive architecture. The GPI co-development will build upon long-standing U.S.-Japan missile defense cooperation and strengthen the Alliance deterrence posture.

Source: DoD
Associated URL: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3775546/us-department-of-defense-statement-on-the-signing-of-the-glide-phase-intercepto/