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Author: Michael
Every few years, there seems to be a new buzzword in the national security establishment. What was once simply “deterrence” has recently become “integrated deterrence.” This follows a decades-long adjectival march through nuclear, conventional, direct, immediate, general, complex, indirect, extended, asymmetric, classical, traditional, modern, pivotal, and perfect deterrence, not to mention deterrence by denial, punishment, […]
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Germany’s new EUR2.7 billion military support package for Ukraine includes four IRIS-T SLM systems with a total of 12 launchers. (Diehl)
Major European countries pledged more military support for Ukraine during a tour by President Volodymr Zelensky of their capitals on 14 and 15 May.
During a joint press conference with Zelensky in Berlin on 14 May, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a new military equipment support package worth a total of EUR2.7 billion (USD2.9 billion) for more Leopard 1 tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), and IRIS-T air-defence systems.
The Shahed-136 displayed at the IRGC exhibition in Qom with the information poster behind it. (Mehr News Agency)
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) released performance specifications for the Shahed-136 one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) when it displayed one publicly for the first time in an exhibition in Qom from 13 May.
The poster behind the UAV said it has a range of 2,500 km, which is the same performance that Yemen’s Houthi rebels attributed to the Shahed-136 they unveiled as the domestically produced Waeid in March 2021.
DoD
Yesterday evening, video began to emerge out of Kyiv showing a massive volley of surface-to-air missiles roaring into the night sky. This came as reports stated that the capital was under an unprecedented degree of aerial standoff attacks. Speculation quickly ran wild that a Patriot system, one of just two donated to the country and just recently put into service, had been hit by a Russian weapon. I jumped on Twitter to try to give some context to what was being seen and its implication and I think now, a day later, it is even more important to share some of it in retrospect.
Heavy helicopters are essential equipment for major military powers. Russia has the famous Mi-26 “Halo,” while the United States has the CH-53 “Sea Stallion.” The Mi-26 did not usher in an “epic” upgrade after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, while the CH-53, which was born in the same period, ushered in a super variant of this type of machine family in 2015 – the CH-53K “Stallion King.”
Intuitive comparison of CH-53E and CH-53K body size
Introduced in 2015, the CH-53K “King Stallion” helicopter takes the term “bigger is better” to a whole new level.
In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the United States gained advantages and bolstered its European influence. However, it also faces worries, particularly regarding Iran. Iran has proven its ability to counterattack and take the initiative, dissuading the United States from engaging in a direct military confrontation.
During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Iran’s suicide drones gained prominence for their precise attacks, large numbers, and rapid production. These drones became significant weapons in the conflict, drawing attention.
On May 15, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived the United Kingdom to meet with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This was preceded by similar meetings in Paris and Berlin where Zelenskyy secured military aid in the form of weapons and ammunition for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia’s invasion. Although Ukraine has yet to secure modern NATO fighter jets from western nations, the UK has committed to providing something very important if that day comes: training.
Zelenskyy is welcomed back to the UK by Sunak (twitter.com/RishiSunak)
Training a U.S.
MBDA
Following the United Kingdom’s announcement that it had sent Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron has said his country will provide Kyiv with virtually identical weapons called SCALP-EGs.
Macron announced his decision Monday to the French TF1Info media outlet. Deliveries of French SCALP-EGs will only further expand the Ukrainian military’s stand-off strike arsenal.
🔴🗣️ “On ne fait pas la guerre à la Russie, on aide l’Ukraine à résister face à l’assaillant russe.
Speaking of naval weapons, we always think of aircraft carriers. But to say that the most lethal and deterrent weapon in the navy is a strategic nuclear submarine. The main weapon it uses is a submarine-launched ballistic missile. If it is equipped with a nuclear warhead, its lethality is very terrifying.
For instance, let’s consider the Trident II-D5LE ballistic missile used by the U.S. Navy. It has a maximum range of 12,000 kilometers, allowing it to reach both the South and North Pole when launched from a specific point on the equator.