South Korea regards its Lockheed Martin F-35A fleet as being a critical component of its ‘Three-Axis’ kill-chain system. (South Korea Ministry of National Defense)
South Korea has signed a letter of acceptance (LOA) to acquire additional Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on 1 January that the LOA was signed in December.

LIG Nex1 displayed a mock-up of its LAMD system at the DX Korea defence show in 2022. The missile is 165 mm in diameter and will intercept targets at a maximum firing range of 7 km and at an altitude of 5 km. (Janes/Jon Grevatt)
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has accelerated the exploration and development of the low-altitude missile defence (LAMD) system – also known as the long-range artillery interception system – by a year, the agency said in a press release on 1 January.

Norway will permit direct arms sales to Ukraine, allowing for manufacturers to apply the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Now as a subsidiary, Artemis will focus on the US Replicator drone programme and contributing to the tri-nation AUKUS agreement.

The UK takes command of the VJTF, Nato’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, for 2024, formed in response to Russia’s 2014 Crimea invasion.

The Marine Corps has reached a significant milestone by training 100 leather sailors as MQ-9 Reaper drone pilots in an effort to expand its unmanned drone program and improve its reconnaissance and range capabilities.
This program began in 2018 when the Corps first leased MQ-9 Reapers and subsequently received funding for their acquisition in 2020. The creation of the 7318th Reaper military occupational specialty was a key step in this process.
However, the path has not been without challenges.

One of the six goals stated in the National Intelligence Strategy is to recruit, develop, and retain a talented and diverse workforce that operates as a united community. The U.S. military and the intelligence community at large are constantly seeking the right talent pool of candidates ready to take on the intelligence problems of the modern era.  There is a stream of practiced critical thinkers, talented speakers, and proficient writers graduating from high schools and colleges every year going largely untapped by the Department of Defense.

The North Korean leader warned that armed conflict could occur at any time, asking the army to be ready to “unleash destruction.”

“The security environment on the Korean peninsula is getting closer to the brink of armed conflict every day. The actions of the US and its allies are increasingly characterized by military confrontation,” KCNA news agency said on January 1. 1 quoted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a 2023 review meeting with senior military officials.
He called on the army to “sharpen their precious swords” to protect security and peace on the peninsula.

The aircraft carrier Gerald Ford will be withdrawn from the eastern Mediterranean after being sent here to deter pro-Hamas forces involved in the Gaza war.

The Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group will return to Norfork port, Virginia, “in the next few days” as originally scheduled to prepare for the next deployment, ABC News on January 1 quoted two officials as saying unnamed US official said.
Gerald Ford, America’s most modern aircraft carrier model, was redirected to the eastern Mediterranean after Hamas forces launched a coordinated attack on Israeli territory on October 7.

The Israeli army said it would gradually withdraw some of the 300,000 reserve soldiers participating in the war in the Gaza Strip but warned that the conflict would continue.

During a meeting with Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip on January 1, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that “life will return to normal” in residential areas near the border that Hamas attacked in early October. /2023.

We are going to rescue 70 American prisoners of war, maybe more, from a camp called Son Tay. This is something American prisoners have a right to expect from their fellow soldiers. The target is 23 miles west of Hanoi. – Colonel Arthur “Bull” Simons

DAYTON, Ohio – “The Raid, Blue Boy Element,” by Mikhail Nikiporenko. This scene depicts the moment that the “Blue Boy” assault team exited their helicopter, Banana 1, following its planned crash-landing in the tiny courtyard at the Son Tay camp.

Recently, China Central Television (CCTV) aired an animated graphic illustrating the launch of the GJ-11 from a Type 075 ship.
This report provides a technical perspective on the possible launch of the GJ-11 drone from Chinese amphibious ships and its strategic implications.
The People’s Liberation Army – Navy and its Technological Expansion
Pentagon observers remain alert to the possibility that China’s People’s Liberation Army – Navy (PLA) can launch and recover the GJ-11 unmanned aircraft from an amphibious assault ship.

Airman 1st Class Anthony White, left, and Senior Airman Mark McCormick, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron survivable systems team members, perform maintenance on a launch control center blast door Oct. 29, 2019, at a Missile Alert Facility near Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The SST’s primary task is to perform LCC maintenance, including the blast door. (Airman 1st Class Jacob M. Thompson/U.S. Air Force).

In recent days, Israel has issued stern warnings to Hezbollah, signaling a potential escalation of conflict on the Lebanon border. The situation has raised concerns about the risk of a full-scale war in the region. Let’s delve into the key developments and the potential implications.
Hezbollah’s Provocations
Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim armed group based in Lebanon, has intensified its attacks on northern Israel, employing rockets and explosive-laden drones. The group’s actions defy UN Resolution 1701, which mandates the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces from the border area and disarmament.

It’s hard to believe 2023 is coming to a close. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and serving another year as Editor-in-Chief for We Are The Mighty has been an honor. One of our most important exercises is to look at how our pieces perform. What do our readers like? What do they want more of? We exist solely to educate, entertain and inform you, our audience.
Let’s take a look back at the year’s most memorable moments.
January
We started off the year with more Ukraine content, as the one-year mark of the invasion of Ukraine approached.

U.S. Navy photo by: Cmdr. Daniel J. Walford
Things are really heating up in the southern end of the Red Sea. Houthi attacks on shipping moving through the chokepoint not only continue, but appear to be getting more complex. Now U.S. Central Command has said Navy helicopters were fired upon by Houthi raiding craft while responding to a distress call from a cargo ship. The helicopters fired back, sinking the boats. This comes as a report claims the U.S. and the U.K. are planning to strike back against Houthi forces.

Just, uh, be careful out there, ok? (Task and Purpose composite image using U.S. Army photo and Doritos product image).
You went home for holiday block leave and slept in every day, ate like you’ve never heard of height and weight standards, and — so far — stayed out of trouble. But now that New Year’s Eve is here, you know your return to base and  0500 wake-ups are right around the corner. So maybe you’re thinking about one last hurrah, and maybe ringing in the new year gets a bit rowdy. We know, because we’ve been there too, so here’s your New Year’s Eve safety brief.

Sailors ring in the new year at midnight with a qualification fire of pencil flares in the first time zone west of the International Date Line aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. (PO2 James Evans/U.S. Navy).
New Year’s Eve. Deployed. No family in sight. That’s something many who have served in the U.S. military have experienced. But don’t shed a tear: These combat veterans recall their New Year’s Eve celebrations as some of their top ‘ringing in the New Year’ celebrations of all time.

U.S. Navy helicopters responded to a distress call from a Danish ship in the Red Sea, sinking three boats used by Houthi-rebels from Yemen in the latest bout of violence in those waters.
The Maersk Hangzhou, a Danish-owned container ship flying under the Singapore flag, issued a distress call early morning today, Dec. 31 Sana’a time, saying it was under attack by four boats. All four boats were launched from areas in Yemen controlled by Houthi-rebels, according to U.S. Central Command. The ships were attempting to board the larger vessel and got within 20 meters of it.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is working with four companies to design an experimental vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can fly at speeds far exceeding those of the V-22 Osprey.

The collaboration comes as the US military studies how it could operate aircraft in areas that lack traditional landing strips.
DARPA calls its program SPRINT (Speed ​​and Runway Independent Technologies). In November, the agency awarded contracts to Aurora Flight Sciences, Bell Textron, Northrop Grumman and Piasecki Aircraft Corp. to begin refining their ideas.

Xi continues the purge of his senior Military and Foreign Affairs leaders

Image by 中国新闻社

Nine Generals and Admirals down, it’s becoming a bloodbath.
A dark comedy on Soviet leadership palace intrigue was “The Death of Stalin”. The Chinese Communist Party tries to be more cerebral and sophisticated, but likely the same chaos is going on right now.
Xi is obsessed with internal attempts against his control over the CCP and thus is focused on ensuring absolute allegiance.
I don’t think this bodes well for Chinese military readiness or an imminent attack on Taiwan.

Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant speaks to troops

We have written extensively at CDM about the ‘incredible’ narrative that Israel was surprised on October 7th and was unable to respond with military force for 8 hours.
Israeli reservists with personal weapons reportedly drove from Tel Aviv to defend the kibbutz in the region, before the IDF arrived.
Former IDF soldiers relayed on social media how it was impossible the way the narrative describes how Israel was caught off guard at the Gaza border.

Recent reports suggest that the F-35 may be a threat to the European aviation industry. Explore the implications of the F-35’s growing dominance and its impact on Europe’s fighter aircraft landscape.
F-35: A Dominant Force in Europe

The F-35 fighter is gaining popularity in Europe, with even Portugal considering a switch from its current F-16 fighters to the F-35 model. This move would make Portugal the 14th European country to opt for American stealth fighters, raising concerns about the future of Europe’s own fighter aircraft designs.

The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant, named after Yuri Gagarin (KnAAZ) has completed its production schedule for 2023, delivering the last batch of Sukhoi Su-57 Felon fifth-generation multirole aircraft to the Ministry of Defense Russian, as announced on December 29, 2023, by the United Aircraft Corporation.
The company’s official statement states that the 2023 initiatives focused on perfecting the Su-57 assembly line, increasing production volumes of serial aircraft and resolving bottlenecks in the entire production cycle, thus improving the plant’s capabilities.

The US military said its warships shot down two Houthi missiles while assisting a Singapore-flagged cargo ship moving through the Red Sea.

“Around 8:30 p.m. on December 30, the container ship Maersk Hangzhou reported that it was hit by a missile while moving through the southern Red Sea area. The ship requested support, and the warship USS Gravely Laboon responded. The container ship was determined to continue its journey, and there were no casualties,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
Maersk Hangzhou is Singapore-flagged and Danish-owned and operated.

Exploring the Capabilities and Competing Technical Differences of the Su-35 vs F-22 Raptor Fighters in Combat
Su-35 vs F-22 Raptor
The Su-35: An Underestimated Threat to Air Supremacy
The Su-35, derived from the Su-27 of the 1980s, represents a not fully understood threat in modern air warfare. Despite being an evolution of the Su-27, this aircraft exhibits characteristics that place it in a higher category, almost bordering on the 5th generation. Its speed stands out, comparable to Mach 2.

Soldiers from the 5307th Composite Unit, or “Merrill’s Marauders,” on patrol in Burma during World War II. (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images). During World War II, an Army unit of nearly 3,000 soldiers marched more than 1,000 miles into Japanese-held Burma, launching raids, ambushes and reconnaissance missions deep behind enemy lines. They faced

Members of the Oath Keepers, including Marine veteran, Donovan Crowl (foreground, wearing helmet and goggles) are seen among supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol during a protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. (REUTERS/Jim Bourg).
More than a year and a half after it was due, the Department of Defense finally released its report examining extremism within the ranks of the armed forces.

Lewis, Newsweek Biden reiterated in a statement Friday that the results of the Ukraine war have a direct impact on the U.S. and its NATO allies.

Jessica Manfre, We Are The Mighty Justin Governale has learned a thing or two about persevering through tough situations, but it didn’t start on the battlefield as a Marine.

John J.

An exhaustive study that explores the likelihood of Russia deploying autonomous robots in future conflicts, analyzing Vladimir Putin’s position and comparison with US military strategies.
Exploring Putin’s stance on AI and autonomous weaponry
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent pronouncement suggests an ambivalent stance toward restrictions on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in the military context. Putin’s comment reveals a tendency to postpone regulation of these technologies until threats materialize.

via Telegram/X / Ukrainian Air Force
We finally have our first look at a Russian Kh-101 air-launched cruise missile releasing decoy flares in flight. Russia’s forces have been employing Kh-101s with this capability in Ukraine on some level since at least January. This is a feature that first emerged publicly after the recovery of a largely intact example of one of these missiles with what was later confirmed to be a countermeasures dispenser system installed. The War Zone had deduced this was likely the case after seeing the images of the downed Kh-101.

U.S. Navy image
We want to wish all of our readers and their families a very happy New Year! Thank you so much for all your support and wonderful discussions this year.
With that said, welcome to Bunker Talk. This is a weekend open discussion post for the best commenting crew on the net, in which we can chat about all the stuff that went on this week that we didn’t cover. We can also talk about the stuff we did, or whatever else grabs your interest. In other words, it’s literally an off-topic thread.

The second MHI (Sikorsky) SH-60L developmental prototype (serial no 8502) conducts a flight test. (ATLA)
Japan has completed the development of its improved Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) (Sikorsky) SH-60L maritime helicopter.
Designed as an improved anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter, the new SH-60L has an updated engine transmission, an ultra-high-speed datalink, and improved ASW systems, according to the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD).

Deep dive into the Houthi rebels’ use of anti-ship ballistic missiles and their connection to Chinese military technology.

Houthi rebels’ foray into naval warfare and its impact on trade
Recently, the Houthi rebels have intensified their naval offensive, using disruptive tactics in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the southern Red Sea. Its articulated goal is to hinder the flow of goods to  Israel and increase the costs of maritime trade for Israel’s allies. Yemen’s strategic geographical location gives them a unique advantage in carrying out such a campaign.

via X
As Russia launched the heaviest wave of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appears to have visited very close to the front lines.
While the date of the visit hasn’t been disclosed, Zelensky said on X today that he had visited Ukrainian troops near Avdiivka, the eastern Ukrainian town that has seen very heavy fighting in the last few months.
Zelensky wrote: “I visited the positions of the 110th ‘Marko Bezruchko’ Mechanized Brigade. One of the toughest spots of the front line.

SpaceX capture
Boeing and SpaceX look to have offered the first look at one of the U.S. Space Force’s secretive X-37B mini-shuttles in space. A brief video clip that appears to show an X-37B separating from its launch rocket after being lofted into space in 2020 was included in a video montage shown ahead of the latest launch of an X-37B yesterday. You can find out more about what we can expect from the new X-37B mission in The War Zone‘s previous reporting.

A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Col. Christopher B. Meeker had been the commander of the sprawling logistics base since July 2022. Air Force photo.
The commander of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, was fired Friday due to “a loss of confidence in his ability to lead,” according to an Air Force release.
Col. Christopher B. Meeker was removed by Lt. Gen. Donna D. Shipton, commander of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at the base, one of six major centers within Air Force Material Command.

Justin Glovernale has learned a thing or two about persevering through tough situations but it didn’t start on the battlefield as a Marine. 
“I didn’t have a bed to sleep on for the first 11 years of my life,” he shared. “I remember waking up to screaming all the time. One time, I found my mother’s boyfriend in the living room covered in blood that wasn’t his.”
His mother had run across the street to call the police after her boyfriend had severely beaten her during an argument.

Since August 2021, the Department of Defense has conducted 54 drawdowns from its inventory to supply military equipment to Ukraine in its fight against Russia. The latest security assistance package, announced on December 27, 2023, is valued by the DoD at up to $250 million. It is also the last aid package that will go to Ukraine until Congress approves further assistance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shakes hands with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Washington, D.C., Dec.

After a series of delays, the Space Force’s secretive X-37B orbital test vehicle was finally launched into space for its seventh experimental mission, the service announced Thursday.
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket hoisted the unmanned space plane into orbit Thursday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida after unspecified ground equipment issues and bad weather forced the company to push back the launch, which was originally scheduled for Dec. 7.

Ukraine said Russia launched an attack with 158 missiles and UAVs targeting a series of key cities, an unprecedented high in hostilities.

Today, the Ukrainian Air Force Command said that Russia launched 90 Kh-101/555 cruise missiles, 14 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and S-300 air defense missiles, 5 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and 8 missiles. The Kh-22/32 supersonic destroyer and 36 suicide drones (UAVs) targeted this country.
The Russian Su-35S fighter also launched four Kh-31P radar-killing missiles and one Kh-59 tactical cruise missile in the attack.

The Air Force Research Lab has added Intelsat to its list of vendors for the Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) program.
As part of the initiative, AFRL plans to conduct a set of demonstrations that will aim to provide military aircraft with ubiquitous connectivity using commercial spacecraft and networks.
The Pentagon announced the $9 million deal with Intelsat on Wednesday.

The GLOCK brand pistol is so synonymous with striker-fired, semi-automatic, polymer-frame handguns that other weapons following this design are sometimes referred to as “Glocks.” Named for its inventor, Gaston Glock, the GLOCK company is one of most recognizable in the firearms and manufacturing industries around the world. On December 27, 2023, GLOCK’s founder passed away at the age of 94.
Gaston Glock, inventor of the GLOCK pistol (GLOCK US)
Glock was born on July 19, 1929, in Vienna, Austria. In 1963, he founded the GLOCK company as a manufacturer of curtain rods.

The Chinese National Assembly elected Senior General Dong Quan as Minister of National Defense, replacing his predecessor, Li Shangfu.

“The Standing Committee of the 14th National Assembly on December 29 decided to appoint Mr. Dong Quan as Minister of National Defense,” Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported. This decision took place two months after Lieutenant General Ly Thuong Phuc was dismissed from his position.
Mr. Dong Quan, 62 years old, studied at Dalian Naval Academy and served in the Chinese Navy since 1979.

Hosts L Todd Wood and Colonel John Mills (USA, Ret) discuss the naval situation in the Pacific, US industrial base, Tinian Airfield, the Orca drone, and CCP smoke shops.

Back To 2-And-A-Half Wars?
What Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Is Doing To The Navy

The post LIVE 7pm EST: Pacific SitRep – Taiwan, Orca Drone, Tinian, CCP Smoke Shops appeared first on Armed Forces Press.

Photo by Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu via Getty Images
Russia launched an apparently unprecedented wave of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine overnight. If the claims of Ukrainian authorities are correct, and 122 missiles were indeed launched, together with 36 one-way attack drones, this would be the biggest air raid of its kind since the start of the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Based on Ukrainian Air Force figures, previously the biggest assault was in November 2022 and involved 96 missiles launched against Ukraine.

The Talaiyeh long-range anti-ship missile is seen next to its launcher during the ceremony at Konarak naval base. (defapress.ir)
The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) held a ceremony on 24 December to induct new equipment that included an anti-ship missile called the Talaiyeh, which is said to have a range of more than 1,000 km.
Iranian media coverage showed a Talaiyeh on display next to a mobile launcher at the naval base in Konarak, the headquarters of the IRIN’s third region.

Image by Unknown

It’s time for a post mortem, and accountability at the American ‘national security’ establishment over the Ukraine debacle.
Let’s start by enunciating some truths, that I have been declaring since 2014, when the war started.

Ukraine was never a U.S. national security priority – it simply was never our fight. The entire escapade was a farcical project for the ‘color revolution dominatrix’ Victoria Nuland (as Darren Beattie appropriately names her), and her ilk in the globalist deep State Department.