Af/Pak & Other News (1/4/2021)

[dump...@hotmail.com]

US military blames Taliban for spate of Afghan assassinations

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210104-us-military-blames-taliban-for-spate-of-afghan-assassinations



Afghan Air Force kills 15 Al Qaeda operatives in Helmand

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/12/afghan-air-force-kills-15-al-qaeda-operatives-in-helmand.php



Afghan rivals to resume talks as civilian killings sow suspicion

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-taliban-talks/afghan-rivals-to-resume-talks-as-civilian-killings-sow-suspicion-idUSKBN2990KC



Dushanbe Reinforces Border After Tajik Militants Appear In Video Fighting In Afghanistan

https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-reinforces-border-militants-afghanistan-video-islamic-state/31005499.html



10 Chinese spies caught in Kabul get a quiet pardon, fly home in chartered aircraft

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/10-chinese-spies-caught-in-kabul-get-a-quiet-pardon-fly-home-in-chartered-aircraft/story-YhNI0zjmClMcj6T7TCCwVM.html



China Accused of Offering Bounties to Afghan ‘Nonstate Actors’ to Kill US Troops

https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/china-accused-offering-bounties-afghan-nonstate-actors-kill-us-troops



Pakistan launches production of its JF-17 Block III fighter aircraft for Pakistani Air Force

https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/january/6788-pakistan-launches-production-of-its-jf-17-block-iii-fighter-aircraft-for-pakistani-air-force.html









Indian navy ships to be fitted with Laser Dazzler to stop suspicious threats

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2021/january/9501-indian-navy-ships-to-be-fitted-with-laser-dazzler-to-stop-suspicious-threats.html









Iran starts 20% uranium enrichment, seizes S. Korean-flagged tanker

https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210104-iran-starts-20-uranium-enrichment-seizes-s-korean-flagged-tanker



IRGC Seen Practicing Swarm Tactics Day Before South Korean Tanker Seizure

http://www.hisutton.com/Iranian-IRGC-Navy-Preparing.html



South Korea Sends Its Forces Into The Strait Of Hormuz After Iran Seizes Tanker

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38533/south-korea-sends-its-forces-into-the-strait-of-hormuz-after-iran-seizes-tanker



Explainer-How close is Iran to producing a nuclear bomb?

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-explainer/explainer-how-close-is-iran-to-producing-a-nuclear-bomb-idUSKBN2991DK



Iran's latest Mowj Class warship: IRIS Dena

http://www.hisutton.com/Iranian-Navy-Mowj-Class.html



Iranian army to hold large-scale drone drill

https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-army-to-hold-large-scale-drone-drill/



Iran's Fateh-class Submarine Threat: See "Sub Brief"

https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2021/01/irans-fateh-class-submarine-threat.html



USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Ordered Back To Middle East Due To Iran Threat

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38524/uss-nimitz-carrier-strike-group-ordered-back-to-middle-east-due-to-iran-threat









Iraq, Struggling to Pay Debts and Salaries, Plunges Into Economic Crisis

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/04/world/middleeast/iraq-economy-debt-oil.html



Chanting anti-US slogans, Iraqi militia supporters mark year since Soleimani's killing

https://www.reuters.com/article/iraq-iran-soleimani/chanting-anti-us-slogans-iraqi-militia-supporters-mark-year-since-soleimanis-killing-idUSKBN2980C4



Limpet Mine Attack on Tanker, Pola, Dec 31, 2020

http://www.hisutton.com/Limpet-Mine-Attack-On-Tanker-Pola.html









Dubai-made magnetic counter-drone system to launch soon

https://dronedj.com/2021/01/04/dubai-made-magnetic-counter-drone-system-to-launch-soon/




UAE signs $1bn GlobalEye fleet expansion deal

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/uae-signs-1bn-globaleye-fleet-expansion-deal/141808.article




26 Killed In Barrage At Yemeni Airport Just As Newly-Minted Officials Were Deplaning

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38486/26-killed-in-barrage-just-as-newly-minted-officials-were-deplaning-at-yemeni-airport



US approves the sale of GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb to Saudi Arabia

https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2020/december/6783-us-approves-sale-of-gbu-39-small-diameter-bomb-to-saudi-arabia.html









In a First, Turkey's Drones Suppressed & Destroyed Syria's Russian Air Defenses: Tukish Expert

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/28687/In_a_First__Turkey_s_Drones_Suppressed___Destroyed_Syria_s_Russian_Air_Defenses__Tukish_Expert



At least nine Syrian soldiers killed in militant bus attack in Badia

https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/at-least-nine-syrian-soldiers-killed-in-militant-attack-in-badia-654179




Memorial for Qassem Soleimani Erected in Lebanon Depicts The Moment His SUV Was Hit By A Drone Missile

https://theaviationist.com/2021/01/02/memorial-for-qassem-soleimani-erected-in-lebanon-depicts-the-moment-his-suv-was-hit-by-a-drone-missile/









Israel's defence minister favours buying one more F-35 squadron for now

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-usa-defence-f35/israels-defence-minister-favours-buying-one-more-f-35-squadron-for-now-idUSKBN2990PF



Israel continues its campaign of targeting Iranian-affiliated sites in Syria

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/12/israel-continues-its-campaign-of-targeting-iranian-affiliated-sites-in-syria.php



Israel’s Rafael Unveils AI-Driven Drone System for Indoor Fighting

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2020/12/30/rafael-ai-driven-drone-system/









Egypt welcomes its first Italian-built FREMM frigate Al-Galala

https://defbrief.com/2021/01/01/egypt-welcomes-its-first-italian-built-fremm-frigate-al-galala/



Egypt cleared to buy 20 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper ATPs

http://alert5.com/2021/01/04/egypt-cleared-to-buy-20-an-aaq-33-sniper-atps/




Algeria: The Old Guard Says No

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/algeria/articles/20201230.aspx




Libya: Turkish underwater warfare training for GNA frogmen

https://www.africanmilitaryblog.com/2020/12/libya-turkish-underwater-warfare-training-for-gna-frogmen




100 people killed in attacks on Niger villages, says prime minister

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/africa/niger-village-attack-100-dead-intl/index.html



Niger declares national mourning, security boost after attacks

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210104-niger-declares-national-mourning-security-boost-after-attacks




Rebels capture Central African diamond-mining city of Bangassou

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20210104-rebels-capture-central-african-car-diamond-mining-city-of-bangassou



Wagner-wagon spotted in troubled Central African Republic

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/wagner-wagon-spotted-in-troubled-central-african-republic.html




Nigeria: Elderly MiGs Rejected By Everyone

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmurph/articles/20210103.aspx




U.S. airstrikes in Somalia kill three al-Shabab extremists

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2021/01/04/US-airstrikes-in-Somalia-kill-three-al-Shabab-extremists/6641609780595/




Sudan: Sounds Of Silence In The Sudans

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/sudan/articles/20201229.aspx









Ukraine discloses further details of AN-178-100R medium transport aircraft

https://defence-blog.com/news/ukraine-discloses-further-details-of-an-178-100r-medium-transport-aircraft.html



Ukrainian Army to get new 14.5mm Xado Snipex T-Rex anti-materiel sniper rifle

https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2021_global_security_army_industry/ukrainian_army_to_get_new_14.5mm_xado_snipex_t-rex_anti-materiel_sniper_rifle.html



How Russian Media Tries to Undermine Ukraine

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/how-russian-media-tries-to-undermine-ukraine/ar-BB1cs9f1



Russia planning to flight test new missile with range of 6,200 miles

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/russia-planning-to-flight-test-new-missile-with-range-of-6-200-miles/ar-BB1cslvF



Russia’s first Gremyashchy-class corvette enters service after year-long trials

https://defbrief.com/2020/12/30/russias-first-gremyashchy-class-corvette-enters-service-after-year-long-trials/



Russian Navy plans to lay down two Project 955A Borei-A class submarines in 2021

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2021/january/9502-russian-navy-plans-to-lay-down-two-project-955a-borei-a-class-submarine-in-2021.html



Russian bloggers sneaks into fighter jet plant in Moscow

https://defence-blog.com/news/russian-blogger-sneaks-into-fighter-jet-plant-n-moscow.html



U.S. officials are reportedly privately worried Russia stole blueprints for U.S. blackout restoration

https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-officials-reportedly-privately-worried-190000434.html



Saving The Sevmorput

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htseamo/articles/20201225.aspx



Russia expects first maiden flight of its new MiG-41 PAK DP long-range bomber aircraft by 2023

https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/january/6789-russia-expects-first-maiden-flight-of-its-new-mig-41-pak-dp-long-range-bomber-aircraft-by-2023.html



'A Postimperial Transformation': With Its Neighborhood In Turmoil, Russia Reassesses The Costs Of Hegemony

https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-reassesses-costs-hegemony-2020-putin/31024630.html



Russia’s Romance With China Is All About Keeping Up Appearances

https://thediplomat.com/2021/01/russias-romance-with-china-is-all-about-keeping-up-appearances/



Russia now probing case of helicopter downed by Azerbaijan as murder -Interfax

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-russia-helicopter/russia-now-probing-case-of-helicopter-downed-by-azerbaijan-as-murder-interfax-idUSKBN2991JN




Big video game developer fund terror through online adverts

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/big-video-game-developer-fund-terror-through-online-adverts.html




Swiss Air Force F/A-18s Finally Started Providing Round-the-Clock Swiss Airspace Protection Last Week

https://theaviationist.com/2021/01/02/swiss-air-force-f-a-18s-finally-started-providing-round-the-clock-swiss-airspace-protection-last-week/




Saab receives new contract for two GlobalEye airborne surveillance systems

https://defence-blog.com/news/saab-receives-new-contract-for-two-globaleye-airborne-surveillance-systems.html




US Deploys MQ-9 Reaper Drones in Romania

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/28690/US_Deploys_MQ_9_Reaper_Drones_in_Romania




Italy inducts first M-345 trainers

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/italy-inducts-first-m-345-trainers




Escribano designs UAV swarm system for surveillance and reconnaissance

https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2021_global_security_army_industry/escribano_designs_uav_swarm_system_for_surveillance_and_reconnaissance.html




French military surveillance satellite launched by Soyuz rocket

https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/12/29/french-military-surveillance-satellite-launched-by-soyuz-rocket/




British military drone hits the ground mid training flight

https://dronedj.com/2020/12/29/british-military-drone-hits-the-ground-mid-training-flight/



UK judge refuses US extradition of WikiLeaks founder Assange

https://apnews.com/article/julian-assange-uk-refuses-us-extradition-5b148b0b6b9f72a20eedad4218e8227a









Julian Assange Gets Asylum Offer From Mexico’s President

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-04/julian-assange-gets-asylum-offer-from-mexico-s-lopez-obrador?utm_source=google&utm_medium=bd&cmpId=google









India-China standoff: China deploys tanks along LAC opposite Indian posts

https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-standoff-china-deploys-tanks-along-lac-opposite-indian-posts-354426



Former head of China’s aircraft carrier programme expelled from Communist Party over corruption claims

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3116353/former-head-chinas-aircraft-carrier-programme-expelled



China’s Z-20 Black Hawk Clone Is Now Packing Air-To-Ground Missiles

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38509/chinas-z-20-black-hawk-clone-is-now-packing-air-to-ground-missiles



South China Sea: why did the PLA land its massive Y-20 warplane on Fiery Cross Reef?

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3116028/south-china-sea-why-did-pla-land-its-massive-y-20-warplane



China's DF-17 hypersonic missile seen to get stealth upgrade, reports show

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202101/1211788.shtml



Chinese PHL03A long range rocket system destroys ship target

https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2021_global_security_army_industry/chinese_phl03a_long_range_rocket_system_destroys_ship_target.html



Chinese Sea Wing (Haiyi) ocean glider

http://www.hisutton.com/Chinese-Sea-Wing-Submarine-Drone.html



China’s military takes charge of war powers with new defence law

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3115988/chinas-military-takes-charge-war-powers-new-defence-law



By air and sea: China’s two-pronged strategy to grind Japan down over disputed islands

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3116179/air-and-sea-chinas-two-pronged-strategy-grind-japan-down-over



Chinese GX-8 EW aircraft operates off Pingtung, Taiwan to monitor island’s TK-3 tests

http://alert5.com/2020/12/26/chinese-gx-8-ew-aircraft-operates-off-pingtung-taiwan-to-monitor-islands-tk-3-tests/





Report on Taiwan Political and Security Issues

https://news.usni.org/2021/01/01/report-on-taiwan-political-and-security-issues



Taiwan develops new wheeled tank-killing vehicle

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/taiwan-develops-new-wheeled-tank-killing-vehicle.html





Japan: Aegis Shore Alternative

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htada/articles/20201227.aspx



Discovered: forgotten Japanese midget submarine base built for WW2 suicide missions

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3116075/discovered-forgotten-japanese-midget-submarine-base-built-ww2



Rand questions JASDF capabilities in East China Sea conflict

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/rand-questions-jasdf-capabilities-in-east-china-sea-conflict/141792.article



Phantom Fades Slowly

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htatrit/articles/20201228.aspx





Delivery of missile weapon systems for new Philippine Navy frigates to start in 2021

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2020/december/9489-delivery-of-missile-weapon-systems-for-new-philippine-navy-frigates-to-start-in-2021.html





Indonesia: Origin of submarine drone still a mystery; Navy to examine underwater glider, data to identify owner within 1 month, says official

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/indonesia-origin-of-submarine-drone-still-a-mystery/2097964





Navy Collins class subs to get sonar capability upgrades

https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/maritime-antisub/7449-navy-collins-class-subs-to-get-sonar-capability-upgrades



Australia to obtain two additional P-8A Poseidons

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/australia-to-obtain-two-additional-p-8a-poseidons/141782.article





North Korea: The Russian Gambit

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmurph/articles/20201230.aspx



North Korea is showing off more than just massive missiles, but its new military hardware may be less than meets the eye

https://www.yahoo.com/news/north-korea-showing-off-more-221117695.html





South Korea: Scrutinizing Chinese Electronics

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htintel/articles/20201231.aspx



South Korea’s light aircraft carrier program officially begins

https://navalnews.net/south-koreas-light-aircraft-carrier-program-officially-begins/



South Korea Navy deploys new underwater robot Mine Disposal Vehicle MDV

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2021/january/9500-south-korea-navy-deploys-new-underwater-robot-mine-disposal-vehicle-mdv.html



South Korean Super Subs

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsub/articles/20210101.aspx










Police, FAA Notified After Sightings of Unidentified Aerial Object Over Hawaii

https://thedebrief.org/police-faa-notified-after-sightings-of-unidentified-aerial-object-over-hawaii/



LA County Supervisor Requests USNS Mercy Return To Los Angeles After COVID-19 Surge

https://news.usni.org/2020/12/31/la-county-supervisor-requests-usns-mercy-return-to-los-angeles-after-covid-19-surge



Droid Moves Like A Dog

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htpeace/articles/20210102.aspx



Travis Air Force Base Is First to Get Drone Sentry for Protection

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/01/03/travis-air-force-base-first-get-drone-sentry-protection.html



Raise the Black Flag: Nellis launches new Air Force operational test event

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2020/12/28/raise-the-black-flag-nellis-launches-new-operational-test-event/



Army Seeks Robots to Transport Wounded Troops

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/1/4/army-seeks-robots-to-transport-wounded-troops



The U.S. Army Is Qualifying New Units To Fly The UH-60 With The Controversial M-139 Volcano Mine Delivery System

https://theaviationist.com/2020/12/28/the-u-s-army-is-qualifying-new-units-to-fly-the-uh-60-with-the-controversial-m-139-volcano-mine-delivery-system/



Pain And Frustration

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htatrit/articles/20210104.aspx



Israel delivers new batch of Iron Dome defense system to U.S. Army

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/israel-delivers-new-batch-of-iron-dome-defense-system-to-u-s-army.html



Up Close And Personal With The Mi-24D “Hind” Gunship Helicopter Used As Threat Simulation Aircraft For U.S. Forces

https://theaviationist.com/2021/01/03/up-close-and-personal-with-the-mi-24d-hind-gunship-helicopter-used-as-threat-simulation-aircraft-for-u-s-forces/



Army shares details on new electronic warfare units

https://www.c4isrnet.com/electronic-warfare/2021/01/01/army-shares-details-on-new-electronic-warfare-units/



It’s time to get homeland missile defense right

https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/01/04/its-time-to-get-homeland-missile-defense-right/



US Marine Corps begins widespread fielding of sound suppressors

https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2021_global_security_army_industry/us_marine_corps_begins_widespread_fielding_of_sound_suppressors.html



The Marines are planning historic F-35 operations with the UK, and Air Force is paying close attention

https://www.businessinsider.com/air-force-follows-marine-corps-deploys-f35s-to-uk-2021-1



The Air Force Has Big Plans for Its Flying Car in 2021

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/12/31/air-force-has-big-plans-its-flying-car-2021.html



B-1s Can Make it to Finish Line, But Big Repairs Will Be Common Along the Way

https://www.airforcemag.com/b-1s-can-make-it-to-finish-line-but-big-repairs-will-be-common-along-the-way/



It’s Official: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision On Hold

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38507/its-official-pentagon-puts-f-35-full-rate-production-decision-on-hold



Choose Corruption Or Valor

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/articles/20201229.aspx



Report to Congress on Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter

https://news.usni.org/2020/12/31/report-to-congress-on-coast-guard-polar-security-cutter-10



Massive Surge: Navy Plans Increase in Attack Submarines from 54 to 72 by 2045

https://defensemaven.io/warriormaven/sea/massive-surge-navy-plans-increase-in-attack-submarines-from-54-to-72-by-2045-Wwod1IhWqEKVSjP1-mOHvQ

[SolomonW]

On Mon, 4 Jan 2021 11:04:31 -0800 (PST), dump...@hotmail.com wrote:

> Explainer-How close is Iran to producing a nuclear bomb?
>
> https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-explainer/explainer-how-close-is-iran-to-producing-a-nuclear-bomb-idUSKBN2991DK

You do not need 90%

In theory anything over 20% can make a bomb, Little Boy was 80% enriched
uranium.

[Dean Markley]

That is true but as enrichment increases, yield can too. The Iranians are not going to be satisfied with a warhead that gives 1-5 KT. Not when they know very well that the Israeli ones that will be fired back are over 100X that yield.