Af/Pak & Other News (4/13/2021)

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Taliban refuse to attend summit on Afghan peace in Turkey if held this week -spokesman

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-afghanistan-turkey-taliban/taliban-refuse-to-attend-summit-on-afghan-peace-in-turkey-if-held-this-week-spokesman-idUSKBN2BZ29A



Biden to order all US troops out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11

https://www.militarytimes.com/breaking-news/2021/04/13/biden-to-order-all-us-troops-out-of-afghanistan-by-sept-11/









Is India planning to spy on Chinese submarines from the Andamans, with a little help from Japan?

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3129389/india-planning-spy-chinese-submarines-andamans-little-help-japan



India Wants Wants a Crack At Building Its Very Own 'F-35' Fighter

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/india-wants-wants-crack-building-its-very-own-f-35-fighter-182616



GhalibKabir on Future Indian Alpha SSN issues

https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2021/04/ghalibkabir-on-future-indian-alpha-ssn.html









Iran 'suspends' cooperation with EU on multiple fronts after officials blacklisted

https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210413-iran-halts-cooperation-with-eu-in-various-areas-following-blacklist-of-officials



Official: Iran to enrich uranium to 60%, highest level ever

https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-iran-nuclear-united-arab-emirates-dubai-5ee1f4cdca4ea2470c564ff3908015a0



Iran: So Many Enemies

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/iran/articles/20210413.aspx



Analysis: Iran’s powerful Guard faces scrutiny after attacks

https://apnews.com/article/analysis-iran-revolutionary-guard-c595ad17da3a67d049648825a94fb502



Natanz attack hit 50 meters underground, destroyed most of the facility

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/natanz-attack-destroyed-facility-50-meters-underground-664979



Natanz blast took out main power and backup, Iranian official acknowledges

https://www.timesofisrael.com/natanz-blast-caused-by-remote-detonated-bomb-took-out-power-and-backup-report/



'Remotely Detonated Device' Blew Up Iran's Natanz Nuke Site

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/iran-nuclear-plant-blast-caused-by-remotely-detonated-explosive-report-says-1.9707081



Retired Navy admiral says U.S. looks either 'complicit' or 'ignorant' in Iran nuclear facility blackout

https://theweek.com/speedreads/976989/retired-navy-admiral-says-looks-either-complicit-ignorant-iran-nuclear-facility-blackout



Iran fires missile at Israeli-owned ship near UAE - report

https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/israeli-ship-attacked-near-uae-report-665030









Iraqi Kurds Say Major IS Attack on Capital Was Foiled

https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/iraqi-kurds-say-major-attack-capital-was-foiled









Elite Syrian Regime Unit Dumped Chlorine on Rebel-Held City in 2018 Attack

https://www.thedailybeast.com/elite-syrian-regime-unit-dumped-chlorine-on-rebel-held-city-from-helicopter









The story of the Jordanian F-104A Starfighters that shot down a Jordanian Hunter which tried to shot down the Alouette III helicopter carrying Jordanian King Hussein

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the-story-of-the-jordanian-f-104a-starfighters-that-shot-down-a-jordanian-hunter-which-tried-to-shot-down-the-alouette-iii-helicopter-carrying-jordanian-king-hussein/









Israelis May Ban High Tech Cars From Bases: ‘Perfect Espionage Vector’

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/04/israelis-may-ban-teslas-other-high-tech-cars-from-military-bases-the-perfect-espionage-vector/



Barak ER development finalised and in production

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/barak-er-development-finalised-and-in-production









Ever Given Seized for Blocking Suez Canal as Egypt Demands $900m Compensation

https://www.newsweek.com/ever-given-seized-blocking-suez-canal-egypt-demands-900m-compensation-1583203




Pentagon chief orders review of deadly 2020 attack in Kenya

https://apnews.com/article/europe-lloyd-austin-army-africa-stuttgart-a805db562cc02fc3b2c0e8a1acc0137b









Ukraine Turns To West For Fighters; Plans To Drop MiG Fleet

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/04/ukraine-turns-to-west-for-fighters-plans-to-drop-mig-fleet/



'They Want the West to Be Frightened.' Ukraine's President on Why Russia Sent Troops to the Border

https://time.com/5954068/zelensky-ukraine-russia-standoff/



Ukraine accuses Russia of blocking talks to defuse tense military stand-off

https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-accuses-russia-blocking-talks-165113544.html



Russia calls U.S. an adversary, warns its warships to avoid Crimea

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia/russia-calls-u-s-an-adversary-warns-its-warships-to-avoid-crimea-idUSKBN2C00WD



Russia concerned over emergence of Turkish combat drones in Ukraine

https://defence-blog.com/news/russia-concerned-over-emergence-of-turkish-combat-drones-in-ukraine.html



Top Kremlin Mouthpiece Warns of ‘Inevitable’ War With U.S. Over Another Ukraine Land Grab

https://www.thedailybeast.com/top-kremlin-mouthpiece-warns-of-inevitable-war-with-us-over-another-ukraine-land-grab



Russian Knights Aerobatic Demonstration Team Celebrates 30th Anniversary

https://fighterjetsworld.com/air/russian-knights-aerobatic-demonstration-team-celebrates-30th-anniversary/25562/



Russian newest radar system spotted in downtown Orenburg

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/russian-newest-radar-system-spotted-in-downtown-orenburg.html



Articulated Gun Pods Allowed Soviet Aircraft To Fire Backwards, Downwards, And Even Sideways

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40020/articulated-gun-pods-allowed-soviet-aircraft-to-fire-backwards-downwards-and-even-sideways



Russia Is Trying To Restore a Giant Nuclear Battlecruiser—It’s Not Working Out

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/04/13/russia-is-trying-to-restore-a-giant-nuclear-battlecruiser-its-not-working-out/



Russia’s T-95: The Super Tank Putin Wishes He Built?

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/04/russias-t-95-the-super-tank-putin-wishes-he-built/



Russia Establishing First Robot Tank Unit

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/04/13/russia-robot-tank-unit/



Russian military employs Pantsir-S SPAAGMs to engage ground targets

https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_april_2021_global_security_army_industry/russian_military_employs_pantsir-s_spaagms_to_engage_ground_targets.html



How Russia Spreads Disinformation About the Second Karabakh War

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/how-russia-spreads-disinformation-about-second-karabakh-war-182635




NATO, U.S. demand Russia end Ukraine build-up, West examines options

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-nato/nato-u-s-demand-russia-end-ukraine-build-up-west-examines-options-idUSKBN2C011C




Fury in Armenia as Azerbaijan displays war trophies

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/13/fury-in-armenia-as-azerbaijan-displays-war-trophies




The US is sending 500 extra troops to Germany, Defense Secretary Austin says, as Russia amasses troops at Europe's border

https://www.businessinsider.com/us-sending-500-more-troops-germany-lloyd-austin-2021-4




Italian military chief envisions the Tempest fighter zapping missiles

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/04/13/italian-military-chief-envisions-the-tempest-fighter-zapping-missiles/




France: Naval Group Started “Transplanting” a Damaged SSN with a Decommissioned Submarine

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/04/naval-group-started-transplanting-a-damaged-ssn-with-a-decomissioned-submarine/




Israeli firm offers Royal Navy ‘Sea Serpent’ missile

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/israeli-firm-offers-royal-navy-sea-serpent-anti-surface-missile/



Glimpse of first new Type 26 Frigate in build in Glasgow

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/glimpse-of-first-new-type-26-frigate-in-build-in-glasgow/









China Warplanes Simulated Attack on U.S. Aircraft Carrier, Defense Analysts Say

https://www.newsweek.com/china-warplanes-simulated-attack-us-aircraft-carrier-defense-analysts-say-1583112



Yes, China Has the World’s Largest Navy. That Matters Less Than You Might Think.

https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/yes-china-has-the-worlds-largest-navy-that-matters-less-than-you-might-think/



The Chinese next-gen aircraft for aircraft carrier could be FC-31 variant

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/focus-analysis/naval-technology/9981-the-chinese-next-gen-aircraft-for-aircraft-carrier-could-be-fc-31-variant.html



A 35-year CIA veteran explains what China's up to around Taiwan and what the US should do about it

https://www.businessinsider.com/cia-veteran-on-china-plans-for-taiwan-and-us-response-2021-4



'Taiwan is Part of China,' Says Chinese Navy Warship During Encounter With Taiwanese Vessel

https://www.newsweek.com/taiwan-part-china-says-chinese-navy-warship-during-encounter-taiwanese-vessel-1583218



China Fighter Jets Will Fly Over Taiwan to Declare Sovereignty, State Media Says

https://www.newsweek.com/china-fighter-jets-will-fly-over-taiwan-declare-sovereignty-state-media-says-1583109





Taiwan launches new amphibious vessel with anti-ship missiles

https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/04/13/taiwan-launches-new-amphibious-vessel-with-anti-ship-missiles/





Whitsun Reef row: could the Philippines lose another South China Sea feature to Beijing?

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3129409/whitsun-reef-row-could-philippines-lose-another-south-china-sea





Mil Mi-8 Helicopter Set On Fire By Armed Militants At Ilaga Airport

https://fighterjetsworld.com/latest-news/aircraft-crash/mil-mi-8-helicopter-set-on-fire-by-armed-militants-at-ilaga-airport/25514/





Indonesia receives first batch of Chinese-made AR-2 missiles for its CH-4 UAVs

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indonesia-receives-first-batch-of-chinese-made-ar-2-missiles-for-its-ch-4-uavs





Japan has to pay more for F-15JSI because of the switch from DEWS to EPAWSS

http://alert5.com/2021/04/13/japan-has-to-pay-more-for-f-15jsi-because-of-the-switch-from-dews-to-epawss/





Report: North Korea may have almost 250 nuclear weapons by 2027

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/04/13/nkorea-North-Korea-may-have-242-nuclear-weapons-by-2027/9961618301306/





Lockheed Martin gets $447M to build 12 MH-60R helicopters for South Korean Navy

https://defbrief.com/2021/04/13/lockheed-martin-gets-447m-to-build-12-mh-60r-helicopters-for-south-korean-navy/



South Korea’s New KF-21 Fighter Is More An Alternative To Chinese Influence Than To The F-35

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erictegler/2021/04/13/south-koreas-new-kf-21-fighter-is-more-an-alternative-to-chinese-influence-than-to-the-f-35/



Korea’s New KF-21 Jet Isn’t A Stealth Fighter—But Could Evolve Into One

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/korea%E2%80%99s-new-kf-21-jet-isn%E2%80%99t-stealth-fighter%E2%80%94-could-evolve-one-182600



North Korea SLBM-related activities draw reaction from South

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/04/12/nkorea-North-Korea-SLBM-activity-reaction/4441618239858/



South Korean Army Vows Early Deployment of ‘Dronebot’ Combat System

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/04/13/south-korea-dronebot/









Foreign interference in Canada hitting Cold War levels thanks to Covid-19, says spy agency

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/12/americas/canada-spy-cold-war-levels-intl-latam/index.html



Canadian Military Documents UFO Sightings, Intelligence Report Reveals

https://www.vice.com/en/article/z3xbw4/canadian-military-rcaf-documents-ufo-sightings-intelligence-reports-reveal










NTSB: Pilot error likely caused vintage bomber’s fatal crash

https://apnews.com/article/sports-connecticut-transportation-plane-crashes-transportation-safety-2d81f9d31f70d2a5a3d827b0b090bab6



Sailor's Suicide Is the Third Tied to Hawaii's Submarine Force in Past 16 Months

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/04/13/sailors-suicide-third-tied-hawaiis-submarine-force-past-16-months.html



MQ-9 crashed because pilot pulled the wrong lever, twice

http://alert5.com/2021/04/13/mq-9-crashed-because-pilot-pulled-the-wrong-lever-twice/



Today's F-35As Not Worth Including In High-End War Games According To Air Force General

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40142/air-force-general-says-current-generation-f-35as-not-worth-including-in-high-end-wargames



DARPA to move artificial intelligence (AI)-equipped jet fighters to dogfights research in the real world

https://www.militaryaerospace.com/computers/article/14201136/artificial-intelligence-ai-jet-fighters-dogfights



Report reveals an increase in military personnel involved in terrorist attacks, plots

https://warisboring.com/report-reveals-an-increase-in-military-personnel-involved-in-terrorist-attacks-plots/



Here’s how new space tech is helping electronic warfare forces on the ground

https://www.c4isrnet.com/electronic-warfare/2021/04/13/heres-how-new-space-tech-is-helping-electronic-warfare-forces-on-the-ground/



SAR Reveals All To All

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htspace/articles/20210413.aspx



New DRACO Program Will Use Nuclear Propulsion For Future Lunar Missions

https://thedebrief.org/new-draco-program-will-use-nuclear-propulsion-for-future-lunar-missions/



All you need to know about the SR-72 Son of Blackbird: from its conception to its possible cancellation

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-sr-72-son-of-blackbird-from-its-conception-to-its-possible-cancellation/



The Army’s faster way to field tactical network gear gets its first big test

https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/it-networks/2021/04/12/the-armys-faster-way-to-field-tactical-network-gear-gets-its-first-big-test/



USMC to acquire two Reaper UAVs

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/usmc-to-acquire-two-reaper-uavs



USAF finally defeats China in a war game and it borrowed a concept proposed by RAND

http://alert5.com/2021/04/13/usaf-finally-defeats-china-in-a-war-game-and-it-borrowed-a-concept-proposed-by-rand/



US Air Force seeks EO/IR sensor options for MQ-9

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-air-force-seeks-eoir-sensor-options-for-mq-9



KC-135 Tanker Tested With Loyal Wingman Drone

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40136/kc-135-tanker-tested-with-loyal-wingman-drone-as-part-of-major-defensive-upgrade



Lockheed Martin contracts L3Harris for Viper Shield F-16V Block 70/72 electronic warfare system

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/lockheed-martin-contracts-l3harris-for-viper-shield-f-16v-block-7072-electronic-warfare-system



The U.S. Navy Is Testing A Towed Decoy Pod For The P-8A Poseidon

https://theaviationist.com/2021/04/13/the-u-s-navy-is-testing-a-towed-decoy-pod-for-the-p-8a-poseidon/



Navy asks Raytheon for more Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2A anti-air missiles for shipboard defense

https://www.militaryaerospace.com/sensors/article/14201175/shipboard-missiles-antiair



Citing China Concerns, Navy Still Seeks 500-Ship Fleet

https://defensemaven.io/warriormaven/sea/citing-china-concerns-navy-still-seeks-500-ship-fleet-k6WdfMbKck2InSxsbag-5w



Navy's 'Cheap' Littoral Combat Ships Cost Nearly As Much To Run As Guided Missile Destroyers

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40147/littoral-combat-ships-cost-nearly-as-much-to-run-as-guided-missile-destroyers