After F-16, France to Supply Ukraine with Mirage 2000-5 Jets and Train Pilots by End of Year

 

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will provide Mirage 2000-5 jets to Ukraine and begin pilot training this summer, aiming for completion by the year's end. Macron revealed this in an interview with TF1 and France 2 during the D-Day commemorations in Normandy, where he was joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

France is forming a coalition with other nations to supply the jets, similar to the European coalition providing Ukraine with F-16 fighters. Macron stated, "We will launch a new cooperation program and transfer Mirage 2000-5 jets to enable Ukraine to defend its territory and airspace. Pilot training will start immediately, followed by the aircraft transfer."

The Mirage 2000-5, produced by Dassault Aviation, is an advanced air defense variant with enhanced radar and compatibility with Mica air-to-air missiles and Scalp cruise missiles, the latter already supplied to Ukraine. Macron did not specify the number of jets but mentioned details would be shared when Zelenskyy visits Paris.

"The critical factor is the training duration, typically five to six months. We'll propose to President Zelenskyy that pilots start training this summer in France, so they can operate the aircraft by year-end," Macron added.

Other countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have also pledged to supply F-16 jets to Ukraine, with pilot training ongoing in various European nations.

Additionally, France plans to train and equip a brigade of 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers. Macron noted that training on Ukrainian soil, particularly in the western regions, would not escalate tensions with Russia.

Macron emphasized that Ukraine has the right to use French weapons to target Russian positions attacking Ukraine, stating, "Restricting such use would prevent Ukrainians from defending against bombings. The limit is dictated by Russian actions."

Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu and several defense firms, including KNDS, Thales, MBDA, Dassault Aviation, and Arquus, in Paris. He will also sign a letter of intent with KNDS to establish a unit in Ukraine, according to the Armed Forces Ministry.

Australia Seeks Foreign Shipbuilders for Urgent Frigate Procurement Under Project Sea 3000

 

Australia is urgently seeking foreign shipbuilders to procure general-purpose frigates as part of Project Sea 3000, according to the Defence Department's statement to Defense News. On May 24, the government issued requests for information to shipbuilders from Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Spain. A department spokesperson withheld further details, citing the commercial, procurement, and probity processes still in progress.

The “Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet” review, released in February, recommended replacing eight existing Anzac-class frigates with eleven new general-purpose frigates. To expedite this, the initial three frigates will be constructed overseas, with the remainder built in Western Australia.

The review highlighted Germany’s MEKO A-200, Japan’s 30FFM, South Korea’s FFX from the second and third batches, and Spain’s Alfa 3000 as potential candidates. The rationale for grouping the two FFX batches as a single platform was not clarified.

Shipbuilders were given four weeks to respond to the initial request and an additional three weeks to outline how subsequent frigates could be constructed in Australia. The selection process is expected to conclude next year, with the first overseas-built ship to be commissioned by 2030. The fourth through sixth vessels, to be built in Australia, will follow the same design baseline. Decisions on the design of the seventh through eleventh frigates have not yet been made.

By 2026, the Royal Australian Navy's surface combatant fleet will consist of nine hulls, highlighting a capability gap before the new frigates are delivered.

Shipbuilders approached by Defense News declined to provide details on Australia’s procurement effort. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems of Germany confirmed their participation in the tender but refrained from further comment. South Korean shipbuilders Hyundai Heavy Industries, SK Oceanplant, and Hanwha Ocean are currently constructing six Ulsan-class FFX-III vessels, with Hyundai confirming receipt of Australia's request for information.

Hyundai Heavy Industries emphasized its competitive edge in warship construction, highlighting its experience in research and development and the building of the latest Ulsan-class frigate.

Rear Adm. Stephen Hughes, head of naval capabilities for Australia, mentioned at the Combined Naval Event conference in the U.K. on May 23 that the country is leveraging existing designs to expedite the integration of new vessels into the fleet. However, he acknowledged potential challenges since the weapon systems, sensors, and technologies chosen by the original customers of these ships might be unfamiliar to the Royal Australian Navy. Notably, the Saab 9LB combat management system and Australian-made CEA Technologies radars, currently used by the Australian fleet, are not included in these designs.

Hughes described the acquisition process as an opportunity rather than a risk, emphasizing the importance of making informed and wise choices regarding the new designs.

Hezbollah Destroys Israeli Iron Dome with Iranian Almas Missile: Details and Implications

 In a significant show of strength, Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah recently claimed to have destroyed Israel's famed 'Iron Dome' using an Iranian-made missile. On June 5, Hezbollah announced it had struck an Iron Dome launcher near Ramot Naftali, referred to by the group as "northern occupied Palestine."

A video released by Hezbollah confirmed the strike, showing a guided missile hitting the launcher. The following day, photos and information circulated on social media, indicating that the Iron Dome battery was destroyed by an Iran-origin Almas missile, reportedly supplied to Hezbollah by Tehran.

Various military bloggers and open-source intelligence accounts confirmed that Hezbollah used the 'Almas-3' anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) for the attack. Ironically, the Almas is based on Israel's Spike ATGM. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not officially acknowledged the destruction, with some pro-Israeli bloggers suggesting the target could have been a decoy or inactive launcher.

Elijah J. Magnier, a veteran Middle East correspondent, noted on social media that Hezbollah's action was a message to stop the war on Gaza, implying that the Lebanese front would cease its activities in response. Pro-Iranian commentators praised the effectiveness of Iranian weapons, highlighting the Almas missile's capabilities.

The Almas missile is believed to be an Iranian reverse-engineered version of Israel's Spike missile, captured by Hezbollah during the 2006 war and subsequently brought to Iran. Hezbollah has been using various Iranian-supplied weapons against Israel since October last year.

Hezbollah's video of the attack shows the Almas missile approaching and striking the Iron Dome launcher. This wasn't the first use of the Almas against Israel; earlier footage from January showed the missile being used against an Israeli intelligence installation near the Lebanon border.

The Almas missile, capable of precise indirect attacks, poses a significant threat to Israeli military and border infrastructure. The Spike missile, used by the IDF with great success, is renowned for its precision and first-person control capabilities. The Almas' possession by Hezbollah, therefore, is concerning for Israel.

The Almas, meaning 'Diamond' in Persian, is a high-precision anti-tank guided missile developed by Iran and supplied to Hezbollah. The missile's sophisticated technology reflects Iran's robust missile development capabilities, with a range of about eight kilometers and a tandem warhead designed for high precision.

Hezbollah's acquisition of advanced weapons like the Almas underscores Iran's extensive support, providing the militant group with sophisticated missiles and rockets. Iran has a history of replicating Western ammunition, demonstrating its ability to produce weapons close to the originals in capability.

The development and deployment of the Almas missile by Hezbollah highlight the evolving threat landscape and the growing sophistication of Iran's missile technology, posing new challenges for Israel's defense systems.

Turkey's Hürjet and Anka-III Unmanned Aircraft Conduct Joint Flight, Showcasing Growing Military Prowess

 

In a remarkable display of Turkey's advancing military capabilities, two indigenously developed aircraft—the Hürjet trainer jet and the Anka-III unmanned combat aircraft—recently completed a joint flight.

Local media reports revealed that the ANKA-3 Flying Wing Unmanned Combat Aircraft and the HÜRJET, Turkey's first domestically built supersonic jet, flew together. During the test, the aircraft reached an altitude of 7,000 feet, flew at 165 knots, and remained airborne for 50 minutes.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that this joint flight marked the ANKA III's eighth sortie and the HÜRJET's 66th. This joint operation could signify the beginning of future collaborations, considering the Hürjet's role as a trainer aircraft and the Anka-III's as an unmanned jet. Analysts note this is significant as TAI plans to integrate manned-unmanned teaming in its next-generation stealth aircraft, 'KAAN', utilizing a data link for coordination.

The Anka-III made its maiden flight last year, following its development initiation in 2022. This medium-altitude UAV, designed for long-endurance surveillance, boasts a 30-hour endurance and can operate at 30,000 feet, covering 250 kilometers. The stealth UCAV, weighing 6.5 tonnes with a payload capacity of 750 kilograms, first flew on December 28, 2023.

The Anka-III is capable of various missions, including electronic warfare, ISR operations, and precision strikes, often overseen by ground stations. Its stealth design aims to withstand combat missions, such as electronic warfare and the suppression of enemy air defenses.

TAI is enhancing Anka-III's capabilities, with plans for a supersonic version featuring two engines, as confirmed by TAI CEO Temel Kotil.

The Hürjet, an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft, made its maiden flight on April 23, as announced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on April 25. The aircraft, which has completed 66 sorties in over a year, gained attention after TAI won a contract to supply light combat aircraft to the Royal Malaysian Air Force, although it lost the tender to South Korea's FA-50.

Despite this setback, Turkey continues its efforts to export the Hürjet, recently entering Spain's tender to replace its F-5 trainer aircraft. Some analysts view the Hürjet as a competitor to Boeing's T-7 Red Hawk, which has faced delays. TAI hopes to market the Hürjet internationally before the T-7.

Hürjet is part of TAI's ambitious projects, including the Anka-III and KAAN fighter jets. The trainer is scheduled for its first overseas flight in Egypt this year, aiming to attract international customers. This recent flight underscores the rapid progress the aircraft has made in just a year.

US Navy and Taiwan Conduct Unplanned Military Exercises in West Pacific Amid Rising Tensions with China

 

In an unannounced move showcasing growing maritime cooperation, the U.S. and Taiwan conducted impromptu military exercises in the West Pacific. This development comes amid rising tensions between Taiwan and China, ahead of the inauguration of Taiwan's president-elect, Lai Ching-te. According to unnamed sources cited by Reuters, the drills took place during routine naval encounters.

One source mentioned the involvement of “multiple military assets,” while another highlighted that these exercises were unofficially termed “unplanned sea encounters,” implying a tacit agreement that these drills were coincidental rather than premeditated.

These exercises occurred between a series of scheduled high-profile drills. In mid-April, the U.S. conducted a trilateral exercise with Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) vessels, focusing on interoperability and warfighting capabilities. Shortly after, the Balikatan 24 exercise in the Philippines involved the U.S., Philippine, Australian, and French forces, concentrating on counter-landing operations and maritime domain awareness.

During the unplanned U.S.-Taiwan drills, around six ships, including supply vessels and frigates, engaged in basic communications, resupply operations, and joint anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises. These drills are critical for ensuring operational compatibility between the two navies in emergencies, involving tactical maneuvers and underwater target searches.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense spokesperson, Major General Sun Li-fang, stated that the exercises adhered to the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), which manages interactions between different militaries at sea. This protocol was previously utilized in 2016 during an encounter between the USS Chafee and three ROCN ships.

The disclosure of these exercises follows Taiwanese Chief of General Staff Admiral Mei Chia-shu’s visit to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) change of command ceremony in Hawaii in early May. Shortly after, China conducted significant military exercises around Taiwan, labeled “Joint Sword-2024A,” which involved near-encirclement maneuvers similar to those after Nancy Pelosi's visit in 2022.

In late May, the U.S. began Tiger Strike 2024 with Malaysia, focusing on amphibious warfare and multi-domain awareness. Early June saw the announcement of the “Freedom Edge” exercise, a first-time trilateral drill involving the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.

These high-profile activities in the West Pacific lead up to the Rim of the Pacific 2024 (RIMPAC 24) exercises, scheduled from June 28 to August 2, involving 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel. The Italian carrier Cavour and a French Navy FREMM air defense frigate will also participate.

US Air Force Nears Breakthrough in Rapid Electronic Warfare Updates

 The U.S. Air Force is on the brink of being able to update its electronic warfare (EW) systems with new battlefield data in just a few hours, significantly faster than the current process, a key commander said on Wednesday.

Col. Josh Koslov, head of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, has aimed for a rapid three-hour update window for EW systems, a goal he once considered a “moonshot.” Speaking in a webcast hosted by C4ISRNET, Koslov revealed that this target is now within reach.

“We're very close to that, if not already achieving it, for most systems under the spectrum warfare wing,” said Koslov. He noted that more than half of the 70 EW systems managed by his wing can now be updated in three hours or less.

However, many of these systems have unique characteristics, and Koslov emphasized the need for interoperability and open architecture standards to streamline rapid data updates. To support this, the Air Force must develop data production methods that can handle large-scale data processing and quickly relay updates to the field.

Koslov and Brig. Gen. Ed Barker, the Army’s program executive officer for intelligence, electronic warfare, and sensors, discussed the necessity of swift updates to EW systems in future conflicts against advanced adversaries, where battlefield conditions and threats change rapidly.

“Data is the weapon,” Koslov stated. “We must continue to pressure the adversary to gain an advantage and achieve our objectives. Data processing is the key to making that happen.” This involves integrating data from all sources within the joint force, analyzing it to identify new threats, and developing countermeasures to deploy swiftly.

To achieve rapid updates, the Air Force has revised its tactics, techniques, and procedures with a stronger focus on warfighting. Whether updates can be made remotely or require physical connection depends on the specific EW system, with data being processed at locations like Eglin Air Force Base or other reprogramming centers.

This capability will be crucial in major conflicts, such as those involving China or North Korea, where joint forces would be dispersed across the Pacific. “It’s not effective if a new capability is limited to one area,” Koslov said. “We need to distribute it across the force, and centralizing the process is the way to do that moving forward.”

Since its activation in 2021, the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing has expanded its capabilities, recently adding two new squadrons: the 388th at Eglin and the 563rd at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The 563rd focuses on developing new EW software for operational units, while the 388th studies adversaries like China to find ways to counter their digital capabilities.

The wing’s next objective is to build the 950th Spectrum Warfare Group at Robins, set to be fully operational by 2027. This group will assess and enhance EW systems in Air Force combat aircraft. “We need to evaluate the performance of our platforms and our tactics, techniques, and procedures to ensure we are effective in the EW spectrum,” Koslov concluded.

US Test-Fires Minuteman III Missiles Amid Call for Modernization of Nuclear Arsena

The U.S. military conducted test launches of two unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles this week, emphasizing that these tests were not influenced by current global events. The Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees part of the United States' nuclear triad, carried out the tests on June 4 and June 6 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Defense News has reached out to confirm the success of these tests. In the June 4 announcement, Col. Chris Cruise, head of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, highlighted the importance of the U.S. nuclear program for global security, stating that the test demonstrated the readiness and reliability of the ICBM system and underscored the continuous alert status maintained by U.S. forces.

The missiles' reentry vehicles traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. These reentry vehicles, which carry nuclear warheads, are designed to separate from the missile, travel through space, and reenter the Earth’s atmosphere to reach their targets.

Initially operational in the 1970s and intended for a decade of use, the Minuteman III ICBM system remains in service nearly 50 years later and will continue until the 2030s, according to Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chair of the House Armed Services Committee. Earlier in the month, the Air Force had to intentionally destroy an unarmed ICBM during a test due to an anomaly.

Rep. Rogers emphasized the need to modernize the aging nuclear deterrent, advocating for the replacement of the Minuteman III and other nuclear systems with modern technology. The Air Force is developing a new ICBM, named Sentinel, though the program faces delays and cost overruns, with the first test flight now scheduled for February 2026.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. John Garamendi of California have expressed concerns over the Air Force’s inconsistent timeline for the Sentinel program, noting that while the Minuteman III is expected to remain viable until the mid-2030s, the Air Force plans to maintain it for 15 to 20 more years as the Sentinel is phased in. The Minuteman III will thus be relied upon until at least 2036.