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U.S. State Department approves $3.99 Billion MQ-9B sale to India

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In a move solidifying the U.S.-India strategic partnership and bolstering its maritime surveillance capabilities, India has secured a potential $3.99 billion deal for 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian armed drones and a comprehensive support package. The State Department officially approved the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) on Feb. 1st, paving the way for negotiations with prime contractor General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

210421-N-FC670-086 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 21, 2021) An MQ-9 Sea Guardian unmanned maritime surveillance aircraft system flies over the Pacific Ocean during U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Unmanned Systems Integrated Battle Problem (UxS IBP) 21, April 21. UxS IBP 21 integrates manned and unmanned capabilities into challenging operational scenarios to generate warfighting advantages. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe)

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CIWS on board USS Gravely shot down cruise missile fired by Houthis

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A cruise missile launched by Houthi rebels into the Red Sea on the night of Jan. 30th came within a nautical mile of the USS Gravely, marking the closest such attack on a U.S. warship to date, CNN reported. The missile was ultimately destroyed by the ship’s Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), marking the first time this defensive system has seen combat action on a warship.

Flickr - Official U.S. Navy Imagery - USS Gravely is underway for UNITAS.
Official Navy Page from United States of AmericaLt. Cmdr. Corey Barker/U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Swiss Air Force takes flight on the autobahn: F/A-18s to land and takeoff on motorway

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The Swiss Air Force is set for a unique exercise, testing the viability of using the A1 motorway near Payerne as a makeshift airfield for F/A-18 fighter jets. This unprecedented move, approved by the government and scheduled for Jun. 4-6 aims to enhance the flexibility and adaptability of the nation’s air defense capabilities.

Meiringen Airbase (7139547227)
Peter Gronemann from Switzerland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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U.K. considers aircraft carrier deployment to Red Sea amidst regional tensions

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The United Kingdom is reportedly considering deploying an aircraft carrier to the Red Sea to fill a potential security gap following the planned departure of the U.S. Navy’s USS Dwight D Eisenhower. This development comes amidst ongoing tensions in the region, fueled by Houthi rebel attacks on shipping vessels.

FULL UK CARRIER STRIKE GROUP ASSEMBLED FOR FIRST TIME
The full UK Carrier Strike Group assembled for the first time during Group Exercise 2020 on 4th October. Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth leads a flotilla of destroyers and frigates from the UK, US and the Netherlands, together with two Royal Fleet Auxiliaries. It is the most powerful task force assembled by any European Navy in almost 20 years.

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GLSDB is ready to see combat use by Ukraine

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In a development poised to potentially alter the landscape of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Boeing’s Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) is on the cusp of delivery to the Ukrainian military. This long-range precision munition, capable of striking targets up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) away, underwent successful testing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida before its imminent deployment. According to Politico, the weapons could be delivered to Ukraine on the last day of January, 2024.

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