Alert 5

General Atomics awarded contract for Taiwan MQ-9B procurement

Posted on May 3, 2023May 3, 2023 by alert5

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, a company based in Poway, California, has secured a contract to supply Taiwan with four MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned air vehicles. The contract, which is valued at $217.6 million, also includes two Certifiable Ground Control Stations, spares, and support equipment. The work is expected to be completed by May 5, 2025, and will be performed in Poway.

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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RSAF conducting Exercise Wombat 23 in Australia

Posted on May 3, 2023 by alert5

Exercise Wombat 23 is taking place in Australia until Jun. 5, and it involves the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) conducting mobility training with the support of the Australian Defence Force. The exercise will involve two C-130H transport aircraft and approximately 100 personnel.

Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Saga prefecture osprey deployment plan progresses with land sale agreement

Posted on May 2, 2023 by alert5

In Saga Prefecture, Japan, a landowners association has agreed to sell land next to Saga Airport to the Defense Ministry to facilitate the deployment of Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft. The decision came after more than two-thirds of around 250 members of the Saga prefectural fisheries cooperative federation, which includes local seaweed farmers, agreed to the sale. The Ministry’s plan to deploy 17 Osprey aircraft and around 50 helicopters to the new base will now move forward, using Saga Airport’s runway.

By Cpl Christopher Q. Stone [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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Kagoshima residents favor deployment of missiles with enemy base attack capability

Posted on May 2, 2023 by alert5

In a survey conducted by the Minami Nihon Shimbun on public awareness, respondents were asked about their opinions on the deployment of long-range counterattack missiles to Kagoshima. The results showed that 52.9% were in favor, which was 12.6 points higher than the 40.3% who were opposed.

防衛省, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons