US Approves Possible Sale of MH-60R Helicopters to Spain
The State Department approved a potential FMS to Spain of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters for an estimated $950 million.
USA News
Air
Air
Japan and the U.S. Hold F-35 Joint Drill For the First Time
The Japan Air Self-Defence Force announced that it had undertaken its first joint exercise with the USAF, employing their respective F-35A fighters.
Bilateral Relations
Biden Approves $13.6 billion aid to Ukraine
President Joe Biden signed a bill to fund the government through September and deliver $13.6 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Air
F-35C Reached the Seashore
The US Navy's F-35C Lightning II fighter jet crashed into the South China Sea on January 24, 2022, landing on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) aircraft carrier.
Bilateral Relations
Defence Politics
Congress settles on $782.5B national defence budget
A bipartisan agreement among Congressional appropriators has brought the US closer to passing a fiscal 2022 budget that includes $782 billion for defence.
Ammunition
Sensors
The US Introduces New Radar Seeker Kit Against Naval Targets
The US Air Force introduced a new kit for general-purpose bombs to sink enemy vessels by employing a seeker-fitted Joint Direct Attack Munition, QUICKSINK.
Bilateral Relations
Regional / Strategy
Biden Administration’s Strategic Mediterranean Tour
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has started her Mediterranean Countries Tour, including Turkey, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt.
Air
U.S. Navy Recovered F-35C from the South China Sea
The U.S. Navy said Thursday that it had retrieved the F-35C fighter jet that had crashed while landing on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in late January.
Cyber Warfare
Russian Cyberattack hit Ukrainian banks
Microsoft Threat Intelligence Centre named malware “FoxBlade” aims at Ukraine government ministries and financial institutions.
Navy / Maritime
Unmanned Systems
The U.S. Demonstrates Snakehead in Water
The U.S. Navy has shared photos from its new Snakehead LDUUV during the christening ceremony of one of the vehicles.
Air
The Philippines Doubled Black Hawk Order
The Philippines decided to procure an extra 32 S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters, which are worth roughly $ 624 million.
Bilateral Relations
China Imposes ‘Countermeasures’ on U.S. Companies
China announced it would take “countermeasures” against U.S. companies for selling U.S. arms worth $100 million to Taiwan.
Navy / Maritime
Regional / Strategy
U.S. Navy Wants to Establish a Naval Force of Over 500 Ships’
According to the U.S. CNO the Navy needs a fleet of more than 500 ships to meet its commitments to the soon-to-be-released NDS.
Bilateral Relations
US to Construct Kuwait MOD Headquarter for 1 Billion USD
The State Department approved the potential FMS construction for the Kuwait Ministry of Defence Headquarters (KMOD) Complex and related equipment,
