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Middle East
US military operations unaffected by diplomatic fight with Turkey – Pentagon
The ongoing diplomatic spat between the United States and Turkey has had no impact on U.S. military operations, the Pentagon said
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Business
Lebanon receives 2 Super Tucano light attack aircraft from US
Lebanon received two Super Tucano light-attack aircraft from the United States. The planes were handed over at the Hamat air base near Beirut.
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Business
Foreign minister: Turkey can back out of Russian S-400 deal without technology transfer
Turkish authorities could annul the deal to purchase Russian S-400 air defense missile system if Moscow refuses to transfer technology, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday. “We have heard no official refusal on that score. [Russia’s President Vladimir] Putin told us we may take steps for joint production. Know-how will be crucial. If Russia’s attitude is negative, we may clinch a deal with another country,” Mr. Cavusoglu said in an interview with Aksam. Turkey and Russia had largely agreed on conditions for the S-400 deal, worth some $2.5 billion, over the summer. However, the agreement was officially signed only in September, when Ankara made an advance payment. Vladimir Kozhin, the Russian presidential aide for military and technical cooperation, said last month that Moscow and Ankara were not discussing technology transfer at the time. “We are not speaking about it, as yet we speak only about supplies of ready weapons, technologies – no,” he said. According to Kozhin, Turkey wants to see the systems delivered before 2019, and the issue is still under discussion. Russia’s S-400 Triumf long-and medium-range air defense missile system can use five different missile types to destroy aerial targets including both planes and other missiles at a range …
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Middle East
Pentagon: US strike in Yemen on October 4 killed AQAP terrorist
The U.S. military carried out a strike in Yemen on October 4 that resulted in death of an AQAP militant, a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed to The Defense Post
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Business
US State Dept approves $15 billion THAAD missile defense sale to Saudi Arabia
The U.S. Department of State approved on Friday, October 6 the possible sale of 44 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense launchers to Saudi Arabia worth $15 billion, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a release. A State Department official told The Defense Post on Friday that the sale would further U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, since it supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region “in the face of Iranian and other regional threats.” “This sale, valued at up to $15 billion, is part of the $110 Billion package of defense equipment and services initially announced during the President’s May trip to Saudi Arabia,” the official added. The potential sale also includes 360 THAAD Interceptor Missiles, 16 THAAD Fire Control and Communications Mobile Tactical Station Group and seven AN/TPY-2 THAAD radars. Test and maintenance equipment, as well as spare parts and personnel training equipment are also included in the package. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Corporation and Raytheon Corporation will be the principal contractors for the deal. The news of the potential sale came one day after Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense signed deals with Moscow to purchase Russia’s competing S-400 missile defense systems and other …
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Africa
Body of fourth US service member recovered in Niger
The Nigerien military recovered the body of a 4th U.S. service member who was killed along with three Green Berets ambushed during a patrol on Wednesday
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Business
Northrop Grumman to produce surveillance drones for Japan under $130 million contract
Northrop Grumman was awarded a $130.5 million contract for three Global Hawk surveillance drones intended for Japan, the U.S. Department of Defense said.
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Americas
Hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico delay deployment of US troops to Afghanistan
Deployment of U.S. troops to Afghanistan has been delayed due to ongoing hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico, Joint Staff Director Lieutenant General Kenneth F. McKenzie said on Thursday. “Forces are flowing to Afghanistan. They have been slightly delayed by ongoing hurricane relief efforts,” McKenzie told reporters. “There is a finite number of transport aircraft the U.S. Transportation Command has.” The general added that the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan is currently “in the vicinity of 11,000.” Washington has pledged some 3,000 additional servicemen. U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis said on Tuesday the troops would provide advisory and fire support to the Afghan military. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello said during a press conference in San Juan on Thursday that more than 11,000 Defense Department personnel are helping the territory to recover from devastating conscequences of Hurricane Maria.
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Business
Saudi Arabia to buy Russian S-400 missile defense systems
Saudi Arabia is to buy Russian S-400 missile defense systems, Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, thermobaric rockets, grenade launchers and assault rifles.
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Business
US State Department approves $113 million medium-range missile sale to Japan
The U.S. State Department approved $113 million sale of 56 AIM 120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Japan.
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