Global defense news, analysis and opinion

NATO launches new multinational division in Romania

NATO launched a new 10-country multinational force from in Romania to counter Russia in southeast Europe in the Black Sea

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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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Coalition conducts 98 strikes in 3 days near Raqqa, Syria – CJTF-OIR

The U.S.-led Coalition conducted 98 strikes near Raqqa, Syria between October 6 and 8, Operation Inherent Resolve said

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Russia to provide air support to Turkish operation in Syria, Erdogan says

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that a "serious operation" has begun in Idlib province in Syria and that Russia will provide air support.

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2 Saudi soldiers killed, 3 injured in attack on Jeddah royal palace guard post

Two Saudi soldiers were shot dead and three others were wounded in an attack on a guard post at the Peace Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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$1.1 billion contract to construct 2 more littoral combat ships for US Navy

Austal USA and Lockheed Martin were awarded contracts worth more that $1.1 billion combined to build two littoral combat ships, the Pentagon said

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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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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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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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Coalition: Russian allegations that ISIS uses At Tanf to launch Syria attacks are false

Russian claims that ISIS uses At Tanf deconfliction zone to launch attacks and that US uses refugees as human shields are false allegations, Coalition says

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