• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Political Directors Small Group Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS US Dept. of State 03 Dec 2021 -- The Kingdom of Belgium and the United States hosted a meeting of senior diplomatic representatives from the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS yesterday in Brussels.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DAF COVID-19 Statistics - Dec. 3, 2021 US Air Force 03 Dec 2021
• Department of the Air Force reaches 95% Total Force vaccination rate US Air Force 03 Dec 2021 -- Dec. 2 marked the Department of the Air Force’s deadline for Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Oklahoma Suing Biden Admin to Exempt National Guard From Pentagon's COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Sputnik 03 Dec 2021 -- Earlier this week, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin issued a directive clarifying that all active duty or Ready Reserve members of the US armed forces (including the National Guard) be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by their service's respective deadlines, or face payment withholding and exclusion from required training.
• Ivy Division Crazy Horse crews test Army’s newest 120mm Abrams Main Battle Tank round Army News 03 Dec 2021 -- Deep in the desert here, two Ivy Division tank crews of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team recently tested the Army’s newest 120mm tactical service round.
• U.S. Marines, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force set to begin Exercise Resolute Dragon USMC News 03 Dec 2021 -- U.S. Marines and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, alongside elements from the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army, are set to kick off their largest bilateral training exercise of the year with Resolute Dragon 2021 taking place at multiple training locations across Japan from Dec. 4-17.
• USS Porter Concludes Participation in French Exercise POLARIS US Navy 03 Dec 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) successfully concluded participation in the French exercise POLARIS 21, December 2, 2021.
• Puerto Rico Transports Marines, Heavy Equipment During Resolute Dragon US Navy 03 Dec 2021 -- The expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Puerto Rico (T-EPF 11) is supporting the U.S. Marine Corps during Resolute Dragon 21 in Japan, Dec. 4 - 16.
• 3-year, $8.3 Million Cliff Line Erosion Repair Project Completed by Seabees on Naval Station Rota, Spain US Navy 03 Dec 2021 -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony signifying the completion of the cliff line erosion repair project on Naval Station Rota, Spain (NAVSTA Rota), Nov. 5, 2021.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi DoD 03 Dec 2021
• France signs deal to sell 80 Rafale fighter jets to UAE Press TV 03 Dec 2021 -- The French government has sealed a $19-billion arms trade deal with United Arab Emirates (UAE) to sell 80 Rafale warplanes and 12 military helicopters to the Arab country, France’s Defense Ministry has announced, amid French President Emanuel Macron’s two-day tour to the Persian Gulf region.
• Historical contract for the acquisition of 80 Rafale F4 by the United Arab Emirates Dassault Aviation 03 Dec 2021 -- In the presence of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Vice-Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, signed a historical contract with Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, CEO of Tawazun Economic Council, in charge of security and defense acquisitions, for the acquisition of 80 Rafale F4 for the United Arab Emirates Air Force & Air Defence (UAE AF & AD).
• France, UAE Sign Multi-Billion Dollar Rafale Warplanes Deal Sputnik 03 Dec 2021 -- On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in the United Arab Emirates on an official visit.
• China, Vietnam navies wrap up 31st joint patrol in Beibu Gulf PLA Daily 03 Dec 2021 -- According to relevant agreements between the Chinese and Vietnamese militaries and the routine annual plan, the 31st joint patrol in the Beibu Gulf, conducted by the Chinese PLA Navy and the Vietnam People's Navy, wrapped up successfully on November 26, 2021.
• Modi Gov't Reveals Why India Bought Russia’s S-400 'Triumf' Despite Threat of US Sanctions Sputnik 03 Dec 2021 -- The US State Department said in November that the Biden administration has yet to decide what to do once India takes delivery of the Russian S-400 air defence system. The first batch of the air missile defence system is expected to arrive in India in the second part of this month.
• S-400 Triumf Missile System India PIB 03 Dec 2021 -- A contract has been signed on 05 October 2018 for delivery of S-400 system from Russia. Government is aware of all developments that may impact procurement of Defence Equipment.
• Manufacturing of Defence Equipment India PIB 03 Dec 2021 -- The Government has taken several policy initiatives and brought reforms to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment within the country, with an aim to reduce dependency on imports
• Defence Industrial Corridors India PIB 03 Dec 2021 -- In the General Budget 2018-19, Central Government announced setting up of 02(two) Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) in the country
• Cyber Warfare India PIB 03 Dec 2021 -- A framework for enhancing the Cyber posture of Defence Forces was approved by the GoI/MoD in 2018. Defence Cyber Agency and Army, Navy and Air Force Cyber Groups have been established with specific charter to protect and defend the Defence Forces Information and Communication Technology assets, and deter adversary’s attempts at cyber warfare.
• Strengthening Security India PIB 03 Dec 2021 -- Various steps have been taken by the Government from time to time to strengthen the security of the country. Towards this, the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was created in December, 2019.
• India Scouts to Induct Army's First-Ever Terminal Guided Munitions to Prevent Collateral Damage Sputnik 03 Dec 2021 -- Indian artillery is reorganising itself for the future with 155mm guns as the mainstay with enhanced ranges to optimise the use of ammunition with precision strikes and greater lethality, as well as minimum collateral damage.
• US Reportedly Plans Javelin Missile Delivery to Ukraine, Reneges on Surface-to-Air Missiles Sputnik 03 Dec 2021 -- The Biden administration is considering providing Ukraine with additional anti-tank weapons such as Javelin missiles, but has reneged on providing surface-to-air missiles like Stinger missiles in order not to provoke Russia, CNN reported on Friday.
• Joint Statement by the Secretary of State of the United States of America and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission US Dept. of State 03 Dec 2021 -- The following statement was released by United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell:
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, December 3, 2021 The White House 03 Dec 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 3, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 3 December 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 03 Dec 2021
• Taliban Releases Decree On Women's Rights But Says Nothing About Education, Work RFE/RL Gandhara 03 Dec 2021 -- Afghanistan's Taliban rulers have issued a decree calling for the enforcement of certain women's rights that are already enshrined in Shari'a law, but failed to mention key areas of concern for rights groups and Western governments such as education and work.
• Millions of Afghans Facing Crisis of Hunger and Starvation VOA 03 Dec 2021 -- The U.N. refugee agency warns humanitarian needs in Afghanistan are rising to epic proportions as winter sets in and millions of Afghans face a crisis of hunger and starvation.
• Avoid starvation: ‘Immediate priority’ for 3.5 million Afghans UN News 03 Dec 2021 -- Amidst “truly unprecedented levels” of hunger in Afghanistan, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday that as winter arrives, avoiding widespread starvation “is an immediate priority”. 
• US, EU voice concern over China’s ‘unilateral’ actions at sea Radio Free Asia 03 Dec 2021 -- The European Union and the United States have expressed strong concern over what they see as China’s “problematic and unilateral actions” in the South and East China Seas, as well as the Taiwan Strait.
• At least 16 people, including children, killed in Saudi-led strikes in Yemen’s Ta'izz: Report Press TV 03 Dec 2021 -- At least 16 people, including children, killed in Saudi-led strikes in Yemen’s southwestern province of Ta'izz, a report says, as Saudi Arabia keeps bombing the southern impoverished neighbor in defiance of international calls to end its bloody war.
• ISIS Attacks in Iraq US Dept. of State 03 Dec 2021 -- The United States is deeply concerned by the continued escalation of ISIS attacks throughout Iraq, including the attack yesterday in Makhmour district that took the lives of 10 Peshmerga and three civilians.
• Islamic State Attack Leaves Over Dozen Kurds Dead VOA 03 Dec 2021 -- Bayan Mala Osman, accompanied by her three sons, was at home in the small, secluded Kurdish village in northern Iraq when she heard dogs barking. Her sons grabbed their weapons and walked outside to find the source of the commotion.
• Biden Says He has a Plan to Protect Ukraine from Russia VOA 03 Dec 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters Friday he has been developing a set of initiatives that will make it “very, very difficult” for Russia to escalate the situation at its border with Ukraine, where Moscow has been building up troops and equipment for weeks.
• U.S. Says It Wants To Be Prepared In Case Russia Invades Ukraine, Hopes To Make Aggression 'Very, Very Difficult' RFE/RL 03 Dec 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden's administration says it wants to be prepared in case Russia invades Ukraine and the onus is on Moscow to change its behavior toward its neighbor, as warnings over a buildup of Russian troops near the border intensified on December 3.
• Blinken: US and European allies ‘stand resolutely against’ Russia Press TV 03 Dec 2021 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has again threatened Russia with "serious consequences" if it launches any military action in neighboring Ukraine and said that the United States and European allies are determined to “stand resolutely against” Russia, despite the fact that Moscow has rejected Washington’s allegations of preparing to invade the eastern European country.
• U.S. Calls Russian Military Activity Near Ukraine Cause For 'A Lot Of Concern,' As Kyiv Warns Moscow It Will 'Fight Back' RFE/RL 03 Dec 2021 -- The United States is tracking enough indicators surrounding Russian military activity near Ukraine to trigger "a lot of concern," the top U.S. military officer said on December 2, while Ukraine's defense minister warned of a possible large-scale military offensive by Moscow next month.
• Norway calls on NATO to stay away from its border with Russia Press TV 03 Dec 2021 -- Norway, a NATO member, has called on the US-led military alliance to stay away from its border area near Russia, saying the country’s own armed forces will take care of the strategic region.
• New Norwegian Government to Restrict NATO Traffic Near Russia Sputnik 03 Dec 2021 -- In the words of the country's Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, it is in Norway's best interests to take care of its northernmost areas using its own armed forces, as a means of balancing deterrence with reassurance.
• Russia deploys combat-alert missile systems near Kuril islands claimed by Japan Press TV 03 Dec 2021 -- The Russian military has for the first time deployed coastal missile defense systems near its eastern territory of Kuril Islands, which is also claimed by Japan, a move that is intended to underline Moscow’s assertive stance in the decades-long dispute.
• India Deployed Warships at Forward Positions in IOR During Border Clashes With China: Navy Chief Sputnik 03 Dec 2021 -- The border stand-off between India and China started over infrastructure works in the western sector of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in April 2020. On Thursday, Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar Subrahmanyam accused Beijing of violating "very, very clear commitments in two border agreements on not amassing forces" on the border.
• Rights experts call for end to violence against women in Tigray conflict UN News 03 Dec 2021 -- Experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council have called for urgent action to end violence against women and girls caught in the Tigray conflict in northern Ethiopia.
• Killings, Kidnappings Send Thousands of Nigerians Fleeing to Niger VOA 03 Dec 2021 -- The U.N. refugee agency says more than 11,500 Nigerians have fled to neighboring Niger over the last month, seeking refuge from increasingly violent, deadly attacks by armed groups.
• Burkina Faso’s 1.3M Displaced People Increasingly Fall Victim to Terrorists VOA 03 Dec 2021 -- Worsening security in Burkina Faso is hitting the country's 1.3 million internally displaced people (IDPs), with many being forced to flee their places of refuge for a second time. One refugee camp was closed after it was visited by Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. And rights groups say they are investigating reports terrorists infiltrated another camp to commit acts of sexual abuse.

News Reports

• The Week In Russia: A Mine Disaster And A 'Destabilizing Fixation' RFE/RL 03 Dec 2021 -- As the COVID-19 crisis persisted and tragedy struck at a Siberian coal mine, President Vladimir Putin fixed his gaze on Ukraine and the West, making a new play for a NATO pledge that would turn neighboring nations that are outside the Western alliance into buffer states with limited sovereignty.
• Kremlin Says Preliminary Date Set For Putin-Biden Video Call RFE/RL 03 Dec 2021 -- An aide to Vladimir Putin told reporters on December 3 that a video call would be held between the Russian leader and U.S. President Joe Biden after the former's trip to India next week.
• Russian Fighters Scrambled to Escort US Spy Planes Over Black Sea Sputnik 03 Dec 2021 -- Russian fighters Su-27 and Su-30 were scrambled to escort US reconnaissance aircraft over the Black Sea, no border breach was allowed, the Russian Defence Ministry's National Defence Control Centre (NDCC) said on Friday.
• Telephone conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan President of Russia 03 Dec 2021 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the latter's initiative.
• Telephone conversation with President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov President of Russia 03 Dec 2021 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov.
• Is China a democratic country? Chinese Vice FM tells the Chinese story Global Times 03 Dec 2021 -- China's democracy is not of the few but of the majority, not in mere form but in essence, and not the kind that only awakens during elections but throughout the process, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng remarked on Thursday when giving his definition of democracy at an event held in Beijing. He slammed the US' "democracy summit" as an anti-democratic act in the name of democracy, which only serves to suppress others that stand against it.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on December 3, 2021 PRC MofA 03 Dec 2021
• China Deepens Informal Alliance With Russia VOA 03 Dec 2021 -- China and Russia have strengthened their political, economic and military relations this year, despite their uneasy history in the past, as both countries say they resent what they call growing pressure from the West.
• Jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai wins press freedom award Radio Free Asia 03 Dec 2021 -- Jailed Hong Kong media magnate Jimmy Lai, who faces charges alongside several senior editors at the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper under a draconian national security law, has won a press freedom award alongside his colleagues at the paper.
• Macao to appoint advisers on national security, prevents external interference risks in financial area Global Times 03 Dec 2021 -- The central government of China has decided that the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) shall have a national security affairs adviser and three national security technical advisers, Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday.
• Social media giants delete thousands of accounts pushing Chinese propaganda Radio Free Asia 03 Dec 2021 -- Twitter said on Friday it had deleted thousands of accounts used to amplify Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda regarding its human rights abuses against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
• U.S., EU express concern over China's actions in Taiwan Strait CNA 03 Dec 2021 -- Officials from the United States and European Union have expressed "strong concern" over China's actions in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, which they said directly affect the security and prosperity of the U.S. and EU.
• Winter power outages cripple public transit in North Korean capital Radio Free Asia 03 Dec 2021 -- In the North Korean capital Pyongyang frequent power outages due to the onset of winter have made public transportation systems unreliable, sources in the country told RFA.
• U.S., Europeans Disappointed By Iran's Stance In Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 03 Dec 2021 -- The United States and European powers have voiced disappointment at what they said was Iran's lack of seriousness in the latest round of negotiations on reviving a landmark 2015 nuclear deal.
• Iran Nuclear Talks on Pause; US Puts Blame on Iran VOA 03 Dec 2021 -- Diplomats negotiating in Vienna to revive a 2015 deal that curbed the Iranian nuclear program have paused talks until next week, with officials from the United States and Europe criticizing Iran for a lack of progress.
• US Ends Vienna Talks, Says Iran Not 'Serious' About Meeting JCPOA Compliance Standards Sputnik 03 Dec 2021 -- In 2018, then-US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal, claiming without evidence that Iran had been secretly violating its precepts. He reimposed US sanctions, and although the deal's other partners weren't convinced by Trump's claims, they nonetheless abided by US sanctions, leading to Iran backing out as well.
• Mossad Chief Vows Iran Will ‘Never Have’ Nuclear Weapons', Says ‘Bad Deal With Tehran ‘Intolerable’ Sputnik 03 Dec 2021 -- As the seventh round of talks on the Iranian nuclear deal and the lifting of US sanctions on Tehran began in Vienna on Monday, media reported that Israel had shared intelligence with the US and several allies that Tehran was taking technical steps to enrich uranium to 90%, which is only done during the preparation of nuclear weapons.
• Top diplomat urges JCPOA parties to present documented, logical answers to Iran’s proposal IRNA 03 Dec 2021 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani referred to consultations in the JCPOA joint commission meeting, saying Iran expects other parties to present documented and logical responses to Iran’s proposal.
• Reviewing Iran’s proposed texts in 4th day of Vienna talks IRNA 03 Dec 2021 -- Representatives of negotiating teams from the P4+1 group (Britain, France, Russia, China plus Germany), the European Union and Iran discussed texts proposed by the Islamic Republic in different sessions on Thursday.
• P4+1 must give ‘reasonable, rational’ response to Iran’s proposed drafts: Lead negotiator to Vienna talks Press TV 03 Dec 2021 -- Iran’s lead negotiator to Vienna talks says the P4+1 group of countries has been given the chance to consult with their capitals on the Islamic Republic’s two proposed drafts, underlining that Tehran expects a “reasonable, documented and rational” response.
• Iran FM says Western initiative in Vienna ‘good but slow’; calls for sanctions removal Press TV 03 Dec 2021 -- Iran’s top diplomat has described the process of negotiations in Vienna “good but slow,” asserting that the West needs to focus on removing the United States’ sanctions against Iran.
• Iran says presents draft proposals on sanctions removal, nuke restrictions at Vienna talks People's Daily 03 Dec 2021 -- Iran's chief negotiator in the Vienna talks announced on Thursday that two draft texts containing Iran's proposals on sanctions removal and nuclear restrictions have been presented to the parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iranian Scientists Recruited by Israel's Mossad Behind Explosions at Natanz Nuclear Plant - Report Sputnik 03 Dec 2021 -- The sabotage operation at Iran's Natanz Nuclear Fuel Enrichment Facility in April was carried out by top Iranian nuclear scientists working as agents for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, Israeli media reported on Thursday.
• Belarus blasts West over fresh sanctions, vows retaliation Press TV 03 Dec 2021 -- The Belarusian foreign ministry blasts the West for bringing the country under fresh sanctions after accusing Minsk of stoking a migrant crisis.
• France rebuffs UK’s proposals for resolving migrant crisis as violation of sovereignty Press TV 03 Dec 2021 -- France has firmly rejected Britain’s proposals for fighting illegal migration through joint patrols across the English Channel, saying the United Kingdom’s ideas encroach upon the country’s sovereignty amid rising tensions between the two sides over the migrant crisis.
• Outspoken Lebanese minister announces resignation to resolve Saudi dispute Press TV 03 Dec 2021 -- Lebanon’s Information Minister George Kordahi has submitted his resignation to ease tensions with Saudi Arabia amid a pressure campaign launched by Riyadh against Beirut in response to his comments critical of the years-long war on Yemen.
• Resignation of Lebanon Info Minister May Not Heal Saudi Rift VOA 03 Dec 2021 -- Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi resigned Friday after criticizing Saudi-backed forces in the Yemen conflict, comments that raised tension between Lebanon’s new government and Arab Gulf countries.
• Three weeks after launch, Vietnam satellite isn’t phoning home Radio Free Asia 03 Dec 2021 -- A Vietnamese satellite intended to help monitor shipping in the disputed South China Sea has failed to emit any signal for more than three weeks since it was launched into orbit, a senior official told state media.
• Cambodian media: Prime Minister Hun Sen ready to visit Myanmar without preconditions Radio Free Asia 03 Dec 2021 -- Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, ASEAN’s new chair, is willing to visit post-coup Myanmar without any preconditions, state media reported, in a reversal of his position toward the Burmese junta, which even the consensus-driven regional bloc had lately shunned.
• Cambodia’s Hun Sen confirms his son as choice for next prime minister Radio Free Asia 03 Dec 2021 -- Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen said this week he expects his son Hun Manet to succeed him in office, making the statement, he said, to end speculation about other possible contenders for the job.
• Bulgaria's New Fragmented Parliament Convenes Ahead Of Coalition Talks RFE/RL 03 Dec 2021 -- Bulgarian lawmakers have convened for their first session of parliament since a newly formed anti-graft party emerged as the surprise winner of the country's third general elections this year.
• Somalia: Security Council adopts resolution to keep pirates at bay UN News 03 Dec 2021 -- The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to combat the continuing threat of piracy off the coast of Somalia, as shipping and protection measures to keep vessels safe, have returned to levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic.