Temel Kotil, TAI’s general manager, claimed that the domestically-produced Turkish jet will outperform the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
By Agnes HelouDespite optimistic talk from top diplomats in both the US and Saudi Arabia, regional experts don’t see any movement in the near term, due both to Riyadh’s demands and the Gaza conflict.
By Agnes Helou“We are assessing. We have not made any final decisions on this yet,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said about a shipment of Boeing-made weapons to Israel. “But yes, there are some things we are taking a closer look at.”
By Aaron MehtaThe system includes a radar, as well as links to a 30mm gun and missile system for downing threats within ranges of seven kilometers and 15,000 feet, according to a company executive.
By Seth J. FrantzmanDavid Harel, CEO of the Israeli firm Asio Technologies, told Breaking Defense his company’s Orion device has deployed by the thousands with Israeli soldiers in Gaza.
By Seth J. FrantzmanThe decision comes amid Ukrainian clamoring for the system, though analysts doubted Israeli batteries would make their way north due to Russian sensitivities.
By Seth J. FrantzmanThough virtually none of the estimated 170 drones Iran launched at Israel got through defenses, analysts told Breaking Defense there’s an eager market globally for Tehran’s relatively cheap, normally effective UAVs.
By Agnes HelouThe US remains the world’s largest defense spender, outlaying $916 billion last year, a 2.3 percent annual increase, ahead of China in second place, which spent an estimated $296 billion, a 6 percent increase over the same period.
By Tim MartinBreaking Defense talked with a tank company commander who is helping to create the new units, which will mean less reliance on reservists for tank operations.
By Seth J. FrantzmanTehran has been increasingly public about its air defense capabilities, including showing off models of systems at a recent international defense expo.
By Agnes HelouThe House is teeing up a series of votes this weekend on separate supplemental spending bills for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine.
By Ashley Roque and Valerie Insinna“Iran’s goal was to restore its credibility and inflict retribution on Israel while reducing the risk of further escalation,” said Hasan Alhasan, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
By Riad KahwajiAmid Iranian criticism, “Jordanian leaders have been very clear to portray their action as defensive and in protection of their own sovereignty rather than any act in support of Israel, and this is sincere,” an analyst told Breaking Defense.
By Agnes HelouIDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited an Israeli base home to F-35s on Monday, emphasizing Iran’s missiles had caused only minor damage to the facility.
By Seth J. Frantzman