First- Happy Birthday to US Army. 248 years. The Senior US military service- carries the Colors and is Escort to the President. Here's to 248 more. Stories in order for Episode 133: 1. US foreign Military Sales (FMS)- Spain (Excalibur munitions); France (E2C Hawkeye Sustainment Support); & Kuwait (F18 Technical Support). 2. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine. 3. US to send more Bradley Fighting Vehicles & Strykers to Ukraine. 4. Netherlands to train Ukraine pilots on F16 fi...
Jun 16, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 133
Episode 132 is short but lots of nice stories. In order: 1. US Army MPF renamed to M10 Booker Combat Vehicle. 2. Latest news in the Oshkosh JLTV protest. 3. Defense News Opinion Story on how the US can be successful against a conflict with China. Best part of the article is the description of the 1st and 2d Island Chain (if you didn't know already). 4. HASC subcommittee (Sea Power & Projection Forces) supports USMC Amphibious vessels. 5. New US Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) nominated ...
Jun 13, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 132
Episode 131 is a short episode. Not on purpose- its just shook out that way. In order: 1. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine. 2. Norway sells F16s to Romania. 3. Sweden ready for temporary NATO basing and combined operations. 4. UK to modify Carriers for Crewed/Un-crewed systems. 5. US-Japan-Taiwan to share drone data. 6. Russia & Chinese joint air patrols in vicinity of Japan. 7. Azerbaijan to purchase C27J Spartan aircraft. 8. US HASC Subcommittee (Tactical Air & Land For...
Jun 10, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 131
The theme for episode 130 was definitely Indo-Pacific focused. At the end- out of left field- I threw in a couple materiel stories from Europe. And at the start- we talk a bit about D-Day. In order: 1. D-Day anniversary. 2. China Minister of National Defense remarks at Shangri-La Dialogue. 3. Canada Indo-Pacific Naval Deployment. 4. Singapore Defense Minister & Indo-Pacific defense spending. 5. US HASC discusses China/Ukraine spending. 6. Turkey and China at Malaysia Defense Exhibition. 7. U...
Jun 07, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 130
Line up of stories in episode 129. I usually like writing a paragraph, but I thought that I would try something new tonight. 1. US FMS to Netherlands (MK 41 Naval Missile Cannister). 2. CJCS discusses M1 Tank and F16 training/fielding. 3. US Iron Dome news. 4. Army IFPC Inc. 2 delayed. 5. Space Force basing. 6. NZ to possible join AUKUS? 7. Australia Prime Minister speech from Shangri-La Dialogue. 8. Iran tests hypersonic missile.
Jun 03, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 129
Here we go for episode 128. Lots of stories here. We begin with the latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine- followed by- not a good news story- of equipment from Army Prepositioned Stocks that is/was- not in the best of shape for deployment to Ukraine. We then have two stories from Poland and two from Spain. We then move to a follow-up article on the bizarre Chinese ship that is harvesting WWII wrecks for scrap. Then, on to the Defense Post for three articles- Morocco (Chinese AT Missi...
Jun 01, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 128
A little something different for episode 127. Based on an article from Defense News (D, Wright)- discussing the intercept of a Kh-47 Kinzhal (Dagger-Killjoy) missile in Ukraine by a Patriot system- I decided to spend the whole episode on hypersonic weapons- including the US Army Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) effort.
May 29, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 127
Lots of stories packed in under 45 minutes. Quite a few drone (UAV) and aviation stories. A couple of articles on armored vehicles. And, a very good op-ed from the head of French Land Forces (LTG Bertrand Toujouse) on modernization plans. Plus we have the latest in the US Army Future Tactical UAS program. And somewhere in there, is a US Foreign Military Sales release about a NASAMS (system) going to Ukraine.
May 27, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 126
Quick-fire episode. Thought I would knock one out. Hope you enjoy it. We have four stories from Europe: Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine; UK to send Unknown Long-Range Drones to Ukraine; Latvia and Estonia procure medium-range Air Defense System(s); and a nice interview from Breaking Defense with the Lithuania Defense Minister (very insightful). Plus, we have two stories from the Pacific: New Zealand Defense Budget and an article by the Defense Post about Australia providing (mar...
May 23, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Good episode. We even have 2 x CENTCOM stories. Plus 2 x stories from Spain & 2 x stories from the UK. As usual, we transition from EUCOM to INDO-PACOM- with 2 x stories about Ukraine (on the EUCOM side). Somewhere in there- we discuss an analysis article from National Defense about the recent Australian Strategic Review (April 2023).
May 20, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 124
I must be on to something here. 2 consecutive episodes at 45 minutes or less. We have 5 x stories (I think) from the Defense Post tonight- all within the last two days. Quick tour of location stories: UK and Netherlands to provide fighter support to Ukraine; France to provide unknown-type missiles to Ukraine; Denmark is working on a new Short Range Air Defense System (SHORAD); Japan & China establish a Defense Hotline; Poland to receive HIMARS and Apaches; and finally- somewhere in there, we...
May 18, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 123
It's a short episode. Really trying to work under 45 minutes. We'll see how it goes. We begin with 4 x FMS to Australia, Poland, Slovakia, and Germany. We then cue in on another story from Germany and later in the episode- another story from Poland. We plugged in to a new source for UK defense news- and we have a nice article about a UK-led NATO Exercise in Estonia (SPRING STORM). And, from the Defense News (Print Version, May 2023), we have a trio of stories- a NATO survey, Poland & ADA upg...
May 15, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Been a few days since my last episode. but I think this one is pretty strong. First time in awhile with no Indo-PACOM story- oh wait- we have a nice story from Australia concerning their defense budget. Also- two stories from Germany, two stories from the UK, and the latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine. Finally- two very good US Army stories from Ashely Roque (Breaking Defense): the latest on the IVAS Program & the planned production increase of Javelin Missiles and CLUs....
May 12, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Episode 120 is posted. Big day for the UK Armed Forces as they support the Coronation of the new King. Also, we have an article about the NATO Exercise in Scotland. A couple of good stories from Lithuania and Germany-plus a cool story about an unmanned submarine from Israel (very capable system). We come back to the US to cover a bit about the FY24 Army Budget and the Army Secretary is questioned in regards to the recent FLRAA decision.
May 07, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Fully packed episode. We cover a ton of information- just so many good articles this week to choose from. We have 5 x US Foreign Military Sales (Norway x 2, Latvia, UK, & Czech Republic). Plus, we discuss the latest security assistance package to Ukraine. We then discuss stories from Europe- UK & cUAS Radar system purchase from Sweden; Germany and UK collaboration on 120mm tank ammunition; and the latest in Turkey's drone lethality. We also have stories from the United States Army (FLRAA...
May 04, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Just can't get away from the long episodes. Good stories though. Two in-depth stories from National Defense- Rail Gun (Japan) & SOCOM/AFSOC Armed Overwatch OA-1K. Then, we have quite a few stories from the Army AAAA conference in Nashville: Lockheed GMLRS Production; Boeing CH-47 Chinook Production Line; Army Aviation Safety Stand-down; and the upcoming Army Aviation-centric EDGE Exercise. And a related story on the Army TITAN system for JADC2 application(s).
Apr 29, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Episode 117 is purposely short- under 40 minutes. Four stories from Europe- two from Germany (HIMARS & BvS10 vehicles); one story from Romania (Turkey TB2 Drones); and one from Turkey (US FMS F16 Avionics). We then head to the Pacific for three stories (China/Japan/Russia Navy; India Missiles; & Thailand Amphibious Ship) and then on to the US for two Army stories. Great story about the new Sentinel Radar Operational Test and the nomination for the new Army Chief of Staff....
Apr 26, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Super-long episode. Quite possible our longest yet. Not sure what's got into me. I'll work on making shorter episodes. Anyway- good stories tonight though. We lead off with information from the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (#11- I think)- held in Germany. We then discuss the UK's 2023 National Security Review through an Opinion Piece (Breaking Defense). Next, on to Japan for a nice naval story and remain in the Pacific to discuss long-range precision missiles for Australia and the US INDO-PACOM...
Apr 23, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Sorry that this episode is so long. I guess I got a bit long-winded tonight. Well, it's almost the weekend. We have two Ukraine stories, and three US Army stories- one of which is about the 2023 Best Mortar Competition. We have two stories from Australia, one story from Canada, and one from the UK. Finally- our last story discusses the new Amphibious Training Course that the USMC is working on to integrate the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) into their formations safely. Safely is the key word....
Apr 21, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Episode 114 is all over the map. Sorry about the disjointed feel of the stories. We start with 2 x stories from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency- Morocco Foreign Military Sale(s). We then have two Ukraine support articles from Spain and Canada. We then move on with two aviation stories from Brazil and South Korea. Finally, we finish in the US with three stories- DEMSHORAD; FY24 DOD Budget Unfunded Priority List; and an Opinion piece about USMC Force Design & Talent Management 2030....
Apr 17, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Episode 113 has ten stories- three of which involve submarines (US-UK-Japan). Most of our stories come from Defense News- in fact all but two. We have three stories that involve Army modernization (ISV; IBCS; and Watercraft). Plus- two aircraft stories: Italy (Electronic Attack) & Romania (F35s). Finally, a cool article from National Defense (April 2023 edition)- about Israel's Direct Energy, Iron Beam Air Defense weapon.
Apr 13, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Nice stories across the board. Two stories from NATO's newest member (Finland) and two stories from the UK. Plus, a very Interesting article from Canada on the future, layered Arctic surveillance system. And a well-written story from Defense News (V. Machi) about France's plan to increase the military budget. Also in there, we have some Indo-Pacific stories as well.
Apr 09, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 112
It was one year ago today. The I - On Defense Podcast's first episode. It was rough at the start- and not much has changed. Thanks for tuning in- and sticking around- for one or all of our episodes. This episode takes us around the world as usual. But the big story is in the US. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has upheld the Army's selection of the Bell V-280 Valor as the winner of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft competition. Tune in to this episode for many more stories includ...
Apr 07, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 111
110 is a long episode. It's the weekend- why not. Two stories from Germany- Leopard 2 Tanks vs South Korean K2 Tanks (in European market); and the procurement of PzH2000 155mm artillery systems. And two stories from the UK- New Army Cap Badges (in honor of King Charles) and robotic combat vehicle testing. We also have our usual US defense items- JLTV production; BAE plant in York, PA does some rearranging to meet AMPV & ACV production needs; and finally a decision on the latest San Antonio C...
Apr 02, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Lots of stories in this episode. We start with 2 x Foreign Military Sales for Bahrain & Kuwait and end up in the Sea of Japan for some US/Japan/South Korea Naval news- with stops in Redstone Arsenal Alabama, Spain, UK, New Zealand, and Singapore along the way.
Mar 30, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Pretty cool episode. We start off discussing the latest US security assistance package to Ukraine. Then, we cover two main themes- the Arctic region and then the Pacific. For the Arctic region- we have two stories involving military collaboration. One between the US and Canada and their ski-equipped C 130 landing on ice and the second story involving a combined airborne operation (parachute jump) by the UK Royal Marines & Dutch forces. Also, somewhere in there, is an article that discusses p...
Mar 26, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 108
Lots of stories packed into such a short episode. We have five stories on combat vehicles- ranging from M1 Tanks to 30mm Stryker to M-SHORAD. We also have a couple of updates on security assistance to Ukraine (US & Slovakia). And an article about US - India intelligence cooperation. Also- some where in there we have a story about US-Japan-South Korea reaction to another North Korean ICBM launch.
Mar 24, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 107
I admit that episode 106 could be a bit dry. We cover the USMC and USN budget with some detail. We also discuss 3 x Foreign Military Sales to Poland, Australia, and Greece. We also talk about the UK Army procuring Archer 155mm artillery systems from Sweden. Finally, somewhere in there is a follow-up from the last episode- AUKUS story- and some reaction(s) from Australia.
Mar 18, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 106
Episode 105 is a pretty good episode. We have quite a few stories from Eastern Europe- including the MQ-9 Drone incident with Russia over the Black Sea- and other stories from Poland, Romania, and Lithuania. We cover the latest on the AUKUS agreement announced in San Diego this week between the US, UK , and Australia. Finally, we cover some US Army stories- some budget stuff, AMPV fielding, and the potential location of a new Multi-Domain Task Force. Also in there is the latest in Finland's bid ...
Mar 16, 2023•42 min
Episode 104 has two separate themes that have stories from Europe and the Pacific. Some stories from the Pacific include-the US Indo-Pacific Budget request; 3d Multi-Domain Task Force (Hawaii) to be fully operational in May 23; Taiwan upgrading their M60A3 tanks (who knew?); and some interesting news concerning Australia's pursuit of nuclear submarines and the AUKUS agreement. From the European side- we discuss a bit about the Defense Summit in Paris between the UK & France; Romania's intere...
Mar 12, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 104
