I - On Defense Podcast - podcast cover

I - On Defense Podcast

I - On Defense www.buzzsprout.com

Probably the best defense commentary in the world. Top military and defense industry analysis in 45 minutes or less.

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Episodes

343: Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Confirmed Dead in Friday's Beirut Strike + Reactions to Hezbollah Leader's Death + US Foreign Military Sales : Australia; Egypt; & Bulgaria

For review: (Episode mostly dedicated to the IDF strike that killed the Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah.) 1. US Foreign Military Sales: - Australia: 100 x Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range and related equipment for an estimated cost of $405 million. - Egypt: 720 x Stinger Missiles for vehicle-based use on existing Avenger systems, and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $740 million. - Bulgaria: 218 x Javelin FGM-148F missiles and 107...

Sep 30, 202427 minSeason 1Ep. 343

342: IDF Targets Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut Strike - Status Unknown + US to End CJTF Joint Resolve Mission in Iraq by 2025 + Chinese Nuclear Submarine Sinks at Pier + USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft Competition + More

For review: 1. IDF Targets Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut Strike - Status Unknown. - A US official told The Times of Israel that Israel notified the US about the airstrike after planes were already in the air and the operation was in motion. - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called an emergency session of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Friday. Officials said the meeting was called following the Israeli strikes on Hezbollah headquarters in southern Beirut, ...

Sep 28, 202429 minSeason 1Ep. 342

341: IDF Prepares for Ground Combat in S. Lebanon - France Proposes 21-Day Ceasefire at UN + US Security Package to Ukraine worth $375 Million + Northrup Selected to Build Hypersonic Glide Interceptor + More

For review: 1. US Congress passes Continuing Resolution (CR) for continued Federal Government funding. The CR now makes its way to the White House, which has indicated that the President will sign the bill well in advance of the 30 Sep deadline. 2. IDF Prepares for Ground Combat in S. Lebanon. Israel has continued to launch hundreds of strikes against Hezbollah targets and warned that a ground offensive was looming. IDF chief LTG Halevi told Soldiers they would likely soon find themselves in Leb...

Sep 26, 202429 minSeason 1Ep. 341

340: IDF Pounds Hezbollah Rocket & Missiles Sites in S. Lebanon + US Carrier Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) Departs Norfolk for CENTCOM AOR + Australia Repurposes Armored Unit into Experimental Force + More

For review: 1. IDF Pounds Hezbollah Rocket & Missiles Sites in S. Lebanon. The IDF said it struck some 1,600 targets across Lebanon on Monday, including many homes it said housed weapons directly threatening Israel. 2. Monday IDF airstrike in Beirut targets Senior Hezbollah Commander. An Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Monday evening targeted Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki, fueling speculation as to whether the senior terror leader had been killed in the attack. 3. Iranian President accuses I...

Sep 24, 202431 minSeason 1Ep. 340

339: IDF Strikes Hezbollah's Radwan Force Leadership + Iraq to Procure Medium-Range Air Defense Systems + Armor Not Dead: UK Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank + More

For review: 1. IDF Strikes Hezbollah's Radwan Force Leadership. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Saturday that it had eliminated many of the top commanders of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force in the Friday strike in Beirut. 2. Iraq to Procure Medium-Range Air Defense Systems. Iraq’s Ministry of Defense announced Thursday that it signed a contract with a South Korean company to procure a number of advanced medium-range batteries. 3. Armor Not Dead: UK Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank. Rheinmetall u...

Sep 21, 202430 minSeason 1Ep. 339

338: Pager & Hand-Held Radio Explosions in Lebanon - Iranian Ambassador Wounded + Sweden Increases Defense Spending to 2.4% GDP in '25 + Italy Procuring More F-35 Warplanes + USAF B-21 Raider Program Progressing Well + More

For review: 1. Israeli Defense Minister tells US Envoy that only "military action" can restore security and return residents to the border region. 2. Pager & Hand-Held Radio Explosions in Lebanon - Iranian Ambassador Wounded. Thousands of Hezbollah group pagers exploded on Tuesday, killing nine people and wounding nearly 3,000. In addition, a fresh wave of explosions ripped across Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting hand-held radios used by Hezbollah members. Mojtaba Amani, the Iranian ambassado...

Sep 19, 202425 minSeason 1Ep. 338

337: Israel PM - Large Scale Confrontation with Hezbollah in Future + Houthi Rebels Claim Downing of MQ-9 Reaper + US Navy Contracts Construction of John Lewis-Class Oilers + US Army Orders Bradley A4 IFVs + More

For review: 1. US Foreign Military Sales: - Japan: KC-46A Refueling aircraft. - Israel: Heavy Duty Tank Trailers. 2. Houthi Rebels Claim Downing of MQ-9 Reaper. The U.S. military said it was aware of the Houthis' claimed downing of a drone over the country's southwestern Dhamar province, without elaborating. 3. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar congratulates Houthi Rebels for missile attack on Israel. In his letter, Sinwar congratulated Houthi leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi on his “success in reaching the...

Sep 17, 202420 minSeason 1Ep. 337

336: IDF Tunnel Warfare in Khan Younis + US Secretary of the Navy Violates Hatch Act + US Foreign Military Sale of F-35As to Romania + More

For review: 1. US Secretary of the Navy Violates Hatch Act. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has apologized for comments he made to British reporters in January that the Office of the Special Trial Counsel found violated a US law that prevents federal employees from endorsing political candidates during their official duties. 2. IDF Tunnel Warfare in Khan Younis. According to the Commanding General of Division 98 (Major General Dan Goldfus), the Gaza tunnels are a single giant network from ...

Sep 15, 202426 minSeason 1Ep. 336

335: IDF Reports 13 kilometers of Tunnels Destroyed in Rafah + US Carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Departs CENTCOM AOR + Armor Not Dead: Rheinmetall Tank Destroyer Concept + More

For review: 1. US Carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Departs CENTCOM AOR. The Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is heading back home eight months into its deployment, Pentagon officials announced on Thursday. 2. IDF Reports 13 kilometers of Tunnels Destroyed in Rafah. Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, 162d Division Commander said that his combat engineering forces located 203 separate, but interconnected tunnels in the Philadelphi Corridor, to about 300 meters away on the outskirts of the ci...

Sep 13, 202421 minSeason 1Ep. 335

334: Israel Defense Minister - Hamas as Military Formation is Gone + German Chancellor Calls for Peace Efforts in Ukraine + Netherlands Defense Modernization + Iran Provides Russia with Close-Range Missiles + More

For review: 1. Israel Defense Minister - Hamas as Military Formation is Gone. Hamas is no longer an organized military force in the Gaza Strip after Israel’s 11-month ongoing military campaign, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told foreign journalists on Monday. 2. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said US will present new formula for Hostage Deal between Israel and Hamas. 3. Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar issued a rare statement- congratulating Algeria’s incumbent President after he was declared the ...

Sep 11, 202426 minSeason 1Ep. 334

333: Israel - Hamas Hostage Deal Remote + Germany to Provide 155mm Howitzers to Ukraine + Poland Offered Boeing CH-47F Block II Chinooks + More

For review: 1. Israel - Hamas Hostage Deal Remote. The chances of a phased hostage-ceasefire agreement being achieved on the basis of Israel’s May proposal are “close to zero” and there is “very broad pessimism” among the Israeli negotiators. 2. Germany to Provide 155mm Howitzers to Ukraine. Germany will deliver a batch of 12 x Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, the Defense Minister announced. 6 x howitzers will be delivered by the end of this year and the rest next year. 3...

Sep 10, 202425 minSeason 1Ep. 333

332: Egypt's Army Chief of Staff Visits Gaza Border + IDF Infantry Brigade Prepares for Combat in North + Latest US Security Assistance to Ukraine + FY25 Defense Budget Update + More

For review: 1. Egypt's Army Chief of Staff Visits Gaza Border. Egypt’s army chief of staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa made a surprise visit on Thursday to the country’s border with the Gaza Strip to inspect the security situation. 2. IDF Infantry Brigade Prepares for Combat in North. The IDF’s Yiftah Brigade carried out a drill over the past week simulating fighting in Lebanon. The drill included fighting and maneuvering in complex terrain, advancing along a “mountainous route,” and using ...

Sep 07, 202427 minSeason 1Ep. 332

331: Israel PM - IDF Potentially Off Philadelphi Corridor in Phase 2 but Not Without Security Arrangements + Slovakia to Procure Barak MX Air Defense Systems + US Army IVAS Update + More

For review: 1. Israel PM - IDF Potentially Off Philadelphi Corridor in Phase 2 but Not Without Security Arrangements. PM Netanyahu: “The conditions that we shall have for a permanent ceasefire must include a situation where the Philadelphi Corridor cannot be perforated.” 2. Slovakia to Procure Barak MX Air Defense Systems. The Slovak government has approved the purchase 6 x Barak MX air defense systems for an estimated €554 million ($615 million). 3. China & Russia present at Egypt Internati...

Sep 05, 202425 minSeason 1Ep. 331

330: Israeli PM Makes Case for Maintaining IDF Presence on Philadelphi Corridor + UN Security Council Extends Peacekeeping Mandate in Lebanon + UK's Symbolic Sanction of Arms to Israel + More

For review: 1. US White House reports that new Hostage Deal has Israel mvoing off populated areas of the Philadelphi Corridor. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby: “The deal itself, including the bridging proposal that we started working with… includes the removal of Israeli Defense Forces from all densely populated areas… in phase one… and that includes those areas along and adjacent to that corridor. That’s the proposal that Israel had agreed to.” 2. Israeli PM Makes ...

Sep 04, 202424 minSeason 1Ep. 330

329: IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostages Murdered by Hamas + Ukraine President Fires Senior Air Force Commander + Lithuania to Modernize Soldier Weapons & Equipment + More

For review: 1. According to final investigation report, the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May 2024, was caused by bad weather. The main cause of the helicopter crash was the “complex climatic and atmospheric conditions of the region in the spring.” 2. IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostages Murdered by Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the ongoing failure to reach a ceasefire deal that would have secured their release while they were still al...

Sep 02, 202422 minSeason 1Ep. 329

328: Israeli Security Cabinet Supports Remaining on Philadelphi Corridor + Qatar & Turkey Joint Air Force Squadron + UK New Medium Helicopter Program Has Only 1 x Bidder + More

For review. 1. USAID Report on Gaza Pier- available at USNI News. 2. Israeli Security Cabinet Supports Remaining on Philadelphi Corridor. Israel's security cabinet voted Thursday to back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position in favor of maintaining IDF presence along the Gaza-Egypt border as part of any potential ceasefire and hostage release deal. 3. Qatar & Turkey Joint Air Force Squadron revealed on X by the Commander of the Turkish Air Force. While the exact number and type of air...

Aug 30, 202425 minSeason 1Ep. 328

327: IDF Says 80% Tunnels Destroyed on Philadelphi Corridor - Rafah Brigade Collapsed + Poland Preparing to Receive F-35s + Thailand Leans Toward Saab's Gripen E/F Warplanes + More

For review: 1. Among Hostage Negotiations, Israel PM faces tough decisions on status of Philadelphi Corridor. 2. IDF Says 80% Tunnels Destroyed on Philadelphi Corridor - Rafah Brigade Collapsed. 3. Israel & Hamas likely to agree to humanitarian truce for child polio vaccinations. Unnamed Egyptian sources as expecting a truce to kick off within days, lasting through daylight hours for 3-5 days, excluding places in the Strip where the IDF is operating. 4. Russia reportedly facing challenges wi...

Aug 29, 202427 minSeason 1Ep. 327

326: US SEC DEF - 2 x US Carriers to Remain in CENTCOM AOR + North Korea Demonstrates Loitering Munitions that Curiously Resemble Israeli Design + Chinese Y-9 Aircraft Violates Japanese Airspace + More

For review. 1. Hezbollah attacks Northern Israel with missiles and drones in retaliation for strike on senior commander. 2. US SEC DEF: 2 x US Carriers to Remain in CENTCOM AOR. With the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), there will now be 2 x aircraft carriers and their warships available for US Central Command. 3. US Israel - Hamas Hostage Negotiations. A US official says that the hostage talks held in Cairo the past several days have been “constructive.” Not...

Aug 27, 202417 minSeason 1Ep. 326

325: Israel & Hamas Negotiations Continue - No Deal Yet + Indian PM Visits Kiev - Encourages Dialogue + Germany to Station Combat Brigade in Lithuania by End of Decade + More

For review: 1. Israel & Hamas Negotiations Continue - No Deal Yet. Philadelphi Corridor still a sticking point. Egypt-based Alghad TV reported Saturday, citing citing an unnamed informed source, that Israel had notified Cairo it was prepared to withdraw under a deal from five security points out of eight discussed along the Philadelphi Corridor. There was no other confirmation of the report. 2. Latest US Assistance Package to Ukraine is worth $125 million. Included in this package are air de...

Aug 24, 202422 minSeason 1Ep. 325

324: US Carrier Abraham Lincoln Arrives in CENTCOM AOR + IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostages in Khan Younis + Australia and Kongsberg to Build Joint & Naval Strike Missiles in New South Wales + More

For review: 1. US Carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Arrives in the Middle East according US Central Command. The Lincoln is set to relieve USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), which has been operating in the Middle East since June. 2. IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostage in Khan Younis. 3. Israel - Hamas Negotiations losing momentum. 4. Ukraine Kursk operation strengthens hand for potential Peace Talks. Russia not in the mood. 5. Germany lays out Ukraine war materiel for the remainder of 2024, and 2025...

Aug 22, 202426 minSeason 1Ep. 324

323: Israel Accepts US "Bridging Proposal" in Negotiations + Ukraine Destroys Key Bridges in Kursk Region + USMC Marine-One Helicopter First Flight with President + More

For review: 1. Israel Accepts US "Bridging Proposal" in Negotiations. Statement from Israeli Prime Minister's Office: “The Prime Minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to the current American proposal on the release of our hostages, which takes into account Israel’s security needs, which he strongly insists on." 2. Ukraine Destroys Key Bridges in Kursk Region. This weekend, Ukraine destroyed a key bridge in the region and struck a second one nearby, disrupting supply lines as it pressed the Kur...

Aug 20, 202424 minSeason 1Ep. 323

322: Israel - Hamas Negotiation Update + US Carrier & Guided-Missile Submarine Moving Toward CENTCOM AOR + AUKUS Countries Lower Arms Export Restrictions + More

For review: 1. US Carrier (USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72) & Guided-Missile Submarine (USS Georgia SSGN-728) Moving Toward CENTCOM AOR. 2. Israel - Hamas Negotiation Update. The US “bridging proposal” does not provide for an ongoing Israeli presence along the Gaza-Egypt border or for a mechanism in central Gaza to prevent the return of armed Hamas forces to the Strip’s north. 3. Bulgaria to procure IRIS-T Air Defense Systems in support of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The deal inclu...

Aug 18, 202423 minSeason 1Ep. 322

321: US President: Significant Progress on Negotiations + IDF Destroys Tunnels & Rehearses Long-Range Strikes + US Navy Installs Drone Control Room on Aircraft Carrier + IVAS Update + More

For review: 1. US President: Significant Progress on Negotiations. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas were the most constructive that mediators had seen in months, a senior Biden administration official told reporters on Friday. 2. IDF Combat Engineers have destroyed over 50 tunnels along the Philadelphi Corridor. The IDF did not detail how many of the tunnels crossed into Egypt. 3. Israeli Air Force rehearse long-range strikes, employing F-35 and F-15 warplanes and Boeing 707 refueling Tanke...

Aug 17, 202426 minSeason 1Ep. 321

320: IDF Division Commander Discusses Gaza Operations + China Urges De-Escalation after Kursk Incursion + Norway to Procure M142 HIMARS + Poland Signs Deal for AH-64E Apache Helicopters + More

For review: 1. President Biden hopeful that successful negotiations between Israel & Hamas will stave off Iran retaliatory strike. President Biden was asked by reporters if he expected Iran to hold off on a retaliatory strike if a deal is reached. “That’s my expectation,” the President replied. 2. IDF 98th Division Commander Discusses Gaza Operations, including mission where the IDF was "minutes" from capturing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Brigadier Gen. Dan Goldfus said: “We were close. We we...

Aug 14, 202424 minSeason 1Ep. 320

319: Report: Ukraine Combat Brigades Digging In at Kursk + Hamas Supports Negotiations But Will Not Send Delegation to Upcoming Talks + US Army 2d MDTF in Morocco Exercise + More

For review: 1. Forbes Report: Ukraine Combat Brigades Digging In at Kursk. There’s growing evidence that some or all of the 5 x Ukraine Combat Brigades- have plans to stay. (The Russians are digging in, too.) 2. Hamas Supports Negotiations But Will Not Send Delegation to Upcoming Talks. It (Hamas) said it had asked mediators to present a plan based upon past negotiations, instead of engaging in new talks for a deal based on amended frameworks. 3. US making infrastructure improvements to Basa Air...

Aug 12, 202429 minSeason 1Ep. 319

318: Defense News Annual Top 100 Defense Companies (2023) + Ukraine Sends 5 x Combat Brigades into Russia's Kursk Oblast + Iran's IRGC Claims Undetectable Naval Cruise Missiles + More

For review: 1. Ukraine Sends 5 x Combat Brigades into Russia's Kursk Oblast. Russia declared a “federal-level” emergency in the region and sent reinforcements there on Friday. Russia’s Defense Ministry said reinforcements were on their way to Kursk to counter Ukraine’s raid. 2. Ukrainian First Person View Drone takes down Russian MI-28 Havok Attack Helicopter. “The future use of helicopters in combat can and should be rethought, especially with the growth of unmanned systems,” Serhii Kuzan, a fo...

Aug 10, 202425 minSeason 1Ep. 318

317: Organization of Islamic Cooperation Meets in Saudi Arabia + Russia Malva 152mm Mobile Artillery + Thailand to Procure Chinese Assault Rifles + More

For review: 1. Secretary of National Security Sergei Shoigu, delivers Russian President Putin's message of restraint during his visit to Tehran on Monday. 2. Organization of Islamic Cooperation Meets in Saudi Arabia. Iranian and Palestinian officials called for Wednesday’s gathering of the 57-member OIC in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, saying the body needed to respond to the killing of the Hamas leader. 3. Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have rebuffed requests to contribute troops to a postw...

Aug 07, 202429 minSeason 1Ep. 317

316: US Forces in Iraq Struck in Rocket Attack + IDF Locates Vehicle-Size Tunnel on Philadelphi Corridor + Russian National Security Council Secretary Shoigu Visits Tehran + More

For review: 1. US Forces in Iraq Struck in Rocket Attack. Several US personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack at a military base in Iraq, Defense officials said Monday. 2. Russian National Security Council Secretary Shoigu Visits Tehran. Russian state news agencies reported that Sergei Shoigu was scheduled to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian; the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Akbar Ahmadian; and chief of the Iranian military’s General Staff, Moha...

Aug 06, 202423 minSeason 1Ep. 316

315: US CENTCOM Commander Travels to Region + Report: US Deploys F-22 Squadron to CENTCOM AOR + Australia Invests in Collins-Class Submarines + Senate Appropriations Committee FY25 Spending Bill Info + More

For review: 1. Iran State TV reports that a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh- and not an explosive device planted in the building beforehand (as previously reported by other media). The televised statement says a rocket with a seven-kilogram warhead was used to target the residence of Haniyeh in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation. 2. New York Times Report: Iran has arrested dozens of suspects in the investigati...

Aug 04, 202431 minSeason 1Ep. 315

314: Getting Ready for Iran: US Increasing Presence in CENTCOM AOR + Ukraine President: Russia Invited at Next Peace Summit + US Army Making Progress With Future Long Range Assault Aircraft Program + More

For review: 1. US to exit final installation (Air Base 201) in Niger next week. Air Base 201 was the final US military site in the West African country after forces exited Air Base 101 in July. The US spent years building it to launch drone operations and has used its military presence to train Nigerien forces as well. 2. Getting Ready for Iran: US Increasing Presence in CENTCOM AOR. The US bolsters military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East following reports that Iranian...

Aug 03, 202426 minSeason 1Ep. 314
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