Sentry Staff The United States Department of Defense and U.S. Navy have issued a request for information (RFI) from industry to develop the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile (SLCM-N). “The Navy is developing and procuring a nuclear-armed SLCM-N capability that leverages mature technologies, existing capabilities, and new techniques and approaches to reduce development time and help ensure cost effectiveness,” according to the November 2024 RFI. The request seeks information on production interest and capabilities available for cruise missile prototype development, weapon system integration and cruise missile subsystems. The RFI, which closed December 9, 2024, specifies the request is for “informational and…
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Sentry Contributor The Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2024 showcased the enduring partnership between Bahrain and the United States alongside a display of advanced military capabilities. The November 2024 event, hosted at the Bahrain International Circuit, attracted global interest and participation from 59 nations. The airshow featured U.S. military aircraft, including the B-52H Stratofortress, which made its debut at BIAS. “Our military relationship with the Bahrain Defense Force spans decades, a testament to our enduring commitment and shared resolve,” said Lt. Gen. Derek France, commander of Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central). The event opened with a flyover by two B-52s,…
Sentry Contributor NATO’s maritime forces concluded an exercise in the Baltic Sea aimed at enhancing readiness and interoperability among allied navies. The exercise, named Freezing Winds, involved multiple nations and showcased the Alliance’s commitment to regional security. Freezing Winds took place over several days and featured a variety of naval operations, including anti-submarine warfare, air defense and mine countermeasures. Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the United States participated, along with Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portland and the United Kingdom. The exercise included the deployment of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), which provided additional support and coordination.…
Sentry Staff Canada plans to build a radar system in the Arctic to track incoming missiles and share data with the United States. The Polar Over the Horizon Radar (P-OTHR) will be “optimized to detect missiles,” but will also track additional aerospace and maritime objects, the Ottawa Citizen newspaper reported. The new system will provide missile tracking and other data to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a joint organization between Canada and the U.S. tasked with aerospace warning and control and maritime warning for North America. Aerospace warning includes the detection, validation and warning of an attack against…
Sentry Contributor The United States Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) successfully conducted an operational test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on November 5, 2024. The test showcased the readiness and reliability of U.S. nuclear forces amid ongoing global strategic competition. The test Minuteman III missile, equipped with multiple test reentry vehicles, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The missile traveled nearly 7,000 kilometers to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS) in the Marshall Islands, demonstrating the missile’s accuracy and effectiveness. The test site, located on Kwajalein Atoll, is equipped…
Sentry Contributor NATO wrapped up its inaugural Ramstein Flag exercise, a large-scale, multidomain training event designed to enhance the Alliance’s combat readiness and interoperability. The exercise, held September 30 to October 11, 2024, comprised more than 130 aircraft and personnel from 12 NATO nations, marking a significant milestone in NATO’s efforts to counter emerging threats and deter aggression by regional adversaries. Hosted at Andravida Air Base in Greece, Ramstein Flag focused on countering anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities and integrated air and missile defense (IAMD). Participating nations included Canada, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom…
Sentry Contributor Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States conducted a trilateral aerial exercise in November 2024 in a planned response to North Korea’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test. The exercise, which involved a U.S. B-1B Lancer bomber, demonstrated the three nations’ commitment to regional security and deterrence against North Korean threats. The drill featured Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2s from the 8th Air Wing, ROK Air Force F-15Ks from the 11th Fighter Wing, and U.S. F-16 fighter jets from the 36th Fighter Squadron. The aircraft escorted the B-1B bomber around the Korean Peninsula, showcasing the…
Reuters Australia said it will boost its missile defense capabilities amid “significant concerns” about the Chinese Communist Party’s test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the South Pacific. Australia will also bolster its weapons stockpiles and exports to security partners as the region enters a new “missile age.” Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said in an October 2024 speech that Australia was increasing its missile defense and long-range strike capability and would cooperate with security partners Japan, South Korea and the United States to contribute to regional stability. “Why do we need more missiles? Strategic competition between the…
The Associated Press Defense ministers of Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom agreed to accelerate development of a next-generation fighter jet and establish an organization to work with the aircraft’s manufacturers, officials announced in October 2024. The countries agreed in 2022 to jointly produce a combat aircraft for deployment by 2035 under the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) to strengthen cooperation in the face of growing threats from North Korea, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia. The stealth fighter will replace Japan’s retiring F-2s, which it jointly developed with the United States, and Eurofighter Typhoons, which were produced…
Sentry Staff India has taken a significant step toward bolstering its national defense capabilities and increasing its role in regional security by advancing the establishment of integrated military theater commands. This strategic move marks a major shift aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, jointness and rapid response capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. India’s move towards integrated theater commands is also reflective of its broader strategic ambitions within the Indo-Pacific region. As a major regional power, India has increasingly taken on the role of a stabilizing force, committed to maintaining peace and security in this strategically critical area. The Indo-Pacific is…