Unknown number of Skyranger 30 for 123.6 million euros
2/17

19 ATMOS wheeled howitzers. Delivery has been underway since 2023
3/17

8 PULS Multiple Launch Rocket System. Delivery has been underway since 2023
4/17

7 Leguan armored bridgelayers for 87 million euros. Delivery has been underway since 2022
5/17

Unknown number of tactical UAVs for 17.5 million euros
6/17

Unknown number of DM73 APFSDS ammunition for 2.8 million euros
7/17

Unknown number of Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missiles
8/17

Joint procurement of the Nordic Combat Uniform with Norway, Sweden and Denmark
9/17

Unknown quantity of the Combat Boot System 2024
10/17

27 F-35A Lightning II for 2.2 billion USD
11/17

Unknown number of long-range surveillance UAVs for 400 million USD
12/17

5 Ground Master 200 Multi Mission air surveillance radars
13/17

At least 6 Future Patrol Vessels to replace the Thetis-class
14/17

3 coastal air-defence radars for 238,4 million USD
15/17

Unknown number of 76 mm 4AP ammunition for 7.1 million euros
16/17

More information on all the mentioned armaments projects in my new video, which will be published on Sunday.

https://youtu.be/VrB82cdxV3o?si=o4mXAlc_8NYdfRsf
Thanks for reading. Feel free to share the thread. No claim to correctness or completeness!
17/17

1) Quiet intrusion: #Chinese drone ‘roams’ #Japanese Izumo warship deck

Footage of a Chinese civilian drone gliding, seemingly without constraints, and barely above the deck of the Japanese helicopter carrier, JS Izumo DDH183, created a bit of a scandal in Japan.

It's still not clear if the drone footage is authentic or a sophisticated hoax.

This video came to public attention on March 30, while the ship was docked at Yokosuka.

One might find it quite challenging to ascertain the authenticity of this video. There are obstacles in determining whether we’re viewing an actual recorded scene or an intricately crafted 3D graphic.

But, from the very beginning of the reel, you could spot cars traversing a bridge to the right, each at their own pace. Notably, the Japanese flag is fluttering as expected – there’s no glitch in the frames, no signs of artifice, and so on.

The sea waves aren’t still either, indicating a dynamic scene. Despite these indicators, a nagging sense of doubt continues to linger…

This uncertainty arises from the disquieting realization of how a drone was permitted such unrestricted access over a military vessel. Just as the Twitter post raises the alarm, this is more than scandalous.

The confusion is mirrored in the comments beneath the post as well, with many users expressing their bemusement.

Regardless of the operator’s nationality – whether Chinese or Japanese or even a tourist – the situation is baffling. How did it happen that one of Japan’s most recent attack and deterrent weapon systems was so openly exposed to the lens?

I’ve got a hunch that may be right on target. As we delve deeper, we uncover the possibility that this might be a spurious hoax, presumably orchestrated by artificial intelligence technology.

A senior official from the Japanese defense ministry has been mentioned in various Japanese publications as suggesting the video might be a hoax.

Central to this conjecture is the innocuous digit “8” marked on the deck in the video’s opening frame. The Japanese official infers that this should have been altered to read “83”.

The video was circulated on YouTube, but its credibility remains clouded in suspicion, particularly when the creators of the video themselves question, “Could this be a fabrication by AI?” in the title.

Furthermore, reports from Japan imply that the number on the Izumo was partially obscured during refurbishment.

Here’s another odd observation. Do you remember the cars speeding on the bridge? It strikes me as odd how the cars traveling in one direction [closer to the viewer] either move at a crawl or remain stationary, while a few cars in the opposite lane overtake them at high speed. It seems unnatural for the cars to continue moving at a snail’s pace despite the sizable gap between them.

Then there’s this – the immobile buildings visible in the right-hand view as the drone descends, preparing to glide over the deck. There’s absolutely no movement – no people, rustling trees, or swaying branches. Everything remains static.

The supposed inscription of “83” on the ship’s hull is the strongest indication that the video in question might be a spurious hoax. To substantiate this suspicion, I combed through the internet to unearth official footage of the mentioned Japanese vessel.

Interestingly, what emerged from my search were instances where the Izumo was associated with the number “83” or with no digit at all. However, the standalone occurrence of the numeral “8”, as depicted in the video under scrutiny, is conspicuously absent.

As a pivotal component of Japan’s naval defense setup, the DDH-183, also known as the JS Izumo, is not a vessel to be overlooked.

Boasting a total full-load displacement of around 27,000 tons, it can host an impressive range of up to 14 helicopters. This includes the SH-60K anti-submarine warfare variants and other utility models. Its key objectives are far-reaching and versatile, spanning from anti-submarine warfare to disaster relief and humanitarian missions.

The JS Izumo is a beacon of technological brilliance, armed with the latest surveillance and defense systems. This ensures it can stand its ground in various operational settings.

Its sheer size—approximately 248 meters in length, a width of 38 meters, and a draft nearing 7.5 meters—attests to its commanding presence in the marine environment.

Given Japan’s constitutional limitations, the JS Izumo is not heavily armed. However, it is equipped with defensive weaponry such as the Close-In Weapon Systems [CIWS], specifically designed to combat airborne threats.

The possibility of transforming it into an aircraft carrier capable of accommodating fixed-wing aircraft like the F-35B is currently under consideration, but the final decision is pending.

In a nutshell, the JS Izumo is a testament to Japan’s dedicated focus on maritime security. It also signifies the nation’s evolving role in the regional defense landscape.

Video of the drone footage is in tweet 2.

CHINA COAST GUARD IN MALAYSIA'S EEZ
A group of Malaysian who were fishing near Terumbu Sahap in South Luconia Shoals were startled by the sudden appearance of China Coast Guard vessel 5103 which sailed too close to the Malaysian boat. This is proof of China try to strengthen -their claims on SCS which is the so-called " 9 Dash Line " that includes Malaysia's EEZ and Sarawak Waters.

While the N.Korea keep showing off their claimed as Hypersonic missile, I wonder when will the S.Korea make public the newly developed, so called 'monster missile' Hyunmoo-V-A, B and Hypersonic cruise missile and the glider(HGV).
South Korea is known as possessed large number of major strike missiles in the world but they only show off when kim jong un and his puppet N.Korea's provoked.
Hyunmoo series itself is extremely rare missiles but development of MIRV, SLBM, Mega class warhead with conventional warhead is prove again that the South Korea is crazy about firepower.
The V and IV-I is known as 'High Power Missile'. The HPM are designed to obliterate entire underground facilities. The V is designed to explode above the facilities so it can bury them alive. The V solid propellant is so powerful, it use cold-launch.
All Hyunmoo ballistic missiles have latest evade systems to deceive enemies anti air systems.
V missile's weight is total 36tons and their HPM usually fly as 'Lofted trajectory' and fly over(1,000+km) the Exosphere for maximum penetration.
On the other hand, HCM and HGV development started quite a long ago and it separated from Hyunmoo program by choosing two track strategy. HCM will be main weapons of KF-21 and its aerial launch test will commenced not so long. Ground launch tests was carried out.
According to the National Assembly's audit, investment in such strategic secret weapons has increased even though investment in R&D has decreased slightly.

#US Set to Expand Naval Base in Papua New Guinea

In an effort to push back #China’s influence and expand its presence in Oceania, the U.S. is renovating Lombrum Naval Base on the Island of Los Negros in Papua New Guinea.

The U.S. recently announced that the U.S. Navy is looking at three projects for Lombrum: a 7,556-square-foot Regional Maritime Training Center; a 7,351-square-foot small Boat Team and Boson Facility; and overhauling a 118-foot-long deteriorated small boat jetty.

The combined expected price tag for these projects ranges from $11 million to $25 million.

“These…projects will support the PNGDF (Papua New Guinea Defence Force), maritime security operations, U.S. military personnel participating in joint exercises, and USINDOPACOM Theater Campaign Plan with various critical facilities located at Lombrum Naval Base.” reads the announcement.

The U.S. announced plans to redevelop Lombrum naval base in 2018, when former Vice President Mike Pence, announced that the U.S. would partner with both Australia and Papua New Guinea on the initiative.

The Trump administration saw the move as a response to Chinese infrastructure projects. However, the U.S. did not allocate any funds towards the redevelopment effort.

Currently, Lombrum naval base is one of six facilities on Papua New Guinea to which U.S. personnel have an unimpeded access under the Defense Cooperation Agreement signed between Washington and Port Moresby in 2023.

Under the defense pact, the U.S. is allowed to use three airports, two ports and one naval base for training, transit and pre-position equipment, supplies and materiel. However, the agreement does not allow the U.S. to station forces in Papua New Guinea permanently.

The naval base, which is currently home to four Guardian-class Patrol Boats, began a $150 million multi-year redevelopment funded by Australia in 2020. It is scheduled to conclude in September of 2024.

The 2020 redevelopment includes a new electricity generation facility, new training and living accommodations, and repairing facilities for the Guardian-class Patrol Boats. The newly announced projects will add on-site patrol boat maintenance facilities.

The existing facilities at the base include a 410-foot wharf and a 278-foot wharf. While they’re insufficient to support most of the U.S. Navy’s surface combatants, they can accommodate U.S. Coast Guard vessels, such as Sentinel-class cutters based out of Naval Base Guam. Larger ships can anchor in Lombrum Bay, a natural harbor.

The U.S. similarly funded an expansion of Ream Naval Base in Cambodia back in 2019. However, a secret pact signed between Beijing and Phnom Penh resulted in a Chinese takeover of the base. U.S. funded facilities were subsequently razed to the ground.

At the time, the takeover seemed like a significant setback for Washington’s attempts to counter Chinese influence in the region.

Since then, the U.S. has been spreading out forces and stocks from a number of major bases in the Pacific.

The U.S. started funding infrastructure modernization and expansion efforts across the Pacific under the Pentagon’s Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) including aircraft parking aprons at Base Air Base in the Philippines and Darwin Air Base in Australia; naval Port expansions at Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands; Yap in Micronesia; and Koror in Palau.

In its current form, the base is well situated to support joint law enforcement patrols to counter Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing that has plagued the region, though it would need more investments to host many of Australia and America’s naval vessels.

https://news.usni.org/2024/04/06/u-s-set-to...apua-new-guinea