Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense
July 06, 2023
MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
SYRACUSE 4B Satellite Launched: Boost for French Military Communications



Toulouse, France (SPX) Jul 06, 2023
European aerospace company Airbus, in partnership with Thales Alenia Space, successfully launched SYRACUSE 4B, a secure military communications satellite, from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. This launch marked the last mission of Ariane 5, the European heavy launcher. SYRACUSE 4B joins SYRACUSE 4A in orbit, with both satellites forming the space component of SYRACUSE IV, the fourth generation secure military satellite communications system. This system is intended for use by the ... read more

SUPERPOWERS
Biden tells Swedish PM 'looking forward' to NATO bid's approval
Washington (AFP) July 5, 2023
US President Joe Biden told Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Wednesday that he is "looking forward" to Sweden's stalled NATO membership bid winning final approval, as the Western alliance prepares for next week's summit. ... more
SUPERPOWERS
Four arrested in Hong Kong for supporting fugitives: police
Hong Kong (AFP) July 5, 2023
Hong Kong police arrested four men on Wednesday for allegedly supporting people living abroad who "endanger national security", according to a statement. ... more
UAV NEWS
CENTCOM: Russian jets harassed U.S. drones in Syria
Washington DC (UPI) Jul 6, 2021
Three Russian fighters jets harassed U.S. drones in Syria, forcing the American aircraft to conduct evasive measures, the U.S. Central Command said, making it the latest in a series of incidents by Russia in the Middle East that American officials have condemned as unprofessional and dangerous. ... more
MILTECH
Lithuania says NATO summit will offer Ukraine 'a lot'
Vilnius (AFP) July 6, 2023
The president of Lithuania, which will host next week's NATO summit, said he expected the talks to satisfy Ukraine as it seeks a clear invitation to join the defence alliance. ... more
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CYBER WARS


Pentagon aims to shore up security after damaging leak

CYBER WARS
France set to allow police to spy through phones
Paris (AFP) July 6, 2023
French police should be able to spy on suspects by remotely activating the camera, microphone and GPS of their phones and other devices, lawmakers agreed late Wednesday. ... more
WAR REPORT
Israel ends large-scale West Bank raid that left 13 dead
Jenin, Palestinian Territories (AFP) July 5, 2023
Israel's army Wednesday declared the end of a large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank that killed 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier over the previous two days. ... more
IRAQ WARS
Missing Israeli-Russian academic held in Iraq: Israeli PM's office
Jerusalem (AFP) July 5, 2023
An Israeli-Russian academic who had been missing in Iraq for months is being held by the pro-Iran armed faction Kataeb Hezbollah, the Israeli prime minister's office announced on Wednesday. ... more
CIVIL NUCLEAR
U.N. watchdog: No evidence of explosives at Ukraine nuclear plant
Washington DC (UPI) Jul 5, 2023
The United Nations nuclear watchdog on Wednesday said it did not find evidence of mines or other explosives planted at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as Russia and Ukraine accused each other of planning to sabotage the facility. ... more
AEROSPACE
Pilot killed as fighter jet crashes during Venezuela exercise
Caracas (AFP) July 2, 2023
A pilot was killed Sunday when a Russian-made fighter jet crashed in a mountainous area in northern Venezuela during practice exercises ahead of a parade to mark the country's independence, President Nicolas Maduro said. ... more

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ROBO SPACE


UN talks aim to harness AI power and potential

TECH SPACE
SmartSat CRC Pledges $7M for Autonomous AI Spacecraft Development
Adelaide, Australia (SPX) Jul 04, 2023
The three-year project, Spacecraft Autonomy and Onboard AI for Next Generation Space Systems, known as SCARLET-a, will bring together eight SmartSat partners: Airbus, Asension, Deakin University, De ... more
TECH SPACE
Rivada Space Networks joins Astra Carta Initiative for Global Space Sustainability
Munich, Germany (SPX) Jul 03, 2023
Rivada Space Networks has joined the #Astra Carta initiative to accelerate space sustainability. Launched by the Sustainable Markets organization, Astra Carta brings to reality a vision for space su ... more
THE STANS
State Dept. report on chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal finds fault with planning
Washington DC (UPI) Jul 1, 2023
The administrations of Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden failed to properly consider a worst-case scenario when planning for a U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to a long-awaited official report. ... more
CYBER WARS
US court limits officials' contacts with social media firms
Washington (AFP) July 5, 2023
A US federal court on Tuesday restricted some top officials and agencies of President Joe Biden's administration from meeting and communicating with social media companies to moderate their content, a ruling that could curtail government efforts to fight online falsehoods. ... more
CYBER WARS
China's sweeping new anti-espionage law comes into effect
Beijing (AFP) June 30, 2023
A revised law dramatically expanding China's definition of espionage came into force on Saturday, giving Beijing more power than ever to punish what it deems threats to national security. ... more
WAR REPORT


Rebels attacked Chinese convoy in Myanmar: junta

WAR REPORT
Colombia, rebels to suspend attacks ahead of formal truce
Bogota (AFP) July 4, 2023
Colombia and a leftist rebel army said they will stop attacking each other starting Thursday ahead of a ceasefire due to begin next month. ... more
MILTECH
'Thin-armoured' French tanks impractical for attacks, says Ukraine commander
Donetsk Region, Ukraine (AFP) July 2, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked French leader Emmanuel Macron for sending light combat tanks to Kyiv, and Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov was filmed riding in one. ... more
MISSILE DEFENSE
Swiss want in on Germany's Sky Shield plan
Geneva (AFP) July 4, 2023
Switzerland, known for its military neutrality, announced Tuesday its intention to join Germany's European Sky Shield project, which was launched last year in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. ... more
TECH SPACE
China Achieves Milestone in Satellite-to-ground Laser Communications
Beijing, China (SPX) Jul 03, 2023
The Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in partnership with the Changguang Satellite Technology, successfully conducted a satellite-to-ground ... more
NUKEWARS
Zelensky says Russia planning 'dangerous provocations' at nuclear plant
Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) July 4, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that Russia was planning "dangerous provocations" at the Moscow-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. ... more
SPACEWAR
Crashed N. Korean spy satellite had 'no military utility': Seoul
Seoul (AFP) July 5, 2023
North Korea's first spy satellite had "no military utility" at all, South Korea said Wednesday after analysing its wreckage. ... more
SUPERPOWERS
Turkey says will not be pressured over Sweden's NATO bid
Istanbul (AFP) July 4, 2023
Turkey warned Tuesday it will not be pressured into backing Sweden's bid to join NATO and said it was still assessing whether the Nordic country's entry would help or hurt the bloc. ... more
SUPERPOWERS
Xi urges Shanghai alliance solidarity, Putin praises support
New Delhi (AFP) July 4, 2023
China's Xi Jinping urged the leaders of Russia, Iran and other Shanghai alliance states on Tuesday to boost ties and resist sanctions, as Vladimir Putin thanked the bloc for support during a failed rebellion. ... more
AFRICA NEWS
Russia vowed 'unstinting support' after end of UN mission: Mali
Bamako (AFP) June 30, 2023
Russia has renewed its "unstinting support" for Mali after the end of the UN peacekeeping mission in the desert state, Bamako's foreign ministry said Friday. ... more
AFRICA NEWS
AU force in Somalia completes first phase of drawdown
Mogadishu (AFP) July 1, 2023
The African Union force in conflict-torn Somalia said it has completed the first phase of a troop reduction aimed at eventually putting security fully in the hands of the national army and police. ... more
SUPERPOWERS
NATO approves extension of Stoltenberg's mandate as secretary general
Washington DC (UPI) Jul 4, 2023
NATO announced Tuesday it has extended the mandate Jens Stoltenberg as the alliance's secretary general for another year. ... more
CYBER WARS
Disinformation researchers lament 'chilling' US legal campaign
Washington (AFP) July 5, 2023
The study of disinformation has emerged as a political lightning rod in the United States, with conservative advocates launching a sweeping legal offensive that researchers fighting falsehoods denounce as an intimidation campaign ahead of the 2024 election. ... more
FLOATING STEEL
Philippine Coast Guard accuses Chinese boats of 'dangerous' manoeuvres
Manila (AFP) July 5, 2023
The Philippine Coast Guard on Wednesday accused Chinese patrol vessels of blocking two of its boats in the disputed South China Sea, describing their actions as "very dangerous". ... more
WAR REPORT
Israeli operation in West Bank officially over, as Israel strikes Gaza
Jerusalem (AFP) July 5, 2023
Israel's army on Wednesday declared the end of a two-day operation in the Jenin area of the occupied West Bank during which 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed. ... more
SUPERPOWERS
Biden to travel to UK, NATO summit, Finland
Washington (AFP) July 2, 2023
US President Joe Biden will head to Europe in a week for a three-nation trip, including a NATO summit, focused on reinforcing the international coalition backing Ukraine as it pursues a counteroffensive against Russia. ... more
CYBER WARS
CIA director says US won''t 'waste' chance to recruit Russians disaffected by war
Washington DC (UPI) Jul 2, 2023
The director of the CIA delivered a wide-ranging speech in Britain on Saturday in which he said the spy agency will not waste the chance to recruit Russians disaffected by President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine and called China the "biggest geopolitical and intelligence rival" of the United States. ... more
CYBER WARS
Hong Kong unlicensed pro-democracy radio station goes off-air
Hong Kong (AFP) June 30, 2023
A Hong Kong radio station that has aired pro-democracy shows without a licence for nearly 18 years held its last broadcast on Friday, citing difficulties operating in a "dangerous" political landscape. ... more
WAR REPORT
Ukraine's top general urges more arms for offensive: media
Washington (AFP) June 30, 2023
Ukraine's counteroffensive plans are hobbled by the lack of adequate firepower, from modern fighter jets to artillery ammunition, the country's military commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny said in an interview published Friday. ... more
AFRICA NEWS
Drone strikes hit Wagner base in Libya: military source
Tripoli (AFP) June 30, 2023
Drone strikes hit an airbase in eastern Libya used by mercenaries of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner early Friday without causing any casualties, a military official told AFP. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Virginia Tech leads multi-institution research on polymeric solid fuel combustion
Blacksburg VA (SPX) Jun 28, 2023
Fascination surrounding spaceflight and rockets is at an all-time high. Sites near launchpads draw crowds of spectators, eager to witness the flash of fire and feel the vibrations as the rumble of t ... more
AEROSPACE
Israel to buy F-35 fighter jets from U.S.
Washington DC (UPI) Jul 2, 2023
Israel will purchase more than two dozen F-35 fighter jets from the United States, in a multibillion-dollar deal that will expand the Middle Eastern country's fleet of the world's most advanced stealth aircraft by 50%, its ministry of defense said Sunday. ... more
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