Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense
December 13, 2023
WATER WORLD
Xi says China, Vietnam must oppose attempt to 'mess up Asia-Pacific'



Hanoi (AFP) Dec 13, 2023
China and Vietnam should oppose any "attempt to mess up Asia-Pacific", President Xi Jinping said Wednesday during a trip to Hanoi, as Beijing seeks to counter expanding US influence with the communist nation. The trip is Xi's first to neighbouring Vietnam in six years, and the two nations committed to deeper ties and signed more than 30 agreements, including a pledge to develop rail links between Vietnam and China. The two-day visit comes after Hanoi upgraded diplomatic ties with Washington when ... read more

MILPLEX
US slaps sanctions on China, Turkey firms to curb Russia war efforts
Washington (AFP) Dec 12, 2023
The United States unveiled sanctions Tuesday on individuals and companies based in China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and other countries, aiming to disrupt Moscow's military procurement networks amid its war in Ukraine. ... more
MOON DAILY
AFRL's Oracle Developing Nation's 1st Cislunar Space Situational Awareness Capabilities
Kirtland AFB NM (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
Over the last several years, the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, unveiled two programs, Defense Deep Space Sentinel, or D2S2, and Oracle, to develop cislunar space situational awareness, or ... more
SINO DAILY
Philippines summons Chinese envoy over maritime confrontations
Manila (AFP) Dec 11, 2023
The Philippines said it had summoned China's envoy on Monday and flagged the possibility of expelling him following the most tense confrontations between the countries' vessels in years at flashpoint reefs in the disputed South China Sea. ... more
CHIP TECH
ASML, Samsung ink 700mn chip plant deal as S.Korea president visits
Veldhoven, Netherlands (AFP) Dec 12, 2023
Dutch tech giant ASML and Samsung Tuesday signed a deal worth around 700 million euros to build a semiconductor research plant in South Korea, as President Yoon Suk Yeol wrapped up day one of a technology-focused visit. ... more
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WATER WORLD


Solomons PM hits out at Western 'agents'

FLOATING STEEL
US calls on Beijing to stop 'dangerous' conduct in South China Sea
Washington (AFP) Dec 11, 2023
The United States called Sunday for Beijing to halt its "dangerous and destabilizing" actions in the disputed South China Sea, after a Philippine boat and Chinese Coast Guard ship collided near a contested reef. ... more
TRADE WARS
U.S. imposes sweeping Russia-related sanctions against 250 people, companies
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 12, 2023
The Biden administration imposed sweeping Russia-related sanctions on Tuesday, designating more than 250 people and companies in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, China and the two Koreas, on accusations ranging from sanctions evasion to acting as a Kremlin weapons procurer. ... more
MICROSAT BLITZ
ION Satellite Carrier by D-Orbit Marks Another Success in Spacelogistics with 'Beyond' Mission
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
D-Orbit, a leader in spacelogistics and orbital transportation, is once again making headlines with the successful launch of its 13th commercial mission, named 'Beyond'. The mission utilizes D-Orbit ... more
DRAGON SPACE
Long March rockets mark their 500th spaceflight
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
China's Long March rocket family has achieved a milestone with its 500th spaceflight, using a Long March 2D carrier rocket to deploy several remote-sensing satellites. This event, which took place o ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Neumann Space Achieves Milestone with First Molybdenum-Fueled Thruster Test in Space
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
Neumann Space, an Australian-based innovator in space technology, has recently made headlines with the successful completion of the first series of on-orbit tests of its Neumann Drive, a leading pro ... more

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DEMOCRACY


Egypt's polls close with Sisi heading for a third term as president

MILTECH
US concerned over reports Israel used white phosphorus
Washington (AFP) Dec 11, 2023
The White House expressed concern Monday over reports that Israel used US-supplied white phosphorus in attacks on Lebanon, adding that it was seeking more details about the allegations. ... more
TAIWAN NEWS
Taiwan candidate seeks 'pragmatic' path on China
New Taipei City, Taiwan (AFP) Dec 12, 2023
Presidential candidate Ko Wen-je has sought to portray himself as an alternative to Taiwan's more established leaders, proposing what he calls a "pragmatic" approach to China ties that might attract some younger voters. ... more
FLOATING STEEL
British Navy to give Ukraine two minehunter ships
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 11, 2023
The British Royal Navy announced Monday it will send two minehunter ships to Ukraine as it launched a coalition with Norway to boost Kyiv's maritime defenses. ... more
FLOATING STEEL
Putin unveils two new nuclear submarines
Moscow (AFP) Dec 11, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday promised to reinforce Russia's "military-naval might" as he attended the inauguration of two nuclear submarines in the country's Far North. ... more
THE STANS
2 ex-Afghan politicians sanctioned by Biden admin; UK defence ministry fined for Afghan data breach
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 12, 2023
The United States has blacklisted two former Afghan politicians and 44 associated companies on accusations of perpetrating a corruption scheme that stole millions of dollars from U.S. government-funded contracts. ... more
WAR REPORT


Colombia FARC dissidents agree to end kidnapping for ransom

NUKEWARS
Final two members of BTS start mandatory military service
Seoul (AFP) Dec 12, 2023
The last two members of K-pop superstars BTS to enlist for mandatory military service, Jimin and Jung Kook, were set to begin their training on Tuesday, South Korean media reported, resulting in the entire megagroup being on hiatus. ... more
WAR REPORT
UN agency chief says Israel trying to force Gazans into Egypt
Washington (AFP) Dec 10, 2023
The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees has accused Israel of laying the groundwork for the mass expulsion of Gazans into Egypt, an accusation Israel said was "simply not true". ... more
MILPLEX
Britain creates new unit to crack down on companies evading Russian sanctions
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 11, 2021
Britain on Monday announced the creation of a new enforcement unit to crack down on companies evading sanctions imposed on Russia over its war in Ukraine, as London is expected to level new punitive measures against the Kremlin. ... more
CYBER WARS
UK defence ministry fined for Afghan data breach
London (AFP) Dec 13, 2023
The UK defence ministry has been fined Pounds 350,000 ($440,000) for disclosing personal information of 265 Afghans seeking to flee the Taliban, a data watchdog announced on Wednesday. ... more
MISSILE DEFENSE
Raytheon's RTX Interceptor destroys ballistic missile in key test
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
In a significant advancement for U.S. missile defense capabilities, an Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) developed by Raytheon, a business unit of Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), has ... more
SPACEWAR
Hydrosat Secures Contract with NRO for Thermal Imagery Evaluation
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
Hydrosat, a leader in thermal infrared data and analytics, has announced a significant advancement in its operations. The company has been awarded a 2.5-year contract by the National Reconnaissance ... more
MISSILE DEFENSE
Northrop Grumman tests enhanced GMD system in missile defense demonstration
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), a key player in defense technology, has recently supported a crucial test of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, conducted by the Missile Defen ... more
SPACEWAR
Technical issues delay Falcon Heavy Launch of secret Space Force orbital platform
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 11, 2023
SpaceX has announced further revisions to the schedule for the Falcon Heavy's launch of the USSF-52 mission. The launch, initially set for December 10 and then rescheduled for December 11, is now targeted for no earlier than Tuesday, December 12 at 8:14 p.m. ET. A Falcon 9 three hours after the Falcon Heavy launch, for the Starlink 6-34 mission, was also delayed. ... more
MISSILE NEWS
US Army Receives First Batch of Lockheed Martin's Precision Strike Missiles
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT), a leader in aerospace and defense technology, has reached a pivotal milestone by delivering the first Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) to the U.S. Army, mark ... more
FLOATING STEEL
Philippines summons Chinese envoy over maritime confrontations
Manila (AFP) Dec 11, 2023
The Philippines said it had summoned China's envoy on Monday and flagged the possibility of expelling him following the most tense confrontations between the countries' vessels in years at flashpoint reefs in the disputed South China Sea. ... more
SUPERPOWERS
Ukraine forces say shot down eight Kyiv-bound missiles
Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) Dec 11, 2023
Ukraine downed eight Russian missiles targeting the capital Kyiv on Monday and another 18 attack drones over the rest of the country, the air force said. ... more
WAR REPORT
Israel carries out strikes near Damascus: Syrian state media
Damascus (AFP) Dec 11, 2023
Israel carried out air strikes near Syria's capital Damascus late Sunday, Syrian state news agency SANA said. ... more
SPACEWAR
EUCOM, AFRICOM, Space Force activate new service component command
Ramstein, Germany (SPX) Dec 11, 2023
U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Space Force officially activated the U.S. Space Forces Europe and Africa component command at a ceremony in Ramstein, Germany, Dec. 8, 2023. ... more
WAR REPORT
Netanyahu warns of 'beginning of the end' for Hamas, urges surrender
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 11, 2023
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Hamas fighters to surrender, saying it was "the beginning of the end" for the organization, which Israel, the United States and most Western countries have designated a terror group. ... more
NUKEWARS
US F-16 fighter jet crashes in S. Korea during training exercise
Seoul (AFP) Dec 11, 2023
A US F-16 fighter jet crashed Monday in South Korea during a routine training exercise after experiencing "an in-flight emergency", the US military said, adding the pilot had been rescued. ... more
UAV NEWS
EU imposes fresh sanctions over Russia's use of Iranian drones in Ukraine war
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 12, 2023
European lawmakers have imposed fresh sanctions against six Iranians and five companies on accusations they have been involved in the development and production of drones used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. ... more
UAV NEWS
Iran unveils drones armed with air-to-air missiles
Tehran (AFP) Dec 10, 2023
Iran has reinforced its air defence capabilities by adding combat drones equipped with air-to-air missiles to its arsenal, state media reported on Sunday. ... more
MISSILE NEWS
Poland says US-built missile base 'operational' from December 15
Warsaw (AFP) Dec 11, 2023
The US missile base built in northern Poland will be "operational" from December 15, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told lawmakers on Monday. ... more
FLOATING STEEL
Philippine civilian convoy aborts trip after 'constant shadowing' by Chinese boats
South China Sea (AFP) Dec 10, 2023
A convoy of civilian boats planning to deliver provisions to Filipino fishermen and troops in the disputed South China Sea aborted the trip on Sunday after "constant shadowing" by Chinese vessels, the organiser said. ... more
AEROSPACE
U.S. pilot ejects as F-16 crashes off South Korean coast
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 11, 2023
A U.S. Air Force pilot was in "stable condition" after ejecting from an F-16 fighter that crashed on Monday off the coast of South Korea, officials said. ... more
TERROR WARS
Anti-IS coalition forces targeted in Iraq and Syria: US official
Baghdad (AFP) Dec 11, 2023
A drone and rockets targeted two military bases in Iraq and Syria on Monday housing forces of the international coalition against the Islamic State group, a US military official said. ... more
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