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

I - On Defense Podcast

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.”
Notably, US officials appear to be the only party in the talks who sound hopeful about their trajectory.
4. Norway and NAMMO collaborate to increase 155mm munition production domestically and in Ukraine. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Store: “This government has taken several measures to increase the production of artillery ammunition in Norway. At the same time, we see that it is important to strengthen the Ukrainians’ ability to produce modern artillery ammunition in Ukraine."
5. Turkey opens the world’s largest submarine floating dock with 3,000-ton lifting capacity. The dock is expected to be used as submarine maintenance and overhaul floating facility.
6. North Korea Demonstrates Loitering Munitions that Curiously Resemble Israeli Design. Experts said the drones in the images released by state media looked similar to the Israeli-made “HAROP” suicide drone and Israeli “HERO 30.”
7. Chinese Y-9 Aircraft Violates Japanese Airspace.
According to Japanese officials. a Chinese Y-9 electronic intelligence aircraft carried out a two-minute violation of the airspace over Japan’s territorial waters at the Danjo Islands in the East China Sea on Monday.
8. Hanwha (South Korea) opens new Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle production plant in Geelong, Victoria (Australia).
The facility will also support the manufacturing of Huntsman AS9 self-propelled howitzers and K10 armored ammunition resupply vehicles. Following its opening, the site is expected to support 2,100 jobs,