On Tuesday, May 23, it was reported over the span of four action-packed days in the North Atlantic Ocean off Scotland’s west coast, from May 17 to 20, 2023, NATO Allied surface units accomplished a series of notable integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) successes while participating in exercise Formidable Shield 2023. Formidable Shield, Europe’s largest and most complex IAMD exercise, brings together ships, aircraft, and ground-based units from throughout the NATO Alliance. Over the course of three weeks, Allied personnel work together in a variety of IAMD scenarios, as they hone and enhance their individual and collective missile defense capabilities.

On Wednesday, May 24, it was reported that the Pentagon is downplaying a Tuesday incident in which a Russian jet intercepted two U.S. bombers over the Baltic Sea, calling it “nothing significant.” The Russian Ministry of Defense announced earlier Tuesday it detected two air targets approaching the country’s border and sent up a Su-27 fighter to investigate.“The crew of the Russian fighter classified the air targets as two US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers and occupied the established air watch zone,” the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation said in a statement on Telegram. 

On Thursday, May 25, it was reported that the South Korean and U.S. militaries conducted large live-fire drills near the border with North Korea on Thursday, despite the North’s warning that it won’t tolerate what it calls an invasion rehearsal on its doorstep. The drills, the first of five rounds of live-fire exercises through mid-June, mark 70 years since the establishment of the military alliance between Seoul and Washington. North Korea typically reacts to such major South Korean-U.S. exercises with missile and other weapons tests.

Also on Thursday, it was reported that Iran tested a new ballistic missile. The projectile is powered by liquid fuel and is able to carry a 1,500 kg warhead. The missile, called Kheibar, was unveiled on the 41st anniversary of the liberation of Khorramshahr. It has an extended range, advanced guidance and control system. Such projectiles, classified among the Khorramshahr missiles, have an impressive strategic and tactical capabilities. They are known for their unique guidance and control system during the mid-flight phase. Upon entry into the atmosphere the missile deactivates its guidance system, providing it with a complete immunity against electronic warfare attacks.

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