MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS November 7th - November 13th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, November 7th, Hungary has received its first two NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) air defense systems from Norway, as part of a 410-million-euro ($439-million) contract signed in November 2020. The official handover ceremony took place in northwestern Hungary, attended by Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and other military officials. The NASAMS systems, which replace a Soviet-era defense system, will be utilized by the Győr Air Defense Missile Regiment. The NASAMS, incorporating Raytheon’s Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and Sentinel radar, offers enhanced security against various aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. Hungary, facing increased threats in Europe, emphasizes the importance of robust ground-based air defense systems for national sovereignty and security. Defense Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky notes the system's significance in the context of current conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The NASAMS delivery makes Hungary the 12th country to operate this advanced air defense system. On Thursday, November 8, the US responded to attacks on its personnel in Iraq and Syria by conducting a precision strike on an Iranian-linked weapons storage facility in Eastern Syria. Two US Air Force F-15 fighters carried out the strike, aiming to defend US personnel and interests. The action was taken following at least 40 attacks on US forces between October 7 and November 7, primarily by IRGC-Quds Force affiliates supporting non-state actors in the Middle East. The Department of Defense emphasized self-defense motives and urged against escalation, affirming the continuation of counter-ISIS missions in Iraq and Syria. The strike is part of the broader Middle Eastern conflict, with tensions escalating amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The F-15 Strike Eagle fighters used in the operation are equipped for precision strikes with air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. On Sunday, November 12th, Israel's defense ministry has announced a $340 million deal to sell its David’s Sling air defense system to new NATO member Finland. Described as a "historic agreement," the system, developed jointly by Israeli and US companies, is capable of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, and drones. This follows Israel's previous $3.5-billion deal to sell its Arrow 3 hypersonic missile system to Germany, aimed at bolstering NATO's air defenses in Europe. The sale to Finland underscores a growing demand for Israeli arms in Europe, driven in part by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA Alerts The Clock is Ticking "It is an honor for MDAA to Chair the 7th Air and Missile Defense Technology Conference on November 15th and 16th in London, an international conference on integrated missile defense that includes representatives..."  Click here to read more. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Sergeant Grace Lee SGT Grace Lee was born in La Palma, CA, and raised in Koreatown, Los Angeles, California. She obtained her high school diploma in July 2006 from Green Pastures Academy and attended Santa Monica College from 2012 to 2014. She enlisted in the United States Army in November 2018. She completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, OK, where she earned the military occupation 14H in May, 2019. Upon completion, she attended the Sensor Manager Qualification Course at Colorado Springs, CO. She relocated to Ramstein AB, Germany, in June 2019, where she was assigned to the 13th Missile Defense Battery. During this assignment, she was certified as a Sensor Control Officer for her crew in the 11th and 13th Missile Defense Battery Sensor Management Cell at the 603rd Air Operations Center. She is now stationed at Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam with the 94th AAMDC. She is an assistant Operations Sergeant and serves as the Crew Chief for one of five crews in the 613th Air Operations Center for the 10th and 14th Missile Defense Battery Sensor Management Cell. ​ Click here to view all the awardees from the 2023 Indo-Pacific Missile Defenders of the Year  NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Army’s Iron Dome batteries on 11-month lease with Israel, which could be extended - Breaking Defense - 11/07/2023 Zelenskiy Says Ukraine's Air Defense Beefed Up With More Western-Supplied Systems - RadioFreeEurope - 11/07/2023 India's air defense expands with successful test of Pralay ballistic missile - Army Recognition - 11/08/2023 THREAT NEWS Russia puts three missile carriers into Black Sea with total salvo of 24 Kalibr missiles – Defense Forces - Interfax - 11/08/2023 Chinese military ‘directed’ by Beijing to ‘be increasingly provocative”: Navy’s Paparo - Breaking Defense - 11/08/2023 Number of troops injured in drone attacks jumps to 56 - C4ISRNET - 11/09/2023 OTHER NEWS Kratos secures contract to enhance military satellite control system - Airforce Technology - 11/07/2023 PLA Army’s tactical ballistic missile believed to have debuted - Global Times - 11/12/2023 Stay Connected: MDAA | 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!