Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS February 27th - March 4th, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On February 26th, the 'David's Sling' Aerial Defense System intercepted a surface-to-air missile (SAM) launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon targeting an Israeli Air Force UAV. The missile was aimed at a Hermes 450 drone, triggering alarms in the Alon Tavor area in northern Israel. No injuries were reported, but a subsequent missile launch caused the drone to fall inside Lebanese territory. Israeli forces destroyed the fallen drone. Shrapnel from interception landed near a synagogue in Kfar Tavor. The incident occurred above the Alon Tavor industrial area in the Jezreel Valley, 92 kilometers from the Israeli border. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced plans to intensify attacks on Hezbollah in response to increased rocket and missile fire. Gallant emphasized the goal of pushing Hezbollah back through either diplomatic means or force. On February 28th, South Korea's Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged to address North Korea's arms transfers to Russia, which are believed to be supplying munitions and missiles for use in Ukraine. They expressed concerns over these illegal transfers, emphasizing the threat to global peace and stability. Shin revealed that North Korea has sent thousands of containers of munitions to Russia since July 2023 in exchange for necessities. The US and its allies condemned this arms deal, violating UN resolutions. Both sides condemned North Korea's recent missile tests and vowed to maintain a strong defense posture. The Pentagon highlighted discussions on shared defense priorities in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific, along with plans to enhance trilateral security cooperation with Japan. The US reaffirmed its commitment to South Korea's defense and stressed the importance of broader regional cooperation. On February 29th, the Polish Ministry of National Defence has finalized a $2.5 billion agreement with the U.S. government to procure the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS). This system aims to coordinate Poland’s air and missile defense weapons, including Patriot missile launchers for the Wisla medium-range air defense program and the Narew short-range equivalent, which utilizes MBDA’s Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM). The contract covers deliveries from 2024 to 2031, providing systems for six Wisla batteries and 23 Narew batteries. Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz signed the contract on Feb. 29, expressing Poland’s commitment to becoming the second country, after the United States, to possess this integrated command system. The agreement follows Poland's recent parliamentary election, signaling continuity in defense procurement plans despite a change in government. Northrop Grumman actively promoted the IBCS program during the government transition, and with the deal finalized, Poland is set to adhere to its established defense procurement schedule for the Wisla and Narew programs. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Mr. Brien Smith Mr. Brien Smith’s outstanding leadership, skill, and ceaseless efforts were critical to USNORTHCOM’s Homeland Ballistic Missile Defense mission. He served as Deputy Missile Defense Officer (DMDO), responsible for assisting the primary Missile Defense Officer (MDO), in the operation and readiness of the Nation’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system. His significant impact to Homeland Defense is evident across all missile defense lines of effort. He was one of the first DMDO’s hired by USNORTHCOM J3 tagged to provide direct support in conducting strategic missile defense of the United States infrastructure and civilian populations. Brien was responsible for assisting the MDO in managing the BMD worldwide Asset Management (AM) program from radar and satellite sensors to Fire Control Centers to Ground Based Interceptors (GBIs). Mr. Smith was instrumental in providing analysis on the various effects of system outages on the protection capability reporting system, along with executing mitigation strategies to ensure maximum protection of the US for each readiness level. He was instrumental in providing DMDO specific support to training and certification of numerous general and flag level officers during this period. He is always quick to lend his expertise in the further development of tactics, techniques and procedures integrating new Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) capabilities in support of USNORTHCOM's defense of the homeland mission. He routinely interacts with Joint Staff, Combatant Command, and Missile Defense Agency representatives in the execution of both real world and exercise missile defense operations. Mr. Smith’s sustained superior performance reflects great credit upon himself, and is in keeping with the highest standards of USNORTHCOM.  Click here to view all the awardees from the 2023 NORAD and NORTHCOM Missile Defenders of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Lockheed Martin Takes Next Step in Homeland Missile Defense Interceptor Acquisition Process - WVNSTV 59 News - 02/28/2024 Raytheon Conducts Maiden Flight Test of Upgraded AMRAAM-ER - Defense Post - 02/28/2024 Indian committee OKs $4 billion buy of BrahMos missiles, more tech - Defense News - 03/01/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS German Frigate Joins Fight, Taking Down Houthi Drones - The Maritime Executive - 02/28/2024 Huge Boost To Army’s Air Defenses Planned In New Force Structure - The Warzone - 02/28/2024 Ukraine Gets Defense Boost from Israel - Newsweek - 02/28/2024 THREAT NEWS China's rapidly expanding nuclear weapon stockpile remains opaque - Economic Times of India - 02/27/2024 Russia carries out successful test launch of Yars intercontinental ballistic missile - Anadolu Ajansı - 03/01/2024 OTHER NEWS Poland to launch military satellites in 2025, deputy defence minister says - Reuters - 02/29/2024 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!