Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS June 25th - July 1st, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On June 27th, North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a multiwarhead missile, which could potentially overwhelm U.S. missile defenses, despite South Korea and Japan asserting the test failed. State news agency KCNA reported that the missile's warheads were successfully guided to their targets and that the test aimed to develop MIRV (multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles) technology. This effort aligns with Kim Jong Un's military modernization goals set in early 2021. Ankit Panda from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace views the test as an early stage in developing MIRV capabilities, with more tests expected. However, South Korea's military and the U.S. suggest the missile exploded early, contradicting North Korea's claims, and the test has been condemned as a violation of UN resolutions. This event follows recent tensions, including North Korea's provocative actions and its summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On June 28th, the Biden administration discussed with Israel and Ukraine the potential transfer of aging Patriot air defense systems from Israel to Ukraine to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against Russian aerial attacks. No final agreement has been reached, and logistical details are still being worked out. The systems would need to be refurbished in the US before being sent to Ukraine. If the transfer proceeds, it would signify a notable shift in Israel's stance, as it has previously refrained from openly supplying weapons to Ukraine to avoid straining relations with Russia. Israel, which has primarily used the Iron Dome and other missile systems for its defense, had planned to retire its Patriot systems. This move aligns with the US prioritizing air defense support for Ukraine at a critical juncture in the war. Today, July 1st, North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles, with one possibly malfunctioning, following its pledge of "offensive and overwhelming" responses to recent U.S.-South Korea-Japan military drills. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the missiles were launched from Jangyon, with the first flying 600 kilometers and the second only 120 kilometers, possibly crashing inland. The launches were condemned by South Korea as a provocation and a threat to regional peace. These tests followed the trilateral "Freedom Edge" exercises aimed at enhancing joint defense capabilities against North Korea’s threats. North Korea criticized the drills as destabilizing and part of a U.S. strategy to pressure China and Russia. This was North Korea’s first missile activity in five days, continuing a pattern of recent provocations, including a disputed multiwarhead missile test and floating trash-filled balloons toward South Korea. Concurrently, North Korea held a ruling party meeting to address urgent issues related to its socialist policies. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK SGT Abraham Peediakal SGT Peediakal is currently assigned as an Avenger Repair Sergeant (94T) with the 1st Battalion 174th Air Defense Artillery regiment. SGT Peediakal provides direct maintenance support to missile systems inside the National Capital Region. He is responsible for the correct and safe repair of multiple systems in the NCR. SGT Peediakal is ever hungry for knowledge. He has set himself apart from his peers first at Fort Bliss, where he diligently learned HVAC specific maintenance of the Avenger platform. He set aside specific time to watch and learn from a Soldier who is a 91C (HVAC technician) and is HVAC certified as a civilian. SGT Peediakal has spent off-duty time working with the extremely short-handed RADAR repair section to accommodate their needed downtime and to learn how the RADARs work with his weapon system and the Air Defense as a whole. This, in turn, has helped him to better grasp air defense-specific maintenance requirements. This is SGT Peediakal’s second deployment. His first was to Al-Assad Airbase, Iraq, as an Avenger repair specialist. Since coming home from Iraq and while on this deployment he has been promoted to Sergeant, attended Basic Leaders Course, graduating on the Commandant’s List. He has earned his SEC+ Certification, and he is taking online courses pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Otterbein University. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2024 NCR Missile Defender of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS The Successful First Flight of Kratos’ Erinyes™ Hypersonic Test Bed Ushers in a New Era in U.S. High-Speed Experimental Research - Globe Newswire - 06/27/2024 The U.S. Army is spending $4.5 billion to produce more Patriot missiles - Task & Purpose - 06/30/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS Spain sends second batch of Patriot missiles to Ukraine, media says - Ukrainska Pravda - 06/25/2024 ATACMS Comes Out on Top Versus Russia’s S-500 Anti-Missile System - Kyiv Post - 06/25/2024 THREAT NEWS Suspected Houthi attacks target a ship in Gulf of Aden and Israeli port city of Eilat - The Economic Times - 06/26/2024 5 missiles land near ship in the Red Sea in the latest attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels - AP News - 06/28/2024 OTHER NEWS South Korea releases video showing North Korean missile exploding in flight - NBC News - 06/28/2024 House passes defense spending bill amid F-35, submarine purchase spats - Defense News - 06/28/2024 Stay Connected: MDAA | 515 King Street Suite 330 | Alexandria, VA 22314 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice