On Tuesday, it was announced that Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system had completed a series of upgrades and tests to improve its ability to deal with complex threats. The testing of the system involved shooting down several unmanned aerial vehicles and the upgraded system is set to be integrated into Israel’s Air Force and Navy.
Also on Tuesday, it was reported that Houthi forces fired drones at the King Khalid airbase in southern Saudi Arabia. The previous day, it was reported that two ballistic missiles fired by Houthi forces had landed in uninhabited border areas in Saudi Arabia.
On Friday, it was reported that three Chinese naval vessels, including a large guided-missile destroyer, were spotted in the Strait of Tsushima, north of Japan’s main island. The ships did not enter Japan’s territorial waters but the incident comes after Japan the U.S. raised concerns over China’s actions around the Senkaku Islands.
Also on Friday, it was announced that Japan commissioned a new Aegis destroyer, the Haguro. The Haguro is Japan’s eighth Aegis destroyer and is also set to carry the SM-3 Block IIA, an interceptor missile currently under development by Japan and the U.S.
On Monday, it was reported that France, Belgium, Japan, and the U.S. have begun a multilateral maritime exercise in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. The Group Arabian Sea Warfare Exercise 21 involves testing the interoperability and capabilities of anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare operations.
