MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS November 29 - December 5, 2022 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, November 29, it was confirmed that Japan is looking to acquire a “counterstrike capability” to take out enemy missile sites if the country is attacked. A policy document detailing the concept was shown Friday at a meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, the Kyodo news agency reported Saturday, citing an anonymous source with knowledge of the matter. Also on Tuesday, the Pentagon released the 2022 National Security Strategy which identifies the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the only competitor with the intent and, increasingly, the capacity to reshape the international order. The Department of Defense (DoD) annual report on military and security developments involving the PRC charts the current course of the PRC’s national, economic, and military strategy and offers Congress insight on the tenets of Beijing’s ambitions and intentions. The PRC’s strategy entails a determined effort to amass and harness all elements of its national power to place the PRC in a “leading position” in an enduring competition between systems. As expressed in the 2022 National Defense Strategy, the PRC presents the most consequential and systemic challenge to U.S. national security and the free and open international system. On Wednesday, November 30, it was determined that China will likely have a stockpile of 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035 if it continues with its current nuclear buildup pace, according to a report released by the Pentagon on Tuesday. The figure underscores mounting U.S. concerns about China’s intentions for its expanding nuclear arsenal, even though the projections do not suggest China is accelerating the pace of its already-brisk warhead development. On Friday, December 2, the Russian military may be gearing up for a new round of missile strikes on Ukraine, and the goal is to crush the morale of the Ukrainian people. Kyiv urgently needs better air defenses, and this is another reminder that America’s weapons stocks are insufficient for an increasingly dangerous world. The Russians are frustrated by failures on the battlefield and are lashing out by striking civilian Ukrainian power and water infrastructure. Vladimir Putin is unencumbered by international law and norms and could keep this up all winter. The human suffering—in the cold and dark—will be tremendous. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS A Shot Heard Around Asia "Two weeks ago on Wednesday, November 16th, the Japanese Aegis Baseline 9 Integrated Air and Missile Defense Destroyers JDS Maya (DDG-179) and JDS Haguro (DDG-180) launched variants of the SM-3 Interceptor in a layered Ballistic Missile and Cruise Missile Defense exercise, designated JFTM-7. JDS Maya demonstrated the first Japanese deployment of the SM-3 BLK IIA ICBM capable interceptor...." Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Ukrainian War Updates Track the number and type of missiles used in the Ukrainian war, the number of casualties, and daily news highlights. Track updates on the conflict in Ukraine. Taiwan Incursion Updates Track the number and type of incursions in the Taiwan Strait, the number of missiles fired, aircraft crossing the ADIZ, and daily news highlights. Track updates on the tensions in the Taiwan Strait. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Airman First Class Jovanna Hernandez A1C Hernandez is the Defensive Duty Technician for the Defense Team at the 613th Air Operations Center (AOC) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), Hawaii. The Defense Team have significantly contributed to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s (USINDOPACOM) missile defense mission through their combined knowledge, professionalism, and leadership. During this period, the Defense Team participated in multiple Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and Joint Air and Missile Defense exercises that resulted in increasing the capability and lethality in the USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility (AOR). The Defense Team participated in exercises such as Keen Edge, Keen Sword, Combined Combat Post Training, and Night Blue with the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and Air Defense Artillery Fires Control Officer section. Their integration and training increased our joint operational readiness and knowledge of our combined weapon systems. Additionally, the Defense Team participated in multiple real-world operations integrating with allies and partners in the Pacific region. Distance Sea Operations enabled the Defense Team to integrate with their Japan Air Self-Defense Force counterparts to execute the mission to deter peer and near-peer aggression in the AOR. Operation Noble Eagle provided critical roles in PACAF objectives to validate air defense team management of limited resources in a multiple threat environment, timely response & implementation of continuum of operations utilizing theater operationally resilient systems to defend the AOR, and finally providing real-time operational Command and Control for all Dynamic Force Employment in the USINDOPACOM AOR aligned with our National Defense Strategy. A1C Hernandez has served in the U.S. Air Force for two years, as a Weapon Simulation Technician at Luke Air Force Base and Defensive Duty Technician at JBPHH, Hawaii. She has four wonderful children and loves to serve her country. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Indo-Pacific Air & Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS Japan considers preemptive missile strikes to defend against an imminent attack - Stars and Stripes - 11/29/2022 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Sending Patriot Missiles To Ukraine Being Actively Considered By U.S., NATO - The Drive - 11/29/2022 US approves air-launched weapons package for Finland - Janes - 11/29/2022 Wide-Field-of-View missile warning satellite transmits first images - Space News - 11/30/2022 Israeli Navy tests long-range anti-cruise missile interceptor from advanced corvette - The Times of Israel - 11/30/2022 Raytheon wins $1.2 billion surface-to-air missile order for Ukraine - Defense News - 12/1/2022 THREAT NEWS Exclusive: South Korea’s Yoon warns of unprecedented response to North Korea nuclear test, calls on China to do more - Reuters - 11/29/2022 South Korea scrambles jets as China, Russia warplanes enter air defense zone - Fox News - 11/30/2022 More Details On China's Exotic Orbital Hypersonic Weapon Come To Light - The Drive - 11/30/2022 North Korea's aim to be nuclear superpower risks regional arms race - UPI - 12/2/2022 North Korea fires artillery rounds into ‘buffer zones’ near sea border - UPI - 12/5/2022 OTHER NEWS Canada’s pivot to Indo-Pacific spurred by China - Taipei Times - 11/29/2022 IDF to hold joint air drills with US, simulating strikes on Iran and proxies - The Times of Israel - 11/29/2022 The Kadena Conundrum: Developing a Resilient Indo-Pacific Posture - War on the Rocks - 12/1/2022 US approves potential $1 billion counter-drone tech sale to Qatar - Breaking Defense - 12/1/2022 Biden Says He Is Willing to Talk to Putin About Ukraine, With Conditions - The New York Times - 12/2/2022 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!