350: Defence Media Awards '24 + Israel PM Netanyahu - UNIFIL Forces Must Leave Danger Zone + UNIFIL Chief - Peacekeepers Stay + US Sends THAAD Battery and Troops to Israel + More

I - On Defense Podcast

For review:
1. 2024 Defence Media Awards held in Washington D.C.. Congratulations to all Nominees & Winners (and those not Nominated as well).
2. Israel PM Netanyahu - UNIFIL Forces Must Leave Danger Zone.
Addressing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, PM Netanyahu said in a Hebrew-language message, “It is time for you to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and from the areas of combat.”
3. UNIFIL Chief - Peacekeepers Stay.
“The decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its positions in spite of the calls that were made by the Israel Defense Forces to vacate the positions that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line,” says UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
4. US Sends THAAD Battery and Troops to Israel.
The THAAD Battery will augment Israel's integrated air defense system. Each battery consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and requires 95 soldiers to operate.
5. Iran Foreign Minister - "No red lines" in response to Israel's potential attack.
Iran on Sunday said it has “no red lines” in defending itself.
6. Hezbollah Drone attack kills 4 IDF Soldiers at training base.
In the wake of the deadly strike, the IAF has also set a goal of completely eliminating Hezbollah’s Unit 127, responsible for its UAV production, maintenance and operation. The effort to kill every member of the unit will now take priority, in terms of intelligence collection and airstrikes.
7. According to Walla outlet, Israeli Shin Bet leader met with Egyptian Intel Chief to restart Hostage Negotiations with Hamas.
8. Towed Artillery Not Dead: Armenia to procure 6 x 155mm Towed Artillery systems from India. The Armenian Army has completed trials of its initial batch (6 systems) of 155mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) purchased from India in 2023.
9. Bell Textron breaks with Spirit AeroSystems following proposed acquisition announcement by Boeing (for Spirit) . Spirit AeroSystem was slated for fuselage work on the Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) effort.
Bell Textron will now produce fuselages in house after this decision.