Missiles land in Poland, killing two. Russia denies to be involved

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2. Two people have been killed in Poland after missiles landed near the Ukrainian border, reports say

1. Polish media and the AP news agency said Russian missiles were responsible, but there has been no official confirmation.

1. Russia's defence ministry said the reports amounted to a "deliberate provocation aimed at escalation"

1. The US and other international powers said they were investigating what had happened

1. Poland’s Bureau of National Security is meeting in an emergency session and is due to give a statement

1. Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg have spoken to Polish President Andrzej Duda about the explosion.

   "I offered my condolences for the loss of life. Nato is monitoring the situation and Allies are closely consulting. Important that all facts are established," he said.

2. US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the reports coming out of Poland and is speaking to Polish President Andrzej Duda, officials say.

   US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke to his Polish counterpart Jacek Siewiera earlier.

3. In the last few hours images have been circulating on social media, reportedly showing missile fragments from the scene of the attack in Poland.

   Defence experts about from think tank CSIS, believes it may be from an S-300 system. This type of missile is typically used for surface-to-air attacks, and has been used by both Russia and Ukraine throughout the war.

4. Joe Biden speaking to Polish president

   US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the reports coming out of Poland and is speaking to Polish President Andrzej Duda, officials say.

   US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke to his Polish counterpart Jacek Siewiera 

   1. US responds with caution to incident in Poland

   The White House, Pentagon and state department all say they cannot confirm what happened and are working with the Polish government to gather more information.

   They’ve also repeated America’s commitment to defend every inch of Nato territory if it comes under attack.

   The state department said that intent would be a factor in determining next steps.

   Kurt Volker, a former US special envoy for Ukraine, also told the BBC it was very important to establish whether any missile strike on Polish territory had been intentional or accidental.

   Nato should demand a clear explanation from Russia, he said, and, if a missile had gone astray, take steps to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.

   There was potential for mistakes on Tuesday, with Ukrainians trying to shoot down a massive barrage of Russian missiles targeting their electricity grids.

5. Polish President speaking to Zelensky

   After his earlier conversation with President Biden, Polish President Duda is now speaking to Ukrainian President Zelensky.

6. bbc

7. Poland 'set to trigger NATO's Article 4'

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9. NATO ambassadors will meet tomorrow at the request of Poland on basis of the alliance's Article 4, two European diplomats.

   According to Article 4 of the alliance's founding treaty, members can raise any issue of concern, especially related to the security of a member country.

   One of the diplomats said NATO would act cautiously and needed time to verify how exactly the incident happened.

10. sky
    

   Where did the 'missile' strike in Poland?

Claims have emerged that a Russian missile struck a Polish village close to the border with Ukraine.

Poland confirmed an "explosion" in Przewodow.

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Biden - Unlikely that missile was fired from Russia

US President Joe Biden, saidt is "unlikely" that the missile responsible for killing two people in Poland was fired from Russia.

'There is "preliminary information that contests" whether the incident in Poland was due to a missile fired from Russia.

"I don't want to say that until we completely investigate, but it's unlikely in the minds of the trajectory that it was fired from Russia, but we'll see."

bbc

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NEWS 2022 April, 9

NATO fighters intercept Russian Jets over Black Sea from base in Romania

NATO jets scrambled from this Romanian base four times in the last 20 days to intercept Russian fighters that launched from Crimea, flying toward NATO territory along the Black Sea coast. Each time, the Russian jets turned away without incident, but the flights represent a growing threat to the alliance.

The intent of the Russian practice was not immediately clear to the NATO air policing commanders and Combined Air Operations Centre in Torrejon, Spain. But, it underscored the importance of the mission to protect the skies over what defense officials say is the NATO front line in the Russian war with Ukraine.

airforcemag

Congress blocks USAF A-10 retirement

Last year, the Air Force announced it wanted to retire 42 A-10C Thunderbolt II planes, all but seven of which are housed at the Tucson base. Dumping those jets in 2022 would have made room to bring testing and training for the A-10 and the HH-60 combat search-and-rescue helicopter from Nellis AFB in Nevada to Davis-Monthan.

Davis-Monthan is home to A-10Cs, HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, HC-130 Hercules transport jets and the EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare planes. It’s been on the cusp of change for years: Officials have tried and failed multiple times to dump at least some of the Air Force’s 280 or so A-10s in favor of longer-range, stealthy platforms, and are replacing Pave Hawks and Compass Calls with newer models.

The Air Force wanted to move Nellis’s A-10 weapons instructor course and test and evaluation work to Arizona this year. The HH-60G’s advanced tactics course for instructors, test and combat units would join them in 2024.

defensenews

Slovakia has provided its S-300 air defense 'legacy' systems to Ukraine

Slovak Defence Minister said the United States will deploy a Patriot air defense system in his country next week.

Announcement came shortly after Slovakia donated its Soviet-era S-300 air defense system to Ukraine at its request that Slovakia was willing to provide its S-300 to Ukraine on condition it has a proper replacement.

Additionally, Germany and the Netherlands have agreed to send troops armed with Patriot missiles to Slovakia as part of 2,100-strong force made up of soldiers from several NATO members states, including the U.S. The force will form a battlegroup on Slovak territory to boost NATO defenses on the alliance’s eastern flank.

NATO members Bulgaria, Slovakia and Greece have S-300s, which can fire missiles hundreds of miles and knock out cruise missiles as well as aircraft.

Slovak Prime Minister recently visited the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv with top European Union officials, ahead of a planned meeting with Ukrainian President.

Zelenskyy had mentioned S-300s by name when he spoke to U.S. lawmakers by video last month, appealing for defense systems that would allow Ukraine to “close the skies” to Russian planes and missiles.

defensenews

NEWS 2022 March, 20

Slovakia agrees to Provide S-300s and MiG-29s to Ukraine

Slovakia has agreed to provide its S-300 air defense systems and MiG-29s to Ukraine “immediately” if it can get “proper” replacements in a timely manner, according to Slovak defense minister in a joint press conference with U.S. Defense Secretary.

“We are willing” to provide what he called the “legacy” systems to Ukraine, Slovak defense minister said. “We’re willing to do so immediately when we have a proper replacement.

Slovakia is set to receive 14 new F-16 Block 70 fighters, but the delivery of those jets has been delayed a year, from 2023 to 2024.

Javorcik said the MiG-29s will be phased out in October 2023, regardless of whether the new jets are available.

airforcemag

United States to supply Ukraine with anti-armour vehicles 'Kamikaze drones'

A new US government aid package to Ukraine may include AeroVironment Switchbladedrones

designed to take out light-armoured vehicles.

The White House on 16 March disclosed it will provide Ukraine with an additional $800 million in the form of “direct transfers of equipment”, building atop a previous $200 million.

The latest package calls for Washington to supply the embattled government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with an assortment of military equipment, including “100 tactical unmanned aerial systems”.

flightglobal

Egypt likely to receive F-15s

A top US general today told lawmakers that he believes the US will provide F-15 fighter aircraft to Egypt.

“In the case of Egypt, I think we have good news in that we’re going to provide them with F-15s,” Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. It “was a long, hard slog” to get such a deal set up, he added.

The United States, in recent history, has hesitated to provide arms to Egypt largely due to the 2013 military coup aimed at removing the country’s then-president Mohamed Morsi. The State Department halted several pending sales of helicopters, fighter jets, tank components and anti-ship missiles immediately following the Egyptian military’s actions to voice displeasure over human rights crackdowns that followed the coup.

The successful sale of F-15s to Egypt could also have second-order effects on the 2018 deal Egypt made with Russia for $2 billion in Su-35 fighter jets.

breakingdefense

Serbia to buy S-300 missile systems, MiG-29 jets from Belarus

The Serbian Ministry of Defenee is planning to purchase S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems and seven Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jets from Belarus.
The deals are to be signed this November during an official visit by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to Minsk where he will meet with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, a Serbian government source told local daily Tanjug.
The unnamed official said that “the offer that is on the table and which will be announced in November is much more favorable than the one that we obtained from Moscow.”
The value of the planned deal was not disclosed.
defensenews

Iran to purchase Sukhoi-30 fighter jets from Russia

Iran will sign a contract with Russia for the purchase of Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, Iran's defense minister said Wednesday.
In comments published on the ministry of defense website, Gen. Hossein Dehghan did not specify how many fighter planes Iran will buy, or give a timeline for the signing of the deal. However, he said that under the agreement Iran would also be involved in the production of the aircraft.
Iran's air force still heavily depends on domestically modified versions of long-outdated warplanes, including former Soviet MiGs and American F14A Tomcats from the 1970s.
Iran has also rejected reports that Iran has negotiated the purchase of J10 fighter jets from China.
Russia has already started delivering S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran. The advanced defensive weapons system deal was frozen in 2010 due to U.N sanctions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin approved delivery of the air defense missile system in April 2015.
yahoo.com

Supplies of S-300 air defense systems to Iran to begin in January 2016

The deliveries of Russian S-300PMU-2 air defense systems to Iran will begin in January, a source in the military and technical cooperation system told TASS on Friday. "It is planned to begin the process of delivery of the first regiment of the S-300PMU-2 air defense systems in January and to complete it in February. Iran is due to receive the second regiment of these systems in August or September 2016," the source said. "Russia will thus fulfill its obligations to supply the S-300PMU-2 air defense systems to Iran," he added. According to the source, about 80 Iranian specialists will be trained to use the S-300 missile systems (NATO reporting name SA-10 Grumble) at the Mozhaisky Military Space Academy.
tass

Israel trained against S-300 air defense system in Greece

Israel has quietly tested ways of defeating an advanced air-defence system that Russia has deployed in the Middle East and that could limit Israel's ability to strike in Syria or Iran, military and diplomatic sources said.
The sources said a Russian S-300 anti-aircraft system, sold to Cyprus 18 years ago but now located on the Greek island of Crete, had been activated during joint drills between the Greek and Israeli air forces in April-May this year.
The activation allowed Israel's warplanes to test how the S-300's lock-on system works, gathering data on its powerful tracking radar and how it might be blinded or bluffed.
One defense source in the region said Greece had done so at the request of the United States, Israel’s chief ally, on at least one occasion in the past year. It was unclear whether Israel had shared its findings with its allies.
reuters

Slovakia Confirms Interest in Upgrading Its S-300 Missile System

Slovakia confirms its interest in the modernization of the Russian S-300 missile defense system, Slovakian Prime Minister said Tuesday.
“I would like to confirm the Slovak Republic’s interest if we’re talking about the modernization of the S-300 system,” Prime Minister said during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
sputniknews

Russia Says Is Too Early to Deliver S-300 Missile Defense Systems to Iran

The decision to supply Iran with S-300 missile defense systems has already been made, but it is still too early to deliver the systems, Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary said Tuesday.
Russia’s deal with Iran to deliver five S-300 systems dates to 2007. It was halted after the UN Security Council slapped Tehran with an arms embargo over its controversial nuclear energy program.
In April 2015, Iran was able to take the edge off the nuclear row after it agreed on a framework accord to dismantle parts of its nuclear infrastructure in exchange for the easing of sanctions.
The final agreement between Tehran and six world powers, due by the end of June, is expected to open the way for Russian arms deliveries. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban on the sale of S-300s to the Islamic republic.
Russia’s decision has been heavily criticized by Israel amid concerns that the shipments could increase tensions in the region, although its key ally US President Barack Obama said he was surprised the deal was suspended for so long, given that the defensive S-300s were not covered by the UN embargo.
sputniknews

Israeli F-16I pilots Train to Deal Against S-300 System

The Israeli air force has used a bilateral exercise with its Greek counterpart to prepare for apotential situation where it will have to attack Iranian nuclear facilities.
In late April, the service took part in joint training with the Greek air force, which included performing missions against the nation's Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile system. The same equipment will soon be supplied to Iran, under a proposed deal with Moscow.
The Israeli and Greek air forces have staged a number of joint exercises over the last few years.
NATO member Greece has been in possession of S-300s since the late 1990s, and is operating the air defence systemfrom a base in Crete. Athens is also negotiating with Russia for the purchase of additional missiles.
According to foreign sources, the Israeli air force has acquired technical data about the long-range surface-to-air missile system, and now its pilots have had a chance to simulate a scenario in which they attack a site heavily protected with the S-300 and other advanced anti-aircraft systems.
flightglobal

Turkey May Buy Russia's S-300 Air Defense System

Turkey is still considering purchasing Russia’s S-300 air and missile defense system, according the deputy head of Rosoboronexport— Russia’s state-owned arms exporter.
Turkey is currently looking to spend between $3.4-$4 billion on an air and missile defense system as part of its T-LORAMIDS program. Russia had put in a bid for its Antey-2500 air defense system (the export version of the S-300) for that contract, along with defense companies from Europe, the United States and China..
In September 2013, Turkey shocked many by announcing it had selected the proposal submitted by China (CPMEIC) to jointly develop its HQ-9 system (FT-2000). This raised the hackles of Ankara’s NATO allies, including the United States, who said the HQ-9 system was not interoperable with NATO’s larger, Patriot-based air defense system.
In addition, many NATO allies, including Washington, said that connecting the HQ-9 to NATO’s Patriot systems would leave the latter vulnerable to Chinese espionage. Furthermore, CPMEIC, the maker of the HQ-9, is under U.S. sanctions because of its arms sales to countries like North Korea and Iran.
nationalinterest

Russia lifts ban on S-300 missile system delivery to Iran

Russia has lifted a ban on supplying Iran with a sophisticated air defence missile system.
Delivery of the S-300s was cancelled in 2010 after the UN imposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.
But the Russian president gave the go-ahead after Tehran struck an interim deal with world powers to curb nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
The US and Israel have criticised the news.
When it was cancelled, Iran filed a lawsuit seeking billions of dollars in damages.
The S-300 is a surface-to-air missile system that can be used against multiple targets including jets, or to shoot down other missiles.
It is not clear when the system would be delivered. Russia has stopped producing the model specified under the original contract and has instead offered an upgrade.
bbc

Russian Military Receives Second Batch of New S-300V4 Air Defense Systems

Russia's Air Defense Forces have received their second batch of a new modification of the S-300 surface-to-air system, with expanded anti-aircraft, anti-cruise and anti-ballistic missile capabilities.
Almaz-Antei Air Defense Concern has delivered three batteries of the new S-300V4 system to the Russian military, which expects to deploy the new system in the Western Military District.
The new system is a modernized version of the S-300V3. It includes new, more advance computational components, which have expanded its range by 100 km (to 400 km), as well as its anti-missile defensive umbrella's effectiveness.
The new system, designed between 2012-2014, is a modernized version of the S-300V3, with elements from versions of the S-300V Antei-2500 which were produced for export. It includes new, more advance computational components, which have expanded its range by 100 km (to 400 km), as well as its anti-missile defensive umbrella's effectiveness. The Air Defense Forces received their first S-300V4 brigade in December 2014.
Military specialists estimate that the new system is 1.5-2.3 times more effective in its anti-missile defense capabilities. The defensive system is capable of targeting medium-range ballistic missiles launched from a distance of up to 2,500 km away.
The military's contract with Almaz-Antei calls for the provision of nine S-300V4 brigades by 2020.
sputniknews

Russia offers Iran latest anti-ballistic missile system, Antey-2500

Russia has offered Iran the chance to buy its latest Antey-2500 anti- aircraft and ballistic missile system, instead of the older S-300 system.
Iran is considering deal. No decision has been made yet," Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov said while speaking at an international arms show in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, according to TASS.
Antey-2500 is an improved version of the S-300, which Russia has stopped manufacturing. Under contract signed in 2007 by the two countries, Russia was to deliver S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran. However, the deal was canceled in 2010 by then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, following UN sanctions imposed on Iran due to its disputed nuclear program. In turn, Tehran filed a currently pending $4 billion lawsuit against Russia with Geneva's arbitration court.
rt.com

Russia may send S-300 missile system to Iran

Russia might deliver a long-overdue S-300 air defence missile system to Iran, honouring a contract that was cancelled in 2010 following strong pressure from the West.
Russian Defence Minister is visiting Tehran and signed an agreement with Iranian Defense Minister to boost cooperation.
The two countries could resolve problems with the delivery of the advanced missile system.
The United States and Israel heavily lobbied Russia to block the missile sale, saying it could be used to shield Iran's nuclear facilities from possible future air strikes. Iran in turn has taken Russia to arbitration to finalise the sale.
Russia's ties with Iran have strengthened recently due to Western sanctions that they are both now facing and added that the two countries were looking to expand their cooperation in other areas.
reuters

S-400 Looms Large Over Taiwan

Taiwan’s F-16s face a growing threat from China’s arsenal of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). The latest and gravest is the Russian sale of 400-kilometer-range S-400 Triumf road-mobile SAM systems to China.
The Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation has downplayed recent Russian-language media reports of an agreement and contract, but “as I understand it, it is basically true,” said Vasiliy Kashin, a China military specialist at Moscow’s Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies.
Russian media reports indicate China and Russia have signed a US $3 billion contract to procure an initial six S-400 battalions. The missile is an upgraded variant of the S-300, now fielded by China in battalions based near major cities and scattered along the coast facing Taiwan and Japan.
Kashin, who attended the recent Airshow China in Zhuhai, said that with a range of 400 kilometers and fielded in Fujian Province, the SAM system will be able to cover the whole of Taiwan airspace, thus finally solving the “problem of air superiority for the Chinese.”
If China chooses to deploy the S-400 in Shandong Province, it will provide coverage of airspace over the Senkaku Islands. “That will be another asymmetric capability, together with anti-ship ballistic missiles, which will boost Chinese potential in dealing with the local conflicts in East Asia,” Kashin said.
China has staked a claim to the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands, which it refers to as the Diaoyu Islands. Other factors suggesting China will deploy the S-400 over the East China Sea include the fact that China declared an air defense identification zone over the East China Sea, including the Senkakus, in November 2013.
The S-400 will give China more confidence in controlling airspace over Taiwan, and will serve as a critical factor in defeating Taiwan’s air defense capabilities during a war, said York Chen, a former senior adviser of Taiwan’s National Security Council.
After China’s surface-to-surface missiles destroy Taiwan’s air bases and runways at the beginning of a conflict, the S-400 could target remaining fighter aircraft that managed to reach the air beforehand, not to mention any US or Japanese fighters coming to Taiwan’s aid during the battle.
defensenews

Russia supplies Egypt with anti-aircraft S-300 missiles

Russia supplied to Egypt Anti-aircraft system missiles type S-300, a Russian official said on Wednesday.
According to Russian news channel, Russia Today, quoting Deputy Director General of the Russian Military and Technology Cooperation with Foreign Countries Vicslav Dzirkalen as saying that the missile will increase Egypt's Defence capabilities.
The Russian official added Venezuela was the first country to receive this type of missile, which has the ability to destroy ballistic missiles equipped with radars able to monitor 100 targets and destroy 12 of them at one time.
Russia abstained from providing Iran with these missile systems due to international sanctions imposed against Tehran.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moallem said recently that his country will soon get these missile systems.
Other Russian news outlets rejected the reports on purchasing or providing Egypt with these missiles
kuna.net.kw

Egypt reportedly orders S-300VM

Egypt has entered into an agreement to buy S-300VM long-range air defence systems from Russia
The city's Kirov factory had an order to build 22 of the tracked vehicles used with the S-300VM system for an unidentified foreign customer. It published photographs showing one of the vehicles painted in a desert colour, although another was painted green. The GM-830 chassis is only used to carry the S-300V series.
The S-300VM is the current export version of a family of air defence systems developed in parallel with the S-300P series. It can use two different missiles, one for intercepting medium-range ballistic missiles, the other for air-breathing targets.
However, the S-300VM has not sold as well as the S-300P series, with Venezuela being the only known export customer.
janes

Russia cancels Syrian S-300 deal

The S-300 air defence systems that Syria ordered from Russia will probably now be scrapped after the cancellation of the deal.
Russia has used its Security Council veto to prevent the imposition of a UN arms embargo on Damascus and has admitted delivering some S-300 components to the Syrians. However, the deal was put on hold after it brokered the agreement under which Damascus surrendered its chemical weapons.
Meanwhile, Iran continues its attempts to persuade Moscow to resurrect the S-300 deal that was cancelled after a UN arms embargo was imposed on the Islamic republic in 2010.
janes

Russia To Bolster Air Defense in Belarus With S-300 Systems

Russia has ordered four S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to be supplied to Belarus to develop and increase the combat potential of the unified regional air defense system.
The latest procurement follows increased efforts by neighboring Poland to upgrade its anti-missile and air defense system. The Polish Ministry of Defense, which is carrying out a tender to buy new middle-range missile systems, said June 30 it had shortlisted two bids by Raytheon, with Patriot interceptors, and France’s Eurosam consortium by MBDA and Thales, with its SAMP/T system.
defensenews