319: Report: Ukraine Combat Brigades Digging In at Kursk + Hamas Supports Negotiations But Will Not Send Delegation to Upcoming Talks + US Army 2d MDTF in Morocco Exercise + More

I - On Defense Podcast

For review:
1. Forbes Report: Ukraine Combat Brigades Digging In at Kursk.
There’s growing evidence that some or all of the 5 x Ukraine Combat Brigades- have plans to stay. (The Russians are digging in, too.)
2. Hamas Supports Negotiations But Will Not Send Delegation to Upcoming Talks.
It (Hamas) said it had asked mediators to present a plan based upon past negotiations, instead of engaging in new talks for a deal based on amended frameworks.
3. US making infrastructure improvements to Basa Air Base in the Philippines.
Funded under the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, Basa Air Base is set to receive a 625,000-square-foot parking apron capable of hosting up to 20 aircraft.
4. US Navy launches final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship- USS Pierre (LCS 38). Main sea trials begin in late-2024.
5. Expert Pentagon Contract Broker (Shay Assad), to assist USAF with Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) contract talks (with RTX). Mr. Assad has previously assisted the USAF with Boeing E-7 Wedgetail negotiations.
6. US Army 2d Multi-Domain Task Force MDTF (Effects Battalion) tests unmanned air and Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) systems during Morocco Exercise- Arcane Thunder 2024.
7. US Army reports successful End-to-End Flight Test of Hypersonic Missile.
The first flight test took place in May 2024, at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii.