Is a US-Saudi defense pact ‘very close’? There are two big reasons for skepticism.

Is a US-Saudi defense pact ‘very close’? There are two big reasons for skepticism.
Is a US-Saudi defense pact ‘very close’? There are two big reasons for skepticism.

Despite optimistic talk from top diplomats in both the US and Saudi Arabia, regional experts don’t see any movement in the near term, due both to Riyadh’s demands and the Gaza conflict.

Can tech reduce civilian deaths in conflict? Mark Milley isn’t so sure.

Can tech reduce civilian deaths in conflict? Mark Milley isn’t so sure.
Can tech reduce civilian deaths in conflict? Mark Milley isn’t so sure.

“How are we going to reduce civilian deaths to the smallest amount humanly possible?” asked Palantir’s Alex Karp this week. “That is a tech problem.”

Austin confirms ‘pause’ in bomb shipments to Israel

Austin confirms ‘pause’ in bomb shipments to Israel
Austin confirms ‘pause’ in bomb shipments to Israel

“We are assessing. We have not made any final decisions on this yet,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said about a shipment of Boeing-made weapons to Israel. “But yes, there are some things we are taking a closer look at.”

Elbit’s new Red Sky air defense system goes public with first customer

Elbit’s new Red Sky air defense system goes public with first customer
Elbit’s new Red Sky air defense system goes public with first customer

The system includes a radar, as well as links to a 30mm gun and missile system for downing threats within ranges of seven kilometers and 15,000 feet, according to a company executive.

Israel retires Patriot air defenses as native air defense systems step up

Israel retires Patriot air defenses as native air defense systems step up
Israel retires Patriot air defenses as native air defense systems step up

The decision comes amid Ukrainian clamoring for the system, though analysts doubted Israeli batteries would make their way north due to Russian sensitivities.

Senate passes $95 billion foreign aid bill, as DoD eyes next Ukraine weapons package

Senate passes $95 billion foreign aid bill, as DoD eyes next Ukraine weapons package
Senate passes $95 billion foreign aid bill, as DoD eyes next Ukraine weapons package

Additional aid for Ukraine could be made available “within days” said Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder earlier today.

Israel beefs up armored corps with new tank companies, for now and the future

Israel beefs up armored corps with new tank companies, for now and the future
Israel beefs up armored corps with new tank companies, for now and the future

Breaking Defense talked with a tank company commander who is helping to create the new units, which will mean less reliance on reservists for tank operations.

House approves $95 billion defense supplemental with aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

House approves $95 billion defense supplemental with aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan
House approves $95 billion defense supplemental with aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

The Ukraine bill passed in a 311-112 vote, the Israel bill passed in a 366-58 vote, and the Indo-Pacific bill passed in a 385-34 vote.

As Pentagon awaits supplemental dollars, its operational funding is $2B in the hole

As Pentagon awaits supplemental dollars, its operational funding is $2B in the hole
As Pentagon awaits supplemental dollars, its operational funding is $2B in the hole

The House is teeing up a series of votes this weekend on separate supplemental spending bills for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine.

Iran’s strikes did little damage to Israel — but analysts say Tehran benefits anyway

Iran’s strikes did little damage to Israel — but analysts say Tehran benefits anyway
Iran’s strikes did little damage to Israel — but analysts say Tehran benefits anyway

“Iran’s goal was to restore its credibility and inflict retribution on Israel while reducing the risk of further escalation,” said Hasan Alhasan, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Israel ‘really came out far ahead,’ White House says following Iran’s attack

Israel ‘really came out far ahead,’ White House says following Iran’s attack
Israel ‘really came out far ahead,’ White House says following Iran’s attack

Over 300 drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles were launched by Iran at Israel, but 99 percent were intercepted, US officials said.

Israel’s maritime C-Dome downs drone in first operational combat interception

Israel’s maritime C-Dome downs drone in first operational combat interception
Israel’s maritime C-Dome downs drone in first operational combat interception

Israel’s Sa’ar 6s have seen extensive operations during the war in Gaza in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Israel’s IWI unveils new ‘computerized’ Arbel firing system for rifles, LMGs

Israel’s IWI unveils new ‘computerized’ Arbel firing system for rifles, LMGs
Israel’s IWI unveils new ‘computerized’ Arbel firing system for rifles, LMGs

The system is meant to automatically release rounds with a greater chance of hitting the target.

Loitering munition maker UVision contracts with SAIC for US production line

Loitering munition maker UVision contracts with SAIC for US production line
Loitering munition maker UVision contracts with SAIC for US production line

The war in “Ukraine and what happened in Israel has put in the spotlight the use of unmanned systems,” UVision exec Izthik Huber told Breaking Defense.