288: US Gaza Pier Dismantled Due to Weather + Russian President Offers Ukraine Ceasefire - with Conditions + Greece Considers Procurement of Precision Strike Missiles + V22 Osprey Fleet Limited Flight Status until '25 + More

I - On Defense Podcast

For review:
1. US Gaza Pier Dismantled Due to Weather.
US CENTCOM Statement: "After the period of expected high seas, the pier will be rapidly re-anchored to the coast of Gaza and resume delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza."
2. Washington Post Report: Since 07 October 2023, US has assisted Israel with intelligence via drone footage, satellite imagery, communications intercepts, and data analysis using advanced software, some of which is powered by artificial intelligence.
3. Russian President Offers Ukraine Ceasefire - with Conditions. Russia ready to start negotiations if Kyiv begins withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and renounce plans to join NATO.
4. Sweden Military to upgrade their Trossbat Light Cable Boat Fleet.
Trossbat logistic vessels utilize water jet propulsion to maintain ammunition, water, and good supplies between warfighters and corresponding vehicles in shallow waters and areas close to land. The vessels can also be configured to carry larger containers and amphibious vehicles.
5. Greece (Hellenic Army) Considers Procurement of Precision Strike Missiles for their MLRS platforms.
6. US V22 Osprey Fleet under Limited Flight Status until 2025.
US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) chief Vice Admiral Carl Chebi:
“I will not certify the V-22 to return to unrestricted flight operations until I am satisfied that we have sufficiently addressed the issues that may affect the safety of the aircraft.”
7. US Senate Armed Service Committee (SASC) FY25 NDAA is $911.8 billion:
$878.4 billion for Department of Defense & $33.4 billion of defense-related activities for Department of Energy.
8. USAF (new) Air Force One platform (VC-25B) continues to run behind schedule.
First flight not expected until March 2026.