The Stern Landing Vessel, a modified oil-rig industry off-shore support vessel, prepares to drop its ramp onto the beach in order to load cargo as part of Project Convergence Capstone Four, Feb. 22, 2024 at the Del Mar Boat Basin, Camp Pendleton, CA. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Kevin Ray J. Salvador)

The US Marine Corps is set to collaborate with the Australian Army to test an experimental ship, the Stern Landing Vessel (SLV), designed to shape future island-hopping operations. The SLV is being developed as part of the Marines’ Medium Landing Ship (LSM) program, a key element in their Force Design strategy aimed at enhancing mobility for Marine Littoral Regiments in regions like the Indo-Pacific.
The SLV features four stabilizing “feet” for shallow-water landings and a 150-foot ramp for quick vehicle deployment. While testing in Australia, the Marines will refine the design to address challenges such as environmental impact and beach conditions.

Additionally, the Marines are trailing the Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel (ALPV), a 55-foot autonomous ship designed for covert resupply missions. Both vessels are crucial for enabling future operations in contested environments.

The tests will help the Marines better understand their requirements for future amphibious capabilities.

An Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel stands by at the Del Mar Boat Basin as part of Project Convergence Capstone Four, Feb. 23, 2024 at Camp Pendleton, CA. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Kevin Ray J. Salvador)

In a bold move, the US government has accused Russia of employing state-run media to interfere in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The accusations centre around Russia’s use of propaganda, disinformation, and influence campaigns, with a specific focus on RT (formerly Russia Today), a Kremlin-backed news network.

The US Treasury Department has swiftly responded to these allegations by announcing sanctions on 10 individuals and two entities directly linked to these efforts. Among those sanctioned are Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT, and her deputy, Elizaveta Brodskaia. They are being held responsible for orchestrating a campaign to manipulate public opinion in the US by recruiting social media influencers to spread false information. This tactic is not new but has proven highly effective in shaping public discourse.

The sanctions aim to freeze assets, restrict travel, and hamper the financial operations of the individuals and organizations involved. This is a clear signal that the US government is treating this interference seriously, as it views any foreign meddling in its electoral processes as a severe violation of its sovereignty.

The White House has been vocal in its response to these accusations, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin was likely aware of the interference efforts. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby remarked, “We believe Mr. Putin feels they prefer Kamala Harris over Trump,” underscoring the belief that Russia is once again attempting to influence the outcome of a US presidential election.

This is not the first time Moscow has been accused of meddling in US elections. In 2016, similar allegations led to investigations and sanctions, sparking ongoing tensions between the two countries.

The Krakow Post

Ukrainian forces have recently shot down a previously unseen Russian drone, sparking questions about the new tactics and technology being deployed by Moscow. This drone is particularly noteworthy due to its jet engine—a feature not commonly found in older Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This marks the first time this specific model has been observed on the battlefield.

Ukrainian soldiers were taken aback by the drone’s advanced design. Unlike the propeller-driven Shahed-136, which Russia frequently employs, this new model is powered by a jet engine, indicating it was designed for high-speed operations. Its aerodynamic “flying wing” design suggests possible stealth capabilities, potentially making it more challenging to detect with radar.

Curiously, the drone lacked reconnaissance equipment, such as cameras, and carried no weapons, suggesting it was not intended for conventional reconnaissance or attack missions. Experts speculate that the drone might be an experimental model used by Russia to test Ukraine’s air defence systems. By deploying an unarmed, high-speed drone, Russia could be assessing how easily their new designs can be detected and neutralized.

The drone appeared to be a primitive, experimental model rather than a finished product from a sophisticated manufacturing process, reinforcing the theory that Russia is experimenting with new UAV designs. These prototypes might be used as decoys to evaluate their durability and effectiveness under real combat conditions.

While the exact specifications and capabilities of this mysterious drone remain unknown, its appearance suggests that Russia is actively developing and testing new unmanned technology.

ED: This video runs for 57 minutes … It deals mainly with army language, slang and abbreviations … I found the time to watch it all, most of you should find it interesting.

This pretty much condenses life into 79 seconds. If you don’t see yourself in this video at least once, you must be living on another planet…

ED: From my inbox thanks to Mike Kenavan

The Australian Government is taking a step forward in its commitment to strengthening the nation’s Defence industry workforce with the launch of the Schools Pathways Program: Open Competitive Grant Opportunity. This initiative, valued at over $11 million across two financial years (2024-25 and 2025-26), underscores the dedication to a future “made in Australia.”

The Schools Pathways Program is designed to raise awareness of career opportunities within the Defence industry and encourage students to engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. By fostering interest in these critical fields, the program aims to build a robust pipeline of talent ready to meet the needs of Australia’s Defence sector.

Eligible organisations will be able to apply for funding ranging from $150,000 to $2,000,000 to deliver activities that align with the program’s goals. In addition to supporting student engagement, the program also offers professional development opportunities for teachers and provides resources for parents and carers to guide their children toward rewarding STEM careers.

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “This Government is committed to developing the defence industry skills we need for a future made in Australia.”

He added, “The launch of this grant opportunity is yet another example of delivering on the Defence Industry Development Strategy, supporting a resilient, competitive, and innovative Australian sovereign defence industrial base, and a future Defence industry workforce to support our national security.”

This latest grant opportunity builds on the $5.1 million already invested through inter-governmental agreements with South Australia and Western Australia over the financial years 2023-24 and 2025-26, further accelerating the Government’s investment in a highly skilled workforce.

Applications for the Schools Pathways Program grant will open in early September 2024. Detailed guidelines and additional information about the grant can be found at business.gov.au.

Reflecting on the broader impact of this initiative, Minister Conroy concluded, “The Schools Pathway program is a great example of how the Government is accelerating investment in a robust and highly skilled workforce, which will allow us to meet the needs of our Defence industry partners now and into the future.”

Photo: Army Maintenace Fitter – Defence Photo 

Defence Media Release

Exercise Tarang Shakti 24 is being held at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 30 August to 13 September 2024. This marks the first time the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed combat aircraft to India for a multinational exercise. The RAAF has sent three EA-18G Growler aircraft from No. 6 Squadron, along with up to 120 personnel.

This exercise is a significant milestone for India as it is the inaugural edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti. The event has drawn participation from 11 nations and 18 observer nations, underscoring its global importance.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, emphasized that Australia’s participation in Exercise Tarang Shakti highlights the nation’s commitment to supporting regional partners and fostering international cooperation to tackle shared security challenges. “India is a top-tier security partner for Australia, and through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and India, the Government is continuing to prioritize practical and tangible cooperation that directly contributes to Indo-Pacific stability,” Air Marshal Chappell stated.

He further noted that Australia’s involvement in international exercises like Tarang Shakti 24 showcases the RAAF’s advanced capabilities, ensuring rapid response and adaptability to emerging threats in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise also offers Australian aviators the opportunity to enhance interoperability with foreign militaries, develop a mutual understanding of tactical operations, and strengthen international relations.

Australia and India have significantly bolstered their air defence cooperation in recent years, including hosting Indian Air Force Flankers at Exercise Pitch Black in 2018, 2022, and 2024. The RAAF also engages in various training and engagement activities with the Indian Navy’s P-8I Neptune surveillance aircraft. Moving forward, Australia is committed to deepening and expanding its defence cooperation with India, recognizing its crucial role in regional stability.