From 20 September 2024, some veterans and their families will receive an increase to their DVA pension and compensation payments in line with increases to the cost of living. You don’t have to do anything to receive the increase, it will automatically be applied to your payment. 

Picture: Concept art of a Lockheed Martin JAGM flying over water. (Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin is preparing for a live-fire demonstration of its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) vertical launch system next year, as part of its strategy to develop a family of “multi-domain missile systems.” The company aims to offer this advanced weaponry to both the US and Australia.

At the recent Land Forces exhibition in Melbourne, Australia, Lockheed Martin revealed a model resembling the US Navy’s MkVI Patrol Boat, equipped with four JAGM Quad Launchers (JQLs). This vertical launch system is designed to deploy JAGM missiles from surface vessels and ground vehicles, such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.

The JAGM incorporates the warhead of the AGM-114R Hellfire Romeo and integrates additional multi-mode seekers, including millimetre wave (MMW) radar for fire-and-forget capabilities. This enables it to engage multiple moving targets, such as slow-moving aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

If integrated on surface vessels, this would mark JAGM’s first maritime deployment. Currently, its predecessor, the AGM-114 Longbow Hellfire, is used on US Navy Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) in the Middle East for countering small surface threats.

Lockheed Martin sees future applications of the JAGM system for engaging unmanned surface and aerial threats, which have become prominent in regions like the Red Sea. The company is also promoting JAGM to international partners, including the Australian Defence Forces (ADF), with plans to equip the ADF’s incoming AH-64E Apache helicopters.

The JAGM Medium Range (MR) variant, still in development, promises to double the missile’s range to 16 kilometres, and could be integrated into Australia’s Land 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel program for over-the-beach fire support.

Figures as at 19th September 2024

Russia suffered about 632,630 casualties in Ukraine between February 24, 2022 and September 19, 2024, including 1,130 soldiers killed or wounded in action in the past 24 hours.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said this in a post on Ukrinform reports.

Since the war began in February 2022,

Ukraine’s defence forces have destroyed 8,705 Russian tanks ( + 14 in the past 24 hours),

• 17,093 (+13) armoured fighting vehicles,
• 18,177 (+23) artillery systems,
• 1,189 (+1) multiple rocket launchers,
• 947 anti-aircraft warfare systems, and 2,592 cruise missiles.
• The Russian army also lost 369 warplanes, 328 helicopters,
• 15,417 (+63) tactical unmanned aerial systems,
• 28 warships/cutters,
• 1 submarine, 24,839 (+55) vehicles and fuel trucks, and
• 3,109 pieces of special equipment.

Figures on enemy losses are being verified.

By Robert Castle – Quora

Afraid as any man would be when death is on his doorstep.

To reveal the fate of Russia and the demise of Putin you only have to look at Germany post WW2 to see what will happen in the near future. (minus the German Economic Miracle)

Russia is in shambles.

Economy, infrastructure, finance; all are in tatters and were in deplorable condition BEFORE the Ukraine invasion. Some semblance, even a hollowed-out shell, of prior institutions that can somewhat be resurrected after a national calamity or war needs to be present to even get a glimmer of recovery.
Germany recovered (not considering the German Economic Miracle) BECAUSE they had major powerhouses of industry, finance, infrastructure before WW2. Sure, many German cities were bombed to oblivion. Many cities were utterly destroyed with millions of innocent German civilians killed. However much of the major industries and finance during the war was moved to smaller locales with the war industry moved underground far from cities. Much industry and personnel in Germany was still intact post WW2, considering as destructive as WW2 was.
Russia has none of this. It hasn’t existed even before the Bolshevik revolution. Russian industries were/are crude, delicate systems prone to cascade failure from corruption and/or abrupt shocks.

Russian patriotism is gone.

The revolutionary fervour is dead. The revolution that emblazoned the heart, that sparked a pivotal movement, that caused a seismic shift in the Russian mindset is all but gone, a draping rot of nostalgic artwork peppered across the Russian landscape. A once powerful proud nation brought low by its own horrifying hatred of itself.
Centuries of autocratic rule have rendered the Russian people apathetic, misanthropic, selfish, and greedy. All within good reason since the Russian soul has been bludgeoned to serf like submission by murderous rulers. No Russian will ever pick up a sickle or hammer to work again for the common good once all the smoke clears.

The Crown Jewels have already been pilfered from Russia.
After Germany was defeated the Crown Jewels was not just the technology but the army of technicians, scientists, and academia. Post WW2 Russia robbed and plundered Germany with vicious horrifying hatred and then all but squandered this great wealth.
All the IT knowledge workers, scientists, technicians, have left Russia since the beginning of the invasion into Ukraine. A major brain drain.

This point CANNOT be overstated how disastrous this is now and in the post-war phase for Russia. Sure, some may return but why go back – other than for a visit – to substandard living conditions when the majority have already been absorbed into other countries with the other countries usually stellar living conditions compared to Russia? Why go back when most have already set up a posh lifestyle in another country? People want money and a good living. No expat Russian cares about or is patriotic for Mother Russia of which the Russian Zeitgeist died long ago.

Remember nuclear war is not a planet ending event.
Many will survive even in a “mutually assured destruction” nuclear exchange. With the prime article being that most of Russia’s nuclear arsenal is JUNK!! Russia tech is crude at best and has a 50/50 chance of working when new! Russia’s arsenal hasn’t been refurbished in 20 years. Guaranteed 3/4 of them are duds.

What is most likely the outcome – nukes or not – is that Russia will be further destroyed than it already is. The West and China will fight over the vast natural resources.
The people will willingly acquiesce and become servants to the West or China because of the massive influx of riches that inevitably follows Capitalists.

Russia will be divided in two. Western and European Russia to the West and the East to China.

Putin will undoubtedly be killed by the elites of Russia.
Much like rules for rulers from the “The Dictator’s Handbook” by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith:

“The people do not replace the king; the court replaces the king”

In 1999, operating in support of United Nations resolutions, the Australian Defence Force led a multinational peacekeeping task force to restore security and stability in Timor-Leste, following the violence that ensued from its historic independence vote. Australia is deeply proud to have contributed to the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence. The ADF contributed 5,500 members to International Force East Timor, better known as INTERFET. This anniversary is an opportunity to honour and remember the six Australians who lost their lives and all those who served, and their families

The Chief of Staff of the US Air Force decided to personally recruit some pilots and he saw two young twin brothers.

He looked at the first young man and asked: “Son, what skills can you bring to the Air Force?”

The young man looks at him and says: “I’m a pilot!”

The General gets all excited, turns to his aide and says: “Get him in today, all the paperwork done, everything, do it!”

The aide hustles the young man off. The General looks at the second young man and asks: “What skills to you bring to the Air Force?”

The young man says: “I chop wood!”

“Son,” the general replies: “We don’t need wood choppers in the Air Force, what do you know how to do?”

“I chop wood!”

“Young man,” huffs the general, “You are not listening to me, we don’t need wood choppers, this is the 20th century!”

“Well,” the young man says, “You hired my brother!”

“Of course we did,” says the general, “He’s a pilot!”

The young man rolls his eyes and says: “So what! I have to chop it before he can pile it!”

Media Release

B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, part of the U.S. Air Force’s 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, have successfully concluded their mission under the Bomber Task Force (BTF) initiative at RAAF Base Amberley. This deployment, conducted throughout August and September, was part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation Program aimed at strengthening U.S.-Australian military ties and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

During the deployment, the B-2 bombers integrated with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) air assets to enhance interoperability and demonstrate the collective readiness of allied forces. The stealth characteristics of the B-2 enable it to penetrate advanced air defences and operate over vast distances. Its unfuelled range of 9,600 kilometres is extended globally through air-to-air refuelling.

Key missions involved collaboration with RAAF aircraft, including F/A-18F Super Hornets, F-35A Lightning IIs, KC-30A Tankers, and E-7A Wedgetails. Training operations spanned Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific, featuring agile refuelling operations such as “hot pitting” on Diego Garcia.

Group Captain Paul Jarvis, Officer Commanding No. 82 Wing, underscored the importance of these exercises in refining tactics and enhancing cooperation. “This training is essential for ironing out details in peacetime and ensuring operational readiness,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Justin Meyer of the 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron praised the strong ties between the U.S. and Australia. “Our mission demonstrated the strength and interoperability of our forces,” he said, expressing gratitude for the hospitality provided by the RAAF and local community.

Support for the deployment was provided by RAAF’s No. 23 Squadron, with Wing Commander Tanya Evans emphasizing the vital role of base services in ensuring mission success.

The National Interest – by Stavros Atlamazoglou

Summary and What You Need to Know: The U.S. military has one of the world’s largest and most advanced tank fleets, operating approximately 4,650 M1 Abrams main battle tanks, half of which are in reserve.

The Army uses the M1A1 SA, M1A2 SEPv2, and the latest M1A2 SEPv3, introduced in 2020, featuring enhanced network capabilities, explosive reactive armour (ERA), improved ammunition data links, and reduced maintenance needs.

Plans are underway for an M1A3 model, driven by lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict, where tanks have been vital in both offense and defence.

Why the U.S. Army Operates Nearly 5,000 M1 Abrams Tanks

In a recent series of articles, we have talked about Greece’s surprisingly large tank fleet, Turkey’s reasons for operating over 2,000 tanks, and India’s tank fleet, which is one of the largest in the world.

Today, we will be talking about why the U.S. military has one of the largest and the most capable main battle tank arsenals in the world.

Armoured Cavalry

The U.S. military fields approximately 4,650 main battle tanks, about half of which are in reserve. Unlike the other countries we have explored in our series, the U.S. Army operates one type of tank: the M1 Abrams.

Currently, the Army operates the M1A1 SA, the M1A2 SEPv2, and the M1A2 SEPv3 versions of the main battle tank. The latter is the newest version of the tank and the most advanced tank in the world. It was introduced in 2020.

The latest version of the venerable M1 Abrams sports upgraded network capabilities, additional protection through additional explosive reactive armour (ERA) mountings, an improved ammunition data link that allows the tank to fire the most advanced munitions available, extra electrical power from an auxiliary power unit, and a reduced maintenance requirement.

Although a new System Enhancement Package (SEP) upgrade was in the works (it would be SEPv4), the Pentagon recently decided to completely overhaul the Army’s M1 Abrams fleet and introduce a new version of the tank, the M1A3. The decision was mainly motivated by the lessons learned from the fighting in Ukraine, where main battle tanks play an important role in both offensive and defensive operations.

The U.S. military has thousands of supporting armoured vehicles, such as the venerable M2 Bradley and the new M10 Booker that are designed to fight alongside main battle tanks and achieve superiority on the battlefield.

Tanks that are in reserve can become operational if needed after various degrees of maintenance.

Although the Army is the only service that operates main battle tanks, that wasn’t always the case.

The Case of the Marine Corps

Interestingly, the U.S. Marine Corps also operated main battle tanks until recently. In 2020, the Marine Corps officially deactivated its armour battalions. They transferred their approximately 450 M1 Abrams main battle tanks to the Army, some of which ended up in the service of the Ukrainian military.

The decision was highly controversial, drawing the ire of many current and former Marine Corps officers. The main reason for the opposition was that the Marine Corps now depended on the Army for armour in the event of a conflict, thus losing some of its independence.

The counterargument that influenced the decision was that the Marine Corps should return to its expeditionary role and be as light as possible, unencumbered by the logistical concerns of supporting a tank field larger than that of the entire British military.

Both arguments have merit. The Army, of course, is glad to be the only service to operate tanks.