All News

Hamas’ Goals in Israel Unlikely to Unfold as Expected

Hamas operatives entered Israel recently aiming to both kill and abduct Israelis for various malicious purposes. However, their strategies might not play out as intended. The current conflict has seen the death of over 1900 Israelis and over 2600 Palestinians, with these figures expected to rise.

The motivations behind Hamas’ actions can be attributed to their foundational purpose as a terrorist organization and an attempt to rally more support against Israel in the Middle East. While they have seen some success, with pro-Palestinian groups celebrating their efforts in various global locations, the broader implications may not be so favorable.

Hamas is also reacting to the growing relationships between Israel and other Middle Eastern countries, as well as the declining long-term support for Palestinian issues. In the short term, these attacks might hinder diplomatic relations between Israel and countries like Saudi Arabia. However, the long-term result could be a more devastated Gaza with its population facing severe consequences due to Israeli military actions and restrictions on trade and movement.

The Palestinian population might experience more hardship and potentially radicalize further. This unrest might also influence Israeli political dynamics, encouraging a tougher stance on Palestinian territories.

The media should be cautious when giving equal weight to the Hamas narrative. Drawing parallels, the article mentions how terrorists involved in major events like 9/11 also portrayed a narrative of victimhood but weren’t given equal media representation. Solidarity shouldn’t be confused with ignoring atrocities, as history has shown with supporters of leaders like Stalin and Mao.

While the conflict will lead to suffering on both sides, the long-term outcome might be a strengthened Israel and a weakened Hamas. This is contrary to the outcomes Hamas had anticipated. Those supporting Hamas should consider the broader implications of their actions on the Palestinian people’s future.

in All News 0 comments

Federal Court Orders Ben Roberts-Smith to Deposit Nearly $1M Ahead of Appeal

In recent developments, the Federal Court has instructed war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith to set aside almost $1 million in security costs in anticipation of his upcoming appeal. This decision follows his significant defamation defeat against Nine Entertainment due to war crime allegations.

Last week, Justice Nye Perram issued the directive, specifying that Roberts-Smith should deposit a sum of $910,000 in three separate instalments. The initial payment, totaling $300,000, was mandated for payment by this Friday. An identical amount is expected by December 8. The concluding instalment of $310,000 is scheduled for January 29 of the upcoming year.

As per the court’s orders, given through mutual agreement, the designated amount should be transferred electronically into an interest-accruing account chosen by a Court Registrar.

Previously, in June, Justice Anthony Besanko ruled against Mr. Roberts-Smith in his prolonged civil lawsuit against renowned media houses including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Canberra Times. Justice Besanko’s findings highlighted that the accusations about Mr. Roberts-Smith – concerning four homicides in Afghanistan and intimidation of an ex-Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) associate – were likely accurate based on the civil measure of the balance of probabilities.

While Mr. Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross awardee, consistently refutes any allegations of misconduct, he has initiated an appeal scheduled for a two-week hearing in February. Legal filings from his representation critique the 730-page judgment on several grounds, pinpointing potential flaws stemming from selective evidence evaluation and conclusions regarding witness credibility.

Subsequent to Justice Besanko’s dismissal of the case, debates have persisted in court about the responsibility for the hefty legal expenses. Nine Entertainment is pushing for a third-party cost directive against Mr. Roberts-Smith’s financial supporters, which include entities such as Australian Capital Equity, Kerry Stokes’ private corporation, and the Seven Network, his past employer.

The court is aware that Mr. Roberts-Smith had previously acknowledged his responsibility to cover legal fees on an indemnity basis since March 2020, aligning with the date of a secondary settlement proposal.

in All News 0 comments

Northrop Grumman Develops Precision-Track Artillery Shell for US Navy

In the evolving era of smart weaponry, Northrop Grumman has secured a contract from the US Navy to craft a self-navigating 57-mm artillery round for the Mk110 Naval Gun Mount, a medium-sized firearm on Littoral Combat Ships.

Historical naval warfare, as portrayed in classic films and documentaries, often showed chaotic scenes of explosive shots raining down in hopes of hitting the target. Modern naval strategies, however, emphasize accuracy over raw firepower. The trend has shifted from firing multiple heavy explosive rounds in hope of a few hitting the target to precisely aiming a single round to maximize its effectiveness.

The precision-centric philosophy is evident in Northrop’s latest 57-mm shell. Borrowing from their experience in transforming traditional bombs into precise weapons, Northrop’s new shell features a downsized, yet robust system equipped with seeker sensors. These sensors enable the shell to latch onto and chase even swift and manoeuvrable targets. Further, it’s equipped with a rear-facing steering system for final approach adjustments and a versatile fuse that can be set for close proximity or direct impact, ensuring maximum impact.

Notably, this advanced round can be shot from greater distances, maintain its course regardless of evasive manoeuvres by the target, and is compatible with the current deck gun without any modifications.

Dave Fine, Vice President of Armament Systems at Northrop Grumman, stated, “Our cutting-edge 57-mm guided round offers unparalleled tracking and guidance capabilities. This ensures the Navy not only effectively identifies moving threats but also possesses the unmatched precision to neutralize them.”

Source: Northrop Grumman

in All News 0 comments

Little Radar – Toting Robotic Gun Vehicle Aims To Protect Squads From Drones.

A trio of international defence contractors have teamed up to offer a new lower-tier counter-drone system that consists of a turreted infantry rifle with a computerized “smart sight,” a small radar array, and a six-wheeled uncrewed ground vehicle. The resulting combination could potentially be employed against other threats beyond drones and would also offer units on the ground valuable surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Smart Shooter, headquartered in Israel, collaborated with Leonardo DRS, the U.S.-based subsidiary of Italy’s Leonardo, and American firm HDT Global to develop this system, seen in the picture at the top of this story. It is set to make its public debut at the Association of the U.S. Army’s main annual conference that opens in Washington, D.C. next week.

The weapon component of the system comes from Smart Shooter. It consists of the company’s Smash Hopper remote-controlled turret armed with a standard infantry rifle equipped with a Smash 2000-series computerized optic.

CLICK LINK to continue reading

Little Radar-Toting Robotic Gun Vehicle Aims To Protect Squads From Drones (thedrive.com)

in All News 0 comments

Núi Đất – A “Cosmopolitan” Community

ED: Ernie submitted a photo with this article, unfortunately the format would not allow me to copy it.

By Ernie Chamberlain

Several writers have implied that Núi Dat was an Australians-only enclave – however, many other nationalities were serving in the base. The New Zealand gunners (161st Field Battery) first served with 1 RAR in Biên Hòa in 1965, and later moved to join 1 ATF at Núi Dat in mid-1966. In May 1967, NZ Victor Company – from 1RNZIR in Malaysia, joined 6RAR in Ph??c Tuy – with NZ Whiskey Company joining 2RAR in March 1968. Resident US artillery elements supported 1 ATF – eg 105mm and 155mm guns of 2nd Bn/35th Arty Regiment in Núi Dat, and 175mm and 8-inch SP guns of the 1/83rd Arty Regiment in the Heavyweight base about a kilometre south of the 1 ATF base. (US SGT Frank Beltier of 2nd Bn/35th Arty – without permission, joined A/6RAR enroute to Long Tân late on 18 August 1966). Other “resident” US elements at Núi Dat included SIGINT detachments (eg 175th Radio Reconnaissance Regiment) supporting 547 Sig Tp – with direction finding (DF) equipment, and occasionally US DF light aircraft were based at the Núi Dat strip Two US SIGINTers were killed in the Province by VC mines – one near Hòa Long in February 1969, and another near Long Dien on Route 44.

US Liaison Officers (LOs) were routinely attached to 1 ATF – from the US Air Force, from HQ II Field Force Vietnam (II FFV) at Long Bình, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 9th US Infantry Division, 25th US Infantry Division, 199th US Light Infantry Brigade, 3rd Brigade/1st US Cavalry Division etc. 1 ATF also exchanged LOs with the Royal Thai Army Volunteer Force (RTAVF) based at Bearcat in south-central Biên Hòa Province. LOs were also sometimes deployed from the 18th (nee 10th) ARVN Division to HQ 1 ATF when elements of that ARVN formation were operating in Phuoc Tuy.

Former NVA/VC soldiers were also stationed in Núi Dat – as “Bushman Scouts” (ie NVA/VC who had rallied to the Government side – termed “Kit Carson Scouts” by the US), serving with Australian units. Bushman Scouts served principally with the RAR battalions and the Reinforcement Unit, but also with 1 Field Squadron RAE and 1 PSYOPS unit (3). NVA/VC ralliers were also employed in Armed Propaganda Teams of the PSYOPS unit for direct contact with the local “VC families”.

“Regular” ARVN personnel also served at Núi Dat – principally members of the 10th Military Intelligence Detachment (10th MID) who were “integrated” into Det 1 Div Int Unit and facilitated the Div Int’s “Acorn raids” against the Viet Cong underground/infrastructure across the Province. ARVN NCOs – often as interpreters, also served with the Civil Affairs Unit and the PSYOPS Unit (about five). NVA/VC prisoners were kept for a short period at the RAACMP “cage” at Núi Dat before processing and movement to formal camps.

In February 1971, AATTV founded the Jungle Warfare Training Centre (JWTC) in the former 8RAR “lines” at Núi Dat – for training ARVN junior officers and NCOs. About 1,500 Vietnamese were trained over two years before the Centre relocated to the ARVN National Training Centre at Van Kiep on Bà Ria Town’s eastern outskirts.

Núi Dat was not quite the “United Nations” – but quite a multi-cultural environment at times.

 

 

in All News 0 comments

Does anyone progress in Army’s reshuffle

IF Gaius Petronious Arbiter didn’t exist, someone at Fort Zinderneuf on Canberra’s Russell Hill would have invented him.

Perhaps they already had.

Petronius Arbiter is oft quoted in military circles for his pithy observations on reorganisations.

“We trained hard-but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form into teams, we would be reorganised,” he wrote.

“I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganising; and what a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency and demoralisation.

CLICK LINK to continue reading

Does anyone progress in Army’s reshuffle | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

in All News 0 comments

Seeking two 1RAR members

G’day Ray

My name is Ken Wriedt, and I am looking for Robert Edwards (3791170) and Allen Green (3791112) and I was referred to you by the secretary of 1RAR Association.

In a past life, we all worked in the Commonwealth Bank, got conscripted and went to Vietnam.

I am now attempting to garner together as many ex-CBA Victorian ‘Nasho’s’ with a view to a get together sometime in 2024.

If you have details of either Robert or Allen, I would appreciate it you could onforward this email to them.

Many thanks

Cheers

Ken Wriedt

HQ 1ALSG 69/70

kmwriedt@iinet.net.au

 

in All News 0 comments

USS Ronald Reagan Enhances Air Power Presence in the Philippine Sea: A Signal to China?

The US Navy consistently engages in training and readiness drills near Taiwan, demonstrating its commitment to regional stability.

The USS Ronald Reagan, the formidable aircraft carrier of the US Navy, is actively asserting its presence and closely monitoring China’s activities in the Pacific. Now on patrol in the Philippine Sea and stationed in Japan, the carrier offers a robust air attack and maritime strike capability, easily within striking distance of China’s shores and territorial waters.

Images released by the Navy of the USS Ronald Reagan emphasize two crucial factors concerning China’s deterrence: proximity and timing. The key to preventing a swift, unexpected Chinese onslaught on Taiwan hinges on these elements. In the event of China deploying a series of ballistic missiles, initiating aerial attacks from its frequent operations in Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone, or commencing a vast air-land-sea invasion, the US Navy, together with its allies, needs to be sufficiently nearby. The primary challenge is responding before Chinese naval vessels, amphibious units, and aircraft traverse the 100-mile distance from China’s coast to Taiwan. While aerial surveillance, using drones or satellites, might detect significant Chinese troop concentrations, effectively countering a speedy Chinese advance necessitates the immediate response of US and allied sea-launched 5th-generation jets.

This strategic consideration underscores the frequent US Navy drills near Taiwan, and it elucidates the rationale behind the dual-carrier activities in the Pacific earlier this year. The objective remains clear: display the capacity to deploy a formidable air attack force within a striking range of Taiwan’s waters.

While China might boast a numerically superior naval force, its People’s Liberation Army – Navy has a limited presence of ocean-launched 5th-generation aircraft. Consequently, any large-scale amphibious assault on Taiwan, irrespective of its magnitude and fortifications, is at a strategic disadvantage without air dominance. The US Navy has the edge with its ability to deploy carrier-based F-35Cs and amphibious-launched F-35Bs. For instance, America-class amphibious assault vessels can carry up to 15 VTOL F-35Bs. Hence, the US Navy is poised to attain aerial supremacy over Taiwan swiftly, provided they are in the vicinity before any potential occupation by adversarial forces. Understandably, the Navy stresses the importance of maintaining a forward posture in the Pacific.

Navigating the USS Ronald Reagan through the Philippine Sea is a strategic move, given the present geopolitical landscape, the strong bond between the Philippines and the US, and their closeness to both Hong Kong and Taiwan. A glance at geographical metrics shows Manila, the Philippine capital, is 612 miles from Taiwan and 701 miles from Hong Kong. With just one refuelling stop, whether from a manned tanker or an MQ-25 Stingray drone, strike aircraft can easily reach the South China Sea, mainland China, or Taiwan. Planes taking off from the Ronald Reagan could potentially land either in the Philippines or Taiwan, enabling them to further execute combat operations in the area.

 

 

in All News 0 comments

This New IFV Can Beat Any Combat Vehicle! Insane Power of AS21 Redback

This New IFV Can Beat Any Combat Vehicle! Insane Power of AS21 Redback. South Korea know a thing or two about military involvement. They need to keep their vehicle fleet state of the art to be ready for any incoming threats from their northern neighbours. This is why they have developed one of the most recent infantry fighting vehicles that make sure troops are delivered to the battlefield safely and securely. Introducing the K21 an IFV that’d proved very popular with other armies around the world. This would then be developed into the AS21 Redback. Let’s find out more about how South Korea’s jewel in its armored vehicle crown became a jewel in Australia’s. The AS21 Redback is an IFV based on the original K21 version. It’s being offered as part of the Australian Army’s LAND 400 Phase 3 IFV programme. Rheinmetall Defence’s Lynx IFV and Redback IFV were shortlisted for the programme in 2019. The LAND 400 Phase 3, also known as the Mounted Close Combat Capability requirement, is worth 15 billion Australian Dollars and its mission is for the Australian Department of Defence to acquire 450 IFVs and 17 manoeuvre support vehicles for their army. The Department of Defence signed contracts worth Aus$50m with Hanwha and Rheinmetall in October 2019. Hanwha Defence delivered the first two Redback IFV prototypes to the Australian Army to be tested in July 2020. The third prototype was shipped in December of that year. In March of the following year, the Australian Army received three Redback IFV prototypes, two of these were for evaluation and the remaining one for blast testing. The integration of the Iron Fist active protection system with the Redback IFV was demonstrated in late-2020. Israeli Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missiles were also test-fired from the vehicles in early 2021.

in All News 0 comments

Gold award for Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre

Congratulations to the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre, which is among four winners to receive a gold standard award in the 2023 Thailand Tourism Awards under the Historical and Culture category.

Located in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, the Interpretive Centre and its memorial site are dedicated to those who suffered and died during the construction of the Burma-Thai railway during World War II. More than 60,000 Allied prisoners worked on the railway with approximately 12,500 losing their lives, including 2,800 Australians. The centre and the ground it occupies is a place of solemn commemoration and reflection for veterans, their families and the broader community.

The Thailand Tourism Awards are considered to be the most prestigious award given to the popular holiday destination’s travel industry.

Announced in Bangkok on the evening of World Tourism day, 27 September 2023, in a ceremony presided by Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi of Thailand, the Interpretive Centre was selected for the award under criteria such as product and services quality, community engagement, and public safety.

in All News 0 comments