I - On Defense Podcast

252: Israel Readies for Possible Iranian Response to Damascus Strike + Russia - France Defense Ministers Phone Call + US Official: Russia Almost Reconstituted Militarily + Estonia to purchase Caesar 155mm Mobile Artillery + More

April 04, 2024 I - On Defense Podcast Season 1 Episode 252
I - On Defense Podcast
252: Israel Readies for Possible Iranian Response to Damascus Strike + Russia - France Defense Ministers Phone Call + US Official: Russia Almost Reconstituted Militarily + Estonia to purchase Caesar 155mm Mobile Artillery + More
Show Notes

For review:

1. US CENTCOM X:
03 Apr- , USS Gravely (DDG 107) successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) and two unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen towards USS Gravely in the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. Additionally, CENTCOM Forces destroyed a mobile surface-to-air missile system in Houthi controlled territory.
04 Apr- CENTCOM Forces destroyed one anti-ship missile (ASM) in a Houthi-controlled territory of Yemen. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships.
2. Israel Readies for Possible Iranian Response to Damascus Strike.
3. US White House threatens change in support unless Israel changes approach to war against Hamas in Gaza. No details on what those changes might be.
4. Russia (Sergei Shoigu) - France (Sebastien Lecornu) Defense Ministers have phone call- first in almost two years.
5. During visit to India, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba discussed a possibility that Russia - Ukraine negotiations could be in the future.
6. US State Department Official, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kurt Campbell:
“We have assessed over the course of the last couple of months that Russia has almost completely reconstituted militarily.”
7.  Denmark Government relieves Chief of Defense due to unreported readiness problems with Frigate Iver Huitfeldt during Red Sea combat deployment. 
8. Germany to "overhaul" military command structure. Will combine two separate command centers into one operational command. In addition, Cyber & Information Domain will become a fourth arm of German defense- joining Army, Navy, & Air Force.
9. Estonia to purchase 12 x Caesar Mobile Artillery (155mm). Will be fielded to Artillery formation in the 1st Division.