MDM: September 15 - September 21, 2020: Drones over Guam, Romania receives Patriot, Russian attack in Syria.

MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS

September 15 - September 21, 2020

THE WEEK IN BRIEF

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On Tuesday, it was reported through the Freedom of Information Act that repeated incursions by drones took place over the island of Guam between late March and early April 2019. The small drones used spotlights and flew from over the water to the highly-secure THAAD battery site located at Anderson AFB.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Space Force confirmed that the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellites were used in the detection of an Iranian missile attack in January. The SBIRS satellites provided early warning to U.S. warfighters in Iraq, allowing for a timely response and preventing casualties.

Also on Wednesday, thirteen people were injured after a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel. A second rocket was also launched but was intercepted by Israeli Defense Force.

Also on Wednesday, a Katyusha rocket landed inside Baghdad's Green Zone. No casualties were reported and it was just the latest attack in almost daily rocket attacks targeting the Green Zone and Iraqi army bases hosting U.S. troops in the country.

Also on Wednesday, the nominee for head of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, Won In-choul stated that North Korea may be planning to test a ballistic missile launched form a submersible barge. He also stated that South Korea's military has been watching the related Sinpo shipyard, where the test is likely to take place.

On Thursday, the Romanian Army received its first shipment to U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. The shipment ties in with Romania's acquisition of F-16 fighter jets in an effort to modernize the country's air defense system.

On Friday, declassified satellite images show a massive expansion in China's production and testing of ballistic and cruise missiles. Shortly after, a promotional video by the Chinese Air Force was released depicting a simulated strike on an unidentified island in the Pacific. Some media outlets speculated some images in the video resembled Anderson AFB facilities located in Guam.

Also on Friday, it was reported that the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile system was involved in a Russian attack in Syria. The attack, which also involved the SU-34 and SU-24M bombers, targeted a training camp for a terrorist group that is banned in Russia.

MDAA ALERTS

Back to Back

The sands of time move slowly in the Middle East, in lands with long and ancient histories coupled with long and ancient conflicts. But the past few weeks have seen events unfold rapidly in ways that are remaking the historical landscape, and ushering in the dawn of a new, more peaceful and stable era...

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Addressing the Biggest Threats

“We can’t take a pause, wait for some perfect solution to manifest itself in 2035 or 2040. We are in the threat environment now. The trajectory of Chinese development since 2012, especially, but certainly throughout the course of the 21st century, the advancements that Russia has made over this past decade…"

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MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES

Iskander-M (SS-26)

The Iskander (SS-26 Stone) began development in the early 1970s to replace the Scud-B, however, its development was accelerated to replace the SS-23 Spider, which Russia retired in 1988 because of restrictions mandated by the INF Treaty...

Learn more about Iskander-M

Syria

Syria has one of the largest ballistic missile arsenals in the Middle East and is an active proliferator of ballistic missile technology. Its arsenal consists of battlefield short-range ballistic missiles (BSRBM), short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM), and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM)...

Learn more about the Sria.

Romania

Romania joined NATO in 2004 and plays a central role in the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA), which aims to build a continental missile shield to protect Europe.In 2011, the Romanian Senate adopted the draft law of the Romania-United States Agreement...

Learn more about Romania.

MDAA IN THE NEWS

Riki Ellison Interview on the Mike Buck Show (9/18/20)

Riki Ellison on the Mike Buck show on September 18, 2020. Riki and Mike disucss MDAA's virtual CRT, the Pacific Defense Initiative, challenges in the Pacific during the COVID-19 environment, and more.

Click here to listen to the full interview.

U.S. Pacific Commander Demands Missile Defenses and Offenses for Guam

According to Adm. Philip Davidson, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Guam needs more missile defenses in order to defend against “an increasingly aggressive China...”

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Indo-Pacific Command leader underscores need for stronger missile defense on Guam

Guam urgently needs an Aegis Ashore missile defense system to protect vital military assets from an increasingly aggressive China, according to the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

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PACOM Chief Warns Of Threat To Guam; China Presses Hard

The head of the Indo-Pacific Command issued a stark warning, on Thursday, that large U.S. bases in the Pacific remain outgunned, and underprepared, to defend against China’s massive stockpile of ballistic and cruise missiles...

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Chinese air force video shows simulated bomber attack on Pacific island resembling Guam

The head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Phil Davidson, on Thursday advocated for an Aegis Ashore missile defense system on Guam, to protect “billions of dollars in defense capability”...

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