US approves repair services for howitzer artillery guns, other military sales to Ukraine
The principal contractor for equipment, repair services, and sustainment support for the howitzers will be BAE Systems (BAES.L), opens new tab, while the principal contractor for transportation and consolidation services will be determined from approved vendors, the Pentagon said in a statement.
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Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Trump's Golden Dome to undergo crucial test
A major defense contractor has announced plans to conduct space-based tests on President Donald Trump 's Golden Dome within the next three years. Lockheed Martin, one of the Pentagon 's prime military contractors responsible for the F-35 fighter jet and Black Hawk helicopters, will demonstrate a space-based interceptor missile by 2028, the company has announced. Lockheed is now quickly creating command and control (C2) capabilities to aid in Trump's Golden Dome initiative, the company announced this week. 'Golden Dome for America is a challenge unlike anything attempted at this scale or on this timeline, and we're moving fast to bring together connected C2 capabilities that work now,' Thad Beckert, Golden Dome C2 director at Lockheed Martin, said in a press release. The Golden Dome is projected to cost around $175 billion in total and take three years to be ready, Trump has said, though analysts expect the project to cost more and take longer. Whichever Pentagon contractor can successfully prove a reliable ability to shoot down incoming advanced missiles first could win billions in funding, meaning the race to shoot down missiles in space is on. Congress has already approved $24.4 billion worth of Golden Dome funding in Trump's recently passed domestic policy agenda dubbed the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill.' An estimate from the Arms Control Center shows that the total funding for the project could reach up to $500 billion. The Congressional Budget Office also estimates that the project could cost up to $540 billion over the next two decades. 'We have missile warning and tracking satellites made by Lockheed Martin in orbit today that provide timely detection and warning of missile threats,' said Amanda Pound, mission strategy and advanced capabilities director at Lockheed Martin Space, told Fox News Digital this week. 'We are committed to making space-based interceptors for missile defense a reality, leveraging our decades of experience, investments, and industry partnerships, to be ready for on orbit testing in 2028.' Trump first announced the Golden Dome initiative in May, expressing his desire to create a system similar to Israel's Iron Dome, which has proved vital in its war with Hamas. 'This is very important for the success and even survival of our country. It's a pretty evil world out there,' he said. 'Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they're launched from space. And we will have the best system ever built.' Trump declared that the establishment of the Golden Dome would provide 'close to 100 percent protection' of the U.S. and is 'very important for the success and even survival of our country.' The missile defense system, along with others, has been praised for shooting down ballistic missiles launched at the country from Iran and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. The U.S. Golden Dome project will feature a vast array of sensors, satellites, land and space-based weapons that all work together to identify and neutralize targets. 'This rapid C2 prototyping effort is one among many within Lockheed Martin demonstrating how we can support the US Government as a Golden Dome for America mission partner,' said Daniel Nimblett, Vice President of Layered Homeland Defense at Lockheed Martin. He said the project aims to deliver 'real-time situational awareness' and 'informed decision-making to defend the nation.' Lockheed demonstrated its ability to intercept hypersonic medium-range missiles in March after testing its Aegis Combat System aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer. Previously, a similar effort was launched in 1983 under President Ronald Reagan called the Strategic Defense Initiative, which was later dubbed 'Star Wars.' That ambitious plan sought to similarly install space-based defense systems. However, it was eventually scrubbed due to inadequate technology and ballooning costs.
Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Telegraph
If Russian oil sales are stopped, Putin may fall
At last there are signs that Donald Trump means business in his dealings with Vladimir Putin. The US president has delivered an ultimatum, warning that Russia poses an 'unusual and extraordinary threat' to the US, while hitting India – Russia's biggest oil customer – with secondary sanctions. Talks in the Kremlin between Mr Putin and Steve Witkoff, Mr Trump's envoy, have fuelled speculation about a possible truce in the war with Ukraine. However, so far nothing concrete has emerged and Mr Trump's mercurial character adds an extra element of uncertainty to this game of diplomatic poker. He has given the Russians until Friday to agree to an unconditional ceasefire. More important has been the president's decision to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India, on top of the 25 per cent levy already imposed last week. It is a major blow to Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, not only because his country is having to pay a much higher rate than other Asian countries, but because his personal relationship with the president had been hailed as an unusually cordial one. In May, however, Mr Modi showed insufficient gratitude for Mr Trump's role in brokering an end to the armed confrontation with Pakistan. The US president, notoriously transactional in relationships with foreign leaders, is proving to be unsentimental in penalising India for enabling the Russian war effort to continue. The subcontinental superpower's imports of Moscow's crude oil fill Putin's coffers to the tune of £41bn annually. Choking off this lucrative source of revenue for the Kremlin could open up a real chance of peace in Ukraine. Where, though, is Europe in all this? The answer, shamefully, is nowhere. The EU is still importing Russian oil and gas on a large scale. Last year, these imports contributed almost £20bn to Moscow's war machine – a figure that easily exceeded EU financial aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Labour Government has killed off our North Sea energy industry in the name of net zero. According to Downing Street, it is better to pay a premium to import fossil fuels than to produce them ourselves. Nor must anything be said or done to risk the new era of Anglo-Indian trade and investment ushered in by Mr Modi's visit last month. While Ukrainian civilians continue to die in ever greater numbers from Russian bombardment, Europe and the UK are turning a blind eye to the dirty money that is financing this dirty war. It is time for Sir Keir Starmer to follow the American lead, set an example to Europe, and get tough with Putin's enablers.
The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
Heinz's new ketchup smoothie slammed as ‘nasty' with fans outraged by unusual flavour combo
THE launch of a ketchup smoothie has been given an almost criminal reception from sceptical food fans. Heinz linked up with US firm Smoothie King for the concoction — which blends its tomato ketchup with acai sorbet, apple juice, strawberries, and raspberries. 3 3 But the creation, available in Smoothie King stores in the US has been labelled 'disgusting' and 'nasty' on social media. In June, Heinz unveiled a new ketchup which some customers claimed was "better than the original". The "game-changing" condiment has 35 per cent more tomatoes, a "DRASTICALLY" different colour, and even boasts several health benefits. Heinz's Tomato Ketchup Zero sent sauce fans into an online frenzy - with many claiming the new sauce has a better taste. The new Zero ketchup no added sugar and salt, unlike its original counterpart. According to the beloved sauce brand, 9 in 10 customers said "it delivers the great quality you'd expect from Heinz", and tastes better than "other 'Zero' products". Bewildered shoppers poured out on social media, with many shocked at the new launch. Another chimed in: "IS THAT KETCHUP ZERO I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE WHAT IS THAT?" While a third user said: "It's DRASTICALLY different in colour than ketchup I have what the hell." Heinz also said that the release meets consumer trends, as "50,000 Brits say their top food priority is healthier choices with less sugar and salt". 'Revolting' shoppers scream as Heinz launches 'repulsive' new sauce inspired by smash hit movie 3
