Latest news with #AirDefenseForces
Saudi Gazette
08-04-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Air Defense Forces graduate second THAAD missile system unit
Saudi Gazette report TEXAS — The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces celebrated the graduation of the second group of personnel trained to operate the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system, following the completion of specialized training at Fort Bliss Military Base in El Paso, Texas. The new cohort follows the first group trained earlier, as part of a broader strategy to equip Saudi forces with the skills necessary to operate and maintain the THAAD system — one of the world's most advanced missile defense platforms and a key component of the Kingdom's air defense network. The graduates underwent an intensive program that included technical and operational instruction, combat simulations, and field exercises. The training was delivered under the supervision of defense experts from the system's manufacturer and in coordination with U.S. military trainers, in line with bilateral military cooperation agreements. The program reflects the Ministry of Defense's broader efforts to enhance force readiness through specialized training and professional development. The Air Defense Forces are continuing to implement plans aimed at building national expertise capable of managing and operating sophisticated defense systems to bolster Saudi Arabia's security and safeguard its airspace. The graduation ceremony, held at Fort Bliss, was attended by the Commander of the Air Defense Forces Institute, Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al-Rubaie, representing Lt. Gen. Mazid Balamro, Commander of the Air Defense Forces, along with U.S. officials and representatives from the training agencies.
Asharq Al-Awsat
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Egypt's Defense Minister Urges Air Defense Forces to Maintain Peak Combat Readiness
Egyptian Defense Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Abdel Majeed Saqr called on the country's air defense forces to maintain rigorous training and the highest levels of combat efficiency and operational readiness. He also stressed the importance of enhancing the technical performance of weapons and equipment to ensure maximum effectiveness. During an iftar gathering with members of the Air Defense Forces on Sunday, Saqr emphasized the need for full preparedness to protect Egypt's airspace against all threats. The event was attended by Chief of Staff Ahmed Khalifa, senior military commanders, and key officials from the armed forces. According to military spokesman Gharib Abdel Hafez, the defense minister conveyed President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's appreciation for the unwavering efforts of Egypt's air defense personnel in safeguarding national airspace around the clock. He reaffirmed the Armed Forces' commitment to continuously supporting the air defense units by equipping them with the latest combat systems to ensure optimal mission execution. Saqr also reviewed regional developments and their implications for Egypt's national security, underscoring the strategic importance of maintaining a well-prepared and technologically advanced military. On Saturday, the defense minister shared an iftar meal with troops from the Central Military Zone, Border Guards, Paratroopers, and Special Forces. He highlighted the army's recent advancements in training and armament across all branches, formations, and units. 'Our Armed Forces, equipped with a modernized defense system, are fully capable of securing the country's strategic borders,' Saqr stated. He described national defense as a 'sacred duty' requiring continuous readiness to confront emerging challenges. He also urged the troops to prioritize ongoing training, maintain high morale, and enhance both their physical and tactical skills, ensuring that the military remains vigilant and prepared to execute any mission under any circumstances.
Middle East
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Middle East
Defense min. shares Iftar banquet with Air Defense Forces personnel
Cairo, March 23 (MENA) - Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production General Abdel Meguid Sakr joined Air Defense Forces personnel for Iftar banquet Sunday. Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, along with commanders of the main branches and senior Armed Forces officials also took part in the Iftar. General Sakr emphasized the Armed Forces' commitment to offering continued supporting to the Air Defense Forces and equipping them with the latest combat systems to ensure they could effectively carry out all assigned tasks. He also reviewed regional developments and their impact on Egyptian national security. Sakr urged Air Defense Forces personnel to sustain their efforts, maintain high efficiency and enhance the technical performance of weapons and equipment. (MENA) A H H/S A S
Egypt Today
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt's defense minister instructs air defense to maintain highest levels of preparedness against threats
Minister of Defense General Abdel Mageed Saqr delivers a speech as he shares iftar with Air Defense fighters - Egyptian Armed Forces' spox CAIRO – 23 March 2025: Minister of Defense General Abdel Mageed Saqr has instructed the Air Defense personnel to continue rigorous training to maintain the highest levels of efficiency and combat readiness. Saqr discussed the developments across the region and their reflection on Egyptian national security, while sharing iftar with various fighters from the Air Defense Forces, Armed Forces' Spokesman Gharib Abdel Hafez said in a statement released on Saturday. The minister ordered enhancing the technical capabilities of weapons and other military equipment and improving their performance. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Air Defense Forces remain in the highest state of readiness to defend Egypt's skies against all threats. Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces Lieutenant-General Ahmed Khalifa, several commanders and leaders of main branches of the Armed Forces joined the visit. Saqr conveyed President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the Air Defense Forces in protecting Egypt's skies around the clock and executing all tasks assigned to them under various circumstances. He emphasized the General Command of the Armed Forces' commitment to providing continuous support to the Air Defense Forces and equipping them with the latest combat systems to enable them to effectively carry out their assigned missions.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine Launches FPV Drone Attack On Russia's Air Defenses In Crimea
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) said it carried out a large-scale attack on Russian radar and air defense systems, boats and a helicopter in occupied Crimea using first-person view (FPV) drones presumably launched from drone boats. A video compilation released by GUR shows the FPV drones hitting nearly two dozen targets. 'The invaders in the temporarily occupied Crimea trembled for several days from an unprecedented rumble – their expensive air defense systems proved helpless against the well-aimed strikes of the soldiers of the Air Defense Forces of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine,' GUR stated on Telegram. The directorate did not say when or exactly where on Crimea these attacks took place. The target list included Podlet, Nebo M, Niobium-SV, Kasta-2E2, 9S19 'Ginger,' Sky-SV, Mys, 59H6-E 'Protivnik-GE' and ST-68 radar systems. GUR said it also attacked radar for an S-300VM surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, an S-300SV SAM launcher, three Pantsir S1 SAM systems, a Project S4236 transport ship, the Fyodor Uryupin universal tug and an Mi-8 Hip helicopter. The three-minute, 14-second video shows the FPVs striking these targets. GUR states they were damaged or destroyed, but the video does not show the aftermath of the strikes and The War Zone cannot independently confirm the outcome. Ukraine's Special Services has released a video from the past few days of dismantling Russia's anti-aircraft and radar networks in stations hit: 48Я6-К1 "Flight" (2) 1L125 'Niobium-SV' (2) 39Н6 "Kasta 2E2" (3) 9S19 'Ginger' 'Sky-SV' S-300VM … — SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre (@StratcomCentre) March 19, 2025 GUR's video doesn't show the drone boats, but that is the most likely method for this kind of strike given how far Crimea is from the front lines. Another possibility, although less likely, is that some of the FPV drones were launched from land nearby their targets by partisans opposed to Russian occupation of Crimea. If launched by drone boat, it would be the largest example of them launching FPV drones for attacks. The melding of the two drone systems first emerged back in January, when FPV drones were launched from drone boats, also known as uncrewed surface vessels, (USVs) against two Russian Pantsir-S1 systems and one Osa system in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine's southern Kherson region. You can read more about that in our initial story here. Launching FPV drones from USVs greatly extends the reach of these swift, highly manueverable weapons, enabling them to hit targets that often require more expensive long-range strike weapons that are far fewer in number. However, as Ukraine has shown it its campaign against Russia's oil infrastructure, it also has a large number of long-range drones at its disposal. Another advantage of using FPV drones for these attacks is that they are harder to defend against using traditional air defense systems like those being targeted. Unlike the front lines, where FPV drones are a ubiquitous threat, Russia wouldn't have the same level of countermeasure systems deployed in Crimea to fend off FPV drones. Combining these two systems is the latest development in Ukraine's Black Sea drone war, which is seeing increasingly innovative use of uncrewed systems, including adapted air-to-air missiles launched from USVs against Russian aircraft. The following video from Ukraine's Defense Ministry (MoD) shows that encounter. A historic strike: @DI_Ukraine warriors destroyed an aerial target using a Magura V5 naval drone.A russian Mi-8 helicopter was destroyed using R-73 'SeeDragon' missiles near Cape Tarkhankut in temporarily occupied enemy helicopter was damaged and returned to… — Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 31, 2024 In addition to being another example of Ukraine's technical innovation, this wave of attacks continues its targeting of Russian air defense and radar systems on Crimea. Taking out these systems potentially open holes in Russia's air defense overlay of the peninsula and the northwestern Black Sea. This could go a long way to ensuring the survivability of standoff strike weapons, like Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG, and other attacks, such as those by long-range kamikaze drones. You can see an August 2023 attack on a Russian S-400 SAM system in the video below. В окупованому Криму знищено російський комплекс С-400 — Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) August 23, 2023 By striking two vessels and a helicopter, Ukraine is also continuing its asymmetric fight against Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Already, Ukrainian USVs have inflicted disproportionate losses on Russian surface vessels operating in that body of water. As we have reported in the past, Russia has used its Mi-8 Hip helicopters to defend against Ukrainian USVs. Given the large number of attacks over a short period of time, it is possible that Ukraine is softening up Russia's air and missile defense capabilities for a much larger aerial attack. Though Ukrainian leaders have made it clear they want the return Crimea – annexed by Russia in 2014 – ongoing peace negotiations might put that goal out of reach. As we noted yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin reached a tentative, limited ceasefire deal to end attacks on power infrastructure. However, Putin has not given up its desire for permanent occupation of Crimea. Moreover, the Trump administration is considering recognizing Crimea as Russian territory as part of any future agreement to end Moscow's war on Kyiv, Semafor reported, citing two people familiar with the matter. 'Administration officials have also discussed the possibility of having the US urge the United Nations to do the same, according to both people,' Semafor added. 'Such a request would align the Trump administration with the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has long seen Crimea as his nation's territory.' The current state of affairs on the battlefield make a Ukrainian military recapture of Crimea impossible. However, continued attacks like these add to Russia's cost of holding onto the peninsula. Contact the author: howard@
