Latest news with #SenateArmedServicesCommittee
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A Russian oil company says it paid out a $195,000 bounty to soldiers it credited with downing an F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine
A Russian company said it paid 12 soldiers a combined $195,000 for shooting down an F-16 jet. Fores said it presented the soldiers the cash at a ceremony near the Russia-Ukraine border on Thursday. Kyiv had long coveted the US-made F-16. It received its first of the jets in 2024. A Russian oil company said it had awarded a total of 15 million rubles (around $195,000) to Russian soldiers who it credited with downing the first US-made F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine. In a press release, Fores, a fracking parts manufacturer, said it had presented 12 servicemen with the cash at a ceremony near the Russia-Ukraine border on Thursday. "Fores fulfilled its earlier promise and paid 15 million rubles to Russian servicemen for destroying the first F-16 fighter jet in the special operation zone," the company said. The firm announced the bounty system in 2023, promising cash rewards for soldiers who destroyed certain Western-supplied military equipment. The company said it had so far paid out just over 52 million rubles (around $670,000) for the destruction of the F-16 and an unspecified number of Leopard 2 and Abrams tanks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had long coveted the F-16 as he sought to bolster Ukraine's air defenses, and Kyiv received its first delivery of the jet in the summer of 2024. Ukraine's forces have so far lost at least three F-16s in combat, with the General Staff confirming the first loss in August last year. The F-16 has nevertheless seemingly proved a hit over the battlefield. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, the US's top general in Europe, told a Senate Armed Services Committee in April that F-16s were flying "every day" in Ukraine and that they had been successful in both air defense and offensive operations. "They've defeated a large number of cruise missile threats, and they've delivered an awful lot of offensive attacks as well," he said, adding: "Specifically, bombing attacks in the east." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
5 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
A Russian oil company says it paid out a $195,000 bounty to soldiers it credited with downing an F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine
A Russian oil company said it had awarded a total of 15 million rubles (around $195,000) to Russian soldiers who it credited with downing the first US-made F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine. In a press release, Fores, a fracking parts manufacturer, said it had presented 12 servicemen with the cash at a ceremony near the Russia-Ukraine border on Thursday. "Fores fulfilled its earlier promise and paid 15 million rubles to Russian servicemen for destroying the first F-16 fighter jet in the special operation zone," the company said. The firm announced the bounty system in 2023, promising cash rewards for soldiers who destroyed certain Western-supplied military equipment. The company said it had so far paid out just over 52 million rubles (around $670,000) for the destruction of the F-16 and an unspecified number of Leopard 2 and Abrams tanks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had long coveted the F-16 as he sought to bolster Ukraine's air defenses, and Kyiv received its first delivery of the jet in the summer of 2024. Ukraine's forces have so far lost at least three F-16s in combat, with the General Staff confirming the first loss in August last year. The F-16 has nevertheless seemingly proved a hit over the battlefield. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, the US's top general in Europe, told a Senate Armed Services Committee in April that F-16s were flying "every day" in Ukraine and that they had been successful in both air defense and offensive operations. "They've defeated a large number of cruise missile threats, and they've delivered an awful lot of offensive attacks as well," he said, adding: "Specifically, bombing attacks in the east."
NDTV
4 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Why Donald Trump Cannot Build The Golden Dome Without Canada
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. President Trump announced the $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense system, the US's first space weapon, with potential Canadian involvement. Canada's role is crucial for the system's success, as it provides necessary radar and airspace. United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled new details on his plan for a missile defence system known as "Golden Dome", which is estimated to cost a total of some $175 billion. The "Golden Dome" will be the first weapon the US puts in space, and it should be operational in about three years, by the end of his time in office, the President said. The System is meant to protect the United States from all kinds of missile or drone attacks, but Trump said that Canada has expressed interest in being part of it as "they want to have protection also." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday his government is talking to the US about joining President Donald Trump's future Golden Dome missile defense program. "Is it a good idea for Canada? Yes, it is a good to have protections in place for Canadians," Mr Carney said. He also added, "We cooperate if necessary but not necessarily cooperate," Mr Carney said. However, he missed out one important detail, that is, he cannot build it without Canada. The latter would need to play an important role in the working of the $500 billion Golden Dome. They would need to provide radars and airspace needed to track the incoming missiles in the Arctic. 'There's a lot we just don't know. There's a lot that needs to be revealed about how the economic and security partnership with America and Canada will unfold,' said Shuvaloy Majumdar, a Conservative member of Canada's parliament. Trump has entangled the US and Canada in tariff wars, which have caused strained ties between the two countries. Hence, Canada now has some leverage when it comes to the US. 'None of [the Golden Dome partnership] has been spelled out or negotiated,' Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in an interview. 'The president, because of his rhetoric, has alienated a large part of the Canadian population, and that's being reflected in the political leaders … it's not, you know, good old Canada-USA. It's like, 'We can't do this easily, because our people are very upset.'' Canada has a large airspace that offers the US an important line of sight for the US sensors to shoot down missiles from China and Russia. Moreover, historically, Canada has played a big role in air and missile defence for North America. 'What Canada really brings is terrain,' said Glen VanHerck, a retired Air Force general who led the U.S. Northern Command until last year. 'If we can position, or Canada positions, over-the-horizon radars further north in the Arctic, that dramatically increases the United States and Canada's ability to see over the pole into Russia, into China and other places.' The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, has ensured since 67 years that American and Canadian militaries work together daily to track anything that comes close to the airspace. The radars of both the countries share information. Canada has funded 40 percent of NORAD investments, and is adding $38 billion over the next two decades. Without the help of Canada, the US will have difficulties building an important North American air defence. Carney and his ministers 'are having wide-ranging and constructive discussions with their American counterparts,' Audrey Champoux, a spokesperson from the prime minister's office, said in a statement. The U.S Northern Command, which oversees NORAD, said it 'will continue to prioritise our core mission of defending the United States and Canada and will ensure any new capabilities align with that objective.'
Politico
23-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Bad news for Trump's Golden Dome: He can't build it without Canada
President Donald Trump left out a key detail this week when he outlined his plans for a massive missile and air defense shield over the continent: He can't build it without Canada. And it's not clear America's northern neighbor wants in. Canada would need to play a pivotal role in Trump's signature, potentially $500 billion effort to build the so-called Golden Dome, according to U.S. officials and experts, with Ottawa providing radars and airspace needed to track incoming missiles in the Arctic. And while Trump insists the country wants to participate, Canadian leaders appear more tepid. 'There's a lot we just don't know,' said Shuvaloy Majumdar, a Conservative member of Canada's parliament. 'There's a lot that needs to be revealed about how the economic and security partnership with America and Canada will unfold.' Trump, in his Golden Dome announcement on Tuesday, dismissed what Canada could offer the project. 'They want to have protection also, so as usual, we help Canada,' he said. Yet whether he realizes it or not, Trump suddenly finds himself in need of an ally he has largely forsaken. He has singled out Canada for free riding on American military might and preferential trade ties, and has engaged in a tariff battle that has stilted relations. Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned the United States can't take Ottawa for granted and has begun searching for other security partners. The shield, therefore, gives Canada some new leverage in the countries' tenuous relationship. 'None of [the Golden Dome partnership] has been spelled out or negotiated,' Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in an interview. 'The president, because of his rhetoric, has alienated a large part of the Canadian population, and that's being reflected in the political leaders … it's not, you know, good old Canada-USA. It's like, 'We can't do this easily, because our people are very upset.'' Canada has nearly 4 million square miles of territory. That airspace offers a crucial line of sight for U.S. sensors to shoot down missiles that Beijing and Moscow are developing to fly over the North Pole — a huge gap in American air defenses. 'What Canada really brings is terrain,' said Glen VanHerck, a retired Air Force general who led the U.S. Northern Command until last year. 'If we can position, or Canada positions, over-the-horizon radars further north in the Arctic, that dramatically increases the United States and Canada's ability to see over the pole into Russia, into China and other places.' Canada has always played a big role in air and missile defense for North America. The 67 year-old North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, has ensured American and Canadian militaries work together daily to track anything that comes close to either country's airspace. Canadian and American radars share information, and fighter planes from both countries patrol the Arctic. They warn away a steady procession of Russian fighter planes and bombers. Ottawa has historically funded about 40 percent of NORAD investments, according to VanHerck, and is putting $38 billion into the command to add new radars in the north over the next two decades. Without those investments — and additional sensors that can peer over the North Pole — officials believe the U.S. will have trouble putting together a credible North American air defense. 'It will be very important where Canada decides to put its over-the-horizon radar,' said a Senate GOP aide, who was granted anonymity to talk about closed-door policy talks. 'It would be much more difficult without Canada.' Ottawa, in order to help build a Golden Dome, would need to outfit its territory with more radars and interceptors, such as those already dotted across California and Alaska. It also would likely have to take a more active role in commanding air defenses. 'What we really want them to do is to contribute to the production of those assets and to be willing to host them, if necessary, within Canadian territory,' said Tory Bruno, the president and CEO of United Launch Alliance, the U.S. rocket company responsible for many of the American government's national security launches. The U.S. could also beef up a defense shield with radars Ottawa is already producing. Canada, during Carney's first week in office, signed a landmark $4 billion pact with Australia in March for a long-range radar built by British-based BAE systems. Canada plans to put these radars in the Arctic and use them as part of NORAD. Carney and his ministers 'are having wide-ranging and constructive discussions with their American counterparts,' Audrey Champoux, a spokesperson from the prime minister's office, said in a statement. The U.S Northern Command, which oversees NORAD, said it 'will continue to prioritize our core mission of defending the United States and Canada and will ensure any new capabilities align with that objective.' Some of Trump's supporters disputed the influence Canada would carry in building the president's defense shield. 'Would it be helpful?' said Sen. Dan Sullivan, the Alaska Republican who is sponsoring legislation to implement Golden Dome. 'Probably, but it's not vital or existential.' Funding is also an issue. The White House has requested an initial Golden Dome investment of $25 billion in the tax and spending megabill moving through Congress. But Canada's parliament won't have a budget ready until the fall. Ottawa is also debating whether to participate in the shooting down of ballistic missiles, which is a controversial issue in the Canadian government. Carney has framed any investment in Golden Dome as a back-and-forth, not a guarantee. 'It's something that we are looking at and something that has been discussed at a high level,' he said Wednesday in Ottawa . 'But not — sure, one negotiates on this.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump needs Canada's help for his American Golden Dome
President Donald Trump left out a key detail this week when he outlined his plans for a massive missile and air defense shield over the continent: He can't build it without Canada. And it's not clear America's northern neighbor wants in. Canada would need to play a pivotal role in Trump's signature, potentially $500 billion effort to build the so-called Golden Dome, according to U.S. officials and experts, with Ottawa providing radars and airspace needed to track incoming missiles in the Arctic. And while Trump insists the country wants to participate, Canadian leaders appear more tepid. 'There's a lot we just don't know,' said Shuvaloy Majumdar, a Conservative member of Canada's parliament. 'There's a lot that needs to be revealed about how the economic and security partnership with America and Canada will unfold.' Trump, in his Golden Dome announcement on Tuesday, dismissed what Canada could offer the project. 'They want to have protection also, so as usual, we help Canada,' he said. Yet whether he realizes it or not, Trump suddenly finds himself in need of an ally he has largely forsaken. He has singled out Canada for free riding on American military might and preferential trade ties, and has engaged in a tariff battle that has stilted relations. Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned the United States can't take Ottawa for granted and has begun searching for other security partners. The shield, therefore, gives Canada some new leverage in the countries' tenuous relationship. 'None of [the Golden Dome partnership] has been spelled out or negotiated,' Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in an interview. 'The president, because of his rhetoric, has alienated a large part of the Canadian population, and that's being reflected in the political leaders … it's not, you know, good old Canada-USA. It's like, 'We can't do this easily, because our people are very upset.'' Canada has nearly 4 million square miles of territory. That airspace offers a crucial line of sight for U.S. sensors to shoot down missiles that Beijing and Moscow are developing to fly over the North Pole — a huge gap in American air defenses. 'What Canada really brings is terrain,' said Glen VanHerck, a retired Air Force general who led the U.S. Northern Command until last year. 'If we can position, or Canada positions, over-the-horizon radars further north in the Arctic, that dramatically increases the United States and Canada's ability to see over the pole into Russia, into China and other places.' Canada has always played a big role in air and missile defense for North America. The 67 year-old North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, has ensured American and Canadian militaries work together daily to track anything that comes close to either country's airspace. Canadian and American radars share information, and fighter planes from both countries patrol the Arctic. They warn away a steady procession of Russian fighter planes and bombers. Ottawa has historically funded about 40 percent of NORAD investments, according to VanHerck, and is putting $38 billion into the command to add new radars in the north over the next two decades. Without those investments — and additional sensors that can peer over the North Pole — officials believe the U.S. will have trouble putting together a credible North American air defense. 'It will be very important where Canada decides to put its over-the-horizon radar,' said a Senate GOP aide, who was granted anonymity to talk about closed-door policy talks. 'It would be much more difficult without Canada.' Ottawa, in order to help build a Golden Dome, would need to outfit its territory with more radars and interceptors, such as those already dotted across California and Alaska. It also would likely have to take a more active role in commanding air defenses. 'What we really want them to do is to contribute to the production of those assets and to be willing to host them, if necessary, within Canadian territory,' said Tory Bruno, the president and CEO of United Launch Alliance, the U.S. rocket company responsible for many of the American government's national security launches. The U.S. could also beef up a defense shield with radars Ottawa is already producing. Canada, during Carney's first week in office, signed a landmark $4 billion pact with Australia in March for a long-range radar built by British-based BAE systems. Canada plans to put these radars in the Arctic and use them as part of NORAD. Carney and his ministers 'are having wide-ranging and constructive discussions with their American counterparts,' Audrey Champoux, a spokesperson from the prime minister's office, said in a statement. The U.S Northern Command, which oversees NORAD, said it 'will continue to prioritize our core mission of defending the United States and Canada and will ensure any new capabilities align with that objective.' Some of Trump's supporters disputed the influence Canada would carry in building the president's defense shield. 'Would it be helpful?' said Sen. Dan Sullivan, the Alaska Republican who is sponsoring legislation to implement Golden Dome. 'Probably, but it's not vital or existential.' Funding is also an issue. The White House has requested an initial Golden Dome investment of $25 billion in the tax and spending megabill moving through Congress. But Canada's parliament won't have a budget ready until the fall. Ottawa is also debating whether to participate in the shooting down of ballistic missiles, which is a controversial issue in the Canadian government. Carney has framed any investment in Golden Dome as a back-and-forth, not a guarantee. 'It's something that we are looking at and something that has been discussed at a high level,' he said Wednesday in Ottawa . 'But not — sure, one negotiates on this.' Joe Gould and Mike Blanchfield contributed to this report.
