US

Defence & Security

Lockheed Martin to upgrade US Trident II missile system

Arnold Pinto 03/02/2025 0

Contract worth $383 million The US Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a $383 million contract modification to continue developing the Trident II Strategic Weapons System (SWS) D5 missile. The contract, a cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee arrangement, will allow Lockheed Martin to

Defence & Security

US deploys 1,500 troops and extra assets to boost southern border security

Arnold Pinto 23/01/2025 0

Acting on Trump’s directive The United States Department of Defence (DOD) is sending 1,500 active-duty troops and additional resources to assist with border enforcement operations at the southern border of the United States. The decision comes just over 36 hours after newly inducted US President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order to address security […]

Cybersecurity

US acts against China-linked cyber actors

Arnold Pinto 20/01/2025 0

For US Treasury hack and ‘Salt Typhoon’ The United States has announced sanctions against two entities linked to malicious cyber activities from China. The individuals and organisations targeted are accused of serious cyber intrusions affecting US government networks and critical infrastructure, including the recent hack of the US Department of Treasury. The US Department

Defence & Security

Biden announces ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel

Arnold Pinto 18/01/2025 0

In a farewell address In his final address from the Oval Office on January 14, 2025, President Joe Biden announced the successful brokered ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, ending over 15 months of brutal conflict. The agreement, which had been the subject of intense negotiation for months, is seen by US […]

NEWS DESK

Saxo Bank Q1 2025 Quarterly Outlook: Trump 2.0 – Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

News Desk 1 15/01/2025 0

President-elect Donald J. Trump will hit the ground running after his January 20 inauguration as he has promised a blitz of newinitiatives and policy announcements from day one. Global markets will spend the first quarter of 2025 in reaction mode, evenwell before the impacts and knock-on effects of the Trump agenda are known. And many […]

Defence & Security

US conducts airstrikes on ISIS camps in Syria

Arnold Pinto 18/12/2024 0

Truman CSG now in the region US Central Command (Centcom) forces have carried out precision airstrikes targeting ISIS camps and operatives in Syria. The Pentagon confirmed that the strikes were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle ISIS operations in the Middle East region. Initial assessments indicate that around a dozen ISIS fighters were killed, with […]

Aviation

US Marine Corps to experience Sikorsky flight autonomy demo

Arnold Pinto 13/12/2024 0

Via optionally piloted Black Hawk The US Marine Corps has selected Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, to demonstrate the capabilities of its Matrix flight autonomy system. The operational demonstrations planned for 2025 will use Sikorsky’s Optionally Piloted UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to showcase how autonomous flight can support the Marine Corps’ Aerial Logistics

Defence & Security

US conducts airstrikes against ISIS in Syria

Arnold Pinto 10/12/2024 0

B-52s, F-15s, A-10s deployed The US military has conducted dozens of precision airstrikes targeting ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria even as Syrian rebels conducted operations to end Bashar Al-Assad’s 50-year family rule after years of civil war. The US airstrikes against the ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the […]

Defence & Security

USAF keeps nuclear triad mission-ready

Arnold Pinto 08/12/2024 0

During recapitalisation programme The United States Air Force (USAF) faces the dual challenge of maintaining operational readiness for the bomber and land-based missile elements of America’s nuclear triad while simultaneously working to modernise and replace these platforms. This ambitious recapitalisation task, which the US government mandates, was highlighted by

Defence & Security

US military eliminates hostile threats in Syria

Arnold Pinto 05/12/2024 0

Multiple hostile weaponry targeted The US Central Command (Centcom) successfully neutralised several dangerous weapons systems in eastern Syria on December 3, 2024, marking a decisive step in safeguarding US and coalition forces operating in the Middle East region. The Pentagon confirmed that the strike targeted multiple hostile weaponry, including three truck-mounted

Defence & Security

US endorses Israel-Lebanon ceasefire pact

Dan Ngiam 28/11/2024 0

After months of hostilities A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, brokered by US and France, has been hailed as a crucial step towards regional stability. In a statement, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin expressed strong support for the agreement, emphasising that it benefits both Israel and Lebanon and is crucial for the […]

Defence & Security Tech

Skunk Works demos the future of air combat

Arnold Pinto 24/11/2024 0

Involving AI-controlled aircraft Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has successfully demonstrated the future of air combat by showcasing a crewed-uncrewed teaming mission. In this mission, a human ‘battle manager’ aboard a human-crewed L-39 Albatros aircraft issued real-time commands to AI-controlled L-29 Delfin jets. The flight test, conducted in collaboration with Lockheed

Defence & Security Tech

US military to continue use of Link 16

News Desk 2 22/11/2024 0

For future warfighter space architecture With the US Space Development Agency (SDA) advancing the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), its director, Derek Tournear, has confirmed that Link 16 will remain the primary communications option within the constellation of satellites, a system crucial for both US soldiers and their allies globally. Link 16 is a

Defence & Security

US announces $275m military assistance for Ukraine

Arnold Pinto 21/11/2024 0

For defence against Russian aggression The United States has announced a new tranche of security assistance for Ukraine as part of its broader effort to boost its defence capabilities in the face of Russian aggression. The new package, valued at $275 million, is the 70th security assistance tranche provided by the United States since August […]

Travel UAE

US Customs and Border Protection facility opens at Abu Dhabi Airport

Arnold Pinto 16/11/2024 0

For Etihad Airways passengers Abu Dhabi Airports has formally opened the new United States Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) facility at Zayed International Airport. The US preclearance facility, the first in the Middle East and Asia region, allows passengers on all direct Etihad Airways flights to the United States to complete immigration, customs, and […]

Corporate

Serco wins $97 million contract to support US naval shipyards

Arnold Pinto 14/11/2024 0

Also, a US military and veterans deal Serco has secured a five-year contract valued at $97 million to support the US Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The contract will see Serco provide programme management and business performance improvement services at four major US naval shipyards: Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in […]

Defence & Security

US airstrikes target Houthi weapons facilities in Yemen

Arnold Pinto 13/11/2024 0

Iranian-backed groups in Syria hit too The US military has launched a series of targeted airstrikes aimed at degrading the military capabilities of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The airstrikes carried out between November 9 and 10, 2024, targeted multiple weapons storage facilities located within Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen. These facilities were

NEWS DESK

Impact of a Donald Trump win on US – GCC Ties – Century Financial

News Desk 1 07/11/2024 0

A Trump victory would have a mixed impact on US and Gulf ties due to several factors, such as trade tariffs, oil production, strong U.S. support, and urgent conflict resolution. Trump’s proposed tariffs on imports might strengthen the US dollar through reduced spending on foreign goods, benefiting GCC currencies like the Saudi riyal or the […]

Aviation Defence & Security

US deploying massive military assets to the Middle East

Arnold Pinto 02/11/2024 0

As Israel and Iran tether on brink of all-out war The US is deploying additional ballistic missile defence destroyers, fighter aircraft squadrons, tanker aircraft, and B-52 long-range strike bombers to the Middle East region as tensions remain at their highest between Israel, Iran and its armed allies and proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. […]

Defence & Security

Austin reiterates US and NATO’s long-term commitment to Ukraine

Arnold Pinto 19/10/2024 0

To counter Russian aggression US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin has reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the United States and NATO to a free and sovereign Ukraine. Austin delivered the statement at a news conference held at NATO headquarters in Brussels on October 18, 2024, following a defence ministerial meeting focused on Ukraine’s ongoing […]