The U.S. military should reassess its force posture in Europe and reduce its reliance on revolving door-style unit rotations, a major think tank’s analysts concluded in a Monday report.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies’ transnational threat team based their study on official documents, open-source materials and interviews with subject-matter experts.

The report’s authors recommend that the Army abandon the rotational armor brigade deployment model that “eats up … the Army’s force structure and long-term readiness.” Currently, two armor brigades are deployed to Europe. Instead, the report said, the service should permanently station an Armored Brigade Combat Team in Poland to replace one rotational unit and eliminate the remaining rotation altogether.

An Army Times investigation found that tank brigades and enlisted tank crew members were at higher risk of suicide than other soldiers in recent years, due in part to a decade of high operational tempo fueled by such non-combat deployments. The service once had armor brigades in Europe, but they were removed in the early 2010s.

Currently, the Army maintains a large presence of rotational forces in Europe. V Corps’ forward headquarters in Poznan, Poland oversees the three temporarily deployed brigade combat teams, which includes one light infantry brigade in addition to the two armor brigades. Other rotational forces include division headquarters, a combat aviation brigade, fires assets and sustainment units.

But the short-tour model has consequences, the report’s authors argued. They cost more money in the long-term compared to permanent bases, and they are less integrated into the continent’s culture and defense network. The deployment-based model negatively impacts soldiers, too — the authors said evidence suggests they “separate military personnel from their families,” causing “low morale” that can spawn “discipline issues and increased divorce rates.”

Army spokesperson Col. Roger Cabiness II told Army Times, however, that “forward basing of an ABCT is not a simple task.” Doing so would require diplomatic and legislative approvals both at home and abroad.

Despite efforts to reduce their operational tempo, the Army’s armor units continue to deploy at a high rate to fulfill the Europe requirements. The 4th Infantry Division’s 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team cased its colors Monday, signifying its departure for an eight- or nine-month Europe rotation. The Iron Brigade’s new mission is beginning roughly 16 months after returning to Fort Carson, Colorado from another Europe deployment that wrapped in December 2022.

The report’s authors also recommended that the Air Force station an additional F-16 squadron in Germany; increase anti-submarine warfare capability and air defense forces; bolster stockpiles of prepositioned equipment and ammunition; and continue modernization, cyber, space and security cooperation efforts.

Source: Army Times

The post Army should permanently station armor brigade in Poland, report argues appeared first on Zambezi Observer.

SOUTH Africa’s recently instituted Border Management Authority (BMA) has revealed that 35,000 people have been arrested while trying to sneak into the country since April 1, with Zimbabweans topping their list.

The BMA fingered Beit Bridge Border Post as their biggest source of illegal migrants on a list that includes six others such as Maseru and Ficksburg into Lesotho; and Lebombo into Mozambique.

Speaking on South African news channel eNCA, BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato said they were confident of successfully putting an end to border jumping along the 250km stretch boundary with Zimbabwe and other ports of entry.

“Generally, I would say our border with Zimbabwe which is about 250km in terms of the distance is one of the biggest generators of illegal migrants,” said Masiapato.

“That is where the majority of those that were intercepted were trying to enter the country from.

“We also have some huge numbers in terms from Lesotho into the Republic.”

BMA which started operations on April 1 will be officially launched at the busy Beit Bridge Border Post, where hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans have passed legally and illegally headed to South Africa, by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Added Masiapato: “On the 5th of October in Beit Bridge the President Cyril Ramaphosa is going to officially launch the BMA as a third law enforcement authority. We are confident that it will make a contribution and assist in addressing the problems.”

A more than two decade long economic crisis has seen the influx of Zimbabweans not just in South Africa for greener pastures, but other countries across the globe too.

An estimated two million are said to have moved to South Africa over the past decade alone, with thousands more leaving each month.

Millions are also estimated to have migrated outside Africa where jobs within developed countries’ health sectors are readily available for trained individuals.

A relatively stable economy, job opportunities and better living standards have made South Africa a go-to for most Africans, with some coming from as far North as Somalia and as far West as Nigeria.

All of these have been deemed excess baggage and accused of straining the country’s public services by various senior officials in the South African government.

An operation to flush them out, Operation Dudula, turned violent last year after fuelling xenophobic attacks on foreigners.

Source: All Africa

The post Zimbabwe: 35,000 Arrested While Sneaking Into South Africa – Zimbabwe Tops List – Authorities Say appeared first on Zambezi Observer.

The speaker emphasized that the MiG-31K is the carrier of the Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.

“Military intelligence has repeatedly recorded during training flights of the MiG-31K on the territory of Belarus the development of missile launch issues not only on the territory of Ukraine, but also on the territory of Poland, Germany,” said the Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

According to the speaker, this is one of the elements of blackmail and pressure on the international community to limit or even stop supporting Ukraine.

Source : zerkalo.io

The post GUR: Russia Trained in Belarus to Deliver Missile Strikes Not Only on Ukraine, But on Poland and Germany appeared first on Zambezi Observer.

According to the diplomat, the agreements signed in the 1980s only concern the exchange of notifications about launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), as well as large-scale strategic exercises.

“Neither one nor the other applies to this new promising system. And in general, test events of this kind do not fall under any verification mechanisms and cannot fall,” the deputy head of the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a conversation with reporters.

“Poseidon” 2M39 is a project of a Russian unmanned underwater vehicle equipped with a nuclear power plant. It is being developed by the Rubin and Malachite design bureaus. Earlier, the media reported that a division of special submarines with Poseidons would be formed in Kamchatka by the end of 2024 – the beginning of 2025.

Also in Russia, testing of the new multifunctional missile system “Hermes” continues. It is designed to destroy tanks, armored vehicles, structures, surface targets and low-speed aircraft.

Source : life.ru

The post Russia Won’t Notify US of Poseidon Nuclear Drone Tests, Foreign Ministry Says appeared first on Zambezi Observer.

He was asked about the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons.

“Belarusian friends and Russian representatives at the level of presidents and ministries of foreign affairs have repeatedly explained what is happening. The Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, as members of a union state (within which we have a common Security Concept), have every right to agree on the deployment of some of our tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus – not only special storage facilities, but also specially equipped aircraft.

Neither Minsk nor Moscow in any way violate any international obligations, including those under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We retain control over the weapons that will be placed on our ally’s territory. This fully ensures the fulfillment of the obligations I mentioned,” he said.

Source : centralasia

The post Russia Retains Control Over Tactical Nuclear Weapons to Be Deployed in Belarus appeared first on Zambezi Observer.

“The enemy is conducting reconnaissance activities. It is obvious that data is being collected for the next future attacks, which, in all likelihood, the enemy will use. Because there is a new batch of “Shaheds” received, there is a missile potential,” the speaker said.

According to her, the occupiers often carry out drone and rocket attacks when they do not achieve success at the front, and in their propaganda resources this is presented as “victories”.

“Currently, there are 6 ships on combat duty in the Black Sea, among which there is one submarine rocket carrier. This is a complicated job for air defense, but not impossible. Four Kalibr-type missiles are ready for use,” Gumenyuk added.

She explained that other enemy missile carriers were brought to their bases, also because of the weather, as a storm is expected.

Massive RF attacks

It should be noted that since the end of April, the Russians have been attacking Ukraine almost daily with kamikaze drones and missiles of various types. The occupiers began to use Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles and ballistic weapons more often.

In particular, yesterday the occupiers fired more than 50 missiles at Ukraine, the air defense forces shot down 41 of them.

We also recall that the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Vadym Skibitsky, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, said that Russia had increased the production of Kalibr and Kh-101 missiles by 3-4 times.

Source : rbc.ua

The post Russians Prepare for New Massive Attacks and Conduct Reconnaissance appeared first on Zambezi Observer.

Professor Malcolm Chalmers, an expert in UK defence, foreign and security policy, told Forces News: “There is so much uncertainty in the international environment, particularly uncertainty about the outcome of the war in Ukraine.

“It is very difficult to know what the public appetite or, indeed, the political appetite is for big increases in defence spending after the next election.”

Prof Chalmers, the deputy director-general at the defence and security think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said that at current levels “we are looking at more than 2.3% of national income going to defence”.

“That is partly because the Government has increased their spending on defence at a pace, that we haven’t seen really since the end of the Cold War.

“If you want to have significant increases in defence spending even more than in the past, you have to have credible plans on how to finance that.”

Speaking about the deal between Australia, the UK and the US, known as Aukus, the expert said the new generation of hunter-killer submarines will be the “most expensive programme over the coming decades.”

Source: forces

The post Defence Expert Reveals the ‘Very Difficult’ Challenges UK Defence Spending Faces appeared first on Zambezi Observer.

Question: The Chinese and New Zealand militaries recently had the 11th strategic dialogue  in Xi’an. Please tell us more about the dialogue and the exchanges between the two militaries.

Answer: The 11th strategic dialogue between  the Chinese and New Zealand militaries was held in Xi’an, China, on May 10. The two sides had a candid, in-depth and friendly exchange of views on regional security and other issues of common interest. They highly commented on the relationship between the two countries and two militaries, and expressed willingness to advance the mil-to-mil relationship under new circumstances. They also exchanged views on the AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation, maritime and air security, and other issues. The dialogue has enhanced mutual understanding of the two sides.

Question: It is reported that Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a recent interview  that the strategic military alliance between China and Russia is not in America’s interests and the US will do whatever in its power to stop that from happening. What’s your comment on that?

Answer: Under the strategic leadership of the two heads of state, China and Russia have found a path of major-country relations featuring strategic trust and good neighborliness, setting a good example for a new type of international relations.  The China-Russia relationship, which is based on non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party , has the value of independence and autonomy. To develop China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era and deepen mil-to-mil exchanges and cooperation are not only in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also conducive to safeguarding international equity and justice and maintaining global and regional security and stability.

If you make presumptions about others based on your own behavior, stick to the narrow-minded and outdated Cold War mentality, and view China and the China-Russia relationship with anxiety, you will not come to the correct judgement because the premise and the argument are both wrong.

Question: It is reported that the US and the Philippines have concluded the Bilateral Defense Guidelines  recently, and officially affirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty between  the US and the Philippines covers  the South China Sea. What’s your comment on this?

Answer: Thanks to the joint efforts of regional countries, the current situation in the South China Sea remains stable generally. The South China Sea should be a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation , rather than an arena for bloc confrontation promoted by certain countries.

China has maintained a consistent and clear stance on the South China Sea issue. We firmly oppose any country using the so-called bilateral treaty as an excuse to meddle in the South China Sea and undermine China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Chinese military will pay close attention to relevant moves and take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and protect peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers recent media queries concerning the military on the afternoon of May 16, 2023. (Photo/mod.gov.cn)

Question: According to some sources, the US government plans to provide US$500 million worth of weapons assistance to Taiwan through Presidential Drawdown Authority  (PDA). In addition, the US military has recently sent more than 100 service members to Taiwan to help train local troops, learn about the strengths and weaknesses of local military training model and offer relevant advice. What’s your comment on this?

Answer: For some time, the US has stepped up its military collusion with the Democratic Progressive Party authorities by strengthening military contacts and upgrading substantive relations between the two sides, which has shaken the foundation of China-US relations and undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. These are very wrong and dangerous moves. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to them, and has lodged solemn representations with the US side.

The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. The “Three Principles” are the preconditions for the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US, namely, severing so-called “diplomatic relations”, abrogating the “mutual defense treaty” with the Taiwan authorities, and withdrawing US military forces from Taiwan.  China won’t accept any attempt to reverse the wheel of history. We strongly urge the US side to fully abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiqués, fulfill its commitment of not supporting “Taiwan independence”, and stop any form of military collusion with Taiwan. And we warn the DPP authorities and the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces that any attempt to seek independence by soliciting US support or by force will lead nowhere.

The PLA will continue to strengthen military training and combat readiness, firmly crush any “Taiwan independence” attempt and external interference in any form, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Source: eng.chinamil

The post Defense Ministry Spokesperson’s Remarks on Recent Media Queries appeared first on Zambezi Observer.

The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) has ordered two turbine-powered Enstrom 480B helicopters for training pilots and personnel.

Enstrom Helicopter Corporation announced the sale on 17 April, although the contract was signed on 23 February by Zambia’s defence ministry. The helicopters will be based in Lusaka, and used for training and utility missions – a training package is included in the deal.

The helicopters will be equipped with cargo hooks and hard points for cameras, as well as Garmin avionics and glass panels. One helicopter will be supplied with a full glass cockpit and one with a hybrid glass and analogue panel to provide training with a flight deck similar to the gauge-equipped Mi-17s used as the mainstay of the fleet.

“We are very excited to be supporting the ZAF missions,” said Enstrom’s VP of Sales & Marketing, Dennis Martin. “The 480B will be a lot more efficient than some of the other light helicopters they were using, but with its performance and quick reconfiguration options, the 480B will provide the capability and flexibility they need.”

South Africa’s Safomar Aviation Group coordinated and assisted Enstrom in the sale to the ZAF, including logistics, specifications, and configuration of the Helicopters. Safomar operates a large regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility as well as a flight school, and both maintains and operates Enstrom helicopters throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Safomar has, for example, assisted in the sale of three Enstrom 480B helicopters to Botswana’s police service – the last of these was delivered in early 2021.

According to Shai Shalem, Managing Director of Safomar, “We are excited to have Enstrom back and under new management with exciting and excellent helicopter upgrades. It is an honour to have sold two of the first helicopters off the line under the new ownership. These 480B’s are just the right fit for military and Law Enforcement missions.”

Enstrom went out of business in January 2022 but was purchased by Surack Enterprises in May that year. Production under new ownership resumed some months later, and the first new helicopter was completed in January this year.

The Zambia Air Force has been gradually expanding over the years, taking delivery of light combat, transport and trainer aircraft over the last decade. In 2016, for example, it received six SF-260TW training aircraft, and six L-15 fighter-trainers from China. In 2019, two C-27J Spartan transports were delivered from Italy and a Gulfstream 650ER jet was acquired for VIP transport. Two Bell 412s were acquired from Italy in 2021.

Last year South Africa supplied a single second hand Bell 412SP helicopter and a second hand Cessna 208B EX Caravan, following the delivery from the United States of a single Cessna 208 EX in 2020.

Source: Defence Web

The post Zambian Air Force Orders Enstrom 480B Helicopters appeared first on Zambezi Observer.