For review:
1. US CENTCOM X:
- 03 Feb: US CENTCOM Forces & UK Armed Forces conducted strikes against 36 Houthi targets at 13 locations in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen. US CENTCOM Forces included F/A18-E/F Super Hornets from the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) and US Navy Guided-missile destroyers USS Carney (DDG-64) and USS Gravely (DDG-107).
- 04 Feb: UUS CENTCOM Forces conducted a strike in self-defense against a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
2. US has deterrence problem in dealing with Iran and its' proxy forces in the region - from former US CENTCOM Commander (US Army General (R) Joseph Votel - quoted in Breaking Defense article).
3. Hamas Resurfaces in Northern Gaza after IDF withdraws forces. Chief of the IDF Southern Command - MG. Yaron Finkelman - told troops that the Army will continue to battle Hamas in the area, despite having focused on other locations recently. An Israeli defense source blames the lack of plans for a civilian body to manage affairs in Northern Gaza as a major factor in Hamas being able to move in to refill the power vacuum.
4. Norway orders National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) from Kongsberg in deal worth $134 million. Will replace system donated to Ukraine in 2023.
5. Italy to receive 4 x SAMP/T New-Generation (NG) Air Defense System. SAMP/T NG has a detection range of 350+ kilometers and an intercept range of 150+ kilometers.
6. South Korea continues development of the KF-21 Fighter (Korean Aerospace Industries). The KF-21 is set to replace the F-4 and F-5 fleets. South Korean Air Force plans to have 120 KF-21s by 2032.
7. US Foreign Military Sale: India to buy 31 x MQ-9B Sky-Guardian Drones in $3.9 billion deal.
8. USMC receives the first test vehicle of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle 30mm Cannon (ACV-30) variant. USMC ACV variants (BAE & Iveco) will replace the Assault Amphibious Vehicles (in service since 1972).
9. US Army to receive additional M109A7 self-propelled howitzers (155mm) and M992A3 ammunition carriers, with delivery due by 2025 (BAE). Number of units is not disclosed. Deal is valued at $418 million.