Japan is working on the basic principles and implementation road map for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s $6.7 billion, 10-year Space Strategic Fund and is expected to release the document soon, SpaceNews reported Tuesday. Japan’s cabinet approved the bill in November that created the fund to support JAXA’s development, technology demonstration and commercialization of advanced...
Category: Asia
US State Department Clears $350M Helicopter Engines Sale to South Korea
The U.S. Department of State has approved a potential $350 million sale of six engines for MH-60R multi-mission helicopters, the engines’ maintenance and related items to South Korea. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered certification of the proposed sale to Congress on Friday. The DSCA said the military equipment sale will enhance the Korean MH-60R...
Intelligence Report Sees Potential Foreign Interference in US Election
The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence has issued its latest threat assessment report that sees China possibly attempting to influence the 2024 presidential elections to muzzle the Chinese regime’s critics and highlight the American social divide. The 2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community report noted increased sophistication in Beijing’s...
Treasury Designates Companies, Vessels Shipping Commodities to Finance Houthis
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned several foreign companies and vessels for transporting commodities to finance the terror activities of the Houthi militant group. According to the agency, Marshall Islands-based Reneez Shipping and the Hongkong Unitop Group operated Palau-flagged Reneez and Panama-flagged Eternal Fortune, respectively, to ship cargos on...
United States Authorizes South Korea’s $170.6M Purchase of Subsonic Sea-Skimming Aerial Targets
The United States has approved the potential sale of subsonic sea-skimming aerial targets to the government of South Korea. According to a press release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Korea requested five BQM-177A SSATs, typically used during military training, for its Aegis destroyers. The potential $170.6 million purchase includes GQM-163 target drones, training and...
Report: US Stalls AMD Bid to Supply China With AI Processor
The United States has reportedly stalled Advanced Micro Devices’ bid to sell an artificial intelligence chip with lower performance capability to China. Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that U.S. officials informed AMD that the AI processor was still classified as powerful. They advised the chipmaker to secure a license from the Department...
Nokia, STL to Develop Advanced Connectivity Solutions for Enterprise Customers
Nokia will work with India’s Sterlite Technologies Ltd to develop and deploy advanced enterprise connectivity solutions. According to Vinish Bawa, head of enterprise and webscale business in India at Nokia, the collaborative effort will redefine enterprise connectivity in India. “This partnership with STL is aligned with our commitment to accelerate digital transformation across industries and...
Saab Breaks Ground on New Carl-Gustaf Factory in India
Saab has conducted a groundbreaking ceremony on a manufacturing facility in India that will produce the Carl-Gustaf M4 multi-rocket shoulder-launched weapon for the Indian Armed Forces. The facility will feature the latest sighting technology and advanced carbon fiber winding, Saab said. The company will use materials from Indian suppliers in manufacturing the weapons in support...
US, South Korea Kick Off Freedom Shield With 12 UN Command Members
The United States and South Korea have started the 2024 Freedom Shield Exercise to boost their defenses against North Korean threats. The exercise began amid Pyongyang’s continued aggressive military activities, such as artillery firings and missile launches. Yonhap News Agency reported that joining the 11-day exercise that kicked off Monday are military elements from the...
US Defense Agencies Participate in INDUS-X Summit in India
The Defense Innovation Unit and the Department of Defense participated in the second India-United States Defense Acceleration Ecosystem Summit. The event, also attended by representatives from the Indian Ministry of Defense, was held in New Delhi from Feb. 21 to 22. “A stronger international community of defense innovation entities among allies and partners can enhance best practices...