A joint U.S. advisory from the FBI, the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has identified Iran-based cyber actors conducting ransomware attacks on U.S. and foreign organizations. The cybersecurity advisory warned that the cyber actors, known as Pioneer Kitten, UNC757, Parisite, Rubidium and Lemon Sandstorm, perform ransomware and...
Category: North America
Netherlands Boosts Missile Defense Capability With Planned Purchase of Patriot Launch Stations
The U.S. Department of State has approved the possible sale of two Patriot missile launching stations and related equipment to the Netherlands valued at an estimated $224 million. The request includes the acquisition of equipment and services to upgrade existing M901 LS to the M903 LS configuration, plus nonmajor defense equipment such as Patriot Advanced...
US to Deploy More Personnel to NATO Joint Support and Enabling Command
The United States plans to expand its presence within NATO’s Joint Support and Enabling Command by assigning more personnel over the next three to five years. It expects the larger participation to support the organization as it refines the Reinforcement and Sustainment Network, a critical component of JSEC designed to accelerate the deployment of forces...
US, Canada Sign Consumer Privacy Enforcement Agreement
The United States and Canada have agreed to improve information sharing and law enforcement cooperation in protecting consumer privacy. The Federal Communications Commission and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada formalized the plan on Wednesday by signing a memorandum of agreement. Under the deal, the two nations aim to smoothen the exchange of...
Pentagon Holds Demos on Autonomous Naval Systems to Advance AUKUS Pillar II
The U.S. Department of Defense has kicked off the Maritime Big Play series to support Pillar II of the AUKUS security pact focused on promoting the advanced capabilities olf Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The defense chiefs of the three countries announced the MBP initiative in December, along with other directives for...
Virginia Hosts Army Training Facility for NATO Soldiers
A new army training facility for NATO soldiers has opened at a U.S. Navy base in Virginia. The 15,000-square-foot Army Combat Fitness Test site at Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads provides capabilities to conduct the fitness tests and features sports facilities, including volleyball and pickleball courts, to enhance the quality of life for military personnel....
IBM to Relocate Its R&D Unit Out of China Amid Revenue Drop
Multinational technology company IBM is relocating its research and development unit out of China. The announcement was made during a virtual town hall on Monday, when Jack Hergenrother, IBM global enterprise systems development vice president, revealed Big Blue’s plans to concentrate R&D efforts on facilities in other regions. According to the U.S. company, the decision...
Indonesia-US Super Garuda Shield Military Exercise Focuses on Improving Interoperability, Multilateral Relations
The United States and Indonesia have opened a two-week joint military exercise to build trust and interoperability and strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations amid China’s efforts to increase its influence in the South China Sea. The annual exercise, called Super Garuda Shield, began on Monday in East Java, Indonesia, with over 4,500 personnel from Australia,...
US Clears India’s Request to Purchase Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys
The U.S. Department of State has authorized the potential foreign military sale of anti-submarine warfare sonobuoys and related equipment to India. The proposed FMS, valued at $52.8 million, includes the procurement of AN/SSQ-53G, AN/SSQ-62F and AN/SSQ-36 high-altitude anti-submarine warfare sonobuoys, U.S. government and contractor engineering and technical support, and other related logistics and program services...
Australia to Receive Apache Helicopter Support, Equipment in $300M US Deal
The Department of State has approved a possible sale of AH-64E Apache sustainment support services and related equipment to Australia for an estimated cost of $300 million. The Albanese government requested engineering, technical, program, and logistics support, technical data, and personnel training for its attack helicopter fleet. In 2022, it announced its intention to purchase...