Latest news with #OSINTWarfare
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Missile Defenses Heavily Depleted in Shielding Israel: report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. drew down a significant portion of its advanced anti-missile system to bolster Israel's defense against Iranian aerial attacks during a 12-day conflict in which Israel and the U.S. struck nuclear facilities and Iran retaliated with missile launches, according to defense news outlets and independent analysts. Newsweek has contacted the Pentagon for comment. Why It Matters Israel has long relied on the Lockheed Martin developed Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, known as the THAAD battery, for shielding against ballistic missiles from Iran or its proxy groups such as the Yemeni Houthis. The U.S. military operates seven THAAD batteries. An eighth, getting integrated into the Missile Defense Agency, is capable of tracking hypersonic missiles. The THAAD deployment to Israel is part of a broader challenge where supporting allies in conflict zones means using resources that could affect military readiness and future deployment. The THAAD systems employed in Guam are part of the Guam Defense mission and are integral to ensuring the protection of Guam and the United States. The THAAD systems employed in Guam are part of the Guam Defense mission and are integral to ensuring the protection of Guam and the United States. Capt. Frank Spatt/U.S. Army/DVIDS What To Know During the recent Israel-Iran conflict, the United States used an estimated 15 to 20 percent of its global THAAD missile interceptor stockpile, incurring unprecedented costs exceeding $800 million, according to the Bulgarian Military News and Military Watch Magazine outlets. Iran launched a major missile barrage on cities across Israel in response to attacks on its nuclear and military targets, prompting residents to seek shelter amid nationwide. They included older models such as the Ghadr and Emad, the medium-range Kheibar Shekan and the Fattah-1 hypersonic missile—which travels at up to Mach 15 and is hard to intercept. The U.S. restocked interceptor missiles for the THAAD system it deployed in Israel in 2024, amid concerns of shortage, The Wall Street Journal reported. A single THAAD interceptor costs about $12-15 million, according to estimates by multiple defense and news outlets. One open-intelligence analyst on X, formerly Twitter, estimated that the value of THAAD missiles used in the conflict exceeded $498 million. During the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel (June 13–24, 2025), Israel deployed at least 39 THAAD interceptor missiles in one of the attack waves to counter Iranian missile strikes. This figure is based on an analysis of videos published by Jordanian photographer… — OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) June 26, 2025 The system intercepts short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase—just before impact. It covers a larger area than U.S.-made Patriot missile system and comprises a launcher, interceptor, radar, and fire control unit. The American THAAD system deployed to Israel failed to intercept Houthi missiles on two occasions in May. In one case, the projectile was brought down by Israel's Arrow long-range defense system; in the other, a missile struck near Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport. The U.S. also used the Patriot system and a Navy destroyer to help Israel shoot down incoming ballistic missiles from Iran, according to The Associated Press. Israel also has the Iron Dome system for protection from short-range artillery and rockets, such as those fired by Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip. As a series of direct confrontations escalated in 2024, Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles towards Israel, with the Pentagon saying it was deploying to Israel its advanced system battery to Israel, along some 100 U.S. troops. What People Are Saying Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) told The Wall Street Journal during the conflict: "Neither the U.S. nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day. The Israelis and their friends need to move with all deliberate haste to do whatever needs to be done, because we cannot afford to sit and play catch." User @MenchOsint, an independent open-intelligence and military analyst wrote on X: "Moral of the story: After all these decades, Israel can't win a war without US direct support. Six-days war: US imposes embargo on arms on the region but secretly help Israel. Twelve-days war: US imposes sanctions on Iran & help Israel with Defense (THAAD) direct strikes, intelligence & arms supplies." User @AirPowerNEW1, an independent open-source analyst on X: "Assuming the US Army THAAD battery in Israel used up 50% more interceptors (39+20) than the video evidence used shows, it would mean roughly 10-15% of the US Army's inventory of THAAD missiles was likely used up over this 12 day period. While US Army has been buying small number of THAAD AURs lately to allow production deliveries to FMS customers, this could force some interesting discussions with KSA, UAE and future customers (Qatar)." What Happens Next Urgent restocking and manufacturing of THAAD interceptors will be needed, not only for Israel but for other other regions where they may be required, such as in the wider Middle East, the Pacific and Europe.
Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
FACT CHECK: No, DG ISPR did not admit loss of JF-17 jets
Following a Thursday news conference by DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif, several Indian social media accounts began circulating a deepfake video of him 'admitting' the loss of two Pakistan Air Force JF-17 fighter jets to Indian air defences. A video has surfaced featuring Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), claiming that two PAF JF-17 jets were downed by India. However, it appears to have been altered using AI. What's even more concerning is that… — OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) May 8, 2025 The doctored video appears to splice real footage from the news conference with fabricated content. A crowd shot is used to mask the transition point between the deepfake segment and the genuine portion of the briefing. Additionally, there is a noticeable audio jump where the edit occurs — further evidence of tampering. Lt Gen Sharif made no such admission during his briefing. Instead, he stated that Pakistan had successfully shot down 25 Israeli-made Harop drones launched by India over multiple cities across the country. Later in the day, in a joint news conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Lt Gen Sharif dismissed Indian media claims of missile strikes on 15 locations inside India. He labelled the reports as 'false, baseless, and politically motivated,' adding that any response from Pakistan would be 'visible, loud, and undeniable'— clearly evident to the world without requiring confirmation from Indian sources.
Al Manar
03-05-2025
- Business
- Al Manar
US Approves $3.5 billion Missile Sale to Saudi Arabia Ahead of Trump Visit
The United States has given initial approval to sell $3.5 billion worth of air-to-air missiles for Saudi Arabia's fighter jets, the latest proposed arms deal for the region ahead of President Donald Trump's planned trip to the region later this month. The sale, announced early Saturday, likely will be one of several heralded by Trump on his visit to the kingdom. 'This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that contributes to political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,' the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $3.5 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia, which includes 1,000 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles, 50 guidance sections, and related support. — OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) May 3, 2025 The agency notified Congress of the possible sale on Friday. Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded. The arms sale involves 1,000 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles, guidance sections and other technical support. The missiles will be built by RTX Corp of Tucson, Ariz. The Royal Saudi Air Force has the world's second-largest fleet of F-15 fighter jets after the US. Saudi Arabia has already said it wants to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years, likely as a way to woo Trump to again pick the kingdom for his first formal trip as president. Trump traveled to Italy briefly for Pope Francis' funeral.
