315: US CENTCOM Commander Travels to Region + Report: US Deploys F-22 Squadron to CENTCOM AOR + Australia Invests in Collins-Class Submarines + Senate Appropriations Committee FY25 Spending Bill Info + More

I - On Defense Podcast

For review:
1. Iran State TV reports that a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh- and not an explosive device planted in the building beforehand (as previously reported by other media). The televised statement says a rocket with a seven-kilogram warhead was used to target the residence of Haniyeh in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation.
2. New York Times Report: Iran has arrested dozens of suspects in the investigation of the Ismail Haniyeh assassination. The arrested parties included senior intelligence officers, military officials, and staff workers at the guest house where Haniyeh was killed.
3. US CENTCOM Commander Travels to Region.
According to a US official, General Michael Kurilla is expected to visit several Gulf countries, Jordan and Israel.
4. Article from Air & Space Forces Magazine: US Deploys F-22 Squadron to CENTCOM AOR.
5. During comments at the funeral for Senior Military Commander Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah promised a “new phase” of conflict with Israel.
6. Australia Invests in Collins-Class Submarines.
A government statement reports that $2.2 billion (AUD) is for sustainment, and part of a broader “$4 to $5 billion (AUD) commitment to keeping the Collins-class submarines as a potent strike and deterrence capability.”
7. The Royal Australian Air Force has received the first MQ-4C Triton Drone. The MQ-4C Triton will be used for high-altitude and long-endurance maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting missions alongside the Royal Australian Air Force’s current P-8A Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.
8. USAF anticipates annual foreign military sales to grow by 60% this fiscal year to more than $46 billion- up from $23 billion in FY23. Projected increase is due largely to F-35 and F-16 purchases.
9. Senate Appropriations Committee FY25 Spending Bill Info.
Senate appropriators have put forward a $852.2 billion defense spending bill for FY25.