317: Organization of Islamic Cooperation Meets in Saudi Arabia + Russia Malva 152mm Mobile Artillery + Thailand to Procure Chinese Assault Rifles + More

I - On Defense Podcast

For review:
1. Secretary of National Security Sergei Shoigu, delivers Russian President Putin's message of restraint during his visit to Tehran on Monday.
2. Organization of Islamic Cooperation Meets in Saudi Arabia. Iranian and Palestinian officials called for Wednesday’s gathering of the 57-member OIC in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, saying the body needed to respond to the killing of the Hamas leader.
3. Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have rebuffed requests to contribute troops to a postwar peacekeeping force in Gaza. However, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have expressed willingness to participate in the effort.
4. Russia Malva 152mm Mobile Artillery.
A new batch of 2S43 Malva 152mm self-propelled howitzers has been shipped to Russian troops. The quantity of guns has not been disclosed.
5. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded Raytheon a $478-million contract to deliver Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-Ts) to Germany.
6. US and Australia discuss future defense cooperation.
The two nations announced a series of joint initiatives including new “operating locations,” more frequent troop rotations and the formalization of plans to coproduce two key, long-range missile systems.
7. Thailand to Procure Chinese Assault Rifles.
Once delivered, the QBZ-195T (5.56mm assault rifle), will be distributed to the country’s special operations units to support a variety of missions.
8. USAF has received the first production MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter from Boeing.
The helicopter will be stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana- to patrol Minuteman III nuclear missile fields.