Sudanese Army Il-76 aircraft is now being used as a bomber against RSF targets.

The Il-76 can carry up to four bombs with a maximum weight of 500 kg each on its underwing hardpoints, without precision.

The Joint Force of Hamza Division, affiliated with the Syrian National Army, targets PKK/YPG terrorist targets with armed drones in northern Aleppo.

Russian 2S19 Msta-S 152mm Self-Propelled Howitzer with cage & movable mantlet.

Once a camel trader, now one of the richest in Sudan, ignited chaos within his own nation, leaving it ablaze with turmoil: Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti)

— Estimated 150,000 people killed and over 10 million displaced in Sudan. Fighting has spread to 14 of Sudan's 18 states.

— Over half of Sudan's 49 million population facing acute food insecurity. Widespread reports of atrocities, including rape, summary executions, and ethnic cleansing.

— Sudan's location on the Red Sea near the Suez Canal is strategically important. Country has significant gold reserves and agricultural potential.

— RSF has been financing its military operations against the Sudanese Army by smuggling gold out of Sudan to markets in the UAE. Between 2012 and 2022, the UAE received over 2,500 tonnes of gold, valued at approximately $115 billion.

— The UAE has been supplying arms to the RSF in exchange for access to Sudan's gold resources.

— This illicit trade, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti), has made him one of the wealthiest individuals in Sudan.

— The RSF is implicated in large-scale attacks against civilians, including rape and other forms of sexual violence.

A 16-year-old girl recalls being dragged away in Omdurman earlier this year.

“Two RSF militiamen tied me up, beat me up and raped me several times,” she says.

In the next room, they “beat the hell out of” her brother, suspecting him of being in the army; it was the last time she saw him.

The RSF “have no mercy, there is not humanity in them”, she says.

Russian guy gets a very close call during Ukrainian kamikaze UAV attack on Moscow last night.

Interesting: Before Ukraine invaded Kursk region, Putin agreed to Türkiye's proposal to refrain from striking energy facilities, as well as the merchant and civilian fleet, but Kyiv ultimately did not agree to such agreements, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu says.

"Türkiye proposed to us... not to strike energy facilities, not to strike nuclear energy facilities, and not to strike the merchant civilian fleet in the Black Sea. Our president made a decision and said: "Yes, let's do it, let's make such a decision.

And it was a big surprise for us when after some time they [the Ukrainian authorities] said: "No-no-no, we will not go for this agreement."

Yemen's Houthis say they shot down the 9th American MQ-9 Reaper UAV over their territory, just days after the 8th was shot down.

The U.S. wants to deploy the Multi-Domain Task Force Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system, also known as Typhon, to Japan "for joint military exercises".

— In April 2024, the U.S. Army first deployed the Typhon launcher to the Indo-Pacific region for joint exercises in Philippines.

— The Typhon system can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles (range: 1,600 km) and SM-6 missiles.

— This was the first deployment of ground-based intermediate-range missiles abroad since the U.S. withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019.

— Public understanding is a challenge, as hosting these missiles could make Japan a target for China's missile arsenal.

Source: Japan Times

Chinese PLA Marine Corps training.

Note that they're receiving training from former Western soldiers as well through private companies, just like the Chinese PLA Air Force.

U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64).

"Street Sweeper of the Red Sea"

USS Carney conducted 51 engagements against Houthi missiles and drones in just 6 months, the most direct Navy engagement with a foe since WWII.

Ukrainian FPV drone records the moment when Russian APC runs over a mine & sends a soldier flying.

Germany's military capabilities have declined significantly over the past 30 years due to budget cuts.

— In 2021, Germany had only 340 tanks, compared to over 4000 in 1992 and 2400 in 2004. Similar reductions occurred for other weapons systems like howitzers and fighter jets.

— German military capacity has increased only slightly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

— At the current procurement rate, it would take decades to reach 2004 levels: 10 years for fighter jets, 40 years for tanks, 100 years for howitzers. In comparison, Russia could produce Germany's entire 2021 military stock in 2-7 months.

— Orders only started increasing noticeably in July 2023, 1.5 years after the war began. Order quantities remain relatively small (e.g. only 22 artillery howitzers ordered).

— There are increasing delivery delays and production backlogs. Little focus on new warfare forms like drones.
Very few orders from companies in other EU countries.

Source: FAZ

Interesting: Sweden's latest military aid package includes $220 million for "material kits" for JAS-39C/D Gripen fighter jets.

— This investment prevents cannibalization of C/D variants for parts, making them potentially available for Ukraine.

— There are no immediate plans to transfer JAS-39 Gripen fighters to Ukraine, but Sweden is keeping the option open for a possible future transfer.

— Potentially 37 C/D models could be available, but likely fewer due to various factors (airframe fatigue, training needs).

— Gripens are designed for distributed operations under harsh conditions. They are suitable for Ukraine's current combat doctrine & fuel-efficient with wide array of available armaments.

Source: TWZ

Türkiye is in talks with Somalia to establish a site for testing ballistic missiles and launching space rockets.

— The proposed location is strategically important due to Somalia's position on the eastern tip of Africa and proximity to the equator.

— Türkiye needs a long-range testing site for its ballistic missile program. Somalia's location is ideal for firing towards the Indian Ocean. The equatorial location could boost the range and efficiency of space rockets.

— Turkish officials are confident that Somalia will agree to the request.

Source: Bloomberg

Yet another Israeli massacre in Gaza.

— Israeli airstrike on a tent encampment for displaced Palestinians in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, Gaza, resulted in the deaths of at least 40 people and injured around 60 others.

— The attack targeted a "humanitarian zone" designated by Israel in Khan Younis and the adjacent Rafah.

— Rescue teams found craters up to 9 meters (30 feet) deep at the encampment.

— 5 x 2,000-pound bombs were dropped, destroying more than 20 tents.