In this image from a video released by the US air force, a Russian SU-35 flies near a US MQ-9 Reaper drone on July 5, 2023, over Syria [US Air Force via AP]
Sat 29 July 2023:
The United States will continue to engage with Russia on operations in Syrian airspace, including in the context of the recent incidents with US drones, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Saturday.
“We will continue to engage, using the established channels to convey our concern, and we will continue to engage senior leadership as appropriate. But again, we will continue to operate as we have always operated in the air spaces, and we will protect our interest and our resources,” Austin told a press conference, following the Australia-US Ministerial Consultations.
On Wednesday, Rear Adm. Oleg Gurinov, the deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria, said that an MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle of the US-led coalition in Syria had come into dangerous proximity to Su-35 and Su-34 aircraft of the Russian airspace forces. Gurinov called the actions of the US-led coalition “extremely provocative,” but noted that thanks to “high professionalism” of Russian pilots, a possible collision had been prevented. The similar incident occurred on Friday, Russian officials said.
US RELEASES VIDEO ALLEGING RUSSIAN ‘HARASSMENT’ OF DRONES IN SYRIA
US to help Australia develop guided missiles
The United States will help Australia produce guided multiple-launch rocket systems by 2025, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in Brisbane.
Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were in Queensland state on Saturday for the annual Australia-US Ministerial (AUSMIN) dialogue with their Australian counterparts.
“We are pursuing several mutually beneficial initiatives with Australia’s defence industry, and these include a commitment to help Australia produce guided multiple-launch rocket systems … by 2025,” Austin told a press conference.
The US is also accelerating Australia’s access to priority munitions through a streamlined acquisition process, he said.
Meanwhile, Austin said the plan would help the US “sharpen our technological edge and strengthen our defence industrial base”.
Australia is currently embarking on its own armed forces overhaul, pivoting towards long-range strike capabilities in an effort to keep would-be foes such as China at arm’s length.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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