303: Israel PM Denies IDF Withdrawal from Philadelphi Corridor + NATO to Open Liaison Office in Jordan + Northrup Grumman Med-Caliber Ammo Co-production in Ukraine + Sino-Belarusian Exercise Timed with NATO Summit + More

I - On Defense Podcast

For review:
1. Israel PM (Benjamin Netanyahu) Denies IDF Withdrawal from Philadelphi Corridor as part of Hostage Negotiations.
Israeli PM statement: “The prime minister insists that Israel remain in the Philadelphi Corridor.”
2. NATO to Open Liasson Office in Jordan.
3. Northrup Grumman Ammo Co-Production in Ukraine.
Northrup Grumman Spokesperson: “As part of the co-production agreement Northrop Grumman will provide the equipment and training to install an assembly line so that [Ukranian firm Ukroboronservice] can produce and test advanced medium caliber ammunition in Ukraine.”
4. Switzerland moves to formalize admission into the European Sky Shield Initiative (air defense). The ESSI project has grown from 15 to 21 participating states, with Greece and Turkey announcing their intention to join in February. Member nations now have two months to decide on Switzerland’s membership bid.
5. Slovakia's purchase of 4 x additional F-16 warplanes from US continues controversy between current and former government administrations over shuttered Bell AH-Z Viper deal and previous military aid to Ukraine.
6. Long-presence of Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy vessels at the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia sparks worry in the US.
7. Sino-Belarusian Exercise Timed with NATO Summit.
China Defense Ministry Statement: Exercise in Belarus with Chinese Army will work “improve combat techniques and deepen cooperation and communication between the two armies."