The ministry’s department head of ideological work Alexander Ivanov shared his suspicions on the national talk show, Po Suschestvu, during a discussion about potential targets for spies.

“Where do you think there were the most Pokémon at that time?” he asked before stating that the bulk of virtual Pokémon were present at the “territory of the 50th air base, where the runway is, where there is a lot of military aviation equipment.”

Pokémon GO relies on GPS tracking as it invites users to turn on location and use their phone camera to search their physical surroundings and collect virtual pocket monsters.

The mobile game was developed as a collaboration among Niantic Inc., Nintendo, and The Pokémon Company.

Privacy Concerns

Since the game’s release in 2016, several governments and individuals have been wary of the game’s data-gathering capabilities.

It requires uninterrupted use of user location and camera and “full access” to Google accounts on Apple devices, which garnered multiple data privacy concerns.

At the height of the game’s popularity, Indonesian State Intelligence Agency director Sutiyoso commented that the location-based mobile game poses national security risks, although security experts and analysts did not share this view.

Egypt, Kuwait, and other Middle Eastern governments echoed similar concerns and warned players to avoid sensitive sites.

The US also established procedures preventing civilians from trespassing onto military bases and preventing service members from entering restricted areas to catch Pokémons as these might expose confidential information.

In the year of its release, Russia asserted that the mobile game was a security risk, claiming that it was part of a CIA plot.

Niantic, the game’s software developer company, is headed by former Google Geo division executive John Hanke. 

Hanke was tangled up in conspiracy theories because his former company Keyhole (later acquired by Google) received funding from various sources, including the CIA’s venture capital arm, In-Q-Tel.

However, Niantic denied the allegations and informed The Register that the game “only accesses basic Google profile information (specifically, your User ID and email address) and no other Google account information is or has been accessed or collected.”

In 2022, the year Russia invaded Ukraine, Niantic shut down game operations in the Russian and Belarus markets.

“We stand with the global community in hoping for peace and a rapid resolution to the violence and suffering in Ukraine. Niantic’s games are no longer available for download in Russia and Belarus, and gameplay will also be suspended there shortly,” the company tweeted on March 11 of that year. 

The post Belarus Claims AR Game ‘Pokémon GO’ Spied on its Military Assets appeared first on The Defense Post.

The order is part of a US Navy foreign military sales program supporting Kuwait’s efforts to modernize its sub-surface mine disposal capabilities.

Under the agreement, the firm will deliver a Double Eagle system in its Sem-Autonomous Remotely Operated Vehicle (SAROV) configuration for “detection, classification, and identification” tasks during anti-mine operations.

Boosting Swedish-US Cooperation

Major development and production of Kuwait’s future Double Eagle will be facilitated in Linköping, Sweden.

Simultaneously, Saab’s Autonomous and Undersea Division in Cranston, Rhode Island, will supply the drone’s components in partnership with production sites in Sweden, Denmark, and the UK.

The company wrote that this approach supports the continuous augmentation of Stockholm’s technologies in the US.

Saab unveiled its 10,000-square-foot (929-square-meter) Rhode Island facility in April 2022 and has since facilitated multiple projects in Swedish and US defense.

“We’re excited to introduce production of this undersea vehicle capability to the United States,” Saab US President and CEO Erik Smith said.

“The Autonomous and Undersea Systems team has established both a highly experienced team of undersea vehicle experts and significant new production capabilities for Saab that position us for greater US market expansion.”

The Double Eagle Drone

The Double Eagle family of remotely operated vehicles comprises “highly maneuverable” systems that can be launched from shore or surface vessels.

Each drone under this product line can be housed in a standard container, enhancing the system’s availability and the user’s response to underwater explosives.

The Double Eagle’s SAROV variant can be leveraged for other tasks alongside tactical counter-mine expeditions, including subsurface search, surveys, and Rapid Environmental Assessments.

The vehicle uses a thin fiber optics tether to sustain real-time communication for long-range missions greater than 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) and an adjustable internal/hybrid battery setup for endurance operations.

The post Saab to Supply Double Eagle Underwater Mine Disposal Drone to Kuwait appeared first on The Defense Post.

The move comes in the wake of the system’s apparent success in helping Ukraine neutralize Russian assets.

According to Kuwaiti Air Force operations chief General Fahad Al-Dosari, the drones will support various operations, including monitoring maritime and land borders.

He added that the loitering munition can carry out reconnaissance and strike missions and support search and rescue efforts.

The deal includes providing necessary maintenance and logistical supplies.

Kuveyt Devleti ile milli SİHA #BayraktarTB2 ihracatına dair yürüttüğümüz sözleşme sürecini başarıyla tamamladık.

Amerika, Avrupa ve Çinli firmaların da yer aldığı rekabete dayalı sürecin kazananı olan milli SİHA #BayraktarTB2, 2019'da çöl şartlarında 27 saat 3 dakika havada… https://t.co/9VP2p0cBza

— BAYKAR (@BaykarTech) June 13, 2023

Baykar will also prepare NATO-standard facilities in the Middle Eastern nation for weapons arming and electronic warfare component integration.

Kuwait will become the 29th country to procure and operate the TB2.

The Bayraktar TB2

Turkey’s increasingly sought-after TB2 combat drone is a medium-altitude, long-range unmanned platform originally manufactured to meet the requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces.

It features a triple redundant avionics system that includes a microcontroller, engine control, engine signal processing, and GPS receiver units.

Additionally, the system is equipped with an electro-optical camera, infrared camera, laser range finder, and a laser pointer.

With a 100hp internal combustion engine, the TB2 can fly at 120 knots (222 kilometers/138 miles per hour) and has a recorded flight endurance of 27 hours.

It has a range of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) and can fly at a maximum altitude of 27,030 feet (8.2 kilometers).

‘Future of Warfare’

The success of Bayraktar combat drones in Ukraine was widely reported during the conflict’s early phases.

It has enabled Kyiv to mount a stiff defense, carrying out effective attacks that surprised many Western military experts.

The drones have even been hailed as Ukraine’s savior and the “future of warfare.”

“The general assessment of drones like TB2 is that they work well without sophisticated air and electronic warfare defenses arrayed against them,” military analyst and drone expert Samuel Bendett told Insider.

The post Kuwait to Acquire Turkish-Made Bayraktar Drones for $367 Million appeared first on The Defense Post.

The contract adds to a previously approved sale of Cartridge Actuated Device/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD) originally valued at $48.2 million.

Actuator capabilities are used for moving mechanisms in an aircraft. Usually, these components consist of motors or catapults that aid military personnel escape systems during emergencies.

Under the contract, the CAD/PAD will be fitted on Kuwait’s F/A-18 Hornet multirole combat and KC-130J multirole tactical tanker transport fleets.

The US will provide associated logistics, technical, and program support alongside the package.

The principal contractors will be announced after a competitive solicitation.

Supporting Air Defense in Kuwait and Middle East

The CAD/PAD sale boosts the government’s equipment and sustainment support for Kuwait’s air defense, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.

The articles set for delivery are expected to assist Kuwait in maintaining its military capacity for territorial integrity and national security.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO ally that has been an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the DSCA said.

“Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of any U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Kuwait.”

“There will be no adverse impact on US defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”

The post US Approves Foreign Military Sale of Actuated Devices to Kuwait appeared first on The Defense Post.

Kuwait has requested 63 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); 63 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles; 12 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems – Low Volume Terminal (MIDS LVT) Block Upgrade 2; and 12 MIDS LVT Cryptographic Modules, among others.

“The proposed sale will improve Kuwait’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing the ability to defend itself against regional malign actors and improve interoperability with systems operated by US forces and other Gulf countries,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.

The DCSA also expressed confidence that the new defensive equipment will allow the Middle Eastern nation to “protect its borders, energy infrastructure, and its residents.”

Over 4,000 American citizens and military personnel are currently living and working in Kuwait, the US State Department said.

The billion-dollar agreement came less than two weeks after the US government approved a $250-million M1A2 Abrams tank ammunition sale to Kuwait.

The Abrams tank features a 1,500-horsepower turbine engine and special armor with “lethality and survivability needed to defeat advanced threats.”

The post US OKs $3B NASAMS, MRADS for Kuwait appeared first on The Defense Post.

The delivery is part of a larger order for 28 fighters to boost the country’s military capabilities.

The arrival of two new Kuwaiti Eurofighters was made possible with the support of the Italian Air Force, which provided air-to-air refueling through a KC-767A tanker aircraft.

Italy will also train pilots, engineers, and technicians to support the Typhoon fleet in the Gulf nation.

“The Eurofighter Typhoons we have developed for the Kuwait Air Force are the most advanced ever produced under the European program,” Leonardo Vice President Guido Sibona said.

“In cooperation with the Italian Air Force, we are providing the country with a wide-ranging air defense capability, together with the construction of state-of-the-art infrastructure to support and maintain a fleet of 28 aircraft.”

The Eurofighter Typhoon

Described as the world’s most advanced swing-role combat aircraft, the Eurofighter Typhoon has a “supercruise” capability that enables high-speed flight at sustained speeds of over Mach 1 (1,234 kilometers/767 miles per hour).

It is equipped with a Mauser BK27mm gun and can be mounted with various missiles depending on the mission.

The Typhoon aircraft sent to Kuwait have been fitted with an active electronically scanned array radar, increasing their capability.

“This year we are very proud to return to the Royal International Air Tattoo with the most advanced Eurofighter Typhoon in the world,” Kuwait Air Force commander Eisa Airashidi said. “Thanks to the capabilities of this platform, the Kuwait Air Force is one of the best equipped air forces in the region.”

The post Kuwait Receives Another Two Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft appeared first on The Defense Post.

Valued at $250 million, the sale would include Cartridge M80 Ball, Armor Piercing Incendiary, M903/M962 Saboted Light Armor Penetrator-Tracer, and Insensitive Munition High Explosive Tracer.

Kuwait also requested grenades, screening-smoke, munitions, test equipment, and integration support.

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale will allow the US to help improve the national security of an ally that has been “an important force” in the Middle East.

The sale would also bolster Kuwait’s ability to address evolving regional threats through continued deployment of Abrams main battle tanks and by supporting their modernization.

“This sale will provide an effective ability to deter and defend against land-based threats, enhancing Kuwait’s ability to protect border regions and key land-based infrastructure,” the DSCA stated.

General Dynamics will serve as the principal contractor of the potential sale.

M1A2 Abrams Tank

The M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank is a full-tracked, land combat vehicle capable of providing lethality and survivability needed to defeat advanced threats.

It carries .50 caliber and 7.62-millimeter machine guns that enable expeditionary warfighters to dominate their adversaries through lethal firepower.

Additionally, the tank is fitted with a 1,500-horsepower turbine engine and a special armor to provide added protection to soldiers.

Earlier this year, Kuwait received its first-ever M1A2K tank during a ceremony in the US.

“The entry of the new tank into operational service soon will represent an enhancement of capabilities and an addition to the combat efficiency of the Kuwaiti Land Force,” the Kuwait Army General Staff Headquarters stated.

The post US OKs Potential Sale of Abrams Tank Ammunition to Kuwait appeared first on The Defense Post.

The sale includes 60 AIM-120 C-7/8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 250 MK-84 General Purpose 2,000 lb. bombs, 501 MK-83 General Purpose 1,000 lb. bombs, 350 KMU-556 Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits, 702 MXU-667 Air Foil Groups, and 702 MAU-210 Enhanced Computer Control Groups.

Other elements of the sale include logistics, technical support, and training. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon will be the principal contractors.

“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency wrote in a July 21 press release. “There will be no adverse impact on US defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”

Kuwait Air Force recently received its third and fourth Eurofighter Typhoons in March to complete a 28-unit order from Leonardo.

The fleet is part of the Eurofighter Kuwait Programme, a collaboration between the country’s military and the Italian Air Force.

In this project, both parties work jointly to strategize operations, share support services and training personnel associated with the Typhoon fleet.

The post US OKs $397M Eurofighter Typhoon Weapons Sale to Kuwait appeared first on The Defense Post.

Activists have decried the policy as “one step forward, two steps back” after the defense ministry also decided that women in the armed forces, unlike civilians, must wear head coverings.

The moves have sparked an online backlash in Kuwait, usually regarded as one of the most open societies in the Gulf.

“I don’t know why there are these restrictions to join the army,” Ghadeer al-Khashti, a sports teacher and member of Kuwait Football Association’s women committee, told AFP.

“We have all kinds of women working in all fields, including the police force.”

She said her mother had helped the resistance when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 1990 invaded Kuwait and occupied it for seven months before being pushed out by a US-led international coalition.

“My mum during the Iraqi invasion used to hide weapons under her abaya and transport them to members of Kuwait’s resistance, and my father encouraged it,” said Khashti.

“I don’t understand on what basis they see women as weak.”

The ministry decided in October to allow women in combat roles but then imposed the restrictions after the defense minister was questioned by conservative lawmaker Hamdan al-Azmi.

Azmi, emboldened by an Islamic religious edict, or fatwa, had argued that having women in combat roles “does not fit with a woman’s nature.”

‘Women Martyrs’

Lulwa Saleh al-Mulla, head of the Kuwaiti Women’s Cultural and Social Society, said the ministry’s restrictions are discriminatory and unconstitutional and vowed legal action by the organization.

“We have women martyrs who defended their country of their own volition,” she told AFP. “No one ordered them to do that but the love for their country.”

“We are a Muslim country, that is true, but we demand the laws not be subject to fatwas. Personal freedom is guaranteed in the constitution, on which the country’s laws are based.”

Kuwaiti women earned the right to vote in 2005 and have been active both in cabinet and parliament, though they are poorly represented in both.

Unlike most Gulf countries, Kuwait is known to have an active political scene, with MPs regularly challenging the authorities.

Earlier this month, dozens of Kuwaiti women staged a protest against the suspension of a women’s yoga retreat deemed “indecent” by conservatives.

One of them was Azmi who, in Twitter posts, denounced the retreat as “dangerous” and “alien to our conservative society.”

Women protesters carried placards denouncing the “exploitation of women’s issues” in politics, as well as the “regime of fatwas” and “guardianship of women.”

The debate about the army’s new rules for women has taken an irrational turn, said Ibtihal al-Khatib, an English-language professor at Kuwait University.

“The army needs to integrate both women and men without discrimination,” the feminist academic told AFP.

“Danger does not differentiate between men and women, and neither does death during battle.”

The post Kuwait Army Allows Women in Combat Roles, But Without Guns appeared first on The Defense Post.

The foreign sales Apaches covered by the contract include those of Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates, the Department of Defense said in a release on Thursday, December 19.

Work locations will be determined by order and is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.

AH-64E Apache

Boeing describes the AH-64 Apache as “the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter.”

It has a wingspan of 17.15 feet (5.2m) and can climb at more than 2,000 feet per minute. It features laser, infrared and other systems to locate, track and attack targets. It is capable of classifying up to 128 targets in less than a minute.

The Apache can carry a range of weapons including a 30mm automatic cannon, precision Hellfire missiles and 70mm rockets.

The AH-64E variant was designated the Guardian and features an upgraded Longbow fire control radar, more powerful engines, and advanced avionics and night-vision capabilities.

The first Guardians were delivered in 2011 and full-rate production began in 2012.

Its precedessor, the AH-64D Apache Longbow, was in service with the U.S. Army and other defense forces since the 1990s.

The post US awards Boeing $1.4 billion to support foreign AH-64 Apache helicopter fleets appeared first on The Defense Post.