329: IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostages Murdered by Hamas + Ukraine President Fires Senior Air Force Commander + Lithuania to Modernize Soldier Weapons & Equipment + More

I - On Defense Podcast

For review:
1. According to final investigation report, the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May 2024, was caused by bad weather.
The main cause of the helicopter crash was the “complex climatic and atmospheric conditions of the region in the spring.”
2. IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostages Murdered by Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the ongoing failure to reach a ceasefire deal that would have secured their release while they were still alive.
3. Ukraine President Fires Senior Air Force Commander.
The Air Force Senior Officer was removed on Friday, four days after an F-16 warplane crashed during a Russian bombardment, killing the pilot.
4. F-35Bs assigned to Italian aircraft carriers reach Initial Operating Capability (IOC).
The F-35B fighter fleet achieved IOC four months ahead of schedule, and comprised a total of 2,600 flight hours and over 2,700 maintenance interventions.
5. Lithuania to Modernize Soldier Weapons & Equipment.
The Lithuanian government plans an investment of up to $1.33billion to equip its soldiers with modern weapons and equipment over the next decade.
The amount will be spent for the purchase of FN MINIMI 7.62 MK3 light machine guns, night vision devices, and laser sights.
6. Latvia's Ministry of Defense opens a new military facility that will support the NATO Multinational Brigade.
The $7.7 million facility incorporates armored vehicle storage and sustainment facilities to house allied tanks and other platforms.
7. US Army conducting study to gain lessons-learned ffrom the Gaza JLOTS pier deployment.
The mission's Senior Commander called the mission "the biggest organizational leadership challenge” he had ever experienced.