ピート・ヘグセス米国防長官は月曜日、エストニアのハノ・ペヴクル国防相に対し、高機動ロケット砲システム（HIMARS）用弾薬の引き渡しを、対イラン戦争における需要を理由に延期すると伝えた。この兵器契約は2022年に締結されたもので、ランチャー本体はすでに昨年引き渡し済みである。エストニア側は、この遅延が抑止力に与える影響について懸念を表明した。
星条旗新聞の報道によると、ヘグセス長官はペヴクル国防相との電話会談でこの方針を伝えた。今回の延期対象は、陸軍のHIMARSで使用される6ユニット分の弾薬（ロケット弾およびミサイル）で、それぞれ最大約185マイル（約300キロメートル）の射程を持つ。在タリン米国大使館は、昨年行われた初期納入について、エストニアの軍事史上最も重要な近代化の一つであると評価していた。NATOの最前線国家であるエストニアは、GDPの5.4％を国防費に充てている。
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In the latest on THAAD redeployment concerns from South Korea, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson confirmed on Tuesday that the full Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system stays on the Korean peninsula, while some munitions await shipment to the Middle East. The statement addresses ongoing speculations during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
The Pentagon has ordered nearly its entire inventory of JASSM-ER cruise missiles moved from the Pacific and continental US to Middle East bases in late March for the war on Iran, US media reports say. This leaves just 425 units available worldwide. Analysts say the move signals supply constraints and tells Indo-Pacific allies that US priorities lie elsewhere.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Chairman and Managing Director D K Sunil said military supplies from Israel may face delays due to the ongoing conflict with Iran, but India has sufficient stocks for the current year. He expressed hope that supplies will resume normally once the war ends.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee that Iran was developing short- and midrange ballistic missiles at an 'alarming' rate, faster than U.S. defensive capabilities could match. This buildup continued while Iran negotiated with the United States and supported affiliated terrorist organizations. The comments came amid U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in late February.
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According to a report by the Stockholm-based SIPRI peace research institute, Germany has overtaken China to become the fourth largest exporter of major weapons. Nearly a quarter of German deliveries went to Ukraine, while Europe as a whole has tripled its imports. The rise is driven primarily by the war in Ukraine and uncertainties about US support in NATO.
Bundestag committees are set to approve the procurement of combat drones for the Bundeswehr next week. Despite concerns over quality, price, and US investor Peter Thiel's involvement, Defense Committee Chairman Thomas Röwekamp advocates for quick awarding. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius shares the concerns and calls for clarification on Thiel's influence.
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Russia has cleared the export of around 300 R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles to India in a US$1.2 billion deal, according to media reports. Malaysia-based Defence Security Asia said deliveries could begin within 12 to 18 months. The missiles can target Pakistani support planes such as surveillance and refuelling aircraft.