270: Report: Hamas Leader Not Hiding in Rafah + Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine Worth $400 million + Ukraine Defense Contact Group Capability Coalitions Part 2 + More

I - On Defense Podcast

For review:
1. Report: Hamas leader (Yahya Sinwar) is not hiding in Rafah, but possibly in the Khan Younis area- some five miles away.
2. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine is Worth $400 million. It includes air defense munitions, artillery ammunition, and anti-tank weapons among other materiel.
3. Apparently referencing the AP report about US M1 Tanks pulled from frontline duty (due to targeting by Russian drones), the Netherlands Ministry of Defense states that it does not impose any conditions on donated equipment to Ukraine- other than obligations arising from UN Charter and international humanitarian law.
4. German Defense Minister (Boris Pistorius) calls for future defense spending to 3% GDP and hints at possible conscription. Germany ended compulsory military service in 2011.
5. Ukraine Defense Contact Group #2- Eight Capability Coalitions.
We discuss the last four (alphabetical order):
- Drones: Latvia, UK
- Integrated Air Defense: France, Germany
- Information Technology: Estonia, Luxembourg
- Maritime Security: Norway, UK
6. UK Armed Forces Minister (Leo Docherty): UK DragonFire Laser Weapon under development. Will be ready in 2027. Not ready operational use in Ukraine.