282: IDF Prepares for Operations on Northern Border + President Biden Will Not Attend Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland + Japan Rail Gun Development + US Army IVAS Update + More

I - On Defense Podcast

For review:
1. IDF Prepares for Operations on Northern Border.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi : “We are approaching the point where a decision will have to be made, and the IDF is prepared and very ready for this decision."
2. President Biden Will Not Attend Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland.
Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will represent the US.
3. Russia considers western military instructors inside Ukraine a legitimate target.
Kremlin spokesman (Dmitry Peskov): "Any instructors who are engaged in training the Ukrainian regime do not have any immunity. It does not matter whether they are French or not."
4. Security package and NATO-member bilateral agreements will be offered to Ukraine during the NATO Summit in July (held in Washington D.C.).
5. Italy preparing to send 9th security assistance package to Ukraine. Package will include a SAMP/T air defense battery.
6. Finland strengthening coastal defense capabilities with mobile artillery procurement.
7. Chinese Defense Minister speaks at the Shangri La Dialogue and drives home disapproval of Taiwan Independence (repeatedly).
8. Japan enters Rail Gun development cooperation agreement with France and Germany.
9. US Army 155mm artillery modernization stirs defense industry opportunities and competition.
10, Latest US Army Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) update.
Microsoft reorganization will "prioritize" work on IVAS.