Analysis & Reports

The U.S. military reported that approximately 200 troops have been wounded in the ongoing conflict against Iran as of March 16, 2023. Most injuries are minor, with 180 troops returning to duty, while 10 injuries are serious. The conflict has resulted in 13 U.S. troop fatalities since it began on February 28, with injuries occurring in several countries including Kuwait and Iraq. The U.S. has also targeted over 7,000 sites in Iran during the conflict.

The Army awarded an $87 million contract to Anduril Industries for its Lattice command-and-control software, aimed at enhancing counter-unmanned systems. This contract is part of a broader agreement potentially worth up to $20 billion over the next decade, allowing federal agencies to purchase Anduril's products. The initiative is designed to streamline military procurement processes and improve operational efficiency.

The U.S. Navy announced that the USS Nimitz will postpone its retirement and remain in service until at least March 2027. This decision follows delays in the commissioning of the USS John F. Kennedy and allows the Navy to maintain its fleet of 11 aircraft carriers. Currently, the Nimitz is deployed in the U.S. Southern Command area, having left Naval Base Kitsap.

The U.S. Army awarded Anduril an $87 million task order for its Lattice software, which will serve as the command and control backbone for counter-drone operations. This award is the first in a potential $20 billion enterprise contract over the next decade, aimed at enhancing the Army's capabilities against UAS threats. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to consolidate contracts and improve procurement efficiency across the Department of Defense.

President Trump framed his call for allies to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz as a loyalty test, following resistance from several nations. Countries like Germany and Italy have declined to assist, emphasizing NATO's defensive role. The Strait remains blocked, impacting global energy supplies, while Iran has signaled its readiness to continue its military actions without negotiation.

AeroVironment announced its acquisition of Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero) for about $200 million, enhancing its capabilities in uncrewed systems and loitering munitions. ESAero will continue operations in California as a subsidiary, focusing on advanced prototyping and manufacturing. This acquisition follows AeroVironment's previous purchase of BlueHalo for $4.1 billion, indicating a strategic expansion in the defense technology market.

Israel is conducting 7,600 airstrikes in Iran and Lebanon, utilizing 4,700 sorties from its air force. The Israel Defense Forces are mobilizing troops to the northern front while replenishing munitions and accelerating production in its defense industry. Prime Minister Netanyahu assessed maritime trade continuity during Operation Roaring Lion, emphasizing the importance of maintaining supplies for the military effort.

The U.S. Navy announced the establishment of five new portfolio acquisition executives (PAEs) in Washington as part of a broader acquisition reform initiative. This restructuring aims to consolidate management of weapons programs and enhance accountability within the Navy's acquisition process. The new PAEs will oversee various domains, including Maritime and Undersea systems, and are expected to streamline decision-making and improve program success rates.

The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs stated that the conflict in the Middle East is not Europe's war. She emphasized that EU member states have no intention of extending their maritime escort operations to the Strait of Hormuz. This statement was made in Brussels on March 16.

Mojtaba Khamenei ordered officials appointed by the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to continue their duties without reappointment in Tehran on March 16, 2023. This directive emphasizes adherence to the policies established during the late leader's tenure.

A federal judge in Rhode Island reinstated a collective bargaining agreement for approximately 300,000 employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The ruling, issued on Friday, found that the VA's termination of the agreement was retaliatory and not justified by national security concerns. The American Federation of Government Employees plans to ensure compliance with the ruling, which may impact labor relations within the VA.

U.S. President Trump pressured NATO allies to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz, warning of dire consequences if they do not respond. Allies, including the UK and Germany, expressed reluctance to engage militarily, with some countries outright rejecting participation. Trump indicated he has requested naval support from around seven nations, while discussions about forming an 'escort alliance' are ongoing.

India secured the safe transit of two Indian flagged carriers carrying liquified petroleum gas through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. This action follows intensified diplomatic engagement by New Delhi to ensure energy imports amid regional tensions. Indian officials are also negotiating for the safe passage of 22 additional vessels stranded west of the strait, highlighting India's strategic interests in the area.

Two U.S. Navy Independence-class littoral combat ships, the USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara, were relocated to Malaysia, leaving only one capable vessel in the Middle East. This raises concerns about the U.S. Navy's ability to respond to potential Iranian mine threats in the Strait of Hormuz. The ships are equipped with mine countermeasure modules, including unmanned surface vehicles and sonar systems.

On March 15, 2023, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a coordinated attack using solid-fuel ballistic missiles and drones against U.S. and allied forces in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. This operation exposed vulnerabilities in U.S. missile defense systems, which struggled to effectively intercept the incoming threats. Iran claimed to have successfully targeted key U.S. missile defense installations, significantly impacting U.S. early warning capabilities.

Lockheed Martin conducted the first flight test of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 2 in Washington, successfully demonstrating its capability to target moving maritime threats. The missile, launched from a HIMARS system, has a range of 500 km and is currently in the technology-maturation phase. Additional flight tests are planned for later this year as the program progresses towards operational capability.

An Iranian missile strike damaged five U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The aircraft were on the ground during the attack but were not destroyed. Repairs are underway, and the aircraft are expected to return to service soon. No U.S. personnel were killed in the incident, which has drawn conflicting reports from officials and President Trump.

An Iranian missile strike damaged five U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The aircraft were on the ground during the attack but were not destroyed. Repairs are underway, and the aircraft are expected to return to service soon. No U.S. personnel were killed in the incident, although President Trump contested the reported damage.

The U.S. Army plans to establish a research and manufacturing center at Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky, to enhance the production of explosives, specifically RDX and HMX. The facility is expected to be completed before 2031 and may adopt either an integrated or distributed model. This initiative is driven by the urgent need to supply explosives to U.S. allies amid ongoing global conflicts.

OCCAR awarded a £53m contract to Artec for the production of 37 RCH 155 artillery systems for the British Army. This contract represents a significant investment in new military equipment. The total value of the contract is approximately $70m.