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Israel Fires Gallant, Sudan Aid Airlift
Tech spotlight: the AN/TPQ-53 radar
THE WAR NEWSLETTER — NOV 5 2024
Good morning. Today’s email brings you news from Israel and Sudan.
1 - ISRAEL
1 thing to know
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant today, citing a "crisis of trust" and disagreements over the management of Israel's ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
The context
This is the second time Netanyahu has fired Gallant in less than two years. The dismissal centers around several key issues, including the drafting of ultra-Orthodox men into the military, approaches to securing the release of remaining hostages in Gaza, and calls for an investigation into the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
More from the region
Foreign Minister Israel Katz will replace Gallant as Defense Minister, while Gideon Sa'ar will take over as Foreign Minister.
The announcement sparked immediate protests across Israel, with demonstrators blocking roads in Tel Aviv and gathering near Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu's office denied reports that he was also planning to fire IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar.
In the news
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TECH SPOTLIGHT: LOCKHEED MARTIN AN/TPQ-53
Source: Lockheed Martin
The AN/TPQ-53 is counter-battery radar system with the capability to locate the firing positions of rockets, artillery, and mortar attacks. The radar and accompanying generator is mounted on a truck, and can be rapidly deployed and integrated with many different types of forces.
It has sufficient accuracy to allow for return fire on enemy positions, once detected. A second truck carries four soldiers to operate the radar, as well as a secondary backup power generator.
What it’s used for
The US army currently has around 170 AN/TPQ-53 systems, which have been battle-tested and successfully operated in combat. Singapore has also purchased a number of units from the US, with the US has also sending 20 AN/TPQ-53 radar systems to Ukraine in 2015.
2 - SUDAN
1 thing to know
Sudan has begun airlifting humanitarian aid to the South Kordofan region.
The context
After a discussion between the head of Sudan's ruling council and the president of South Sudan, the Sudanese government began airlifting 1,000 tons of humanitarian aid into two locations inside South Kordofan, one of which is still under rebel control. The airlift is also meant to show the Sudanese government's dedication to international humanitarian law, and to its responsibility to provide access for its citizens to food and medicine.
More from the region
Sudan also cancelled a deal, reportedly worth $6 billion, with the United Arab Emirates to build a port on the Red Sea, citing the company's alleged support of the sudanese rebel group, the Rapid Support Force. The deal, signed in 2022, was to build and operate a port on the coast of the Red Sea, 124 miles north of Port Sudan.
In the news
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