Chris Taylor

AI as Adversary and Ally: Navigating the Cyber Arms Race Between AI-Powered Defense and Attack #TechTraining #FutureOfWork #DigitalTransformation

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DEFENDING THE INDO-PAC - DISPERSION - To support the US Air Force’s ability to conduct dispersed operations, the US has increased the number of locations it can operate from in the Indo-Pacific, adding to the network of US bases and sites it has access to. Read @R_Schulenburg's latest analysis to find out more: go.iiss.org/4rDOb2u

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Iraq Moves to Rebuild Long-Neglected Air Defense Starting in 2026 Introduction After decades of underinvestment and capability erosion, Iraq is preparing to modernize its air defense and air combat forces. With contracts expected to be finalized in 2026, Baghdad is signaling a strategic shift toward restoring credible national airspace protection following years of limited deterrence and operational constraints. Key Developments and Capabilities Fighter aircraft modernization • Iraq is negotiating a contract with France for 14 new-build Dassault Rafale F4 fighters, including both single- and two-seat variants. • The Rafale F4 represents a major leap to a modern 4.5-generation multirole platform, far exceeding current Iraqi combat aviation capabilities. Advanced air-to-air and strike weapons • The proposed deal includes MICA NG and potentially Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles, offering engagement ranges far superior to Iraq’s aging F-16 armament. • Precision AASM guided bombs would significantly enhance air-to-ground strike accuracy and flexibility. Limits of the existing F-16 fleet • Iraq’s U.S.-supplied F-16s remain constrained by maintenance challenges and outdated missiles, limiting their effectiveness as interceptors. • The absence of modern long-range air-to-air missiles has left Iraqi airspace vulnerable, even during major regional conflicts. Ground-based air defense upgrades • Iraq has ordered South Korea’s KM-SAM medium-range air defense system, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026. • While coverage will be limited, KM-SAM represents a meaningful improvement over legacy Pantsir-S1 systems and complements new radar acquisitions. Why This Matters If executed, these acquisitions would give Iraq its most capable air defense architecture since its integrated system was destroyed in 1991. Although deliveries may stretch into the late 2020s or early 2030s, finalizing contracts in 2026 marks a strategic inflection point. Iraq is not seeking regional dominance, but credible deterrence, sovereignty over its airspace, and a long-overdue modernization aligned with contemporary air warfare realities. I share daily insights with 37000+ followers across defense, tech, and policy. If this topic resonates, I invite you to connect and continue the conversation. Keith King https://lnkd.in/gHPvUttw

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I just finished reading the "Arsenal of Policy" report by CNA for OASD IBP. It offers great insights into munitions, the Organic Industrial Base (OIB), and the critical need for stable demand signals. Believe me, I understand the need to scope this type of work, if you try to boil the ocean, you get nowhere. However, I think it is unfortunate that Allied participation in our domestic defense industrial base was excluded as a consideration. We are clearly in a space where we must consider how close allies fit into our defense production ecosystem. The distinction between "domestic" and "allied" is blurring, as evidenced by major ongoing efforts: - The Korean Shipbuilding Initiative - AUKUS Pillar II work - Japan’s co-production of munitions - ICE-PACT We have moved past the point where we can view the US DIB in isolation. Real capacity building requires integrating these allied capabilities. I look forward to continuing the work on that effort. #DefenseIndustrialBase #Shipbuilding #InternationalArmamentsCooperation #AUKUS #MakeAmericanShipBuildingGreatAgain

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