text: JAPAN BUILDING BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SHIPS: As part of Japan’s rapid build-up of its Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF), the Ministry of Defense announced it is constructing two large ballistic missile defense ships. The vessels would replace the U.S.-built Aegis Ashore system that Japan rejected in 2020. Both ships, effectively large Aegis Destroyers, are 690 feet long, making them the largest warships in the JMSDF behind the Izumo-class light carriers. According to Japan’s Defense Minister, both new warships will be equipped with missile defense systems capable of intercepting Chinese and North Korean hypersonic glide weapons. (AC: Japan is racing to develop a credible deterrence to an expected military operation by China to seize Taiwan and possibly Japan’s southernmost Senkaku and Nansei Islands. The ability to defend against China’s long-range fires would allow for JMSDF and U.S. naval forces to counter Chinese aggression in the East China Sea. In addition to the fielding of these ballistic missile defense ships, Japan announced yesterday it was repositioning wartime supplies and ammunition stocks to its southern Nansei islands in anticipation of a conflict with China. – M.M.)SWISS TO BUILD DEFENSIVE TIES WITH EU, NATO: Swiss defense officials released a new policy paper outlining their intent to expand and modernize the country’s military. The planned expansions include a reorientation towards international cooperation that includes building closer defensive ties with European Union and NATO forces. Swiss forces will take an active role in joint military exercises and join the EU rapid-deployment teams conducting rescue and evacuation operations. (AC: The move by the Swiss government is a significant departure from its historical tradition of stark neutrality and is reflective of a changing security situation in Europe that has caused a shift by traditionally neutral countries, including Finland and Sweden, towards the NATO sphere. – R.P). Russia-NATO SITREPPUTIN THREATENS TO CUT ENERGY DELIVERIES TO EUROPE: Speaking to Russian state media at the Eastern Economic Forum, Vladimir Putin threatened to cut delivery of all European energy supplies saying, “We will not supply gas, oil, coal, heating oil – we will not supply anything” during a speech in response to G7 proposals on price caps on Russian oil and gas. Putin referenced a Russian fairy tale, implying his country will let Europe “freeze” this winter should the G7 implement its plans.GREECE AND TURKEY TURN TO NATO AS FEUD HEATS UP: Greek officials sent an official letter to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg outlining Turkish provocations in the eastern Mediterranean and Agean Seas. Comments from Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan previously implied that Turkish forces can “come at night” in amphibious landings to occupy contested Agean islands on which Greece has stationed defensive forces. Turkey sent a letter last week to NATO accusing the Greek government of violations of international law and provocations in the region. Both sides have claimed they seek dialogue while rejecting the other’s claims, leading both to seek assistance from NATO and the EU to resolve the ongoing dispute. – R.P. F-35 PROGRAM PAUSED AFTER DISCOVERY OF CHINESE MATERIALS: The Defense Department announced the U.S. has stopped accepting deliveries of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter following the discovery of a magnet made with unauthorized Chinese material utilized in the construction of the aircraft’s engine. The material sourced from China is in violation of U.S. defense procurement laws. Pentagon officials said an alternative alloy source would be utilized in all future aircraft.LatAm SITREP