NewzIntel.com

Category: Aviation

  • MIL-OSI Economics: GlobalData revises down global MAT insurance industry growth forecast due to increased US tariffs

    Source: GlobalData

    The global marine, aviation, and transit (MAT) insurance industry, which was forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% before the imposition of the reciprocal tariff from the US, is now expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% during 2025-29, in terms of written premiums, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    On April 02, 2025, the US President announced “reciprocal” tariffs on imports. These tariffs include a base 10% plus additional tariffs ranging from 10% to 245%. Higher tariffs are typically imposed on specific products, but the blanket tariff rate of 10% on all countries will negatively impact the global economy. The countries that are mostly dependent on exports to the US will be severely impacted. However, there is a hold on this tariff for 90 days, except for China.

    According to GlobalData’s Insurance Database, the US accounted for around 50% of the global MAT insurance premiums in 2024. As per the revised forecast, high reciprocal tariffs will reduce US MAT insurance premiums by 1.4% in 2025, whereas the premiums of global MAT insurance will be impacted by 0.7%. The US is the largest importer in the world, with Mexico, China, Canada, Germany, and Japan being the top 5 exporting countries in 2023, accounting for 53% of the total US imports.

    GlobalData expects the CAGR of MAT insurance premiums during 2025-29 to reduce by 0.5pp in Mexico, 0.6pp in China, 0.5pp in Canada, 0.5pp in Germany, and 0.2pp in Japan.

    Swarup Kumar Sahoo, Senior Insurance Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The ‘Liberation Day’ tariff will disrupt the global MAT insurance as the premium growth will slow down in 2025 and subsequent years compared to the previous forecast. Although the global MAT business will experience a temporary surge during April-June 2025 due to the 90-day pause in the tariff, the growth will slow down once the tariff is in place. This will also impact the profitability of MAT insurers across the world.”

    The US has imposed a tariff in the range of 20% (Germany and Italy) to 245% (China) on the top 10 exporters, which contribute 69% of the total US imports, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC). Marine cargo business of all the markets except Canada and Mexico will be impacted, whereas for Mexico and Canada, which account for 29% of the total US imports, the aviation cargo and transit insurance will be disrupted.

    Sahoo adds: “The decline in MAT premiums growth rate will be due to both a decline in exports and the value of exported goods. In case the exporter absorbs the cost of the tariff, the cost of goods will go down, and this will reduce the sum insured and the respective premium amount. On the other hand, if the importer bears this, it will be passed on to the consumer, leading to a decline in demand.”

    To offset higher tariffs, importers have started either consolidating shipments or increasing the order size. The risk of theft and damage has increased due to the concentration of high-value goods at various points. Furthermore, the imposition of revised tariffs across countries will create complexities in customs clearance, leading to an increase in demurrage and detention fees.

    Insurers are expected to incur additional costs to rewrite such policies by considering the complexities and associated additional risks. Additionally, increased claims in marine cargo, aviation cargo, and transit will impact the profitability of insurers.

    Starting May 02, 2025, the US will eliminate the exemption of import tariffs on goods under $800 from China and Hong Kong. Due to this, DHL has suspended high-value business-to-consumer shipments to the US. Also, various airlines have suspended air cargo services for high-value goods. This will directly impact the air cargo insurance business.

    Sahoo concludes: “The imposition of the higher tariff will disrupt the global MAT insurance, impacting premiums growth, while increasing the associated risks. Insurers need to be vigilant as higher claims would erode profitability. Furthermore, MAT insurers in the US will lose their global market share as they write half of the global MAT business.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Mann, Vasquez Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Support Rural Communities Through Regional Airport Expansion

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) introduced the bipartisan Expanding Regional Airports Act. The bill aims to increase funding opportunities for regional airports to conduct critical upgrades of security systems, runway and hangar infrastructure, and passenger facilities. 

    “Rural communities like those in the Big First District depend on regional airports to connect them with the rest of the world,” said Rep. Mann. “The Expanding Regional Airports Act provides necessary updates to strengthen the reliability regional airports offer their communities, drive economic growth, and equip these airports to maintain the livelihoods of small communities and their surrounding areas. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance our bill and give our regional airports the resources they deserve.”

    “In a state as large as New Mexico, regional airports are a way to ensure our state is fully connected,” said Rep. Vasquez. “However, without dedicated funding, these airports can’t expand to serve the needs of our growing communities. That’s why I am introducing the Expanding Regional Airports bill to promote expanded tourism and business travel to Las Cruces and other similar communities, improving the entire economy.”

    ###

    For more information on Rep. Mann visit www.mann.house.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Sudan, Chad, South Sudan & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    ———————————

    Highlights:

    Sudan
    Chad
    South Sudan
    Yemen
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Democratic Republic of the Congo / Humanitarian
    Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Libya
    Ukraine
    Security Council
    Human Development Report
    Science, Technology and Innovation

    SUDAN
    Our humanitarian colleagues said they’re deeply concerned by the intensifying drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in Port Sudan, in the east of the country. Early this morning, drone attacks reportedly struck the airport area, a fuel storage facility and a power transformer.
    While no UN personnel or facilities were directly affected by the strikes, OCHA said that the latest violence poses a growing risk to the safety of humanitarian staff and operations with flights of the UN Humanitarian Air Service both to and from Port Sudan still on hold.
    Elsewhere in the country, prolonged power outages due to drone attacks targeting power stations and facilities continue to disrupt civilian life. This is the case in Northern State, where a one-month power blackout prevented farmers from running electrical water pumps, leading to the destruction of more than 84 square kilometres of crops. And in River Nile State, the targeted destruction of power infrastructure has led to severe water supply shortages.
    Despite hostilities, we continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable people. In East Darfur, humanitarian organizations are mobilizing aid for 35,000 people in the town of Ed Daein who fled there from Khartoum and Aj Jazirah States. And in Kassala State, we are scaling up water, sanitation and hygiene efforts and public health outreach to curb the spread of hepatitis E.

    CHAD
    And staying in the region, the UN Refugee Agency is gravely concerned by the rapidly increasing number of Sudanese refugees crossing into eastern Chad. Nearly 20,000 people – mostly women and children – have arrived there in the past two weeks alone.
    This sudden influx reflects the escalating violence in Sudan’s North Darfur region, particularly in and around El Fasher, which is triggering mass displacement. Refugees arriving in Chad report that over 10,000 people are still en route, trying to reach the border to escape the violence.
    A rapid protection assessment by UNHCR and its partners indicates that 76 per cent of the newly arrived refugees were subjected to serious protection incidents, including extortion, theft and sexual violence.
    Chad already hosts 1.3 million refugees, including 794,000 arrivals from Sudan since the conflict started more than two years ago. While the country continues to show remarkable solidarity in hosting refugees, it cannot bear this burden alone.
    UNHCR urges the international community to urgently step up support for the response. Only 20 per cent of the $409 million required to respond to the refugee crisis in Chad has been funded.

    SOUTH SUDAN
    Our peacekeeping colleagues in South Sudan tell us of continued air strikes in Fangak, a remote county in Jonglei state. According to reports received by the Mission last night, further aerial bombardments have allegedly taken place in and around New Fangak town, residential areas near the Phow river, and other locations.
    The Mission is working with all partners to verify civilian displacement figures, facilitate assistance for communities who have been affected by these events, and reduce tensions. Guang Cong, the Mission’s Deputy Special Representative, said that such attacks contravene the Revitalized Peace Agreement and severely undermine efforts to build lasting peace in the country. He called on involved parties to prioritize civilian protection by pursuing an immediate ceasefire.

    YEMEN
    Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, said that the aerial attack carried out by Ansar Allah on Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, followed by strikes in response by Israel on Sana’a Airport and Hudaydah port in Yemen, mark a grave escalation in an already fragile and volatile regional context.
    Mr. Grundberg once again urges all stakeholders to exercise the utmost restraint and refrain from escalatory actions that risk inflicting further suffering on civilians. It is imperative that all actors uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
    A return to dialogue is the only sustainable path towards ensuring lasting safety and security for Yemen and the broader region, the Special Envoy said.

    Full Highlights:
    https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=06%20May%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXOEa0YwZEM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fairport man who used Roblox to attempt to communicate with minors for sex arrested

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Tony Rodriguez, 40, of Fairport, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with enticement and possession of child pornography, which carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on March 12, 2025, the leader of an online community group, which exposes child predators, reached out to the Fairport Police Department regarding a message from the Facebook account “Tony Rodrigo,” later identified as the defendant. According to the community member, Rodriguez was told that the person he was communicating with was an 11-year-old girl named Emiry. The complaint states that the conversation began as causal small talk, but quickly turned sexual, initiated by Rodriguez. Rodriguez sent lewd pictures and offered to meet Emiry to have sex. On March 12, 2025, Rodriguez arrived at a pre-determined location, the Fairport Library, to meet Emiry. Instead, the community member arrived and confronted Rodriguez about his explicit online conversations with an alleged 11-year-old. The confrontation prompted the police to be called by a concerned citizen. The community member told police that Rodriguez admitted to meeting Emiry for sex and acknowledged communicating online with other minors between 13 to 16 years old in a similar manner. Prior to police arriving, Rodriguez left the scene.

    On April 15, 2025, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence located in the Town of Perinton for a report that a male named “Tony Rodrigo” was at the location to meet a 13-year-old for a sexual encounter. The report was filed by individual who oversees another online volunteer group on Facebook which exposes child predators. This individual poses as a 13-year-old girl. According to the individual, “Tony Rodrigo” reached out on Facebook to who he believed was a 13-year-old-girl. Rodriguez stated he wanted to meet up “”to have sex” with the minor. On April 15, 2025, Rodriguez showed up at the predetermined location and was confronted by the individual. Sheriff’s deputies located Rodriguez and detained him.

    Rodriguez utilized Roblox, an online gaming platform, to connect with the alleged 11- and 13-year-old girls on Facebook.

    A search of two cellular telephones seized from Rodriguez recovered approximately six images of child pornography.

    In addition to Facebook, an Instagram account associated with Rodriguez was located, on which he appeared to be communication with a 13-year-old minor. Rodriguez was also active on the social media platform Reddit, specifically a subreddit community associated with teens.

    Rodriguez made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was detained.

    The complaint is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, and the Fairport Police Department, under the direction of Chief Matthew Barnes.   

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.     

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: BH 25-2: Kadena demonstrates Indo-Pacific readiness with joint elephant walk

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    KADENA AIR BASE, Japan — In a demonstration of combat readiness and regional deterrence, the 18th Wing conducted a large-scale elephant walk, May 6, 2025, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, assembling one of the most diverse formations of U.S. military aircraft in the Indo-Pacific.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Sends Urgent Letter to Transportation Secretary Duffy, Pushes for “All Necessary Steps” to Address Issues at Newark Airport, Including Directing Additional Staff and Resources to Restore Regular Operations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    NEWARK, N.J. – This afternoon, Senator Cory Booker sent a letter to United States Department of Transportation Secretary (USDOT) Sean Duffy regarding the ongoing operational challenges at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), including widespread flight delays and cancellations, reportedly outdated air traffic control systems, and chronic staffing shortages.
    Booker wrote: “Given the serious consequences for our nation’s aviation system, it is critical that the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) take all necessary steps to identify and address the underlying causes of the ongoing flight disruptions. I appreciate that the USDOT has already responded to this ongoing situation by identifying the importance of technology upgrades across the entire air traffic control system, and I am committed to supporting these efforts in Congress. 
    “However, I ask that you also immediately direct additional staff and resources in order to restore regular operations at EWR in the days ahead. This is of particular importance as the busy summer travel season approaches, which will put further pressure on EWR and the region’s airspace. Specifically, I request that you take additional steps to address the staffing shortages at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, which have contributed significantly to the repeated suspension and interruption of flight operations at EWR.”  
    Booker concludes: “These issues, along with the termination of thousands of employees that directly support the FAA’s day-to-day operations, are putting an additional strain on the FAA and our aviation system at a time when public safety has come under well-deserved scrutiny after recent accidents. Given the gravity of the problems impacting operations at EWR and the major inconveniences this has caused for people traveling through New Jersey, I am requesting a briefing to discuss the problems you’ve identified within the USDOT and the steps you are taking to alleviate these burdens.”
    A full copy of the May 6 letter can be found here and below:
    Dear Secretary Duffy:
    I write to express our serious concerns over the ongoing flight delays and cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) that have stranded travelers, disrupted Americans’ lives, and negatively impacted our national economy over the past week. As you know, EWR is one of the busiest airports in the country and operates within the third busiest airspace—a major shutdown of service at EWR has an immediate ripple effect throughout the nation’s entire aviation system. 
    Given the serious consequences for our nation’s aviation system, it is critical that the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) take all necessary steps to identify and address the underlying causes of the ongoing flight disruptions. I appreciate that the USDOT has already responded to this ongoing situation by identifying the importance of technology upgrades across the entire air traffic control system, and I am committed to supporting these efforts in Congress. 
    However, I ask that you also immediately direct additional staff and resources in order to restore regular operations at EWR in the days ahead. This is of particular importance as the busy summer travel season approaches, which will put further pressure on EWR and the region’s airspace. Specifically, I request that you take additional steps to address the staffing shortages at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, which have contributed significantly to the repeated suspension and interruption of flight operations at EWR.  
    These issues, along with the termination of thousands of employees that directly support the FAA’s day-to-day operations, are putting an additional strain on the FAA and our aviation system at a time when public safety has come under well-deserved scrutiny after recent accidents. Given the gravity of the problems impacting operations at EWR and the major inconveniences this has caused for people traveling through New Jersey, I am are requesting a briefing to discuss the problems you’ve identified within the USDOT and the steps you are taking to alleviate these burdens.  
    I thank you in advance for your attention to Newark Liberty International Airport’s urgent needs to improve air traffic control staffing levels and invest in updated technologies that will keep our passengers and aviation workers safe. I look forward to working with you to make these improvements and ensure safety and reliability for the traveling public. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Quantum Sensing via Matter-Wave Interferometry Aboard the International Space Station

    Source: NASA

    Future space missions could use quantum technologies to help us understand the physical laws that govern the universe, explore the composition of other planets and their moons, gain insights into unexplained cosmological phenomena, or monitor ice sheet thickness and the amount of water in underground aquafers on Earth.

    NASA’s Cold Atom Lab (CAL), a first-of-its-kind facility aboard the International Space Station, has performed a series of trailblazing experiments based on the quantum properties of ultracold atoms. The tool used to perform these experiments is called an atom interferometer, and it can precisely measure gravity, magnetic fields, and other forces.
    Atom interferometers are currently being used on Earth to study the fundamental nature of gravity and are also being developed to aid aircraft and ship navigation, but use of an atom interferometer in space will enable innovative science capabilities.
    Physicists have been eager to apply atom interferometry in space, both to enable new measurements for space science and to capitalize on the extended free-fall conditions found in space. This could enable researchers to achieve unprecedented performance from these quantum sensors.
    These interferometers, however, require exquisitely sensitive equipment, and they were previously considered too fragile to function for extended periods without hands-on attention. The Cold Atom Lab, which is operated remotely from Earth, has now demonstrated that it is possible to conduct atom interferometry in space. The CAL Science Team has published two papers so far documenting these experimental milestones.

    The results of the first study, published in the November 2023 issue of Nature, described the demonstration of simultaneous atom interferometry with both rubidium and potassium quantum gases for the first time in space. The dual-species atom interferometer not only exhibited robust and repeatable operation of atom interferometry in Earth orbit, but it also served as a pathfinder for future experiments that aim to use quantum gases to test the universality of free fall, a key tenet of Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
    In the second study, the results of which were featured in the August 2024 issue of Nature Communications, members of the science team used the CAL atom interferometer to measure subtle vibrations of the space station and to remotely measure the frequency of the atom interferometer laser— the first time ultra-cold atoms have been used to detect changes in the surrounding environment in space. This paper also reported on the demonstration of the wave-like nature of matter persisting for the longest ever freefall time (over a tenth of a second) in space.
    “Reaching these milestones was incredibly challenging, and our success was not always a given,” said Jason Williams, the Cold Atom Lab project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “It took dedication and a sense of adventure by the team to make this happen.”
    Space-based sensors that can measure gravity with high precision have a wide range of potential applications. They could reveal the composition of planets and moons in our solar system, because different materials have different densities that create subtle variations in gravity.
    The U.S.-German GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on) mission is currently collecting gravity measurements using classical sensors that detect slight changes in gravity to track the movement of water and ice on Earth. A future mission using atom interferometry could provide better precision and stability, revealing even more detail about surface mass changes.
    Precise measurements of gravity could also offer insights into the nature of dark matter and dark energy, two major cosmological mysteries. Dark matter is an invisible substance that makes up about 27% of the universe, while the “regular” matter that composes planets, stars, and everything else we can see makes up only 5%. Dark energy makes up the remaining 68% of the universe and is the driver of the universe’s accelerating expansion.
    “Atom interferometry could also be used to test Einstein’s theory of general relativity in new ways,” said University of Virginia professor Cass Sackett, a Cold Atom Lab principal investigator. “This is the basic theory explaining the large-scale structure of our universe, and we know that there are aspects of the theory that we don’t understand correctly. This technology may help us fill in those gaps and give us a more complete picture of the reality we inhabit.”
    About the size of a minifridge, the Cold Atom Lab launched to the space station in 2018 with the goal of advancing quantum science by placing a long-term facility in the microgravity environment of low Earth orbit. The lab cools atoms to almost absolute zero, or minus 459 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 273 degrees Celsius). At this temperature, some atoms can form a Bose-Einstein condensate, a state of matter in which all atoms essentially share the same quantum identity. As a result, some of the atoms’ typically microscopic quantum properties become macroscopic, making them easier to study.
    Quantum properties can sometimes cause atoms to act like solid objects and sometimes like waves. Scientists don’t yet entirely understand how the building blocks of matter can transition between such different physical behaviors, but they’re using quantum technology like what’s available on the Cold Atom Lab to seek answers.
    In microgravity, Bose-Einstein condensates can reach colder temperatures and can exist for longer, giving scientists more opportunities to study them. The atom interferometer is among several tools in the CAL facility enabling precision measurements by harnessing the quantum nature of atoms.

    Due to its wave-like behavior, a single atom can simultaneously travel two physically separate paths. If gravity or other forces are acting on those waves, scientists can measure that influence by observing how the waves recombine and interact.
    “I expect that space-based atom interferometry will lead to exciting new discoveries, fantastic quantum technologies impacting everyday life, and will transport us into a quantum future,” said Nick Bigelow, a professor at University of Rochester in New York and Cold Atom Lab principal investigator for a consortium of U.S. and German scientists who co-authored the studies cited above.
    Designed and built at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cold Atom Lab is sponsored by the Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS) Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at the Agency’s headquarters in Washington DC and the International Space Station Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The work carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, was executed under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
    Learn more about Cold Atom Lab at https://coldatomlab.jpl.nasa.gov/
    Just how cold are the atoms in Cold Atom Lab? Find out at https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7311
    To learn more about the Cold Atom Lab’s recent upgrades visit https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/upgrading-the-space-stations-cold-atom-lab-with-mixed-reality and https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7660
    Project Lead: Kamal Oudrhiri, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
    Sponsoring Organization:  Biological and Physical Sciences Division (BPS)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER REVEALS: UNDER-THE-RADAR SECTION OF TRUMP’S BUDGET WOULD DECIMATE 5 NORTH COUNTRY AIRPORTS’ ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE FEDERAL FUNDING, RISKING THEM LOSING CRITICAL FLIGHTS THAT DRIVE THE LOCAL…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    Last Week Trump Released Budget Proposal That Would Slash Funding For The Essential Air Service Program By A Whopping 50%, Which Is The Main Federal Funding That Brings Flights To Watertown, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Adirondack Regional And Massena International Airports
    Senator Says This Extremely Destructive Cut Would Leave All Major North Country Airports Without The Support They Need To Provide Air Service – And Which Keeps The North Country Connected To National Travel Network
    Schumer: The North Country Would Be Hit First And Hardest By Proposed Trump Air-Service Cuts, And We Need NY Republicans To Stand Up To Trump To Ensure These Changes Don’t Clear The Runway And Do Real Harm To The North Country
    U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today revealed that – tucked away in President Trump’s just released budget proposal – is a plan to decimate funding for the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program by 50%. This program provides vital federal support to bring air service to underserved & rural communities, and specifically to all five of the North Country’s major airports.
    Schumer said these cuts would be devastating for the North Country’s residents, universities and businesses and is calling on NY House Republicans to stand up and be vocal in their opposition to the cuts in Trump’s budget and protect this vital program for the North Country economy, which keeps the region connected to desperately-needed flights across the country.
    “Trump’s half-baked plan to cut the vital Essential Air Service program will hit the North Country first and hardest. All five of the North Country’s airports rely on the federal EAS program, and without it many would lose these vital flights hurting residents, businesses, universities and hampering tourism, as well,” said Senator Schumer. “I’ve long fought to protect and boost the Essential Air Service program because I know how important it is for our rural communities like the North Country to get access to these flights to boost the local economy and connect area residents and businesses with national and international travel options. Without this program, thousands of North Country residents would be left stranded having to travel hundreds of miles to get air service.”
    Schumer added, “That’s why I’m calling on NY House Republicans, including Congresswomen Stefanik and Tenney, whose districts would be impacted more than nearly anywhere else in the country, to stand up against Trump’s budget plan and beat back this very unwise cut. We cannot let these callous cuts clear the runway and blow a crater in North Country airports’ budgets.”
    Schumer explained that all five of the airports in New York that rely on EAS are in the North Country and help support flights critically important to the local economy, including:
    Ogdensburg International Airport: round trip flights to Washington’s Dulles International Airport
    Massena International Airport: round trip flights to Boston-Logan International Airport
    Plattsburgh International Airport: round trip flights to Washington’s Dulles International Airport
    Adirondack Regional Airport: round trip flights to Boston-Logan International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport
    Watertown International Airport: round trip flights to Philadelphia International Airport
    In Trump’s budget proposal he calls to slash the EAS program by over $300 million next year, 50% of the programs budget, gutting support for airports in the North Country. Without these airports, North Country passengers would have to travel hundreds of miles to access air service, for example passengers in Massena would have to travel as much as 256 miles to access air service. In addition to potential loss of air service it would also devastate the local economy and eliminating hundreds of jobs.
    The Essential Air Service program was developed after the airline industry was deregulated in 1978. Deregulation gave airlines the freedom to decide which markets to serve and how much to charge for that service. This led to a scarcity of air service in many communities across the country where operating costs were higher and populations were smaller and less dense. The EAS program was put in to place to guarantee air service to these underserved communities. EAS ensures commuter airlines across the country serve rural communities, including Upstate New York.
    The EAS program is widely popular and has been incredibly successful in Upstate NY. Schumer last fall announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation named Breeze Airways as Ogdensburg International Airport’s new Essential Air Service carrier. Breeze launched a new direct, daily route from Ogdensburg International Airport to Washington, D.C.’s Dulles Airport in October 2024.
    Schumer has worked for years to ensure NY’s airports are adequately funded and in last year’s FAA bill secured an over 111% funding increase per year to strengthen the Essential Air Service (EAS) program and ensure small and rural communities maintain regular commercial service. The bill also makes it harder for airlines to terminate contracts that could leave communities without air service by incentivizing airports to keep their essential air service contracts, protecting families in areas that would not have easy access to an airport without the small one in their community.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Eight killed, 35 wounded, two missing after Indian missile strikes on six Pakistani targets

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    ISLAMABAD, May 7 (Xinhua) — At least eight civilians, including a child, were killed, 35 others were injured and two were missing after India fired missiles at six targets in Pakistan, including areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, on Wednesday morning, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said in a video message.

    According to him, India carried out 24 strikes on six civilian targets.

    A.Sh. Choudhry noted that as a result of the Indian strikes, four mosques were destroyed, several residential buildings and a hospital were seriously damaged.

    The missiles were fired at targets in Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Shakargarh and Shekhupura districts of Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province and Muzaffarabad and Kotli districts in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

    The ISPR chief said Pakistan Air Force fighter jets were in the air and ensured the country’s airspace was safe, adding that the missiles were fired from Indian airspace.

    “Let me be clear: Pakistan will respond to this [attack] at a time and place it deems appropriate. This provocation will not go unanswered,” he said.

    Hospitals in all affected areas have declared a state of emergency. Pakistan has closed its airspace for 48 hours and suspended educational institutions in Punjab.

    A.Sh. Choudhry said Pakistan Air Force and Army are responding effectively to Indian attack.

    The country’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan had shot down five Indian fighter jets and three drones.

    Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned India’s missile strikes early Wednesday morning on civilian targets in the country, including areas in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, calling it an unprovoked and naked act of aggression.

    The Foreign Ministry said the Indian Air Force had targeted civilian areas in Pakistan, killing civilians including women and children.

    The ministry condemned the airstrikes as a “blatant violation of the UN Charter, international law and established norms of interstate relations” and warned that India’s actions posed a serious threat to regional stability and commercial air travel.

    “India’s reckless actions have brought two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict,” the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said, stressing that Pakistan reserves the right to respond “at a time and place it deems appropriate.”

    Condemning India’s attacks on civilians, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said the country would give a decisive and befitting response to Indian aggression.

    “Indian provocations will be met with full force and unwavering commitment to defend Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the president said.

    Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif strongly condemned the airstrikes, saying: “Pakistan has every right to respond to this act of war imposed by India and a suitable response has already been given.”

    “The entire nation stands behind our armed forces. The morale and spirit of the entire Pakistani nation is high,” the prime minister added, promising that the enemy would never succeed in carrying out its evil designs. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Three Indian planes crash in Indian-controlled Kashmir

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    NEW DELHI, May 7 (Xinhua) — At least three Indian aircraft crashed in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday, local newspaper The Hindu reported, citing government sources.

    The planes reportedly crashed in the Akhnoor, Ramban and Pampore areas.

    Officials have not yet disclosed the exact circumstances of the incident, the newspaper reports.

    The incidents came as Indian airstrikes hit Pakistani targets and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir early Wednesday. The attack was in retaliation for the killing of 26 people by militants in the Indian-controlled Kashmir town of Pahalgam last month. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: China-Russia relations are the cornerstone of stability in today’s turbulent world – Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Moscow, May 7 (Xinhua) — Chinese-Russian relations are not subject to the influence of short-term events and changes in the international situation, they are the cornerstone of stability in today’s turbulent world, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said in an interview with Xinhua on the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow to participate in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

    “Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, China-Russia relations have demonstrated the special character of good-neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic cooperation and mutual benefit,” he said.

    According to the diplomat, the heads of the two states “will exchange views on the development of Chinese-Russian relations and a number of important international and regional issues, and will also develop a strategic course and plans for further strengthening strategic cooperation and practical interaction in various areas.”

    “China has maintained its status as Russia’s largest trading partner for 15 years in a row. Russia is the largest source of crude oil and natural gas for China, and China has become Russia’s largest supplier of mechanical engineering and electronics products, as well as automobiles. The parties have fruitfully cooperated in the fields of energy, agriculture, aviation and space, connectivity, basic infrastructure, etc., and cooperation in new areas such as scientific and technological innovation, cross-border e-commerce and green development is also gaining momentum,” Zhang Hanhui noted.

    The diplomat recalled the active holding of mutual Years of Culture, the significant growth of interest of the Chinese in Russia and the “Chinese boom” in the Russian Federation.

    “I am confident that the important consensus reached at the current meeting of the heads of China and Russia will contribute to further elevating cooperation between the two countries in various fields to a new level and achieving new results, will help each side in the development and revival, and will also bring great benefits to both countries and their peoples,” the ambassador emphasized. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Over 4.8B parcels handled in China during May Day holiday

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Staff members sort packages at a logistic center of Zaozhuang branch of China Post in Zaozhuang City, east China’s Shandong province, Nov. 11, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s postal and express delivery sector handled more than 4.8 billion parcels during the just-concluded May Day holiday period, marking year-on-year growth of over 20 percent, according to data released by the State Post Bureau on Tuesday.

    During the holiday, the sector deepened integration with cultural and tourism sectors by innovating service modes. Multiple regions introduced a series of convenient express delivery services, including airport-based one-stop “shopping and delivery” services to improve convenience for tourists.

    This sector also showcased progress in green transformation in the holiday period. In Hainan province in south China, fully biodegradable packaging bags were widely used, while in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province, reusable boxes were piloted in commercial, governmental and other usage scenarios, which helped reduce resource consumption.

    The bureau said that during the holiday, the sector enhanced its service capabilities and promoted collaborative innovation across multiple sectors under a national effort to boost consumption, connecting high-quality logistics services with new consumption scenarios — facilitating a positive interaction between improved supply quality and effective demand expansion.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese ports report tourist surge amid holiday travel

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    A foreign tourist poses for photo with a performer at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, May 1, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

    Chinese port cities witnessed a notable surge in international tourist arrivals during the May Day holiday, spurred by streamlined visa policies and enhanced entry-exit services, according to immigration authorities across the country.

    From April 30 to May 3, the number of inbound and outbound foreign nationals at Beijing ports reached 69,000, up 52.1 percent year-on-year, with tourism, family visits and business cited as the main reasons for entry.

    On May 2, an international passenger flight from Paris touched down at Beijing Capital International Airport. As an elderly couple appeared uncertain while navigating the procedures at the immigration hall, Cui Zhuqing, a multilingual immigration officer, stepped forward to offer assistance in French, explaining the relevant policies and helping them clear customs smoothly.

    At major ports in Beijing, including the Capital and Daxing airports, multilingual service personnel like Cui provided over 100 consultations per shift. Moreover, dedicated lanes were set up for elderly, sick, disabled and pregnant travelers, while “one-stop” counters were set up to issue temporary entry permits and handle formalities efficiently.

    “Now it’s so much easier to get a temporary entry permit. You don’t even have to requeue — it’s as quick as tapping into the subway,” a traveler from Russia said.

    In south China’s city of Guangzhou, over 154,000 inbound and outbound cross-border travelers were recorded between May 1 and 3, marking a 23 percent year-on-year increase. “All 34 of our inspection lanes were fully operational during peak hours to ensure a safe and efficient passage,” said Lin Shunyue, an officer at the city’s Baiyun immigration checkpoint.

    As the third phase of the 137th China Import and Export Fair — also known as the Canton Fair — got underway, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport saw a sharp uptick in activity. At a fast-track lane dedicated to the fair, officers teamed up with an AI-powered consultation system to assist travelers.

    “We visited Hong Kong after the second phase of the fair and returned for the third. China’s visa-free policy made the whole process very convenient,” a Polish businessman said.

    In the southwest Sichuan Province, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport maintained 24-hour immigration services during the five-day holiday, allowing foreign travelers immediate access upon arrival.

    With visa-free policies in place, a tourist from Spain had sufficient time to fully explore local attractions, see pandas, and enjoy Sichuan cuisine. “The city’s unique charm, strong air connectivity, and efficient immigration clearance made Chengdu my top choice,” she said.

    According to provincial immigration authorities, as of May 3, the ports of Chengdu recorded 160,000 visa-free entries of foreign nationals this year, and more than 23,000 travelers benefited from 24- or 240-hour visa-free transits, while over 51,000 transited without the need for immigration clearance.

    Nationwide, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on Tuesday announced that border inspection agencies across China recorded 1.12 million entry and exit trips made by foreign nationals during the holiday period, up 43.1 percent year-on-year.

    Notably, more than 380,000 of them made visa-free entries into China, a 72.7 percent jump from the same period last year, according to the NIA.

    China currently grants unilateral visa-free entry to 38 countries. It also extended the transit visa-free period to 240 hours for travelers from 54 countries in December last year. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi’s upcoming visit to deepen China-Russia ties, bolster global peace

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Guard of Honor of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) participate in a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade, which marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, in Moscow, Russia, May 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

    At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia from Wednesday to Saturday and attend in Moscow the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War.

    More than 80 years ago, the peoples of China, the Soviet Union and other countries fought side by side and secured victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, opening a new chapter in human history.

    As the world is undergoing accelerating changes unseen in a century, the international community demands greater global efforts to face common challenges, and to build a community with a shared future.

    Xi’s upcoming visit is expected to inject new momentum into the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. Moreover, it will demonstrate the two major countries’ commitment to working with the rest of the world to safeguard the outcomes of the victory in World War II, uphold international fairness and justice, and maintain world peace and stability.

    LONG-LASTING FRIENDSHIP

    History and reality show that China and Russia are good neighbors that cannot be moved away, and true friends who share weal and woe, support each other and achieve common development, Xi said in his phone conversation with Putin in February.

    The coming visit marks Xi’s 11th trip to Russia since he became Chinese president. The two heads of state have met more than 40 times on different occasions over the years. Their close communication provides strategic guidance, under which China-Russia relations have matured into a resilient and stable partnership characterized by deepening political trust, closer strategic alignment and sustained practical cooperation.

    In 2024, bilateral trade rose to 244.8 billion U.S. dollars, making China the largest trading partner of Russia for 15 consecutive years. In December 2024, the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline was fully completed. Cooperation in emerging sectors such as the digital economy, e-commerce, bio-medicine, scientific and technological innovation, as well as green energy continues to expand.

    The two countries’ long-lasting friendship has grown increasingly popular among the two peoples. The mutual visa exemption agreement for group tours has encouraged more robust two-way travel. Hundreds of cultural events have been held in succession with the framework of the China-Russia Year of Culture.

    Andrey Denisov, first deputy chair of Russia’s Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Russian ambassador to China, said the strategic guidance of the two heads of state is a key factor in ensuring the steady and long-term development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

    The two leaders are expected to hold extensive and in-depth discussions on both bilateral cooperation and multilateral issues, and the Russian side has high expectations for that, he added.

    INDELIBLE CONTRIBUTION

    Over 80 years ago, China and Russia, as the main battlefields in Asia and Europe during World War II, made tremendous sacrifices and indelible contribution to the final victory.

    In a signed article published by the Russian Gazette newspaper ahead of his visit to Russia in 2015, Xi quoted Russian historian Vasily Klyuchevsky as saying, “If we lost the memory of our past, our mind and soul would be lost in the darkness,” in a bid to express his remembrance of the history of the World Anti-Fascist War and earnest expectations for the two nations to join hands to maintain world peace and stability.

    The bitter lessons drawn from World War II have taught mankind that the strong preying on the weak, the law of the jungle, warlike or hegemonic policies, the winner-takes-all mindset and zero-sum game do not benefit coexistence, peace or development of mankind, Xi wrote in the article.

    Su-25 attack aircrafts fly over Red Square during the Victory Day military parade, which marks the 79th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War, in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

    Noha Bakir, a professor of political science at American University in Cairo, said China and Russia, drawing lessons from history, shoulder the important responsibility of safeguarding international stability and cooperation amid today’s complex global landscape.

    By studying, restoring and spreading the true history, people can better understand World War II and the post-war international order, thus they will resist the attempts to distort historical facts, he added.

    Andrey Fesyun, deputy director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University, said that under the guidance of the two heads of state, China and Russia will further jointly advocate the correct historical view of World War II, and work together to maintain global strategic stability, so as to make the due contributions of responsible major countries to the advancement of international fairness and justice.

    SPEARHEADING PROGRESS

    Eighty years ago, representatives from multiple countries, including China and the Soviet Union, gathered in the U.S. city of San Francisco, and signed the Charter of the United Nations, laying the cornerstone of the post-war international order.

    The preamble to the charter solemnly states the commitment “to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security.”

    China and Russia have natural responsibilities to make joint efforts to steer and promote global governance in a direction that meets the expectations of the international community and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, said Xi when meeting with Putin in March 2023. And it was during Xi’s first visit to Russia in 2013 as Chinese president that he first proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

    As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major countries in the world, China and Russia have been working closely on the world stage. Beijing and Moscow firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, as well as the fundamental norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. They are also advocates of true multilateralism.

    Media staff work at the press center of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, Oct. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

    The two nations have also joined hands to promote political solutions to international and regional hot-spot issues. They have strengthened communication and coordination within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS and the Group of 20, and are jointly committed to advancing a multipolar world and the democratization of international relations.

    Adhere Cavince, a Kenyan scholar on international relations, said that China and Russia collaborate through platforms like the SCO and BRICS, which has not only promoted a multipolar world, but also empowered the Global South with a greater voice in global governance and a bigger role in shaping the rules on major international issues.

    Ilgar Velizade, head of the South Caucasus Club of Political Scientists from Azerbaijan, said that the growing strength of multilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the SCO and BRICS represents a powerful embodiment of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

    If countries engage in an active, constructive and sustainable dialogue focused on common interests, the world will be safer, the global economy more sustainable and humanity’s future far more promising, he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Sudan cuts ties with UAE, citing support for paramilitary forces

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Smoke rises after a drone attack in Port Sudan, eastern Sudan, on May 6, 2025. [Sudanese Ministry of Culture and Information/Handout via Xinhua]

    Sudan’s government said on Tuesday it would sever diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and withdraw its ambassador, declaring the UAE an “aggressor state.”

    Defense Minister Yassin Ibrahim Yassin, speaking on state television, accused Abu Dhabi of violating Sudan’s sovereignty through its “proxy,” the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia.

    He said the decision was prompted by what Sudan claims is UAE military backing of the RSF, including the supply of advanced weapons used in recent drone and missile strikes on Port Sudan’s port, airport, and power stations.

    Sudan’s statement said the escalation in Port Sudan “threatens regional and international security, in particular security in the Red Sea,” and invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter to reserve Sudan’s right to self-defense.

    It said Sudan “reserves the right to respond to the aggression by every means to preserve the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

    The move comes amid a two-year-old civil war between the regular army (SAF) and the RSF that began in April 2023 over the transition to civilian rule. The fighting has shattered cities and displaced millions.

    The United Nations says more than half of Sudan’s 46 million people — about 25 million — need emergency aid, and famine has been confirmed in several areas, such as Darfur. Rights groups say tens of thousands have been killed and roughly 15 million people displaced by the conflict.

    The UAE has repeatedly denied the Sudanese allegations of arming the RSF. A UAE foreign ministry official told the International Court of Justice in April that claims of UAE complicity were “utterly baseless.”

    Sudan’s defense council statement nonetheless branded the UAE’s actions a “clear act of aggression” and made clear Khartoum would respond if attacked. No immediate response was reported from the RSF.

    Internationally, the recent bombardment of Port Sudan has drawn condemnation from Egypt and Saudi Arabia and concern from the United Nations. Humanitarian organizations warn that the attacks and ongoing fighting are worsening Sudan’s crisis, with the Red Cross highlighting that intensive drone strikes and power cuts are exacerbating a catastrophe in which millions of people have fled their homes.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: India confirms air strikes on Pakistan-controlled Kashmir

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    The Indian government on Wednesday confirmed carrying out air strikes on nine identified “terrorist-training camps” located in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally monitored the air strikes, according to Indian media reports.

    The air strikes were carried out under “Operation Sindoor”, which was dedicated to the women whose husbands were killed in the Pahalgam area of the Indian-controlled Kashmir on April 22, the reports said.

    A total of 26 people were killed in the attack, which was described as the worst attack on tourists in the Indian-controlled Kashmir in past several decades. The incident led to escalating tensions between the two South Asian nations.

    India’s Ministry of Defense said in a press release that the Indian armed forces launched “Operation Sindoor”, hitting “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan and the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir from where “terror attacks” against India had been planned and directed.

    “Altogether nine sites have been targeted. Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India had demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution,” said the statement.

    It added these steps came in the wake of the Pahalgam attack on tourists in the Indian-controlled Kashmir on April 22, in which 25 Indian and one Nepali citizen were killed.

    Meanwhile, one of the biggest private airlines in India, IndiGo posted on X that its flights to and from certain airports located near international border with Pakistan had been impacted.

    On Wednesday, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said that at least eight civilians, including a child, were killed, 35 others injured and two missing after India fired missiles at multiple locations in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 8 killed, 35 injured, 2 missing after Indian missile strikes hit 6 locations in Pakistan

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Photo taken with a mobile phone on May 7, 2025 shows a building destroyed in an Indian missile attack in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. [Photo/Xinhua]

    At least eight civilians, including a child, were killed, 35 others injured, and two reported missing early Wednesday after India fired missiles at six locations in Pakistan, including areas in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, said the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the ISPR, the media wing of the Pakistani military, said in a video statement that India created 24 impacts at six civilian locations.

    Chaudhry said that the Indian strikes destroyed four mosques and severely damaged several houses and a hospital.

    The director general said that the missiles targeted locations in Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Shakargarh and Sheikhupura areas in the eastern Punjab province, as well as Muzaffarabad and Kotli districts in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.

    The ISPR chief said that Pakistan Air Force jets were airborne and ensured that no Indian aircraft violated Pakistani airspace, adding that the missiles were launched from within Indian airspace.

    “Let me say it unequivocally: Pakistan will respond to this (attack) at a time and place of its choosing. This provocation will not go unanswered,” he said.

    A state of emergency was declared in hospitals across the affected areas, while Pakistan had suspended its airspace for 48 hours and closed education institutions in Punjab.

    The director general said that the Pakistan Air Force and Army are responding effectively to the Indian assault.

    Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that Pakistan has shot down five Indian fighter jets and three drones in its defense in accordance with international laws and the UN charter.

    Earlier, Pakistan’s foreign office strongly condemned the missile strikes by India early Wednesday at civilian locations in Pakistan, including areas in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, calling it an unprovoked and blatant act of aggression.

    The foreign office said that the Indian Air Force targeted civilian areas in Pakistan using standoff weapons while remaining within Indian airspace, resulting in the deaths of civilians, including women and children.

    It denounced the strikes as a “flagrant violation of the UN charter, international law, and established norms of inter-state relations,” and warned that the Indian action posed a serious threat to regional stability and commercial air traffic.

    “India’s reckless action has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict,” said the foreign office, emphasizing that Pakistan reserves the right to respond “at a time and place of its choosing.”

    Pakistani President Asif Zardari condemned the Indian strikes targeting civilian populations across the border and said that Pakistan would give a strong and befitting response to Indian aggression.

    “Indian provocations will be met with full force and with an unwavering commitment to protect Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said the president, adding that the entire Pakistani nation stands united behind its brave armed forces, who are fully prepared and capable of defending the motherland.

    The country’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the strikes, saying, “Pakistan has every right to respond to this act of war imposed by India and a befitting reply is being given.”

    “The entire nation stands with our armed forces. The morale and spirit of the Pakistani people are high,” the prime minister added, vowing that the enemy would never succeed in its nefarious designs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Indian Air Force to hold war games along border with Pakistan

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Amid escalating tensions, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will hold large-scale military drills on Wednesday in the western state of Rajasthan, along the international border with Pakistan, local media reports said Tuesday.

    “The drills will begin at 9:30 p.m. (local time) on Wednesday and end around five-and-a-half hours later. Flights departing or landing at the airport close to the border will be suspended,” a New Delhi-based television news channel NDTV said, quoting a NOTAM, or Notice to Airmen, issued Tuesday evening.

    Another media report said a two-day mega military exercise will involve all the frontline fighter jets, including Rafale, Su-30 and Jaguar aircraft.

    Separately, states are scheduled to conduct mock drills on Wednesday to evaluate civil defence preparedness. Officials said a civil defence exercise and rehearsal across the 244 categorized civil defence districts will be organised.

    According to state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR), the mock drill will assess the effectiveness of air raid warning systems, the operationalization of hotline or radio communication links with the IAF, besides testing the functionality of control rooms.

    “The exercise also includes training of civilians and students on civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack. Besides the provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and update of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal are also included in the mock drill,” the broadcaster said.

    The war games are being conducted amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over last month’s attack in which gunmen killed 26 people in Baisaran area of Pahalgam town, about 89 km east of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

    New Delhi blames Islamabad for supporting the gunmen behind the attack, a charge denied by it.

    The Indian government on Wednesday confirmed carrying out air strikes on nine identified “terrorist-training camps” located in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally monitored the air strikes, according to Indian media reports.

    The air strikes were carried out under “Operation Sindoor,” which was dedicated to the women whose husbands were killed in the Pahalgam area of the Indian-controlled Kashmir on April 22, the reports said.

    “Altogether nine sites have been targeted. Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India had demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and method of execution,” India’s Ministry of Defence said in a press release.

    The director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said that at least eight civilians, including a child, were killed, 35 others injured and two missing after India fired missiles at multiple locations in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

    Pakistan has shot down five Indian fighter jets in retaliation for overnight airstrikes conducted by India at multiple locations within Pakistan, the country’s defence minister said early Wednesday.

    Pakistan’s foreign office called it an unprovoked and blatant act of aggression, denouncing the strikes as a “flagrant violation of the UN charter, international law, and established norms of inter-state relations.”

    “India’s reckless action has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict,” said the foreign office, emphasizing that Pakistan reserves the right to respond “at a time and place of its choosing.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Energy Sector – New report reveals 84% of New Zealand’s fossil fuel machines ready for electrification

    The first complete inventory of all the fossil fuel machines in New Zealand has found there are over ten million of them in the country and that 84% could be feasibly replaced with electric machines that are available in the country today.

    Rewiring Aotearoa’s Machine Count report showed that upgrading six million of the most ‘electrifiable’ fossil fuel machines – things like cars, heaters, lawnmowers, road bikes, ovens and stoves – would save the country approximately $8 million every day, or $3.7 billion each year.

    It would also slash 7.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, almost six times the total emissions from domestic aviation in 2023, or more than flying the entire population of Auckland to London and back every year.

    Another 10% of the total – around one million trucks, utes, vans, buses and smaller tractors – could be electrified if more effort was made to bring electric options to New Zealand, while just 6% of the machines – primarily those in heavy industry – require more research and development, or subsidies for them to be cost-effective.

    • Check out the interactive tool with all machines sized by estimated count or emissions here.
    Rewiring Aotearoa’s previous research has shown that many New Zealand homes, farms and businesses can reduce costs and emissions by upgrading their gas appliances, petrol cars and diesel machines to more efficient electric equivalents and running them on renewable electricity from the grid and solar.

    The Machine Count, a project supported by Ara Ake and EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), set out to better understand the size of the challenge: how many fossil fuel machines there are in our economy, and how hard they would be to electrify.

    “We always knew there were a lot of them, but now we have a firm idea on the number and on how ‘electrifiable’ they all are,” says Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey. “The research shows clearly that an electric transition is both technically possible and cost effective in the vast majority of cases.”

    Daniel Gnoth, Ara Ake’s General Manager of Research and Insights, says the report clearly identifies where the greatest opportunities lie to accelerate New Zealanders efforts to support the country’s electrification journey.

    “This study shows that innovation in energy isn’t just about developing new technologies-it’s about making clean, efficient machines more accessible and easier to adopt. The insights from this study will be incredibly useful for energy innovators to develop new solutions, including commercial and financial models, to accelerate the electrification of fossil fuel powered machines. If we get this right, we won’t just cut emissions-we’ll unlock new services and solutions that can be showcased and exported globally.”

    “It’s been a pleasure to partner with Rewiring Aotearoa on what is a groundbreaking study, both in its ambition and the breadth of its scope.”

    New Zealand’s fossil fuel prices are among the highest in the world, so Casey says shifting from machines that are reliant on expensive foreign molecules to electric machines that run on locally-made electrons is generally a no brainer – “for the economics, for the environment, and for energy security”.

    “Climate change is largely an energy problem. Around 75% of the world’s emissions come from energy and machines use that energy, so solving the problem in practice is about replacing those machines. We figured out how to electrify our cherry orchard near Cromwell and now we don’t use any diesel on the farm. We save tens of thousands on our energy bills each year, we’ve brought our emissions down to almost nothing, and we play a positive role in the energy system. I firmly believe New Zealand could become a demonstration project for the rest of the world and show that solving climate could save us all money.”

    Casey says there were many who said it wouldn’t be possible to run an orchard without diesel. There were many who didn’t believe we would see electric trucks, buses, diggers or loaders. And there are plenty who don’t believe we will see large electric tractors or mining equipment.

    “There are already plenty of electric buses and trucks on the road, huge electric machines are being launched all the time, and we are seeing massive technological advances and cost reductions in the fields of batteries, high-speed charging, solar panels and high temperature heat pumps, so there will definitely be options to explore in your sector.”

    EECA research shows that 36% of New Zealand household non-green appliances are over a decade old. The median age of a car in New Zealand is around 14 years, and businesses are regularly upgrading their fleets and equipment, so there are a whole lot of machines that are set to be replaced in the coming years.

    Megan Hurnard, EECA’s General Manager of Insights, Data and Communications says: “We’re entering a critical investment cycle for the machines that power our economy. As old equipment reaches the end of its life, the choices we make now will shape our energy system for decades. Replacing outdated machines with the same inefficient models risks locking in higher running costs, poor performance, and greater exposure to fuel price volatility. By choosing modern, energy-efficient technologies we can improve affordability, boost productivity, and enhance New Zealand’s energy security.”

    This research is not suggesting that every machine needs to be upgraded right now, but every machine is going to need to be replaced at some point and it’s clear your next purchasing decision should be electric.

    “In saying that, if you are more worried about emissions than economics, it makes sense to replace your fossil fuel machines before they break down,” says Casey. “Some fossil fuel machines can even be turned electric – like our 1990 Hilux, which we recently retrofitted with a 2014 Nissan Leaf motor and battery.”

    Casey says the electric transition is already happening in homes, farms and businesses around the country and the cost savings are driving a lot of that.

    “We believe the economic argument makes this shift inevitable. It makes no sense to use machines that cost more to do the same job – and it makes even less sense when those machines pump out so much pollution. But it’s not happening as fast as it should, and it’s not happening for the people who need it most; the ones who need to reduce their bills or those who need to improve their resilience in the face of worsening weather events.”

    Casey says opening up access to low-interest loans so that everyone – no matter their income – can deal with the higher upfront costs of electric machines and making it easy to upgrade is what will take this “from possible to practical”.

    “We need a range of financial innovations – both from the Government and from the banks – to speed this up. We also need innovations around the process – making it simple and easy for busy parents, renters, and retirees, not just the energy nerds, to benefit from going electric. And it needs to be from the first moment of research all the way through to installation. We’ve counted the machines, we’ve shown it’s feasible to electrify most of them, and we’ll be explaining in more detail how to make it happen and what needs to change in our upcoming policy manifesto.”

    The machine count database is a free, publicly available resource. It is hoped the database and findings will continue to be used and improved by government institutions, academic researchers, and businesses.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Northern Saskatchewan to see Record Investment to Improve Highways and Airports

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 6, 2025

    Today, Highways Minister David Marit highlighted a $122.3 million investment to enhance the safety and reliability of key transportation infrastructure in northern Saskatchewan.

    The 2025-26 Budget includes $86 million in capital improvements to roads and airports and $36.5 million in operation and maintenance. 

    “We will continue investing in northern Saskatchewan and build the necessary infrastructure for industry and the communities,” Marit said. “Since 2007-08, our government has made record investments totaling over $1 billion in the northern transportation network.”

    The ministry continues to invest in northern transportation while balancing the needs of the broader provincial network. The 2025-26 Budget includes the largest investment in the northern region to date, primarily due to several large multi-year capital projects reaching the construction stage. This increase reflects the ministry’s commitment to improving infrastructure while ensuring investments align with long-term planning needs.

    2025-26 Highlights include: 

    • Highway 2 – Design work for resurfacing near Weyakwin. 
    • Highway 102 – Thin Membrane Surface (TMS) upgrade from La Ronge Airport North Access to Sucker River.
    • Highway 102 – Spot improvement North of Lac La Ronge.
    • Highway 106 – TMS upgrade south of Highway 120 Jct.
    • Highway 106 – Micro-surfacing west of Highway 165 Jct.
    • Highway 106 – Strengthening, grade raise, northern spot improvements.
    • Highway 135 – Clay capping and base stabilization south of Pelican Narrows.
    • Highway 155 – Engineered seal west of Beauval.
    • Highway 915 – Crushing and prep work for future gravel resurfacing west of Stanley Mission.
    • Multiple culvert or bridge replacements critical to ensure safety and reliability.
    • Preservation treatments, such as seals and micro-surfacing, that extend the life of the pavement.
    • Targeted safety improvements, such as widening, alignment and guardrails. 

    With this year’s budget, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $13.8 billion in transportation infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 21,800 km of highways across the province. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SUDAN – Drone attacks on Port Sudan: The conflict risks spreading to neighboring regions

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Tuesday, 6 May 2025 wars  

    Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) – The war in Sudan has escalated with the bombing of Port Sudan, the stronghold of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) under the command of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).Today, May 6, RSF drones under the command of Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagalo attacked the important Sudanese port city for the third consecutive day. The attacks targeted the civilian area of the airport, a fuel depot, the main military base in the city center, and a hotel.The first attack took place on Sunday, May 4, when the military part of the airport was targeted.Although there were no casualties, the attack caused damage to several warehouses and facilities. The May 4 attack came just two days after a similar airstrike against facilities in the city of Kassala.Port Sudan has become increasingly strategically important since the Sudanese government, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and major companies relocated there after the RSF seized control of large parts of the capital, Khartoum. The attacks on Port Sudan have provoked strong reactions from the Sudanese government, which has indicated that the RSF is supported by key international allies such as Kenya, which recently hosted a summit sponsored by Dagalo to form an alternative government to the one led by General al-Burhan (see Fides, 19/2/2025).But the United Arab Emirates is particularly in the sights of al-Burhan, who is accused of supplying the RSF with the drones used in the recent attacks. Just yesterday, May 5, the International Court of Justice dismissed the Sudanese government’s lawsuit against the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of complicity in the genocide in Darfur (see Fides, 11/4/2025). The court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction over the case because the UAE had reservations regarding Article 9 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.Sudanese government officials suspect that the bombs that hit Port Sudan did not come from rebel-held Sudanese territories, but from Bosaso in Somalia’s Puntland, where the Emirates have established a key logistical center from which they supply the RSF with weapons and ammunition. According to some sources, the Emirati base in Bosaso (protected by sophisticated Israeli-made radar) was hit on May 3 by drones launched by the Sudanese army. The latest attacks on Port Sudan are therefore in retaliation for the May 3 attack, in which a cargo plane chartered by the Emirates carrying Colombian mercenaries and weapons was allegedly hit at the moment of take-off to Nyala in Darfur (western Sudan), the RSF stronghold.The Sudanese conflict therefore threatens to spread to neighboring countries and actors outside Africa. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 6/5/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Miller-Meeks, Dean Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Healthcare Workers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ (IA-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA) have introduced H.R. 3178, the Save Healthcare Workers Act, a bipartisan bill that would create federal penalties for individuals who knowingly and intentionally assault or intimidate hospital employees. Modeled after existing protections for flight crews and airport staff, the bill is aimed at addressing the rising violence facing healthcare professionals across the country.

    “As a physician, I know how important it is to ensure hospital personnel feel safe to provide quality care for their patients. With rising rates of violence in healthcare settings, burnout, and stress, it is critical we do all we can to improve workplace quality for healthcare professionals,” said Dr. Miller-Meeks. “The Save Healthcare Workers Act will advance legal protections to discourage such violence in America’s hospitals. I thank Rep. Dean for joining me in introducing this bill to protect hospital employees across Iowa and America.”

    “Healthcare workers devote their lives to our well-being — yet hospital employees face more and more incidents of violence in the workplace with no federal protections in place,” said Rep. Dean. “The legal penalties in the Save Healthcare Workers Act already exist for other workforces, like commercial flight crews, and extending these protections to hospital employees is simply the right thing to do. I’m grateful to work with Dr. Miller-Meeks on our bipartisan bill to ensure safety for our healthcare workers.”

    Background:

    In recent years, healthcare workers—especially those in hospitals—have reported increased incidents of violence and harassment that disrupt patient care and worsen stress and burnout in an already strained profession. Despite these trends, there is currently no federal law that protects hospital employees from targeted assault or intimidation.

    The bill includes protections for patients who may be mentally incapacitated due to illness or substance use and does not penalize individuals acting without intent.

    The Save Healthcare Workers Act is endorsed by major healthcare and hospital organizations, including the American Hospital Association, American College of Emergency Physicians, Emergency Nurses Association, and America’s Essential Hospitals.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Pfluger’s ACES Act Passes Through the House

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman August Pfluger’s (TX-11) bipartisan, bicameral legislation seeking to lower military aviation cancer rates passed through the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 376-5. The Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act directs the Secretary of the VA to study cancer incidences and mortality rates among aviators and aircrews who served in the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

    The ACES Act was co-led in the House by Congressman and U.S. Navy veteran Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and in the Senate by Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK), both veterans and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

    To celebrate its passage on the House floor today, Rep. Pfluger, Rep. Panetta, Senator Kelly, and Senator Cotton released the following statements:

    “As a former fighter pilot, I know firsthand the risks that airmen and women take every day when they step into the cockpit, and I’ve fought alongside the best this nation has to offer. But I have also stood in hospital rooms watching far too many of my brothers and sisters fight their toughest battles not in the air, but in the hospital room against cancer,” said Rep. Pfluger. “The ACES Act is not just a bill—it’s a lifeline for those who have already given so much for our freedom, and it’s a message to every pilot who’s ever put on a uniform to protect our skies that we will fight to protect them in return. The ACES Act has been my top priority in Congress since I was elected, and I am thrilled that after years of advocacy, this legislation has finally passed through the House, and I urge its swift passage in the Senate.”

    “Many veterans face serious health risks, including increased rates of cancer potentially linked to aviation service,” said Rep. Panetta.  “The House’s passage of the ACES Act is an important step forward in our efforts to uncover the full scope of these diagnoses and ensure our military and VA providers have the data they need to respond. The Senate must act, and do so quickly, to provide our aviators and, ultimately, all of our veterans, with the care and answers they deserve.”

    “As a former Navy pilot, there are certain risks that we know and accept come with our service, but we know far less about the health risks that are affecting many aviators years later,” said Senator Kelly. “Veteran aviators deserve answers about the correlation between their job and cancer risks so we can reduce those risks for future pilots. I’m proud to lead this effort in the Senate and won’t rest until we get it across the finish line.”  

    “We owe it to past, present, and future aviators in the armed forces to study the prevalence of cancer among this group of veterans. I applaud the House for passing this important piece of legislation and look forward to leading the effort, along with Senator Kelly, to pass it through the Senate,” said Senator Cotton.
      

    Before its passage, Rep. Pfluger spoke on the House floor in support of this legislation, and his remarks can be viewed HERE. Read the full text of the legislation HERE.

    The passage of Rep. Pfluger’s legislation was also celebrated by several veteran organizations and advocacy groups, including Red River Valley Association (RRVA), With Honor Action, HunterSeven Foundation, the MACH Coalition, Fleet Reserve Association, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Veteran Prostate Cancer Awareness Inc. 

    Vince Alcazar, COL, USAF, ret., MACH Coalition Founder & Director said, “The Military Aviator Coalition for Health (MACH) celebrates the passage of H.R. 530, the Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act. With three major Department of Defense studies in the last four confirming and quantifying significantly elevated cancer rates among U.S. military flyers, the ACES Act goes the next step. This bill would ask the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to apply their extensive Veteran health study capacity to determine what in the operating environments of military aviation is likely causing cancer. This study is essential. Without the ACES Act, military medicine will have no practical way of mitigating risk, and Veteran flyers will have no basis to correlate their service to potential cancer. This day was five years in the making. We recognize and praise the leadership of Congressman August Pfluger in leading this bill through three Congresses to today. Congressman Pfluger is an amazing champion of this work.”

    Theo Lawson, Assistant Director, Legislative Programs, Fleet Reserve Association, said, “The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) wholeheartedly celebrates the passage of the ACES Act in the House and extends our sincere congratulations to Congressman August Pfluger, his staff, and the bill’s cosponsors for their incredible dedication in advancing this vital legislation. Understanding cancer is the first step to defeating it, and this bill brings us closer to uncovering the critical links between aircrew service and cancer risks. Their leadership ensures our sea service aviators and all aircrew members are better equipped to identify and combat this silent enemy. We look forward to continuing the fight alongside them until the ACES Act becomes law–honoring the sacrifices of our servicemembers and safeguarding future generations.”  

    Mario Marquez, Executive Director of Government Affairs, said, “On behalf of the 1.5 million veterans nationwide, The American Legion proudly supports the ACES Act. Research is critical to our understanding of the impacts of toxic exposures, from Agent Orange to harmful chemicals on aircraft. We applaud Representative Pfluger for prioritizing this critical issue and thank the House of Representatives for passing the ACES Act with resounding support. The American Legion urges the Senate to vote on this bill and continue to invest in research surrounding the impacts of toxic exposures.” 

    Background

    Pilots and aircrews have been found to have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and melanoma, with possible links to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer.

    This legislation is critical as it would improve our understanding of the link between military service and cancer risks among Veteran aviators. By better understanding the correlation between aviator service and cancer, we can better assist our military and provide more adequate care for our veterans.

    In March, Rep. Pfluger participated in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs legislative hearing on several bills, including Rep. Pfluger’s Aviators Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act. Additionally, Rep. Pfluger’s good friend and fellow fighter pilot, who is actively battling cancer as a result of his service, Colonel Andy “Pablo” Shurtleff, appeared as a witness to the committee to share his story and explain the need and urgency for the ACES Act. 

    The ACES Act will help advance research on any correlation between aviator service and cancer rates to better assist veterans and active service members. The ACES Act was introduced in the 117th and 118th Congresses. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Haivision Redefines ISR Video Processing and Transcoding with the New Kraken X1 Rugged

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTREAL, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Haivision, a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and visual collaboration solutions, today introduced the Kraken X1 Rugged, a game-changing addition to its battle-hardened ISR video processing arsenal. Built for maximum operational impact at the tactical edge, Kraken X1 Rugged processes full-motion video (FMV), delivering low latency encoding, transcoding, and AI-enhanced video and metadata to support the toughest mission demands in the most extreme environments.

    Precision-engineered to meet any video processing challenge in forward-deployed ISR missions, the Kraken X1 Rugged packs cutting-edge AI capabilities and low-latency video performance into a rugged, compact, and fanless appliance. Engineered to meet MIL-STD ruggedization requirements in a small form factor device, Kraken X1 Rugged provides superior video processing for ISR missions in the most demanding environments – including UAVs, manned aircraft, vehicles, towers, ships, and more.

    Kraken X1 Rugged derives its high-density power from the NVIDIA Jetson Orin platform with next-gen GPU acceleration. Along with the ability to encode/transcode up to four 1080p HD streams, Kraken X1 Rugged can enhance situational awareness with real-time AI processing at the edge, capable of running third-party AI models directly on sensor-equipped platforms that are deployed in the field, instead of transporting the sensor feeds for processing to cloud data centers far from the action. By processing at the tactical edge, Kraken X1 Rugged can provide higher-quality intelligence delivered more reliably, more quickly, and more securely.

    “The Kraken X1 Rugged represents a significant evolution of our ISR platform, bringing ruggedized, real-time video processing to the most demanding environments,” said John Leipper, Defense Product Manager, Haivision. “It delivers the trusted Kraken capabilities our users rely on, in a compact, durable form factor optimized for high-performance AI-ready processing at the edge – right next to sensors.”

    Haivision’s Kraken solutions are trusted by ISR and mission-critical operations to turn constrained, unreliable networks into actionable intelligence pipelines for full motion video. Key capabilities of Kraken X1 Rugged include:

    • Real-time video for ISR: Process real-time FMV with surgical precision to supercharge critical decisions. Handle up to four 1080p60 streams or one 4Kp60 stream with HEVC/H.265 or H.264 compression.
    • Bandwidth optimization with KLV metadata: High-quality transcoding for downstream compatibility and transport even when network bandwidth is limited, along with synchronous/asynchronous KLV metadata, filtered as needed, to enhance geospatial context and unlock actionable intelligence.
    • Enrich intelligence with AI at the edge: Run third-party AI algorithms on NVIDIA accelerated GPUs to reliably extract high-quality intelligence at the tactical edge and deliver as full motion video and KLV metadata for downstream dissemination.
    • Ruggedized performance in a small form factor: MIL-STD environmental and power compliance for tough conditions, form factor suitable for deployment in environments with size and weight constraints, and support for 28V DC in a fanless appliance, deliver reliable results wherever ISR operations demand.
    • Seamlessly connect ISR networks: Route encoded or transcoded video streams to multiple destinations and convert between transport protocols like MPEG-TS, SRT, RTMP, RTSP, and RTP.
    • Battle-tested compatibility: Runs the same industry-leading Kraken software trusted by defense, public safety, and intelligence organizations worldwide.

    The Kraken family of real-time ISR video encoding and transcoding solutions are central to Haivision’s cutting-edge product portfolio, driving mission-critical operations with precision and power. Haivision’s video wall systems for command centers, video distribution solutions, and ISR video technology help aerospace, enterprise, government, military, and public safety organizations make informed decisions faster.

    The Kraken X1 Rugged will be showcased at SOF Week 2025 from May 6-8 in Tampa, Florida, and will be available in fall 2025. Learn more about the Kraken X1 Rugged here.

    About Haivision
    Haivision is a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and visual collaboration solutions. Our connected cloud and intelligent edge technologies enable organizations globally to engage audiences, enhance collaboration, and support decision-making. We provide high-quality, low-latency, secure, and reliable live video at a global scale. Haivision open-sourced its award-winning SRT low-latency video streaming protocol and founded the SRT Alliance to support its adoption. Awarded four Emmys® for Technology and Engineering from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Haivision continues to fuel the future of IP video transformation. Founded in 2004, Haivision is headquartered in Montreal and Chicago with offices, sales, and support located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. To learn more, visit www.haivision.com.

    Jennifer Gazin
    514.334.5445 ext 8309
    jgazin@haivision.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. sustainable aviation fuel production takes off as new capacity comes online

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    May 6, 2025

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Supply Monthly; company announcements and trade press
    Note: Other Biofuels includes sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable heating oil, renewable naphtha, renewable propane, renewable gasoline, and other emerging biofuels that are in various stages of development and commercialization. SAF production capacity is an estimate based on company announcements and trade press and only includes hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) SAF. We do not publish SAF production capacity data.

    Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is growing in the United States as new capacity comes online. U.S. production of Other Biofuels, the category we use to capture SAF in our Petroleum Supply Monthly, approximately doubled from December 2024 to February 2025.

    SAF is an alternative to petroleum jet fuel. It’s produced from agricultural and waste feedstocks and is consumed in blends with petroleum jet fuel. Investments in SAF have increased because of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), federal tax credits, and state programs and tax credits incentivizing use of the fuel.

    In addition to SAF, our Other Biofuels category includes renewable heating oil, renewable naphtha, renewable propane, renewable gasoline, and other emerging biofuels that are in various stages of development and commercialization.

    Prior to 2025, renewable naphtha and renewable propane, which are byproducts of renewable diesel production, made up most of Other Biofuels production and was growing because of growing renewable diesel production. SAF made up only a small portion of Other Biofuels production because of limited production capacity. At the beginning of 2024, U.S. SAF production capacity was only around 2,000 barrels per day (b/d), with just two plants capable of producing SAF: World Energy’s plant in Paramount, California, and Montana Renewables’ plant in Great Falls, Montana.

    U.S. SAF production capacity increased by about 25,000 b/d in late 2024. Phillips 66 completed its 10,000-b/d SAF project in Rodeo, California, in the third quarter of 2024 (3Q24), before temporarily halting production in 4Q24. Diamond Green Diesel completed its 15,000-b/d SAF project in Port Arthur, Texas, in 4Q24.

    A couple of smaller projects will bring additional SAF production capacity online in 2025. New Rise Renewables announced it began SAF production at its plant in Reno, Nevada, in February 2025, adding up to 3,000 b/d of SAF production. Par Pacific plans to begin SAF production at its plant in Kapolei, Hawaii, in the second half of the year, adding about 2,000 b/d of SAF production capacity.

    With SAF production capacity now around 30,000 b/d and growing in 2025, SAF will likely drive significant growth in Other Biofuels production and make up most of U.S. Other Biofuels production.

    In January, U.S. production of Other Biofuels reached 33,000 b/d, nearly 30% more than the previous record high set in September 2024. Production increased another 30% in February to 44,000 b/d. In our latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, we forecast that U.S. production of Other Biofuels will more than double between 2024 and 2025 and increase by about another 20% in 2026. Although we do not publish a forecast for each fuel that makes up the category, we expect increased SAF production to drive most of that growth. Despite strong growth in SAF on a percentage basis, the absolute volumes will remain relatively low, making up less than 2% of about 1.7 million b/d of U.S. jet fuel consumption in 2025 and about 2% in 2026.

    Principal contributor: Jimmy Troderman

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. LaMalfa and Sen. Schiff Announce New High-Tech Air Force Mission at Beale AFB

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

    Washington, D.C.—Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) announced that Beale Air Force Base has been selected as the preferred location for the Air Force’s new Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Aircraft Readiness Unit, a major step forward in securing the base’s future role in next-generation defense technology.

    “This is a major win for Beale AFB and a vote of confidence in the capabilities of our region,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “These aircraft represent the future of the Air Force—autonomous, highly capable, and ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. I worked closely with my colleagues in Congress, state and local leaders, and the Department of Defense to make the case for Beale. I want to thank President Trump, DOD leadership, and the Air Force for recognizing Beale’s strategic importance and moving quickly to make it happen. This new mission not only solidifies Beale’s role in our national defense, but also brings new technology and investment to our region.”

    “When we visited Beale Air Force Base just a couple weeks ago, I met committed California servicemembers working to protect our nation and apply new technologies to the adapting threats we face,” said Senator Schiff. “The Air Force’s selection of Beale for testing of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft puts those same servicemembers at the center of the Air Force’s modernization efforts for our nation’s 21st century defense. As the West Coast remains on the front line for deterring adversaries in the Pacific and the home of the nation’s technological innovation, I’m proud to see Yuba County at the tip of the spear for promoting America’s national security.”

    Congressman LaMalfa led the effort alongside Senator Schiff (D-CA) to bring this new mission with newly developed technology to Beale AFB, winning out over competing sites in Nevada and North Dakota. Collaborative Combat Aircraft are part of the next generation of autonomous and fully integrated aircraft that will have broad multi-use capability from intelligence gathering to weapons deployment and much more. This new technology and airframes are part of a fast-evolving modernization of the USAF, and we thank President Trump, DOD, and the Air Force for expediting their placement at Beale.

    The Air Force is currently conducting ground tests of the aircraft, with flight testing expected later this year.

    Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Meeting on the development of airfield and airport infrastructure

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The airfield is equipped with one of the best runways in Russia, which was put into operation in July 2011.

    The airport complex consists of two passenger terminals: for domestic and international flights, and separate terminals for domestic and international flights.

    Passenger traffic in 2024 amounted to more than 5 million passengers. The airport is developing dynamically, paying great attention to the modernization of the airport infrastructure. The capacity of the airport of JSC Mineralnye Vody International Airport today is 240 flights per day, on domestic flights – 1,650 people per hour, on international flights – 240 people per hour.

    The geography of flights from Mineralnye Vody includes about 70 destinations, of which more than 20 are foreign.

    The construction, reconstruction and technical re-equipment of the Mineralnye Vody International Airport have been ongoing since 2019. The deadlines are 2019–2028, and the work is carried out in three stages (Stage I – 2019, Stage II – 2023–2025, Stage III – 2026–2028).

    In 2019, the Mineralnye Vody International Airport underwent reconstruction of the airport complex, including the expansion of the arrival pavilions for domestic and international airlines with a built-in pavilion for those meeting them, including the technical re-equipment of the air checkpoint across the state border of Russia.

    As part of the reconstruction, two two-story buildings of the arrival pavilions for domestic and international airlines were combined; their total area was 8,577.7 sq. m. Two elevators for passengers with limited mobility, high-tech baggage systems, and two additional border passport control booths were installed.

    During the second stage in 2023–2025, a new domestic terminal with an area of 28,506 sq. m. will be built. The new terminal will increase the capacity to 3,120 passengers per hour (currently 1,050 passengers per hour), and the total annual volume will be over 5.2 million passengers (international and domestic airlines). The terminal will be equipped with modern high-tech passenger and baggage handling systems, including 28 check-in counters, 6 passport control points, 11 boarding gates, including 5 air bridges. It is planned to expand the station square with a parking lot, the first access line to the terminal and landscaping.

    At the moment, work on the installation of the roof, facade, engineering systems, and external engineering networks is in the final stages.

    Work is being carried out on finishing the premises, installing engineering and technological equipment, and improving the adjacent territory.

    Earthworks, work on the installation of reinforced concrete and metal structures, vertical transport, and external engineering infrastructure structures have been fully completed.

    Mikhail Mishustin held a meeting on the development of airfield and airport infrastructure

    From the transcript:

    M. Mishustin: Good afternoon, dear colleagues!

    The President set the task of modernizing the infrastructure of at least 75 airports across Russia by 2030. Today, as we open this terminal, we will discuss in detail how this task is being accomplished.

    Well-equipped, convenient air harbors are necessary to strengthen the connectivity of the territories of our large country, increase the availability of flights for citizens and, of course, develop the economy of the subjects of the Federation. Last year, the reconstruction of runways in Kemerovo and Tomsk was completed, seven airport complexes were opened, and since the beginning of this year, three new terminals have been put into operation in Novokuznetsk, Tyumen, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

    The government pays special attention to such issues. During previous working trips, I personally saw how the construction of the airport in Magadan was proceeding, and I familiarized myself with the plans in Khabarovsk, Novosibirsk, and Gorno-Altaisk.

    We have just inspected the new terminal of the international airport here in Mineralnye Vody. It will soon begin to welcome guests and will provide a modern level of comfort for both residents and guests of the region, which is very important given that in recent years the passenger flow of this air harbor has almost tripled. After all, domestic tourism is growing, people are increasingly choosing the North Caucasus for vacation. Both Mineralnye Vody and nearby cities such as Pyatigorsk, Yessentuki, Kislovodsk have historically been very popular destinations. And we need to make trips to such centers of attraction more convenient for tourists.

    Work is also continuing in other Russian regions, primarily within the framework of the new national project “Efficient Transport System”. It includes a separate federal project – “Development of the Support Network of Airfields”…

    To be continued…

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, March 2025

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $140.5 billion in March, up $17.3 billion from $123.2 billion in February, revised.

    U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Deficit
    Deficit: $140.5 Billion +14.0%°
    Exports: $278.5 Billion +0.2%°
    Imports: $419.0 Billion +4.4%°

    Next release: Thursday, June 5, 2025

    (°) Statistical significance is not applicable or not measurable. Data adjusted for seasonality but not price changes

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, May 6, 2025

    Exports, Imports, and Balance (exhibit 1)

    March exports were $278.5 billion, $0.5 billion more than February exports. March imports were $419.0 billion, $17.8 billion more than February imports.

    The March increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $16.5 billion to $163.5 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of $0.8 billion to $23.0 billion.

    Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $189.6 billion, or 92.6 percent, from the same period in 2024. Exports increased $41.1 billion or 5.2 percent. Imports increased $230.7 billion or 23.3 percent.

    Three-Month Moving Averages (exhibit 2)

    The average goods and services deficit increased $14.1 billion to $131.4 billion for the three months ending in March.

    • Average exports increased $4.0 billion to $275.7 billion in March.
    • Average imports increased $18.1 billion to $407.1 billion in March.

    Year-over-year, the average goods and services deficit increased $63.2 billion from the three months ending in March 2024.

    • Average exports increased $13.7 billion from March 2024.
    • Average imports increased $76.9 billion from March 2024.

    Exports (exhibits 3, 6, and 7)

    Exports of goods increased $1.3 billion to $183.2 billion in March.

      Exports of goods on a Census basis increased $2.5 billion.

    • Industrial supplies and materials increased $2.2 billion.
      • Natural gas increased $0.8 billion.
      • Nonmonetary gold increased $0.7 billion.
    • Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines increased $1.2 billion.
      • Passenger cars increased $0.9 billion.
    • Capital goods decreased $1.5 billion.
      • Civilian aircraft decreased $1.8 billion.
      • Computer accessories increased $0.7 billion.

      Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $1.2 billion.

    Exports of services decreased $0.9 billion to $95.2 billion in March.

    • Travel decreased $1.3 billion.
    • Transport increased $0.3 billion.
    • Financial services increased $0.2 billion.

    Imports (exhibits 4, 6, and 8)

    Imports of goods increased $17.8 billion to $346.8 billion in March.

      Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $17.8 billion.

    • Consumer goods increased $22.5 billion.
      • Pharmaceutical preparations increased $20.9 billion.
    • Capital goods increased $3.7 billion.
      • Computer accessories increased $2.0 billion.
    • Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines increased $2.6 billion.
      • Passenger cars increased $2.1 billion.
    • Industrial supplies and materials decreased $10.7 billion.
      • Finished metal shapes decreased $10.3 billion.
      • Nonmonetary gold decreased $1.8 billion.
      • Crude oil decreased $1.2 billion.

      Net balance of payments adjustments decreased less than $0.1 billion.

    Imports of services decreased $0.1 billion to $72.2 billion in March.

    • Travel decreased $0.4 billion.
    • Transport increased $0.2 billion.

    Real Goods in 2017 Dollars – Census Basis (exhibit 11)

    The real goods deficit increased $14.0 billion, or 10.2 percent, to $150.9 billion in March, compared to a 10.3 percent increase in the nominal deficit.

    • Real exports of goods increased $2.4 billion, or 1.6 percent, to $149.7 billion, compared to a 1.4 percent increase in nominal exports.
    • Real imports of goods increased $16.4 billion, or 5.8 percent, to $300.6 billion, compared to a 5.5 percent increase in nominal imports.

    Revisions

    Revisions to February exports

    • Exports of goods were revised down less than $0.1 billion.
    • Exports of services were revised down $0.4 billion.

    Revisions to February imports

    • Imports of goods were revised up less than $0.1 billion.
    • Imports of services were revised up $0.1 billion.

    Goods by Selected Countries and Areas: Monthly – Census Basis (exhibit 19)

    The March figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with Netherlands ($4.5), South and Central America ($3.2), Hong Kong ($1.9), United Kingdom ($1.2), Singapore ($0.5), Brazil ($0.5), and Saudi Arabia ($0.2). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with European Union ($48.3), Ireland ($29.3), China ($24.8), Mexico ($16.8), Switzerland ($14.7), Vietnam ($14.1), Taiwan ($8.7), India ($7.7), Germany ($7.5), South Korea ($6.8), Japan ($5.8), Canada ($4.9), Italy ($4.4), France ($3.9), Malaysia ($3.2), Australia ($1.0), Israel ($1.0), and Belgium ($0.1).

    • The deficit with Ireland increased $15.3 billion to $29.3 billion in March. Exports increased $0.1 billion to $1.4 billion and imports increased $15.5 billion to $30.7 billion.
    • The deficit with France increased $2.4 billion to $3.9 billion in March. Exports increased $0.1 billion to $4.0 billion and imports increased $2.6 billion to $7.9 billion.
    • The deficit with Switzerland decreased $4.1 billion to $14.7 billion in March. Exports increased $1.1 billion to $3.5 billion and imports decreased $3.0 billion to $18.3 billion.

    All statistics referenced are seasonally adjusted; statistics are on a balance of payments basis unless otherwise specified. Additional statistics, including not seasonally adjusted statistics and details for goods on a Census basis, are available in exhibits 1-20b of this release. For information on data sources, definitions, and revision procedures, see the explanatory notes in this release. The full release can be found at www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/index.html or www.bea.gov/data/intl-trade-investment/international-trade-goods-and-services. The full schedule is available in the Census Bureau’s Economic Briefing Room at www.census.gov/economic-indicators/ or on BEA’s website at www.bea.gov/news/schedule.

    Next release: June 5, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EDT
    U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, April 2025

    Notice

    Country Name Changes

    With this release of the “U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services” report, references to “Congo (Brazzaville)” and “Congo (Kinshasa)” are replaced with “Congo” and “Democratic Republic of the Congo,” respectively, to reflect the countries’ recent name changes. These changes also align with the names recognized by the U.S. Department of State and the International Organization for Standardization.

    Impact of Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) Release of CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM)

    The CBSA introduced a new accounting system (CARM) on October 21, 2024. As a result, importers in Canada have experienced delays in filing shipment information. These delays affected the compilation of statistics on U.S. exports of goods to Canada for September 2024 through February 2025, which are derived from data compiled by Canada through the United States – Canada Data Exchange. A dollar estimate of the filing backlog is included in estimates for late receipts and, following the U.S. Census Bureau’s customary practice for late receipt estimates, is included in the export end-use category “Other goods” as well as in exports to Canada. This estimate will be replaced with the actual transactions reported by the Harmonized System classification in June 2025 with the release of “U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, Annual Revision.” Until then, please refer to the supplemental spreadsheet “CARM Exports to Canada Corrections,” which provides a breakdown of the late receipts by 1-digit end-use category for statistics through 2024. This spreadsheet will be updated as late export transactions are received to reflect reassignments from the initial “Other goods” category to the appropriate 1-digit end-use category. Any 2025 impacts will be revised in June 2026.

    If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division, International Trade Macro Analysis Branch, on 800-549-0595, option 4, or at eid.international.trade.data@census.gov.

    Upcoming Updates to Goods and Services

    With the releases of the “U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services” report (FT-900) and the FT-900 Annual Revision on June 5, 2025, statistics on trade in goods, on both a Census basis and a balance of payments (BOP) basis, will be revised beginning with 2020 and statistics on trade in services will be revised beginning with 2018. The revised statistics for goods on a BOP basis and for services will also be included in the “U.S. International Transactions, 1st Quarter 2025 and Annual Update” report and in the international transactions interactive database, both to be released by BEA on June 24, 2025.

    Revised statistics on trade in goods will reflect:

    • Corrections and adjustments to previously published not seasonally adjusted statistics for goods on a Census basis.
    • End-use reclassifications of several commodities.
    • Recalculated seasonal and trading-day adjustments.
    • Newly available and revised source data on BOP adjustments, which are adjustments that BEA applies to goods on a Census basis to convert them to a BOP basis. See the “Goods (balance of payments basis)” section in the explanatory notes for more information.

    Revised statistics on trade in services will reflect:

    • Newly available and revised source data, primarily from BEA surveys of international services.
    • Corrections and adjustments to previously published not seasonally adjusted statistics.
    • Recalculated seasonal adjustments.
    • Revised temporal distributions of quarterly source data to monthly statistics. See the “Services” section in the explanatory notes for more information.

    For more information, see “Preview of the 2025 Annual Update of the International Economic Accounts” in the Survey of Current Business.

    If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division, International Trade Macro Analysis Branch, on (800) 549-0595, option 4, or at eid.international.trade.data@census.gov or BEA, Balance of Payments Division, at InternationalAccounts@bea.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Delivers Pre-Tax Income of $25.3 Million and Record Quarterly Revenue of $157.7 Million

    Declares Second Quarter 2025 Dividend of $0.25 Per Share

    COCONUT CREEK, Fla., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. The Company also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on May 22, 2025, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 12, 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights (All metrics compared to first quarter 2024, except where noted)

    • Total, record, quarterly revenues of $157.7 million, an increase of 32.5%
    • Solid quarterly pre-tax income of $25.3 million
    • Lease rent revenue of $67.7 million, an increase of 28.1%
    • Maintenance reserve revenue of $54.9 million, an increase of 25.0%
    • Spare parts and equipment sales of $18.2 million, compared to $3.3 million
    • Portfolio utilization increased to 86.4% at quarter end, compared to 76.7% at year end 2024

    For the three months ended March 31, 2025, total revenue was $157.7 million, up 32.5% as compared to $119.1 million for the same period in 2024. For the first quarter of 2025, core lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were $122.6 million in the aggregate, up 27% as compared to $96.8 million for the same period in 2024. The growth was predominantly driven by core, recurring lease and maintenance revenues associated with the continued strength of the aviation marketplace, as airlines leverage the Company’s leasing, parts and maintenance capabilities to avoid protracted, expensive engine shop visits.

    “WLFC’s strong first quarter 2025 financial results reflect the strength in our business model, which enables us to provide advanced and efficient solutions to airlines,” said Austin C. Willis, Chief Executive Officer of WLFC. “While concerns over tariffs have created market volatility, we remain confident in the drivers of our business. The cost of new engines continues to drive operators towards leasing, and our maintenance capabilities and programs provide value and certainty for cost conscious airlines.”

    First Quarter 2025 Operating Results

    Maintenance reserve revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was $54.9 million, compared to $43.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, reflecting the increased size of the Company’s lease portfolio and leases on short-term lease conditions.

    Engines on lease with “non-reimbursable” usage fees generated $45.3 million of short-term maintenance revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $37.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

    During the first quarter of 2025, the Company recognized $9.6 million of long-term maintenance revenue, compared to $6.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Long-term maintenance revenue is recognized at the end of a lease period as the related maintenance reserve liability is released from the balance sheet.

    Spare parts and equipment sales increased to $18.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $3.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The year-over-year increase in spare parts sales reflects the heightened demand for surplus material as operators extend the lives of their current generation engine portfolios. The increase was influenced by a discrete $7.0 million sale. Equipment sales for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $2.2 million for the sale of one engine. There were no equipment sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the gain on sale of leased equipment was $4.4 million, reflecting the sale of seven engines, one airframe, and other parts and equipment from the lease portfolio. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company sold eight engines and other parts and equipment for a net gain of $9.2 million.

    General and administrative expenses were influenced by an $11.4 million increase in consultant-related fees predominantly related to the Company’s sustainable aviation fuel project. As the project is in its early design stage, we have expensed the related costs, which is in line with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).

    The book value of lease assets owned either directly or through WLFC’s joint ventures, inclusive of the Company’s equipment held for operating lease, maintenance rights, notes receivable, and investments in sales-type leases was $3,219.9 million as of March 31, 2025.

    Balance Sheet

    As of March 31, 2025, the Company’s lease portfolio was $2,819.5 million, consisting of $2,597.8 million of equipment held in its operating lease portfolio, $179.3 million of notes receivable, $25.2 million of maintenance rights, and $17.3 million of investments in sales-type leases, which represented 347 engines, 15 aircraft, one marine vessel and other leased parts and equipment. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s lease portfolio was $2,872.3 million, consisting of $2,635.9 million of equipment held in its operating lease portfolio, $183.6 million of notes receivable, $31.1 million of maintenance rights, and $21.6 million of investments in sales-type leases, which represented 354 engines, 16 aircraft, one marine vessel and other leased parts and equipment.

    Conference Call

    WLFC will hold a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to discuss its first quarter 2025 results. To participate in the conference call or webcast, please use the following dial-in numbers or visit the webcast link.

    U.S. and Canada: +1 (800) 289-0459
    International: +1 (646) 828-8082
    Conference ID: 578662
    https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1716437&tp_key=f56060bee8

    A replay of the conference call will be available two hours after the completion of the conference call. To access the replay, please visit our website at www.wlfc.global under the Investor Relations section for details.

    About Willis Lease Finance Corporation

    Willis Lease Finance Corporation leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Additionally, through Willis Engine Repair Center®, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “feel,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company is based only on information currently available to the Company and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to update them, except as may be required by law. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and pandemics; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to us and our customers; our ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in our portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

       
    Contact: Scott B. Flaherty
      Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
      561.413.0112
       

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
    (In thousands, except per share data) 

      Three months ended March 31,    
        2025       2024     % Change
    REVENUE          
    Lease rent revenue $ 67,739     $ 52,881       28.1 %
    Maintenance reserve revenue   54,859       43,870       25.0 %
    Spare parts and equipment sales   18,240       3,288       454.7 %
    Interest revenue   3,934       2,269       73.4 %
    Gain on sale of leased equipment   4,437       9,201       (51.8) %
    Gain on sale of financial assets   378       —     nm
    Maintenance services revenue   5,586       5,227       6.9 %
    Other revenue   2,559       2,347       9.0 %
    Total revenue   157,732       119,083       32.5 %
               
    EXPENSES          
    Depreciation and amortization expense   25,024       22,486       11.3 %
    Cost of spare parts and equipment sales   15,323       2,705       466.5 %
    Cost of maintenance services   5,329       5,574       (4.4) %
    Write-down of equipment   2,109       261       708.0 %
    General and administrative   47,720       29,581       61.3 %
    Technical expense   6,230       8,255       (24.5) %
    Net finance costs:          
    Interest expense   32,094       23,003       39.5 %
    Total net finance costs   32,094       23,003       39.5 %
    Total expenses   133,829       91,865       45.7 %
               
    Income from operations   23,903       27,218       (12.2) %
    Income from joint ventures   1,351       2,674       (49.5) %
    Income before income taxes   25,254       29,892       (15.5) %
    Income tax expense   8,385       9,023       (7.1) %
    Net income   16,869       20,869       (19.2) %
    Preferred stock dividends   1,323       900       47.0 %
    Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs   70       12       483.3 %
    Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 15,476     $ 19,957       (22.5) %
               
    Basic weighted average income per common share $ 2.34     $ 3.12      
    Diluted weighted average income per common share $ 2.21     $ 3.00      
               
    Basic weighted average common shares outstanding   6,606       6,387      
    Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding   7,000       6,659      
                       

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In thousands, except per share data)

        March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
    ASSETS        
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 32,356     $ 9,110  
    Restricted cash     116,737       123,392  
    Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation     2,597,792       2,635,910  
    Maintenance rights     25,167       31,134  
    Equipment held for sale     19,125       12,269  
    Receivables, net     41,504       38,291  
    Spare parts inventory     67,318       72,150  
    Investments     65,210       62,670  
    Property, equipment & furnishings, less accumulated depreciation     54,342       48,061  
    Intangible assets, net     1,601       2,929  
    Notes receivable, net     179,283       183,629  
    Investments in sales-type leases, net     17,271       21,606  
    Other assets     56,927       56,045  
    Total assets   $ 3,274,633     $ 3,297,196  
             
    LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
    Liabilities:        
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 56,855     $ 75,983  
    Deferred income taxes     191,297       185,049  
    Debt obligations     2,231,593       2,264,552  
    Maintenance reserves     104,452       97,817  
    Security deposits     24,090       23,424  
    Unearned revenue     37,666       37,911  
    Total liabilities     2,645,953       2,684,736  
             
    Redeemable preferred stock ($0.01 par value)     63,192       63,122  
             
    Shareholders’ equity:        
    Common stock ($0.01 par value)     74       72  
    Paid-in capital in excess of par     57,967       50,928  
    Retained earnings     505,083       491,439  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax     2,364       6,899  
    Total shareholders’ equity     565,488       549,338  
    Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity   $ 3,274,633     $ 3,297,196  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Eternal Memory: China Does Not Forget Soviet Volunteer Pilots Who Died in the Anti-Japanese War

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    NANJING, May 6 (Xinhua) — “The Chinese people will always cherish the memory of the Russians who helped China in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression,” said Xue Lian, director of the Nanjing Anti-Japanese War Airmen’s Martyrs’ Memorial Museum.

    As she reported, soon this museum will once again publish additional information about the Soviet hero pilots who died on Chinese territory.

    HISTORICAL MEMORY

    Established in 2009, the Nanjing Anti-Japanese War Airmen’s Martyrs’ Memorial Museum is China’s first memorial museum for international airmen who died in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Its collection contains rich historical materials about the air forces of China, the Soviet Union, the United States and other countries that fought together against Japanese aggression in China during World War II.

    Since 1995, the names of 4,299 Chinese and foreign fallen heroes, including 236 Soviets, have been engraved on marble memorial steles at this museum in Nanjing, East China’s Jiangsu Province.

    After the start of China’s nationwide war against Japanese aggression, the Soviet Union was the first to provide China with air support. During these difficult years, more than 200 Soviet volunteer air forces perished in China.

    Sergei Dmitrievich Smirnov was one of them. He died in an air battle over Nanchang in 1938 and was buried in the same Chinese city. It is noteworthy that he became the first of all Soviet hero pilots who died in China whose relatives the above-mentioned museum managed to contact.

    On July 7, 2024, on the anniversary of the beginning of China’s nationwide war against Japanese aggression, S. Smirnov’s great-grandson Alexander Vikman, who was in Nanjing on business and had spent a long time searching for information about the burial of his great-grandfather and had visited China many times, visited the above-mentioned museum and finally found his name on one of the memorial steles.

    Let us recall that shortly before this, the museum published a list of Chinese pilots who died in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, which inspired A. Wickman to appeal for help. In September and November 2024, lists of American and Soviet hero pilots were also published, respectively. In particular, the list of Soviet hero pilots was published in full by the museum for the first time.

    “The idea to clarify and publish the lists of Chinese and foreign heroic pilots who died in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression arose because I was deeply moved by the search for information about the fallen Chinese pilot by his relatives, which lasted for more than 80 years,” Xue Lian said.

    She also realized that there could be many more such relatives of fallen heroes. Because of the geographical uncertainty of Air Force operations, their relatives do not even know where their loved ones died, let alone obtain other detailed information.

    “It is still difficult for the relatives of fallen Chinese heroes to find information about them, let alone the relatives of fallen foreign pilots,” Xue Lian said.

    “We have a responsibility to disclose accurate information about these fallen aviators to the public so that more people know about their heroism. It is necessary to urgently search for their families and forever preserve the precious memory of this story.”

    RESPECT FOR HEROES

    Due to the limited historical sources and the lack of language specialists, the museum’s work on collecting information about Soviet heroes progressed slowly at the time.

    Miao Lei, who studied in Russia for many years and speaks Russian, started this job in 2020.

    “Most of the heroes have information about their identities, years of birth and dates of death, but there are no photographs of them, no information about their combat actions in China and no information about their places of death and burial. In addition, some of the Soviet volunteer pilots took part in the war under pseudonyms, which made it difficult to find genuine information about their identities,” he noted.

    To overcome the many difficulties, the museum sought support from universities and commissioned their experts and researchers, including a team of teachers and students from Nanjing University, to carry out part of the work of collecting relevant information. At the same time, through interdepartmental coordination, experts in the field of Russian language and cultural and historical research were found to carry out the joint work.

    In September 2024, the museum’s working team visited Russia and Belarus to collect information about Soviet hero pilots. During the trip, museum representatives in Moscow met with a local resident, Dmitry Pugachev, and received photographs of S. Smirnov from him for the first time.

    “Sergey Dmitrievich is my great-uncle. When they told me that they had found his name in the museum in Nanjing, I burst into tears,” D. Pugachev recalled.

    “When I saw the photograph with my grandfather’s name on the wall of the memorial in Nanjing, I felt some inexplicable connection with Sergei Dmitrievich, whom, unfortunately, I had never met. I was extremely touched by such care and respect on the part of the Chinese people and the Chinese state for the memory of the Soviet volunteer pilots,” he added.

    “We gave D. Pugachev a book of contacts with relatives of fallen heroes, which records the heroes’ deeds and our museum’s contacts, to help them contact us,” Miao Lei explained, noting that the museum also created archives for Soviet hero pilots, including Grigory Akimovich Kulishenko.

    The museum has also established cooperation with the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation /CMAF RF/. Thanks to this, more and more information about the Soviet hero pilots who died in the anti-Japanese war is becoming available.

    According to Miao Lei, additional information that will be released soon includes specific positions of aviation technicians, such as a tinsmith, and the dates of death of some heroes, confirmed through research.

    “In the future, we will continue to publish more information about adjustments and amendments to the list of Soviet heroes, as well as other additional information as we collect and research materials,” he said.

    “These characters are the ‘most familiar strangers’ to us. We have never met them, but we mention their names every day when telling the story to museum visitors,” Miao Lei said.

    “We are doing our utmost to restore the true image of each of the fallen heroes, and this is the respect we should show them,” Miao Lei said.

    JUSTICE AND PEACE

    The current year is marked by the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War. China and Russia made enormous national sacrifices for the sake of victory, and also made an indelible historical contribution to the cause of peace and human progress.

    The efforts of the Nanjing Anti-Japanese War Airmen’s Memorial Museum have received support from the Russian side.

    In September 2024, Advisor to the Governor of the Moscow Region, member of the Public Council of Rossotrudnichestvo Artem Semenov visited the museum and presented it with precious copies of documentaries from the 1930s, telling about the heroic struggle of the Chinese people against the Japanese invaders.

    “It is a great honor for me to serve the common cause in this way – preserving the historical memory of the joint struggle of the peoples of our countries with the Japanese and Nazi invaders for the freedom of not only our Motherland, but also of humanity as a whole,” shared A. Semenov, expressing gratitude to the museum for so carefully preserving the memory of the Soviet heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of China and brought the main victory closer at a great cost.

    On the museum grounds, in addition to the memorial steles of famous heroes whose names have already been carved, space was also left to perpetuate the memory of those heroes whose names are still unknown.

    “We hope that the names of all Soviet heroes will deservedly appear here,” commented A. Semenov.

    Now, the Nanjing Anti-Japanese War Martyrs’ Memorial Museum is holding an exhibition on the theme “Heroes forged immortality together” dedicated to the Soviet pilots who died in China on a permanent basis. This exhibition, jointly organized by the museum and the Central Military and Military Council of the Russian Federation, tells more people the story of the joint struggle of Chinese and Soviet pilots against the Japanese invaders.

    “More than 80 years have passed, there are fewer and fewer people who survived World War II, and those who know about the heroic deeds of the war heroes continue to grow old. There are also fewer and fewer people who can provide clear and reliable historical memory. Since most of the archives at that time were paper, they were not easy to preserve during wars and turmoil, and finding relevant materials can be very difficult,” said Xue Lian.

    “The Russian people provided valuable support to the Chinese people in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression,” she said. “In the future, we look forward to cooperating with relevant departments, institutions and non-governmental organizations on the Russian side to find more historical materials about Soviet hero pilots, so that the feats of these young people who gave their lives for justice and peace will forever remain in the annals of history.” -0- /Authors of the article: Xinhua Correspondent Zheng Dongrui, Zhang Chenguang, Darya Karakash, Lu Huadong, Xia Peng/

    MIL OSI Russia News –