US pledges to improve Jordan’s air defence capabilities
The Pentagon said on May 2nd that a meeting of the US-Jordan Joint Military Commission (JMC) discussed “destabilizing impacts” of ongoing regional conflicts, air defence, and the proliferation of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UASs) by hostile actors, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. The announcement came after US secretary of state Antony Blinken’s Amman visit to discuss humanitarian and ceasefire efforts in Gaza amongst other regional security issues.
The JMC’s 44th meeting purportedly stressed the importance of maintaining security along Jordan’s borders with Iraq and Syria, with US officials expressing their administration’s support for the modernization of the Royal Jordanian Air Force’s F-16 fighter fleet.
The statement noted that “the US officials pledged to continue efforts to improve Jordan’s air defence and ability to counter UASs.
The pledge follows an April 14th Iranian strike on Israel, using hundreds of UASs as-well-as ballistic and cruise missiles. Israel’s military claims that 99% of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel and the air forces of Jordan, the US, UK, and France.
READ: Jordanians angered at govt’s role in downing Iranian drones
Iran’s missile programmes have long concerned the US and its allies, with the Islamic Republic purportedly boasting the largest ballistic missile stockpiles in the Middle East, according to CNN.
The Shahed 136 drones used against Israel on April 14th are a growing cause for concern for Iran’s enemies. Though relatively slow, the cheap “fire and forget” drones follow a pre-determined flight path and can be deployed in large swarms. Washington and Kiev have accused Iran of providing Russia with hundreds of Shahed 136s used to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which Tehran denies.
Asharq Al-Awsat / CNN