New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
USAF tests Minuteman III missile
The US Air Force has launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) equipped with a test re-entry vehicle from Vandenberg AFB, California, the air force announced on 1 May.
The test launch was conducted by the Air Force Global Strike Command from the 90th Missile Wing at FE Warren AFB, Wyoming.
During the test the ICBM re-entry vehicle, which contained a high-fidelity package used for operational testing, travelled approximately 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The test launches verify the accuracy of the ICBM weapon system, providing valuable data to ensure a continued secure and effective nuclear deterrent.
The data collected from test launches will be used by the US Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and US Strategic Command for continuing force development evaluation.
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