396: Lebanon's Lawmakers Elect New President + Latest US Security Package to Ukraine Worth $500 Million + Armor Not Dead: Sweden Procures New Leopard Tanks & Upgrades CV90 Combat Vehicles + More

For review:1. Lebanon's Lawmakers Elect New President. Lebanon’s lawmakers elected on Thursday army chief Joseph Aoun as president on Thursday. Under multi-confessional Lebanon’s power-sharing system, the president must be a Maronite Christian, as do military chiefs.2. Iran's former top General Officer in Syria conducts Q & A session at Tehran mosque.Brigadier General Behrouz Esbati provided information and answered questions about operations in Syria and attacks against the US and Israel. 3.  Latest US Security Package to Ukraine Worth $500 Million.The package includes missiles for air defense; air-to-ground munitions; and equipment to support Ukraine's use of F-16s.4. In Germany, Ukraine's allies meet at the 25th Ukraine Defense Contact Group- notable as this is the last meeting with US Secretary of Defense (Lloyd Austin) under the Biden Administration.5.  Armor Not Dead: Sweden Procures New Leopard Tanks & Upgrades CV90 Combat Vehicles.The armor deal covers 44 new Leopards and upgrades for 66 older Leopard 2 tanks. The new tanks are set to begin delivery in 2028, with all units expected to be in service by 2031.  In addition, Sweden has approved the renovation of 90 existing CV90 combat vehicles, set to be completed by 2030.6. Australia procures 40 x Bushmaster Combat Vehicles for the 2d Long Range Fires Regiment. The new Bushmasters will provide C2 capabilities for the Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM) or Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 contract, to be awarded by the end of this year. 7. US President-elect Trump's nominee for the Secretary of Defense (Pete Hegseth)- goes to Capitol Hill next Tuesday to begin the confirmation hearing process before the Senate Armed Service Committee.