4 August
The US Department of Defense (DOD) has reached a $31m Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III agreement with North American Forgemasters. The funding will allow the company to produce ultra-large iron and steel forging in support of the US Navy and the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. It will also enable the company to safeguard a skilled workforce and help retain critical capabilities.
The Thai Ministry of Defense (MOD) has revealed that 103 US troops have been put under a 14-day quarantine in Thailand. US troops arrived in the country yesterday to take part in joint training activities later this month, reported BenarNews. It follows after nine Thai soldiers tested Covid-19 positive. The soldiers participated in bilateral exercise Lightning Forge 2020 in Hawaii last month.
Australian state Victoria is set to deploy an additional 500 military personnel to enforce Covid-19 isolation orders. Nearly A$5,000 ($3,564) fine will be imposed on all those who violate the self-isolation rules. Speaking to reporters, Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews was quoted by Reuters as saying: “There is literally no reason for you to leave your home and if you were to leave your home and not be found there, you will have a very difficult time convincing Victoria police that you have a lawful reason.” Currently, there are about 1,500 personnel in the state.
The Russian Defence Ministry has said that volunteers participating in a Covid-19 vaccine test were found to be immune to coronavirus following tests. The ministry’s Zvezda broadcasting service reported: “The research results showed clearly that all volunteers had a clear immune response resulting from vaccination.” The final medical examination of these volunteers was carried out on 3 August in the Defense Ministry’s Main Military Clinical Hospital. It was carried out by the ministry along with the Russian National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology.
