ASIAN DEFENCE: South Korea

Showing posts with label South Korea. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

US holds drills off Korea as Pyongyang talks war

12:20 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

U.S. and South Korean warships and helicopters staged anti-submarine maneuvers off the Korean peninsula Monday meant as a warning to Pyongyang that aggression in the region will not be tolerated.The four-day "Invincible Spirit" exercises involving 20 ships, 200 aircraft and about 8,000 U.S. and South Korean sailors off South Korea's east coast drew threats of retaliation from North Korea, which denies responsibility for the attack on the Cheonan.

South Korea , US to Establish New Roadmap to Outline “Strategic Alliance 2015”

11:42 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

South Korea and the United States will establish a new roadmap to outline a broader alliance by the year’s end in tandem with a changing security environment around the Korean Peninsula, the Ministry of National Defense said.The new plan, “Strategic Alliance 2015,” will be a top topic for a meeting of defense ministers from the two governments in October in Washington, D.C., deputy minister for policy Jang Kwang-il said.
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F-22 Raptor to Join Combined Air and Naval xercise “Invincible Spirit” in South Korea

11:40 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Four state-of-the-art U.S. stealth fighters will join a massive combined air and naval exercise to be held by South Korea and the United States in the East Sea later this month in a show of the allies’ strong deterrence plans against North Korean provocations, South Korean and U.S. defense officials announced. The exercise, “Invincible Spirit,” will be the largest in scale with the participation of 8,000 Army, Air, Navy and Marine forces from the South Korean and U.S. militaries. The drill will be held from July 25 to 28. About 200 fighter jets, and naval aircraft and helicopters will fly training missions in and around Korea. In addition, approximately 20 warships, including the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, the South Korean Navy’s 14,000-ton Dokdo large-deck landing ship, and attack submarines will participate in the exercise. S. Korea-US joint exercise to be held July 25-28

Potential Market in Asia for F-35 JSF Could be More Than 500 Fighters

11:21 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

By WENDELL MINNICK, JUNG SUNG-KI and PAUL KALLENDER-UMZEU

The potential market in Asia for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) could be more than 500 fighters in the next two decades, with Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan paying the closest attention.Sources indicate Singapore's Air Force could procure up to 100 fighters to replace its roughly 60 F-16C/Ds beginning in 2020.Japan has a requirement for 200 to 250 fighters for the F-XX competition set to begin in 2020.South Korea also has expressed interest in the F-35, which often has been referred to as a front-runner by military officials for South Korea's F-X III program for 40 to 60 fighter aircraft.Taiwan defense officials have openly expressed an interest in the F-35 as a replacement for aging fighters. At present, Taiwan has roughly 60 F-5s and 60 Mirage 2000-5s scheduled for retirement within the next 10 years.

United States and South Korea Announced Combined Maritime and Air Readiness Exercise named Invincible Spirit

9:39 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

By Jim Garamone

The United States and South Korea today announced a series of military exercises designed to send a strong, clear message to North Korea to stop its provocative and warlike acts. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Republic of Korea National Defense Minister Kim Tae-young released a joint statement on the exercises following meetings here.

The first in a series is a combined maritime and air readiness exercise named Invincible Spirit. About 8,000 U.S. and ROK military personnel will participate. The exercise is in response to the unprovoked attack on and sinking of the South Korean frigate Cheonan off the west coast of the peninsula. Forty-six South Korean sailors were killed in the North Korean torpedo attack on the vessel.

“This is the first in a series of ROK-U.S. combined naval exercises that will occ

China Opposes US-South Korean Military Exrcises in Yellow Sea

1:01 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Major General Luo Yuan, deputy secretary general with the PLA Academy of Military Sciences, explained the reasons why China is opposed to the U.S.-South Korean military exercises in the Yellow Sea in a recent online discussion with netizens on People's Daily Online.

Luo pointed out five reasons behind China's opposition to the joint military exercises:

First, in terms of security, Chairman Mao Zedong once said, "We will never allow others to keep snoring beside our beds." Second, in terms of strategic thinking, China should take into account the worst possibility and strive to seek the best results. Third, The drill area selected by the United States and South Korea is only 500 kilometers away from Beijing. Fourth, in a bid to safeguard security on the Korean Peninsula, the U. N. Security Council has just issued a presidential statement, requiring all parties to remain calm and restrained to the so-called "Cheonan" naval ship incident, which had caused a major crisis on the Korean Peninsula. Fifth, in terms of maintaining China-U.S. relations, especially the two parties' military relations, China must declare its solemn stance. China has been working to promote the healthy development of China-U.S. military relations.

South Korean Hyunmu-3C Cruise Missile Can Strike Deep Inside in North Korea

12:49 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

By Kwang-Tae Kim (CP)

South Korea has developed a long-range cruise missile capable of striking nuclear sites and military targets in North Korea, news reports said Saturday.The Hyunmu-3C missile has a range of 930 miles (1,500 kilometres), the Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported, citing the August edition of its sister magazine Monthly Chosun.

The new missile, if confirmed, would be the longest-range weapon in South Korea's arsenal. Missile-range limits have been agreed upon under an accord with the United States, which has cited concerns over a possible regional arms race.

The surface-to-surface missile will be deployed along the border with North Korea beginning this year, the newspaper said. It has a 990-pound (450-kilogram) payload and can hit within 2 yards (meters) of its target, the report said.Despite the agreement with the United States, South Korea can develop long-range cruise missiles as long as the payload is under 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms).

Indonesia and South Korea to Sign MoU on Joint-Development of a KFX Fighter Jet

10:43 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Indonesia and South Korea are getting ready to sign an MoU on the joint-development of a KFX fighter jet program (dubbed Boramae) later this year, following a letter of intent in March 2009 on Indonesian participation in a KFX study. When enacted, the MOU will provide a breakthrough for both countries in terms of bilateral defense collaboration and aircraft technology indigenization.

The defense community and members of parliament believe that the cooperation will help the revitalization of the Indonesian defense industry. MPs urged the government to conduct a feasibility test before embarking on a US$2 billion venture that spans across an eight-year period. It is expected from the collaboration that five prototypes will be built before 2020.

Approximately 200+ aircraft will be manufactured for both the Indonesian and Korean Air Force. Surely there is a sense of pride creeping into every Indonesian’s minds knowing that the biggest Muslim country in the world is going to carry on an indigenize a fighter jet program, debunking the myth that only technologically advanced countries can achieve this.

Underground Airfields: The DPRK

10:40 AM ASIAN DEFENCE 1 comment

INTRODUCTION

During the Cold War, NATO and Warsaw Pact nations erected numerous hardened aircraft shelters (HASs) to protect their multi-million dollar combat aircraft during wartime. Over time, this practice spread throughout the world's conflict zones, with similar structures being found in many Middle Eastern and Asian nations. Some nations, however, took this practice one step further: they began building full underground facilities (UGFs) to store aircraft.

UGFs are commonly used in many nations to store and protect military hardware, but only a few nations have used them to protect their combat aircraft. These nations include the DPRK, China, and Taiwan in Asia, and Albania, the FRY, Sweden, and Switzerland in Europe. In this feature, the facilities used by the DPRK will be examined.

F-15SE Silent Eagle to Compete with F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon for F-X3 Contract

10:20 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Boeing on 8 July received a license to export the F-15 Silent Eagle to South Korea and tested in flight one of the key upgrades for the stealthy new design.South Korea is expected to issue a request for proposals for the F-X3 contract in the first quarter of 2011, Jones says.The F-15SE will compete with the Lockheed Martin F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon for the contract.Boeing's goal at programme launch in March 2009 was to reduce the RCS signature to a level equivalent with the frontal-aspect stealth of the "international release version" of the F-35.

Singapore to Announce M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer Selection

10:30 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Singapore is about to announce that it has shortlisted the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 for its advanced jet trainer requirement, after eliminating the Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50 from the competition."The South Koreans have been informed that the T-50 is no longer in contention, even though Singapore has not yet signed a contract with Aermacchi."

Boeing Applies to Export F-15SE Silent Eagle to South Korea

1:54 AM ASIAN DEFENCE 2 comments

Boeing has applied for an export licence to brief South Korea on sensitive details of a stealthier version of the F-15E that is within a few months of its first flight.The US government approved an export policy in the second quarter for the F-15SE Silent Eagle after Boeing submitted details of its radar cross-section about six months earlier, says Brad Jones, Boeing programme director for F-15 development programmes.

Korea Utility Helicopter (KUH) "Surion" Demonstrates Capabilities

1:45 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

The prototype of the troop-carrying Korea Utility Helicopter (KUH) demonstrated its capabilities to the public Tuesday after three months of flight tests.In a ceremony to mark the KUH's successful initial test flights from March 11 to June 7, the locally developed aircraft, named "Surion," gave a 20-minute performance which showed it soaring, stationary hovering, S-shaped maneuvering and diving. The ceremony was held at an air base in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, before a crowd of 400 guests.

Indonesian Air Force KT-1B South Korean Basic Trainer Crashes

1:43 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

It was supposed to have been a joyous flight, but it ended disastrously. An Indonesian Air Force KT-1B exercise plane participating in a “Terbang Gembira” (“Joy Flight”) activity crashed and burned on Thursday afternoon at the eastern tip of Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. The pilot, Lt. Col. Ramot Sinaga, and his passenger, Udayana Regional Military Commander Maj. Gen. Rachmad Budianto, both managed to eject from the cockpit safely. Rachmad, who was named the regional armed forces chief three months ago, suffered light injuries to his legs.

ROKAF F-5F Fighter Jet Crashes

9:34 PM ASIAN DEFENCE 1 comment

Two crewmembers of an F-5F fighter jet were killed Friday as the aging jet crashed into waters off the country’s west coast during a routine training mission. The Air Force immediately suspended operations of its fleet of F-5. It was the second accident involving the F-5 in three months. In March, two F-5 aircraft plunged into a mountain in the eastern part of Gangwon Province. Three pilots were killed in the crash.

The F-5E aircraft took off from an airbase in Gangneung at around 9:43 a.m. for an air-to-ground strike mission and was returning to base, according to an Air Force spokesman. The jet disappeared from radar screens at around 10:33 a.m., he said. Search-and-rescue helicopters later found the bodies of the two pilots. The helicopters continued searching for debris, said the spokesman.

UAE Reopens Advanced Jet Trainer Talks

2:16 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Lockheed Martin has confirmed that the United Arab Emirates has resumed talks with rival bidders for a contract to supply a fleet of advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft, about 16 months after signing an agreement with Alenia Aermacchi.Asked whether Lockheed believes the UAE trainer/light attack jet deal is back in contention, Lockheed director of T-50 business development Doug Miller said: "Yes, I believe so."

India and South Korea to Discuss Nuclear Deal‎

8:40 PM ASIAN DEFENCE 2 comments

India and South Korea will discuss the contours of a bilateral civilian nuclear deal and map out steps to achieve a $30 billion trade when the foreign ministers of the two countries hold talks in Seoul on Friday. External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will hold the sixth meeting of the joint commission with his South Korean counterpart Yu Myung-hwan on a wide range of issues, including expansion of economic, defence and cultural ties between the two countries. India has signed civil nuclear accords with seven countries - the US, France, Russia, Kazakhstan, Namibia, Argentina and Mongolia. India has finalised a nuclear deal with Canada, which is expected to be signed later this year.

South Korea, US to postpone naval drills again

8:33 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Defense Minister Kim Tae-young said Tuesday that South Korea and the United States have postponed joint naval exercises again as the two allies are stepping up diplomatic efforts to censure North Korea for sinking a South Korean warship in March. "The South Korean and U.S. authorities are readjusting the timing for the joint drills, given such moves could place a burden on our diplomatic efforts," Kim said during a National Assembly interpellation session.

South Korea as a Global Arms Developer

7:25 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

By Jung Sung-ki

Cutting its teeth on component manufacturing and licensed production of U.S. weapons over the past decades, South Korea has emerged as a global arms developer, the head of the nation’s weapons development agency, said.

“Now, we have enough technology to build almost all weapons systems independently or in partnership with foreign countries. The thing is a matter of ideas, not the lack of technology," Park Chang-kyu, president of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), said in an interview at the ADD headquarters in Daejeon, June 11.

The ADD is responsible for the research, development, testing and evaluation of weapons, defense equipment and related technology. The agency marks their 40th anniversary of its founding in August. Park, 59, took office in May 2008.

F-15K Eagle Fighters to Replace ROKAF's Decommissioned F-4D Phantom Fighter Jets

7:20 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

A squadron of F-4D Phantom fighter jets conducted its last flight Wednesday, ending its 41 years of service with the ROK Air Force. A ceremony for the decommissioning of the aircraft was held at the 11th Fighter Wing in Daegu, about 300 kilometers south of Seoul.Boeing-built F-15K Slam Eagle fighters will replace the older aircraft. In 2002, the F-15 aircraft was selected for the 40-plane, $4.2-billion first-phase plan of the F-X fighter modernization program aimed at buying 120 high-end fighter jets by 2020.The Boeing Company won the second-phase deal in 2008 to provide 20 more aircraft. The deal was valued at $2.3 billion.