Japan to Develop Fighter-launched UAV, despite Test Mishap

Fuji Heavy Industries is continuing to develop a fixed-wing unmanned air vehicle that can be deployed from under the wing of a fighter aircraft.The conglomerate is developing the UAV for Japan's air force, say industry sources in the country. It has built two so far, but lost one during testing, they add.The UAV was deployed from under the wing of an air force Mitsubishi/Lockheed Martin F-2 fighter before plunging into the sea, and was not recovered, the sources say.

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North Korea is Exporting Nuclear Technology

International efforts to avert a full-blown crisis on the Korean peninsula were given greater urgency today after a leaked UN report claimed that North Korea is defying UN sanctions and using front companies to export nuclear and missile technology to Iran, Syria and Burma.The report, by a panel that monitors sanctions imposed after Pyongyang conducted nuclear weapons tests in 2006 and 2009, said the regime was using shell companies and overseas criminal networks to export the technology.The revelations came just hours before the Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, arrived in South Korea for a three-day visit certain to be dominated by mounting tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang.

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Israel to hold First Test of the Arrow 3 Interceptor Early Next Year

The Israel Air Force will hold its first test of the Arrow 3 missile which is under development by Israel Aerospace Industries early next year, officials said. Arrow 3 is jointly developed by IAI and Boeing in the US and it will serve as Israel’s top-tier missile defense system, adding another layer of defense to that provided by the Arrow 2, which is already operational and deployed throughout Israel.

The initial test of the Arrow 3 will not include the interception of a mock enemy missile. An interception test will likely take place in 2012.“The Arrow system can effectively counter all of the missile threats that exist in the region,” said Inbal Kreiss, the Arrow 3 project manager at IAI.

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Greek-Israeli Air Exercise "Minoas 2010" Starts

A Greek-Israeli air exercise with the codename "Minoas 2010" is taking place between Tuesday and June 3 in the framework of the military cooperation programme between the two countries' air forces.The exercise is developing on the mainland, the Ionian Sea and the Aegean sea and participating on the Israeli side are five F16s and five F15s and 15 Greek F16s that have been stationed at the 110 squadron in Souda.

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South Korea's Defense Reform Initiative 2020 Under Intense Review

The five-year-old defense reform initiative aimed at building smaller but high-tech armed forces is under intense review following the sinking of the frigate in a "surprise attack" by North KoreaThe Defense Reform 2020 plan was initiated in 2005 by the liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration in pursuit of a "self-reliant" military that could deal with regional threats beyond defense against a North Korean invasion.

The plan included reducing the number of standing troops and instead equipping the armed forces with advanced weapons systems by 2020 in stages. The Roh administration believed the level of North Korean threat would decrease gradually with the help of its engagement policy. Against that backdrop, the previous administration put more emphasis on developing a blue-water Navy and advanced Air Force, rather than strategies to deter North Korea's conventional forces.

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China's Rapid Development Missile forces is Altering Balance of Power in Asia

China's rapid development of ballistic and cruise missile forces is altering the balance of power in Asia and threatens U.S. forces in a conflict over Taiwan and beyond, according to a forthcoming report.China for the first time showed off its new DH-10 land-attack cruise missile during the Oct. 1 military parade."Driven in large measure by a Taiwan scenario, China's capacity to conduct a successful aerospace campaign to quickly gain a decisive advantage in the air is growing faster than the defenses that its neighbors, including Taiwan, Japan, perhaps India, and even U.S. forces operating in the Western Pacific, can field," stated the report by the Project 2049 Institute, a private research institute, that highlighted "significant advances" in Chinese air and missile power............................................Read More

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Barak-2 MR-SAM Successfully Test Fired by Israel

Barak-2 surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM)which is being developed jointly by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under a Rs2,600 crore deal was successfully test fired by Israel . "The 70-km missile was fired at an electronic target and met with its initial objectives," DRDO chief Dr Vijay Saraswat said.The second test of the Barak-2 missile is scheduled to be held in India later this year. Barak-2 MR-SAM will equip the three Project 15 Guided Missile Destroyers.

DRDO chief Dr Vijay Saraswat has said that DRDO will deliver the missile system to the Indian armed forces in 2013. A second variant of this missile LR-SAM is also being developed for Indian Air Force under a Rs 10,000 crore project signed in 2009. IAF version will replace IAF's ageing Soviet era Pechora surface-to-air missile systems.

In July 2005, during the visit of Indian Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash to Israel, Israel offered India to jointly develop the next generation Barak-II ship defense missiles. India and Israel signed an agreement on 27 Jan 2006 to jointly develop the two missiles over the next 5 years. Both India and Israel hold a 50/50 stake in this venture.

 The Barak-2 MR-SAM will equip Naval Ships while the Barak-2 LR-SAM will be use by the IAF. Barak-2 LR-SAM version will have a longer range of 120 km in comparison to the Barak MR-SAM, which has a range of 70 km. Since 2000, Indian Navy has already confirmed orders for atleast 11 Barak-1 systems, including more than 250 missiles Barak-1 missile systems from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)/Rafael.

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Swiftships Delivers First Iraqi Patrol Boat P-301 to United States Navy

Pictured from left to right (foreground): Mr. Jawaid Ahmad, LTCD Walla, Commander FahdilAbood, Mr. Haider Rizvi, Commander Thamer, Mr. Mohamed Kazilbash, Mr. Lutfi Hassan, Mr. Calvin Leleux, Commodore Munir Saddam, Commodore Abid Ali Abdulhussein, Mrs. Ina Jolicoeur, Captain Abdul Sattar, Captain Faraj, LTCDMaitham.

On May 15, 2010, after successfully completing acceptance trials, P-301, the first 35-meter patrol boat built for the Iraqi Navy was provisionally delivered to the U.S. Navy at Swiftships in Morgan City, La.

Swiftships’ Training Village adjacent to the shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana

Swiftships is under contract with the U.S. Navy build up to 15 35-meter patrol boats for the government of Iraq in an effort to reconstitute the country’s maritime security capability.The patrol boat will now be stationed at Swiftships’ Training Village, adjacent to the shipyard, where it will remain until the first group of Iraqi sailors completes training in July 2010. The patrol boat, along with the second boat, will then be shipped to Iraq.

Lutfi Hassan, CEO of Swiftships, thanked the U.S. Navy and contractor team for the outstanding efforts that have led to this historic moment. Iraqi Commodores, Munir Saddamand Abid Ali Abdulhussein, witness the delivery of the first Iraqi Patrol Boat

Swiftships’ President, Calvin Leleux, and Chief Executive Officer, Lutfi Hassan, thanked the U.S. Navy and shipbuilder team for all of their efforts to make this historic program successful.“Swiftships is honored to have been selected to rebuild the Iraqi Navy,” said Leleux. “May the rest of the 15 Iraqi Patrol Boats be delivered as fast and may this be only the beginning of our long term relationship with Iraq.”

Calvin Leleux presents the first Iraqi Patrol Boat to the US Navy representative, Mrs. Ina Jolicoeur of the Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP) Gulf Coast office

Lutfi Hassan added that “Swiftships is proud that in a small way we are part of the effort that will allow U.S. naval forces to turn security over to the Iraqi Navy and to bring our troops home.”The construction program, managed by the Navy’s Program Executive Office,Ships (PEO Ships) represents a commitment for continued cooperation between the U.S. and Iraqi governments.

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Australian and Afghan National Army Soldiers Completed Operation TOR GHAR IV

Last week approximately 250 Afghan National Army and 1st Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1) soldiers completed Operation TOR GHAR IV (‘Black Mountain’ in Pashtu), a dangerous and complex re-supply convoy between Tarin Kowt and Kandahar in Afghanistan.The first leg from Tarin Kowt to Kandahar, a 150 kilometre road trip, involving around 100 vehicles, was conducted without incident in around 18 hours on 16 May. The return trip was completed without incident on 20-21 May.

Officer Commanding the MTF-1 elements on Operation TOR GHAR IV, Major David Ryan, said the convoy was the second major re-supply activity to be conducted by the Australian and Afghan soldiers this year.“We conducted Op TOR GHAR III a couple of months ago with our Afghan National Army counterparts – it went well, but needed some refinement in terms of Afghan Army planning,” Major Ryan said.“This time the Afghan commanders really stepped up to the plate; planning and executing a successful operation.”

The convoy travels down one of the most dangerous roads in Afghanistan, requiring extensive clearance of improvised explosive device threats. “Our engineers and Afghan engineers worked shoulder-to-shoulder along the highway searching for threats to the convoy,” Major Ryan said.“The operation was conducted without incident – it is testament to a well planned and executed team effort involving Afghan soldiers, MTF-1 soldiers, Afghan National Police, and engineering and helicopter assets from ISAF Forces.”

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RAAF use of Evans Head Air Weapons Range

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal (AIRMSHL) Mark Binskin today announced that the Air Force had directed a review into future training requirements at Evans Head.In recent days there has been significant local media coverage regarding the future use of Evans Head Air Weapons Range.Air Force currently uses the Evans Head range for F-111 bombing training most weekdays. This training involves activating only part of the full Evans Head Air Weapons Range.

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Australian troops sent home from Middle East for getting pregnant

FOUR female troops have been sent home from the Middle East after getting pregnant. All female soldiers are pregnancy tested before they leave Australia and fraternisation is banned on operations, but that didn't stop the four from finding a way to conceive.The Australian Defence Force said all troops on overseas duty were counselled about safe sex and contraception before they left Australia and they would be doubly reminded of those principles in future.Australian troops are much better behaved than their British counterparts - last year more than 100 British female soldiers were sent home for being unable to say no to a man in uniform.Defence did not say if any of the pregnancies had actually occurred on operations....................................Read more

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Australian Soldiers in Afghanistan will Get New Light-Weight Body Armour

In a three day visit to Afghanistan last week, the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, told Australian soldiers that Army will start issuing a new light-weight combat body armour system that is lighter than the current system for trial by the end of 2010.LTGEN Gillespie discussed and demonstrated the new Tiered Body Armour System (TBAS) with troops at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt including the 1st Mentoring Task Force and Special Operations Task Group, as well as soldiers at three patrol bases in the Chora and Mirabad Valley regions.

He said that the new body armour system is likely to be issued to key elements of the next rotation of Australian troops deployed to Afghanistan during 2011.“We are looking at issuing the first batch of TBAS for trial to soldiers at the end of the year,” LTGEN Gillespie said.The TBAS package currently includes up to three load carriers designed for multiple combat roles. TBAS also uses a new ballistic plate system that weighs less than the current Modular Combat Body Armour System (MCBAS) issued to most troops in Afghanistan.

“We are continually reassessing issued combat equipment to reduce load and enhance functionality and we will incorporate recommendations from soldiers into the new tiered system once the trial is complete,” LTGEN Gillespie said.LTGEN Gillespie demonstrated the proposed TBAS package that will incorporate a new ammunition pouch system designed to enhance pouch access and versatility.

Infantry Section Commander from the 1st Mentoring Task Force, Corporal Mathew McKeever, said that the new system appears to be more in-line with demands placed on combat armour in a complex and mostly dismounted patrolling environment such as Afghanistan.“I patrol on foot in the Mirabad Valley everyday with my soldiers and we’ve been in a multiple contacts with insurgents,” CPL McKeever said.“When you’re in a contact you don’t think about what you are wearing – you’re focused on your job

“The issued kit we have now is fine – it does the job and provides exceptional protection – but it’s also good to know that a lighter and more multipurpose system will be issued soon.”1st Mentoring Task Force soldiers conduct dismounted patrols in mountainous and rocky terrain, in deserts, and through the wet and heavily grassed green zones everyday. Sometimes these foot patrols are up to 20 kilometres. The Force Protection Review includes a provision to enhance the combat body armour for troops in Afghanistan.

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The Sinking of the South Korean Warship Cheonan

Who Sank the South Korean Warship Cheonan? Destabilization of the Korean Peninsula

Introduction

At 9:22 on the night of March 26, the 1,200 ton ROK Navy corvette Cheonan was on patrol when it was severed in two and sank in the waters off Baengnyeong Island, a contested area twenty kilometers from North Korea, the closest point of South Korean territory to the North and to Pyongyang. Forty-six crew members died and 58 of the 104 member crew were rescued. It was the worst ROK naval disaster since 1974 when a navy landing ship capsized killing 159 sailors.With polls in early May showing that 80 percent of ROK citizens believe that the sinking was caused by North Korean attack, tensions have remained high.The article that follows does not resolve the case by any means. But it exposes anomalies in official accounts and invites scrutiny of a range of intriguing issues that call for further investigation.

136 underwater mines were installed in response to the tensions in the Yellow Sea and, ten years later, fewer than ten percent had been removed

The Cheonan and the “suspicion” of inadvertent attack during the ROK-US Joint Military Exercise

When military secrets were exposed by the sinking of the Cheonan, the military started to take measures

Mistaking the American Submarine for a North Korean Submarine?

China’s Role in North-South Arbitration After the Cheonan Incident

Rep. Park Yongson Engages the Minister of National Defense over “The American Inadvertent Bombing Theory,” which was Officially Rejected as False

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N.Korea’s reinvestigation proposal alters Cheonan situation

In its response to the South Korean government’s announcement Thursday of its finding that the Cheonan sank due to a torpedo attack by a North Korean submersible, North Korea played a card no one saw coming. The country offered a formal counterproposal by its highest organization of authority, the National Defense Commission, to “send a Democratic People’s Republic of Korea National Defense Commission review team to the site in South Choson to verify the evidence.”

Directly, this is an expression of North Korea’s intention to send a fact-finding team to prove that it had nothing to do with the sinking of the Cheonan. But in reality, there is a far deeper and broader strategy at play in the context of inter-Korean relations and the geopolitics of the Korean Peninsula.“It is unprecedented in the history of inter-Korean relations for North Korea to propose sending an investigation team in response to an issue that has been deemed a ‘military provocation by North Korea,’” said Kim Yeon-chul, professor of unification studies at Inje University. “The Cheonan situation has entered a new phase.”

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Cheonan sunk by German-made torpedo

Investigators probing the deadly sinking of a South Korean navy ship in March near the North have concluded that a torpedo was the source of an explosion that destroyed the vessel, a news report said on Friday.The team of South Korean and foreign investigators found traces of explosives used in torpedoes on several parts of the sunken ship as well as pieces of composite metal used in such weapons, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said quoting a senior government official.

South Korean officials have not officially accused the North but made little secret of their belief Pyongyang deliberately torpedoed the 1,200-tonne corvette Cheonan in March near their disputed border in retaliation of a naval firefight last year.

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'Obvious' North Korea Sank South Korean Ship

A North Korean torpedo was responsible for the March 26 sinking of a South Korean navy ship and the deaths of 46 sailors aboard, South Korean officials said. Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said today it was "obvious" that the North Koreans sank the Cheonan warship as it sailed near the disputed water between the two Koreas.

Officials in Seoul and Washington told ABC News that the South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak is preparing a statement for early next week that will officially blame the North and inevitably ratchet up tensions in the region. The smoking gun is a propeller that presumably powered the torpedo which a pair of South Korean fishing boats found at the bottom of the ocean last weekend. The propeller itself was in a "relatively fine condition," reported Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's largest daily newspaper.

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The Sinking of the Cheonan: We Are Being Lied To

 

by Scott Creighton

There is no doubt about it, there is no longer any reason to hold back, I have looked at the “evidence” and have concluded that we are being lied to, again, by our “leaders” in the White House in order to fabricate a measure of moral justification for yet another “regime change” campaign or an all out war with North Korea. There simply is no “perfect match” like the recent unsigned report claims there is.The White House said Monday that President Barack Obama “fully supports” the South Korean president and his response to the torpedo attack by North Korea that sank a South Korean naval ship. MSNBC

South Korea’s president said Monday his nation will no longer tolerate North Korea’s “brutality” and said the regime would pay for a surprise torpedo attack that killed 46 South Korean sailors. ABC NewsNorth Korea has denied responsibility for the sinking of the South Korean warship, the Cheonan, on March 26, which left 46 sailors dead. A growing body of evidence assembled by the South has suggested a North Korean torpedo sank the ship. New York Times.

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Australia - Defence's spending debacle

In the mid-1990s, Defence decided it wanted a new anti-submarine torpedo that could be deployed on frigates, helicopters, and patrol aircraft. Phase 1 of this acquisition started in March 1998. Twelve years and two months later, $391 million has been spent and there's still no torpedo. The whole thing would be substantially over budget if they hadn't eliminated three of the five platforms the torpedo was originally supposed to be deployed on.

The $16 billion F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is well on its way to becoming as iconic a debacle as the Collins class submarine. The Seasprite helicopter was cancelled in 2008, because it was already running seven years late, and we'd already spent $1 billion on it. The upgrade of the M113 armoured personnel carriers are three years overdue.The Wedgetail airborne early warning program is four years overdue. The Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter: also four years overdue, and mired in contractual disputes. The Auditor General found the M113 upgrade had been characterised by "poor project management practices; ineffective project planning; inadequately defined project objectives; and technical problems"..............................................Read More

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China to Train Indonesian Pilots for Sukhoi jet Fighters

Indonesia and China have agreed to continue cooperation in training pilots for Russian-made Su-family fighters in service with the Indonesian air force, the Antara news agency said on Friday.The agreement was reached during the current visit of the deputy chief of China's Central Military Commission Gen. Guo Boxiong to Jakarta.According to the Indonesian military, ten Indonesian pilots have already undergone Sukhoi jet fighter simulation training in China and training courses for new pilots will start in the near future.

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UAE Order 40 K11 Airburst Rifles from South Korea

The United Arab Emirates has placed an initial order for 40 K11 dual-caliber air-burst weapon during the Special Operations Forces Exhibition Conference 2010 earlier this month in Jordan. This is first export order for the K11 airburst rifles. Contract for this sale is likely to be signed within next few months. Unit price of K11 dual-caliber air-burst weapon is estimated at $14,000.

Information about the development of a dual-caliber air-burst weapon by South Korea was available since about 2006 and K11 was first revealed to public in 2009, in DSEI military expo . This is developed by the Agency for Defense Development and S&T Daewoo.K11 is similar to the ill-fated American XM-29 OICW (Objective Individual Combat Weapon. Weapon is believed to be in service with South Korean army.Last year, it was reported that some of the South Korean troops deploying to Afghanistan will be armed with the Daewoo K11 dual-caliber airburst weapon.

K11 dual-caliber air-burst weapon is proposed for infantry squad support role, multiplying soldiers capabilities to engage enemy personnel in defilade and soft-skinned vehicles and equipment, using 20mm air-burst grenades with pre-programmed fuse and 5.56mm ammunition for short- to medium range direct fire. K11’s 20mm grenade launcher weapon carries a 5-round magazine. K11’s 20mm round can track its target and explode three to four meters above it by using a self-detonation system.

K11 dual-caliber air-burst weapon consists of three major units, linked into one weapon.

• 
  
  20mm multi-shot grenade launcher which is a manually operated and is fed from detachable box magazines. It is built in bullpup layout. K167 HE air-burst grenade and K168 TP target practice grenade can be fired from the grenade launcher.

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  5.56mm automatic rifle component is similar to US-made M16 or Korean-made K2 rifles which allows it to use NATO-standard 5.56mm ammunition.

• 
  
  Eelectronic fire control unit includes laser rangefinder, environmental sensors, ballistic computer, and day (optical) and night (IR) sighting channels.

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO + 20 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt for 5.56mm and manually operated for 20mm
Overall length: 860 mm
Barrel length: 310 mm (5.56mm); 405 mm (20mm)
Weight: 6.1 kg (with optics and battery but less magazines)
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds of 5.56mm and 5 rounds of 20mm

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Lockheed Martin Awarded Contract For Kuwait Air Force KC-130J Tankers

Lockheed Martin has received a $245 million contract from the U.S. Government for the Foreign Military Sale of three KC 130J tanker aircraft to Kuwait. The program will be managed by the U.S. Navy.

The Kuwait Air Force’s new KC-130Js will provide aerial refueling for its F 18 fleet and augment its current airlift fleet of three Lockheed Martin L-100s. Kuwait’s KC-130Js also will perform air mobility, disaster relief and humanitarian missions throughout the world.

“We are proud to add yet another country to the growing worldwide C-130J community,” said Jim Grant, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 business development. “The combination of tanking and airlift missions yet again shows the tremendous versatility of this proven aircraft. KC-130Js have been used in high-tempo operations for the last five years and will provide Kuwait with an effective, efficient and reliable multi-mission capability.”

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Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Starts Production of Avionics for JF-17 Thunder Jet

Pakistan on Friday successfully launched the production project of avionics for the fighter jet (JF-17 Thunder) at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra.Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, speaking as chief guest on the historic occasion, said, "a strong air force is essential for our nation's survival; therefore, self-reliance for PAF (Pakistan Air Force) is an important factor. Today's ceremony is an important step in this direction."

He informed that the production scope would be progressively broadened to include the production of complete JF-17 avionics suite at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.Secretary of Defence Production, Members of JF-17 Board of Directors, Principal Staff Officers of Pakistan Air Force and representatives from the Chinese aviation industries attended the ceremony...............................Read More

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The Truth Behind 'Sinking' of Pakistani Submarine Ghazi

Lt General JFR Jacob, (retd), hero of the 1971 India Pakistan war, explains why the Indian Navy destroyed documents related to the sinking of the Pakistani submarine, PNS Ghazi. Earlier this month, there were reports that all documents connected with the sinking of the Pakistani submarine PNS Ghazi during the 1971 war had been destroyed by the Indian Navy.It is not difficult to conjecture the reasons why.Back in November 1971, our signal intercept units had been monitoring the movements of the Ghazi on her entering the Bay of Bengal. The last intercept we got from the Ghazi was on 27 November. We had been passing on all intercepts to the Navy.PNS Ghazi blew up due to an internal explosion while laying mines off the port of Vishakapatnam, probably at the end of November or the beginning of December 1971.

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JASDF F-15 Pilots Training Long Range for Air-to-Air Refueling

Japanese and U.S. airmen are working together to certify about 20 Japanese Air Self Defense Force pilots in day and night air refueling here.The training comes as Japanese pilots from Naha and Hyakuri air bases prepare to fly across the Pacific to participate in a Red Flag Alaska exercise in June at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.Red Flag Alaska is a large coalition exercise that involves many aircraft in complex missions. The exercise provides U.S. and coalition forces an opportunity to train together, improving readiness for wartime coalition missions.This training will enable JASDF F-15 pilots to complete the long flight to Alaska without stopping and will extend their sorties at Red Flag so they can maximize their participation........................................Read More

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USN and South Korean Navy to Hold Anti-Submarine Exercise

THE South Korean and US navies will hold combined anti-submarine exercises in the Yellow Sea, a Pentagon official confirmed yesterday, as a North Korean defectors' group claimed Pyongyang had ordered troops and civilians to combat-readiness.The naval exercises, a direct response to North Korea's alleged torpedoing of South Korean warship Cheonan on March 26 with the loss of 46 sailors, will stoke tempers in Pyongyang, where joint manoeuvres are routinely denounced as war preparations."Those initiatives are a result of the findings of this recent incident," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said."We think that this is an area where, working with the Republic of Korea, we can hone some skills and increase capabilities."The exercises would begin next month or in early July, South Korean officials said, and would involve US warships from the Japan-based Seventh Fleet.........................................Read More

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Russian to Order An-124 Condor & An-70 Transport Aircraft

The Russian Defense Ministry intends to order An-124 and An-70 military transport aircraft under the new state arms procurement program for 2011-2020, Airborne Troops Commander Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov said."While working under the state program, we have submitted our proposals," Shamanov said.He said the Airborne Troops had ordered 40 An-70s aircraft, but he did not specify the number of An-124s ordered by his military unit.There are up to 300 transport aircraft in service with the Russian Air Force, including, among others, An-12, An-70 and An-124 Ruslan strategic heavy airlift transport aircraft..................................Read More

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Russian PAK FA Stealth Fighter Test Flight

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There is "Overwhelming" Temptation to Opt for Imported Weapon Systems in Indian Armed Forces: DRDO

Under attack for delays in projects, DRDO said the onus of self-reliance cannot be put on it alone and targeted the defence services for their "overwhelming" temptation to opt for imported weapon systems. In a strong statement here in presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief V K Saraswat said the responsibility of self-reliance was to be shared by all stake-holders but the Indian industry has not yet matured to take it up.

"The services also must understand that while the temptation may be overwhelming, to field proven, state-of-art imported systems, they (industry) too have a role to play in the economic and industrial growth of the country. No foreign system can be customised to completely address our long term requirement," he said.

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Indian Navy's Chand Kumar Prasad Arrested for Spying for Pakistan

An employee of the Indian Navy has been arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan and police claimed to have recovered from him some "secret and sensitive" documents like photograph of the Hindan Air Base and map of Meerut Cantonment.

24-year-old Chand Kumar Prasad, posted in the Navy's Aircraft Maintenance Unit in Mumbai, was arrested by Delhi Police's Special Cell from New Delhi Railway Station yesterday, police sources said. He was allegedly passing on classified information to a Pakistan High Commission official through another person, they said.

Police sources said certain "secret and sensitive" documents like photograph of Hindan Air Base and map of Meerut Cantonment were recovered from Prasad. He was produced before a magistrate today and was remanded to five-day police custody.

PTI

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