ASIAN DEFENCE

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Canada Accuses Indian Border Security Force (BSF) of 'War Crimes'

6:57 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

In what could turn into a diplomatic battle between India and Canada, the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi has dubbed the Border Security Force (BSF) as a “notoriously violent paramilitary unit” stationed in sensitive areas, attacking civilians and torturing suspected criminals. The Canadian mission rejected the immigration of a retired BSF Havaldar, Fateh Singh Pandher, a resident of Sihar village 25 km from here, to Canada stating he was working for the “notorious” organisation.

In its rejection letter to the former BSF trooper, the Canadian High Commission claimed the BSF was “responsible for committing crime against humanity” and he was a part of it. Fateh Singh (60), who retired from the BSF a decade ago, had applied for his immigration to be with his only daughter in Canada in April 2005. He was called in for an interview on April 21, 2008, at the High Commission.

Sea-lines safety vital for global economy: Pakistani Navy Chief

6:55 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir has said that safety and security of sea lines of communication are vital for sustenance of the global economy and it carries even greater importance for developing economies like that of Pakistan.

Addressing the convocation of 39th Pakistan Navy Staff Course at Pakistan Navy War College here Friday, he said “Given our location at the confluence of three civilizations, it is our obligation to secure our area of responsibility from all sorts of maritime threats to our own country and also to the international community.”

The Admiral said the security situation in our region is fraught with growing uncertainties and a host of unconventional threats that have surpassed the National boundaries. Notwithstanding persistent challenges,the whole nation has displayed remarkable role and has stood behind our Armed Forces engaged in a noble cause.

US-India strategic dialogue next week

6:52 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Department of Homeland Security and National Telecommunications Information Administration, J Crowley, Krishna, State for Political Affairs Bill Burns, India Email this Save to My Page Ask Users Write a Comment United States and India will hold their four-day inaugural strategic dialogue beginning June one which would include an in-depth discussion between the leaders of the two countries on global and regional issues.

"The Secretary (of State) looks forward to hosting Minister of External Affairs (S M) Krishna," state department spokesman P J Crowley told reporters at his daily news conference. Leading the delegations of their respective countries, Clinton and Krishna would co-chair the high-level inter-agency discussions on a range of critical issues, including agriculture, education, energy, trade and counter-terrorism, Crowley said. "There will be in-depth discussions on global and regional issues.

Antony not to attend LCH’s maiden flight function in Bengaluru

6:44 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Defence Minister A K Antony has cancelled his Sunday’s visit to Bengaluru, where he was supposed to participate in the inaugural flight launch ceremony of the Advanced Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), in the wake of the Mangalore air disaster.Sitanshu Kar , Director Indian Air Force Public Relations, told media persons here that Antony had expressed shock over Saturday’s tragedy at Mangalore airport, in which 158 people were killed, and therefore, had decided not attend Sunday’s function.

Kar, however, said that the inaugural flight launch function of the LCH, which has been developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would continue as per schedule with Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik being the chief guest.Apart from various other dignitaries, Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju would also be present on the occasion.Meanwhile, recovery work in Mangalore, where an Air India Express flight IX-812 from Dubai overshot the runway bursting into flames killing over 150 people on board is still going on.

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Defense Minister Antony Calls For Transparent, Timely Defense Procurement

6:42 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Defense Minister A K Antony on called for a “timely, transparent and judicious” process to procure weapons and equipment for the armed forces.

Inaugurating the biennial three-day Defense Accounts Controllers Conference here, May 12 Antony said: “Defense expenditure and procurement issues are complex and time-consuming and have a direct bearing on our national security.

“We have tried to infuse more transparency and efficiency into our procedures and systems. It is my firm belief that expenditure of public money must have an appropriate system of checks and balances.”

He said the Defense Accounts Department had facilitated procurement of essential items for the defense forces and the capital expenditure utilized last year had been an all-time record.

“But, there has to be a transparent, timely and judicious use of funds for defense expenditure. The Government has tried to infuse more transparency in the huge defense outlay, which is over Rs 15,200 for the current financial year,” he added. (PTI)

Indian MoD Promises Orders for Hindustan Shipyard

1:40 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Hindustan Shipyard Ltd here, which from this year is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, will be provided additional funds for modernisation, and a financial restructuring package is also on the anvil, according to Mr R. K Singh, Secretary of Defence Production. It will also more get more work orders on nomination basis.He made the promises at HSL when he came here recently to participate in the inauguration of a patrol vessel, Rani Durgavati, built by the Shipyard for the Indian Coast Guard.

Earlier, Commodore Naresh Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director, said HSL was ready for all challenges and wanted more orders from the Indian Navy, the Coast Guard and other defence establishments.“We can build warships, submarines and frigates. We have the skills and infrastructure here to build such vessels. He said HSL had so far delivered 163 vessels (including 11 wellhead platforms) and it had 12 ships on hand. It had carried out repairs to 2,000 ships. It also carried out repairs to submarines. The biggest bulk carrier (53,000 dwt) built in the country was delivered to the Chennai-based Goodearth Maritime Ltd last month.

Chinese Fifth-Generation fighter jet Expected by 2018: US intel

1:38 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

China is building an advanced combat jet that may rival within eight years Lockheed Martin Corp's F-22 Raptor, the premier US fighter, a US intelligence official said. The date cited for the expected deployment is years ahead of previous Pentagon public forecasts and may be a sign that China's rapid military buildup is topping many experts' expectations.

"We're anticipating China to have a fifth-generation fighter ... operational right around 2018," Wayne Ulman of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center testified on Thursday to a congressionally mandated group that studies national security implications of US-China economic ties. "Fifth-generation" fighters feature cutting-edge capabilities, including shapes, materials and propulsion systems designed to make them look as small as a swallow on enemy radar screens. Defense secretary Robert Gates had said last year that China "is projected to have no fifth-generation aircraft by 2020" and only a "handful" by 2025.

Indigenous Arjun MBT has Only 42% Indigenous Content

1:33 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

In March, Livefist had reported that "Army will not order more Arjuns" giving a MoD source and some reasons. So the latest order for another 124 Arjuns would have been a painful process for the Army, made possible due to the recent success of the Arjun vs the T-90 in field trialsThe latest order of 124 Arjun Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) over and above the existing order of 124 Arjun tanks, which the army had committed to Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) earlier.

Financial Express reports that during the trials Arjun MBT was 30% more efficient than the Russian T-90s. Besides the logistics, the main issue is that the heavier Arjun would require some of the bridges to be re-inforced before they can take the extra weight. Hence, the force's requirement for 1,781 MBTs to replace the older T-55 and T-72 tanks will primarily be met through the progressive induction of 1,657 T-90S tanks. Even though Arjun is said to be indigenous, nearly 58% (by cost) is foreign equipment.

Indian Army Man Arrested on Charges of Spying for Pakistani Intelligence Agencies

1:26 AM ASIAN DEFENCE 1 comment

An army man and his relative have been arrested in Kutch district by the Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) on charges of spying and passing on Army's confidential documents to Pakistan-based intelligence agencies, ATS officials said today. Ibrahim Sama, recruited through the Military Engineering Service (MES), and his maternal uncle Osmaan Sama were arrested yesterday from Bhuj in Kutch on charges of spying and criminal conspiracy to disturb internal security, they said.

Confidential and sensitive documents of the Army and some phone numbers of their Pakistani contacts, were recovered during searches conducted in the duo's houses, the officials said. Both were produced before a local court in Bhuj, which sent them to nine-day police custody for further interrogation, they added.

The officials said the ATS had received a tip-off that Sama used to get secret and confidential documents from the Army as he had an access to its base in Bhuj. He used to send the confidential documents to his uncle Osmaan of Nana Dinara village in Bhuj, with the objective to pass it on to Pakistani intelligence agencies, they said. Both have been booked under various Sections of Official Secrets Act of illegal possession of confidential Army documents, and Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, the ATS officials said. — PTI

Indian Defence Minister AK Antony to Witness Light Combat Helicopter Flight

1:24 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) developed by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) is all set to boost the chopper attack capabilities of the armed forces. Defence Minister AK Antony is coming to Bangalore on May 23 to formally dedicate the helicopter to the nation.“A full-fledged qualification test program would lead to initial operation clearance for induction of the LCH into the armed forces”, an HAL official said. He said IAF chief PV Naik and other senior functionaries of the Defence Ministry would also be present at the function at the HAL Airport here on Sunday.

Asked how the LCH is different from its predecessor Dhruv, the official said, “The LCH is totally dedicated to attack. It also has a number of stealth features such as low oral signature and low visual signature”, he said.

Naval War Room Leak Accused Ravi Shankaran Arrested in London

1:22 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

In a major catch, Ravi Shankaran, one of the main accused in the infamous Naval War Room leak case, has been arrested in London and the CBI has sought his early extradition. Shankaran (46), a close kin of former Naval Chief Arun Prakash, was arrested by the Metropolitan police in London on April 21 and the CBI was informed about the same.

“Shankaran has been arrested and we have moved for his early extradition,” CBI director Ashwini Kumar said today. He said Shankaran's arrest was a major breakthrough in the case and expressed hope that he would be extradited to India as soon as possible.

CBI officials said once he was deported from the UK, he would be questioned at length about his involvement in the case. It is alleged that Shankaran had sent crucial classified information to commercial firms for pecuniary benefits.

CV-22 Osprey Lost Due to Pilot Error in Afghanistan

1:55 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

An investigation of the crash of an Air Force special operations CV-22 Osprey in Afghanistan last month has concluded the pilot of the tilt-rotor aircraft flew too close to the ground, striking an earthen berm, a source who has been briefed on the finding tells Line Of Departure.The conclusions of the accident investigators — which haven’t been released because they are not yet final — rule out mechanical malfunction and hostile fire as possible causes of the first crash of an operational model of the controversial heli-plane.The final report is likely to blame the mishap on pilot error, because the evidence suggests the V-22 was flying at high speed, at very low altitude, in airplane mode, with its massive rotors perpendicular to the ground when it struck the berm.

Boeing Globemaster III would be Flown to India by June 21 for User Trials

1:51 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

he Indian Air Force’s quest to acquire a tactical heavy lift transport aircraft from the United States will get under way with user trials scheduled for next month in India.The trials would be one part of a possible $5.8-billion deal, negotiations for which will begin only after Congress approves the sale. The product Boeing offers is the latest Block 18 aircraft, and much will depend on the configuration the IAF will want.

It is for India to decide whether it wants to join the worldwide virtual fleet Boeing has set up with other countries — Australia, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, the UAE and the European Union consortium of 12 nations — that have bought these planes.The IAF plans to base these tactical aircraft at Agra. They can carry 73,616 kg of payload and can be operated by a crew of just three (two in the cockpit and one loadmaster).

CRPF patrol van blown up; 4 dead

1:39 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Within 48 hours of Dantewada massacre, Maoists targeted a CRPF patrolling van with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), killing four jawans at Ramgarh, near Lalgarh police station in West Midnapore district on Wednesday. Three CRPF personnel, including two deputy commandants, were also injured in the attack that came on on the second day of the two-day five-state bandh called by the Maoists. They injured have been admitted to Midnapore hospital where the condition of two is said to be very critical.

“Four CRPF jawans were killed and three injured in an IED blast set off by the Naxals at around 11.30 am today,” M Nageswar Rao, CRPF Inspector General of Police, said. The deceased were identified as V Babul (29), Savant Vishal (24), BL Singh (32) and Rakesh Kumar (31). The injured deputy commandants are: Nav Kumar (39) and VP Singh (31). The vehicle in which they were traveling was badly damaged in the blast that left a five-feet-deep crater on the road. The explosion comes a day after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram asked the Naxals to abjure violence and come for talks.

Dedicated Satellite for Indian Navy by year-end

1:38 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

India's first dedicated military satellite should be up in space well within a year. Indian Space Research Organisation has fixed the "launch window'' of the naval communication and surveillance satellite between December 2010 and March 2011. The defence establishment was slightly worried ISRO might not be able to stick to the planned launch window after the failure of the geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-D3) in mid-April, which was launched with the new indigenously-developed cryogenic engine.

"But ISRO has assured us the naval satellite, with an around 1,000 nautical mile footprint over Indian Ocean, will be launched as slated... The project cost is Rs 950 crore. IAF and Army satellites will follow in a couple of years,'' said a senior MoD official on Wednesday. This comes even as the top Navy brass, led by Admiral Nirmal Verma, is currently discussing the intricacies of "navy-wide network-centric operations'' and "maritime domain awareness'', both of which hinge on dedicated satellite capabilities, during the ongoing naval commanders' conference here. Coupled with induction of eight P-8i long-range maritime patrol aircraft between 2013 and 2017 under a $2.1-billion deal inked with US, the geo-stationary satellite will ensure a quantum jump in Navy's C4ISR (command, control, communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) capabilities.

India, Oman to step up military ties

11:29 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

In a bid to step up strategic ties with the Gulf, India on Tuesday decided to expand its bilateral military cooperation with Oman in fields ranging from maritime security and anti-piracy measures to joint training and combat exercises. This emerged after defence minister A K Antony, on his first-ever visit to West Asia, held discussions with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib Al Busaidi in Muscat on Tuesday.

With India sourcing the bulk of its energy needs from the Gulf and keen on ensuring the protection of its huge sea-borne trade, especially from the growing menace of piracy, New Delhi is now steadily trying to enhance its security cooperation with the countries in the region. "Maritime security has become a global concern due to pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden. Piracy off the coast of Somalia has been growing over the years and has now assumed alarming proportions,'' said Antony........................Read More

Pictures of PAF's Mirage-III Rose-I being Air Refueled by IL-78P Midas R09-001

11:14 PM ASIAN DEFENCE 4 comments

The Ilyushin IL-78 Midas R09-001 Air-to-Air Refueler aircraft of Pakistan Air Force has taken part in High Mark 2010.Delivery of remaining three Refueler aircraft is planned to complete by 2010.Pakistan airforce has purchased a total of 4 Il-78P Midas tanker aircraft have from the Ukraine. These aircrafts are equipped with Soviet-designed UPAZs pods and refueling kits on Mirage-III Rose-I is of South African origin. In first stage PAF has announced that 30 Mirage-III Rose-I will be upgraded with in-flight refuelling probes and this too is being done at PAC kamra.The Il-78s will give the PAF its first airborne refueling capability. They will help train Pakistani crews in mid-air refueling techniques, and once operational will be used to refuel the Mirage-III, JF-17 Thunder and Fc-20.

US Delivers Two Bell 412 EP Helicopters to Pakistan Army

4:04 PM ASIAN DEFENCE 1 comment

The United States government Tuesday delivered two Bell 412 EP helicopters to the Government of Pakistan to assist the Pakistan military in its counter-insurgency efforts.The U.S. Army Brig. General Michael Nagata handed over the helicopters to Brig. Tippu Karim, 101 Army Aviation Commander during a signing ceremony at Qasim Army Air Base in Rawalpindi, said a press release of the US embassy issued here today.

The U.S. purchased the two enhanced-performance utility transport helicopters, valued at $24 million, to support Pakistan’s counterinsurgency operations. The U.S. also provided $20 million in associated spare parts, special tools and other equipment to support the aircraft. "The purchase of the aircraft demonstrates the United States’ full commitment to a stable, long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan-one based on shared interests and mutual respect that will continue to expand and deepen in future years,” Brig. Gen. Nagata said during the ceremony..............................Read More

Russia to Purchase Dassault Falcon Jest for Presidential Use

4:00 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

The purchase of a French-made jet for the Russian president will help to cut presidential transport costs, Russian news site Gazeta.ru cited head of the presidential property management administration Vladimir Kozhin as saying.The Falcon-series jet, made by French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Falcon, will be the first foreign aircraft in the presidential air fleet.

"For the first time in our operating experience we have set out to buy foreign-made aircraft," Gazeta.ru quoted Kozhin as saying in an interview with Ekho Moskvy radio station, adding, however, that another Falcon-series jet was already in the presidential squadron's service. A presidential property management administration spokesman refused to specify which plane is used.Kozhin said the main consideration when selecting the presidential aircraft was cutting transport costs.................................Read More

Two Ka-32A Delivered to Azerbaijan Emergency Ministry

3:59 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Russian Helicopters has delivered two multi-role Ka-32A helicopters to the Azerbaijan Ministry of Emergency Situations. They were manufactured by the Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, with a corresponding contract signed in 2008. Acceptance of the two Ka-32As was completed on 1 May 2010, and demonstration flights for Ministry representatives were held on 8 May. “We have put great effort into performing the contract for the Azerbaijan Ministry of Emergency Situations and are happy with the result,” Sergey Mikrukov, Managing Director, Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, said. “Our Enterprise produces multi-role helicopters, including special mission ones for emergency services in Russia and all over the world. We are ready to keep up the high quality of our helicopters and offer operators efficient solutions using highly reliable Russian rotorcraft.”

The Russian coaxial (dual rotor) Ka-32A by Kamov, a part of Russian Helicopters, can perform a wide variety of missions such as cargo or passenger transportation, construction, firefighting, search and rescue, patrol and surveillance. All necessary equipment can be mounted on the Ka-32A according to mission. Ka-32A helicopters are fitted with TV3-117VMA engines, reaching a top speed of 260 km/h and capable of cruising at 230 km/h. They can carry up to 5000 kg as external load and can transport up to 13 people in the passenger cabin. A typical crew is 1—2 pilots..................................Read More

Russia signs $1.2 bln contract for jet fighter delivery to Algeria, Uganda

3:57 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has signed two contracts worth $1.2 billion on the deliveries of 16 jet fighters to Algeria and another six fighters to Uganda, the Russian Vedomosti daily reported on Monday.The two African nations will receive different models of the Su-30 Flanker fighters. Algiers will receive 16 Su-30-MKI(A)s and Kampala will receive six Su-30MK2s, the paper said.

In 2008, Algiers cancelled the delivery of 34 MiG-29 Fulcrum multi-role fighters because of flaws in design. The Russian military bought the rejects for its own use.Su-30 Flankers in various models have also been sold to India. India has so far received 120 out of the 230 jets it has ordered. Malaysia has also received 18 fighters..................................................Read More

US is Considering Russian Proposal of Joint Production of An-124 Condor: Russian Deputy Prime Minister

3:51 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

The United States is considering a Russian proposal on the joint production of An-124 Condor heavy-lift transport aircraft, a Russian deputy prime minister said. The An-124 was designed by the Antonov Design Bureau in 1982, and was produced in Ukraine's Kiev and Russia's Ulyanovsk plants until 1995. Although there are no An-124s being built at present, Russia and Ukraine have reportedly agreed to resume production in the future.

"We have discussed a full-scale project, which includes the joint production of the plane, setting up a joint venture, shared rights, sales to Russian and American customers - both civilian and military - and the creation of a scheme for post-production servicing," Sergei Ivanov told reporters in Washington.The An-124 is similar to the American Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, but has a 25% larger payload.The aircraft has a maximum payload of 150 metric tons with a flight range of around 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles)...............................................Read More

India, Russia to hold joint military drill INDRA-2010

8:15 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

India and Russia will hold a joint military drill nicknamed Indra-2010 with the involvement of more than 150 Russian servicemen from the motorised mountain infantry brigade."The INDRA-2010 war games will be held on the Indian soil in autumn, in which 150 Russian servicemen from the motorised mountain infantry brigade will take part," Land Forces spokesman Col Oleg Yushkov here said. In 2007 and 2008, the paratroopers from the two nations had carried out joint anti-terror war games in Agra and Russia's Pskov region bordering on NATO-member Estonia...........................................Read More

Indian firm produces indigenous UAVs

8:13 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

India has finally produced indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), with the Indian Air Force (IAF) getting its first lot recently. The UAVs, however, have not been developed by the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which the Indian government provides billions of rupees to develop defence equipment.

The firm is in the business of producing aero models and accessories. Experts have tested the UAVs that weigh 28 kilogrammes, have an 80 cc engine and a wingspan of 5.5 metres (18 feet). “We supplied UAVs to forces in March and we have made the defence self-reliant,” says Manjeev Bhogal, managing partner of the firm and the brain behind the project. The IAF had approached the firm to develop the UAVs, as the Israeli-made ones were too expensive and Israel was not providing spare parts for repairs, Bhogal said. He said the firm developed the vehicles on its own, “as the Indian Air Force made it clear that it will not give any monetary help for the research and development”..............................................Read More

Indian Air Force to Train Malaysian Sukhoi Su-30MKM Pilots

8:11 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Kuala Lumpur, May 17 Malaysia’s decision to allow Indian Air Force to groom, train and equip its frontline Sukhoi pilots is a proof of the Southeast Asian country’s faith on New Delhi, a senior IAF officer has said. “The fact that a foreign country is permitted to groom, train and equip your frontline pilots is by itself a testament of the confidence and faith they have in us.

This is a strong demonstration of a high-level of friendship and diplomacy which is very commendable,” IAF’s chief flight instructor Gp Capt KVR Raju was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times. Russia and India are committed to bolster Malaysia’s air defence and combat capability, so far as the Sukhoi Su-30MKM Flanker squadron is concerned, Russia’s warranty team leader Vladimir Konnov and the IAF’s team chief Group Captain Raju has asserted.

Meanwhile, defence superpowers like China, Britain and France are reportedly providing supporting roles via various transfer-of-technology and offset deals to enhance Malaysia’s defence prowess, local news reports said. Raju is leading an Indian contingent of four instructor pilots, one weapons systems officer, two engineers, 22 technicians and two administrative servicemen.