July 2009 ~ ASIAN DEFENCE

Friday, July 31, 2009

Burma’s nuclear secrets?

11:48 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Is the military junta preparing to build a nuclear arsenal? Two years of interviews with defectors have persuaded two Australian investigators there’s more to the claim than global scepticism suggests. The report by Desmond Ball and Phil Thornton was the basis for this article.by Daniel FlittonA FEW years back, a paranoid military regime packed up Burma’s capital and shifted it north a few hundred kilometres. Rangoon, it seems, simply wasn’t safe enough any more. The generals’ new home was to be known as the Abode of Kings; more commonly as Naypyidaw....

Why Pakistan went to Paris for submarine deal?

11:45 PM ASIAN DEFENCE 5 comments

PML-Q Senator Sardar Mohammad Jamal Khan Leghari in a surprising revelation shocked the members of the Senate on July 30 by a claim that President Zardari had refused to approve the deal for purchase of German submarines and the file submitted to the Presidency recently had been rejected. He added that a team of Pakistani Naval officials had been receiving training on manning of sophisticated submarine in Germany for one and a half year.The Senator also claimed that the rejection of German submarine was aimed at paving the way for the purchase...

4 Mi-17 for Afghan National Army Air Corps

11:45 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Defense Technology, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., is being awarded a $43,460,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of four Mi-17 variant helicopters and related tool kits for the Afghan National Army Air Corps. Work will be performed in Kabul, Afghanistan, and is expected to be completed in September 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; four offers were received....

IAF trainer plane crashes in AP, two pilots killed

4:51 AM ASIAN DEFENCE 1 comment

An Indian Air Force (IAF) plane crashed in Medak, Andhra Pradesh on Friday morning.The plane was a HPT-32 trainer aircraft and had two IAF pilots on board.Nitin Jain and Chaturvedi (full name not yet known) were the training instructors at the Air Force Academy.The two pilots were on a trainee flight.Defence Minister A K Antony said on Wednesday that thirty-two MiG series aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in the last five years killing eight pilots.The plane was two kilometers from landing....

Japan hangs on to F-22 fighter hopes

2:55 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Japan will continue to collect information on the U.S. F-22 fighter jet as a candidate to succeed its aging F-4EJ fighter fleet, a Defense Ministry spokesman said Friday, despite the U.S. House of Representatives’ decision to ditch funding for the aircraft. Katashi Toyota, press secretary for the ministry, said at a press conference that Tokyo ‘‘does not necessarily give up’’ on its plan to study acquisition of the F-22 fighter as one of six candidate models. The U.S. chamber passed a defense spending bill Thursday that scuttled the F-22 program.Chief...

MMRCA trials to begin in Bangalore

2:53 AM ASIAN DEFENCE 2 comments

India's quest to buy 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) will shift gear when the flight trials of the six global contenders will begin in Bangalore next week with US major Boeing's warplane F/A-18 being the first contender. "F/A-18 will be the first contender to arrive in India for the trails that will begin in Bangalore next week," top IAF officers said here today.The US' Lockheed Martin F-16s, French D'Assault's Rafale, Swedish SAAB's Gripen, European consortium EADS' Eurofighter Typhoon and Russian MiG-35, the other five competitors...

South Korea unveiled its first homegrown helicopter

2:50 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

South Korea on Friday unveiled its first homegrown helicopter, hoping it will propel the nation's budding aerospace industry and step in for an aging military fleet. Able to push 260km per hour and hover high above the nation's craggy terrain, the first prototype of the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH), also called the "Surion," was displayed at a ceremony in this southwestern city attended by senior government officials, including President Lee Myung-bak. "We should use the successful development...

Indian Navy chief defends Gorshkov purchase

2:47 AM ASIAN DEFENCE 1 comment

Defending the Gorshkov aircraft carrier deal with Russia that had come under severe criticism by the CAG, Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said on Thursday that it would be impossible to get an aircraft carrier at cheaper rates. Responding to questions on the sidelines of a defence function organised by CII here, Mehta said, “Can you get me an aircraft carrier for less than $2 billion? If you can, I am going to sign a cheque right now.” Mehta’s remarks come after the CAG report criticised the ‘unprecedented’ price hike of the carrier, and following...

India to get 12 EH/AW-101 helicopters

2:45 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

The multi-million dollar deal to procure the 12 EH/AW-101 helicopters, manufactured by Italian aviation major AgustaWestland, is in the concluding stages now, say defence ministry sources. "The Cabinet Committee on Security will have to give the final nod before the contract is inked," said a source. This will be the third major deal in recent years to ensure Indian netas and other VVIPs can travel in fully-secure comfort in and around the country. First, the Rs 727-crore deal for five mid-size Embraer 135BJ Legacy jets was inked in September 2003....

South Korea may scrap plan to buy used U.S. Apache helicopters

2:43 AM ASIAN DEFENCE 1 comment

South Korea is considering scrapping its plan to buy second-hand Apache attack helicopters from the United States due to feasibility issues, an official said Wednesday. The South Korean Army has hundreds of helicopters that will be decommissioned over the next decade. The country began considering purchasing replacements from the U.S. last year when its longstanding ally offered to sell dozens of used Apaches at discount prices. But a South Korean defense official privy to the matter said his government would have to purchase 30 years worth of...

Indian forces riddled with expensive 'duds'

2:42 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

India's pride -- its defence forces have a reputation that precedes them. But it’s unfortunate that they have been given the tedious task of guarding our borders, unarmed & saddled with 'dud' weapons. As a normal citizen of the country, one would think that our defence forces are armed with weapons which have unbeatable fire power, which mercilessly swoop down on their targets and bomb the enemies. However, TIMES NOW reveals a shocker. TIMES NOW's Senior Editor Srinjoy Chowdhury, who has exclusive access to the 'Dud report' says, "The Indian...

Jordan accepts six more secondhand F-16s

11:05 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Jordan has accepted six ex-Royal Netherlands Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16BMs, with the aircraft having left Leeuwarden air base on 28 July for a delivery flight via Aviano in Italy and Souda Bay in Crete. The two-seat aircraft will join the Royal Jordanian Air Force's 1 Sqn at Muwaffaq Salti air base. The delivery forms part of a contract signed between Jordan, Belgium and the Netherlands in 2007 covering the sale of 22 surplus F-16s. An initial four A/B-model fighters were delivered from Belgium's...

Pakistan Injects Precision Into Air War on Taliban

6:54 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Pakistan’s Air Force is improving its ability to pinpoint and attack militant targets with precision weapons, adding a new dimension to the country’s fight against violent extremism, according to Pakistani military officials and independent analysts. The Pakistani military has moved away from the scorched-earth artillery and air tactics used last year against insurgents in the Bajaur tribal agency. In recent months, the air force has shifted from using Google Earth to sophisticated images from spy...

First F-22P Frigate delivered to Pakistan

6:47 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Under Sino-Pak joint project, first F-22P Frigate constructed for Pakistan Navy at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, China was delivered to Pakistan Navy on Thursday.The delivery ceremony was followed by Commissioning of the ship, in which Pakistani flag was hoisted on the ship with band playing Pakistani National Anthem. The ceremonies were attended by distinguished guests from Chinese Navy, Chinese Govt Authorities and senior officers of Pakistan Navy.Chief guest for the ceremony, Chief of...

India contributing more than 8,000 troops to UN

8:45 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

India has contributed 8,607 troops, police and military observers to nine UN Peacekeeping operations this year and has suffered 131 casualties, government today said. Giving the information in the Lok Sabha in response to a written question, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said India is the third largest such contributor. He said upto 30 June 2009, India suffered 131 casualties in the UN Peacekeeping operations. The minister said in accordance with UN General Assembly resolution 52/177 dated 20 January, 1998, the United Nations pays compensation...

Indian Army needs new air defence guns

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Gorshkov deal not yet finalised: India

8:41 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Several controversies and five years after India announced that a Russian sea-based aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov, will be added to the Naval fleet, Defence Minister AK Antony today said: “We have not signed any contract (with the Russians) only negotiations are going on.” A final decision on the contract will be taken after we verify everything including the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. Nothing has been decided the minister said as he attempted to put a lid...

India aware of China buildup on border

8:40 PM ASIAN DEFENCE 5 comments

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Bell Helicopters pulls out of Indian RFP for Gunship helicopter

8:38 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Three vendors had submitted their proposals in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) relating to procurement of Attack Helicopters for the Indian Air Force that had been issued on May 23, 2008. During technical evaluation, it was found that all the three proposals did not comply with all the requirements stipulated in the RFP. Hence, the RFP was withdrawn on March 09, 2009. A fresh RFP has already been issued on May 25, 2009. The American company Bell Helicopters has decided not to participate...

Paramilitary short of manpower:India

8:36 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

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32 MiGs crashed in last five years

8:36 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

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South Korea and the United States will conduct joint military exercise

8:28 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

South Korea and the United States will kick off their annual computerized joint military exercise aimed at improving interoperability next month, the Combine Forces Command (CFC) here said July 24. The Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG), formerly known as Ulchi Focus Lens, will be held from Aug. 17-27, the command said in a news release.About 56,000 South Korean troops and 10,000 American troops will take part in the command and control, war-fighting exercise, a CFC spokesman said. The forthcoming exercise will be the second one in which South Korea's...

South Korea to develop a cutting-edge digital command-and-control

8:27 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

South Korea will begin developing a cutting-edge digital command-and-control and sensor-to-shooter battlefield system fit for a network-centric environment next year, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) here announced July 28.The plan was approved by an arms procurement decision-making committee presided over by Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee, the agency said in a news release. The development of the Tactical Information Communication Network (TICN) will be completed by 2012, following two years of exploratory development from...

France Sends 3 Tiger Combat Helos to Afghanistan

8:16 PM ASIAN DEFENCE 1 comment

France has sent three Tiger attack helicopters to Afghanistan, marking the first operational deployment of the aircraft, the ministry of defense said."On July 26, three Tiger combat helicopters arrived at Kabul airport by Antonov 124," the ministry said in a posting on its Web site.A deployment of the Tiger aircraft has been long awaited after a deadly ambush by insurgents last August, which brought criticism on the French government for what was seen as inadequate resources for French troops despatched to Afghanistan.The Tiger aircraft, in...

France Sends 3 Tiger Combat Helos to Afghanistan

8:00 PM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Bahrain – AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM Missiles

1:05 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Bahrain of 25 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and associated equipment, parts and services at an estimated cost of $74 million. The Government of Bahrain has requested a possible sale of 25 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAMs, missile containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering,...

India tightens controls on arms buys

12:55 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

When the deputy chief of the Indian army recently promised the Indian public and private sectors a "level playing field" in purchases of military hardware he wasn't talking about electric golf carts to take elderly golfers around hilly golf courses.The carts, which cost about $243,000, were allegedly bought with money designated for electric wheelchairs in military hospitals and on track alignment reconnaissance vehicles.Meanwhile, the India government announced major reforms to the country's military procurement program designed to speed up and...

Pak looks beyond F-22P frigates: Admiral Noman

12:43 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir has said that the induction of F-22P frigate in Pakistan Navy was a very big leap forward not only in respect of Pak-China bilateral co-operation but it also help enhance country’s defence capability, adding “we are looking beyond F-22P frigates”. The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) currently on official visit to China, said here he had very useful discussions at leadership level and looking forward for commissioning of the first F-22P frigate named ‘PNS Zulfiqar’...

Deal for SU-30s deprives industry of Rs 2,711 crore

12:37 AM ASIAN DEFENCE 2 comments

The mighty SU-30s are the pride of the IAF, but their procurement has generated some turbulence. A deal to procure 40 such aircraft has apparently deprived the Indian industry of Rs 2,711 crore in offset benefits. This has happened because the Ministry of Defence and the IAF failed to go in for an offset clause as stipulated in the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). In order to arrest declining force levels, the IAF concluded a contract worth Rs 9,000 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)...

T-72 tanks moved to remote Sikkim area after China tests Indian defences

12:35 AM ASIAN DEFENCE 1 comment

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China casts wary eye on India's N-Submarine

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India's very own Nautilus

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IAF presses HAL for more Sukhois

12:24 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

Keen to deploy its most potent fighter jets at strategic airbases on both the eastern and western fronts, IAF has asked Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to step up the production rate of the Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKIs. IAF till now has inducted 98 of the 230 twin-engine Sukhois contracted from Russia, with HAL tasked to manufacture 140 of them under transfer of technology, under three deals worth a total of around $8.5 billion. IAF wants HAL to step up the production rate from the current 14 to at least 18 Sukhois per year, as also "not bunch...

Israel trains SAM battalion for Iron Dome

10:14 AM ASIAN DEFENCE 2 comments

Iron Dome, still under fast-track development by state-run Israel Aerospace Industries, is designed to counter rockets, and 155mm shells, from ranges of 3 miles to 43 miles.The Israeli air force is training a new battalion of air-defense troops to man the first batteries of the Iron Dome system designed to shoot down short-range rockets, which is scheduled for deployment in the southern Negev Desert in May 2010. The first units will be arrayed to counter Qassam and Grad rockets fired from the...

Pakistan stretched thin for Mehsud battle

9:52 AM ASIAN DEFENCE 2 comments

Consolidating military gains in Swat and worries about Taliban spillover from south Afghanistan are clouding Pakistan's offensive against the country's most wanted warlord, analysts say. In mid-June, the military said it had received orders and was preparing to launch an offensive against Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud and his network in the South Waziristan tribal district bordering Afghanistan. Troops have sealed off much of the eastern border between South Waziristan and areas under government control, and carried out air raids in...

Pentagon rules slow defense sales to Iraq

9:48 AM ASIAN DEFENCE No comments

A DCSA spokesman said further contracts are being processed for a further 140 Abrams tanks and 400 Strykers -- eight-wheeled all-wheel-drive armored combat vehicles produced by General Dynamics Land Systems.European and Asian manufacturers could be the beneficiaries in Iraq of rigid Pentagon rules governing the credit rating of governments seeking to buy military equipment. The Soviet Union -- traditionally the largest arms sellers to the Saddam Hussein regime -- as well as France and Korea have been named as likely suppliers if the U.S. government...