Nishant UAV Crashlanded during a Test Flight

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Nishant, which was on a test flight, crashlanded in an agricultural land at Chikkatumutagiri in Bangarpet taluk on Friday following technical problem. The UAV was scheduled to land at Defence Research and Development and Development (DRDO) premises at Muduwadi Hosahalli in Kolar taluk. The vehicle was launched at 11 am and was scheduled to return at 4 pm after flying over Hosur in Tamil Nadu. However, it developed problems around 2.45 and crashlanded with a loud...

Read More

Israel Turns to Germany for Naval Stealth Ships

Israel is interested in acquiring two corvette size ships to extend its naval operational capabilities. After analyzing the U.S. Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), Israel decided these vessels would be too costly. While each LCS would have cost $480, Israel was prepared to spend up to $300 per ship, which roughly corresponds with what the Malaysian Navy spent on a similar design (MEKO A-100 Kedah class). Yet, an obstacle that could hinder the potential sale is the recent acquisition of Blohm + Voss Shipyards...

Read More

Kazakhstan Navy looks to buy South Korean "Yoon Young-ha class" Missile Patrol Ship

By Kim Ji-hyun The Kazakh Navy Capt. Zhanzakov Zhandarbek is expected to discuss possible plans for importing more patrol ships from South Korea during his visit here this week, according to military sources. Seoul has yet to describe the exact nature of the ships, as negotiations are ongoing, but officials close to the matter said they would be "high-speed" patrol ships similar to the new Yoon Young-ha class. The official agreement is likely to be signed when Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev...

Read More

USA to Sell 145 M777 Howitzers to India

Asserting that its sale to India will "improve interoperability with US Soldiers and Marines," the US defense agency tasked with transfer of military hardware and promoting military-to-military ties has notified the US Congress of the Obama administration's intention to sell 145 M777 Howitzers to India in a deal worth $ 647 million.The mandatory notification follows a request from India for the light-weight towed Howitzer with Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing Systems (LINAPS), the first major artillery purchase by New Delhi after the star-crossed...

Read More

PAK FA T-50: A Preliminary Analysis

Bill Sweetman Well, this brings back the old days when Flug Revue would pop out some over-the-fence shots obtained from the Military Missions in East Germany, and the assembled reptiles at Flight would adjourn to our secret analysis facility to figure out what it all meant. First of all, for anyone contemplating the use of the word "Raptorski": don't. While this is an airplane that could have been the answer to the Advanced Tactical Fighter requirement, way back when, it's not an F-22 in many...

Read More

Flight Test of PAK FA Advanced Tactical Frontline Fighter

January 29, 2010 – Today Komsomolsk-on-Amur witnessed the debut flight of a prototype of advanced fighter of the 5th generation. The aircraft piloted by Sukhoi test-pilot Sergey Bogdan spent 47 minutes in the air and successfully landed on the factory runway. The flight went successfully meeting all task assigned. “In the course of the flight we’ve conducted initial evaluation of the aircraft controllability, engine performance and primary systems operation, the aircraft had retracted and extracted...

Read More

China Suspends Military Ties With USA

China halted planned military exchanges with the U.S. and said it will punish companies involved in a Pentagon plan to sell weapons worth $6.4 billion to Taiwan.Vice-Foreign Minister He Yafei said he had lodged a protest with Jon Huntsman, the U.S. ambassador to Beijing, over the U.S. Defense Department proposal to sell missiles, helicopters and ships to Taiwan.............Business W...

Read More

Indian Army to Procure Quick Reaction SAM

To secure its skies from enemy fighter aircraft and cruise missiles, the Indian Army is planning to procure more quick reaction surface to air missiles (QR-SAMs) from global vendors. In a Request for Information (RFI) issued yesterday, without mentioning the number of systems to be procured, the Army has asked the vendors to provide missile systems which have a range of over nine kilometres and are capable of taking on aircraft or missiles at an altitude of up to six kilometres. The Army is seeking a QR-SAM capable of being launched within six...

Read More

Russia tests 5th-generation fighter - PAK FA

...

Read More

Russia Free to Sell Weapons to Iran :Russia's State Arms Exporter

There is nothing to stop Russia from selling military equipment to Iran, the head of Russia's state-run arms exporter said on Thursday.'Nothing prevents the continuation of military cooperation in those directions of interest to Russia and Iran," Rosoboronexport's Anatoly Isaikin told a RIA Novosti news conference."Iran has never violated a single commitment it has undertaken with regard to military contracts," he said. Russia signed a contract with Iran on the supply of S-300 air defense systems...

Read More

Russian 5th-Gen Fighter to Make Maiden Flight on Friday

Russia is set to hold the first test of its futuristic fifth-generation fighter jet on Friday, a source at the country's largest aircraft producer said on Thursday."The [test] flight was initially scheduled for Thursday, but has been postponed," the source at the Gagarin KNAAPO company, a subsidiary of aircraft holding Sukhoi, said.Russia's only known fifth-generation project is Sukhoi's PAK FA and the current prototype is the T-50. It is designed to compete with the U.S. F-22 Raptor, so far the world's only fifth-generation fighter, and the F-35...

Read More

UAE Reopens Talks To Buy South Korean Built T-50 Jet Trainer

By tom kington The United Arab Emirates has reopened talks to acquire the South Korean built T-50 jet trainer after discussions to buy its rival, Italy's M-346 trainer, stalled, an Arabian Gulf defense source said Jan. 27. The United Arab Emirates selected the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 in February 2009 to fill a 48-aircraft order, including 20 in the light fighter version. Alenia Aermacchi is a unit of Finmeccanica. The M-346 beat out the T-50, which is built by Korean Aerospace Industry (KAI),...

Read More

Saudi In-Country Final Assembly Of Eurofighter Typhoon Delays

By Douglas Barrie Saudi Arabia faces deferring in-country Eurofighter Typhoon final assembly or having to delay in-service targets for the fighter.The Saudi regime, the British government and BAE Systems are discussing alternatives to the original plan as a result of the effect of repeated hold-ups by Saudi Arabia regarding the choice of a build site. These options include reassigning back to the U.K. some of the aircraft originally slated for final assembly in Saudi Arabia. The two countries...

Read More

Pakistan Approaches Turkey for Armed drones

Finding the US not overly helpful on arming it with drones and drone technology, Pakistan has now made overtures to the Turkish army for technology and attack capability, which India is now monitoring closely. During his recent visit to Islamabad, US defence secretary Robert Gates promised the gift of 12 drones for surveillance. But the 12 RQ-7 Shadow drones cannot send in Reaper or Hellfire missiles which would make them truly lethal and would have provoked an immediate outcry from India. However, experts believe this is dangerous stuff anyway,...

Read More

Royal Thai Air Force's Request to Purchase six JAS-39 Gripen fighter jet Approved

Thailand's Cabinet yesterday approved in principal the Royal Thai Air Force's request to purchase six Sweden-made JAS 39 Gripen jet fighters.A Bt16.2-billion budget, which include maintenance, logistical support and pilot training, will be approved through a tie-over allocation over a four-year period beginning in 2012.The Cabinet also approved Bt6.9 billion for the advanced modification of six US-made F-16B two-seaters as part of a three-year tie-over allocation, also starting in 2012....

Read More

Kawasaki XC-2's Maiden Flight

A prototype of the Air Self-Defense Force's next-generation transport aircraft performed its first test flight Tuesday in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, more than two years behind schedule due to structural integrity problems.Code-named XC2, the two-engine jet is being developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. KHI started work on the plane in 2001 as part of a ¥340 billion government project.The project also covers costs to develop the Maritime Self-Defense Force's next-generation antisubmarine...

Read More

Iran to Unveil Several Missile and Weapons Projects Next Month

A top commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that the country's armed forces will unveil several missiles and weapons at the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution next month.Mehr news agency quoted commander Massud Jazayeri as saying: "Several missile and weapons projects will be unveiled during the 10 days of dawn (February 1 to 11) by armed forces." Jazayeri's announcement comes less than a week after Tehran said it will reveal three new satellites in February.Communications Minister Reza Taghipour said the three home-built...

Read More

Libya to buy fighter planes,S-300PMU-2 and T-90S tanks from Russia

Libya's defense minister arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for talks that Russian media said could result in a $2 billion defense contract including 20 jets.Officials in the Libyan Embassy in Moscow confirmed that Major General Abu-Bakr Yunis Jabr was making the trip but declined to discuss the likelihood of a deal, saying only that a news conference might be scheduled for Wednesday. "Libya is ready to buy around 20 fighter planes, not less than two divisions of S-300PMU-2 air defense systems, several dozen T-90S tanks from Russia, and also to modernize...

Read More

India's Anti-Ballistic Missile Program Shifting to Accommodate Anti-Satellite Weapons

The goals for India's anti-ballistic missile (ABM) and ballistic missile defense (BMD) programs may be shifting to accommodate an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon more quickly than previously planned, and this could radically alter the agenda of US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is currently in the middle of a three-day visit to India. "Memories in New Delhi run deep about how India's relative tardiness in developing strategic offensive systems [nuclear weapons] redounded in its relegation on 'judgment day' [when the nuclear Non-Proliferation...

Read More

India to Test Agni-III Ballistic Missile in February-March 2010

India might conduct another test of 3,500-km-range Agni-III ballistic missile in February-March. The first test of the Agni-III ballistic missile was conducted in July 2006 resulted in failure. But the following two tests, in April 2007 and May 2008, were successful. According to DRDO, Agni-III will be ready by 2012-201...

Read More

Indian Army to procure all-terrain vehicles for special operations

To provide high mobility to its commandos for special operations, the Army is procuring a large number of all-terrain vehicles that could ply in snow-bound areas, marshes, creeks, beaches and deserts.The Defence Ministry has issued a request for information (RFI) to manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, for such high utility vehicles with a capacity to carry 10 fully-armed men. These vehicles can also be used by troops for patrol duties in difficult terrains.However, the RFI does not specify the exact number of vehicles required, but has...

Read More

Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) Successfully Demonstrated Aboard F-16

Northrop Grumman Corporation in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force, has successfully completed a series of demonstration flights of its Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) installed in an F-16 fighter aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The demonstration was in support of a U.S. Air Force F-16 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) feasibility study. "Almost two years ago Northrop Grumman said that air forces of the future will necessarily gravitate toward using AESA technology – especially through scalable retrofit technology. Our...

Read More

Indonesian Air Force to purchase 16 Super Tucano fighters

Dicky Christanto The Indonesian Air Force plans to purchase a squadron of 16 warplanes widely known as Super Tucanoes to replace the OV-10 Bronco aircraft, which have been in service for more than three decades, says Air Force Chief Marshal Imam Sufaat. "The purchase is part of our effort to improve the Air Force's weaponry system. We have proposed the purchase to the government with the hope that they will grant the funds," he said in Yogyakarta on Saturday. Imam was in Yogyakarta to witness the job transfer of the Air Force Academy governor...

Read More

Turkey to provide spare parts of AH-1 Cobra Helicopter to Pakistan

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has assured President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari that Turkey would soon provide Pakistan with the spare parts of Cobra helicopters free of cost. President Zardari is visiting is in Turkey to attend the Trilateral Summit being between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turke...

Read More

A suspected US drone crashed in North Waziristan

Aaj News (A private Pakistani TV channel) has reported that a suspected US drone crashed in North Waziristan. It is being reported thatcrash occurred in North Waziristan, some 2.5 miles northwest of the main town of Miranshah.. So far, local administration has not confirmed the claims made by the local residents regarding bringing down American UAV. A local resident, Saudur Rehman says he heard gunfire just before he saw the drone cras...

Read More

Indian Army to induct BrahMos Block-II land-attack cruise missiles

Army is going in for a major induction of BrahMos Block-II land-attack cruise missiles (LACM), which have been designed as "precision strike weapons" capable of hitting small targets in cluttered urban environments. Sources say the defence ministry will ``soon'' approach the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, for the green signal to arm the Army with two regiments of the BrahMos Block-II land-attack cruise missiles (LACM). Swift induction of BrahMos Block-II is necessary because Pakistan Army is inducting...

Read More

Russia Purposes Additional Phalcon AWACS For IAF

Rosoboronehksport is holding discussions with India about a new contract for the delivery of long-range IL-76 Phalcon AWACS, a source in the defense industrial complex reported to AviaPort."The official negotiations may emerge in approximately half a year," he noted.According to him, the new contract may provide for the delivery of three airplanes of this type, plus an option for six aircraft. The first contract for the delivery to India of threeIL-76 Phalcon AWACS equipped with PS-90A-76 engines...

Read More

Offer of Outdated RQ-7 Shadow UAVs “Too little, too late”

By Mariana Baabar Pakistan military sources say they are not impressed by the offer of the United States to supply RQ-7 Shadow Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), as they already have superior quality UAVs, which they have upgraded, and which are in use.The disappointment is understandable since unlike the drones that fly and take out targets inside Pakistan’s Fata region, the ones being offered to Pakistan are unarmed, and commonly used for intelligence gathering.Later, when DG ISPR Major General...

Read More

Second F-22 P Frigate arrives in Pakistan: ISPR

The second F-22 P Frigate of Pakistan Navy- the PNS Shamsheer arrived in Pakistan on Saturday after being commissioned in December last year at Shanghai, China.According to an announcement in a press release of the ISPR (Navy), the ship traveled through Karachi and visited Singapore and Colombo.An outstanding reception ceremony was held at the PN Dockyard where the ship was welcomed by PN officials.Commander Pakistan Fleet Rear Admiral Tanveer Faiz, a large number of PN officers and men and families of ship’s crew were present on...

Read More

Euro Tech to Revamp Lebanese Gazelle and Puma Gelicopters

Lebanon has signed an agreement with the French company Euro Tech --specialized in revamping and equipping planes -- to revamp 13 Gazelle-type helicopters owned by Lebanon and equip the Puma helicopters granted by the UAE to Lebanon, according to the Central News Agency.The agreement implies revamping the helicopters and training Lebanese pilots on flying the French-manufactured Puma helicopters. The Puma helicopters are expected to start arriving within the first half of 2010 in two batches,...

Read More

Myanmar Air Force F-7 jet crashes

A Myanmar Air Force fighter plane crashed on Friday morning while attempting to land at Yangon airport, killing its pilot, an airport official said.An official at Yangon International Airport said the Chinese-made F-7 jet crashed while on a training flight. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.The cause of the crash was not immediately known. The Air Force base is adjacent to the civilian airport and uses the same runways.According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute,...

Read More

India is Scrambling to Sign Deal to Purchase AW-101 VVIP Helicopter

Huma Siddiqui Indian Defence ministry is scrambling to sign a deal to purchase Italian Augusta Westland VVIP helicopter before the Budget is presented. According to sources, “It is keen to utilise the Budget allocation rather than surrender it.” The defence ministry short listed Finmeccanica’s helicopter division, Augusta Westland, as it emerged the frontrunner in a multi-million contract to supply 12 AW-101 VVIP helicopter for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Worth Rs 3, 726 crore (Rs 310...

Read More

Typhoon is "Leading the Race" to Win Indian MMRCA Contract

By Valentina Rusconi ROME, Jan 22 (Reuters) - The Eurofighter Typhoon is "leading the race" to win a contract from the Indian government for 126 fighter jets, valued at around $10.4 billion, India's ambassador to Italy said on Friday."We have shortlisted four to five countries, then the trial process and evaluation will follow. Eurofighter is one of them, in which Italy is involved, and it's leading the race," ambassador Arif Shahid Khan told Reuters after a meeting with a senior aid to Italian...

Read More

Indian Navy gets $1.5 bn to boost air fleet, counter China

The Indian Navy has started a $1.5 billion overhaul of its ageing Soviet-era fleet of aircraft, seeking to boost its air power in an Indian Ocean region where a growing China is threatening its traditional dominance.The investment is one of the biggest the Indian Navy has made in recent years and reflects New Delhi's urgency to modernise its military, a move that rival Pakistan says could spark an arms build-up and destabilise an already roiled South Asia. India plans to buy 16 new MIG-29 fighter jets, half a dozen light combat aircraft, unmanned...

Read More

Plans to Locally Develop KF-X fighter and KAH Helicopter will Begin Next Year: South Korea

Eurofighter’s Typhoon: Eurofighter is offering to transfer technology to South Korea for its KF-X fighter development plan. By Jung Sung-ki (KoreaTimes)-Plans to locally develop a fighter aircraft and an attack helicopter will start next year.The plan is part of comprehensive projects to develop the nation’s aerospace industry over the next decade, the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday. It was approved by an ad hoc committee of the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy. To develop the military...

Read More

Indian Navy to Get First Project 17 Frigate "INS Shivalik" in April 2010

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy will induct its first indigenously-built Shivalik class stealth frigate in April, an official said. Christened INS Shivalik, the multi-role stealth frigate has been built at Mumbai's Mazagaon Docks Limited under Project 17. Two more such vessels are under construction. "The first of the frigates will be inducted in April. The ship has been provided with structural, thermal and acoustic stealth features to augment its potent capability," an official said, requesting anonymity. Shivalik is equipped with state-of-the-art...

Read More

India Conducts Successful Flight Trials of LGBs

India on Thursday carried out two successful flight trials of laser-guided bombs (LGBs) for the Indian Air Force to test the effectiveness of the guidance and control systems at the Chandipur integrated test range in Orissa. "Two flight trials were conducted at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, to test the effectiveness of the guidance and control systems of the LGBs," a Defence Ministry release said in New Delhi. IAF officers flew their aircraft and released the LGBs as per prescribed standard operating procedures. "On-board systems in both the...

Read More

US to Provide RQ-7 Shadow Tactical UAVs to Pakistan

The United States will provide a dozen unarmed aerial spy drones to Pakistan for the first time as part of an effort to encourage Pakistan’s cooperation in fighting militancy on the Afghanistan border, American defense officials said Thursday.The unmanned Shadow drones, which are smaller than armed Predator drones, would be a significant upgrade in the Pakistanis’ reconnaissance and surveillance capability and would supply video to help cue ground or air strikes. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates,...

Read More

Hellenic Aerospace Industry to Repair and Maintain Saudi Arabian C-130 Engines

Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) has signed a three-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry to repair and maintain C-130 aircraft engines in a deal worth 43 million dollars (29.8 million euros).As part of efforts to strike up business abroad, state-owned HAI took part in the international tender in cooperation with Saudi Arabian company Middle East Propulsion Company (MEPC). HAI managing director Tassos Philippakos said that “the contract lays the foundation for an important strategic cooperation with MEPC and Saudi Arabia’s armed...

Read More

Airbus to Showcase Latest Products at Singapore Airshow

Airbus will have a major presence at this year's Singapore Airshow, showcasing both its commercial and military transport products. The highlight will be the first public presentation of the new A330-200F Freighter. The aircraft, which is currently undergoing its certification programme, will be on static display throughout the show, taking place 2nd - 7th February at Changi Exhibition Centre. The new freighter is the latest addition to the highly successful A330 Family and will enter service later this year. Offering the lowest operating costs...

Read More

Indian Army is Procuring Additional Accessories for TAR-21 assault rifles

The Army is marching ahead to boost firepower and enhance mobility of its special forces and select infantry outfits. It is procuring carbines for close-quarter battle, additional accessories for its recently acquired TAR-21 assault rifles and all-terrain vehicles.Recently, the Army was in the market to procure special assault rifles that can shoot around corners without the soldier having to expose himself for a direct line-of-sight shot. Since carbines are smaller and more compact than rifles...

Read More

India Offers Upgrade Bangladeshi MiG-29 Jet and Mi-17 helicopters

The Indian Air Force is offering the Bangladesh Biman Bahini (Bangladesh air force) the use of its facilities to modernise and maintain fighter aircraft and helicopters, a senior defence source told. In reaching out to Dhaka with an offer to help upgrade its air fleet, New Delhi is stepping into an area in which Bangladesh has been dependent mainly on China and, to a limited extent, on Pakistan, Russia and the US. Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik, currently in Dhaka on a week’s visit that...

Read More

Poland to Station Patriot missiles near Russian Border

U.S. Patriot missiles will be stationed in northern Poland about 60 miles (100 km) from the border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad rather than near Warsaw, the Polish defense minister said on Wednesday.Polish Radio cited Bogdan Klich as saying the decision to set up a Patriot site in the outskirts of the town of Morag, which is much closer to the Russian border than Warsaw, does not bear any considerations of a strategic nature. "In Morag we could offer the best conditions for American...

Read More

Russia Air Force will Receive Ten Pantsir-S1 in 2010

Russian Air Force in 2010 to take on arms to ten antiaircraft missile-gun complexes "Pantsir-S1". It is reported RIA Novosti with reference to the words of spokesman for the Press and Information Ministry of Defense of Russia's Air Force Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik. As expected, several of these complexes participate in the Victory Parade in Red Square May 9, 2010. In late December last year, several professional anti-aircraft missile troops (ZRV) Air Force of Russia took a course on managing complex...

Read More

Kaman is Struggling to Resell 11 SH-2G Super Seasprites

By ERIC GERSHON Hungry for helicopters, governments worldwide have flooded aircraft makers with orders worth a king's ransom.Demand from the United States military alone has put Connecticut's Sikorsky Aircraft in contention to become the world's biggest helicopter maker, generating related work for its suppliers — among them, Kaman Corp. of Bloomfield, which makes cockpits for the famed Black Hawk and Seahawk lines. Even as Kaman churns out parts for Sikorsky and anticipates other big projects,...

Read More