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Saturday, July 31, 2010
Prototype of New Chinese Z-19 Attack Helicopter Revealed
China Missile-Removal Offer Goes Unanswered
Taipei's China policymakers yesterday declined to comment on Beijing's latest overture hinting at the possibility of removing missiles targeting Taiwan.The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) would not comment until it fully understands China's offer, said MAC Vice Chairman Liu Te-shun.A spokesman for China's defense ministry, Geng Yansheng, said earlier that Beijing would discuss the removal of guided missiles targeting the island under the “One China” principle at a proper time.Geng told a press conference in Beijing that in order to resolve the missile issue, the two sides should first build a military mutual trust mechanism.Asked what is the biggest obstacle to building a cross-strait military mutual trust mechanism, Geng said there would not be too many problems, as long as both sides adhere to the “one China” principle.
China Agree to Cross-Strait Military Talks
The Chinese mainland will agree to discuss military security and mutual trust across the Taiwan Strait "at a proper time" so as to maintain stability in the region, a defense spokesman said Friday."The mainland and Taiwan can make contact and exchanges on military issues at a proper time," Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said at a press conference.
Indian Defence Ministry Cancels Tenders for Coast Guard Helicopters
In a major setback to Coast Guard's plan to upgrade its capacity post-Mumbai attacks, the Defence Ministry has cancelled a tender for hiring eight helicopters for transport and evacuation operations after going through the year-long selection process. "Yes, we have cancelled the tenders for hiring of eight medium lift helicopters," a top Defence Ministry official told. The Defence Ministry had floated the tender for leasing the eight helicopters from global manufacturers in the middle of 2009, a deal that would have been worth several crores of rupees. Four major helicopter manufacturers -- French Eurocopter, British-Italian Agusta Westland, Russian Kaman and American Sikorsky -- were provided the tender documents. But only Sikorsky and Agusta responded to the tender towards the end of 2009.
India's AEW&C Programme - Dr. S. Christopher
Dr. S. Christopher, Director of Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) talks about India's Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) programme.
Russia's Defense Spending to Rise by 60% by 2013
Russian defense spending will increase by 60 percent, to more than 2 trillion rubles ($66.3 Billion) from 1.264 trillion ($42 Billion) by 2013, a leading Russian business daily said on Friday.The Russian government made the relevant decision during a meeting on Thursday. The largest growth is planned for 2013, when the figure will rise by 0.5 trillion rubles ($16.6 million), Vedomosti reported.
Tu-95 Strategic Bombers Set New Flight Duration Record
Two Russian Tu-95MS Bear-H strategic bombers have carried out a record-breaking 40-hour patrol over three oceans, an Air Force spokesman said."The Tu-95MS bombers carried out patrols over the Arctic, the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans and set a new flight duration record of about 40 hours, exceeding the previous record by four hours," Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said at a news briefing on Thursday.The crews practiced instrumental flight and carried out four in-flight refuelings from Il-78 aerial tankers, the official said.
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China Defended its USD 77 billion Defence Expenditure
The world's second biggest military spender, China, today defended its USD 77 billion defence expenditure, insisting it was strictly aimed at protecting its sovereignty, and pegged at nearly 1.4 per cent of the GDP, it was far below than other countries.
Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said that the country's defence expenditure was maintained at a reasonable and appropriate level. Geng who took over the post today, was quoted as saying by Xinhua, that China's annual defence expenditure has been pegged around 1.4 per cent of its GDP in recent years while the share of some major world powers is between two and four per cent.
Five CRPF men killed, 44 hurt in blast
Five personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed and 44 others injured when militants from the banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) detonated a blast targeting a bus carrying CRPF men along the road at Bhalukdubi inside Salbari Reserve Forest in Goalpara district of western Assam this morning. Senior Assam minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman stated that the blast was a handiwork of the anti-talks faction of the ULFA led by fugitive commander-in-chief Paresh Barua.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Turkish Medium Altitude Long Endurance Anka UAV
The Anka UAV, which has a 17.3-meter wingspan, is eight meters long and has a maximum payload of 200 kilograms, will make its maiden flight in October and reach initial operating capability with the Turkish Air Force in September before reaching full operating capability in December 2012, TAI said at the Farnborough Air Show.
TAI sister company Aselsan is supplying the UAV's EO/IR pod and SAR/GMTI radar, while TAI is providing a ground control station, a mobile set-up for exploiting imagery and remote visual terminals supplying real-time imagery to ground troops.
The Anka will have automatic take-off and landing and autonomous flight capabilities, as well as retractable landing gear, a heavy fuel engine, line-of-sight navigation with a range of 200 kilometers and deicing capability.
"There is a high interest in this UAV from export customers and we are prepared to invite them to join the program at observation or associate level," said TAI CEO Muharrem Dortkasli.
Indian Media Reveal Details of Royal Navy Submarine Operations
Defence chiefs were furious after the Indian authorities disclosed that Royal Navy submarines were taking part in secret naval war games off the coast of Goa.The whereabouts of British warships is usually kept a closely-guarded secret, with Ministry of Defence officials refusing to confirm even which ocean a particular vessel is operating in.But hours before the games began, the Times of India published full details of the exercise, in which the "hunter-killer" Trafalgar Class HMS Talent was tasked with tracking down the Indian sub INS Shankush.In a further breach of security, the newspaper even named the commander of the UK task group, Commodore James Morse, who headed a nine-member British Navy team which took on an 11-man contingent from India under the leadership of the commander of the INS Talwar, Captain M A Hampiholi.
United States Facing Lack of Experienced Pilots in Afghanistan
With the United States in the midst of a crucial surge in Afghanistan, demand for surveillance aircraft is at an all-time high. But after more than a decade of moving toward spy drones, the Air Force is facing a crisis: a lack of pilots with experience flying manned reconnaissance planes.In response to the war's increasing demands, the Air Force last year activated three MC-12 squadrons, which use a military version of the Hawker Beechcraft Super King Air 350, a lightweight twin turboprop aircraft. The MC-12 Liberty is equipped with a variety of sensors, including full-motion video and a day and night camera.The Air Force has touted the aircraft's success in tracking down insurgents and disrupting attempts to plant roadside bombs, but officers involved in the program acknowledge that getting enough MC-12 pilots has been a challenge.
Indian Govt Outs Sky Marshal Gear
Most Indian airline passengers know they are there on planes. But who they are — and what they are carrying — has remained, because of obvious security reasons, a closely-guarded secret.In coming out with draft Qualitative Requirements (QRs) for the sky marshal kit, the government has now virtually made public details of much of the equipment carried by the men tasked with thwarting hijacks and other security threats on board Indian carriers on domestic and some international routes.Commandos of the National Security Guard (NSG) fly like ordinary passengers on commercial airliners on certain “vulnerable” sectors. QRs are generally put out before the actual tendering for a product. They are intended to inform vendors the exact requirements from the product.
Indian MoD Comments Various Defence and Security Issues
According to the Indian Press Information Bureau, the following information was recently given by Indian Defence Minister, Shri AK Antony in written replies to members of the Parliament of India: Weapons for Low Intensity Conflict DRDO is involved in development of defence technologies and now focusing on customization of certain technologies already developed for military operations to these new emerging security threats and development of new technologies and devices as projected by security forces, both military and para military, during recent interactions with them. Based on security forces’ needs and DRDO capabilities, the requirements have been grouped in various technology heads, like technologies and devices for surveillance and Reconnaissance; Enhancing Day and Night Vision capability; Incapacitation; Arms and Ammunitions; Detection and Diffusion of Explosive and IEDs; Communication and Jamming; Personnel Protection and Support Systems.
A comprehensive mission mode programme with participation of many DRDO labs, security forces and industries is being formulated. Some of the weapons developed by DRDO which are quite useful for LIC Operations are as follows: (i) INSAS Rifle (Weight with loaded magazine - 4.1 Kg and effective range – 400 m). (ii) Modern Sub Machine Carbine (MSMC) (Weight with loaded magazine – 3.4 Kg and effective range – 200 m). (iii) Oleo-Resin (Chilli) Based Hand Grenade. (iv) CR Based Shells. (v) Tear Gas Grenades (To incapacitate terrorists and flushing them out from their hideouts and for mob dispersal / riot control operations). (vi) Plastic Bullets (Non-lethal & non-poisonous bullets do not expand after penetration and cause only superficial injuries).
Russia Denies Selling S-300 Missiles to Azerbaijan
There is no truth to reports that Russia has agreed to deliver S-300 air defense systems to Azerbaijan, Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Thursday."There is no contract between Russia and Azerbaijan on the delivery of S-300 air defense systems to this country," a Rosoboronexport spokesman said.Russian business daily Vedomosti said earlier on Thursday that Rosoboronexport signed an agreement with the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry on the delivery of two S-300PMU-2 Favorit (SA-20b Gargoyle b) battalions last year, citing a top manager at a company producing S-300 components.
South Korea’s Air Force to Upgrade F-5 Ejection Seats
South Korea’s Air Force will push ahead with equipping its fleet of F-5 aircraft with up-to-date ejection seats to help save the lives of pilots in cases of emergency, the service announced Thursday. The plan comes after a month-long investigation into the cause of an F-5F jet crash last month that claimed two pilots’ lives. The pilots allegedly tried to eject when their aircraft encountered sea fog when landing, but the ejection system failed because the older ejection seats work only when the aircraft is flying at an altitude of 600 meters or more, a spokesman for the Air Force, told reporters.Nearly 50 billion won ($4.2 million) will be spent to modify the ejection seats for about 150 F-5s flown by the Air Force between 2011 and 2013, he said.
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ROK Navy Successfully Tests 'Aegis Combat' System of Sejong the Great
The Republic of Korea ship Sejong the Great, supported by the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin, successfully completed a three-week series of trials for the ship’s combat system.The Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) were conducted at sea and took place at the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
During the CSSQT, the ship’s Aegis Combat System was evaluated for combat-readiness through comprehensive surface, subsurface and anti-air warfare exercises, as well as thorough testing of the system's tactical data link capabilities. The anti-air warfare exercises included manned aircraft raids, electronic attack scenarios and live Standard Missile-2 and Rolling Airframe Missile air defense engagements, the Aegis Weapon System performed flawlessly throughout the exercises
India to set up chain of radar sensors along coastlines
The government has launched a project to set up radar sensors along the country's coastlines for surveillance in order to avoid a Mumbai-like terror attack during which Pakistani terrorists took the sea route to enter the city. The Rs 350-crore project to set up the chain of radar sensors along the entire 7,517-km coastline, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep is implemented by the Coast Guard.The radar sensors will be fitted on light houses at 46 locations, out of which 36 are in mainland, six in Lakshadweep Islands and four in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.Radar sensors use Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) to reliably detect moving or stationary objects even in extreme weather conditions.
Images of F-16's Drogue-Probe Style Air Refueling System
More Pictures and Information
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
F-35 - take it or leave it
By Moshe Arens
Who would have believed it? Some years ago Israel was developing the world's most advanced fighter aircraft, the Lavi, while the Western world's aircraft manufacturers were beating their way to our door, eager to participate in the Lavi project, or trying to sell their competing plane to the Israel Air Force. And now Israel goes hat in hand pleading for a chance to be allowed to acquire the F-35 aircraft, at a price tag of $150 million each. But it's not only the astronomical price. Israel is told that the F-35 must be taken as is - no changes or modifications to suit Israel's specific needs, and absolutely no Israeli systems included. Take it or leave it.
Just imagine Israel's position today had the Lavi project not been canceled. The IAF would be operating the world's most advanced fighter, upgraded over the years to incorporate operational experience and newer technology. Much of Israel's industry would have moved a great step ahead, Israel Aerospace Industries would have become a leading developer of fighter aircraft, and most importantly, a number of options would be open to the IAF in choosing its next fighter.
China Studying a Rocket Engine Capable of Generating Thrust of 600 Tonnes
According to Li Tongyu, general manager of the marketing department at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), engineers are currently studying a rocket engine capable of generating thrust of 600 tonnes.If China succeeds in the development of such power, it would increase the nation's capabilities in space by orders of magnitude.For comparison, China is currently well in the development of its most powerful rocket to date - Long March-5 - that would sport engines with the thrust of 120 tonnes."Rockets (with 600-tonne thrust engines) would only be justified for things like sending humans to the Moon, if such projects are approved," Li Tongyu told.
Read MoreIndia Chooses U.S.-Built Javelin Anti-Tank Missile
By Vivek Raghuvanshi
The Indian Army has decided to buy the Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), Defence Ministry sources here said.The decision comes within a month of media reports that Pakistan had included the Javelin on its wish list of U.S. weapons it wants to purchase. Senior Indian Defence Ministry officials had favored buying Israeli-made Spike ATGMs until those reports.India's Javelin-purchase decision is final, ministry sources said. The missile's sale to India was approved in the U.S. last week, but the amount and cost are not yet known.
Russia to Upgrade 3 Nuclear-Powered Cruisers by 2020
Russia will upgrade and put on active duty three mothballed Soviet-era nuclear-powered missile cruisers by 2020, a high-ranking Navy official told RIA Novosti on Saturday.Russia built four Kirov class nuclear-powered cruisers in 1974-1998. One of them, the Pyotr Veliky, is in active service as the flagship of the Northern Fleet.The Kirov class main weapons include 20 SS-N-19 Shipwreck missiles, designed to engage large surface targets, and air defense is provided by 12 SA-N-6 Grumble launchers with 96 missiles and 2 SA-N-4 Gecko with 40 missiles.
French defense chief to meet Purnomo for likely arms sales talks
French Defense Minister Hervé Morin is slated to meet his Indonesian counterpart Wednesday morning and may discuss arms or military equipment sales as Jakarta looks to upgrade the Indonesian Military (TNI)."The French minister will submit to his Indonesian counterpart a draft agreement on cooperation in the field of defense that may be signed later this year," it said.
A number of foreign defense ministers appear to have approached the Indonesian government to try sell their arms or military equipment as it is upgrading its military. Pakistan Defense Minister Chaudhary Ahmed Mukhtar, who came to Jakarta last Wednesday, offered his Indonesian counterpart the latest jet fighter called the JF-17.US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates also came to Jakarta last Thursday. He met Yudhoyono and Indonesia's ministers during his whirlwind visit here.This month Indonesia and South Korea signed an MoU, stipulating joint development of FSX jet fighters, higher in class than the F-16.
UAVs Failed to Make to Monitor Movement of Naxals
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) used successfully by the US in Afghanistan against al-Qaeda have, however, failed to make any impact in the dense forests of the country to monitor movement of Naxals.The security forces which are trying various UAVs over the terrain dotted by thick foliage in Maoist-affected states to track the movement of the ultras have not found a machine which could penetrate the forest cover and give them the desired intelligence.
"We have not been able to acquire any such equipment... surveillance equipment... which would tell the movement of people from air borne vehicles... UAVs... from under the cover of thick foliage," Additional Director General of Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), P C Sabarwal, said at an internal security conference here.The BPRD is the national agency under the central government which looks after modernisation of police forces and takes up new areas of research in subjects related to policing.
155-mm gun contract: DRDO enters the fray
With the international procurement of the 155-mm towed gun for the Indian Army dogged by controversy and failure, India’s Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) has made the potentially game-changing decision to jump into the fray. The DRDO’s most productive laboratory, the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, could soon become the hub for developing an indigenous 155-mm towed gun, with the DRDO partnering private industry giants such as Bharat Forge and Larsen & Toubro.
A K Antony informed Parliament that the Central Bureau of Investigation had recommended the blacklisting of four companies that had been involved, at various stages of this procurement: Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK); Germany’s Rheinmetall; Israel Military Industries (IMI); and another Israeli company, Soltam. Denel, a South African company, had been blacklisted earlier; and the only other gun on offer, the BAE Systems FH-77B-05 howitzer, is a modernised version of the controversial Bofors gun.
A K Antony informed Parliament that the Central Bureau of Investigation had recommended the blacklisting of four companies that had been involved, at various stages of this procurement: Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK); Germany’s Rheinmetall; Israel Military Industries (IMI); and another Israeli company, Soltam. Denel, a South African company, had been blacklisted earlier; and the only other gun on offer, the BAE Systems FH-77B-05 howitzer, is a modernised version of the controversial Bofors gun.
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US covered up fatal Taliban missile strike on Chinook
The US military covered up a reported surface-to-air missile strike by the Taliban that shot down a Chinook helicopter over Helmand in 2007 and killed seven soldiers, including a British military photographer, the war logs show.The strike on the twin-rotor helicopter shows the Taliban enjoyed sophisticated anti-aircraft capabilities earlier than previously thought, casting new light on the battle for the skies over Afghanistan.
Australia finds MRH90 engine failure due to compressor blade fracture
By Leithen Francis
Australia has discovered that an engine failure on an NH Industries MRH90 transport helicopter was caused by the compressor blades fracturing after coming into contact with the engine casing.The engine failure, on one of the NH90's two main RTM322 engines, happened on 20 April and led the Australian Department of Defence to ground its entire fleet of 11 MRH90s until the outcome of an investigation.
Five killed in Iraq Mi-17 Helicopter Crash
An Iraqi military helicopter has crashed in a sandstorm southwest of Baghdad, leaving all five of its crew dead, the commander of the country's air force says. The five-man crew of the helicopter was killed when it crashed as a result of a sandstorm in Ibrahimiyah on Wednesday. Defence ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari confirmed the crash, saying the helicopter was a Russian-designed Mi-17.
Read More'Hijacked' Russian Helicopter in Sudan Rreturns to Base
A Russian helicopter allegedly hijacked by militants in Sudan has returned unscathed to its home base in the province of Darfur on Tuesday, a Russian aviation company said in a statement.Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said a helicopter with four crew members and five passengers operating in the Darfur region had been hijacked. It was also earlier reported that there was no contact with the pilot, but the remaining three crew members and passengers were in a safe zone.
German Heron UAV Pilots Train in Israel
Worried by insurgent ambushes on its soldiers in Afghanistan and return fire that sometimes kills civilians or local allies, Germany last year ordered a small fleet of Israeli Heron spy drones designed to provide real-time images above a battlefield."It's for the need of the ground troops, for our own protection, like convoy protection," said a Luftwaffe (air force) major, who formerly flew a Tornado fighter-bomber on Afghan reconnaissance missions and could not be named due to military secrecy.
Venezuela May Acquire Russian Transport Planes
Venezuela may soon buy several Russian military transport aircraft, a department head for Russia's state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport has said.Russia has already exported Su-30MK2 Flanker-G aircraft, Mi-17B-5 Hip-H, Mi-35 Hind-E helicopter gunships as well as Mi-26T Halo freight transport helicopters to Venezuela.
Read MoreRMAF Commando Died After his Pparachute Failed to Open
A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) commando died after he plunged to the ground when his parachute failed to open.Hasnizam Ab Wahid was training with 25 of his colleagues at the RMAF airbase in Gong Kedak yesterday when the 1.10pm incident happened.The 26-year-old member of the RMAF air commando unit at Jugra Camp in Banting, Selangor, was taken to Besut Hospital and was pronounced dead at 3.59pm.
India, Vietnam agree to firm up defence ties
P. S. Suryanarayana Share India and Vietnam agreed in Hanoi on Tuesday to strengthen their defence cooperation. The modalities of implementing the 2009 memorandum of understanding in this domain were discussed by Vietnam's National Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh and Indian Army Chief General V. K. Singh. India's Ambassador to Vietnam, Ranjit Rae, and defence officials were present at the talks. Gen. Singh, marking the first visit to Vietnam by an Indian Army Chief in over a decade, also met his counterpart there, Deputy Chief of General Staff Pham Hong Loi, for talks on follow-up action.
Read MoreIranian Army Air Force Plans to Stage Country-Wide Military Exercises
The Iranian Army Air Force plans to stage massive and countrywide air drills this week, a senior commander announced on Monday."The wargames to be held on Mordad 9-16 (July 31-August 7) through collective cooperation of all Air Force bases are dubbed as 'Fada'eyan-e Harreem-e Vellayat' (Devotees to the Sanctity of Religious Leadership)," Air Force Lieutenant Commander for Operations Mohammad Alavi told FNA, adding that this would be the second air show to be staged under the said title. The commander announced that 43 fighter jets and warplanes, including F-4, F-5, F-7 and Sukhoi SU-24 fighter-bombers, will take part in the exercises. "Air bases in Mehrabad (Tehran), Tabriz, Hamedan, Dezfoul, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Shiraz and Isfahan are among the important Air Force bases that will take part in the drills," Alavi noted.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
An Indian journey sans Bofors baggage
Ajai Shukla
In adversity, the saying goes, lies opportunity. Applying that principle, India’s indigenous defence complex is at a crucial moment where a resolute decision could make it a genuine supplier of high-end artillery equipment, instead of a mere spectator to a global shopping spree by the Indian military. Last Friday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signalled (if confirmation were needed) that it lacks the political will to cast aside the procedure in selecting a 155-millimetre artillery gun for the army. With the CBI proceeding against Singapore Technologies Kinetic (STK), one of the two remaining companies in the fray, the MoD restarted the entire process of tendering and trials rather than awarding the contract to the sole vendor remaining, UK-headquartered BAE Systems, which offered the politically contentious Bofors gun. It is time to end this long-playing farce of trial and rejection and put the MoD and global vendors of artillery systems out of their misery. The Indian Army must be frankly told that it will receive no 155-mm guns for the next five-to-seven years.
US holds drills off Korea as Pyongyang talks war
U.S. and South Korean warships and helicopters staged anti-submarine maneuvers off the Korean peninsula Monday meant as a warning to Pyongyang that aggression in the region will not be tolerated.The four-day "Invincible Spirit" exercises involving 20 ships, 200 aircraft and about 8,000 U.S. and South Korean sailors off South Korea's east coast drew threats of retaliation from North Korea, which denies responsibility for the attack on the Cheonan.
UAE Air Force's Aerobatic Team to Get 10 Italian MB-339A Aircrafts
Alenia Aermacchi, has signed a contracts with the UAE for the conversion, configuration acrobatic aircraft of ten MB-339 A. This contract includes the upgrade of the MB-339A aircraft for the National Aerobatic Team of UAE. Initially of six MB-339 aircraft from the inventory of UAE Air Force will be upgraded and this will be followed by the acquisition and conversion of four additional aircraft.These aircrafts will be painted in the four UAE national flag colors: white, red, green and black.
Kuwait Express Interest in F-15 Silent Eagle
Kuwait has surprised Boeing by asking for information on the F-15 Silent Eagle, making it the first non-operator of classic F-15s to express an interest in the latest version of the fighter.Paul Oliver, Boeing's vice-president for the Middle East and Africa, confirms that a Middle Eastern country that is looking to "recapitalise" its air force has expressed an interest. However, he declines to say if the country is Kuwait.Boeing itself has been saying over the last year that the Silent Eagle is aimed primarily at the countries that operate classic F-15s, and it has been focused on promoting its F/A-18E/F to those who do not and are looking for new fighters.
Israeli CH-53 Helicopter Crashes in Romania
A helicopter carrying one Romanian and six Israeli soldiers crashed Monday in mountainous terrain during joint military training, the Romanian defense ministry said.There is no information on whether there are survivors, Defense Ministry spokesman Constantin Spanu said. Officials were scrambling to reach the accident site near the central Romanian town of Zarnesti, some 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of Bucharest, he said.Spanu said the Israeli transport helicopter CH-53 was flying at low altitude and lost radio contact mid-afternoon Monday.
Read MoreMonday, July 26, 2010
Pakistan Air Force Takes Delivery of AIM-120 C5 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missiles
United States have delivered the first batch of Advance Medium Range Air to Air Missiles (AMRAAM) AIM-120 C5 to the Pakistan air force for its F-16 C/D block 52+ aircrafts. This will make the AIM-120 C5 to be the first BVR missile in arsenal of the Pakistan air force.
Pakistani air force’s spokesperson has said that Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles in the PAF inventory not only marks the achievement of another major milestone in PAF Developmental Plan, but also bolsters its defensive capabilities manifold. Additionally, this capability brings PAF at par with other modern Air Forces of the world in terms of sophistication of its air-to air arsenal.
PAF’s spokesperson said that delivery of remaining F-16 C/D block 52+ aircrafts and Advance Medium Range Air to Air Missiles (AMRAAM) AIM-120 C5 will complete by the end of this year.
Pakistan to test fire nuclear missile
By Hanif Khalid
Pakistan will possibly test-fire nuclear missile tomorrow (Tuesday).Civil and military personalities will reach the test fire range in north Punjab through helicopters to watch the test fire. After becoming the prime minister, Gilani will first time witness the Ghauri ballistic missile test fire.
Helicopter crashes in Kabul
A helicopter on Monday morning crashed in eastern part of Afghan capital Kabul, Defense Ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi said. "A helicopter crashed in Pul-e-Charkhi area east of capital city Kabul," Azimi told. However, he added that the chopper belongs to NATO-led troops and there is no casualty.
Read MoreIndia Successfully Tests Endo-Atmospheric 'AAD' Interceptor Missile
India on Monday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed interceptor missile, capable of destroying any incoming hostile ballistic missile, from the Integrated Test Range at Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast. Aimed at developing a full-fledged multi-layer ballistic missile defence system, the trial was carried out from two launch sites of the ITR off the Orissa coast, defence sources said.
The exercise was carried out to achieve the desired result with precision, said a senior defence scientist.The target missile, a modified surface-to-surface Prithvi, first lifted off from a mobile launcher at 10.05 am from the launch complex-3 of ITR at Chandipur-on-Sea, 15 km from Balasore.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Israel and the United States to Upgrade Arrow Missile Shield
Israel and the United States have signed an agreement to make the Arrow II ballistic shield capable of shooting down missiles at a higher altitude, the Israeli Defense Ministry said on Sunday.The Arrow III will allow Israel "to deal with the threat of ballistic missiles with long range" and will give it "the ability to shoot down weapons of mass destruction outside the atmosphere," the ministry said in a statement.Israel, which describes its Arrow system as a defense against Iran, says the upgraded version will cap off its multi-tier air defenses.
MiG-27 Crash Toll Rises to 3
The black box of the MiG-27 aircraft, which crashed yesterday in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, was retrieved today as the toll rose to three, with two more persons succumbing to their injuries.
The black box or digital flight data recorder was located from near the spot in Bhotputti village where the crash took place, a senior Air Force officer said. The MiG-27 had taken off from the Hashimara Air Base on a routine sortie and crashed within minutes, killing one person on the ground and injuring many.
A farmer, Bholen Roy, who was cultivating his field, was killed when the fighter jet crashed between Moynaguri and Chengrabandha. Two more persons, who were seriously injured, later died at hospital, taking the toll due to the crash to three. Teenager Purnima Rai succumbed to her burn injuries at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital last night. — PTI
Iran to Mass-Produce Ballistic Missiles
A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced on Sunday that Iran is now capable of mass-producing its home-made ballistic missiles."We have reached a never-ending point in (increasing) the quantity of ballistic missiles," IRGC Lieutenant Commander General Hossein Salami said, noting that Iran has made great progresses in this area based on its home-grown capabilities and capacities. Salami also reiterated that Iran has taken giant strides in building air-defense systems in recent years.
Turkey to Produce F135 Engines of F35 Joint Strike Fighters
Turkish defence industry company KaleKalip, a Kale Holding company, will produce F135 engines of the F35 Joint Strike Fighters, Turkey's state minister for foreign trade said. F135 engine is being built by U.S. company United Technologies Corp (UTC), a Fortune 500 company, for the world's biggest fighter aircraft program. UTC is also the manufacturer of Sikorsky helicopters. "At first, KaleKalip will manufacture more than 90 percent of F135 engines, and later they will manufacture all of them," Caglayan said.
Read MoreFinal Round Preparation for Test-Firing of Indian Interceptor Mmissile in Orissa
Preparation for the test-fire of India's own interceptor missile, likely to be conducted tomorrow at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off Orissa coast, reached its final stage today.The target, a modified surface-to-surface missile would first be lifted off from a mobile launcher from the launch complex-3 of ITR at Chandipur-on-sea, 15 km from here.The interceptor, positioned at the Wheeler Island, about 70 km across sea from Chandipur, which gets signals from radars positioned at different points along the Orissa sea coast would track it and then intercept at a definite altitude mid-air.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
South Korea , US to Establish New Roadmap to Outline “Strategic Alliance 2015”
South Korea and the United States will establish a new roadmap to outline a broader alliance by the year’s end in tandem with a changing security environment around the Korean Peninsula, the Ministry of National Defense said.The new plan, “Strategic Alliance 2015,” will be a top topic for a meeting of defense ministers from the two governments in October in Washington, D.C., deputy minister for policy Jang Kwang-il said.
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F-22 Raptor to Join Combined Air and Naval xercise “Invincible Spirit” in South Korea
Four state-of-the-art U.S. stealth fighters will join a massive combined air and naval exercise to be held by South Korea and the United States in the East Sea later this month in a show of the allies’ strong deterrence plans against North Korean provocations, South Korean and U.S. defense officials announced. The exercise, “Invincible Spirit,” will be the largest in scale with the participation of 8,000 Army, Air, Navy and Marine forces from the South Korean and U.S. militaries. The drill will be held from July 25 to 28. About 200 fighter jets, and naval aircraft and helicopters will fly training missions in and around Korea. In addition, approximately 20 warships, including the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, the South Korean Navy’s 14,000-ton Dokdo large-deck landing ship, and attack submarines will participate in the exercise. S. Korea-US joint exercise to be held July 25-28
Israel Denies Talks on German Submarine Purchase
Israel's defense ministry said July 23 it was not looking to buy a sixth submarine from Germany at this time, after a German media report that Berlin had rejected an Israeli request for a subsidy.Israel has two other Dolphin submarines on order, being built at the Kiel shipyard in northern Germany and due for delivery in 2012.
Read MorePotential Market in Asia for F-35 JSF Could be More Than 500 Fighters
By WENDELL MINNICK, JUNG SUNG-KI and PAUL KALLENDER-UMZEU
The potential market in Asia for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) could be more than 500 fighters in the next two decades, with Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan paying the closest attention.Sources indicate Singapore's Air Force could procure up to 100 fighters to replace its roughly 60 F-16C/Ds beginning in 2020.Japan has a requirement for 200 to 250 fighters for the F-XX competition set to begin in 2020.South Korea also has expressed interest in the F-35, which often has been referred to as a front-runner by military officials for South Korea's F-X III program for 40 to 60 fighter aircraft.Taiwan defense officials have openly expressed an interest in the F-35 as a replacement for aging fighters. At present, Taiwan has roughly 60 F-5s and 60 Mirage 2000-5s scheduled for retirement within the next 10 years.
Eurofighter Typhoon Tries To Wrest Japanese F-X From F/A-18 Super Hornet
A request for proposals for the Japanese Air Force's $10 billion F-X tender is expected as early as October, and the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and Eurofighter Typhoon are preparing to duke it out for the 40 to 50 fighters.Budget allocations to replace 73 aging F-4EJ Kai Phantoms are planned for 2011. The decision has been on hold since 2007 due to budgetary problems, political upheaval and procurement scandals.
Tokyo also delayed a decision hoping the U.S. would release the F-22 Raptor for export. But that option died last year, when the U.S. canceled further production.The F-35 is not expected to be available until 2020 or later for Japan.Sources indicate the F-35 is better suited for Japan's F-XX program for 200 to 250 fighters, scheduled for around 2020. Many see F-X only as a stopgap to a fifth-generation jet.In 2009, Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) initiated a $500 million research program, through the Technical Research and Development Institute, for the Advanced Technology Demonstrator-X (ATD-X) Shinshin stealth fighter.
$1bn sought to counter Maoists:India
An Indian state seen as a bastion of an increasingly deadly Maoist revolt said yesterday it was asking for $1bn to counter the left-wing insurgency with a development surge.Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh told federal and state planners that the funds would be spent to rapidly build infrastructure and improve social conditions in the worst-hit districts of the troubled central Indian state.“We have submitted a scheme totalling Rs45.5bn ($1bn) for seven districts widely affected by left-wing extremism and I hope its sanction will be accorded soon,” he told the National Development Council. Chhattisgarh says the insurgency has taken roots in 13 of the impoverished state’s 19 districts.
Qatari Air Force Seeks Up to 40 Fighter Jets
Qatar has asked a number of leading manufacturers to respond with proposals for an upgrade of its fighter fleet near the end of this month.This latest battle for supremacy in the Gulf fighter market is likely to involve BAE Systems with the Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing offering the F/A-18 E/F, Dassault with its Rafale, Lockheed Martin with the F-16 and Saab offering the Gripen NG. It is not clear whether other manufacturers will submit proposals.In Europe, a BAE spokeswoman confirmed the company would respond to the Qatari request.
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Chinese Navy’s Emerging Support Network in the Indian Ocean
By: Daniel Kostecka
The ongoing debate in China over whether or not to formalize logistical support agreements for Chinese naval forces in the Indian Ocean is a natural outgrowth of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) expanding presence in the region. As China continues to maintain a task group of warships off the Horn of Africa to conduct counter-piracy patrols, it is cultivating the commercial and diplomatic ties necessary to sustain its forces along these strategic sea-lanes. While Chinese government officialsand academics debate the underlying issues, a supply network of “places” is quietly taking shape [1]. Regardless of whether or not the PLAN develops its support network through a series of formal agreements that guarantee access, or continues to supply its forces as it has been, that network is developing and will in all likelihood continue to grow in the foreseeable future.
Russia's S-500 Missile Defense System to Enter Service By 2020
Russia's new generation S-500 air defense system will resolve the country's missile defense problems when it enters service, Air Force Commander Colonel General Alexander Zelin said.The S-500 is expected to have an extended range of up to 600 km (over 370 miles) and simultaneously engage up to 10 targets. The system will be capable of destroying hypersonic and ballistic targets.
Read More"We will buy a significant number of S-400s before 2020. They will not just go to the five anti-aircraft missile regiments equipped with this system, but also to a much larger number [of regiments.] We are also discussing the [purchase of] S-500 anti-aircraft missile systems," Zelin said.
Russia to keep 2nd place in fighter jet exports until 2013
Russia will most likely continue holding a second place on the global market of new multirole fighter jets until at least 2013, a Russian arms trade expert said."We are expecting a significant growth of this [fighter jet] market segment both in terms of quantity [68%] and revenues [91%] until 2013 compared to the previous four years [2006-2009]," Igor Korotchenko, head of a Moscow-based think tank on the international arms trade, told reporters.
Read MoreMiG-27 Fighter Jet of Indian Air Force Crashed in Eastern India
"The MiG-27 was on a routine sortie when it crashed into the village killing one person and injuring 25 others on the ground," the official said.Police inspector-general Ranveer Kumar said the farmer was tilling his land when he was struck by the fighter jet which killed him instantly.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Peru clinches $250 mln deal to buy 8 Russian helicopters
The Peruvian Defense Ministry and Russian state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport have signed a contract for the sale of eight Russian-built helicopters to the South American country, the Russian company said.It said the contract for the delivery of six Mi-171Sh Hip transport and two Mi-35P Hind attack helicopters was signed in Lima.
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Even as top US chief comes visiting, India reluctant about military pacts
The seniormost US military commander, Admiral Michael Mullen, will be in town on Thursday and Friday but India still remains cold to inking three military pacts connected with technology safeguards and logistics being pushed by Washington.Interestingly, Admiral Mullen's visit comes at a time when the selection process to choose one of the six foreign aviation majors in the race to supply 126 fighters to IAF, in a lucrative $10.4-billion project, is entering the last lap. Two American companies, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, are among the contenders.Moreover, Washington is also on the verge of clinching the biggest-ever Indo-US defence deal till now, the supply of 10 C-17 Globemaster-III giant strategic airlift aircraft to IAF, which will come with a price tag upwards of $3 billion to overtake the $2.1 billion contract for eight Boeing P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft inked last year.
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Multi-crore scam surfaced in DRDO
A multi-crore scam has been surfaced in the prestigious Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).The scam, related to research projects, shows the ambiguity of rules at the prestigious organisation of Defence Ministry.In Samay exclusive report, the DRDO, which is involved in research and development project for defence, released crores of rupees to a particular university sans norms and regulations.
Read MorePakistan Navy to Expand Ties with China
Pakistan’s navy is very satisfied with the performance of the F-22P frigate it bought from China and hopes to further the cooperation with the nation, said Admiral Noman Bashir, Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff.Two of the four F-22P frigates it ordered are already in service in Pakistan Navy, with the third one scheduled to be commissioned on September 15 this year. It’s also expected that all four ships will be in service by 2013. Pakistan also hopes to buy bigger ships with more firepower from China, such as 4,000 ton class frigates.
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Gets 3-year Extension
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday extended the term of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani for three years starting from November 29, 2010.In a televised announcement, the Prime Minister said the decision to extend the term of COAS has been in consultation with the President Asif Ali Zardari.The Prime Minister said the government is presently engaged in war against terrorism which is now at a critical stage, adding that this requires continuity of military leadership under the present Army Chief who led successful operations in Swat, Malakand and South Waziristan. The Prime Minister said the ongoing army operations have entered into a critical juncture and it is necessary to have continuity in the leadership of Army. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said the Army Chief, due to his professional capabilities and leadership qualities, is looked upon with respect and honour both domestically and internationally.
Read MoreIsrael Air Force to test Arrow 3 early next year
The Israel Air Force will hold its first test of the Arrow 3, under development by Israel Aerospace Industries, in early 2011, officials said on Wednesday.Jointly developed by IAI and Boeing in the US, the Arrow 3 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.Kreiss, who spoke at the New Tech conference in Airport City on Wednesday, said that IAI was also modifying the existing Arrow missile launcher to accommodate the slightly smaller Arrow 3 interceptor. This will allow the launcher to also fire American-made SM3 missiles, which are currently used by the US Navy on its Aegis missile defense ships.
India Asks U.S. to Lift Remaining Sanctions
New Delhi has told Washington that it is unhappy that technology sanctions against many Indian entities still exist nearly two years after the India-U.S. civil nuclear deal.Several Indian entities, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), continue to labor under a ban on technology transfer imposed after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998. Most related sanctions were lifted in 2001.
Read MoreSu-35 Is Sukhoi’s Main Short-term Export Hope
While development of the T-50 PAK-FA gathers pace, the Su-35 remains Sukhoi’s export priority for the next five to seven years. The aircraft is designed to plug the gap between the existing Su-30 and future fifth-generation fighters. According to Sukhoi, the Su-35 already incorporates some fifth-generation technology, thereby having an edge over other fourth-generation combat platforms.
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China for 2nd Time Shots Down one of its Dysfunctional Satellites
For the second time in three years, China has shot down one of its dysfunctional satellites with a missile, US-based Foreign Policy magazine reported in its latest issue.The destruction of the satellite, which reportedly happened in January, shows China's defensive missile ability, the magazine said.China's Ministry of National Defense has yet to comment on the report.The website of Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV said the anti-satellite missile test, if confirmed, is likely related to the missile interception test, which occurred at the peak of a dispute between Beijing and Washington on a massive US arms sales deal to Taiwan.
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Russia Dismissed the Idea of Buying Dokdo Helicopter Carrier from South Korea
The Russian Defense Ministry has effectively dismissed the idea of buying a South Korean warship in place of a French Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, a Russian business daily reported.According to Kommersant, the United Shipbuilding Corporation proposed the purchase of a $650 million Dokdo helicopter carrier from South Korea.In a letter to Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, USC CEO Roman Trotsenko said his corporation could buy a license to build a Dokdo-class ship at a Russian shipyard within three years.
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Thursday, July 22, 2010
FNSS Unveils Amphibious Assault Bridge (SYHK) System
Turkish Amphibious Assault Bridge SYHK) concept is similar to the German M3 Amphibious Bridging and Ferrying System. SYHK Amphibious Assault Bridge is designed by the FNSS Defence Systems Inc to carry the weights up to 70 tonnes. Project started in 2007 and its serial production is expected to start for Turkish Army in 2012 once trails are completed. Turkish army in first phase will purchase 52 SYHK Turkish Mobile Floating Assault Bridge.
India is Expected to Spend about $80 billion on Defence Acquisitions in Next Five Years
India is set to become the favourite market for global defence firms as it is expected to spend about $80 billion on defence acquisitions in the next five years, according to a report. While developed economies like the US and UK are cutting their expenditure on defence in 2010-11, India's spending in this regard is budgeted at $32 billion. Also, a dramatic increase in investments may be seen in the Gulf countries, a report by Deloitte noted. "India is likely to spend nearly $80 billion over the next five years (2010-15) on new capital acquisitions," the report noted.
Read MoreNo Problems in Acquiring Engines for JF-17 Aircraft :PAF Chief Qamar Suleman
“There are no problems whatsoever regarding the supply of engines for these aircraft contrary what has been appearing in the international media,” he asserted. The Air Chief who visited the site where two PAF planes are on display and met the pilots and the ground staff, said he has been encouraged by the positive response of friendly countries who have shown interest in the aircraft.
Indian Air Force May Order Additional 57 Hawk Advanced Trainer
India is in the process of finalising with the UK the terms of reference for buying an additional 57 Hawk advanced trainer for the Indian Air Force, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallamraju has said.
"The government has decided to exercise the option of buying an additional 57 Hawk trainer jets manufactured by the British Aerospace. Details of the contract and the terms of reference of the deal are being negotiated with the UK," Pallamraju, who is leading Indian delegation to the Farnborough Air Show, the biggest in the world, told PTI.
U.S. Arms Sale to Saudi Arabia will Include 84 New F-15 fighter jets
A proposed U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia will include 84 new Boeing Co. F-15 fighter jets and may be valued at as much as $30 billion, according to a government official familiar with the plan.The deal also calls for selling 72 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters built by United Technologies Corp.’s Sikorsky unit and refurbishing 70 Saudi F-15s, said the official, who asked not to be identified because terms are still under discussion.Navy Vice Admiral Jeffrey Wieringa, director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign sales, said separately today that Congress may be formally notified “within two months” about the transaction, which he said includes F- 15s, helicopters, ships and missile-defense systems. He said he couldn’t give specifics.
Indian Army Plans to Buy Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile from US
The Indian Army intends to buy the US-designed Javelin anti-tank guided missile to equip its troops with the capability to defeat enemy armour systems. The defence ministry is expected to issue a letter of request (LOR) to the US government for a potential sale of the weapon system used by the US Marine Corps, the US Army and 11 other militaries. Javelin was fired nine times, including thrice by Indian soldiers. The fire-and-forget capability allows the gunner to acquire another target or move position as soon as the missile is launched. It has a range of 2.5 km.
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Indian Army Orders One Million Shivalik Grenades
Vijay Mohan
About a decade after being designed, the Army has approved bulk production of lightweight modular hand grenades developed by DRDO for induction. An order has been placed with the Ordnance Factory Board for supplying one million hand grenades to the Army. Known as Shivalik, these would replace the existing M-36 HE grenades. Besides the Shivalik, the Army has also approved bulk production of the add-on 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) that is attached to rifles for increasing their firepower. The UBGL, which can be mounted on the INSAS as well as AK-47 rifles, was developed keeping in view the global trend in technology for small arms from the concept of point-target capability to area-target capability.
Pakistan offers JF-17 jet fighters to Indonesian Air Force
Dicky Christanto
Read More @ The Jakarta Post
Pakistan Defense Minister Chaudhary Ahmed Mukhtar offers his Indonesian counterpart the latest jet fighter called the JF-17 during his visit to Jakarta on Wednesday.Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro responded to the offer, saying that further discussion would be conducted in October.“We will see it first before we decide if we have an interest in purchasing the aircraft,” Purnomo said.Purnomo said he learned there had been 500 JF-17 jet fighters produced; 350 are allocated for Pakistan and the remaining 150 are for China.
Read More @ The Jakarta Post
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
United States and Israel close to deal on F-35 fighters
The United States and Israel are days away from reaching an agreement on the sale of 19 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets, which would be the first foreign military sale of the new warplane.srael would be the first foreign country to sign an agreement to buy the F-35 outside the eight international partners that have helped develop the plane.The deal has been in negotiations since September 2008, when the Pentagon first approved the sale of 25 fighters with an option for 50 more in coming years.
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India is Evaluating Patriot Air Defence System
India is evaluating the advanced Patriot ground-based air defence system for its ballistic missile shield and the US has provided "classified" material to it on the weapon unit, which was successfully used during both Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Patriot's manufacturer Raytheon said today.
"A number of exchanges have taken place between the government of India and the US and information has been given to India at the classified level," Joseph Garret, Vice President of the company's Patriot Programmes told PTI.
United States and South Korea Announced Combined Maritime and Air Readiness Exercise named Invincible Spirit
By Jim Garamone
The United States and South Korea today announced a series of military exercises designed to send a strong, clear message to North Korea to stop its provocative and warlike acts. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Republic of Korea National Defense Minister Kim Tae-young released a joint statement on the exercises following meetings here.
The first in a series is a combined maritime and air readiness exercise named Invincible Spirit. About 8,000 U.S. and ROK military personnel will participate. The exercise is in response to the unprovoked attack on and sinking of the South Korean frigate Cheonan off the west coast of the peninsula. Forty-six South Korean sailors were killed in the North Korean torpedo attack on the vessel.
“This is the first in a series of ROK-U.S. combined naval exercises that will occ
General Atomics Wins Approval to Sell First Predator Drones in Middle East
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. said it won U.S. approval for an export version of the Predator drone, clearing the way for the first sales of the unmanned aircraft in the Middle East. “There’s interest from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates,” Frank Pace, president of the aircraft systems group at the closely held company, said today in an interview at the Farnborough Air Show near London.
General Atomics recently received U.S. State Department approval to offer an unarmed Predator model to countries beyond the NATO bloc, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Pace said. That would allow sales in the Middle East and elsewhere to governments previously ineligible to buy the planes, he said. General Atomics see the potential for sales of as many as 100 units in the Middle East and Pakistan of the so-called Predator XP model approved for export, Pace said. “Saudi Arabia is a huge country, and if they want to cover the country well, they alone could get 50 aircraft,” Pace said.
Japan Coast Guard Signs Contracts for six more AW139 Helicopters
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace have announced that the Japan Coast Guard has signed contracts for six more AW139 medium twin helicopters. These aircraft will be deployed at Japan Coast Guard bases throughout Japan and used to perform search and rescue and maritime patrol missions.
With this latest contract the Japan Coast Guard has ordered a total of eleven AW139 helicopters, increasing the number of AW139 helicopters sold into Japan to seventeen. This number includes the law enforcement helicopters currently in service with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police TMP and the new contract with the Japan National Police for the Chiba prefecture and the electronic news gathering configured helicopters currently operating with NHK and Kansai TV.
Russia's Fifth-generation PAK FA Fighter to be Cheaper Than Foreign Analogues
Royal Thai Air Force's Gripens To Be Operational In 2011
The first of four Royal Thai Air Force Gripen pilots and technicians are undergoing training in Sweden to allow Squadron 701 of the 7th Wing to go operational next year.Thailand is initially buying six Gripens, with a plan to grow that to 12 aircraft. Further purchases are possible, but will have to await the first operational experiences with the fighter in Thailand, says Wing Cdr. Jackkrit Thammavichai, who will be the first squadron commander. However, he says, “I foresee no problem” in making the case for more aircraft.
Read MoreRussia Announces Sukhoi -30 Aircraft Sale To Vietnam, Algeria
Russia said July 20 it had signed agreements to sell 20 Sukhoi fighter planes to Vietnam and 16 to Algeria, news agencies reported.The head of Russia's military technology cooperation service, Alexander Fomine, announced the sales at the Farnborough International Airshow currently underway near London.The date on which the deal with Vietnam for the SU-30MK2 aircraft was signed was not disclosed.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Takes Delivery of First AW139 Helicopter
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company has announceed that the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has taken delivery of its first AW139 medium twin engine helicopter. This aircraft will be used to perform search and rescue, coastal patrol and law enforcement duties around Malaysia's extensive coast line.
An additional two helicopters will be delivered later this year. AgustaWestland Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of AgustaWestland, will be responsible for the provision of maintenance services to the MMEA’s AW139s. The MMEA signed a contract for three AW139s plus options for several additional aircraft in October 2008, marking the entrance of the AW139 helicopter into the Malaysian government market following earlier success for the aircraft in the Malaysian commercial market.
Iskander missile deployment in northwestern Russia incomprehensible
The deployment of Iskander missiles in Russia's northwestern military district is incomprehensible in view of Russia's current relations with NATO, Estonian Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo has said.On Saturday, the chief of Russia's Ground Forces, Col. Gen. Alexander Postnikov, said the Iskander missiles had entered service with the Armed Forces in the Leningrad Military District.
Russian Air Force to get 10 fifth-generation PAK FA Fighters by 2015
Russia to Supply India Four Ka-32 Helix helicopters
Russia's state-owned defense corporation Oboronprom and India's Vectra Group have signed a $30 million contract on the supply of four Ka-32 Helix helicopters, the Russian company's CEO Andrei Reus said."I signed a contract with the Indian company Vectra on the supply of four Russian Ka-32 helicopters," Reus said.
Pakistan Air Force Chief Rao Qamar Visits JF-17 Thunder at Farnborough Air Show
The Air Chief was speaking on the occasion of the biennial Farnborough International Air Show 2010 which opened in south west England on Monday where two PAF JF-17 Thunder fighter planes are on static display along with other latest military and civilians aircrafts from around the globe.
Cyber war: Indian Army Gearing Up
The Indian Army is fighting attacks in the cyber world with electronic warfare capability of the "highest standard", say officials pointing out that virtual strikes have shot up from hostile quarters in both sophistication and frequency. "The army is cognisant of the threat to its cyber space from various state and non-state actors. But our network is well secured in compliance with the highest standards of cyber security," a senior official in the military headquarters told IANS on condition of anonymity. The official said the army has established an "impenetrable and secure wide area network exclusively for its functioning". Officials in the 1.3 million force privately admit they are facing "next generation threats" and are rather worried over the complex world of cyber warfare amid reports of Chinese and Pakistani spies targeting the Indian military establishment via the internet.
India May Purchase 10 to 12 Additional C-17 Transport Planes
India could buy 10 to 12 more C-17 transport planes from Boeing Co beyond the 10 planes already planned, Christopher Chadwick, president of Boeing military aircraft told on Monday.The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency in April announced approval of the sale of the 10 transport planes and related equipment, putting its value at up to $5.8 billion.
Read MoreMonday, July 19, 2010
Israel Grounds T-6 Fleet After Training Mishap
Israel has temporarily grounded its fleet of Hawker Beechcraft T-6 'Efroni' basic trainers, after a female cadet ejected from an aircraft at its air force flight academy, suffering minor injuries.The incident happened on 15 July, during the student's first solo flight. She reported that something felt wrong with the aircraft and was unable to control it before ejecting.
Read MoreIron Dome Successfully Completes Its Last Round of Tests
The "Iron Dome" short- and medium-range rocket-defense system successfully completed its last round of tests Monday, the Defense Ministry and the IDF said.The final tests were carried out in the Negev this week, and followed another successful series of tests, completed in January. Officials at Rafael and in the Defense Ministry said they were particularly pleased with the Iron Dome's ability to simultaneously intercept a number of rockets from different directions and from different distances. The system is also capable of calculating an incoming rocket's trajectory, and can avoid firing an interceptor missile if the rocket is destined for an unpopulated area.
