Thursday, September 27, 2012
South Korea Interested in Procurement of AH-1Z and AH-64D Helicopters
AH-1Z COBRA ATTACK HELICOPTERS
WASHINGTON | The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified U.S. Congress September 21 of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Korea for 36 AH-1Z COBRA Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $2.6 billion.
The Government of the Republic of Korea has requested a possible sale of 36 AH-1Z COBRA Attack Helicopters, 84 T-700 GE 401C Engines (72 installed and 12 spares), 288 AGM-114K3 HELLFIRE Missiles, 72 AIM-9M-8 SIDEWINDER Missiles, integrated missile launchers, AN/AAQ-30 Target Sighting Systems (TSS) and AN/ALQ-136 Radar Frequency Jammers. The electronic warfare systems include the AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, AN/ALQ-144 Infrared Jammer, APX-123 Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode-4 and AN/ALE-47 Chaff and Flare Decoy Dispenser, communication and support equipment, spare engine containers spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $2.6 billion.
DoD cracks down on sexual assaults by trainers
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has ordered a “comprehensive
assessment” of all boot camps and entry-level training programs across
the military to identify ways to reduce the frequency of sexual assault.
The internal probe comes in the wake of a scandal at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where 43 women have come forward with allegations that training instructors sexually assaulted them at the Air Force’s largest training command.
“This assessment will look across the services into several key areas including the selection, training, and oversight of basic training instructors and leaders who directly supervise initial military training for officers and enlisted personnel,” the Pentagon announced in a statement Tuesday.
“The
study will also look at the instructor-to-student ratio, the ratio of
leaders in the chain of command to instructors, and consider the
potential benefits of increasing the number of female instructors,” the
statement said.
This is the latest move by Panetta to crack down on sexual assaults in the military, which he estimates to number about 19,000 each year. Earlier this year, Panetta changed rules for handling sexual assault complaints by requiring an O-6-level commander to review each case to determine whether it should be dismissed or investigated further.
The internal probe comes in the wake of a scandal at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where 43 women have come forward with allegations that training instructors sexually assaulted them at the Air Force’s largest training command.
“This assessment will look across the services into several key areas including the selection, training, and oversight of basic training instructors and leaders who directly supervise initial military training for officers and enlisted personnel,” the Pentagon announced in a statement Tuesday.
“The
study will also look at the instructor-to-student ratio, the ratio of
leaders in the chain of command to instructors, and consider the
potential benefits of increasing the number of female instructors,” the
statement said.This is the latest move by Panetta to crack down on sexual assaults in the military, which he estimates to number about 19,000 each year. Earlier this year, Panetta changed rules for handling sexual assault complaints by requiring an O-6-level commander to review each case to determine whether it should be dismissed or investigated further.
Islamist group warns of new cyber attacks on US banks
An Islamist group on Tuesday said it will carry out new cyber
attacks on US banking targets, according to SITE Intelligence Group,
following similar attacks last week in response to an anti-Islam film.
In a statement a group of hackers calling themselves the "Cyber Fighters of Izz al-Din al-Qassam" said they planned to attack the website of Wells Fargo bank on Tuesday, that of US Bank on Wednesday and the PNC Bank on Thursday, SITE said.
Last week the websites of US banks Chase (a JPMorgan Chase affiliate) and Bank of America suffered a suspected cyber attack following threats against them by the same group.
"Operation Ababil began with Bank of America. The second stage was the attack on the biggest bank
In a statement a group of hackers calling themselves the "Cyber Fighters of Izz al-Din al-Qassam" said they planned to attack the website of Wells Fargo bank on Tuesday, that of US Bank on Wednesday and the PNC Bank on Thursday, SITE said.
Last week the websites of US banks Chase (a JPMorgan Chase affiliate) and Bank of America suffered a suspected cyber attack following threats against them by the same group.
"Operation Ababil began with Bank of America. The second stage was the attack on the biggest bank
Army leaders adjust to role as Afghan advisers
After years of taking the lead on the battlefield, Army leaders from
Fort Campbell are learning how to take a backseat role when they return
to Afghanistan this fall to serve as military advisers.
About
1,900 troops from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division,
will serve as a Security Force Assistance Brigade with a mission to
prepare the Afghan security forces for the coming withdrawal of NATO
troops.
It’s a much different role than during the brigade’s previous deployment during the U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan. During 2010 and 2011, the brigade’s battalions and cavalry units fought in eastern Afghanistan’s mountains to root out Taliban safe havens.
With the surge troops gone, the teams will be a minority among Afghans just as insider attacks on NATO forces by Afghans have been rising this year. NATO has re-examined the vetting and training of some of the Afghan security forces and now a higher-level of approval is required for some joint patrols in an effort to protect its soldiers from Taliban infiltrators.
While the brigade partnered before with the Afghan National Army and police forces, the brigade this time will leave most of the planning and operations up to Afghan military leaders, providing support rather than leading missions.
Maj. Eldridge Browne, from the brigade’s 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, acknowledged it may be a challenge for some of the brigade’s leaders to step back and serve more as teachers than battle space owners.
It’s a much different role than during the brigade’s previous deployment during the U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan. During 2010 and 2011, the brigade’s battalions and cavalry units fought in eastern Afghanistan’s mountains to root out Taliban safe havens.
With the surge troops gone, the teams will be a minority among Afghans just as insider attacks on NATO forces by Afghans have been rising this year. NATO has re-examined the vetting and training of some of the Afghan security forces and now a higher-level of approval is required for some joint patrols in an effort to protect its soldiers from Taliban infiltrators.
While the brigade partnered before with the Afghan National Army and police forces, the brigade this time will leave most of the planning and operations up to Afghan military leaders, providing support rather than leading missions.
Maj. Eldridge Browne, from the brigade’s 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, acknowledged it may be a challenge for some of the brigade’s leaders to step back and serve more as teachers than battle space owners.
Iran Reveals More About What It Calls Foreign Sabotage
Iran said Tuesday that it had amassed new evidence of attempts by
saboteurs to attack Iranian nuclear, defense, industrial and
telecommunications installations, including the use of computer
virus-infected American, French and German equipment.
An Intelligence Ministry announcement, carried by the semiofficial Fars News Agency, did not further specify the intended targets or the type of sabotage equipment it said had been found. But the announcement represented a new level of detail from Iran about the scope of sabotage attacks, and it appeared to reflect growing Iranian concern about security threats carried out clandestinely.
Some equipment in question was even put on display, Fars said, calling it the first such exhibition “to show American, French and German equipment used for sabotage acts against Iran’s vital and important facilities.”
Fars said the exhibition was meant to showcase the Intelligence Ministry’s achievements in “discovering and defusing the plots hatched by the enemies.” It did not provide photographs or explain where the exhibition was held.
An Intelligence Ministry announcement, carried by the semiofficial Fars News Agency, did not further specify the intended targets or the type of sabotage equipment it said had been found. But the announcement represented a new level of detail from Iran about the scope of sabotage attacks, and it appeared to reflect growing Iranian concern about security threats carried out clandestinely.
Some equipment in question was even put on display, Fars said, calling it the first such exhibition “to show American, French and German equipment used for sabotage acts against Iran’s vital and important facilities.”
Fars said the exhibition was meant to showcase the Intelligence Ministry’s achievements in “discovering and defusing the plots hatched by the enemies.” It did not provide photographs or explain where the exhibition was held.
Indonesia Seeks Rules Of Road For South China Sea
Indonesia is circulating among Southeast Asian nations a draft code of
condu
ct for the South China Sea, hoping for progress before a regional summit in November, its foreign minister said Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has been trying to patch up differences among Association of Southeast Asian Nations members on how to manage the maritime territorial disputes that pit China against several of its neighbors in a region where sea lanes are crucial to world trade, rich fishing grounds and potentially major reserves of natural gas and oil.
He said that the situation in the region — also rattled by a separate island dispute between China and Japan — is very troubling, but countries including China appreciate they have much to lose from conflict.
"There's a recognition that the countries of the region have prospered and have developed precisely because there's been very benign, stable conditions," Natalegawa told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly's annual gathering of world leaders. "This is something we don't want to be tinkering with. It could become like a Pandora's box."
ct for the South China Sea, hoping for progress before a regional summit in November, its foreign minister said Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has been trying to patch up differences among Association of Southeast Asian Nations members on how to manage the maritime territorial disputes that pit China against several of its neighbors in a region where sea lanes are crucial to world trade, rich fishing grounds and potentially major reserves of natural gas and oil.
He said that the situation in the region — also rattled by a separate island dispute between China and Japan — is very troubling, but countries including China appreciate they have much to lose from conflict.
"There's a recognition that the countries of the region have prospered and have developed precisely because there's been very benign, stable conditions," Natalegawa told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly's annual gathering of world leaders. "This is something we don't want to be tinkering with. It could become like a Pandora's box."
U.S.-Philippine Alliance Critical to Asia-Pacific, Official Says
The U.S.-Philippine alliance plays a prominent role in the security
landscape of the Asia-Pacific region, and the Defense Department
continues to build military-to-military relations with the nation, a
senior Pentagon official said here today.
Speaking during a conference on the Philippines hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Mark W. Lippert, assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, said the relationship is “a new and exciting approach to the region.”
“I would say this is one of the most important alliances we have,” he said. “It’s a critically important part of our security discussions in Asia. The mil-to-mil relations have been on an upswing over the past decade.”
The effort has produced a true partnership, he said, and the countries now are poised for a new chapter.
Lippert said he believes working-level contacts have developed and matured, putting the United States in a strong position to work collaboratively with Manila on security-related issues. He explained a three-part approach to illustrate what the Defense Department is doing to help further the alliance.
Speaking during a conference on the Philippines hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Mark W. Lippert, assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, said the relationship is “a new and exciting approach to the region.”
“I would say this is one of the most important alliances we have,” he said. “It’s a critically important part of our security discussions in Asia. The mil-to-mil relations have been on an upswing over the past decade.”
The effort has produced a true partnership, he said, and the countries now are poised for a new chapter.
Lippert said he believes working-level contacts have developed and matured, putting the United States in a strong position to work collaboratively with Manila on security-related issues. He explained a three-part approach to illustrate what the Defense Department is doing to help further the alliance.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Argentina, Venezuela to build trainer jet
Argentina and Venezuela will collaborate to build a trainer jet for deployment in member countries of the Union of South American States, officials said.
Unasur became operational in 2011 after more than two years of preparations and aims to become a defense and economic pact to the exclusion of North American states Canada and the United States.
Loosely modeled on the European Union, Unasur also aims to replace other regional organizations including Mercosur and the Organization of American States, which has headquarters in Washington.
Plans for extensive multi-faceted cooperation between the 12 member states have snagged on differences over existing regional trade organizations Mercosur and the Andean Community of Nations.
Unasur has a combined population of more than 396 million in Central and South America.
Even after the statement over the planned joint trainer jet project it was unclear if regional aviation giant Embraer of Brazil would play any role in the making of the plane.
Defense analysts said current plans focused on Argentina drawing state funding from Venezuela as part of its strategy to revive its defense industry.
Ruag announces two new UGV development projects at M-ELROB 2012
Ruag has announced the start of two new unmanned ground vehicle (UGVs) development projects at the seventh European Land-Robot Trial 2012 (M-ELROB 2012), currently taking place in Thun, Switzerland.
Vehicles include an autonomous rough-terrain outdoor robot (ARTOR) and an EAGLE 4x4 light tactical vehicle-based technology demonstrator, developed in collaboration with General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS).
RUAG Defence CEO Urs Breitmeier said UGV development currently pursued by the company represented a promising futute technology.
"RUAG is researching, developing and investing in this area with the aim of gradually becoming a UGV competence centre for the Swiss Army and other security forces," Breitmeier added.
Conducted by a group of specialists from the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ), as well as technical departments of the Swiss Defense Procurement Agency (Armasuisse) and RUAG, the ARTOR is a joint research project aimed at addressing the country's public safety and security requirements.
Lebanon: transfer of authority from the Reserve Force Commander
The ceremony of transfer of authority from the Force Commander Reserve (FCR) was held on Dayr Kifa camp in Lebanon September 24, 2012.
Colonel Eric Peltier, commanding officer of the 1st Hussars paratroopers succeeded Colonel Philip Francis, commanding officer of the regiment of Chad.
Chaired by the Italian General Paolo Serra, head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the ceremony was marked by the presence of numerous civil and military authorities, including several representatives of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
During six months the mandate of DAMAN XVII participated in the preservation of stability in southern Lebanon and the strengthening of cooperation with the LAF achieving nearly 600 patrols a total of 368 000 kilometers. In addition, 16 joint training exercises with the FAL reflect the intensity of bilateral cooperation.
Qatar calls for military intervention in Syria Arab
The Qatar called on Tuesday 25 September, the General Assembly of the UN military intervention in Arab Syria to put an end to what the Secretary General of the UN Ban Ki-moon has called "regional disaster with global implications " .
Noting that "all means were employed (...) in vain" , the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifaal-Thani, called for "Arab countries involved themselves in accordance with their national duties, humanitarian , policy and military do what it takes to put an end to the bloodshed in Syria " .
Qatar, which supports the opposition Syrian President Bashar al-Assad , made reference to a"previous" , the decisive intervention by the Arab League in Lebanon in 1976 to try to put an end to the Lebanese civil war. Arab deterrent force of 30,000 men - composed mostly of Syrian troops - had been sent to Lebanon in October 1976. Secretary General of the UN has called on his side action of the Security Council to put an end to the violence that killed more than 29,000 dead in 18 months. "This is a serious and growing threat to international peace and security which demands the attention of the Security Council " , he said, calling for penny t ENIR efforts mediator Lakhdar Brahimi .
Syrian folder is blocked in the Security Council because of opposition from China and Russia , faithful allies of the Syrian regime of sanctions against Damascus. These countries have blocked three times resolutions. "We must put an end to violence and the flow of arms to both sides andput in place as soon as possible a transition led by the Syrians themselves " , said Mr. Ban.
In total, Tuesday, 114 people, including 61 civilians, were killed across the country, according to the OSDH. Hundred and sixteen people were killed yesterday, including 12 children.
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