Russia to Sell 60 Armored Vehicles to Indonesia

Russia is set to sell up to 60 infantry fighting vehicles to Indonesia in a deal worth more than $100 million, the Izvestia newspaper cited an unnamed military source as saying on Tuesday.

The deal will be finalized on February 10, the source said, adding that 20 BMP-3 vehicles will be delivered before the end of the year.

The Russian army stopped purchasing the vehicles in 2010.

The state-run weapons exporter Rosoboronexport declined to comment.

The Kurganmashzavod arms plant said it would produce modified vehicles for Indonesia.

Iran State TV Said IT Has Produced Laser-Guided Shells

Iran's state TV is reporting the country has produced laser-guided artillery shells, capable of hitting moving targets with high accuracy.

The Monday report quoting Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi also says that the shell was an "intelligent" munition with the capability to identify its own targets.

The report was accompanied by footage showing an artillery piece firing a shell, followed by an explosion in the desert.

The report does not give details on specifications of the shell. It could not be independently verified.

Iran occasionally announces the production and testing of military equipment, ranging from torpedoes to missiles and jet fighters.

The country's military has run a program dating from 1992 which aims at self-sufficiency in producing modern weaponry.

Russia to Start Construction of Two New Warships

Two new warships will be laid down for the Russian Navy, a Defense Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
The Project 22350 Admiral Golovko frigate and the Project 20385 Gremyashchy corvette will be built at the Severnaya Verf (Northern Shipyard) in St. Petersburg, he said.
These will be the first in a series of short and mid-range frigates and corvettes, he added.

Vietnam Made Automatic Grenade Launcher

Institute of the General Armament Department of Defense Industry of Vietnam has successfully made sizes 40mm grenade launcher.

The scientific staff of the Institute of Armament (General Department of Defense Industry) completed the study design, trial manufacture of hand-held grenade launcher loader revolver type size 40mm MGL Mk-1 (grenade launcher).

Trial-manufactured products, including grenade launchers and optical viewfinder RDS sync type, the test has achieved the requirements set out in terms of skills, tactics.

Gun weighs 6.3 kg; revolvers contain up to 6 rounds, firing rate 18phat/phut, loader can automatically after each shot. Guns used to be the size 40mm ammunition as the M406 bullet damage, fire smoke M79T.

Hand grenade launcher to fire semi-automatic revolver type size 40mm MGL, the military is using more water because of advantages such as high-speed shooting, big powerful, compact structure, which can be equipped for personal use in accordance with division-level units.The study of the experimental success of this gun opened up the possibility of mass production to put our equipment in the military.

With the experimental success grenade launcher, the authors have completed the construction of the document: Drawings and technical conditions of a grenade launcher; drawings and technical conditions of RDS type optical viewfinder ; user manual grenade launcher.

Remarkable success of the writer's work is formed methodological weapon system in the absence of template; well combine theoretical study with experimental development, to address emerging issues students consistent with the level of science and technology in the country; be more creative in choosing working principles, construction plans, as well as technology solutions designed to produce good quality products to meet the requirements set out.

Israeli Heron TP Srone crashes During Test Flight

Israeli Heron TP drone

 

An Israeli Heron TP drone has crashed during a joint operation performed by the Israeli military and the developer company of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The most advanced Israeli drone crashed during its test flight on Sunday morning in an area near the Tel Nof military base in central Israel.

No injuries were reported in the incident and an investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash.

The Heron TP is the largest Israeli UAV with a 26-meter-long wingspan. It can fly for up to 45 hours and carry a payload of 1,000 kilograms.

The Israeli drone is also capable of launching missiles.

Israel has increased the use of its drones over the past few years in areas including the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon.

In July 2011, France announced its decision to purchase the Israeli Heron TP in line with plans to upgrade its UAV capabilities.

The deal with Israel is likely to reach a value of about “USD 500 million” within a few years.

Dassault Rafale Wins USD 10.4 Billion Indian Air Force MRCA Fighter Jet Deal: Sources

The Dassault Rafale fighter jet, manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation, has won India's mammoth contract worth $10.4 billion, say sources. The Indian Air Force  plans to buy 126 aircraft over the next ten years.

The process to determine the L1 (lowest bidder) has been completed, and sources indicate that the final contract is expected to be signed in  the next financial year. The first 18 aircraft will be bought off the shelf. The rest 118 will be manufactured in partnership with an Indian company.

There were six contenders for the world's biggest defence deal which included the Russian MiG- 35,Lockheed Martin's F-16 Falcon, Boeing's F-18 Hornet, the Swedish Saab Grippen, Euro-Fighter Typhoon and Rafale.

Of these, the European EADS Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale were in the final race for the global tender for a medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA). The Eurofighter bid was backed by four partner nations including Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom while the Dassault Rafale was backed by the French Government.

On November 4 last year, Defence ministry had opened the commercial bid of the two firms left in the race and since then has been busy in determining the lowest bidder. The rest were rejected as they didn't meet the technical qualifications.

Israel's most advanced drone crashes in test flight

The Heron TP, Israel’s most advanced unmanned aerial vehicle, crashed on Sunday morning during a test flight near the Tel Nof Air Force Base outside Rehovot.
The Israel Air Force opened an investigation. According to initial findings, the crash occurred after the UAV performed a maneuver beyond its capabilities, causing one of its wings to break off. The aircraft was flying with a new navigation component that, the IAF suspects, might have disrupted the drone’s automatic flight systems.
The Heron TP is the largest UAV in the IAF. It has a 26- meter wingspan – the same as a Boeing 737 – and can stay airborne for up to 45 hours. It can carry a 1,000 kg. payload, making it capable of conducting a wide variety of missions.
According to foreign reports, it can also fire missiles, and in Israel it is often referred to as the UAV “that can reach Iran.”
The flight on Sunday was overseen by Israel Aerospace Industries and was held in conjunction with the IAF.
IAF commander Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan said at a conference at the Fisher Brothers Institute for Air And Space Strategic Studies in Herzliya that IAI was testing a new technology on the drone when it crashed. The air force used UAVs for 25 percent of its annual missions, he said.
In July, Israel Aerospace Industries won a $500 million contract from France, which decided to buy the Heron TP in the first export deal for the UAV. The deal is expected to lead to additional contracts for IAI as other countries, such as Germany, upgrade their UAV capabilities.
The air force established its first squadron of Heron TPs in 2010 and has been learning how to operate the drone and writing the appropriate operational doctrine. It had planned to declare the squadron operational in the coming weeks and it is possible that the crash will delay the move.
The IAF’s use of drones has dramatically increased in recent years and they are used on all of Israel’s fronts – in Lebanon, along the Egyptian border, in the Gaza Strip and off Israel’s coast to protect natural gas installations.
Last year, the IAF decided to establish a new squadron made up of Heron 1 and Hermes 900 UAVs, which according to foreign reports is capable of firing missiles. Israel does not confirm that its UAVs have offensive capabilities.
During the conference, Nehushtan warned that in face of the growing military buildup in the region and budget cuts in Israel, Israel’s aerial superiority was in danger.
He also warned of the possibility that weapons in Syria would make their way to terrorists if and when the Assad regime is toppled.
“2012 is a critical year since we could see significant, strategic and unprecedented changes,” he said. “We need to implement a long-term plan to retain our military edge and we need to invest in the future since if we don’t we could find ourselves weakened.”

Russia to Modernize 30 Tu-22M3 Bombers by 2020

About 30 Tu-22M3 strategic bombers from Russia's Long Range Aviation fleet will be modernized by 2020, Russian Air Force spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said on Tuesday.

"We plan to upgrade about 30 strategic bombers to the M3M standard,” Drik said.

Tu-22M3 (NATO reporting name Backfire-C) is a supersonic, swing-wing, long-range strategic bomber that Russia uses mainly to patrol the skies over its southern borders, Central Asia and the Black Sea region.

The Tu-22M3 has a flight range of 6,800 km (4,300 miles) and can carry a 24,000 kg (52,910 lb) payload, including nuclear bombs and cruise missiles fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads. Aircraft of the M3M standard can be equipped with a wider range of weapons.

As of 2008, the Russian Air Force had at least 141 Tu-22M3 bombers in service.

Maj. Gen. Anatoly Zhikharev, commander of Long Range Aviation, earlier said that Russia's strategic aviation fleet will undergo extensive modernization while Russia’s next generation strategic bomber, the PAK DA, is being developed by the Tupolev Design Bureau.

He said the modernized aircraft will be equipped with new equipment, communications systems, cockpits and avionics.

DND, Armed Forces Eye Italian Weapon

A JOINT team from the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces will be in Italy this week to scout for assets that will strengthen the defense capability of the military.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the team will look for aircraft, vessels and even armored vehicles that could be acquired by the military for both of its external defense and internal security operations.

Over the weekend, Gazmin said the department will be acquiring weapons and assets for the Armed Forces amounting to P70 billion.

The budget for the acquisition will be spread up to 2020 or even beyond the term of the current administration.

Since the massive procurement could not be financed by the government in just one release, the defense chief said the acquisition will be done through a Multi-Year Obligation Agreement (MYOA) from Congress.

Adoption of the MYOA was first proposed during the term of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro as a scheme in financing the military’s capability upgrade program, and which was implemented during the term of Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales in 2010.

In fact, a contract for the delivery of a multirole vessel from South Korea was sealed by Gonzales under the same scheme. Payment of installments for the warship began last year.

Gazmin said that aside from the US, which is the country’s principal sources of assets and equipment for the military’s capability upgrade, the defense department is also looking at Italy, Spain, France, United Kingdom and South Korea as possible sources of assets.

From Italy, the defense chief said the same team will also visit Spain for the same purpose, and both trips will be taking this week.

“We will see the best we can get for the funds available, that will be the first priority,” Gazmin said.

He said the assessment, inspection and possibly even acquisitions should be done at least by July this year.

“It should be finished by July, or worse case scenario, by November. But by July, we should have attained at least 50 percent, that is already a good batting average,” Gazmin said.

He said the government is looking to acquire armored vehicles; aircraft, including long range patrol aircraft and fighter jets that include the F-16 from the US; multirole vessels; missile-armed ships; anti-submarine vessels and radars.

Gazmin said the interdiction capability of the military will be useless if it will not have enforcement weapons such as fighter jets and ships with guided missiles.

The big ticket procurements were necessary to defend the country’s territory and discourage intrusions into its maritime domain, particularly by China.

Gazmin said the modern weapons and assets are also necessary in so that the country is able to put up a credible force and protect its territory in the disputed Spratlys.

Meanwhile, two US Navy ships are in the country for routine port calls.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) docked at the Manila Bay while the USS Chafee (DDG-90) dropped anchor in Cebu.

“USS Wayne E. Meyer and USS Chafee are here to engage with their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and perform Community Relations Projects, as well as allowing the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation,” the US Embassy in Manila said in a statement.

“These goodwill visits highlight the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines,” the statement added.

At the same time, at least three retired military officials have been hired by the various agencies of the Department of National Defense as consultants, primarily to help in the procurement of assets and equipment for the military.

Peter Paul Galvez, DND spokesman said, the three retired officers, were hired to help the department in its defense acquisition system for the Armed Forces.

They are retired Lt. Gen. Willie Florendo from the Air Force, Vice Adm. Luisito Fernandez from the Navy and Gen. Victor Ibrado, former Armed Forces chief of staff.

“Their functions are to give advise on the perspective of the modernization. At least, they have the experience although they are already outside the Armed Forces,” Galvez said.

Indian Army Concerned Over Sino-Pak Nuclear Co-operatio

Indian Army Chief General VK Singh in a report has expressed his grave concern over Pakistan-China atomic cooperation and joint military preparations. 

In a detailed report submitted to Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil, Gen VK Singh has made a special mention of Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s recent visit to China. This confidential report, pertaining to Afghanistan, says that Pakistan’s spy network is well-rooted and working efficiently in the neighbouring war-torn country. This network is also enjoying a strong support of local Taliban, due to which, India facing great difficulties in getting a foothold in the area.

As per Western media, the report reveals that with the practical cooperation of the American CIA, Indian spy agency RAW and Israeli secret agency Mossad planning to set up a joint army base in the country. Indian civil and military leadership, in this connection, have also held several meetings at the presidency. Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony, RAW chief and other high-ranking officials of the Indian nuclear command have been in constant consultations with Indian PM Manmohan Singh in this regard. Moreover, Afghan security chief, who has completed his training in India, regularly visits New Delhi. Sources say the US, while keeping a firm grip of the Afghan region, also wants India to play a dominant role in the area.

Western analysts in their recent analyses have expressed a number of times their apprehensions that US, in the days to come, would try to involve Pakistan and Iran in a new game pertaining to their nuclear assets. In this game India and Israel will also play a key role. In this connection, prior to nuclear security summit of the heads of the states going to be held on March 26-27, the US will increase pressure both on Pakistan and Iran.

German Chancellor To Visit China In February

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit China in early February, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin confirmed on Friday.

During Merkel's China visit, Chinese and German leaders will exchange views on bilateral ties and how to enhance the strategic cooperation between China and Germany, Liu said at a regular news briefing.

They will also talk about the world economic situation and Europe's economic and financial situation, said the spokesman.

The two sides have been communicating with each other on the arrangements of Merkel's visit, he added.

World of Tanks Type 59 Weak Spots

China to Aid Saudi Arabia in 'Peaceful' Nuclear Power Development

Since the end of World War II, the US has come to regard Saudi Arabia as almost its exclusive oil producing enclave.

In February 1945, after the Yalta Conference with Soviet General Secretary Iosif Stalin and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, on his way home US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and King Ibn Saud met aboard the New Orleans-class heavy cruiser U.S.S. Quincy in the Suez Canal's Great Bitter Lake.

During the meeting, instigated by Roosevelt, he and Ibn Saud concluded a secret agreement in which the US would provide Saudi Arabia military security, including military assistance, training, and a military base at Dhahran in Saudi Arabia, in exchange for secure access to supplies of oil.

Sixty-seven years later, my, how things have changed, as China is now muscling into the Kingdom of the Two Holy Places.

On January 15, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz agreed to make concerted efforts to enhance bilateral relations.

The spectacle of OPEC's leading petro-state and East Asia's superpower economy making common cause has surely caused the burning of the midnight oil inside the Beltway.

While Wen said that China is willing to strengthen coordination with Saudi Arabia on all major issues by expanding cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, high-tech, finance, security, and law enforcement, what must have surely caught the eye of Washington's mandarins was his adding that China intends to develop a cooperative partnership with Saudi Arabia in the energy sector.

And why not? Saudi Arabia is the largest supplier of oil to China, and bilateral trade between the two countries soared to $58.5 billion in the period between January and November 2011.

And the fruits of such bilateral proximity were on the table even before Wen made his fulsome remarks, as the state-owned Saudi Press Agency reported on January 14 that Saudi state oil giant Aramco has signed an agreement with state-owned giant China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation Ltd. (Sinopec) to build an oil refinery. Named Yasref, the refinery in the Red Sea city of Yanbu will become operational in 2014, processing 400,000 barrels per day.

What is really going to catch Washington's and the foreign investment community's attention is how the agreement is structured -- Saudi Aramco will hold a 62.5% stake, with Sinopec holding the remainder.

In one of 2012's greatest understatements, Aramco President and CEO Khalid al-Falih said that the contract "represents a strategic partnership in the refining industry between one of the main energy producers in Saudi Arabia and one of the world's most important consumers."

Continuing his victory lap around the western shores of the Persian Gulf, Wen will also visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, two other stalwart US allies.

And the eastern side of the Gulf?

Commenting on Iran, China's third-largest source of oil imports, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a press briefing on January 11 that China will maintain its trade ties with Iran despite efforts by US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to convince Beijing to join a proposed embargo of Iranian oil exports.

But perhaps the most intriguing element of the Riyadh-Beijing lovefest was the announcement that on January 15 Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with China for cooperation in the development and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, an event of significant importance that both Abdullah and Wen attended.

No comment is really needed here, except to note that many of the questions asked about Iran's civilian nuclear power program, such as why a leading petro-state needs nuclear energy, are unlikely to be asked about this particular venture, underscoring that once again, reality in the Middle East is whatever your perceptions tell you in advance it is.

Indonesia’s New Submarines: Impact On Regional Naval Balance – Analysis

THE INDONESIAN NAVY’S latest US$1.1 billion contract for three Type-209/1400 diesel-electric submarines looks set to breathe new life into its overall capacity. It represents the third major purchase by TNI-AL (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut) after the acquisition of new corvettes and landing ships since 2000. This purchase has also been described as a move to ‘maintain power balance in the region’, with various analysts attributing the purchase to Jakarta’s attempt to play regional submarine ‘catch-up’.

Iran unveils new laser-guided missiles and warns response to any hostile action will be regretful but destructive

Iran has issued a stark warning to the West vowing that response to any hostile action will be 'regretful but destructive'.
As tensions over its disputed nuclear programme continue to rise General Masoud Jazayeri, spokesman for Iran's Joint Armed Forces Staff, said: 'We will rigorously confront any threat or hostile behaviour, and our response will be definitely regretful and destructive.
'We hope this (kind of behaviour) would not take place, but if it happens then the history will remember whether the Americans or the Iranians were bluffing.'
The General's words came as Iran claimed it had produced 'intelligent' laser-guided artillery shells which can spot and hit moving targets with very high degrees of precision.


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Russia Gives K-152 Nerpa Nuclear Attack Submarine To Indian Navy

 

Russia’s K-152 Nerpa nuclear-powered attack submarine has been handed over to the Indian Navy.

In line with the contract worth over $900 million, the Project 971 Shchuka-B (NATO: Akula II) class sub has been leased to India’s Navy for ten years. It will be renamed the INS Chakra.

The ceremony took place in the Far Eastern Primorye Territory. Russian submariners trained their Indian colleagues to steer the Nerpa in the Pacific Ocean.

The event was attended by Indian ambassador to Russia Ajai Malhotra, United Shipbuilding Corporation head Roman Trotsenko, Eastern Military District commander Admiral Konstantin Sidenko and other officials.

The submarine’s displacement is 8,140/12,770 tons. Its maximum speed is 30 knots, maximum operating depth, 600 m; its endurance is 100 days with a crew of 73. The vessel is armed with four 533mm torpedo tubes and four 650mm torpedo tubes.

India has become the sixth operator of nuclear submarines in the world, after the United States, Russia, France, Britain and China, though it previously leased another Russian submarine which was then returned.

Twenty sailors died on the Nerpa in 2008 after the vessel’s fire-suppression systems were accidentally triggered during sea trials, releasing toxic gases.

NZ Joins US Network of Military Satellites

The Defence Force is to join a United States network of nine military satellites to improve communications between New Zealand and overseas deployments.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says New Zealand joins Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in getting access to the network in return for partially paying for the ninth satellite.
Dr Coleman says that will cost New Zealand $83.2 million over the next 20 years, but will ensure better communications for military personnel deployed overseas.

The minister says until now, New Zealand has had to buy satellite bandwidth at spot prices which can involve premiums of up to 100% depending on demand.

A Chinese supercomputer was ranked the world's fastest machine

 

 

A Chinese supercomputer was ranked the world's fastest machine in the TOP500 list officially issued Tuesday by U.S. and European researchers, highlighting China's rapid progress in the field.

The Tianhe-1A system at the National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin, is capable of sustaining computation at 2.57 petaflop/s, which equates to a mind-numbing 2.57 quadrillions of calculations per second.

As a result, the former number one system -- the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Jaguar in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, that achieved 1.75 petaflop/s -- is now ranked in second place, according to the 36th edition of the TOP500 list.

The list is compiled by Hans Meuer of the University of Mannheim, Germany, Erich Strohmaier and Horst Simon of National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC)/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Jack Dongarra of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

"A Chinese university made Tianhe based on China's own technology," Dongarra said at a ceremony to honor the top 500 supercomputers Tuesday. "Its interconnects are very interesting."

Tianhe is a demonstration of how "a country can achieve if they put their money on their ambitions," said Strohmaier at the same ceremony. "Making progress like that is only possible by supporting your research community and your manufactures for extended period of time like five to 10 years."

Liu Guangming, director of the National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin, said Tianhe is a supercomputer system developed by the National University of Defense Technology. It works as a backbone node of Chinese National Grid.

Conference in Pakistan Capital - Difa e Pakistan 22nd January 2012

The demands for blocking NATO supplies are being made.

 

Iran Currency Hits Historic Low - 21 Jan 2012

Dollar = 19,000 Rials

Iran ballistic missile underground silos busted

Indian C130-J Super Hercules To Make Its Debut During Republic Day Parade

The Indian Air Force will field 29 aircraft, including frontline fighters Sukhoi 30-MKI and MiG29 and the C130J Super Hercules for the first time in the flypast over Rajpath on Republic Day.

The highlight of the flypast will be the vertical Charlie manoeuvre by a lone Sukhoi aircraft that would mark the culmination of the Parade. 

The flypast will be held in two phases — beginning with four MI17 IV helicopters going past the Saluting Base trailing the National Flag and the Army, Nay and Air Force flags, and showering petals on the assembly on either sides of Rajpath. Besides flying three of the latest tactical transport aircraft C130J inducted into service last year, the IAF will also present a tableau depicting its personnel from the Special Forces and its special operational capabilities. 

The float will also show the Mi-17 V5 multi-purpose helicopter, intended to airlift special forces to combat area both by the day and night. These two platforms, the C130J and Mi-17 V5, cater to the need of joint operation with commandoes of the Army and Navy along with IAF's Garud and National Security Guard commandoes. 

The other transport aircraft — one IL78, two AN-32s, two Dorniers — will fly in a Big Boy formation, while five Jaguar aircraft will swish past, as will an equal number of MiG-29 aircrafts in the Arrowhead formation. Prior to the grand finale of vertical Charlie, three Sukhoi-30 MKI aircrafts will fly in the Trishul formation and split upwards making a trident in the sky. 

 http://www.thehindu.com/

JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet To Get Block-2 Upgrades From 2012

he JF-17 Thunder fighter, co-developed by China’s Avic and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), is to receive improvements that will start being produced with the Block-2 version from next year.

The enhancements will effect the data link and electronic warfare capabilities. An air-to-air re refueling capability will be added, as will be new guided weapons. A two-seat variant is being developed, too. The current program schedule calls for the Pakistan-based factory to deliver the JF-17 Block-2 to the PAF from mid-2012 to 2015. Then, a Block-3 version is planned from 2016. Block-1 aircraft are being delivered until the middle of next year.

PAF Air Chief Marshall Rao Qamar Suleiman said marketing efforts focus on those countries needing to replace old fighters such as the MiG-21, early Mirage, F-5 and Phantom types. The program’s target export countries can be found in Latin America, Africa and Asia. “We offer performance comparable to U.S. and European fighters when it comes to radar, dogfight missile, range and BVR [beyond visual range] capabilities, for one third of the cost,” Suleiman claimed.

So far, five countries are said to have taken a close look at the aircraft. China itself is currently evaluating the JF-17 and a decision is expected “shortly.” Avic and the PAF expect to sell “between 300 and 500 JF-17s” over the next 10 years.

The in-service fleet has logged a total of 10,000 flight hours with the PAF. In China, the JF-17 is also known as the FC-1 Xiaolong.

Chinese Army 58th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 20th Group Army, Jinan Military Region

The Strategic Reserve (Jinan Military Region): The total manpower was some 240,000 persons, consisting of 4 army groups

New Tactical Vehicle for RTA

Thailand army began using a new tactical vehicle Isuzu FTS H2E33 (4X4). These trucks have a size of 2.5 tons and easy in maintenance and repair. The vehicle can be ridden comfortably on a flat terrain and contoured.

Specification :
Dimension (L x W x H ) 7,220 x2, 490 x3, 145 mm.
The load weight is 12,200 kg.
Plane load of 5,000 kilograms.
2,500 kg load on the terrain
Towing weight of 3,000 kg of baggage
Engines : diesel engines Isuzu 6 cylinder, 7790 cc capacity.
Max torque 706 Nm (72 Kk.-m.) at 1450 rpm / min.
HP 240 and HP the (177 kW) / rpm min.
Fuel tank capacity 200 liters.
6 speed forward and one reverse speed.
The hydraulic brake system
Turning radius of 9 meters.
Operating within 800 km.
Maximum speed of 97 km / hour.
The ability to climb high slopes 60 percent

Swedish Army - Cold Weather Operations

Malaysia becomes first export customer for Gowind corvettes

DCNS and its local partner Boustead Naval Shipyard have won a US$2.8 billion contract to supply six Gowind patrol vessels to Malaysia, in the type’s first export order. The first corvette will be delivered in 2017, with others following at six-monthly intervals.

In October 2010 Boustead received a letter of intent from the Malaysian government that requested it to build six second-generation patrol vessels. Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) was selected for the contract in early December last year,




However, the contract was put on hold for several days as BNS and DCNS wanted the vessel to carry the SETIS combat management system designed by DCNS, while the Royal Malaysian Navy wants the Tacticos systems, developed by Thales and integrated onto the navy’s KD Kasturi vessel.

DCNS competed with Dutch firm Damen and TKMS of Germany, which is one of the Malaysian navy’s traditional suppliers, having delivered six Meko corvettes between 2004 and 2010.

DCNS has already established a relationship with Boustead through a 2009 joint venture to maintain two diesel-propelled Scorpene submarines used by the Malaysian navy. DCNS previously sold six frigates to Malaysia's neighbour Singapore, five of which were built in Singapore.

The Gowind vessels are 100 metres long and displace 2 400 tons. They can each carry one medium helicopter (Eurocopter EC 725 Cougar) and will be fitted with a 57 mm gun, surface-to-air missiles and torpedo launchers.

The Gowind class is built under a DCNS-funded programme. The first ship, L'Adroit, was made available to the French Navy on October 21 last year as part of DCNS's ambition to win a larger share of the markets for small- and medium-displacement surface ships.

Over the next three years, the French Navy will thoroughly test the vessel, designed for current and emerging maritime safety & security missions, including fisheries surveillance, drug interdiction, environmental protection, humanitarian support and search and rescue at sea.

With two crews rotating every four months, L'Adroit will offer a high level of at-sea availability, spending 220 days a year on operational missions.

L'Adroit has a length of 87 metres, an at-sea endurance of more than 3 weeks and a range of 8 000 nautical miles. With a top speed of 21 knots, the vessel has a helicopter flight deck and can accommodate UAV operations. It is designed for reduced crewing, with a complement of 30 and space for 30 passengers.

Innovations and capabilities of special interest to ship-based naval, commando and coast guard forces include a panoramic bridge offering 360° visibility, a single enclosed mast offering 360° sensor visibility, covert deployment of fast commando boats in less than five minutes and full provision for unmanned aerial and surface vehicles (UAVs and USVs).

J 20 Chinese Stealth fighter - New close up photos

MiG-29K gets on board Indian aircraft carrier - Source Flightglobal

With work on the Indian navy's future aircraft carrier the INS Vikramaditya now 90% complete, an RSK MiG-29K fighter has been placed aboard the vessel for the first time.

According to Sevmash, the Vikramaditya will start sea trials in May 2012, with these to involve take-offs and landings using two industry-owned aircraft. One is a purpose-built MiG-29K, while the other is a MiG-35D two-seat demonstrator now being modified after the crash of a MiG-29KUB trainer during trials in 2011.





 Pictured on the carrier's deck at the Sevmash dockyard in Severodvinsk, northern Russia during November, aircraft Side 311 was deployed using a crane to serve as a mock-up only.
Originally introduced to service with the Russian navy in 1987 as the Baku, but deactivated in 1992, the modified Vikramaditya now features a "ski-jump" ramp and three arrestor wires to support fighter operations. New Delhi's total investment in the ship is worth around $2 billion, with Sevmash expecting it to be commissioned into service on 4 December 2012 - Indian navy day.

Russia has so far delivered 11 of the 16 MiG-29K/KUBs ordered for the Indian navy under a 2003 deal worth $530 million, with the remainder due to be shipped to Goa before the end of 2011.
India also this year firmed up an option for 29 more navalised MiG-29s to equip its future homegrown aircraft carriers.

Saudi Air Force Euro-Fighter Typhoons Start Air To Ground Operations

Lockheed Martin Acquires privately held Micro Autopilot Maker - Procerus

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors (MS2), operating under the Corporation’s Electronic Systems business will manage the new business. MS2 also manages other small UAS activities including Desert Hawk, Persistent Threat Detection System aerostats, K-MAX unmanned helicopter system, and high altitude airship programs.

Procerus was founded in 2004 and based in Orem, Utah, Procerus is a privately held company that provides autopilot, targeting and payload technologies for micro UAS to domestic and international governments, as well as industry and academic institutions.

Russian 6th generation MiG Skat UCAV - Beyond 5th gen Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA

US Senator Wants India To Send Its Troops To Afghanistan

With the gradual withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, time has now come for India to send its military inside that country, a top American lawmaker has said.

“It makes sense for the two largest countries to be military allies. On Afghanistan, India, as you know, as a security establishment, is already fighting over 30 insurgencies or guerilla operations,” Senator Mark Kirk said at a discussion forum organised by Washington-based think tank, Foreign Policy Initiative.

“The Indian security establishment well understands this challenge. I think can correctly perceive that moving terror from North or South or general parts of Dafatan into secured bases around Kabul with the fall of the Karzai government would represent a long-term real security threat for India,” he said.

Blasts in Afghanistan at Muhraam were one of the worst terrorist strikes in the country this year. 

“Remember, if you have terror bases operating against Pakistan from india, India is subjected to pressure from Pakistan. If Pakistan could offload that terror training and operations into metropolitan Afghanistan, it makes it much harder for India to pressure for the end of those operations,” Kirk said.

The US Senator said over the long term, it makes sense for India to send a key signal to Afghan politicians— “look, we know the Americans are leaving. We know the Haqqani’s are bidding, but we are now stepping in here. We will bank roll you”.

Indian AWACS Moving Forward on 2 Fronts

In recent years India has been shifting toward aircraft that would give it the ability to patrol and act at extended ranges. In January 2004, India and Israel signed a $1.1 billion contract for 3 Phalcon airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, as part of a $1.5 billion tripartite agreement with Russia. With the arrival of its first IL-76 Phalcon, India joined the global ranks of AWACS operators. The aircraft will monitor huge swathes of Indian airspace, intercept communications and log radar frequencies, add some ground surveillance, and help command IAF responses.

At the same time, India moved to implement AWACS capabilities on a 2nd, smaller, platform, in order to provide broader coverage. The goal there is to field a Tier 2 platform based on Embraer’s ERJ-145 jet, and Indian radar and electronics, allowing India to join the global ranks of AWACS designers. Just to make things interesting, their arch-rival Pakistan offers a contrasting case study, with quicker fielding of off-the shelf buys from China (Y-8 based ZDK-03) and Sweden (Saab 2000 Erieye).

 

Training imparted to Chinese Peoples Liberation Army soldier

Thousands of spiders attacked an Indian city

Thousands of poisonous spiders has plagued the party of the inhabitants of the city of Sadia in the Indian state of Assam. They invaded the central square on which the inhabitants were celebrating a local festival.

Hundreds of people were victims of venomous bites, two of them died.The crowd panicked was dispersed, causing a stampede.

Doctors at the local hospital did not know what antidote administered because experts were unable to establish the species of spiders. They have been able to explain either why the spiders have gathered in such numbers and are directed to the city. 

C4i Expands National Air Defence System in Thailand

C4i recently received a further order to add to its existing nationwide Communications System for the Royal Thai Air Force. C4i will deliver another installation of its world leading, SwitchplusIP® end-to-end IP communication system for this project with delivery expected Q1 of this year.

C4i delivered the existing Air Defence System in 2008 which provides the Thai Air Force with a complete nationwide end-to-end IP solution. The system consists of over twenty operational sites scattered across the country, linked together via an advanced IP network to provide a true “system of systems” solution. This allows every site to work together appearing like a single, very large system, providing total flexibility for resource allocation across the country while still retaining complete standalone autonomy should the network be removed.

“The SwitchplusIP® system delivered to the Thai Air Force is the largest end-to-end IP based communications system we are aware of in use by any Air Force in the world today” said Peter Harrison C4i’s Managing Director. “It provides the operators with transparent access to communication assets located all across the country as if they were all in the same room. This cutting edge technology delivers the often talked about goal of “any asset, any operator, anywhere” currently being sort after by many air forces across the globe” Harrison said.

This system is further proof of SwitchplusIP® ability to be easily expanded after initial deployment. The Air Force is able to incrementally grow the system by adding sites, operators or assets when required; in this case a mobile air traffic control system that can be networked allowing Command Centre operators to utilize and communicate with these remote assets and operators through the IP network.

C4i has formidable experience delivering specialist Air Defence systems for use in single and multi-domain security environments all over the world. C4i’s ground breaking RED/Black IP system is United States Department of Defence recognized and Tempest accredited, currently in use with the USAF, RAAF and NATO Air Forces. C4i’s engineering and product team are experts in this niche, mission critical, high-security market and has years of experience integrating Type 1 cryptographic devices into Air Defence communications applications.

C4i has been delivering its SwitchplusIP® VoIP technology to niche markets such as Air Defence, Public Safety and Maritime Ports for over six years, making it a market leader of this technology in its niche markets.