China moves mobile missiles near coast amid tensions with Japan over islands

United States intelligence agencies recently detected China’s military shifting road-mobile ballistic missiles closer to its southern coast near the disputed Senkaku Islands amid growing tensions between Beijing and Japan over the islands dispute.

U.S. defense officials said the movements are being watched closely as China’s military is also holding large-scale military exercises that some fear could be a trigger for a conflict with Japan that could involve U.S. forces.

The officials did not provide details of the missile movements that were tracked by U.S. aircraft, ship-based, and satellite surveillance systems in the region.

Disclosure of the missile movements comes as White House national security adviser Tom Donilon on Monday met in Seoul with China’s state councilor Liu Yandong. The two were in South Korea to attend the inauguration of South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

Tensions remain high between Japan and China over Tokyo’s nationalization last year of several uninhabited islands between Okinawa and Taiwan called the Senkakus. China claims the islands as its territory. At issue are large undersea oil and gas deposits sought by both energy-poor countries.

The officials confirmed the missile movements near the provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian after Chinese press outlets first reported them.

The most recent report appeared in the Hong Kong newspaper Oriental Daily News, a non-Chinese owned outlet that quoted a military source as saying the missile deployments included new solid-fueled DF-16 road-mobile missiles.

The Feb. 21 report said the People’s Liberation Army Second Artillery Corps, which operates missile units, were preparing to target the disputed Senkaku Islands as well as U.S. military bases in Okinawa.

The Daily News stated that the missile movements were signs the PLA is “preparing for the worst regarding the territorial dispute between China and Japan over the Senkaku Islands.”

The report also stated that the DF-16 is capable of defeating U.S.-made Patriot missile batteries that are deployed at U.S. and Japanese military bases in the region. The DF-16 is said to be armed with multiple warheads.

China takes aim at extravagance in military spending

China's military has introduced new rules to combat "extravagance and waste" in spending, state media said Sunday, as the country's new leaders stress austerity to fight official corruption.
New Communist Party chief Xi Jinping, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, approved the rules which aim to promote austerity and control expenditure, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Xi, who is set to become president next month, has repeatedly pledged to fight graft amid rising social discontent at government corruption and political scandals that have tarnished the ruling party.
The new rules require strict control of spending on non-essential infrastructure, procurement and official receptions, Xinhua said.
The military must "resolutely prevent redundant construction, the craving for things big and foreign, extravagance and waste", it said.
Spending should be directed towards the military's core mission, including being able to fight and win a battle, Xinhua said, repeating a slogan which has been described by state media as a key goal for this year.
China is due to announce its annual military budget in early March at a meeting of the National People's Congress, the country's legislature.

Indonesia to purchase UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from United States

Indonesian army Black Hawk helicopters Would purchase from the United States this year, in a bid to Strengthen icts weaponry, a military officer Said here on Monday, February 25, 2013. The Plan is the share of Indonesian government's efforts to Modernize icts weaponry.

"Black Hawk is a good choice," Said General Pramono Eddie Wibowo, Indonesian army chief of staff signing Effective year agreement entre le army, oil and gas firm PT. Pertamina Persero and BRI bank here at the army headquarters.

Karachi: Ministry of Defence refuses to declassify a complete audit

The Ministry of Defence has refused to declassify a complete security audit conducted after the attack in Karachi on 8 May 2002 requested by the judges of the investigation into the attack, according to a letter Tuesday consulted by AFP .

He followed the advice of the Advisory Committee on secret national defense (CCSDN) and explained the refusal by "threats and risks" weighing on French personnel currently present in Pakistan and because the non declassified "does not provide no useful information "to the investigation.

In 2010, CCSDN gave its green light to a partial declassification of the "security audit" conducted by the Action Group of the Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN) and back 9 October 2002 the government in view of the possible return staff of the DCN in Karachi. A request for transmission of the non-audit declassified by the judges of the investigation, the CCSDN issued a negative opinion in January, followed by the defense minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian.

China unveils new stealth missile frigate

China releases details of a new stealth missile frigate. It's share of a military modernization process amid tensions over Beijing's Ongoing maritime claims in the region.

The first ship of the Type 056 class frigates Jiangdao was handed over to China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in Shanghai, home to one of the country 's largest naval shipyards.

The stealth frigate Number 586 is a new design with sloped surfaces made as clean as possible, it HAS aussi Reduced superstructure clutter. It features advanced technologies That will make it harder to detect by radar, visual, sonar, and infrared methods, the Chinese navy Said at their website.

China's brand new vessel is armed with a 76-mm hand gun based on the Russian AK-176 and 30-mm remote weapon systems. The main anti-ship armament Consists of YJ-83 sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missiles in two twin-cell launchers. The primary anti-aircraft armament FL-3000N is one short range missile system with eight rounds. The ship is fitted with a helicopter deck at the stern purpose Has No organic medium helicopter facilities.

At 1.440 tons fully loaded, this frigate cruises at 28 knots Estimated year and has about 2.000 HAS nautical mile range.

It is considerably smaller than U.S. Navy frigates, about 95.5 meters in length, and is categorized as smaller class of ships known as corvettes.

In 2012, Dassault Aviation (almost) erased the bad year 2011

The aerospace group increased its sales by 19.2% in 2012 compared to the previous year. It amounted to 3.9 billion euros. After a sharp drop in 2011, the band returned to its level of activity similar to that of 2010, which was a record year in terms of deliveries of Falcon.

19.2% is the increase of sales of Dassault Aviation in 2012 compared to the previous year. It amounted to 3.9 billion euros. The aerospace group which will publish its annual results on March 14 provides no details on the distribution of sales between its core business, Business Aviation, and Defense division.Early 2012, the group expected a stability of its business, $ 3.3 billion, before raising its target in October, however, without giving range increase. At the end of the third quarter, the group recorded 37 orders against private jet Falcon 30 aircraft at the end of September 2011. At the same time, he had delivered 43 against 35 a year earlier. He finally delivered 7 Rafale combat aircraft.

FABA systems caries out the first tests of the software for the control of the Australian destroyers platform

Navantia FABA systems Control systems HAS Carried out the first official test of the software for the integrated platform of Control (IPMS, in English), Which will equip three ships AWD for Australia. The tests Were Performed in face-to-face together with the team of Inspectors from the shipyard That built the ships in Australia, ASC, as well as with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The second test of the software before installing on vessels be Held in December.

Tests Have Been Developed Throughout The month of February, beginning with meetings Beginning of tests (RRT) and ending with results analysis meetings. They Have taken place in the facilities of control systems in the shipyard of Navantia Cartagena, one year comprehensive test environment (LBTS), set each Stock In Which element of the IPMS is present, reflecting the final configuration of the boat.

China: Liaoning aircraft carrier anchored in a military port of Qingdao

The first Chinese aircraft carrier, Liaoning, was anchored for the first time Wednesday morning in a military port of Qingdao in eastern Shandong Province.

This event means that after four years of work space intended to accommodate aircraft carriers in Qingdao now has the logistical capacity to do so, according to a military statement.

The aircraft carrier left Tuesday Liaoning dock shipyard in Dalian headed for Qingdao. During the journey, the building has conducted tests of its weapons systems.

Russian army: more than 70% of new weaponry by 2020 (Putin)

Weapons of new generation should represent 30% of Russian weapons by 2015 and between 70% and 100% by 2020, said Wednesday in Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Russia must create a system research and design of promising projects in the field of military technology over the next two years," Putin said at a meeting of the college expanded the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Russian Airborne Troops transformed into the Rapid Reaction Forces

Russia should consider using its Airborne Troops as rapid reaction forces, said Wednesday in Moscow Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu.

"We must ensure the implementation of the program of defense of the Russian Federation and consider the use of airborne troops as a rapid reaction force in case it would be necessary to resolve crises in an operational way," said M . Shoigu at an enlarged meeting of the College of the Ministry of Defence.

The Minister also noted the need to prepare the military infrastructure of the cities with the arrival of new equipment and weapons in 2013. "All the cities to be closed should be given to regional and municipal authorities," added M.Choïgou.

Budget 2013: Priorities of the Indian armed forces

Finance Minister P Chidambaram will present the Union Budget on Thursday. Given the likelihood of no Major Increase in defense spending, here is a look at what the Priorities of the armed forces, are.

After the Rs 14,000 crore cut in defense Spending in the last financial year, the buzz is That No Major Increase is Likely in the defense budget for the coming year Given que le armed forces, pruned Have Their procurement Focusing on priority lists to be Acquired equipment.

The Army's priority list includes:

- Replacement of the Bofors artillery OFB with the upgraded 155 mm gun along ranks of

- Modern artillery ammunition (bi-modular charges, Fuzes, etc.)

- Assault rifles for Infantry (trials Underway)

- Also bullet proof jackets / helmets for CI operations

- Tank ammunition (INVARS missile for T-90 tanks)

The Army wants to replace aussi icts 1960s vintage Chetak and Cheetah helicopters, 60 per one hundred of Which are at the end of Nearly Their service life.

Myanmar's Military Spending Through the 2013-2014 State Budget Amount in $ 2 Billion to About

The Myanmar Government HAS Allocated for defense in fiscal year 2013-2014 20.8% of the national budget, or about $ 2 billion, selon "Jane's Defence Weekly," referring to the local sources. 

draft defense budget The Proposed by the government on February 19, will come into force on April 1.Selon experts, the share Devoted to the military, Reduced Compared with appropriations for FY 2012-2013 

However, military expenditure for the state budget Does not include funds received by the enterprises of the military, Which is distributed in Accordance with the Law on Special Funds. 

Law on Special Funds in March 2011 was ADOPTED allows the armed forces, and to use the additional funds without parliamentary oversight. Financing of special funds, is Likely to Increase as through produit from the exploitation of mineral deposits, natural gas Primarily. 

RTD delivers his Sherpa to Saudi Arabia and Qatar

While IDEX closes its doors today, Renault Trucks Defense (RTD) has no contract with the United Arab Emirates, still has a high activity in the region. The French armored vehicle manufacturer is currently conducting the delivery of 46 Sherpa Station Wagon and 20 Sherpa Scout Saudi Arabia. This 4X4 armored class of 10 tons is available in different versions: SW offers a large internal volume of more than 10 m3 and the Scout will be dedicated to monitoring border, so most likely equipped with sensors (camera ...) and a teleoperated toureleau 12.7 mm. The 175 hp engine allows it to drive faster than 120 km / h, with a range of 800 km.

Qatar, RTD Book 22 MRAP Higuard and 10 Sherpa APC, late deliveries within the next two months. The Higuard is a tank perched high of 20 tons with good mobility that can accommodate 12 people and their property. It is intended for indoor special forces, including riot missions. It seems that the Arab Spring caused a few scares in the region ... The Qatari vehicle is equipped with a non-lethal weapon that can fire tear gas. As for the Sherpa APC, it would be for the Qatari special forces to counter terrorism missions.APC version can accommodate ten foot plus the two crewmen. It comes with a 12.7 mm machine gun.

The Air Force Russian team against the Patriot (media)

In 2014, the Russian Air Force will receive a special version of the Su-25 to destroy and bypass air defense systems, writes Izvestia daily on Tuesday.

A source of Staff of the Air Force stated that the testing of the new version of the Su-25 will be completed in May, after which mass production can be started.

"This version is able to identify and eliminate air defense systems as powerful as the U.S. Patriot, several units were planned in Turkey because of civil war in Syria," he said.

Only the United States has so far aircraft capable of removing air defense systems F-16CJ Wild Weasel and EF-18 Growler. Their task is to remove the air defense of the enemy without entering the range, while the new Su-25 can act in this area by attacking air defense systems and other ground targets .

The Su-25 armored and equipped with radar systems on board, even in its most powerful, remains vulnerable to modern air defense. This is why the new aircraft is equipped with a storm system equipped with special antennas under the coating, which detect the direction of the radius and classify the type of source.

The aircraft is also equipped with a detection system and infrared laser and a system of blindness warheads guided in the infrared spectrum. All aircraft systems are integrated in a common complex and the computer automatically takes its decision based on the information received. All this will allow the air assault to dominate in the area of ​​air defense of the enemy, by sending radio waves and infrared jamming.

Navistar Defense Awarded $ 23 Million Order To Provide Armored Cabs To The Afghan National Security Forces

LISLE, Ill.. - Navistar Defense , LLC, Already a key supplier to the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP), HAS RECEIVED year emergency delivery order from the U.S. Army (TACOM LCMC) to retrofit 205 armored cabs onto Navistar Medium Tactical Vehicles (MTV) currently designated for service with the Afghan National Security Forces.

The award, for $ 23 million, will Involve the replacing the current business cab with a specially designed armored cab-providing savings by re-using the original components of the MTV to protect the ANA and ANP from ballistic and blast terrorism threats in the theater of operations. Enhancing the order aussi includes additional elements for vehicle survivability to Provide Improved Afghan National Security Forces with the capability to route clearance mission conduite with mine rollerblading applications.

"This order Reflects Navistar's strong partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense in Providing high quality vehicles on very aggressive schedules in Support of Protecting the soldier on the ground," Said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense. "We are proud to continue supporting the vehicle to fleet That We Have Provided to the Afghan National Security Forces and Deliver on our Commitments to the U.S. military and allies on this very significant project and program."

Negotiations "useful" in Kazakhstan on the Iranian nuclear

The major powers and Iran had a meeting Tuesday "useful" on the Iranian nuclear issue in Almaty, Kazakhstan, officials said Russian and Western. The two sides agreed to continue their discussions Wednesday.

The delegations of the countries in the group "5 +1" (the five members of the Security Council of the UN plus Germany) and Iran met for three hours at midday. This meeting was the first since eight months between the two parties.

These discussions were considered "useful" by the head of the Russian delegation, Sergei Ryabkov, and a Western source. "We agreed to have another meeting on Wednesday at 11:00 am (0600 Swiss)," said Michael Mann, for his part, spokesman for the Head of European diplomacy Catherine Ashton, responsible for contacts with Tehran on behalf Group 5 +1.

Call for "flexibility"

An Iranian source confirmed that talks will resume Wednesday. "We hope that the Iranians will come tomorrow showing the flexibility and willingness to compromise. The ball is really in their court," said a little later Mr. Mann.

He said that the Iranians had bilateral discussions with the Russians, the Germans and the British on the new offer 5 +1 group of countries. According to a source of great powers, the proposal promises "a reduction of some sanctions on trade in gold, those concerning the petrochemical industry and certain banking sanctions" in exchange for concessions from Tehran.

Iraqi Navy receives additional patrol boats from US

The Iraqi Navy has officially received the tenth and 11th 35m-long coastal patrol boats, PB-310 and PB-311, from the US Navy at Umm Qasr Naval Base south of Baghdad following successful completion of reactivation in Bahrain.
US Navy Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships' Support Ships, Boats and Craft programme manager Frank McCarthey said: "Together with the nine patrol boats previously delivered, these two new vessels are a significant step toward meeting Iraq's security requirements in the northern Arabian Gulf."
The navy is procuring the patrol boats from the US to boost its ability to enforce maritime sovereignty and security in the northern Arabian Gulf.
Swiftships Shipbuilders was contracted by the US Naval Sea Systems Command to build a total of 12 vessels for the Iraqi Navy.
Designed to operate up to 200m from shore and accommodate four officers and eight crew members, the patrol boats are armed with a 30mm gun weapon system and can cruise at a speed of 30k.
Equipped with three Hamilton HM651 Series waterjet propulsion units, the vessel's operational features include main engine, generator and electronic packages, as well as conventional propulsion, arrangement and colour scheme.

RSAF gets refueling jet

A new airborne refueling plane was inducted into the Royal Saudi Air Force aircraft fuel fleet at Riyadh Airbase yesterday.
The new plane, called a330mrtt will supply fuel to F15s, Tornadoes and Typhoons while flying, bringing to six the number of airbus-made a33mrtt air refueling planes.
The plane, which belongs to the TRA72-600 airbus generation, will also serve as passenger and light

A Look At Afghanistan's Drug Economy

Despite the best efforts of Afghanistan's drug eradication programme, the BBC has learned that farmers in several Afghan provinces, which had been deemed poppy-free, have gone back to cultivating opium poppies.

For years Afghanistan has been the world's largest producer of opium, the raw material for heroin, most of which is exported to Iran, Russia and Europe.
Programmes by the Nato-led Isaf force, the Afghan government and the UN to entice farmers away from cultivating the flower met with some success.
But farmers say that the high sale price of opium is difficult for them to resist.
They have another gripe: although the Afghan government and the international community initiated opium eradication programmes, many farmers say promises to provide high-quality seeds and fertiliser, carry out developmental projects and promote alternative careers have not been kept.

And despite an aggressive campaign to destroy the crop, the total area under poppy cultivation increased by 18% in 2012, reaching 154,000 hectares (380,000 acres), compared with 131,000 hectares in 2011, according to a 2012 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report and Afghan officials.

One piece of apparently good news from that report was that the overall production of opium decreased by 36% - from nearly 6,000 tonnes in 2011 to around 3,700 tonnes in 2012.
But experts say this was due to a lower yield caused by plant disease and adverse weather conditions in several parts of the country.
Better income A common complaint from Afghan farmers is that traditional crops, grown legally, do not bring them enough money.

Singapore and Malaysian navies begin exercise Malapura 2013

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) is Conducting annual bilateral maritime joined exercise, Malapura 2013, with the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) at Changi Naval Base (CNB) in Singapore.

 

During the 12-day exercise, from around 540 staff will participate in. Both navies attached schedule and training at NBC, as well as perform operations in conventional warfare naval and maritime security, in the Malacca Strait.

The RSN will deploy icts first DCNS-developed Formidable-class multi-mission frigate RSS Supreme (73), second-class missile corvette Victory RSS Valour and the second Singapore Technologies built-Fearless-class patrol vessel RSS Independence (87) for the exercise .

Yarrow Shipbuilders-built frigate KD Lekiu-class Lekiu (F30), in addition to Boustead Naval Shipyard-designed two-class offshore patrol Kedah vessels KD Kelantan (F175) and KD Selangor (F176), will Represent the Malaysian Navy.

The 23rd in the series of exercises Held since 1984, has-beens Malapura 2013 designed to boost mutual understanding and interoperability, as well as professional ties Enhance Among Participating navy personnel.

India arrests man accused of spying for Pakistan

Indian police say they have arrested a man suspected of passing military secrets to arch-rival Pakistan.

The man, an Indian citizen, was held in the western state of Rajasthan near the two countries' border.
Police say he passed details of military exercises held last week to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.
India and Pakistan frequently accuse each other of spying. The arrest comes after weeks of tension over the disputed territory of Kashmir.
The alleged spy is accused of "passing information related to Indian defence installations and military activities", senior police officer DS Dinkar told AFP news agency.
One report says his telephone calls to a relative in Pakistan, who it is alleged works for Pakistani intelligence, were intercepted.
The man was arrested by army intelligence at his house in a village near the town of Pokhran on Sunday and is being questioned by security agencies.

Philippines Martial Law Victims to Receive Reparations

Philippine President Benigno Aquino signed into law Monday legislation that would recognize and compensate victims of human rights abuses during martial law under former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Lawmakers spent 14 years trying to pass various forms of a proposal that would make the government recognize human rights victims of injustices under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Congressman Walden Bello says it passed this year because many legislators realized the victims were aging, if not dying, and had grown sickly.

“It’s great that we were finally able to muster the forces to get it through both Houses of Congress," Bello said. "Also, I think it’s very significant because the Philippines is one of the few if not the only government that has in fact designated reparations payments for human rights violations that have been admitted by its agencies.”

The new law sets aside $250 million to compensate victims or families of victims, determined by an independent panel, to have been murdered, tortured or suffered other injustices at the hands of law enforcement and the military of the Marcos administration.

Iran’s parliament approves North Korean-educated military official as communications minister

Iran’s parliament has approved a North Korean-educated former military official for a key post in President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government.
The official IRNA news agency says Mohammad Hasan Nami — nominated by Ahmadinejad last week for the post of communications minister — got 177 votes in parliament on Tuesday. There were 243 lawmakers present in the 290-seat chamber.

Nami is the third minister with a military background to join Ahmadinejad administration, after Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi and Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar.
Nami holds a doctorate degree in state management from Kim Il-Sung University in Pyongyang, North Korea. He is also a former deputy defense minister and Iran’s ex-deputy Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Army.
Nami is fluent in English and is reportedly behind Iran’s national intranet project.

Italy's Finmeccanica delays results over India probe

Italian defense group Finmeccanica has delayed publication of its 2012 results after a bribery probe connected with the sale of 12 helicopters to Indian authorities, it said on Thursday.

After a board meeting, Finmeccanica said it had postponed the approval of its full-year accounts from March 12 to a new meeting to be held no later than April 30, to "evaluate the impact of recent economic events on its balance sheet."
Finmeccanica is at the centre of an Italian probe alleging that it paid bribes to win the 560 million euro ($750 million) contract awarded in 2010 to its Anglo-Italian helicopter unit AgustaWestland.
An Indian delegation is in Italy to collect evidence relating to the probe, which escalated last week with the arrest of the then head of Finmeccanica, Giuseppe Orsi.
The Italian investigation is putting pressure on the Indian government, already buffeted by a string of graft cases. It has also become a political issue in Italy ahead of parliamentary elections on February 24-25.
Italian prosecutors accuse Orsi of paying bribes to intermediaries to secure the helicopter deal back in 2010, when he was head of AgustaWestland. According to the arrest warrant, the Indian tender was twisted to favor the Italian firm.
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday the government had nothing to hide.
Orsi has denied any wrongdoing.

Russian naval task force to be deployed in Mediterranean

A permanent task force of the Russian Navy will be deployed in the Mediterranean Sea in 2015, a military source told Interfax-AVN on Monday.
"The formation of a naval task force by 2015 is under consideration; ships of the Black Sea Fleet will be its backbone and the Soviet Navy Mediterranean squadron will be its prototype. The force will accomplish scheduled and urgent missions on the Mediterranean theater of operations, including deterrence of threats to Russian national and military security coming from that sector," the source said.
Naval operations in the Mediterranean Sea by the unified scenario were successfully practiced in the exercises held in that area in January, he said.

China: delivery of a new frigate for the Navy

The first Chinese stealth frigate type 056 was delivered Monday afternoon to the Navy of People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China in Shanghai.

This new generation frigate will soon be commissioning large-scale navigation and requires only a third of the crew of the previous model of type 053, according to a report published Tuesday in the journal of the PLA.

The new frigate should be primarily deployed for escort missions and operations anti-submarine, the report said.

According to the newspaper, delivery of the frigate marked the beginning of the systematic modernization of the Chinese Navy equipment.

Sapphire is a Canadian satellite launched successfully

Sapphire, the first operational military satellite specializes Canada was successfully launched today at Sriharikota, India, the Indian Space Research Organization.

"It is with great pleasure that I announce the successful launch of Sapphire Canada, "said Defence Minister Peter MacKay. "The investment in the satellite Sapphire makes sense, because it will help to protect billions of dollars in goods space in various fields, such as telecommunications, meteorology, search and rescue, and global positioning systems." the Canadian Satellite Sapphire, an electro-optical space, will track objects created by humans in high Earth orbit to improve knowledge of Canada's spatial location. The data obtained will contribute to Sapphire Space Surveillance Network of the United States, thus enhancing the ability of these countries to detect orbiting objects and avoid collisions between them and space platforms essential. Canada's contribution also provides access to orbital data on space objects. "Launching Sapphire ensure the continued cooperation of the Canadian Armed Forces with other countries in the area of space surveillance," said Vice Admiral Bruce Donaldson, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. "This milestone marks another important step in reducing threats to our critical space capabilities." Sapphire now turn to the phase of commissioning. During the latter, the main contractor, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., Will ensure that the satellite meets all the performance requirements. Once this phase is completed, the

Flights of F-35 fighter could resume soon

The F-35, the new generation of military aircraft of the Pentagon with the test flights were suspended due to potential engine problems, should return to the air within a fortnight, said Monday the program director.

The U.S. military had suspended test flights Friday, as a precaution, after the discovery of a crack on the blade of a turbine engine of an F-35, based on Edwards California (west).

If the crack appears to have been caused by a foreign object, or just a manufacturing defect, I expect the plane back in the air next week or the week after, said Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan before press in Australia, where he is on tour to promote the device.

If it is more than that, we look at what are the risks for the fleet, he added. I think the aircraft will resume its flights within a reasonable time period if it is not a serious problem.

I do not expect that this problem will delay a major stages of the program, I can not imagine that even in the worst case scenario, said Christopher Bogdan, describing the project as on track and on time.

Further difficulties may arise in the testing phase, while only 35 to 40% of tests were made, he said. But we have enough money and (planned) developing sufficient time to take care of these things, he said.

The Pentagon feeds high hopes for its F-35 fighter, which will replace the current fighter aircraft of the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines by the end of the decade.

The U.S. military plans to produce 2,443 aircraft for itself, and hundreds of others for eight international partners, including Australia, have invested in this project, as well as two other customers, Japan and Israel .

Sweden commits to Gripen E funds first program

London - Sweden HAS Placed icts first contract with Saab linked to the introduction of 60 new-generation Gripen fighters from E 2018.

Announced in mid-February, the share of development forms a Potentially SKr47.2 billion ($ 7.4 billion) deal to field the single-seat combat aircraft, Which HAS Including design features extended-range performance, an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar and Internally Carried weapons.

Saab HAS RECEIVED year initial development SKr2.5 one billion order from Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) covering activities in 2013-14, with a further Top award aussi SKr10.6 one billion due in the first quarter of this year. A hand covering the modification deal of 60 C-model Gripens to the new standard operating shoulds be Concluded by the end of 2013, the company says, with a support contract linked to year initial batch of aircraft Likely to be signed by late 2014. Final deliveries are due in 2026 under falling on the agreement.

The Swedish parliament recently approved plans to proceed with the Gripen E program aussi With Their actions with regard to significant at Planned Swiss Air Force purchase of 22 new-build examples. The total program includes the SKr47.2 one billion projected purchase and Support Costs for the Swiss fighters. However, Saab notes: "The agreement includes sections aussi Regulating the terms shoulds Switzerland decided not to Acquire Gripen E", and for the FMV aussi "to fully or Partly make cancellations," with compensation clauses attached.