26/10/2012 Sources : EMA

Le 21 octobre 2012, après avoir mené depuis le 12 octobre la phase initiale d’intégration de la force (FIT), les nations engagées dans Croix du Sud 2012, ont entamé jusqu’au 26 octobre, la seconde phase de l’exercice avec le déploiement des forces sur le terrain.

Cet exercice de niveau opératif, interarmées et multinational, a pour but d'entraîner les Forces armées en Nouvelle Calédonie (FANC) et leurs partenaires de la région à conduire une opération d'assistance humanitaire, suivie d'une évacuation de ressortissants. Le 21 octobre, le déploiement des forces a été précédé par la mise en place de deux équipes de reconnaissance et de recueil du renseignement, de 20 militaires chacune. La première était composée d’une section de la compagnie parachutiste du Régiment d’infanterie de marine - Pacifique (RIMa-P), renforcée par des marines américains et des militaires néo-zélandais. La deuxième était armée par une section de Gurkhas britanniques. Ces équipes ont été héliportées dans la nuit du 19 au 20 octobre aux abords des points d’accès envisagés : l’aéroport de Koumac et la plage de Poum, au Nord de la Grande Terre. Elles ont reçu le soutien d’un détachement néo-zélandais de reconnaissance hydrographique, qui a procédé à des missions de préparation au profit de la force amphibie, depuis le patrouilleur P400  La Glorieuse .

L’opération d’aérolargage sur Koumac a débuté le 21 octobre au matin, sur la base des éléments recueillis lors des missions de reconnaissance et de recueil de renseignement. Simultanément, a débuté l’opération de débarquement de 200 militaires sur la plage de Poum, depuis le bâtiment amphibie australien Tobruk et le bâtiment de transport léger Jacques Cartier. Une dizaine de rotations d’avions CASA CN 235 a suivi pour assurer la mise en place de la logistique et du reste du personnel de la force.

Au bilan, plus de 1000 hommes et une centaine de véhicules ont été déployés dans la journée sur la zone de Koumac et de Poum, à environ 500 kilomètres de la zone de rassemblement initial, pour une opération devant durer  plusieurs jours.

Cet exercice international, auquel participent les FANC et des renforts des forces armées en Polynésie française (FAPF), conforte la position de la France comme contributeur de premier plan au maintien de la sécurité en zone Pacifique et comme partenaire important à la coopération régionale. Dans le cadre de la transformation des armées, les FANC et les FAPF agissent de manière complémentaire et forment le « théâtre » Pacifique. Les FANC constituent le point d’appui central du « théâtre » avec un dispositif interarmées centré sur un GTIA avec les moyens de projection associés. Les FAPF quant à elles constituent un dispositif interarmées à dominante maritime.

October 26, 2012 by Ritu Sharma - defenceeXpress

The Defence Minister AK Antony’s reluctance to take a call on making minor modifications in the original tender for the procurement of 197 light utility helicopters has put the whole deal in jeopardy.

According to sources, Eurocopter AS550C3 Fennec had emerged as the winner of the field trials for the helicopters for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) in the deal estimated to be valuing $ 1 billion. But there was one minor issue problem – long stretcher cannot be accommodated in the helicopter. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) suggested that that it can add bulge to the gate so that a long stretcher can be put inside the helicopter. A Technical Oversight Committee was set up to look into the matter.

“The change in the doors of the helicopter would not have affected much. The oversight committee found that the change will not affect the helicopter much but, it will require a little change in the requirements of RfP. This change in the RfP could only be brought by approval of the Defence Minister,” sources added.

The matter was referred to Antony. However, reluctant to take “discretionary” call, the Defence Minister surrendered his discretionary power to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) comprising of the Minister of state for Defence, three services chiefs, Defence Secretary, Secretary Defence Production and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence.

“This effectively means that the DAC will consider this issue. Most likely the deal has been put in a cold storage. So jeopardizing the status of the tender itself,” sources added.

The procurement of 197 helicopters for the Indian Army has been jinxed as the force’s earlier attempt to acquire these machines ended in a naught when the tender was cancelled at the last moment. The tender was re-issued in 2008 but it ran into rough weather after the Defence Ministry received an anonymous letter alleging roles of arms dealers in the deal.

The Eurocopter AS 550 C3 Fennec was selected after grueling trials in hot, humid and high altitude conditions in Rajasthan, Punjab and Kashmir including Siachen Glacier. These new rotary machines will replaces the 1970 vintage Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in operation with the Indian Army. As per the tender, Eurocopter will deliver 60 helicopters in fly-away condition and remaining 137 will be licensed produced by Hindustan Aeronautic's Limited at Bangalore.

26.10.2012 Pacific Sentinel

26.10.2012 Pacific Sentinel

October 25, 2012 By Rajeev Sharma - thediplomat.com

Fresh tensions in Indo-Russian bilateral ties are bound to surface soon as India is set to cut its Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) order by one-third. India will now be inducting only 144 FGFA instead of the originally scheduled 214. The reduced purchase size could be to accommodate potential interest in the Lockheed Martin F-35A aircraft, which had earlier been rejected by both the Indian Air Force and the Defense Ministry. Both of these organizations have denied the F-35 rumors.

Significantly, all of the 144 FGFA India now intends to purchase will be single-seater jets. Earlier, the Indian Air Force planned to procure 214 units– 166 single-seaters and 48 twin-seaters.

According to sources, India’s decision to reduce the number of jets it will purchase was driven primarily by two overarching concerns: production delays and cost over-runs, both of which have been major irritants in Indo-Russian defense ties. The first prototype of the fighter jet is likely to be delivered to India in 2014, followed by additional planes in 2017 and 2019. Earlier, India expected to induct the jets into service sometime between 2017 and 2018. Recently Russia said the FGFA would not be delivered until 2020.

Still, the news of India’s reduced purchase is likely to irritate Russia and it will be worth closely watching how Moscow responds. Russia has already delayed President Vladimir Putin’s trip to India by seven weeks. Putin was initially scheduled to visit New Delhi from October 31 to November 1^st, but will now arrive in the Indian Capital on December 24.

India's Hindustan Aeronatics Limited (HAL) is to build the FGFA, a derivative of the Sukhoi T-50, in India. India and Russia signed a 50:50 joint venture to build the aircraft in December 2011.

Rajeev Sharma is a New Delhi-based journalist-author who has been writing on international relations, foreign policy, strategic affairs, security and terrorism for over two decades. He is a regular contributor to The Diplomat's Indian Decade blog.

26.10.2012 Pacific Sentinel

October 25, 2012 defpro.com

SEOUL | A fourth and final unit of the early warning aircraft Peace Eye has been delivered to South Korea's Air Force, the state arms procurement agency said Wednesday.

The delivery marks the completion of a US$1.6 billion project launched in 2006 to buy four modified versions of the high-altitude surveillance aircraft from Boeing to strengthen South Korea's aerial surveillance capabilities against North Korea.

The first two planes were delivered last year and the third in May. The last three units were assembled at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a local aerospace firm, under Boeing's supervision.

"With the completion of Peace Eye's deployment, we can now detect and watch about 1,000 flying objects at the same time at 360 degrees," an official at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.

"We are able to watch aerial and maritime targets anywhere over and around the Korean Peninsula, and can detect all low-altitude planes infiltrating through mountainous regions," the official said. (Yonhap)

October 25, 2012 Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service  - defpro.com

WASHINGTON | The U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force kicked off Orient Shield 2012 in Japan yesterday, the first in a series of annual tactical field-training exercises since the U.S. Defense Department’s new strategic guidance refocused attention on the Asia-Pacific region.

Considered the two armies’ premier field training exercise since it began in 2000, Orient Shield focuses on bilateral planning, coordination and interoperability, Army Maj. Randall Baucom, a U.S. Army Japan spokesman, told American Forces Press Service.

This year’s exercise, the first to include Stryker vehicles, brings together soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment based at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and the JGSDF Middle Army’s 10th Division, 33rd Infantry Regiment at Japan’s Aibano Training Area. Collectively, it includes about 750 U.S. service members and 600 Japanese troops.

Unlike other bilateral exercises focused primarily on headquarters and bilateral staff operations, Orient Shield promotes engagement at the junior enlisted and noncommissioned officer level. As the U.S. and Japanese soldiers exchange ideas, tactics, techniques and military experiences, Baucom said, they will enhance their combat readiness and interoperability at the tactical level.

That capability will get put to the test through collective training conducted during the exercise’s second week, as the troops work side by side in a tactical field training exercise, he said.

These engagements have big-picture significance, Baucom said, strengthening the historic U.S.-Japan alliance demonstrating U.S. resolve to support the security interests of friends and allies in the region.

Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, the U.S. Pacific Command commander, calls the U.S.-Japan alliance -- one of five U.S. alliances in the region -- a keystone in implementing the new strategic guidance that recognizes the growing economic and strategic importance of the Asia-Pacific region.

As he explores ways to increase military-to-military engagement there, Locklear said, he wants to expand the scope of current exercises while also reaching out to new partners to initiate new exercises. The admiral said he also plans to encourage more trilateral and multilateral exercises that encourage broader regional engagement.

Army Lt. Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski, the commander of U.S. Army Pacific, told bloggers earlier this week he hopes to increase the number of troops available to support the exercise program. As the U.S. military draws down forces in Afghanistan, Wiercinski said, he wants to begin troop rotations.

As envisioned, the soldiers would serve 30- to 45-day deployments in the region, participating in exercises and other military engagements. Ideally, they will be able to fall in on equipment and supplies pre-positioned at key locations, he said, reducing the cost and logistical burden of that enhanced military-to-military engagement.

Meanwhile, Pacom also is seeking ways to engage its sailors, Marines and airmen more closely with regional allies and partners, reported Army Col. David Parker, Pacom’s exercise division chief.

As the command strives to exercise with more partners and promote more multilateral engagements, Parker said, they are finding disaster preparedness to be a universal common ground.

“If there is something common across the [area of responsibility], it is the awareness that there is going to be a natural disaster. So nations are focusing on that,” said Army Col. Phillip Meade, the director of Pacom’s Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance.

“And that is why, when you develop a multilateral exercise under the humanitarian assistance disaster relief umbrella, it helps bring everyone to the table,” he said.

25 October 2012 Australian Munitions

Australian Munitions will be displaying its extensive product range at the Land Warfare Conference exhibition in Melbourne next week.

The Thales-owned business is dedicated to providing a wide range of munitions that deliver a battlefield advantage to Australia’s warfighters, while delivering better access to capabilities, increased flexibility, and greater cost-effectiveness to the Department of Defence.

Australian Munitions’ range of products, when fielded with its strategic partners, encompasses the majority of the Australian Defence Force’s non-guided munitions product requirements from small, medium and large calibre ammunition through to aircraft bombs, demolition stores and pyrotechnics.

Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia and New Zealand CEO, said: "Together with our world-class partners, we are adding significant depth to Australia's domestic munitions production capability. Collectively we provide extensive global reach to access the widest range of technologies, and real market scale.

"Our aim is to lower the cost of Australia’s explosive ordnance capability, while continuing to deliver world-leading safety performance in Australia’s strategically critical ordnance sites – Benalla in Victoria and Mulwala in New South Wales, which together provide employment for more than 700 people. Our expertise running these sites is unique and unrivalled.

Kevin Wall, Australian Munitions’ Executive General Manager, said: "We are also continuing to build our business in both defence and non-defence markets, pursuing investment opportunities and streamlining our operations. Our most recent investment has been to establish production of 7.62mm F4 ammunition. This was discontinued by Defence in the 1990s, but with recent operational experience and the use of weapons requiring this calibre, the company has introduced this capability for our customers."

Australian Munitions has strategic partnerships with US-based General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Norway-based Nammo and Winchester Australia. Thales’s global network of explosive ordnance expertise includes Thales Advanced Weapon Systems, Thales Missile Electronics, Junghans Microtec, TDA Armements and Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ).

Australian Munitions will be showcasing its extensive product range and capabilities at next week’s Land Warfare Conference exhibition in Melbourne. A media briefing will be held on the stand at 2.30pm on Wednesday October 31.

About Australian Munitions

Australian Munitions is the largest supplier of explosive ordnance to the Australian Defence Force, with a successful track record delivering ammunition, propellants, explosives and related services. Australian Munitions produces high quality propellant and ammunition for military and civilian domestic and international customers, and is also a principal supplier of small arms ammunition to the New Zealand Defence Force.

Australian Munitions is part of Thales’s global network of explosive ordnance expertise, which includes Thales Advanced Weapon Systems, Thales Missile Electronics, Junghans Microtec, TDA Armements and Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ). It has also formed strategic partnerships with renowned world-class companies: US-based General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Norway’s Nammo and Winchester Australia.

About Thales

Thales is a global technology leader for the Defence & Security and the Aerospace & Transport markets. In 2011, the company generated revenues of €13 billion (equivalent of AUD 17.5 billion) with 67,000 employees in 56 countries. With its 22,500 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers and local partners.

Thales Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and services. Employing around 3,300 people in over 35 sites across the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues of more than AUD 962 million in 2011.

Paris, Le Bourget, Euronaval 2012, le 23 octobre 2012 – Sagem DS

La Corée du Sud confirme sa satisfaction vis-à-vis de la technologie gyrolaser de Sagem (groupe Safran) en commandant sa 100ème centrale SIGMA 40 pour ses forces navales.

SIGMA 40 est un système de navigation inertielle naval à haute performance qui se décline en plusieurs versions afin de couvrir les différents besoins opérationnels pour tous les types de bâtiments de combat, de la corvette au sous-marin nucléaire.

En Corée du Sud, les SIGMA 40 sont largement utilisés pour équiper ou moderniser des bâtiments de surface ou des sous-marins, comme les patrouilleurs PKX, les frégates FFX ou les sous-marins U-209 - KSS-1.

Cette nouvelle commande IGMA conforte la position leader de Sagem auprès des forces navales de premier rang. Intégré au système de combat du bâtiment, SIGMA 40, par la qualité de ses mesures, contribue à la précision et la performance des armements embarqués.

A ce jour, les systèmes de navigation SIGMA 40 de Sagem assurent la navigation principale de plus de 300 bâtiments de surface (corvettes, frégates, porte-aéronefs), et de onze classes de sous-marins dans le monde, soit plus de 50 unités qu’ils soient à propulsion nucléaire (classe Rubis-Améthyste), anaérobie (AIP), ou conventionnels.

****

Sagem, société de haute technologie du groupe Safran, est un leader mondial de solutions et de services en optronique, avionique, électronique et logiciels critiques, pour les marchés civils et de défense. N°1 européen et n°3 mondial des systèmes de navigation inertielle pour les applications aéronautiques, marines et terrestres, Sagem est également n°1 mondial des commandes de vol pour hélicoptères et n°1 européen des systèmes optroniques et des systèmes de drones tactiques. Présents sur tous les continents via le réseau international du groupe Safran, Sagem et ses filiales emploient 7 500 personnes en Europe, en Asie du Sud-est et Amérique du Nord. Sagem est le nom commercial de la société Sagem Défense Sécurité.

Pour plus d’informations : www.sagem-ds.com

Oct. 24, 2012 - By MARCUS WEISGERBER  Defense news

The United States and South Korea have signed an agreement to broaden the nations’ joint participation in military space activities, according to senior defense officials.

These officials said Washington and Seoul would also work together to strengthen their cybersecurity cooperation.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin announced the partnerships during an Oct. 24 briefing at the Pentagon. The defense leaders signed a “space cooperation terms of reference for bilateral military space cooperation,” Panetta said.

The document “formally establishes a United States-Republic of Korea defense working group that will address space policy, architecture, training and personnel exchange,” he said.

The ministers also “welcomed the launch of the U.S.-ROK Cyber Policy Consultations as a ‘whole-of-government’ approach, and also acknowledged that effective bilateral cooperation on cyber-security would require increased cooperation between defense agencies and coordination with the private sector,” according to a joint statement released by the Pentagon following the meeting between Panetta and Kim.

Both Panetta and Kim touted the military relationship between the two countries. Broadening partnerships with countries in the Asia-Pacific is a critical part of the Pentagon’s military strategy, which calls for an increased focus on that region.

10/22/2012 Simon Wigfield - defenceiq.com

As we come to the tail end of the year it’s interesting to see the transformations and challenges that have been occurring within the Indian Armed Forces, specifically the Army, over the last 12 months. Following the changes in leadership in the Indian Army this year it’s been a relatively unsettled and rocky period.

On 31st May 2012, General Bikram Singh assumed charge as the Indian Army’s Chief of Staff, becoming the 25th chief of the world’s second largest army. Seen as a ‘soldier’s soldier,’ General Bikram brings with him a sense of relief after the Supreme Court refused to accept the former Chief of Staff, General VK Singh’s, proposed ‘new date of birth,’ which would have enabled Singh to retain the position for another year. The top court refused to accept this new found information and announced General Bikram as his successor.

Since assuming control, General Bikram has taken it upon himself to steadily overturn key decisions take by General VK ranging from policy and procurement drives to the posting of senior officers in key positions. One of General Bikram’s first moves was to shut down the military intelligence unit accused of illegally tapping telephones – the Technical Support Division. The TSD reported directly to General VK, which only added to the allegations of corruption which have surfaced. General Bikram, like a new Prime Minister, has taken it upon himself to assemble his own team of trusted leaders, many of whom worked closely with him in Eastern Army Command in Kolkata. This has meant many of General VK’s old guard have been shunted out of key postings moving to less influential or reputable directorate.

General Bikram has also tried his hardest to keep his senior Generals out of the public eye. This attempt to reduce the Indian Army’s media engagement is in direct reaction to the procurement and personal corruption scandals that have been rife in the Indian Army right up to the top. India can’t afford to have another year like the one just past with some of its largest defence importers ending up on the blacklist, including Rheinmetall Air Defence and IMI. The Indian Army is currently licking its wounds; whether its senior leaders will ever be allowed back out into the media limelight again remains to be seen.

While it would be wrong to suggest General Bikram himself has set about introducing the new Defence Offset Guidelines, it seems quite a coincidence that they were finally released at the beginning of his tenure. With the new development of competitive industries, the need to add R&D directorates and design capabilities to all OEMs and the generation of synergistic sectors, it appears that for the first time India has resolved some of the basic defence acquisition challenges that have previously hampered implementation. The new policies clearly define a direction for Defence Production & Acquisition.

These changes are all well and good but what do they really mean and what impact will they have? It has been widely documented that India is undertaking a vast modernisation programme with defence acquisition budgets being increased year upon year. Yet, with all this money being thrown at new equipment, why have there been so few acquisitions of significance? The answers usually reside in things like red tape, corruption scandals or irregular procurement practices. While these might be the answers, I believe the question itself is on the edge of being inaccurate.

Artillery has been a long suffering capability for the Indian Army going 25 years without a single new procurement. Many DG Artilleries tried and failed. However, soon after the induction of General Bikram as COAS he appointed a new DG, General Anjan Mukherjee. Coming from DGFP General Mukherjee came with a business mentality that instantly rewarded his directorate through the acquisition of 145 M777. Whilst the deal is still awaiting the final signatures, it provides a step in a right direction. It is hoped this forward momentum is echoed across the force.

The Indian Army’s largest active acquisition takes the form of 2600 Infantry Combat Vehicles being acquired through the Make India procurement policy. With a programme value of $10 billion everyone is vying for a slice of the pie – with this in mind its lucky there will be two winners! It’s interesting to see the bid teams that have been established in order to win the biggest part of the deal. Mahindra has chosen BAE and Rafael, whilst L&T has gone with CMI Defence and Ashok Leyland. TATA has chosen the most interesting partner in Rheinmetall.

Currently all bidders are expecting the final down select to occur and have been for the past six months. Many are unsure as to the reason why but many are speculating. Various views are being thrown around including red tape, incompetence, lobbying and perhaps even an objection from one of the bidders. This objection is likely to be based on the fact that Rheinmetall Air Defence is blacklisted yet Rheinmetall is still allowed to be part of the bidding process.

Just say, for example, that the delay is purely based on Rheinmetall’s involvement – should the Indian Army and industry be glad there’s a delay in the procurement? If General Bikram’s new leaders are making sure the bids are water tight and don’t pose the risk of unearthing yet another corruption scandal then surely the answer is yes. But is this even really an issue? Afterall, Rheinmetall and Rheinmetall Air Defence are two completely separate companies.

My theory follows a different route, the FICV Programme is naturally being held within the Directorate Mechanised Forces. This Directorate itself has not been void of General Bikram’s changes over recent months with more still to come before the year is out. As Additional Director General, FICV was the main responsibility of Major General R.S. Chand, this was all well and good until General Chand retired a few months ago, and a new ADG still yet to be appointed. In this situation the DG himself, in this case Lieutenant General Sidhu, would take over the programme, except he too is widely rumoured to be retiring by the end of the month too.

With the two most senior leaders of the Directorate departing within months of each other, it has suffered drastically from a lack of leadership and decision making. With no new DG or ADG currently appointed this is set to continue for a long time to come. But what does this all mean for FICV? Well, no one knows and herein lies the problem. A new DG or ADG could come in and simply carry on from where their predecessors left off and get FICV back on track. Alternatively, they may want to edit the requirements and start the process over again. Clearly option one is preferable. Perhaps some conclusions will be reached when India’s top brass, including Lieutenant General Anil Chait, General Officer Commanding In Chief, meet at the Armoured Vehicles India conference in New Delhi next month.

In summary, it’s clear that General Bikram Singh’s introduction has brought about vast change but it cannot be agreed that the Indian Army has fully reaped the rewards. What is certain is that General Bikram has taken a very large step in the right direction.

10/22/2012 Samantha Tanner - defenceiq.com

The Australian Defence Force has announced its five year plan to open up its most dangerous military jobs to women.

Acting on the precedent of New Zealand, and more recently India who will be allowing women to pilot fighter jets in theatre from this month onwards, the Australian government is preparing to allow women to undertake previously blocked frontline positions such as infantry, artillery and mine clearance divers.

While this signals a positive move towards more equality in Australia’s armed forces, privately some defence chiefs remain concerned about the decision to let women into the 7% of armed forces roles that had previously been closed to them. In fact, in confidential briefings obtained by Australia’s Sunday Telegraph, fears such as increased sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour, the perception that the Army is lowering its standards and positive discrimination were all listed as concerns of either ‘extreme’ or ‘high’ importance.

Further concerns from the Defence Department included: resentment towards women for receiving attention, increase in injury due to new physical employment standards requirements, female expectation they need to out-perform male peers to get acceptance and exposure to low to non-existent levels of personal privacy and severe field conditions.

In all, there were reported to be 71 concerns.

Women who are already enlisted within the Australian Armed Forces will be able to apply for these combat roles from January 2013. However, those who are currently not enlisted will have to wait until 2015 at the earliest in order for government policy to be cleared and put in place.