October 13, 2012. David Pugliese - Defence Watch

The Chinese state news agency Xinhua recently reported that China is expanding its use of  unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In this case its a move to strengthen the nation’s marine surveillance, the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) has announced.

More from their news report:

The SOA verified and accepted a pilot program of using drones to undertake remote-sensing marine surveillance in Lianyungang, a coastal city in eastern Jiangsu Province on Sunday.

With the experience learned from the pilot program, the SOA would try to form a managerial system and technical regulations in a bid to set up UAV surveillance and monitoring bases in provinces along China’s coastline by 2015, Yu Qingsong, a division chief of the administration said.

In addition, the SOA would step up efforts to enhance its surveillance of the islands and islets including the Diaoyu Islands and Huangyan Island.

According to the SOA, the use of pilotless aircraft in remote-sensing marine surveillance is relatively flexible, low-cost and efficient, compared with the performance of satellite remote sensing, aerial remote sensing and field monitoring.

October 14, 2012. David Pugliese - Defence Watch

The Hindustan Times has some details on India’s ambitious air force modernization plans. It reports a number of developments:

The Indian Air Force expects to complete 75% of its modernization in another decade and raise four more squadrons of Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighters in the near future.

AF chief, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne told journalists that the acquisition process of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) was on track and would be finalized by the March 31, 2013.

Browne said 270 Su-30 aircraft would be acquired for 13 to 14 squadrons to be eventually raised.

The IAF is also planning to acquire additional C-130J transport aircraft.

He said that with the acquisition of MI-17 V5 helicopters, the IAF would have day and night surveillance capabilities.

He said four units of the helicopter had already been made operational and two more would join the force in December. Browne said a contract for 59 additional helicopters would also be signed in the next few months.

Oct. 14, 2012 - By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI  Defense News

NEW DELHI — Despite paying more than $1.7 billion more than the contract amount for a used Russian aircraft carrier, India is in a bind: It cannot enforce a penalty for the delay of the much-needed former Admiral Gorshkov, nor can it get out of the deal.

The carrier — renamed Vikramaditya and first scheduled to arrive in 2008, then postponed until this year — will not arrive until the end of 2013, as it is having problems with its boilers and engine.

The admissions came during an Oct. 10 meeting between Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony and his Russian counterpart, Anatoly Serdyukov. According to Indian Ministry of Defence sources, Antony was unable to convince Serdyukov to enforce a penalty on the carrier delay.

India will be dependent on the Russian carrier until its home-built carriers come online in the 2019-2020 timeframe, said Rahul Gangal, director of Aviotech Defence and Aerospace Advisory.

“There have been other alternatives proposed; however, the Ministry of Defence has chosen to steer clear of those offers [for carriers],” Gangal said. “It would also be interesting to note whether there is an official offer made for the two [British] Royal Navy carriers being built, which are facing budgetary contractions.

“Also interesting to note will be if Navantia or the Spanish government can come up with some options, because they have a well-established and proven build program, which is time-competitive, too.”

The Russians rejected India’s demand for a penalty, claiming the delay was due to parts bought by the Indian Navy that failed during sea trials, an Indian MoD source said.

However, no other officials would comment on what this source said.

The Indian Navy has one 50-year-old aircraft carrier — Viraat — whose service has been extended to 2017.

“The delay of the Russian aircraft carrier will impact on the plans to field two independent carrier battle groups by the second decade of the 21st century,” an Indian Navy official said.

Also at the meeting, Antony formally conveyed India’s concern over the carrier delay, later telling reporters that the aircraft carrier is important for India.

“India’s concern is legitimate, as China last month put its first-ever aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, into service,” said defense analyst Nitin Mehta.

India’s autonomous auditing agency, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), has severely criticized the delay in the delivery of the Russian carrier.

In a report submitted to the Indian Parliament on July 24, 2009, the CAG said, “The objective of induction of [Gorshkov] as an aircraft carrier in time to bridge the gap in Indian Navy capabilities has been defeated. The decision to go in for repair and refit of a second-hand ship has become questionable, as a new aircraft carrier would have cost much less and would have had twice the lifespan.”

The Indian Navy had to pay the Russians nearly $1.7 billion over and above the contracted 2005 price of refit at around $700 million.

In addition, the date of certification of a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet has been put off from 2017 to 2020, the official said. India plans to buy fifth-generation aircraft being jointly developed by India and Russia that would cost more than $25 billion.

Sources in the Indian MoD said the two defense ministers discussed the roadmap for work share between Indian and Russian scientists, and a formal agreement is likely to be inked next month.

Oct 15 2012, Manu Pubby - indianexpress.com

New Delhi  - In a first that will give a major boost to the Army’s aviation wing, India is planning to procure helicopter-borne early warning systems for the land force. The final specifications for the system are being chalked out, following which a tender process will be initiated this year.

The new system could be fitted on board the Army’s existing Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and will give formation commanders an insight into enemy territory while serving as warning systems for approaching aircraft and armoured units.

Sources said the Army is in the final stages of ordering the new system and is considering involving the Indian private sector in the programme. The other option is to rope in Defence Public Sector Unit, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), to design and develop the system.

The project, which would involve developing a new system in collaboration with a foreign partner, can be lucrative for the Indian defence industry, as the final order would be for a large number of the early warning systems.

The new systems would give a fillip to the Army’s aviation wing that has seen a steady growth in the past few years. Starting with the small Chetak/Cheetah single-engine choppers, Army aviation is now operating the ALH and is set to order a new fleet of light attack helicopters that are being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The early warning systems would be integrated with attack helicopter squadrons that the Army plans to induct in coming years and will act as valuable force multipliers.

While the Air Force does operate early warning systems, it does not have any such helicopter-borne systems that are vital for close-in, ground combat situations where enemy armour and rotary wing aircraft operate.

Meanwhile, the Army recently won a tussle with the Air Force on control over attack helicopter squadrons. Traditionally operated by the Air Force, the Army has them under its operational control and has now been selected for operating them also as is the norm world over.

MOSCOU, 12 octobre - RIA Novosti

Les premiers tirs d'essai de la version aérienne du missile supersonique russo-indien BrahMos auront lieu en 2013, a annoncé vendredi à RIA Novosti Alexandre Dergatchev, PDG adjoint de l'entreprise Mashinostroyenie, concepteur russe du missile.

"A l'heure actuelle, la version aérienne du missile est presque achevée, et la mise au point de l'avion Su-30MKI qui devra le porter bat son plein", a fait savoir M.Dergatchev.

Selon lui, le missile a subi l'ensemble des tests au sol et est prêt pour les essais en vol.

"Les vols d'essai impliquant des prototypes du missile débuteront en 2012. Dès 2013, on procédera à des tirs réels", a indiqué l'interlocuteur de l'agence.

Créé en 1998 par l'Organisation indienne pour les études en matière de défense et le groupe russe Mashinostroyenie, le missile de croisière supersonique BrahMos doit son nom aux fleuves indien Brahmapoutre et russe Moskova. Il est capable de porter une charge de 200 à 300 kg sur une distance de 290 km. Ses versions terrestre et embarquée équipent déjà l'armée de terre et les forces navales indiennes.

October 12, 2012: Strategy Page

After months of intense pressure, and years of nagging, the U.S. has agreed to reduce restrictions (imposed as part of a mutual defense arrangement) on the range of South Korean developed ballistic missiles. Under the new rules, max missile range goes from 300 to 800 kilometers. Max payload for cruise missiles (and UAVs in general) goes from halt a ton to 2.5 tons. In the end, the South Korean told the United States that if the agreement was not changed, South Korea was ready to just go ahead with building longer range missiles, to better deter China as well as North Korea.

For the last 30 years the United States has been discouraging South Korea from developing long-range ballistic and cruise missiles. This was done to try and halt an arms race with North Korea but the north never took the hint. Meanwhile, the U.S. assured the south that America would show up for the fight if the north attacked. Despite American opposition, South Korea began developing, but not mass-producing, ballistic missiles in the 1970s. South Korea certainly has the technical expertise and manufacturing capability to produce a more modern ballistic missile with a range of 300 kilometers or more. Public opinion in the south has long called for that limit to be broken, in order to make all of North Korea vulnerable to ballistic missile attack from the south. This change also sends a message to China that South Korea is not to be messed with.

The South Korean military wants to spend over $2 billion on missiles during the next five years. This is in an effort to quickly weaken the North Korean artillery and missile forces in any future war. The South Korean plan is to purchase and deploy over a thousand new ballistic and cruise missiles. These would be aimed at specific North Korean missile launchers and artillery positions. In the event of a war, the South Korean missiles would be quickly launched and every North Korean missile or artillery weapon eliminated would mean less destruction in South Korean territory. The North Korea plan had always been to start any future war with an enormous bombardment by shells, rockets, and missiles. Most would be aimed at the South Korean capital, and largest city, Seoul.

Nearly all the $2 billion will be spent on missiles made in South Korea. In the last year the government has revealed the existence of more of these locally developed missiles. Earlier this year South Korea made public the fact that it had a new cruise missile (apparently the Hyunmoo 3) and ballistic missile ready for service. South Korea is usually secretive about its battlefield missiles. Three years ago South Korean media reported that a new cruise missile, with a range of 1,000 kilometers, had secretly entered production in 2008. The missile, called Hyunmoo 3, has since been superseded by the Hyunmoo 3C missile, which has a range of 1,500 kilometers and is being deployed along the North Korean border, aimed at ballistic missiles, nuclear weapons, and other strategic targets to the north.

Despite the U.S. refusal to help, South Korea developed a 180 kilometer range ballistic missile (Hyunmoo 1) and a 300 kilometer one (Hyunmoo 2) in the 1980s. Both are about 13 meters (40 feet) long and weigh 4-5 tons. Both of these were based on the design of the U.S. Nike-Hercules anti-aircraft missile, which South Korea used for many years.

Cruise missiles are simpler technology, and apparently the Hyunmoo 3 is made entirely with South Korean developed components. Like the Tomahawk, Hyunmoo 3 appears to be about 6 meters (19 feet) long, weighs 1.5 tons, has a half ton warhead, and is launched from hidden (in the hills facing North Korea), and probably fortified, containers. North Korea has about 600 ballistic missiles aimed at South Korea.

The longer range of the Hyunmoo 3C enables it to hit any target in North Korea and is apparently intended to knock out transportation and supply targets deep inside North Korea. With a range of 1,500 kilometers the missile could also hit targets in China and Russia.

Last year South Korea moved some of its U.S. built ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) guided missiles close to the North Korean border. ATACMS is a 610mm rocket that fits in the same size container that normally holds six 227mm MLRS rockets. The ATACMS version in South Korean service has a range of 165 kilometers. That makes it capable of reaching many targets in North Korea but not the capital (Pyongyang, which is 220 kilometers north of the DMZ). There is a version of ATACMS with a range of 300 kilometers but South Korea does not have any. ATACMS is fired from the American MLRS rocket launcher. South Korea only has 220 ATACMS missiles. All of them have cluster bomb warheads. Half of them are unguided and have a range of 128 kilometers. The others have smaller warheads, GPS guidance, and a range of 165 kilometers. This is apparently the version moved close to the border, in order to make the North Koreans nervous. South Korea originally bought ATACMS in 1998, to have a weapon that could go after distant North Korean artillery and large concentrations of tanks.

12 October 2012 Pacific Sentinel

MOSCOW, October 12 (RIA Novosti)

BrahMos, the Russian-Indian supersonic cruise missile joint venture, is to test-fire their anti-ship missile from a submarine platform by year-end, the  Russian partner NPO Mashninostroyenie said Friday.

"We need a test-launch by the end of the year," said the company's Deputy General Director Alexander Dergachev. "A decision will be made on whether the weapon can be accepted for service with the Indian Navy, dependent on the outcome," he added.

The test will be a single demonstration firing from a submerged raft, he said. "When an operational carrier has been chosen, then further trials will continue," he said.

BrahMos, set up in 1998, produces three variants of the BrahMos missile, based on the NPO Mashinostroyenie 3M55 Yakhont (NATO SS-N-26) supersonic cruise missile already in service with Russia's Armed Forces.

The Indian Army has already taken delivery of the land-launched variant. The Navy already has the ship-launched missiles on ten vessels, Dergachev said. The Indian Air Force will also use the weapon, from an upgraded batch of 42 Sukhoi Su-30MKI strike fighters it is expected to order later this year, Russia's Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said earlier this week in Delhi.

"The missile had a range of 300 kilometers (180 miles), and will be vertically-launched by a gas generator in its launch container, which will eject the weapon by gas pressure, after which it will reach Mach two," he said.

BrahMos can fly as low as 30 feet (10 m) or attack its target from a high angle, combined with supersonic speed and evasive maneuvering. BrahMos can carry a conventional warhead of up to 300 kg (660 lbs).

Earlier this week, Russian daily Izvestia quoted defense industry sources as saying India has uprated its BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles by installing the advanced satellite navigation systems from Russia's Kh-555 and Kh-101 strategic long-range cruise missiles, adding GPS-GLONASS technology to the existing doppler-inertial platform.

October 11, 2012 China Military News

2012-10-11 — Chinese aircraft carrier has caused widespread concern in the world. Major General and deputy secretary-general with National Security Policy Committee under China Association of Policy and Science Peng Guangqian said that the appearance of missile nuclear weapons in the era of globalization greatly constrained the use of traditional aircraft carriers, but their strategic value did not decrease. As comprehensive and informationalized combat system integrated with modern military technology, the aircraft carriers are the important manifestation of the strategic ability of a country.

Supported by increasingly strengthened national power and modern defense technology and industrial system, China successfully developed the aircraft carrier. Its huge operational and deterrent effectiveness will not only greatly improve China’s offshore defense capability but also further promote an all-round transformation of its national defense and military in terms of the military theory, structure of forces, combat methods and personnel training. The combat effectiveness of Chinese aircraft carrier will undoubtedly help expand the strategic frontier of China’s national security, increase flexibility and initiative of the strategic choice and enhance the strategic quality and stability of China’s national security.

Like having nuclear weapons, China’s aircraft carrier will not change the defense nature of its defense strategy. China must have the ability of ocean operations and strategic mobility, but its focus of maritime security is still in offshore waters and it will not change the basic strategy of offshore defense though the development of aircraft carrier.

The aircraft carrier is one of strategic defense and counterattack means in China. With the aircraft carrier, China will be more calm, confident and rational in making defense policies. It is no exaggeration to say that Chinese aircraft carrier is not only the “stability anchor” of the maritime security but also “Noah’s Ark” maintaining the world peace and the positive energy favored by all peace-loving people.

October 11, 2012  by Ritu Sharma - defenceeXpress

Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdykov said: “The final certification for the aircraft is awaited. All technical issues have been handled and the production should start by 2020.”

The advanced stealth aircraft FGFA is expected to compete with the US F-22 Raptor, presently the world's only fifth generation fighter, and the under-development F-35 Lightning-II, at an estimated cost of $35 billion.

The Preliminary Design contract for the project was signed in 2010 and the two sides are in “hectic consultations” to freeze the design of this highly advance fighter.

As per US classifications, aircraft in service from 1980 to 2010, or based on the designs of the 70s are categorised as 4th generation aircraft. However, 5th generation aircraft are more advanced with better stealth capabilities and higher speed potential in comparison to the former. The FGFA is being developed under Sukhoi's PAK-FA project. The Indian aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is its Indian partner.

The 30 tonne fighter jet will have very advanced avionics, stealth to increase survivability and enhanced lethality. The aircraft is expected to enter service in the 13th plan (2017-2022) period around 2019. So far, the Indian side has put aside $250 million for the Preliminary Design Contract phase. India will be responsible for developing software for on-board computer systems, aircraft self-defence systems, and a host of other important components.

While India is developing its own two seater version of the FGFA, Russia's version is single seater jet. The IAF alone plans to acquire 214 of the combat jets and the option to acquire more has been kept open. The IAF is looking for 166 single seater and 48 twin-seater versions of the aircraft.

10/10/2012 Sources : EMA

Du 24 au 28 septembre 2012, le contre-amiral Anne Cullerre, commandant les forces maritimes de l’océan Pacifique (ALPACI) et commandant supérieur des forces armées en Polynésie française (COMSUP FAPF), a participé  au 13eWestern Pacific Naval Symposium 2012 organisé par la Marine malaisienne, à Kuala-Lumpur.

Cet événement, qui se déroule tous les deux ans, rassemble les chefs d’état-major des marines de 24 nations du bassin Pacifique. A cette occasion, le contre-amiral Cullerre a représenté le chef d’état-major de la Marine (CEMM), l’amiral Bernard Rogel.

Le Western Pacific Naval Symposium 2012 (WPNS) a pour objectif d’améliorer le niveau de coopération et d’interopérabilité entre les différentes marines de la région. Il est organisé autour de séminaires et de conférences, durant lesquels les participants abordent les principaux enjeux maritimes communs. Pendant le WPNS, des exercices internationaux sont planifiés afin d’affiner par exemple les procédures en cas de catastrophes naturelles.

Le WPNS 2012 a été l’occasion pour l’amiral Cullerre de conduire des entretiens bilatéraux avec des autorités militaires de la région, notamment le chef d’état-major de la marine malaisienne, le chef d’état-major des forces maritimes d’autodéfense japonaises, le commandant de la flotte américaine du Pacifique et le sous-chef d’état-major opérations de la marine sud-coréenne.

En temps qu’ALPACI et COMSUP FAPF, l’amiral Cullerre a pour mission de garantir la souveraineté nationale dans la zone de responsabilité permanente (ZRP) Asie-Pacifique. Sa zone de compétence s’étend sur tout l’océan Pacifique, les détroits indonésiens, la côte australienne et le méridien du cap sud de la Tasmanie à l’ouest, à la côte américaine à l’est, à l’exception de la zone entourant la Nouvelle-Calédonie sous la responsabilité du COMSUP Nouméa. ALPACI, au nom du CEMA, participe aux activités de coopération régionale et entretient des relations privilégiées avec l’ensemble des nations présentes sur cette zone.

October 9, 2012 idrw.org SOURCE : DNA

The Indian Air Force has formed special teams to counter terrorism in the country who are specially ‘trained to react in minimum time at any specific target’.

Elaborating on the changing role of IAF in modern times, Air Marshal AK Gogoi, AOC-in-C, South Western Air Command {SWAC}, while talking to media persons at the opening ceremony of 3-Indian Air Force Selection Board at Gandhinagar on Monday, said that ‘there are specific teams created to counter any such terror situations’.

The board is first in the western part of the country, wherein the candidates from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra will be motivated to opt for IAF as career. Gogoi was speaking on occasion of the celebration of 80th Air Force Day on Monday.

Addressing the audience, Air Marshal Sukumar said, that currently only around 1% of the total recruitment is from Gujarat, while 4% is from Rajasthan. Gogoi said that by opening the IAFSB here, they want more and more people from the state to join IAF. “Officer level recruits will be selected through this board,’’ he said.

The IAF is also gearing up to recruit personnel at the airman level. Gogoi said that a selection centre for this will soon be opened at Vadodara, wherein support staff will be recruited. The land and area for the Centre is decided and soon an official announcement will be made.

NEW DELHI, 10 octobre - RIA Novosti

La coentreprise russo-indienne BrahMos Aerospace fournira un millier de missiles supersoniques à l'armée indienne, a annoncé mercredi le ministre russe de la Défense Anatoli Serdioukov au terme de la 12e réunion de la commission intergouvernementale russo-indienne chargée de la coopération technico-militaire.

"Le nombre de missiles de croisière qui seront livrés aux forces armées indiennes s'élève à environ 1.000 unités", a déclaré le ministre avant d'indiquer que conçu par des spécialistes des deux pays, le nouveau missile BrahMos a été retenu pour équiper les forces terrestres et navales indiennes.

La production en série a déjà commencé. Des travaux sont en cours pour adapter le nouveau missile à un vecteur aérien, a précisé le responsable militaire.

Fondée en 1998 pour construire des missiles tactiques de croisière, la société BraMos Aerospace porte le nom formé par les premières syllabes de deux cours d'eau, le Brahmapoutre en Inde et la Moskova en Russie.