The DRDO has just issued this press-release on the Prahaar missile launch: DRDO successfully flight tested its latest surface to surface missile Prahaar at 08.20 A.M on 21st July 2011 from Launch Complex III, off Chandipur Coast, ITR, Balasore, Orissa. The missile with a range of 150 km, comparable to ATACMS Missile of United States of America, fills the vital gap between Multi Barrel Rockets and Medium range Ballistic Missiles. The missile capable of carrying different types of warheads, operates as battle field support system to the Indian Army.
The missile with a length of 7.3 meters and diameter of 420 mm weighing 1280 kgs, and a single stage solid propulsion system goes to a height of 35 kms before reaching the targets of the range of 150 kms in about 250 seconds. The missile equipped with state-of-the-art high accuracy navigation, guidance and electro mechanical actuation systems with latest onboard computer achieved terminal accuracy of less than 10 meters.
The missile with a pay load of 200 kg has a fast reaction time, which is essential for the battle field tactical missile. The missile is launched from a Road Mobile System, which can carry six missiles at a time and can be fired in salvo mode in all directions covering the entire azimuth plane.
The missile system is developed to provide Indian Army a cost effective, quick reaction, all weather, all terrain, high accurate battle field support tactical system. The development of missile is carried out by the DRDO scientists in a short span of less than two years.
The flight path of the Missile was tracked and monitored by the various radar systems and electro optical systems located along the coast of Orissa. An Indian naval ship located near target point in Bay of Bengal witnessed the final event. The missile was developed by the DRDO Scientists with support from Indian Industry and Quality assurance agency MSQAA.
The launch operations were witnessed by Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri and Secretary Defence R & D, Lt Gen Vinod Nayanar, AVSM, Director General of Artillery, IHQ of MoD (Army). The operations were over seen by Avinash Chander, Chief Controller R&D, V.L.N. Rao, Programme Director AD, S.K. Ray, Director RCI, and S.P. Dash, Director ITR.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony congratulated the Scientists of DRDO for the successful maiden launch of the new missile.
Photos ©DRDO (via Ananthakrishnan M)
21 juillet 2011 par Daniel Favre INFO-AVIATION
Le 13 juillet, Cassidian a annoncé un contrat de « plusieurs millions d’euros » signé avec Korean Aircraft Industries (KAI) pour fournir 24 systèmes d’alerte anti-missile MILDS AN/AAR-60 destinés aux hélicoptères Surion.
Cassidian a travaillé avec la société LIG Nex1 en Corée pour développer l’ensemble du système électronique de contre-mesures des hélicoptères, afin de livrer 36 capteurs pendant la phase de développement. Les livraisons seront étalées jusqu’en 2013.
Chaque système AN/AAR-60 utilise environ 4 capteurs passifs qui détectent la signature du rayonnement ultraviolet des missiles en approche.
Un programme de 245 hélicoptères
La Corée du Sud possède actuellement près de 700 hélicoptères dont plus de la moitié doivent être remplacés (des UH-1H Iroquois et des MD 500 qui sont en service depuis des décennies). En décembre 2005, la Corée a rendu sa décision sur son appel d’offres pour produire environ 245 hélicoptères de transport. L’entreprise sélectionnée fut Eurocopter (filiale d’EADS) en coopération avec KAI.
Le gouvernement coréen a donné son approbation finale en juin 2006 pour le KHP qui a finalement atteint 6 à 8 milliards de dollars (le contrat initial était fixé à 1,3 milliards de dollars), sachant que ce montant ne comprend que la recherche et le développement. Des contrats de 4 milliards de dollars sont prévus pour la production en 2011, avec un transfert de technologie.
Les compensations industrielles sont également importantes car le programme est conçu pour stimuler la capacité de la Corée à concevoir et construire ses propres aéronefs à voilure tournante.
Les premiers tests
Physiquement proche du Puma, le Surion de KAI est un hélicoptère de transport bi-moteur de 8 tonnes, conçu pour transporter 11 soldats.
Les premiers essais en vol ont débuté en juin 2010 dans les installations de KAI à Sacheon (Chungcheong du Sud). Trois autre hélicoptères de test ont été construits, et les vols d’essai se sont poursuivis jusqu’en septembre 2010. Cette étape a été suivie par la «production de masse » à partir de mars 2012, et par la « production à grande échelle » à partir de juin 2012.
July 20, 2011, zeenews.india.com
New Delhi: India will get a new frigate equipped with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from Russia within six to eight months.
"During his visit to Russia, Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma reviewed the progress of the Talwar Class follow-on warships, under construction at the Yantar shipyard there and was reassured that the first ship 'Teg' would commence trials shortly and be delivered in six to eight months," the Navy said in a release here.
The Navy chief returned on July 18 from Russia after a six-day visit during which he took stock of all the major Indian navy projects undergoing there.
The new frigates namely 'Teg', 'Teer' and 'Trikand' are follow ons of the three Talwar Class warships built for India by Russia and inducted into service around the early part of the decade.
In the new ships, the Russian-origin Klub missiles would be replaced by the indigenous BrahMos missiles.
The Navy chief also visited the Sevmash Shipyard where the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier is being retrofitted and observed that "significant progress had been made on the Gorshkov project and the ship was shaping up well for the preliminary sea trials."
During the visit describes as "productive and fruitful", the Admiral visited Vladivostok, Moscow, St Petersburg and Kaliningrad and made a first hand assessment of all projects. He held vital discussions with top brass of Russian armed forces and defence industry.
"Reviewing ongoing projects, the Admiral observed that they were progressing satisfactorily and had reached critical stages of maturity. He also expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction and repairs,"the release said.
In his discussions with the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy on operational exchanges between the two navies, the two sides agreed that the INDRA series of exercises form an important aspect of their bilateral relationship and would need to be continued and extended in scope and participation.
The two sides also discussed increasing cooperation in areas of anti-piracy operations.
Impression ©Livefist
July 20, 2011 by Shiv Aroor- Livefist
There have been indications that the Prahaar will be visibly similar to the Indian endo-atmospheric interceptor missile, though this is not confirmed. The team is ready for the missile's first test-firing tomorrow morning. Stay tuned for updates and pray it isn't another scrub.
07-20-2011 By Lee Tae-hoon - koreatimes.co.kr
Russia has decided to enter Korea’s advanced jet acquisition project, which would be the biggest arms-procurement deal ever in the country, a defense official said Wednesday.
“Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi expressed its intent to compete in the fighter jet procurement project early this year,” Col. Wi Jong-seong of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.
He said Sukhoi’s T-50 PAK-FA will vie with the F-15SE Silent Eagle from Boeing, the F-35 Lightning II f4rom Lockheed Martin and the Eurofighter Typhoon from the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS).
The T-50 PAK-FA and the F-35 Lightning II are fifth generation stealth fighters, while the remaining two are fourth generation jets with limited stealth capabilities.
Earlier in the day, DAPA spokesman Son Hyeong-yeong announced that his agency has eased the criteria to allow more companies to bid for the FX-III project, under which Korea will purchase 60 high-end fighters with a budget of 8.29 trillion won ($7.86 billion).
“We will set up strategies that will allow for the transfer of core technology and that will encourage competition,” he said.
Insiders, however, say both the T-50 PAK-FA and Eurofighter Typhoon have a little chance in winning the bid as Korea’s alliance with the United States will be a decisive factor in the race.
They say EADS offered a better deal in Korea’s last jet acquisition project in 2008 than its American competitor Boeing, but lost the bid due largely to political decisions.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin, two of the largest defense contractors in the United States, say they have had a long industrial partnership with Korea and their fighters offer high compatibility with its existing weapons systems.
EADS recently announced that it will offer Korea the chance to assemble and partly manufacture Eurofighter Typhoons in Korea in an apparent bid not to lose the FX-race again.
“The first 10 deliveries will be assembled in Europe, while the next 24 will be built with components manufactured in Korea,” Erwin Obermeier, a senior advisor of export projects at EADS said, adding that the remainder will be assembled here.
He also downplayed concerns over compatibility, saying all Korean fighters and Eurofighters are built to be inter-operable in the NATO environment.
Korea has purchased 60 F-15s from Boeing, which won both the FX-I and II projects in 2002 and 2008
Meanwhile, DAPA announced that Korea will spend 1.84 trillion won to acquire 36 attack helicopters from overseas. Col. Tan Myeong-hoon of DAPA said the AH-1W SuperCobra by Bell and AH-64D Block III from Boeing, will compete with the EC-665 Tiger from Eurocopter of France and the T-129 from Turkey.
The winners of the FX-III and the attack helicopter bids will be announced in October next year.
July 20, 2011 defpro.com
BEIJING | Chinese and Belorussian airborne troops concluded their first joint training drills earlier this month, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Tuesday, acording to Xinhua.
The 83-strong Chinese special task force arrived in Baranovichi on July 5 and flew back to Urumqi, capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Saturday evening after training with Belorussian paratroopers in Belarus' Baranovichi, according to the ministry.
During the 10-day exercise, paratroopers from both sides overcame challenges of language, geography and climate to accomplish the planned task with close cooperation and coordination, the ministry said in a press release.
It was not only the first drills conducted jointly by soldiers from the Chinese and Belorussian armed forces, but also the first occasion for Chinese paratroopers to leave the country for joint training with foreign soldiers.
The two armed forces trained together in counterterrorism, and the two-phased drills included training in mixed units and comprehensive exercises, according to the ministry.
The first phase of the drills included an obstacle course, hand-to-hand combat, parachuting, combat firing and anti-terrorism tactics. During the second phase, paratroopers encircled and eliminated "terrorists" by combining parachuting and tactical air landing operations.
The joint-training exercise serves to consolidate the traditional friendship between China and Belarus and enrich cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries, according to the ministry. (Xinhua)
photo by
20/07/11 By Greg Waldron SOURCE:Flight International
A two-seat prototype of a naval version of the Aeronautical Development Agency's (ADA) Tejas Mk I aircraft could have its first flight within the next three months.
The General Electric F404-IN20-powered aircraft is undergoing ground integration tests at Hindustan Aeronautics' facility on the outskirts of Bengaluru, said a senior official involved in the programme. This will be followed by engine runs and ground runs in the coming weeks.
"We expect the first flight within three months, but this is a bit optimistic because this is the first build of the airplane," said the official. "After the ground integration and engine runs we should discover if the aircraft is stable. After this we will conduct ground runs, followed by a first flight."
The official added that the ADA has asked the US Navy to help it define carrier suitability plans. He said the USA has been forthcoming with information.
The Indian government has approved two prototypes of the naval Tejas the first a two-seat trainer and the second a single-seat fighter. The official added that the Indian navy is likely to rename its version of the Tejas, which is also known as the light combat aircraft.
"Our focus is demonstrating the aircraft's carrier suitability," said the official. "We want to show the aircraft can take off from a ski-jump and perform an arrested landing."
In the first six to eight months after the aircraft's first flight it will undergo flight tests at Bengaluru. Then it will move to Hans naval air station near Goa, where a special facility with a ski-jump and arresting gear is being constructed with equipment from Russia.
Before a full arrested landing takes place, taxi-engagement and carrier-style approaches with the hook extended will take place.
Jul 20, 2011 brahmand.com
ISLAMABAD (PTI): Pakistan's Navy has inducted a guided missile frigate provided by the US into its fleet, besides commissioning two small tanker-cum-utility ships.
The frigate PNS Alamgir and the small tanker-cum-utility ships PN Madadgar and PN Rasadgar were commissioned and inducted during a ceremony at the Karachi naval dockyard Tuesday.
PNS Alamgir, which was formerly the USS McInerney, is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate.
The warship was commissioned in the Pakistan Navy in August 2010, after which it underwent refurbishment and essential repairs in the US. It was formally inducted Tuesday by the Pakistani Navy.
It will augment maritime security operations capacity in the Arabian Sea and support Pakistan Navy's surface fleet, an official statement said.
Naval chief Admiral Noman Bashir, in his address, said the commissioning of the tankers-cum-utility vessels is a manifestation of the navy's commitment to self-reliance and indigenisation.
The Rasadgar and Madadgar were indigenously constructed by the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.
The ships are designed and equipped for multi-faceted roles.
Jul 20, 2011 ASDNews Source : Metal Storm Limited
Brisbane, Australia - Metal Storm Limited is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TASER International Inc. and BREON Defence Systems Pty Limited to develop and market TASER(r) less-lethal ammunition for the Metal Storm MAUL(tm) weapon.
Under the MoU the parties will collaborate to develop, produce and market Metal Storm MAUL(tm) ammunition that launches the TASER(r) Extended Range Electronic Projectile (XREP(tm)).
TASER International manufactures industry leading Electronic Control Devices (ECDs) that are used worldwide by law enforcement, military, correctional services, professional security, and personal protection markets.
TASER ECDs use proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous or high-risk subjects who pose an immediate risk to themselves or others. The use of TASER devices dramatically reduces injury rates for law enforcement officers and suspects.
The TASER XREP is the most technologically advanced projectile ever deployed from a 12-gauge cartridge. It delivers a similar Neuro Muscular Incapacitation bio-effect as handheld TASER ECDs, but can be delivered to a much greater effective range - up to 100 feet from the operator.
Metal Storm's MAUL(tm) is a highly compact, multi-shot 12 gauge launcher that is ideally suited to law enforcement and military applications. It can be fitted as an accessory to an assault rifle, or operated from its own shoulder stock or pistol grip attachments. Weighing just 800 grams, MAUL(tm) uses Metal Storm's patented stacked projectile technology to provide semi-automatic fire as fast as the operator can squeeze the trigger. A full weapon reload of up to five rounds takes less than two seconds.
TASER International Chairman and Founder, Tom Smith said that the MAUL(tm) and XREP combination would be ideal for sectors of the market where extended range was needed but size and weight had to be minimized.
"We developed the XREP to provide an extended range for situations where a close approach was dangerous or not possible," he said. "MAUL(tm) will provide this capability from a very lightweight, compact accessory launcher, rather than the operator having to carry a separate conventional shotgun."
Metal Storm CEO, Lee Finniear said that the TASER XREP will add a new and highly effective projectile to the MAUL(tm) less-lethal capability.
"Our objective with MAUL(tm) has been to deliver a lightweight launcher that complements conventional assault rifles by providing a broad range of capabilities for non-lethal, door breaching and other specialized missions." he said. "The TASER XREP ammunition will provide the exceptionally versatile TASER Neuro Muscular Incapacitation from the MAUL(tm) weapon, with the added benefit of a longer range than the conventional TASER. In our view MAUL(tm) plus the XREP will be a game changing combination for urban military and law enforcement operations."
BREON Defence Systems is also a party to the MoU. BREON is the exclusive Asia Pacific Distributor for TASER products, and it recently signed an exclusive distributorship agreement with Metal Storm for MAUL(tm) for the law enforcement market in Australia and New Zealand. BREON will provide local Australian support for the collaboration, plus assist with the development of effective marketing and business development strategies for the combined system.
July 20, 2011: STRATEGY PAGE
Last year, China revealed that it was replacing the engines in its J-10 fighter, installing Chinese made WS-10A in place of the Russian made AL-31FN. Despite that, China just ordered another 123 AL-31FNs, to be delivered over the next two years.
The Chinese claim the WS-10A is superior to the AL-31F, even though the WS-10A copied a lot of the Russian technology. But the Chinese say they have improved on that. For example, as delivered from Russia, the AL-31 is good for 900 hours of operation. Chinese engineers figured out how to tweak the design of the engine so that it would last for 1,500 hours. This may be true, and it may also be the case that the Chinese cannot produce enough WS-10As for all the new airframes they are building.
China believes it will be free from dependence on Russia for military jet engines within the next five years, which implies that Chinese engine manufacturers still have a way to go. For years, China has imported two Russian engines, the $3.5 million AL-31, and the $2.5 million RD-93 (a version of the MiG-29's RD-33) for the JF-17 (a F-16 type aircraft developed in cooperation with Pakistan.) But in the meantime, Chinese engineers have managed to master the manufacturing techniques needed to make a Chinese copy of the Russian AL31 engine. This Chinese copy, the WS-10A, is part of a program that has also developed the WS-13, to replace the RD-93 as well. While the Chinese have been able to build engines that are durable, they are still having problems with reliability. That's probably another reason for the new AN-31FN order
China has long copied foreign technology, not always successfully. But in the last decade, China has poured much money into developing a jet engine manufacturing capability. The Chinese encountered many of the same problems the Russians did in the beginning, Developing the necessary engine design and construction skills is difficult. But China has several advantages. First, they knew of the mistakes the Russians had made, and so were able to avoid many of them. Then there was the fact that China had better access to Western manufacturing technology (both legally and illegally). Finally, China was, unlike the Soviets, able to develop their engine manufacturing capabilities in a market economy. This was much more efficient than the command economy that the Soviets were saddled with for seven decades.
An example of this in action occurred with the J-10 fighter, began development in 1988 and first flew in 1996. The J-10 is based on the abandoned Israeli Lavi (an improved F-16) project. The J-10 initially used a Russian engine (the AL-31F, the same one used in the Su-27), and was to have used Israeli electronics. But the United States leaned on the Israelis to back off making the Chinese air force too lethal, given the probability of American pilots possibly having to fight the Chinese air force some day. The Chinese developed their own avionics, based on Russian equipment. But this did not work out well. Some J-10s, using the Chinese copy of the Russian AL-31F engine, suffered from poor engine reliability. This appears to have been the cause of several accidents. At least three J-10 crashes are known, and there may be more. These accidents are rarely reported in state-controlled media.
The Chinese consider the J-10 and WS-10A part of the learning process, and they do learn from their mistakes.
photo geo.tv
July 20, 2011 geo.tv
Drones inducted into Pak Navy fleet KARACHI: Pakistan Navy has inducted the first squadron of drones into its fleet, Geo News reported.
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir was the chief guest in the induction ceremony.
During the ceremony he said the drones would increase the operational capabilities of the Navy. The spokesman for the Navy added that the drones are equipped with sensors and will be used in coastal areas.
July 20, 2011 defpro.com
NEW DELHI | The United States and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to promote closer cooperation and the timely exchange of information between the organizations of their respective governments responsible for cybersecurity.
The MOU was signed in New Delhi by Jane Holl Lute, Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and R. Chandrashekhar, Secretary, India Department of Information Technology. The agreement helps fulfill the joint commitment of both nations to advancing global security and countering terrorism, one of the pillars of the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue launched on July 20, 2009.
Previously, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano traveled to India in May to launch the U.S.-India Homeland Security Dialogue (HSD) with Indian Minister of Home Affairs P. Chidambaram. The 2011 HSD was the first comprehensive bilateral dialogue on homeland security issues between the United States and India. During her visit, the countries agreed to create the MOU, and negotiations for the non-binding arrangements were concluded at the June 2011 meeting of the Information and Communications Technology Dialogue by the Indo-U.S. Working Group in Washington, D.C.
The MOU establishes best practices for the exchange of critical cybersecurity information and expertise between the two governments through the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and DHS' United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT). Through this arrangement, the respective governments and broader cybersecurity communities in both the United States and India will have the ability to coordinate with their counterparts on a broad range of technical and operational cyber issues.
US-CERT's mission is to improve the nation's cybersecurity posture, coordinate cyber information sharing and proactively manage cyber risks to the nation while protecting the constitutional rights of Americans. US-CERT serves as the operational arm of DHS' National Cyber Security Division.
For more information about US-CERT and to learn more about DHS' cybersecurity efforts, visit http://goo.gl/AlXiU (PDF 45KB, 6 pages).
20 July 2011 Thales
The 800th Bushmaster to roll off the Bendigo production line has been officially handed over to the Hon. Stephen Smith, Minister for Defence.
The handover ceremony at Thales Australia’s Bendigo facility was also attended by The Hon. Jason Clare, Minister for Defence Materiel; Steve Gibbons MP, Federal Member for Bendigo; plus a host of representatives from Bushmaster suppliers and industry associations.
The vehicle is an Australian success story, helping save troops’ lives on operations and enabling successful completion of missions in even the most hostile environments.
Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia’s CEO, said the production milestone achieved by the Bushmaster was the result of Australian ingenuity and manufacturing expertise.
“Our Bendigo facility is unique, not only because it is the home of such an innovative vehicle, but also because we have the engineering and manufacturing skills to evolve the vehicle to meet new threats on the battlefield.
“This local expertise, and that of all the suppliers to the program – the vast majority of which are Australian – gives the Australian Defence Force a significant resource it can use to adapt the vehicle to its own unique needs.
“In addition, new Bushmaster variants such as the Single Cab Utility, as well as new vehicles such as the Hawkei, have only been possible because of the proven capability found in our Bendigo facility.
“The recent Commonwealth order for 101 new Bushmasters has given the Bendigo facility a great boost, and we are vigorously pursuing ongoing opportunities for the Single Cab under Land 121 Phase 3 and the Hawkei under Land 121 Phase 4, as well as export orders.”
July 20th, 2011 By US Defense Security Cooperation Agency –DEFENCE TALK
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Tuesday of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Thailand for three UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $235 million.
The Government of Thailand has requested a possible sale of three UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters, eight T700-GE-701D Engines (six installed and two spares), Dual MXF-4027 VHF/UHF-AM/FM communication radios, AN/ARC-201E Export SINCGARS Airborne Radio, AN/AXP-117 CXP (Common Digital IFF Transponder), government furnished equipment, engineering change proposals, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, Aviation Mission Planning Station, Transportable Blackhawk Operations Simulator (TBOS), U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, aircraft warranty, Air Worthiness Release Support, Repair and Return Support, and other related elements of logistics support.
The estimated cost is $235 million.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally.
The Government of Thailand intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces. This proposed sale will contribute to the Thais military’s goal to update its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability among the Kingdom of Thailand, the U.S., and other allies.
The proposed sale of these helicopters and support package will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft Company in Stratford, Connecticut; and General Electric Aircraft Company in Lynn, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this sale will require the U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Thailand for 5 weeks for equipment de-processing/fielding, system checkout and new equipment training and a Contractor Furnished Service Representative for one year.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
source asian-defence.blogspot.com
July 19, 2011 – OnePakistanNews
Karachi: PN ships Madadgar and Rasadgar, the Small Tanker cum Utility Ships (STUS) have been commissioned and PNS Alamgir formally inducted in Pakistan Navy Fleet during an impressive ceremony held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard here on Tuesday.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir graced the occasion as chief guest while the ceremony was also attended by officials from Ministry of Defence (MoD), Flag Officers from Pakistan Navy, senior management of Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) and other distinguished guests. PN Ships Rasadgar and Madadgar, the first ships of their class, have been indigenously constructed in Pakistan by Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW). Induction of STUS will increase logistic redundancy to Pakistan Navy fleet. These state of the art crafts are designed and equipped for multi-facet rolEs with robust and reliable modern machinery and equipment.
PNS Alamgir (Ex USS MCINERNEY) is an Oliver Hazard Perry Class guided-missile frigate. Ship was commissioned in Pakistan Navy on August 31th, 2010 after which she underwent major refurbishment and essential repairs in the U.S. The OHP Frigates are being used by a number of navies. PNS Alamgir will augment Maritime Security Operations capacity in the Arabic Sea in addition to supporting Pakistan Navy Surface Fleet. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir while addressing the audience congratulated all those who were involved in the STUS Project and induction of Alamgir and also expressed satisfaction on the induction of these crafts in Pakistan Navy Fleet.
Photo credit: Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Jul 19, 2011 By Leithen Francis AviationWeek.com
SINGAPORE — The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is hoping that Kawasaki Heavy Industries can ramp up production of C-2 military transports once first deliveries start.
The C-2s are crucial because the air force’s Kawasaki C-1s were first developed in the 1960s and will need to be retired, says Lt. Col. Hiroshi Kawaguchi of the JASDF transportation office. He says there is no way the C-1s can be viable in the long term because they have Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines. This engine type is also on the Boeing 737-200, says Kawaguchi, referring to an aircraft version that most airlines have phased out.
Col. Shinichi Kaneko, head of the JASDF weapons systems programs division, says the air force has ordered 20 C-2s and the first will be delivered in Japan’s 2014 fiscal year. Currently the C-2 is in its test program, Kaneko says, adding that the two flight-test aircraft are now flying. Another two have been built for structural testing.
The C-2, a high-wing transport powered by two General Electric CF6-80C2s, also will replace some of the service’s NAMC YS-11s, Kaneko says.
Some of the air force’s YS-11s have an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) role, Kaneko says, adding that there is a plan to equip some C-2s for ISR.
Kaneko and Kawaguchi spoke to Aviation Week on the sidelines of the Military Airlift Asia Pacific conference in Singapore last week.
The powerful Jackals will join the SAS fleet. (photo : Gary Ramage Herald Sun)
19.07.2011 DEFENSE STUDIES
The Nary is based on the Supacat HMT 400 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 vehicles. It can be fitted with an "optional" mine blast and ballistic
protection kit, mission hampers, weapons, communications, surveillance and force protection equipment. It has two machineguns and a grenade launcher.
19 juillet 2011 Par Rédacteur en chef. PORTAIL DES SOUS-MARINS
La Chine a pratiquement terminé la remise en état du Varyag, un porte-avions de l’époque soviétique acheté à l’Ukraine en 1998 pour 20 millions $. La presse spécule que les premiers essais à la mer seraient imminents.
« Les travaux de modification du porte-avions sont pratiquement terminés et les essais en mer pourraient commencer dès le 1er aout, date de la fondation de l’Armée Populaire de Libération, » explique ainsi le China’s Global Times de lundi. Cet article a été repris par plusieurs journaux de Hong Kong.
La Chine a commencé la remise en état du porte-avions en 2005. Il a été rebaptisé Shi Lang, un amiral du 17è siècle qui avait conquis Taïwan.
Le Global Times a publié des images prises jeudi dernier, montrant que des échafaudages sont en cours de démontage. Certaines montrent aussi des radeaux de sauvetage et du matériel en train d’être embarqué.
Ce mois-ci, des milliers de soldats ont été vus pendant ce qui semble être une répétition de la cérémonie officielle de lancement.
Pour les observateurs, la première sortie d’essai du porte-avions n’aura pas lieu après le 1er octobre, anniversaire de la fondation de la République Populaire de Chine.
Si l’ex-Varyag semble avoir reçu ses radars et autres équipements de navigation, les systèmes d’armes n’ont pas encore été installés.
Référence : Chosun Ilbo (Corée du Sud)
source apps.intan.my
July 19, 2011 defpro.com
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations will resume direct consultations with five nuclear-weapon states in the first week of August in Geneva, ending a nearly decade-long suspension of the talks.
The decision was made at the conclusion of an ASEAN Working Group meeting on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty, part of the ASEAN meeting and related talks from July 16-23.
According to the officials, nuclear disarmament experts from ASEAN countries are expected to launch the new round of "direct informal consultation" with the five nuclear-weapon states to resolve outstanding issues that have barred the nuclear powers from ratifying the 1995 treaty.
The five nuclear-weapon states, simply called P5, are Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
"For the past 10 years, we did not reach yet a common position among the ASEAN parties to SEANWFZ in preparing the accession of the nuclear weapon states to the SEANWFZ treaty," I Gusti Ngurah Swajaya, Indonesian permanent representative in ASEAN, told a press conference yesterday.
The achievement of a common position among the ASEAN nations is a major step, while talks initiated by the United States among it, Russia, the United Kingdom and France, would hopefully also yield progress, he added.
China has openly said it is ready to sign the protocol of the treaty.
The treaty binds the members not to develop, manufacture, acquire, possess or have control over nuclear weapons, nor to station or transport nuclear weapons by any means.
Its protocol calls on the nuclear-weapon states to respect the status of the zone and not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against states party to the treaty.
The protocol is open to signing by the five nuclear-weapon states, but none of them has so far signed.
An ASEAN official expressed hope that the parties would be able to expedite the negotiations.
"For ASEAN countries, we prefer not to amend the treaty as it will require a lengthy parliamentary process in each member states. We hope to be able to settle the issue with a political approach," the official said.
The nuclear-weapon states, except China, earlier said they cannot sign the treaty in its present form, mainly because of the protocol's inclusion of continental shelves and exclusive economic zones stretching up to 200 nautical miles from the land of signatory states. (DD India)
NEW DELHI, July 19 (RIA Novosti)
A Pakistan Navy Uqab unmanned air vehicle (UAV) crashed on Tuesday in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, according to local television, quoting Navy sources.
The UAV crashed near to an oil refinery and started a fire, but no casualties have been reported.
The aircraft was on a training flight when it crashed.
source defpro.com
19 Jul, 2011, THE ECONOMIC TIMES
BANGALORE: The government's long-delayed green light to French defence majors Dassault and Thales to undertake the Mirage-2000 combat fighter upgrade is yet another indicator of New Delhi forging stronger strategic links with Paris.
Over the last decade, French defence vendors have bagged, or are the leading contenders to win a number lucrative Indian arms contracts, including the $11-billion medium, multi-role combat aircraft tender for 126 aircrafts for the Indian Air Force, and the estimated $2.4-billion Mirage-2000 upgrade.
"We have always had a long-standing relationship with France, and a lot of goodwill was created after the 1998 nuclear tests at Pokhran. The current relationship is not really a new synergy that is being created, but is a continuation of past ties," Kanwal Sibal, former Indian foreign secretary said.
Defence analysts point out that both countries are now looking to enhance their bi-lateral relationship to a more robust strategic partnership, a development that could see the European powerhouse rival the United States as India's defence partner of choice.
"It is a question of having a basket of choices. If one does a cost-benefit analysis on a subjective term, France is a major player, since their technology is at par with anything being offered by the United States. India has to extract the maximum mileage out of what is being offered by France," Deba Ranjan Mohanty, senior fellow with the New Delhi-based think tank, Observer Research Foundation said.
While Indo-US strategic ties have grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade, they have also been marred by a number of misgivings, including the latter's relationship with Pakistan, transfer of critical technology and the reluctance of India's armed forces in signing a number of strategic agreements such as CISMOA, BECA and LSA.
The French, however, have assured India of complete co-operation with regard to transfer of technology. Aviation major Dassault has claimed that the Rafale, one of the contenders for the MMRCA tender, is not subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations restrictions, thereby giving it a huge advantage over its rivals.
Separately, the Nicolas Sarkozy's government has also cleared full technology transfer of the Rafale to India, and has also agreed to transfer software source codes, which will allow India to re-programme radars and other sensitive equipment.
However, the effectiveness of the promises are yet to be tested.
"While France is a relatively easier partner, any expectations that it will transfer non-proliferation nuclear technology is misplaced. They will never expose themselves to international criticism," Mr Sibal said.
According to Mr Mohanty, if the Rafale does get selected by Indian government and the IAF, it will be the biggest test of French abilities with regard to the transfer of critical technologies.
The new warship of Chinese Navy. A China Daily photo
source brahmand.com
Jul 19, 2011 brahmand.com
BEIJING (BNS): The Chinese Navy has launched its largest amphibious warship ‘Jinggangshan’ in Shanghai, according to media reports.
The vessel is the second Type 071 dock landing ship and has been built by the Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard.
The warship was officially launched in Shanghai, the official China Daily said Tuesday quoting media reports.
The reports did not specify the ship’s launch date.
China had launched its first Type 071 dock landing ship, named Kunlunshan, in December 2006. The ship has a water displacement of 18,000 tons.
The latest warship, ‘Jinggangshan’, is 210 meters long and 28 meters wide and has a water displacement of 19,000 tons. It can carry helicopters, armoured fighting vehicles, boats and landing craft as well as nearly 1,000 soldiers, the news report said quoting the Jiangxi Daily.
Jul 19, 2011 Huma Siddiqui – THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS
New Delhi: Even as it looks at India as a market for European consortium EADS' Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft, Germany is keen on taking its military cooperation with the country to another level by having joint exercises with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
German Air chief Lt Gen Aarne Kreuzinger-Janick told FE his country was exploring options for an air combat exercise with the IAF in the near future. “We are in talks with India on joint exercises. When the new chief of the IAF, Air Marshal NAK Browne, visits the country in September, joint exercises will be topping the agenda,” said Janick, adding the two sides had already discussed the possibility of joint training.
While India has been conducting regular military exercises with countries like the US, France, the UK, Russia and even China, there has only been a limited military interaction with Germany till now. At present, officers are being exchanged for specific training courses. “We have an exchange pilot on the SU 30MKI fighters,” the German Air chief said.
India holds joint combat exercises with friendly countries from time to time and is a much sought after nation for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) countries for war games. The framework for annual consultations for defence cooperation concluded with Germany in 2006 is the basis for expansion of the two countries' defence cooperation. Under it regular exchanges of officers, including that of service chiefs, consultations and training are being held.
The Eurofighter 'Typhoon' 126-aircraft Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal worth $10.4 billion is seen by many as a possible driver to expanding the two countries' relationship. The German Air chief also said Eurofighter was ready to share technology with India to a degree nobody had offered.
In order to beat the challenge from French Dassault 'Rafale', the European defence giant is transferring some of its operations to India. EADS has already set up a military research and development centre in Bangalore.
18/07/2011 by Armed Forces International's Defence Correspondent
The Indian Air Force is reportedly looking to press imported laser-guided bombs into service and, so, has issued a global request for proposal (RFP).
According to Indian news agencies, the Air Force wants over 100 new LGBS with the capability to strike targets deep within hardened shelters, or other locations that would normally be out of reach.
As a result of the RFP, which went out earlier in 2011, several firms have now responded with bids and these include US defence firms Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, plus one unidentified company from Israel.
Both Raytheon and Lockheed Martin are said to be proposing to sell their own, upgraded Paveway bombs.
Indian Air Force laser-guided bomb experience has already has been obtained: examples were deployed during the 1999 Kargil War against Pakistani strongholds.
Unlike gravity bombs, laser-guided bombs draw on beamed laser radiation to accurately strike their targets. The earliest LGBs appeared in the US approximately 50 years ago, while the first Paveways made their operational debut in Vietnam.
The Indian Air Force is presently in the process of selecting its next generation multirole combat aircraft and the competition is generally thought to have been reduced to two aircraft - the Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Either of these could be paired up with Paveway LGBs in years to come.
In mid-2010, India flight-trialled its own, indigenous laser-guided bomb design, conceived and assembled by Bangalore's ADE (Aeronautical Development Establishment) organisation. These laser-guided weapon trials, said an official at the time, "...demonstrated the accuracy, reliability and performance of the precision air launched bombs.
The same source added: "IAF is expected to upgrade a large number of unguided bombs to this standard based on the excellent results seen". On that basis, it seems that India may intend to operate both home-grown and imported laser-guided bombs.
The RAF recently took delivery of GBU-24 Paveway III bombs and these saw operational use in Libya when, in April, they were launched from RAF Typhoon multirole combat jets. Earlier in 2011, a new deal was signed between the US and Saudi Arabia for the supply of Paveway bomb kits.
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