14/05/2013 Michel Cabirol – LaTribune.fr

Avec son rachat par Nexter, le fabricant de poudres et explosifs pour munitions, obus et petits missiles, ne veut pas être considéré uniquement comme un satellite du groupe public d'armement terrestre. Nexter ne représente que 15 % du chiffre d'affaires du groupe Eurenco.

L'opération de rapprochement entre les deux groupes publics, SNPE (maison mère d'Eurenco) et Giat Industrie (holding de Nexter), qui va dans le bon sens selon tous les acteurs concernés, nécessite néanmoins quelques ajustements très fins pour que la consolidation de la filière munitionnaire française soit gagnante-gagnante, notamment pour Eurenco. Car Nexter ne représente que 15 % du chiffre d'affaires environ du groupe Eurenco, qui a réalisé, selon nos informations, 248 millions d'euros de chiffre d'affaires en 2012 (plus de 1.000 salariés). "Les besoins de Nexter ne sont pas suffisants pour faire vivre Eurenco", explique-t-on à "La Tribune". Cette acquisition permettra au groupe d'armements terrestres de sécuriser son approvisionnement en poudres et explosifs (Eurenco lui vend environ 30 % de sa production) en internalisant la fourniture des composants essentiels pour ses munitions.

Ce contexte économique et stratégique a donc été pris en compte dans la rédaction du communiqué publié lundi. Il précise que "cette opération devrait permettre de regrouper, au sein d'une même entité et dans le respect de leurs stratégies, de leurs clients et de leurs marchés respectifs, les activités complémentaires des deux groupes". C'était la volonté de SNPE de protéger l'activité d'Eurenco. "Nous ne voulons pas devenir une société de poudres que pour le compte de Nexter", fait-on valoir dans le groupe SNPE.

Eurenco exporte 60 % de sa production

Pas question donc qu'Eurenco, qui se partage par exemple les charges modulaires du canon tracté Caesar de Nexter avec le groupe suisse Nitrochemie (groupe Rheinmetall), soit considéré que comme un "satellite de Nexter". Ce qui lui ferait perdre des marchés. Car Eurenco, selon nos informations, exporte environ 60 % environ de sa production, en dehors des pays où la filiale de SNPE est implantée. Elle a cinq usines de production modernes en Belgique (Clermont), en Finlande (Vihtavuori), en France (Bergerac et Sorgues) et en Suède (Karlskoga) et a ouvert un bureau commercial à Washington ainsi qu'une société de distribution à Houston.

Enfin, Eurenco devrait régler le dossier de Vihtavuori, dont le site a perdu près de 4 millions d'euros en 2012. Tout en poursuivant les discussions pour une éventuelle reprise du site avec les autorités finlandaises, la filiale de SNPE a lancé en parallèle une procédure de licenciement des salariés de Vihtavuori en vue d'une fermeture éventuelle. Une mesure qui pourrait éviter à Eurenco des discussions à l'infini pour la reprise du site.

Vers une consolidation européenne

La consolidation de la filiale munitionnaire pourrait être un premier pas vers un mouvement européen. Eurenco, qui avait entamé des discussions très amont avec Nitrochemie. De son côté, le PDG de Nexter n'est pas hostile à une telle opération. Philippe Burtin aimerait pouvoir rapprocher Eurenco de son rival Nitrochemie, une coentreprise détenue par l'allemand Rheinmetall et le suisse Ruag. Car selon lui, il ne peut pas y avoir deux fournisseurs européens de cette taille sur un marché aussi restreint.

MOSCOU, 16 mai - RIA Novosti

Le bureau d'étude de Toula a conçu une nouvelle version du missile antichar Kornet, capable d'anéantir des cibles en régime automatique comme l'américain Javelin et l'israélien Spike, écrit le quotidien Izvestia du 16 mai 2013.

Jusqu'à présent, les missiles russes devaient être guidés manuellement vers leur cible. Le nouveau système fonctionne sur le principe " tire et oublie" (fire and forget), mais l'opérateur pourra modifier la trajectoire du projectile si besoin.

Le ministère de la Défense russe reste sceptique quant à cette nouveauté : il estime que sa construction et ses performances sont obsolètes.

"Le missile n'est pas autoguidé en vol comme celui des Américains mais il est contrôlé à partir du système de lancement. Autrement dit, ce n'est pas une troisième génération de missile antichar mais "2+". Le fait que la commande ne soit pas lancée par l'opérateur mais par le lance-missile ne change rien. Détruisez le lance-missile et le missile tombera", explique un officier de l'armée de terre proche du dossier.

Cependant, les constructeurs expliquent qu'ils ont sciemment installé le système de guidage sur le lance-missile et non pas sur le missile.

"Trois chars passent. Vous en abattez un. Il est en feu et devient une puissante source de chaleur. Par conséquent, tous les autres missiles à ogive thermique, comme Javelin, réagiront à cette puissante source de chaleur. Et l'opérateur ne pourra plus corriger la visée du missile. Or notre système frappe précisément sur la marque placée par l'opérateur", explique un ingénieur.

De plus, le système d'autoguidage situé dans l'ogive du missile représente pratiquement 90% de son prix et "périt" avec le missile. Or le système de guidage du Kornet reste dans le lance-missile.

Par conséquent, la version russe est meilleur marché que les missiles américain ou israélien.

"Ces derniers coûtent près de 120 000 dollars pièce alors que les russes sont 6 à 7 fois plus économiques", souligne-t-il.

Il ajoute que le nouveau missile peut abattre non seulement des chars et des véhicules blindés mais aussi des hélicoptères et des avions volant à plusieurs centaines de mètres d'altitude. Les missiles existent également dans une version portative et peuvent ainsi être installés sur des véhicules blindés.

Viatcheslav Tselouïko, expert militaire indépendant, note que les concepteurs occidentaux mettent aujourd'hui au point leurs missiles avec des ogives autoguidées équipées de systèmes de contrôle à distance.

"L'expérience irakienne, libanaise et afghane montre qu'on tire plus souvent avec les missiles antichars sur les bâtiments, les positions renforcées et les refuges que sur les chars. L'ogive autoguidée est inutile pour ce genre de cibles : elle ne les voit pas. Pour cette raison Javelin et Spike ont été dotés d'une visée multiple afin que l'opérateur puisse librement choisir et atteindre toute cible indépendamment du fonctionnement de l'ogive autoguidée", déclare Tselouïko.

Le rédacteur en chef du site Otvaga-2004, Vitali Moïsseev, pense que le Kornet pourrait devenir une arme de transition avant l'apparition de missiles antichars autoguidés.

"Il faut indéniablement doter les troupes de nouveaux missiles. Ce serait une version de transition avant un missile de troisième génération à part entière. Pour l'instant il remplacera les missiles obsolètes de deuxième génération Metis, Fagot et Kornet", remarque-t-il.

Le premier missile antichar de troisième génération a été l'américain Javelin, conçu au début des années 1990 et mis en service dans les forces américaines en 1996. Il a été activement utilisé par les troupes américaines en Irak et actuellement en Afghanistan. Plus de 10 pays, dont la Géorgie, en disposent.

Le nouveau Kornet est aujourd'hui en phase d'essais, qui devraient s'achever fin 2013.

May 16, 2013 ASDNews Source : US Navy

The Navy accepted delivery of the first Mobile Landing Platform, USNS Montford Point (MLP 1), from General Dynamics-NASSCO, May 14, in San Diego, Calif.

The Mobile Landing Platform is a new class of ship and highly flexible platform that will provide capability for large-scale logistics movements such as the transfer of light and heavy vehicles and equipment from sea to shore.

"MLP-1 has gone from concept to delivery in under five years, a remarkable feat reflecting the diligent work of the Navy and shipbuilding team from design through testing and trials," said Capt. Henry Stevens, PEO Ships' program manager for strategic and theater sealift. "With its open, reconfigurable mission deck, USNS Montford Point will deliver innovation and exceptional flexibility to future Fleet operations."

Delivery of Montford Point represents the official transfer of the ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy and is a major milestone in the ship's transition to operational status. Delivery follows the successful completion of Acceptance Trials, evaluating the ship's major systems and equipment.

Named in honor of the 20,000 African-American Marine Corps recruits trained at Montford Point Camp, N.C., MLP-1 is a modular, adaptable platform that may be used across a broad range of military operations supporting multiple operational phases. Acting as a mobile seabase, MLP will be part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to provide prepositioned equipment and supplies with flexible distribution.

The 83,000 ton, 785-foot ship will leverage float-on/float-off technology, allowing Montford Point to partially submerge, facilitating easy movement of cargo and craft. Additionally, the ship's size allows for 25,000 square feet of vehicle and equipment stowage space and 380,000 gallons of JP-5 fuel storage. MLP-1 has a maximum speed of 15 knots and range of 9500 nautical miles.

Following delivery, the ship will undergo test and trials period to install and incorporate the ship's Core Capabilities Set (CCS) in Portland, Ore. The CCS includes modules that support a vehicle staging area, sideport ramp, large mooring fenders and up to three landing craft air cushioned (LCAC) vessel lanes. With this set of capabilities, MLP-1 is able to easily transfer personnel and vehicles from other vessels such as the large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships (LMSRs) onto LCAC vehicles and transport them ashore.

The ship is owned by U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) and operated by a 34-person civilian-mariner crew under contract to MSC. The Navy plans to integrate an MLP into each of MSC's Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadrons. These ships, coupled with a maritime prepositioning force (MPF), auxiliary dry cargo/ammunition ship (T-AKE) and legacy platforms, provide a first step in crafting a sea-based capability and illuminating future seabasing requirements.

MSC operates approximately 110 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft. Delivering high-quality war fighting assets - while balancing affordability and capability - is key to supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy.

• The trucks will be used across the whole NZDF.
• Three sizes of truck will be purchased: 6 tonne 4x4, 9 tonne 6x6 and 15 tonne 8x8.
• The 6 tonne trucks have 240Kw engines, while the 6x6 and 8x8 variants have 324Kw engines. All engines are Euro 4 emissions compliant, which is the highest level that still allows efficient operations even if the fuel is of lower quality (such as might be found on operations).
• All trucks are fitted with high capacity electrical systems to future proof them for developments in communications and other electronic systems. They are all fitted with air conditioning to maximise crew efficiency in a wide range of temperatures..
• Variants to be purchased include trucks fitted with winches and cranes to allow completely independent operations, dump trucks, trucks fitted with specialised pallet and container handling equipment, and tractor/semi-trailer combinations to carry heavy vehicles and equipment.
• Specific components, including semi-trailers and dumper bodies, will be made in New Zealand.
• Although the trucks meet military requirements, over 80% of their components are used by civilian MAN vehicles. This commonality will allow for readily available maintenance support to the vehicles.
• Five training vehicles are arriving soon and will allow drivers and mechanics to train and qualify on the vehicles prior to the main fleet arriving.

May 16, 2013 ASDNews Source : Alliant Tech Systems, Inc

    ATK Supports the Launch of United Launch Alliance's Atlas V

ATK (NYSE: ATK) provided critical hardware for the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V that launched the U.S. Air Force's Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-4 satellite today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

GPS IIF-4 is the fourth satellite delivered by prime contractor Boeing as part of the GPS IIF contract for 12 next-generation GPS space vehicles. GPS IIF satellites continue to modernize the GPS constellation while providing positioning, navigation and timing services to civil and military users worldwide.

"ATK is proud to provide technologies that enabled the launch of the GPS IIF-4 satellite, which will bring enhanced capabilities to our soldiers and allies as well as civil users," said Blake Larson, president of ATK Aerospace Group. "Our support to this mission comes from all corners of ATK and highlights the broad cooperation we have with ULA."

For the ULA Atlas V rocket, ATK produced the 10-foot diameter composite heat shield, which provides essential protection for the first stage of the launch vehicle. The assembly was fabricated using advanced fiber placement manufacturing techniques at ATK's Iuka, Miss., facility. This is the 38th Atlas V launch using ATK-built composite structures.

The Atlas V rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. ATK manufactured the Reaction Control System propellant tank for the Atlas V at its Commerce, Calif., facility.

ATK also recently completed qualification of a new retrorocket, and eight of those solid motors supported separation of the spent first stage. The Atlas retrorocket is built at ATK's Elkton, Md., facility.

The Block IIF series will replace the GPS Block IIA satellites that were launched between 1990 and 1997. The IIF space vehicles provide improved accuracy, enhanced internal atomic clocks, better anti-jam resistance, a civil signal for commercial aviation and a longer design life.

15/05/2013 Michel Cabirol – laTribune.fr

Le missilier européen s'allie avec le leader mondial de la défense Lockheed Martin, jusqu'ici partenaire de Raytheon. Lockheed Martin ne lançait jusqu'à présent que des missiles fabriqués par le numéro un mondial des missiles Raytheon.

Le missilier MBDA a finement joué aux Etats-Unis en dépit de ses difficultés persistantes à percer jusqu'à présent sur le plan commercial. La pénétration du marché américain, où MBDA espère notamment vendre son missile air-sol Brimstone, s'est révélée plus difficile que prévu, avait reconnu en mars dernier son PDG, Antoine Bouvier, lors de la présentation des résultats du groupe. Au-delà de ce contexte compliqué, le premier fabricant de missiles européens et le géant américain de l'armement Lockheed Martin ont annoncé mercredi un accord - un memorandum of understanding (MoU) - pour coopérer sur le marché des missiles navals.

Cet accord vise à intégrer les missiles de MBDA sur les lanceurs verticaux (VLS) de Lockheed Martin, notamment sur le MK 41 au standard OTAN, et "plus généralement, explorer toutes les opportunités mutuellement bénéfiques", selon un communiqué conjoint des deux sociétés. Notamment en lui ouvrant le marché des plates-formes navales anglo-saxonnes, notamment britanniques, et sur les marchés à l'export. Ce rapprochement donne en contrepartie à Lockheed Martin l'accès à la clientèle de MBDA (qui équipe 24 marines nationales) et à sa gamme complète de missiles navals : surface-air, anti-navires et missiles de croisière.

Divorce consommé entre Loockheed Martin et Raytheon

Un très joli coup pour MBDA, qui s'allie avec le leader mondial de la défense Lockheed Martin (36,2 milliards de dollars de chiffre d'affaires, 28 milliards d'euros), jusqu'ici partenaire fidèle du missilier américain Raytheon. Lockheed Martin ne lançait jusqu'à présent que des missiles fabriqués par le numéro un mondial des missiles. Avec l'alliance Lockheed/MBDA, le divorce semble donc consommé entre les deux groupes américains. Pourquoi ce divorce ? Parce que Raytheon est en train de développer lui même un lanceur, ce qui, pour Lockheed Martin, constitue un coup de canif à leur contrat de mariage. Et MBDA a rafflé la mise, en séduisant Lockheed Martin, qui avait besoin d'un missilier pour continuer à vendre ses lanceurs verticaux. Un mariage gagnant-gagnant qui sera un rude concurrent pour Raytheon.

Et ce, d'autant que MBDA compte énormément sur le prochain missile britannique CAMM (Common Anti-air Modular Missile), dont la version navale Sea Ceptor devrait remplacer à terme le missile surface-air Sea Wolf en service depuis 1979 dans la Royal Navy. Les deux groupes feront une démonstration de lancement du missile en utilisant le système de lancement vertical Mk 41 de Lockheed Martin au cours de l'année. Un missile en avance de développement sur celui de Raytheon, qui doit lancer l'ESSM block 2 (Evolved SeaSparrow Missile) pour rester compétitif. La coopération pourrait également concerner à l'avenir l'intégration de l'Exocet block 3 de MBDA, tiré jusqu'ici en oblique, sur un lanceur vertical de Lockheed Martin.

5/15/2013 Strategy Page

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 14, 2013) An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is the first aircraft carrier to successfully catapult launch an unmanned aircraft from its flight deck. (U.S. Navy photo by Erik Hildebrandt)

MOSCOU, 13 mai - RIA Novosti

Les contrats signés entre la Russie et le Venezuela dans le domaine de coopération militaire atteignent onze milliards de dollars au total, a annoncé lundi le directeur de l'agence russe d'exportation d'armements Rosoboronexport, Anatoli Issaïkine.

"Le volume des contrats signés est estimé à onze milliards de dollars", a indiqué le responsable, ajoutant que la coopération russo-vénézuélienne dans le domaine militaire et technique avait atteint le niveau de partenariat stratégique.

L'armée du Venezuela est essentiellement équipée d'armes russes, a signalé le directeur de Rosoboronexport.

May 14, 2013: Strategy Page

In April the latest version of the Kiowa Warrior scout helicopter (the OH-58F) made its first flight. The army had wanted to buy a new scout helicopter design, using an existing civilian model. But years of evaluations led the army to conclude that the fifty year old Bell 206 model, used as the basis for the OH-58A, was still the best available. None of the new candidates were sufficiently superior to outweigh the fact that the basic Bell 206 design, as upgraded and modified since the 1960s as the OH-58, had more than kept pace with potential new rivals. So the army upgraded the OH-58D with much improved electronics (Internet Internet-like capabilities and the ability to control nearby UAVs) and pilot protection. A lot existing components were replaced with new versions that were stronger and/or more powerful. About 60 percent of the components in the F model are new. Production begins in two years and the first of over 300 OH-58Fs (upgrades or new aircraft) will enter service in 2016.

This move is made necessary because the current U.S. Army fleet of 230 OH-58Ds is wearing out. Ten years of war have hit the OH-58Ds hard. Those used in Iraq were in the air 72 hours a month while those in Afghanistan were airborne 80 hours a month. In peacetime, these choppers spend about 24 hours a month in the air. Moreover, combat use puts more stress on the aircraft. Plus there's battle damage, which included twenty destroyed in combat. The current solution is to spend several billion dollars to refurbish and upgrade the current fleet to the OH-58F standard and thus keep the OH-58 in service for another 10-12 years. It is believed that a replacement will be found and built before then, or the OH-58 will go through another round of upgrades. This has worked for other military systems (the Sidewinder air-to-air missile, the B-52 bomber and C-130 transport) so this is not a particularly daring choice. It just works.

The OH-58D has a top speed of 226 kilometers per hour, and a range of 241 kilometers. It has a mast-mounted sight, which carries a powerful FLIR (heat sensing camera) and a laser designator. The OH-58F will move the sensors to the body of the aircraft, right in front of the pilots. The OH-58D is lightly armed, and usually only carries four Hellfire (anti-vehicle) or Stinger (anti-aircraft) missiles, or 14 70mm unguided (or guided) rockets. The upgrades don’t change the weapons load, and OH-58D users are still arguing for a new engine. Over the decades, the new equipment and weight has been added, without an increase in engine power. For a scout helicopter, the OH-58 was getting more sluggish as it got older. This was not good, even though the OH-58F is five percent lighter than the OH-58D, which helps a bit.

To help ease the workload on the OH-58Ds, the army is reorganizing its light aviation battalions, by removing some OH-58 helicopters, and adding RQ-7 Shadow UAVs. The new battalions have 29 aircraft, eight of them UAVs. All this is the result of years of experience with the RQ-7, and some tests, using UAVs as scouts for helicopter gunships, or in cooperation with scout helicopters, rather than the traditional scout helicopter (like the OH-58) operating exclusively. The tests were successful, and the army is updating its tactics as well.

In the last decade, scout helicopters have been doing a lot less scouting, having been replaced by MQ-1C, RQ-7 and Raven UAVs. The scout helicopter pilots are relieved at having UAVs take over some of the more dangerous missions. In particular, the scout helicopter pilots are glad to lose the job of going in to "draw enemy fire" (and thus reveal where the enemy is). This sort of thing has gotten a lot of scout helicopter pilots killed. But there are still situations where the superior situational awareness (two pilots with four eyes, four ears and two noses) of humans is preferable. There are some even more basic considerations. The RQ-7 can stay in the air for up to eight hours per sortie, about three times longer than the OH-58 while the new MQ-1C can do four times better than that.

The army is also equipping some of its AH-64 helicopter gunships with digital communications that enables them to see what the UAVs are seeing. The OH-58s often scout for the AH-64s, finding targets. Now the RQ-7s can do it better, by letting the AH-64 pilots see what the RQ-7 has detected. There are also systems that allow the AH-64, or OH-58 pilots to take control of UAVs. The OH-58F will have both of these capabilities. Meanwhile, it's expected that the army aviation battalions will gain more UAVs, and lose helicopters.

14.05.2013 Nexter group

Cette opération devrait permettre de regrouper, au sein d'une même entité et dans le respect de leurs stratégies, de leurs clients et de leurs marchés respectifs, les activités complémentaires des deux groupes dans le domaine munitionnaire et de rationaliser la gestion des affaires domaniales et environnementales issues de l'historique des deux groupes. Elle devrait intervenir en 2013 sous la forme d’un rapprochement des deux groupes autour de GIAT Industries.

A propos de GIAT Industries

GIAT Industries est la holding à 100% de Nexter Systems, systémier-intégrateur de référence mondiale pour l'armement terrestre  maîtrisant les systèmes de combat aéroterrestres dans toutes leurs composantes : la protection, le commandement, la mobilité, le feu et le soutien. Le Groupe a réalisé un chiffre d'affaires de 736 millions d'euros en 2012. Au travers de ses matériels et services aux clients (chars, véhicules blindés, systèmes d'artillerie, munitions, systèmes d'information terminaux), il est présent dans plus de 100 pays.

A propos de SNPE

SNPE, au travers de sa filiale Eurenco, est un leader européen des poudres et explosifs à usage civil et militaire et le premier producteur mondial de nitrate d’éthylhexyl (NEH), additif améliorant la qualité du carburant diesel (réduction de la consommation et la pollution).

14 May 2013 army-technology.com

Honeywell Technology Solutions (HTSI) has been awarded a contract to supply mission-capable heavy tactical vehicles to the US Army as part of a military vehicle programme.

Representing the continuation of the company's ongoing support to the programme, the $72.4m contract covers provision of vehicles, along with required training to the army personnel for safe operation and maintenance of heavy tactical vehicles fleet over the next three years.

Under the contract, the company's certified mechanics will repair, overhaul and deliver fully mission-capable vehicles for worldwide use by the US Army, Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers.

The instructor staff will also provide real time training to on-the-ground units prior to delivery, to ensure sufficient knowledge is provided to personnel on how to troubleshoot, order parts and repair equipment.

The comprehensive training will also enable operators to know all characteristics, capabilities and functions of the vehicles, before their actual deployment in combat operations.

Honeywell Technology Solutions president Carey Smith said: "Our teams have fielded and trained thousands of soldiers all over the world, and they understand the importance of ensuring that our soldiers are equipped to operate and maintain these trucks in any situation and in any region."

The heavy tactical wheeled vehicles programme comes under the TACOM Transportation Systems Program Executive Office.

Integral to the army's global logistical footprint, the 10t heavy tactical vehicles are primarily operated for personnel, supplies and equipment transport missions.

Trucks that include the heavy expanded mobility tactical truck (HEMTT), heavy equipment transporter, and the palletised load system have regularly been upgraded with latest technology and capabilities, while some others have received full armour packages.

MOSCOW, May 12 (RIA Novosti)

A new Russian carrier-deck pilot training site will be ready for operation by next year, Navy Commander Admiral Viktor Chirkov said on Sunday, replacing a Soviet-era base in Ukraine which Kiev has said it may lease to other countries.

The work on the training facility in the city of Yeisk, on Russia's Black Sea coast, “is proceeding according to plan,” he said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Grigory Naginsky, head of the Federal Agency for Special Construction Work (Spetsstroi), said last month the construction work at the site was effectively complete and that aircraft should start flying there in August or September.

Former Russian Navy chief Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky had previously said the training facility should be complete by 2020.

In March, Ukrainian First Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Oleinik said Ukraine, which does not operate fixed-wing shipborne naval aircraft, was considering leasing out its Nitka training site in Crimea to other countries.

Under a 1997 bilateral agreement, Russia occasionally uses Ukraine's Nitka Naval Pilot Training Center, the only land-based training facility for its carrier-based fixed-wing pilots. At present, the site is only used by Russia on a short-term basis to train Northern Fleet carrier pilots, who fly Su-33 naval fighter jets and Su-25UTG conversion trainers for Russia's sole carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov.

The Nitka Center was built in the Soviet era for pilots to practice taking-off and landing from aircraft carrier decks. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the facility remained under Ukraine’s control.

The center provides facilities such as a launch pad, a catapult launch device and arrester wires, a glide-path localizer, a marker beacon, and an optical landing system.

The Russian Defense Ministry has previously asked the Ukrainian Defense Ministry to lease the site to Russia. Ukraine’s then-Defense Minister Mykhailo Yezhel supported Russia’s request. However, a firm deal for the Russia lease option was not clinched, Oleinik said earlier, so the Ukrainian Defense Ministry was looking at other options for using it.

"India and China are the obvious potential candidates for this," Douglas Barrie, air warfare analyst at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, said last month.

India is awaiting delivery of a refurbished Russian aircraft carrier which will operate Russian MiG-29K fighter jets. China only has one carrier, from which naval aircraft were seen operating for the first time last year, and has little experience of fixed-wing naval operations. Most other aircraft carrier operators either use short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft whose crews would not need a facility like Nitka, or have their own such facilities, or use only ships for training.

Under the original agreement, Russia traded use of the Nitka facilities for spare parts for Sukhoi-family naval fighter jets, which were the only type allowed to operate at the center. Russia and Ukraine were Nitka's only users.

In August, Russia’s then-Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said Russia and Ukraine had signed a protocol on amendments to that agreement, setting out payment for using the site, unrestricted use of a range of naval aircraft for training and testing, and the possibility of sharing the center with third parties.

The Russian Defense Ministry said last year it was paying about $700,000 annually to rent Nitka and was willing to upgrade the facility. Russia, which has only one aircraft carrier - the Admiral Kuznetsov - is drawing up plans for a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for its Navy by 2018.