09 September 2014 by defenceWeb

The Angolan Navy will receive seven Macae-class patrol boats from Brazil, with four to be built in Brazil and three in Angola.

The Brazilian and Angolan defence ministers, Celso Amorim and João Manuel Lourenço, on September 5 signed a Technical Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering the production of the vessels as part of Angola’s Naval Power Development Programme (Pronaval).

The Brazilian Navy’s Empresa Gerencial de Projetos Navais (Emgepron) will produce four of the vessels in Rio de Janeiro while the other three will be manufactured in a new Angolan shipyard to be built 200 km south of the Angolan capital Luanda, with technical advice, materials and equipment supplied by Brazil. The Brazilian Navy will provide education and training of Angolan personnel both to build and to operate the vessels that will be built in the new shipyard, the Brazilian Ministry of Defence said.

The Macae class is based on the French CMN Vigilante 400 CL54 and has a displacement of around 500 tons, length of 54.2 metres, beam of 8 metres, an endurance of ten days and a complement of 35.

The vessels are powered by two MTU Friedrichshafen 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines coupled to controllable pitch propellers, giving a top speed of 21 knots and a range of 2 500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots.

Brazilian vessels can carry rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) at the stern and and are armed with an Allied Ordnance of Singapore L70 NADM 40 mm gun and two 20 mm Oerlikon GAM-B01 cannons. Equipment includes Ares Aerospacial e Defesa electro-optical sensors; IPqM TTI 2900 tactical control system; and Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine VisionMaster FT 250 integrated bridge system, which includes X-band and Y-band navigation radars, according to IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly. However, the technical configuration of the Angolan vessels is still being finalised.

Lourenço said that increasing the strength of Angola’s Navy will allow the country to fight threats such as maritime piracy and terrorism. "We will do everything so that implementation of this cooperation will not take long," he said.

Amorim during the MoU ceremony on Friday said that Brazil and Angola enjoy a strategic relationship as they both need to monitor the South Atlantic Ocean. The two countries, along with 23 other African and South American nations, are signatories of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZPCSA), a multilateral organization created by the United Nations (UN) in 1986, and which aims to prevent the introduction of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the region.

"Angola is a thriving nation and increasingly active in Africa. We have friendship and great mutual respect. Brazil doesn’t want a paternalistic attitude towards Angola, because Angolans rightly would not accept it," said Amorim.

Apart from the purchase of seven patrol vessels and advising on the construction of the shipyard, the MoU provides for cooperation in the academic field and the training of personnel to build and operate vessels, as well as to qualify sailors of the merchant marine.

The Angolan delegation attended the third IDB Brazil Show, organized by the Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (Apex-Brazil) and the Brazilian Association of Defence and Security Equipment, supported by the Ministry of Defence, and which brought together nearly 100 industry peers in Ulysses Guimarães Convention Centre in Brasilia.

At the moment Angola’s Navy is relatively small, with around a thousand personnel, and its vessels includes four Mandume class fast attack craft, five ARESA PVC-170 and three Patrulheiro patrol boats. In order to protect Angola’s 1 600 km long coastline, the Angolan Navy is undergoing modernisation but is still lacking in many ways.

10 September 2014 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

All the indoor and outdoor exhibition space at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2014 exhibition has been sold out and demand for space is so high that 40 companies had to be turned down and put on an exhibition waiting list, according to the show organisers.

Briefing the media this morning on the show, to be held at Air Force Base Waterkloof between September 17 and 21, the organisers said that one exhibitor cancelled but their space was instantly filled as there are forty companies that want to exhibit but can’t find space, even though AAD 2014 has an extra, seventh, hangar this year.

At the moment there are 70 foreign military delegations from 50 countries scheduled to visit AAD 2014, together with 13 national pavilions and 300 companies (there were 14 national pavilions but Argentina pulled out due to their current financial situation). A number of first time exhibitors include Uganda, Australia, Lithuania, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.

Simphiwe Hamilton, Show Director, said he expected AAD 2014 to be bigger than the previous edition, which saw 40 000 trade visitors and 90 000 tickets sold for the two air show days.

Dean Mogale, AAD 2014 Policy Committee Chairperson, said the organisers have signed an agreement with the city of Tshwane to host the show through to 2018. Tshwane Executive Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, said AAD will be kept in Tshwane for the next three editions including this one. He said it was one of the most auspicious events on the aerospace and defence calendar, not only on the continent but in the world.

He added it was a significant revenue contributor to the country and noted that the aerospace and defence industries contribute to the economy and technological innovation – he pointed out that the Internet was originally developed by the military, for example. Ramokgopa said he wanted AAD to expose the youth to career opportunities in the aerospace and defence industries. Several thousand learners are expected to come to the show as part of the Youth Development Programme (YDP).

Airshow

So far 10 000 tickets have been sold for the air show days on September 20 and 21. The South African Air Force will be flying and displaying the Gripen, Hawk, Rooivalk, A109 and C-130 while the Silver Falcons aerobatic team will wow audiences with precision flying displays. The Air Force Museum at Air Force Base Zwartkop will contribute a number of aircraft, such as the Vampire, Alouette II and III, Puma etc.

On the civil side, Bombardier, Gulfstream and other manufacturers will be displaying their jets such as the Global 6000, Gulfstream G450 and G650. Bombardier will have a Q400 on display and Airbus Helicopters will have several of its rotorcraft on show. The presence of many other aircraft is still being negotiated – for instance, Embraer is still deciding what to bring.

The Airplane Factory will try and set a world record at AAD 2014 by building one of their Sling light aircraft at the show, which is set to fly by the time the exhibition concludes.

Less than three months after it performed its maiden flight, the Paramount Group Advanced High-performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (AHRLAC) will fly in to Waterkloof at the beginning of the show and be exhibited as a static display. As the first military fixed wing manned aircraft to be designed and built in South Africa in decades, it is expected to attract considerable interest.

Unfortunately no unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be flying at Waterkloof. The organisers had hoped to have a UAV demonstration at Ditholo 50 km from Pretoria but this is not happening. However, the organisers noted that having UAVs flying is a priority for the next edition of AAD, by which time the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) should have finished drafting regulations on the operation of UAVs in South African airspace. Nevertheless, over a dozen companies will have their UAVs on static display.

Another disappointment to visitors will be the fact that the United States yesterday cancelled plans to bring out an eight-engined Boeing B-52 bomber. However, the US Air Force will fly out a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules. The New Zealand and Pakistani Air Forces were contemplating bringing out aircraft to AAD but these plans have been shelved. Zimbabwe was scheduled to fly a K-8 jet trainer but after last week’s crash that killed two of their pilots, this is uncertain. However, a full air show schedule will be available just before the show starts.

Firefighting helicopters will perform a demonstration during the show while Paramount will have an anti-rhino poaching demonstration using a Gazelle helicopter. Other highlights include a vehicle mobility track, which will allow military vehicles to show off their capabilities, and a mini-war re-enactment.

08 September 2014 by defenceWeb

Italian shipyard Fincantieri has delivered the Algerian Navy’s flagship amphibious warfare vessel Kalaat Beni-Abbes at its Muggiano Shipyard.

The delivery ceremony took place on 4 September and was attended by dignitaries that included General Malaoui, Head of the Supervisory Board of the Algerian Navy, General M L Haouli, President of the Acceptance Commission of the Algerian Navy, Alessandro Concialini, CEO of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, Angelo Fusco, Executive Senior Vice President Italy of Fincantieri Naval Shipbuilding Division, and Ferdinando Tognini, the Riva Trigoso-Muggiano yard manager.

The Kalaat Beni-Abbes was ordered in July 2011 by the Ministry of Defence of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria from Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a company controlled by Fincantieri in which Selex ES also holds an interest. The vessel was ordered at a cost of more than 400 million euros.

The 9 000 tonne vessel belongs to the BDSL class (Bâtiment de Débarquement et de Soutien Logistique - landing and logistic support ship), and developed from the Italian San Giusto amphibious class vessel. Fincantieri said its most important feature is an internal floodable dock, capable of accommodating a ready-to-go 20-metre landing craft; two landing craft of the same size can travel attached to the ship's deck, and can be deployed using a system of davits. If necessary, the dock can be emptied to accommodate other types of vehicles.

The vessel can accommodate 15 main battle tanks or 30 light tanks or armoured personnel carriers. Five medium helicopters can be carried in a hangar. Armament includes Aster 15 missiles, a single OTO Melara 76 mm gun at the bow and two 25 mm cannons. Electronics include Selex Sistemi Integrati EMPAR radar, SCLAR-H chaff/flare decoy launchers and Athena-C combat management system.

The Kalaat Beni-Abbes is 143 metres long with a 21.5 metre beam and has a full load displacement of about 8,800 tons. With two diesel engines, it can reach speeds of over 20 knots, and carry more than 430 soldiers, 12 flight service specialists and 152 crew, for a total of about 600 people.

It has a full-length flight deck, with two helicopter landing spots, fore and aft. It is also equipped with a 60-bed hospital and several operating theatres, to provide medical support to both troops and civilians during humanitarian operations.

The contract with Algeria also includes the provision of logistical support during crew training. Training of Algerian personnel by the Italian Navy has taken place since 2013 using the facilities of the Fincantieri Training Academy, a project initiated by Fincantieri in conjunction with the Italian Navy with the aim of training the crew of ships in the process of delivery.

Fincantieri Training Academy, which is already serving the United Arab Emirates Navy, is a positive example of cooperation between the armed forces and industry through which Italy's naval excellence is made available to Navies around the world, Fincantieri said.

The order has required Fincantieri not only to build the main vessel, but also to oversee the design and to manage and coordinate the local construction of three smaller Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) vessels, built at the Mers El Kebir naval shipyards in Algeria. These support vessels, known as chaland, are able to carry 140 men or a heavy tank, with a maximum weight of 30 tons, and are an integral part of the equipment of the Kalaat Beni-Abbes.

At the flagship’s launch in January this year, the Italian Navy said the vessel would be delivered in November, with full operational capability expected in early 2015.

Indian Navy's fifth Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft taking off during its delivery. Photo Boeing.

11 September 2014 naval-technology.com

The Indian Navy has taken delivery of its fifth P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft from Boeing, which would support the navy's maritime patrol requirements.

Delivered as part of a deal signed in January 2009 for eight P-8I aircraft, the latest aircraft joins the navy's already existing fleet of four P-8Is, which are currently undergoing operational review.

Indian Navy naval staff deputy chief vice admiral RK Pattanaik said: "The P-8I programme is progressing on schedule, and the aircraft are providing the capabilities to meet our maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare requirements."

Powered by CFM International's two CFM56-7 engines, the aircraft features a directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system and the electronic support measures (ESM) system, which safeguard the jet from approaching infrared-guided missiles.

Based on Boeing's Next-Generation 737 commercial aircraft, the Indian navy version of the US navy's P-8A Poseidon jet integrates Indian-built sub-systems that are customised to meet the country's maritime patrol necessities.

Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS) India vice-president Dennis Swanson said: "This is another important milestone for the programme and we look forward to continuing our great relationship with India.

"We'll deliver one more P-8I before the end of the year, followed by two in 2015."

Incorporating advanced sensor and display technologies, in addition to open system architecture, the aircraft supports missions including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), intelligence, maritime patrol, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Boeing P-8 international programme manager Mark Jordan said: "We appreciate that senior representatives of the Indian Navy were with us in Seattle to participate in delivery activities and watch the plane take off for Rajali.

"It's a great accomplishment for the entire team, and we're hard at work assembling and testing the next P-8I in line for delivery."

The aircraft has been built by a Boeing-led industry team including CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.

11/09/2014 Armée de l'air

L’Université d’été de la Défense s’est achevée, mardi 9 septembre 2014, à Bordeaux par le discours de clôture du ministre de la Défense, M. Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Évoquant le contexte international particulièrement «grave», ainsi que les nombreux défis auxquels la communauté de la Défense devait faire face, M. Le Drian a également tenu à saluer l’armée de l’air, hôte de cette 12eédition de l’Université d’été.

«Puisque nous sommes en un sens sur les terres de l’armée de l’air, vous me permettrez d’adresser un salut particulier à nos forces aériennes. Elles ont été particulièrement mobilisées sur les récents théâtres d’opérations. La réactivité, qui est l’une des clés des engagements militaires contemporains, est en effet le cœur de métier des aviateurs».

Les forces aériennes stratégiques saluées

Le ministre de la Défense est également revenu sur le caractère essentiel de la composante aéroportée de la dissuasion nucléaire, au moment où les forces aériennes stratégiques célèbrent leurs 50 ans.

«La composante aérienne de la dissuasion nucléaire est parfois questionnée, voire remise en cause. Le Président de la République a tranché la question en maintenant les deux composantes. J’ai évoqué tout à l’heure la préservation essentielle de notre autonomie stratégique, dans le contexte grave qui est le nôtre. La crise ukrainienne montre que nous ne sommes pas à l’abri de surprises stratégiques, et que la fin de la guerre froide n’a pas fait disparaître les menaces de conflits interétatiques, y compris en Europe. Notre dissuasion nucléaire dans ses deux composantes représente, à cet égard, la garantie fondamentale de notre souveraineté et de notre liberté d’appréciation, de décision et d’action.»

Ce discours est venu clore deux journées de débats et d’échanges nourris. Militaires, industriels, hommes politiques français et étrangers: au total, plus de 400 membres éminents de la communauté de Défense ont échangé et débattu lors de nombreux ateliers et tables rondes autour du thème central choisi cette année: «Agir et Réagir».

La réactivité des forces aériennes et leurs structures C2 mises à l’honneur

L’ensemble des participants a également assisté, dans la matinée du lundi 8 septembre, à une démonstration dynamique des capacités de l’armée de l’air, articulée autour des thèmes de la réactivité et des systèmes de commandement et de conduite (C2).

«Nous avons choisi de vous présenter l’actualité des opérations aériennes à travers nos trois missions majeures : protection, dissuasion, intervention immédiate (…), a déclaré le général Denis Mercier, chef d’état-major de l’armée de l’air (CEMAA). Les récents engagements l’ont rappelé: en Libye, au Mali et plus récemment en Irak avec l’apport d’aide humanitaire. (…) Le cœur de compétence de l’armée de l’air réside dans cette réactivité et cette aptitude à être engagée ou désengagée au dernier moment. Cette réactivité que nous démontrons au quotidien est structurée par nos deux missions permanentes que sont la protection et la dissuasion. Conduites depuis les années 1960, ces deux missions d’excellence absolue ne souffrent pas l’échec.»

Durant cette matinée, plusieurs tableaux se sont succédé. L’ensemble étant orchestré par le général Jean-Jacques Borel, commandant la défense aérienne et les opérations aériennes (CDAOA) : mesures de police du ciel, mission de ciblage en OPEX par un drone Reaper, visioconférence en temps réel avec les commandants d’opérations au Sahel et en Afghanistan, démonstrations de recherche et de sauvetage au combat…

Le maintien en condition opérationnelle: enjeu stratégique

Au terme de cette Université d’Été de la Défense, la base aérienne 106 a également servi d’écrin à la deuxième édition du salon ADS-UAV Show, événement dédié au maintien en condition opérationnelle (MCO) aéronautique de Défense.

Partenaire de cet événement majeur, l’armée de l’air a, à cette occasion, exposé de nombreux moyens tels que les systèmes de maintenance aéronautique associés au Mirage 2000 et au Rafale… «En tant qu’intégrateur du MCO aéronautique pour le ministère de la Défense, notre présence à ce salon est totalement naturelle, explique le général Guy Girier, directeur central de la structure intégrée de maintien en condition opérationnelle des matériels aéronautiques de la défense (SIMMAD). (…) Ce salon permet de présenter notre rôle et nos missions, qui sont parfois méconnus. Cela nous permet également d’échanger avec nos partenaires, au sein des armées ou du monde industriel.»

Le poste de tir du Milan ER, dernière génération du missile terrestre de MBDA, est fabriqué en Allemagne. Berlin peut donc bloquer son exportation. - MBDA

10/09 Alain Ruello – LesEchos.fr

Berlin, qui a engagé une politique plus restrictive en matière d’exportations d’armements, bloque un contrat de missile Milan de MBDA dans un pays du Golfe.

Les prises de position anti-exportations d’armements à Berlin commencent à se faire sentir en France. Ainsi, l’Allemagne bloque-t-elle depuis le début de l’année un contrat de missile de MBDA dans un pays du Golfe. Il s’agirait, selon nos informations, du Milan ER, dernière génération de cet armement terrestre mondialement vendu. Comme son poste de tir est conçu outre Rhin, sa vente nécessite une autorisation du gouvernement allemand, que ce dernier refuse de donner.

Suite de l'article

09/09/2014 Par Julien Bergounhoux - industrie-techno.com

Le laser à haute énergie de Boeing vient de passer une étape importante. Ce démonstrateur mobile, monté sur un camion, s'est montré capable de neutraliser ses cibles (drones, tirs de mortier de 60 mm) même dans des conditions météorologiques difficiles. Une condition impérative pour la future mise en service de systèmes défensifs à énergie dirigée.

Boeing vient de tester avec succès le fonctionnement de son démonstrateur mobile de laser à haute énergie (High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator, ou HEL MD) dans des conditions météorologiques difficiles. Les tests ont eu lieu en collaboration avec l'armée des Etats-Unis, sur la base aérienne d'Eglin, en Floride.

Suite de l’article

Sep 10, 2014 ASDNews Source : Naval Air Systems Command

The Navy's X-47B completed its final test aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Aug. 24 and returned to its home base at Naval Air Station Patuxent River after eight days at sea.

While underway, the X-47B flew in the carrier pattern with manned aircraft for the first time and conducted a total of five catapult launches, four arrestments and nine touch-and-go landings, including a night time shipboard flight deck handling evaluation.

Read more

9 septembre Aerobuzz.fr

Saft annonce avoir reçu une nouvelle importante commande pour la fourniture de systèmes de batterie de pointe de Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd (KAI). Suite à ce contrat, Saft équipera de ses batteries à base de nickel et sans maintenance, la nouvelle génération d’avions d’entrainement léger T-50/A-50 de KAI.

Suite de l’article

September 9, 2014: Strategy Page

In August 2014 the U.S. Air Force grounded 82 F-16D jets after cracks were discovered in longerons (metal support beams inside the forward fuselage, which hold the cockpit in place). The D version of the F-16 is the two seater used for training. Some 16 percent of the 969 F-16s in the U.S. Air Force are the D model and these are all at least 24 years old with more than 5,500 hours in the air. The longeron design for the D model is different than that for the single seat models because the D model has a longer cockpit canopy. The air force is making repairs and replacements to put the grounded F-16Ds back in service.

There was a similar problem in 2013 with some older F-15s. In this case the longerons in question were eventually discovered to be defective, not suffering from old age. The inspections of the older F-15s found substandard parts in 182 aircraft. Boeing (the manufacturer) eventually admitted that it had built over a hundred F-15s using longerons that were not 2.5mm thick, as specified, but in some cases only one millimeter thick. That apparently worked when the F-15s were new but age was not kind to the thinner metal and it eventually broke. Thicker stuff apparently would not have failed because of age.

The U.S. F-16 fleet is rapidly aging. The average age of existing F-16s is over 25 years, and the average aircraft has over 6,000 flight hours on it. Back in 2009 the first Block 40 F-16 passed 7,000 flight hours. In 2008 the first of the earliest models (a Block 25) F-16 passed 7,000 hours in the air. The F-16C was originally designed for a service life of 4,000 hours. But advances in engineering, materials and maintenance techniques have extended that to over 8,000 hours. Because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, F-16s sent to these areas will fly over a thousand hours a year more than what they would fly in peacetime.

The U.S. F-16 is one of the most modified jet fighters in service. The most numerous F-16 is the C model. The first version of this, the F-16C Block 25, entered service in 1984. The original F-16, as the F-16A Block 1, entered service in 1978. While most F-16s still in service are the F-16C, there are actually six major mods, identified by block number (32, 40, 42, 50, 52, 60), plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. Another special version (the Block 60), for the UAE (United Arab Emirates) is called the F-16E. The various block mods included a large variety of new components (five engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare gear, five radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit and electrical mods.)

The F-16 is the most numerous post-Cold War jet fighter, with over 4,200 built, and still in production. During The Cold War, Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s, and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s, but since then warplane has plummeted about 90 percent. One exception, since the end of the Cold War, has been the F-16, which has been popular enough to keep the production lines going.

The F-16 can also function as a bomber and ground attack aircraft, although not as effectively as the air force folks would have you believe. It can carry four tons of bombs, and has been very effective using smart bomb. In air-to-air combat, F-16s have shot down 69 aircraft so far, without losing anything to enemy warplanes. Not bad for an aircraft that was originally designed as a cheaper alternative to the heavier F-15.

09.09.2014 par Philippe Chapleau - Lignes de Défense
 

Elle s'appelle Rafale mais n'a rien à voir avec le chasseur de Dassault. Sillinger vient de lancer une nouvelle gamme: la gamme SILLINGER - RAFALE®. Elle comprend 6 modèles à l’heure actuelle qui vont du 9,50m (photo ci-dessus)au 16m.

L'entreprise de Mer (41), filiale du groupe Marck, est un spécialiste des embarcations pneumatiques pliables et semi-rigides à usage militaire et professionnel.

A noter l’option Meta-Ops qui permet une architecture de pont modulable en fonction des besoins : des rails en aluminium disposés sur l’avant, le coffre moteur et l’arrière permettent d’ajouter, fixer et enlever des équipements relatifs aux missions spécifiques.

Le modèle phare de la gamme, le SILLINGER 950 RAFALE® sera exposé lors du salon Euronaval qui aura lieu du 27 au 31 octobre 2014, au Bourget, HALL 2 Stand C4.

9 September 2014 airforce-technology.com

The Turkish Government is reportedly negotiating the purchase of a long-range missile defence system from the French-Italian company Eurosam, following disagreements with China.

Turkey had selected China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp's (CPMIEC) FD-2000 missile system for the long-range air and missile defence systems (LORAMIDS) contract in September 2013, rejecting proposals from Rosoboronexport, Raytheon and Eurosam.

Raytheon had offered its Patriot surface-to-air missile, while Rosoboronexport and Eurosam proposed their S-400 and Aster 30 sol-air moyenne portée terrestre (SAMP/T) missile systems, respectively.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed to NTV: "Some disagreements have emerged with China on the issues of joint production and know-how during negotiations over the missile defence system.

"Talks are continuing despite that, but France, which is second on the list, has come up with a new offer.

"Right now we are holding ongoing talks with France. For us, joint production is very, very important."

Meanwhile, a senior official from the Turkish Prime Minister's Office was quoted by DefenseNews as saying that the technical negotiations with CPMIEC have been dragged into several problematic areas.

"This option now looks much less attractive than it did last year," the source said.

Under the terms of the $3.4bn contract, CPMIEC had offered to collaborate with Turkish prime and subcontractors to coproduce the system that comprises radar, launcher and intercept missiles and is expected to enable Turkey to counter both enemy aircraft and missiles.

However, Turkey later asked the competitors to 'reconsider' their bids in wake of strong pressure from the international community, including Nato and the US.

CPMIEC is under the US sanctions for violations of the Iran, North Korea and Syria Non-Proliferation Act since February 2013.

Earlier this year, Turkey's Western allies have warned that the country's entire defence cooperation with Western counterparts, including defence and non-defence companies, could be jeopardised, if it finalises the deal with the Chinese company, according to the news agency.