18 March 2015 by Aurelia George Mulgan, Professor at the University of New South Wales, Canberra.- Pacific Sentinel
 

In July 2014, the Abe government adopted the ‘Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology’, which approved Japanese weapons exports as long as certain conditions are met.

Based on this new, less restrictive policy on weapons exports Japan has concluded two major deals. The first is to supply surface-to-air missile parts to the US and the second to conduct joint research on air-to-air missiles with the United Kingdom. The proposed Australian submarine deal would eclipse both of these in terms of scale and significance.

Japan is yet to respond to the Australian government’s announcement that there would be a ‘competitive evaluation process’ to build Australia’s next submarine. But the Japanese Minister for Defense, Gen Nakatani, expressed a wish to hold talks with the Australian government regarding the matter. The Japanese government now understands that the submarine procurement issue is intertwined with Australia’s domestic politics and ‘is keeping a close eye on Abbott’.

Despite critical commentary in the Japanese press on the Australian government’s policy backflip, speculation continues that Japan’s Soryu-class submarines are the most likely candidate to replace Australia’s ageing Collins-class submarines. The expectation is that cooperation with Japan will continue because Australian companies are ‘incapable of building submarines on their own’.

In early January 2015, the Japanese press reported that the Ministry of Defense (MOD) had proposed joint development and production of the submarine with Australia. Instead of exporting a completed Soryu-class submarine, the proposal suggested joint development of new technology for material that absorbs sound waves and special steel that would be used to manufacture the hull.

Japan would be in charge of producing the main parts of the hull and assembling the submarines, while Australia would be in charge of producing some of the parts as well as the final building and maintenance. A Japanese MOD official noted that assembling the submarines in Australia would lead to higher costs and might affect the quality and safety of the product.

Other reports point to Japanese caution about completely handing over its submarine technology to Australia. Submarines are categorised as the ‘most sensitive of all sensitive information’. For this reason the Japanese military, and especially the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) whose cooperation will be essential if the deal goes ahead, has major reservations about the deal. MSDF officers ‘don’t tell colleagues, let alone family members, where a submarine is headed after it leaves port’. Japan and the US, which share some information gathered by submarines, do not share the location or ability of each submarine.

But the Abe government judged that sharing Japan’s submarine technology with Australia would lead to a strengthening of the production capacity of Japan’s domestic enterprises. The fact that Prime Minister Abe decided to examine the provision of Soryu-class submarine technology to Australia despite opposition from the MOD was regarded as proof that he considers Australia to be a ‘quasi-ally’.

The Abe administration is gradually putting in place the necessary policy, institutional and financial support framework to enable Japan’s defence industries to become significant players in the international weapons and defence technology market. In 2015, the Japanese government will launch a Defence Equipment Agency in the MOD. The new agency will have centralised control over defence equipment development, acquisition and exports. It will lead the expansion of weapons exports and is part of the so-called ‘Abe line’ that links the development of defence enterprises with the government’s growth strategy.

The MOD’s 2014 Strategy on Defense Production and Technological Bases includes financial assistance for the overseas expansion of defence enterprises and funding to research institutions that work on developing technology that can be used in weapons and equipment. A new executive panel for promoting weapons exports and joint development was also appointed to the MOD in December 2014. It will help the ministry to respond to the many requests for a framework to support the private enterprises involved and establish a system to determine the needs and technological standards of partner countries.

While the government has given the green light to weapons sales, companies that manufacture defence equipment are more mindful of the difficult practicalities of particular deals and the need to gain real profits. Some have strong reservations about the Australian submarine deal. An executive of Kawasaki Heavy Industries remarked ‘there is no way Australia will be able to look after the submarines properly even if we give it to them’. But at this stage it is ‘almost impossible’ for a private company to become even partially involved in the operations of the Australian Navy.

If the agreement goes ahead this deal could signal an inseparable security relationship between Australia, Japan and the US with both Japan and the US supplying their relevant technology to Australia and cooperating in Australia’s submarine development.

For Prime Minister Abe, weapons exports are a key element in a broader strategy of building a network of ‘quasi-alliances’, which includes Australia, India and Southeast Asian countries, with the Japan–US alliance maintained as the strategic ‘trump card’.

TAMPA, Fla., March 20, 2015 – U.S. Central Command

Improving interoperability is often touted by exercise organizers and senior leaders as one of the benefits in bringing together a cross-section of militaries.

With about 5,500 troops from 29 nations taking part in exercise Eagle Resolve in Kuwait this month, according to a U.S. Central Command news release issued today, there are many opportunities to increase the ability of militaries to work together.

“Everybody brings something different to the fight, but it's only effective if you know how to use their skills and expertise,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Rick Mattson, U.S. Central Command's director of exercises and training and the U.S. exercise director for Eagle Resolve.

Militaries Gather From Many Regions

Since its inception in 1999, Centcom’s release said, Eagle Resolve has been a venue for the U.S. and Arabian Gulf countries to partner with militaries from North and South America, Europe and Asia -- all regions are represented at this year's exercise -- and address their collective security concerns in a relatively low-risk environment. The current exercise began March 8 and concludes March 31.

In addition to Kuwait and the United States, the other 27 nations taking part in Eagle Resolve include: Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Jordan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

US DoD

March 22, 2015 asian-defence.net

According to Britain’s Jane’s Defense weekly, China may get through Pakistan the technology in Franch MICA air-to-air missile and RC-400 radar, which the EU bans sales to China. Such technology may constitute a threat to the Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets that Taiwan has got from France.

Pakistan is to get the above-mentioned missiles and radar from France for its JF-17 fighter jets. As JF-17 is jointly developed by Pakistan and China, when Pakistan has got the missile and radar, it is quite possible that China will get the technologies in the missile and radar.

MICA is as good as US advanced AMRAAM air-to-air missile. It is well-known for its accuracy and controllability. China may obtain its technology through reverse engineering from a MICA missile provided by Pakistan.

In developing its J-10 fighter jet, China has reference to the technologies in American F-16 fighter jet as it was able to study in details an F-16 provided by Pakistan.

To prevent China from obtaining French weapon technologies with similar approach, the US will strongly oppose French sales of the weapons to Pakistan. For the same reason India, a major buyer of French weapons, will also oppose.

To avoid such oppositions, MBDA spokesman denied what he previously told Associated Press about its competition with others to get an order for MICA. French defense ministry, however, told Associated Press, there were no reasons that France should not cooperate with Pakistan though it had not confirmed the existence of such transactions.

March 19, 2015 by asian-defence.net

Beijing has revealed a version of the Type 093 midget submarine, known as the 093T, suggesting that more vessels in this class may be produced, reports news website Cankao Xiaoxi.

The 093B midget submarine reportedly has a vertical launch system that can launch 16 missiles, including the supersonic anti-ship YJ-18 and the DH-10 cruise missile.

Such a submarine can carry up to nine special ops members and is ideal for covert transportation and surprise attack. It can also launch laser-guided missiles or sneak combat divers into military ports to perform recon or destroy high-value targets such as aircraft carriers or nuclear submarines.

The United States was developing a midget version of its Ohio-class submarines but reportedly stopped development after a fire in 2008. The submarines used a dry-deck shelter system which allows the midget submarine to dock completely inside of its larger cousin. The 093T submarine adapts a wet-deck shelter system, which means only two thirds of the submarine are secured to the mother submarine and the rest is exposed to water.

Mar 20, 2015 defense-update.com

It was the fifth air launch of the Indian BVR missile. The first live launch was carried out on May 4, 2014. A previous test earlier this week has failed, as the missile failed to launch.

India’s Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile ASTRA completed a successful test flight on thursday. Developed by the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the unarmed missile was launched from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI against a Lakshya target over the Integrated Test Range in Balasore, off the coast of Odisha. Telemetry and Electro-optical tracking stations confirmed the successful engagement. Operational ASTRA missiles will carry a 15kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead.

It was the fifth air launch of the Indian BVR missile. The first live launch was carried out on May 4, 2014. A previous test earlier this week has failed, as the missile failed to launch. More tests are scheduled to follow, as part of the weapon’s validation and integration program, with SU-30MKI and LCA, activities currently undertaken by Hindustan Aircraft Ltd. The recent test confirmed the missile’s high turn rate (30g). Astra is designed to intercept targets beyond visual range, head on at a range of 80km, or 20 km-range in tail-chase mode.

Prior to the live launch, rigorous Captive Flight Tests (CFTs) were carried out by IAF with the support from HAL during the 2012-2014 period. The CFT trials were carried out in three phases to assess the aero-structural and mechanical integrity for carriage, validation of Weapon Control System and its electrical and avionic interfaces with missile and performance of missile system in transmission and reception mode of missile seeker respectively.

March 19, 2015 by asian-defence.net

Images have emerged on Chinese military web forums suggesting sensor upgrades to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-11A combat aircraft, with reports noting that two regiments have received these modifications so far.

Upgraded J-11As appear to have four new missile approach warning systems (MAWS), two just aft the cockpit facing forward and two pointing aft on the vertical stabilisers. Similar systems have previously been fitted to the H-6M and H-6K strategic bombers.

Read more

March 20, 2015 by asian-defence.net

India will get its first upgraded Mirage 2000 later this month from France under a Rs 10,000 crore deal.

French defence major Dassault Aviation, the original manufacturer of the fighter jet, will hand over two upgraded aircraft to India on March 25 at the Istres Dassault Aviation Flight Test Center.

India had in 2011 signed an upgrade programme worth over Rs 10,000 crore with Dassault Aviation for upgrading the fleet of its Mirage 2000 aircraft totalling 51.

However, at least three aircraft have been lost in crashes since then.

The firm, which is negotiating a multi-billion dollar deal for supplying 126 Rafale combat aircraft to India, has said that after the successful completion of this phase, the rest of the fleet will be upgraded in India by state-run HAL with help from Dassault and Thales, another French firm.

The IAF had started procuring the Mirage 2000 in the early 80s and the upgrade is likely to expand its life span by around 10-15 years.

The upgrades on the aircraft include a night vision goggle-compatible glass cockpit, advanced navigational systems, advanced Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, advanced multi-mode multi-layered radar, fully integrated electronic warfare suite besides others.

March 19th, 2015 defencetalk.com

The Indian Air Force plans to start mounting BrahMos cruise missiles on its aircraft in 2016, BrahMos Aerospace CEO Sudhir Mishra told RIA Novosti Wednesday.

The short-range supersonic missile was jointly developed by Russia and India and has been in use by the Indian Navy since 2005.

“The missile is scheduled to be adopted in 2016, ten more tests will be carried out by the end of the year,” Mishra said.

He added that the next test flight is due in May with the aircraft carrying the missile launcher. This will be followed by flights with the equipped missiles and, eventually, test firing them.

India is Russia’s biggest arms trade partner, with more than 70 percent of India’s military equipment coming from Russia or the former Soviet Union, according to Russia’s state arms exporter.

The two countries are taking part in the major Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA’15), currently underway in Malaysia.

March 21, 2015: Strategy Page

China has responded to Japanese efforts to defend the Senkaku Islands by building a helicopter base on a Chinese island 335 kilometers from the Senkakus, This is within range of transport helicopters that could bring in troops and weapons in under two hours. This is seen as a response to the Japanese decision in late 2014 to purchase 17 American MV-22 transports. This the Japanese did to defend the Senkaku Islands from possible surprise Chinese attack. The V-22s are faster than helicopters but Japanese territory is about a hundred kilometers farther away than Chinese land. So given sufficient warning the Chinese and Japanese occupation forces would arrive on the Senkakus at the same time.

Japan first raised the possibility of buying MV-22 “Osprey” tilt rotor transports in 2013. These would be able to quickly move reinforcements to the Senkakus if the Chinese decided to land troops there and declare such an occupation as proof of Chinese ownership. The Senkakus are uninhabited islets 320 kilometers southeast of the Chinese mainland, 167 kilometers northeast of Taiwan, and 426 kilometers west of Japan's Okinawa Island. Taiwan also claims the Senkakus, which have a total area of 6.3 square kilometers. The islands were discovered by Chinese fishermen in the 16th century and taken over by Japan in 1879. They are valuable now because of the 380 kilometer economic zone nations can claim in their coastal waters. This includes fishing and possible underwater oil and gas fields.

The U.S. has also noted the usefulness of V-22s in the Western Pacific. In 2013 the U.S. moved 23 of its MV-22s to an American base on Okinawa. Both the U.S. and Japan long assumed that the biggest threat was the new Chinese Zubr air cushion craft that could get troops and vehicles to the Senkakus in five hours. From Okinawa MV-22s could reach the Senkakus within an hour. China has been getting more aggressive about its claims on the Senkakus, sending more warships and aircraft near the islands, which Japan considers a provocation and possible prelude to a Chinese attempt to establish small bases on the larger islets. One has 4.3 square kilometers of space and its tallest point is 383 meters above sea level. The next largest has 1.08 square kilometers and reaches 177 meters above sea level. The next smaller islets are .32 and .45 square kilometers and basically the peaks of underwater mountains, as are four even smaller ones, three of which only appear during low tide. The largest island has wild goats and some other small mammals as well as vegetation. The only source of fresh water is rain that collects in depressions and crevices. The five largest islands are frequented by sea birds, sometimes for breeding. For a long time the only human visitors were fishermen with boat trouble or in need of fresh water or some of the unique herbs found on the larger islands. Because of the dispute with China there are now more Japanese tourists.

China has a history of installing small numbers of troops on islets or reefs (via structures built on stilts) whose ownership China disputes. China then supplies these troops at great expense via boat from the mainland and threatens to strike back if its “garrisons” are attacked. Thus the Japanese watch the Senkakus carefully, in case China tries to send in “occupation forces.” The U.S. has made it clear that its MV-22s in Okinawa would be available to move Japanese troops to the Senkakus in the event of an emergency.

The 27 ton MV-22B cruises at 445 kilometers an hour and its endurance is about 3.5 hours per sortie. The MV-22B can carry up to 32 troops or 9 tons of cargo. The Zubr class air cushion vehicles are 555 ton craft that can carry 130 tons (three tanks or a combination of lighter armored or non-armored vehicles). Top speed is 110 kilometers an hour and range is 480 kilometers. The crew of 31 usually stays out less than 8 hours per mission. The Zubrs also carry two stabilized MLRs (multiple tube rocket launchers), 4 short range anti-aircraft missiles systems (Igla-1Ms) and 2 AK-630 six-barrel 30mm close-in weapon systems (CIWS), for defense against anti-ship missiles. Currently China has two Zubrs and two more are on order. The most likely Chinese transport helicopter for this mission is the Russian Mi-8 with a max speed of 260 kilometers an hour.

MUNICH, Germany, March 19 By Richard Tomkins (UPI)

Airbus Defense and Space has partnered with a Korean firm for local production of a missile warning system for use on Korea's new Surion helicopters.

South Korea's new Surion military helicopters are to be equipped with advanced missile warning systems from Airbus DS and Huneed Technologies Co. Ltd.

Airbus Defense and Space said that under a recently signed cooperation agreement, Huneed Technologies will produce the core electronic components of Airbus Defense and Space's Missile Launch Detection System, or MILDS, which is being supplied for the Surion.

"Airbus Defence and Space follows a dedicated globalization and partnership strategy in a wider perspective", said Thomas Muller, head of the Electronics Business Line of Airbus Defence and Space. "We are convinced that a close cooperation with local industries creates additional value for our customers."

Airbus DS had been awarded several contracts by Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration and Korea Aerospace Industries to develop and locally manufacture the missile warning system for the Surion based on its MILDS system.

Airbus DS' MILDS is a passive, high-resolution imaging sensor that detects the UV radiation signature of approaching missiles. It is in service with the Royal Danish Air Force and the Royal Norwegian Air Force.

20/03/2015 Sources : Etat-major des armées

Ces deux derniers jours (19 et 20 mars 2015), les Forces armées de Nouvelle Calédonie (FANC) ont porté leur effort sur l’île de Tanna, depuis la frégate de surveillance Vendémiaire, grâce au pont aérien établi entre Port Vila et Tanna et avec l’intervention du détachement du RIMaP NC pour effectuer les premières missions d’évaluation.

Après une réunion de coordination regroupant les autorités locales, l’organisation gouvernementale National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) et des personnes de la Croix Rouge, le détachement du RIMaP-NC des FANC a commencé sa mission d’évaluation axée sur la reconnaissance des dispensaires (état des infrastructures et des stocks de médicaments, présence de personnes blessées…) ainsi que sur le réseau routier de l’ile.

Un détachement de l’équipage du Vendémiaire, deux officiers de la police locale, une personne de la Croix Rouge et un médecin, ont été héliportés par le PUMA de l’escadron de transport 52 (ET 52) embarqué sur le Vendémiaire afin de visiter les six dispensaires de l’île.

Parallèlement, les missions d’aérotransport entre Nouméa et le Vanuatu se sont poursuivies toute la journée grâce aux deux avions CASA (1 FANC et 1 FAPF) : mise en place d’un lot « nomade » au profit de la Croix à Port Vila, déploiement du véhicule P4 de Port Villa à Tanna et plusieurs mises en place de détachements (dont l’ONG Solidarité Tanna) et du fret de la sécurité civile de la Nouvelle-Calédonie sur Tanna. Plusieurs évacuations sanitaires ont par ailleurs été réalisées en Alouette III au profit d’un nourrisson blessé, de personnes âgées en difficulté et de femmes enceintes en phase d’accouchement.

Enfin, le patrouilleur La Glorieuse de la Marine nationale a appareillé de Nouméa le 20 mars avec à son bord 2 équipes multifonctions capables de faire de l’ouverture d’axe avec des tronçonneuses, des électriciens du RIMaP, 1 équipe de de la BA 186 en mesure d’évaluer l’état des pistes d’atterrissage et 1 tonne de fret de la Croix Rouge. Il devrait rejoindre Erromango (ile au Nord de Tanna d’une superficie de 1 000 km2 et peuplée de 2 000 habitants) et entamer un travail d’évaluation identique à celui qui est réalisé par la frégate Vendémiaire et le détachement du RIMaP NC sur Tanna.

Depuis le 15 mars, près de 300 militaires français participent, en liaison avec le haut-commissariat de la République de Nouvelle-Calédonie, aux opérations de secours aux populations et de réhabilitation des infrastructures touchées par le cyclone « PAM » qui s’est abattu sur l’archipel des Vanuatu dans l’océan Pacifique.

March 20, 2015: Strategy Page

China is placing increasing pressure on nearby countries like Pakistan, Thailand, Burma (and so on) to arrest and return Chinese Uighur Turks who show up illegally. China accuses these Uighurs of being Islamic terrorists. While a few are most are economic refugees fleeing Chinese oppression in their homeland that has the misfortune of being part of China. Northwest China has long been the home of the Uighur Turks but in the last few decades China has encouraged Han (ethnic Chinese) to migrate to the area (Xinjiang province). Most Uighurs are found in Xinjiang province. There the nine million Uighurs are now less than half the population and most of the rest are Han Chinese. Chinese officials have been publicly urging soldiers and police to be more aggressive against uncooperative Uighurs.

The Uighurs are increasingly aggressive in attacking the growing Chinese presence among them. In Xinjiang province what angers the Uighurs is growing pressure from Han Chinese soldiers and intrusive Han government officials. Because of that many Uighurs continue to support anti-Han activity and this makes it possible for Islamic terrorists to survive and operate. The government accuses Uighur activists of endangering state security and tries to keep the unrest out of the news. The same thing is happening in Tibet, where the government is using the same tools to keep everyone under control.

While China is obsessed with the few Islamic terrorists fleeing Xinjiang most of these Uighurs are simply fleeing China. Many are showing up in Turkey, via smugglers who specialize in getting Uighurs out and as far away from China as possible. Turkey refuses Chinese demands to return any of these Uighurs unless they are caught engaging in Islamic terrorist activities.