27 October 2011army-technology.com

Tata Power SED has been selected as a system integrator for the Indian Army's electronics warfare (EW) programme.

Under the $186m contract, the company will develop and supply two integrated electronic warfare systems to be used for mountainous terrain (IEWS-MT).

Defense News has reported that the the vehicle-mounted IEWS-MT system will be deployed by the Indian army in the mountainous terrain of the north-east border with China.

The IEWS-MT includes passive and active EW measures such as electromagnetic spectrum scanning, location-fixing of enemy transmitters, jamming, interception of enemy communications, including cellular and radar.

The contract could be finalised by next month, November, according to the news agency.

27 octobre 2011 par Nicolas Gros-Verheyde (BRUXELLES2)

La Chine va travailler avec l’Union européenne pour « créer des conditions favorables au développement de la coopération en matière de défense ». C’est ce qu’a déclaré mercredi après-midi le porte-parole du ministère chinois de la Défense nationale Yang Yujun, à l’issue d’une visite de la Haute représentante de l’UE pour les Affaires étrangères, selon l’agence de presse chinoise Xinhua. Les départements de la défense des deux côtés ont tenu trois cycles de dialogues politiques avant une rencontre au sommet entre Catherine Ashton et le ministre chinois de la Défense, Liang Guanglie. La Chine veut « oeuvrer pour enrichir et élargir le contenu du partenariat de coopération stratégique Chine-UE » a ajouté Yang.

La nouvelle peut paraître surprenante. C’est oublier qu’une coopération informelle mais régulière s’est déjà développée dans l’Océan indien entre les forces européennes et les forces chinoises dans la lutte contre la piraterie, qui préoccupe de façon importante la Chine. Pays qui dépend tout autant que l’Europe de la voie maritime pour son commerce mondial. C’est essentiellement dans ce domaine que la Chine veut approfondir sa coopération avec l’UE, notamment en matière d’escorte de navires, de coopération au sein du groupe de contacts pour la Somalie. Cet intérêt n’est pas non plus sans arrières pensées. Au-delà de l’UE, la Chine pense aussi à ses Etats membres « La Chine a établi des relations militaires avec les 27 pays membres de l’UE, menant avec eux des coopérations dans divers domaines » a expliqué le porte-parole.

Très présente au niveau économique, et récemment au niveau monétaire, en acceptant de jouer un des pompiers de l’Europe (cf. les derniers résultats du sommet européen qui s’est tenu cette nuit), la Chine affirme ainsi a volonté d’être un partenaire « global », y compris en matière militaire. Intéressant au moment où l’Europe de la défense doute d’elle-même. Le partenaire chinois, lui, ne semble pas douter de l’intérêt de ces questions pour notre continent.

Lire également :

• La Chine veut jouer un rôle important dans le maintien de la paix
• La Chine acquiert le droit de prendre le lead de la coordination anti-pirates
• Un cadre de coopération avec la Chine, la Russie et l’Arabie saoudite
• La Chine acquiert le droit de prendre le lead de la coordination anti-pirates

If Indonesia chooses Turkey’s bid, SSM will build two submarines

at the Gölcük naval shipyard with an HDW license. Company photo

27 octobre 2011 Par Rédacteur en chef. PORTAIL DES SOUS-MARINS

Des responsables turcs ont démenti les allégations sud-coréennes, selon lesquelles le chantier naval sud-coréen Korean Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine aurait remporté un contrat de vente de sous-marins à la marine indonésienne, face à une proposition commune truco-allemande.

« Nous sommes en contact en permanence avec les autorités indonésiennes. Avec l’Allemagne, nous allons bientôt déposer une offre finale, aux conditions très avantageuses. L’Indonésie attend cette offre, » a indiqué récemment un responsable turc.

« De plus, la compagnie allemande Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft [HDW] est notre partenaire pour cette proposition. Il s’agit du constructeur des sous-marins U-209 que l’Indonésie veut acheter. Nous ne savons pas comment les sud-coréens pourraient surmonter ce problème de licence, parce que HDW travaille avec nous, » a indiqué le responsable. « En ce qui nous concerne, la compétition continue. »

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Engineering avait récemment annoncé qu’il allait signer un contrat de 1,1 milliard $ avec le gouvernement indonésien, d’ici le mois de novembre, pour vendre 3 sous-marins.

Référence : Hurriyet Daily News (Turquie)

October 26, 2011 defpro.com

The leading South Korean company for defense and security technology, LIG Nex1, and Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH will work together in the future and have founded a joint venture that will begin operations by the end of 2011. Lee Hyo-koo, CEO of LIG Nex1, and Ralf Klädtke, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH, today signed corresponding agreements at the Naval & Defence show taking place from 26 - 29 October 2011 in Busan, South Korea.

"For Carl Zeiss Optronics, solid partnerships are vital to success, now and in the future," stated Klädtke. Carl Zeiss Optronics has been delivering periscopes and optronic mast systems for submarines, and optoelectronic products to partners in South Korea for more than 20 years. "With this joint venture, we are obtaining direct access to the market and strengthening our relationship with the leading partner company in South Korea," adds Klädtke.

For the expansion of optronics-activities in South Korea, the joint venture will be responsible for sales in the future. Additional responsibilities could include assembly, system and product tests, and service. LIG Nex1 and Carl Zeiss Optronics both control 50 percent of the shares in the new company and will control the joint venture equally. The joint office will be located in Seoul.

2011-10-26   cri

La Chine va travailler avec l'Union européenne (UE) pour créer des conditions favorables au développement de la coopération en matière de défense, a déclaré mercredi après-midi le porte-parole du ministère chinois de la Défense nationale Yang Yujun, lors d'une conférence de presse régulière.

M. Yang a passé en revue la coopération entre la Chine et l'UE en matière de défense ces dernières années, soulignant que la Chine s'engageait à oeuvrer pour enrichir et élargir le contenu du partenariat de coopération stratégique Chine-UE.

La Chine a établi des relations militaires avec les 27 pays membres de l'UE, menant avec eux des coopérations dans divers domaines, a fait remarquer le porte-parole, ajoutant que la Chine et l'UE ont également constaté une bonne interaction en matière de défense et de sécurité.

Selon lui, les départements de la défense des deux côtés ont tenu trois cycles de dialogues politiques, alors que la haute représentante de l'UE pour les affaires étrangères et la politique de sécurité Catherine Ashton s'est rendue en visite en Chine et a rencontré le ministre chinois de la Défense nationale Liang Guanglie.

"Les deux parties ont échangé leurs points de vue sur les relations militaires entre la Chine et l'UE et la coopération en matière d'escorte de navires, arrivant à plusieurs consensus", a indiqué le porte-parole.

L'escorte de navires dans le golfe d'Aden et dans les eaux somaliennes est devenu un nouveau domaine de coopération entre la Chine et l'UE.

La Chine et l'UE ont eu une bonne coopération lors des réunions du groupe international de contact de l'ONU sur la piraterie au large de la Somalie et durant les rencontres pour le partage d'informations et la prévention des conflits depuis le début des missions internationales d'escorte en 2008, a affirmé le porte-parole.

26/10/2011 Vietnam+

 Le général de division Nguyen Chi Vinh, vice-ministre de la Défense, a reçu mercredi à Hanoi des représentants du groupe Capstone relevant de l'Université nationale de la défense des Etats-Unis.

Cette délégation américaine est conduite par le général Michael Williams, en visite de travail au Vietnam.

Le vice-ministre vietnamien s'est félicité de la visite de cette délégation américaine au Vietnam, et souhaité qu'elle contribuerait à renforcer la compréhension mutuelle entre les deux forces armées et les deux peuples.

Les hôtes américains ont exprimé leur satisfaction d'effectuer une visite de travail au Vietnam, pour mieux connaître l'histoire, la population et les forces armées de ce pays.

Pendant son séjour, la délégation de Capstone a rencontré des responsables de l'Institut national de la défense, de l'Institut national de stratégie de la défense, de l'Académie de la diplomatie et visité des sites touristiques de la capitale. -AVI

photo by G-BYGB

26 October 2011 airforce-technology.com

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is procuring 21 additional Hawk advanced jet trainers from BAE Systems in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Business Standard has reported that the additional aircraft will replace the existing Kiran Mark II trainer aircraft.

The procurement will also benefit the IAF as its entire fleet of HPT-32 Deepak basic trainers has been grounded since July 2009 following 17 accidents.

Construction of the aircraft will begin by the end of 2016 after the completion of 123 aircraft ordered by the IAF and the Indian Navy.

Northrop Grumman AQS-24A (all photos : Northrop Grumman)

26.10.2011 DEFENSE STUDIES

ANNAPOLIS, Md., -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been competitively selected to supply the AQS-24A airborne mine-hunting system to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Under the initial contract, Northrop Grumman's Undersea Systems business unit will deliver the airborne mine-hunting system to Kawasaki Heavy Industries for integration into Japan's new Airborne Mine Countermeasures MCH-101 helicopter.

AQS-24A Common Post Mission Analysis Station

"The combination of our proven high performance, low cost and ease of integration in the MCH-101 airframe makes the AQS-24A the ideal choice for Japan's helicopter-based mine-hunting needs," said Tom Jones, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Undersea Systems business unit. "As the only operational airborne mine-hunting search system in the U.S. Navy, the AQS-24A has demonstrated very high reliability in the field with the Navy's Helicopter Mine Countermeasures squadrons."

AQS-24A Minehunting System

The AQS-24A and its predecessors, the AQS-24 and the AQS-14, have been the only operational airborne mine hunting search systems used by the U.S. Navy for the past 27 years. The AQS-24A is a high speed mine-hunting system that is primarily towed from the MH-53E helicopter, but has been easily adapted to the smaller Japanese MCH-101 aircraft. With a track record of proven reliability and performance across the globe, the system's high-resolution side-scan sonar detects, localizes and classifies both bottom and moored mines in real time at high area coverage rates.

 

AQS-24A Deployment

The AQS-24A contains a laser line scanner that provides precision optical identification of underwater mines and other objects of interest. The AQS-24A allows for simultaneous operation of the sonar and laser, which significantly improves area coverage rate, shortens the mine clearance timeline and alleviates unnecessary maintenance cycles. Advanced navigation controls and processing provide highly accurate target positioning.

(Northrop Grumman)

October 26th, 2011 By Press Trust of India – DEFENCE TALK

The Defence Ministry has invited Eurofighter and Dassault Rafale - the two shortlisted vendors in the multi-billion dollar combat aircraft deal - on November 4 to open their commercial bids after which a final decision on giving the contract will be taken.

The two short-listed vendors have received a letter from the Ministry and have been informed that commercial bids for procuring 126 Multi-role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) tender will be opened on November 4, industry sources told PTI here.

After the bids are opened, the Defence Ministry will be able to determine the lowest bidder in the deal and decide who will ultimately get the contract, described as the "mother of all deals", they said.

As per Indian rules, the lowest bidder in a deal meeting all the specified requirements is considered to be the winner.

The Defence Ministry had earlier this month cleared the way for opening commercial bids of Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon by approving their offset proposals. Defence Ministry officials said all the spade work for the opening of bids was over and the bids will be opened in the presence of the two vendors.

Eurofighter and Rafale were shortlisted for tender after four companies including American Lockheed Martin and Boeing, Russian MiG-35 and Swedish Saab Gripen were ousted from the race in April.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and his Japanese counterpart Yasuo Ichikawa answer questions during a joint press conference Oct. 25. (Toru Yamanaka / AFP via Getty Images)

25 Oct 2011AFP DefenseNews

TOKYO - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Oct. 25 that it was critical for Japan to press ahead with the relocation of a controversial air base on a southern island to ensure the region's security.

In an effort to galvanize the stalled move amid public opposition, Japanese leaders pledged to issue an environmental impact report on shifting the Futenma Air Station from a residential area on Okinawa to a nearby coastal spot.

"The minister assured me... the government of Japan's intention to move forward with steps necessary with the Futenma replacement facility," Panetta said during a joint press conference with Japanese Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa.

"This is a critical initiative in our effort to maintain a strong, forward-deployment presence in the Pacific region," Panetta said.

A long-standing agreement between Washington and Tokyo was set to see the Futenma air base moved by 2014.

But local objections and a policy flip-flop by a former prime minister have stalled the plan, putting a distinct chill on relations between the long-time security allies.

The governor of the area in which the new base is expected to be built will still have the final say on whether to allow the construction of a new facility, regardless of the environmental report by the central government.

Okinawa has long been a reluctant host to around half of the nearly 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan. Locals complain of noise, the risk of military accidents and of crimes committed by U.S. soldiers.

Panetta reiterated that the base realignment will come alongside the redeployment of about 8,000 U.S. service personnel from Okinawa to Guam.

"It is also important to reducing the impact of our bases in Okinawa," he said.

Meanwhile, Ichikawa and Panetta reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan security alliance as a "cornerstone" of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

The Pentagon chief, who also met with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, was in Japan on the second leg of a tour of Asian allies where he has repeatedly stressed Washington's commitment to remaining a Pacific power, as nations in the region nervously eye China's growing military might.

Panetta said Washington will jointly will work with Japan, South Korea and Australia to "effectively address many shared challenges" of living next to the communist country.

"Together, we will also work to encourage China's emergence as a responsible and positive partner in building regional stability and prosperity, cooperating on global issues, and upholding international norms and rules of behaviors," he said, without elaborating.

Panetta is scheduled to head to South Korea on Oct. 26.

October 25, 2011 defpro.com

BEIJING | China and Gabon vowed to enhance bilateral military ties Monday afternoon.

The pledge came during the meeting between Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou and visiting Gabonese Defense Minister Pacome Ruffin Ondzounga.

Xu said that China and Gabon have enjoyed healthy and stable relations since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1974.

"China appreciates that Gabon firmly supports China on issues related to China's core and on other significant issues," Xu said.

He said China will work with Gabon to continuously promote a friendly relationship of bilateral collaboration.

Ondzounga pledged to strengthen communication and cooperation with China and further promote bilateral military ties.

Before the meeting, Defense Minister Liang Guanglie also held talks with Ondzounga, and the two sides exchanged views on further advancing bilateral defense cooperation. (Xinhua)

25 Oct 2011 By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI DefenseNews

NEW DELHI - Tata Power SED, winning a rare defense contract for a private Indian defense company, has been declared the lowest bidder in a $186 million contract to develop and supply two integrated electronic warfare systems for mountainous terrain (IEWS-MT) for the Indian Army.

Tata Power beat Elta of Israel, said Indian Defence Ministry sources. Of the four vendors earlier shortlisted for the trials, Bharat Electronics and Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) failed to clear technical trials.

This is a major breakthrough for the private sector to be a system integrator in an important electronics warfare (EW) program, which until now was the exclusive domain of Indian state-owned companies. It is expected to open a larger market for future EW systems for private players, said a TATA Power executive.

Tata Power this year also beat Selex of Italy to win a $260 million contract to modernize 30 Indian Air Force military airports, which the company said was the first win by a domestic private-sector defense company against overseas bidders.

The Buy (Global) tender for IEWS was floated in 2007. The tender was sent to Elisra and Elta of Israel, Thales of France, EADS of Germany, and among domestic companies, Tata Power, Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Electronics, ITI and Axis Aerospace, among others.

After technical evaluations, only Tata Power and Elta remained in the competition. Tata Power's bid of about $186 million was slightly lower than the $188 million bid of Elta, said Defence Ministry sources. The contract is likely to be sealed next month.

The IEWS-MT would be a vehicle-mounted system to deploy in the mountainous terrain of the northeastern border with China.

The IEWS-MT will include active and passive EW measures. Passive EW measures would include scanning the electromagnetic spectrum and location-fixing of enemy transmitters, while active EW would involve jamming and interception of adversary communications, including cellular and radar.

Tata Power developed the command-and-control software, including a customized geographical-information-system engine.

Japan's navy has so far received four MCH101 helicopters – photo AgustaWestland

25.10.2011 By: Greg Waldron – Flight Global

Japan has selected Northrop Grumman's AQS-24A airborne mine-hunting system for its AgustaWestland MCH101 (AW101) helicopters.

Under the deal Northrop will deliver the system to Kawasaki Heavy Industries for integration into the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force aircraft, the US company said.

The AQS-24A is already operational with the US Navy, where it is mainly towed by the Sikorsky MH-53E helicopter.

It has been "easily adapted" for integration with the MCH101, Northrop added.

The AQS-24A includes a laser line scanner that can locate underwater mines and other objects. It can also be used at the same time as its host aircraft's sonar to detect threats.

Japan has so far taken delivery of four MCH101s, with two CH101 transports also having been accepted, according to Flightglobal's HeliCAS database.