08.04.2014 par Philippe Chapleau - Lignes de Défense

Treize pays contribuent à la mise en place de la mission EUFOR-RCA. Pour l'heure, une centaine de personnes sont actuellement en Grèce, à Larissa où se trouve le QG (et le général Pontiès, sauf qu'il est actuellement en RCA); par ailleurs, une quinzaine de cadres seraient déjà à Bangui pour la montée en puissance du HQ local.

Le détail des contributions nationales respectives:

la France (nation-cadre): avec 450 hommes dont une compagnie du 152e RI et les 50 gendarmes qui sont désormais au complet à Bangui.

l'Estonie: une section ("a platoon size unit")

la Lituanie: une section

l'Espagne: fournira un C-130 Hercules et 60 hommes basés à Libbreville, au Gabon; ce détachement est baptisé Mamba. A Bangui, en vertu d'une décision parlementaire du 20 mars, l'Espagne va déployer 50 soldats du Mando de Operaciones Especiales (l'équivalent du COS) et 25 agents de la Guardia Civil.

le Portugal: 27 gendarmes, 47 soldats de l'armée de l'air et un C-130 (voir ici).

l'Italie: fournira 40 hommes d'une section du Génie

la Finlande: enverra une équipe EOD et une équipe civilo-militaire

l'Allemagne: a financé les rotations de deux gros porteurs Antonov pour transporter hommes et matériel

le Luxembourg: financera des capacités de transport

le Royaume-Uni: fournira des capacités de transport

la Suède: assurera le transport des Estoniens via le contrat Salis.

la Pologne: enverra des gendarmes

la Géorgie: déploiera une compagnie d'infanterie.

07.04.2014 Nexter -- army-guide.com

Versailles -- The Nexter Group has today signed the Support in Service contract for the VBCI armored infantry combat vehicle, at a ceremony held in Satory.

The Central Director of the SIMMT (The French ministry of Defence maintenance in operational condition department), General Jean-Yves Dominguez, and the CEO of Nexter Systems, Philippe Burtin, are thus continuing the substantial work already carried out between their teams and ensuring the continued availability of the fleet for the next 10 years.

On August 1, 2014, this market will take the place of an initial contract (Series Logistics), which has demonstrated its effectiveness by successfully supporting operations such as PAMIR in Afghanistan, DAMAN in Lebanon, SERVAL in Mali, as well as the maintenance of the training fleet in Champagne.

With an organization structured around purchase orders, it will enable the Army to regulate financial commitments to meet their needs based on the actual use of the fleet. Technical expertise services will concurrently ensure the continued existence of supply flows.

This contract, which comes in addition to the support contracts for LECLERC and CAESAR® fleets, confirms the position of Nexter as a major partner of the French Army.

April 7, 2014 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Deutsche Welle German radio; issued April 5, 2014)

The US Air Force base at Ramstein is reportedly a hub for coordinating Washington’s global drone war. Although the revelation has stirred controversy in Germany, Berlin has little political leeway to challenge the US.

Statements made by Brandon Bryant, a former drone pilot for the US Air Force, reveal that Germany plays a greater role in the US drone war than previously thought.

"The entire drone war of the US military wouldn't be possible without Germany," Bryant told German media. During his time in the US Air Force, Bryant flew more than 1,000 operations from the US.

The current debate centers around the US Ramstein Air Base in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The pilot controlling the drones is in the US, but with the long distance between the operational area and the US, the data from the remote controlled drones is transmitted via satellite to Germany and then sent via fiber optic cable back to America. What's more, live pictures taken from the drone operations are analyzed in Germany and compared with intelligence.

For years the US has been using drones to fight terrorism in Africa, the Middle East and in the Pakistani-Afghan border region. Since 2004, the Investigative Bureau of Journalism estimates there have been 383 US drone strikes in the Pakistani-Afghan border region alone. At least 2,300 people have been killed, among them 416 civilians.

Foreign policy spokesperson for the Greens party, Omid Nouripour, called on the government to take action against the potential involvement of US air force bases stationed Germany in drone attacks.

"It is shameful that the German government simply closes its eyes to violations of international law on German territory," said Nouripour in an interview with the news agency DPA.

Legal grey area

But there are differing views on whether drone strikes violate international law. In many cases, the strikes are secret. The border regions, where the drone assaults take place, are often difficult to access even for the country's government.

Human rights organizations like Amnesty International accuse the US of violating international law. However, Washington sees itself in a cross-border war against terror – a conflict with al Qaeda and its allies, not particular countries. In such conflicts, persons directly involved in fighting are deemed legitimate targets. Therefore, the US argues, killing such a person would not violate international law.

"If the execution of drone attacks does not violate international law, it is not a problem," said Andreas Zimmermann, professor of international law at the University of Potsdam.

The deployment of US troops in Germany has been regulated since the 1950s with the NATO Status of Forces Agreement. Therefore "military forces and civilian personnel are allowed to take required measures for the satisfactory fulfillment of its defense obligations on the provided premises." And this applies to drone attacks according to US legal interpretation.

But even if Germany believed international law had been violated, it would be difficult for Berlin to take legal action. Jurisdiction lies with the US. The German government could terminate the Status of Forces agreement, said Zimmermann, "but that would be a huge political decision that would question the entire alliance."

Little political leeway

The German government could use political measures, says Zimmermann. "If there is evidence the US has violated international law on German territory, the German government could demand that the US stops these acts," he said.

But for that, the German government needs to know about it. Government spokesman Steffen Seibert outlined what is known at a media conference on Friday (04.04.2014):

"The US government has confirmed that such armed and remote aircrafts are not flown or controlled from US bases in Germany," he said.

The German government has never specifically asked Washington, giving America the opportunity to avoid the issue, said Marcel Dickow from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin.

The main question is "whether these operations would be possible without American technology based in Germany. And without the analysis, the risk assessment and the evaluation of whether it is a target person or not, the attacks would not be carried out," he said.

Apparently the German government intends to ask the US for more specific information relating to the drone program. Seibert has indicated the government will demand a statement from the US about the new allegations. Nevertheless, it is a politically delicate question.

"What do you do against an ally who possibly violates international law from your own territory?" asked Marcel Dickow. "The Americans are the most important strategic partner. You don't easily challenge such a partner, particularly when you use the same tools and values in the common war against international terrorism."

Not much more can be expected other than a protest behind closed doors.

7 April 2014 naval-technology.com

The UK Royal Navy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) to develop a framework to enable unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to be deployed from anti-submarine warfare warships.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Royal Navy and NOC will work together and share ideas to develop a new working strategy.

NOC National Marine Facilities director Geraint West said that the NOC will apply its capabilities and considerable experience in marine autonomous systems.

"The Natural Environment Research Council has already invested considerable funding into this area over recent years, principally through the science minister's 'eight great technologies' initiative, and working with the Royal Navy, therefore makes good sense for the UK taxpayer," West said.

"The memorandum of understanding is a significant step in the relationship between the NOC and the Royal Navy that takes us into a new phase of mutual cooperation, enabling the two parties to work together in sharing ideas and developing a working strategy."

Although the Royal Navy does not have a mature UUV capability, its collaboration with the NOC will provide the basis for trialling and understanding how the UUVs can be best used.

Navy Command Headquarters commodore Guy Robinson said: "This is an exciting opportunity as we develop this new area of our capability."

"The memorandum of understanding is a significant step in the relationship between the NOC and the Royal Navy that takes us into a new phase of mutual cooperation."

Currently, plans are underway for the launch of two UUVs from the navy's warships; one from a survey ship in the south-west Approaches near Plymouth and the other from a minehunter in the Mediterranean.

The Royal Navy environmental information officer Nick Hammond said that the idea is to have the UUVs deployed on board the navy's anti-submarine warfare platforms.

"We chose the survey ship and minehunter because they both work with similar equipment," Hammond said. "The information that the UUVs provide would be essential to their operation and the aspiration from these trials is to demonstrate that UUVs would make a difference to anti-submarine warfare."

7 April 2014 by Bartosz Glowacki - FG

Warsaw - Poland will modify 12 of its Sukhoi Su-22M4 strike aircraft and six UM3K-model trainers, with their airframe and engine lives to be extended to allow another 10 years of use.

The nation's defence ministry confirms that the air force will retain those aircraft which are in the best technical condition, with the remainder to be used for spare parts. The service currently operates 32 of the type.

Airframe modification work will be performed by the WZL-2 depot in Bydgoszcz, while engine activities will be conducted by the WZL-4 depot in Warsaw. Each aircraft should take around eight months to complete, with unofficial sources suggesting a unit cost of about Zl6 million ($1.9 million). Details of the upgrade have not been revealed, but are expected to include the addition of a second radio, cockpit instruments with imperial units labelled and a cockpit video recorder.

By retaining the Su-22, the Polish air force will be able to prepare new pilots in tasks such as assisting with training joint terminal attack controllers from the nation's special forces units and also supporting exercises involving air-defence units.

Hungary is acquiring Mi-8 transport helicopters as part of an effort to improve its airlift capabilities. Here, a Croatian Mi-8 participates in a NATO exercise. (NATO)

Apr. 7, 2014 - By JAROSLAW ADAMOWSKI – Defense News

WARSAW — The Hungarian Ministry of Defense has acquired three Mil Mi-8 transport helicopters produced by Russia’s state-run Rosoboronprom and imported by a Hungarian defense firm.

Meanwhile, the country’s armed forces are planning to purchase new helos and transport aircraft under a 105 billion forint (US $470 million) modernization program, of which 100 billion forints are to be spent on helicopters and 5 billion forints on planes.

Last year, Defense Minister Csaba Hende said Hungary was planning to significantly strengthen its airlift capability by 2016.

The Mi-8 purchase is estimated to be worth about 2 billion forints, reported local daily Magyar Nemzet. The helos were transported to the Kecskemét air base onboard an Antonov An-124 plane.

The Hungarian government has postponed the launch of the aircraft acquisition program due to the April 6 parliamentary elections. With the ruling Fidesz Party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban securing a comfortable majority in the vote, the country’s Defense Ministry is expected to go ahead with the much-awaited program.

In 2013, Hungary had a defense budget of 241.37 billion forints

MOSCOU, 7 avril - RIA Novosti

Des inspecteurs canadiens et hongrois survoleront la Russie dans le cadre du traité international Ciel ouvert du 7 au 12 avril, a annoncé lundi à Moscou le directeur du Centre national pour la diminution de la menace nucléaire Sergueï Ryjkov.

"Une mission d'inspection conjointe du Canada et de la Hongrie survolera la Russie à bord d'un avion hongrois Antonov An-26 du 7 au 12 avril dans le cadre du Traité international Ciel ouvert", a indiqué M.Ryjkov.

Des spécialistes russes participeront au vol d'inspection pour contrôler le respect des paramètres du vol.

L'avion An-26 n'est pas destiné pour être équipé d'armements. L'avion et ses équipements de photo aérienne ont été certifiés au niveau international, avec la participation de la Russie, ce qui garantit l'absence de moyens techniques interdits à son bord.

Signé le 24 mars 1992 à Helsinki, le Traité Ciel ouvert est appliqué depuis le 1er janvier 2002. Le document vise à accroître la transparence et la confiance entre les Etats signataires dans le domaine des activités militaires et du contrôle des armements. Il instaure un régime de libre survol des territoires des différents Etats parties au Traité.

Le traité a été signé par 34 Etats d'Europe et d'Amérique du Nord, membres de l'Organisation pour la sécurité et la coopération en Europe (OSCE). La Russie y a adhéré le 26 mai 2001.

07 April 2014 Pacific Sentinel

Apr.7, 2014 By Arie Egozi – FG

Tel Aviv - Israeli guided weapons manufacturer Rafael is offering its Python 5 and Derby air-to-air missiles for integration with some of the Dassault Rafales expected to enter service with the Indian air force.

India in January 2012 selected the Rafale for its 126-unit medium multi-role combat aircraft deal, with the first 18 examples to be completed by Dassault with a full complement of integrated weapons. The type is flown by the French air force and navy with air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons produced by MBDA and Sagem.

An earlier request for proposals also required airframers to “integrate additional weapons of the Indian air force’s choice, as required”.

Joseph Horowitz, director of business development and marketing for Rafael's air superiority directorate, confirms that the Israeli company is in the competition to arm later Indian air force aircraft. Russian industry is also pursuing potential opportunities, with the air force still evaluating its options.

Un Bushmaster hollandais en opération en Afghanistan

7 avril, 2014 Frédéric Lert (FOB)

Bon d’accord, la bateau qui apportera les véhicules blindés au pays du soleil levant sera moins chargé que ceux qui en ramènent des Toyota et autre Nissan… Thales Australia, qui a la responsabilité de la fabrication du véhicule, annonce la vente de seulement… quatre véhicules qui seront mis en œuvre par l’armée de terre japonaise (Japan Ground Self-Defence Force). Cette vente n’en constitue pas moins un beau succès pour pour la filiale australienne du groupe Thales, le Bushmaster ayant semble-t-il été opposé au M-ATV d’Oshkosh dans cette compétition. Les blindés, qui seront tous en version transporte de troupe, seront livrés fin 2014. Que vont pouvoir faire les Japonais de ces véhicules et s’agit simplement d’un échelon précurseur avant une vente plus large ? Le communiqué de presse de Thales rappelle que le Bushmaster « lors des déploiements sur les théâtres afghans et irakiens (…) a démontré toute son efficacité à la fois en milieu urbain mais aussi dans les régions plus montagneuse. Il est ainsi parfaitement adapté aux différents environnement géographiques du Japon ». Faut il donc croire comme le laisse entendre ces deux phrases que les Bushmaster seront utilisés sur le  territoire national japonais, où le bush est maigre et le niveau de menace

sensiblement moins élevé qu’en Irak ou en Afghanistan (sauf à considérer les soubresauts de la Terre). Ou bien ces véhicules seront-ils plutôt associés aux interventions extérieures des JGSDF ? Rappelons que depuis 2004, rompant avec sa traditionnelle politique de non-intervention  depuis la fin de la seconde guerre mondiale, Tokyo a déployé à travers le monde plusieurs contingents dans des opérations de maintien de la paix. Le premier contingent avait d’ailleurs été envoyé en… Irak

Apr 6, 2014 ASDNews Source : Lockheed Martin Corporation

The Sultanate of Oman accepted the first of its second order of Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-16 Fighting Falcons in a ceremony April 3 at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth facility. The fighter aircraft will ferry to Oman later this year.

In 2002, the Sultanate of Oman became the 23rd member of the F-16 family and now joins the 15 other countries which have ordered additional F-16 jets for their air defense. The new F-16s will add to the Oman Air Force's existing fleet of F-16s used to defend Oman's borders.

Read more

7 April 2014 By: Arie Egozi - FG

Tel Aviv - The Israeli air force has unveiled a new strategy intended to increase the operational capabilities of its fighting squadrons at a time of war – operating two different types of aircraft very closely.

The decision to train in a joint formation is based on the assumption that during a war the air force would have to deal simultaneously with suppressing rocket and missile attacks being made against Israeli territory, and with any attempt by aerial forces to enter the nation's airspace to strike targets.

In late March, two squadrons trained using the new technique, with the target of employing the joint formation to achieve the best operational results. This involved Boeing F-15s from the "Knights of the Double Tail" unit, operating out of Tel Nof air base, and Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds from the "First Jet" squadron at Ramat David air base.

During three days of training, the units employed mixed formations against a simulated enemy in a scenario in which they had to defend Israeli airspace on the nation's northern front. They also flew in larger numbers than usual, in a bid to exploit the advantages of each combat aircraft type. Air crews also gathered for joint briefings and debriefings throughout the process.

By merging its assets into one flying formation, the air force can deal with a wide variety of threats. Its F-15s have longer-range capability and carry some unique weapons, while the F-16 has attributes including its defensive electronic warfare equipment.

Apr.7, 2014– FG

The US Navy says it is pleased with results of recent flight tests of a Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet that had been upgraded with conformal fuel tanks and an external weapons pod -- a configuration Boeing calls the "Advanced Super Hornet."

Captain Frank Morley, F/A-18 programme manager for the USN, says on 7 April that the tests give lawmakers additional options as they consider whether to add orders for Super Hornets or A/E-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft to the US military's fiscal year 2015 budget.

"The measures we were able to get on signature reduction and flying quality were spot on predications," Morley tells reporters during a press briefing at the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition near Washington, DC. "It helps better inform decisions made through the budget bills and provides options as needed."

Conformal fuel tanks added to the upper fuselage of Super Hornets and belly-mounted external weapons pods are two primary upgrades that Boeing is pitching as its Advanced Super Hornet.

The Advanced model can also be improved with better engines, avionics and weapons systems, including an upgraded radar and improved infrared search-and-track abilities, Boeing has said.

The Advanced Super Hornet designation will be applied to new aircraft and existing aircraft that have been upgraded, Boeing has said.

The US government's fiscal year 2015 budget, which is currently working through Congress, does not include money for more Growlers or Super Hornets, but the USN expressed interest in additional aircraft by adding 22 Growlers to an unfunded list of priorities sent to lawmakers in recent weeks.

Morley says Growler's electronic jamming and other capabilities are critical to the "blue kill chain", the process by which friendly military forces identify, track, target and fire upon enemy forces. They are equally effective in disrupting the enemys ability to do the same against US forces, he adds.

"Given the environment we are [moving] into, that type of airplane plays a major role," Morley says. "You could use a lot of them. You could continue to [identify] places where they could [be of] benefit."

The USN intends to operate Super Hornets through the 2030s, Morley says.

Boeing has been seeking additional orders for Growlers or Super Hornets so as to keep its production line in St. Louis running.

Unless it receives more orders, the line will run out of aircraft to build by the end of 2016, Boeing has said.

If Congress adds 22 Growlers into next fiscal years spending bill, the line would continue running until the end of 2017, Mike Gibbons, Boeing's vice president of the F/A-18 programme, says during the press conference.

Gibbons adds that Growlers are the only aircraft that provide a broad spectrum of electronic protection, allowing fighters and other aircraft to penetrate enemy airspace that is guarded by multiple layers of electronic defence.