Module de lancement du SAMP

11/03/2013 Armée de l'air-  Economie et technologie

L’armée de l’air française a réussi le 6 mars 2013, avec l’armée de terre italienne, pour la première fois dans une architecture impliquant l’Otan, l’interception d’une cible représentative d’un missile balistique de théâtre par le système sol-air moyenne portée SAMP, appelé Mamba. Après environ 300 kilomètres de vol balistique, et avec une vitesse relative d'environ Mach 8 lors de l'impact, la cible a été détruite par un missile intercepteur ASTER 30.

Le système SAMP était connecté à l’Otan et à un radar d’alerte via un réseau de liaison de données L16 représentatif d’un dispositif opérationnel.

Ce tir d’évaluation technico-opérationnelle a été réalisé au centre DGA Essais de missiles de Biscarrosse, conjointement par le quatrième régiment d’artillerie de Mantoue (Italie) et l’équipe de marque de défense sol-air du centre d’expériences aériennes militaires (CEAM) de Mont-de-Marsan, appuyée par du personnel et du matériel de la brigade aérienne du contrôle de l'espace (BACE) du commandement des forces aériennes (CFA) ; plus particulièrement de l’escadron de défense sol-air (EDSA) 12/950 « Tursan » de Mont de Marsan ainsi que du commandement du soutien des forces aériennes (CSFA).

Ce succès fait suite aux deux tirs réussis en octobre 2010 et novembre 2011 contre le même type de menace. Il constitue une étape supplémentaire franchie dans la montée en puissance du SAMP au sein de l’armée de l’air et dans la démonstration des capacités du système d’arme et du personnel qui le servent à pouvoir contrer une menace balistique de théâtre dans un cadre Otan.

Les atouts du SAMP, baptisé Mamba par l’armée de l’air française, sont notamment la défense de zone à 360°, sa portée, sa puissance de feu, l’agilité du missile, la modularité, la capacité à traiter simultanément tout type de cibles aériennes modernes, la capacité à s’intégrer dans différentes chaines de commandement et l’aptitude à protéger des forces déployées grâce à sa mobilité.

Le déploiement du système se poursuit au sein de l’armée de l’air. Après les EDSA de Luxeuil, Mont de Marsan et Avord, c’est aujourd’hui celui de Saint-Dizier qui reçoit le système SAMP. L'escadron d’Istres sera, quant à lui, équipé d’ici 2014.

Séquence de tir du Mamba

27.02.2013 Pacific Sentinel

February 21, 2013 idrw.org (INDRUS)

There are at least four explanations for this in the whisper corridors but nothing official has come yet from the Russians. One such explanation is that except for the P-700, the rest of the Russian fleet has 300Km missiles, same range as the BrahMos. The argument is that anything bigger would require heavier ships and subs because the P-700 is a 7 ton missile and only the Kirov class carries it.

The other explanation is that the Russians currently don’t have a requirement for BrahMos because they are not inducting new ships like India is. Russia’s latest inductions will happen only later this year for the new Gorshkov class frigates. The new ships will either be equipped with BrahMos or Klub missiles, depending on the budget. Klubs are cheaper but BrahMos is more capable.

Third, many Russian experts view BrahMos as a downgraded Yakhont and so why should Russia choose it instead of Yakhont? It is pointed out that Yakhont is the export name for the P-800 Oniks. BrahMos is just the short range version of Yakhont. The Indians wanted a longrange missile but the Russians could not give it because of the MTCR (Missile TechnologyControl Regime) stipulations and so they gave the shorter version (BrahMos) to the Indians.

Fourth, Russia cannot incorporate whatever they have learnt from the BrahMos because everything for the missile is out sourced from Russia. The missile’s seeker, guidance,navigation and fire control systems are all India’s responsibility for manufacturing along with the firing mechanism. Why should Russia develop the same things again and incorporate these into the Oniks?

However, BrahMos has a greater tactical value over Yakhont. While Yakhont is an anti-shipcruise missile only and can be fired from ships, BrahMos can be used against any land or seabased target and can be fired from any platform be it land, sea, air or underwater.

BrahMos a Game Changer for India

Whatever Russia’s reasons are for not integrating the BrahMos missiles in its armed forces yet, for India BrahMos is a potent weapon and a veritable game changer. In view of this, Antony, in his February 19, 2013 speech announced that the Indian government has decided to expand the infrastructure at multiple centres to cater to larger production requirement of BrahMos missiles and systems. He said the Indian armed forces consider BrahMos to be an important weapon due to its speed, precision and power.

Antony also said that the cooperation between the scientists and scientific expertise of India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPOM and many other organizations from India and Russia has proved that there is a way to do things faster and take the lead in the world. He pointed out that the partnership has blossomed and yielded results, which have not been achieved by any other country.

The minister said that the role of DRDO, NPOM and the quality assurance agencies ingrooming this industry to achieve high technology levels and a superior quality product has indeed resulted in customer’s delight, that is, the Indian defence forces. He remarked that this process has resulted in a new trend of thinking, in terms of a collaboration and joint venture, as India too could share its technology and products with others.

Indian Air Force Chief NAK Browne in his address said that the modified Su-30 Mk-1 aircraft will soon be equipped with BrahMos missile. It should be pointed out in this context that the Indian Army and the Navy have already got BrahMos, while the IAF will get it by 2014. The integration of the new BrahMos missile on to Sukhoi’s Su-30MKI long-rangefighter is due to reach a key milestone this year with integration of the weapon on test aircraft, ahead of planned first deliveries to the IAF in 2014

NEW DELHI, Feb. 15 (UPI)

French President Francois Hollande has met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with a special look at defense relations on the agenda.

Underscoring the importance of the visit, Hollande was accompanied by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian along with the chief executive officers of more than 60 leading French firms.

A French official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the trip was aimed at building on the "strategic Indo-French partnership launched 15 years ago."

Hollande said that, after his meeting with Singh, he was certain that India was carefully considering all options for major defense purchases.

Hollande added that the Indian government was committed to considering all foreign applications for big-ticket items in the India's Ministry of Defense pipeline and that an element of his visit was to highlight French companies interested in the Indian market.

Singh averred, "The discussion on the (contract) is progressing well," Singh said, adding that "some progress has been achieved."

The majority of India's international contracts are in the defense sector, which has been dogged by allegations of bribery and corruption. In addressing corruption allegations in a civil nuclear contract for France's bid for participating in the construction of India's Jaitapur nuclear power plant, Hollande promised that France's transactions with India would be fully transparent.

In visiting the South Asian economic powerhouse, Hollande is making his first visit to an emerging economy, with diplomatic sources emphasizing that Paris chose India over Brazil, the Russia Federation and South Africa.

Singh and Hollande stated that their mutual interest was cooperation in high technology programs, including bilateral research and development and transfer of technology, one of India's highest priorities.

Hollande noted that joint venture projects already online included the Indian navy's indigenously built Scorpene submarine and the upgrading of the Indian air force's French-built Mirage 2000 with negotiations progressing. He also said discussions continue to finalize the joint French-Indian Short Range Surface to Air Missile air defense project.

Hollande's top defense priority is to secure the Indian air force purchase of 126 Rafale fighters from French arms manufacturer Dassault, a potential deal worth $12 billion. India chose the firm in 2012 but says that the contract won't be signed until midyear.

Franco-Indian trade levels remain modest, in 2012 worth $10 billion and France imports more than it sells to India.

Singh and Hollande, besides noting the progress on bilateral cooperation on the Scorpene submarine, Mirage 2000 and SRSAM joint ventures, reiterated their ongoing interest in negotiations on the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft program.

New Delhi diplomatic sources speaking not for attribution said that given France's inside track in New Delhi, Rafael's closest competitor, the four-nation Eurofighter consortium, had essentially abandoned its bid for India's new fighter tender, as had Germany, previously the leading country for the Indian air force combat fighter contract.

Feb. 7, 2013 - By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI  - Defense News

BANGALORE, India — India has rejected Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, offered to the Indian Air Force nearly two years ago.

Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, told reporters at Aero India 2013 that Iron Dome is not suitable for the service.

The announcement puts to rest speculation in the media that India is negotiating to buy Iron Dome from Israel. Sources in the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) attending Aero India said India and Israel have been discussing the purchase of Iron Dome and the David Sling air defense system, jointly made by the U.S. and Israel, for more than two years.

No MoD official would comment on Browne’s statement, but sources say his announcement will make it difficult for India to buy the system. The fate of David Sling is also uncertain now, added MoD sources.

David Sling is jointly produced by Raytheon and Rafael Advanced Systems of Israel, while Iron Dome is manufactured by Rafael.

Israel showcased the Iron Dome at Aero India alongside David Sling. Israel has used Iron Dome against short-range rockets fired by Hamas and Gaza groups. The David Sling system is a medium- to long-range rocket and cruise missile defense system to provide ballistic missile defense.

In early 2009, India inked a $2.2 billion joint venture with Israel under which India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation works with Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael to develop a 70-kilometer medium-range surface-to-air missile program. The system would be used by the Indian Air Force and also sold to the Israeli defense forces.

India also is developing its own ballistic missile defense system called the Prithvi Air Defense system. The first phase is expected to be completed in 2013-’14.

05 Feb 2013 By Des Browne and Ian Kearns*  - telegraph.co.uk

Like-for-like renewal of our nuclear deterrent is neither strategically sound nor economically viable

In 2006, the Labour government decided to pursue like-for-like renewal of Trident, a decision that was reaffirmed by the Coalition in 2010. The thinking underpinning both decisions now needs to be re-examined. Since 2006, important things have changed and it is time for a more honest debate about the defence choices facing the country.

It has become clearer, for example, that a set of long-term threats has emerged, to which deterrence, nuclear or otherwise, is not applicable: not only climate change, which can be addressed only through coordinated international action, but also cyber-attacks and nuclear terrorism. Attacks of both kinds will be difficult to trace. Since deterrence only works against those with a known address, it is not a viable strategy for meeting this category of threats.

Recent research also shows that large-scale use of nuclear weapons by either the US or Russia would be suicidal, not because of a retaliatory response but because global agriculture would collapse as a result, leaving the population of the attacking country to starve. The same research shows that even a small-scale nuclear exchange between India and Pakistan would affect at least a billion people and usher in colder temperatures than at any time in the past millennium.

These facts do not mean that nuclear weapons are totally irrelevant to all future security threats. The weapons may still play important psychological roles in inhibiting wars between major powers; our position is not, as a result, a unilateralist one. What these factors do mean, however, is that nuclear deterrence is decreasingly effective. We could pursue like-for-like renewal of Trident and still perish as a result of a nuclear incident not directly involving the UK.

Deterrence is also increasingly risky. The number of nuclear weapons in the world has gone down since the end of the Cold War, but the bombs are now in some of the most unstable countries in the world. Loss of control is a major concern. If we allow current trends to continue, some of these weapons are going to get used.

While it might make sense to invest a huge portion of the British defence equipment budget, around 25-30 per cent in 2020-2030, into a nuclear system that provides insurance against every eventuality, it makes less sense to invest so much into one that provides less and less insurance against a narrowing range of threats. Given unlimited resources, this would be less of a problem but since 2006 we have also experienced a recession. The defence budget is being cut and reductions in conventional capability are ongoing. This matters for a number of reasons. First, the cuts are occurring even as each new generation of equipment becomes more sophisticated and expensive than the last. The implication, given that no end to public spending cuts is in sight and that health and education budgets are ring-fenced, is that our military will continue to shrink in future.

Second, defence cuts are under way and will continue in other allied countries on which we rely, such as the US, France, and elsewhere in Europe. Third, the military research budgets of many non-Western powers are increasing. While we have a clear technological edge today, the long-term trend is towards reduced Western technological superiority. In future, we will be able to rely much less on technically sophisticated but ever smaller forces to win conflicts. Fourth, America’s pivot to Asia signals its reduced willingness to provide for the security of Europe. As Libya and Mali show, Europe must take more responsibility in future, and do so with less.

Some of the supporters of like-for-like Trident renewal argue that anyone questioning the current approach is irresponsible. But in the circumstances outlined, Trident’s advocates also have serious questions to answer. They want to pour limited national resources into a increasingly ineffective nuclear system while being unwilling either to call for higher defence spending to meet conventional shortfalls or to scale back the UK’s level of international ambition. They want a gold-standard nuclear deterrent while under-investing in everything else.

Their approach will demonstrate to the international community that we intend to keep nuclear weapons on permanent deployment for decades while seeking to deny those weapons to everyone else. In the process, it will destroy any chance of building the broad-based international support required for a stronger non-proliferation and nuclear security regime. It also potentially sets the country up for a future Suez moment when, in the context of a crisis thought to threaten our vital interests, we will either try to intervene somewhere and fail or won’t try at all because we don’t have the capability. Either way, as a country committed to internationalism and to the defence of our interests, we will be diminished.

The choice before us, then, is not between a risky and a risk-free future. There are no risk-free futures on offer. Given the range of challenges before us and the limited resources at our disposal, if the Government’s Trident Alternatives Review reveals an effective alternative to like-for-like renewal of Trident, such as stepping down from continuous at-sea deterrence and the building of fewer submarines, we should pursue it. This would continue our glide-path to reduced reliance on nuclear weapons for our security, and in the circumstances, make sound strategic sense.

* Des Browne is a former defence secretary; Ian Kearns is chief executive of the European Leadership Network and a former adviser to Parliament on national security strategy

3/2/2013 IsraelDefense

Israeli Rafael to present a variety of air defense systems it is developing at the AeroIndia 2013 exhibition

The Israeli defense company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will present a wide range of capabilities and technologies at the AeroIndia 2013 exhibition, which will begin this week in India. In the framework of the expo, the company will present numerous air defense systems for the first time, including the Iron Dome system for countering short-range missiles and rockets.

Other items that will be presented at the exhibition are the Stunner missile, the David’s Sling interceptor system for protecting against medium-range missiles and rockets, the Spyder air defense system based on the Python-5 and Derby surface-to-air missiles and the MIC4AD, a command and control air and missile defense systems. In the field of precision armaments, Rafael will present the Spice system – an advanced precision system that provides advanced capabilities to ordinary bombs, and the Spike family of electro-optic multi-purpose missiles for ranges of up to 25 kilometers, which can be launched from a variety of platforms.

Rafael will also display the RecceLite pod, an electro-optic system for real-time observation and intelligence collection; the Lightening electro-optic attack and navigation pod for combat aircraft; the multi-sensory ImiLite system for reception, processing and distribution of intelligence information originating from many intelligence platforms, communication systems and more.

30/01/2013 Mer et Marine

L’arrivée en Méditerranée de la première frégate multi-missions française n’est pas uniquement destinée à tester les capacités sonar du bâtiment dans les eaux de la Grande Bleue. L’Aquitaine doit également réaliser sous peu un tir de missile au large de l’île du Levant, où se trouve l’un des centres d’essais de la Direction Générale de l’Armement. A cette occasion, le bâtiment, livré en décembre à la Marine nationale, devrait prochainement mettre en œuvre un missile surface-air Aster 15, 16 munitions de ce type pouvant être embarquées par la FREMM afin d’assurer son autoprotection contre des missiles et aéronefs assaillants.

La frégate pourra également embarquer 8 missiles antinavire Exocet MM40 Block3, ainsi que 16 missiles de croisière MdCN (Scalp Naval), tous développés par MBDA. Le premier tir en mer de ce dernier ne sera pas réalisé par l’Aquitaine mais par la seconde FREMM française, la Normandie, actuellement en achèvement sur le site DCNS de Lorient. Cette frégate, qui doit débuter ses essais en mer au second semestre, doit réaliser un tir de MdCN en 2014.

29/01/2013 Sources Marine nationale

Le 28 janvier 2013, la Frégate Européenne Multi-Missions (FREMM) Aquitaine est arrivée à Toulon pour une dizaine de jours d’essais à la mer dans le cadre de la Vérification de ses Capacités Militaires. L’équipage commandé par le capitaine de vaisseau Rouvière a été accueilli par le vice-amiral d’escadre Yann Tainguy, commandant la zone maritime Méditerranée et par le vice-amiral d’escadre Magne, commandant la force d’action navale. Première d’une série de onze frégates, l’Aquitaine effectue la toute première escale en Méditerranée d’un bâtiment de ce type.

«Le premier exemplaire de la FREMM qui sera affecté à Toulon sera la Provence, attendue en 2015» précise l’amiral Tainguy. «D’ici là, les travaux de dragage du port ainsi que l’aménagement des quais avec toute l’infrastructure nécessaire au soutien de l’équipage seront achevés».

«Armée par seulement 94 marins contre les 250 des frégates anti-sous-marines d’ancienne génération, la FREMM Aquitaine marque une nouvelle ère dans la définition des équipages des bâtiments de combat» ajoute l’amiral Magne. «Le bond technologique opéré sur ce bâtiment dans le domaine la lutte sous la mer est extraordinaire, de même que la capacité future de la FREMM à mettre en œuvre le Missile De Croisière Naval (MDCN). Ce dernier atout fait de  ce bateau un outil révolutionnaire qui apportera un complément à la mission de projection de puissance de la Marinenationale».

En prélude à son prochain Déploiement de Longue Durée (DLD) en Atlantique (période d’endurance à la mer au cours de laquelle le bâtiment et son équipage vont être mis à l’épreuve pendant plusieurs mois), la FREMM Aquitaine va mettre à profit sa présence au large de Toulon en testant son système de combat et ses sonars de lutte anti-sous-marine dans les eaux hivernales de la Méditerranée. 

Arrivée de la FREMM Aquitaine à Toulon

MOSCOU, 21 janvier - RIA Novosti

Le chef du bureau d'information de l'Otan à Moscou, Robert Pszczel, espère que Moscou et Washington poursuivront leurs négociations sur le bouclier antimissile en Europe.

"Je reste optimiste, car le système antimissile en Europe profiterait aux Etats-Unis et à la Russie. Si l'investiture de Barack Obama donne une nouvelle impulsion à ces négociations, je ne pourrai que m'en féliciter", a déclaré lundi M. Pszczel à Moscou.

Selon lui, la création d'une capacité de défense antimissile balistique n'est pas une question que l'on pourrait régler rapidement.

Lors du sommet Russie-Otan à Lisbonne en novembre 2010, Moscou et Washington ont convenu de coopérer dans le domaine de la défense antimissile européenne. Cependant, les parties n'ont jamais réussi à s'entendre sur l'architecture du futur bouclier. En outre, les Etats-Unis refusent de garantir que le futur bouclier ne sera pas dirigé contre le potentiel stratégique nucléaire russe.

Le chef du bureau d'information de l'Otan à Moscou a également salué le fait que le nouveau représentant permanent de la Russie Alexandre Grouchko a commencé son travail à Bruxelles.

"L'Alliance est prête à coopérer avec le nouvel ambassadeur russe", a souligné M. Pszczel.

Jan. 10, 2013 by Dave Majumdar – FG

Washington DC - Even as the US Army moves forward with fielding its first unit of Boeing AH-64E Block III attack helicopters, the service is planning to add further improvements to the Apache gunship.

"Right now, we are currently fielding the first unit equipped, our FUE [first unit equipped] unit, with Echo-models, and we're on track to meet that fielding schedule," says Col Jeff Hager, the army's Apache programme manager.

Hager adds that Boeing has delivered 28 of 51 low-rate initial production AH-64Es that it is contracted to build. This year, the company will start producing full-rate production aircraft for an eventual total of 634 helicopters.

But even as the AH-64E transitions into full-rate production, some systems engineering work remains, Hager says. The changes, which will come in production Lots 4 through 6, include better embedded diagnostics for improved maintenance. The Apache will also gain the Link-16 data-link, which is typically found on fixed-wing combat aircraft. It will also be afforded improvements to its mast-mounted Northrop Grumman APG-78 Longbow fire control radar, which will improve range and add overwater capability.

Hager says that the army has not quite decided how the overwater capability would be used, but he says the Longbow radar in concert with the Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire missile could be used to attack landing craft or small warships. In the future, active electronically scanned array radar could be added to the aircraft.

Another addition will be the cognitive decision aiding system (CDAS), Hager says. CDAS is designed "to help the pilot and the crew with some of those tasks that tend to get a little cumbersome at times," he says. "It'll help him in those tasks in specific."

The army also intends to support Boeing's efforts to sell the Apache overseas, Hager says. Boeing's attack helicopter vice president, Dave Koopersmith, says that the company has seen an uptick in interest internationally for the Apache recently. "We have more demand signals for this dominant capability in this attack helicopter space," he says.

NEW DELHI, 20 décembre - RIA Novosti

L'Inde a testé jeudi avec succès un missile Prithvi-II, capable de porter une charge nucléaire, rapporte le site Internet du journal Times of India.

Le missile a été tiré depuis un lanceur mobile terrestre, sur le polygone de Chandipur, dans l'état d'Orissa.

Développés depuis le début des années quatre-vingt, les Prithvi sont des missiles balistiques de courte portée capables de transporter une ogive nucléaire, dont la version sol-sol équipe déjà l'armée de terre indienne. Le Prithvi II a une portée de tir maximale de 350 km et il est capable de transporter une charge de 500kg.