Asia's Biggest Air Show Aero India 2009 Takes Off

Asia's Biggest Air Show Aero India 2009 Takes Off

(NSI News Source Info) Bangalore - February 11, 2009: Aero India 2009 took off to a roaring start Wednesday with India flaunting its air power in a stunning aerobatics display by fighter jets, helicopters and jet trainers. Billed as the biggest biennial event in South Asia, the five-day seventh edition of Aero India 2009 began on a sunny and breezy day from the Indian Air Force (IAF) station at Yelahanka, about 20 km from Bangalore. With a security blanket in place to ward off terror attacks, about 5,000 people, including diplomats and air chiefs from the world over, were treated to a two-hour spectacular show by scores of IAF pilots. The inaugural by Defence Minister AK Antony in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa was marked by a flypast and breathtaking manouveres from IAF's assorted aircraft -- Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, MiG-21, supersonic jet trainer Hawk and subsonic trainer Kiran and a slew of helicopters.

Indian Air Force's Russian-made Sukhoi-30 aircraft lands as well other aircrafts as F-A 18 'Super Hornet', United Arab Emirates F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon during the inauguration ceremony of the "Aero India 2009" at Yelahanka air force station on the outskirts of the southern Indian city of Bangalore February 11, 2009. The 7th Aero India, organised by the ministry of defence, showcases the latest in the field of military and civil aircrafts. The show runs from February 11 to 15. Four indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) of the state-run Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) scrambled over the gathering, while a IAF fleet of Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) aerobatic team christened Sarang kept spirits soaring high. IAF's transport behemoths and air-to-air refuelling aircraft had the spectators in awe with their sheer size and functionality mid-air. "Growing in stature, size and public participation, the air show has emerged as the most important event in South Asia, drawing global attention," Defence Secretary (production) Pradeep Kumar said in his introductory remarks. With 25 countries participating and 50 official delegations, including many led by their defence ministers and air chiefs, the Indian version of the air show has come of an age to turn into a war theatre for the world's major aerospace firms and a global consortium. A total of 592 firms, including 303 from overseas and 289 from the Indian subcontinent, are showcasing their products and technologies spanning military and civilian sectors to woo the country's three armed services and the burgeoning aviation industry. The Indian government is set to invest a whopping Rs.1.4 trillion ($30 billion) over the next five years to modernise and upgrade its defence services. The IAF order to induct 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) into its depleting fleet as a replacement to the aging MiG-21 old warhorse has made the six global aerospace bidders vie for the estimated $10 billion (Rs 500 billion) contract by flying in their metal birds to show their strike power. A dozen global aerospace firms, including the state-run HAL, as well as US and German air forces have flown in their fighter jets, transport planes, a fleet of helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles for flying and static displays at the event. Among them are the American Lockheed Martin with its strike fighter F-16, Boeing with its F-18 Super Hornet, Russian MiG with MiG-35, European consortium with Eurofighter (Typhoon) and HAL/IAF with Sukhoi, Hawk, Intermediate Jet (IJT) and Dhruv. Spanning an area of 44,000 square metres as against 30,000 sq m in 2007, the exhibition area has five international pavilions hosting Australia, Belgium, Germany, Israel and Romania, 54 chalets and about 600 stalls to house international and Indian firms and a host of facilities forming the eco-system. With the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) riding high on the successful launch of India's maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 to the moon, a space pavilion is also put up to flag the country's prowess in space technology and space applications. "We are expecting about 125,000 visitors, including 50,000 business delegates and about 75,000 people from across the country, especially Bangalore and Karnataka," Kumar said. To provide foolproof security and prevent any untoward incident, the venue has been turned into a fortress, with three-tier protective layer, 140 closed circuit television (CCTV), three x-ray machines, radio frequency identification (RFID), 330 defence service corps, 180 air force police personnel as well as platoons of the Central Industrial Security Force and special commando forces.

HAL May Get To Make Half Of Eurocopter's Choppers

HAL May Get To Make Half Of Eurocopter's Choppers

(NSI News Source Info) Bangalore - February 11, 2009: In line for orders worth over ?8 billion from Indian military and civil defence authorities, leading European helicopter maker Eurocopter is looking to outsource 50% of its helicopter production to the public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) over the next few years. The?4.5 billion company, a 100% subsidiary of the European Aeronautic, Defense and Space Company (EADS), is also looking to set up three new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centres in India. These will help it meet the service requirements for some of these contracts and other business that it may win in India. Eurocopter already maintains an MRO at Noida to service its civilian fleet, run by its Indian distributor, Vectra Aviation. It has signed an MoU with the public sector helicopter operator Pavan Hans, to whom is has supplied 27 Dolphin helicopters, to set up an MRO in Mumbai. It is scouting for an Indian partner to set up another MRO close to Delhi. Rainer Farid, vice president, sales and customer relations told DNA Money the third new MRO could be a JV with HAL in Bangalore. The total investment on the MROs may add up to?150 million ($195 million). Currently, there are five major deals from the Indian defence, paramilitary and civilian authorities that Eurocopter is competing for. The most immediate is the contract for 197 reconnaissance surveillance helicopters (RSH), for the Indian Army and Air Force. The Russians and the British-Italian company AugustaWestland are also competing for the order, which industry sources said be worth $1-2 billion. Eurocopter is pitching the AS 550 Fennec, a lightweight, multipurpose military helicopter. Then there are two of HAL's projects for making 380 Indian multi-role helicopters (IMRH) of 10-12 tonnes in the class of Russian Mi-17 helicopters, and 187 light utility helicopters (LUH), in which Eurocopter is likely to be a partner. While the IMRH is a co-development, co-production project, the LUH is a co-development initiative. This apart, tenders are out for 22 attack helicopter for the Indian Air Force and 16 multi-role helicopters for supply to the Indian Navy. On the civilian side, Eurocopter is negotiating 20-odd deals for supply of various kinds of helicopters with corporate and state governments, Farid said. With Eurocopter slated to be a prominent player in some of these projects, it has already signed MoU with 50 Indian companies, including L&T and Infotech Enterprises, to outsource work such as software development, engineering, aero structuring, and component manufacturing, as mandated under the offset programme of the Union government. It is estimated that India's imports of military hardware and software could reach a cumulative $30 billion by 2012 and Indian companies are in line to get offset orders from global military equipment makers worth nearly $10 billion in the same period. While for the RSH project, the stipulation is 50% of the value of the contract over the supply period, for the other projects, the mandatory outsourcing ranges from 30-40%. HAL is already a member of Eurocopter's global supply chain systems and is currently making one aero structure per day for supply to the European company. "We are planning to shift 50% of our entire production to HAL," Farid said. This would mean anywhere close to 350 helicopters per year, given that Eurocopter supplied close to 700 helicopters last year. "Overall we are selling to stay here and are open to 100% technology transfer to HAL", Farid said, adding the group was thinking to incorporate Eurocopter India Ltd, on the lines of the EADS India Ltd, given its long-term plans.

Russia's TVEL Signs Nuclear Fuel Deal With India

Russia's TVEL Signs Nuclear Fuel Deal With India

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI - February 11, 2009: Russian nuclear fuel producer TVEL signed on Wednesday a contract with New Delhi on fuel supplies to Indian nuclear power plants, a spokesman for the Indian Nuclear Energy Department said. The contract, which according to earlier reports is worth over $700 million, makes Russia the first country to supply nuclear fuel to India since the Nuclear Suppliers Group lifted a three-decade ban on nuclear fuel sales to the country on September 6, 2008. "All the technical details of cooperation with our Indian partners were worked out very quickly and approval took no more than three months," TVEL Vice President Vasily Konstantinov said during the signing ceremony. Under the deal, Russia is to supply India with 2,000 metric tons of uranium pellets. The fuel contract is another step in burgeoning nuclear cooperation between Russia and India. On December 5, Moscow signed an agreement with Delhi to build an additional four reactors for the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, where it is finishing two reactors under an earlier contract, and construct new nuclear plants in India. TVEL is one of the world's leading manufacturers of nuclear fuel, which it supplies to 73 commercial (17% of the global market) and 30 research reactors in 13 countries.

Cobra Gold Military Exercise - Joint Forces #2

Cobra Gold Military Exercise - Joint Forces #2

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: Cobra Gold 09 Combined/Joint Information Bureau, U.S. Seaman Christopher Smith from Washington, D.C., directs a Landing Craft as it departs from the beach after transporting Marines and equipment ashore for the Cobra Gold joint military exercise at Sattahip Naval Base in Chonburi province, southeastern Thailand Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.

The two-week long annual joint exercise involving with nearly 12,000 soldiers from Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia, is considered the largest military operations in the Southeast Asia region.On February 6, 2009 in Sattahip, southeastern Thailand, and released by the US Navy, a Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1631 from Assault Craft Unit One arrives from the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) to off load Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to participate in Exercise Cobra Gold 09.

Philippines Military Hunting Armed Kidnappers In Southern Island

Philippines Military Hunting Armed Kidnappers In Southern Island

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: Heavily armed soldiers patrol Isabela town in Basilan island during an anti-kidnap operation on Februay 9, 2009. Two gunmen were killed as soldiers backed by helicopter gunships attacked the kidnappers of three teachers abducted in the southern Philippines, the military said. Two bodies, along with two Garand rifles, assorted grenades and ammunition, were found after Marines clashed with the kidnappers in a forested area near Akbar town on the southern island of Basilan, military officials said.

Al Qaeda Warns India Against Attacking Pakistan

Al Qaeda Warns India Against Attacking Pakistan

(NSI News Source Info) London - February 11, 2009: Osama bin Laden’s terror group al Qaeda has warned India against attacking Pakistan, saying it would have to pay a ‘heavy price’ if it tried to do so. The threat, issued in a video by Mustafa Abu al-Yazid – al Qaeda’s operative in Afghanistan and Pakistan – was received by British television network, the BBC. al-Yazid, in the 20-minute video, said in Arabic: “We will bring mujahideen and suicide attackers from all over the Muslim world to confront you (India). They will target your economic centres and raze them to the ground.” He further said the decision to kill former Pakistani Prime Minister and PPP leader Benazir Bhutto was made by al Qaeda leader Aiman Al-Zawahiri.

In the video, Abu al-Yazid also lashed out at the Pakistani government and Army, and denounced Islamabad’s ban imposed on militant organisations following the Mumbai terror attacks. The threat has also exposed Pakistan, which had claimed that Abu al-Yazid was killed in a US drone strike in August 2008.

Obama Could Order More Troops To Afghanistan This Week

Obama Could Order More Troops To Afghanistan This Week

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: US military chief Adm Mike Mullen says more American troops are needed urgently in Afghanistan. Adm Mullen, who chairs the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said time was of the essence. Speaking in Canada - a Nato ally - he said it was not enough to clear areas of Taliban insurgents, but territory had to be held. President Barack Obama is expected to announce soon how many extra US troops would be sent to Afghanistan, and has called for Nato reinforcements. Adm Mullen said extra troops had to be deployed urgently. Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai (C) and Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende (R) inspect the guard of honor during their meeting in Kabul February 10, 2009. "We've got to have enough forces in there to hold (territory), which we haven't had in the past." US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said President Obama is likely to decide on boosting troops in Afghanistan in "the next few days". Military officials say some 20-30,000 troops could be deployed in 2009. Correspondents say the security situation in Afghanistan - and the fight against Taleban insurgents there - is one of the incoming US administration's foreign policy priorities. Afghan police inspect the carter created by an explosion near a U.S military base in Khost, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. A bomb struck a NATO convoy in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, killing two soldiers and wounding one, a spokesman for the alliance said. Police spokesman Wazir Pacha said the attack in Khost province was carried out by a suicide bomber in a vehicle. There are currently about 60,000 foreign soldiers in Afghanistan - most of them are part of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf). The troops include about 33,000 US soldiers and some 28,000 Nato forces from 40 countries

Somalia's Pirates Should Be Dealt With Strong Hand And Given A Heavy Blow In Their Own Home-Ground

Somalia's Pirates Should Be Dealt With Strong Hand And Given A Heavy Blow In Their Own Home-Ground

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: Somali pirates are poised for renewed attacks on shipping off the coast of Somalia, according to the Royal Navy's Cdr Gerry Northwood, the head of operations for the EU's anti-piracy taskforce, codenamed Operation Atalanta. The multinational force, commanded by a British Rear Admiral, was deployed in December with the principal aim of protecting vulnerable food ships travelling to Somalia. Compared with last autumn, pirate attacks off Somalia are down this year, but that may be about to change. In this undated photo released by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and distributed by Kyodo News, the JMSDF destroyer Sazanami is shown. Japan said Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 it will dispatch two destroyers, the 4,650-ton Sazanami and the 4,550-ton Samidare, to waters off Somalia for a mission protecting its commercial vessels against pirates. Multinational naval officers at the Northwood base, just outside London, say increased patrolling by coalition warships has reduced the number of successful hijackings. But Cdr Northwood is warning that the pirates' supply of captured ships is running low, tempting them to renew their attacks. "What we've seen in the recent past, as many as 15 or 16 vessels held hostage or hijacked and under ransom negotiation, we're down to seven now, or the pirates are down to seven vessels held, so the indications are they've got plenty of space down there for some more," Cdr Northwood told the BBC. "So if you look at that in terms of the numbers held against what they can do and achieve in terms of ransom negotiations, there's every expectation that you would expect them to go out there and try and bring in some more vessels." Four warships The EU taskforce does not exactly boast an armada. It has precisely four warships - from Britain, France, Germany and Greece - and a single maritime patrol aircraft, all expected to cover more than a million square miles of ocean. Somali pirates can afford to be patient and with more than a million square miles of ocean to patrol, no one is expecting instant results .But the dramatic rise in piracy off Somalia last year - up 200% from 2007 - drew the world's attention and now there are warships from Russia, China, India and other countries all working in coordination with the EU taskforce to patrol the western Indian Ocean. The US Navy also has its own dedicated anti-piracy taskforce, CTF151, based in Bahrain. So I asked Cdr Northwood if any of these coalition warships were ever able to get to a merchant vessel under attack in time to actually stop it being hijacked. "From the point when the merchant vessel has seen the pirates to the point where they are on his bridge and it is game over, is about 10 minutes," he said. If the merchant vessels can take protective measures, he added - either by putting up barricades to block the pirates getting on board, or locking themselves into their super-structure and making it difficult for the pirates to gain access - that buys the coalition force time. "If they can extend that period out to about 30 or 40 minutes, it actually becomes very feasible that a coalition warship, or helicopter, or maritime patrol aircraft will arrive on the scene and will be able to assist them." Hostage situation Down in the taskforce HQ's Joint Operations Centre watch, officers from several European countries are monitoring maritime traffic, logging requests for protection and keeping in constant email contact with several navies. Operation Atalanta is just two months into a one-year deployment When a merchant vessel comes under attack the ship's master usually has time to activate a security alert which is picked up by the UK Maritime Trade Office in Dubai, and the taskforce is alerted. But by their officers' own admission, once a ship is taken over by pirates there is not much the warships can do. By then it is effectively a hostage situation, with the pirates taking care to feed and protect their captured crew and cargo while the bargaining goes on, often for months, to secure their release unharmed. Rarely is anyone prepared to risk an armed confrontation with the pirates when they are holding crew members at gunpoint. Hooks and ladders At the headquarters of Operation Atalanta, staff have built up a comprehensive picture of how the Somali pirates operate and according to Cmdr Northwood, it varies from north to south of the coastline. Pirates operating from Puntland, mainly in the Gulf of Aden, favour using ladders, he said. The EU taskforce seems to be having some deterrent effect on pirates "A skiff (a low fast boat used by pirates) that is up to no good will probably have about three or four feet of ladder extended over the front of the boat," he added. "And also within the boat you'll also have a tarpaulin, and under the tarpaulin there will be a few extra crew members hiding themselves away, plus their stash of AK47s and rocket propelled grenades, so they come quite well armed." Further south, off Hoboyo on the east coast of Somalia, the group that operate tends to favour using grappling hooks, he added. The pirates, say naval officers, tend to station themselves out to sea overnight, often chewing the narcotic qat leaf, then between first light and mid-morning they close in and attack the first vulnerable looking merchant ship they spot. Their favoured approach is to come up from behind on the port side, often choosing the point where the ship's freeboard - the distance between the deck and the waterline - is at its lowest. Frequently, they are deterred by non-lethal methods like water cannons or even barbed wire but when they do manage to climb aboard they often fire their assault rifles, and even their rocket-propelled grenades, indiscriminately. Early days One officer said it is a miracle more people have not been killed this way. This begs the question: Should merchant vessels be arming themselves in defence, as suggested controversially in December by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates? Captain Richard Farrington, Operation Atalanta's Chief of Staff, thinks not. "Industry thinks it's a bad thing, we think it's a dangerous thing and we would not condone it," he told the BBC. "It's ultimately down to the decision of the individual shipping company but it brings with it as many problems as it does solutions and on balance we think it's more likely to escalate a difficult situation than improve it." It is still early days for Operation Atalanta: It is just two months into a one-year deployment. So far, the signs are that the EU's limited taskforce is having some deterrent effect on the pirates. But piracy is a multi-million dollar business, Somali pirates can afford to be patient and with more than a million square miles of ocean to patrol, no-one is expecting instant results.

£1 Billion 'Spy Jets' Join RAF Squadron / Raytheon Has Delivered Sentinel R Mk 1 Aircraft To Royal Air Force

£1 Billion 'Spy Jets' Join RAF Squadron / Raytheon Has Delivered Sentinel R Mk 1 Aircraft To Royal Air Force

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: "Spy planes" that could help detect roadside bombs from seven-and-a-half miles above the ground have just entered squadron service after successful trials in Afghanistan. How effective would they be in fighting the Taleban and saving lives? At almost £1bn for five, the Sentinel R1 jet does not come cheap, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) hopes its latest "eye in the sky" will have a real impact. Raytheon has delivered the fifth and final Sentinel R Mk 1 aircraft to the Royal Air Force’s 5 (AC) Squadron at RAF Waddington, in Lincolnshire. The Sentinel R1 jet would work alongside the existing Nimrod fleet. The twin-engined plane carries some of the world's most sophisticated radar equipment, allowing it to detect and track enemy movement over huge areas. 'Vital platform' The Army hopes the Royal Air Force jets will provide a clearer picture of insurgents' positions as well as pinpoint static and fixed targets. The number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 143. The Airborne Stand-Off Radar (Astor) can cover thousands of square miles, looking deep into valleys, picking out well-used enemy routes and mapping vehicle activity

Information is relayed to ground stations within seconds of the images being captured, allowing troops below to react at speed to tactical planning. Intelligence Corps detachment commander, Major Will Tosh, told the BBC: "The system is unique in terms of its search capability, because it looks at such a large area. "It can pick up a lot of data and see what's happening on the ground, saving time and effort. Commanders can see where activity is and what it is, and move forces into that area." He said the planes could be used as a "tool" in the battle against insurgency, including roadside bomb attacks, but only in conjunction with other systems. He added that because the plane flew so high it would be outside the engagement zone and away from the threat of surface to air missiles. Mobile ground stations receive data covering thousands of miles Sentinel R1's are operated by a crew of five - two pilots, two imagery analysts and a commander - and can fly for more than nine hours at a time. The radar works by looking down to the ground while the aircraft flies in a straight line. It transmits pulses and receives target information as it moves, building up a picture of the target area. Powerful computers and software then allow rapid processing of the information. It is also compatible with joint coalition systems such as the US JStars radar programme. Maj Tosh said the Sentinel's would work alongside existing Nimrods to "compliment" but not replace any of their functions. "The Nimrod has a full motion video sensor, our system doesn't. We have a radar platform and can work day and night through bad weather, the Nimrod can't," he said. The Sentinel was successfully tested in Afghanistan in November and December last year by 3 Commando Brigade. The MoD has spent £954m on five aircraft plus eight ground stations to be operated by 5 (Army Co-operation) Squadron, based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. The fifth and final Sentinel R1 has just been delivered to the base. Group Captain Harry Kemsley said: "This system is about answering the questions the customer on the ground needs answering - getting the information soldiers need to the soldiers. "The ability to look beyond the range of the eye, binoculars and rifle sight is now available with our system. " Peter Felstead, editor of Jane's Defence Weekly, agreed, saying it was a vital platform for surveillance which would bring "significant capability" to forces in the field.

*Radar creates detailed images comparable to images taken by satellites

*Two Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR710 turbo fan engines *40,000ft maximum altitude *Crew of five can fly for nine hours without jet having to refuel *A thrust of 14,750lbs each with a 0.75Mach maximum speed *Contract awarded to Raytheon Systems in 1999 Source: Royal Air Force

Maj Tosh said he hoped the jets would be deployed in Afghanistan as quickly as possible so they could "do it for real". "The system is introducing a new capability into the British arsenal that we don't currently have, it's cutting-edge technology which will only get better in the future," he said. "The system is that flexible, it can fit into any scenario, and is not just contained by the current Afghan situation." The RAF said Astor would become the most advanced long-range, airborne surveillance system of its kind in the world.

President Obama Greets Military Personnel At Andrews Air Force Base In Maryland

President Obama Greets Military Personnel At Andrews Air Force Base In Maryland

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: President Barack Obama greets military personnel and their families before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. Obama will hold a town hall style meeting about the economy in Fort Myers, Fla., before returning to Washington. President Obama headed for Air Force One after greeting Air Force security forces who are being deployed to Iraq. The president was at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, about to begin a trip to Florida to push his economic recovery plan.

Belgian Frigate, Minehunter Handed Over To Bulgaria / Official Handover Of frigate F910 Wielingen And Minehunter M922 Myositis To Bulgaria

Belgian Frigate, Minehunter Handed Over To Bulgaria / Official Handover Of frigate F910 Wielingen And Minehunter M922 Myositis To Bulgaria

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: On Monday Feb. 9, F910 Wielingen and M922 Myositis were officially handed over to Bulgaria, in a ceremony attended by various authorities of both countries.

The Belgian government decided on 22 December 1970 to order four new frigates, which would be built by the Belgian shipyards. These ships would replace the old escortships of the Algerine class. These were put out of service in 1969. The studies on this project already began in 1964 with the advice of the Dutch Navy and continued in 1971 in cooperation with the two Belgian shipyards, Boelwerf (Temse) and Cockerill (Hoboken - Antwerp). The construction of the ships began in 1974. The four ships, *F910 Wielingen, F911 Westdiep, F912 Wandelaar and F913 Westhinder, were commissioned in the following years.

The Bulgarian navy has christened the ships Verni and Tsibar respectively. Wielingen is, after F912 Wandelaar and F911 Westdiep, the third frigate, and Myosotis the first minehunter, to be handed over to the Bulgarian navy.

Disposal of the Wielingen also marks the decommissioning of the final Wielingen-class frigate by the Belgian navy. These ships were named for well-known sand banks along the Belgian coast. They were designed and built by Belgian shipyards.

Myosotis is the eighth ship of the Flower class, and in recent years was used to transport ammunition. The two ships will sail to Bulgaria on Feb. 10, at about 10 a.m.

Russia’s MiG-35 fighter To Win Billion-Dollar Contract And Leave US Rivals Behind

Russia’s MiG-35 fighter To Win Billion-Dollar Contract And Leave US Rivals Behind

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: Russia is prepared to fight for the highly lucrative arms market of India. Delhi will assign $35 billion for the five-year program to completely rearm the national armed forces. A third of this amount falls for aviation. About $10.4 billion is to be spent on purchasing 126 up-to-date fighter jets. Several other billion dollars will be used to acquire 197 light helicopters. The Mikoyan MiG-35 is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology. Classified as a 4.5 generation fighter aircraft, the only existing prototype is the third modification of the existing MiG-29M2 airframe which previously served as MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. The MiG-35 is now classed as a medium-weight aircraft because its maximum take-off weight has increased by 30 percent which exceeds its previous criteria of classification. India has become one of the largest arms importers during the recent years due to the nation’s complicated relations with Pakistan. A third Indo-Pakistan war may break out at any moment. Foreign companies get ready to fight for the Indian billions.

France’s Rafale, Europe’s Eurofighter, Sweden’s Gripen and USA’s F-16 and F-18 will be a serious competition for Russia. Russia’s Sukhoi already conducts cooperation with India : the nation launched the licensed production of Su-30MKI fighters in 2004. However, Russia has another trump card to win a possible contract – the MiG-35 fighter, which will be unveiled at Aero India 2009 air show. MiG-35 is outfitted with aviation electronics of new generation, including a powerful radar. The aircraft also has optoelectronic systems to fight air and ground targets, a powerful defense complex and latest airborne weapons. “MiG-35 is virtually a new modification of the old fighter, but it is quite competitive. Its low price and technical advantages leave Western rivals behind,” Konstantin Sivkov of the Academy for Geopolitical Problems told Pravda.ru. “It would also be better for India to buy this fighter for compatibility reasons. The political aspect and the foreign orientation of the political leadership play the most important role on the market of arms. The future tender will test the political orientation of India ,” the expert said. Russia has all chances to sign the contract with India at this point. The two countries have been maintaining friendly relations with each other for many years. One should not forget the ties between Russia’s MiG Corporation and its Indian partners either. MiG fighters originally appeared in India in 1963, whereas MiG-21 used to be the basic aircraft of the Indian Air Force for years. The cooperation continues today as well. India’s navy receives the MiG-29K/KUB carrier fighter on a regular basis. The personnel of the Indian Air Force undergoes the technical training in Russia . To crown it all, MiG modernizes India’s MiG fighters and supplies them with necessary spare parts.

However, it does not guarantee Russia’s success at the air show. Anatoly Tsyganok of the Institute for Military and Political Analysis told Pravda.ru that Russia would have to work hard to win the tender. “The USA and France will be Russia ’s major competitors at this point – Delhi has arms contracts with them too. I would also like to say that Barack Obama views India as one of the top priorities of the US foreign politics,” the expert added. Russia has had troubles with the execution of its arms contracts with India. The recent scandal with the delivery of MiG-29 fighters to Algeria may come to surface here again. An additional point is that India (as well as China ) tries to acquire licenses to be able to launch its own arms production. Other experts say that MiG-35 is just another modification of MiG-29 fighter, while India wants to receive the fifth-generation fighter jet. The agreement for the production of the fifth-generation fighter jet was signed in October 2007. About 18 months were wasted on bureaucratic red-tape, and the contract for the mutual development and production of the new fighter jet was signed in December 2008.

Indonesia Shopping Military Hardware Cautiously And Carefully

Indonesia Shopping Military Hardware Cautiously And Carefully

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: Indonesia's recent purchase of several older-design Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker combat aircraft from Russia highlights a crucial lesson of weapons development and international arms sales -- technical superiority is relative, not absolute. You don't need state-of-the-art weapons if your potential enemies are only equipped with older ones. Just making sure you have a sufficient quantitative and qualitative edge on them will do just as well. Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous nation after China, India and the United States. It is a vast archipelago of 17,500 islands, 6,000 of them inhabited. It faces no serious military threats from any of its immediate neighbors. It therefore does not need a modern, state-of-the-art air force that would be more than a match for anything the United States, Russia or China could throw against it. Indonesia's prime concern is to maintain conventional military superiority over possible internal secession movements, extreme Islamist guerrillas or other home-grown threats. To deal with these issues, a modern air force is essential. But it doesn't have to be a large or state-of-the-art one. The Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker B, which first entered operational service with the Soviet air force a quarter-century ago, is still good enough to do the job.

Gaza: Islamic Militants In Military Exercise

Gaza: Islamic Militants In Military Exercise

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants train during a military exercise in Gaza City on February 10, 2009. Israel voted in a tight race between hawkish former premier Benjamin Netanyahu and centrist Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, with the far-right set for major gains on the back of the Gaza war. Campaigning for the election, which will be crucial in determining the future of Middle East peacemaking, has been dominated by security following Israel's 22-day war on Gaza and its Hamas rulers.

South Korean Soldiers Performing Martial Arts

South Korean Soldiers Performing Martial Arts

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: South Korean soldiers perform with swords in a training for honor guard performance at Korea War Memorial Museum in Seoul, South Korea.Asian martial arts (origins): The foundation of the Asian martial arts is likely a blend of early Chinese and Indian martia arts. Extensive trade occurred between these nations beginning around 600 BC, with diplomats, merchants, and monks traveling the Silk Road.

During the Warring States period of Chinese history (480-221 BC) extensive development in martial philosophy and strategy emerged, as described by Sun Tzu in The Art of War (c. 350 BC). An early legend in martial arts tells the tale of a South Indian Pallava prince turned monk named Bodhidharma (also called Daruma), believed to have lived around 550 A.D. The martial virtues of discipline, humility, restraint and respect are attributed to this philosophy. Shaolin Monastery was built by the Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty in AD 477. Buddhabhadra (called Batuo in Mandarin), an Indian dhyana master becomes the first abbot of the Shaolin temple. The teaching of martial arts in Asia has historically followed the cultural traditions of teacher-disciple apprenticeship. Students are trained in a strictly hierarchical system by a master instructor: Sifu in Cantonese or Shifu in Mandarin; Sensei in Japanese; Sabeom-nim in Korean; Guru in Sanskrit, Hindi, Telugu and Malay; Kruu in Khmer; Guro in Tagalog; Kalari Gurukkal or Kalari Asaan in Malayalam; Asaan in Tamil; Achan or Khru in Thai; and Saya in Myanmar. All these terms can be translated as master, teacher or mentor.

Cobra Gold Military Exercise - Joint Forces

Cobra Gold Military Exercise - Joint Forces

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: Thai and US soldiers watch a display of a robot called 'Big Dog' during the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold military exercise at a hotel in Chiang Mai province. The two-week long annual Thai-US joint exercise involving around 12,000 troops from Singapore, Japan and Indonesia and is the largest military exercise in the Southeast Asian region.

QinetiQ Extends Its TALON Robot Family To Meet Challenges Of Mine Detection And Counter-IED In Afghanistan

QinetiQ Extends Its TALON Robot Family To Meet Challenges Of Mine Detection And Counter-IED In Afghanistan

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: QinetiQ has extended its TALON family of robots, 2,500 of which have already been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, to ensure it continues to meet the ever-changing demands of detecting and clearing mines, unexploded ordnance and dangerous improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from a safe distance. Detection and clearance of mines is of particular importance in Afghanistan, where large numbers of landmines litter the countryside as a result of almost continuous fighting since the late 1970s injuring 200,000 people according to United Nations estimates. The new TALON IV Engineer robot is particularly well suited to operations in the region with a longer, stronger reach, stronger grasp, and the ability to right itself. “Our TALON IV Engineer robot, with its extra strength and reach expands the capabilities of troops to remotely clear routes, minefields or other hazardous areas. And as with other TALON models it gives them the ability to see inside and around vehicles and other barriers, helping increase their overall safety,” explained Dr William Ribich, president of QinetiQ’s US Technology Solutions Group. “TALON robots are extensively used by US forces and have already helped save thousands of explosive ordnance disposal and combat engineers from injury or possible death in the performance of their mission to clear mines and disarm IEDs. This new model delivers greater flexibility and means they can safely detect and deal with a greater variety of threats from a distance.” Key features of the TALON IV Engineer robot include a full-swivel manipulator arm combined with a seven-foot reach. This means a portable mine detector can be taken out of a soldier's hands and mounted on the robot, so the search can be conducted remotely.

Because the arm is longer, stronger and able to swivel, the robot can now also be used to remotely search inside bins, in higher vehicle cabs and flatbeds plus behind guard rails or other obstacles. The arm is also capable of lifting 65 pounds (30 kilograms), which means soldiers can clear heavy debris off IEDs remotely too. Since its initial deployment in 2000, the TALON family of robots has expanded to include small, medium and large robots devoted to specific tasks, such as IED disposal, reconnaissance, hazardous materials detection, combat engineering support and Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit assistance.

New robots introduced in the last year include MAARS™ and Dragon Runner™ SUGV which address the military’s need for standoff protection, over and above the successful use of TALON for counter-IED missions.

Today, 2,500 TALON robots are deployed with the US military – far surpassing the deployment of any other military-use robot. They are also being evaluated or used by a growing number of other military and civil customers. Dr Ribich concluded: “Combined with QinetiQ’s global repair and maintenance footprint, we provide complete mission support. The TALON family of robots stands ready to assist troops and security forces in any corner of the globe.”

Russia's Defense Ministry To Get Over $111 Billion In Next 3 Years

Russia's Defense Ministry To Get Over $111 Billion In Next 3 Years

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - February 11, 2009: Russia's federal budget stipulates the allocation of over 4 trillion rubles ($111 billion) on defense spending in the next three years, a senior Defense Ministry finance official said on Tuesday. "The Russian Defense Ministry's budget for 2009 and for the planned period of 2010-2011 is primarily aimed at creating a fundamentally new army for the 21st century," Deputy Defense Minister for Financial and Economic Work Lyubov Kudelina said. Defense spending is projected at a level of 1,376.5 billion rubles ($38.3 billion) in 2009, 1,379.5 billion rubles ($38.4 billion) in 2010 and 1,476.7 billion rubles ($41 billion) in 2011, Kudelina said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda military newspaper. As in previous years, defense spending will not exceed 3% of the country's gross domestic product and will stand at 2.7% in 2009 compared with 2.6% in 2008, the official said.

Russian-Belarusian Network To Be Part Of CIS Air Defenses

Russian-Belarusian Network To Be Part Of CIS Air Defenses

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - February 11, 2009: The integrated Russian-Belarusian regional air defense network will be part of the integrated air defense network of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Russia's Air Force chief said on Tuesday. Moscow and Minsk signed on February 3 an agreement on the joint protection of the Russia-Belarus Union State's airspace and the creation of an integrated regional air defense network. The network will comprise five Air Force units, 10 anti-aircraft units, five technical service and support units and one electronic warfare unit, and will be placed under the command of a Russian or Belarusian Air Force or Air Defense Force senior commander. The CIS integrated air defense network was set up by 10 CIS member countries on February 10, 1995. Georgia has recently withdrawn from the network following a brief military conflict with Russia over South Ossetia in August. The main purpose of the network is to ensure the protection of the member-countries' airspace, early warning of missile attacks and coordination of joint efforts to neutralize potential air threats. "The CIS integrated air defense network is intended to accomplish a variety of tasks, including missile early warning and countering attacks of a potential enemy. We [Russia] will certainly participate in the defense of any of the member-states, if their airspace is violated," Zelin said. The CIS network currently comprises seven air defense brigades, 46 units equipped with S-200 and S-300 air defense missile systems, 23 fighter units equipped with MiG-29, MiG-31 and Su-27 aircraft, 22 electronic support units and two detachments of electronic warfare. Russia's Air Force commander said CIS members would conduct this year large-scale air defense exercises as part of the integrated air defense network at the Ashuluk training ground, in Russia's Astrakhan Region near the Caspian Sea. "During the Combat Commonwealth 2009 exercise, which involves live-firing drills, we are planning to practice joint deployment of CIS integrated air defense network's units on a theater- operational scale in simulated conditions of a military-political crisis in one of the regions included in the collective security zone," Zelin said.

India Evaluating Technical Aspects Of Lockheed, Boeing’s Bid

India Evaluating Technical Aspects Of Lockheed, Boeing’s Bid

By Vipin V. Nair

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: (Bloomberg) -- India’s government is evaluating bids by Lockheed Martin Corp., Boeing Co. and four other companies to supply 126 fighter jets worth $11 billion in the largest military contest in play worldwide. “It’s a complex process, it will take its own time,” Defense Production Secretary Pradeep Kumar told reporters in Bangalore today ahead of the Aero India air show. “Technical evaluation is on and trials will be conducted.” He wouldn’t say when the deal may be completed. Boeing has delivered Super Hornet proposals to the Danish and Brazilian governments in 2008. The Super Hornet is one of three fighter aircraft in a Danish competition to replace 48 F-16s. In October 2008, it was reported the Super Hornet was selected as one of three finalists in Brazil's fighter competition. Brazil has put forward an initial requirement for 36 planes, with a potential total purchase of 120. *Boeing submitted a proposal for India's Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition on 24 April 2008. The Super Hornet variant being offered to India is named F/A-18IN. It will include Raytheon's APG-79 AESA radar. In August 2008, Boeing submitted an industrial participation proposal to India describing partnerships with companies in India. India in April got bids from six companies to supply the jets as part of its efforts to modernize the air force and replace its aging Russian-made aircraft. The fighter-plane contest is the largest in 15 years, according to Boeing, and marks the first opportunity for U.S. companies to break into India’s defense market. Lockheed’s F-16 is competing in the fighter contest against Chicago-based Boeing’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet; Russia’s MiG-35; Saab AB’s Gripen; France’s Rafale made by Dassault Aviation SA; and the Eurofighter Typhoon, a joint venture of Airbus SAS, BAE and Italy’s Finmeccanica SpA. India wants all but 18 of the 126 multi-role fighter jets it buys to be made in India.

Dirgantara Indonesia Wins First Order for C-212-400 / Dirgantara Has Its First C-212-400 Contract Order

Dirgantara Indonesia Wins First Order for C-212-400 / Dirgantara Has Its First C-212-400 Contract Order

(NSI News Source Info) February 10, 2009: AIRFAST Indonesia, an Indonesian aircraft charter company, has signed a firm order with Dirgantara Indonesia for the purchase of C-212-400. This is the first C-212-400 order for Dirgantara after C-212-400 assembly jigs and facilities are relocated from San Pablo, Spain, to Bandung, West Java.

The contract order was signed by Dirgantara President, Budi Santoso, and Airfast President, Irma Reuneker in Bandung,West Java, on Friday (06/02).

The EADS CASA C-212 Aviocar is a turboprop-powered STOL medium transport aircraft designed and built in Spain for civil and military use. C-212s are also produced under licence in Indonesia by Indonesian Aerospace, formerly called IPTN but now known as IAe. The design was initially marketed under the name of Aviocar, but EADS-CASA no longer uses that name in referring to the C-212. *A total of 478 C-212s of all variants had been delivered through the end of 2008 by EADS-CASA. EADS-CASA predicts that an additional 85 aircraft will be delivered in the 2007-2016 time period. EADS-CASA currently builds only the C-212-400, which received Spanish certification in 1998. The C-212-200 is currently built in Indonesia, and IAe is also preparing to begin assembly of -400 models, probably in 2008.

The 26-seater C-212-400 is the latest version of the C-212 developed by CASA-EADS. Budi said the market for the C-212-400 was promising as many airlines in the region had started to turn from jets to light aircraft due to high global oil prices.

The ASEAN market of C-212-400 is potential and it is predicted that within the next seven years 155 units of C-212-400 will be sold.

Airbus A400M Military Airlifter, Delivery Schedule Delay And More Delay

Airbus A400M Military Airlifter, Delivery Schedule Delay And More Delay

(NSI News Source Info) February 10, 2009: Having initially thrown a very public hissy fit over the latest delay to the Airbus A400M military airlifter, the UK may be reconciling itself to the inevitable. John Hutton, the British secretary of state for defense, told Parliament in January: “We cannot accept a three or four-year delay in the delivery of those aircraft. That would impose an unnecessary, unacceptable strain on our air assets. We, along with all our partner nations, will have to consider very carefully what the right response to the problem is.” The right response – if a more recent answer from Quentin Davies, the minister for defense equipment and support, is anything to go by, was to carry out a simple piece of arithmetic. “Early A400M production aircraft will be delivered to some of our partner nations and therefore the first UK delivery would occur at least six months after Airbus delivers the first A400M,” Davies told Parliament at the end of last week. He added: “This suggests that initial UK deliveries could not start before 2013 and therefore the estimated in-service date of the A400M (defined as acceptance into service of the seventh aircraft) would be 2014.” The RAF had been expecting the aircraft in 2011 – those this date itself reflected earlier slippage in the program. The A400M is already the most recent poster child for what can go wrong with European multi-national programs – a fate its establishment as an Airbus project was meant to avoid.

Obama Warning On Pakistan 'Haven'

Obama Warning On Pakistan 'Haven'

(NSI News Source Info) February 10, 2009: US President Barack Obama has said his administration will not allow "safe havens" for militants in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan. Mr Obama's comments at his first White House prime-time news conference came as his envoy to the region, Richard Holbrooke, arrived in Pakistan. Mr Holbrooke, who said he was there to "listen and learn" about the region, began key meetings on Tuesday. Mr Holbrooke earlier said the situation in Pakistan was "dire". Financial concerns Mr Obama said Mr Holbrooke would convey his message to Islamabad. "My bottom line is that we cannot allow al-Qaeda to operate," he said. "We cannot have those safe havens in that region." I'm not going to allow al-Qaeda or Osama bin Laden to operate with impunity, planning attacks on the US homeland. Barack ObamaMr Obama added: "We're going to have to work both smartly and effectively, but with consistency in order to make sure that those safe havens don't exist." The US president said he had appointed Mr Holbrooke as a special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan to give a new focus to dealing with terrorism. "I've sent over Richard Holbrooke - one of our top diplomats - to evaluate a regional approach," he said. "We are going to need more effective coordination of our military efforts with diplomatic efforts, with development efforts, with more effective coordination with our allies in order for us to be successful." Mr Obama said he had no schedule for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. "I do not have yet a timetable for how long that's going to take. What I know is... I'm not going to allow al-Qaeda or Osama Bin Laden to operate with impunity, planning attacks on the US homeland." Security tops the agenda for Mr Qureshi and Mr HolbrookeMr Holbrooke met Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday and will later meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani. The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the main Pakistani focus will be trying to squeeze more money out of the US, particularly for reconstruction in the tribal areas and the revival of a US bill pledging long-term assistance that has been gathering dust in Washington. Mr Holbrooke will be well aware of his financial leverage, our (Photo/Image Mr Qureshi and Mr Holbrooke) correspondent says, and will be pushing to devise mechanisms that will minimise the role of the Pakistani security establishment in charting the country's geo-political strategies. The envoy is likely to restate the need for Pakistan to do more to tackle militants and express concern over the recent release of disgraced nuclear scientist AQ Khan from house arrest. Pakistan in turn has repeatedly criticised US drone attacks on militants in its territory. The fallout from the Mumbai (Bombay) attacks will also be on Mr Holbrooke's agenda. Mr Holbrooke will stay in Pakistan until Thursday and is due to visit Afghanistan and India.

Northrop Offers Indian Firms Role In F-16 Radar / Northrop Grumman Partnering With Indian Defense Companies On Manufacture of F-16 Radar Components

Northrop Offers Indian Firms Role In F-16 Radar / Northrop Grumman Partnering With Indian Defense Companies On Manufacture of F-16 Radar Components

(NSI News Source Info) BALTIMORE - February 10, 2009: Northrop Grumman Corporation has selected Bangalore-based Bharat Electronics Limited and Dynamatic Technologies Limited to manufacture components of the F-16 APG-68(V)9 fire control radar as part of a broader initiative to engage Indian industry as strategic business partners.

"Following an extensive evaluation of the Indian defense electronic manufacturing base, we feel that these two companies are best positioned to offer the depth of capability required to meet our customers' demanding cost, schedule, and quality standards," said Katie Gray, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Global Sensor Solutions business unit.

As part of a comprehensive co-production program, Northrop Grumman engineers will work side-by-side with engineering teams from Bharat Electronics Limited and Dynamatic Technologies Limited to provide training and support to ensure a smooth transition to production.

The engineering teams will collaborate on all aspects of the manufacturing process, beginning with a formal Production Readiness Review (PRR), and concluding with First Article Inspection (FAI) and First Article Test (FAT) milestones.

Initial radar component deliveries are expected in the second quarter of 2009.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Thales To Upgrade Radar Of Dutch M-Frigates / Thales To Modernize Netherlands' M-Frigates Radar Suite

Thales To Upgrade Radar Of Dutch M-Frigates / Thales To Modernize Netherlands' M-Frigates Radar Suite

(NSI News Source Info) February 10, 2009: The Netherlands' Defence Materiel Organization and Thales Nederland signed a contract for the delivery of SEASTAR and GATEKEEPER sensors that are to be installed on the two M-class frigates.

The modernization will take place in 2011 and 2012 in the scope of the M-frigates' upkeep program. Simultaneously, a contract was signed for the delivery of a GATEKEEPER system that will be installed on the LPD Johan de Witt.

HNLMS Van Speijk (F828) is the eighth and last ship in the Karel Doorman-class of multi-purpose frigates. *Van Speijk was laid down 1 October 1991, launched 26 March 1994, and commissioned 7 September 1995. She is the seventh ship in the Royal Netherlands Navy to be named after Jan van Speijk, who during the Belgian Revolution blew up his ship rather than let it fall in Belgian hands.

The M-Class frigates were introduced in the nineties and were intended for air defence and submarine warfare in the Atlantic. However, these ships are deployed mainly in littoral waters to counter frontier-running, pollution, drugs trafficking and piracy. The SEASTAR and GATEKEEPER sensors provide the vessels with the capability to detect the small targets encountered in such situations. The two new sensors will be matched with the tried-and-true SMART-S surveillance radar and the STIR weapon control radar that are on board of the M-frigates.

This contract includes an option for the same modernization of the two M-Frigates that have been purchased by the Belgian Navy in 2005. The Joint Support Ship that will be built for the RNLN is expected to be equipped with an Integrated Mast, similar to the Mast on the OPVs that also includes SEASTAR and GATEKEEPER.

This contract marks another step in the long-standing and very successful cooperation between the Royal Netherlands Navy and Thales Nederland and proves that Thales's systems can be integrated in existing platform configurations.

BACKGROUND NOTES:

-- SEASTAR is a non-rotating active phased array radar for naval surface surveillance. The system automatically detects and tracks asymmetric threats and very small objects such as swimmers, periscopes in all weather conditions. SEASTAR can also be used for helicopter guidance. SEASTAR has been contracted for two ship classes at present.

-- GATEKEEPER is a 360° panoramic electro-optical surveillance and alerter system based on IR/TV technology. Designed to counter emerging asymmetric threats down to small boats and swimmers, GATEKEEPER increases short-range situational awareness in littoral environments. GATEKEEPER has been contracted for two ship classes at present.

-- Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales's leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues of EUR 12.3 billion. Thales Nederland, established in 1922, is one of the leading companies in integrated naval systems for surveillance, weapon control, combat management and system integration world-wide.