US Refused Predators UAV To Pakistan, For Being Too Cosy With China

US Refused Predators UAV To Pakistan, For Being Too Cosy With China

(NSI News Source Info) March 11, 2009: Pakistan is using several different types of UAVs along the Afghan and Indian borders. The most effective of these is the Italian Falco UAV, which Pakistan ordered Falco three years ago.

The air force completed evaluation of the Falco a little over a year ago, and put at least four of them into service. Falco is a 924 pound aircraft with a 150 pound payload. Ceiling is 5,000 meters, but it usually operates at lower altitudes (2,000 meters). Endurance is up to 12 hours, but typical missions are 6-8 hours. Max speed is 210 kilometers an hour, although it usually cruises at 150. Falco can be up to 200 kilometers from its ground station. The UAV can take off and land on an air strip, or use a catapult for takeoff and parachute for landing. Pakistan has also been using several Chinese UAVs for the last decade or so. First, they got the ASN-105, a 308 pound aircraft with a payload if 88 pounds and endurance of only two hours. This is a 1980s era design, that has since been replaced by the ASN-206/207. This is a 488 pound aircraft, with a 110 pound payload. The 207 model has a max endurance of eight hours, but more common is an endurance of four hours.

Max range from the control van is 150 kilometers away and cruising speed is about 180 kilometers an hour. A UAV unit consists of one control van and 6-10 trucks, each carrying a UAV and its catapult launch equipment. The UAV lands via parachute, so the aircraft get banged up a lot. This UAV can broadcast back live video, and be equipped for electronic warfare. Pakistan is also developing its own UAVs.

Last year it flight tested the Uqaab. This design looks very similar to models offered by a Pakistani firm, Integrated Dynamics, which has been producing smaller (under 500 pounds) UAVs for the government and commercial market since 1997. The Uqaab also appears similar to the U.S. Army RQ-7B Shadow 200. Pakistan requested Predators from the United States, but this was turned down because it was feared that the Chinese would be allowed to dissect the American UAV and acquire too many production secrets. Pakistan and China have been chummy for decades. No secrets between friends and all that. But European nations, like Italy and Germany, have been willing to sell Pakistan UAVs.

Turkey: Falcon F-16 Flying With Air Force And High Agenda In Industry

Turkey: Falcon F-16 Flying With Air Force And High Agenda In Industry

(NSI News Source Info) March 11, 2009: Turkey has bought another 30 F-16C Block 50 fighters, for over $60 million each. This will give Turkey one of the largest F-16s fleets (nearly 250) in the world. Like Israel, Turkey is upgrading its older F-16s.

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as a lightweight fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole aircraft. The Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it has proven a success on the export market, having been selected to serve in the air forces of 25 nations. The F-16 is the largest Western jet fighter program with over 4,400 aircraft built since production was approved in 1976. Though no longer being bought by the U.S. Air Force, advanced versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.

There are actually six major models of the F-16 currently in use, and identified by block number (32, 40, 42, 50, 52, 60), plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. Another special version (the Block 60), for the UAE (United Arab Emirates) is called the F-16E. The various block mods included a large variety of new components (five engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare gear, five radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit and electrical mods.) Countries like Turkey can thus add the new components and turn an older F-16 into a more powerful late model. There are also some older (Block 1, 5, 15, 20, 25, 30) aircraft out there, all with two decade old technology. Turkey is also becoming a bigger player in the upgrade market. For example, Pakistan is having a Turkish firm to upgrade elderly Pakistani F-16s from Block 15 configuration to Block 40. Now that the U.S. has lifted its arms embargo on Pakistan, there are many firms competing for all the work needed to update older American weapons still used by Pakistan.

The Turks have long had good trade relations with Pakistan, and have also developed, with the help of the U.S. and Israel, a capable aircraft maintenance and upgrade industry. Most of the F-16 work will be done in Pakistan, using Turkish engineers and technicians supervising some local workers, and using largely imported (from Turkey and elsewhere) components. The F-16 is the most numerous post-Cold War jet fighter, with over 4,200 built, and more in production. There are 24 nations using the F-16, and 14 have ordered more, in addition to their initial order. During The Cold War, Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s, and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s, but since then warplane production has plummeted about 90 percent.

But since the end of the Cold War, the F-16 has been popular enough to keep the production lines going. This despite the fact that the F-35 is supposed to replace the F-16. But the F-35 price keeps going up (it's headed north of $100 million per aircraft), and the F-16 continues to get the job done at half that price.

BAE First Order For New Version Of Versatile Armoured Vehicle RG32M Deliveries Later This Year

BAE First Order For New Version Of Versatile Armoured Vehicle RG32M Deliveries Later This Year

(NSI News Source Info) March 11, 2009: BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa recently received its first order for the latest variant of its successful RG32M Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV). The initial contract, which is from Ireland, is for 27 vehicles and deliveries will commence later this year.

The RG32M was initially designed as an all-purpose, mine hardened vehicle with integrated ballistic protection for convoy support, patrol, liaison and reconnaissance missions. The new variant provides improved crew safety and blast survivability. It has a V-shaped hull that protects those inside against armour piercing rifle fire and anti-tank mines. Its gross vehicle mass is only nine tons but it remains versatile and agile, with more space inside thanks to a hull that is 200mm wider and 50mm increased headroom. The vehicle also has externally mounted windows, which frees up more cabin space and provides better side-blast protection. There is an improved 2-ton payload capability and a newly designed load bay, which can accommodate a variety of mission-specific equipment.

The RG32M can operate in most climates and environmental conditions and is easily fitted with various different communications and weapons systems. It is built from automotive sub-assemblies that are commercial off-the-shelf items, providing significant benefits in cost-effectiveness, reliability and worldwide supportability.

Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH Worried Buyer's Countries Are Slashing Defence Budget By 50% And Cutting Typhoon Orders

Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH Worried Buyer's Countries Are Slashing Defence Budget By 50% And Cutting Typhoon Orders

(NSI News Source Info) March 11, 2009: Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain will hold talks on Thursday on their orders for the Eurofighter combat aircraft, Berlin said Monday, after a newspaper said tight budgets would slash them in half. "We will be holding talks this week but there has been no mention of reducing deliveries by half," a spokesman for the defence ministry said, adding that, "for operational reasons, Germany still needs the 180 Eurofighters." The Handelsblatt daily reported on Monday that Germany and its three European partners plan to reduce a third batch delivery of 236 planes, in which Germany is obliged to buy 68, by half, because of the financial crisis. In 1997, Germany ordered 180 Eurofighter planes, which media is slating to cost the German defence budget some 25 billion euros (31 billion dollars). Germany's Social Democrat Party, junior partner in the governing coaltion, has been sharply critical of the Eurofighter programme in the past, strongly advocating a cut for both financial and military reasons. The defence ministry said that they would consider splitting this third batch into "two steps." The spokesman did not say where Thursday's talks would take place.

China Protests Over U.S. Navy Activities

China Protests Over U.S. Navy Activities

(NSI News Source Info) BEIJING - March 11, 2009: China has lodged an official protest against the U.S. Navy over unauthorized activities in China's exclusive maritime economic zone, the China Daily reported on Wednesday. The U.S. has also protested over the weekend incident in the South China Sea, saying Chinese ships engaged in dangerous maneuvers when shadowing a U.S. vessel. (VIDEO) Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told reporters that U.S. vessels, including the USNS Impeccable, conducted illegal surveys on Sunday, 120 kilometers (74.5 miles) to the south of China's Hainan Island. "China has lodged a protest to the United States, as the USNS Impeccable conducted the activities ... without China's permission," Ma said. The U.S. Navy insists its actions were in line with international maritime law. Vice-Admiral Jin Mao, former vice-commander of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) navy told the China Daily that the U.S. ship was "not a research vessel, but a spy ship." The Impeccable, which serves with the U.S. 7th Fleet, uses low-frequency sonar to search for undersea threats including submarines. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is currently in Washington to discuss preparations for the London G20 summit set for April 1to address the financial crisis. Yang is working on plans for a meeting between President Hu Jintao and U.S. President Barack Obama during the summit. The naval incident may be discussed by Yang and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the Chinese diplomat's visit.

Aman09: Multi-National Naval Exercise

Aman09: Multi-National Naval Exercise (NSI News Source Info) KARACHI, Pakistan - March 11, 2009: Warships from a dozen of countries Monday began their second phase of the two-week-long AMAN 09 military exercise at the Arabia Sea off the southern Pakistani port of Karachi. Warships from different countries including United State, China, France, and Britain with host Pakistan are taking part in the exercises designed to strengthen cooperation against maritime terrorism. Warships of Pakistan take part in the Multi-National naval exercises ‘AMAN 09’ at Arabian Sea near Karachi. From March 9 to 12, some 20 warships will carry out exercises like going past mines, anti-terror operations, shooting floating objects, search and rescue, night encounter exercise, and cross deck landings by helicopter, according to sources close to AMAN 09,which is Urdu meaning Peace. Senior Captain Mei Wen and Commander Li Ping of China's navy "Guangzhou" destroyer told Xinhua that China had sent its naval ship and special forces to the AMAN 09 exercise only to show its goodwill for peace and its responsibility to maintain world peace and stability as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. They said that China had adhered to its policy of peaceful development and the Chinese navy wished to broaden exchanges and cooperation with other navies. This is the second exercise in the AMAN series. The slogan of the exercise is "Together for Peace". The first series of AMAN exercises were held in March 2007 with the participation of 14 ships from Bangladesh, China, France, Italy, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the United States navies.

U.S., Israel Disagree On Iran Arms Threat

U.S., Israel Disagree On Iran Arms Threat

Senate Panel Told Tehran Has Not Made Decision to Pursue Nuclear Weapons

(NSI News Source Info) March 11, 2009: Iran has not produced the highly enriched uranium necessary for a nuclear weapon and has not decided to do so, U.S. intelligence officials told Congress yesterday, an assessment that contrasts with a stark Israeli warning days earlier that Iran has crossed the "technological threshold" in its pursuit of the bomb. Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair said the Islamic republic is keeping its options open on whether to try to produce weapons-grade uranium. Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair said that Iran has not decided to pursue the production of weapons-grade uranium and the parallel ability to load it onto a ballistic missile. "The overall situation -- and the intelligence community agrees on this -- [is] that Iran has not decided to press forward . . . to have a nuclear weapon on top of a ballistic missile," Blair told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Our current estimate is that the minimum time at which Iran could technically produce the amount of highly enriched uranium for a single weapon is 2010 to 2015." The five-year spread, he explained, is a result of differences in the intelligence community about how quickly Iran could develop a weapon if it rekindled a weapons program it suspended in 2003. Lt. Gen. Michael D. Maples, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, told the Senate panel that Iran is "keeping open that option." Iran recently announced its first space launch and said Sunday that it had successfully tested an air-to-surface missile with a 70-mile range. Maples said the launch of the Safir space vehicle "does advance their knowledge and their ability to develop an intercontinental ballistic missiles," but he and Blair said there may be no connection between the country's development of missiles and any ambition to have nuclear weapons. "I believe those are separate decisions," Blair said. "The same missiles can launch vehicles into space. They can launch warheads, either conventional or nuclear, onto . . . land targets, and Iran is pursuing those -- for those multiple purposes. Whether they develop a nuclear weapon which could then be put in that . . . warhead, I believe, is a . . . separate decision which Iran has not made yet." Israeli officials have a different view of Iran's goals. "Reaching a military-grade nuclear capability is a question of synchronizing its strategy with the production of a nuclear bomb," Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, Israel's chief of military intelligence, told cabinet ministers, according to a senior Israeli official briefing reporters in Jerusalem. "Iran continues to stockpile hundreds of kilograms of low-level enriched uranium and hopes to use the dialogue with the West to buy the time it requires in order to move towards an ability to manufacture a nuclear bomb." Blair said Israel was working from the same facts but had drawn a different interpretation of their meaning. "The Israelis are far more concerned about it, and they take more of a worst-case approach to these things from their point of view," he said. A similar difference of opinion surfaced last week, when Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen said he thought that Iran had enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said on the same day that Iran was "not close to a weapon." Blair was asked about the Chinese military and specifically a weekend incident in the South China Sea involving a U.S. ocean surveillance ship and five Chinese vessels in international waters. The intelligence chief called it the most serious episode between the two nations since 2001, when tensions rose over a collision between Chinese fighters and a U.S. surveillance aircraft in roughly the same region. "They seem to be more militarily aggressive," Blair said, adding: "I think the debate is still on in China whether, as their military power increases, they will be used for good or for pushing people around."

Lufthansa Group Signs Purchase Agreement With Bombardier For Up To 60 CSeries Aircraft

Lufthansa Group Signs Purchase Agreement With Bombardier For Up To 60 CSeries Aircraft

(NSI News Source Info) Toronto, Canada - March 11, 2009: Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Deutsche Lufthansa AG, the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft program, has signed a firm purchase agreement for 30 CSeries model CS100 (formerly C110) single-aisle aircraft. These aircraft will be operated by Lufthansa’s subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines Ltd. The agreement also includes options on an additional 30 CSeries aircraft. The Bombardier CSeries is a new commercial jet airliner family being developed by Bombardier Aerospace to meet the needs of the 100- to 149-seat market category. The CSeries family offers improved efficiency, passenger comfort, and range with decreased noise and emissions. Based on list price, the contract value for the 30 CS100 aircraft is approximately $1.53 billion US. The Lufthansa Group became the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft family in July 2008 when it signed a Letter of Interest (LOI) for up to 60 aircraft, including 30 options. “Our purchase agreement with Bombardier for CSeries aircraft is a renewal of Lufthansa’s commitment to commercial success balanced by environmental and business policies oriented toward sustainability and passenger comfort,” said Nico Buchholz, Senior Vice President, Corporate Fleet, Lufthansa. “We are proud to be the launch customer for the CSeries family of aircraft which meets our requirements for sustainable fleet development including significant reductions in fuel burn and noise, as well as offering flexibility for the future.” “Having Lufthansa - known throughout the airline industry for its stringent engineering and technical standards - sign this purchase agreement for our CSeries aircraft, confirms their confidence in the airplane and the future of the program,” said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We, at Bombardier, are delighted to have Lufthansa working with us from the beginning as we develop a family of aircraft designed specifically to meet the needs of the 100- to 149-seat market segment.” Bombardier Aerospace also today announced the launch of new model designations for its game-changing CSeries family of aircraft. The 110-seat configuration (previously known as the C110 aircraft) will be designated the CSeries model CS100 aircraft and the 130-seat configuration (formerly the C130 aircraft) will be designated the CSeries model CS300 aircraft. The 110-seat and 130-seat CSeries family of aircraft brings unmatched passenger comfort, performance, and operating economics, benefiting from the latest technological advancements, including: fourth-generation aerodynamics; increased use of composites and advanced aluminium alloys in structures; the very latest in system technologies, such as fly-by-wire, electric brakes, and a next-generation engine – the Pratt & Whitney PurePowerTM PW1000G engine. PurePowerTM represents a significant breakthrough in turbofan technology, especially on the environmental front where it will set new benchmarks from dramatically reduced fuel burn, noise, and emissions. At time of entry into service in 2013, the CSeries family of aircraft will be the greenest single-aisle aircraft in its class. These game-changing aircraft will emit 20* per cent less CO2 and 50* per cent less NOx, fly four* times quieter, and deliver dramatic energy savings – 20* per cent fuel burn advantage as well as 15* per cent improved cash operating costs versus current in-production aircraft of similar size. The CSeries aircraft will set a new benchmark in the industry, consuming as little as two litres of fuel per passenger per 100 kilometres in its more dense seating layouts*. The CS100 and CS300 aircraft models will share a new common centerline engine and have the same crew type rating, operating and maintenance procedures. Each of the aircraft models will also have operational flexibility to permit utilization on both short-haul and transcontinental routes. In addition to Bombardier’s fourth-generation transonic composite wing design, the company is also using its Reconfigurable Engineering Flight Simulator II (REFS II) to develop customized ‘fly-by-wire’ control laws specific to CSeries aircraft. This simulator is the first of many devices planned, as part of an extensive integrated test regime, to ensure the CSeries aircraft achieves consistently high levels of reliability when it enters service. About BombardierA world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2008, were $17.5 billion US, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at http://www.bombardier.com/. Bombardier, CS100, CS300 and CSeries, are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. *The CSeries aircraft is in the design phase. All data and specifications are estimates, subject to change in family strategy, branding, capacity, performance during the course of the design, manufacture and certification process. Performance has been estimated based on a 500-nm North American operating environment.

Boeing Delivers Operational Flight Trainer For Australia's Wedgetail AEW&C Program

Boeing Delivers Operational Flight Trainer For Australia's Wedgetail AEW&C Program

(NSI News Source Info) SEATTLE - March 11, 2009: The Boeing Company has delivered an operational flight trainer (OFT) to Australia for the Project Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) program. The OFT, which the customer accepted on Feb. 27, is the first segment of the Wedgetail program to be delivered to Australia. Boeing has delivered an Operational Flight Trainer ( OFT) to Australia for Project Wedgetail, an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) program. Royal Australia Air Force pilots have used the OFT since October 2007 to familiarize themselves with the Wedgetail AEW&C flight deck and to develop training scenarios. The OFT is designed to accommodate the unique characteristics of the Wedgetail AEW&C system, including controls for the communication, aerial-refueling and Electronic Warfare Self Protection Systems. The Wedgetail aircraft is a derivative of the commercial 737-700 and the OFT is based on the proven technology of the Next-Generation 737 simulator platforms. The motion-based flight simulator was designed, built and installed by Thales and managed under a subcontract by Boeing Defence Australia. The OFT is customized to account for the unique characteristics of the Wedgetail AEW&C system, including controls for the communication, aerial-refueling and Electronic Warfare Self Protection systems. "Delivering the OFT is a major step forward in the program because it enables the training of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots in anticipation of delivery of the first two Wedgetail aircraft later this year," said Maureen Dougherty, Boeing vice president, AEW&C Program. Prior to delivery, the OFT passed a series of certification tests and was awarded zero flight time status, the highest level of accreditation under Australian standards. This accreditation allows experienced pilots to train using this type of simulator instead of an actual aircraft. RAAF pilots have used the OFT since October 2007 to familiarize themselves with the Wedgetail AEW&C flight deck and to develop training scenarios. The simulator was installed at the Wedgetail AEW&C Support Center at RAAF base Williamtown.

EU Rules Out Sending More Troops To Afghanistan

EU Rules Out Sending More Troops To Afghanistan

(NSI News Source Info) MADRID - March 11, 2009: The European Union has ruled out sending more troops to Afghanistan but is willing to do more to help stabilize the country in other ways, the bloc's foreign police chief Javier Solana said Tuesday. Spanish soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) patrol the streets of Herat, western Afghanistan. The Taliban has threatened to stage attacks on five Western nations deploying troops in Afghanistan in a video discovered by Spanish security forces, a local radio station said today. The United States, Spain, France, Denmark, Australia and Israel are said to receive warnings in the 42-minute video, reported news radio station Cadena Ser. "EU countries in principle do not think they will increase the number of their troops which they want to deploy in Afghanistan," the former Spanish foreign minister told public radio RNE. "The situation in Afghanistan is not going to be resolved only militarily. There are many things that can be done in Afghanistan that are not exclusively increasing the number of troops," he added. Civilian reconstruction, providing assistance during elections in Afghanistan set for August and improving relations between Afghanistan and its neighbor Pakistan were examples of areas where Solana said the EU could provide aid. His comments come as US Vice President Joe Biden met NATO allies in Brussels to seek concrete European help as Washington builds a new strategy to confront the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. There are nearly 70,000 foreign troops under NATO and US command in Afghanistan fighting a Taliban insurgency alongside Afghan forces. President Obama has ordered 17,000 extra US troops to Afghanistan and a top-to-bottom review of his war policy, shifting the focus from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan in the fight against Islamic militants.

Canadian Army To Receive New Com. Software

Canadian Army To Receive New Com. Software

(NSI News Source Info) OTTAWA - March 11, 2009:Thales Canada and General Dynamics Canada have been awarded contracts to provide the Canadian Army with new communications software and support over the next five years. Effective communications is the cornerstone of the digital battlefield. Without effective communications, an otherwise powerful force can be rendered unable to function in a coordinated manner. Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced on March 9 the two contracts totaling 524 million Canadian dollars ($420 million). They are both related to the Land Command Support System project that integrates various Army communications and command-and-control systems. A 184 million Canadian dollar contract was awarded to Thales Canada for software support and provision of a battle management system. The second contract for 341 million Canadian dollars went to General Dynamics Canada for engineering and integration support of the system. MacKay called the Land Command Support System (LCSS) critical for Canada's Army. "The LCSS pulls together a variety of functions such as radio communications, in-theater force positioning and surveillance, and the reconnaissance sensors to create something that is best described as the Army's battlefield Internet," he explained at the news conference. "The LCSS is essential for our soldiers, as it gives them rapid connectivity that is so crucial on today's battlefields." Both contracts are for a five-year period, with the Canadian government having the option of exercising five additional one-year terms. "This will provide stability in how we design, develop and sustain the LCSS going forward, with General Dynamics supplying engineering and integration support and Thales Canada providing software support for the system," MacKay said. "The expertise and capability of these two companies will prove indispensable in maintaining the superior quality of the LCSS over the long term." Amy MacLeod, a spokeswoman for General Dynamics Canada, said most of the work will be done in the company's facilities in Calgary, Alberta. General Dynamics Canada has provided in-service support for the Army's digital communications system since 2003. Conrad Bellehumeur, a spokesman for Thales Canada, said the firm is looking at building on the Canadian contract by marketing such software in the future to international markets, as well as to security-related civilian organizations such as police forces.

New Mobile Topol-M Battalion Put On Combat Duty In Russia

New Mobile Topol-M Battalion Put On Combat Duty In Russia

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - March 11, 2009: A missile battalion equipped with mobile Topol-M (SS-27 Stalin) ICBMs has been put on combat duty in central Russia, a spokesman for the Russian Missile Forces (SMF) said on Tuesday. Topol-M is one of the most recent intercontinental ballistic missiles to be deployed by Russia, and the first to be developed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In its Russian designation РТ stands for "ракета твердотопливная," Raketa Tverdotoplivnaya ("solid fuel rocket"), while УТТХ - for "улучшенные тактико-технические характеристики," uluchshenniye taktiko-tekhnicheskie kharahteristiki ("improved tactical and technical characteristics"). "Topol" in Russian means "poplar". It is designed and produced exclusively by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, and built at the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant. The first two Topol-M mobile missile battalions, equipped with six road-mobile systems, had already been put on combat duty with the 54th Strategic Missile Division near the town of Teikovo, about 150 miles (240 km) northeast of Moscow. "Another missile battalion equipped with mobile Topol-M missile systems and comprising three launchers and a command unit has been put on combat duty with the Teikovo missile division in the Ivanovo Region," Col. Alexander Vovk said. The SMF commander, Col. Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov, earlier said that Russia's Topol-M ballistic missiles would be put on combat duty on schedule despite the current global financial crisis. He added that the division will be up to full strength by 2010. Topol-M missiles are the mainstay of the ground-based component of Russia's nuclear triad. As of the beginning of 2009, the SMF operated 50 silo-based and six road-mobile Topol-M missile systems. The missile, with a range of about 7,000 miles (11,000 km), is said to be immune to any current and future U.S. ABM defense. It is capable of making evasive maneuvers to avoid a kill using terminal phase interceptors, and carries targeting countermeasures and decoys. It is also shielded against radiation, electromagnetic pulse, nuclear blasts, and is designed to survive a hit from any form of laser technology.

Medvedev To Talk Nonproliferation, Ties At Talks With Obama

Medvedev To Talk Nonproliferation, Ties At Talks With Obama

(NSI News Source Info) March 11, 2009: Russia's president said on Tuesday he would discuss all issues on the bilateral agenda, including nonproliferation, with the U.S. president when they meet in London on April 1. Dmitry Medvedev and new U.S. leader Barack Obama will meet for the first time on the sidelines of the G20 summit of world leaders to address the financial crisis. Media reports said earlier Washington had sought Russian help in resolving the nuclear dispute with Iran, and could in turn drop its plans to deploy a missile shield in Europe, strongly opposed by Moscow. Both Moscow and Washington have officially denied the possibility of such a deal. Speaking to a delegation of former U.S. senators, Medvedev also said Russia and the United States had every opportunity of opening up a new chapter in bilateral relations. "The signals I have been receiving from the United States, from President Barack Obama, are quite positive," Medvedev said. "We have a broad agenda, and too much [in global politics] depends on how Russia-U.S. relations develop," Medvedev said, mentioning arms control, efforts against terrorism and economic problems. Gary Hart, a member of a bipartisan commission on U.S.-Russia relations which is to make a report on its visit to Obama next week, said at the start of the talks: "What brought us together is the feeling that the relationship between our two countries was not in the interests of the United States." "We hope to build a base in our country that will give support to the new administration in its efforts to improve that relationship," Hart said. Relations between the former Cold War archrivals have been strained in recent years over a host of differences, including the planned U.S. missile base in Poland and radar in the Czech Republic and Russia's armed conflict with U.S. ally Georgia in August. The two countries' top diplomats made a symbolic "reboot" to improve ties when they met in Geneva earlier this month. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged to try to come to terms on a new strategic arms reduction treaty to replace START-1 by the end of 2009, and vowed further cooperation in anti-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan, tackling Middle East crises, and resolving nuclear disputes with Iran and North Korea.

Russian Warship Returns To Base After Six-Month Mission

Russian Warship Returns To Base After Six-Month Mission

(NSI News Source Info) SEVEROMORSK (Northern Russia) - March 11, 2009: Russia's Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered missile cruiser returned to its main base in northern Russia on Tuesday after an almost six-month tour-of-duty of the world's oceans, a Navy spokesman said. "All the tasks set for the mission have been accomplished. The crew is healthy and the weaponry is in an excellent condition," the spokesman said. Pyotr Veliky is a Kirov class missile cruiser and the flagship of Russia's Northern Fleet. During the mission, which started on September 22 last year, the warship visited a number of foreign ports, took part in Russian-Venezuelan naval drills in the Caribbean and the Russian-Indian INDRA-2009 exercises in the Arabian Sea, and participated in the international anti-piracy operation off the Somali coast. On February 12, the Pyotr Veliky spotted and detained two speedboats and a large parent ship with 10 Somali pirates on board near Yemen's Sokotra Island. The pirates were later handed over to Yemen authorities. Russia announced in December 2007 that its Navy had resumed and would build up a constant presence throughout the world's oceans.

Russia, Libya Sign Warship Contract Worth Up To $200 Million

Russia, Libya Sign Warship Contract Worth Up To $200 Million

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - March 11, 2009: Libya has signed with Russia a contract worth up to an estimated $200 million to buy three missile boats, a Russian military journal reported on Tuesday. The Project 1241.1 Molniya (Lightning) are a class of Soviet missile corvettes. The NATO designation is Tarantul. These ships were designed to replace the Osa class missile boats. In the late 1970s, the Soviets realised the need for a larger, more seaworthy craft with better gun armament and higher positioned air search radars. The need for these improvements was underscored by the 1990 gulf war, when 12 Iraqi 'Osa-I's' were destroyed or damaged by short ranged Sea Skua anti-ship missiles. They were attacked by British Lynx helicopters, but the Osa crews didn't notice them because they flew below their radar horizon. In the Tarantul, both the single 76 mm main gun and the two 30 mm Gatling-type guns are used for air defence, together with a comprehensive electronic warfare suite. The boats are built by the Petrovsky yard (Leningrad), Rybinsk and Ulis yard (Vladivostok). A version of these ships for coastal anti submarine warfare and patrol was developed as the Pauk class corvette or Project 1241.2. The Indian navy paid approximately $30 million each for Tarantul-I copies in the early nineties. With over 30 sales on the export market the Tarantul has been a relative success for the Russian shipbuilding industry. Tarantul class vessels operate with the Chinese navy or People's Liberation Army Navy(PLAN) but exact figures are disputed. Some sources credit the PLAN with at least one Tarantul presently in use and more than 30 planned (licensed indigenous production), while other sources reject this estimate, mostly because of the availability of indigenous 'Houijan' missile corvettes (also with some Russian content). A contract with Vietnam for the Project 12418 Molniya missile attack boats valued the vessels at $45 million apiece without weapons, so the Libyan contract could be worth a minimum $150 million, and as much as $200 million with arms and spare parts, said Mikhail Barabanov, science editor of the Eksport Vooruzheny (Arms Export) journal. Russian-Libyan military cooperation was unfrozen when then-President Vladimir Putin visited Tripoli last April, with relations further strengthened by Muammar Gaddafi's subsequent visit to Moscow. During Putin's visit, the two countries signed a deal to write off $4.6 billion of Libya's debt in exchange for a host of new deals, including $2 billion in arms agreements. The Molniya contract was awarded to the Rybinsk-based Vympel shipyard. No further details are currently available on the deal.

Russian-Chinese Su-33 Fighter Deal Collapses / Russia Refused To Sell Su-33 To China, Fears Being Duplicated And Exported: Report

Russian-Chinese Su-33 Fighter Deal Collapses / Russia Refused To Sell Su-33 To China, Fears Being Duplicated And Exported: Report

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - March 11, 2009: Russia has refused to sell its Su-33 carrier-based fighters to China over fears that Beijing could produce cheaper export versions of the aircraft, a Russian daily said on Tuesday. The Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper said that China and Russia had been in negotiations on the sale of 50 of the Su-33 Flanker-D fighters, to be used on future Chinese aircraft carriers, since 2006, but that the talks collapsed recently over China's request for an initial delivery of two aircraft for a "trial." Russian Defense Ministry sources confirmed that the refusal was due to findings that China had produced its own copycat version of the Su-27SK fighter jet in violation of intellectual property agreements. In 1995, China secured a $2.5-billion production license from Russia to build 200 Su-27SKs, dubbed J-11A, at the Shenyang Aircraft Corp. The deal required the aircraft to be outfitted with Russian avionics, radars and engines. Russia cancelled the arrangement in 2006 after it discovered that China was developing an indigenous version, J-11B, with Chinese avionics and systems. The decision came after China had already produced 95 aircraft. This time, Russia refused the Chinese offer even after Beijing had offered to buy 14 Su-33 aircraft, saying that at least 24 jets should be sold to recoup production costs. However, the Moskovsky Komsomolets said that the Su-33 deal may be reviewed later because China desperately needs carrier-based aircraft to equip its first indigenous 48,000-ton aircraft carrier, due to be built by 2011. Beijing has also announced plans to build a nuclear-powered aircraft-carrier by 2020. Chinese media recently quoted China fleet commander Adm. Xu Hongmeng as saying: "China will very soon have its own aircraft carrier."

The state-run company Rosoboronexport is finishing negotiations with the People’s Republic of China to ship up to 50 aircraft totalling US$2.5 billion. China would initially acquire 2 aircraft worth US$100 million for testing and then have further options to acquire an additional 12-48 aircraft. The fighters are intended to be used with the fledgling Chinese aircraft carrier program. At the sixth Zhuhai Airshow in fall 2006, the first deputy director of the Military Technological Cooperation Bureau of Russian Federation, lieutenant general Aleksander Denisov of the Russian Air Force, publicly confirmed at the news conference that China had approached Russia for the possible purchase of Su-33, and negotiation was to start in 2007. The Xinhua News Agency subsequently published the information on its military website on the same day on November 1, 2006 and this is the only known official Chinese governmental acknowledgment on this matter, but neither the Russian general nor the Chinese reporters disclosed any information on whether the deal was direct purchase, license assembly or technology transfer, but simply stating that China had planned to "introduce Su-33".

*Russia has refused to sell its Su-33 carrier-based fighters to China over fears that Beijing could produce cheaper export versions of the aircraft, a Russian daily said on Tuesday. The Su-33 is a carrier-based multi-role fighter, which can perform a variety of air superiority, fleet defense, air support and reconnaissance missions. The aircraft entered service with the Russian Navy in 1995 and are currently deployed on board the Nikolai Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. Russian Su-33 naval fighters are significantly cheaper than any similar foreign models, such as the French Rafale-M, or the U.S F-35C or the F/A-22N Sea Raptor.