Thursday, November 04, 2010

DTN News: India TODAY November 5, 2010 - India And US Talk, China Is A Subtext

DTN News: India TODAY November 5, 2010 - India And US Talk, China Is A Subtext
Hindustan Times Blogs
(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - November 5, 2010: For much of the first year of the Obama administration, Washington sought a broad accommodation with Beijing. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told US diplomats and officials to keep China happy.
It was all about US weakness, treasury bill stocks, climate change and the need to work with the superpower in the making. China’s response seemed to have been to see this all as a measure of weakness, humiliating Barack Obama in his first summit in Beijing and trying to leave him out to dry in Copenhagen.

This year the US policy shifted as Beijing pushed the envelope around the world. The US urged the Southeast Asian countries to take a tough stand on territorial disputes with China, promising to back them fully. It also tried to stiffen Japan’s spine as China took potshots at it over territory and even economic relations.

India was having its own problems with China. The squabble over the boundary question was taken up several notches. China began reasserting its claim on the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, dubbing it “southern Tibet.” It also shifted its policy on Kashmir, an area where it had remained strictly neutral.

The obvious question is how much China will be the strategic ghost at the Hyderabad House banquet hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The answer is it will be there, but left largely unmentioned in public.

First, China’s assertiveness has made the Obama administration begin to insert India into a strategic framework of trying to constrain China. India has responded with a senior official saying just before Singh’s recent East Asian tour that India would seek stronger ties with Southeast and East Asian countries as part of an aggressive constrain China policy.

Second, the two are adding China oriented issues on their agenda. Thus the soon to be announced joint Indo-US programme on Africa, an idea taken from the similarly inspired Indo-Japanese accord on Africa. I would almost not be surprised to hear that the two would also work together on rare earths — a set of substances that are mentioned know whenever you want to make Japan happy and China unhappy.

Third, much of the military togetherness of the Indo-US defence partnership ultimately is driven by China. The more either of them is alarmed by China, the more willingness they are prepared to work together.

Fourth, India has supported the US position in multilateral bodies like the G20 that “global fiscal imbalances” lie behind the present weakness of the world economy. This, when you boil it down, is about the present battle between the US and China where the latter keeps its currency devalued and the former prints mountains of dollars in response. Obama is known to have asked whether New Delhi would care to support Washington in pressuring China about the value of the yuan. India demurred, preferring to do that through multilateral agences. Same policy, different tactics.

But all in all this nothing like the Bush administration years. Both India and the US keep large chunks of their China policy to themselves. They both pursue many parts of their China policies bilaterally, directly with Beijing. They don’t consult each other too much about many of these policies. And the Indo-US East Asian strategic dialogue is really about informing each other about what we are doing rather than really coordinating policy. Beijing plays on this, in effect seeking to keep a certain distance between India and the US. Look at its developing charm offensive against India.

This could change, but given the general drift in the Obama administration I suspect the change will arise from the actions of China rather than the actions of the US and India.

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
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DTN News: Upgraded Boeing F-15Cs Arrive At US Air Force’s Kadena Air Base

DTN News: Upgraded Boeing F-15Cs Arrive At US Air Force’s Kadena Air Base
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources - Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) KADENA AIR BASE, Japan, - November 5, 2010: Boeing [NYSE: BA] and U.S. Air Force officials at Kadena Air Base celebrated the arrival of four F-15Cs upgraded with the APG-63(V)3 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar on Oct. 21.
The newly arrived F-15Cs will join the APG-63(V)1 and (V)2 aircraft already in the 44th and 67th Fighter Squadrons to provide unmatched combat power for the defense of Japan. The upgrades were installed and tested at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Boeing is under contract to fully upgrade 27 Air Force and 18 Air National Guard F-15C/D aircraft with the APG-63(V)3 AESA over the next 10 months. A total of 54 AESA-equipped F-15C/Ds are scheduled to be on station at Kadena by September 2013.

"The fielded APG-63(V)3 air-to-air capabilities put the F-15C/D in a class by itself and ensure that the Air Force and Air National Guard F-15C/D fleets remain capable, maintainable and affordable," said Todd Burns, F-15C AESA program manager for Boeing. "Delivery of these four aircraft on schedule demonstrates Boeing's commitment to ensuring the F-15 remains a world-class multirole fighter."

Boeing's Global Services & Support division provides U.S. Air Force F-15 sustainment services including ground support equipment, spares and retrofit programs, contractor field teams and a full range of training systems and services.

The Raytheon APG-63(V)3 is a highly reliable and affordable high-performance AESA for the F-15 air-to-air variant. The AESA radar antenna is 50 times more reliable than the mechanically scanned antenna it replaces.

"This system improves our capabilities and lethality as a combat air force. We will fly our missions equipped with the world's most powerful air- to-air radar," said Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena. "This capability strengthens our ability to carry out our mission to provide unmatched combat power, provide a forward power projection platform, and provide for the common defense of Japan."

The APG-63(V)3 radar is the latest in a series of planned upgrades that will ensure the F-15C’s combat-proven air supremacy well into the 21st century. These include a fighter-to-fighter data link, GPS navigation and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, which enable the warfighter to conduct network centric operations while employing the latest air-to-air weapons.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Contact:

Philip Carder Boeing Global Strike 314-234-6516 philip.b.carder@boeing.com

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated November 4, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated November 4, 2010
Source: U.S. DoD issued No. 1015-10 November 4, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - November 5, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued November 4, 2010 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

AIR FORCE

Tiax, LLC, Lexington, Mass., was awarded a maximum $99,446,650 contract which will award the systems development and demonstration of the integrated aircrew ensembles. It will also include options for low rate initial production, production tooling, and full rate production. At this time, $1,000,000 has been obligated. ASC/WNU, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8606-11-D-6360).

The Systems Group, LLC, Bonaire, Ga., was awarded a $7,868,236 contract to provide technical support services to the Air Force in support of its role to assist the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with programmatic, technical and financial planning for AWACS and other aircraft platforms, C4I, and training. At this time, $1,298,204 has been obligated. ESC/HBSK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8730-11-C-0002).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

MidAmerican Energy Co., Urbandale, Iowa, is being awarded a maximum $61,382,435 firm-fixed-price contract for electricity. Other locations of performance are the Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland procurement offices. Using services are Army and Department of Defense agencies. There were originally 91 proposals solicited with 16 responses. The date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2012. The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-11-D-8007).

Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc., Chatsworth, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $12,825,000 firm-fixed-price contract for shock strut assembly parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. The date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation (Redstone Arsenal), Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (SPRRA1-11-C-0-0005).

Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc., Herndon, Va., is being awarded a maximum $9,608,338 firm-fixed-price contract for electricity. Other location of performance is Fort Meade. Using service is Army. There were originally 91 proposals solicited with 16 responses. The date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2012. The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-11-D-8005).

McRae Industries, Inc.*, Mount Gilead, N.C., is being awarded a maximum $8,995,179 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, total set-aside contract for temperate weather, Army combat boots. Other locations of performance are Asheboro, N.C., and Chicago, Ill. Using services are Army and Air Force. The original proposal was Web solicited with two responses. The date of performance completion is Nov. 6, 2011. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM1C1-09-D-0011).

Direct Energy Business, LLC, Pittsburgh, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $5,811,543 firm-fixed-price contract for electricity. Other location of performance is Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory. Using service is federal civilian agencies. There were originally 91 proposals solicited with 16 responses. The date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2012. The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-11-D-8001).

NAVY

Grunley/Goel, JV, E, LLC*, Washington, D.C., is being awarded a $13,170,401 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of two child development centers (CDC) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. One CDC will be a new one story facility to include activities rooms and support facilities to support 302 children. The second facility is a new one story addition to an existing CDC. This new addition will provide new spaces and support facilities to support an additional 74 children. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md., and is expected to be completed by May 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 19 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-11-C-0151).

Computer Science Corp., Falls Church, Va., is being awarded a $9,777,423 task order #0079 under a previously awarded contract (M67854-02-A-9004) for technical support to the operating forces, a key element of the Marine Corps Systems Command, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) support for fielded tactical Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems for Marine Corps operating forces. Technical support under this effort include on-site/on-call support at the MCTSSA Operating Forces Tactical Systems Support Center, on-site technical representation at specified Marine Corps Command organizations worldwide, exercise support based upon the operational schedule of the supported units, and support of contingency operations (e.g., hazardous duty, combat operations, peace-keeping) on a discrete basis. Work will be performed in various locations in and outside the continental United States, and is expected to be completed in November 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $9,777,423 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

*Small business

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
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DTN News: India TODAY November 4, 2010 - IAF To Upgrade Operational Capabilities In Northeast

DTN News: India TODAY November 4, 2010 - IAF To Upgrade Operational Capabilities In Northeast
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources by Ananya Dutta - The Hindu
(NSI News Source Info) KALAIKUNDA, India - November 4, 2010: The Indian Air Force (IAF) was going for a “composite upgradation” of its capabilities in the northeast, following which similar steps would be taken in the north, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik said here on Tuesday.

“We are going for a composite upgradation of capabilities in the northeast. It should have been done a long time ago,” he said adding that infrastructure would be upgraded in about six major air fields.

The upgradation was a part of the Modernisation of Air Field Infrastructure (MAFI) project and included airfields in Bagdogra, Panagarh, Tezpur, Chabua, Saluwa and Guwahati. It also included improvement to eight advanced landing grounds in the region.

“After the northeast, we will concentrate in the north, so that both can take off at the same time,” he said adding that significant progress was made on ground and the project was being overseen by an empowered committee headed by the Vice-Chief of the IAF, Air Marshal P K Barbora.

On the development of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), he said: “The LCA has taken a long way to come to the stage where it is now. By the middle of the next year LCA Mark-I will be inducted into the operationalised squadrons.”

Air Chief Marshal Naik was speaking to journalists during the India-U.K. joint air exercise, ‘Indradhanush,' that had been going on since October 18. Key attractions of the exercise are the Eurofighter-Typhoons, one of the six planes that have been shortlisted by the IAF for the Medium Multi-Role Combat (MMRC) aircraft deal earlier this year.

On the shortage of pilots, he said the IAF needed about 300 to 400 pilots, but more could not be taken in overnight.

“We have increased our intake capacity. By the time the equipment [new aircraft under the MMRC deal] arrive in three or four years, we will be ready to man them,” he said.

He said 50 Hawk aircraft were being procured from the U.K. that would be used for training of fighter pilots, a part of future co-operation between the two countries.

The next joint air exercise with the Royal Air Force (RAF) would probably be held in the U.K. after two years, he added.

Asked about the IAF's role in anti-Maoist operations, Air Chief Marshal Naik said four IAF helicopters had been engaged in the operations for the last six months in Dantewara and Jagdalpur areas.

In the third edition of the joint exercise with the RAF, the Air Force Chief himself flew in the newly acquired Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), the on-air radar system that was used in an exercise for the first time in India. His U.K. counterpart, Air Vice-Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, flew in a Su30 during the day.

“It was a great experience. As a pilot, I could see another way of operating an aircraft and capabilities,” Sir Dalton said.

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
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