DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: A-10 Thunderbolt II Also Known As The Warthog

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: A-10 Thunderbolt II  Also Known As The Warthog

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 4, 2014:  The first flight of the A-10 was in May 1972, and a total of 713 aircraft have since been produced. Over 350 A-10 aircraft are in service with the US Air Force, Air Combat Command, the U.S. Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard.

A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt IIs have excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and are highly accurate weapons-delivery platforms. They can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3 meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. 

Their wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10/OA-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness.

The single-seat cockpit is protected by all-round armor, with a titanium "bathtub" structure to protect the pilot that is up to 3.8cm thick. The cockpit has a large bulletproof bubble canopy, which gives good all-round vision.


The A-10 can carry up to six Maverick AGM-65/B/D/G/H/K air-to-surface missiles, and up to four AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, is a twin-engine aircraft that provides close-air support of ground forces and employs a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs. 


The simple, effective and survivable single-seat aircraft can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. The aircraft is currently supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Boeing
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DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Russia Buys New Aircraft, Armored Vehicles and Missiles

DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Russia Buys New Aircraft, Armored Vehicles and Missiles

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Jaroslaw Adamowski

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 13, 2013: Russia’s military will acquire more than 210 new planes and helicopters, over 250 armored vehicles and more than 40 intercontinental ballistic missiles in 2014, President Vladimir Putin announced. The ongoing program to modernize the Russia’s military armament has developed “a good rhythm of work,” Putin said, according to local daily Kommersant.

The announcement came Tuesday at the meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry’s board in the presence of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The acquisitions will be part of the country’s plan to spend US $650 billion on new arms and military equipment by 2020.

Putin said that Russia might be facing a number of potential security threats and challenges in the near future. These include armed conflicts in the Middle East, the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan, and plans to expand US missile defense to Europe. He also noted the Russian Navy would need to protect the country’s security and interests in the Arctic.

Shoigu said that, along with procurements of new arms, there was a necessity to intensify the training of troops. In 2013, Russia’s armed forces acquired 56 planes, 122 helicopters, 260 tanks, 112 armored infantry fighting vehicles, 279 armored personnel carriers, six vessels, a submarine, and a number of missile and gun systems, the defense minister said.

The Russian Navy missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov is expected to rejoin the fleet in 2015 following delays in the warship’s refit, the Zvezdochka shipyard said Friday.

The Marshal Ustinov, a Slava-class missile cruiser, was launched in 1982 and commissioned with the Russian Northern Fleet in 1986. It has been undergoing a refit at the Zvezdochka shipyard in northern Russia since 2011.

The completion of the work, which included repair of the propulsion system and overhaul of the ship’s missile, communications and navigation systems, was originally scheduled for 2014. However, diagnostics revealed that the majority of electrical cables on the vessel must be replaced, the yard said.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Jaroslaw Adamowski
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DTN News - BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE NEWS: The Cost-Effective Delivery of An Armoured Vehicle Capability - Summary

DTN News - BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE NEWS: The Cost-Effective Delivery of An Armoured Vehicle Capability - Summary

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources British MoD & KMW Krauss-Maffei Wegmann

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 11, 2011: Armoured vehicles such as tanks, reconnaissance and personnel-carrying vehicles are essential for a wide range of military tasks.

Since the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, the Ministry of Defence (the Department) has attempted to acquire the vehicles it needs through a number of procurement projects.

However, none of the principal armoured vehicles it requires have yet been delivered, despite the Department spending £1.1 billion since 1998, including £321 million wasted on cancelled or suspended projects. As a result there will be gaps in capability until at least 2025, making it more difficult to undertake essential tasks such as battlefield reconnaissance.

Partly as a result of this £1.1 billion failure to yet deliver any armoured vehicles, and to meet the specific military demands of operating in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Department was provided with a further £2.8 billion from the Treasury Reserve to buy Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR) vehicles. The Department has used the faster UOR process to deliver mine-resistant vehicles for operations.

However, these vehicles are expensive and are designed for specific circumstances, so will not meet the wider requirements identified in the recent Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). Delays to the delivery of the principal armoured vehicles have meant that other equipment, such as helicopters and other vehicles, have been used more frequently to undertake tasks such as battlefield reconnaissance and transporting personnel. Using helicopters and other vehicles in this way can be less effective and may divert expensive military assets from other essential tasks.

Over the past six years, the Department has removed £10.8 billion from armoured vehiclebudgets up to 2021. Armoured vehicles projects have suffered more severe budget cuts than other equipment projects, largely because they involve lower levels of contractual commitment and are therefore easier to cut. This has left £5.5 billion available for the next ten years, which is insufficient to deliver all of the armoured vehicle programmes which are planned.

The Department needs to be clearer about its priorities, and stop raiding the armoured vehicles chest every time it needs to make savings across the defence budget. The Department acknowledges that it has been both indecisive and over-ambitious in setting vehicle requirements, and that the ways it has sought to procure armoured vehicles have been too complicated.

The Department will need to set more realistic requirements in future if it is to deliver projects on time and to budget. We are also concerned that the Department was unable to identify anyone who has been held to account for the clear delivery failures. It is critical the Department has named senior staff with the necessary powers and sufficient time in post to take proper responsibility for and be held accountable for such projects.

The Department has yet to balance its defence budget fully and devise a plan to close capability gaps, despite having conducted the SDSR and two subsequent planning exercises. The Department needs to determine its armoured vehicle equipment priorities and deliver these as rapidly and cost-effectively as possible, including making an assessment of which of its existing vehicles should be retained after combat operations in Afghanistan cease.

On the basis of a Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Ministry of Defence on its progress in delivering armoured vehicles.

Click here for the full report (40 pages in PDF format) on the Parliamentary website.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources

British MoD & KMW Krauss-Maffei Wegmann

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DTN News: Russian Armored Vehicles Sent To PNA Stuck In Jordan - Diplomat

DTN News: Russian Armored Vehicles Sent To PNA Stuck In Jordan - Diplomat

Source: DTN News / Ria Novosti

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - August 27, 2010: Fifty armored personnel carriers sent by Russia to the Palestinian National Authority are stuck in Jordan because of Israeli red tape, the Palestinian ambassador to Russia said on Thursday. Russia sent the armored personnel carriers to the PNA in June. The vehicles have to be delivered to the PNA's administrative capital of Ramallah via Jordan. "This delay is caused by formalities from the Israeli side. They drag out this process in every possible way," Fayed Mustafa said. "But we hope that our forthcoming direct talks with Israel will help resolve the situation," he said. He also thanked Russia for the help. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet in Washington on September 2 on an invitation by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The meeting is to resume direct peace talks between Israel and the PNA that have been stalled since December 2008 after Israel launched an attack on the Gaza Strip. The conflict left 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis dead. The Palestinians have so far refused to resume peace talks, citing as a major obstacle the ongoing Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, both occupied by Israel since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. They also demand that Israel agree to the borders that existed prior to the 1967 Middle East war as the basis for a future Palestinian state. Israel has urged that talks should resume without any preconditions, which has been supported by Clinton. Experts doubt that Netanyahu and Abbas will agree on the so-called final status issues, including the boundaries of a future Palestinian state, Jewish settlement construction and the status of Jerusalem, during the Washington talks. However, the meeting itself, a result of months-long diplomatic efforts by U.S. Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell, was welcomed by many as a sign of progress in the Middle East settlement.

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

Related News *Middle East at the Point of Boiling *League of Arab States concerned Israeli positions may halt Middle East talks again *Lavrov says peace in Middle East possible in two years *Medvedev calls for contacts with all sides of Middle East conflict *Medvedev calls for new approach to Middle East peace process

DTN News: Australia's Versatile BUSHMASTER Infantry Mobility Vehicle, Performing Satisfactorily In Iraq And Afghanistan With NATO Forces

DTN News: Australia's Versatile BUSHMASTER Infantry Mobility Vehicle, Performing Satisfactorily In Iraq And Afghanistan With NATO Forces *Source: DTN News / Defense Media (NSI News Source Info) CANBERRA, Australia - September 29, 2009: The Bushmaster 4x4 armoured vehicle is currently deployed in southern Iraq with the Australian Army's Al Muthanna Task Group. The Bushmaster armoured vehicle, developed by Thales Australia (formerly ADI Limited) in Australia is in full production at Thales's engineering and manufacturing facility at Bendigo, Victoria. The vehicle was operationally deployed to Iraq in April 2005 and the US Army and Iraqi defence officials have expressed interest in the Bushmaster after observing its capabilities with the Australian Army. The Australian Army has tested the vehicle over thousands of kilometres in the extreme climatic conditions and terrain from sub-zero mountain areas to desert and tropical conditions. With a road cruise speed of 90km/h, the Bushmaster transports up to ten troops, quickly and comfortably. The Australian Army has tested the vehicle over thousands of kilometres in the extreme climatic conditions and terrain from sub-zero mountain areas to desert and tropical conditions in north Australia. In July 2002, the Australian Army awarded a contract to ADI Limited for 300 Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicles in six variants: troop transport, ambulance, direct fire, mortar, engineer and command. The first of 300 Bushmaster vehicles was delivered to the Australian Army in August 2004 and the vehicle was operationally deployed to Iraq in April 2005 and Afghanistan in September 2005. Deliveries are scheduled to complete in 2008. In June 2006, the first batch of 152 troop transport variants completed delivery. Delivery of the command variant is underway. In February 2006, ADI signed a licensing agreement with Oshkosh Truck Corporation of USA to market, manufacture and support the Bushmaster for North American customers and countries eligible for foreign military sales. In January 2007, Oshkosh was awarded a contract by the US Marine Corps for two category II Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles, to be based on the Bushmaster, which will then undergo testing at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. In August 2006, the Royal Netherlands Army placed a contract for 25 Bushmaster vehicles, for operations in Afghanistan. For speed of deployment, the vehicles are being supplied from those already delivered to the Australian Army. 12 vehicles are being fitted with Thales SWARM remote-controlled weapon system and all vehicles have the Thales SOTAS M2 multimedia communication system and Thales Claire thermal imager. The vehicles were deployed to Afghanistan in October 2006. In November 2007, the Netherlands Army ordered an additional five vehicles to replace vehicles damaged in Afghanistan. In September 2006, it was announced that Australian Army Bushmaster vehicles would be fitted with a Remote Weapon Station (RWS), for added troop protection. 44 Raven R-400 weapon stations, from Recon Optical of the USA and Electro Optic Systems (EOS) of Australia, have been ordered and upgraded vehicles are to enter service in 2008. In December 2006, the Australian Army ordered a further 143 vehicles. The additional vehicles are to be delivered by 2009. In August 2007, the procurement of another 250 vehicles was announced. In May 2008, under an urgent operational requirement, the UK placed an order for 24 Bushmaster vehicles for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. With a road cruise speed of 90km/h, the Bushmaster transports troops, quickly and comfortably and is suitable for deployment in complex, diffuse and lethal operational environments such as Iraq. The Bushmaster family of vehicles provides high-level protection against anti-tank mines, improvised explosive devices, mortar fragments and small arms fire. BUSHMASTER CREW CABIN Bushmaster is designed to transport up to ten troops. The cabin, with 1,415mm headroom, is fitted with seven face-to-face ergonomically designed seats with full harness seat belts. There is a personal weapons storage area, mission equipment storage, a radio suite, an air-conditioning unit and a cooled water drinking system. "Bushmaster armoured vehicles are available in six variants: troop transport, ambulance, direct fire, mortar, engineer and command." The cabin is fitted with four roof hatches with locking handles to provide protection against ambush and alternative escape routes The vehicle is transportable in C-130 Hercules aircraft for rapid deployment in forward areas of operation. DRIVER'S CABIN The driver and crew cabin areas are ergonomically designed for comfortable travel in varied terrain and harsh environments, minimising crew fatigue and allowing the crew to rest or concentrate on the mission. The engine noise level inside the cabin and crew compartment is very low The cabin is fitted with a large windscreen and side windows for all round visibility. The dashboard is ergonomically arranged, with easily readable and night-vision-goggle-compatible cockpit instrumentation. The driver can use the push-button control central tyre inflation system to adjust the tyre pressure while on the move to suit the terrain type and to keep the tyres inflated with limited punctures. WEAPONS The commander's hatch on the left is equipped with a weapon mount for a 5.56mm or 7.62mm machine gun. A light cannon can also be fitted. The ballistically protected windows can be fitted with optional shooting ports. Lockers can be replaced with additional ammunition and arms or fuel and water tanks to extend the operational radius. The crew seating can be reconfigured to accommodate operational requirements. 44 Australian Army vehicles are being fitted with the Recon Optical / Electro Optic Systems Ltd Raven R-400 weapon station. The system is in service with the US Army, designated the M101 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS). Raven sensors include thermal imager, CCD TV and eyesafe laser rangefinder. PROPULSION The Bushmaster engine, a Caterpillar 3126E ATAAC turbocharged six-cylinder, produces up to 246kW (330hp) at 2,400rpm. It provides a power to weight ratio of 16kW/t, cruise speed of 110km/h and maximum speed and 120km/h. The vehicle has an extended range of more than 1,000km. "Bushmaster is designed to transport up to ten troops." A double wishbone independent suspension system designed by Timoney in County Meath, Ireland provides good cross-country mobility across difficult terrains. The complete powerpack, (engine, automatic transmission, cooling system) can be easily replaced in the field without special tools. SELF-PROTECTION The armour-protected chassis protects against the blast of Claymore, anti-tank mines, anti-personnel mines, mortars, improvised explosive devices and NATO 5.56mm and 7.62mm ball ammunition. An upgrade armour kit provides protection against 5.56mm and 7.62mm armour-piercing rounds. The shaped hull deflects the blast from the equivalent of a 9.5kg high-explosive land mine detonated under any wheel or under the centre section of the vehicle. Wire cutters are installed on the roof on both sides of the vehicle to protect soldiers exposed above the roofline. The fuel and hydraulic tanks are located outside the crew compartments to minimise fire risk. The fuel tanks are equipped with fire retardants to prevent explosion and inhibit deterioration of the fuel. A 270l drinking water tank is installed under the floor of the crew compartment, contributing to crew safety in the event of a landmine explosion. The armour protected seating provides additional protection against spinal injuries.

DTN News: Germany Army Orders Mortar Vehicle For Afghanistan

DTN News: Germany Army Orders Mortar Vehicle For Afghanistan *Sources: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) BERLIN, Germany - June 26, 2009: Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf has just been awarded a EUR 54 million contract to equip the German armed forces with a state-of-the-art mortar system. The system’s newly developed 120mm mortar track and associated support vehicles make an important contribution to the mission-oriented modernization of the Bundeswehr armoury.

This important order encompasses eight Wiesel 2 (Weasel) vehicles, each of which is armed with a 120mm mortar (lePzMrs). An option exists for an additional two vehicles configured for a command and control role, and worth some EUR 7.5 million. Delivery is slated to take place in 2011.

Combining impressive firepower with advanced command and control technology, Rheinmetall’s highly mobile Mortar Combat System significantly enhances the Bundeswehr’s combat effectiveness, enabling it to respond to new threats in situations where it has hitherto often lacked the necessary capabilities. On the international plane, this state-of-the-art system places the Bundeswehr on the global cutting edge.

Based on Rheinmetall’s tried-and-tested Wiesel 2 lightweight tracked armoured vehicle, various configurations of which have already been successfully fielded, the air-portable Mortar Combat System is specially designed to support infantry and airmobile operations in scenarios where protection is required. It supersedes obsolete, manually operated Tampella-type mortars, which have long since ceased to meet today’s operational needs. Furthermore, some existing stocks of mortar ammunition are now over 25 years old, and thus no longer authorized for use.

The vehicles just ordered constitute a mortar platoon which will be used to support ongoing operations in Afghanistan. In particular, the system is expected to play an important role in countering asymmetric threats to Bundeswehr bases and convoys in this challenging area of operation. Thanks to its enhanced range, heightened precision and optimized lethality, the system also lends itself to operations in difficult terrain and in urban areas.

The complete Mortar Combat System can be airlifted in a CH-53 cargo helicopter or Transall C 160. Rugged yet flexible, it is designed to deliver maximum mobility even in tough terrain, as well as substantially increasing the firepower, combat effectiveness and accuracy of units deployed in harm’s way.

Force protection also features more prominently than in previous systems: the Wiesel 2 provides its 3-man crew with effective protection against ballistic threats and NBC agents.

Fast and flexible, the Mortar Combat System is able to respond very quickly to emerging threats even in a constantly shifting operating environment, aided by efficient and effective use of newly developed, enhanced range, high-precision mortar ammunition. The system is ready for action just 60 seconds after breaking cover, and can fire up to three rounds in less than 20 seconds. Moreover, since the lePzMrs mortar track can evacuate its fire position approximately 15 seconds after completing a fire mission, it is able to take cover before the rounds it has fired have reached the enemy position.

This kind of "hide, hit, run, hide” tactic makes enemy reconnaissance much harder, thus adding to the safety of the soldiers on board the Wiesel 2.

Although the tracked mortar can also be deployed autonomously, one of the most salient characteristics of this “system of systems” is its outstanding networkability with all relevant command echelons. Linking the individual vehicle systems into a unified information network – with a constant exchange of operationally relevant data – enhances the Mortar Combat System’s overall operational effectiveness and ability to react quickly. It all comes down to teamwork: targets are detected and identified, information analyzed and processed, options weighed and fire control data generated; finally, the lePzMrs Wiesel 2 mortar track goes into action. Rheinmetall’s new 120mm mortar ammunition can hit targets up to approx. 8,000 metres away, a substantial increase in range; it is also significantly more accurate and effective. The use of terminal phase-guided munitions should lead to a further increase in performance. New smoke/obscurant and infrared illumination rounds are also planned.

DTN News: Australia Issues RFP For New Light Armored Vehicles

DTN News: Australia Issues RFP For New Light Armored Vehicles

Opportunity for Australian Defence Industry *Source: Australian Department of Defence (NSI News Source Info) June 13, 2009: Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today announced that the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking Australian manufactured and supported protected mobility vehicles under Project LAND 121 Phase 4.

*Phase 4 will see the acquisition of a further 1,200 armored light vehicles in the 1- and 2-ton payload class worth an estimated $1.2 billion Australian.

*Phase 5 will see the acquisition of about 2,000 unprotected, commercial off-the-shelf trucks and utility vehicles worth about $300 million Australian. These will be used for training and low-risk logistics tasks.

Project LAND 121 Phase 4 will provide the core of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) light protected vehicle fleet that can be deployed for operations. They will replace some of the ADF 4200 Land Rovers with a fleet of protected light mobility vehicles.

The vehicles will perform a number of important combat support roles, including command, liaison and light battlefield resupply. They will be provided to Army’s combat units and will be designed to operate in future conflict environments.

“The new vehicles will improve the level of safety for our troops overseas through an increase in the level of ballistic and blast protection over current lightweight vehicles,” said Mr Combet. “This is a fantastic opportunity for local defence industry, provided they can demonstrate their competitiveness, and I encourage local manufacturers to explore this opportunity.”

“The Rudd Government is committed to supporting Australian defence jobs by ensuring that local defence industry has every opportunity to compete to provide the equipment our ADF needs.”

The solicitation of local industry is being pursued in parallel with the ongoing Australian participation in the US Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Program. These parallel processes will ensure that all viable options available for the delivery of light protected mobility vehicles to the Army have been considered.

“This approach is consistent with Mortimer Review recommendations, and will ensure that taxpayers receive value for money and that the Army and our soldiers receive the best equipment and protection possible,” said Mr Combet.

DTN News: Russia Sending 50 Armored Vehicles To Palestinians

DTN News: Russia Sending 50 Armored Vehicles To Palestinians

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - June 3, 2009: Russia has offered the Palestinian Authority 50 armored troop transport vehicles, set to be delivered in the next three months, a senior Russian Army officer told the Interfax news agency June 2. The BTR-80 8x8 armoured personnel carrier, manufactured by the Arzamas machinery Construction Plant of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, is intended to carry personnel on the battlefield and provide close fire support. It can also carry out reconnaissance, combat support and patrol missions. It entered service with the Russian Army in the late 1980s and has since been used in a number of military conflicts, including UN peacekeeping operations. The vehicle is in production and the Russian Army ordered 100 in 2006. The vehicle is also in service with the Ukraine and has been sold to Hungary, Turkey, Macedonia and Bangladesh. "The delivery of the armored troop transport vehicles has been negotiated with all the countries involved. They will be delivered by sea from July to September," said the officer, who declined to be named. The 50 armored vehicles, which are being provided by the Russian Defence Ministry, are ready to be dispatched, he added. The announcement came on the day Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was visiting Moscow, where he was received by the Russian leadership. In late May the Israeli ambassador to Russia, Anna Azari, told Interfax that the Jewish state had agreed to the delivery of armored vehicles to the Palestinian Authority, which controls parts of the West Bank.

Mahindra Opens Special Military Vehicles Plant

Mahindra Opens Special Military Vehicles Plant

(NSI News Source Info) MUMBAI, India - March 25, 2009: Mahindra Defence Systems, a division of the Mahindra Group, has inaugurated the Mahindra Special Military Vehicles (MSMV) facility in Faridabad near New Delhi today. Spread across six acres, the new plant has facilities for specific military manufacturing applications. Mahindra Group Managing Director Anand Mahindra, right, and Mahindra Defense Systems Chief Executive Khutub Hai pose for photographs during the inauguration of Mahindra Special Military Vehicles facility at Prithla in Faridabad, India, Tuesday, March 17, 2009. "The defence space is going at an exponential rate, creating opportunities for manufacture of world class products. With this technologically advanced manufacturing capability, MSMV will help Mahindra Defence Systems harness the potential in this space," said Anand Mahindra, vice chairman and managing director, Mahindra Group. The MSMV will manufacture specialised vehiciles for the armed forces, paramilitary forces and police and is also designed to undertake vehicle development, armouring and conversions. The plant will have a capacity of 500 uparmoured vehicles per year and will roll out uparmoured vehicles such as bulletproof Scorpios, Boleros, Rakshak, bulletproof tourister bus, riot intervention vehicles and the Marksman light armoured vehicle. The plant also has an advanced facility for R& D, product development, design and prototyping of special vehicles to meet specific customer requirements.

Russia To Stage Large-Scale Military Drills In Siberia

Russia To Stage Large-Scale Military Drills In Siberia

(NSI News Source Info) NOVOSIBIRSK - March 12, 2009: A major one-week military exercise will be held in southwest Siberia later this month, regional military officials said on Wednesday. The exercise will take place March 16-23 in the Kemerovo region and involve more than 5,000 personnel and up to 400 armored vehicles. The drills, under the command of Gen. Vladimir Boldyrev, chief of Russia's Ground Forces, will also involve ground attack, fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, and combat and transport helicopters. The units involved in the exercise will, among other things, practice interoperability and transfer from a peacetime to wartime footing.