DTN News - MAURITANIA DEFENSE NEWS: Mauritania Receives Brazilian-Made Super Tucano Jet Fighter

DTN News - MAURITANIA DEFENSE NEWS: Mauritania Receives Brazilian-Made Super Tucano Jet Fighter

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The North Africa Post
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 25, 2012: Mauritanian Air Force has received its first Brazilian-made Super Tucano jet fighter under a military deal passed last march with the aircraft manufacturer Embraer, without saying how many planes will be delivered to the African nation.

However, some foreign diplomatic and intelligence sources say that Mauritania will be supplied at least three EMB-314 Super Tucano light military planes which can be used for pilot training, reconnaissance, internal security, border patrol and counter-terrorism and anti-narcotics trafficking missions.

Equipped with an advanced laser inertial navigation and attack system, a GPS and a traffic alerting and collision avoidance system (TCAS), the Super Tucano has an integrated advanced weapon system. This includes  a centerline hard-point for air-to-surface weapons beneath the fuselage, besides wing-embedded cannons.

The aircraft also includes the Safire thermal imaging system from FLIR, which allows the aircraft to carry out night surveillance and attack missions. Powered by a PT6A-68A turboprop engine developing 969kW, the aircraft can fly at a maximum speed of 560km/h. It is also capable of operating from remote bases and unpaved runways.

Designed to operate in high temperature and humidity conditions in extremely rugged terrain, the Super Tucano is highly maneuverable, has a low heat signature, and incorporates 4th generation avionics and weapons systems. It is currently used by the air forces of Brazil, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Burkina Faso, Indonesia, and has been ordered by the armies of Guatemala and Angola.

Mauritania, which has a population of 3.5 million, is facing growing terrorist threats in the Sahel region which has become a safe haven for organized crime and terrorist networks.

After the Islamist extremists took control of Northern Mali, thousands of refugees fled into Mauritania, placing additional strain on resources as the country is itself rocked by internal turmoil and struggling with a food crisis engulfing the whole Sahel region.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The North Africa Post
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News: Pakistani Man Charged For Embassy Explosives Case In Chile

DTN News: Pakistani Man Charged For Embassy Explosives Case In Chile

Source: DTN News / AP

(NSI News Source Info) SANTIAGO, Chile - May 16, 2010: A Pakistani man detained with suspicious chemical residues at the U.S. Embassy in Chile was charged with possessing explosives on Saturday, and then set free pending further investigation.

Mohammad Saif Ur Rehman Khan was ordered to stay in Chile and check in with authorities once a week. Prosecutors have three more months to develop their case, Judge Maria Carolina Herrera ruled.

Defense attorney Gabriel Carrion said the judge declined to charge Khan with associating with terrorists for lack of evidence. Khan, who maintains his innocence, made a victory sign with his hand and said only "Viva Chile" to a crowd of reporters as he left the courthouse with his lawyer.

Khan was called in to the embassy so that he could be told that his U.S. visa was revoked. A State Department spokesman in Washington said he had been added to a terrorism watch list after the U.S. government received information about him.

A summary of the closed hearing posted on the judiciary's website Saturday said both TNT and tetryl - a chemical that boosts the power of explosives - were found on his cell phone and documents at the embassy, and that a police search of his room later found the same chemicals on his clothes, a suitcase and a computer bag.

But Carrion says the 28-year-old Khan is an innocent student of the tourism industry and Spanish, and that anyone can pick up traces of the chemical simply by living in a big, polluted city.

Prosecutor Xavier Armendariz said the judge found that Khan's detention was legal. Chilean police have searched the apartment of an Egyptian man who prayed at the same mosque as Khan and continue to investigate people who associated with the suspect.

Khan's parents were traveling to Chile to support their son, according to leftist Sen. Alejandro Navarro, who said he persuaded the interior ministry to grant them visas.

DTN News: Argentina, Chile Mull Joint Peacekeeping Force

DTN News: Argentina, Chile Mull Joint Peacekeeping Force Source: DTN News / UPI (NSI News Source Info) BUENOS AIRES, - April 27, 2010: Chile and Argentina will pool resources to form a joint military force for rapid response to humanitarian crises and peacekeeping missions in Latin America. The combined rapid response force, to be called Southern Cross, will be drawn from the armed forces of both countries and will comprise initially about 1,000 troops. Officials said the force will be ready for deployment before the end of the year. Analysts said the announcement of the joint force appeared to be symbolic, an expression of solidarity, as it wasn't immediately clear whether such a force could be deployed and under what mandate. A joint statement issued after the talks indicated the accord would cover Chile for shipbuilding contracts it is struggling to complete because of extensive damage to its shipyards in the Feb. 27 earthquake. A joint production deal means shipyards in Argentina could be sharing the work while Chile rebuilds its facilities. The magnitude-8.8 temblor wrecked Chilean shipyards and other infrastructure. Money set aside for economic development and poverty-reduction programs, announced by President Sebastian Pinera as part of his election campaign last year, is being channeled instead into vast reconstruction programs. Chilean reconstruction needs have opened major business opportunities for Argentine companies but the agreement signed Friday aims to cement closer military ties between the two countries and forge long-term links between the defense industries. Aviation, including design and joint manufacture of aircraft is another field the two countries explored when Chilean Defense Minister Jaime Ravinet visited his Argentine counterpart Nilda Garre in the capital. Much of Argentine moves in the defense sector are in response to the military's earnest representations to the government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Short of funds and spare parts for existing equipment, the military has kept up pressure on Fernandez to deliver on promises to refurbish the military. The government's campaign for sovereignty claims on British-ruled Falkland Islands gave ammunition to the military's demands for greater efforts to modernize the armed forces. Chile's National Aeronautics Enterprise and Argentina National Airplanes Factory will look into manufacturing a training aircraft that could be deployed in both air forces, officials said. Until further notice, Argentina's government-owned Tandanor yard in Buenos Aires will service the clients of Chilean navy yards at Asmar, the world's southernmost shipyard, which was damaged in the quake. This is to satisfy a long waiting list of clients at the wrecked yard and to prevent Asmar customers from turning elsewhere. Chilean shipyards are also looking to secure Argentine help for an early return to normal operations. "Together with Argentina we will cooperate in the recovery of the Chilean shipyards," said Ravinet.

DTN News: Airlines News TODAY December 24, 2009 ~ Chile's LAN Airlines Orders 30 Airbus Jets

DTN News: Airlines News TODAY December 24, 2009 ~ Chile's LAN Airlines Orders 30 Airbus Jets *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - December 24, 2009: Commercial jet builder Airbus said Wednesday it has received a firm order from Chile's LAN Airlines for 30 Airbus A320 family of narrow-bodied airlines. A spokesman for Airbus at the company's Toulouse, France-based headquarters said LAN is ordering 12 A319s and 18 A320s, single-aisle workhorses that are used by airlines on short-to-medium haul routes. The A319 carries a catalog price of $70 million and the A320 is priced at $77 million, giving an overall value for the 30 jets of around $2.3 billion. However, customer airlines typically negotiate deep discounts for bulk orders, and non-cash side deals, for example, training. The LAN order brings to 255 the number of firm orders booked by Airbus so far this year. The wholly owned unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co NV (EAD.FR) has set itself a target of a gross firm order intake of 300 aircraft in 2009. On Tuesday, Malaysia Airlines said it wants to buy 15 wide-bodied Airbus A330 planes, with options for another 10 aircraft. And earlier this month, Airbus clinched a major order with UAL Corp.'s (UAUA) United Airlines worth some $6 billion for 25 of its future A350 XWB wide-bodied jets. However, both those contracts have still to be firmed up, and the UAL order is unlikely to be so by year-end, Airbus sources said. Airbus only includes firm contracts in the order figures that it publishes every month. LAN Airlines is already a major Airbus customer, and the latest order will increase its fleet of Airbus jets to 100. The Chilean airline will use its planes from Latin American hubs and the latest contract gives it flexibility to settle the exact type of aircraft it will receive closer to the planned delivery time. Separately, an Airbus official said the company has just delivered its tenth A380 superjumbo so far this year. The jet was handed over to Dubai-based Emirates, the biggest customer for world's largest passenger aircraft with 58 on order. Airbus had set an objective of delivering 13 A380s this year, but company officials have said that "one or two" might spill over into 2010. Airbus plans to deliver about 20 A380s in 2010.

DTN News: Japan TODAY August 15, 2009 ~ Japan Prime Minister Taro Aso Voices Deep Regret Over WWII Suffering

DTN News: Japan TODAY August 15, 2009 ~ Japan Prime Minister Taro Aso Voices Deep Regret Over WWII Suffering

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) TOKYO, Japan - August 15, 2009: Japan's prime minister expressed deep regret over the suffering his country inflicted on Asian countries during World War II in a solemn ceremony Saturday that marked the 64th anniversary of Tokyo's surrender. Members of the Japanese garrison on Saipan pose for a photograph during a more peaceful time before the U.S. Marine landing during World War II. Prime Minister Taro Aso joined some 4,800 families to pay respect to millions of Japan's war dead at the Nihon Budokan hall in Tokyo. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko also attended the ceremony, leading a one-minute silence at noon. "Our country inflicted tremendous damage and suffering on many countries, particularly people in Asia. As a representative of the Japanese people, I humbly express my remorse for the victims, along with deep regret," Aso said in a speech at the nationally televised ceremony. The prime minister vowed that Japan would never repeat the tragedy. Emperor Akihito _ whose father Hirohito issued the surrender on Aug. 15, 1945 _ said he hoped Japan would never again wage a war. "I mourn for those who died in the war and pray for world peace and further development of Japan," the 75-year-old emperor said in a speech. Before the ceremony, Aso laid flowers at the secular Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery, where the remains of victims of World War II are laid to rest. The prime minister did not attend a controversial war shrine located near the national cemetery. Yasukuni Shrine honors 2.5 million Japanese who died in wars from the late 1800s until 1945, including convicted war criminals. Pacifists and the victims of Japanese aggression _ such as China and the Koreas _ abhor Yasukuni as a glorification of past militarism and a symbol of Japan's conquest in Asia, including the invasion and occupation of China and Korea. From 2001 to 2006, then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's repeated visits to Yasukuni strained relations with China and South Korea, who denounced the act as a sign that Japan had failed to fully atone for invasions and atrocities. Koizumi again visited the Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and some 40 lawmakers also went there. Of 17 ministers in Aso's Cabinet, only Consumer Affairs Minister Seiko Noda arrived at the shrine.

DTN News: Brazil, Chile, Spain Question US Bases In Colombia

DTN News: Brazil, Chile, Spain Question US Bases In Colombia

*Analysis: The most ironic is the US anti-Venezuela (or Chavez) bias. They recently went as far as criticizing Venezuela for not doing enough to intercept Colombian-produced cocaine. But Colombia, which produces nearly 100% of the the drug, is not criticized one bit.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/18/AR2009071801785.html

Chavez, claims rightfully that the US is the biggest importer of cocaine, and that the main anti-drug war should be within the US borders. But the US cannot use its armed forces inside the US for what is essentially a criminal activity, so prefers to take the fight overseas.These US bases, if opened, will create conflict with countries such as Venezuela and Bolivia....By A Taxpayer

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) SAO PAULO, Brazil - August 2, 2009: Brazil, Chile and Spain on Thursday challenged the United States' decision to use and expand military bases in Colombia, saying they feared the move could heighten simmering tensions in Latin America.

Presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Michelle Bachelet of Chile said in Sao Paulo they would put the issue before an August 10 meeting of a nascent South American Defense Council in Ecuador.Spain's foreign minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, and his Brazilian counterpart, Celso Amorim, simultaneously told reporters in Brasilia that they would demand explanations from Washington over the bases.

The Colombian government's announcement July 15 that three of its military air bases were to be used by the United States as part of joint anti-drug operations has ignited concerns and anger among Colombia's neighbors.

Venezuela and its ally Ecuador have warned the move could aggravate already deep tensions with Colombia.

The two almost went to war last year against Colombia over a raid its army made into Ecuador to destroy a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel camp.

Venezuelan's fiercely anti-US president, Hugo Chavez, said he viewed the bases as a sign a "Yankee military force" was preparing to invade his country from Colombia.

Chavez this week signed deals with Russia reinforcing military ties that have already seen him acquire new tanks, combat helicopters and fighter jets.

He also on Tuesday froze diplomatic links to Colombia over allegations from Bogota that weapons Venezuela bought from Sweden in the 1980s ended up in the hands of the FARC.

Ecuador has cut off links to Colombia since its March 2008 cross-border raid.

In Brasilia, Moratinos said: "We are going to be in contact with Colombia and the United States so they can explain, tell us the reasons for this opening of the bases."

He said that while the use of the bases was a bilateral issue between the United States and Colombia, he hoped the deal "will not create more tensions and, above all, avoid a militarization of Latin America."

Brazil's Lula told a media conference in Sao Paulo that "I'm not happy with the idea of another US base in Colombia," he said, but added that he was not going to criticize Colombian President Alvaro Uribe over the matter.

He said the South American Defense Council could be asked to look at the broader issue of border sovereignty in light of the US base announcement.

Bachelet said she, too, respected Colombia's sovereign decisions but noted that "there are countries that are unsettled by this situation."

A broader Union of South American nations gathering in Ecuador which is to include the defense council meeting "will be an opportune time to see... how to come up with a solution permitting all countries to calmly accept this type of decision," she said.

DTN News: Netherlands To Sell 18 F-16s To Chile

DTN News: Netherlands To Sell 18 F-16s To Chile

(NSI News Source Info) May 26, 2009: An agreement in principle has been reached with Chile concerning the sale of eighteen redundant F-16 Midlife Update (MLU) fighters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, as well as a limited support package.

The Netherlands Air Force wants to replace their current F-16 fleet in the next decade. In the beginning the candidates for the replacement were the Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martin's F-16 Block 52/60, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Saab Gripen and Lockheed Martin's F-35. In 2002 The Netherlands signed a contract to develop the F-35 as a '2nd Level' Partner. That contract is worth around 800 million US Dollars. After the first comparison the F-35 seemed to be the best replacer of the existing F-16 fleet. Saab is now offering their latest aircraft, the Saab Gripen NG (Next Generation) to The Netherlands. The Netherlands was comparing the Saab Gripen NG and the F-35 in early 2009, however many sources and signs indicate that the F-35 will be the next fighter of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, with already an order for 2 test aircrafts to be delivered in 2010, the contract for 85 of these fighters is likely to be made in late 2009.

It is intended that the contract be signed shortly. The delivery of the first aircraft to Chile is foreseen for 2010.

The Netherlands have promised Chile their assistance for the training of approximately 75 Chilean technicians and instructors. Dutch industry will be involved in this contract. Related costs are to be paid by Chile.

Related commercial data is provided in the appendix. I request that you consider it as confidential.

Czech Republic Acquires Four C-295 Military Transport Aircraft From Airbus Military

Czech Republic Acquires Four C-295 Military Transport Aircraft From Airbus Military

(NSI News Source Info) MADRID - May 13, 2009: The Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic has signed an agreement for the acquisition of four C-295 military transport aircraft from Airbus Military. The agreement extends to logistical support.

The Czech Air Force will receive its first Casa C-295 by the end of the year, with the other three to follow in 2010. (Airbus Military imagery)

These aircraft will replace the former fleet of Antonov An-26 aircraft. The first aircraft will be delivered at the end of 2009 and the last before the end of 2010.

With these four aircraft, the order book for C-295 aircraft totals 72 units. This model is owned by nations such as Poland, Finland, Portugal, Brazil, Chile, Jordan and Spain, among others.

The C-295 is a multipurpose aircraft used in humanitarian missions, deployment of rapid reaction forces, maritime surveillance and homeland security worldwide. More than 250 CN-235/C-295 currently in service have proved their quality and operating range in the hardest conditions, over the deserts in the Middle East or the more inhospitable polar regions, in humanitarian aid missions, or to evacuate catastrophic areas or military areas such as Bosnia or Afghanistan, within the OTAN operational framework.

These two models add up more than one million flights.

The C-295 is the latest development of Airbus Military medium weight tactical transport aircraft family. Versatile, robust and with the lowest life cycle cost (LCC) of any aircraft in its category, the twin turboprop (2 x Pratt & Whitney PW127G, 2,645 shp)

C-295 is capable of carrying out a wide range of missions with maximum efficacy. The C-295 can carry 71 troops or 49 paratroops + one jumpmaster. Loading options include five MIL STD 88”x108” 463L pallets or up to ten 88”x54” pallets. The max cruise speed is 260 kts (480 km/h). Max TOW is 51,150 lb (23.2 ton). Basic dimensions (approx.) are 85 ft (26 m) wingspan, 80 ft (24.5 m) length, and 28 ft (8.7 m) height.

Airbus is an EADS company.

Chile To Finalize F-16 Deal With Netherlands - Minister

Chile To Finalize F-16 Deal With Netherlands - Minister

(NSI News Source Info) SANTIAGO - April 30, 2009: The Chilean Air Force is on the cusp of acquiring 18 used F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands, Defense Minister Francisco Vidal said Wednesday. 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. Although the $278 million contract has not yet been signed by the two countries, Vidal insisted the deal was ready to go. "The deal is closed, only the signatures are missing," Vidal said Wednesday, following an earlier denial from the Netherlands that a deal had been reached. The F-16 fighters will replace the Chile's aging F-5 jets, which have been in use since 1976. "Chile has acquired a new fleet of F-16 planes," Vidal announced late Tuesday after leaving a Defense Commission hearing in the Congress. The jets will join the Chilean Air Force in December, he added. The purchase is the second military deal between Chile and the Netherlands, after Santiago's 2006 acquisition of 18 used F-16 jets at a cost of $185 million. In 2003, Chile bought 10 new F-16 jets from U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) at a cost of $660 million.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Says No Plans To Scrap Trade Embargo On Cuba

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Says No Plans To Scrap Trade Embargo On Cuba

*Analysis: Except for Israel, Vuanatu and the Marshall Islands, the whole World condemns the unilateral US embargo against Cuba, and if President Obama is too blind to understand that this is a major thorn in US-Latin America relations, we'll just have to wait until he sees the light.Just like for a breakthrough in Israel-Palestine relations, don't hold your breath for that to happen soon under an Obama administration. It won't happen. Obama is just an illusion of change....said by A Taxpayer (DTN Defense-Technology News)

(NSI News Source Info) VINA DEL MAR, Chile – March 29, 2009: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday that the United States is not planning to lift its trade embargo on Cuba. Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, right, Chile's President Michelle Bachelet, left, and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden pose for the official photo of the Progressive Governance Leaders Summit in Vina del Mar, Chile, Saturday, March 28, 2009. Biden, who was in the Chilean resort city of Vina del Mar for a summit of center-left leaders from Latin America and Europe, replied "no" when asked by reporters if Washington plans to scrap the decades-old embargo. He and President Barack Obama "think that Cuban people should determine their own fate and they should be able to live in freedom," Biden said after taking part in the Progressive Governance Summit. The vice president said a "transition" is needed in the Washington policy toward the communist-ruled island, but that he was in Chile "to talk about the economy, not Cuba." Several of the leftist governments in Latin America have urged Washington to lift the embargo of Cuba, saying such a step would improve Washington's relations across the region. But without signs of budging on the embargo, Biden still drove home the idea that the White House is committed to region. He called his state visit to Chile "just the beginning of the renewal of a partnership with the Americans." "President Obama and I are absolutely committed to working closely with our neighbors in the hemisphere," he told reporters at Chile's La Moneda presidential palace after meeting with President Michelle Bachelet. Leftist or left-of-center governments have been elected in Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Honduras and Uruguay in recent years, and at least five Latin American leaders have visited Cuba this year. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet — who met with Fidel Castro on a trip to Cuba in February — held a dinner for Biden under candlelight, as lights were turned off in coordination with an international action highlighting climate change.

Russia's KamAZ Restarts Assembly Line After Fourth 10-Day Pause

Russia's KamAZ Restarts Assembly Line After Fourth 10-Day Pause

(NSI News Source Info) KAZAN - March 17, 2009: Russia's largest truck-maker KamAZ said on Monday it has restarted its main assembly line after a 10-day break due to weak demand for vehicles amid the financial crisis. KamAZ suspended production four times in the last five months, most recently putting workers on forced holidays on March 6-16. "All divisions are working at the moment, the plant is fulfilling several orders from Russian customers," the press service said. KamAZ, whose trucks have won the Dakar rally on eight occasions, including the 2009 event held for the first time in Argentina and Chile, earlier said that due to the crisis it was operating only when there is demand for vehicles, with employees receiving two-thirds of their salaries. In January, the plant manufactured about 1,100 vehicles, 1,800 in February, and its target for March is still being decided. Car factories in Russia have encountered difficulties over rising prices for auto parts and other supplies and declining sales. Russia's leading carmaker AvtoVAZ briefly shut down its assembly line twice in February, citing payment problems with suppliers. The country's second largest producer GAZ Group, which also suspended production for two weeks earlier this month, is facing tens of millions of dollars in debt claims from metal suppliers. A Ford factory near Russia's second city of St. Petersburg shut down its assembly lines for about a month earlier this year.

U.S. Eyes Super Tucano For SpecOps Work

U.S. Eyes Super Tucano For SpecOps Work

(NSI News Source Info) March 14, 2009: The U.S. Navy's new Irregular Warfare office has been looking at an agile Brazilian observation and ground-attack turboprop to provide an "organic" close air support aircraft for special operations forces. The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29 is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency (COIN) and pilot training missions, incorporating modern avionics and weapons systems. It is currently in service with the air forces of Brazil, and Colombia, and has been ordered by Chile and the Dominican Republic. Embraer has plans to sell it to other countries in Asia and the Middle East. Besides pilot training, it is heavily employed in monitoring operations in the Amazon region. Under the classified "Imminent Fury" program, the Navy has already leased, tested and armed at least one Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano, according to Capt. Mark Mullins, a naval special warfare officer serving as the deputy director of the Navy Irregular Warfare Office at the Pentagon. "This is a close air support, manned aircraft with a pilot and sensor operator. The idea here is that SOF needs an organic capability that can stick with them while they're doing their mission," Mullins said. "We're not buying them; we're leasing them right now. That's an important point." Speaking March 12 at an exposition on expeditionary warfare in Virginia Beach, Va., Mullins said the intent is to put four of the single-engine aircraft into the fight as quickly as possible. "Now we're in an operational pause, trying to figure out how to get to Phase II. We need about $44 million," he said. "Back to the method of venture capitalism, we're working with the Air Force and Marine Corps, socializing it with those guys to see if we can get money invested and get to Phase II, where we're taking four aircraft into theater." The EMB-314 is flown by the military forces of Brazil and Colombia, according to Christine Manna, communications director at Embraer's office for North America in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. As well, Manna said, Chile bought 12 planes and the Dominican Republic bought eight, but the planes have not been delivered yet. The Super Tucano has a flight endurance of more than six hours, carries several sensors, can be armed with a heavy machine gun in each wing and has mounts for bombs, cannon and rocket pods, according to Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2008-9. Calling it a "fascinating piece of kit," Mullins said "the proof of concept" is complete after a year of testing. But he described Imminent Fury as his new office's "most contentious project," mostly due to wariness from naval aviation. "You can imagine the SOF guys and Marines really love this," he said. "The challenge here, and why it's so contentious, is it falls into the seam where it's really not clear whose bailiwick it is. It's not a marinized aircraft. It doesn't fly off the carrier." Mullins said the Super Tucano can be landed on an unimproved airstrip such as a road, refueled in minutes and sent right back into the fray. A briefing slide on the Imminent Fury project obtained by Defense News sister publication Navy Times identifies the need for a "tactical fixed wing [intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance] platform to provide expeditionary, organic Find/Fix/Finish operations for SOF Forces in a maneuverable, long range, low heat signature platform." The project began following a visit by Navy Secretary Donald Winter with naval special warfare task forces in the Central Command area in October 2007, according to a similar brief. "It's not about flying in from 1,000 miles away, dropping some thousand-pound bombs and leaving," Mullins said. "It's about working with [the ground force], doing the intelligence preparation of the battlespace, doing a [communication] relay, close air support, eyes on target and if there's squirters leaving the target, keeping up with them and tracking them down and doing [bomb damage assessment] at the end." Although Mullins said the project is awaiting funding to move forward, a slide in Mullins' presentation indicated it's sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Naval Air Systems Command and the Navy. "Imminent Fury is a classified Navy initiative to address urgent warfighter needs," said Lt. Sean Robertson, a Navy spokesman at the Pentagon. "Initial developmental testing has been promising, and the Navy is currently conducting discussions with our Joint partners on various courses of action as this initiative moves forward." Mullins delivered an unclassified brief, but details of Imminent Fury remain classified, Robertson said. The Irregular Warfare office, part of the Navy staff at the Pentagon, was established in July under the direction of Adm. Gary Roughead, the chief of naval operations. It's headed by Rear Adm. Mark Kenny, a submariner. "Our goal is to rapidly deliver capabilities and effects," Mullins said. "And we are the CNO's lead for irregular warfare."

Peru Orders Israeli, Russian Anti-Tank Missiles

Peru Orders Israeli, Russian Anti-Tank Missiles

(NSI News Source Info) March 5, 2009: Forecast International relays a report from Chile’s El Mercurio newspaper, which reports that Peru has signed $73 million in contracts for 488 Israeli and Russian anti-tank missiles to equip its armed forces, replacing or supplementing existing wire-guided Russian AT-3B/ 9M14M Sagger and German/Swiss Cobra 2000 missiles.

The Cobra 2000 was a more modern variant introduced in 1968, but the type did not have a good record in combat.

The 1960s-70s era AT-3 Sagger may be the most widely produced anti-tank missile of all time. It had some initial success in Vietnam and the Middle east, but basic countermeasures like suppressive fire spoil its effectiveness. Its most recent revival took place during the 2006 Lebanon War, when it found a more suitable niche with Hezbollah as a cheap, infantry-portable, close-range substitute for precision artillery. Peru’s recent purchases are reportedly an even split. They will buy 244 of Russia’s laser-guided AT-14/ 9M133 Kornet for $25 million. Another 244 of RAFAEL’s dual-mode wire-guided or IIR fire-and-forget Spike missiles will bought for $48 million.

Both missiles are considered to be effective against even modern tanks like Chile’s new Leopard 2A4s, but the Spike missiles have more advanced CLU electronics with built-in training capabilities, and also use an optional fire-and-forget mode. These purchases are part of a larger military modernization plan that plans to invest $650 million through 2011. El Mercurio also reports that Peru’s Army is exploring the option of overhauling its fleet of Russian-built T-55 tanks, which were modern in the early 1960s. New fire control systems and engines were to be installed in 2004 under Proyecto Arrascue, which appears to have re-started.

Israel has considerable experience refurbishing older Soviet tanks, and there are Eastern European, Ukranian, and Russian firms who could all compete for that contract when the time comes.

Swedish Weapons Exports Up 32 Percent Last Year

Swedish Weapons Exports Up 32 Percent Last Year

(NSI News Source Info) STOCKHOLM - March 4, 2009: Swedish weapons and defense exports surged 32 percent in 2008 to 12.7 billion kronor ($1.4 billion, 1.1 billion euros), the Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) said Tuesday. The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a 4.5 generation fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. Gripen International acts as a prime contracting organisation and is responsible for marketing, selling and supporting the Gripen fighter around the world. The aircraft is in service with the Swedish Air Force, the Czech Air Force, the Hungarian Air Force and the South African Air Force, and has been ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force. A total of 236 Gripens have been ordered as of 2008. The increase was attributed mainly to several large sales such as deliveries of the JAS Gripen fighter jet to South Africa, tanks to the Netherlands and Denmark, and the Erieye airborne radar system to Greece and Pakistan. "Of Sweden's total defense materiel exports, about 87 percent went to well-established cooperation partners within the European Union, and to countries such as Australia and the United States," ISP director general Andreas Ekman said in a statement. Exports representing 13 percent of the total value went to about 20 countries, including Pakistan, India, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Chile and Saudi Arabia. According to Swedish news agency TT, Sweden's weapons exports make up almost two percent of the world's overall weapons sales.

Malaysian Second Scorpene SSK Begins Sea Trials

Malaysian Second Scorpene SSK Begins Sea Trials

(NSI News Source Info) February 18, 2009: This submarine will be delivered to the Royal Malaysian Navy in October, one year after it was floated.

On February 11th, Navantia began sea trials in waters off Cartagena of the second Scorpene submarine that the consortium formed by the French company DCNS and NAVANTIA is building for the Royal Malaysian Navy, and which had been christened “Tun Razak”.

The aim of this sortie was to commence checks on the operation of the different equipment that has been installed on the submarine.

This first phase of trials will last until the end of April. After a subsequent period of approximately 3 months during which the submarine will be in dry dock for routine maintenance work, the second phase of sea trials will be performed until October 25 of this year, the date scheduled for delivery of the Tun Razak to the Royal Malaysian Navy.

The Tun Razak submarine was set afloat and christened during a ceremony that took place at NAVANTIA’s shipyard in Cartagena on October 8 last year, which was presided over by their Royal Majesties the King and Queen of Malaysia. The first of the two submarines, named Tunku Abdul Rahman, was delivered to this Asian country’s Navy on January 26 this year in Toulon, France.

The main characteristics of the submarine are:

-- Length overall: 66.4 m.

-- Submerged displacement: 1,700 t

-- Autonomy: 50 days --Crew: 31

Malaysia Takes Delivery of First Submarine / DCNS Hands Over Malaysia’s First Submarine / DCNS Delivers Royal Malaysian Navy’s Very First Submarine

Malaysia Takes Delivery of First Submarine / DCNS Hands Over Malaysia’s First Submarine / DCNS Delivers Royal Malaysian Navy’s Very First Submarine (NSI News Source Info) TOULON, France - January 28, 2009: Today (Jan. 27), DCNS delivered the Royal Malaysian Navy’s first-ever submarine. This on-time delivery follows Malaysia’s decision to set up a submarine force comprising two Scorpene-type conventional-propulsion boats.

The Royal Malaysian Navy took formal delivery of Scorpene submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman at today’s official handover in Toulon. The guests of honour included RMN Chief of Staff Admiral Dato’Sri Aziz Hj Jaafar.

Scorpène class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarine. It features diesel propulsion and an additional air-independent propulsion (AIP), jointly developed by the French company DCNS, formerly DCN, and the Spanish company Navantia (Formerly Bazan, then Izar). The Chilean Navy ordered two Scorpène, which will replace the two Oberon class submarines retired by the Chilean Navy. The Royal Malaysian Navy ordered two, and the Indian Navy ordered six. All will be built in India at Mazagon Dock Limited. In 2008, the Brazilian Navy ordered four Scorpène, in addition to a fifth hull to be fitted with an indigenous nuclear propulsion plant. The Chilean Scorpène class O'Higgins and Carrera were completed in 2005 and 2006, respectively, and are currently the only two in operation.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is the first of two Scorpene submarines ordered by Malaysia in June 2002 and developed jointly by DCNS and Spanish naval shipbuilder Navantia. In addition to the submarines proper, the contract calls for associated logistics and training. The submariners have been training in the Naval Training Center of DCI/NAVFCO since 2005, among a total of 146 Malaysians.

This major milestone for the RMN follows the completion, in late December 2008, of KD Tunku Abdul Rahman’s final sea trials demonstrating remarkable operational and combat system capabilities. These trials included successful firings of Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes and missiles.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia early in the second half of 2009. The second of the series, KD Tun Razak, is scheduled for delivery in late 2009. Manned by Malaysian crews of just 31, the boats offer an endurance of 45 days for a displacement of 1,550 tonnes and a length overall of 67.5 metres.

Scorpene represents the state of the art in submarine design and construction and benefits from the latest technologies developed for nuclear-powered classes operated by the French Navy, particularly as regards acoustic discretion and combat system performance. Excellent endurance makes the Scorpene one of the few medium-displacement designs suitable for extended ocean patrol duties. The modular design can also be readily tailored to each customer’s specific mission profiles and other requirements.

This programme confirms DCNS’s know-how as a leading prime contractor for sophisticated warship programmes. With ten units ordered to date (two for Chile, two for Malaysia and six for India), Scorpene is truly an international benchmark in SSK design.

The DCNS Group is one of Europe’s leading players on the world market for naval defence systems. To meet customer demands for more comprehensive and integrated systems, DCNS acts as prime contractor for naval shipbuilding, integration and support by combining its own development, marketing and production capabilities with those of selected partners. To manage the complexity of such projects, the Group draws on in-house expertise in naval architecture and systems engineering, ship assembly and integration and equipment design and production, as well as through-life support.

The DCNS Group employs 13,000 people and generates annual revenues of around €2.8 billion. DCI/NAVFCO has, since its creation, trained over 13 000 officers, naval engineers, submarine officer and specialists. Its services, which are accredited by the French Navy, are adapted to the special naval and aero-naval requirements of its client countries.