DTN News: Russian, French Warships To Hold Exercises Sept. 3-6

DTN News: Russian, French Warships To Hold Exercises Sept. 3-6

Source: DTN News / Ria Novosti

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - August 25, 2010: Russia's Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser will take part in a joint exercise with French warships on September 3-6, a Russian Navy spokesman said on Wednesday. The warships will practice joint maneuvers at sea, replenishment of supplies, ship-to-ship transfer of goods, and helicopter landings. The Pyotr Veliky is on its way to the Northern Fleet's base in Severomorsk after the Vostok 2010 exercises in Russia's Far East.

Related News *Pyotr Veliky cruiser, INS Trishul to hold exercises in Arabian Sea *The battle-cruiser Pyotr Veliky *Russia's Pyotr Veliky missile cruiser to make port call in Syria *Russia's Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered cruiser crosses English Channel Multimedia *Pyotr Veliky – flagship of the Northern Fleet *Medvedev on board the heavy nuclear-powered cruiser Pyotr Veliky *Russia's Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered cruiser sails on mission in Indian Ocean *Crew of Pyotr Veliky searches suspicious vessels *Pyotr Veliky celebrates 12th birthday on high seas

DTN News: French Defense Ministry Orders Two Eurocopter EC225 Helicopters For Search And Rescue Missions

DTN News: French Defense Ministry Orders Two Eurocopter EC225 Helicopters For Search And Rescue Missions *Eurocopter, a subsidiary of EADS and the world's leading helicopter manufacturer, is pleased to announce the purchase of two EC225s by the French Defense Ministry for the country's navy.

*Source: DTN News / EADS N.V. (NSI News Source Info) MARIGNANE, France - December 10, 2009: The two EC225s ordered by the French Armament Procurement Agency (DGA) will be the first to be operated by the French Navy.

The helicopters, which will be used to perform search and rescue (SAR) missions off the coast of Brittany, are slated for delivery in the first half of 2010 and will be assigned to the Lanvéoc naval air station in the Finistère region.

They are destined to replace the navy's Super-Frelon helicopters, which are near the end of their service life, and will be operated until such time as the first NH90 NFH helicopters enter service at the base in late 2011. "We are extremely pleased that the DGA continues to place its confidence in Eurocopter products," declared Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling. "Since it was first launched, the EC225 has been selected in nearly every tender in which it was a candidate. This helicopter has quickly become the reference for sea SAR missions around the world."

The many operators who count on the EC225 for SAR missions testify to its success: South Korea's national rescue agency, the Chinese Ministry of Transport, the Japanese Coast Guard, as well as the large commercial operators servicing oil and gas platforms in the North Sea, Bering Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

The EC225 was designed from the outset with SAR missions in mind. The twin-engine helicopter has an entirely redesigned five-blade rotor system and a maximum takeoff weight of 11 metric tons. Its extremely low vibration levels are unparalleled in the industry, and make it possible to fly long missions without tiring out flight crews.

Amongst its many possible mission scenarios, the EC225 is capable of rescuing ten people within a range of 300 NM. Another outstanding feature of the EC225 is its automatic pilot, which is the only one of its kind in the world. It includes advanced modes specifically developed for SAR operations, and offers extraordinary capabilities for maneuvering into hover flight positions and maintaining them.

It is so precise that it can hold the helicopter's position above a ship at sea down to an accuracy of one meter. The EC225 is also the only helicopter in the world that offers automatic engine failure controls, whether it be during takeoff, cruise flight or hoisting operations.

These features are crucial for flight safety and allow flight crews to perform more effective missions—even in the extreme operating conditions often confronted by sea SAR teams. About Eurocopter Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2008, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.5 billion Euros, orders for 715 new helicopters, and a 53 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors.

Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres.

More than 10,000 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

DTN News: Russia In Talks On Buying French Warship

DTN News: Russia In Talks On Buying French Warship *Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - August 5, 2009: Russia is discussing the purchase of a French Mistral-class amphibious assault ship worth between 300 and 400 million euros ($430-580 mln), a high-ranking source close to the talks said Tuesday. The first of the Mistral amphibious assault ship (LHD) was commissioned in 2006. Two of these ships are in service with the French Navy, named Mistral and Tonnerre. The third ship will be ordered in 2009 and forth is planned. Primary mission for these ships are amphibious landing operations. They also provide command and force projection capability. The Mistral class vessels are the largest combatants in the French Navy service after the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. They replaced the Ouragan class LSDs. The new vessel uses four mechanized landing craft (LCM) or two hovercraft (LCAC) in the stern deck to deliver troops and vehicles ashore. It can carry a full tank battalion with up to 40 Leclerc MBTs, or up to 70 lighter vehicles. Ship provides accommodation for 450 marines, however surge capacity is 900. The Mistral class LHD has six helicopter landing spots. Up to 16 medium (NH90, Tigre) or 35 light helicopters can be carried and stored in the hangar deck. It is worth mentioning that every helicopter, operated by the French military, can land on these ships. Currently this class can not operate V/STOVL aircraft, as it has got no ski-jump bow associated equipment. Ships are equipped with 69-bed hospitals, furthermore hangar can also be converted into a modular field hospital. The Mistral class can be deployed as command and control vessels. Command center can host up to 150 personnel. Vessel is armed with two Simbad launchers for Mistral surface-to-air missiles and two 30-mm Breda-Mauser guns. The Mistral class uses new propulsion technology, which gives ships significant maneuvering capabilities. It is an all-electric warship. Power is generated by four diesel generators, providing 20.8 MW. These vessels have a range of 10 700 nautical miles (20 000 km) at 14 knots. "Such talks are being held at the level of experts; the Russian side is represented by the Navy, the United Shipbuilding Corporation, and plants' representatives. In September we will provide a final conclusion for the Russian Defense Ministry," the source told RIA Novosti. Earlier a French business daily, La Tribune, said Russia is planning to purchase a Mistral class assault ship from France. The purchase, if successful, would be the first large-scale arms import deal concluded by Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia first expressed an interest in bilateral cooperation with France in naval equipment and technology in 2008, when Navy chief Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky visited the Euronaval 2008 arms show in France. The admiral said at the time that the Russian Navy was interested in "joint research and also direct purchases of French naval equipment." According to military sources, the possibility of buying a Mistral class amphibious assault ship was discussed at the naval show in St. Petersburg in June this year. A Mistral class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 vehicles including 13 main battle tanks, and 450 soldiers. The ship is equipped with a 69-bed hospital. The Russian Kommersant business daily confirmed on Tuesday the possibility of the deal, but said Russian military experts were skeptical about it. "The Russian Navy lacks the means to finance even the production of corvettes and missile boats, let alone the purchase of large combat ships," the paper quoted Mikhail Barabanov, science editor of the Eksport Vooruzheny (Arms Export) journal, as saying. Ruslan Pukhov, director of the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, said "although the practice of arms imports will become more common in Russia in the future, the Mistral deal is rather questionable from a military standpoint, as well as Russia's hopes for the transfer of advanced technologies from France." Russia's current weapons procurement program through 2015 does not envision construction or purchases of large combat ships, so the possible acquisition of a French Mistral class ship is most likely to happen under the new program for the years up to 2020, which is still in the development.

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY June 27, 2009 - Did Pakistani Spies Kill 11 French Naval Engineers?

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY June 27, 2009 - Did Pakistani Spies Kill 11 French Naval Engineers? *Sources: DTN News / Times By Bruce Crumley ~ Paris Friday, Jun. 26, 2009 (Click here)

(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - June 27, 2009: When, in May 2002, suicide bombers attacked a bus in Karachi in southern Pakistan and killed 11 French naval engineers, most officials believed it was the work of radicals tied to al-Qaeda. Although no such group ever took credit for the attack, the jihadist theory has long remained the one favored by authorities in both Pakistan and France. But now French authorities are turning to far less conventional — and more controversial — suspicions: that the strike may have been organized by members of Pakistan's military and intelligence services, as revenge for France cutting off millions of dollars in kickback payments promised in a 1994 submarine deal.

A bus sits in ruins after an explosion in Karachi, Pakistan on May 8, 2002.

"This theory is being considered as the most likely, especially now that all the other plausible explanations have been seriously undermined," says a French counter-terrorism official who has knowledge of France's inquiry into the Karachi bombing. "Investigations in France have produced written evidence and testimony that kickbacks to Pakistani authorities had been agreed upon, paid, then unilaterally terminated from Paris. That theoretically provides the Pakistani authorities involved with a motive for an attack — meaning we now have to see if that can be fully substantiated." (See pictures of a Jihadist's journey from Pakistan.) French counter-terrorism officials have for months been privately airing their growing skepticism about jihadist responsibility for the 2002 attack. It wasn't until last week, however, that word leaked to the press that the specialized investigating magistrates handling the case in France appeared to have all but abandoned the al-Qaeda theory. On June 19, lawyers representing families of the bombing's French victims told reporters they'd received a briefing earlier that day by judges Yves Jannier and Marc Trévidic describing the scenario of Pakistani officials having organized the strike as credible, and citing supporting evidence obtained over the course of France's inquiry into the attack. This new theory hinges on a change in French government as the possible trigger. In 1994, Paris signed a $1 billion deal to sell and assemble Agosta submarines to Pakistan; a year later, the cabinet of newly elected President Jacques Chirac decided to start holding back payment of some $33 million in kickbacks that had been promised to Pakistani officials who had helped secure the contract. French security officials tell TIME that last year French investigators obtained documents and testimonies by people involved with the transaction showing that after those funds were retained, Pakistani officials who were designated in the contract to receive "commissions" for their help repeatedly insisted they be paid. By 2000, when France applied an international anti-corruption convention banning kickbacks, Paris could truthfully claim it was unable to pay such "commissions" without breaking the law. (Read: "France's Chirac Under Investigation.") That, some French authorities now believe, is when some Pakistani officials got mad. The authorities suspect that members of Pakistan's overlapping military, intelligence and political circles decided to settle their score by symbolically targeting the French submarine engineers tied to the contract. Then they allegedly manipulated extremists whom Pakistan has long been accused of supporting to carry out the attack in order to maintain plausible deniability. "[Investigators] have now established that these contracted commissions had become a major point of dispute, and are now trying to see if they were the motive for whomever ordered the bus carrying the French engineers to be bombed," the French counter-terrorism official says. "Right now, retaliation for the undelivered payments to Pakistani officials is seen as the strongest theory there is." Skeptics ask what Pakistani officials would gain by killing the French workers. They still wouldn't get their money, since France presumably wouldn't be bullied into paying up in response to such an outrageous attack. French officials say the logic of the attack would have been similar to Mafia hits on outstanding debtors: to make an example of someone deemed unlikely to pay up, and thereby send a message that others will understand while officially being able to point the finger at another culprit. (Read: "Busting the Sicilian Mafia's Board of Directors.") After news of the French investigators' suspicions broke last week, Pakistan's media carried a cascade of official denials from leaders, while Farah Ispahani, spokeswoman for President Ali Zardari, qualified the allegation as "farcical at best." In France, President Nicolas Sarkozy — who was economy minister at the time the submarine contract was signed — responded with outrage. "This is ridiculous. Grotesque," Sarkozy told reporters. "We have to respect the grief of the families. Who would ever believe such a tale?" (See pictures of Sarkozy in the U.K.) Pakistan continues to note that its own investigation into the bombing — which killed the highest number of Westerners yet in a single attack on Pakistani soil — traced it directly to jihadists. Following several months of inquiries, Pakistani police arrested seven suspected members of Harkat-ul Mujahideen al-Alaami, a group described as an offshoot of the Harkat-ul Mujahideen currently waging jihad in Kashmir. Three men were convicted and tried for organizing the Karachi attack, which Pakistani officials said was retaliation for the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan. But French officials ridicule Pakistan's inquiry, saying it contained countless errors and ignored all leads that didn't conveniently point to the usual suspects in a post-9/11 world. Because of that, one French security official tells TIME, the entire Pakistani case "seemed to be out to justify the obvious suspicion of jihadist responsibility, rather than studying the evidence to find out who else might have been behind the bombing". And the Pakistani courts seem to agree. Last month, two of the principle suspects in the attack saw their earlier convictions and death sentences overturned on appeal. A third man who had also been convicted in the case is awaiting appeal. The implosion of Pakistan's case has further stoked French allegations that the actual goal of the investigation was to hand France plausible culprits while diverting attention from the real plotters. But an article in Thursday's daily Libération indicates Pakistan had some help in that, claiming key French officials themselves long discounted indicators that the attack had directly targeted people linked to the submarine contract as they focused on al-Qaeda connections. (See pictures of Osama Bin Laden.) If true, that makes Sarkozy's rush to discredit the latest theory even more puzzling. Some French security officials have a possible explanation for the president's reaction: his concern that it could complicate his efforts to do away with France's independent investigative magistrates and entrust all inquiries to public prosecutors appointed by politicians — which, critics say, would make them more likely to intervene in sensitive cases out of political concern rather than in the pursuit of justice. But for now, the country's independent investigators are pushing politics aside in their search for justice for the Karachi attacks — even if it means rocking Franco-Pakistani relations to their core. — With reporting by Aryn Baker / Kabul Read: "Pakistan: A Mounting Problem for Obama." See pictures of a Pakistan police academy under fire.

DTN News: French Navy Orders 2nd Barracuda Nuclear Attack Submarine From DCNS

DTN News: French Navy Orders 2nd Barracuda Nuclear Attack Submarine From DCNS

*Sources: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - June 27, 2009: The Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA) signed a contract June 26 with DCNS and Areva-TA for a second Barracuda nuclear attack submarine, as part of a six-boat program worth a total of 7.9 billion euros ($11.1 billion), the French Defense Ministry said in a statement. The Barracuda is the next-generation SNA (Sous-marins nucléaires d'attaque - Nuclear Attack Submarine). Much like their predecessors, Barracuda-class SNA will have an anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare role, with the ability to launch cruise-missiles. They will primarily be tasked with ensuring the safety of the Strategic Oceanic Force, conducting carrier group escorts and power-projection. In addition to anti-surface and anti-submarine capabilities, the Barracuda will accommodate intelligence gathering and the deployment of special forces and carry MDCN cruise missiles providing a land strike capability. The payload of 20 tube-launched weapons will comprise a mix of future heavyweight torpedoes, cruise missiles and SM39 anti-ship missiles. Barracuda-class SNA will be armed with cruise-missiles planned for future Multi-Missions European Frigates (FREMM), the future heavy torpedo (FTL) which will replace the F17 torpedo, the SM 39 anti-surface missile(exocet family), and the FG 29 mine. The Barracuda-class SNA will be, like the Rubis-class SNA it is meant to replace, nuclear-powered. The powerplant will be built by Technicatome. The nuclear reactor is derived from the models used on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and SNLE submarines. It is meant to allow for a sustained speed of 22 knots for more than 20 days. Construction Program DCN has primary responsibility for the design and construction of the Barracuda-class submarines. The hull and final componene integration will be completed at the Cherbourg shipyard. Propulsion work will be conducted at the DCN's factory at Indret while combat systems will be overseen at the Toulon plant. The Barracuda-class submarines are meant to eventually replace the Rubis-class submarines once these start reaching the end of their useful life between 2012 and 2023. The future attack-submarine program was launched by the French Minister of Defense on 14 October 1998. The design-phase of the Barracuda-class SNA program began in June 2002 with the start of the development phase expected to begin in 2005. In October 2003 the French Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) awarded a contract to Thales Underwater Systems for an integrated sonar system for the nuclear ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) Le Terrible, the fourth ship of the Le Triomphant class. The same sonar system will be used by the new Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarines (SSN), destined to replace Rubis and Amethyste class submarines between 2012 and 2022. The new sonar is to be a part of the Barracuda class integrated combat system. Six submarines were expected to be produced, with delivery starting in 2015. Production of six Barracuda-class submarines was expected to begin around 2012 with a rate of production of one submarine every two years. As of late 2006 the first Barracuda SSN was scheduled for delivery in 2016. On 22 December 2006 French defence procurement agency DGA announced that it has awarded the Barracuda SSN contract to the DCN group and partner Areva-TA. The contract calls for the delivery of six new-generation nuclear-powered attack submarines, or SSNs, and through-life support services during their first years of operational service. "Defense Minister Hervé Morin announced the order for the second Barracuda nuclear attack submarine," the statement said. "The Barracuda program, which envisages the delivery of six submarines between 2017 and 2028, is worth 7.9 billion euros and will supply work to thousands of workers through its production life." A first cutting of metal took place June 26 on the second boat at the DCNS Cherbourg submarine facility, the company said in a separate statement. "The Barracuda program is one of the most important in the renewal of French naval forces," the company said. The boats will replace the Rubis/Amethyst class and will allow missions such as intelligence gathering, deployment of special forces, mining of waters, combat against surface ships and anti-submarine warfare, DCNS said. The boat will be armed with a naval cruise missile, the future F21 Artemis heavy torpedo and SM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles. Assembly of the first-of-class boat Suffren began June 26 with the welding together of the first two large sections in the rear of the hull, the ministry said. DCNS is prime contractor on the Barracuda program, with Areva-TA in charge of the nuclear propulsion. The DGA ordered the Suffren in December 2006 with a first payment of 1.26 billion euros. The payment schedule on the Suffren contract included a second stage payment of 600 million euros in 2007 and 860 million in 2008, totaling 2.72 billion euros. That amount covered the cost of development and construction of the first boat. At 1.3 billion euros, the price of the Suffren was among the cheapest nuclear attack submarines to be built, DGA program director Thierry Perard told reporters at the time. Subsequent orders were due to be made every two years. Jean-Marie Poimbeouf, then-CEO of DCNS, said on Dec. 23, 2006, that the Barracuda program ensured 20 years of work for industry and engaged more than 100 companies.

DTN News: French Navy Breguet Atlantique Reconnaissance Aircraft Over Atlantic Waters For Air France Airbus A330

DTN News: French Navy Breguet Atlantique Reconnaissance Aircraft Over Atlantic Waters For Air France Airbus A330

(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - June 2, 2009: Picture taken on January 6, 2003 of a French Navy Breguet Atlantique 2 reconnaissance aircraft flying over the waters off the coast of the red sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in search for the wreckage of the doomed Egyptian Flash Airlines' Boeing 737-300 aircraft.

Two French military planes a Breguet Atlantique 2 and a Falcon 50 take part in searches over remote Atlantic waters on June 2, 2009 for the Air France Airbus A330 that vanished early June 1, with 228 people on board.

DTN News: Indian Navy To Atlantic, For First Anti-Sub War Games

DTN News: Indian Navy To Atlantic, For First Anti-Sub War Games (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI - May 31, 2009: The Indian Navy is sending warships of its western fleet to the Atlantic Ocean for the first time for anti-submarine drills with the British and the French, continuing with its strategy of long-reach deployments despite the demands of coastal security after 26/11. INS Delhi (D61) is the name-ship of the Delhi class destroyers of the Indian Navy. She was built at the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai (Bombay) and was commissioned on 15 November 1997. Her class is the largest class of warship to built in India. The Delhi class is a hybrid of Soviet and Western designs, incorporating elements of the Sovremenny class destroyer, the Rajput class (Kashin-II) destroyer, and the Godavari class frigate. The main gun at the bow of the ship is a 100mm gun supplied by Russia. The ship is also fitted with four six-barrel AK-630 gatling guns. The ship is equipped with four quad launchers for the Uran anti-ship missile system. The Uran system launches the Kh-35 (NATO designation SS-N-25) Four ships — the INS Delhi, the INS Beas, the INS Brahmaputra and the fleet tanker, INS Aditya — will engage the Royal Navy and the French Navy in separate war games involving nuclear-powered submarines in the eastern Atlantic in June and July. “Yes, there is a change in our deployment pattern. While coastal defence is important we believe in a constructive engagement, and pooling in of information and deployments to Europe and the Far East are in keeping with this strategy,” a navy spokesperson said. In March and April, ships from the eastern fleet were deployed in China, Japan and South Korea. But the Indian Navy is also looking at the drills with the British and the French navies because of the nature of the exercise. The Indian Navy is eager to gain knowledge on nuclear-powered submarines but it does not have one of its own. China’s People Liberation Army-Navy is expanding with the acquisition of such submarines (SSNs). The Royal Navy and the French Navy will be deploying two SSNs in the war games — Konkan ’09 (with the British) and the Varuna ’09 (with the French). Nuclear-powered submarines have longer underwater endurance and their sound signatures are recorded differently from conventional diesel-electric submarines in the SONAR detection equipment. The British will be deploying the HMS Trafalgar nuclear-powered submarine in the exercise between June 20 and June 25. They will also be deploying two guided missile frigates, the HMS Westminster and the HMS Lancaster, two auxiliaries, the RFA Fort Rosalie and the RFA Mounts Bay, Merlin and Lynx helicopters, Falcon and Hawk fighter aircraft and a Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft. With the French, the western fleet is likely to have a deeper engagement. The Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Vice-admiral S.P.S Cheema, is likely to visit Brest, the headquarters of the French Navy’s Atlantic command, during the exercise from June 30 to July 4. The Varuna ’09 will involve “high-end anti-submarine exercises”. The navy spokesperson said the Indian Navy was also studying the French coastal security model. The French would deploy the nuclear-powered submarine Emeraude, a guided missile destroyer, the Primaguet, a guided missile frigate, the Lieutenant de Vaisseau le Henaff, Atlantiue II long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, Lynx helicopters, Rafale and Super Entendard fighter aircraft. A second reason for deploying so far away, a naval officer said, was that the Indian Navy was gradually looking at a situation in which it would have to operate with western navies in foreign waters. In some ways that kind of a situation had already emerged in waters off Somalia, where the Indian Navy had to coordinate at a ship-to-ship level with other navies in anti-piracy patrols.

French Forces Captured Somali Pirates On High Seas

French Forces Captured Somali Pirates On High Seas

(NSI News Source Info) May 1, 2009: French soldiers inspect the boat that held three pirates who where captured early this morning and taken to the french warship "Nivose", in the North Seychelles area of Indian Ocean, on April 30, 2009, as part of the EU's Atalante anti-piracy naval mission. Somali pirates are currently holding at least 16 ships and more than 250 seamen for ransom. Attacks surged this month as calm seas allowed them to approach their prey more easily and dodge the increasing naval presence in the region.

World powers have vowed tough action against rampant piracy off Somalia coastline, which has disrupted commercial traffic in the Gulf of Aden, a major world maritime trade route.

Somali Pirates Vow Revenge After Captain Rescued

Somali Pirates Vow Revenge After Captain Rescued

(NSI News Source Info) MOGADISHU, Somalia - April 13, 2009: Somali pirates on Monday vowed to retaliate for the deaths of three colleagues who were shot dead by U.S. Navy snipers hours before in a daring nighttime assault that freed a 53-year-old American captain. A US Navy April 12, 2009 handout photo shows Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips (R), stands alongside Lt. Cmdr. David Fowler, commanding officer of USS Bainbridge after being rescued by U.S Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia. Philips was held hostage for four days by pirates. The Navy Seals late Sunday rescued freighter Capt. Richard Phillips, who had been held by pirates on a lifeboat that drifted in the Indian Ocean for five days. "Every country will be treated the way it treats us," said Abdullahi Lami, one of the pirates holding a Greek ship anchored in the pirate den of Gaan, a central Somali town. "In the future, America will be the one mourning and crying," he told The Associated Press by telephone. "We will retaliate for the killings of our men." He gave no details and it was not clear in what way the pirates could retaliate, though some fear they could take their revenge on the hundreds of other foreign nationals they hold on seized ships. The rescue dealt a blow to pirates who regularly seize passing ships and hold them captive until multimillion dollar ransoms are paid. But it is unlikely to help quell the region's growing pirate threat, which has turned the Gulf of Aden and the waterways along Somalia's coast into some of the most dangerous shipping lanes on the planet. Pirates currently hold more than a dozen foreign ships, most moored along the Horn of Africa nation's long coast, with about 230 foreign sailors from Russia to the Philippines. The American rescue followed a similar operation Friday carried out by French navy commandos, who stormed a pirate-held sailboat, the Tanit, in a shootout at sea that killed two pirates and freed four French hostages. The French owner of the vessel was also killed in the assault. Residents of the Somali town of Harardhere said tensions were growing there. Abdullahi Haji Jama, who owns a clothing store in the town, said: "We fear that the pirates may retaliate against the foreign nationals they are holding." But he also said people feared "any revenge taken by the pirates against foreign nationals could bring more attacks from the foreign navies, perhaps on our villages." Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said the American operation "could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it." Jamac Habeb, a 30-year-old self-proclaimed pirate, told The Associated Press that the three pirates' deaths were "a painful experience." Speaking from the pirate hub, Eyl, he added: "this will be a good lesson for us." "From now on, if we capture foreign ships and their respective countries try to attack us, we will kill them," Habeb said. "Now they became our number one enemy," he said of U.S. forces. So far, at least, it has been rare for Somali pirates to harm captive foreign crews. Several years ago, a crew member of a Taiwanese fishing boat hijacked for six months was killed by pirates, but no reason was given but it appeared to be an isolated incident, according to Noel Choong, who heads the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. No reason was given but it appeared to be an isolated incident, he said. Somalia has been engulfed in fighting and anarchy since the 1991 overthrow of Siad Barre, and remains today a country with no effective government, a nation ruled by tribal clans. The piracy scourge appears to have evolved partly out of an attempt by Somali fishermen to protect their waters against illegal foreign trawlers who were destroying their livelihoods. Some of the vigilantes morphed into pirates, lured by the large profits they could win in ransoms. Somalia's prime minister welcomed the U.S. Navy's operation Sunday. "The Somali government wanted the drama to end in a peaceful way, but anyone who is involved in this latest case had the choice to use violence or other means," Abdulkhadir Walayo, the prime minister's spokesman, told The Associated Press. "Anyway, we see it will be a good lesson for the pirates or anyone else involved in this dirty business." Pirates were defiant though, vowing the events would not stop them form seizing more ships. One pirate vowed the events would not stop them from targeting more ships. "The mere killing of three and capturing one will not make us change our mind," said one pirate holding a German ship anchored in the Somali town of Harardhere who refused to give his name. "We are determined to continue our business regardless of the recent killings and arrests."

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

Did France's Secrecy Cause A Nuclear Submarine Collision?

Did France's Secrecy Cause A Nuclear Submarine Collision? (NSI News Source Info) February 17, 2009: A collision between a British nuclear-powered submarine carrying multiple nuclear warheads and a French nuclear submarine armed with a similar payload may have been the result of lack of communication between France and NATO nations, according to a former British submarine commander whose revelations were partially corroborated by an official at the French navy.The vessels are manufactured by DCN and have a capacity of 16 M51 SLBM missiles manufactured by Aerospatiale (now EADS Astrium Space Transportation.) The French Navy's goal is to operate a force of four SSBNs (as with the Royal Navy's Vanguard fleet), of which two are on patrol at any given time. *Triomphant : Construction began on 9 June 1989; she was launched on 26 March 1994, and entered active service on 21 March 1997. *Téméraire : Construction began on 18 December 1993; she was launched on 21 January 1998, and entered active service on 23 December 1999. *Vigilant : Construction began in 1997; she was launched on 19 September 2003, and entered active service on 26 November 2004. *Terrible : Construction began on 24 October 2000 was launched on 21 March 2008. She is expected to enter active service by 2010. Sometime on Feb. 3 or 4, the British HMS Vanguard and France's Le Triomphant collided in the mid-Atlantic. The accident probably happened because the two submarines were not aware of each other. NATO operates a traffic control system that alerts allied nations to the deployment zones of friendly submarines. The system is designed to avoid collisions. But because France is not part of NATO's military command structure, it does not provide information on the location of its mobile nuclear arms to that system, according to Julian Ferguson, who commanded one of Britain's four V-class nuclear submarines until retiring in 2006. "There is a system for operating areas that are reserved for American, British, Norwegian, Dutch and Canadian communities and if you want to go into someone's area of influence you tell them what you are doing. But if you are not in the NATO military structure you don't have to do that," says Ferguson. The French Navy confirmed to TIME that it does not give the positions of its nuclear armed submarines to NATO forces: "France does not supply any information regarding the position of its nuclear arms or submarines carrying them, because France considers its nuclear arsenal the most vital element in its defense capabilities," says Jérome Erulin, spokesman for France's Navy. NATO sources told TIME that France is not alone in withholding information about nuclear-armed submarines — the Brits and Americans keep the location of their strategic deterrent secret too. In a prepared statement, a NATO spokesman said: "France uses the same procedures with regard to its submarine fleet as all other allies." But Ferguson says the French are particularly secretive due to their position outside NATO's command structure. And past policy-level discussions suggest a concern over a lack of communication. In 1994, Britain and France discussed closer co-operation between their navies and a possible carve-up of deployment zones for their nuclear submarine patrols. It took until September 2000 for arrangements to be formalized in the U.K.-French Bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement. That agreement called for port visits for British and French nuclear-armed submarines and regular exchanges on nuclear policy. But it's unclear whether it included the exchange of information about nuclear armed submarine positioning, and many arms experts say it probably did not. "The fact that the collision occurred at all indicates that the two allies need to talk more," says Hans Kristensen, who monitors NATO's weapons for the federation of American scientists. While the intersection of two sonar-equipped nuclear submarines in a vast ocean may seem an unlikely event even without communication, there are environmental anomalies in the Atlantic that make a collision more likely, according to Ferguson. Submarines on a deterrent mission, for instance, tend to congregate in places where they are unlikely to be found by other submarines and spy-planes. "There are oceanographic factors in which you can be on either side of an ocean front where the temperature is slightly different on your side than the others. Where the gulf stream comes across the Atlantic is a prime point of this. Sometimes these barriers can be quite hard — no sound penetrates at all. And if your business is hiding than you would hide in that vicinity. There is an added risk that given the environmental factors maybe you don't hear another submarine in time to do something about it." The multiple, city-destroying warheads on the French and British submarines are not at risk of detonation from collision, Ferguson said. But had a nuclear reactor been damaged on either boat, it could have poisoned the crew and spread radioactive waste for miles across the Atlantic. If in fact the collision could have been prevented by better communication between France and NATO, the revelation comes at a politically sensitive time: France is set to re-join NATO's military infrastructure in April. Its secrecy policy on the location of its nuclear-armed subs could come under fire before then, especially as the French say they will not budge on the issue. Explains Erulin of the French Navy: "Because this is so essential to France's strategic defense interests, this is something that will be maintained even after French is fully reintegrated into NATO's military command structure."

Thales Wins Radar Contract For New British Carriers / United Kingdom Selects Thales’s S1850M Radar For New Aircraft Carriers

Thales Wins Radar Contract For New British Carriers / United Kingdom Selects Thales’s S1850M Radar For New Aircraft Carriers

(NSI News Source Info) HENGELO, Netherlands - February 13, 2009: Thales Nederland has formalised a contract with BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies Limited for two S1850M Long Range Volume Search Radars to be installed on the new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy.

The carriers are being built by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance comprising the UK Ministry of Defence, BVT Surface Fleet, Babcock Marine, BAE Systems and Thales.

The first radar system is scheduled to be delivered during 2011 and the second radar system in 2013. The scope includes minor enhancements to the earlier Type 45 design to meet the specific needs of aircraft carrier operation.

BACKGROUND NOTES:

The S1850M surveillance radar is based on Thales's SMART-L radar and was previously delivered to the Type 45 vessels for the UK Royal Navy and the Horizon class vessels of the French and Italian Navies, in a collaboration between BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies Limited and Thales Nederland.

The system is capable of 3D long range automatic detection, track initiation and tracking of air targets. Its performance has been demonstrated in many tests and the system has proven to be capable of detecting stealth targets in high clutter environments.

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide.

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

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.

French Navy Orders Exocet Block 3 Missiles / Exocet Block 3 Missiles for French Navy / DGA Orders Exocet Block IIIs / MBDA To Upgrade 45 Exocet......

French Navy Orders Exocet Block 3 Missiles / Exocet Block 3 Missiles for French Navy / DGA Orders Exocet Block IIIs / MBDA To Upgrade 45 Exocet Block 2 To Block 3 Missile Standard For French Navy (NSI News Source Info) January 21, 2009: The French defence procurement agency, Délégation Générale pour l’Armement (DGA), in late December awarded a contract to MBDA for the upgrade to Block 3 standard of 45 Exocet Block 2 anti-ship missiles belonging to the French Navy. (MBDA will upgrade an initial batch of French MM40 Exocet anti-ship missiles to Block 3 standard, which doubles the range and adds GPS guidance. MBDA photo) The upgraded missiles will be delivered in 2011 and 2012. This order is a result of the development contract for the Exocet MM40 Block 3 awarded in January 2004. DGA qualified the new version missile in April 2008. These missiles will arm the Horizon-class frigates, on which modifications to allow Block 3 integration were also completed in 2008. In future, the MM40 Block 3 will also become the main anti-ship weapon of the FREMM multi-mission frigates. Modifications of the Block 3 Exocet mainly consist in replacing the solid fuel motors fitted to previous versions by a turbojet, and the integration of state-of-the art avionics, including a GPS receiver. These modifications double the missile’s range and allow it to modify its angle of attack to the target, and to engage targets it the littoral zone by designating them using their geographical coordinates.