DTN News - 'COBRA GOLD' MILITARY EXERCISE: China Takes Part In Asia's Largest Military Drill

DTN News - 'COBRA GOLD' MILITARY EXERCISE: China Takes Part In Asia's Largest Military Drill

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

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 24, 2015: For the first time, China is taking part in Asia’s largest military exercise. The annual drill, "Cobra Gold", will involve more than 9,000 troops from the U.S. and six other countries from the region. They will participate in military, humanitarian and civic activities in various parts of Thailand until February 21st.

When the 33rd "Cobra Gold" multinational military exercise is over in a few days time, more than 50 families of Wat Ta Takien School in Thailand's province of Phitsanulok would be extremely happy. They will have a new one-storey multipurpose building for their children. It will be the outcome of four-week joint effort of Chinese, U.S. and Thai soldiers as part of engineering civic assistance projects under this year's exercise.

"There are no boundaries between the nations participating in this military exercise in terms of providing assistance to civilians. Having different nations work together gives us a chance to get to know each other and gain more knowledge," said Yang Bin of the People's Liberation Army.

For the local Thais, this would be the most tangible result of the region's largest military exercise.

China has been an observer in "Cobra Gold" since 2002 but has never taken part in the exercises until now. Although the role of the Chinese troops is limited to humanitarian drills, including providing engineering support and medical aid, many believe that their participation will boost military relations between China and ASEAN.

"In terms of cooperation between the military of the super powers, the U.S. and China, the operating personnel have developed good relationships with each other," said Col. Charnchai Romyen of Royal Thai Army. "With eight countries participating, the exercise will increase regional security, which I think is a great start."

Over the past three decades, "Cobra Gold" has evolved to include disaster relief and rescue operations.

While the ravages of tsunamis, earthquakes and floods have focused much of "Cobra Gold" on practicing humanitarian assistance efforts in recent years, simulated precision strikes and live fire exercises are a reminder of what militaries have always been designed to do. 
And this may see China's participation in the coming years ahead go through a transformation process to deeper and more challenging roles.

Related Images of 'COBRA GOLD' MILITARY EXERCISE;

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources CCTV News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News: Thailand Outlines Plan For Indigenous UAV Family / Thailand To Develop Homegrown UAVs For Air Force

DTN News: Thailand Outlines Plan For Indigenous UAV Family / Thailand To Develop Homegrown UAVs For Air Force *Source: DTN News / Defense Media (NSI News Source Info) BANGKOK, Thailand - November 7, 2009: Thailand's Ministry of Defence is to launch a programme to design and manufacture a squadron of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for the Royal Thai Air Force. The project will be implemented in three phases. "Aerial reconnaissance plays the most important role in data collection for commander decisions, and has a major impact in a mission's success," it says. "To deploy aircraft, pilots and crew over dangerous conflict areas is a risky and costly operation. Modern and advanced UAV technology will help to reduce that risk and cost." The ministry adds that "UAV procurement, together with research work, will help prepare for mission and personnel readiness. This will also help acquire the technology to help the Royal Thai Air Force to establish a UAV squadron." There are three objectives to the UAV programme, the ministry says. The first is to buy and develop smaller UAVs and associated equipment. Next, it wants to begin research and development into medium and large UAVs. Finally, it aims to reduce its dependence on imports by having an indigenous capability. In the first phase small UAVs will be acquired and developed, moving on to medium and large unmanned systems in the second phase and finally the ability to produce UAVs domestically will reduce or elimintate the need for imports. In the small UAV category, the nation plans to build aircraft capable of flying on 1.5-hour missions over a distance of 15km and up to an altitude of 1,220m at 55km/h with a payload of 5kg. The medium version will be able to fly for 2.5 hours or 30km, up to 1,524m at a speed of 93km/h with a 10kg payload. The larger systems will be able to endure a six-hour flight or 100km mission at an altitude of 3,048m at 111km/h, with a payload of 25kg. According to the defence ministry, the modern and advanced UAVs will aid in reconnaissance missions, eliminate the risk of deploying piloted aircraft over conflict areas and save costs.

DTN News: Embraer Sells Second ERJ 135 Jet To The Royal Thai Navy

DTN News: Embraer Sells Second ERJ 135 Jet To The Royal Thai Navy

*Thai government buys four aircraft of the same model in less than two years.

*Source: DTN News / Embraer (NSI News Source Info) SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS, Brazil - October 18, 2009: Embraer has signed a contract with the Royal Thai Navy for the sale of its second ERJ 135 jet. Added to the other two orders made by the Royal Thai Army, this is the fourth aircraft acquired by the Thai government in less than two years, all of which are the Long-Range (LR) version. This acquisition is included in Embraer’s firm order backlog for the third quarter of 2009.

“We are honored by the choice of the Royal Thai Navy to acquire a second ERJ 135 jet, confirming the suitability of this aircraft model to the needs of Thailand’s armed forces, and shows the confidence that they have in Embraer’s products in the official transportation segment,” said Acir Padilha, Embraer Vice President, Marketing and Sales – Defense Market. “As a result, we are gradually increasing and consolidating our presence in Thailand.”

The first deal between Embraer and the Thai government was announced in November 2007, involving two aircraft – one for the Army and another for the Navy – both of which were delivered at the end of 2008. Early in 2009, Embraer revealed the acquisition of a second ERJ 135 by the Royal Thai Army.

As in the previous contracts, this new contract with the Navy includes a logistical package and provisions for a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) installation kit. Thailand is the first military operator in Southeast Asia to use the ERJ 135 jet for civilian and military official transportation and MEDEVAC missions.

About the ERJ 135 jet

The ERJ 135 is a member of the successful ERJ 145 family, which has delivered over 1,100 units and accumulated more than 15 million flight hours. The ERJ 135 can handle a broad variety of missions and has a high level of commonality with the ERJ 145 jet.

Based on the ERJ 135 platform, Embraer launched the Legacy 600 executive jet, an aircraft with more than 170 units delivered that offers customer premium comfort, high dispatch reliability, and low operating cost. In the defense segment, this platform has efficiently performed government transportation and medical evacuation missions for Belgium, Brazil, Greece, India, and Nigeria.

The ERJ 135 jet offers military customers a combination of modern equipment, advanced systems redundancy, and low maintenance cost, as well as a high level of readiness. The success of the ERJ 145 family of jets in the regional commercial aviation market is marked by constantly increasing efficiency and cost reduction, which are achieved by less frequent inspections and shorter turn-around times. These characteristics make it possible for Embraer’s military aircraft based on the ERJ 145 platform to fly over 3,000 hours per year.

Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. - NYSE: ERJ; Bovespa: EMBR3) is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial jets up to 120 seats, and one of Brazil’s leading exporters. Embraer’s headquarters are located in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, and it has offices, industrial operations and customer service facilities in Brazil, the United States, France, Portugal, China and Singapore. Founded in 1969, the Company designs, develops, manufactures and sells aircraft for the commercial aviation, executive aviation, and defense segments. The Company also provides after sales support and services to customers worldwide. On September 30, 2009, Embraer (embraer.com.br) had a workforce of 16,986 employees – not counting the employees of its subsidiaries OGMA and HEAI – and its firm order backlog totaled US$ 18.6 billion.

This document may contain projections, statements and estimates regarding circumstances or events yet to take place. Those projections and estimates are based largely on current expectations, forecasts on future events and financial tendencies that affect Embraer’s businesses. Those estimates are subject to risks, uncertainties and suppositions that include, among others: general economic, political and trade conditions in Brazil and in those markets where Embraer does business; expectations on industry trends; the Company’s investment plans; its capacity to develop and deliver products on the dates previously agreed upon, and existing and future governmental regulations. The words “believe”, “may”, “is able”, “will be able”, “intend”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “expect” and other similar terms are supposed to identify potentialities. Embraer does not feel compelled to publish updates nor to revise any estimates due to new information, future events or any other facts. In view of the inherent risks and uncertainties, such estimates, events and circumstances may not take place. The actual results can therefore differ substantially from those previously published as Embraer expectations.

DTN News: Royal Thai Forces To Acquire Three Black Hawk Helicopters

DTN News: Royal Thai Forces To Acquire Three Black Hawk Helicopters *Source: DTN News / Defense Security Cooperation Agency

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 9, 2009: On August 6, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Thailand of three Black Hawk helicopters and associated equipment and logistic support for an estimated cost of $150 million. The Black Hawk is the primary division-level transport helicopter, providing dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo lift capability compared to the UH-1 Series "Huey" it replaces. The UH-60A, with a crew of three, can lift an entire 11-man fully-equipped infantry squad in most weather conditions. It can be configured to carry four litters, by removing eight troop seats, in the MedEval role. Both the pilot and co-pilot are provided with armor-protective seats. Protective armor on the Black Hawk can withstand hits from 23mm shells. The Black Hawk has a cargo hook for external lift missions. The Black Hawk has provisions for door mounting of two M60D 7.62mm machine guns on the M144 armament subsystem, and can disperse chaff and infrared jamming flares using the M130 general purpose dispenser. The Black Hawk has a composite titanium and fiberglass four-bladed main rotor, is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-700 1622 shp turboshaft engines, and has a speed of 163 mph (142 knots). The Government of Thailand has requested a possible sale of three UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters with six T-700-GE-701D engines with C controls, AN/APX 100 (V) Identification Friend or Foe Mark XII Transponder Set or suitable substitute/commercial equivalent, warranty, internal hoist kits, spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistic support. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally.

Thailand needs these helicopters to fulfill its strategic commitments for search and rescue and self-defense within the region without being dependent upon assistance from other countries. This proposed sale will upgrade its air mobility capability and provide for the defense of vital installations and close air support for ground forces. Thailand, which already has UH-60s in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of one contractor representative to Thailand for two years. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law. It does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

Russia Delivers Mi-171 Helicopters To Iran

Russia Delivers Mi-171 Helicopters To Iran

(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN - January 29, 2009: Russia has started deliveries of Mi-171 Hip transport helicopters to Iran under a $45 million contract, the Fars news agency reported on Wednesday. They will be operated by Iran's Red Crescent for rescue missions and the evacuation of people injured in natural disasters. The Mil Mi-17 (also known as the Mi-8M series in Russian service, NATO reporting name ("Hip") is a Russian-designed helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. *The Mi-17 is also used for search and rescue team like Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department in Malaysia. *In October 2007 defense-aerospace.com reported the government of Saudi Arabia had signed a contract for up to 150 Mi-35 and Mi-17 helicopters worth $2.2billion. On 28 October 2008. *Royal Thai Army is proposes deal to buy 6 Mi-17 to meet its requirement of medium-lift helicopter. This is the first time in history Thai military buys aircraft from Russia. *A licensed production of the Mi-17 will start in China with production being led by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant JSC and the Sichuan Lantian Helicopter Company Limited in Chengdu, Sichuan province. *On 15th December 2008, Defense News reported that India will purchase 80 Mi-17IV helicopters which will be delivered to Indian Air Force between 2010 and 2014. These will replace aging Mi-8s. Russia has already delivered two helicopters, and will supply another three to Tehran before the end of March. The contract was signed with the East Siberian Ulan Ude helicopter plant, which manufactures Mi-171 transport and Mi-171Sh combat/transport helicopters, in October 2007.