DTN News - U.S. DOD: Naval Air Systems Command Awarded Contract $42 Million To Northrop Grumman For Maintenance And Services In Support of 44 F-5N/F Aircraft

DTN News - U.S. DOD: Naval Air Systems Command Awarded Contract $42 Million To Northrop Grumman For Maintenance And Services In Support of 44 F-5N/F Aircraft

Source: DTN News + U.S. DoD No: CR-055-15 Dated March 25, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 27, 2015: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., St. Augustine, Florida, is being awarded a $42,096,911 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-14-D-0022) to provide depot level maintenance and services in support of 44 F-5N/F aircraft for the Navy and Marine Corps Reserves. 

Services to be provided include aircraft inspections, repairs, overhauls, emergency repairs, modification, engineering support and procurement of structural components required to sustain continued safe, reliable, and available operations. 

Work will be performed in St. Augustine, Florida (96 percent); Springville, Utah (3 percent); and Emmen, Switzerland (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2016. 

Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy Reserve) and 2013 National Guard and Reserve equipment funds in the amount of $2,499,866 are being obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 


The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Description
The F-5N is a single seat, twin-engine, tactical fighter and attack aircraft providing simulated air-to-air combat training manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation. The F-5F is a dual-seat version, twin-engine, tactical fighter commonly used for training and adversary combat tactics. The aircraft serves in an aggressor-training role with simulation capability of current threat aircraft in fighter combat mode.

Features
As a tactical fighter aircraft, the F-5N accommodates a pilot only in a pressurized, heated and air conditioned cockpit and rocket-powered ejection seat while the F-5F is a two-seat combat- capable fighter. This aircraft has an upward opening canopy, which is hinged at the rear. The design places particular emphasis on maneuverability rather than high speed, notably by the incorporation of maneuvering flaps. Full-span leading-edge flaps work in conjunction with trailing-edge flaps and are operated by a control on the pilot's throttle quadrant. The F-5 also has anti-skid brakes, Initial Navigation System (INS), ALR-87 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), AN/APQ-159 radar and ALE-40 chaff/flare capability. This aircraft carries AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on wingtip launchers.

Background
The F-5 was developed by Northrop Grumman for export through the Military Assistance Program (MAP) in February 1965. This aircraft was initially offered as a candidate for a U.S. lightweight fighter, but became extremely popular as an export finding its niche in the overseas market. In December 1970, Northrop Grumman began development and production on the F-5A-21, an aircraft design that emphasized maneuverability rather than high speed and was officially reclassified as the F-5E. The F-5N/Fs are third-generation F-5 fighter aircraft designed for replacement of the F-5A/B/E production models. These aging aircraft will be replaced by low-houred F-5N/F acquired from the Swiss Air Force surplus by United States Navy (USN).

Currently, the Swiss F-5N Replacement Program replaces the present high-time Navy F-5Es with low-time F-5Ns allowing the USN/USMC to operate the F-5N aircraft to Fiscal Year (FY) 2015. The Phase Depot Maintenance (PDM) required modifications to USN configuration provides a safer, lower-flight time Adversary aircraft with increased capability for Department of Navy (DoN) pilots. These aircraft are assigned to Government facilities, namely, NAS Key West, Florida, MCAS Yuma, Arizona, and NAS Fallon, Nevada.

Service

USN, USMC, USAF and current worldwide air forces

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + U.S. DoD No: CR-055-15 Dated March 25, 2015
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*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 - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract $31 Million To Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., For Maintenance Services of F-5N/F Aircrafts

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract $31 Million To Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., For Maintenance Services of F-5N/F Aircrafts

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth +  U.S. DoD issued No. 74-14 April 21, 2014

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 23, 2014: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., St. Augustine, Fla., is being awarded a $31,135,442 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursement, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the depot maintenance services of 44 Navy and Marine Corps Reserve F-5N/F aircraft. 

The services will include depot level maintenance, aircraft inspections, repairs, overhauls, emergency repairs, modifications, engineering support, and procurement of structural components as required to sustain the F-5N/F aircraft. 

Work will be performed in St. Augustine, Fla. (96 percent); Springville, Utah (3 percent); and Emmen, Switzerland (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2015. 

Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy Reserve funds in the amount of $7,386,924 are being obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. 

This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. 


The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-14-D-0022).

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth +  U.S. DoD issued No. 74-14 April 21, 2014
*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 - SOCHI 2014 OLYMPICS: Sandro Viletta Competes During Alpine Skiing Men's Super Combined

DTN News -  SOCHI 2014 OLYMPICS: Sandro Viletta Competes During Alpine Skiing Men's Super Combined

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 14, 2014: Sandro Viletta of Switzerland competes during the Alpine Skiing Men's Super Combined Downhill.

At a cost of 30 billion pounds (over $49 billion), the Sochi Games is the most expensive Olympics in history.

The 2014 winter Olympic opening ceremony kicked off the biggest sporting event of the year on Friday, Feb. 7, and the world's best athletes came to show their team spirit in Sochi, Russia.

88 nations were represented at the Parade of Nations, which is one of the best known Olympics spectacles. The Parade is when all of the athletes representing their countries walk around the arena dressed to the nines in their patriotic gear while in alphabetical order by country name.
Photo courtesy - http://www.sochi2014.com/

*Presented & compiled for DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

(Read complete story on Defense-Technology News - Click on link undermentioned)

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.ca

DTN News - SWISS DEFENSE NEWS: Saab Gripen Is The Preferred Choice For Switzerland

DTN News - SWISS DEFENSE NEWS: Saab Gripen Is The Preferred Choice For Switzerland
>In a press conference today, Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer reiterated Gripen E/F as the optimal solution for Switzerland.
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Federal Department of Defence - Switzerland
 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 15, 2012:  After an initial evaluation document reached media, the Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer called for a press conference 

(http://www.vbs.admin.ch/internet/vbs/de/home/documentation/news/news_detail.43408.nsb.html) to comment on the rumors that Gripen would not meet the Swiss Air Force requirements. Today, the Swiss defence authorities reconfirmed Gripen as the optimal solution for Switzerland.

On 30 November 2011, the Swiss Federal Council selected the Gripen E/F as preferred candidate to replace their present F-5 aircraft. Saab and Sweden are now in negotiations with Switzerland, optimizing the complete package and preparing for the acquisition of Gripen E/F.

Saab is confident that the Gripen package gives Switzerland what it needs in all areas, particularly in terms of a fighter that delivers the best price-to-performance ratio with a long-term and agreed development path. Saab is committed to deliver a comprehensive Industrial Package that delivers long-term benefits to all of society. The acquisition of Gripen will further strengthen the partnership between Switzerland and Sweden.

Gripen, in operational service with five air forces, is an unquestionable capable fighter system that delivers its tasks. It is a new generation, multi-role fighter aircraft which uses state-of-the-art technology. It is capable of performing an extensive range of Air-to-Air, Air-to-Surface and reconnaissance missions employing the most modern range of weapons. Gripen has been part of NATO’s QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) organization since 2005. The operating air forces have participated with Gripen in several large, international exercises (including two Red Flag exercises in the US) with very good result.

With approximately 2,000 flight hours in combat missions over Libya and delivery of close to 40 per cent of the total need of Tactical Reconnaissance in the NATO operation Unified Protector, Gripen is a very capable fighter aircraft.

Saab has been an innovation powerhouse for advanced defence and security technology for 75 years, with system knowledge and system integration as core competencies. Today, Saab has operations in more than 30 countries, while our solutions, products and services are sold to more than a hundred countries. Saab reported sales of SEK 23,498 billion and an operating margin of 12,5 per cent for the full year 2011.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Federal Department of Defence - Switzerland
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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: Swiss Defense Minister Draws Fire With Billion-Euro Jet Fighter Plan

DTN News: Swiss Defense Minister Draws Fire With Billion-Euro Jet Fighter Plan

* A Swiss plan to spend billions on fighter jets has stirred up debate. As the country looks to trim public spending, with security threats at a minimum, one question is increasingly being asked: Why?

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including Author: Imogen Foulkes (rc) - Editor: Susan Houlton DW-World.com

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 22, 2010: As Switzerland is making a number of budget cuts, many people expected defense to be a natural candidate for cutbacks. And so there was surprise when a leaked document from the defense ministry revealed plans to increase spending, by ordering new fighter jets at a cost of up to 3.8 billion euros ($ 4.9 billion). Defense Minister Ueli Maurer wants to replace the country's aging fleet of fighters, purchased as long ago as 1976. He would need an increase in the defense budget to pay for his plan to order 22 fighters. Maurer is from the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), traditionally strong supporters of the Swiss military. However, even some of the defense minister's party colleagues, such as Toni Bortoluzzi, are skeptical. "We've been talking for ages about reducing the budget," said Bortoluzzi. "We're really going to have to have a discussion about this, to see whether this amount of money is available. "Frankly, I don't think you can just spend and spend." Politicians on the left say that Maurer is planning to spend tax payers' money needlessly, in an effort to raise his profile within the SVP, a member of the governing coalition. "I have the feeling the defense ministry has come up with a wish list, so that the defense minister himself can look like a great friend of the army – above all to get the support of his own party," said Evi Allamann of the Social Democrat party. "The fact is these proposals, in this day and age, will do little or nothing for our national security." Under the Swiss political system, voters could still vote down the plan in a national referendum. Peter Malama of Switzerland's centre-right FDP party said he did not believe that people, or other politicians, would agree to spend such a sum. "As a strategy, in the context of what our army needs to do in today's global security situation, 5 billion is at least one billion too much. "What's more I think these plans are delusional, completely unrealistic, and most important, they will never, ever, get a political majority." Contenders for the plane-building contract include the Anglo-German-Italian Eurofighter, built by EADS with BAE Systems and Finmeccanica; France's Rafale, built by Dassault Aviation; and the JAS 39 Gripen, built by Sweden's Saab.

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

DTN News: Big Bang Machine Sets Collision Record

DTN News: Big Bang Machine Sets Collision Record Source: DTN News / By ALEXANDER G. HIGGINS, Associated Press Writer (NSI News Source Info) GENEVA - March 31, 2010: The world's largest atom smasher conducted its first experiments at conditions nearing those after the Big Bang, breaking its own record for high-energy collisions with proton beams crashing into each other Tuesday at three times more force than ever before.An event display shows activity during a high-energy collision at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, CERN, outside Geneva. The $10 billion Large Hadron Collider directed two proton beams into each other at three times more force than ever before as part of its ambitious bid to reveal details about theoretical particles and microforces. In a milestone for the $10 billion Large Hadron Collider's ambitious bid to reveal details about theoretical particles and microforces, scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, took high-tech photographs so they could study the disintegrating protons after they collided at a combined energy level of 7 trillion electron volts. The collisions herald a new era for researchers working on the machine in a 17-mile (27-kilometer) tunnel below the Swiss-French border at Geneva. "That's it! They've had a collision," said Oliver Buchmueller from Imperial College in London as people closely watched monitors. In a control room, scientists erupted with applause when the first successful collisions were confirmed. Their colleagues from around the world were tuning in by remote links to witness the new record, which surpasses the 2.36 TeV CERN recorded last year. Dubbed the world's largest scientific experiment, researchers hope the machine can approach on a tiny scale what happened in the first split seconds after the Big Bang, which they theorize was the creation of the universe some 14 billion years ago. The extra energy in Geneva is expected to reveal even more about the unanswered questions of particle physics, such as the existence of antimatter and the search for the Higgs boson, a hypothetical particle that scientists theorize gives mass to other particles and thus to other objects and creatures in the universe. Tuesday's initial attempts at collisions were unsuccessful because problems developed with the beams, said scientists working on the massive machine. That meant the protons had to be "dumped" from the collider and new beams had to be injected. The atmosphere at CERN was tense considering the collider's launch with great fanfare on Sept. 10, 2008. Nine days later, the project was sidetracked when a badly soldered electrical splice overheated, causing extensive damage to the massive magnets and other parts of the collider some 300 feet (100 meters) below the ground. It cost $40 million to repair and improve the machine. Since its restart in November 2009, the collider has performed almost flawlessly and given scientists valuable data. It quickly eclipsed the next largest accelerator — the Tevatron at Fermilab near Chicago. Two beams of protons began 10 days ago to speed at high energy in opposite directions around the tunnel, the coldest place in the universe, at a couple of degrees above absolute zero. CERN used powerful superconducting magnets to force the two beams to cross, creating collisions and showers of particles. "Experiments are collecting their first physics data — historic moment here!" a scientist tweeted on CERN's official Twitter account. "Nature does it all the time with cosmic rays (and with higher energy) but this is the first time this is done in Laboratory!" said another tweet. When collisions become routine, the beams will be packed with hundreds of billions of protons, but the particles are so tiny that few will collide at each crossing. The experiments will come over the objections of some people who fear they could eventually imperil Earth by creating micro black holes — subatomic versions of collapsed stars whose gravity is so strong they can suck in planets and other stars. CERN and many scientists dismiss any threat to Earth or people on it, saying that any such holes would be so weak that they would vanish almost instantly without causing any damage. Bivek Sharma, a professor at the University of California at San Diego, said the images of the first crashed proton beams were beautiful. "It's taken us 25 years to build," he said. "This is what it's for. Finally the baby is delivered. Now it has to grow."

DTN News: Libya Imposes 'Total' Trade Embargo On Switzerland

DTN News: Libya Imposes 'Total' Trade Embargo On Switzerland Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - March 5, 2010: Libya has decided to impose a "total" economic embargo on Switzerland following Libyan leader Moamer Gadhafi's declaration of holy war on the European nation, government spokesman Mohammed Baayou has said, as quoted by international media. "Libya has decided to impose a total embargo on all economic and commercial exchanges with Switzerland," Baayou said on Wednesday. He said the country would "adopt alternative [sources] for medicines and medical and industrial equipment" imported from Switzerland. Last week, Gadhafi described Switzerland, which recently imposed a ban on the construction of minarets following a national referendum, as "infidel, obscene state which is destroying mosques" and called for the Islamic world to "boycott" the country. "It is against unbelieving and apostate Switzerland that jihad (holy war) ought to be proclaimed by all means," he said in a live television broadcast, adding "any Muslim around the world who has dealings with Switzerland is an infidel [and is] against Islam, against Mohammed, against God, against the Koran." The day after Gadhafi's call, U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said the Lybian leader's declaration reminded him of "one of the more memorable sessions of the UN General Assembly", in which Gadhafi delivered a speech, strongly criticizing the organization. "Lots of words and lots of papers flying all over the place and not necessarily a lot of sense," Crowley said. Earlier on Wednesday, Libya expressed indignation over Crowley's statement and demanded "explanations and apologies" from the U.S. authorities, adding there would be "negative repercussions on economic and political relations between the two countries if no measures are adopted." A total of 57.5% eligible voters and 22 out of 26 Swiss cantons voted in November 2009 to ban the construction of minarets. The country's decision, which is believed to stop the "Islamization of Switzerland", sparked criticism from politicians and religious figures worldwide. Switzerland's row with Libya goes back to July 2008, when Gaddafi's son, Hannibal, and his wife Aline who was 9 months pregnant were arrested in Geneva. They were released on bail after spending two days in custody following a hotel employee complaint of mistreatment by the couple. Related News Libya denies entry for Europeans after Swiss dispute with Qaddafi Russia to sell $1.8 bln in arms to Libya Turkey calls on Muslims to withdraw money from Swiss banks Swiss minaret ban prompts global repercussions

DTN News: Swiss Aim To Award Haiti's 'Baby Doc' Millions To Charity

DTN News: Swiss Aim To Award Haiti's 'Baby Doc' Millions To Charity *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media By Eliane Engeler (NSI News Source Info) GENEVA, Switzerland - February 6, 2010: In an embarrassment to Switzerland's government, the country's top court said Wednesday that at least $4.6-million (U.S.) in Swiss bank accounts previously awarded to charities must be returned to the family of Haiti's former dictator Jean-Claude (Baby Doc) Duvalier. Jean-Claude Duvalier, alias Baby Doc, then life President of Haiti, in Port-au-Prince. Court ruling would give money to family of former dictator, but Swiss justice minister wants it to go to earthquake relief instead. The amount of money contested could feed more than a million Haitians for two weeks. The court's decision was reached before the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, but only published Wednesday. It prompted the Swiss government to issue an emergency decree to keep the money frozen in a Swiss bank until a new law can be passed allowing it to be donated to aid groups working in Haiti. “This is a public relations disaster for Switzerland,” said Mark Pieth, a Swiss professor with a long résumé in international corruption cases such as the United Nations oil-for-food scandal. In the decision, the Federal Supreme Court reversed a lower court's ruling that the money should have gone to aid groups working in the impoverished country because the statute of limitations on any crimes committed by the Duvalier clan would have expired in 2001. Delays are common in Switzerland between court verdicts and their public announcements, but the release of the decision could not have come at a worse time. Beyond depriving Haiti's relief efforts of additional money, the ruling also strikes a blow at Switzerland's long-standing efforts to shed its image as an investment haven for the world's dictators. “We assume that this money doesn't belong to the Duvalier family,” said Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, the Swiss Justice Minister. “We've blocked the money again today to prevent that it goes somewhere that it shouldn't for political reasons. We really hope that this money finally goes back to the country.” Many Haitians accuse Mr. Duvalier and his entourage of robbing millions from public funds before he was ousted in 1986. Mr. Duvalier is believed to be living in exile in France and has always denied wrongdoing. The decision cannot be appealed, but the Swiss Foreign Ministry said it would try to keep the money from being withdrawn while it works on a better national law for dealing with assets of “criminal origin.” It said the amount of money actually totalled $5.7-million, though the reason for the discrepancy was unclear. The government “wants to avoid the Swiss financial centre serving as a haven for illegally acquired assets,” it said in a statement, adding that a new law working retroactively could be ready this month. Ms. Widmer-Schlumpf was less optimistic, but said the law could come into effect as early as 2011. Switzerland has traditionally been a favourite location for potentate money because of its banking secrecy rules. But reforms over the last two decades have made it harder to hide money in Switzerland, and the country has become a world leader in returning cash. Haiti made its first request for the money in 1986, shortly after Mr. Duvalier's ouster. But it has been frozen ever since because Switzerland would not give it back while the Haitian government wasn't pursuing Mr. Duvalier under its own justice system. As a way out, the Swiss government had proposed giving the money to aid groups working in Haiti. “At a time when everyone tries to help Haiti, issuing a decision that the money belongs to the dictator's family because of the statute of limitations is very clumsy,” Prof. Pieth said. “You have a head of state with a secret army that tortures people, and at the same time he empties the state treasury. The people cannot defend themselves. It's robbing from the people, and this aspect has to be addressed by the court.”

DTN News: Turkey, Armenia Agree To Forge Ties

DTN News: Turkey, Armenia Agree To Forge Ties *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) ZURICH, Switzerland - October 11, 2009: Turkey and Armenia have signed an accord to establish diplomatic ties in an effort to set aside a century of animosity between the neighbouring countries. Armenian foreign minister, Edouard Nalbandian (1st L) shakes hands with Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, (2ndR) as (L to R, 2nd raw) Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, and US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, applaude during the signing ceremony of the protocols and statements between Armenia and Turkey, at the University of Zurich on October 10, 2009. Turkey and Armenia's foreign ministers signed pacts to establish ties, in a first step to reconciliation after nearly a century of bitterness over their history. The signing ceremony took place at Zurich University on Saturday as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton helped the two sides clear a last-minute snag. Diplomats said Armenia was concerned about wording in the Turkish statement that was to be made after the signing ceremony. The accord, reached after several weeks of Swiss-mediated talks, calls for the re-opening of the countries' border, which has been closed since 1993. The Turkish and Armenian parliaments are expected to ratify the accord, but nationalists on both sides are seeking to derail its implementation and there is strong opposition from the Armenian diaspora. Opponents of the agreement say the protocol doesn't go far enough in addressing the contentious issue of whether the deaths of up to 1.5 million Armenians during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire amounted to genocide. Instead, it calls for the establishment of a joint Armenian-Turkish historical commission to examine events during the First World War. Turkey has acknowledged that many Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Turks during the First World War, but denies their deaths were a result of a systematic campaign. Speaking in Istanbul, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country was showing "goodwill" to restore ties with Armenia. But he said Turkey was still keen on seeing Armenian troops withdrawn from Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian-occupied enclave in Azerbaijan. Turkey closed its border with Armenia 16 years ago in solidarity with its ally Azerbaijan after Armenian troops occupied part of the region.

DTN News: Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz Apologises For Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi Son's Arrest

DTN News: Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz Apologises For Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi Son's Arrest

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) GENEVA, Switzerland - August 21, 2009: Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz apologised to the Libyan government on Thursday for the brief detention last year of a son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, clearing the way for a return to normal diplomatic ties. Switzerland's President Hans-Rudolf Merz has apologised to Libya for the arrest one year ago of a son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, paving the way for a "normalisation" of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “We are apologising for what happened to Hannibal Gaddafi and the two sides agreed to form a committee to discuss the matter,” Merz told reporters in Tripoli. Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi Ali Al-Mahmoudi said the two countries had agreed on a “normalisation” of their relationship, a decision that was confirmed by Merz. The row began when Hannibal Gaddafi and his pregnant wife Aline were arrested in a Geneva luxury hotel in July 2008 on charges of mistreating two domestic employees. Armed police forced open their hotel suite after being alerted to repeated altercations. Libya cut back oil supplies to Switzerland and withdrew more than $5 billion in assets from Swiss banks in 2008 over the incident. Geneva’s prosecutor dropped the case in September last year following the withdrawal by the plaintiffs of their formal complaint after they reached an undisclosed settlement with the Gaddafis. A Geneva lawyer representing Libya and the Gaddafis said in April they had sued the Geneva authorities for more than 500,000 Swiss francs. A hearing on the civil suit was due next month. Switzerland’s government said last month it wanted to hold a summit with Gaddafi to defuse the row and that Merz was prepared to meet the Libyan leader soon. A Swiss statement said that two Swiss who have been detained in Libya will be able to leave the country “in the next few days”. Swiss officials have named one of the Swiss prevented from leaving Libya as Max Goeldi, director of Swiss-Swedish electrical engineering conglomerate ABB in Tripoli, but have declined to identify the other. “Both countries agree to set up independent arbitration to investigate the circumstances of the arrest of Hannibal Muammar Gaddafi and his wife,” the statement said, adding that Switzerland was prepared to apologise for the “unseemly and unnecessary” arrest of Gaddafi and his family.

Saab, Swiss UAV Team On Rotorcraft

Saab, Swiss UAV Team On Rotorcraft

(NSI News Source Info) LINKOPING, Sweden - May 20, 2009: Swedish aerospace company Saab has struck a deal with Swiss UAV to collaborate on the development and marketing of rotorcraft unmanned air vehicles. The companies are expected May 20 to announce the signature of a deal that merges Saab's Skeldar and the smaller Swiss Neo and Koax into a single family of helicopter UAVs. "Our partnership establishes a long-term partnership to build a larger family of vehicles and integrating them with Saab's ground control station know-how," Pontus Kallen, managing director of Saab Aerosystems, told reporters here May 19. Kallen said he expected the vehicles to find applications in military and civilian markets capitalizing on Saab's ground control expertise. The Saab executive said that for the moment the deal was only a "strategic agreement" and declined to speculate whether the tie-up could be extended beyond that. No finance has been committed yet, "but we are looking at that," Kallen said. Swiss UAV is a small, privately held company based in Niederdorf that has been operating for a little more than two years, according to the company's Web site. Russian aerospace company Irkut announed a tie-up with the Swiss rotorcraft UAV developer in January. The deal would have seen Irkut supply sensors and ground infrastructure and the Swiss company the air vehicle. The fate of that deal is unknown.

May Day Demonstration In Zurich, Switzerland

May Day Demonstration In Zurich, Switzerland

(NSI News Source Info) May 2, 2009: Swiss riot police shoot rubber bullets against a left-wing protestor during a May Day demonstration in Zurich May 1, 2009.

Saudi Arabia To Purchase AIM-9X Missiles / Saudi Arabia To Purchase Raytheon AIM-9X Missiles

Saudi Arabia To Purchase AIM-9X Missiles / Saudi Arabia To Purchase Raytheon AIM-9X Missiles

(NSI News Source Info) TUCSON, Ariz. - April 1, 2009: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. government executed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance to purchase Raytheon Company's AIM-9X missile. Saudi Arabia is the world's 10th country to employ the AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided, air-to-air missile. Two F-15E's from the 90th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, fire a pair of AIM-9Xs during a training mission. "The AIM-9X will provide our Saudi Arabian allies with unparalleled capability, a small logistical footprint and ease of integration onto its existing fighter aircraft," said Capt. Jeffrey Penfield, the U.S. Navy's Air-to-Air Missile program manager. "AIM-9X has demonstrated its reliability during ongoing operational deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and in extensive user-driven test programs with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force." Under the agreement, the U.S. government will provide the RSAF an undisclosed quantity of tactical and training AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles for its F-15 fighter aircraft. "The Royal Saudi Air Force truly chose the most affordable and capable within-visual-range air-to-air missile in the world," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "Raytheon has delivered more than 3,000 Block I missiles on cost and ahead of schedule, and we look forward to continuing to do the same for the newest member of the AIM-9X family." The Royal Saudi Air Force joins the air forces of Australia, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States as AIM-9X users. Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide. Note to Editors: More than 400 Raytheon employees design and build the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile in Tucson, Ariz., Andover, Mass., and Goleta, Calif. Hundreds of employees in scores of businesses across the U.S. design and manufacture AIM-9X components. Major suppliers include: Alliant Technology, Rocket Center, W.Va.; Atlantic Inertial Systems, Cheshire, Conn.; Axsys Technology, San Diego; BAE Container Solutions, Longmont, Colo.; Celestica, Austin, Texas; Cristek Interconnects, Anaheim, Calif.; ENSER, St. Petersburg, Fla.; HR Textron, Valencia, Calif.; Klune Industries, Spanish Forks, Utah; L3 Comm, San Diego; L3 KDI Precision Products, Cincinnati.

Swiss Cabinet Blocks Arms Spares for Pakistan / Arms Exports for Pakistan Rejected

Swiss Cabinet Blocks Arms Spares for Pakistan / Arms Exports for Pakistan Rejected

(NSI News Source Info) March 27, 2009: The cabinet has rejected a request for the export of replacement parts for anti-aircraft systems to Pakistan due to the instable political situation in the country.

The Asian nation was the largest buyer of Swiss arms last year.

The Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon-Contraves. The system was originally designated as 2 ZLA/353 ML but this was later changed to GDF-001. It was developed in the late 1950s and is used by around 30 countries. Pakistan estimated 200 GDF-002 units.

A spokeswoman for the economics ministry said on Wednesday that Switzerland would reconsider its policy if and when other European countries restarted exporting arms to Pakistan. The cabinet also rejected a request for the export of weapons to Egypt and Saudi Arabia because of the unsatisfactory human rights situation in those countries.

However, it approved the sale of hundreds of rifles and machine guns to India to equip the police in various parts of the country, and the delivery of parts for air-to-air guided missiles and anti-aircraft guns to South Korea.

The pacificist group, Switzerland without an army, wants to ban the export of arms, and has collected enough signatures to bring the issue to a nationwide vote. A date still has to be set for the vote.

India, Russia To Float $600 Million JV To Develop New Aircraft

India, Russia To Float $600 Million JV To Develop New Aircraft

(NSI News Source Info) Bangalore - February 13, 2009: With defence sector being open to foreign direct investment, the ongoing modernisation plan of Armed Forces and enormous new opportunities in the civil aviation sector have opened innumerable new avenues for investment. India companies, making the most of the opportunity of sharing the expertise in the fields of R&D production and product support with other global players at the Aero India 2009, inked a few pacts on Thursday to give a boost to the aviation sector. The country's Bird Group announced an agreement with the Switzerland-based business jet company-VistaJet Holding SA-to market the Vistajet in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Russian MIG-35 fighter, bidding to supply 126 multi-role combat aircraft to IAF, has a good chance to win the deal as it was a strong product to meet India's defence needs, Mikhail Pogosyan, CEO RSK MIG and Sukhoi, said here on Thursday. In yet another deal, India and Russia will establish a 50:50 joint venture in the next few months to develop a multi-role transport aircraft at a cost of $600 million, a top Russian official said. While Bangalore-headquartered Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would be the Indian partner, the Russian side would identify its partners, likely to be United Aircraft Corporation's (UAC's) transport and cargo divisions, in the next few weeks, president and chairman of UAC, Alexey I Fedorov said. The jointly developed transport aircraft would be inducted into the Russian and Indian Air Force, he said on the sidelines of the ongoing South Asia's biggest airshow 'Aero India-2009'. Meanwhile, global leader in aerospace and defence related services European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company ( EADS) said it has signed 25 agreements in India since August last year to enhance cooperation with the country's aerospace and defence industry, company officials said. “A competitive Eurofighter Typhoon bid proposal and a comprehensive offset offer were submitted to the Indian authorities in (August) 2008 (in response to bids for medium multi role combat aircraft (MMRCA) programme”, Bernhard Gerwert, CEO of military air systems, an integrated business unit of EADS defence and security said. Since then, 25 MoUs have already signed to enhance industrial cooperation with India's aerospace and defence industry, he said. The Eurofighter Typhoon partner companies are confident of fulfilling the 50% offset obligation (under which 30% of the contract amount has to be invested in India) of the Request for Proposals (RFP) (in connection with MMRCA) and would offer India access to an international.

Bird Air Services Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bird Group, signed a comprehensive marketing agreement with Pacific Propeller Intl (PPI), a global repair and overhaul services provider to several regional airlines and military aircrafts. Under the agreement, PPI would provide its services and products through Bird Air within the Indian subcontinent, executive director of Bird Group Ankur Bhatia said. It would also help facilitate MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) services for propeller based engines for aircrafts in India at PPI prop shops.

Israel May Reject Turkish Arms Request

Israel May Reject Turkish Arms Request

(NSI News Source Info) February 3, 2009: As Turkish-Israeli diplomatic relations continue to crumble, the close ties between the two countries in other areas are being reexamined as well. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks in front of President Shimon Peres during a plenary session on the Middle East Peace at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland. The Defense Ministry is considering rejecting a number of requests by Turkey to purchase advanced Israeli-made military platforms, officials told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday. The IDF and the Turkish military enjoy strong ties, but there is growing concern in Israel that the military could be losing its power and influence within and over the government. "Turkey is eyeing moderate Arab countries and is hoping to strengthen its ties with them," one senior defense official explained. "Just like we don't sell advanced military platforms to Jordan and Egypt, we may decide not to sell to Turkey." According to officials, several Turkish requests recently submitted to the Defense Ministry's Foreign Defense Assistance and Defense Export Organization (SIBAT) will need to be reviewed due to the change in political ties between Jerusalem and Ankara. The officials would not reveal which new military platforms Turkey had requested. The defense establishment is concerned that the diplomatic crisis with Turkey may also lead Ankara to annul an arrangement allowing the Israel Air Force to train and fly in Turkish airspace. "No one knows yet how this will affect our relationship on a defense level," explained one official. "We need to wait to see how this plays out." While defense officials reconsider the country's military ties to the Turkish state, other government officials worry about the significant business ties between the two economies. Non-military trade accounts for almost $4 billion annually, 60 percent of it in Turkish exports to Israel. Tourism is another enormous source of revenue for the Turkish economy, with 580,000 Israelis visiting Turkey last year according to government figures. Since the start of the diplomatic row over Operation Cast Lead, flight bookings to Turkey have dropped by 70%. However, "despite all the talk, no joint economic initiatives between the two states have been canceled," a senior Israeli diplomatic official told the Post Sunday. In particular, plans for a joint Israeli-Turkish infrastructure and energy corridor between the ports of Ceyhan and Haifa are still under way. "But people are starting to talk about the direction Turkey is taking," the official added. Politically, "Turkey's natural inclination is not toward Iran and Syria, but toward Europe and the US. Turkey wants to have regional influence - what could offer this more than a real role as a mediator between warring parties in the region?" asked the official. That mediating role has been severely damaged by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's excoriation of the Jewish State during the three weeks of fighting in Gaza. A senior diplomatic official told the Post over the weekend that Erdogan, and Turkey under his leadership, had "lost all credibility as an honest broker" in regional negotiations. In the field of defense, two Israeli companies most likely to lose out from a collapse in ties are Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. In December, subsidiaries of IAI and Elbit Systems signed a $140 million deal to supply the Turkish Air Force with targeting pods. Israeli Military Industries (IMI) recently completed a $700m. deal signed several years ago with Turkey to upgrade the country's fleet of aging Patton-series M60 tanks. IAI also recently supplied Turkey with its advanced long-range Heron unmanned aerial vehicle. Sources in defense industries expressed hope that the crisis with Ankara would pass and would not have a negative impact on sales to Turkey. "Despite the soured diplomatic ties, there are very good relations between the two militaries," explained one official. "Israel has several contracts with Turkey that have been signed, and there is no reason to believe that they will not be upheld."

Sri Lanka Army To 'Free' Civilians

Sri Lanka Army To 'Free' Civilians

(NSI News Source Info) February 1, 2009: The Sri Lankan military has said it will move to "liberate" thousands of civilians in Tamil Tiger rebel areas. The announcement came after the expiry of a 48-hour government truce for civilians to leave the combat zone. International concern has grown over the safety of civilians trapped behind the lines during recent heavy fighting. Meanwhile, the government has warned it will expel diplomats, aid agencies and journalists it deems biased in favour of the Tamil Tigers. An army offensive has pushed the rebels into a 300-sq-km (110-sq-mile) corner of jungle in the north-east of the island, which aid agencies say also holds 250,000 civilians. The army secured the strategic Elephant Pass on 9 January, sandwiched between the capture of the rebels' de facto capital, Kilinochchi, and Mullaitivu. The agencies say the people are facing a desperate situation, with hundreds killed in combat in recent days and food supplies running low. The government says the number of civilians is closer to 120,000 and that the army has a policy of not firing at civilians. The Sri Lankan government accuses the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of not allowing civilians to leave, saying they are being used as human shields. The rebels say the civilians prefer to stay where they are under Tamil Tiger "protection". The reports can not be independently confirmed as neither side allows journalists near the war zone. 'Utmost care' Officials said about 300 civilians had crossed into government-held territory during the 48-hour truce, which expired late Saturday. "We will now have to save the civilians and move in," the spokesman, Kaheliya Rambukwella, said. "It is now very evident that [Tamil Tiger leader Valupillai] Prabhakaran is... using civilians as cover," Mr Rambukwella said. "We will take the utmost care of civilians when we move in." The military has captured the key towns of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and the strategically important Elephant Pass to the Jaffna peninsula in recent weeks. The BBC's Ethirajan Anbarasan has been in the city of Jaffna on one of the first government-approved media trips to the city - the cultural capital of Sri Lanka's Tamil community - in months. The army captured the last remaining major rebel base of Mullaitivu on 25 January. BBC reporter Chris Morris, who was taken to Mullaitivu, says it is a ghost town, full of broken buildings. He said thousands of people had attended a rally held by a pro-government Tamil party calling for the rebels to allow civilians to leave the war zone. Meanwhile a senior government official warned that diplomats, aid agencies and media, including the BBC, will be expelled from Sri Lanka if they seem to favour the Tamil Tiger rebels. Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said bias among some foreigners was damaging security forces as they dealt the "final blow" to the rebels. The Sri Lankan army says it is continuing to make advances in its offensive against the Tamil Tigers in the north-east. In an interview with the Sunday Island newspaper, Mr Rajapaksa accused the ambassadors of Switzerland and Germany, and news organisations the BBC, CNN and Al-Jazeera of being biased. "They will be chased away [if they try] to give a second wind to the LTTE terrorists at a time when the security forces, at heavy cost, are dealing them the final blow," he was quoted as saying. Mr Rajapaksa said the media organisations were sensationalising civilian hardships by playing video clips from Tamil Tiger websites.

Philippine Military Urged To Prevent Kidnappings

Philippine Military Urged To Prevent Kidnappings

(NSI News Source Info) Manila - February 1, 2009: The Philippine defence secretary on Sunday told the military to strengthen its efforts against kidnapping following a series of abductions in the south, whose victims included three staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). "We must react against kidnapping very, very strongly and we really have to give the kidnappers no quarter," Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said. Teodoro said the military must also step up the campaign against illegal firearms in areas affected by kidnappings. "The number one priority is to recover all loose firearms," he said. Teodoro said the military could deploy additional troops to the affected areas or intensify combat operations against suspects. In this handout photo released by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on December 4, 2008 shows a Muslim rebel displays what they believe is a US unmanned reconaissance aircraft they claimed to have shot down in Talayan town in Maguindanao province in southern Philippines island of Mindanano in this photograph taken on November 14, 2008. American troops are providing military assistance including intelligence to Philippine armed forces who are fighting Muslim rebels and Abu Sayyaf militants. MILF chief negotiator Mohager Iqbal said the the spy plane is intact and in good condition and will not be surrendered to the US military. Al-Qaeda-linked Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels area holding three ICRC staff captive on Jolo island, 1,000 kilometres south of Manila. The hostages - Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba - were abducted on January 15. In nearby Basilan province, a separate group of Abu Sayyaf guerrillas abducted three Filipino teachers on January 23. Last week, a midwife working for the Lamitan City government in Basilan was also abducted by the rebels. The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for some of the worst terrorist attacks in the Philippines. It has also been behind high-profile kidnappings in the country. In 2000, the Abu Sayyaf abducted 21 European tourists and Asian workers from a Malaysian resort island and brought them to Jolo island. The hostages were ransomed for millions of dollars before they were freed months later. The following year, a separate band of Abu Sayyaf rebels seized 20 Filipino vacationers and three American tourists from a western Philippine resort. Most of the hostages were later rescued or ransomed, but two of the Americans were killed.

Pakistani PM: Most Of Tribal Areas 'Cleared Of The Terrorists'

Pakistani PM: Most Of Tribal Areas 'Cleared Of The Terrorists' Author: Bill Roggio

(NSI News Source Info) January 30, 2009: Pakistan's prime minister and his closest adviser have claimed success against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Pakistan's tribal areas. Both men also vowed to wrest control of the district of Swat from extremist control. But reports from the region paint a less optimistic picture. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the Taliban and al Qaeda have largely been driven from much of the tribal areas. “We are genuinely attacking the targets and the most areas have already been cleared of the terrorists,” Gilani told the international media at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He also claimed al Qaeda operatives are no longer present inside Pakistan. Rehman Malik, Gilani's adviser on internal Pakistani security issues, also provided an upbeat assessment of the situation in the tribal areas. He claimed the Pakistani military has been successful in driving the Taliban from much of the tribal areas, including the Taliban and al Qaeda stronghold of Bajaur. "We took action against them and in Bajaur, we arrested dozens of Afghan Taliban, Uzbek and Chechen nationals from there and succeeded to retake about 98 percent control of the area,” Malik said during a briefing to the Pakistani Senate. Malik also claimed the Taliban would soon be driven from the settled district of Swat, where Mullah Fazlullah's forces are in control and have declared a radical version of sharia, or Islamic Law. The “situation in Swat would be resolved soon and we would soon get deliverance from terrorists,” Malik said. Earlier this week, the Pakistani military launched its third attempt to drive off the Taliban from Swat in two years. Malik claimed that the military has executed a "strategy shift" and now controls Swat's main town of Mingora "and some important pockets." Malik would not provide details on this shift in strategy.

Taliban presence, by district and tribal agency, the Northwest Frontier Province and the Federally Administered Tribal Agencies. Information on Taliban presence obtained from open source and derived by The Long War Journal based on the presence of Taliban shadow governments, levels of fighting, and reports from the region. Map created by Bill Raymond for The Long War Journal. While Gilani and Malik touted the successes in the tribal areas and Swat, the situation in these regions is far worse than portrayed. The tribal agencies of North and South Waziristan remain Taliban bastions, dotted with al Qaeda training camps. The military has negotiated peace agreements with the powerful Haqqani, Mehsud, Bahadar, and Nazir Taliban factions in these agencies. The Taliban recently declared sharia law in the agencies of Bannu and Arakzai, where they run effective parallel governments. The military has recently fought heavy battles with the Taliban in Arakzai and Mohmand but have failed to dislodge the extremist forces. The Taliban and allied anti-Shia terror groups also control much of the Kurram tribal agency. The Shia are located in pockets in and around the town of Parachinar. Military forces based there will not intervene to end the sectarian wars. In Khyber, Taliban forces have laid siege to NATO's supply lines moving through the Khyber Pass. The attacks have forced the government to shut down the strategic road to Kabul four times over the past five months. Three military operations have failed to dislodge the Taliban, who control nearly all of the agency. And in Bajaur, where Rehman claimed the government has defeated the Taliban, after six months of brutal fighting reminiscent of World War I trench warfare, the Taliban remain active. Some of the Taliban forces simply withdrew to the neighboring Mohmand tribal agency, the settled districts of Dir, Malakand, and Swat, or across the border in Afghanistan's Kunar province. Taliban commander Faqir Mohammed and his senior commanders have evaded the operation. Outside of the tribal agencies and Swat, the Taliban control or have a strong influence in 15 of the Northwest Frontier Province's settled districts. The Taliban run the show in Tank, Bannu, and Hangu. The government negotiated peace deals with the Taliban in Lakki Marwat, Malakand, and Dir. The Taliban have savaged shipping terminals that serviced NATO supply convoys in the provincial capital of Peshawar. The military has launched multiple operations to eject the Taliban since September, but these have been unsuccessful. The Taliban have murdered and kidnapped foreign dignitaries and aid workers in the city. Last week, Qari Hussain, a Taliban commander who runs suicide camps for children in South Waziristan, openly held a press conference in Peshawar. The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan's main council appointed a commander for Peshawar and nearby Mardan. Charsadda and Kohat have been the scenes of violent battles and devastating suicide attacks. The Taliban laid siege to the Kohat Tunnel, the vital north-south link between Peshawar and the southern districts and agencies, several times during 2008. The tunnel was shut down for more than one month late last summer. One of the largest suicide attacks in Pakistan took place in a mosque in Charsadda. The Taliban have also crushed tribal opposition in Dir, Buner, Swat, Khyber, Aurakzai, and Mohmand. Meanwhile, the Taliban and al Qaeda operate more than 150 terror camps in the northwest. Covert US airstrikes have killed seven senior al Qaeda leaders in Pakistan's tribal areas since January 2008. Senior al Qaeda operatives and leaders remain in the northwest despite the US airstrikes and the uncoordinated Pakistani military operations that have failed to put pressure on the Taliban's stranglehold of the northwest.

France Rules Out New Troops For Afghanistan

France Rules Out New Troops For Afghanistan

(NSI News Source Info) DAVOS, Switzerland - January 30, 2009: French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner ruled out on Jan. 29 increasing the number of French troops deployed in Afghanistan. Asked about a proposed build-up in U.S. troops in Afghanistan and likely pressure from Washington for contributions from other NATO members, he said there were no plans to increase the French contingent. "We have just increased the number of our soldiers. There is no prospect of sending more troops for the time being, and it has not been asked," he told a panel discussing the country here. France is the fourth-largest contributor to the international military force in Afghanistan with more than 2,600 troops deployed in the region, mainly around Kabul and in forward bases in the east of the country. Paris has also stationed six Mirage 2000 fighter jets outside the southern city of Kandahar to support U.S. and NATO-led troops on the ground.