US Researcher Honoured In Singapore

US Researcher Honoured In Singapore

(NSI News Source Info) February 20, 2009: THE former chief of the US Air Force Research Laboratory (ARFL) was conferred the Singapore Defence Technology Distinguished Fellowship by Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean at the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) on Friday morning. Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean conferring the Singapore Defence Technology Distinguished Fellowship on Mr Lester McFawn. Mr McFawn was lauded for the facilitation of bilateral cooperation between AFRL and Singapore's defence technology agencies during his tenure as Executive Director from September 2003 to January last year. A three-year technology cooperation roadmap was one such joint project that benefits both air forces, expanding research and development cooperation between ARFL and Mindef. The Singapore Defence Technology Distinguished Fellowship was established in 1996 to recognise individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of Singapore's defence technology capabilities. The award was conferred on Mr McFawn in recognition of his outstanding contributions in strengthening defence technology cooperation and fostering excellent defence ties between the US and Singapore, said a Mindef statement.

China Wants Greater Presence Of Developing Nations In UNSC

China Wants Greater Presence Of Developing Nations In UNSC

(NSI News Source Info) United Nations - February 20, 2009: China has called for a greater representation of developing countries, in particular those from Africa, in a reformed UN Security Council.

'In the reform of the Security Council, priority should be given to the greater representation of developing countries, in particular African ones,' China's UN Ambassador Zhang Yesui told an informal plenary of the General Assembly Thursday.

With developing countries accounting for the vast majority of the UN's 192 member states, the composition of the Security Council can no longer reflect the political reality of the UN, he said.

Developing countries have been demanding more say in matters of global peace and security, rejecting the political dominance of the so called P5, or the five permanent members of the Security Council - the US, Russia, China, France and Britain.

They have called for enlarging the council from the current 15 to 21 or 25 members, to include the emerging nations.

During discussions in the late 1990s, Germany, Japan, India, Brazil, South Africa and Nigeria demanded permanent seats on a reformed council.

Pakistan's Local Gov't Orders Closure Of NATO Transportation Station

Pakistan's Local Gov't Orders Closure Of NATO Transportation Station

(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD - February 20, 2009: A provincial government in Pakistan has ordered closure of a transportation station for NATO forces based in Afghanistan, a minister told the regional assembly Thursday. The private transportation station to facilitate NATO forces was established on a 12-acre land in Fateh Jang, a town in the eastern Punjab province.

A Pakistani man is seen standing next to burnt trucks for U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan after an attack by militants on the outskirts of Peshawar, the main city in the region that borders the lawless, militant-plagued tribal belt and is a key stop for vehicles traversing the famed Khyber Pass, Pakistan. Suspected militants attacked a terminal used by vehicles ferrying supplies to U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan early Saturday, the latest in a string of strikes on the critical and increasingly perilous supply route that snakes through northwest Pakistan. "The Punjab government has ordered the local administration to wind up the NATO transportation system," Law Minister Rana Sanaulah told the assembly. Opposition lawmaker Sher Ali Khan raised the issue in the house and said that transportation system had been set up for supplies of NATO forces in Afghanistan, adding that arms and other items had been supplied from the station. The provincial minister confirmed to the house that a person had given the land on rent for the NATO supply trucks, adding that the land had been given without permission from the Punjab government. Sanaulalh also said that NATO supply trucks were parked at the station before their journey to Afghanistan. The members of the provincial assembly welcomed the closure of the station by thumping desks. Officials say that some 70 percent of oil and other items are supplied to U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan through Pakistan. NATO oil tankers and trucks are frequently attacked by suspected militants in the northwestern city of Peshawar and the Khyber tribal region. December was the worst month for NATO trucks as militants torched around 300 trucks and military vehicles in Peshawar. In view of security concerns, the U.S has struck deal with Russia and Central Asian states for transportation of supplies to forces in Afghanistan.

BAE Systems Joins Battle For US Army Order

BAE Systems Joins Battle For US Army Order

(NSI News Source Info) February 20, 2009: BAE Systems, Europe's largest defence contractor, is gearing up to supply the United States with new armoured vehicles for President Obama's troop surge in Afghanistan. The company is competing to supply 2,000 all-terrain vehicles for the US Army, which will be deployed in Afghanistan as part of expanded operations there. President Obama said this week that he would send an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan from the spring as part of efforts to combat the resurgent Taleban. The US Department of Defence is seeking a lighter version of the Mine Resistent Ambush Protected (MRAP) carriers it has ordered to protect troops in Iraq. The MRAP vehicles are designed to limit the damage to troops from roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These bombs became the major cause of death of troops in Iraq after the 2003 invasion. The US has bought 12,000 MRAPs and BAE, the largest supplier of armoured vehicles in the world, won nearly 60 per cent of the orders. Last year it delivered 4,700 MRAPs, which was a significant contributor to a 31 per cent increase in BAE's profits. The company said yesterday that revenue in 2008 had increased by 18 per cent to £18.5 billion and underlying profits were nearly one third higher at £1.9 billion. BAE's Land Systems division, which builds armoured vehicles in the US, the UK, Sweden and South Africa, increased sales by 38 per cent to £6.4billion. Ian King, the chief executive of BAE, said: “Land Systems was driven by MRAP last year. We always knew that MRAP would be a one-off gain but there is also good organic growth in that division.” BAE will announce next week the vehicles that will compete for the next phase of MRAP purchasing. It is likely to offer lightweight variants of the RG-33 and Caiman vehicles. The Pentagon's latest MRAP order is for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) that will be smaller and more manoeuvrable than the troop carriers built for Iraq. The M-ATV, as the new version is being called, will weigh up to 10tonnes compared with up to 24tonnes for existing MRAPs. President Obama's determination to combat the Taleban has alleviated fears in the defence sector that he would immediately cut the military's budget. BAE received nearly 60 per cent of its sales from the Pentagon last year and expects continued strong demand this year. Mr King said that BAE would not be immune to the impact of a global economic downturn but investors believe that the company is better placed than most to weather a difficult 2009. BAE's share price has gained more than 20 per cent in the past three months while the FTSE 100 has experienced a small decline. The share price was up 13p to 400p yesterday. Mr King said: “We don't think we're recession-proof. We do have some insulation because of the length of the order book and the visibility we have, but we are very vigilant on what's going to happen when we look forward and look at what governments have done to fund the financial bailouts.” BAE's order book grew by 20 per cent last year to £46.5 billion. The company's strong results enabled it to increase its dividend by 13 per cent to 14.5p a share. Howard Wheeldon, senior strategist at BGC Partners, the brokerage firm, said: “In difficult global economic times such as these it is heartening to see a UK-based company that is both diverse and international producing not only sustainable growth in shareholder value but also rewarding shareholders with a decent dividend increase. At least there are no balance sheet concerns here.” BAE had to write down the value of its assets by £177 million last year, primarily because of the falling value of its 35 per cent holding in Saab, the Swedish aerospace company that makes the Gripen fighter jet.

Why Raytheon Designed A Ray Gun?

Why Raytheon Designed A Ray Gun?

(NSI News Source Info) February 20, 2009: What has Raytheon, the USA company that makes navigation equipment, got in common with sci-fi riot control?

Two years ago the UK Ministry of Defence's Strategic Trends depicted an alarming futuristic scenario in which middle-class radicals could engage in revolutionary activity with violent 'flashmobs', threatening the authorities with lawless disorder.

There are growing signs that these predictions may turn true. Remember the Greek riots following the police shooting of a teenager? Recently, police confronted demonstrators protesting deteriorating economic conditions and political corruption in Latvia, Lithuania and Bulgaria. There have been smaller demonstrations in Spain, Turkey, Denmark and Italy.

'These disturbances are another consequence of the bursting of the speculative capitalist bubble and the illusion of unlimited prosperity that once sustained it,' says journalist Matthew Carr.

The US military sees the modern city as the battleground of the 21st century.

Now it's reported that the Pentagon is experimenting with an array of weapons, including the Active Denial System (ADS), a microwave 'ray gun' designed by Raytheon, which directs unbearable heat on the skin from a 2km distance and is specifically designed for crowd dispersal. Other ongoing projects include acoustic devices and Pulsed Energy Projectiles (PEPs) which hurl plasma at crowds, causing 'pain and temporary paralysis'.

These weapons were originally intended for the urban battlegrounds of the Third World. 'But if Barack Obama fails to reactivate the ailing US economy, they may well find themselves deployed in the United States,' writes Carr.

'The news from Wall Street that US financiers awarded themselves a staggering $18.4bn in bonuses in 2008 hardly helps the new president's cause.'Next time your switch on your Raytheon chartplotter or radar watch out!

Poland, U.S. Sign MOU On Special Forces Co-Op

Poland, U.S. Sign MOU On Special Forces Co-Op

(NSI News Source Info) February 20, 2009: Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich and his U.S. counterpart Robert Gates signed a memorandum of understanding here Thursday, aiming to boost cooperation between the two countries' special forces. Gates, who is in the southern Polish city of Krakow for the NATO Defense Ministers' Meeting, said during the signing ceremony that the deal marked a new era for military cooperation between the United States and Poland.Polish Special Forces (Polish: Wojska Specjalne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej) is the 4th branch of Polish Armed Forces formed in early 2007. It is composed of 3 special units and command.

The two countries share some common interests and they are inherent partners, said Gates, who also spoke highly of the role played by Polish troops in Afghanistan.

Klich, for his part, said the Poland-U.S. strategic partnership was borne out by both nations fighting alongside each other in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He has discussed with Gates in detail the situation in Afghanistan and the challenges ahead, and both agreed that the reliability of the NATO has been proven in operations in the Asian country, Klich added.

NATO defense ministers are meeting in Poland on Thursday and Friday to primarily find ways to tackle the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and NATO's military transformation.

US Concerned Over Pakistan Deal

US Concerned Over Pakistan Deal

(NSI News Source Info) February 20, 2009: The US has expressed concern over a deal Pakistani authorities reached with pro-Taleban militants in the Swat valley in north-western Pakistan. The agreement allows the imposition of Sharia law in the region. Pakistani military soldiers guard a street in Swat Valley February 17, 2009. Pakistan has gambled that an offer to introduce Islamic law to parts of the northwest will bring peace to the troubled Swat valley, but analysts fear any lull won't last long and appeasement will embolden the Taliban. Richard Holbrooke, US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, said he was worried it might "become a surrender". The deal has been welcomed by local people in the region. But critics - especially in the US - see it as capitulation to the Taleban. Mr Holbrooke, who returned this week from a tour of South Asia, told US network CNN he had discussed the issue in a telephone call with Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari. He said Mr Zardari had assured him the deal was an interim arrangement aimed at stabilising the troubled Swat region. 'Thugs and militants' "I am concerned, and I know Secretary [of State Hillary)] Clinton is, and the president is, that this deal, which is portrayed in the press as a truce, does not turn into a surrender," Mr Holbrooke said. "President Zardari has assured us it is not the case," he added, pointing out that the Pakistani president had described it as "an interim arrangement". "He does not disagree that people who are running Swat now are murderers, thugs and militants and they pose a danger not only to Pakistan but to the US as well," Mr Holbrooke said. Talks on the deal have now started between cleric Sufi Mohammad, who signed the Sharia deal with the government, and the Taleban, who are led by his son-in-law. Critics of the deal have said it constitutes the appeasement of extremists. The Pakistani government has denied having made any "concession" to the extremists. The BBC's M Ilyas Khan, who was recently in Swat, says the Taleban have already set up their own version of Islamic justice. Tens of thousands of people have fled the former tourist haven. More than 1,000 civilians have died in shelling by the army or from beheadings sanctioned by the Taleban. Thousands more have been displaced.

Sukhoi Confirms Su-35 Deliveries To Russian Air Force In 2011

Sukhoi Confirms Su-35 Deliveries To Russian Air Force In 2011

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - February 20, 2009: Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker confirmed on Thursday that the advanced Su-35 Flanker multi-role fighter would enter service with the Russian Air Force in 2011. Russia's new state-of-the-art Su-35 Flanker multirole air superiority/strike fighter successfully completed its first demonstration flight on Monday. Deliveries of the new aircraft, billed as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology," to foreign clients will start in 2011, the chief executive of the Sukhoi aircraft maker said earlier on Monday. "The current progress of the Su-35 testing program confirms the earlier announced timeframe for the deliveries of the aircraft to Russian and foreign customers in 2011," the company said in a statement. The first two Su-35 prototypes have successfully conducted 87 flights since July 2008, demonstrating the aircraft's superior technical and combat characteristics. Sukhoi is planning to add a Russia's Su-35 fighter to the testing program in 2009, and boost the current number of test flights to 150-160. The Su-35 fighter, powered by two 117S engines with thrust vectoring, combines high maneuverability and the capability to effectively engage several air targets simultaneously using both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems. The aircraft features the new Irbis-E radar with a phased antenna array, which allows the pilot to detect and track up to 30 air targets, while simultaneously engaging up to eight targets. It is equipped with a 30-mm cannon with 150 rounds and can carry up to eight tons of combat payload on 12 external mounts. The company earlier said it planned to produce the new aircraft, billed as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology," over a period of 10 years up to 2020. The company is expecting to export at least 160 Su-35 fighters in the future to a number of countries, including India, Malaysia and Algeria.

Israel: New IDF Armored Vehicle Gets Trial By Fire In Gaza....Part 2

Israel: New IDF Armored Vehicle Gets Trial By Fire In Gaza....Part 2

(NSI News Source Info) February 20, 2009: Last month, Israel used several of its new Namer IFV (infantry fighting vehicle) in Gaza. This was the first combat experience for the Namer , and it performed as expected. One was used for a forward command post, enabling officers to get close to the fighting and, using several radios and sensors in the Namer, to quickly shift forces and call in air support. The Namer is based on the chassis of older Merkava I and II series tanks that are being retired. Thus Namer will have the thick armor of the Merkava. With the turret removed, a remotely controlled (from inside the vehicle) heavy machine-gun has been added. The Merkava lends itself to this kind of modification, because the engine is mounted in the front and there is already a door in the back of the vehicle. The Namer heavy APC is fitted with modular armor and Trophy active protection system. For the first time active protection system is used as an integral element. Vehicle is also fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. The Namer offers the same protection level as the Merkava Mk.4.* While the Israelis liked the speed of the Stryker, which they considered ordering, they felt they will still be fighting in urban areas, against Palestinian terrorists, in the next ten years. There, the Namer has an edge, because of its thicker armor. Out in the open, the Stryker has an edge. If the Israelis cannot afford to build enough Namers, they will add armor to their existing supply of M-113 APCs. But based on tests, and the first experience in Gaza, troops prefer the Namer. The Namer carries eleven people (a driver, gunner, vehicle commander and eight infantry). The passenger compartment is also equipped with a stretcher, that enables one casualty to be carried along with a full load of 11 troops. In addition to the remotely controlled 12.7mm machine-gun, there is also a roof hatch on the left forward part of the vehicle, for the commander to use, and also operate a 7.62mm machine-gun. The vehicle also has the Merkava battle management system, as well as four cameras providing 360 degree vision around the vehicle. The remotely controlled machine-gun has a night vision sight. The vehicle also has a toilet, an addition based on troop feedback (and many missions where they had to stay on board for up to 24 hours at a time in combat zones.) Israel has over two hundred Merkava I tanks, the oldest are at least 25 years old. Removing the turret leaves you with a 44 ton Namer, the heaviest IFV ever built. Earlier, Israel had experimented with using T-55 and Centurian tanks as IFVs. This did not work because the engines in these vehicles were in the rear, where the exit doors of AFVs usually are. Thus troops had to enter and exit via top hatches. This was not a good idea in combat. When the older Merkavas became available, IFV conversions were an obvious application. Israeli troops were not happy with their elderly and poorly protected M113 APCs (Armored Personnal Carriers), and were eager to get a safer vehicle. Nearly 40 Nemers have already been delivered, and now Israel plans to produce over a hundred more, in order to equip two combat brigades. The existing Nemers are being used for training. Note that Nemer is sometimes spelled Namer, in case you want to go searching for more information on the subject.

Clinton Arrived In South Korea

Clinton Arrived In South Korea

(NSI News Source Info) February 19, 2009: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is escorted by Han Duck-Soo, Seoul's new ambassador to Washington, upon her arrival at a military airport in Seongnam, south of Seoul on February 19, 2009. Clinton arrived in South Korea for talks focusing on ways to revive stalled nuclear disarmament negotiations with North Korea.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, second right, shakes hands with an unidentified South Korean government official as Han Duck-soo, South Korean ambassador to U.S., right, looks on, upon her arrival at the Seoul Military Airport in Seongnam, South Korea, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009.