India: Islamic Militants Are Recruiting Internet Hackers For Cyberwar

India: Islamic Militants Are Recruiting Internet Hackers For Cyberwar

(NSI News Source Info) March 10, 2009: A month before the terrorist attack in Mumbai, India, the counter-terror police in that city arrested some key members of the Indian Mujahedeen (IM) organization.

One of the three men taken was Mohammed Mansoor Asghar Peerbhoy, who turned out to be the chief hacker for the IM. Peerbhoy is the 31 year old son of a wealthy Moslem family, with a university degree from one of India's top schools (VIT), who had a highly paid job with Yahoo in India.

Facing life in prison, Peerbhoy has been trying to gain leniency by cooperating. To that end, he has been demonstrating to the police the hacking techniques he used. In doing this, he has impressed the police with his ability to break into networks and manipulate what's there. Fortunately, Peerbhoy only used his Internet skills for the IM for distributing information about the group. He belonged to a "media cell" of the terrorist organization. But the police expect to find out what, if any, Internet based attack plans the IM, and other Islamic terrorist, organizations might have had.

Peerbhoy is one of the most skilled Internet specialists to be found working for an Islamic terrorist organization, and he is believed to have been consulted by the IM, and other Islamic terrorists, on the potential for Islamic terrorist attacks via the Internet.

Iraq Price Tag Won’t End With Withdrawal : Analysis

Iraq Price Tag Won’t End With Withdrawal : Analysis

(NSI News Source Info) March 10, 2009: Financial, logistical and political costs of leaving expected to be high. Measured in blood, the price tag in Iraq is absolute: 4,238 Americans have died during America's six-year war. For Iraqis, the toll is far greater.

One of the many large U.S. military bases in Iraq, Forward Operating Base Remagen is seen in a photo relased by the U.S. military in March 2006.

Icasualties.org, which tracks body counts reported by the media, notes nearly 45,000 civilians have been killed since Iraq's Shiite-led government was formed in April 2005; another Web site puts the tally since 2003 close to 100,000. Yet as the Pentagon prepares its exit strategy in line with President Barack Obama's announced plans to end the war by 2012, a wholly different calculus is emerging. With the end of combat rhetorically on the horizon, the cost of leaving is now measured in financial, logistical and, above all, political terms. Obama told Marines at Camp Lejeune, N.C., that while the United States would leave Iraq "sovereign, stable and self-reliant," the price of staying had become too great. "What we will not do is let the pursuit of the perfect stand in the way of achievable goals," the president said. "We cannot sustain indefinitely a commitment that has put a strain on our military and will cost the American people nearly a trillion dollars."

Pakistan: Has Kayani Put Zardari On Notice? / Worsening Pakistan Situation Making A Ground For Army

Pakistan: Has Kayani Put Zardari On Notice? / Worsening Pakistan Situation Making A Ground For Army

(NSI News Source Info) March 10, 2009: Will Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani dislodge Pakistan’s civilian government with tacit approval from the US? There are reports in the Pakistan media to suggest that Kayani, who has so far diligently maintained a low profile, has warned President Asif Ali Zardari that he should either clear the mess in the country soon or be ready to face the consequences.

Kayani is said to have hardened his position immediately after his return to Pakistan from the US last month, said the reports, speculating that Kayani has got the go-ahead from US authorities to assert himself in the face of the deteriorating law and order situation in the country.

Sections of Pakistani media have it that Kayani put Zardari on notice during his two visits to the Pakistani president this month. Speculation that army might step in to deal with the increasingly anarchic situation started soon after the terrorist attack in Lahore. Though Pakistan foreign office rubbished these reports as ‘‘not credible’’, this has not tamped down the guessing game about the future moves of Pakistan army.

The army returned to barracks after it appeared to have lost legitimacy during the helmsmanship of General Pervez Musharraf. But the rapid deterioration in security situation with the political leadership unable to get its act together appear to have created a windown of opportunity for it to step out and assume the reins once again.

Zardari is increasingly being looked upon in Pakistan as a leader driven by his personal agendas against rivals like PML (N) leader Nawaz Sharif. He has steadfastly refused to bring back Iftikhar Chaudhary as the chief justice of supreme court fearing that Chaudhary might roll back amnesty provided to him by Musharraf in cases of corruption.

This issue is now all set to culminate in the long march organised by lawyers and leaders like Sharif, his brother and ousted Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif and Imran Khan who has threatened that revolution will flow from guns and blood in Pakistan if Zardari uses state machinery to prevent the march.

The lawyers will march to Islamabad, starting March 12. The sit-in in Islamabad on March 16, according to lawyers and leaders, will continue till Zardari appoints Chaudhary back as chief justice. Apart from the disqualification of Sharif brothers, carried out allegedly at the behest of Zardari, he is now seen as appointing his associates as judges in Punjab and Sind. Kayani, according to media reports, has told Zardari that the situation is explosive that he would be held responsible if something untoward happens.

According to Asia Times Online Pakistan’s Bureau chief Syed Saleem Shahzad, Kayani’s trip to US ‘‘appears to have acted as a catalyst for change’’. ‘‘The ongoing strife in the country, with militants and al-Qaida steadily gaining ground in the tribal areas, and the government busy settling scores with opposition parties, has compelled Washington and its prime contractor in the region, the Pakistan military, to rewrite the political scenario,’’ says Shahzad in a column.

Ukraine Improved Variation Of BTR-80, The New BTR-94

Ukraine Improved Variation Of BTR-80, The New BTR-94

(NSI News Source Info) March 10, 2009: Ukraine is now offering another variation of the Cold War era BTR-80 wheeled armored personnel carriers that were built on its territory. The new model is the BTR-4, which is a slightly larger version of the earlier BTR-3. The BTR-4 is a 25 ton vehicle that is safe from RPG rockets. It is armed with a 30mm autocannon, a 7.62mm machine-gun, and a 30mm grenade launcher (or two anti-tank missiles).

The BTR-94 Armored Personnel Carrier (on the basis of BTR-80 armored carriers) is an amphibious multipurpose armored vehicle, which has effective missile-gun and machine gun armament and heavy-duty power unit. The BTR-94 is intended for accompishment of the delivery of mechanized infantery personnel to the battle field; provision of fire support with personnel small arms. It can destroy with turret weapons ground targets such as artillery batteries, armored vehicles, field fortifications, strong points and launchers. It can also combat enemy living force who disperse on large area of plain or highlands, and low-flying air targets. It can conduct radar and optronic reconnaissance of ground and air targets by its own instruments. The BTR-90 is for use as a combination armored personnel carrier and scout vehicle. In this role, the BTR-94's turret is somewhat larger and armed with a ZU-23-2 twin 23mm autocannon and a coaxial PKT machinegun. In addition, the turret has mounted on it a combination ground surveillance/air surveillance radar with a range of up to 20 km against ground targets and 30 km against aerial targets. The night vision suite has been improved, and a video camera system with a data link to higher headquarters has been added. The guns are equipped with a laser rangefinder that also doubles as a laser designator. The engine has been upgraded to a multifuel type. The multipurpose armament provides heavy destruction ability of personnel, armored and fortified land-based sites and low-flying air-borne targets. The heavy-duty power unit on the base of the multi-fuel diesel engine provides high speed and manoeuvrability of the combat vehicle. The internal hull and turret Kevlar liner provides the additional protection of crew, troops and internal equipment against bullets and fragments, ensures high temperature proof even being attacked by enemy with incendiary ammunition and mixtures. In 1997, Jordan purchased Ukrainian armored personnal carriers from Jordan. They consisted of an order of 50 BTR-94 armored vehicles. The contract to supply the weaponry was signed early 1999 with Ukrspetsexport mediation and completed in February 2000. Ukraine supplied 50 BTR-94 personnel carriers to Jordan in February of 2000, and has recently signed a contract to supply spare part for this equipment. In mid-2000 the state-run Bronetechnika Ukrayiny (Ukraine's Armor) concern was negotiating with Jordan to set up a joint company for the production, modernization and repair of military equipment in the countries of the Middle East. The proposed Ukrainian-Jordanian JVC may open the door for the Malyshev Plant's entry to Middle Eastern markets

It also has smoke grenade launchers. There is a three man crew, and space for seven troops or passengers in the back. There are firing ports and bullet-proof windows in the passenger compartment. The vehicle is air conditioned and amphibious. If you take away the anti-RPG armor, the vehicle only weighs 17.5 tons and can carry eight troops in the back. The heavier version costs about $1.7 million each. After the Cold War ended, Ukraine became independent and inherited the BTR factories on its territory. The updated BTR vehicles have proved to be popular export items. The BTR-3 has been sold to half a dozen countries. The BTR-3 is a 17 ton vehicle armed with a 30mm autocannon, a 7.62mm machine-gun, a 30mm grenade launcher and smoke grenade launchers. There is a three man crew, and space for six troops or passengers in the back. There are firing ports and bullet-proof windows in the passenger compartment. The BTR-3 sells for about $1.3 million each. The BTR-3 is air conditioned and amphibious. For both vehicles, max road speed is 110 kilometers an hour, and 10 in the water. Range, via road, on internal fuel, is about 600 kilometers.

Pakistan Air Force Has Contracted With China For 300 JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets Costing Almost $4 Billion,Can Pakistan Afford Mounting Cost Of Defence

Pakistan Air Force Has Contracted With China For 300 JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets Costing Almost $4 Billion, Can Pakistan Afford Mounting Cost Of Defence

(NSI News Source Info) March 10, 2009: Pakistan received eight JF-17 fighters over the last two years, and has now signed a deal to buy the next 42, of 300, of these jets from China. These 42 will cost $14.3 million per aircraft. The final 250 will cost $12 million each. When the first JF-17 fighter arrived in Pakistan two years ago, it ended over twenty years of development for what was first called the Super 7 fighter. The JF-17 was developed by China in cooperation with Pakistan, which originally only wanted to buy 150 of them. All this came about because Pakistan could not get modern fighters from anyone else, and turned to China. The 13 ton JF-17 is meant to be a low cost alternative to the American F-16. The JF-17 is considered the equal to earlier versions of the F-16, but only 80 percent as effective as more recent F16 models.

The JF-17 uses the same Russian engine, the RD-93, that is used in the MiG-29. The JF-17 design is based on a cancelled Russian project, the MiG-33. Most of the JF-17 electronics are Western, with Italian firms being major suppliers. At one time, there was a serious a snag because the Russians did not want to allow the JF-17s to go to Pakistan with Russian engines. Negotiations resolved this problem, aided by the current peace talks between India (a long time Russian customer) and Pakistan. The JF-17 can carry 3.6 tons of weapons and use radar guided and heat seeking missiles. It has max speed of nearly 2,000 kilometers an hour, an operating range of 1,300 kilometers and a max altitude of 55,000 feet. It is arriving just in time to replace many aging MiG-21s that Pakistan is still flying.

Production Moves Forward on Australian Super Hornets / Production Moves Forward on Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet for Australia

Production Moves Forward on Australian Super Hornets / Production Moves Forward on Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet for Australia

(NSI News Source Info) ST. LOUIS - March 10, 2009: The outer skin of the first Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is fitted to its forward fuselage on a pulse assembly line in St. Louis. The aircraft is approximately three months ahead of schedule and set for an early delivery date in July.

(Photo/Image: Boeing says production of the first F-18F for Australia is three months ahead of schedule.)

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a multirole aircraft equipped with the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, is able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum. The RAAF has 24 Super Hornets on order.

Each of the more than 380 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets Boeing has delivered to the U.S. Navy has been delivered on or ahead of the original delivery timeline.

Britain Pulls Nimrods For Safety Upgrades

Britain Pulls Nimrods For Safety Upgrades

(NSI News Source Info) March 10, 2009: Royal Air Force Nimrod surveillance aircraft are being withdrawn from overseas operations in order to have vital safety upgrades fitted, Britain's Ministry of Defence announced March 9. The upgrade was to have been fitted to all Nimrod MR2 and R1 aircraft by the end of March, but the program has been delayed by supply problems with the fuel seals that will replace existing equipment on the aging aircraft. Starting in 1975, 32 aircraft were upgraded to MR2 standard, including modernisation of the electronic suite and (as the MR2P) provision for in-flight refuelling and additional ESM pods on the wingtips. The in-flight refuelling capability was introduced during the Falklands War, as well as hardpoints to allow the Nimrod to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile (giving rise to the aircraft being called "the largest fighter in the world"). Eventually all MR2s gained refuelling probes and the "P" designation was dropped. The Nimrod MR2 carries out three main roles. Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Unit Warfare (ASUW) and Search and Rescue (SAR). Its extended range enables the crew to monitor maritime areas far to the north of Iceland and up to 4,000 km out into the Western Atlantic. With Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR), range and endurance is greatly extended. The MR2 is a submarine killer carrying up to date sensors and data processing equipment linked to the weapon systems. In addition to weapons and sonobuoys, a searchlight can be mounted in the starboard wing pod for Search and rescue (SAR) operations. The crew consists of two pilots and one flight engineer, two navigators (one tactical navigator and a routine navigator), one Air Electronics Officer (AEO), the sonobuoy sensor team of two Weapon System Operators (WSOp ACO) and four Weapon System Operators (WSOp EW) to manage passive and active electronic warfare systems. Two of the WSOps will be used as observers positioned at the port and starboard beam lookout windows when flying in dense air traffic. The MR2 has the longest bomb bay of any NATO aircraft. The Nimrod MR2 is based at RAF Kinloss in Scotland and flown by 201, 120 and 42(R) Squadrons. First maintenance of the MR2 is carried out by the Nimrod Line Sqn. Software Support for the MR2 is carried out by the Nimrod Software Team also based at RAF Kinloss. The aircraft will be withdrawn from service on March 31 and returned to Britain for modifications. They will return to operation by early summer, an MoD spokeswoman here said. The ministry says other British and coalition surveillance assets will plug the gap while the aircraft are upgraded. The RAF is known to operate the aircraft over Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as in the United Kingdom where it has homeland security, maritime surveillance and other duties. The upgrade follows the 2006 crash of a Nimrod in Afghanistan. The crew of 14 was killed when a midair fuel leak ignited a fire on the aircraft soon after it had completed air-to-air refueling. As a result, inflight refueling on the Nimrod has been banned. After a board of inquiry in late 2007, the MoD directed that the 18 Nimrods have their fuel seal and engine bay hot air ducting replaced by the end of the first quarter. That didn't happen, so the aircraft are being withdrawn from overseas service. About half a dozen of the MR2 and R1 intelligence aircraft have been modified with the new hot air ducting, but it is not clear how many of the revamped aircraft have had new fuel seals fitted. In a parliamentary statement, Bob Ainsworth, armed forces minister, said, "Problems with the provision of replacement fuel seals mean that both programs will be delayed beyond that date" of March 31. The minister said that while the hot air ducting changes were essential, the aircraft could continue to fly safely without the new fuel seals. "In order that the risks involved in operating the aircraft remain tolerable and as low as reasonably practicable, no Nimrods should fly after 31 March 2009, unless their hot air ducts have been replaced," Ainsworth said. "Delays to the replacement of fuel seals will, however, have no impact on flying since our experts assess that the risk is tolerable." BAE Systems is the contractor that is doing the work as part of a wider support deal it has on the Nimrod fleet. It is not clear whether the company or the government is responsible for supplying the fuel seals. One official with knowledge of the program said the seals were to be provided as government-furnished equipment. A spokesman for BAE said it was a matter for the MoD. It is "inappropriate for the company to comment," he said. The work is being undertaken at the RAF MR2 base at Kinloss in Scotland and the R1 base at Waddington in England. The minister said the work would temporarily reduce routine U.K.-based Nimrod flying. The MR2s were to have been replaced by the new Nimrod MRA4 surveillance aircraft being developed and built by BAE. The new aircraft should have been in service in 2003 but a series of delays mean the MRA4 is now not expected to be operational until 2010.

Hugo Chavez Says Venezuela Ready For War With Colombia

Hugo Chavez Says Venezuela Ready For War With Colombia (NSI News Source Info) Caracas - March 10, 2009: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said the armed forces are ready for a war with Colombia should the country provoke it. "In case of a provocation on the part of Colombia's armed forces or infringements on Venezuela's sovereignty, I will give an order to strike with Su aircraft and tanks. I will not let anyone disrespect Venezuela and its sovereignty," Chavez said Sunday on his weekly TV show, "Hello, President." Chavez said this in response to Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos's recent statements, which said that Colombia's military will keep killing rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on the territory of other states. Bilateral relations sharply aggravated after Colombia's military bombarded a camp of Colombian rebels in Ecuador in March 2008, killing FARC leader Raul Reyes as well as another 16 rebels. In response, Chavez ordered to dispatch several thousand soldiers and tanks toward the border with Colombia. Chavez characterized Colombia's actions as violating Ecuador's sovereignty, and called Colombian President Alvaro Uribe "a criminal." This week, Colombia's National Radio said citing a high-ranking intelligence source that nine people from the FARC General Staff hide in Venezuela and another two in Ecuador. The top management of the staff includes 31 people. FARC is a Marxist-Leninist guerrilla group established in 1960s. It is considered a terrorist organization by the Colombian government, the U.S. and the EU. The rebels' revenues are believed to be partly obtained from drug trafficking and kidnapping.

North Korea Puts Armed Forces On Full Combat Readiness

North Korea Puts Armed Forces On Full Combat Readiness

(NSI News Source Info) Pyongyang - March 10, 2009: North Korea has put its armed forces on full combat readiness and cut off the only direct hotline with South Korea's military in response to plans of joint military exercises by South Korea and the U.S. "In the current serious situation in the country, all soldiers of the Korean People's Army (KPA) have to maintain full combat readiness," the KPA command said as quoted by the Korean Central News Agency. Pyongyang considers the plans by Seoul and Washington to conduct military exercises a preparation for a war. The U.S. and South Korea say the exercises, which are held annually, are purely defensive. The exercises codenamed Key Resolve/Foal Eagle will be conducted in South Korea. They will involve 26,000 U.S. servicemen and a U.S. aircraft carrier. The number of South Korean soldiers has not been announced. South and North Koreas are formally in a state of war, as the 1950-1953 conflict on the Korean Peninsula ended only in a truce agreement, not in a peace treaty.

Iran Says Air-To-Sea Missile Test Successful

Iran Says Air-To-Sea Missile Test Successful

(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN - March 9, 2009: Iran said March 8 it "successfully" tested a new air-to-sea missile with a range of 110 kilometers (68 miles), the Fars news agency reported. It did not say when the test was conducted. "Iranian defense specialists are able to successfully install missiles with a range of 110 kilometers on fighter planes and launch them," the report said, adding that the high-precision weapon weighs about 500 kilos. The report said the latest test showed the Islamic republic's "ability to automatically direct the missile and carry warheads to destroy large targets at sea." The announcement comes just days after a top military commander said Iran has missiles that can reach nuclear facilities in its arch-foe Israel. Mohammed Ali Jafari, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, said Tehran has missiles with a range of more than 2,000 kilometers, bringing all of Israel within range. But defense analysts question the accuracy of Iran's longer-range missiles. Jafari's comment came amid sustained speculation that Israel could target Iranian nuclear plants. Israel has a major nuclear facility at Dimona in the Negev desert, at which it is widely believed to have developed a nuclear arsenal. Israel maintains a policy of neither confirming nor denying a nuclear capability, but it is suspected to have more than 200 warheads. Iran does not recognize the Jewish state and has repeatedly predicted its demise.