Idex 2009: Arms Deals Being Signed Despite Economic Slump

Idex 2009: Arms Deals Being Signed Despite Economic Slump

(NSI News Source Info) February 23, 2009: Despite low oil prices and a global economic slowdown, within an hour of the opening of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi, several multi-million deals were signed, the local newspaper The National reported. The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engined delta-wing highly agile multi-role fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. The Rafale is being produced both for land-based use with the French Air Force and for carrier-based naval operations with the French Navy. It has also been marketed for export. While several countries have expressed interest in the Rafale, there have been no foreign sales as of yet. The UAE has signed an agreement with U.S. manufacturer Raytheon for the delivery of the company's anti-aircraft missiles that can be launched both on the ground and in the air.

In addition, the UAE Air Force will become the first in the region to acquire the latest and most advanced version of Raytheon's medium-range air-to-air missile as part of the country's modernization plan aimed at establishing a multilayer missile defense system. Many of the Sunni Islamic countries along the southern coast of the Gulf fear the increasing influence of Shi'ite-dominated Iran, and are concerned that due to their close relations to the U.S. they will become targets in possible future armed conflicts between Tehran and Washington. Meanwhile, French defense minister, Hervé Morin, announced that France would open its military base in the UAE by May as part of his country's re-establishment in the region. Last year France and the UAE signed an agreement to establish a 500-man French base in the country.Previously, France sold the UAE 60 Mirage fighter jets and 400 tanks, and the two governments are reported to be in talks about the sale of the more advanced fighter jet Rafale, produced by the French manufacturer Dassault.

Northrop Grumman Receives U.S. Navy MQ-8B Fire Scout Contract Award For Third Year Of Low Rate Initial Production

Northrop Grumman Receives U.S. Navy MQ-8B Fire Scout Contract Award For Third Year Of Low Rate Initial Production

(NSI News Source Info) SAN DIEGO - February 23, 2009: Northrop Grumman Corporation's MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) program moves closer to Operational Evaluation (OpEval) with a recent U.S. Navy modification award to a previous firm fixed-price contract for the procurement of three VTUAV systems. This award, for an amount not to exceed $40 million, is the last of three planned low-rate initial production (LRIP) buys. MQ-8B: Although progress on the project had been regarded as satisfactory, the Navy decided the Fire Scout didn't meet their needs after all, and cut funding for production in December 2001. However, the development program continued, and Northrop Grumman pitched a range of improved configurations to anyone who was interested. As it turned out, the U.S. Army was very interested, awarding a contract for seven improved "RQ-8B" evaluation machines in late 2003. In 2006, it was redesignated "MQ-8B". The MQ-8B features four-blade main rotor, in contrast to the larger-diameter three-blade rotor of the RQ-8A, to reduce noise and improve lift capacity and performance. The four-blade rotor had already been evaluated on Fire Scout prototypes. They boost gross takeoff weight by 500 pounds to 3,150 pounds (by 225 kg to 1,430 kg), with payloads of up to 700 pounds (320 kg) for short-range missions. The MQ-8B is fitted with stub wings as well. The wings will serve both an aerodynamic purpose as well as an armament carriage location, to include weapons such as Hellfire missiles, Viper Strike laser-guided glide weapons, and in particular pods carrying the "Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)", a laser-guided 70 millimeter (2.75 inch) folding-fin rocket, which the Army sees as ideal for the modern battlefield. The Army is also interested in using the Fire Scout to carry up to 90 kilograms (200 pounds) of emergency supplies to troops in the field. The MQ-8B is being modified to permit rapid swapout of payload configurations. The current sensor configuration of a day/night turret with a laser target designator will of course remain an option. Alternate sensor payloads in consideration include a TSAR with Moving Target Indicator (MTI) capability, a multispectral sensor, a SIGINT module, the Target Acquisition Minefield Detection System (ASTAMIDS), and the Tactical Command Data Link (TCDL). The Army wants the Fire Scout to operate as an element of an integrated ground sensor network as well. The Army interest revived Navy interest in the program, with the Navy ordering eight Sea Scout MQ-8B derivatives for evaluation. The Navy authorized an LRIP 1 contract to Northrop Grumman for the Fire Scout VTUAV program in June 2007. The program achieved a series of program milestones and the Navy awarded an LRIP 2 contract in September 2008.

Under this LRIP 3 contract, the company will provide the Navy with three complete MQ-8B Fire Scouts with electro-optical payloads, three ground control stations, three light harpoon grids, three UAV common automatic recovery systems and six portable electronic display devices. Work is expected to be completed in March 2011. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. "Completing the LRIP 3 requirements will put the Fire Scout program one step closer to achieving Initial Operating Capability and supporting expansion of the Fire Scout program to both Littoral Combat Ships and other surface combatants," said Doug Fronius, MQ-8B Fire Scout VTUAV program director for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. The Navy plans to conduct Technical Evaluation of the Fire Scout program in early 2009. OpEval is scheduled for later in the year. The Fire Scout program will reach Initial Operating Capability soon after OpEval in 2009. Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Pentagon Fields 10,000th MRAP Vehicle / Military Fields 10,000th Mine-resistant Vehicle To Troops In Iraq

Pentagon Fields 10,000th MRAP Vehicle / Military Fields 10,000th Mine-resistant Vehicle To Troops In Iraq

(NSI News Source Info) BAGHDAD - February 23, 2009: The U.S. military fielded its 10,000th mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle in Iraq today during a ceremony on Camp Liberty, just 22 months after it was introduced into the theater of operations. Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected vehicles sit in a row on the Camp Liberty, Iraq, fielding site, Feb. 20, 2009. The day marked the introduction of the 10,000th vehicle into Iraq.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Christopher Gaylord Service-members and civilians from across Victory Base Complex gathered among rows of MRAPs at the largest fielding site in Iraq to acknowledge the success the vehicle has had in protecting thousands of troops from blasts caused by roadside bombs.

"This is a historic day that represents the enduring power of our military industrial base,” Army Lt. Col. Ron Fizer, commander of the 402nd Field Support Brigade, said. “This type of effort has been indicative of America's manufacturing capability, but it has not been demonstrated in such a fashion since World War II.

"The teamwork demonstrated through the combined efforts of military, civilians, and contractors … has been exceptional,” he continued. “This has set a new standard for the development, fielding and sustainment of capabilities required by our warriors for today's battlefield and future conflicts."

The first MRAP was fielded in Iraq in April 2007. Since then, more than 11,700 vehicles have been fielded across the U.S. Central Command area of operations. In Iraq alone, this marks the 10,000th vehicle fielded and more than 22,000 personnel trained. "MRAPs save lives every time they go out,"

Army Brig. Gen. Michael Lally, commander of the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Brigade, said at the ceremony. Lally shared an instance in which three soldiers in his unit walked away uninjured when an improvised explosive device damaged the entire front half of their vehicle. "The whole front of the MRAP was destroyed, and all three people walked out the back with no injuries," Lally said. Army Lt. Col. Greg Rawlings, chief of the force management division in Multinational Corps Iraq Operations, was an honored guest at the ceremony for his role in the distribution of MRAPs to Army units throughout Iraq.

Rawlings was recognized and applauded for building distribution plans for the dispersal of new equipment based on unit requirements and the threat in certain areas of the country.

"I'm basically the guy who doles [MRAPs] out," Rawlings said. "I give 50 to this unit and 50 to that unit, based on who needs them most."

Rawlings mentioned that adding armor as a result of the threat of what the military calls “explosively formed projectiles” – roadside bombs made from shaped charges designed to pierce conventional armored vehicles -- is an example of changes based on his assessments.

In its 22 months of use in Iraq, the MRAP has undergone numerous modifications that have increased troops' confidence in theist ability to keep them safe. The program continues to adapt the vehicles even as they are produced and fielded, with improvements such as upgraded armor, better suspension systems, improved seats, safety harnesses, and gunner restraints and improved night driving capability. At the same time, they have maintained a 95-percent operational readiness rate.

"My fellow soldiers and I feel very confident in [the MRAP's] ability to contain an IED blast," said Army Pfc. Derek Sharp, who arrived in Iraq in early December as part of the 82nd Airborne Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Lally presented Sharp with a ceremonial key and recognized him as the operator of the 10,000th MRAP in Iraq.

Troops know when they go “outside the wire” they're in the best-protected vehicle with which they can be provided, Lally said.

“They know they'll get from Point A to Point B, and it's not going to break down on them," he said. "The MRAP team has done a phenomenal job over here. There was a lot of training that went on here for our operators, maintainers and crews to safely and effectively operate this piece of equipment."

Spencer Sims, the Camp Liberty fielding site's lead manager, said said soldiers talk about the safety the MRAPs provide.

"I had a couple of soldiers that came in and were getting some work done on their vehicle,” he said, “and they said they had been hit seven times with IEDs, and that very next week they were going on leave. I think it's a great testament to the whole team involved."

BAE Launches New Variant Of RG-31 MRAP / BAE Systems Launches New Variant Of South Africa’s Most Successful Export Mine Protected Vehicle

BAE Launches New Variant Of RG-31 MRAP / BAE Systems Launches New Variant Of South Africa’s Most Successful Export Mine Protected Vehicle

(NSI News Source Info) ABU DHABI, UAE - February 23, 2009: BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa, has launched the latest version of its acclaimed RG series of mine resistant personnel carrier vehicles.

The new vehicle, the RG31 Mk6E, is making its international debut at the IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi (22-26 February 2009).

Since receiving a Canadian armed forces order for RG31 Mk3 vehicles in 2003, the South African company’s RG-series of products have boosted the country’s exports by more than $430 million with a steadily increasing series of additional orders for vehicles, spares and support from new customers around the globe.

It has also created over 300 new jobs at its factory near Johannesburg and many more throughout its supplier network. The Special Operations Command (SOC) in the UAE operates 76 RG31 Mk5 vehicles, of which 70 are Armoured Personnel Carriers and 6 Command vehicles. These vehicles have been in service since July 2007.

“We are confident that this latest development will further confirm our South African business as the world leader in mine protected vehicle technology,” said Johan Steyn, Managing Director of BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa. “The RG series builds on the three decades of experience we have gained in South Africa, through vehicles such as the Casspir, Mamba and Mfezi.

Its success is a result of our ongoing investment into ever improving vehicle protection levels. We achieve this by applying new concepts and designs influenced by customer and operator feedback and simulation,” he explained. Among the latest developments incorporated in the RG31 Mk6E are new anti-mine seats.

These provide enhanced protection to the occupants from lumbar spinal injuries which can be caused by the shock-waves associated with land mine detonations. The seats incorporate shock attenuation crushable elements developed at Land Systems South Africa.

Tests have shown that these absorb some of the vertical impulse associated with mine blasts, reducing the likelihood of injury during large landmine explosions. Since 2004, BAE Systems has sold over 2,200 RG31 vehicles, including a series of major orders for the US military which operates both the RG31 and its stable-mate RG33, in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Of these, more than 1,300 RG31 mine-protected vehicles have been delivered to the US and Canadian forces. The US RG31s are manufactured by Land Systems OMC and also under licence by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada. In addition to ongoing US orders, several European countries are expressing interest in RG31 mine protected vehicle for their forces, and a recent order from Spain for 100 vehicles, confirms this interest.

BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.

Bangladesh Plans Major Defence Procurement

Bangladesh Plans Major Defence Procurement

(NSI News Source Info) February 23, 2009: PM Sheikh Hasina's new government in Bangladesh has decided to launch a massive defence procurement drive to strengthen the armed forces and to equip them with modern weapons and military hardware.

Planning Minister Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khondoker told parliament on Sunday that the purchases would be made during the current and next fiscals.

He said the forces would be made well equipped and trained in line with the country's financial capabilities. "For equipping the army, plans have been taken to procure helicopters, tanks, APCs (armoured personnel carrier), anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, sniper rifles, different types of modern radio systems, explosives, night vision and related hardware, other types of weapons and vehicles in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010," he told the house. A process was now underway to procure three new frigates to earn the "three dimensional" capabilities for the navy to face the 21st centuries challenge, he said.

"A process to sign a procurement deal has been completed to buy appropriate anti-ship missiles for Bangladesh Navy's ultra modern frigate while it is now awaiting the government's final nod... Works are underway to install anti-aircraft missile in the ship (frigate)," Khondoker said. Moreover, Khondoker said, international tenders were already floated to procure helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft to intensify vigil in the sea and establish a three dimensional navy.

"The government also planned to modernise the air force for better air defence and enable it to carry out salvage and relief campaign during disasters at home and abroad, assist the military and navy with air support and intensify air vigil through procuring modern aircraft and air force hardware. "These plans will be implemented in phases," he added.

US worried about 'Taliban shelters in Quetta'

US worried about 'Taliban shelters in Quetta'

(NSI News Source Info) February 23, 2009: There is growing concern among US officials, even as CIA drones pound targets in FATA, about alleged Taliban havens in Balochistan, The New York Times reported on Monday. Americans are increasingly focusing on Quetta, from where Taliban leaders are alleged to stir violence in Afghanistan.

Taliban operations in Quetta are different from operations in the Tribal Areas. As the United States prepares to pour as many as 30,000 additional troops into Afghanistan, military and intelligence officials say the effort could be futile unless there is a concerted effort to kill or capture Taliban leaders in Quetta to cut the group's supply lines into Afghanistan.Afghan and US commanders have long said Taliban leaders, including Mullah Muhammad Omar, guide commanders in southern Afghanistan from the city.

"When their leadership is where you cannot get to them, it becomes difficult," said Gen Dan K McNeill, who until June was the senior American commander in Afghanistan and recently retired. "You are restrained from doing what you want to do."

Quetta is close to the provinces in southern Afghanistan where the war's fiercest fighting has occurred. American intelligence officials said that the dozen or so militants who were thought to make up the Taliban leadership in the area were believed to be hiding either in Afghan refugee camps near Quetta or in some of the city's Afghan neighbourhoods.

One former intelligence official with years of experience in Afghanistan and Pakistan likened the situation to America's difficulties during the Vietnam War, when Vietnamese guerrillas used a haven in Cambodia. For the past year, the top American goal in Pakistan has been to press Islamabad for help elsewhere -- in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan.

But NATO generals and diplomats have long complained that the command and control of Taliban fighters, distinct from Al Qaeda insurgents, may lie in southern Pakistan, and that Pakistani security services ignore the threat. "We've made progress going into the Tribal Areas and Northwest Frontier Province against Al Qaeda, but ... not ... against the Quetta shura," said a senior Obama administration official.

Some current and former American intelligence officials are sympathetic to difficulties that the government in Islamabad faces in rounding up Taliban leaders. Balochistan has long been an area hostile to government control, and even Pakistani spies have difficulty building a network of sources there, they said. So offer the Balochis a deal: they get independence from Islamabad if they in turn wipe out the al-Qaeda and Taliban in their territory.

The influence of the Taliban leadership over operations on the ground in Afghanistan is a matter of some debate among analysts. "The Quetta shura is extremely important," said Lt Gen David W Barno, a retired former commander of American forces in Afghanistan who is advising General Petraeus on a strategic review of this region, including Pakistan and Afghanistan. "They are the intellectual and ideological underpinnings of the Taliban insurgency."

But Gen David D McKiernan, currently the top military commander in Afghanistan, said in a speech in Washington in November that any assessment that said the Quetta shura's dictates were closely followed by field commanders "gives the Taliban far too much credit for coherency at the operational and strategic level. They don't have that."

Syrian And Yemeni Are Getting Cosy!!!!

Syrian And Yemeni Are Getting Cosy!!!!

(NSI News Source Info) February 23, 2009: Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and his Yemeni counterpart Ali Abdullah Saleh review the honour guards in Damascus February 23, 2009. Saleh is in Syria for a two-day official visit.

Raytheon Says UAE To Buy Advanced Missiles

Raytheon Says UAE To Buy Advanced Missiles

(NSI News Source Info) ABU DHABI - February 23, 2009: The United Arab Emirates is buying 224 advanced version missiles from Raytheon Co. for its F-16 Block 60 fighter aircraft, a senior Raytheon official said on Sunday. The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM (pronounced am-ram), is a modern Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile (AAM) capable of all weather day and night performance. It is also commonly known as the Slammer in USAF service. When an AMRAAM missile is being launched, NATO pilots use the brevity code Fox Three. The UAE and the U.S. government have executed a letter of offer and acceptance for the purchase of Raytheon's AIM-120 C-7 missiles, equipping the UAE with the most advanced version of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air missile (AMRAAM). "The value of the deal is sizeable and deliveries will start mid to late 2011," P.T. Mikolashek, President of Raytheon Middle East & North Africa told Reuters, declining to state the value. "There are other countries in the region such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain and Oman that are looking at upgrades of their missile programmes," he said at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX), the Middle East's largest military show that began on Sunday. Raytheon is the U.S. No. 5 defence contractor. (Reporting by Stanley Carvalho; Editing by Erica Billingham)

UAE Seen Buying Lockheed, Boeing Military Planes

UAE Seen Buying Lockheed, Boeing Military Planes

(NSI News Source Info) ABU DHABI -February 23, 2009: The United Arab Emirates plans to buy at least 15 military transport aircraft from two U.S. manufacturers to enhance its airlift capabilities, sources close to the deals said on Monday. The contract for purchase of the aircraft from Lockheed Martin and Boeing is expected to be announced on Monday or Tuesday during the International Defence Exhibition. "Both sides have finalised the deal, it is a matter of formally announcing it," the source told Reuters, asking not to be named due to confidentiality reasons. The UAE is buying around 10 to 12 C130 J Super Hercules airlifters from Lockheed Martin and around four Boeing C-17 aircraft. Officials from both Lockheed Martin and Boeing confirmed talks were ongoing, but declined to give details. The airlifters are used to lift equipment, paratroopers, stretchers for medical evacuation and other purposes with capacity to lift around 40,000 to 45,000 pounds. Qatar has ordered four of the C 130J's with deliveries to start in 2011, said James Grant, Vice President of Air Mobility, Lockheed Martin. The deal was valued at $393 million. "There is great interest from the UAE, Oman and Kuwait and we are in serious dialogue," he told Reuters. "Many countries in the Middle East are looking at replacing their airlifters." (Reporting by Stanley Carvalho; Editing by Andrew Hammond and Rupert Winchester)

Elbit Systems Awarded $55 Million Contracts In Europe

Elbit Systems Awarded $55 Million Contracts In Europe

(NSI News Source Info) Haifa, Israel - February 23, 2009: Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today that it was awarded $55 million contracts in Europe.

In Slovenia, it signed a contract to supply overhead remote controlled weapon stations and unmanned turrets as well as other electronic and electro-optical systems and components for the Slovenian Armored Vehicle Program. Elbit Systems' portion of the Program is valued at approximately $ 40 million, with deliveries scheduled to take place through 2011. The Patria AMV (Armored Modular Vehicle) is an 8x8 or 6x6 multi-role military vehicle produced by the Finnish weapons manufacturer Patria. The first prototype was produced in 2001 and the first vehicles were delivered to the Finnish Army in 2003. Serial production was started in 2004. The main feature of the AMV is its modular design, which allows the incorporation of different turrets, weapons, sensors, or communications systems on the same carriage. Designs exist for different APC (armoured personnel carrier) and IFV (infantry fighting vehicle) versions, communications versions, ambulance versions and different fire support versions, armed with large caliber mortar and gun systems. One very important feature is that the AMV has a top-class mine protection and can withstand explosions up to 10 kilograms (22 lb) TNT. The AMV has protection levels up to 30mm APFSDS frontal arc. Elbit Systems' selection is pursuant to cooperation with Patria AMV, owned by the state of Finland and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space company EADS N.V. Patria, together with the Slovenian company Rotis d.o.o, was selected by the Slovenian Ministry of Defense to be the prime contractor for the supply of the Slovenian Armored Vehicle Program. The Program covers 135 vehicles. Elbit Systems' portion of the Program includes laser detection systems and the delivery, integration and installation of 30mm Unmanned Turrets and 12.7/40 mm Overhead Remote Controlled Weapon System (ORCWS) onboard Patria AMV 8X8 vehicles. In Romania, Elbit System was awarded lately a contract to supply unmanned turrets and electro-optic systems valued at approximately $15 million, with deliveries scheduled to be performed over the next three years.

The Romanian Government selected Mowag GmbH, of the General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems Group, to be the prime contractor in this project, and it will supply the Piranha III vehicles for the program. Elbit Systems' portion of the program includes the delivery of 12.7 mm unmanned turrets and various electro-optic and electronic subsystems, including the DTV- Driver Thermal Viewer and other systems.

The majority of the work will be performed in Romania by Elbit Systems' subsidiary Elmet International srl., with the collaboration of the Romanian company Pro-Optica S.A. Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, Corporate V.P. and General Manager of Elbit Systems' C4I & Land Systems Division, said: "The selection of our systems for the projects attests to our ability to provide a completely integrated configuration for fighting/patrol/surveillance vehicles, including Unmanned Turrets equipped with missiles fire control and threat detection systems.

Machlis added: "We are proud to be selected to take part in those important projects. The selection of our unmanned turrets constitutes a breakthrough in an emerging international market emanating from a shift in the modern battlefield. "