India: Government Procurement Procedure Has Too Much Red Tape And Old Rusty, Caused Neglect To Armed Forces

India: Government Procurement Procedure Has Too Much Red Tape And Old Rusty, Caused Neglect To Armed Forces

(NSI News Source Info) February 19, 2009: India is increasing its defense budget by 24 percent, to $29 billion, in the next year. Last year's terrorist attack in Mumbai, and increasing civil disorder in neighboring Pakistan, put the spotlight on the sorry state of readiness among the million troops in the Indian armed forces. Turns out that there were lots of problems with training, equipment availability, and readiness in general.For a long time, the Indian Self Defense Forces have been running around in WW2 era Jeeps made with surplus or auctioned off tooling. The pressure to keep up with the Joneses has the military in the final approval stages for a new vehicle called the Mahindra Axe. The rugged compact military transit is powered by two different engine options - a 2.7L diesel from Ssangyong, and a 4.2L unit you may have seen under the hood of your local Chevy Trailblazer. Rumor has it they're developing a home grown engine option as well as a civilian version. Maybe that name is having an effect on us, but we wonder we can get ours with the Gulf Oil Livery.

India had not been spending enough money on any of this. Training, especially with ships, armored vehicles and aircraft is expensive. Fuel and spare parts are consumed in large quantities when you train, and India had been skimping here. Readiness also means spending a lot of money on spare parts, and upgrades to high tech gear. Again, there was much penny-pinching here, and, as a result, a lot of the expensive weapons were not ready for action. India also has a problem with many of its older, Soviet (Cold War) era systems. Russia's doctrine back then was to make inexpensive, impressive looking weapons that were designed to be used in combat, but not for a long time. These systems were not built, as Western ones were, to handle lots of training time when there wasn't a war going on. But India has decided that the Western approach is superior, so now they have to upgrade or replace the old Soviet gear, and pay what it takes to train their tank, ship and aircraft crews to be more effective. More must be spent on keeping the high-tech gear ready to go on a moment's notice. A one year boost of 24 percent is a start, but will take another few years like that to get the armed forces where they want to be in terms of capabilities.

Lockheed Martin Completes Italian C-130J

Lockheed Martin Completes Italian C-130J

(NSI News Source Info) MARIETTA, Ga – February 19, 2009: On Feb. 17, The Italian Ministry of Defense has confirmed that Lockheed Martin has met the industrial benefit requirement associated with Italy's acquisition of 22 C-130J aircraft five years ahead of schedule. As a result of Lockheed Martin’s completion of this commitment, more than 70 partnerships within Italy's industrial community were implemented. These projects are projected to provide in excess of $2 billion in long-term economic impact to the Italian economy. The largest operator of the new model will be the U.S. Air Force, which is ordering the aircraft in increasing numbers. Current operators of the C-130J are the USAF (to include the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard), U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Danish Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Italian Air Force. Total procurement of C-130J aircraft has reached 186 orders as of December 2006. Lockheed Martin has offered to lease four C-130Js to the German Luftwaffe, which has been awaiting a Transall replacement set for 2010 (the Airbus A400M), but the deal was rejected. The Indian Air Force purchased six C-130Js in early 2008 at a cost of up to US$ 1.059 billion. It is a package deal with the US government under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, and India has retained options to buy six more of these aircraft for its special forces for combined army-air force operations. The Canadian Forces signed a US$1.4 billion contract with Lockheed Martin for 17 new C-130J-30s on 16 January 2008, as part of the procurement process to replace the existing CC-130E and H models. The C-130J will be officially designated CC-130J Hercules in Canadian Forces service. The Royal Norwegian Air Force has decided to purchase four C-130Js to reinforce their transport capacity when it was discovered that their forty-year-old C-130s were unserviceable during a wing change. The first aircraft was delivered in November 2008. The Government of Qatar has also placed an order for four C-130Js, spare parts and training for the Qatari Emiri Air Force for a total of US$393.6 million. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2011. The Iraqi Air Force has requested six new C-130J-30s, while the Israeli Air Force is seeking to purchase nine C-130J-30s. "The work resulting from this industrial return requirement represents yet another positive milestone in Lockheed Martin’s longstanding relationship with Italy and the Aeronautica Militare. Lockheed Martin is proud of the partnerships it has created with the Italian industrial community and looks forward to opportunities to further develop and enhance these relationships," said Ross Reynolds, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 programs. A majority of the projects associated with the Lockheed Martin-Italy industrial return requirement have involved a wide range of Italian companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises. Initiatives included technology transfers, establishment of licenses or direct investment by Lockheed Martin within Italian industry. "Over the past 40 years, Lockheed Martin has completed more than $40 billion in industrial benefits in more than 37 nations, and we're extremely proud that we have achieved this mutually beneficial accomplishment with Italy," said Larry McQuien, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ vice president for Business Ventures. Lockheed Martin's C-130 program has a 35-year history with Italy and the Aeronautica Militare. In 1997, the Aeronautica Militare became one of the first customers to purchase and fly the C-130J and its crews have flown over 75,000 flight hours with their fleet ─ contributing significantly to the worldwide total of more than a half-million C-130J flight hours. The strong aeronautical relationship between Italy and Lockheed Martin is continuing in the F 35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

BAE Opens New Facility, Adds Jobs To Produce Military Vehicle Armor

BAE Opens New Facility, Adds Jobs To Produce Military Vehicle Armor

(NSI News Source Info) Austin TX - February 19, 2009: BAE Systems has opened a new facility that will produce armor kits to protect U.S. Army ground vehicles. The 33,000-square-foot facility will allow the company to build its L-ROD(tm) bar-armor kits faster and at lower cost. The company is under contract with the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command and the Marine Corps Systems Command, with orders totaling $34 million. BAE Systems plans to manufacture L-ROD kits on a new, automated production line. The facility currently employs about half a dozen people, and about 30 more will be added this year. Several local businesses are subcontractors to the L-ROD production line, providing a further boost to the Austin economy. "From the beginning, the L-ROD team has been motivated by the recognition that this product saves lives," said Bill Kellner, L-ROD program manager for BAE Systems. "Our commitment to our troops and their families has led to innovations and enhancements in design, and now to a new manufacturing capability that will allow us to deliver this equipment to the frontlines faster and more efficiently." The low-cost L-ROD system protects vehicles without adding significant weight. It weighs less than half of comparable steel system, is bolted to the vehicle, and can be repaired easily in the field. BAE Systems developed the L-ROD system in 2005 under a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program to protect military vehicles. The system can be adapted for installation on most military ground vehicles and is used on BAE Systems RG-31 and RG-33 series MRAPs.

Iran Develops Spy Drone Capable Of Reaching Israel - Official

Iran Develops Spy Drone Capable Of Reaching Israel - Official

(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN - February 19, 2009: Iranian scientists have developed an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of reaching Israel, an Iranian news agency said on Wednesday, citing a senior military official. Deputy Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi made the announcement on Tuesday and described the development as "an important achievement," the Fars news agency reported. "However, we cannot disclose the details of this project at present," the official said. The reported range of 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) would make it possible for the Iranian drone to reach Israel. Iran launched a domestic arms development program after a U.S. weapons embargo was imposed during its 1980-88 war with Iraq. Since 1992, Iran has reportedly produced its own Saeqeh and Azarakhsh jet fighters, stealth-capable Ghadir submarine, missile boats, torpedoes, tanks and armored carrier vehicles. Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said on January 27 that Iran had achieved self-sufficiency in manufacturing combat missiles of various modifications. He added that Iran would continue to build up its defense capability to ensure regional stability and security. "Our greater defense power is no threat to other countries," he said. "Iran only needs a system to deter and repulse possible external aggression against it." Both Israel and the United States have refused to rule out the possibility of military action against Tehran over its failure to obey international nuclear non-proliferation demands.

Pakistan-Taliban Deal Alarms Allies

Pakistan-Taliban Deal Alarms Allies

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON — February 19, 2009: Pakistan’s startling accord with Taliban fighters that would impose Islamic religious law on the strategic Swat Valley looms as a setback for the Obama administration’s hopes to mount a united front against militants there and in Afghanistan. The agreement between Pakistan’s government and the growing Taliban forces in the country’s northwest region cemented a truce between the two sides and gave the insurgents dominance in the Swat region by installing a strict regimen of Islamic law amenable to the militants’ authority. The pact was spearheaded by a hard-line cleric sent to the region to negotiate with the Taliban and persuade them to give up their arms. “It is definitely a step backwards,” said James F. Dobbins, the Bush administration’s first envoy for Afghanistan. “The Pakistanis have to take a stronger line with extremists in the region.” The war against Taliban rule in Afghanistan seemed won seven years ago.

Residents of Mingora, a troubled city of Swat valley in Pakistan, jostle to get food relief distributed by army soldiers Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009. A hardline cleric led hundreds of supporters in a peace march in Pakistan's Swat Valley on Wednesday aimed at convincing Taliban militants to lay down their weapons under a pact with the government. But the Taliban is gaining ground there, U.S. and NATO forces have been unable to reverse the gains, and the outlook appears increasingly bleak. “We are very concerned about Pakistan and stability,” U.S. special envoy Richard C. Holbrooke said last weekend on a trip to the area. On Tuesday, President Barack Obama responded by announcing plans to boost the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan by 50 percent, which would send an additional 17,000 troops to a 30,000 force contingent already there. Dobbins, director of international security and defense policy at the Rand Corp., said in an interview Tuesday that progress will depend on the Pakistani government’s line against the insurgents. “The Pakistanis have to take a stronger line with extremists in the region,” he said. He said there were also some positive developments in Afghanistan. Among them: “The United States has more international support than it had in the war in Iraq, and all of Afghanistan’s neighbors consider President Hamid Karzai as legitimate and want his government to succeed.” However, Dobbins said, “There is no guarantee of success.” “We are going to have to get used to two steps forward and one step backward, at best,” he said. U.S. comment U.S. officials were hesitant to comment publicly on the Pakistan-Taliban deal, which would impose Shariah religious law on the Swat valley, a scenic swath of the northwest tribal region frequented by travelers, but also close to border areas that have become militant strongholds. A U.S. defense official characterized the deal as a “negative development,” but other officials were more cautious in public statements. “What is, of course, important is that we are all working together to fight terrorism and particularly to fight the cross-border activities that some Taliban engage in,” Gordon A. Duguid, the department’s deputy spokesman, said earlier this week. On Wednesday, Duguid added that U.S. officials were in discussions with “the government of Pakistan, and, you know, we’ll see what the results of their policy will be.” Also hesitant to offer a judgment, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in Japan that the agreement between Pakistan and Taliban still needed to be “thoroughly understood.” NATO, which has 55,000 troops in Afghanistan, took a tougher line. The truce between Pakistan and Taliban in Swat “is certainly reason for concern,” NATO spokesman James Appathurai said in Brussels. “We should all be concerned by a situation in which extremists would have a safe haven. “Without doubting the good faith of the Pakistani government, it is clear that the region is suffering very badly from extremists, and we would not want it to get worse,” he said. Rick Barton, a senior analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Tuesday that the “tame way we are responding is appropriate. There are many serious unknowns.” Still, spokesman Duguid noted that Islamic law is within the constitutional framework of Pakistan, and Barton said an agreement to bring Shariah law to the one-time ski resort area in the 1990s did not pan out. Apart from the conflict, the effect on civilians could be harsh under strict interpretation of Shariah law. “The government is reneging on its duty to protect the human rights of people from Swat Valley by handing them over to Taliban insurgents,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific director.

South Korea, U.S. To Conduct Joint Military Exercise

South Korea, U.S. To Conduct Joint Military Exercise (NSI News Source Info) February 19, 2009: South Korea and the United States will conduct a joint military exercise in March, the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) said Wednesday.South Korean Army tanks move on a temporary bridge to cross a river during a winter season military exercise against a possible attack from North Korea in Pocheon, about 46 km (28 miles) northeast of Seoul, February 17, 2009. Speaking a day after Pyongyang said it had the right to launch a long-range missile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said such a test would be "very unhelpful" and that Washington was watching very closely to see if North Korea ends its "provocative" actions.

According to the CFC, the U.S. military will mobilize a total of 26,000 troops during the March 9-20 exercise to test its ability to quickly deploy forces in case of invasion to South Korea. Among the 26,000 U.S. troops, 12,000 will come from the U.S. forces stationed in South Korea while the rest 14,000 will be deployed from abroad, the CFC said. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said that the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, stationed in Yokohama, Japan, will take part in the exercise. The CFC didn't mention how many South Korean troops will participate in the drill. It stressed at a news release that the exercise is "defense-oriented, focusing on military readiness posture." The U.S. military side has notified Pyongyang of the exercise but has yet to receive a response, the CFC said. About 28,500 U.S. troops are currently stationed in South Korea.

U.S. Missile Shield Defense Base To Be Constructed In Redzikowo - Poland

U.S. Missile Shield Defense Base To Be Constructed In Redzikowo - Poland

(NSI News Source Info) February 19, 2009: In this Jan. 16, 2008 file photo Soviet-made jet fighters formerly used by the Polish Air Force are seen displayed in front of a shuttered Polish Air Force site where a U.S. missile defense base is to be constructed, in Redzikowo, northern Poland. Now, as the Obama administration signals a willingness to reconsider the project ahead of a NATO defense ministers meeting starting Thursday Feb. 19, 2008, Poland and the Czech Republic countries are fearful of being left out on a limb with their giant neighbor Russia nursing a grudge.

Kyrgyz Parliament To Vote On Thursday On US Base

Kyrgyz Parliament To Vote On Thursday On US Base

(NSI News Source Info) BISHKEK - February 19, 2009: Kyrgyzstan's parliament will vote on Thursday on a presidential proposal to close a U.S. air base used as a staging post for U.S. forces fighting in Afghanistan, officials said on Wednesday. A lineup of U.S. air force KC-135 tanker planes seen at the Manas air base in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009. Kyrgyzstan's parliament said Tuesday it will vote this week on a bill to close a U.S. air base that provides key support to military operations in Afghanistan. President Barack Obama's call for an increased military focus on Afghanistan could be hampered both by the potential closure of the Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan and increased attacks on the main land route for supplies through Pakistan. Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said earlier in February he had decided to close the Manas air base because Washington had refused to pay more rent for it. The parliament in the former Soviet republic is dominated by Bakiyev's party.

Military Alone Can't Solve Afghan Problem: Obama

Military Alone Can't Solve Afghan Problem: Obama (NSI News Source Info) February 19, 2009: Taking the first significant move towards US’ South Asia policy, President Barack Obama has sanctioned deployment of 17,000 troops to Afghanistan but simultaneously said the Afghan problem can not be resolved by military alone as the war-torn country needs both diplomacy and development to get rid of it. Moments after Obama accepted his Commander’s month-long request for increasing troops, Defence Minister Robert Gates announced to deploy about 12,000 troops in Afghanistan. Of which, 8,000 Marine brigade are expected to go first followed by about 9,000 Army brigade. To strengthen these forces, 5,000 additional troops would be sent later. With this the total American presence in Afghanistan would be around 50,000. U.S. soldiers prepare to go for a patrol in Ghazni province Februray 18, 2009. U.S. President Barack Obama, in his first major military decision as commander-in-chief, has ordered 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan to tackle an intensifying insurgency, the White House said on Tuesday. Obama said the reinforcement of American troops is necessary to stabilize deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and will help provide security to people, but admitted, “I am absolutely convinced that you can not solve the problem of Afghanistan, the Taliban, the spread of extremism in that region solely through military means.” The US president said it in an interview to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He said Afghanistan did not receive the strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently required, a complete reversal to his predecessor George Bush, whom Obama has accused of slighting urgent national security needs in Afghanistan in favour of war in Iraq. Moreover, Obama during the campaign had argued that America needed to shift its focus from Iraq to Afghanistan, as he believes the main threat to the United States comes from the safe haven of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The “responsibly draw down” of forces from Iraq gives him the flexibility to raise US' presence in Afghanistan. “This reinforcement will contribute to the security of the Afghan people and to stability in Afghanistan,” Obama said. Obama said the reinforcement does not pre-determine the outcome of a broader strategic review of the entire policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan that he ordered soon after assuming office. “Instead, it will further enable our team to put together a comprehensive strategy that will employ all elements of our national power to fulfill achievable goals in Afghanistan,” he said. “As we develop our new strategic goals, we will do so in concert with our friends and allies as together we seek the resources necessary to succeed.”

Chinese Vice President Arrives In Venezuela For Official Visit

Chinese Vice President Arrives In Venezuela For Official Visit

(NSI News Source Info) CARACAS - February 18, 2009: Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at a seminar here Tuesday, predicting a bright future for China-Venezuela relations. In his speech at the opening ceremony of a seminar attended by entrepreneurs from both China and Venezuela, Xi said bilateral ties have seen comprehensive and fast growth since the establishment of diplomatic ties 35 years ago, particularly after the two countries built their strategic partnership for common development in 2001. Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (R) welcomes China's Vice-President Xi Jinping at Miraflores Palace in Caracas February 18, 2009. Both sides have enjoyed close high-level exchanges, strengthened mutual political trust and fruitful cooperation in all areas, he said. Venezuela has become China's fourth biggest oil provider and fifth largest trade partner in Latin America, with bilateral trade volume reaching a record 9.85 billion U.S. dollars in 2008 -- a year-on-year increase of 68.2 percent, said Xi. He noted that the strengthening of friendly, mutually beneficial cooperation is in keeping with the fundamental interests of both peoples. It is also conducive to the common development of the two countries as well as to relations between China and Latin America as a whole. Xi said he had held "very fruitful talks" with Vice President Ramon Carrizales on Tuesday. "We both are very enthusiastic and determined to develop friendly cooperation between our two countries." To that end, Xi proposed that both China and Venezuela focus on the following four aspects: First, both nations should focus on common development and boost mutual political trust. China and Venezuela should view each other from a strategic perspective and adhere to the principles of mutual trust, mutual assistance, reciprocity and mutual benefits. "We should reinforce political dialogue, broaden strategic common grounds, deepen mutual political trust, constantly enrich the contents of strategic partnership, and promote a long-term stable reciprocal cooperation in an all-around way," the Chinese vice president said. Secondly, he said the two countries should further improve their cooperative mechanism and upgrade cooperation. This mechanism, namely the Sino-Venezuelan inter-governmental commission founded eight years ago, "has played an active role in communication and collaboration, under which great progress has been made in cooperation in all areas," said Xi. He expressed hope that the commission would continue to play its guiding and coordinative role in laying the groundwork of pragmatic cooperation and opening new fields of cooperation. He also proposed setting up a council for entrepreneurs from both countries. Thirdly, Xi said China and Venezuela should boost cooperation in energy and finance. Energy cooperation is a priority and constitutes an important part of bilateral cooperation, he said, expressing hope that the two sides would make a joint effort to push forward an all-around energy partnership. Xi also said that both nations had agreed to increase their contributions to a joint fund to finance projects in either country. Finally, Xi said the two countries should explore more fields and channels for cooperation. Apart from energy cooperation, they should better tap the cooperation potential in agriculture, infrastructure and high-tech, as well as promote projects in the housing, railway, telecommunication and electric power sectors. "We deeply believe that through concerted efforts, China and Venezuela will surely have a bright future of cooperation," Xi said. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was present during Xi's address. Venezuela is the fourth leg of Xi's six-nation tour, which has taken him to Mexico, Jamaica and Colombia. He will also visit Brazil and Malta.

Eurocopter Bids For Indian Helicopter Modernization / Eurocopter Committed To Be The Solution Provider For India’s Air Fleet Modernization

Eurocopter Bids For Indian Helicopter Modernization / Eurocopter Committed To Be The Solution Provider For India’s Air Fleet Modernization

(NSI News Source Info) February 18, 2009: Eurocopter is ready to offer what India needs for its helicopter requirements thanks to its wide range of products.

Norbert Ducrot, Eurocopter Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Asia points out:

“As the Indian defence industry embarks on an intensive modernization campaign, Eurocopter is ready to provide perfect solutions for all requirements. By participating in the key RFPs with the best of our products, we hope to continue to support India in developing a strengthened aerospace industry.”

The Eurocopter Tiger (company designation EC 665) is an attack helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. In Germany it is known as the Tiger; in France and Spain it is called the Tigre.

Indeed, Eurocopter has a long tradition of cooperation with India. Eurocopter has had a partnership with India’s leading local industrial company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) since 1962. Starting with enabling HAL to manufacture more than 600 helicopters of the Alouette 3 and Lama type (Cheetah/ Chetak), the relationship strengthened further with Eurocopter outsourcing exhaustive Ecureuil work packages to HAL for the global market. Today, HAL is part of Eurocopter’s global supply chain by producing Ecureuil/Fennec airframes.

In 2009, in the military environment, Eurocopter has a market share of 55%, comprising HAL-made helicopters, whereas it holds a market share of about 50 % of the civil helicopter market. Flying high on the international success of its wide range of products, Eurocopter will be showcasing models of its military range which are proposed to the Indian armed forces like Fennec, Tiger and EC725.

AS550 Fennec- best helicopter in its class, proven in extreme environment, the ideal choice for Indian Army and Air Force requirements;

FENNEC is a reference helicopter regarding extremely hot / desert operations and, since 2005, it has demonstrated the capability of landing on the top of the world, Mount Everest as well as on the Siachen Glacier in the Indian Himalayas. The AS550 FENNEC is also the only military certified helicopter in the world corresponding to the Indian Armed Forces requirements for Reconnaissance & Surveillance helicopters. In addition to this the FENNEC is the only one that exists in NAVAL military configurations available in both single and twin engine versions. The AS550 Fennec single-engine helicopter is in operation with the Singapore Armed Forces, the Royal Australian Army, the Brazilian Army and Air Force, the Danish Army, the French Army and the United Arab Emirates Army. Over 3,200 helicopters of the family have been ordered, of which over 2,500 have been delivered and are operational in over 70 countries.

The Tiger – Versatility and Stealth at its best;

The Tiger is the only combat helicopter in its class designed for the scenarios of the 21st century. It is the latest generation Attack Helicopter available on the market and already selected by different countries. It is considered the most multifunctional helicopter in the world. It is available in two basic versions the HAP combat support helicopter and the UHT anti-tank version, the first initially designed for the French Army and the second for the German Army, two versions having then derived from HAP: ARH for Australia and HAD for Spain and France. The Tiger is currently the most modern combat helicopter in the world. In total, 206 aircraft have been ordered by France, Germany, Australia and Spain, and 48 Tigers have already been delivered. These aircraft have recorded more than 13,000 flight hours.

EC 725 - Unrivalled mission package both for civil and military demands;

Originally designed to perform various missions, including SAR, Combat SAR, long distance tactical transport missions, the EC725 can also perform medical transport and logistical services. Additionally, it can be perfectly fitted for naval missions. It is an upgraded version of the internationally successful Cougar family. The aircraft has an exceptional fuel capacity and boasts a flight endurance of five-and-a-half hours.

The EC725 includes in flight refuelling capabilities from an air tanker aircraft, making this helicopter capable of very long distance deployment in hostile areas. Similarly, the EC725 is one of the very few helicopters in the world being equipped with a full de-icing system, allowing it to be totally immune to weather limitations, even in extremely cold and icy environment. As of November 2008, 96 EC725 had been ordered by 17 different countries. More recently, the Brazilian armed forces also recognized the multi-role capability of the aircraft and signed a contract for 50 EC725 helicopters.

Mexico Signs Deal For Israeli Mini-UAVs, Blimp / Mexico Signs Multimillion-Dollar Deal With Israeli Company For Mini-UAV And Surveillance Blimp

Mexico Signs Deal For Israeli Mini-UAVs, Blimp / Mexico Signs Multimillion-Dollar Deal With Israeli Company For Mini-UAV And Surveillance Blimp

(NSI News Source Info) NEWTOWN, Conn. - February 18, 2009: The Mexican government has just signed a $22 million deal with Israeli company Aeronautics Defense Systems, Ltd. The Skystar - 300 provides surveillance capabilities accomplished by simple equipment, which requires minimal operating skills and maintenance procedures. The system is composed of the Aerostat Balloon, filled with Helium gas, Dual Sensor payload, Control Unit and the Data link between the Control Unit and the Balloon.

The contract will supply an unmanned spy plane and surveillance blimp to the Mexican Federal Police. The small unmanned aircraft developed by Aeronautics Defense Systems, known as the Orbiter, has been used by the Israeli government for surveillance work in the Gaza Strip.

The Skystar 300 blimp will also be delivered under the contract. The Skystar 300 is capable of 24-hour monitoring with onboard cameras.

The new equipment will no doubt assist the Federal Police in fighting drug trafficking and drug-related violence in the region.

US Says No Israeli Systems Possible In F-35 / Israel Seeking Own Defense Systems For F-35s, To Little Avail

US Says No Israeli Systems Possible In F-35 / Israel Seeking Own Defense Systems For F-35s, To Little Avail US are getting jittery to involve Israeli's Defense Technology on F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) as it may not have hundred percent control on Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The US are hesitant to involve any country with advanced technology that could be transfered to unfriendly nations in situations like J-10 jet fighter which would make China a leading player in export of fighter planes to third world countries. (NSI News Source Info) JERUSALEM - February 18, 2009: Israel has continued pushing for its own domestically designed systems to be installed onto the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters it is purchasing through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. However, according to reports in the Jerusalem Post, the lack of headway made by the Israelis may mean a postponement in the planned delivery date of 2014. The Israelis previously pushed for deliveries to begin earlier in 2012, but with the repercussions of the global financial crisis felt in Israel, and the unit cost of the F-35 increasing from $50-60 million to $100 million, they have now pushed the originally desired date back by two years. Israel seeks the right to install its own radars, munitions, electronic warfare and command-and-control systems on the jets but, so far, the Americans have refused. It is believed that the Obama administration will make a final decision on the issue in the next few months. In the past, the Israelis preceded an agreed jet fighter purchase with negotiations for installing their own systems beforehand. This was the case with the F-15I and F-16I fighters. That proved unsuccessful regarding the F-35s, as the U.S. made it clear to the Israeli Ministry of Defense that there would be no negotiations until an agreement to purchase the aircraft was announced. Although Israel has not placed an official order yet, it has indeed announced its intention to purchase the aircraft. An official request for the jet fighters was made through the Pentagon to Congress on September 29, 2008, making Israel the first customer outside the nine-nation partnership involved in the Joint Strike Fighter program. That request calls for an initial purchase of 25 F-35s in the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version, with an option for the purchase of 50 additional F-35s in either the CTOL or short takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) version at a later date.

Malaysian Second Scorpene SSK Begins Sea Trials

Malaysian Second Scorpene SSK Begins Sea Trials

(NSI News Source Info) February 18, 2009: This submarine will be delivered to the Royal Malaysian Navy in October, one year after it was floated.

On February 11th, Navantia began sea trials in waters off Cartagena of the second Scorpene submarine that the consortium formed by the French company DCNS and NAVANTIA is building for the Royal Malaysian Navy, and which had been christened “Tun Razak”.

The aim of this sortie was to commence checks on the operation of the different equipment that has been installed on the submarine.

This first phase of trials will last until the end of April. After a subsequent period of approximately 3 months during which the submarine will be in dry dock for routine maintenance work, the second phase of sea trials will be performed until October 25 of this year, the date scheduled for delivery of the Tun Razak to the Royal Malaysian Navy.

The Tun Razak submarine was set afloat and christened during a ceremony that took place at NAVANTIA’s shipyard in Cartagena on October 8 last year, which was presided over by their Royal Majesties the King and Queen of Malaysia. The first of the two submarines, named Tunku Abdul Rahman, was delivered to this Asian country’s Navy on January 26 this year in Toulon, France.

The main characteristics of the submarine are:

-- Length overall: 66.4 m.

-- Submerged displacement: 1,700 t

-- Autonomy: 50 days --Crew: 31

U.S. Army New Utility Vehicle Light (UVL) By Lockheed Martin

U.S. Army New Utility Vehicle Light (UVL) By Lockheed Martin

(NSI News Source Info) February 18, 2009:The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Feb. 17 denied a protest - filed by Northrop Grumman-Oshkosh and Textron-Boeing-SAIC - of the Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) contract award decision, GAO officials said. The Utility Vehicle Light (UVL) Payload Category C was the second Joint Light Tactical Vehicle prototype that Lockheed Martin developed. (Lockheed Martin) The GAO's report is complete but being held under protective order for the time being, a procurement official with the agency said. In October, the Army awarded three $60 million technology development deals to a BAE Systems-Navistar team, Lockheed Martin-BAE Systems team, and an AM General-General Dynamics team called General Tactical Vehicles. The following month, the Northrop-Oshkosh and Textron-Boeing-SAIC teams protested the Army's decision, alleging, among other things, that the selection process emphasized the existence of demonstrator vehicles despite no written requirement in the request for bids. More details regarding the GAO's findings will be made available in the coming days.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton In Jakarta, Indonesia....Feb. 18, 2009

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton In Jakarta, Indonesia....Feb. 18, 2009

(NSI News Source Info) February 18, 2009: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, walks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda prior to a press conference following their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009. Secretary of State Clinton is continuing the Obama administration's efforts to rehabilitate America's image abroad, especially with Muslims, during a visit to Indonesia that began Wednesday.