DTN News - BELGIUM DEFENSE NEWS: Belgium Receives Its First NH90 Naval Helicopter

DTN News - BELGIUM DEFENSE NEWS: Belgium Receives Its First NH90 Naval Helicopter

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources EADS
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 1, 2013: Eurocopter today delivered the first NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) to the Belgium Armed Forces, providing an advanced, highly capable and fully-qualified rotary-wing aircraft for this nation’s multi-role mission requirements. In addition to being the no. 1 NH90 NFH received by Belgium, it also is the first built at Eurocopter’s Donauwörth, Germany industrial site – demonstrating this facility’s capability to assemble and deliver these new-generation twin-engine helicopters.

Belgium will become the fifth country to put the European-developed NH90 NFH version into service, joining France, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway. The aircraft delivered today is rated at Full Operational Capability (FOC), ensuring its aptitude for the full range of Belgium naval missions – such as Search and Rescue (SAR) or military missions at sea.

Training of Belgium Navy flight and maintenance crews on the NH90 NFH will begin next month, with operations to be initiated in 2014 using its first two helicopters. Belgium has ordered eight NH90s in total, including four of NFH naval versions. The NH90 NFH is replacing the Belgium Navy’s Sea King helicopters. Its configuration is identical to the Dutch NH90 NFH version.

“The NH90 NFH is operationally proven, and Belgium will benefit from this helicopter’s already validated performance, reliability and versatility,” said Michel Polychroniadis, Director of the NH90 Programme at Eurocopter. “The Belgium acceptance teams and flight crews have been impressed by the NH90 NFH’s flight stability and its capabilities, providing a preview of the operational enhancements that will be provided for the country’s army.”

Military services currently operating the NH90 NFH have successfully utilized the helicopters in rescue, transport and surveillance missions. As an example, more than 50 persons have been rescued to date by French Navy NH90 NFH rotorcraft, while the Netherlands recently deployed its NATO Frigate Helicopters to the Horn of Africa in support of the European Union’s Atalanta naval operation.

The NH90 is the most successful helicopter program in Europe, boasting 529 firm orders from 14 different countries. A total of 154 NH90s has been delivered. The NH90 NFH version alone has accumulated 111 bookings.

Management of the NH90 program is handled by the NHIndustries consortium, which is owned by Eurocopter (62.5%), AgustaWestland (32%), and Stork Fokker (5.5%).

About Eurocopter

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources EADS
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - ROYAL FAMILY NEWS: Belgium's Newly-Crowned King Phillipe Holidaying In France

DTN News - ROYAL FAMILY NEWS:  Belgium's Newly-Crowned King Phillipe Holidaying In France

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 25, 2013: Belgium's newly-crowned King Phillipe cycles with his sons Prince Emmanuel, centre, and Prince Gabriel as they begin a family holiday on the Ile d'Yeu, France.
Picture: EPA

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


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

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - BELGIUM NEWS: King Albert II of Belgium Abdicates To Make Way For Philippe

DTN News - BELGIUM NEWS: King Albert II of Belgium Abdicates To Make Way For Philippe

Source: DTN News 
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 21, 2013: (BRUSSELS) -- Belgium's King Albert II has abdicated to make way for his son Philippe. The monarch spoke with a message of support for his heir and pleaded for unity in the linguistically and politically divided country.

Albert II signed the act of abdication at the royal palace after a 20-year reign.

His eldest son and crown prince Philippe will take the oath as the nation's new king later Sunday.

Albert II announced his abdication decision on July 3, citing "age and health" as the reasons for not continuing to carry out his duties. Albert II was sworn in as Belgium's sixth king in 1993, succeeding his brother Baudouin who died at the age of 62, and has become the first Belgian king to voluntarily step down.

Philippe, 53, is a fighter pilot and parachutist with degrees from the world's top universities.

King Albert II  ~ Related News;
Albert II (born 6 June 1934) reigned as King of the Belgians, following his elder brother's death, from 1993 until his abdication in 2013. He is a member of the royal house "of Belgium"; formerly this house was named Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. He is the uncle of the current reigning Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Henri.

On 3 July 2013, King Albert II attended a midday session of the Belgian cabinet. He then announced that on 21 July, he would abdicate the throne for health reasons. He will be succeeded by his son, Prince Philippe of Belgium. He will be the third European monarch to abdicate in 2013, following Pope Benedict XVI and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.[1] In doing so, he will also be the second Belgian king to abdicate following his father, King Leopold III, who abdicated in 1951, albeit under very different circumstances.

Albert is the second son of Leopold III (1901–1983) and his first wife, Astrid of Sweden (1905–1935). He ascended to the throne in 1993, following the death of his older brother, King Baudouin, who died without issue. His godparents were Felix of Bourbon-Parma and his paternal grandmother, Elisabeth of Bavaria. He is the first cousin of King Harald V, Princess Astrid, and Princess Ragnhild of Norway.

Prince Albert was born in Stuyvenberg Castle, Brussels. On 10 May 1940, at the time when Belgium was being invaded, Prince Albert, his elder sister Princess Joséphine-Charlotte and his elder brother Prince Baudouin, left the country for France and later Spain. The Prince and the Princess returned to Belgium on 2 August 1940. They continued their studies until 1944, either at Laeken, or at the Chateau of Ciergnon in the Ardennes. In June 1944, at the time of the Allied landings, King Leopold III, Princess Lilian – whom he married in 1941 – and the royal children were deported by the Germans to Hirschstein, Germany, and later to Strobl, Austria, where they were liberated by the American Army on 7 May 1945. Due to the political situation in Belgium, King Leopold and his family moved to the villa "Le Reposoir" in Pregny, Switzerland, when they left Austria in October 1945 and stayed until July 1950. During that time, Prince Albert would continue his education in a secondary school in Geneva. King Leopold III, accompanied by Prince Baudouin and Prince Albert, returned to Belgium on 22 July 1950.

In 1958, Prince Albert of Liege went to the Vatican to witness the coronation of Pope John XXIII. At a reception at the Belgian embassy, the prince met Italian Princess Paola Ruffo di Calabria. “We were both shy, so we only talked a little,” Paola said later about their first meeting. Shy but smitten, Prince Albert proposed marriage to Paola, and she accepted. Two months after their meeting, the Prince introduced his future wife to his family, and four months later to the press. Upon arriving in Brussels for the first time before her wedding, Princess Paola won over the Belgian media immediately.

They wanted a marriage at the Vatican at first, a setting promoted by both families, but the Belgian government did not approve of that. They did not want to keep a fairy tale wedding from the people of Belgium, who finally had an opportunity for organizing celebrations for their royal family. The Pope, after some diplomatic pressure, refused them a marriage at the Vatican, saying he would understand if the couple would want to get married amidst their people.

King Albert II and Queen Paola with US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at the Royal Palace in Brussels in 2005.

On 2 July 1959 he married Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria (born 11 September 1937) in Brussels. She is the daughter of Fulco VIII, Prince Ruffo di Calabria, 6th Duke of Guardia Lombarda and his wife, Countess Luisa Gazelli di Rossana e di Sebastiano (1896–1989). Together they have three children, two sons and a daughter.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith - DTN News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: French Army Expects First A400M Airlifter By July 14

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: French Army Expects First A400M Airlifter By July 14
* Airbus Military targets 4 deliveries in 2013, 10 in 2014, 21 in 2015
* CEO hopes A400M to fly at Paris Air Show
* CEO says no signs of nations changing A400M orders

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 18, 2013: The French army hopes to receive its first Airbus A400M military transport aircraft in time for the country's annual Bastille Day celebrations on July 14, a Defence Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

The aircraft, which is about five years behind the original schedule, is also expected to win certification for military use in time for the biennial Paris Air Show starting on June 17, Pierre Bayle said.

The head of EADS unit Airbus Military, Domingo Urena-Raso, confirmed that this timetable was "absolutely reasonable," adding that he expected a total of four deliveries this year, 10 next year and 21 the following year.

France will be the first of the seven nations behind the 20 billion euro ($25.7 billion) project to take delivery of the European military transport and heavy cargo plane. Germany is due to receive its first A400M at the end of 2014.

France has ordered 50 of the planes, and Germany 53. The other countries involved are Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and Britain.

"Delivery before July 14 would enable a French crew to pilot the French plane above the parade," Bayle said, referring to the traditional Bastille Day military procession.

Airbus Military had said earlier this year it expected to deliver the first of the airlifters to France in the second quarter.

The four turboprop-engine A400M can carry a helicopter, two armoured vehicles or 116 paratroopers. It can land on short, gravel airstrips, making it suitable for transporting troops and equipment to theatres such as Mali or Afghanistan.

The plane has been hit by delays and billions of euros of cost overruns that led to a multinational bailout.

"The A400M got off to a bit of a bumpy start, to say the least, but it's making good progress," Urena-Raso said, adding that there were "no signs" that any of the nations planned to reduce their orders.

He said he hoped the aircraft would fly at the Paris Air Show, adding it had been performing very well in test flights.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Reuters
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - BELGIUM NEWS: Belgium Royal Family Prince Nicolas And Prince Laurent During Military Parade On National Day

DTN News - BELGIUM NEWS: Belgium Royal Family Prince Nicolas And Prince Laurent During  Military Parade On National Day

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 22, 2012:  Belgium's Prince Nicolas (R) wears the cap of his father Prince Laurent (L) while watching the traditional military parade on National Day in front of the Royal Palace in Brussels July 21, 2012. 

Belgium celebrates on Saturday its National Day and its 182th anniversary of independence.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - BELGIUM NEWS: Belgium Royal Family Princess Luisa Maria And Princess Astrid During Military Parade On National Day

DTN News - BELGIUM NEWS: Belgium Royal Family Princess Luisa Maria And Princess Astrid During  Military Parade On National Day

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 22, 2012:  Belgium's Princess Luisa Maria (L) and her mother Princess Astrid (R) watch the traditional military parade on National Day in front of the Royal Palace in Brussels July 21, 2012.

 Belgium celebrates its national day and its 182nd anniversary of independence on Saturday.   

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - BELGIUM DEFENSE NEWS: "Wikileaks" Sources Say That Belgium Wants To Purchase F-35 Aircraft

DTN News - BELGIUM DEFENSE NEWS: "Wikileaks" Sources Say That Belgium Wants To Purchase F-35 Aircraft

***Brussels, Belgium - The country will not participate to the production process

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 13, 2011: A newly-leaked US diplomatic cable provides the first public evidence of the Belgian government's plan to purchase the Lockheed Martin F-35 without a competition.

A meeting between the US ambassador to Brussels and Belgium's defence minister Pieter De Crem on 16 October 2009 was described in a cable revealed earlier this month by the Wikileaks organisation.

The cable notes that De Crem raised the subject of the F-35 during the meeting.

"He thinks that the [Belgian government] should purchase some of the aircraft 'off the shelf' from the partners as they become available, perhaps in the 2020 timeframe," the US embassy wrote.

In the late-1970s, Belgium joined with the Netherlands and Norway to jointly purchase Lockheed F-16A/Bs. Belgium's 50 F-16As and 10 F-16Bs range in age from 29.4 years to 19.8 years, according to Flightglobal's MiliCAS database.

Those F-16s are projected to be retired from service between 2015 and 2025, according to the cable.

The Netherlands and Norway signed up in 2002 to participate in the development of the F-35. However, Belgium did not join them.

De Crem "recognized that Belgium is too late to enter the production process of the aircraft as a partner", the cable noted.

There was no indication in the embassy's cable that Belgium planned to solicit bids from rival fighter manufacturers.

Although Norway and the Netherlands invested and helped develop the F-35, both countries solicited bids before making a formal decision to buy the Lockheed stealth fighter.

Two years later De Crem is still in office, but it is not clear if Belgium's plans have changed. Since the October 2009 meeting with the ambassador, the US government has announced two major delays and restructurings of the F-35 programme. These have delayed the end of the development phase by at least three years and pushed hundreds of planned fighter purchases beyond 2015.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources

*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

Contact:

dtnnews@ymail.com

©

COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News: Financial News TODAY January 12, 2010 ~ Heineken To Buy Mexico's FEMSA In $7.9 Billion Deal

DTN News: Financial News TODAY January 12, 2010 ~ Heineken To Buy Mexico's FEMSA In $7.9 Billion Deal *Source: DTN News / Reuters By Ben Berkowitz and Philip Blenkinsop (NSI News Source Info) AMSTERDAM/BRUSSELS - January 12, 2010: Heineken NV will buy the beer business of Mexico's FEMSA in a $7.9 billion deal that boosts the Dutch brewer's emerging-market presence and cements an alliance with Latin America's biggest drinks firm. Heineken, the world's third largest brewer, said on Monday the all-stock purchase of the brewing assets excluding debt -- $5.5 billion based on Friday's closing share price -- would make FEMSA Heineken's second largest shareholder with a 20 percent stake and give it a boardroom role. Analysts said the deal was competitively priced and broadened Heineken's exposure to higher-growth markets, sending its shares sharply higher. Chief Executive Jean-Francois van Boxmeer told Reuters the deal would raise Heineken's operating profit from faster-growing emerging markets to 40 percent from 32 percent. "It rebalances that spread between the developed and developing markets," Van Boxmeer said in a conference call. Heineken would secure FEMSA's Dos Equis, Tecate and Sol brands, beers it already sells in the United States, and an operation with a 43 percent share of the Mexican beer market and a 9 percent share in Brazil. The United States, Brazil and Mexico are the first, second and fourth largest beer profit pools, Heineken said. Heineken shares, which opened lower, quickly reversed and were up 5.2 percent at 34.63 euros in Amsterdam by 1220 GMT, increasing the value of the acquisition to $5.8 billion. The deal includes a further $2.1 billion of net debt and pension obligations. The total value of the transaction based on Friday's closing Heineken share price -- $7.6 billion -- meant an 11.2 percent multiple of enterprise value to EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization). Analysts said this was broadly in line with levels of 10-11 times for Latin American beer assets. "It looks like a reasonable price ... Heineken lacked exposure to emerging markets and it is already selling the (FEMSA) beers into the United States so it protects that ... Overall it's positive," said Trevor Stirling, analyst at Bernstein Research. STRENGTHENS FEMSA PARTNERSHIP Heineken said it expected the transaction to close in the second quarter, provide annual cost synergies of 150 million euros ($215 million) by 2013 and to add to earnings per share within two years. It would produce a profit after six years based on weighted average cost of capital of 12.5 percent. FEMSA, which describes itself as Latin America's largest beverage company, sells Coca-Cola in nine countries in Latin America. It also operates OXXO, which it says is the largest convenience store chain in Latin America. With the deal, it will also be selling the Heineken brand. "It is a very good basis to build up in the future ... FEMSA has regional strengths and we will exploit them," Van Boxmeer said. FEMSA Chief Executive Jose Antonio Fernandez said the deal would allow FEMSA shareholders to participate in value creation from Heineken's transformation of its brewing assets and allow FEMSA itself to focus attention on Coca-Cola FEMSA and OXXO. Heineken will first issue 86 million new shares. FEMSA would keep half and exchange the rest for shares of Heineken Holding , which would retain its 50.005 stake in Heineken NV. Heineken would give FEMSA a further 29 million shares over the next five years, although FEMSA would earn Heineken dividends for these immediately. Van Boxmeer said Heineken would seek to buy these shares back from the market. The deal would give FEMSA a 12.5 percent stake in Heineken NV and 14.9 percent of parent Heineken Holding. It would have the right to appoint two non-executive members to the supervisory board of Heineken NV, one of them becoming vice chairman who would also sit on Heineken Holding's board. Keijser Capital trader Geoffrey Leloux said many analysts would be charmed by the deal. Heineken was consolidating its position and there would be no general share issue but a direct placement with only some dilution for shareholders. The absence of an expected general, larger share issue was pushing up the shares, Leloux said. The deal was expected, after SABMiller Plc dropped out of the auction for the FEMSA businesses. FEMSA had said in October it was looking at options for its beer business, which is the second-biggest in Mexico and number four in Brazil. ($1=.6983 euro) (Additional reporting by Gilbert Kreijger; Editing by Hans Peters, Sharon Lindores, John Stonestreet)

DTN News: A400M Buyers To Renegotiate Troubled Plane Deal

DTN News: A400M Buyers To Renegotiate Troubled Plane Deal *Source: DTN News / Reuters

(NSI News Source Info) CASTELLET, France - July 25, 2009: European NATO nations agreed on Friday to renegotiate the cost and scale of a 20 billion euro defence contract with planemaker Airbus after technical problems and cost overruns plagued development of its A400M military plane. The A400M assembly at the Seville plant of EADS Spain started in Q1 2007. Airbus plans to manufacture thirty aircraft per year. The major assemblies arrive by Airbus Beluga transporters. The four EuroProp TP400-D6 flight test engines have been delivered in late February 2008 for the first A400M. According to EADS the first "static tests" of a dedicated A400M complete structure were started on 14 March in Spain. The decision to open formal contract talks between a joint procurement agency and Airbus parent EADS (EAD.PA) ends months of prevarication over the future of Europe's biggest defence project, which involves upwards of 4,000 production jobs. "It is good news. It is very positive for the programme and everyone who wants this plane," EADS Chief Executive Louis Gallois told Reuters in a telephone interview. "There is now a framework for negotiations and these will not be easy, but on the other hand matters are now clear and well-defined and on the right tracks," he added. Politicians also expressed optimism. "I am convinced this programme will be relaunched, which will be good news for the trade balance of our countries because I am convinced it has enormous export potential," French Defence Minister Herve Morin told a news conference after talks in southern France. Britain, which had threatened to pull out of the project because of delays in supporting its operations in Afghanistan, has agreed to enter the renegotiation "on an equal footing" with it six partners, Defence Procurement Minister Quentin Davies told Reuters. "I hope we can save the programme," he added. Defence sources predicted this week that Britain would ease doubts over its future in the project. The A400M is a heavy transport aircraft designed to carry up to 32 tonnes of troops and equipment over distances of up to 8,000 km (5,000 miles). Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain and Turkey ordered a total of 180 of the planes in 2003 in a record pan-European contract. Malaysia and South Africa ordered 12. France was due to take delivery of the first plane in 2009 but EADS now says the earliest it can deliver a plane is 2013.

The first flight is expected at end-2009 or early 2010, two years late. Ministers said they would aim for broad agreement by mid-October and hope to sign a deal around the end of the year. A new ministerial meeting will be in Germany in October. DEMANDS ON INDUSTRY Friday's decision follows months of recriminations over the cause of delays. The outcome could affect efforts to project a joint European defence identity and thousands of aerospace jobs. Countries which face pressure on defence spending are reluctant to spend more to help solve A400M development problems, which defence sources say could mean reducing the amount of planes on order. Morin said both financial conditions and the amount of capacity, or planes, would be open for renegotiation. He said nations would be "demanding" with EADS to ensure there were no further problems. EADS said it was fully committed to finding an agreement that is technically and contractually acceptable to both sides. Officials say the Airbus parent could face a hefty bill to help Britain and France fill gaps in troop transport capacity in Afghanistan while development problems are ironed out. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a joint declaration this month that EADS (EAD.PA) must face the consequences of delivery delays. Officials close to the talks said this constituted a rebuff to EADS efforts to persuade government to help fund troubled engine development and other systems or waive delivery fines. Nations have so far spent 5.7 billion euros on the plane, which EADS would have to repay if the project were cancelled. Depending on the outcome, it may still have to pay penalties for late delivery as well as help fund stop-gap measures like renting Boeing (BA.N) C-17s or Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) C-130Js. EADS, which reports earnings next Tuesday, has taken provisions of over 2 billion euros for A400M delays and analysts say it faces more charges. EADS shares closed up 0.9 percent at 12.98 euros on Friday. The stock has risen around 8 percent since the start of 2009, having fallen 45 percent last year.

DTN News: European Nations Ministers Delay Decision On Airbus A400M By A Month

DTN News: European Nations Ministers Delay Decision On Airbus A400M By A Month *Sources: DTN News / Defense Media (NSI News Source Info) SEVILLE, Spain - June 23, 2009: Defence ministers from the seven European nations engaged in building the troubled Airbus A400M military plane agreed Monday to postpone until next month a decision on whether to renegotiate the contract. "We have reached an agreement to extend the deadline by one month to look into the issues, in particular the financial questions with the company," French Defence Minister Herve Morin said. The ministers from Germany, France, Britain, Spain, Turkey, Belgium and Luxembourg had gathered in Seville, southern Spain, on Monday to decide whether to grant a six-month delay to renegotiate the A400M contract with Airbus, a subsidiary of European aerospace giant EADS. (L to R) Defence ministers from France Herv Morin, Spain Carme Chacon, Turkey Vecdi Gonul, Luxembourg Luc Frieden and Britain Kuentin Davis pose in front of an Airbus A400M military plane during the meeting of defence ministers from the seven European nations engaged in building the troubled Airbus A400M military plane on June 22, 2009 in Sevilla. The ministers agreed to postpone until next month a decision on whether to renegotiate the contract of the Airbus A400M military plane. The A400M transporter was initially scheduled to start being delivered at the end of 2009 but the programme has suffered from delays of at least three years and clients have threatened to cancel their orders. Deliveries of the A400M transporter were scheduled to start at the end of 2009, but the program has suffered from delays of at least three years, and clients have threatened to cancel their orders. The seven countries initially had the possibility to cancel their orders as of April 1 because of the delays, but EADS negotiated a three-month extension to present a new delivery timetable. That extension was due to expire at the end of this month but is now extended until the end of July. France and Germany were in favor of a six-month delay to renegotiate the contract, but Britain expressed concern at the additional cost of such a move. "For our British colleagues, it was out of the question," Morin said. "It is better to avoid a complete blockage, and I have proposed that we have this delay of one additional month," he said. He proposed that the ministers meet again in late July to allow time to gather the "elements that it is hoped will allow us to be able to commit to a renegotiation of the contract and allow the continuation of the program." The A400M programme is a direct result of a commonly expressed need by European Air Forces for a new generation military airlifter. The scope of this initiative to jointly specify and procure an aircraft of a common definition remains unique at this stage. European NATO members issued a Request for Proposal in September 1997. It was to respond to this RFP that the aerospace industries of the concerned nations came together in the partnership now known as Airbus Military. June 2001 saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which represented a major milestone towards the industrial launch of the A400M. In May 2003, the contract was signed between Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada and OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d'Armement), representing Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey, and United Kingdom for a total of 180 aircraft. In April 2005 South Africa ordered eight aircraft, followed in December by a contract signed with Malaysia for four aircraft. Both nations became A400M programme partners, bringing the total commitment to 192 aircraft.

Quentin Davies, Britain's minister for defence equipment and support, described Monday's talks as "difficult." Asked whether Britain would remain in the project, he replied "we will be if we can be, but we need to make a very great deal of progress with [Airbus] in order to save this project." Spain's secretary of state for defence Constantino Mendez emphasized that "all countries showed their willingness to be in the program and that they did not plan to withdraw either completely or partially." The military transport plane was unveiled last year but has been hit by delays in building its massive turbo-prop engines, putting the 20 billion euro ($28 billion) project at risk.

DTN News: President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel Agree To Delay Decision On A400M Military Plane

DTN News: President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel Agree To Delay Decision On A400M Military Plane

*Sources: Int'l Media / AFP (NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - June 12, 2009: France and Germany have decided to delay for six months a decision on the future of the problem-plagued Airbus A400M military transport plane, President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday. Tanker aircraft competition could reopen in July: GatesThe Pentagon could reopen a competition between Boeing and an EADS/Northrop Grumman team to replace the US military's aging fleet of air refueling aircraft as early as next month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday. Gates told lawmakers he expected to make a final decision within a week or 10 days on "the acquisition authority and the structure we're going to put into place to ensure that it is a fair, open and transparent process." The Pentagon's acquisition team hopes to put out a request for proposal "this summer, perhaps next month," he said. "Our hope is to probably try and get the RFP (request for proposal) out mid-summer." The Pentagon awarded the 35-billion-dollar contract for 179 aircraft to the EADS/Northrop Grumman team in February 2008, but Boeing successfully challenged the decision with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which recommended it be recompeted. "Part of the process I'm going through right now is to try and structure this in a way that puts the best people on this program and that provides a supervisory role," Gates said, adding he would ask his deputy to "take a very close interest in this process." Gates had initially said he expected competition for the politically sensitive contract to be reopened in the spring of 2009, and then in the summer. Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the fate of the plane being built by Airbus, a subsidiary of European aerospace giant EADS, during a meeting at the Elysee presidential palace. "We talked about the A400M and decided that it would be good to give ourselves a small delay of six months to continue discussions and to find the best possible solution," said Sarkozy at a joint news conference. The A400M was initially scheduled to start being delivered at the end of 2009 but the programme has suffered from a delay of at least three years and clients have threatened to cancel their orders. The military transport plane was unveiled last year but it has been hit by delays in building its massive turbo-prop engines, putting the 20-billion-euro (28-billion-dollar) project at risk. Spain, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Turkey are participating in the A400M programme. "We are in full agreement... We will give ourselves a few more months and then we will see," said Merkel, who added that France and Germany "need a transport plane in any case." French Defence Minister Herve Morin said this month that there would likely be a meeting of ministers from the seven participating countries and EADS to renegotiate the delivery contracts.

Airbus A400 Delay Has Caused Chaos And Cancellations: Reports / German Official: Dropping A400M A 'Serious Option'

Airbus A400 Delay Has Caused Chaos And Cancellations: Reports / German Official: Dropping A400M A 'Serious Option' (NSI News Source Info) FRANKFURT, Germany - March 20, 2009: German Deputy Defence Minister Ruediger Wolf said March 19 that canceling orders for the problem-plagued Airbus A400M military transport plane was a serious option. On 9 January 2009, EADS announced that the first delivery has been postponed until at least 2012. EADS also indicated that it wants to renegotiate 'certain technical characteristics' of the aircraft. EADS has long maintained the first deliveries would begin three years after the A400M's first flight. The German newspaper Financial Times Deutschland has closely followed the A400M program and reported on 12 January 2009 that the aircraft is overweight by 12 tons and may not be able to achieve a critical performance requirement, the ability to airlift 32 tons. Sources told FTD that, currently, the aircraft can only lift 29 tons, which is insufficient to carry a modern armored infantry fighting vehicle. The FTD report prompted the chief of the German Air Force to say, "That is a disastrous development," and could delay deliveries to the Luftwaffe until 2014. The Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Luftwaffe is delayed at least until 2017. This leads the political planning to potential alternatives in the shape of a higher integration of European airlift capabilities. The OCCAR reminded the participating countries that they can terminate the contract before 31 March 2009. Wolf told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that to bring pressure on Airbus' parent company EADS, "cancellation must be a serious option after a delay of three to six months. "The A400M has been plagued by setbacks, with the aircraft's first flight postponed to a date that has yet to be determined because of engine problems. Wolf, who was quoted indirectly by Sueddeutsche Zeitung, said it was more realistic to extend to six months a moratorium accorded to EADS to get the program back on track. Countries that have ordered the plane, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Turkey, have suggested delaying from April 1 to July 1 the date on which they can begin to cancel contracts. The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) was supposed to get the transport plane in the air for an inaugural flight in January 2008, and the seven countries await a total of 180 A400Ms. On March 18, French defense official Laurent Collet-Billon said Paris might reduce the number of planes it has ordered. France has signed on for 50 aircraft, while Germany has ordered 60.

Chad Inherited The African Turmoil Fever

Chad Inherited The African Turmoil Fever

(NSI News Source Info) March 6, 2009: In addition to Chad's many current problems, there are some old ones that are still getting some attention. For example, Chad's ruler during the 1980s, Hissène Habré, is being pursued on war crimes charges.

But Senegal, where Habre has been living in exile, refuses to assist the International Court of Justice or Belgium in extraditing Habre. African governments are much less enthusiastic about prosecuting Africans for "crimes against humanity" than Europeans are. This is probably because so many African leaders could, by European standards, be accused of "crimes against humanity". Senegal, for example, is being prosecuted for allowing torture. Nothing is happening on the Sudan border, despite fears that Sudan might launch attacks to protest the recent issuing of an arrest warrant for the president of Sudan on war crimes charges. President Bashir is not happy about the warrant, but is not taking it out on Chad, yet.

The EU peacekeepers have said they will fight if the Sudanese, or their irregular allies, cross the border. The current leader of Chad is a much smoother article, and has taken measures to hide evidence of his indictable (in Europe) actions. February 16, 2009: Another 6,000 refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) have fled into southeastern Chad. There are already 50,000 such refugees there, sustained by foreign aid groups and donated food.

Clinton To Urge Russia Not To Sell Iran Missiles

Clinton To Urge Russia Not To Sell Iran Missiles

(NSI News Source Info) BRUSSELS - March 6, 2009: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said March 5 that she would urge Russia to stop missile sales talks with Iran, during meetings in Geneva with her Russian counterpart. She said she would "raise with Russia their continuing discussions with Iran about selling longer-range missiles, which we think are a threat to Russia as well as to Europe and neighbors in the region." Clinton meets March 6 with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in a test of whether President Barack Obama's new diplomacy can improve U.S.-Russian ties, which were badly strained during the presidency of George W. Bush. Russia has denied that it was preparing to deliver sophisticated S-300 surface-to-air missiles to the Islamic republic, following reports it was about to supply the weapons to the U.S. arch-foe. There have been contradictory reports about whether Russia was to supply S-300s which Iran could use to defend against an airstrike on its nuclear facilities. Russia's state-owned arms export firm, Rosoboronexport, said in a statement that it was delivering "defensive" anti-aircraft systems to Iran while not commenting on reports it was sending S-300s. The United States and its ally Israel have never ruled out an aerial attack against Iran to thwart its nuclear ambitions. Obama has ordered a review of planned extensions of the U.S. anti-missile shield into Europe, a project which has angered Russia, but he wants Moscow to help deal with the missile threat that Iran poses. Washington maintains that if Russia were to help deal with that threat, it would minimise the need for such a system, which would have interceptors and a radar based in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Belgian Frigate Leopold I In Lebanon Guarded By Lebanese Soldier

Belgian Frigate Leopold I In Lebanon Guarded By Lebanese Soldier

(NSI News Source Info) March 1, 2009: A Lebanese soldier stands guard in front of the Belgian frigate Leopold I during a ceremony for the change of command of UNIFIL's Maritime Task Force at the international port of Beirut March 1, 2009.The United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon, UNIFIL, handed over navy command from the Belgium to French contingents as part of routine rotation in observing Lebanese waters in implementation of U.N. resolution 1701.

Lockheed Says Interest Growing In F-35 Fighter /F-35 Will Be The Most Formidable Strike Fighter Ever Fielded

Lockheed Says Interest Growing In F-35 Fighter /F-35 Will Be The Most Formidable Strike Fighter Ever Fielded

(NSI News Source Info) February 28, 2009: Finland and Belgium have become the latest countries to speak to the Pentagon about possible purchase of the multinational F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, said manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp. Three variants of the radar-evading F-35 are being developed with financing from the United States and eight other countries. Lockheed Martin calls it the world's most advanced multi-role fighter. "Finland and Belgium have expressed interest to the JPO," said Chris Geisel, a Lockheed spokesman, referring to the Pentagon's F-35 Joint Program office. The F-35 is designed specifically to replace U.S. Air Force A-10s and F-16s, U.S. Navy F/A-18s, U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18s, and U.K. Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers. Spain, looking eventually to replace its Harrier jump jets, has gone further, with a contractual study in place since late 2007, Geisel said. Greece and South Korea each received F-35 briefings from the U.S. government early this year, he added. F-35 competitors include Saab's Gripen, the Dassault Rafale, Russia's MiG-35 and Sukhoi Su-35, and the Eurofighter Typhoon made by a consortium of British, German, Italian and Spanish companies. Israel is the furthest along in a projected government-to-government F-35 deal. It appears likely to buy an initial 25 F-35s in 2012 for delivery in 2014, with an option for 50 more, Dan Crowley, Lockheed's F-35 program general manager, told a briefing Thursday during a U.S. Air Force Association symposium in Orlando, Florida. Crowley said Singapore appears likely to get F-35s two years after Israel. Asked about other potential buyers through the Pentagon's Foreign Military Sales program, Crowley said Japan has expressed interest but is "farther out" on a decision as it weighs other options. Lockheed says all 24 countries that fly its F-16 fighter are potential customers for the F-35, which is designed to replace at least 13 types of aircraft, including the F-16. The eight countries that have joined the United States to co-develop the F-35 -- Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway -- appear to be largely sticking to their plans to buy some 730 F-35s of their own, Pentagon officials have said. The United States currently plans to buy a total of 2,443 F-35 models -- including 1,763 for the U.S. Air Force and 680 for the Marine Corps and Navy together. It is the costliest U.S. arms acquisition program ever at a projected $299 billion over the next two decades. "As we mature the F-35, we continue to see evidence of ever-strengthening customer support," including statements of intent to buy from Norway and the Netherlands, Crowley said. "We will see more of the same in 2009," he said, "as our international partners begin ordering their first airplanes." Lockheed's chief F-35 subcontractors are Northrop Grumman Corp and BAE Systems Plc. Two rival, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development. One is built by United Technologies Corp's Pratt & Whitney unit; the other by a team of General Electric Co and Rolls-Royce Group Plc. Lockheed said it was on track to meet its F-35 cost projections. It said the conventional take-off and landing model was projected to cost in the "upper" $60 million range per copy in adjusted 2014 dollars, when full production is due to kick in. The short takeoff and landing version, to be used by the U.S. Marine Corps, is projected to cost in the mid-to-upper $80 million range, the company said, citing what it called Pentagon program office projections. The projection for the variant designed to land on Navy aircraft carrier is in the low $90 million range in 2015 dollars, Geisel said. "These costs represent aircraft early in the production cycle when aircraft costs are highest," he added. He said as production ramps up, cost per aircraft is projected to decrease.

Aero India 2009 Show Will Be Biggest Ever, India Says

Aero India 2009 Show Will Be Biggest Ever, India Says (NSI News Source Info) - February 3, 2009: The 7th Edition of Aero India, Asia’s premier Air Show, will be held in Bengaluru from February 11 to 15, 2009. In size and number, this is going to be the biggest air show, hosted by India, so far. Organised by the Ministry of Defence and managed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Air Show will be inaugurated by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony on February 11 at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru. Aero India has already carved a niche for itself globally as a premier aerospace exhibition, with six successful editions organized between 1996 and 2007. The show aims at bringing under one roof, exhibitors from all around the globe to showcase the best in aviation. Aero India includes both flight and static displays of a wide range of civil and military aircrafts from leading manufacturers, vendors and suppliers. India’s opening up of the defence sector to foreign direct investment, the ongoing modernization plan of its Armed Forces and enormous new opportunities in the civil aviation sector have opened innumerable new avenues for investment. Aero India 2009 will provide an ideal window of opportunity for companies to not only network with the Indian Industry but also to benefit from the sharing of expertise in the fields of R & D production and product support with other global players. Aero India 2009 will showcase the latest in the field of Military and Civil aircrafts, vital components for aircraft engines, avionics systems & sub systems, airfield radars and new age technologies used in the defence sector. 592 exhibitors from 25 countries will participate at the show. Of them 303 are from overseas and 289 from home. The participating countries include UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Ireland, Israel, Malaysia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands and Ukraine. China will be participating at this year’s Air Show for the first time. A number of aircraft including F-16, F-18, MiG-35D, Eurofighter, IJT, Dhruv, Hawk, C-17, Embraer 135 business jet Legacy 600, C-130J, Citation XLS,G 550, AN-12 Cargo and A-310 MRTT will be on display. Flight displays will be between 1000-1200 hrs and 1430-1630 hrs. Defence Ministers from as many as eight countries will converge on Bengaluru for the show. The countries are France, Peru, Bolivia, Surinam, Mongolia, Oman and Maldives. Besides high level delegations from 40 countries will witness the Show. There would be some new dimensions to the Aero India 2009. These include business to business meetings and human resource focused activities, apart from a space pavilion. There will be structured business to business meetings to offer maximum business opportunities to participants. To expose Indian human resource potential in Aero Space Sector, IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras and also various other engineering colleges will display student based project in Aero Space Sector. Information will be shared, which will focus on giving exposure to students from Class 3 to Class 12 on various aspects of aviation in the form of dummy display and video clippings. About 200 students from Municipal to Corporate schools in Bangalore will be given exposure everyday during the entire duration of the show. 550 sq meter space pavilion is being set up by ISRO, which would be located along with the Human Resource Pavilion in exhibition area. There will be 40,000 Sq Meter of indoor display and another 4,000 Sq Meter outdoor display. To facilitate easy purchase of tickets, 24 locations at SBI outlets and Café Coffee Day have been selected in Bangalore.

EADS Denies It May Pull Out Of A400M Contract

EADS Denies It May Pull Out Of A400M Contract

(NSI News Source Info) PARIS – January 24, 2009: EADS on Friday denied reports it might pull out of its troubled A400M military transport plane program, saying it is rather looking to renegotiate parts of the contract. The Airbus A400M is a four-engine turboprop military transport and tanker, designed and built by the European corporation Airbus Military. It has been ordered by 10 countries and will replace a variety of aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules and the Transall C-160. The European defense and aerospace giant says that "contrary to what has been circulated in the press," there are no talks within the company about a "scenario" to withdraw from the program. More than 6,000 EADS employees now work on it, the company said in a statement. European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., the parent of plane maker Airbus, has been struggling to manage delays to the A400M that have already cost Airbus euro1.7 billion ($1.84 billion) in penalties and other charges. Airbus Military signed a contract in 2003 with a group representing Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, and Turkey for 180 aircraft in the program. Since then, South Africa has ordered 8 aircraft and Malaysia 4 — for a total of 192 planes. EADS and Airbus recently proposed a "new approach" to the seven European NATO countries that first ordered the plane through procurement agency OCCAR. In its statement on Friday, EADS said: "There are ongoing discussions with OCCAR and the customer governments, the aim of which is to establish the right frame that will enable the best achievement of the program."