DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Japan, Russia Agree To Expand Defense Ties

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Japan, Russia Agree To Expand Defense Ties

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources AP
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - November 3, 2013: Japan and Russia held their first high-level defense and diplomatic talks Saturday and agreed to step up cooperation between their militaries amid regional security concerns such as North Korea and China.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, and their Russian counterparts Sergei Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu also agreed to hold joint military and anti-piracy exercises and establish a defense consultation framework.

Lavrov told a news conference after Saturday’s talks that upgrading defense ties between the two countries could serve their national interests in resolving terrorism and North Korea’s nuclear threats, as well as other regional disputes. He also welcomed the talks as a landmark development for Russia and Japan.

“I believe this event today indicates a new stage in the relationship between Russia and Japan,” Lavrov said at the outset of the meeting.

Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the cooperation between Japan and Russia will “promote trustful relationships in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Earlier Friday, Japan and Russia agreed to continue discussing a territorial dispute that has kept the nations from signing a peace treaty.

“We need to act constructively. We should not be emotional, and avoid provocative remarks,” Lavrov said in Friday’s news conference.

The diplomats also agreed to hold vice-ministerial talks in late January or February, ahead of Kishida’s planned visit to Russia in the spring.

Lavrov did not mention an attack on Russian missiles in Latakia in Syria. Kishida said he and Lavrov planned to discuss Syria, Iran, Afghanistan and other international issues at Friday’s working dinner, which was closed to the media.

Japan is seeking to broaden its defense ties, in addition to its key security alliance with the United States, in response to China’s growing military presence and threats from North Korea.

Russia has been expanding its trade ties in Asia and President Vladimir Putin has actively sought closer relations with Japan, partly as a counter to China’s rising military power.

It’s unclear how much progress is being made toward a resolution of a dispute over four islands that were seized by Soviet forces at the end of World War II. The dispute has kept the two nations from signing a peace treaty formally ending their World War II hostilities.

Japan and Russia have also stepped up cooperation in developing energy resources, especially liquefied natural gas. Kishida said trade between the two countries totaled a record $33 billion last year, and that further growth is expected this year.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources AP
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DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Iran, Pakistan, N. Korea May Pose Nuclear Threat to Russia

DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Iran, Pakistan, N. Korea May Pose Nuclear Threat to Russia
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Ria Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 6, 2012: A nuclear-armed Iran, Pakistan and North Korea could potentially trigger regional chain reactions that ultimately threaten Russia's security, the former director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, Vyacheslav Trubnikov, said.

“Even if Iran, Pakistan and North Korea are not Russian adversaries, their current and projected nuclear potential could destabilize the regional situation. It could trigger a chain reaction of proliferation (Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan) that gives rise to a new missile threat for Russia,” Trubnikov said in an article included in the digest for an international conference on missile defense in Moscow.

History shows that relations with unstable states and radical regimes can rapidly deteriorate and their nuclear potential could become a real threat to Russian national security, Trubnikov said.

That is why Russia needs to work toward mutual understanding with the United States and NATO on the issue of missile defense, he said.

Russia's military leadership has for the first time acknowledged a nuclear threat from Iran and North Korea.

“The threat is always there, so we closely monitor the nuclear program developments of many countries," Army General Nikolai Makarov, the chief of the General Staff, told RT television.

"The analysis that we conducted together with the Americans confirms that, yes, there is a probability that the threat exists. And we agreed that it is necessary to create a missile defense system,” Makarov said.

The Russian Defense Ministry has previously held that there is no nuclear threat to Europe and Russia from Iran and North Korea, because they do not have the capacity to build nuclear weapons or deliver them.

“Many countries that claim not to possess nuclear weapons do in fact have them,” Makarov said.

“Certainly, if it gets into the hands of extremists, it represents a threat to international security,” Makarov said.

He added that in order to counter these threats, Russia is ready to work together with other countries.

“Let's solve this problem. Let us work together to get rid of the threats that may arise, not only for Europe but for Russia because we too are part of Europe,” the general said.

North Korea has conducted two underground nuclear weapon tests, in 2006 and 2009.

Earlier in April South Korean media reported that intelligence indicated North Korea was preparing a third in a row underground nuclear test. The information was based on satellite photographs of North Korean test site, where underground nuclear test had been previously conducted.

U.S. and other Western countries suspect Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the guise of peaceful nuclear energy program. Tehran denies the charges, saying its nuclear program is aimed at meeting the country's electricity needs.

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*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Ria Novosti
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 23, 2012

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 23, 2012

 Source: U.S. DoD issued No. 045-12 January 23, 2012

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 24, 2012: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued January 23, 2012 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

AIR FORCE

            The Boeing Co., Long Beach, Calif., is being awarded a $693,373,638 firm-fixed-price contract for a modification to delivery order (DO) 0006 against the basic C-17 production indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, FA8614-06-D-2006, to procure five additional C-17 Air Force aircraft.  Basic DO 0006 was awarded on May 13, 2011 to procure the first five aircraft of the fiscal 2010 Air Force C-17 requirement.  The location of the performance is Long Beach, Calif.  Work is expected to be completed by March 20, 2013.  ASC/WLMK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8614-06-D-2006, DO 000603).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

            I-Solutions Direct, Inc. (Metals USA), Fort Washington, Pa., was issued a modification exercising the first option year on contract SPM8EG-09-D-0013/P00024.  The award is a fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $116,293,693 for prime vendor contract for various metal items.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.  There were three responses to the Web solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is Jan. 25, 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

            US Foods International, Inc.*, Gardena, Calif., was issued a modification exercising the second option year on contract SPM200-09-D-3310/P00023.  The award is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $42,100,000 for full line food distribution for the republic of Korea.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies and other authorities, Department of Defense customers.  There were five responses to the Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012/2013 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is Jan. 31, 2013.  The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

*Small business

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. 045-12 January 23, 2012
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DTN News - CHINA DEFENSE NEWS: 'New Breakthrough' In Military Ties With India: China

DTN News - CHINA DEFENSE NEWS: 'New Breakthrough' In Military Ties With India: China

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources PTI

(NSI News Source Info) BEIJING, China - April 27, 2011:

China today said a "new breakthrough" has been achieved in its military relations with India, noting that a high-level Indian defence delegation would soon be visiting this country.

"New breakthroughs" and developmental momentum have emerged in Sino-India military ties, Geng Yansheng, a spokesman for the Chinese Defence Ministry, was quoted by the state-run Xinhua news agency as saying. The visiting delegation of Indian border patrol forces will include officers from several branches of India's military, Geng said, without providing details. He was apparently referring to a recent decision by India and China to resume defence exchanges at the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese President Hu Jintao in Sanya on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

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

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DTN News: U. K. Special Report - Biggest Programme Of Budget Cuts In The UK For Decades

DTN News: U. K. Special Report - Biggest Programme Of Budget Cuts In The UK For Decades

*Overall 42,000 jobs - in the Ministry of Defence and in the armed forces - are to go by 2015

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including BBC News

(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, U.K.- October 20, 2010: Chancellor George Osborne is preparing to reveal the biggest programme of cuts in the UK for decades, in his long-awaited spending review.

Mr Osborne's announcement comes after months of negotiations with Whitehall departments

Average budget reductions of 25% to most Whitehall departments are expected alongside welfare cuts, following months of negotiations with ministers.

Reports suggest nearly 500,000 public sector jobs will go by 2014-15.

On Tuesday 8% cuts to the defence budget were outlined separately in the strategic defence review.

Continue reading the main story

Overall 42,000 jobs - in the Ministry of Defence and in the armed forces - are to go by 2015.

On Wednesday Mr Osborne will outline cuts in other departments which could range between 25% and 40% - with the exception of health and international development - in addition to welfare cuts.

Mr Osborne has already announced plans to stop child benefit payments to higher rate taxpayers.

There had been reports it could be cut altogether for children once they reach the age of 16, rather than 18 as at present, but sources have told the BBC that will not happen.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander was photographed carrying the spending review on Tuesday - two pages of which were visible to photographers. It stated that tackling the deficit was "unavoidable" and there would be an "inevitable impact" on state workers.

Summer negotiations

While it said the wage freeze and flexibility over hours would help minimise redundancies, it suggested a forecast that there would be 490,000 fewer public sector workers by 2014-15 had been adopted by the government.

Thousands of protesters gathered in Westminster on Tuesday to lobby MPs ahead of the announcement. Dave Prentis, general secretary of the Unison union, said the coalition government was "taking a chainsaw to our public services ... not because of a deficit, but because of an ideology".

The chancellor and Prime Minister David Cameron finalised the spending review package in a series of meetings with deputy PM Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander at Chequers at the weekend.

It follows lengthy negotiations with cabinet colleagues over the summer.

Danny Alexander's documents suggested a 490,000 cut in the public sector workforce by 2014-15

BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Osborne would outline percentage cuts in certain departments and there could be some illustrations of projects that have had to be abandoned and details of overall numbers of prison places to be cut.

But he said details of which specific jobs and services could be axed were unlikely.

The document Mr Alexander had been photographed with had shown that if there were voluntary agreements on public sector pay and hours, job losses could be reduced.

'Very clear promise'

Further speculation suggested the BBC might be made to cover the cost of free TV licences for the over-75s - currently covered by the government - but it is understood this will not happen.

Instead it has emerged the BBC licence fee will be frozen for the next six years - and the corporation is to take over the cost of the World Service, currently funded by the Foreign Office, and the Welsh language TV channel S4C.

There have been several reports that winter fuel allowance, free TV licences and bus passes for the elderly could be curtailed - David Cameron has said he wants to stand by his "very clear promise" during the election campaign, in which he pledged that a Conservative government would keep all three.

The BBC understands that the schools budget in England will be spared large cuts but the social housing budget in England is to be halved and organisations representing rank-and-file police officers fear thousands of jobs will go.

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has already confirmed a £30bn 10-mile barrage across the Severn estuary, intended to generate renewable electricity, has been axed on the grounds of cost.

Unions held a mass rally ahead of the Spending Review announcements

But Mr Osborne has pledged funding for big infrastructure projects like London's Crossrail project and the Mersey Gateway road bridge between Runcorn and Widnes - as well as the Synchotron scientific facility in Oxfordshire.

Deputy PM Nick Clegg told Lib Dem MPs on Tuesday that the spending review has involved "difficult decisions" but that it "provides the best evidence yet of why we are in government".

He said the decisions taken were the right ones "to build a fairer and more liberal Britain".

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DTN News: India, Sri Lanka Consider Energy Cooperation

DTN News: India, Sri Lanka Consider Energy Cooperation

*To step up high-level military exchanges

*India to assist in the restoration of Palaly Airport and Kankesanthurai Harbour

*Colombo-Tuticorin, Talaimannar-Rameswaram ferry services to be resumed

Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - June 10, 2010: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa has proposed discussions on establishing a joint information mechanism on the possibility of oil and gasfields straddling the India-Sri Lanka maritime boundary. In a joint declaration, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured Mr. Rajapaksa that this proposal would receive his government's attention and the matter could be discussed further between the two sides. The two countries also agreed to promote dialogue on security and defence issues and step up high-level military exchanges and training of military personnel. Newly recruited Sri Lankan police personnel would be given additional training in Indian institutions. They agreed to institute an annual defence dialogue between the two governments. The two countries would promote the use of space technology for a variety of societal services. India offered to extend the bandwidth to set up satellite-interactive terminals in Sri Lanka. An agreement on conducting a feasibility study for the interconnection of the Indian and Sri Lankan electricity grids was also signed. The two leaders were confident that the agreement would make a significant contribution to enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. In a step towards strengthening the security and legal framework of the bilateral relationship, Dr. Singh and Mr. Rajapaksa witnessed the signing of the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters and Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners. Both leaders agreed to revive the Joint Commission mechanism and hold its next meeting in the second half of 2010 in order to devise a fuller agenda of bilateral cooperation in various fields. The two leaders were briefed on the progress in discussions between the National Thermal Power Corporation of India and the Ceylon Electricity Board of Sri Lanka on a joint venture to build a 500-MW coal-fired power plant at Sampur in Trincomalee, incorporating environmentally friendly technologies. Sri Lanka expressed its appreciation of India extending an additional concessionary line of credit of $200 million. Mr. Rajapaksa appreciated the credit facilities for about $800 million for railway projects in Sri Lanka. The procurement of rolling stock from India would take place in a phased manner. In the light of past experience, a Steering Committee would oversee the timely completion of the contracted work. In restoring physical and cultural infrastructure and promoting normality in northern Sri Lanka, India agreed to assist in the rehabilitation of the Palaly Airport and the Kankesanthurai Harbour as also help in renovating the Duraiappah Stadium and constructing a cultural centre in Jaffna. India and Sri Lanka agreed to resume ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and between Talaimannar and Rameswaram. The two leaders noted the involvement of the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in addressing rehabilitation of war widows, and witnessed the signing of an MoU on Setting Up of Women's Trade Facilitation Centre and Community Learning Centre at Batticaloa. They also witnessed the signing of the MoU on a Small Development Project Scheme. In bilateral trade, it was agreed that a more comprehensive framework of economic cooperation was required. Officials would hold intensive consultations to develop a framework for sustainable economic partnership and addressing outstanding issues. A CEOs forum would involve the public and private sectors in a dialogue to generate ideas to deepen and broaden the bilateral economic relationship and help chart the future course of business and trade interaction. The two leaders agreed on establishing the Consulate-General of India in Jaffna and in Hambantota to reinforce consular cooperation and friendly links. India welcomed Sri Lanka's interest in establishing an extra post in India, in addition to those in Chennai and Mumbai. They expressed satisfaction with the Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements of October 2008 and agreed to explore ways to strengthen the safety and security of fishermen and, in this context, directed their officials to revive the meetings of the bilateral Joint Working Group on Fishing. It was also decided to enhance and promote contacts between the fishermen's associations on both sides. Both leaders welcomed the proposal for the restoration of the Tiruketheeswaram temple at Mannar and witnessed the signing of the Programme for Cultural Cooperation for the period 2010-2013. It was agreed to step up links in the educational sector with the two leaders announcing the launching of an “India-Sri Lanka Knowledge Initiative.” Under this Initiative, the University of Colombo would establish a Centre for Contemporary Indian Studies with the support of the Government of India. India announced an expansion of its scholarship programmes in Sri Lanka, including addressing special needs of Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka and upcountry areas. India also responded positively to the request to extend technical assistance to the 10-year Presidential Initiative to steer the island country towards a Trilingual Society by 2020. Both sides agreed to collaborate in the establishment of a research institute on agriculture in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Welcoming the growing connectivity between the countries, the two leaders called for greater cooperation in tourism and promotion of people-to-people contacts, especially between youth.

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DTN News: U.S., European Military To Discuss Air Defense Cooperation

DTN News: U.S., European Military To Discuss Air Defense Cooperation

Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti Dt. June 7, 2010

(NSI News Source Info) TALLINN, Estonia - June 8, 2010: U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) top brass will attend a Building Partnership Seminar under the Unified Engagement series in Estonian capital, Tallinn, on June 7-11. A U.S. delegation led by USAFE Commander, General Roger A. Brady, will join military officials from seven European countries to discuss interoperability and future cooperation. The event, co-hosted by USAFE and the Estonian Defense Ministry, is the third such seminar held in Europe. Other participants this year include Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden. Estonia has been a full member of the NATO since 2004. The Unified Engagement series is a wargame designed to explore future joint warfare concepts and capabilities.

DTN News: China Cyber-Espionage Eyes Indian Defense

DTN News: China Cyber-Espionage Eyes Indian Defense Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - April 7, 2010: Sensitive security information linked to India's missile and armament systems may have been compromised by Chinese hackers believed to have broken into top secret files of the Indian Defense Ministry. The allegation stems from a report published by a group of U.S. and Canadian computer security researchers who monitored a spying operation, observing the trails of the hackers as they pilfered classified and restricted documents from India's Defense Ministry. Among the systems believed to have been hacked is the Shakti, the newly introduced artillery combat and control system of the Indian army, and the Iron Dome, the country's mobile missile defense system, local media reported. According to the report, researchers based at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto managed to provide a detailed account of the spying operation called Shadow Network, documenting not only what material had been hacked but accessing confidential documents, also, about India's relations in West Africa, Russia and the Middle East. While the identity and designs of the intruders have yet to be determined, the researchers traced the spy operation to computer servers in Chengdu, western China. The findings of the report have sparked concern within the ranks of the government in India, which said earlier this week that it was investigating the allegations. "This is a serious issue and we are looking into it," Sitansu Kar, a spokesman for the ministry, was quoted as saying in Business Week report. The allegations follow a move by Google Inc. to redirect users of its Chinese Web site to Hong Kong "to avoid the nation's censorship laws after the U.S. company said it had detected cyberattacks from mainland on human-rights activists," Business Week reported. At the time, the case underscored mounting concerns over the growing trend of cyber espionage. Ahead of the report's publication, India stopped short of acknowledging that government networks had been attacked by China, saying that "no one attempt had been successful." Chinese officials have since then rebuffed any allegation of involvement. "The Chinese government considers hacking a cancer to the whole of society," said Ye Lao, a state official in Western China. The Dalai Lama's office was also part of the research. "From what we are seeing, the people attacking our computers have a very systematic approach to reading our private communications," said Tenzin Takhla, the exiled Tibetan leader's secretary. "What the experts have told us is that they these are coming out of China, and that makes sense."

DTN News: China Unveils Less Aggressive Defense Budget

DTN News: China Unveils Less Aggressive Defense Budget

Source: DTN News / LA Times By Barbara Demick Reporting from Beijing (NSI News Source Info) BEIJING, CHINA - March 5, 2010: After nearly two decades of double-digit hikes in military spending, Beijing's announcement of a relatively modest 7.5% rise is seen as an apparent bid to assuage wary East Asia neighbors.

China announced Thursday the smallest increase in its defense budget in years, in an apparent attempt to assuage international fears that its military is growing too powerful.

Coming after almost two decades of double-digit hikes, the relatively modest 7.5% increase in the budget to $78 billion also highlights the Chinese leadership's stated commitments to channel funding to social programs.

"China is committed to peace," said Li Zhaoxing, a spokesman for the National People's Congress, where the budget figures were released Thursday.

It is an annual ritual for the military budget to be announced at the opening session of the congress. But as the legislature has no real oversight over the People's Liberation Army, the event is largely about what message the Chinese leadership wishes to send.

Western analysts believe as well that the Chinese government significantly underreports its military spending, so the announced modest increase might in fact be more of a signal than a reflection of reality.

"China's double-digit military spending had led to worries from neighboring countries like Vietnam and India," said Ni Lexiong, a defense analyst at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law. "Both of those countries began to purchase planes and submarines from Russia. There were signs of an arms race in East Asia and that would not be good for China."

A slower pace of military spending increases also reflects the ratcheting down of tensions with Taiwan since the 2008 election there of pro-mainland President Ma Ying-jeou. However, at the same time, the threat of restiveness among Tibetans and the Uighurs of the Xinjiang region in the west has grown.

"The sole purpose of China's military strength is to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Li said in Thursday's news conference.

Other Chinese officials have said that much of the increase in military spending will go to raising salaries for the country's 2.3 million soldiers, whose wages have not kept pace with the rest of the economy.

An analysis by the U.S. Defense Department given to Congress last year estimated that China's officially disclosed military budget grew an average of 12.9% from 1996 to 2008 -- far ahead of the growth of gross domestic product, averaging 9.6% a year.

The Chinese at times have also tried to flaunt their rising military strength, most publicly during the televised spectacle Oct. 1, when the military strutted the latest weaponry past Tiananmen Square in celebration of the 60th anniversary the People's Republic of China.