Gadhafi Goes Shopping In Old Eastern Bloc

Gadhafi Goes Shopping In Old Eastern Bloc (NSI News Source Info) Moscow - November 17, 2008: Russia is unlikely to get what it wants from Libya. Before Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi came to the Russian capital, Moscow, on a state visit last week, analysts thought he would sign military contracts worth between $2 billion and $4.5 billion with Russia. However, while the Kremlin staff was busy searching for a place to build a Bedouin tent for Gadhafi, the "son of the desert" was thinking about his bargaining tactic in the former Soviet republics of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Russians view the three countries as fraternal, but Gadhafi sees them as the "Slavic bazaar" where he can induce them to compete against each other. The colonel's itinerary was carefully plotted, from Russia to Belarus and to Ukraine, because in Moscow the Libyan leader saw the full range of Russian military items for sale, such as the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator helicopter, the Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighter, the T-90 Main Battle Tank and the latest version of Russia's advanced S-300 anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic-missile air defense system. Even the Russian army lacks most of these novel systems, which definitely are not cheap. Russia has other cheaper, simpler arms for sale. It inherited them from the Soviet Union, just as Belarus and Ukraine did. I was a military translator in Libya in the mid-1980s, and I know the Libyan army had Soviet arms made in the 1960s and early 1970s. They proved highly effective during war games, as well as in wars. Gadhafi was fighting a war in Chad at that time, which Libya did not advertise. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko offered Gadhafi Soviet-made weapons. Two factors -- the price and the buyer's feeling about the seller -- are crucial at a bazaar where sellers offer similar goods. Gadhafi is an experienced politician who has held power for close to 40 years, and he has a personality comparable to those of Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky and Belarusian President Lukashenko. It is therefore not surprising that during their visit to Minsk the leaders of Russia and Belarus spoke about their countries' similar positions and the need to build a multipolar world. Gadhafi recalled that it was Belarus that "extended a hand of friendship" to Libya when international sanctions were imposed on it. Gadhafi first met with Lukashenko in 2000, when the Belarusian president was in Libya on an official visit during which the two leaders created the groundwork for bilateral relations. Gadhafi told Lukashenko on that occasion that he was always welcome in Libya, and the Belarusian leader promised to come to Tripoli again.

New Russian armored vehicles in action

New Russian armored vehicles in action (NSI News Source Info) November 17, 2008: Special demonstration drills with live firing took place at the Kubinka military training ground near Moscow. Journalists could see new Russian armored vehicles, including T-90 tanks, BMP-3 armored personnel carriers and a special Terminator tank support combat vehicle (BMPT) in action.

BMPT Tank Support Combat Vehicle

Chavez says Russia to build nuclear reactor in Venezuela

Chavez says Russia to build nuclear reactor in Venezuela (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - November 17, 2008: Russia will help Venezuela build its first nuclear reactor in the northwestern province of Zulia, President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday. Chavez had announced on Friday that Venezuela was in talks with Russia on nuclear energy cooperation, and the issue is likely to be discussed during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit later this month. "A nuclear reactor, to produce energy for peaceful purposes, will soon be built in Estado Zulia and named in honor of the Venezuelan scientist of the last century Humberto Fernandez Moran," Chavez told supporters in Maracaibo, the capital of Zulia state. "Brazil has several nuclear reactors, as does Argentina. We will also have our own reactor," the president said. Medvedev's trip to Venezuela on November 26 will be the first visit by a Russian president. Russian nuclear power plant constructer Atomstroyexport, established in 1998, has completed or is working on reactors in Iran, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, China and India.

Indian Air Force to Setup First Sukhoi Squadron in Punjab by 2011

Indian Air Force to Setup First Sukhoi Squadron in Punjab by 2011 (NSI News Source Info) November 17, 2008: In a move to provide teeth to its Air Force fleet along the Indo-Pak border, India will deploy two of its air superiority Sukhoi fighter squadrons in Halwara air base in Punjab by 2011. The Indian Air Force's (IAF) sword-arm Western Air Command (WAC) has drawn up a two-year plan and is preparing to host the Sukhoi squadrons at the Halwara fighter base near Ludhiana."We will get the first of the Su-30 squadrons to be based under the WAC by 2011 at the Halwara air base," WAC chief Air Marshal Pranab Kumar Barbora said. The IAF has already started the work to develop the infrastructure for deploying the squadrons with the most potent fighter aircraft in its fleet at the air base, which currently hosts the MiG-23 BN squadrons."We have started developing infrastructure for the Su-30 MKIs' deployment there. Work on the runway and other facilities has started and its going to be fully prepared for the aircraft in the next two years," Barbora said here. The two Su-30 MKI squadrons would be deployed at Halwara simultaneously once the MiG-23s are phased out early next year.These would be the first Su-30 MKI squadrons under the WAC, the largest of IAF's five operational commands in terms of area.

India to Test Laser Guide Missile System in Chandipur, Orissa

India to Test Laser Guide Missile System in Chandipur, Orissa (NSI News Source Info) November 17, 2008: After registering significant success with conventional missile systems, India is all set to test its first laser-guided missile at the Interim Test Range, Balasore, Orissa. The missile, Sudarshan, is the latest weapon system developed indigenously to occupy the niche of a precision delivery mechanism. It can neutralise any target in a 800-1,000 km range with a zero margin of error. Developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bangalore, Sudarshan is a versatile missile that can be used by the army, navy and air force. It suits the requirements of the artillery for a long-distance strike weapon. The navy can also fire it from an onboard launcher."The first version will use a ground-based launcher. However, subsequent ones could be fired from a flying fighter or drone. This will enhance the range," a source told to this website's newspaper.Sudarshan will use a laser of a specific frequency bandwidth to locate the target. The laser creates a heat signature on the target. The missile recognizes the signature and homes in on it even if the target is moving, sources said. "The target can be spotlighted using laser beamed from a ship or air. The on board systems can light it up and the missile follows the reflected light to reach targets that need pinpoint accuracy," said the source.However, unlike the practice of giving continuous laser guidance to a missile using an aircraft or a handheld designator, Sudarshan’s instrumentation enables it to chase a target once the navigation systems lock in on it.The ADE is equipping the missile with global positioning system technology. Like all modern missiles, it will have a three-dimensional locking mechanism using latitude, longitude and elevation.The preliminary trials, the sources said, were satisfactory. A dummy target was lit up using a laser fired from a battle tank. The missile's navigation system picked up the light and eliminated the target. Sudarshan's final trials are expected to take place within three months.

Pakistan criticized on US$7.6 bil. IMF bailout

Pakistan criticized on US$7.6 bil. IMF bailout (NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - November 17, 2008: Analysts and opposition leaders warned Sunday that Pakistan’s decision to borrow US$7.6 billion from the International Monetary Fund to stabilize its economy at a time of rising militant violence could lead to a public backlash. Pakistani leaders had hoped their nation’s front-line status in the fight against al-Qaida and Taliban militant would lead the international community to come to its rescue.

Pakistan’s top finance official Shaukat Tareen speaks during a press conference in Karachi, Pakistan, Saturday, Nov. 15. Pakistan has agreed to borrow US$7.6 billion from the International Monetary Fund to avoid adding an economic crisis to its struggle against Islamic militants, Tareen said

However, with the global economy in turmoil, the government was forced to turn to the IMF after even close allies such as the United States, China and Saudi Arabia snubbed its requests for significant bilateral aid. Opposition lawmakers fear the IMF will impose austerity measures that will hurt ordinary Pakistanis, two-thirds of whom live on US$2 dollar a day or less. But the IMF said the package included steps to protect the poor from cutbacks. Ahsan Iqbal, a spokesman for the main opposition party, said the government should admit its economic plans had failed, Dawn, a respected English-language paper, reported Sunday. “The government should immediately tell Parliament what strings are attached to the IMF package,” the newspaper quoted Iqbal as saying. Like other observers, Iqbal said the government had damaged its image by expanding the Cabinet when austerity was needed, not to mention sending a reported 200 people along with President Asif Ali Zardari to Saudi Arabia on a recent aid-seeking mission. Murtaza Mughal of Pakistan Economy Watch, a network of economists, said Sunday that the country should still seek other options to shore up its economy. Cumbersome IMF spending rules could further slow development and upset the public, he said. “We should avoid this loan,” Mughal said. He suggested that Zardari and other Pakistani leaders set an example by bringing into Pakistan bank money they held in banks elsewhere. Pakistan’s finance chief said Saturday that the IMF agreed to the bailout after endorsing plans to tackle the country’s huge budget and trade deficits. The loan will boost Pakistan’s foreign currency reserves, which have seen a rapid decline that raised the prospect of a run on the local currency and default on the country’s foreign debt. “We have fulfilled our commitment that Pakistan will never default” on its debt, Shaukat Tareen, finance adviser to Pakistan’s prime minister, said at a news conference. Pakistan is one of a number of countries including Hungary and Ukraine seeking IMF assistance in the wake of the global credit crunch. However, nuclear-armed Pakistan’s strategic importance in the U.S.-led war on terror makes its financial and political stability of particular concern to the international community. Pakistan’s northwest, especially its wild tribal belt, is used by al-Qaida and Taliban militants to stage attacks on U.S. and NATO troops across the border in Afghanistan. The Muslim nation is currently pursuing military operations in the tribal areas, including one in the Bajur region said to have killed more than 1,600 people since August. Pakistan’s economy, which enjoyed fast-paced growth under ex-President Pervez Musharraf, is threatened by gross imbalances caused by the soaring costs of imported oil and food. Tareen said Pakistan would apply formally for the emergency loan this week and an IMF statement said its board would consider the matter shortly. With Pakistan’s currency having fallen some 20 percent since March, Tareen said Pakistan was hoping to receive a substantial first tranche from the fund before the end of the month. He said the loan carries an interest rate of between 3.5 percent and 4.5 percent and that Pakistan would have five years to pay it back, starting in 2011 or 2012.

NATO chief says Ukraine “will become a member

NATO chief says Ukraine “will become a member

(NSI News Source Info) November 17, 2008: With uncertainty still reigning over Georgia’s hopes to one day become a member of NATO, in the aftermath of its conflict with Russia, the alliance’s Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer re-stated the military group’s desire to see Ukraine join its ranks at a high-level conference being held in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, on November 13. In his opening speech, de Hoop Scheffer said the talks were taking place at a special moment in NATO-Ukraine relations. “Let me remind you that at the Bucharest Summit earlier this year, NATO heads of state and government welcomed Ukraine’s Euro- Atlantic aspirations for membership in NATO and agreed that Ukraine will become a member of the alliance,” he said. At subsequent press conferences, de Hoop Scheffer told reporters: “The long-standing partnership with Ukraine is not diminishing one iota.” He was joined by Ukrainian Defence Minister Yuri Yekhanurov and US Defence Secretary Robert Gates in stinging criticism of Russia’s recent actions, including suspicions that it was attempting to meddle in the affairs of other nations. “Ukraine must be free to choose its own path and its own future, free from outside interference, and free from outside pressure of any kind in any direction,” de Hoop Scheffer said. Yekhanurov said the regional security environment had changed. “The world has become less stable and less predictable. The serious developments in Georgia have dispelled the idea that war in Europe is impossible,” he said. “The major issue was what to do next - will we agree to play dangerous imperialistic games of the 19th and 20th centuries and return to spheres of influence or will we follow that basic principle that European democracies have a right to choose their own way to security?” he asked. Yekhanurov admitted that further progress needed to be made in Ukraine before it could be accepted as a full NATO member and said his country was suffering from an “overdose of democracy” creating political instability. However, he laughed off a mass brawl in the Ukrainian parliament as “testimony to fighting spirit of Ukraine.” Gates unleashed the strongest denunciation of Russian actions while urging Ukraine to show the sustained commitment needed to join the alliance. Gates said countries in Eastern Europe were on edge due to Russia’s incursion into Georgia. “Russia’s recent behaviour has been troubling. Within hours of the conclusion of the American election, President (Dmitry) Medvedev responded by threatening to place missiles in Kaliningrad - hardly the welcome a new American administration deserves.” “Such provocative remarks are unnecessary and misguided,” Gates added. Such rhetoric was associated with a bygone era, Gates stated, before suggesting that the only real emerging threat on Russia’s periphery was Iran. “I don’t think the Iskander missile has the range to get there,” he said laconically. Gates was also less measured in his reaction to the question of Ukraine’s and Georgia’s NATO Membership Action Plans (MAPs) than de Hoop Scheffer had been. The American diplomat referred back to the Bucharest summit in April when the two countries were granted their MAPs. “In a way the application has already been signed and sealed at Bucharest,” Gates said. That contrasted with de Hoop Scheffer’s earlier statement that NATO foreign ministers will make their first assessment of MAP in December and that it was too early to say what the outcome would be.

Afghanistan offers Taliban chief safe conduct

Afghanistan offers Taliban chief safe conduct (NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan - November 16, 2008: Afghan President Hamid Karzai offered Sunday to provide security for the Taliban's reclusive leader if he agrees to enter peace talks, and suggested that the U.S. and other Western nations could leave the country or oust him if they disagree. Karzai's comments come as international political and military leaders are increasingly mulling whether negotiating with the Taliban is necessary as the insurgency gains sway in large areas of Afghanistan. Karzai has long supported drawing the Islamist militia into the political mainstream on the condition that they accept the country's constitution.

"If I say I want protection for Mullah Omar, the international community has two choices, remove me or leave if they disagree," Karzai said in an hourlong news conference in Kabul. "If I am removed in the cause of peace for Afghanistan by force by them, than I will be very happy. If they disagree, they can leave. But we are not in that stage yet," Karzai said. Omar is a leader of the Afghan Taliban and headed the government toppled by the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. Since then, he has been in hiding but is believed to be running the insurgency. Previously, Karzai has said that Omar lives in neighboring Pakistan, an allegation dismissed by Pakistani officials. Record levels of violenceSeven years after the invasion, record levels of violence are afflicting Afghanistan, where the number of insurgent attacks are up by 30 percent compared to 2007. The Taliban are present in large parts of Afghanistan's south and east and are increasingly encroaching on Kabul, the capital. In September, Taliban members met with Afghan and Pakistani officials during a dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia's king, but there were no concrete results from the meeting. "If I hear from (Mullah Omar) that he is willing to come to Afghanistan or to negotiate for peace and for the well-being of the Afghans so that our children are not killed anymore, I as a president of Afghanistan will go to any length to provide protection," Karzai said. Omar has not directly responded to these calls, but spokesmen associated with the Taliban have previously said their participation in any talks depends on the withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign troops from the country. Karzai dismissed that, saying foreign troops are necessary for Afghanistan's security.

Russia Unique An-124 Condor Long-Range Heavy Transport Aircraft

Russia Unique An-124 Condor Long-Range Heavy Transport Aircraft (NSI News Source Info) November 16, 2008: The An-124 Ruslan, designed by the Antonov ASTC, based in Kiev, Ukraine, is a very large cargo aircraft. It is manufactured by Aviant State Aviation Plant, Kiev, and Aviastar, Ulyanovsk, Russia. "The An-124 is designed for long-range delivery and air dropping of heavy and large-size cargo." The aircraft, which has the NATO reporting name Condor, is designed for long-range delivery and air dropping of heavy and large size cargo, including machines, equipment and troops. The An-124 entered service in 1986 and over 55 aircraft have been built. The Russian Army operates 28 An-124 aircraft.

The Antonov Design Bureau maintains some of its An-124-100, among them UR-82009, that operate international freight services

The unique transport capabilities and the high performance of the aircraft have been proven in operation. 20 An-124-100 of Antonov Airlines, Volga-Dniepr, Poliot and other airlines transport different cargoes all over the world; for example: 90t hydraulic turbines, large Liebherr autocranes, American Euclid dump trucks, the fuselage of Tu-204 passenger transporter, a 109t railway locomotive, and a sea yacht more than 25m long. Volga-Dniepr Airlines of Russia has ten An-124 aircraft. Polet Airlines of Russia operate eight An-124 aircraft. Aviant State Aviation Plant in Kiev completed an An-124-100 from parts in stock which was sold to the United Arab Emirates in 2004. Seven An-124-100 aircraft were operated by Antonov Airlines, based at London Stansted Airport, in partnership with Air Foyle HeavyLift. Antonov Airlines did not renew the contract for this partnership in June 2006 2006 and has signed an agreement with Volga-Dniepr Airlines and Aviastar for the modernisation and construction of the An-124. In September 2004, the governments of Russia and the Ukraine announced that series production of the An-124 would be restarted. Up to 80 An-124-100M upgraded aircraft are to be jointly manufactured by Aviastar and Aviant between 2007 and 2020. Volga-Dnepr Airlines placed an order for five An-124-100M in August 2005. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2010. Supplemental type certification was received for the aircraft in June 2007, allowing operations with 402t maximum take-off weight and 150t maximum payload. AN-124 DESIGN The aircraft fuselage has a double-deck layout. The cockpit, the relief crew compartment and the troop cabin with 88 seats are on the upper deck. The lower deck is the cargo hold. The flight deck has crew stations arranged in pairs for six crew: the pilot and copilot, two flight engineers, the navigator, and the communications officer. The loadmaster's station is located in the lobby deck. Up to 80An-124-100M upgraded aircraft are to be manufactured between 2006 and 2020. The An-124 aircraft is fitted with a relatively thick (12%) swept-back super-critical wing to give high aerodynamic efficiency and, consequently, a long flight range. The construction includes extruded skin panels on the wing, extruded plates for the centre-section wing panels and monolithic wafer plates for the fuselage panels. The aircraft structural members are made of composites that make up 1,500m² of the surface area. Multi-leg landing gear and loading equipment ensure self-sufficient operation of the aircraft on prepared concrete runways and on unpaved strips. The landing gear is self-orienting and incorporates a kneeling mechanism, which allows an adjustable fuselage clearance to assist the loading and unloading of self-propelled equipment. CARGO SYSTEMS The onboard system of cargo handling equipment makes it possible to load and unload the aircraft without the help of ground facilities. The para-dropping and cargo handling equipment comprises two travelling cranes, two winches, rollgang and tiedown equipment. The aircraft is often compared to the US Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy. The An-124 has a transportation capability 25% higher than that of the C-5A and 10% higher than the C-5B. The two cargo hatches are a distinctive structural feature. The fuselage nose can be hinged upward to open the front cargo hatch and there is a cargo hatch in the rear fuselage. AVIONICS All systems are quadruple redundant. The onboard equipment provides the capability to execute airlift and para-drop missions by day and at night, in Visual Flight Rules and Instrument Flight Rules (VFR and IFR) weather conditions. There are 34 computers functioning aboard the aircraft, combined into four main systems: navigation, automatic piloting, remote control and monitoring. The integrated flight control and aiming-navigation system comprises an autonomous navigation system, altitude and air-speed indicating system, combat formation flight control equipment, short-range radio navigation and landing system, global positioning system, automatic radio compass, ground surveillance radar, forward-looking weather radar, optical and TV sight, and IFF equipment. Multi-leg landing gear and loading equipment ensure self-sufficient operation. AN-124-210 AND AN-124-100M Antonov, Aviastar and Air Foyle of the UK have jointly submitted a proposal to the UK MoD for leasing of new versions, the An-124-210 and An-124-100M. An-124-210 will be equipped with a Rolls-Royce RB211-52H-T engine; An-124-100M with Series 3 D-18 engines, produced by Progress Design Bureau in Zaporozhe. These engines allow an increase in service range of 10% and reduced take-off distance. Both versions will be equipped with digital instrumentation and displays from Honeywell of the USA and Aviapribor of Russia, enabling the crew size to be reduced from six to four. Also fitted are a Traffic alert Collision and Avoidance System (TCAS 2000), ground proximity warning system and satellite communications system.

Italian Missile Boats For Iraq Navy

Italian Missile Boats For Iraq Navy (NSI News Source Info) November 16, 2008: Iraq has paid Italy $105 million to build four 400 ton offshore patrol boats. The first of these been completed and the Iraqi crew is undergoing training in Italy. The Italian patrol boats are based on the Saettia Mk. 4 missile patrol boat. These ships carry a crew of 38 (including a dozen marines for boarding ships). Top speed is about 70 kilometers an hour, and they can stay at sea for about a week. Armament of the Iraqi version consists of a 30mm automatic cannon and two machine-guns. But the most important aspect of all this is whether corrupt officials can be kept under control, so that the new patrol boats will get the fuel and spare parts needed to keep them at sea.