Russian missile complex "Iskander" on display during a military equipment exhibition in the Siberian town of Nizhny Tagil. Russia could counter a planned US anti-missile defence system in central Europe by deploying missiles in neighbouring ally Belarus, a senior Russian general said Wednesday. Belarus, a close ally of Russia which borders Poland, said earlier Wednesday that it was purchasing Russia's Iskander-E conventional missile system by 2020, which is designed to destroy air defences, but has a range of just 280 kilometres (174 miles).
The US envoy to Nato, Kurt Volker, said that if true, the suspension would be a "very positive step", the Reuters news agency reported.
Russia had said the US missile shield plan in Europe was a direct threat.
In November last year, President Dmitry Medvedev responded by announcing the Russian plan, saying it was to counteract moves by the US.
The US has insisted that its plan to base radars and interceptor missiles in Poland and the Czech Republic is designed solely to guard against attack by "rogue states", such as Iran.
While the Russian defence ministry has not confirmed the latest Interfax report, the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says the agency is often used by the Kremlin to float proposals.
Interfax quoted an unnamed military official as saying that "the implementation of these plans has been halted in connection with the fact that the new US administration is not rushing through plans to deploy" parts of its missile defence shield in eastern Europe.
If the official's statement is borne out it may signal a wider hope in the Kremlin that the US under President Barack Obama will roll back the plans for the missile defence shield in Europe, our correspondent says.
If Russia does shelve its Iskander deployment, it would be a substantial conciliatory measure to the new US administration, our correspondent adds.
President Obama spoke to President Medvedev by telephone on Monday. The two men pledged to stop the "drift" in their countries' relations, the White House said.
'Moscow infuriated'
The US has agreements in place with Poland and the Czech Republic to plug what the US has said is a gap in its global system of missile defence.
The proposed system has Nato-wide backing.
The US has said Iran is working on long-range missile technology and that the US missile shield would counter this.
The US plan infuriated Moscow and soured relations with the US.
Mr Medvedev said in November that short-range Iskander missiles would be deployed in the western enclave of Kaliningrad, bordering Poland, to neutralise any perceived US threat.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Russia 'Halts Missile Deployment' / Too Soon To Implement Iskander Plans - Russian Defense Source
Russia 'Halts Missile Deployment' / Too Soon To Implement Iskander Plans - Russian Defense Source
(NSI News Source Info) January 28, 2009: Russia's military has announced it will halt its plans to deploy short-range missiles in its Baltic enclave Kaliningrad, Interfax news agency says.
A Russian military official said a change in US attitude had prompted the latest decision, Interfax reports. Russian missile complex "Iskander" on display during a military equipment exhibition in the Siberian town of Nizhny Tagil. Russia could counter a planned US anti-missile defence system in central Europe by deploying missiles in neighbouring ally Belarus, a senior Russian general said Wednesday. Belarus, a close ally of Russia which borders Poland, said earlier Wednesday that it was purchasing Russia's Iskander-E conventional missile system by 2020, which is designed to destroy air defences, but has a range of just 280 kilometres (174 miles).
The US envoy to Nato, Kurt Volker, said that if true, the suspension would be a "very positive step", the Reuters news agency reported.
Russia had said the US missile shield plan in Europe was a direct threat.
In November last year, President Dmitry Medvedev responded by announcing the Russian plan, saying it was to counteract moves by the US.
The US has insisted that its plan to base radars and interceptor missiles in Poland and the Czech Republic is designed solely to guard against attack by "rogue states", such as Iran.
While the Russian defence ministry has not confirmed the latest Interfax report, the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says the agency is often used by the Kremlin to float proposals.
Interfax quoted an unnamed military official as saying that "the implementation of these plans has been halted in connection with the fact that the new US administration is not rushing through plans to deploy" parts of its missile defence shield in eastern Europe.
If the official's statement is borne out it may signal a wider hope in the Kremlin that the US under President Barack Obama will roll back the plans for the missile defence shield in Europe, our correspondent says.
If Russia does shelve its Iskander deployment, it would be a substantial conciliatory measure to the new US administration, our correspondent adds.
President Obama spoke to President Medvedev by telephone on Monday. The two men pledged to stop the "drift" in their countries' relations, the White House said.
'Moscow infuriated'
The US has agreements in place with Poland and the Czech Republic to plug what the US has said is a gap in its global system of missile defence.
The proposed system has Nato-wide backing.
The US has said Iran is working on long-range missile technology and that the US missile shield would counter this.
The US plan infuriated Moscow and soured relations with the US.
Mr Medvedev said in November that short-range Iskander missiles would be deployed in the western enclave of Kaliningrad, bordering Poland, to neutralise any perceived US threat.
Russian missile complex "Iskander" on display during a military equipment exhibition in the Siberian town of Nizhny Tagil. Russia could counter a planned US anti-missile defence system in central Europe by deploying missiles in neighbouring ally Belarus, a senior Russian general said Wednesday. Belarus, a close ally of Russia which borders Poland, said earlier Wednesday that it was purchasing Russia's Iskander-E conventional missile system by 2020, which is designed to destroy air defences, but has a range of just 280 kilometres (174 miles).
The US envoy to Nato, Kurt Volker, said that if true, the suspension would be a "very positive step", the Reuters news agency reported.
Russia had said the US missile shield plan in Europe was a direct threat.
In November last year, President Dmitry Medvedev responded by announcing the Russian plan, saying it was to counteract moves by the US.
The US has insisted that its plan to base radars and interceptor missiles in Poland and the Czech Republic is designed solely to guard against attack by "rogue states", such as Iran.
While the Russian defence ministry has not confirmed the latest Interfax report, the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says the agency is often used by the Kremlin to float proposals.
Interfax quoted an unnamed military official as saying that "the implementation of these plans has been halted in connection with the fact that the new US administration is not rushing through plans to deploy" parts of its missile defence shield in eastern Europe.
If the official's statement is borne out it may signal a wider hope in the Kremlin that the US under President Barack Obama will roll back the plans for the missile defence shield in Europe, our correspondent says.
If Russia does shelve its Iskander deployment, it would be a substantial conciliatory measure to the new US administration, our correspondent adds.
President Obama spoke to President Medvedev by telephone on Monday. The two men pledged to stop the "drift" in their countries' relations, the White House said.
'Moscow infuriated'
The US has agreements in place with Poland and the Czech Republic to plug what the US has said is a gap in its global system of missile defence.
The proposed system has Nato-wide backing.
The US has said Iran is working on long-range missile technology and that the US missile shield would counter this.
The US plan infuriated Moscow and soured relations with the US.
Mr Medvedev said in November that short-range Iskander missiles would be deployed in the western enclave of Kaliningrad, bordering Poland, to neutralise any perceived US threat.
Russian Army To Improve Combat Effectiveness With Spy Drones
Russian Army To Improve Combat Effectiveness With Spy Drones
(NSI News Source 
Info) MOSCOW - January 28, 2009: Russia's Armed Forces will receive three new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the next 3 years to boost the reconnaissance and precision-strike capabilities of ground units, an industry official said on Tuesday.
The new-generation Tipchak mobile aerial system has been designed for reconnaissance and target designation purposes on the battlefield in any weather conditions. The first Tipchak system was put in service at the end of 2008.
"We will deliver one Tipchak UAV system to the Defense Ministry every year until 2011," said Arkady Syroyezhko, director of UAV development programs at the Vega Radio Engineering Corp.
Tipchak operates up to six UAVs launched from a pneumatic catapult. Each UAV has a range of 40 kilometers (25 miles) and can provide targeting for artillery and theater-based ballistic missiles at distances up to 350 km (about 220 miles).
The drone is fitted with infrared and video sensors and has a real-time digital data link for communication with artillery units for laser-guided targeting.
The Russian Air Force has launched a number of UAV development programs for various purposes.
Air Force Commander, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said last year that Russia would deploy advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with a flight range of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles) and flight duration of up to 12 hours by 2011.
The UAVs of both fixed- and rotary-wing types will perform a variety of tasks, including reconnaissance, attack, retransmission of radio signals and target designation, the general said.
A source in the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said on Tuesday that the Defense Ministry was also considering buying UAVs abroad, but the decision has been delayed by lobbyists from the Russian defense industry.
"The purchase of several UAV's from Israel worth $100 million is still being discussed," the source said.
Info) MOSCOW - January 28, 2009: Russia's Armed Forces will receive three new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the next 3 years to boost the reconnaissance and precision-strike capabilities of ground units, an industry official said on Tuesday.
The new-generation Tipchak mobile aerial system has been designed for reconnaissance and target designation purposes on the battlefield in any weather conditions. The first Tipchak system was put in service at the end of 2008.
"We will deliver one Tipchak UAV system to the Defense Ministry every year until 2011," said Arkady Syroyezhko, director of UAV development programs at the Vega Radio Engineering Corp.
Tipchak operates up to six UAVs launched from a pneumatic catapult. Each UAV has a range of 40 kilometers (25 miles) and can provide targeting for artillery and theater-based ballistic missiles at distances up to 350 km (about 220 miles).
The drone is fitted with infrared and video sensors and has a real-time digital data link for communication with artillery units for laser-guided targeting.
The Russian Air Force has launched a number of UAV development programs for various purposes.
Air Force Commander, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said last year that Russia would deploy advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with a flight range of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles) and flight duration of up to 12 hours by 2011.
The UAVs of both fixed- and rotary-wing types will perform a variety of tasks, including reconnaissance, attack, retransmission of radio signals and target designation, the general said.
A source in the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said on Tuesday that the Defense Ministry was also considering buying UAVs abroad, but the decision has been delayed by lobbyists from the Russian defense industry.
"The purchase of several UAV's from Israel worth $100 million is still being discussed," the source said.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Pakistan On The Brink, Part One
Pakistan On The Brink, Part One
Pakistan Allows Kashmir Raids, Militants Say, Officials from three Pakistani militant groups that the government of Pakistan has allowed Islamic guerrillas to resume small-scale infiltrations into Indian-controlled Kashmir. India has repeatedly demanded that Pakistan halt the practice, which brought the two nuclear-armed rivals to the brink of war this spring.
From its inception in 1947, Pakistan was predisposed to military rule. The British colonial army of the subcontinent was drawn predominantly from the Punjab, a region that became part of Pakistan upon independence. From that point on, the Pakistani army was more unified and capable of concerted action than were the political parties.
Seeing itself as embodying the nation far more than they did, the army would push aside civilian governments and assume the reins of power when it saw fit. There’s no edifying morality play here. Pakistan’s political parties are corrupt, oligarchic patronage networks that bear considerable blame as well for the bleak situation today.
The Pakistani army, more so than the political parties, benefited from Cold War dynamics. India, though more powerful than Pakistan and hostile to China, chose a path of nonalignment and so Pakistan (along with Iran) became the US’s partner in the region. Arms and money and advisors flowed in, adding to the army’s hypertrophy.
The military used its muscle in politics often and the results were not good. Military governments thwarted the development of stable political partnerships and coalitions, failed to integrate the various provinces of the country (Balochistan and the North-West Frontier Province) into a national whole, and also failed to find a political arrangement to limit sectarian clashes.
Among the military’s greatest errors has been encouraging Islamism. It did so because less religiously driven Pakistanis were insufficiently fervent to carry on efforts to control Kashmir and to avenge the stain upon national honor brought by the loss of East Pakistan in 1971 – a loss that a neutral observer might unhesitatingly ascribe to the army’s ineptitude.
The army set up camps to train guerrillas to carry on the war with India over Kashmir, and political movements to rally Islamist passions for the Kashmir cause. Some of those camps were in Afghanistan, where oversight from Kabul was low and plausible denial to New Delhi a bit higher.
The Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 greatly strengthened the army (especially a section of it), which at the time was ruling the country after overthrowing and executing Ali Bhutto. The US and Saudi Arabia poured money into Pakistan to aid the various mujahadin groups fighting just to the north in Afghanistan, most of whom could readily be considered Islamist in nature.
The supply effort was entrusted to a section of the military – the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI). In order to inspire new recruits for the war in Afghanistan (and for the struggle over Kashmir and revanchism over the loss of East Pakistan) madrasas were funded. Along the way, the ISI became a state within a state, an army within an army, a praetorian guard within a praetorian guard.
Author: Brian M. Downing is the author of several works of political and military history, including The Military Revolution and Political Change and The Paths of Glory: War and Social Change in America from the Great War to Vietnam.
(NSI News Source Info) January 28, 2009: Pakistan might collapse. It faces regional insurgencies, political failures, rising Islamism (in the public and army alike), and reprisals from India over the Mumbai attacks. The trouble in the US’s principal though duplicitous partner in the war on terror is all the more worrisome because it has nuclear weapons. A great deal of Pakistan’s trouble is the fault of its military, which has thwarted political development, supported terrorism, and encouraged Islamism. US foreign policy has played a supporting role as well.
Pakistan Allows Kashmir Raids, Militants Say, Officials from three Pakistani militant groups that the government of Pakistan has allowed Islamic guerrillas to resume small-scale infiltrations into Indian-controlled Kashmir. India has repeatedly demanded that Pakistan halt the practice, which brought the two nuclear-armed rivals to the brink of war this spring.
From its inception in 1947, Pakistan was predisposed to military rule. The British colonial army of the subcontinent was drawn predominantly from the Punjab, a region that became part of Pakistan upon independence. From that point on, the Pakistani army was more unified and capable of concerted action than were the political parties.
Seeing itself as embodying the nation far more than they did, the army would push aside civilian governments and assume the reins of power when it saw fit. There’s no edifying morality play here. Pakistan’s political parties are corrupt, oligarchic patronage networks that bear considerable blame as well for the bleak situation today.
The Pakistani army, more so than the political parties, benefited from Cold War dynamics. India, though more powerful than Pakistan and hostile to China, chose a path of nonalignment and so Pakistan (along with Iran) became the US’s partner in the region. Arms and money and advisors flowed in, adding to the army’s hypertrophy.
The military used its muscle in politics often and the results were not good. Military governments thwarted the development of stable political partnerships and coalitions, failed to integrate the various provinces of the country (Balochistan and the North-West Frontier Province) into a national whole, and also failed to find a political arrangement to limit sectarian clashes.
Among the military’s greatest errors has been encouraging Islamism. It did so because less religiously driven Pakistanis were insufficiently fervent to carry on efforts to control Kashmir and to avenge the stain upon national honor brought by the loss of East Pakistan in 1971 – a loss that a neutral observer might unhesitatingly ascribe to the army’s ineptitude.
The army set up camps to train guerrillas to carry on the war with India over Kashmir, and political movements to rally Islamist passions for the Kashmir cause. Some of those camps were in Afghanistan, where oversight from Kabul was low and plausible denial to New Delhi a bit higher.
The Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 greatly strengthened the army (especially a section of it), which at the time was ruling the country after overthrowing and executing Ali Bhutto. The US and Saudi Arabia poured money into Pakistan to aid the various mujahadin groups fighting just to the north in Afghanistan, most of whom could readily be considered Islamist in nature.
The supply effort was entrusted to a section of the military – the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI). In order to inspire new recruits for the war in Afghanistan (and for the struggle over Kashmir and revanchism over the loss of East Pakistan) madrasas were funded. Along the way, the ISI became a state within a state, an army within an army, a praetorian guard within a praetorian guard.
China Exports More Arms To African Countries!
China Exports More Arms To African Countries!
Source: UPI Asia by Andrei Chang
(NSI News Source Info) Hong Kong - January 28, 2009: Increasing quantities of China-made military equipment have been finding their way to Africa, traded for oil, mineral resources and even fishing rights. Zambia has used its copper resources to pay China in a number of military deals, for instance, and Kenya has been negotiating with China to trade fishing rights for arms.
During Zimbabwe's involvement in the DRC, six or seven F-7s were deployed to the Lubumbashi IAP and then to a similar installation near Mbuji-Mayi. From there, AFZ F-7s flew dozens of combat air patrols in the following months, attempting in vain to intercept transport aircraft used to bring supplies and troops from Rwanda and Burundi to the Congo. In late October 1998, F-7s of the No.5 Squadron were used in an offensive in east-central Congo. This began with a series of air strikes that first targeted airfields in Gbadolite, Dongo and Gmena, and then rebel and Rwandan communications and depots in the Kisangani area on November 21.
Among the most popular Chinese military exports to Africa are the J-7, K-8 and Y-12 aircraft, which are relatively inexpensive and easy to operate. China sees those countries already armed with the K-8 and J-7 aircraft as potential customers for its new FC-1 fighters.
Sources from the Russian and South African military industries say they are now keeping an eye on China’s FC-1 fighter sales. The Russian military believes the FC-1 is inferior to its MiG-29 SMT and Su-30 MKA. But the Russians cannot match China’s deal-making ability, as the Chinese are accepting oil and minerals in lieu of cash to pay for their equipment.
A delegation from the Nigerian air force told the author at the Cape Town Air Show in South Africa last September that their country was negotiating with China to purchase K-8 trainer aircraft. The country imported Chinese J-7 fighters in 2006, and has expressed an interest in the FC-1.
Zimbabwe’s air force delegation told the author that they were negotiating the purchase of one squadron of FC-1 fighters from China. Zimbabwe is already equipped with K-8 trainers and J-7 fighters. In August last year one Zimbabwean K-8 trainer crashed due to pilot error, the air force representative admitted.
The current problem lies in how Zimbabwe will be able to pay for the purchase of FC-1 fighters. A source from the South African military industry says that China is interested in Zimbabwe’s zinc and aluminum mines.
In recent years, a large number of Chinese companies have been involved in the development of mines in Angola as well. Military observers in South Africa told the author that there are many Chinese workers in Angola, and China has already become the largest importer of the country’s crude oil.
A source from the Angolan military said the country was very interested in Chinese arms. He said the Angolan air force needed entry-level trainer aircraft, and therefore was discussing a deal to import Chinese aircraft. The Angolan air force also intends to acquire new-generation advanced fighters.
A source from the South African military industry said Angola has at least eight Su-27 fighters. Since Russia denies having exported these planes to Angola, they are believed to be secondhand Su-27 fighters from Ukraine or Belarus, both of which have good military ties with Angola.
Since Angola has rich oil resources – and if combat capability is not a top priority in its choice of fighter aircraft – there is a good chance the country may trade its oil for China-made fighters.
The author has learned that the Angolan army is also in contact with China’s defense manufacturer Norinco for the purchase of artillery guns, armored vehicles and ammunitions. China has been supplying an extensive range of light weapons and ammunitions to Zimbabwe and Angola.
African military sources told the author that Norinco has recently exported a certain quantity of 155-mm howitzers to North African countries, including Algeria, Sudan and Egypt. One source claimed that Algeria purchased enough 155-mm auto-propulsion howitzers to equip a battalion. This country has not traditionally been a purchaser of Chinese ground-force equipment, but seems to have taken its lead from Sudan, which first bought the howitzers.
One company of Chinese auto-propulsion 155-mm howitzers consists of six artillery vehicles, one 704-1 positioning radar and one 720-D meteorological radar. One battalion is composed of 18 155-mm howitzers, one command vehicle and one surveillance vehicle.
This type of auto-propulsion 155-mm howitzer originated from the 45-caliber PLL01 towed howitzer, which uses extended range full bore, base bleed or rocket-assisted (ERFB-BB/RA) ammunition with a maximum range of 50 kilometers. Other ammunitions used for the howitzer are the 30-kilometer ERFB/HE (high explosive), and 39-kilometer ERFB-BB/HE. The weight of the artillery gun is 13 tons.
Analysts from the African military industry believe that China has fitted Russian Krasnopol semi-active laser-guided gun launch projectiles on its 155-mm howitzers. The United Arab Emirates uses the Chinese-version Krasnopols, which are almost one-third cheaper than the Russian originals.
A military source also told the author that Norinco has delivered WMZ-551 6×6 wheeled armored vehicles to both Zambia and Kenya in the past three years. Kenya is not a traditional market of Chinese ground-force equipment, but as China has been competing fiercely with Russia and South Africa in selling arms in Africa, it appears to be opening up new markets.
The Royal Guards of Oman have imported 50 of these vehicles, and the Sudanese army also has them.
The WMZ-551 uses a new turret and is equipped with the 2A72 30-mm gun produced under license from Russia. The armored vehicle can be fitted with a 12.7-mm machine gun, 105-mm smoothbore gun, 120-mm mortar and four HJ-8 anti-tank missiles.
It has been reported recently that the Chinese army’s light mechanized brigades have received batches of WMZ-551 wheeled armored vehicles fitted with 120-mm mortar guns, 105-mm smoothbore guns and 2A72 30-mm cannon guns. A source from the Chinese military industry claimed that the turrets of the WMZ-551 can be transferred to 8×8 wheeled vehicles once those have been developed. 
Dockworkers in South Africa have blocked a Chinese arms boat from reaching Zimbabwe. The An Yue Jiang, a Chinese ship carrying the weapons, was anchored just outside Durban harbor after receiving permission late Wednesday to dock. Its arrival earlier this week has increased concern about tensions in Zimbabwe, where the ruling party and the opposition are locked in a dispute over presidential elections.
A South African government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, had confirmed that there were weapons on board but gave no further details.
Aside from the weapon systems fitted on board, the WMZ-551 has a combat weight of 13.5 to 19 tons. It is powered by one 235-kilowatt diesel engine, has a maximum speed of 85 kilometers per hour, a maximum duration of 600 kilometers, a length of 6.69 meters, width of 2.86 meters, and its speed in water is eight kilometers per hour.
Israel: Troops, Palestinian Militants Clash Despite Cease-Fire / Hamas Offers One-Year Truce With Israel
Israel: Troops, Palestinian Militants Clash Despite Cease-Fire / Hamas Offers One-Year Truce With Israel
(NSI News Source Info) GAZA CITY - January 28, 2009: A bomb killed an Israeli soldier patrolling near Gaza on Tuesday, and Israel responded with an airstrike, straining the fragile cease-fire on the eve of a visit by President Obama's new Mideast envoy.
The violence jolted the calm that has largely prevailed since Israel ended a devastating three-week offensive in Gaza on Jan. 17. Since withdrawing its troops, Israel has threatened to retaliate hard for any violations of the truce. 
Israel carries out an air attack on Gaza and sends tanks across the border, after Palestinian militants kill an Israeli soldier.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak called an urgent meeting of Israel's top defense officers after the bombing. "We will respond, but there is no point in elaborating," Barak said shortly before the airstrike. Barak talked with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert after the meeting, but no details of the discussion were released.
The Israeli military dismissed earlier reports that the explosive might have been an old land mine triggered accidentally. The military said it had determined that the bomb was activated by militants, but it would not give details.
The blast also wounded three Israeli soldiers and triggered a brief battle when Israeli troops briefly crossed the border in search of the attackers. Later, Hamas said one of its militants was wounded in the Israeli airstrike.
Israel carries out an air attack on Gaza and sends tanks across the border, after Palestinian militants kill an Israeli soldier.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak called an urgent meeting of Israel's top defense officers after the bombing. "We will respond, but there is no point in elaborating," Barak said shortly before the airstrike. Barak talked with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert after the meeting, but no details of the discussion were released.
The Israeli military dismissed earlier reports that the explosive might have been an old land mine triggered accidentally. The military said it had determined that the bomb was activated by militants, but it would not give details.
The blast also wounded three Israeli soldiers and triggered a brief battle when Israeli troops briefly crossed the border in search of the attackers. Later, Hamas said one of its militants was wounded in the Israeli airstrike.The violence — a day before the new U.S. Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, was due in Israel — underscored the difficulty Obama faces as he tries to get Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts back on track.
Gazans are struggling to resume normal life after the fighting and as international donors discuss how best to help the territory rebuild. Gaza's Hamas leader said Tuesday the group — which is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union — would not try to claim any of the reconstruction funds.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh remains in hiding because of fears he could be assassinated by Israel.
"Our aim now is to ease the suffering of our people and to remove the aftermath of the aggression in Gaza," the Hamas statement said. "Therefore we emphasize that we are not concerned to receive the money for rebuilding Gaza, and we are not seeking that."
Hamas said the airstrike wounded one of its members as he rode a motorcycle in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis.
The Israeli military said the bomb targeted an Israeli patrol near the border community of Kissufim. There was no claim of responsibility.
Not long after the bombing, a 27-year-old Gaza farmer was killed by Israeli gunfire along the border several miles away, according to Moaiya Hassanain of Gaza's Health Ministry. Two other Palestinians were wounded. The military had no comment, and it was unclear whether the two incidents were related.
Israel closed its crossings into Gaza to humanitarian aid traffic after briefly opening them Tuesday morning. Gaza border official Raed Fattouh said Israeli officials informed him the closure was due to the bombing.
Israel's offensive on Gaza was aimed at halting rocket fire from the territory. Israel announced a unilateral cease-fire Jan. 17, which was followed by a similar announcement from Gaza militants.
In the days immediately after the cease-fire, there was shelling by Israeli gunboats and some gunfire along the border.
Although there was no claim of responsibility for the deadly bombing, Mushir al-Masri, a Hamas leader, said Israel was to blame for continuing to fire into Gaza. Al-Masri said his group had not agreed to a full cease-fire but only to a "lull" in fighting.
"The Zionists are responsible for any aggression," he said.
Egypt is trying to negotiate a longer-term arrangement to allow quiet in the coastal territory of 1.4 million people, which has been ruled by the Islamic militants of Hamas since June 2007.
Israel wants an end to Hamas rocket attacks and guarantees that Hamas will be prevented from smuggling weapons into Gaza from Egypt. Hamas has demanded that Israel and Egypt reopen Gaza's border crossings, which have been largely closed since Hamas took power. The crossings are Gaza's economic lifeline.
The Israeli offensive killed 1,285 Palestinians, more than half of them civilians, according to records kept by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights. Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, were killed during the fighting.
Russia To Build Naval Base In Separatist Abkhazia / Russia: Abkhazia Base Planned
Russia To Build Naval Base In Separatist Abkhazia / Russia: Abkhazia Base Planned
(NSI News Source Info) January 28, 2009: RUSSIA will start building a naval base this year in Georgia’s Black Sea separatist region of Abkhazia, Russian media reported yesterday, a step Tbilisi said would violate its sovereignty.
Russia angered the United States and Europe after its war with Georgia last year by recognising Abkhazia, and the 
second separatist region of South Ossetia, as independent states and establishing a permanent military presence in both regions.
second separatist region of South Ossetia, as independent states and establishing a permanent military presence in both regions. A naval base in Abkhazia is likely to add to Western concerns that Moscow is flexing its military muscle by moving its armed forces back into areas vacated after the collapse of Soviet rule. Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency quoted an unnamed official at Russian naval headquarters as saying commanders planned to station vessels at the Abkhaz port of Ochamchire.
Russia’s navy could not immediately be reached for comment. "The fundamental decision on creating a Black Sea Fleet base in Ochamchire has been taken," Tass quoted the official as saying.
"This year we will begin practical work, including dredging, along Abkhazia’s coast." Georgian Defence Minister David Sikharulidze said Abkhazia and South Ossetia were sovereign Georgian territory under Russian occupation. "Any Russian military presence there is illegal, but, unfortunately, Russia ignores that and continues its illegal policy of building military infrastructure on Georgian territory," Sikharulidze told Reuters by telephone.
The report of plans for a base came on the day that NATO decided in Brussels to restore contacts with Russia that were frozen by the military alliance to signal its anger over last year’s war with ex-Soviet Georgia.
The Russian navy has one operational base abroad, in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol. Ukraine’s government — which like Georgia’s leaders are seeking NATO membership — have said they will not renew the lease on the base when it runs out in 2017. Russia’s military says it wants to stay at the base, but has begun exploring possible alternatives.
During Russia’s war with Georgia last year, a group of Black Sea Fleet warships anchored off Ochamchire. They landed Russian marines and sank a Georgian warship. Maxim Gunjia, the separatists’ deputy foreign minister, confirmed the plan for a Russian navy base at Ochamchire to Reuters.
"Many things are still to be determined... It is possible that construction will begin this year. It would be a minor base for water, fuel, other needs. The capacity of Ochamchire bay is not so big." Nicaragua is the only other country which has so far recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.
Obama Imposes His New Plans On Iraq, Afghan Wars
Obama Imposes His New Plans On Iraq, Afghan Wars
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - January 28, 2009: U.S. President Barack Obama has hit the ground running on Iraq and Afghanistan, imposing dramatic changes in policy in both wars within a week of taking the oath of office.
There are no surprises in the directions Obama is taking in both conflicts: He spelled them out clearly during his long election campaign. What is striking is the speed and decisiveness with which he is imposing both policies. 
President Barack Obama speaks alongside Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as he delivers remarks about former Senator George Mitchell's (D-ME) upcoming trip to Iraq in the White House in Washington on January 26, 2009. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch)
In Iraq, Obama already has discussed a full range of policy options with Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. David Petraeus, who heads U.S. Central Command, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The president now plans to visit the Pentagon in person to discuss with senior officers his planned policy on Iraq and the different options for fulfilling it.
While not unprecedented, such personal visits by the president to the Pentagon are far from routine, and this one appears set to make clear to civilian and military staffers of the Department of Defense the president's determination to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Iraq as soon as possible and set new strategic directions around the world.
The Status of Forces Agreement that the Bush administration finally concluded before leaving office with the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gives a three-year deadline for withdrawal from Iraq by U.S. forces. But Obama in his campaign pledged to pull them out in 16 months -- less than half that time.
A source close to Petraeus told UPI the president wants to see a range of options to implement his Iraq withdrawal plans.
Other military sources have told UPI there is unease, especially among middle-level serving officers in Iraq or those who have served there, about accelerating the rate of the withdrawal and risking destabilizing the great gains in security that have been achieved over the past two years, especially in Anbar and Diyala provinces.
Whatever the reservations of serving Army officers, the civilian echelon in the new administration is solidly behind the president on his grand strategy for Iraq, Afghanistan and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell and influential veteran Democratic policymakers like Dennis Ross and Martin Indyk all favor pulling the troops out of Iraq as quickly as possible, starting a serious dialogue with Iran and pushing for a comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian settlement with full vigor, sources close to the administration have told UPI.
On Afghanistan, there appears to be wall-to-wall agreement between the Obama civilian policymakers and top military officials that a combination of stepped-up U.S. military responses and a vigorous diplomatic initiative is necessary to drive the resurgent Taliban to the negotiating table.
Administration sources said the two key figures there were former Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke, who Obama appointed as his chief envoy on the Pakistan and Afghanistan issues, and Petraeus, who the president holds in high regard.
Petraeus and Holbrooke see eye-to-eye on Afghanistan. Holbrooke's previous great diplomatic achievement was negotiating an end to the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, especially the Serb-Muslim conflict in Bosnia, which was the bloodiest war Europe has seen since World War II. In negotiating the Dayton Peace Accords of 1995, Holbrooke effectively used U.S. air power and the threat of increased U.S. involvement to bring the Bosnian Serbs to the negotiating table and keep them there. He is, therefore, in full accord with Obama and Petraeus on the need to combine stepped-up military force with a diplomatic initiative.
Voice of America radio has reported that Holbrooke's "plan will most likely focus on countering Taliban bases in Pakistan's tribal regions that are blamed for contributing to a spike in violence on both sides of the border."
On Friday Obama chaired his first National Security Council session on Afghanistan and Pakistan and approved the continued use of unmanned aerial vehicle attacks on guerrilla bases in the region.
Obama, therefore, has wasted no time in maintaining and even stepping up U.S. involvement in the Afghanistan war, while pushing hard to implement his plans for military withdrawal from Iraq. His first moves have been clear and decisive. How successful they will prove remains to be seen.
President Barack Obama speaks alongside Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as he delivers remarks about former Senator George Mitchell's (D-ME) upcoming trip to Iraq in the White House in Washington on January 26, 2009. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch)
In Iraq, Obama already has discussed a full range of policy options with Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. David Petraeus, who heads U.S. Central Command, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The president now plans to visit the Pentagon in person to discuss with senior officers his planned policy on Iraq and the different options for fulfilling it.
While not unprecedented, such personal visits by the president to the Pentagon are far from routine, and this one appears set to make clear to civilian and military staffers of the Department of Defense the president's determination to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Iraq as soon as possible and set new strategic directions around the world.
The Status of Forces Agreement that the Bush administration finally concluded before leaving office with the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gives a three-year deadline for withdrawal from Iraq by U.S. forces. But Obama in his campaign pledged to pull them out in 16 months -- less than half that time.
A source close to Petraeus told UPI the president wants to see a range of options to implement his Iraq withdrawal plans.
Other military sources have told UPI there is unease, especially among middle-level serving officers in Iraq or those who have served there, about accelerating the rate of the withdrawal and risking destabilizing the great gains in security that have been achieved over the past two years, especially in Anbar and Diyala provinces.
Whatever the reservations of serving Army officers, the civilian echelon in the new administration is solidly behind the president on his grand strategy for Iraq, Afghanistan and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell and influential veteran Democratic policymakers like Dennis Ross and Martin Indyk all favor pulling the troops out of Iraq as quickly as possible, starting a serious dialogue with Iran and pushing for a comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian settlement with full vigor, sources close to the administration have told UPI.
On Afghanistan, there appears to be wall-to-wall agreement between the Obama civilian policymakers and top military officials that a combination of stepped-up U.S. military responses and a vigorous diplomatic initiative is necessary to drive the resurgent Taliban to the negotiating table.
Administration sources said the two key figures there were former Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke, who Obama appointed as his chief envoy on the Pakistan and Afghanistan issues, and Petraeus, who the president holds in high regard.
Petraeus and Holbrooke see eye-to-eye on Afghanistan. Holbrooke's previous great diplomatic achievement was negotiating an end to the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, especially the Serb-Muslim conflict in Bosnia, which was the bloodiest war Europe has seen since World War II. In negotiating the Dayton Peace Accords of 1995, Holbrooke effectively used U.S. air power and the threat of increased U.S. involvement to bring the Bosnian Serbs to the negotiating table and keep them there. He is, therefore, in full accord with Obama and Petraeus on the need to combine stepped-up military force with a diplomatic initiative.
Voice of America radio has reported that Holbrooke's "plan will most likely focus on countering Taliban bases in Pakistan's tribal regions that are blamed for contributing to a spike in violence on both sides of the border."
On Friday Obama chaired his first National Security Council session on Afghanistan and Pakistan and approved the continued use of unmanned aerial vehicle attacks on guerrilla bases in the region.
Obama, therefore, has wasted no time in maintaining and even stepping up U.S. involvement in the Afghanistan war, while pushing hard to implement his plans for military withdrawal from Iraq. His first moves have been clear and decisive. How successful they will prove remains to be seen. Nato Tensions Damaging Afghanistan Mission, Warns Thinktank / Nato Losing Battle Against The Taliban, Says IISS
Nato Tensions Damaging Afghanistan Mission, Warns Thinktank / Nato Losing Battle Against The Taliban, Says IISS
(NSI News Source Info) January 28, 2009: Tensions within Nato are undermining the west's mission in Afghanistan at the most critical period in the country since the invasion in 2001, a leading thinktank warned today.
The warning, from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, comes at a time when Nato commanders are urging governments to deploy more troops to the country, against strong European opposition. 
Nato is losing its battle in Afghanistan because of tensions within the alliance, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The think tank said that the Taliban were stepping up the use of suicide bombings and expanding their operations into areas that were previously quiet.At the same time, Nato members are struggling to agree among themselves what constituted "success" in Afghanistan while the global economic crisis meant that military budgets throughout the alliance were coming under pressure.
"The western intervention in Afghanistan is faltering and a robust diplomatic strategy involving tribal outreach and a more co-ordinated international approach is vital to success" said John Chipman, the IISS director general.
"Counter-insurgency efforts were forced to adapt to changes in Taliban tactics and seemed to make little overall headway," the IISS says in its latest annual Military Balance survey.
"Without more positive developments and a more unified approach to the conflict, it seemed likely that some countries with troops deployed as part of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) mission under Nato command might begin to reappraise their commitments."
Chipman added that the security problems posed a threat to presidential elections due later in the year. "There is a risk that it will not be possible to hold elections, or voter turnout may be below the minimum necessary for the ballot to be valid," he said.
The warning came as Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, told Congress that Afghanistan was America's "greatest military challenge" and added: "We have not had enough troops to provide a baseline level of security in some of the most dangerous areas – a vacuum that increasingly has been filled by the Taliban."
Canada and the Netherlands – two countries which deploy significant numbers of troops in southern Afghanistan – have already announced they intend to cut troop numbers there.
The IISS report points out that the Taliban changed its tactics after a series of defeats in open combat and was moving to areas where the Afghan government and Nato troops were fewer in number, such as the south-west provinces of Nimruz and Farah. They were now also active in the northern provinces of Badghis, Faryab and Badakhshan.
The IISS said the Taliban operations had also focused on "perceived areas of weakness", particularly the Afghan police who were poorly trained and equipped.
Nato's problems are compounded by the fact that many European allies do not share the US and UK governments' view that Afghanistan is at risk of turning into a failed state under Taliban rule.
While IISS analysts warned of the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, they also said that the al-Qaida leadership, in hiding in the tribal areas of north-west Pakistan, appeared to be weakening.
Asked about the impact of missile attacks by American unmanned drones in the area, Nigel Inkster, chief IISS international threat analyst and former senior MI6 officer, replied that "undoubtedly they had had a significant effect [in] degrading al-Qaida central".
The al-Qaida leadership had not recently been able to sponsor any significant operation in a western country, Inkster added. However, he added that India had become "very vulnerable to attacks by groups inspired by al-Qaida ideology".
Afghanistan's president, Hamid Karzai, is facing increasing criticism in the west for failing to control corruption and lead an effective government. Christopher Langton, IISS senior fellow for armed conflict, said yesterday that nobody had yet declared themselves for the election. The US had not so far backed any candidate, he noted.
Yesterday's IISS report said that "to effectively pursue the campaign on terror", the Pakistani president, Asif Ali Zardari, will need to "balance growing US pressure for military strikes in the tribal areas with the Pakistani army's decreasing tolerance for such attacks".
Nato is losing its battle in Afghanistan because of tensions within the alliance, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The think tank said that the Taliban were stepping up the use of suicide bombings and expanding their operations into areas that were previously quiet.At the same time, Nato members are struggling to agree among themselves what constituted "success" in Afghanistan while the global economic crisis meant that military budgets throughout the alliance were coming under pressure.
"The western intervention in Afghanistan is faltering and a robust diplomatic strategy involving tribal outreach and a more co-ordinated international approach is vital to success" said John Chipman, the IISS director general.
"Counter-insurgency efforts were forced to adapt to changes in Taliban tactics and seemed to make little overall headway," the IISS says in its latest annual Military Balance survey.
"Without more positive developments and a more unified approach to the conflict, it seemed likely that some countries with troops deployed as part of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) mission under Nato command might begin to reappraise their commitments."
Chipman added that the security problems posed a threat to presidential elections due later in the year. "There is a risk that it will not be possible to hold elections, or voter turnout may be below the minimum necessary for the ballot to be valid," he said.
The warning came as Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, told Congress that Afghanistan was America's "greatest military challenge" and added: "We have not had enough troops to provide a baseline level of security in some of the most dangerous areas – a vacuum that increasingly has been filled by the Taliban."
Canada and the Netherlands – two countries which deploy significant numbers of troops in southern Afghanistan – have already announced they intend to cut troop numbers there.
The IISS report points out that the Taliban changed its tactics after a series of defeats in open combat and was moving to areas where the Afghan government and Nato troops were fewer in number, such as the south-west provinces of Nimruz and Farah. They were now also active in the northern provinces of Badghis, Faryab and Badakhshan.
The IISS said the Taliban operations had also focused on "perceived areas of weakness", particularly the Afghan police who were poorly trained and equipped.
Nato's problems are compounded by the fact that many European allies do not share the US and UK governments' view that Afghanistan is at risk of turning into a failed state under Taliban rule.
While IISS analysts warned of the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, they also said that the al-Qaida leadership, in hiding in the tribal areas of north-west Pakistan, appeared to be weakening.
Asked about the impact of missile attacks by American unmanned drones in the area, Nigel Inkster, chief IISS international threat analyst and former senior MI6 officer, replied that "undoubtedly they had had a significant effect [in] degrading al-Qaida central".
The al-Qaida leadership had not recently been able to sponsor any significant operation in a western country, Inkster added. However, he added that India had become "very vulnerable to attacks by groups inspired by al-Qaida ideology".
Afghanistan's president, Hamid Karzai, is facing increasing criticism in the west for failing to control corruption and lead an effective government. Christopher Langton, IISS senior fellow for armed conflict, said yesterday that nobody had yet declared themselves for the election. The US had not so far backed any candidate, he noted.
Yesterday's IISS report said that "to effectively pursue the campaign on terror", the Pakistani president, Asif Ali Zardari, will need to "balance growing US pressure for military strikes in the tribal areas with the Pakistani army's decreasing tolerance for such attacks".
A New Line Of Defence: Iran's Naval Capabilities
A New Line Of Defence: Iran's Naval Capabilities
(NSI News Source Info) January 28, 2009: Iran has signalled its intention to increase its naval presence along the coast of the Gulf of Oman and up to the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil conduit, at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. +frigate.jpg)
(Above: Photo/image:71 Alvand, Saam class (Vosper Mk5 type) frigate) The Iranian Navy has traditionally been the smallest branch of Iran's armed forces and is designed solely for securing its own ports and coast, with little in the way of striking power. Before 1971, the Iranian Navy mostly operated equipment provided by the United States and the United Kingdom. Over the following eight years, the fleet added more modern American and British-made destroyers, frigates and many smaller vessels, including powerboats and hovercraft. In the 1970s, Iran planned to extend its naval reach into the Indian Ocean; but this goal was curtailed by the Islamic Revolution (1979), the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), and limited funding ever since. This has left the navy with a limited ability to project power from the Persian Gulf into the Arabian Sea (Oman Sea) through submarines and larger surface ships. The last Shah of Iran ordered four modern destroyers from the United States, an order that was cancelled after the Shah fell. The ships were instead commissioned in the U.S. Navy as the Kidd class. After the Islamic Revolution, the United States levied economic, trade and military sanctions on Iran, particularly squeezing the Navy, which had several ships laid up.
In the 1990s, the Navy added patrol boats, submarines, and surface-launched anti-ship missiles, and replaced Western ships with ones bought from China, North Korea, and Russia. During that time, it also engaged in naval exercises with Pakistan and India. In terms of major surface ships, Iran's three destroyers are over 50 years old and are kept in material reserve at Bushehr. The Iranian Navy does not include capital ships; their largest ships are five frigates and three corvettes, all of which are armed with modern anti-ship missiles. The main focus of the Iranian Navy seems to be developing new frigates, corvettes and medium to large fast boats capable of carrying modern precision anti-ship missiles. Three of five frigates (Vosper Mark 5), however, were commissioned over 25 years ago and these ships have been updated with Chinese C-802 missiles. Iran's three corvettes were commissioned over 30 years ago; one (the Hamzeh) was originally a government yacht but has now been equipped with Chinese C-802 missiles as well, but it is deployed at Anzali on the Caspian Sea. These eight ships are supported by three Russian SSK Kilo attack submarines and Ghadir and Nahang class mini submarines. The Russian built Kilo submarines are considered among the quietest diesel submarines in the world.
The commander of the navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Military (IRIM), Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, said: "A new line of defence has been established to the east of the Strait of Hormuz ... and if necessary we can prevent any enemy ship from entering the Persian Gulf."
Adm Sayyari was speaking at the October 2008 opening ceremony of a new naval base at Jask, a small fishing port about 300 km to the east of the port city of Bandar Abbas.
The high-profile deputy commander of the IRIM's navy, Brigadier General Abdolrahim Musavi, echoed these sentiments at the naval base's inauguration.
"The mastery of the Islamic republic is reaching the Indian Ocean. ... Today, the enemy is watching how a country, subjected to 30 years of sanctions, is making headway in all domains. ... The time of bullying and unilateralism, encirclement and invasion has come to an end. ... The sooner they understand this the better, otherwise they will have to pay a heavy price," he said.
Gen Musavi told reporters that, at one time, aircraft carriers "terrorised" countries along their route, but today they are, as with "the elements of computer games", under the gaze of Iran's armed forces.
The following day, while inspecting Iran's main naval bases in Bandar Abbas, Adm Sayyari said that, in line with the new mission of the navy, which is to build an "impenetrable line" of defence along the coast of the Gulf of Oman, new naval bases will be rapidly constructed from Bandar Abbas, which occupies a strategic position on the Strait of Hormuz, to Pasa Bandar, near the Pakistani border.
(Above: Photo/image:71 Alvand, Saam class (Vosper Mk5 type) frigate) The Iranian Navy has traditionally been the smallest branch of Iran's armed forces and is designed solely for securing its own ports and coast, with little in the way of striking power. Before 1971, the Iranian Navy mostly operated equipment provided by the United States and the United Kingdom. Over the following eight years, the fleet added more modern American and British-made destroyers, frigates and many smaller vessels, including powerboats and hovercraft. In the 1970s, Iran planned to extend its naval reach into the Indian Ocean; but this goal was curtailed by the Islamic Revolution (1979), the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), and limited funding ever since. This has left the navy with a limited ability to project power from the Persian Gulf into the Arabian Sea (Oman Sea) through submarines and larger surface ships. The last Shah of Iran ordered four modern destroyers from the United States, an order that was cancelled after the Shah fell. The ships were instead commissioned in the U.S. Navy as the Kidd class. After the Islamic Revolution, the United States levied economic, trade and military sanctions on Iran, particularly squeezing the Navy, which had several ships laid up.
In the 1990s, the Navy added patrol boats, submarines, and surface-launched anti-ship missiles, and replaced Western ships with ones bought from China, North Korea, and Russia. During that time, it also engaged in naval exercises with Pakistan and India. In terms of major surface ships, Iran's three destroyers are over 50 years old and are kept in material reserve at Bushehr. The Iranian Navy does not include capital ships; their largest ships are five frigates and three corvettes, all of which are armed with modern anti-ship missiles. The main focus of the Iranian Navy seems to be developing new frigates, corvettes and medium to large fast boats capable of carrying modern precision anti-ship missiles. Three of five frigates (Vosper Mark 5), however, were commissioned over 25 years ago and these ships have been updated with Chinese C-802 missiles. Iran's three corvettes were commissioned over 30 years ago; one (the Hamzeh) was originally a government yacht but has now been equipped with Chinese C-802 missiles as well, but it is deployed at Anzali on the Caspian Sea. These eight ships are supported by three Russian SSK Kilo attack submarines and Ghadir and Nahang class mini submarines. The Russian built Kilo submarines are considered among the quietest diesel submarines in the world.
The commander of the navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Military (IRIM), Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, said: "A new line of defence has been established to the east of the Strait of Hormuz ... and if necessary we can prevent any enemy ship from entering the Persian Gulf."
Adm Sayyari was speaking at the October 2008 opening ceremony of a new naval base at Jask, a small fishing port about 300 km to the east of the port city of Bandar Abbas.
The high-profile deputy commander of the IRIM's navy, Brigadier General Abdolrahim Musavi, echoed these sentiments at the naval base's inauguration.
"The mastery of the Islamic republic is reaching the Indian Ocean. ... Today, the enemy is watching how a country, subjected to 30 years of sanctions, is making headway in all domains. ... The time of bullying and unilateralism, encirclement and invasion has come to an end. ... The sooner they understand this the better, otherwise they will have to pay a heavy price," he said.
Gen Musavi told reporters that, at one time, aircraft carriers "terrorised" countries along their route, but today they are, as with "the elements of computer games", under the gaze of Iran's armed forces.
The following day, while inspecting Iran's main naval bases in Bandar Abbas, Adm Sayyari said that, in line with the new mission of the navy, which is to build an "impenetrable line" of defence along the coast of the Gulf of Oman, new naval bases will be rapidly constructed from Bandar Abbas, which occupies a strategic position on the Strait of Hormuz, to Pasa Bandar, near the Pakistani border. Oshkosh to Further Develop Unmanned Ground Vehicle Technology / Oshkosh Defense Signs Agreement With U.S. Army To Further Develop Unmanned Ground.....
Oshkosh to Further Develop Unmanned Ground Vehicle Technology / Oshkosh Defense Signs Agreement With U.S. Army To Further Develop Unmanned Ground Vehicle Technology
(NSI News Source Info) OSHKOSH, Wis. - January 27, 2009: Oshkosh Defense, a
division of Oshkosh Corporation, today signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army's Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to refine technology for the operation of unmanned ground vehicles in convoy missions in real-world environments.
The CRADA calls for a three-year collaboration between the Army and Oshkosh to integrate a Convoy Active Safety Technology (CAST) surrogate system onto Oshkosh's unmanned TerraMax(TM) vehicle. The objective is to create a lead vehicle that can navigate and operate in missions, while communicating route information to another unmanned follower vehicle. The vehicles must be able to operate near-autonomous in a safe manner among people, animals, vehicles and other obstacles at operational speeds and in tactical environments.
"Oshkosh Defense has a long history of developing military vehicle technology and building trucks that help protect U.S. service men and women," said Thom Mathes, executive director of product development for TARDEC. "This commitment and knowledge will help TARDEC increase the overall system effectiveness of the unmanned vehicle program so our soldiers can effectively and safely conduct specified military missions."
Oshkosh Defense first developed unmanned ground vehicle technology in response to a Department of Defense mandate that one-third of military vehicles will be operated autonomously - without drivers - by 2015. A framework for technology development was provided through Oshkosh's participation in the 2004 and 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge events and 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge event. The Oshkosh TerraMax completed the 132-mile course in 2005 and was a finalist in 2007.
"Both Oshkosh Defense and TARDEC have devoted valuable energy and R&D resources to develop unmanned ground vehicle technology," said John Stoddart, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. "By leveraging each other's knowledge and experience, our plan is to meet the military's 2015 goal and ultimately help save soldiers' lives."
Under the CRADA, Oshkosh will provide the necessary hardware and software and assist with integrating the CAST system to ensure it interacts with TerraMax effectively. Furthermore, Oshkosh will use the data to add or modify the vehicle's behavior modes and trajectory generation to affect relevant tactical behaviors for convoy missions.
Oshkosh also will provide non-proprietary platform information to assist in the integration of CAST technology into other Oshkosh vehicles, such as the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) or Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET). Additionally, Oshkosh Defense will work to integrate the platform and modeling evaluations of prototyped and simulated components and systems.
division of Oshkosh Corporation, today signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army's Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to refine technology for the operation of unmanned ground vehicles in convoy missions in real-world environments.
The CRADA calls for a three-year collaboration between the Army and Oshkosh to integrate a Convoy Active Safety Technology (CAST) surrogate system onto Oshkosh's unmanned TerraMax(TM) vehicle. The objective is to create a lead vehicle that can navigate and operate in missions, while communicating route information to another unmanned follower vehicle. The vehicles must be able to operate near-autonomous in a safe manner among people, animals, vehicles and other obstacles at operational speeds and in tactical environments.
"Oshkosh Defense has a long history of developing military vehicle technology and building trucks that help protect U.S. service men and women," said Thom Mathes, executive director of product development for TARDEC. "This commitment and knowledge will help TARDEC increase the overall system effectiveness of the unmanned vehicle program so our soldiers can effectively and safely conduct specified military missions."
Oshkosh Defense first developed unmanned ground vehicle technology in response to a Department of Defense mandate that one-third of military vehicles will be operated autonomously - without drivers - by 2015. A framework for technology development was provided through Oshkosh's participation in the 2004 and 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge events and 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge event. The Oshkosh TerraMax completed the 132-mile course in 2005 and was a finalist in 2007.
"Both Oshkosh Defense and TARDEC have devoted valuable energy and R&D resources to develop unmanned ground vehicle technology," said John Stoddart, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. "By leveraging each other's knowledge and experience, our plan is to meet the military's 2015 goal and ultimately help save soldiers' lives."
Under the CRADA, Oshkosh will provide the necessary hardware and software and assist with integrating the CAST system to ensure it interacts with TerraMax effectively. Furthermore, Oshkosh will use the data to add or modify the vehicle's behavior modes and trajectory generation to affect relevant tactical behaviors for convoy missions.
Oshkosh also will provide non-proprietary platform information to assist in the integration of CAST technology into other Oshkosh vehicles, such as the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) or Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET). Additionally, Oshkosh Defense will work to integrate the platform and modeling evaluations of prototyped and simulated components and systems.
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