DTN News: How Is The Chinese Compete Their J-10 Jet Fighter In The international Market

DTN News: How Is The Chinese Compete Their J-10 Jet Fighter In The international Market *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 18, 2010: Media has broadcasted their J-10 single engines multirole jet fighter. Each jets worth for US$40 million. The manufacture firm, Shenyang said that their products will compete with the US Lockheed Martin latest jet which sold to the UEA, F-16 C/D block 60 all weather single engine fighter jet cost US$ 80 million. Shenyang claims the J-10 has the same capability with 'desert falcon'. The nickname is address to block 60. Some report said that J-10B version has some sort of similar design to the JSF F-35 with 3D thrust vectoring control nozzle. To make it happened China imported the Russia made engine "Lyulka" Saturn AL-31FU engine. From the outlook, J-10 is combination design between F-16 and mirage2000/MiG-21. How does Shenyang dare to compete with 'desert falcon’? In respectively, Shenyang claimed that the J-10 has more powerful engine Thrust than the latest F-16. Radar performance similar to 'desert falcon' active phased array radar AN/APG-68 which also mounted on the US 'raptor' stealth jet fighter. At the certain price rate unless very closed allied, I think China might difficult to sell it, unless the price has included training, spare part and maintenance. In international market, J-10 will compete with EF-2000. The EF-2000 is sales about US$ 50 million per unit with twin engines attached. “Dassault Rafale”, F-16 D block 60 and Gripen NG are the competitors they have to fight. The latest adopted active phased Array radar to the Rafale made the competition 'hot'. China is also claim that J-10 can land on the naval aircraft carrier since the F-16 and Typhoon can't. By then China said that J-10 preliminary ordered by Pakistani Air Force reached about 150 units for the next 5 years. The used is side by side with their new F-16 C/D block 52.

DTN News:Boeing, Etihad Airways, Honeywell And Masdar Institute To Establish The First Integrated, Sustainable Bioenergy Research Project For Aviation

DTN News: Boeing, Etihad Airways, Honeywell And Masdar Institute To Establish The First Integrated, Sustainable Bioenergy Research Project For Aviation‏ *Pioneering system using seawater and desert for bioenergy to be located in Abu Dhabi

*Source: DTN News / Boeing (NSI News Source Info) ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, - January 18, 2010: Boeing (NYSE: BA), the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Etihad Airways and Honeywell's UOP today announced an agreement to establish a major research institution and demonstration project in Abu Dhabi dedicated to sustainable energy solutions. The Sustainable Bioenergy Research Project (SBRP) will use integrated saltwater agricultural systems to support the development and commercialization of biofuel sources for aviation and coproducts. As part of its initial work statement, the SBRP will undertake research projects that combine the arid, saline-rich environment of Abu Dhabi with innovative saltwater farming practices. The Masdar Institute will host the SBRP and provide laboratory and demonstration facilities both within and outside of Masdar City, which aims to be the world's first zero-carbon city. "Together with the Abu Dhabi government, Etihad Airways and other industry leaders, we are forging our energy future by developing a renewable fuel supply now, not when fossil fuels are depleted," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Developing and commercializing these low-carbon energy sources is the right thing for our industry, for our customers and for future generations." Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said, "The development of carbon-neutral sources of energy is of major importance to Etihad Airways and the aviation industry. We are delighted to be a key member of the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Project, which will be based in Abu Dhabi and will be one of the most innovative schemes of this nature in the world. The SBRP findings will be of great use to Etihad Airways as we look to reduce the use of conventional fossil fuels and to develop a commercially viable alternative that is also able to meet the sustainability principles that we have committed to as a member of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group." "The paradigm for energy supply is shifting. To meet the growing demand for energy worldwide, we must identify regional biofuel solutions that are not only sustainable but can actually regenerate the ecosystems where they are generated," said Jennifer Holmgren, vice president and general manager of Renewable Energy & Chemicals for Honeywell's UOP. "This project is a unique opportunity to showcase the viability of a geographically optimized solution and the availability of solutions that produce high-quality, green transportation fuels." The integrated approach uses saltwater to create an aquaculture-based seafood farming system in parallel with the growth of mangrove forests and salicornia, a plant that thrives in salty conditions. This closed-loop system converts what would otherwise be problematic aquaculture effluent in seawater into an affordable, nutrient-rich fertilizer for both plants. These biomass sources can then be sustainably harvested to generate clean energy and to create aviation biofuels and other products. Developing low-cost, nonpetroleum fertilizers is one of the keys to achieving genuine carbon emissions reductions from any biofuel source. As an independent research university working in renewable energy development, the Masdar Institute (www.masdar.ac.ae) will lead SBRP operations, bringing strong scientific guidance to the project. According to Masdar Institute Provost Dr. John Perkins, "This project demonstrates the Masdar Institute's strong desire to establish a world-class university dedicated to alternative energy, environmental technologies and sustainability. This project will for the first time demonstrate the commercial viability of using integrated saltwater agriculture to provide biofuels for aviation, and it is consistent with the overall vision of Abu Dhabi to achieve a 7 percent target of renewables by 2020." The evolutionary seawater farming concept has been pioneered by Dr. Carl Hodges of Global Seawater, Inc., who has been engaged as a special adviser to the project, which will take place over an area of approximately 2 square kilometers (0.8 square miles). Sustainable biofuel development is a key element of aviation's strategy to reduce carbon emissions. The SBRP will only research biomass sources that do not distort the global food chain, compete with fresh water use or lead to unintended land-use change. All phases of biomass cultivation for the project will be tested against the practices and principles developed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels and supported by members of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (www.safug.org).

DTN News: Nigeria TODAY January 18, 2010 ~ Deadly Clashes Rock Nigerian City

DTN News: Nigeria TODAY January 18, 2010 ~ Deadly Clashes Rock Nigerian City *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) LAGOS, Nigeria - January 18, 2010: Authorities in the northern Nigerian city of Jos have imposed a dusk to dawn curfew after sectarian clashes that left at least 10 people dead. The violence broke out on Sunday morning between rival Christian and Muslim gangs, setting fire to mosques, churches and other buildings. In November 2008 a wave of sectarian clashes in Jos left hundreds of people dead following a disputed election. Sunday's clashes reportedly erupted after Christian youths protested against the building of a mosque in the Christian-dominated Nassarawa Gwom district of the city. Doctors said several people had been brought to city hospitals with gun shot wounds or deep cuts from machetes. Witnesses reported large clouds of smoke coming from burning buildings and vehicles in Nassarawa Gwom. Mohammed Lerema, a state police spokesman, said the situation had been brought under control by late on Sunday. "We have arrested 35 suspects, including five in military uniforms," he said. However state officials said they had requested extra security reinforcements be sent to Jos from other parts of Nigeria.

DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY January 18, 2010 ~ Suicide Bombers, Gunmen Attack Central Kabul

DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY January 18, 2010 ~ Suicide Bombers, Gunmen Attack Central Kabul *Source: DTN News / Reuters (NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan - January 18, 2010: Taliban gunmen, some wearing suicide vests, launched a commando-style assault on government buildings in the center of Kabul on Monday, underscoring the perilous security situation in the Afghan capital. It was the worst attack on the city in nearly a year. Gunfire and loud explosions could be heard across the capital and a huge column of smoke was pouring out of a shopping center that was at the heart of the attacks. Afghan police officers arrive at the scene of attack in central Kabul and a shopping center burns in central Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Jan. 18, 2010. Taliban militants struck the heart of the Afghan government in Kabul on Monday, prompting fierce gunbattles after a suicide bomber blew himself up near the presidential palace. More explosions rocked the capital as Afghan troops fought off the attackers. By mid-day, the main attack on the presidential palace and ministries in the center of town seemed to have been repelled, with fighters now holed up inside the shopping center, that was on fire and surrounded by Afghan police and security officials. While the gun battle there was underway, a suicide car bomber exploded his vehicle outside another shopping center nearby killing several police and security officials, a security source said. Another blast was later reported near a cinema several hundred meters (yards) away. The Taliban said 20 of their fighters were involved in the attacks, which targeted the presidential palace, justice ministry, ministry of mines and a presidential administrative building, all clustered in the center of town. It was not immediately clear how many were killed, but the apparent ease with which the militants penetrated the heart of the city underlines the challenges facing President Hamid Karzai. It also appears to be a slap in the face for his new initiative to lure Taliban fighters to lay down their arms that he plans to announce at an international conference in London this month. The initiative is a key part of U.S. President Barack Obama's new strategy, which will also see 30,000 extra troops sent to turn the tide against a mounting insurgency. CASUALTIES The strikes came as some members of Karzai's new cabinet were being sworn in after an election last year. Initial reports of casualties were only partial. NATO forces said at least two armed insurgents were killed. A security source said two guards were shot dead by the bombers as they stormed the Grand Shopping Center. Another said three people had died. The attack was the biggest in the capital since fighters stormed the justice ministry and other government buildings last February. Taliban fighters have long had their sights on Kabul, staging a number of smaller bomb attacks in recent months in the city, and have mounted similar commando raids in other cities. A police source said one suicide bomber may have penetrated the justice ministry. However, there were no confirmed reports that fighters had successfully managed to seize any of the government buildings they had aimed for. Defense Ministry spokesman Zaher Azimy said of the scene at the Grand Afghan Shopping Center: "The store is under siege and we are involved in a clash with those inside. Some security forces have managed to get inside the store." Mohammad Shah, a shopkeeper in the center, said: "There was an explosion at the presidential palace gate and then three people who looked like suicide bombers entered the shopping center and went to the second and third floor. "There were gunshots from security people, there was black smoke inside the building and the security guys escorted us out," he said. The store is adjacent to the Serena Hotel, where many foreigners stay, but the hotel itself did not appear to have been targeted by the attackers. A Reuters reporter overheard security forces saying on radio that the car bomber at the second shopping center had driven a military ambulance, suggesting fighters may have posed as members of the Afghan security forces or infiltrated them. Some gunmen may have been wearing uniforms, security officers said over the radio, urging that Afghan army troops be kept from the scene to prevent confusion or further infiltrations. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said it was "working closely with our Afghan partners to aggressively contain the situation." (Reporting by Sayed Salahuddin, Hamid Shalizi, Golnar Motevalli, Sue Pleming, Jonathon Burch and Emma Graham-Harrison; writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)

DTN News: Financial News TODAY January 18, 2010 ~ Japan Airlines Shares Drop 45% As Bankruptcy Fears Grow

DTN News: Financial News TODAY January 18, 2010 ~ Japan Airlines Shares Drop 45% As Bankruptcy Fears Grow *ANALYSIS: By Roland Buerk, BBC News, Tokyo Japan's new government has been agonising for months over how to keep JAL in the air and who should pay the price for its massive debts - the taxpayer, shareholders, staff and pensioners or the banks. A decision is emerging - all of them. Banks that hold JAL's debt are reported to have tentatively agreed to the plan - the alternative could be a total collapse which would imperil their chances of seeing any of the money again. Circling the mess are the global airline alliances, Oneworld and SkyTeam, which are still interested in JAL because of the access it offers to Asia. But reports in Tokyo say both may be rejected for now as their involvement would complicate the process.

*Source: DTN News / BBC (NSI News Source Info) TOKYO, Japan - January 18, 2010: Shares in Japan Airlines (JAL) fell by 45% to a new all-time low on Tuesday as fears grow that the carrier is heading for bankruptcy. The fall came despite an improved offer of investment from American Airlines, up from $1bn to $1.3bn. The US carrier is keen to link into JAL's lucrative Asian routes. Meanwhile, JAL's current and former employees have agreed to cuts in the company's pension scheme payouts. The fund has a $3.6bn (£2.2bn) deficit. Those cuts are crucial to the company gaining any government support. Battle for skies American Airlines' improved offer of help also comes with strings attached. It wants JAL to stay with the Oneworld alliance that American is also a member of, along with British Airways and Qantas. JAL has another, rival, offer of support from the US. Delta Airlines is offering $500m and wants JAL to join its SkyTeam network. Thomas W Horton, chief financial officer of American's parent, AMR Corp, said: "While JAL and the Japanese government might decide to address capital requirements internally - and we certainly would understand and respect that - our offer of capital would be available if this was deemed an appropriate resource to aid in the restructuring of JAL." Staff cuts Japan Airlines applied for a government bail-out in October last year through the state-backed Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan (ETIC) - a body able to draw on taxpayers' money to prop up the business while it restructures. A decision on that is due before the end of January, but the ETIC requires cost-cutting concessions, which not only include the restructuring of pension arrangements but also potentially severe job cuts of up to a third of the company's 49,000-strong workforce. It will then inject fresh capital into JAL, provided the airline files for bankruptcy and creditors agree to waive around 350bn yen ($3.8bn, £2.36bn) in debts.

DTN News: Taliban Assault On Kabul

DTN News: Taliban Assault On Kabul *Source: STRATFOR dated January 18, 2010 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 18, 2010: A major Taliban attack began on Kabul Jan. 18. The fighting is being reported by both American and Taliban sources. According to one American source, reports of an imminent attack began circulating Jan. 17. Heavy fighting is being reported at multiple locations, apparently focused around the Serena Hotel. The hotel, which is frequented by foreign journalists and government officials, has been attacked in the past. According to the Taliban, 20 suicide bombers are taking part in the attack. They claim the Presidential Palace, Ministries of Justice, Finance, Mines and Industry are among the targets. There reports of casualties, but numbers and locations are unclear. The attack is still in progress, with Taliban forces reportedly fighting Afghan security forces. Explosions, gunfire and rocket fire have been reported along with the suicide bombers. It is unclear as to whether this assault will prove larger than attacks carried out last February. Early reports in a situation like this tend to be inaccurate, and it will be a while before we get a clear sense of what has happened. However, it is clear that this is a major assault. This report may be forwarded or republished on your website with attribution to http://www.stratfor.com/ Disclaimer statement Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.

DTN News: US Offers Its Latest Fighter To India

DTN News: US Offers Its Latest Fighter To India *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - January 18, 2010: The US has offered to India yet another sophisticated defence system, this time its fifth generation F-35 Lightning-II fighter aircraft. The “possible sale” of this aircraft, which is still under development, was mentioned in the past “if the Indian Air Force (IAF) purchased the F 16 Super Viper for its Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) requirement.” But according to a report in the coming issue of India Strategic defence magazine, Lockheed Martin, which manufactures these both aircraft, has now made a presentation without this condition to the Indian Navy for its carrier-borne aircraft requirements in about seven to eight years from now. India Strategic quoted Orville Prins, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for business development, as saying that the presentation was made after a Request for Information (RFI) for newer generation of aircraft was received from the Indian Navy recently. Prins pointed out though the company had been authorized by the US Department of Defense (DOD) to make the presentation, its sale could be done only after a bilateral agreement between Washington and New Delhi. Arms and weapon systems are developed by private companies in the US with government funding, but the DoD controls their sales. Foreign military sales are undertaken after clearance from the Department of State. The US is steadily emerging as a new supplier of sophisticated arms to India, which urgently needs to replace and augment its mostly outdated Soviet-vintage systems with the high technology weapons of the 21st century. Only last month, India placed Letters of Request (LoRs), or firm orders, for 10 long-range strategic lift transport Boeing C 17 Globemaster III aircraft for the IAF and 145 Bofors ultra-light M 777 howitzers for mountain operations by the Indian Army. Originally a Swedish company, Bofors was sold in 2000 to the US United Defense, and later to the US arm of BAE Systems. The Indian army is badly in need of various types of artillery guns and its acquisition process has been mired in one problem or another for years now. According to Air Marshal Ashok Goel (Retd), India has less than 20 IL 76 heavy lift transport aircraft, and although they have served the IAF well, they would need to be replaced in about ten years or so. In April 2010, the IL squadrons with the IAF will mark their 25 years. Prins said that Lockheed Martin was also offering the “the world’s most advanced ship-borne anti-missile system, Aegis, to India” and that presentation on this had also been made to the Indian Navy. Apparently as a technology demonstration, the US had used the Aegis system to shoot down a satellite in February 2008 by firing a Raytheon SM-2 missile. India has already acquired 12 artillery Weapon Locating Radars (WLRs) from Raytheon under a 2002 deal, which was actually the first arms transfer to India by the US after its embargos following India’s 1974 and 1998 nuclear tests. In 2008, IAF placed orders for six Lockheed Martin C 130J Special Operations aircraft, with an option for six more along with training and infrastructure development package. Prins said that the necessary transfer of equipment and training was under way and that delivery schedule for the aircraft will be adhered to as per the agreement. The JSF is a fifth-generation aircraft, to be used by the US Air Force, Navy and Marines, and perhaps will be the last manned aircraft by that country before unmanned, high-powered long-range drones and helicopters fully take over the skies by the middle of this century. Notably, India has already signed an agreement with Russia to develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft and it is due to be inducted into IAF by 2017. It is not known when and if this aircraft will have a naval variant.

DTN News: Rolls-Royce Awarded Pounds 865 Million Contract For RAF Typhoon Engines

DTN News: Rolls-Royce Awarded Pounds 865 Million Contract For RAF Typhoon Engines *Source: DTN News / Rolls-Royce (NSI News Source Info) LONDON, UK - January 18, 2010: Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has signed an innovative service contract worth £865 million with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to support the Royal Air Force’s fleet of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft which are powered by EJ200 engines, assembled by Rolls-Royce in Bristol. Under the terms of the contract, which runs until 2019, Rolls-Royce will provide the RAF with a guaranteed level of availability for its EJ200 engines. Rolls-Royce has been contracted to support the RAF’s EJ200 engine fleet since November 2001 and has consistently met 100 per cent of the performance requirements from the outset. Martin Fausset, Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Defence Aerospace, said: “This contract meets the challenge set by the MOD to industry of delivering affordable and innovative support solutions for the Typhoon programme. We apply a high level of technology and innovation into developing support solutions, as we do to developing our engines, which gives the Armed Forces the twin benefits of increased operational capability and better value for money.” Typhoon Team Leader Air Vice Marshal Chris Bushell said: "Today's announcement of a 10-year engine availability service with Rolls-Royce is good news for us all; the service will maximise aircraft availability by using the most cost-effective solution. Typhoon has now been operational in the air defence role for well over two years and a multi-role capability was integrated and declared combat ready by the RAF in July 2008. The signature of the Partnered Support Operational Phase 3 contract builds on this success and will underpin Typhoon's growing capability and utilisation." Rolls-Royce undertakes all aspects of EJ200 engine support, including the provision of replacement engines to meet customer demands, and technical support both on-base and from the Rolls-Royce Operations Centre in Bristol. Rolls-Royce support operations are centred at the Typhoon Propulsion Support Facility at RAF Coningsby, where the RAF’s Typhoon squadrons are based. From there, a team comprising both Rolls-Royce and RAF personnel manages the engine support for aircraft operations in the field and also carries out some engine repairs. This will be augmented in 2010 by a second Main Operating Base at RAF Leuchars where Rolls-Royce will also have a support team. The majority of engine repairs are undertaken at the Rolls-Royce facilities at Ansty, near Coventry, and Bristol. Rolls-Royce is a shareholder in Eurojet, the European consortium responsible for the EJ200 engine that powers the Eurofighter Typhoon twin-engine combat aircraft, and has a 37% production share of the programme. 1) Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. 2) As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce today has a broad customer base comprising more than 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries, with an installed base of 54,000 gas turbines. 3) Rolls-Royce employs around 38,000 skilled people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment, and to further developing employee skills. 4) Rolls-Royce is the world's number two defence aero engine company with 160 customers in 103 countries. The company offers engines in all key defence market sectors - combat, transport, helicopters, trainers, patrol, maritime and reconnaissance - and is well positioned on a number of new programmes that will deliver products over the next decade and beyond. 5) Rolls-Royce is a pioneer in partnered support and availability contracting and services account for over half of the revenues of the defence aerospace business. 6) The focal point for the rapidly expanding military engine support business is an Operations Centre, based in Bristol, which provides around-the-clock advice, guidance and information to Rolls-Royce programme managers, field representatives, deployed personnel and customers. In addition to the UK MOD support contracts, the centre is supporting an increasing number of international customers, including Adour support for Hawks based in Australia, the USA and Canada.

DTN News: India TODAY January 18, 2010 ~ India Is Spending US$80 Billion Purchase Military Hardware For Period Of 1999 To 2014

DTN News: India TODAY January 18, 2010 ~ India Is Spending US$80 Billion Purchase Military Hardware For Period Of 1999 To 2014 *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - January 18, 2010: Since the 1999 Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan based Islamic militants, India has purchased defense hardware worth over $50 billion. According to the Times of India, it is planning to spend another $30 billion in the next 4-5 years on fighters, warships, tanks, artillery, C4ISR and others.Quoting Indian MOD sources, the paper said India spent Rs 62,672 crore ($50 billion approx) on `direct capital acquisitions' in the 1999-2004 timeframe. The Indian MoD does not officially release figures of money spent on individual defense purchases. Foremost among forthcoming acquisition is the $6 billion deal for 126 fighter aircraft. Besides this artillery guns, command and control systems, C4iSR systems and many more are planned to be acquired. The Indian defense forces have voiced time and again that they need to match up to China in military preparedness besides keeping a watchful eye over Pakistan for which they need to enhance their deterrence capability substantially. Slow procurement in terms of time take to award contracts is considered a major handicap in reaching the optimum level of preparedness.

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY January 18, 2010 ~ U.S. Drone Attack Kills 15 In Pakistan's Waziristan

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY January 18, 2010 ~ U.S. Drone Attack Kills 15 In Pakistan's Waziristan *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) PESHAWAR, Pakistan - January 18, 2010: A U.S. drone aircraft fired missiles in Pakistan's South Waziristan region on the Afghan border, killing at least 15 militants on Sunday, Pakistani security officials said. The United States has stepped up pilotless drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal regions since a December 30 suicide bombing killed seven CIA employees at a U.S. base in neighboring Afghanistan. "Now the death toll is 15. It could rise further. People are still busy removing rubble," a senior security official told Reuters. Most of the casualties were foreign fighters, he added. Ten days after the Afghanistan attack by a Jordanian double agent -- the second bloodiest in the agency's history -- Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud appeared sitting beside the suicide bomber in a farewell video. The bomber said he would avenge the death of a Taliban leader killed in a drone strike last year and called for attacks in and outside the United States. The clip raised Mehsud's profile and suggested his group -- which has been fighting the Pakistani state -- was now a greater force to be reckoned with and had forged closer ties with al Qaeda, which claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistani Taliban militants issued an audio tape on Saturday purportedly from Mehsud, denying he had been killed in a U.S. missile strike two days earlier. The pilotless drone strikes are a source of friction between the United States and Pakistan, which says they are a violation of its sovereignty. U.S. officials say the missile strikes are carried out under an agreement with Islamabad that allows Pakistani leaders to decry the attacks in public. Islamabad denies this. Washington says they are an effective weapon in tribal areas in northwest Pakistan along the Afghan border seen as a global hub for militants, including senior al Qaeda and Taliban figures. Pakistan has resisted U.S. pressure to tackle Afghan militant groups who use its lawless tribal areas as a rear base for fighting Western troops in Afghanistan, saying they are focused on homegrown Taliban enemies.