DTN News: Israel Threatens Syria With War

DTN News: Israel Threatens Syria With War Source: Press TV Iran (NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN, Iran - April 19, 2010: Israel has tried to justify a war on Syria, claiming it could be attacked by Syrian-supplied missiles of Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement.

Based on allegations that Syria is equipping Hezbollah with Scud missiles, Tel Aviv communicated a menace-laden message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, the British weekly newspaper The Sunday Times reported Sunday.

In the 'secret' message, Israel alleged that Hezbollah may launch an attack on Israel using the projectiles, threatening to engage Syria in a war if such missile offensive by the Lebanese movement materializes.

“We'll return Syria to the Stone Age by crippling its power stations, ports, fuel storage and every bit of strategic infrastructure if Hezbollah dares to launch ballistic missiles against us,” the paper quoted an Israeli minister as saying.

Last week, Syrian Foreign Ministry rejected the Israeli allegations, insisting that the claims were meant to justify military actions against Syria and provide it with the excuse to avoid peace. Also, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem on Saturday described the Israeli allegations as "cover-up" for its somewhat uneasy ties with the United States and its nuclear arms program.

Both Syria and Lebanon have areas occupied by the Tel Aviv regime and have invariably supported each others' anti-Israeli stance. Tel Aviv has recently reinforced the verbal aspersions with action by intruding into Lebanese border town of Abbassiyeh and firing flares over southern Lebanon. Related News; 'Hizbullah a division of Syrian army' Jerusalem Post Israel fires flares over southern Lebanon Press TV Israel warns Syria over Hezbollah attacks Times Online

*Source: Press TV Iran *This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

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DTN News: Russian Cruiser Passes Suez Canal On Mission In Indian Ocean

DTN News: Russian Cruiser Passes Suez Canal On Mission In Indian Ocean Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - April 19, 2010: The Moskva missile cruiser has passed through the Suez Canal and entered the Indian Ocean to join other Russian warships for large-scale naval exercises, a Defense Ministry spokesman said. The flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, which has a compliment of naval infantry on board, left the Black Sea port of Sevastopol on April 9. "The weapons and technical equipment on the ship are functioning properly and the crew is healthy," the spokesman said. The Moskva is a Slava-class missile cruiser designed as a surface strike ship with some anti-aircraft and ASW capability. Meanwhile, the Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered missile cruiser from Russia's Northern Fleet has recently arrived in Syria's Mediterranean port of Tartus ahead of Russian Navy drills in the Indian Ocean. Russia announced in 2007 that it was building up its naval presence in the world's oceans. Once one the world's most powerful navies, Russia now has few ships regularly deployed. A Russian Pacific Fleet task force, comprising an Udaloy class missile destroyer, Marshal Shaposhnikov, a salvage tug and a tanker, is currently on an anti-piracy mission off the Somali coast. Related News Russian nuclear cruiser makes port call in Syria Russia sends additional missile cruiser to Indian Ocean Russian nuclear cruiser sails on mission in Indian Ocean Russia's Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered cruiser plies English Channel

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 16, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 16, 2010 Source: U.S. DoD issued April 16, 2010 (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 17, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued April 16, 2010 are undermentioned; CONTRACTS ARMY ~Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors, Akron, Ohio, was awarded on April 14 a $142,100,000 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for procuring 17 fully integrated persistent threat detection systems, support equipment, and initial spares, to provide a responsive, dedicated day/night netted sensor capability that enables U.S. and coalition forces to detect, locate, characterize, identify, track, and target forces in their battle space. Work is to be performed in Akron, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of April 14, 2011. One sole-source bid solicited with one bid received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-10-C-S801). ~American International Contractors, Inc., Arlington, Va., was awarded on April 14 a $55,883,898 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of a close air support parking apron at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Work is to be performed in Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 21, 2011. Thirty-four bids were solicited with 13 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District, CETAM-CT-M, Winchester, Va., is the contracting activity (W912ER-10-C-0012). ~The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded on April 12 a $30,219,105 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to exercise option for 145,480 hours in the amount of $30,219,105 for engineering services. Work is to be performed in Ridley Park, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Aviation and Missile Command Contracting Center, CCAM-CH-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-G-0023). ~Global Strategies Group North America Inc., Frederick, Md., was awarded on April 14 a $26,753,153 firm-fixed-price contract for 147 containerized kitchen and spare parts kits. Work is to be performed in Frederick, Md., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with six bids received. U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering Command Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Office, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-05-D-0004). ~Davila Construction, San Antonio, Texas, was awarded on April 14 an $8,360,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of one soldier and family assistance cSenter for the Warrior in Transition Complex located at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Work is to be performed in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of May 28, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with 10 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-10-C-0031). ~The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded on April 12 a $7,999,920 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to exercise option for 38,513 hours in the amount of $7,999,920 for engineering services. Work is to be performed in Ridley Park, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Aviation and Missile Command Contracting Center, CCAM-CH-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-G-0023). ~CDM Constructors Inc., Denver, Colo., was awarded on April 13 a $7,051,653 firm-fixed-price contract for the design/build of various elements to provide a clean potable water system, to include installation and replacement of domestic water lines; replacement of transmission main; addition and replacement of fire hydrants; construction of new looped water line arrangement; construction of a new treatment plant building for filtration including transmission main; and renovation of existing pump station at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. Work is to be performed in Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, with an estimated completion date of May 14, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with 10 bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Sacramento, Calif., is the contracting activity (W91238-10-C-0026). ~Badger Truck Center, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., was awarded on April 14 a $6,258,564 firm-fixed-price contract to disassemble M915A1 trucks, repair/refurbish, replace parts, and deliver to Red River Army Depot in the form of kits for assembly. Work is to be performed in West Allis, Wis., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 22, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with six bids received. Red River Army Depot, Texarkana, Texas, is the contracting activity (W911RQ-08-D-0006). NAVY ~Boeing Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Phantom Works, Huntington Beach, Calif., is being awarded a $32,988,112 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) enterprise network manager software support for the network enterprise domain under the Joint Program Executive Office, JTRS. This two-year contract includes three one-year options which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $54,880,000. Work will be performed in Huntington Beach, Calif., and is expected to be completed April 15, 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities and SPAWAR e-Commerce Central Web sites, with three offers received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-10-D-0069). ~Michael Baker, Jr., Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded $6,147,294 for firm-fixed price task order #0004 under a previously awarded architect-engineering contract (N62470-10-D-3000) for multimedia environmental compliance engineering support at various Navy and Department of Defense installations worldwide. The work provides for environmental compliance reports and plans, fuel pipeline pressure testing, bulk fuel storage integrity testing, and annual equipment certifications. The work to be performed is for engineering testing and evaluation of fuel systems at various Navy, Marine Corps and Defense Energy Support Center facilities inside and outside the contiguous United States, and is expected to be completed by April 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. ~General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., is being awarded a $5,803,648 modification to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (M67854-02-C-2052) to purchase one Combat Operations Center (COC) Capability Set II system, 10 duct plenum adapter kits and 10 generator environmental control unit tent-trailers. The COC is an integrated, mobile package of shelter, trailers, power, cabling, and communication and network processing systems. This integrated package provides software and interface to current Marine Corps communications assets. Work will be performed in Scottsdale, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY ~Anham, LLC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is being awarded a maximum $6,469,092,827 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for full-line food and beverage support to authorized ordering facilities in Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan. The original proposal was a full and open solicitation with four responses. This contract provides for one 18-month option and three one-year periods. The date of performance completion is 18 months post first delivery order. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM300-10-D-3373).

DTN News: Finnish Fighter Jets Damaged By Volcanic Cloud

DTN News: Finnish Fighter Jets Damaged By Volcanic Cloud Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) HELSINKI - April 17, 2010: Finnish fighter jets which flew through the volcanic dust covering much of Europe suffered damage and the air force warned Friday the cloud could have a significant impact on planes. The air force F-18 Hornet jets were on training flights in northern Finland on Thursday morning, when airspace was still open, and the engines were later found to contain fine, volcanic ash dust. "Based on the pictures, it was discovered that even short flights in ash dust may cause significant damage to an airplane's engine," the Finnish Defence Forces said in a statement. Images taken inside one Hornet engine with a fibroscope camera indicated that the heat of the engine — around 1,000 degrees Celcius — had melted the ash inside the engine, blocking ventilation channels. "Blockages of ventilation channels caused by melting ash lead engine components to overheat and material to weaken," it said, adding this could fracture rotating engine parts. In the worst case, the weakening of component materials could cause "parts to detach and the engine to be destroyed," it said. The Hornets exposed to the dust from the eruption of a volcano in Iceland would be checked thoroughly, with "at least some" of the engines detached and sent for further studies and repair. The air force would keep a Hawk combat aircraft equipped with a tank to take atmospheric samples on standby to assist civilian authorities as necessary, it said, adding that operative military flights would continue normally. Samples taken by the plane, which collects particle samples in a filter in the tank, could be used to analyze how much ash dust was in the air. A huge cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland has spread over large part of Europe, shutting airports and forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights. Finland's airports were shut Thursday at midnight and flights are not due to resume until Saturday afternoon at earliest.

DTN News: US Military Base Lease In Kyrgyzstan Extended

DTN News: US Military Base Lease In Kyrgyzstan Extended Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 17, 2010: In a development that eases tension over the future of the U.S. military base in Kyrgyzstan, the interim government of the Central Asian country has said the agreement over Manas air force base will extend for another year. The fate of the only U.S. military base in the region - a logistics hub for Afghanistan - was uncertain in the wake of the change of rule in Kyrgyzstan last week. Violent Opposition protests that killed more than 80 people and injured hundreds of others forced Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee the country. An interim government led by Roza Otunbayeva took control of the administration. The political upheaval forced a four-day suspension of refueling operations and the transit of troops at the transit center at Manas in support of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The First Deputy Prime Minister of the provisional government, Omurbek Tekebayev, announced on Friday that "Kyrgyzstan is extending by one year the validity of the agreement with the United States over the Manas transit center." The interim government's deputy chief added that the Parliament should make its own decision on the base but since it had been dissolved, the lease that expires in July would automatically be renewed. During a telephone talk last weekend with Otunbayeva, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke about "the important role Kyrgyzstan plays in hosting the Transit Center at the Manas Airport." The U.S. had feared that the change of government in Kyrgyzstan could affect a deal signed by the Bakiyev government with Washington in June last year, after the former reversed a decision to close the military base. Under the agreement, Washington agreed to the host country's several demands, including more than tripling the annual rent for the Manas base. The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, called the development a crucial boost for coalition forces. The Manas base, set up after the 9/11 attacks, is the only U.S. military base in the region. More than 1,000 servicemen deployed there are engaged in the maintenance of warplanes and fueling of transport aircraft. The impoverished mountainous former Soviet Republic is home to both U.S. and Russian air bases because of its proximity to Afghanistan and western China. Earlier, addressing the nation, Otunbayeva said Bakiyev had been allowed to leave the country to avoid bloodshed.

DTN News: Why Brazil Signed A Military Agreement With The US

DTN News: Why Brazil Signed A Military Agreement With The US Source: DTN News / The Christian Science Monitor (NSI News Source Info) MEXICO CITY & SAO PAULO, Brazil - April 17, 2010: The US and Brazil signed a military agreement Monday that both nations touted as an example of partnership and transparency in the Americas. The defense pact, the first between the two nations since 1977, opens the door to more interchange on research and development, logistics support, education and training, and the acquisition of defense products and services. It comes as US Defense Secretary Robert Gates sets off on a tour of Latin America, including visits to Colombia, Peru, and the Caribbean – seen as part of a broader effort to strengthen ties with allies, as well as shore up support in a region that has embraced Iran and made increasing arms purchases from Russia. But it’s perhaps Brazil, where Mr. Gates had originally planned to visit before a schedule change, which has the most to gain from the deal reached Monday. “Brazil is going to get recognition, and that is very important. Future wars are going to be as much about the management of information and intelligence as they are about armaments. And Brazil doesn’t know how to do that. The US is the perfect country to help us minimize that risk,” says Fernando Arbache, an anti-terrorism expert in Sao Paulo who teaches at Brazil’s Naval Headquarters. “With this accord Brazil is aligning itself strategically with the US, like the European nations have done with NATO.” Secretary Gates and Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim signed the cooperation agreement on the sidelines of the nuclear summit held in Washington. It’s the first such agreement since a1952 cooperation accord was canceled in 1977, when Brazil was under military control. Since then there has been little military cooperation between the US and Brazil, says David Fleischer, an analyst in Brasilia, in a weekly political note. The US heralded the common interests shared by the US and Brazil. “The agreement is a formal acknowledgment of the many security interests and values we share as the two most populous democracies in the Americas,” Gates said. “These common interests make Brazil’s growing involvement and significance in global affairs a welcome development for the United States.” The deal does not mean the relationship between the two nations is without strain. The US has unsuccessfully pushed Brazil to support fresh sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program. To some critical eyes, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Brazil in November, while Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is scheduled to visit Iran next month. It also comes as Brazil is expected to finally announce this year it will buy 36 new fighter jets. French, Swedish, and US companies have all vied for the $4.4 billion contract. Mr. Jobim said Monday Brazil is close to making a decision on whether to purchase US F-18 fighter jets or those of a competitor, including the French Rafale or Swedish Gripen aircraft. Brazil’s president is close to French President Nicolas Sarkozy – the two met five times in 2009 outside summits – and he sees France as a “strategic partner.” Brazil last year signed a deal to buy 50 French helicopters and five submarines, one of them nuclear-powered. In the long-term, the defense accord is more likely to bolster Brazil than the US. “Brazil always been a moderating power. It could be helpful [for the US] in the interest of regional security,” says Johanna Mendelson Forman, a security and Latin America specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “The sense that I get is that Lula is laying foundation for his defense industry.” Countries in Latin America have been rushing to purchase arms, which has raised some eyebrows. But Ms. Mendelson Forman says most armies are attempting to modernize after years of stagnation. Russia as the prime supplier has to do with buying at the right price, not any sort of geopolitical message, she says. As it attempts to defend what it sees as its increased role in global and regional affairs, Brazil’s defense budget has increased almost fourfold since 2006. Mr. Arbache says Brazil needs more military might to go along with its newfound economic might. “It doesn’t matter how smart you are, if you’re weak, people can take advantage of you and deficiencies. To be an economic power you have to be a military power,” he says. There could be regional fallout. A military agreement that the US made with Colombia last year caused a stir within South America, after the two nations agreed that US troops could have greater access to Colombian military bases. The agreement with Brazil does not include such clauses, nor does it lay out anything specific other than a general framework for greater cooperation. Still, many expect nations generally opposed to the US, such as Venezuela, to balk. Brazil, however, is unlikely to flinch. “As they emerge as a key power,” says Evan Ellis, a professor of national security studies at the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies at the National Defense University, they are charting their own course as they seem to be saying: “’We will align with Iran, if it’s useful for us. We will do defense cooperation with the US if it’s useful for us,’” says Mr. Ellis. “’Nobody tells us that Iran is the devil, and no one tell us the gringos are the devil.’”

DTN News: Russia's MiG Gets Air Under Its Wings Again

DTN News: Russia's MiG Gets Air Under Its Wings Again Source: DTN News / Gulf News (NSI News Source Info) DUBAI - April 17, 2010: Russia's aircraft manufacturer MiG is on the way to recovery from the financial crisis, a Russian defence expert said. The company, once the flagship of Russia's fighter plane industry, was on the brink of bankruptcy in 2008 after orders declined due to quality problems. But according to Konstantin Makiyenko, deputy director of the Russian Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, MiG is now ready for lift-off after the Russian government injected 750 million euros (Dh348.9 million) into it over the last years and merged MiG with Ilyushin, Irkut, Sukhoi, Tupolev and Yakovlev to a new company named United Aircraft Corporation (Obyedinyonnaya Aviasroitelnaya Korporatsiya, OAK). Since then, MiG was able to cut its 1.3 billion euro debt pile by half and receive a couple of new orders. "There is strong lobbying going on within the Russian government," a Dubai-based Russian business man engaged in defence business told Gulf News on conditions of anonymity. "The fighter jet brand has a long history and there are people at very high decision levels that want MiG to stay alive. Some may call it nostalgic, I would say its bare-knuckle business." On orders of Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin himself MiG's debts at major Russian banks such as Alpha Bank and Sberbank have been restructured, and soon after MiG received an order worth 600 million euros from the Russian defence ministry. Other fresh orders came from Myanmar, Kazakhstan and India. Negotiations with Slovakia are ongoing. Overall, MiG's order books currently show a 5 billion euro backlog and the company is expected to produce about 100 jets a year, which comes close to the high-volume production in times of the Soviet Union, Makiyenko said in a current analysis. India in particular has turned out as a faithful customer of MiG jets. After a large order of MiG-29 fighters for the Indian Air Force, New Delhi now wants 20 more combat jets for its Navy. MiG was founded in 1939 and introduced its first jet in 1940, during the Second World War. Later, MiG jets were the best known Soviet combat planes during the Cold War. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea and Vietnam. The most popular model up to now is the MiG-29, developed in the 1970s to counter the US-built F-15 and F-16 combat jets.

DTN News: Volcanic Dust Cloud Suspends RAF And NATO Military Training

DTN News: Volcanic Dust Cloud Suspends RAF And NATO Military Training Source: DTN News / BBC World (NSI News Source Info) LONDON, U.K. - April 16, 2010: All routine military air training in UK airspace has been suspended as a plume of volcanic ash drifts across much of northern Europe. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said a decision on the resumption of training would be taken on Friday. A spokeswoman said the suspension took effect from midday. Disruption to flights caused by a volcanic eruption in Iceland comes as UK and Nato air crews take part in Exercise Joint Warrior. Europe's largest military exercise involves 50 aircraft, including fixed wing maritime patrol aircraft flying from RAF stations at Kinloss and Lossiemouth in Moray. Live firing is also conducted at Cape Wrath on the far north coast of Scotland. Joint Warrior also features 16 Air Assault Brigade and the Royal Navy's Carrier Strike Group headed by HMS Ark Royal. LATEST NEWS Europe faces prolonged air chaos Hundreds flee Icelandic volcano Flights allowed over parts of UK Small businesses feel ash impact Airlines count volcano ash losses Kenya's flowers hit by ash cloud

DTN News: U.S. Army Chinook Helicopters Protected From IR Missile Threat

DTN News: U.S. Army Chinook Helicopters Protected From IR Missile Threat Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) NASHUA, N.H. - April 16, 2010: The effectiveness of a countermeasure system for the U.S. Army Chinook helicopter to defeat guided missiles was proven in battle, BAE Systems said. BAE said its Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures system has proved its worth in defeating infrared-guided missiles on the battlefield. ATIRCM uses lasers to protect the Chinook from missile attacks. A common missile warning system tells the system to emit a high-energy laser beam to defeat the infrared system on the incoming missile. Jim Crouch, general manager for protection solutions at BAE Systems, said ATIRCM is the best countermeasure system available for combat helicopters. "ATIRCM was put to the test in a complex situation where Chinook aircraft were engaged by multiple infrared, man-portable air-defense missiles," he said. He didn't indicate in what combat theater the ATIRCM countered the threat. He added his company was dispatching the system to all Chinook fleets as soon as possible so all deployed helicopters are protected against infrared-guided missile threats.

DTN News: China’s PLA Opens Up To Show Off J10, Its First Indigenous Fighter Jet

DTN News: China’s PLA Opens Up To Show Off J10, Its First Indigenous Fighter Jet Source: DTN News / The Times, U.K. By Jane Macartney at Yangcun Air Base (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 16, 2010: Engines screaming, China’s most advanced fighter jets took off, soared into a vertical climb, spun into rolls and veered off into a clear blue sky leaving a trail of smoke and the acrid smell of aviation fuel in its wake. The 24th Fighter Division of the Chinese Air Force yesterday showed off a formation of its J10 — or Annihilator 10 — to a select group of international military attachés for the first time. Back on the ground after the demonstration of aerial acrobatics Senior Colonel Yan Feng, commander of the division, gave the 51 attachés their first glimpse of the cockpits and the home-made jet turbines of China’s only indigenous fighters. It was the second time that China has allowed foreign media onto the base — and the first such trip in eight years. Colonel Yan promised to host more tours as part of a campaign by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to cast off its reputation for secrecy and nurture a more transparent image. Four jets took part in the 15-minute show, completing a fly-by in diamond formation with their wingtips a mere 5m (16ft) apart and a series of multiple rolls and spins. Colonel Yan even flew his jet in front of the viewing stand with his wheels just 3m off the ground. Group Captain Stephen Wilson, the British Air Force Attaché, , described the show as impressive. “This is a highly manoeuvrable aircraft.They should not be compared with the Red Arrows, but the Chinese Air Force is very competent and that came through in this performance.” China first showed off the J-10 in public in 2008. Their finest moment to date was when 17 flew over Tiananamen Square to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Communist China on October 1 last year. However, although the PLA hails the accomplishment of developing China’s first indigenous fighter, the J10 is not entirely home-made. It is believed to be loosely based on the early-generation US F16. Israel helped at the start with aspects of avionics and aerodynamics until it was warned off by Washington. Earlier models were equipped with Russian jet turbines, complicating future sales potential. One military expert said: “For this type of third-generation aircraft it’s a serious plane. It’s very good. But it is still equivalent only to an early F16.” Another attaché said that the technology of its wheels, among other aspects, means that it could not be used on board any aircraft carrier that China may build, underscoring how far the PLA still lags behind Western militaries. The expert said: “The West is still far ahead. We have so many decades of technology and such a depth of research and capability that they just don’t have yet. They are about a generation behind. But they are catching up.” China could take a major leap forward when it finally unveils its fourth-generation J11, which Chinese generals have hinted could be shown off in public as early as 2017, well ahead of US forecasts. Colonel Yan was coy when asked about the J11, but said that he hoped to demonstrate the J10 at international air shows as early as next year. “I want to fly with the Thunderbirds,” he joked. Manufacturers will be hoping that international exposure could boost sales. Last year China sold 36 J10s to Pakistan for $1.4 billion (£910 million), well above the $25 million each that Pakistan had wanted to pay but cheaper than the $50 million per plane paid by India for a shipment of F16s. Iran, Thailand and Myanmar are all believed to have expressed interest in adding the J10 to their air force fleets. *This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com