DTN News: Russia Plans To Develop 5th-Generation 'Stealth' Helicopters

DTN News: Russia Plans To Develop 5th-Generation 'Stealth' Helicopters

Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - May 18, 2010: A Russian helicopter company is planning to develop the world's first fifth-generation combat helicopter, which experts say would be able to attack fighter jets and be invisible for radars, the Gazeta daily said on Thursday. "We are working on the concept of the fifth-generation combat helicopter," the paper quoted the company's CEO, Andrei Shibitov, as saying at a news conference in Moscow. Shibitov did not specify the characteristics of the helicopter, but said the company was going to spend some $1 billion on the project, with more investment expected to be allocated from the state budget. The official said the Mil design bureau had been working on a classical rotor model, which features a large main rotor and a smaller auxiliary rotor, while the Kamov design bureau had been developing a coaxial rotor model. Military experts believe that the coaxial rotor model is more stable and easy to fly while the classical model is more reliable and has a higher degree of survivability on the battlefield. First deputy head of the Russian Academy of Geopolitical Issues, Konstantin Sivkov, told the paper that fifth-generation combat helicopters have never been built before, although the United States has recently begun working on a similar project. He said a fifth-generation combat helicopter must have a low radar signature, a high noise reduction, an extended flying range, be equipped with a computerized arms control system, be able to combat fighter jets (existing helicopters are generally only intended to hit ground-based targets) and reach a speed of up to 500-600 km/h (310-370 mph). The project cannot proceed, however, unless it is backed by the government. "If the government does not sign a contract, the idea will die on the vine," head of the Russian Academy of Geopolitical Issues Leonid Ivashov told Gazeta. Ivashov said that with sufficient investment and good organization the new helicopter could be built within five years. Otherwise, the project may drag on for 20-30 years. But he was somewhat skeptical about the chances of carrying out the project. "We have been trying to tackle everything - fifth-generation planes, fifth-generation helicopters, but nothing of this have so far been supplied to the army - today the army still uses helicopters produced in 1970s," Ivashov said. Russia's main combat helicopter, the Mi-24 Hind, is a third-generation helicopter, and a few Mi-28 Havoc, Ka-50 and Ka-52 Hokum, which have just started to arrive in the Russian army, are fourth-generation helicopters. Related News Russian company unveils plans for 5th-generation 'invisible' helicopters French warships for Russia may be armed with Ka-52 helicopters Peru to buy eight Russian helicopters for anti-drug efforts Moscow could hold tender for helicopter carrier - source

Multimedia Photo: First shipment of Mi-35M Hind helicopters delivered to Brazil Photo: The 100th anniversary of Soviet helicopter designer Mikhail Mil’s birth Photo: Ka-52 Alligator helicopter production launched Video: Ka-52 helicopter production launched Video: Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopter in action

DTN News: China's Navy ~ People's Liberation Army Navy

DTN News: China's Navy ~ People's Liberation Army Navy

Source: RealClearPolitics By Richard Halloran

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 18, 2010: Even as China has taken a great leap forward to acquire a modern deep-water navy, a tone of skepticism has crept into US intelligence and scholarly assessments, some asserting that it will be a decade before the Chinese can seriously challenge the US Navy. The skeptics are quick to acknowledge, however, that chances of a Chinese miscalculation caused by over-confidence become more possible by the day. Thus they urge the US and China to expand military exchanges and to work out an agreement intended to prevent an incident at sea from spiraling into a crisis. The US and the Soviet Union had such an agreement during the Cold War. They agreed, among other things, not to train guns on each other's ships, not to fly over the other navy's ships, and to make extensive use of international signals to avoid collisions. Reflecting a growing awareness of Chinese naval power is an article by Robert Kaplan, of the Center for a New American Security, a Washington think tank, in the latest issue of Foreign Affairs magazine. "In the twenty-first century," Kaplan said, "China will project hard power abroad primarily through its navy." Kaplan points to several missions for China's navy, known formally as the People's Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN, as all Chinese military services belong to the PLA. "China's actions abroad," Kaplan said, "are propelled by its need to secure energy, metals, and strategic minerals" to support its surging economy. The PLAN has been tasked to push China's frontiers into the sea east and south to encompass the self-governing island of Taiwan, Guam and the Northern Marianas that are US territories, the Philippines, and Indonesia. "The Chinese see all these islands," Kaplan said, "as archipelagic extensions of the Chinese landmass." Further, China is investing in submarines, destroyers, aircraft, and missiles in a fleet designed, Kaplan wrote, "to block the US Navy from entering the East China Sea and other Chinese Coastal Waters." That "anti-access" or "denial" strategy applies to the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, which China claims are territorial waters. Like other analysts, however, Kaplan acknowledges that China "is still a long way from challenging the United States militarily." Much attention has been focused on Chinese warships, aircraft, and weapons but the PLAN's greatest weakness is the lack of naval tradition and experience needed to practice good seamanship. American naval officers, chief petty officers, or sailors have 400 years of tradition and experience behind them, 200 from the British Navy and 200 in the American Navy. In contrast, China has been a land power that has produced only one great admiral in its long history, Cheng Ho, who led seven voyages into the Pacific and Indian Oceans in the early 15th century. After he died about 1433, China's emperors lost interest in naval exploration and European explorers, merchant ships, and warships began to sail in Asian waters. Today's PLAN was organized in 1950 after the Communist Party, having defeated Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang, had come to power. The PLAN inherited old equipment and poorly trained sailors from the Kuomintang and, in its early days, was trained by the Soviet Navy, itself staffed by artillery officers of a massed land army who had been put to sea. American and Japanese naval officers who have observed PLAN ships maneuver at sea have remarked on the poor quality of ship handling, although one experienced American officer said he had seen improvements. Japanese officers were concerned when a Chinese helicopter flew near Japanese warships south of Okinawa recently, not because it was a threat but because the Chinese pilot wasn't well trained. Informed analysts said China's military leaders recognized the shortcomings of PLAN sailors and are seeking to train them better. *Richard Halloran, a free lance writer in Honolulu, was a military correspondent for The New York Times for ten years. He can be reached at oranhall@hawaii.rr.com

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.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: Uranium Offer By Iran May Hinder Efforts On Sanctions

DTN News: Uranium Offer By Iran May Hinder Efforts On Sanctions

Source: DTN News / NYTimes.com By MICHAEL SLACKMAN

(NSI News Source Info) CAIRO, Egypt - May 18, 2010: Iran announced an agreement on Monday to ship some of its nuclear fuel to Turkey in a deal that could offer a short-term solution to its nuclear standoff with the West, or prove to be a tactic aimed at derailing efforts to bring new sanctions against Tehran.

The deal, negotiated by Turkey and Brazil, calls for Iran to ship some 2,640 pounds of low-enriched uranium to Turkey, where it would be stored. In exchange, after one year, Iran would have the right to receive about 265 pounds of uranium enriched to 20 percent from Russia and France. The terms mirror a deal with the West last October that fell apart when Iran backtracked. But it is far from clear that the Obama administration will agree to it now. In October, the 2,640 pounds that Iran was supposed to ship out of the country represented about two-thirds of its stockpile of nuclear fuel — enough to ensure that it would not retain sufficient nuclear material to make a weapon. But because Iran has continued its enrichment efforts, that amount of fuel accounts for a smaller proportion of its declared stockpile. According to a Western diplomat who spoke in return for anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters, the amount of low-enriched uranium that Iran was prepared to ship to Turkey may represent little more than half its current stockpile. “The situation has changed,” the diplomat said. The United States reacted cautiously. “Given Iran’s repeated failure to live up to its own commitments, and the need to address fundamental issues related to Iran’s nuclear program, the United States and international community continue to have serious concerns,” Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said in a statement. “While it would be a positive step for Iran to transfer low-enriched uranium off of its soil as it agreed to do last October, Iran said today that it would continue its 20 percent enrichment, which is a direct violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and which the Iranian government originally justified by pointing to the need for fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor.” Mr. Gibbs made clear that the administration would continue to press forward with sanctions until Iran met its obligations. "The United States will continue to work with our international partners, and through the United Nations Security Council, to make it clear to the Iranian government that it must demonstrate through deeds — and not simply words — its willingness to live up to international obligations or face consequences, including sanctions," he said. The agreement could undermine the Obama administration’s chances of securing international approval for punitive measures against Iran. China and Russia, which have been highly reluctant to impose sanctions on a major trading partner, could use the announcement to end discussions about a fourth round of sanctions. Washington is seeking further sanctions because Iran has refused to halt further enrichment or to answer international inspectors’ questions about evidence suggesting research into possible weapons designs and similar experiments. The inspectors have also been blocked from visiting many locations they have asked to examine. Mr. Obama now faces a vexing choice. If he walks away from this deal, it will look like he is rejecting an agreement similar to one he was willing to sign eight months ago. But if he accepts, many of the urgent issues he wants resolved with Iran in coming months — mostly over suspected weapons work — will be put on hold for a year or more. Many American officials believe the delay is Iran’s most immediate goal. Iranian officials, however, applauded the deal as a breakthrough, with the president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying at a news conference that the agreement would be “to the benefit of all nations who want to live freely and independently.” Officials said on Iranian state television that the next step would be to agree to terms for the exchange with the so-called Vienna Group — Iran’s description of an informal association comprising the United States, France, Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog based in Vienna. The Iranian officials said they would send a formal letter confirming the deal to the atomic agency within a week. “This shows that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons but rather peaceful nuclear technology,” said Ramin Mehmanparast, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, in a televised news conference on Monday. “Such interactions must replace a confrontational approach.” Diplomats in Vienna said the I.A.E.A. had not been formally notified about the reported deal, but added that Tehran’s agreement to a swap outside its own territory was potentially significant. Though the agreement was regarded as a positive step by regional experts, there was also skepticism as to whether it was real or a tactic to transfer blame for the conflict to the West, while derailing the prospect of the United Nations Security Council imposing new sanctions, which appeared possible within weeks.

“Iran has a history of forging a deal and then going back on it,” said Emad Gad, an expert in international relations at the Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo. “It lets the situation get really tense and then reaches an agreement. This is a genuine characteristic of the nature of Iranian politics.”

As international pressure for new sanctions grows, Iran is preparing for the June 12 anniversary of last year’s disputed presidential election, which led to months of protests and conflict. Iran is also wrestling with a serious inflation problem, declining foreign investment and the prospect of lifting subsidies on commodities, which would mean higher prices and, perhaps, renewed social tensions. “With deals like this or announcements like this you have to be a bit skeptical, at least initially, because so many in the past have proved to be a virtual opportunity rather than a more substantial one,” said Michael Axworthy, the former British diplomat and Iran expert who lectures at the University of Exeter. There appear to be reasons to be skeptical. In Tehran, the Foreign Ministry spokesman told a person attending the news conference that Iran would not, for example, suspend its program to enrich uranium to 20 percent — which brings it closer to weapons grade. Iran has said that its nuclear program is peaceful while the West has charged it is aimed at building weapons. Those charges have been amplified as Iran has improved and tested its long-range missile capacity. The terms of this deal appear similar to the general terms of a deal negotiated in Geneva last year. That agreement fell apart when Iran appeared to backtrack from its commitment to send its fuel to a third country. Iran had initially insisted that any swap be conducted on its territory, a demand rejected by the West. Sending most of its fuel out of Iran would for a time at least delay its ability to build a nuclear weapon during which time more long-term negotiations could take place. The Geneva deal called for shipping 2,640 pounds of 3.5-percent enriched uranium to Russia where it would be more highly enriched, to 20 percent, and then to Paris, where it would be turned into fuel rods for Iran’s medical reactor. Part of what made that deal acceptable in Washington was that the amount was believed to be the majority of Iran’s stockpile. The Geneva agreement fell apart under intense political pressure in Iran when nearly every political faction criticized it as compromising Iran’s right to nuclear energy. Then and now, Iran’s negotiating team argued that the deal was in Iran’s interest because it effectively confirms Iran’s right to enrich uranium. “And with Iran’s support, today a statement has been issued which has officially recognized Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, especially uranium enrichment,” Ali-Akbar Salehi, head of Iran’s Nuclear Energy Organization, said on state television. The terms of the deal were agreed on in a meeting involving Mr. Ahmadinejad; the foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki; Saeed Jalili, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council; President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil; and the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the official IRNA news service reported. If successful, the agreement would enhance and underscore the continued rise of Turkey and Brazil as global forces. Turkey, in particular, has in recent months re-engaged in the Middle East, seeking to fill a vacuum in leadership there. Ferai Tinc, a political analyst writing in the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, said, “Ankara was neither a full supporter of Iran nor an advocate of violence and sanctions against it but stood strongly for promoting a diplomatic resolution.”

Reporting was contributed by William Yong from Tehran; Mona El-Naggar from Cairo; Alexei Barrionuevo from São Paulo, Brazil; Sebnem Arsu from Istanbul; David E. Sanger and Peter Baker from Washington; and Alan Cowell from London. This article has been revised to reflect the following correction: Correction: May 17, 2010 Earlier versions of this article misidentified the newspaper running an article by the Turkish analyst Ferai Tinc. The newspaper should be Hurriyet, not Millyet.

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 17, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 17, 2010 Source: U.S. DoD issued May 17, 2010 (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - May 17, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued May 17, 2010 are undermentioned; CONTRACTS NAVY ~DRS Technologies, Inc., Herndon, Va., is being awarded a $78,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract for satellite IP services to support morale, welfare and recreation and other non-global information grid operations and programs. The cumulative value of this contract, including this modification, is $328,000,000. Work will be performed in Southwest Asia (95 percent) and Europe (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic is the contracting activity (N65236-07-D-5120). ~Diesel Engineering, Inc.*, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is being awarded a $20,784,887 firm-fixed-price-contract for engine upgrade kits for the Achzarit heavy armored personnel carriers for the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The Achzarit engine upgrade kits modify the engine, transmission and cooling systems, resulting in an increase in horsepower of approximately 20 percent and an increase in acceleration of approximately 200 percent. This contract involves a Foreign Military Sales to Israel (100 percent). Work will be performed in Elizabeth, N.J. (71 percent), and Prague, Czech Republic (29 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C. is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-4200). ~USA Environmental, Inc.*, Oldsmar, Fla., is being awarded an $18,000,000 cost-plus-award-fee modification to increase the maximum dollar value of a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62742-05-D-1868) for munitions response and incidental environmental remediation at sites which potentially contain munitions and explosives of concern. The work to be performed provides for surface and subsurface munitions clearance on roads and beaches on Vieques, and vegetative and operational range clearance on Farallon de Medinilla. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $68,000,000. Work will be performed in Vieques, Puerto Rico (90 percent), and Farallon de Medinilla, Marianas Islands (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. ~USA Environmental, Inc.*, Oldsmar, Fla., is being awarded a $13,969,727 cost-plus-award-fee task order modification JN03-06 under a previously awarded munitions response contract (N62742-05-D-1868) for munitions and explosives of concern removal at former Vieques Naval Training Range. The work to be performed provides for the removal of surface and subsurface munitions and explosives of concern at the live impact area, surface impact area, eastern conservation area and the eastern maneuver area. After award of this modification, the total cumulative task order value will be $25,453,833. Work will be performed in Vieques, Puerto Rico, and is expected to be completed by August 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. ~Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co., Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded $13,245,888 for firm-fixed-price task order #0003 under a multiple award construction contract (N62478-09-D-4015) for repair of wharves W1, W2 and W3 in the West Loch channel at Naval Magazine, Pearl Harbor. This project includes selective removal work; concrete rehabilitation; marine concrete; refurbish marine hardware; concrete fender piles; fender system; metal fabrications; coating of waterfront steel structures; asphalt-based pavement sealers; pavement markings; oil-spill containment booms; low pressure compressed air; water distribution; sanitary sewer; exterior salt pressure compressed air; water distribution; sanitary sewer; exterior salt water distribution system; electrical work; and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by February 2012. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Six proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE ~2020 Company, LLC, Falls Church, Va. (FA9200-10-0018); ~Colsa Corp., Huntsville, Ala. (FA9200-10-D-0166); and ~Oasis Systems, Inc., Lexington, Mass. (FA9200-10-D-0173), were awarded a $28.5 million contract which will provide a wide range of diverse, non-engineering, technical and acquisition management support required in the acquisition, development, production and support of various equipment and weapons systems within the Air Armament Center and other organizations at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. At this time, no money has been obligated. AAC/PKES, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. ~Harris Corp., Palm Bay, Fla., was awarded a $19,753,657 contract which will provide for the manufacture, maintenanc and repair of the warhead replacement Tactical Telemetry Missile. At this time, no money has been obligated. 882 CBSG/GBKAA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8520-10-D-0001). *Small business

DTN News: BAE Systems Receives $10.7 Million Order For Soldier Equipment

DTN News: BAE Systems Receives $10.7 Million Order For Soldier Equipment

Source: DTN News / BAE Systems

(NSI News Source Info) PHOENIX, Arizona - May 17, 2010: BAE Systems has received a $10.7 million order from the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) to manufacture and deliver more than 20,000 Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system sets in MultiCam® camouflage. Designed to blend into virtually any environment, MultiCam is a single camouflage pattern that provides the wearer with needed concealment in one, basic set of gear. The MultiCam order includes core riflemen sets, large rucksack sets, as well as medic, grenadier, pistolman and SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) Gunner pocket sets. Developed by the U.S. Army RDECOM, MOLLE is the Army's primary field equipment system. MOLLE is a highly adaptable platform that enables soldiers to carry equipment and supplies critical to their mission. "For more than a decade, the MOLLE system has proven its effectiveness as a highly durable, reliable and adjustable platform that delivers performance for the individual soldier," said Greg Kraak, Director of U.S. Military Programs for BAE Systems' Security & Survivability business. "The system's modular design-with a flexible attachment system-allows for limitless configurations, giving our servicemen and women the ability to customize their kit with specialized equipment to suit their specific mission," added Kraak. Production of the MOLLE sets will take place at BAE Systems' facilities in Jefferson City, Tennessee; McKee, Kentucky; and Jessup, Pennsylvania. Production on this initial delivery order will begin in June 2010, with final deliveries expected to be completed by August 2010. To date, BAE Systems has delivered more than a million core rifleman sets, and more than 750,000 large rucksack sets to support U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world. BAE Systems' Security & Survivability business is a leader in protection, security and survivability systems. It is a technology leader in lightweight materials, including composites, ceramic and transparent armor technologies; integrated vehicle armor systems; vehicle and aircraft survivability components and accessories; and soldier protection equipment, sold primarily to the government and other defense contractors. About BAE Systems BAE Systems is a global defense, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion). About MultiCam® The MultiCam® camouflage system is patented and is a registered trademark of Crye Precision LLC. For further information, please contact Jennifer Robinson, BAE SystemsTel: +1 513 341 4073 Mobile: +1 513 833 5389

jennifer.s.robinson@baesystems.com www.baesystems.com

DTN News: Stealth Insurance (F-22 Raptor)

DTN News: Stealth Insurance (F-22 Raptor)

Source: Aviation Week & Space Technology By Jose Castiel

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 17, 2010: The U.S. Air Force has spent billions of taxpayer dollars developing and procuring the F-22 so-called air dominance fighter on the pretext that non-stealthy legacy fighters cannot survive the opening stages of future conflicts against advanced air defense networks. Now I read that old non-stealthy F-15Cs using upgraded radars will act as the “Tip of the Spear” and fly in front of strike forces with F-22s in attacks against advanced air defense networks. Note the problem with this logic. It seems to me that the F-15s will be slaughtered in such a combat scenario and also lose the element of surprise that stealth combat aircraft have in an attack. I believe this very troubled policy is the result of retiring the F-117 too early, relinquishing a critical stealthy tactical attack capability before a replacement such as the F-35 became available. I see no good reason to continue to field the F-35 unless you want to start retrieving F-117s from museums. (The F-15s are re-equipped with a specialized, long-range radar, electronic surveillance and electronic attack package that allow them to support the F-22s from a much shorter distance than the old standoff jammer approach. Because of the long-range sensor capability, F-15s feed information to F-22s so that they don’t have to emit and can retain their stealth—Ed.)

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.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: Russia To Sell Syria Warplanes, Air Defense Systems

DTN News: Russia To Sell Syria Warplanes, Air Defense Systems

Source: DTN News / Reuters

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW/JERUSALEM - May 17, 2010: Mikhail Dmitriyev, head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, said Russia would supply Syria with MiG-29 fighters, truck-mounted Pantsir short-range surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery systems. He said Russia would also supply Damascus with anti-tank weapons but did not specify their type. Syria's regional foe Israel reacted angrily to the deal but called into question the solvency of Damascus. "Syria at the present time cannot afford to pay for this sophisticated weaponry, indeed, it has hardly enough money to buy food for its citizens. One can only wonder what is the real reason behind this dubious deal," said an Israeli government official in Jerusalem who declined to be named. Israel's close ally the United States imposed sanctions on Syria for its support of militant groups and corruption. Earlier this week, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Syria -- the first visit to Damascus by a Moscow ruler since the 1917 Bolshevik revolution -- and oversaw talks on Russia's possible assistance in building a nuclear power plant in Syria. While in Syria, Medvedev unnerved Israel by paying a visit to Khaled Meshaal, the exiled leader of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. "Russia's haste to win this contract has seen it even willing to meet with notorious Hamas leaders in Syria," the anonymous Israeli official said. Israel's Foreign Ministry said it was "deeply disappointed" that Medvedev met the leader of Hamas, which it said was "a terror organization in every way."

DTN News: South Korea Freezes Funds For North Korea After Ship Sinking

DTN News: South Korea Freezes Funds For North Korea After Ship Sinking

Source: DTN News / AFP

(NSI News Source Info) SEOUL, South Korea - May 17, 2010: South Korea said Monday it had suspended funding for government-level exchanges with communist North Korea amid rising tensions over the sinking of a Seoul warship and other issues. The unification ministry, which is in charge of cross-border relations, said it has asked 10 ministries or other organisations to suspend the spending. Relations have worsened since an explosion sank a 1,200-tonne corvette near the disputed inter-Korean border on March 26 with the death of 46 sailors. Suspicions are growing that a North Korean torpedo was to blame. Late Saturday the South fired warning shots after two North Korean patrol craft crossed the borderline in the Yellow Sea before retreating. Further souring relations, the North last month confiscated or barred access to South Korean assets at a joint mountain resort on its east coast. It is angry at Seoul's refusal to resume cross-border tours there. And on Sunday the North's military threatened to stop South Koreans crossing the land border and to take other "substantial" measures if leaflets criticising its regime keep arriving from the South. Any border closure would deal a heavy blow to a jointly run industrial estate at Kaesong just north of the frontier. A multinational investigation into the ship sinking will report by Thursday. The government will likely brief China, Russia and Japan on the results a day beforehand, Yonhap news agency quoted a source as saying. Soon after the announcement, the source said, Seoul will send a letter to the chairman of the United Nations Security Council, the first step in seeking punishment by the world body for those responsible. Foreign ministry spokesman Kim Young-Sun confirmed that unspecified "related nations" would be briefed in advance about the investigation results. This was necessary "for our result to be acknowledged by international society as persuasive and objective". Media reports say the South is also considering cutting trade with the North and the defence ministry has said it may resume anti-Pyongyang loudspeaker broadcasts across the border. Last week the unification ministry urged South Korean companies to refrain from signing new deals or supplying resources to the North. The North's military warned of "catastrophic consequences" if the South resumes the loudspeaker broadcasts. On Monday the unification ministry said it was wrong to link border crossings to the launch of propaganda leaflets by private groups. It says it has no legal power to stop the groups sending over the flyers via giant balloons.

DTN News: Boeing Completes On-orbit Handover of DIRECTV 12 Satellite

DTN News: Boeing Completes On-orbit Handover of DIRECTV 12 Satellite

Source: DTN News / Boeing

(NSI News Source Info) EL SEGUNDO, Calif., - May 17, 2010: Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has completed the on-orbit handover of the DIRECTV 12 satellite. DIRECTV will use the Boeing 702HP satellite to provide high-definition television (HDTV) broadcasting to local and national markets throughout the United States. "Boeing is proud to continue its delivery of highly capable satellites that enable DIRECTV to expand its channel offering," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "This marks the 10th satellite provided to DIRECTV by Boeing." DIRECTV 12 launched into orbit on Dec. 28 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard an International Launch Services Proton M rocket. Now that Boeing has completed the orbital maneuvers and checkout procedures necessary for the handover, the satellite will be monitored and controlled for DIRECTV by Intelsat. Boeing manufactured DIRECTV 12 at its satellite integration and test complex in El Segundo. The satellite's powerful payload integrates 90 active and 24 spare Ka-band transponders. Its antenna receives and transmits digital programming throughout the United States with two Ka-band reflectors that each measure 2.8 meters in diameter, and nine smaller Ka-band reflectors. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide. Contact: Angie YoshimuraBoeing Space & Intelligence SystemsOffice: 310-364-6708Mobile: 310-227-6568angie.e.yoshimura@boeing.com Bob PickardBoeing Space & Intelligence SystemsOffice: 310-364-6125Mobile: 310-343-1211robert.pickard3@boeing.com

DTN News: Indian Army To Get 124 More Arjun Tanks

DTN News: Indian Army To Get 124 More Arjun Tanks

Source: DTN News / Indo-Asian News Service IANS

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - May 17, 2010: The Indian Army on Monday ordered another 124 Arjun main battle tanks (MBTs) to boost the firepower of the 1.13-million strong force after the indigenously developed platform outgunned the Russian-origin Bhishma T-90 MBT in a gruelling trial in the Thar desert, an official said. This is in addition to the 124 Arjun tanks, developed by India's premier Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), that have been contracted for, defence spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said. "The army has decided to place a fresh order for a 124 Arjuns. This is over and above the existing order of 124 tanks," Kar said. Fifty of the the 124 previously ordered tanks were handed over to the Indian Army last year and have been formed into a regiment. The fresh order comes nearly two-months after the successful desert trials of the Arjun conducted by the army at the Mahajan Ranges, near Bikaner in Rajasthan. The Arjun outperformed the T-90 in every crucial parameter during the trials. "After many years of trial and tribulation, it has now proved its worth by its superb performance under various circumstances, such as driving cross-country over rugged sand dunes, detecting, observing and quickly engaging targets and accurately hitting targets - both stationary and moving -with pin-point accuracy," Kar said. The all-weather vehicle's firepower is based on accurate and quick target acquisition capability during day and night and shortest possible reaction time during combat engagements, he added. The 60-tonne tank is built at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi, near Chennai that has the capability of producing 50 Arjuns annually. The decision to order more Arjun tanks comes days after the government last week decided to go for the second generation Arjun. The project for the design and development of the Arjun was first approved by the government in 1974 with the aim of giving the required indigenous cutting edge to the Indian Army.