tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64427427153717034712024-03-05T02:14:47.569-08:00WORLD DEFENCEUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1058125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-39552135135559554512013-01-26T06:02:00.001-08:002013-01-26T06:02:12.215-08:00Indian Navy Hunts for Sea-King and Kamov Chopper Upgrades<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Indian Navy is looking to upgrade its present fleet of Sea King and
Kamov helicopters and purchase new helicopters to replace them in the
coming years. Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, Flag Officer Commanding Goa
Area, told reporters in Panaji:<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
"We will soon augment helicopter force with the upgrade of
Sea-king and Kamov helicopters ... Sea-king is anti-submarine warfare
helicopter while Kamov is used for airborne early warnings ... For
medium-range surveillance, we have the versatile medium-range recce
aircraft Dornier-228s .. We are continuing to operate the TU-142s and
IL-38s in the MR role. <br />
<br />
The IL-38s were extensively refurbished in Russia with Sea Dragon radar
and attack suite. For medium range surveillance, we have the versatile
medium range recce aircraft Dornier-228s in a number of configurations
.. We have completed our portfolio of surveillance assets with induction
of unmanned aerial vehicles Heron and Searchers which can be controlled
from ships"</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
The Indian Navy's helicopter fleet includes:<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>HAL Dhruv</strong> for utility purposes</li>
<li><strong>Westland Sea King</strong> for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, utility and transport requirements</li>
<li><strong>Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King</strong> for anti-submarine warfare</li>
<li><strong>Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III</strong> for utility purposes</li>
<li><strong>Kamov Ka-25 Hormone</strong></li>
<li><strong>Kamov Ka-28 Helix-A</strong> for anti-submarine warfare purposes</li>
<li><strong>Kamov Ka-31 Helix-B</strong> for airborne early warning requirements</li>
</ul>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-82894956106173860262013-01-26T06:01:00.001-08:002013-01-26T06:01:09.302-08:00MBDA Offers Taurus Missile System to Indian Air Force<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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European consortium MBDA has offered their 300 km-range Taurus stand-off
missile system to the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its fighter jets such
as the Su-30MKI.<br />
<br />
"We have received a Request for Information (RFI) from the IAF for a
stand-off long range missile from the IAF and we have offered the Taurus
missiles as we feel that it meets all the desired requirements," Anders
Axebark, the business development manager for the missile systems told a
group of Indian journalists.<br />
<br />
The Taurus air-to-ground missiles are manufactured by the Germany-based
Taurus Systems GmbH, which is a joint venture between MBDA and and
Swedish defence major Saab.<br />
<br />
MBDA is a missile manufacturing firm based in Italy, Britain, France and Germany.<br />
<br />
India is going to upgrade the first batch of its Sukhois in
collaboration with Russia and is looking to enhance the capabilities of
the aircraft by equipping it with new radars, long-range weapons and
avionics.<br />
<br />
Axebark said the IAF has already been briefed by the company at the Air
Headquarters in New Delhi about the operational advantages that the
missile would provide.<br />
<br />
"The German Air Force is also planning to carry out a test-firing of the
missile for the IAF in November at one of the field-firing ranges in
South Africa," he said.<br />
<br />
Axebark said that his company has also briefed the DRDO about the system
and is looking for opportunities to co-develop anti-ship, surface to
surface and transport aircraft-launched versions of the missile with the
research organisation.<br />
<br />
The Taurus GmbH is also offering the ground-launched version to the Indian Army.<br />
<br />
The company claimed that the missile system can be used to take out hard
targets such as bunkers and concrete shelters from a stand-off range of
300 km and it can track its target without using the GPS navigation
system.<br />
<br />
The MBDA has also offered its MICA and Meteor missiles to the IAF and
said that they can be integrated with various types of aircraft
operating in the IAF. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-92097887658508412622013-01-26T06:00:00.004-08:002013-01-26T06:00:33.446-08:00214 Fifth Generation Fighters, HAL Tejas Delayed, MRCA Deliveries by 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="textContainer">
<h1>
<br /></h1>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Indian Air Force has the funds for the MMRCA programme. There
will be a realignment in committed liabilities and MMRCA deliveries
should begin around by 2014.</li>
<li>Final operational clearance for HAL LCA Tejas has been delayed by one year.</li>
<li> Indian Air Force plans to induct the FGFA / PAK-FA as 166 single-seaters and 48 twin-seaters.</li>
<li>The
Kargil runway to operate all aircraft types, including all fighters and
strategic lift aircraft. The Kargil airfield will be made fully
operational for Lockheed Martin C-130J, Boeing C-17s and Ilyushin
Il-76s.</li>
<li>Indian Air Force will maintain 34 fighter squadrons. Squadron No. 17 will be phased out.</li>
<li>First
four Mil Mi-17-V5s delivered last week. More deliveries expected in the
coming days. By March 2012, the Indian Air Force will have 25 units and
they will be based at Suratgarh.</li>
<li>Six additional Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules ordered. These will be based in the eastern theatre.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-64662265385984603932013-01-26T05:59:00.003-08:002013-01-26T05:59:45.471-08:00Russia to provide additional 42 Sukhoi fighters to India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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An additional 42 Sukhoi frontline fighters will be provided to India by
Russia under an agreement inked between the two sides during Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh's visit in Moscow.<br />
<br />
With this pact, the total number of acquired or contracted aircraft by
India in various stages of manufacture of the frontline Su-30 MKI
fighters would increase to 272. The agreement for the upgraded Sukhois
was signed by Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma and Russian Federal
Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Director MA Dmitriev in the
presence of Prime Minister Singh and President Dmitry Medvedev after
their talks at the 12th annual Indo-Russian Summit at the Kremlin on
Friday.<br />
<br />
The pact, which was among the five agreements initialled between the two
countries, came against the backdrop of a crash of an Indian Air
Force's Sukhoi-30 near Pune.<br />
<br />
The mishap, in which the two pilots ejected safely, raised some
technical questions and also led to the grounding of the entire fleet of
120 planes pending investigations. An Inter-Governmental Agreement
(IGA) and a general contract were signed in 2000 for the manufacture of
140 Su-30 MKI aircraft by HAL.<br />
<br />
A 2007 protocol envisaged manufacture of a further 40 aircraft. Earlier,
50 Su-30 aircraft were purchased in phases prior to signing of IGA and
deliveries started in the late 90s. The latest version is expected to
include a new cockpit, an upgraded radar and certain stealth features to
avoid radar detection.<br />
<br />
Significantly, the upgraded Sukhoi-30 MKIs will be able to carry a
heavier weapons load, especially the airborne version of the Brahmos
cruise missile. The first delivery of the upgraded Sukhois is expected
in 2014 and the last by 2018. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-13798496557935891852013-01-26T05:58:00.001-08:002013-01-26T05:58:15.269-08:00Dassault Rafale is the winner of USD 10.4 billion Indian Air Force M-MRCA Deal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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French company Dassault Aviation's Rafale has won the $10.4 billion deal
to supply 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) to the Indian
Air Force (IAF). According to sources, Rafale won the multi-billion
dollar deal as it was found to be similar to the French Mirage 2000
fighter jet, which is already being operated by the IAF.<br />
<br />
Rafale beat the Eurofighter Typhoon to bag the deal. Rafale was
preferred as its commercial bid was lower than Eurofighter Typhoon. The
Eurofighter bid was backed by four partner nations - Germany, Spain,
Italy and the United Kingdom.<br />
<br />
The IAF will buy the first 18 aircraft off the shelf while the other 118
will be manufactured in partnership with an Indian company. <br />
<br />
The IAF had invited bids from military aviation majors to supply 126
Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraf for which six contenders - Russia's
MIG- 35, USA's F-16 Falcon (Lockheed Martin), F-18 Hornet (Boeing),
Swedish Saab Gripen, European EADS EuroFighter Typhoon and Rafale.<br />
<br />
Following lengthy field trials the Typhoon and Rafale were shortlisted
while the rest were rejected as they failed to meet the technical
qualifications specified by the IAF.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-18997320851878098022013-01-26T05:57:00.004-08:002013-01-26T05:57:33.158-08:00Russia to Field Air-Launched Missiles for Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA by 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Russia will complete development of advanced tactical air-launched
missile systems for the Sukhoi T-50 fifth-generation fighter within the
next two years, the head of the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV),
Boris Obnosov, told Russian news agency RIA Novosti.<br />
<br />
"The development of Kh-35UE (AS-20 Kayak), Kh-38ME, Kh-58UShKE (AS-11
Kilter), and RVV-MD (AA-11 Archer) class missiles will be completed in
2012-2013," Obnosov said, adding the missiles were currently being
tested.<br />
<br />
By the time the T-50 fighter enters service with the Russian Air Force
in 2014, its missile systems will be fully operational, Obnosov said.<br />
<br />
Some of the missiles intended for the fighters -- such as Kh-31PD (AS-17
Mod 2) class missiles -- have already been tested using Sukhoi Su-34
(Fullback) fourth-generation strike aircraft and put into serial
production, he added.<br />
<br />
The Kh-35UE tactical anti-ship missile has a maximum range of 260
kilometers; the supersonic Kh-31PD anti-radiation missile for use
against air defense systems, can fly up to 250 kilometers; the
Kh-58UShKE missile, designed to destroy pulse radars, can hit targets
within 245 kilometers, and the short-range RVV-MD air-to-air missile has
a maximum range of 40 kilometers.<br />
<br />
The T-50, developed under the PAK FA (Future Aviation System for
Tactical Air Force) program by the Sukhoi OKB, is Russia's first new
major warplane designed since the fall of the Soviet Union. The jet made
its maiden flight in January 2011 and two prototypes have since been
undergoing flight tests. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-89078222017089033102013-01-26T05:56:00.004-08:002013-01-26T05:56:52.600-08:00India not sign MRCA deal this financial year <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dassault Aviation's fighter jet Rafale has emerged as India's choice in
the 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) competition. The deal is
estimated to be worth USD 10.4 billion making it one of the largest
defense deals in the world.<br />
<br />
<br />
We were among the first to report the story which has been confirmed by
various mainstream media houses in India and France. The French
President Nicholas Sarkozy welcomed the news as it was confirmed by a
Dassault Aviation press release.<br />
<br />
However Indian Defence Minister Mr. A.K. Anthony told reporters that
this deal would not be signed in the current financial year (April 2011
to March 2012)<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
"Not this financial year"<br />
-- Defence Minister A.K. Antony replying to Reuters</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
It will, however, soon be announced that Rafale has emerged as the lowest bidder.<br />
<br />
In addition to the 126, an order for another 80 is a possibility which
will keep the Dassault Rafale production lines active for nearly a
decade.<br />
<br />
The U.S. company Lockheed Martin has kept alive hopes of selling its
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to India. One defense ministry source with
knowledge of the negotiations said the life-time cost of the tender
including training and maintenance may reach $15 billion. Previous
estimates put the cost around $11 billion.<br />
<br />
The defense ministry source said each Rafale was $4 million to $5
million cheaper than its rival and the plane was preferred by the Air
Force. <br />
<br />
"Unit-wise, the French plane is much cheaper than the Eurofighter.
Moreover, the Indian Airforce, which is well-equipped with French
fighters, is favoring the French fighter," said the source, who asked
not be named. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-2082547531184136962013-01-26T05:55:00.006-08:002013-01-26T05:55:45.559-08:00DRDO delivers 5 Daksh ROVs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The first batch of five remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Daksh, designed
and developed by Research and Development Establishment (Engineers)
[R&DE (E)], Pune, was handed over to Maj Gen Rakesh Bassi, SM,
Director General Combat Engineers, by Shri S Sundaresh, DS and CC
R&D (ACE&SI), DRDO, in a flagging off ceremony held on 19
December 2011 at R&DE (E). <br />
<br />
A limited-series-production order for 20 Daksh has been placed by the
Indian Army after extensive trials, testing and acceptance.<br />
<br />
Daksh, a state-of-the-art ROV, will be an invaluable asset for Bomb
Disposal Units of the Army, Police and Paramilitary Forces for handling
improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and hazardous objects. It is the
first indigenously developed unmanned vehicle or mobile-robot in the
country.<br />
<br />
Maj Gen Bassi said that it is an excellent effort made by DRDO and
congratulated the Robotics Group of R&DE (E) for their tireless
efforts. He added that the users will exploit the full potential of the
system.<br />
<br />
Shri Sundaresh, in his address brought out the importance of Daksh and
added that future battlefields will prominently contain different
unmanned ground vehicles. Dr S Guruprasad, Director, R&DE (E), said
that the system has been trial-evaluated by the Indian Army and proven
at various locations.<br />
<br />
The technology has been transferred for production to three firms, viz.,
M/s Dynalog (I) Ltd, M/s Theta Controls and M/s Bharat Electronics Ltd.
<br />
<br />
Shri Alok Mukherjee, Project Director, Daksh, gave a brief account of
the developmental efforts put in by the scientists and engineers from
concept to production stages and said that the development was a joint
effort with active participation of the industry right from its
inception. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-21666256041517807542013-01-26T05:55:00.001-08:002013-01-26T05:55:07.961-08:00United States has not offered F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to India: Pentagon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Press Trust of India has quoted Pentagon spokesperson Commander Leslie
Hullryde confirming that, contrary to press reports, the United States
has not made available Lockheed Martin's advanced, fifth generation
fighter jet F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters to India.<br />
<br />
However, it was noted that should India express an interest, the United
States would submit technical information and initiate a discussion.<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
"Should India indicate interest in purchasing the JSF, the
United States would be prepared to provide information on the JSF and
its requirements (infrastructure, security, etc) to support India's
future planning"</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat,
single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters under development to
perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with
stealth capability. The F-35 has three main models; one is a
conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is a short take off
and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant.<br />
<br />
The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike
Fighter (JSF) program. JSF development is being principally funded by
the United States, with the United Kingdom and other partner governments
providing additional funding. The partner nations are either NATO
members or close U.S. allies. It is being designed and built by an
aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin. The F-35 took its first
flight on 15 December 2006. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-90988714854625976882013-01-26T05:54:00.002-08:002013-01-26T05:54:15.183-08:00BAE Systems to deliver 145 M777 Ultra Light Howitzers to the Indian Army<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Defence Ministry on Friday cleared a Rs 3000 crore deal to buy 145
M777 ultra light howitzers from the USA defence manufacturer BAE
Systems. <br />
<br />
The M777 artillery guns are essentially used in the mountains. These
guns are air transportable and are currently used in Afghanistan by the
US Army where their performance has been commendable.<br />
<br />
India will procure the M777 howitzers from the US through the Foreign
Military Sale program. The M777 is a 155mm 39 calibre towed gun and is
the world's first 155mm howitzer weighing less than 10000 lbs (4218 kg).
The M777 can fire 5 rounds per minute and its firing range is about 30
km maximum.<br />
<br />
The US and Canada are currently using the howitzers. This gun has also a
digital fire control system. The US Marine Corps and US Army inducted
the M777 for the first time in November 2002. <br />
<br />
The M777 matches the firepower of current generation 155 mm towed
systems at less than half the weight. The howitzer is equipped with a
39-calibre barrel. The muzzle velocity (at Charge 8 super) is 827m/s.<br />
<br />
The lighter weight and smaller size allows the M777 to be transported by
USMC MV-22 Osprey, CH-47 helicopter or truck with ease, so that it can
be moved in and out of the battlefield more quickly than the M198. The
smaller size also improves storage and transport efficiency in military
warehouses and air/naval transport.<br />
<br />
The gun crew required is an operational minimum of 5, compared to a
previous size of 9. It was first fielded in Iraq in May 2007 and in
Afghanistan in February 2008. The M777 can be transported by helicopter,
transporter aircraft and ship.<br />
<br />
The M777 is equipped with two wheels. When the M777 is in the firing
position, a firing platform is lowered to the ground under the forward
part of the carriage and the wheels are raised clear of the ground.<br />
<br />
It uses a digital fire-control system similar to that found on self
propelled howitzers such as the M109A6 Paladin to provide navigation,
pointing and self-location, allowing it to be put into action more
quickly than earlier towed and air-transported howitzers.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-14231690638716070092013-01-26T05:51:00.004-08:002013-01-26T05:51:40.703-08:00India takes up AWACS programme for air superiority<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>India has just taken up development of the Rs 6,000 crore Airborne
Warning and Control System (AWACS) that will have the capability to
penetrate "longer distances" enemy territory by way of radars and
electronic warfare systems without venturing into the region physically,
a top defence official said on Friday.</b><br />
<br />
Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, Secretary in the Department of
Defence (R&D) and Director General of Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) VK Saraswat said DRDO just started the
programme, after clearance from the government recently.<br />
<br />
Asked <b>how it's different from the indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system</b>, he said: "AWACS
is a heavier and high endurance system, which can give you in terms of
coverage about 360 degrees as against AEW&C which is about 270
degree coverage."<br />
<br />
In addition, (compared to AEW&C) AWACS flies at a higher altitude
and it can penetrate into the enemy territory - not physically - (but)
by way of radars and EW (electronic warfare) systems to longer distances
and it can be in sky for larger durations, besides giving better
visibility.<br />
<br />
Both has a role. All over the world, people have AEW&C and AWACS in a
tandem mode because each one does its role and that's what our country
is also doing", Saraswat said.<br />
<br />
He said two AEW&C aircraft would be ready this year, adding, "By
2014, we will complete delivery of all the three aircraft (AEW&C) to
Indian Air Force".<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Saraswat also said that the DRDO has conducted a flight of
"guided bomb". "It's a bomb which can fly for about 40-50 or even more
kilometres in a guided mode and it can be released from an aircraft," he
said<br />
<br />
He said the guided bomb is a totally indigenous effort, from designing,
development and realisation including explosive content in them, as also
guidance and control.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-51289282224099534632013-01-26T05:50:00.003-08:002013-01-26T05:50:48.290-08:00China mulls buying Russian submarines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
State arms exporter Rosoboronexport has signed a framework agreement<br />
with China on the joint development and construction of four non-nuclear <br />
Amur-1650 conventional submarines for the Chinese Navy, a news report <br />
said Thursday.<br />
<br />
The final contract is tentatively worth $2 billion and is expected to be signed <br />
by the parties no earlier than 2015, Kommersant reported.<br />
<br />
The agreement stipulates for two of the submarines to be built in Russia and <br />
two in China, with special provisions in place in the contract to ensure that no <br />
intellectual property is copied from the Russian side, a source close to <br />
Rosoboronexport told the business daily.<br />
<br />
An additional agreement for the first stage of work could be signed by the end <br />
of the year, he said, adding that a Russian contractor had not yet been selected <br />
for construction of the submarines.<br />
<br />
China may become the first buyer of the Amur-1650 submarines, beating out <br />
India and Venezuela, both of which previously expressed interest, Kommersant <br />
said.<br />
<br />
Another source close to the arms exporter said the submarine contract "is very <br />
important for Russia and tops the presidential list of projects with China."</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-9788979077940852632013-01-26T05:49:00.002-08:002013-01-26T05:49:54.244-08:00WZ-10 armed helicopters in flight training <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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An army aviation brigade under the Nanjing Military Area Command (MAC) of the Chinese People's <br />
Liberation Army (PLA) organizes a helicopter flight training, in a bid
to temper the tactical skills of the pilots and the helicopter
operation-and-control capability. <br />
<br />
Cheng Jianzhong, chief of staff of an army aviation brigade under the
Nanjing Military Area Command (MAC) of the Chinese People's Liberation
Army (PLA), is China's first batch of super-level pilots of WZ-10, first
batch of all-weather pilots of WZ-10, and also the first batch of
pilots who completed the fire test with WZ-10's all kinds of weapon
systems. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-86521544898473868722013-01-26T05:47:00.001-08:002013-01-26T05:47:25.055-08:00China's First Heavy Transporter Y-20 Takes Off<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The prototype of China's first indigenously-developed heavy transport
aircraft, Y-20, takes off from an unidentified airport for its first
test flight Saturday afternoon, January 26, 2013. [Photo: Xinhua]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
China began test flights Saturday for the prototype of its first
indigenously-developed heavy transport aircraft, Y-20, a craft similar
in size to the Russian IL-76 and somewhat smaller than the U.S. C-17.<br />
<br />
The plane took off at around 2:00pm, according to CCTV News. But it didn't specify where the test was conducted.<br />
<br />
The Y-20 program is part of an effort to develop an indigenous
long-range jet-powered heavy transport aircraft, a top priority in
China's "Medium- and Long-Term National Science and Technology
Development Program (2006-20)" (MLP).<br />
<br />
Y-20 is developed by Xian Aircraft Industry, a subsidiary of Aviation
Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country's leading military
aircraft maker. <br />
<br />
Earlier reports said it's able to accommodate most large PLA combat and
support vehicles, including the Type 99 series tanks, with a capacity to
carry up to 66 tons of goods.
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-46353124109669356292013-01-26T05:45:00.004-08:002013-01-26T05:45:58.156-08:00Modernisation of Chinese Navy a ‘major concern’: Navy Chief<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Expressing great concern at the rapid modernisation of the Chinese
Navy, Navy Chief Admiral DK Joshi on Monday clarified that India’s
interests in the disputed South China Sea will be protected at all
costs.
<br />
“Yes you are right. The modernisation (of Chinese Navy) is truly
impressive… It is actually a major major cause of concern for us, which
we continuously evaluate and work out our options and our strategies,”
he told a press conference.<br />
The Navy Chief was replying to a question on contingencies in South
China Sea to protect Indian interests there and impression about the
Chinese Navy’s modernisation.<br />
Answering a volley of questions about South China Sea over which
India had a tiff with China in 2011, he said although India’s presence
in that maritime region was not on<br />
“very very frequent” basis, it had interests like free navigation and exploitation of natural resources there.<br />
“Not that we expect to be in those waters very very frequently, but
when the requirement is there for situations where country’s interests
are involved, for example ONGC Videsh, we will be required to go there
and we are prepared for that. Are we holding exercises for that nature?
The short answer is yes,” Joshi said.<br />
Talking about Indian interests in the South China Sea, he said the first of it included freedom of navigation.<br />
“Not only us, but everyone is of the view that they have to be
resolved by the parties concerned, aligned with the international
regime, which is outlined in UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea), that is our first requirement,” he said.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-21447540624297813022013-01-26T05:45:00.000-08:002013-01-26T05:45:02.993-08:00Manoeuvrable version of BrahMos successfully test-fired<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In a move to further sharpening the defence arsenal, India on
Wednesday successfully test-fired a highly manoeuvrable version of
BrahMos from a naval warship off the coast of Vishakhapatnam in Bay of
Bengal.<br />
The 290-km range supersonic missile is capable of ripping its target with sheer accuracy, officials say.<br />
This is the 34th launch of BrahMos after the successful October launch from INS Teg in the Arabian Sea.<br />
“At 9.30 am, the missile blasted off in a pre-designated war scenario
taking a ‘double- manoeuvre in S-form’ hitting the designated target
ship just one meter above water line. The sheer velocity and power of
hit made the missile rip through the ship’s hull,” BrahMos Aerospace CEO
A Sivathanu Pillai said.<br />
The BrahMos missile system was inducted into the Indian Navy in 2005
when it began arming the Rajput-class guided missile destroyers and
inducted subsequently in many warships.<br />
BrahMos is capable of acquiring data not only from the American GPS
but also from Russian GLONASS satellite systems also, which ensures
double redundancy.<br />
In the last stage, the seeker takes over and the target is located
with accuracy of few meters which ensures no chances of survival for the
target. “This has been proved once again on Wednesday and with bull’s
eye accuracy,” officials said.<br />
Defence Minister AK Antony congratulated the warship commander and
Indian Navy and BrahMos team for the demonstration of capabilities, they
said.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-31623600219847871272013-01-26T05:42:00.003-08:002013-01-26T05:42:53.208-08:00Agni V gets Chinese media talking about Indian military strength <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The display of India’s military strength, specially the
intercontinental ballistic missile Agni-V, has been highlighted by
Chinese official media in Beijing on Saturday.
<br />
The highlight of the 100-minute Republic Day parade was the display
of nuclear-capable Agni-V, capable of striking targets some 6,000 km
away, State-run Xinhua news agency said in its report.<br />
Agni V’s test in April last year evoked interest in China as it, for
the first time, brought in its range far off Chinese cities.<br />
China too has its ICBMs that could reach nooks and corners of India.<br />
The test put India in the elitist club of countries with
intercontinental missiles which included the United States, Russia,
Britain, France and China, the Xinhua report said.<br />
It said that along with the missile, the domestically designed Arjun
main battle tank, supersonic cruise missile Brahmos, Pinaka multi-
barrel rocket launcher, a CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological,
nuclear) warfare reconnaissance vehicle, a bridge-laying tank and a
mobile integrated network terminal system were also paraded during the
event.<br />
The Dhruv advanced light helicopter of the Indian Army, the “eye in
the sky” atop an Embraer 145 airborne early warning and control aircraft
of the Indian Air Force were also shown besides Sukhoi Su-30MKI
fighter, the report said.<br />
China-India bilateral ties, including the defence relations were on upswing in recent years.<br />
While the Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie made a rare visit
to India last year, the militaries of the two countries this year
decided to resume military exercises.<br />
For the first time two countries have decided to scale up their
defence engagement to all the three forces-Army, Navy and Air Force.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-8562273001474645502013-01-26T05:41:00.002-08:002013-01-26T05:41:16.619-08:00Final trials for INS Vikramaditya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><a href="http://www.ndtv.com/article/list/cities/1/delhi" style="color: black; cursor: text;">New Delhi</a>: </b>INS
Vikramditya - India's second aircraft carrier- is back on its feet.
Three of the ship's eight boilers that had malfunctioned during trials
in last year have been "opened up and set right," a senior Navy official
told NDTV.<br /><br />Originally built as the Admiral Gorshkov in the Soviet Union, the $2.3 billion (about <span class="rupee">R<span>s.</span></span>
12,500 crore) aircraft carrier is being refurbished by Russia, the
world's second-largest arms exporter for India, its biggest customer.<br /><br />The
induction of the 45,000-tonne aircraft carrier that can carry about
30-odd aircraft was delayed by almost a year, leading to a severe
reprimand by Defence Minister AK Antony in October.<br />Sources told NDTV that the problems in the
ship's boilers had surfaced when the aircraft was pushed to perform at
speeds over 26-27 knots per hour. The INS Vikramaditya can do a maximum
of about 28 Knots per hour. The Sevmash shipyard in Russia which is
refurbishing and refitting the aircraft carrier hasn't officially
informed India about the possible reason for the malfunction of the
boilers.<br /><br />In sea trials last year, the ship sailed for 100 days
and its flight deck - the most critical part of an aircraft carrier - is
operational, senior officials told NDTV. <br /><br />The MiG-29KUB
two-seat naval fighter jet will be positioned on the Vikramaditya. It
will be equipped with Russian-made KH-35 air to air missiles.<br /><br />But
because the seas in Northern Russia are frozen, the INS Vikramaditya
can sail out of the port only in June this year for "delivery acceptance
trials" - the penultimate stage before a ship is commissioned.<br /><br />On
acceptance of the ship from the builder, it will be formally
commissioned with the Indian tri-colour being hoisted on top of ship
after which start its journey to towards India.<br /><br />The Navy intends
to commission the ship in Russia and sail it back to India by October-
November 2013. It is expected to join active service by December.<br /><br />Interestingly,
the Indian Navy will showcase the aircraft carrier on January 26 at
Republic Day parade in New Delhi. The Navy tableau will include a
scaled-down model of the INS Vikramaditya.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-62177002655926475442011-12-16T15:18:00.000-08:002011-12-16T15:18:12.790-08:00Iran Downs U.S. Drone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAZdLb94sGPbkrTV7YKekNWr4807eoh1Mc1rf8TtOExhJ0I5VrsiSzEdaoRxi9FL4KKVjCLekwiTS8rmnPC-8HPuMNfj9_Z-wdV_eiYZbwDQ97V_F5sWoHZvLc3JCnYjQdtTsI_iHOpI/s1600/rq170_captured.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAZdLb94sGPbkrTV7YKekNWr4807eoh1Mc1rf8TtOExhJ0I5VrsiSzEdaoRxi9FL4KKVjCLekwiTS8rmnPC-8HPuMNfj9_Z-wdV_eiYZbwDQ97V_F5sWoHZvLc3JCnYjQdtTsI_iHOpI/s640/rq170_captured.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Iran's military said it shot down a U.S. Army drone inside its territory near the Afghan and Pakistani borders on Dec. 4, and threatened to retaliate for the violation, Iranian media reported. <br />
The NATO-led military force in Afghanistan said the drone reportedly shot down by Iran "may" belong to the United States. <br />
<div class="related"><span class="head"><br />
</span></div>"The UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) to which the Iranians are referring may be a U.S. unarmed reconnaissance aircraft that had been flying a mission over western Afghanistan late last week," the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said. "The operators of the UAV lost control of the aircraft and had been working to determine its status," the statement said without elaborating on the type of drone. <br />
Iran's Al-Alam Arabic language satellite channel, quoting a military source in Iran's joint chiefs of staff, said late Dec. 4 that a RQ-170 unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down "a few hours ago." <br />
The Fars news agency, which has close ties to the Revolutionary Guards responsible for Iran's air defense and ballistic missile systems, said the drone had made an incursion into Iran's eastern airspace. <br />
"Our air defense and electronic warfare units managed to identify and shoot down an advanced unmanned spy aircraft - an RQ-170 - after it briefly violated the eastern border territory," Fars said. <br />
Quoting an unnamed military source, Fars said the drone "was downed with slight damage." <br />
"It is now under the control of our forces." <br />
The source warned that Iran's armed response would "not be limited to our country's borders" for the "blatant territorial violation." <br />
No images of the drone said to have been shot down were immediately published by any of the media carrying the reports. <br />
The RQ-170 Sentinel is a high-altitude reconnaissance drone whose existence was revealed in 2009 by specialized reviews and later confirmed by the U.S. Air Force in 2010. <br />
In January, Iran announced that its forces had downed two U.S. drones after they violated Iranian-controlled airspace. It said it would put the aircraft on display to the public, but there has been no indication it ever did so. <br />
In June, Brig. Gen. Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the Guards' aerospace unit, said Iran had shown Russian experts the U.S. drones in its possession. <br />
"Russian experts requested to see these drones and they looked at both the downed drones and the models made by the Guards through reverse engineering," he said. <br />
Hajizadeh did not specify how many U.S. drones were shown nor give any details of the copies Iran was said to have made of the aircraft. <br />
The U.S. military and the CIA routinely use drones to monitor military activity in the region. They have also reportedly used them to launch missile strikes in Yemen as well as in Afghanistan and in Pakistan's lawless tribal belt. <br />
The latest report comes as relations between Pakistan and the U.S. have hit anew low after 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed in an air strike near the Afghan-Pakistani border last month, prompting Pakistan to boycott Monday's Bonn conference on Afghanistan's future. <br />
It also comes at a time of heightened political tension over Iran's nuclear program, with speculation rife that Israel is mulling air strikes against Iranian atomic facilities, with or without U.S. backing. Iranian officials and Guards commanders, who regularly boast about Tehran's military capabilities, have warned against any such military action targeting the Islamic republic.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-2109328125278983802011-12-16T15:15:00.000-08:002011-12-16T15:15:33.689-08:00Pakistan nukes not safe: Qureshi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo8izzCSY3pRYkuw-5A0p7BTL3ogGfwpRkm8wZnUa4xL-_xLhwHNkmBV_SMv3cb-MF20INEdickFngwiLJk52ePDWc7YlRjNe7DN2M91UgpTtPqAqfK2IZa4JWH7svsdSFqyyRfqlEX0/s1600/pakistan-nuclear-missile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo8izzCSY3pRYkuw-5A0p7BTL3ogGfwpRkm8wZnUa4xL-_xLhwHNkmBV_SMv3cb-MF20INEdickFngwiLJk52ePDWc7YlRjNe7DN2M91UgpTtPqAqfK2IZa4JWH7svsdSFqyyRfqlEX0/s640/pakistan-nuclear-missile.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>P</b></span>akistan's former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has alleged that the country's nuclear weapons are not safe under the present PPP dispensation. Mr Qureshi's comments evoked an angry response from the government, which rejected his contention as "baseless". <br />
<br />
Mr Qureshi, who is President Asif Ali Zardari's former ally, made these remarks at a public rally at Ghotki in Sindh where he announced joining hands with cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party. He is the highest ranking Pakistani politician to comment that the country's nuclear weapons were not safe. <br />
<br />
His remarks come on the heels of warnings by Western experts that Islamabad's nukes could fall into the hands of Taliban terrorists.<br />
<br />
Though Mr Qureshi did not give details of how Pakistan's nukes were in danger, he promised to talk about this in detail at the next public gathering in Karachi. He said, he had been foreign minister and thus understood the issue well and knew the pressures and stresses Pakistan was facing over its nuclear programme. He also came down hard on the government's alliance with the US as well as US policies towards Pakistan.</span><br />
<div id="interactive"> </div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Reacting angrily to Mr Qureshi's remarks, the Pakistan government rejected his contentions as it declared there would be no compromise on a programme which is integral to the country's defence. </span><div style="position: fixed;"><div id="new_selection_block0.2772554457199662" style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
Read more at: <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/pakistan-nukes-not-safe-says-former-foreign-minister-qureshi-153585?pfrom=home-otherstories&cp" target="_blank_">http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/pakistan-nukes-not-safe-says-former-foreign-minister-qureshi-153585?pfrom=home-otherstories&cp</a></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-2251733490192146262011-12-16T14:54:00.000-08:002011-12-16T14:54:13.159-08:00India Navy Wants 24 P-8Is<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttxS-0E9aLLd3V34ZNZpB3avplbVoxdJogZop1392mKKY017bu9GeXrFXscIh98uR49KLtjKsPf7wRI2cFiAcczh5jCWUJ-4jQ_Mzj5QWCRR9D0reXPkCzbw_h_9dmLV3XBUAfEQKNBQ/s1600/AIR_P-8A_MMA_Changed_Wing_lg+india.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttxS-0E9aLLd3V34ZNZpB3avplbVoxdJogZop1392mKKY017bu9GeXrFXscIh98uR49KLtjKsPf7wRI2cFiAcczh5jCWUJ-4jQ_Mzj5QWCRR9D0reXPkCzbw_h_9dmLV3XBUAfEQKNBQ/s640/AIR_P-8A_MMA_Changed_Wing_lg+india.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span class="article" id="ctl00_mainContent_content"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span>he Indian Navy now wants to double their order for American P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft to 24. Earlier this year, the navy was allowed to buy another four P-8Is, largely in response to growing Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean. Three years ago, India ordered its initial eight U.S. P-8s, for about $220 million each. The growing expense of maintaining their Russian Tu-142M reconnaissance aircraft, and the need for a more capable recon aircraft led to that initial order. The first P-8I will arrive in 2014. What has made the Indian admirals so enthusiastic about an aircraft that first flew two years ago and is still undergoing testing is its ancestry. The equipment and techniques come from the half century old P-3. Arguably the most successful maritime patrol aircraft ever, the P-3 equipment and experience are being merged with the equally admired Boeing 737 air transport to create the P-8.</span> </span><br />
<span>The Indian decision to switch to U.S. maritime recon aircraft is rather recent. Four years ago India received another Russian built Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Beginning in 1988, when it received three of these aircraft, India has bought more and now has a fleet of eight in service. The Tu-142, which was introduced in the 1970s, is the maritime patrol version of the Tu-95 heavy bomber. The Tu-95 aircraft entered service over half a century ago, and is expected to remain in service, along with the Tu-142 variant, for another three decades. Over 500 Tu-95s were built, and it is the largest and fastest turboprop aircraft in service. Russia still maintains a force of 60 Tu-95s, but has dozens in storage, which can be restored to service as either a bomber or a Tu-142.</span> <br />
<span>India requires aircraft like these for patrolling the vast India ocean waters that surround the subcontinent. India wanted to upgrade the electronics on its Tu-142s, but has been put off by the high price, and low performance, of what the Russians offered. There was also some question of whether the Russians could meet their schedule and cost assurances.</span> <br />
<span>The Americans have a much better reputation in these areas. Moreover, India will get a version (P-8I) customized for their needs. Although the Boeing 737 based P-8 is a two engine jet, compared to the four engine turboprop P-3, it is a more capable plane. Cruise speed for the 737 is 910 kilometers an hour. This makes it possible for the P-8 to get to a patrol area faster, which is a major advantage when chasing down subs first spotted by sonar arrays or satellites. The P-8 has a crew of 10-11 pilots and equipment operators, who operate the search radar and various other sensors. The 737 has hard points on the wings for torpedoes or missiles.</span> <br />
<span>The B-737 is a more modern design than the Tu-142, and has been used successfully since the 1960s by commercial aviation. The Boeing 737 first flew in 1965, and over 5,000 have been built. The P-8A will be the first 737 designed with a bomb bay and four wing racks for weapons. The U.S. P-8 costs more, about $275 million each, because of different equipment carried.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/china/articles/20111216.aspx"><span>Source </span></a> <br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-91261432007961062212011-12-16T14:52:00.000-08:002011-12-16T14:52:05.334-08:00Secret war against Iran<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcZKrXsplXwSiB5KmWzGG7Z0uiIYtl2Qs7pCjtNr0rOXfO2RizXMlEGjpNDUjITRsanVDhqxVoT__QsT_W3rqYax3HUfis2T4r00f-dDvZKm2lw3y8m4Wwp1wJ4uzq8O5ZVNPiPodLN8/s1600/Iran+Army.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcZKrXsplXwSiB5KmWzGG7Z0uiIYtl2Qs7pCjtNr0rOXfO2RizXMlEGjpNDUjITRsanVDhqxVoT__QsT_W3rqYax3HUfis2T4r00f-dDvZKm2lw3y8m4Wwp1wJ4uzq8O5ZVNPiPodLN8/s640/Iran+Army.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span id="ctl00_mainContent_content"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span>he recent attack on the British embassy was apparently carried out by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The U.S., and most Western nations, considers this outfit to be a terrorist organization. The IRGC is more than just the "royal guard" of the Iranian dictatorship. Originally founded to do the clerics' dirty work, and keep an eye on the Iranian armed forces, and population in general, the IRGC has grown to become a state-within-a-state. The IRGC not only has 150,000 armed members, but also controls billions of dollars-worth of businesses inside Iran, and runs numerous terrorist operations outside the country. The IRGC has not been shy about its foreign activities, and boasts of its efforts to destroy Israel and the United States. The IRGC scoffed at the American countermeasures, but the sanctions have real bite. The U.S. has enormous control over the international banking system, and has developed ways to use this power. Once the United States tells the world's banks that they will be cut off from access to the U.S. banking system if they do business with the IRGC, the Iranians suddenly find that many of their criminal activities are much more difficult, if not impossible, to carry out. IRGC bank accounts are frozen, and some assets are seized. The American sanctions would be accompanied by U.S. government officials detailing IRGC crimes, and abuse of the international banking system. This tends to convince many, if not most, major international banks that it was not worth the trouble, and risk, to do business with the IRGC. This makes it more expensive for the IRGC to operate. It's also very embarrassing, if only because sanctions also identify IRGC leaders that are to be denied the right of travel to many parts of the world. The listing, and the sanctions, would also interfere with Iran's nuclear weapons program, which is largely controlled by the IRGC. In response to all this external pressure, the IRGC has sought to increase its power within Iran. The attack on the British embassy, which was criticized by some of the senior clerics (who hold veto power over most government decisions), demonstrated how the IRGC can, increasingly, do whatever it wants. This is what bothers many outside Iran, because if Iran gets nukes, the IRGC will control them.</span> </span><br />
<span>Despite IRGC willingness to help out, the Iranian government has decided to pull back on support for the pro-Iran government in Syria. Months of demonstrations, which continue despite the use of troops and deadly force, have weakened the Syrian government. Apparently Iran is trying to limit its losses here, as it would still like to have an arrangement with a new Syrian government to supply pro-Iran Shia Hezbollah in Lebanon. That's a long shot, but is a possibility. </span> <br />
<span>The government claims that its anti-drug efforts have led to more than twice as many drug gangs being taken down this year than last. At the same time, the government admits that, in addition to the growing supplies of opium, heroin and hashish from Afghanistan, more LSD, cocaine, methamphetamine and new synthetic drugs are coming in from the West, or being manufactured in Iran. In addition to several million addicts in Iran, more and more Iranians are being caught outside Iran, working to export drugs from Iran. There has always been a lot of smuggling in and out of Iran, and now a major item being moved is drugs. On the Afghan border, the traffic goes both ways, with drugs coming into Iran and weapons and other contraband going to Afghanistan. The Afghan border has been a war zone for over three decades, as the government fights the smugglers. There are currently over a thousand casualties a year in the Afghan border, because the Afghan smugglers are armed and willing to fight past the border guards to deliver their valuable cargoes. </span> <br />
<span>Satellite photos of the November 12 explosion at a military base outside the capital show much more damage than previously thought. Iran continues to describe the explosion as an accident; it is also part of a growing number of similar incidents. These include the untimely deaths of key personnel in the weapons development organizations. There appears to be an organized effort to disrupt Iranian weapons development, especially their ballistic missile and nuclear bomb programs. Iran officially denies that this is the case. </span> <br />
<span>December 8, 2011: The government displayed what appeared to be an American RQ-170 jet powered UAV, which landed intact in Iran two weeks earlier. This UAV showed up in Afghanistan and South Korea two years ago. The U.S. Air Force then admitted that this was the RQ-170, a high altitude reconnaissance UAV developed in secret by Lockheed-Martin during the previous decade. It has a 26 meter (80 foot) wingspan. The RQ-170 is believed to be a replacement for the U-2 and a supplemental aircraft for the larger Global Hawk (which has a 42 meter wingspan.) RQ-170s have been operating over Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran for at least a year. Exactly why this UAV came down, and how damaging the loss of aircraft and sensor technology is, won't be known for years. Losses like this have occurred for decades, and do have an impact. For example, U.S. cruise missiles that crashed in Pakistan (on their way to Afghanistan) in the 1990s clearly influenced the design of a Pakistani cruise missile. American warplanes that crashed in North Vietnam during the 1960s provided some tech for China and Russia, but nothing decisive. </span> <br />
<span>December 4, 2011: The government claimed that it had intercepted the radio control of an American UAV and forced it to land in Iran. The U.S. later admitted they had lost contact with one of their UAVs in Afghanistan, something that usually happens because of equipment failures. Iran has been known to interfere with satellite signals (mainly to keep material from those with illegal satellite video receivers). Hacking an encrypted satellite signal to a UAV is quite another matter. Possible, but rarely done or even openly talked about.</span> <br />
<span>December 3, 2011: France has decided to temporarily reduce the size of its embassy staff in Iran (which numbers about two dozen people.) This is in response to the recent attack on the British embassy. The British pulled all their diplomatic personnel out of Iran and ordered Iran to do the same with its diplomats in Britain.</span> <br />
<span>December 1, 2011: The </span> <span>UAE (United Arab Emirates)</span> <span> has ordered 600 American bunker buster smart bombs. The UAE already has an advanced model of the F-16 to deliver such a bomb, and the only likely target is Iran. </span> <br />
<span>November 30, 2011: Norway closed its embassy in Iran, but has not evacuated its diplomats yet. </span> <br />
<span>November 29, 2011: In the capital, a mob of nearly a thousand young men invade the British embassy compound, causing extensive damage. The police simply stood by. Britain has been portrayed as an enemy of Iran for the last few centuries because the British have done to Iran what Iran has done to its neighbors for thousands of years (bully them and interfere with internal affairs). The Iranians do not like having the tables turned this way. Although Turkey, Russia and the United States have also done this sort of thing, the British have done it the most, and that makes the attack on the British embassy popular with many Iranians. Unfortunately for Iran, the rest of the world considers the attack on an embassy a major breach in international etiquette. This sort of thing (a government sanctioned attack on an embassy) rarely happens and it is universally condemned. </span> <br />
<span>November 28, 2011: There was a large explosion in the west Iranian city of Isfahan. The explosion was near a nuclear facility and military base. Iran played down the explosion in the media. </span> <br />
<span>November 27, 2011: Angry at British support for increased sanctions against Iran (because of the Iranian nuclear weapons program), the Iranian parliament passed a law ordering Britain to reduce the size of its embassy in Iran. Anti-British propaganda has been increasing in Iran over the last few months. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/iran/articles/20111209.aspx"><span>Source </span></a> <br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-51853524188512747792011-12-16T14:49:00.000-08:002011-12-16T14:49:30.741-08:00Iran's Big Little Fleet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9v11LZJKAq2oeCJTr6Xlzcq6DIMkrrqJztvphTVg0M7wo7etEwaybAawjQaJiEsC3I2tzRFl5gKEtAin4syYqhs_bx0OVjzzZyPp6KemDIYyrOb6kKCqE9WNk3tfOun5Ywsa8Am9D4c/s1600/ghadir+class+sybmarine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9v11LZJKAq2oeCJTr6Xlzcq6DIMkrrqJztvphTVg0M7wo7etEwaybAawjQaJiEsC3I2tzRFl5gKEtAin4syYqhs_bx0OVjzzZyPp6KemDIYyrOb6kKCqE9WNk3tfOun5Ywsa8Am9D4c/s1600/ghadir+class+sybmarine.jpg" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="article" id="ctl00_mainContent_content"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I</b></span>ran announced that they have put another three of their Ghadir class submarines into service. This is another example of Iranian resourcefulness in the face of embargoes. Since 1996, when Russia agreed to stop selling them submarines, Iran has been working on their own designs. After ten years of trial and error they produced the 115 ton Ghadir (Qadir) class vessels in 2005. Iran claims to have a fleet of 17 of these small diesel electric subs in their arsenal and no less than four have been shown together and photographed. The Iranians are not releasing specification sheets to anyone but Ghadirs look very similar to the Italian made Cosmos SX-506B, submarines that Columbia has operated since the 1980s. The 100-ton SX-506Bs are only large enough to carry commandos and mines. However released news footage shows what looks like to be two torpedo tubes on the Iranian Ghadirs. The Iranians claim that the Ghadirs carry torpedoes. </span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span>It should be remembered that Cosmos exported a number of larger vessels to Pakistan in the 1990s. Dubbed the SX-756 they may have been the design basis for the Ghadir. It should also be acknowledged that the North Korean Sang-O class submarine closely approximates the Ghadir type. In 2007 North Korea gave Iran, outright, four of its Yugo-type midget submarines. These Yugos were well worn 90-ton 21 meter (65 foot) craft but Iran accepted them all the same.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span>A one-off design, dubbed the Nahang, was produced in 2006. At about 500-tons it is the same size as and closely resembled the old German Type-206 class. The Type 206s were produced in the 1960s for operations in the confined shallows of the Baltic. Denmark, Norway, Germany, and now Indonesia used variants for forty years. The Type 206’s size enabled it to carry eight torpedo tubes with no reloads. The Iranian version does not seem to be a success and little has been seen of this craft.</span> <br />
<span>Under construction is what will be the third indigenous Iranian design. Laid down in 2008, the Qaaem will be a 1,000 ton craft and historically should be large enough to handle a full set of torpedo tubes along with a reload. They could be the possible replacement for Iran’s Kilos. The Kilo platform has a lifespan of 30-years and they are more than halfway there. But Iran has a mixed record when it comes to warship construction and the Ghadir boats are reported to be troublesome to use and not safe. The Iranians are enthusiastic about having more subs, but developing that capability is very expensive and time consuming.</span> <br />
<span>Iran took the big leap in the early 1990s when they acquired three Kilo 877/636 type diesel electric submarines from Russia. The 2300 ton Kilos are long range subs capable of operating throughout the Indian Ocean (from South Africa to Australia). The Kilos have six 533mm (21 inch) torpedo tubes and 18 torpedoes (including one or more Shkval rocket torpedo) or 24 mines. Very similar to the world-standard diesel submarine, the 1800-ton German Type 209, the Kilo is a formidable foe and can stay at sea for up to 45 days, which makes it capable of long range patrols, like a recent one in the Red Sea. That, in fact, was the farthest any of the Iranian Kilos have ever travelled from home. The Ghadirs are strictly for coastal work or missions out into the Persian Gulf. </span><br />
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<span><a href="http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsub/articles/20111213.aspx">Source</a> </span> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-79597136978885134352011-11-23T04:45:00.000-08:002011-11-23T04:47:18.386-08:00Bangladesh Air Force ordered 16 F-7BGI aircraft to replace the old A-5C attack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVE-qYMTsT004GllLMdEmqJi87WJqxrZSnC_NJT1Vo4q_ClVVOPlVhK2Uc6MYrzDTmsXUSz5g6IYaz9Fjcaszac6tOaJqJXR6t7LM_PyIwIAC7zCpVo7T_I4N26XUnURrs9jrSSkNPoY/s1600/bangladesh+air+force+f-7bgi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVE-qYMTsT004GllLMdEmqJi87WJqxrZSnC_NJT1Vo4q_ClVVOPlVhK2Uc6MYrzDTmsXUSz5g6IYaz9Fjcaszac6tOaJqJXR6t7LM_PyIwIAC7zCpVo7T_I4N26XUnURrs9jrSSkNPoY/s1600/bangladesh+air+force+f-7bgi.jpg" /></a></span></div><h5 style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="divContent" id="divContent"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A</b></span>ccording to Russian military messenger, Nov. 18 reported that the Bangladesh Air Force Ziao Rahman recently in London at the '2011 International Fighter conference,' said China has ordered the country's 16 new F-7BGI light aircraft will be delivered beginning in 1012, but he did not disclose other details about the transaction information. Analysts pointed out that these F-7BGI may be used to replace Bashar Meng Air Force Base (located near Dhaka Mon 21 Squadron equipped with the old-fashioned Chinese-made A-5C attack aircraft. Meng said the Air Force Commander, F-7BGI China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group Company F-7-based research and development of new models, equipped with improved airborne equipment, including 'hand throttle lever' (ie 'hands on the bar 'control device, three multi-function cockpit displays and a HUD. The machine also has GPS system for navigation bomb throwing ability due to Bangladesh's orders, the legendary MiG-21 fighter production will continue to 2012 </span></span></h5><h5 style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="divContent" id="divContent">. <br />
Bangladesh Air Force in 2006, equipped with 16 F-7BG fighters and four FT-7BG coach - fighters, while in the earlier 1989-2000 period, Meng also received the Air Force installed 16 F-7MB fighter and 8 FT-7MB trainer aircraft - fighters these fighters (now there are 23 still in service were single-seat fighter and trainer aircraft were currently eight equipment in the MENG 5th and 35th Air Force squadron. <br />
Meng also said the Air Force commander, purchasing F-7BGI is the new generation of fighter aircraft in the Air Force before the transitional measures adopted in the next 13-15 years, 20-32 Meng Air Force plans to buy new fighter aircraft, and most promising candidate models, including the U.S. F-16 and Russia's MiG-29SMT. In addition, Sweden's JAS-39 and Russian Su-30 may also participate in the competition. It is reported that Meng Air Force also plans to purchase in 1999 of its 10 MiG-29 fighter jets to modernize modification, and will also purchase a new trainer to replace the existing fleet of old L-39.<br />
In addition, the Bangladesh Air Force will purchase a number of new trainer aircraft, used to replace the existing fleet of L-39, while its equipment in 1999, 8 Russian-made MiG-29 fighters will be in the next few years been upgraded</span></span></h5></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442742715371703471.post-49190139690412676462011-08-28T09:47:00.000-07:002011-08-28T21:38:05.254-07:00India is to develop its own operating system (OS) For Security<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I</b></span>ndia is to develop its own proprietary operating system (OS) rather than use "bugged" Western systems.<br /><br />The Indian government is still intent on developing its own operating system so it can own the source code and architecture rather than rely on Western technologies.<br /><br />Dr V K Saraswat, scientific adviser to India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said that the Indian OS is needed to protect India's economic framework. While we admire India's decision to write its own OS, the decision seems to be driven by paranoia about Western technology.<br /><br />Saraswat said earlier this month that Western hardware and software are likely to be "bugged". By bugged, he doesn't mean that Windows is chock full of unsecure hackable exploits. Saraswat specifically thinks that our technology is bugged so we can spy on India.<br /><br />"Unfortunately even today we import most of these items. They are coming from various countries. So there is possibility that these hardware parts are already bugged," said Saraswat.<br /><br />"So we have started doing design and development of our own hardware. We are trying to build it in our own country," he said.</span><br /><span><br /><br />"Second part is software. Most of us use commercial software available in the country. We have got Windows and some use Linux. These software packages are likely to be bugged."</span><br /><span><a href="" name="more"></a><br /><br />Aside from overseeing development of the OS, Saraswat's main role is looking after India's missile defence system, so paranoia and security are second nature. At the time Saraswat made the OS announcement, The INQUIRER reported that the Indian government had been leaning on RIM so it could access communications on Blackberry smartphones.<br /><br />The concerns about Western expansionism and spying are clear. But lumping open source technology with closed source software systems is surprising, given the popularity of open source projects in India.<br /><br />In 2008 free software founder, Richard Stallman popped over to India to see a new Indian open source operating system called E-Swecha being rolled out in educational faculties. The project was overseen by the Free Software Foundation of India, but Stallman said the government wasn't chipping in.<br /><br />India also has another, bigger open source OS that it built up from Debian Linux. This year, the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing developed Bharat Operating System Solutions (BOSS), a GNU/Linux distribution with advanced server features.<br /><br />Unfortunately, India didn't want to use BOSS as a foundation to roll out a nationwide government stamped OS. Instead, it's sticking to designing something from scratch with 50 scientists and IT specialists located in New Delhi and Bangalore spearheading a national effort to create the OS.<br /><br />As we've said, we have nothing but respect for India's attempt to control its own technological destiny. But, if its products, specifically its OS, are developed out of a culture of paranoia and fear, then everything we have to offer gets tarred with the same brush.<br /><br />The philosophies behind closed and open source software aren't even in the same postcode. Despite that, it seems that India is unwisely denying itself access to the benefits that open source technologies can provide.</span> </span> </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com