US Ospreys and Air Tankers Put Iran in Israel's Reach

A KC-130J load master watches a refueling of an MV-22B Osprey during a training mission in 2012. (Cpl. Michael Petersheim/US Marine Corps)

The United States plans to give Israel weapons that would enable it to send ground forces against Iranian nuclear facilities that it can’t penetrate from the air.
The deal includes air-refueling aircraft, advanced radars for F-15 fighter jets, and up to eight V-22 Ospreys, an aircraft that can land like a helicopter and carry two dozen special operations forces with their gear over long distances at aircraft speeds.
The Osprey “is the ideal platform for sending Israeli special forces into Iran,” says Kenneth Pollack, a former CIA analyst now at the Brookings Institution’s Saban Center for Middle East Policy.

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Pentagon spending $572 million for Russian military helicopters Afghans can't fly, report says

The Pentagon is moving ahead with a plan to purchase Russian military helicopters, despite protests from a bipartisan group of lawmakers that includes Montgomery Republican Martha Roby. (Contributed photo/USAF) 

The Pentagon is under increasing pressure to abandon a controversial plan to purchase military helicopters for Afghan special forces following a report that says the undermanned unit cannot fly or maintain the aircraft.
Reuters is reporting the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction is calling on the Pentagon to suspend the $572 million purchase of 30 Mi-17 helicopters made by the Russian company Rosoboronexport. The helicopters are for the Afghan National Security Forces Special Mission Wing for use in counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics and special operations missions.

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Netherlands requests AIM-9X-2 missile sale from US

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II all-up-round missiles to the Netherlands.
Under the estimated $60m FMS programme, Netherlands has requested supply of a total of 28 Sidewinder missiles along with 20 CATM-9X-2 captive air training missiles, two AIM-9X-2 NATM special air training missiles and two CATM-9X-2 Block II missile guidance units.
Also delivered will be two AIM-9X-2 Block II tactical guidance units, two dummy air training missiles, containers, missile support and test equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment and logistics support services.
The AIM-9X missiles are expected to enhance the Royal Netherlands Air Force's (RNLAF) ability to carry out self defence and regional security missions, and increase its interoperability with the US and other Nato nations.

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Iraq PM Calls On U.S. To Speed Up Arms Deliveries

BAGHDAD— Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Oct. 18 called for Washington to speed up its delivery of weapons for Baghdad’s forces, barely a week after Iraq signed $4.2 billion in arms deals with Moscow.
Maliki’s remarks, published in a statement released by his office, came as he met U.S. Deputy Defence Secretary Ashton Carter in Baghdad and spoke of the “need for the Iraqi army to develop its defensive abilities to protect Iraq’s security and national sovereignty.”
He urged the United States to “speed up the arming of the Iraqi army with what they need in terms of defensive weapons that can protect the sovereignty of Iraq and its independence, and provide a deterrent towards any assault,” his office said.

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Korea to Boost Naval Capacity Amid Regional Arms Race

The Navy plans to build nine 3,000-ton class KSS-III submarines for deployment in 2020, it said Thursday. The government has set aside W2.7 trillion (US$1=W1,104) for the project.

"Submarines have to be at least 3,000 tons if they are to execute seaborne operations efficiently," said a Navy officer. "We decided to boost our submarine capacities to strengthen strategic deterrence and mobility."

The Navy also plans to boost its procurement target for 1,800-ton class subs to nine by 2018 in order to protect cargo ships and assist in naval operations. At present, Korea has 10 submarines in the 1,200-ton and 1,800-ton class.


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Indians Frustrated by Delay in Delivery of Carrier

India cannot enforce a penalty for the delay of the much-needed former Admiral Gorshkov, nor can it get out of the deal. (Alexey Popov via Wikimedia Commons)

NEW DELHI — Despite paying more than $1.7 billion more than the contract amount for a used Russian aircraft carrier, India is in a bind: It cannot enforce a penalty for the delay of the much-needed former Admiral Gorshkov, nor can it get out of the deal.
The carrier — renamed Vikramaditya and first scheduled to arrive in 2008, then postponed until this year — will not arrive until the end of 2013, as it is having problems with its boilers and engine.
The admissions came during an Oct. 10 meeting between Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony and his Russian counterpart, Anatoly Serdyukov. According to Indian Ministry of Defence sources, Antony was unable to convince Serdyukov to enforce a penalty on the carrier delay.

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Indian Army to get its own attack helicopters

New Delhi: In a move that is likely to raise hackles within the Indian Air Force (IAF), the government has decided to allow the Indian Army to acquire its own fleet of attack helicopters.

The decision comes days after IAF chief Air Marshal N A K Browne told reporters on October 5 that it was not possible to have "little air forces". Days later, on October 9, Defence Minister A K Antony, had termed the fight between the IAF and Army over the attack helicopters as a 'family problem'.

National Security Advisor Shiv Shanker Menon had to intervene on behalf of Defence Minister A K Antony in the three year row between the Air Force and the Army over who would own the attack helicopters.


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Iraq to Buy Czech Military Planes for $1 Billion

AP

Iraq has agreed to buy 28 Czech-made military airplanes in a deal worth $1 billion (€775 million), part of a broader effort by Baghdad to rebuild military capabilities destroyed during the U.S.-led invasion of the country, officials said Friday.
Iraq only has a few planes and is unable to defend its air space. The government has bought billions of dollars in tanks, fighter jets, ships and other weapons from the U.S. in recent years, but is now looking to forge military ties with other allies and nations, including Russia.

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US offers 245 Stinger missiles to India

The US is offering 245 Stinger missiles to India as part of a weapons package for the Apache attack choppers being acquired by the Air Force.
"245 air-to-air Stinger missiles and 56 launchers are included in the weapons package for the Apache helicopters," officials of Raytheon, which manufactures the missiles, said.
"The Stinger compliments the advanced performance of the Apache by providing the IAF with the critical air-to-air defence capability," they said.
India has selected the American Apache helicopter for its requirement of 22 attack helicopters which will have both air-to-ground and air-to-air roles in the service.

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Russian Air Force Gets The Good Stuff

October 11, 2012: On September 21st the first Russian Su-30SM two-seat fighter flew. Thirty of this model were ordered back in April and deliveries to the Russian Air Force are to begin in six months. The Su-30SM is a Russian Air Force version of the Su-30MKI that has long been exported (to India, Algeria and Malaysia). For the last two decades Russian defense manufacturers have survived on exports. The Russian military halted most procurement spending after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 (largely from financial mismanagement). 

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Russian Navy gets carbon fibre frigate

The Admiral Gorshkov (not to be confused with the INS Vikramaditya) frigate is the lead ship of Project 22350. Source: Nordsy.spb

The Russian navy’s first large ship made of carbon fibre will begin trials in the Barents Sea by the end of November. The Admiral Gorshkov (not to be confused with the INS Vikramaditya) frigate is the lead ship of Project 22350. A Russian Naval Command source told Izvestia that following the trials, the frigate would join the 14^th ASW Brigade of Russia’s Northern Fleet. The frigate has been built using stealth technology, with its superstructures made entirely of composite materials that absorb or semi-conduct radio waves to ensure invisibility to radars.

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Will Second-Hand F-16 Sales Rise With Budget Cuts?

: Many countries like Indonesia, Taiwan and Portugal have begun buying used F-16 fighter jets as defense budgets shrink.

       As countries struggle under the current economic climate, defense budgets have taken a major hit causing many to invest in used fighter aircraft.

      Over the last few years, developing nations have taken to buying used F-16s from allies to strengthen their air forces without spending billions on buying new aircraft.

      While Lockheed Martin will charge about $70 million for a brand new F-16, a second-hand jet will cost just $15 million. For many countries on a budget, that is an attractive offer.

      Budget strapped countries like Pakistan, Indonesia and Jordon besides some EU states procure used F-16 fighter jets to supplement their air forces.

      Earlier this month, Portugal agreed to supply Romania with an unknown number of F-16 aircraft.

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India to Build Export T-50 Stealth Fighter by 2020

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Sukhoi's T-50 stealth fighter


India will begin production of an export variant of Russian plane-maker Sukhoi's T-50 stealth fighter from 2020, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Wednesday during a visit to Delhi.
"The technical characteristics have been confirmed to our (Russia and India) defense ministries. We propose serial production of the plane should start by 2020," he said, following the meeting of an Indian-Russian intergovernmental commission.
T-50 is a prototype of a multirole stealth fighter jet currently undergoing flight testing by the Russian Air Force. The plane will feature an electronically-scanned active-array radar, supercruise capability, high maneuverability and low radar and infrared signatures. Sukhoi claims it will have significantly better performance than the US-designed Lockheed F-22 Raptor which is now in service.

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Iraq buys $4.2 billion in Russian weapons: document

GORKI, Russia | Tue Oct 9, 2012 7:27am EDT

(Reuters) - Iraq has signed contracts to buy weapons from Russia worth more than $4.2 billion recently, according to a Russian government document issued on Tuesday at a meeting between Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
Russian President Vladimir Putin vocally opposed the U.S-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 but Moscow has since sought energy and arms deals with Baghdad and the contracts mean Iraq is now one of Russia's biggest weapons buyers.
The contracts were signed during visits to Russia by Iraq's acting defense chief in April, July and August, the document showed. It gave no further details.

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Sale of T-50 Trainer Jets to UAE on the Cards Again

Korea may get its chance at selling the T-50 supersonic trainer jet to the United Arab Emirates after all now that the Middle Eastern state has halted talks with rival supplier Italy. The T-50 Golden Eagle is Korea's first supersonic jet and was developed jointly by Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin.

The country spent W2 trillion (US$1=W1,112) developing it, and each jet is priced at US$25 million. Korea first tried to sell it to the UAE in 2009 but was outbidden by Italy's M-346 trainer jet.

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$3.77 bn Super Sukhois deal to be signed during Putin’s visit

Defence ties have clearly been the engine of India-Russia bilateral relationship for over half a century now. The same engine is set to be roaring once again when Russian President Vladimir Putin undertakes a visit to India this month-end. The two countries are going to sign numerous agreements – at least half a dozen, according to knowledgeable sources – and one of these is going to be a $3.77 billion deal for the supply of 40 SU-30MKI Russian fighter aircraft to India.

The new Super Sukhois deal is going to be on the front burner when the India, Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation meets in New Delhi next week. The ultimate goal of the two defence ministers at the two-day meeting later this week would be to thrash out a text of which even a comma or a full stop does not have to be changed and the two ministers sign the deal in the presence of Putin and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during their delegation-level talks in New Delhi on November 1. This is going to be a major mission objective of the Indiana and Russian defence ministers in the coming days.

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Vikramaditya set to sail in July 2013

The situation around Vikramaditya will be discussed at a meeting of the Russian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Technical Cooperation in Delhi on October 15. Source: Press Photo

It will take four to five months to repair and replace the brickwork that fulfils the function of thermal insulation for the steam boilers on the INS Vikramaditya, Igor Leonov, the Sevmash engineer responsible for delivering this ship, told RIR in an exclusive interview. 

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New Destroyer a Significant Development for Chinese Sea Power

Associated Press

China’s Type 052 series destroyers are considered a rough analogue of the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer (above).

Now that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has commissioned its first aircraft carrier and may be looking to assemble one or more carrier groups over time, what about the rest of the fleet?
One development that carries broad implications for the enhancement of Chinese sea power is the recent launch of the first editions of the new 6,000-ton Type 052D Luyang III-class destroyer, which marks a new stage in the PLAN’s prolonged period of experimentation with different destroyers.

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Iran building new naval vessels: admiral

TEHRAN – The commander of the Iranian Navy has announced that the country’s experts are building new destroyers, submarines, and missile-firing warships. 

 

In an interview with the Persian service of IRNA published on Wednesday, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said that the projects to build destroyers of the Jamaran class, semi-heavy and light submarines, and missile-firing warships are well underway. 

 

The Jamaran is the first domestically manufactured destroyer. It can carry helicopters and is equipped with torpedoes. It is 94 meters long and weighs over 1,500 tons. The warship is capable of engaging in surface, air, and undersea warfare. 

  

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Indian Carrier Handover Delayed - Builders

Vikramaditya aircraft carrier


The refurbishment of an Indian Navy aircraft carrier has hit further snags, with handover delayed to fall 2013, Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation said on Tuesday.
The previous official handover date for the carrier Vikramaditya had been December 4, 2012, but sea trials in September revealed the ship's boilers were not fully functional. This delay is the latest in a saga of hold-ups, cost overruns and mismanagement in a procurement program disaster for Russia's shipbuilders, with the original completion date of 2008 now a distant memory.
A state commission held last week at the Sevmash shipyard, which carried out the refit, assessed the period necessary to fix the ship's propulsion system.
"The commission came to the conclusion it was necessary to extend the handover date to fall 2013 due to the need to fix all the faults found, including the insulation of the ship's boilers," a source told RIA Novosti.

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