Afghans ‘Concerned’ Over Air Force as NATO Pulls Out

KABUL — Afghanistan’s defense ministry has expressed concern over the slow pace of developing its air force ahead of a scheduled withdrawal of NATO troops and equipment, the government said May 27.

More than a dozen transport aircraft provided to the Afghan air force by the United States have been grounded because of age, a lack of spares and safety problems, President Hamid Karzai’s office said in a statement.

The issue was raised at a security meeting which was told that the defense ministry was “concerned over the slow pace of reviving the country’s air force” and wanted the U.S. to “intensify its efforts for that end”.

As part of its exit strategy from the Afghan war, the U.S. is helping Kabul build its air force before most air support from NATO forces is withdrawn along with 130,000 troops by the end of 2014.

Fifteen C-27 transport aircraft supposed to provide support to the Afghan army and deliver humanitarian aid had been grounded for two years, defense ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi told AFP.

“The planes were made in Italy, they are old and were out of the Italian fleet before they were given to Afghanistan,” Azimi said.

Air transport is critical in Afghanistan, where the road network is underdeveloped and targeted by insurgent bombings, while strike aircraft are a vital part of the war against Taliban insurgents.

The U.S. Air Force announced last month that it was reopening a contest for a contract to build 20 light attack aircraft for Afghanistan after the cancellation of an award to Brazil’s Embraer two months earlier.

But a final decision for the contract will not be made before early 2013, the Air Force said in a statement, with the first planes due to be delivered in the second half of 2014.

The new schedule will mean “a delay of about 15 months” from original plans, before the Air Force called off the award, the statement said.

Last year, an Afghan air force officer shot dead nine U.S. service members at a training center at Kabul International Airport, one of the deadliest attacks on coalition troops in recent years.

It was one of an increasing number of attacks in which Afghans being trained by NATO troops have turned their weapons on their mentors.

May. 27, 2012 - 11:19AM |

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Two Tibetans self-immolate in Lhasa

May 28, 2012 14:58 Moscow Time

Photo: EPA

Two young Tibetan men set fire to themselves in the centre of Lhasa, the capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, reports said on Monday.

Police smothered the flames and took away the two men minutes after their protest on Sunday afternoon outside Lhasa's Jokhang temple, one of the holiest sites for Tibetan Buddhists, US-based Radio Free Asia and China's official Xinhua news agency reported.

"Some who tried to go close to the site were also detained and taken away while mobile phones of those who were close to the site were confiscated," Radio Free Asia quoted a witness as saying.

Xinhua quoted local officials as saying one of the men died and the other suffered serious injuries.

It named them as Dargye from the restive Ngaba Tibetan area of China's Sichuan province, and Tobgye Tseten from Xiahe county in neighbouring Gansu province.

The Chinese government has tightened security in most Tibetan areas this year after an escalation of anti-government protests and more than 30 self-immolations, many of them by monks.

By Moscowtimes.com

U.S. Navy to Deploy 4G LTE Network on Three Ships

Tiffany Kaiser - May 24, 2012 3:10 PM
In addition to the WWAN, the sailors will receive Android smartphones to deliver the critical information over the network

The U.S. Navy is stepping into the 21^st century with the first-ever 4G LTE wireless network being placed on three ships.

Currently, the Navy uses satellites for connectivity across large oceans. Bandwidth is an expensive and scarce asset, and when sailors use recreational computers, it's usually limited to dial-up type speeds.

However, this is all about to change as the Navy plans to deploy a microwave-based wireless wide area network (WWAN) on three different ships. The 4G LTE network will be placed on the U.S.S. Kearsarge, which is an amphibious assault ship; U.S.S. San Antonio, an amphibious transport dock; and U.S.S. Whidbey Island, a dock landing ship.

The network will allow sailors to send real-time data like text, photos and videos easily. While the network is faster at 300 megabits of data per second, it can't replace satellites because it only works from distances of up to 20 nautical miles. While this can't keep a fleet connected, it can keep a naval task force connected.

The network is being provided by Indiana-based BATS Wireless along with Oceus and Cambium. The idea behind the network is to allow sailors to board an ersatz vessel hijacked by pirates and send real-time data back to the "mothership."

"What we've collectively developed is a ruggedized, ocean-going LTE network similar to what you'd find with telecom providers like Verizon or AT&T," said Phillip Cramer, a vice president at BATS wireless. "The biggest difference being that it can expand, contract, and move seamlessly; delivering critical data and communications to the soldiers who need it most."

In addition to the WWAN, the sailors will receive Android smartphones to deliver the critical information over the network. The Navy went with Google's Android-powered devices because they are cheaper than other options and can be secured to transfer classified information. The U.S. Army uses Android devices as well.

This is the Navy's first dip into the mobile world. There will be a sea trial for the new network at an undisclosed time.

U.S.S. Kearsarge (Source: ubergizmo.com)

by dailytech.com

Top Israeli officials have refused to meet the US envoy to the P5+1 group, who arrived in Jerusalem with a report on recent talks with Iran. The diplo

Published: 26 May, 2012, 20:24

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) speaks with Defence Minister Ehud Barak (Reuters / Ronen Zvulun)

Top Israeli officials have refused to meet the US envoy to the P5+1 group, who arrived in Jerusalem with a report on recent talks with Iran. The diplomatic démarche comes as relations between the two countries strain over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

­Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman arrived in Israel on May 25, a day after the group of six (Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States plus Germany) ended their unsuccessful negotiations in Baghdad.

She had intended to brief Israeli officials about negotiations between Iran and the P5+1. But both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak became unexpectedly unavailable to meet her.

Sherman then delivered her report about the fruitless talks to National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror and Foreign Ministry Director-General Rafi Barak instead, the Debka news agency reported.

No agreement was reached between the world powers and Iran during the talks in Baghdad on May 23-24 because Tehran refused to meet their demands. The P5+1 wanted Iran to suspend its 20 percent uranium enrichment program, which the group sees as vital to the negotiations process.

Tehran labelled the Western proposal ‘unbalanced’, rejecting it over what it called "unfair demands" which offer little in return.

Even though both sides still hope to hammer out the agreement at a newly-scheduled round of talks in Moscow next month, Israel remains less optimistic about the negotiations.

On the first day of discussions in Baghdad, on May, 23, Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the negotiations only allow Iran to buy time and drive a wedge between Washington and Tel Aviv.

Relations between Israel and United States have become more tense lately, with both countries having different solutions to the conflict with Iran.

While the US prefers warnings and sanctions to pressure Iran away from any suspected atomic weapon development, Israel threatens military action.

On the talks’ opening day, Ehud Barak reaffirmed Israel’s position, saying a military strike against Iranian facilities is not out of the question.

What’s more, a day later, a source in Washington DC said the Israeli leadership had backtracked on a promise not to attack Iran before America’s November presidential election, according to the Debka report.

The possible use of force against Iran has been discussed by Israel and its western allies for months. Israel insists on the right to strike if and when it sees fit, saying it will not seek anyone’s consent.

There is a fear that, if such an attack happens, Iran would retaliate against any forces it sees as enemies, which could result in a major regional war, dragging in other countries as well.

Israel will only accept Iran developing its civilian nuclear industry is if it shuts down all its uranium enrichment sites and uses imported fuel, Barak said. Essentially, that is what the P5+1 group offered Iran this time. But Tehran still insisted it did not intend to create a nuclear bomb and, as "proof", agreed on the eve of negotiations to the resumption of UN nuclear monitoring at Iran’s sites, including Parchin.

by rt.com

India’s Version of Sukhoi T-50 Delayed by Two Years

AIN Defense Perspective » May 25, 2012

by Neelam Mathews

India’s version of the Sukhoi T-50 advanced and stealthy fighter has been delayed by two years. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)

May 25, 2012, 11:32 AM

The joint Indo-Russian project to produce a fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) for the Indian Air Force is facing a two-year delay. It will now take nine years instead of the stipulated seven to develop. The Indian Air Force attributes the delay to Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), which has a workshare of 25 percent in the program.

The two-seat FGFA is based on the single-seat Sukhoi T-50 PAKFA. HAL is tasked with supplying designs for the tandem seating and cockpit displays, none of which have been provided on time, a senior air force official told AIN. HAL is also responsible for navigation and countermeasure dispensing. Indian junior defense minister MM Pallam Raju recently confirmed the delay to Parliament, commenting, “The fifth-generation aircraft is scheduled to be certified by 2019 [instead of 2017], following which series production will start.” India and Russia concluded the $295 million preliminary design contract for the FGFA project in December 2010, during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to India.

There are also concerns the FGFA will exceed its current estimated $6 billion development budget. The unit production price is predicted to be between $93- and $97 million. India will acquire 214 aircraft, making the total cost of the FGFA project at least $26 billion.

The 30-ton FGFA will be “a swing-role fighter with highly advanced avionics, giving 360-degree situational awareness, stealth to increase survivability and smart weapons,” said now-retired Indian Air Force Chief P.K. Naik. Capable of covering long ranges without refueling, it will feature supercruise along with advanced mission computers. The Indian Air Force has specified 43 improvements to the design following its observation of flying trials at the Zhukovsky airbase.

by ainonline.com

VAB Mark 3 armoured vehicle personnel carrier

Description

At Eurosatory 2012, the French Company Renault Trucks Defense manufacturer of armoured vehicle and military tactical trucks will unveil a new VAB 6x6 armoured personnel carrier named VAB Mark 3. This vehicle is not a simple upgrade, but it is a new vehicle design that is fully adapted to new threats on the battlefield such as IEDs and mine blast. The aim of this vehicle is to provide a replacement for the old BTR, M113 and VAB based on the design of a combat proven vehicle and a cheaper price. Renault Trucks Defense offers the vehicle in several versions as personnel carrier, ambulance, battlefield surveillance, mortar carrier, command post etc.

Variants

- VAB: standard version of the vehicle - VAB Mark 2: upgrade version with new armour and inside crew compartment.

Technical Data

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Armament The VAB Mark 3 can be equipped with a full range of turret or remote weapon systems up to 30 mm caliber cannon. At Eurosatory 2012 the vehicle is fitted with remotely weapon station TRT-25 from BAE Systems. The TRT-25 is fitted with a dual-feed 25 mm M242 Bushmaster cannon with two 130-round bins, a 7.62 mm machinegun with 1,000 rounds, and four smoke grenade launchers. The TRT-25 is equipped with electro-mechanical drives and sight equipment giving it all round observation, fast reaction time and accurate weapon firing. Its range and effectiveness is determined by the choice of weapon. The system is equipped with safety interlocks and mechanisms for effective and safe use of the weapon from behind cover. The operator is protected while controlling the system remotely from inside the vehicle. Design and Protection The layout of the VAB mark 3 is similar to the standard version of the VAB, with engine at the front, the crew compartment in the middle and the troop's area at the rear. The front vehicle is equipped with two large bullet-proof windows. One single door is available to each side of the crew compartment. The VAB Mark 3 is heavier than the old VAB, 13,000 kg for 20,000 kg for the new vehicle. The VAB Mark 3 is equipped with new armour which provides a protection for the crew and the soldiers Level 4 STANAG 4569. The vehicle can carry 3 crew members and 7 infantry soldiers. Propulsion The VAB mark 3 is motorized with a Renault truck engine which has a power from 320 to 400 hp. coupled to an automatic transmission. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 105 km/h. The VAB mark 3 can cross trench of 1 m and can mount 0.5 m of vertical obstacle. Accessories The VAB Mark 3 is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by one water-jet mounted at the rear of the hull. The vehicle can be air transported and deployed by C-130 Hercules or Airbus A400M military transport aircraft. Specifications Back to top Armament Ring mount or remote weapon system up to 30mm caliber maximum. Country users - Designer Company Renault Trucks Defense Accessories Central tyre inflation system, night vision, amphibious kit Crew 3 + 7 soldiers Armor Ballistic armour protection and Anti-mine protection level 4 NATO STANAG 4569 Weight 20,000 kg Speed 105 km/h Range ? km a Dimensions Lenght, ? m; Width, 2,50 m; Height, ? m

Details View

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By armyrecognition

Army of Venezuela will receive 12 Russian BM-30 Smerch MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System.

By mid 2012, the Venezuelan army will receive the 300 mm BM-30 9K58 "Smerch" mobile multiple rocket launcher systems purchased from Russia, according to a post on website Venetubo.

The first version of the BM-30 Smerch Russian-made MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System 300mm caliber.

The whole system comprise a BM9A52-2 launching vehicle, a TZM 9T234-2 transloader, a 1K123 "Vivary" command post/fire control system, and a PM-2-70 MTO-V maintenance vehicle. The BM-30 Smerch is a Russian-made MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System which was created in the early 1980s. Minimum range is 20,000 m and maximum range 70,000 m. The BM-30 has undergone a number modernization with successively the 9A52-2, 9A52-2T, Tornado 9A52-4 and the new Tornado-G which will entered into service with the Russian army. The amount of "Smerch" systems purchased by Venezuela is unknown. Nevertheless, sources put the number at 12, and added that the new rocket launchers would be used to create a new Multiple Rocket Launcher Artillery Group of the 43rd Artillery Brigade of the Fourth Armored Division, located in Guárico state (central west Venezuela). In 2009, Venezuela bought RPG-7 rocket launchers from Russia. The HeliRussia 2012 show closed last Saturday in Russia. The new fighter helicopter Mi-28NE "Night Hunter" was introduced during the show, together with other 49 Russian warfare equipments. According to the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Venezuela was among the 56 countries that attended the exhibition, reported news agency Novosti.

By armyrecognition