Sweden to send naval vessels to Somalia

The Government decided today to request the permission of the Riksdag to place Swedish armed forces at the disposal of the EU maritime operation off the coast of Somalia, Operation Atalanta.

Operation Atalanta was launched in December 2008 and is intended to protect deliveries of humanitarian aid from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and to deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.

The operation, which is clearly grounded in international law through the Law of the Sea, has a mandate from the United Nations Security Council and is taking place at the invitation of the Transitional Government of Somalia.

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Japan: Illegal to Send MSDF to Somalia

The Liberal Democratic and Komai parties on January 22 held an anti-piracy project team meeting and agreed on sending Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels to the sea off Somalia in Africa as early as March.

The government is trying to justify the MSDF deployment to the region under Article 82 of the SDF Law. However, this is a provision concerning sea patrol and cannot be applied to the Somalia mission.

Maritime patrol is an action to be carried out in Japanese territorial waters or in the seas near Japan.

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Warships, fighter jets take part in Games drill

The first major security exercise in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics will be launched next week using warships, CF-18 fighter aircraft and RCMP and Canadian Forces units.

The Canadian military and the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (ISU) will take part in what is being calling Exercise Pegasus Guardian 2.2 as a warm-up for a larger event involving all federal, provincial and municipal organizations involved in Olympic security. The event is being dubbed Exercise Silver.

The various security events, running from Feb. 4 to 13, are taking place around Vancouver and Whistler, B. C., the site of the Winter Olympics.

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Delivery of Frigate “LIMNOS” - Program of Mid Life Modernization of Six (6) “S” Class Frigates

On Wednesday January 28th, 2009, the “S” Class Frigate “LIMNOS” was delivered to the Hellenic Navy, during a ceremony that took place at the premises of Hellenic Shipyards S.A. in Skaramangas.

Rear Admiral I. Karaiskos H.N., Chief of Fleet, attended the ceremony.

The ceremony also attended Mrs. Krinio Kanellopoulou, Member of the Parliament for the Constituency of Ileia and President of the Standing Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs and Mr. Nerantzis Anastasios 3rd Vice President of the Parliament.

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Russia starts tests of target designator for Iskander missiles

Russia has started testing a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to provide target designation for Iskander missile systems, a defense industry official said on Wednesday.

"We are starting tests of a prototype of a reconnaissance/strike aerial drone, which could serve as a target designator for the Iskander tactical missile system," said Arkady Syroyezhko, director of UAV development programs at the Vega Radio Engineering Corp.

The new Aist (Stork) multipurpose UAV with extended payload of up to 500 kg (1,100 pounds) will be capable of carrying a variety of aerial surveillance equipment, electronic warfare devices and even weapons.

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US presidential helicopter 50 percent over budget

Lockheed Martin Corp's high-profile VH-71 presidential helicopter program, designed to work in a pinch as a White House in the sky, has surged more than 50 percent over budget, the U.S. Navy said on Thursday.

As a result of such cost growth, the Defense Department either must end the program or certify that it is essential for national security and meets three other tests established by law.

The Navy notified Congress of the problem on Wednesday, as required by the so-called Nunn-McCurdy procurement law that can force cancellation of an arms program if unit-cost growth tops certain levels, Navy spokesman Lt. Clay Doss said.

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DRDO eyes EADS role in Tejas

The DRDO and HAL are reportedly eyeing a prominent role for EADS in the development of the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA).

The organisation's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has considered offering the company $20 million to help increase the aircraft's flight envelope and attack vector.

"We have proposed to award the contract to the EADS to help us in carrying out the flight trials of the aircraft and see how its flight envelope can be increased," a DRDO official told Indopia.

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Tamil rebels without the wherewithal

As the Sri Lankan army advances against Tamil Tiger rebels in the north, it says it is inflicting a devastating blow against their capacity to continue fighting on land, sea and air.

In addition to making significant territorial gains in recent weeks, the army says it has killed or captured hundreds of rebel soldiers.

But it also says it has seized much of the hardware which over the past two decades made the rebels one of the world's most feared - and most ingenious - insurgent groups.

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HMS Daring makes home port debut

Portsmouth welcomes HMS DaringThe Royal Navy's new Type 45 destroyer - HMS Daring - has berthed in its home port of Portsmouth for the first time as hundreds of well-wishers looked on.

HMS Daring is the first of six new air defence destroyers, which the Royal Navy are calling their "most capable destroyers ever".

The £1bn ship is the first new class of destroyer to enter service in Portsmouth for more than 30 years.

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Pak Navy to soon acquire AWACS, UAVs

Pakistan Navy will soon acquire airborne early warning aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles to strengthen its capabilities, naval chief Admiral Noman Bashir said on Thursday.

Addressing a ceremony in this southern port city, Bashir said the induction of the Chinese-made Z-9 helicopters, airborne early warning aircraft, UAVs and additional P3C Orion surveillance aircraft would be a force multiplier for the navy's air arm. He did not give details about the number of aircraft to be acquired by the force.

A contract for HDW Type-214 submarines would also be concluded soon to enhance the navy's sub-surface defence capability, he said.

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Russia Plans Air Force Base in Abkhazia

Russia may deploy its air forces in Abkhazia, as part of the planned military base in the breakaway region, Interfax news agency reported on January 29 quoting unnamed Russian “military-diplomatic source”

“Deployment of unit of the Russian air forces on Bombora airdrome [in Gudauta] is being considered in consultations with the Abkhaz side, along with creation of a naval base in Ochamchire,” Interfax reported quoting the source.

According to this report, Russia wants to deploy up to 20 planes on the Abkhaz airfield, including Su-27 Flanker fighter jets; Su-25 Frogfoot ground attack aircraft and military cargo planes.

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VIDEO: Marines catch Taliban off guard

Royal Marines and Afghan National Army troops launched an operation in enemy territory last week resulting in the capture of a Taliban command post, a suspected IED (Improvised Explosive Device) factory and a huge haul of weapons.

Operation GHARTSE PALANG, which means 'Lion', involved around 120 Royal Marines from 45 Commando Group and other attached ranks, along with around 30 Afghan National Army (ANA) troops.

The Marines launched the operation in the early morning of 19 January 2009.

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Russia delivers Mi-171 choppers to Iran

Russia delivers two of five Mi-171 helicopters sold to Iran after signing a $45 million contract to upgrade the country's rescue fleet.

Under the contract, Russia was expected to deliver five Mi-171 transport helicopters to Iran before the end of March, Fars news agency reported.

Another three helicopters will be reportedly on the way to Iran in March.

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Apache Block III UAS Data Link Marks Successful First Flight

The Longbow Limited Liability Company, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman recently marked the successful first powered flight of the Longbow Unmanned Aerial Systems Tactical Common Data Link Assembly (UTA) aboard the AH-64D Apache Block III attack helicopter.

The Longbow UTA is a two-way, high-bandwidth data link for Apache aircrews that allows sensor and flight path control of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

UTA-equipped Apaches enable aircrews to exercise control of UAS at long ranges and receive real-time, high-definition streaming video on their multi-function displays.

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Cairo bars Iran ship with arms for Gaza

An Iranian freighter carrying weaponry for Hamas has been blocked by Egypt from entering the Suez Canal, amid concerns that Tehran is trying to supply the Palestinian militant group with missiles capable of striking Tel Aviv.

Reports yesterday said Israel was closely tracking the ship, which is docked in the Red Sea outside the Suez Canal after Cairo refused to permit it to cross the waterway to the Mediterranean.

The stand-off comes after a report to the Israeli Defence Ministry from the Pentagon said the US Navy had boarded another Iranian vessel and said it was carrying artillery shells and other weapons.

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Another Russian warship may join anti-piracy mission off Somalia

Russia's Admiral Levchenko destroyer will patrol the Somali coast after taking part in joint Russia-Indian naval drills in the Arabian Sea in early February, a Navy source said on Wednesday.

The destroyer is part of a Northern Fleet task force, currently on a tour-of-duty in the Mediterranean, led by the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier.

However, officials from the Northern Fleet have so far refused to confirm or deny the purpose of the ship's ultimate mission.

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Venezuela likely to buy more weapons

Last year Venezuela "increased its defense budget once again," thanks to oil windfall, said the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Venezuela may buy soon Su-30 jet-fighters, Iyushin Il-76 transport aircrafts, Il-78 tanker aircrafts, Kilo submarines and Mi-28 helicopters, and is also likely to purchase Chinese products to diversify military procurement, said the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) of Great Britain in its report titled The Military Balance, a comprehensive analysis of the military situation of some 170 countries.

According to the document, military expenditures in Latin American and the Caribbean grew 91 percent between 2003 and 2008.

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Croatian Navy presents "Vukovar" and "Dubrovnik" frigates

Croatian Navy presented its two newly acquired "Helsinki" rocket frigates on January 26, in Lora Naval Base in Split.

RTOP-41 and RTOP-42 that recently arrived from Finland were given the names of "Vukovar" and "Dubrovnik".

The ceremony attended Envoy of the President, Chief of General Staff General Josip Lucic, MOD State Secretary Mate Raboteg, Defence Inspector General Lieutenant General Marijan Marekovic, Deputy Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Slavko Baric, Navy Commander Rear Admiral (LH) Ante Urlic and other high military and civil guests, among whom mayors of Vukovar Zdenka Buljan and Dubrovnik Dubravka Suica.

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NATO chief admits failure in drawing EU closer

Outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said he regrets not having been able to bring the military alliance and the EU closer together.

"I'm sad that at the end of my mandate as secretary general I have not been able to bring this relationship more forward than on a pragmatic basis.

I hope that after the end of July my successor, NATO and the EU will have a fresh look and see how we can bring the parties together," Mr Scheffer said on Monday (26 January).

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Russia 'halts missile deployment'

Russia's military has announced it will halt its plans to deploy short-range missiles in Kaliningrad, Russia's Interfax news agency has said.

A Russian military official said a change in US attitude had prompted the latest decision, Interfax reported.

President Dmitry Medvedev announced the plan in November last year, saying it was to counteract US plans for an anti-missile shield based in Europe.

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US sale remains unclear

While it remains unclear whether the US will be ready to export Turkey the unmanned aerial vehicles it wants to purchase, Washington's decision will give a clear indication about the status of future US arms sales to Turkey

The Turkish military is looking to acquire armed and effective unmanned aerial vehicles in the fight against the terrorist Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, and Ankara has souhgt U.S. MQ-9 Reapers, which the U.S. military has been using in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It is, however, not clear whether President Barack Obama's new administration will be willing to export this very powerful system to Turkey.

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DCNS delivers Royal Malaysian Navy's very first submarine

Today, DCNS delivered the Royal Malaysian Navy's first-ever submarine. This on-time delivery follows Malaysia¿s decision to set up a submarine force comprising two Scorpene-type conventional-propulsion boats.

The Royal Malaysian Navy took formal delivery of Scorpene submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman at today¿s official handover in Toulon. The guests of honour included RMN Chief of Staff Admiral Dato¿Sri Aziz Hj Jaafar.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is the first of two Scorpene submarines ordered by Malaysia in June 2002 and developed jointly by DCNS and Spanish naval shipbuilder Navantia. In addition to the submarines proper, the contract calls for associated logistics and training.

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Sea Testing Begins on French Nuclear Missile Submarine

The latest French ballistic missile submarine launched for the first time yesterday, a milestone in the nation's plan to deploy a new fleet of the vessels, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, March 21, 2008).

Weighing 14,300 metric tons, Le Terrible is the last of four submarines in its class that France plans to equip with nuclear-tipped M-51 ballistic missiles and base at its port of Brest. The submarines are intended to enable a French retaliation to devastating strikes against the nation.

"Le Terrible sailed out of dry dock at 8:30 a.m. to begin sea trials ahead of joining active service in 2010," said Yann Bizien, maritime authority spokesman for the port of Cherbourg.

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Colombia military to get US$4 billion upgrade

Colombia's military will purchase roughly US$4 billion in military hardware including aircrafts, armored vehicles and small arms to upgrade and modernize its armed forces, El Tiempo reported Tuesday.

The upgrade will modernize several branches of the Colombian armed forces by supplying new military hardware, which will include naval vessels and submarines from France and Germany, and 25 training aircraft to be assembled in Colombia, said Vice Minister of Defense, Juan Carlos Pinzón.

By the end of the year the armed forces will receive 15 U.S. manufactured Black Hawk helicopters and five Russian-made MI-17 helicopters, and 20 105-mm artillery canons, Pinzón said.

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Russian Military Reform Delayed by Financial Crisis

Russia’s agenda for military reform, announced by Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov in October 2008, is facing revisions and delays due to the global financial crisis.

This has also affected the arms industry, as there are fewer customers for the purchase of military hardware, and has consequently damaged Russia’s defense industry, which relies heavily on the international export market.

Boris Obnosov, the general manager of the Tactical Missile Arms Corporation, for example, recently expressed his confidence that the defense industry would pull through the crisis but admitted that this would depend on state assistance in the form of inexpensive loans, tax breaks, and additional state orders. Without this, many Russian defense companies would go under.

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MSDF to receive orders for antipiracy mission

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada plans Wednesday to officially order the Maritime Self-Defense Force to prepare for an antipiracy mission off Somalia, according to sources.

An outline of the operational guidelines for the MSDF on the mission to protect Japan-related vessels from pirates were revealed Tuesday.

In line with the Self-Defense Forces Law's Article 82, which governs policing action on the seas, the MSDF will dispatch two destroyers.

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Expect cuts to defense programs, Gates testifies

Defense spending, particularly for expensive new weapons such as the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship and the F-35 fighter jet, is on the way down and the Obama administration is preparing to make "hard choices" to end programs that exceed their budgets, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today.

"The spigot of defense funding opened by 9/11 is closing," Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The demands of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with the nation's economic crisis, require military planners to separate "those things that are desirable from those things that are truly needed" in the way of new weapons, Gates added.

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Egypt warns against European warships patrolling off Gaza

Egypt warned European countries on Tuesday that sending warships to patrol the waters off the Gaza Strip could strain ties with the Palestinians and Arab countries.

Speaking to reporters after meeting EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said he had urged European ministers in Brussels on Sunday to consider "Arab feelings" on such a deployment.

"They must understand Arab and Muslim feelings," Abul Gheit said he told the ministers.

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French ship faces green protest

Local green campaigners are protesting the imminent arrival of an asbestos-tainted French aircraft carrier here, where it is to be dismantled after being rejected by India.

But others argue the task of taking apart the Clemenceau will provide much-needed work, at a time when jobs are being cut across the country due to the global slowdown.

The ageing carrier, a former flagship of the French navy now known simply as hull Q790, could be towed within the next week to Hartlepool, northeastern England, where shipbreakers Able UK plan to finally dismantle it.

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Sailors Refuse To Board Cursed Boat

The Russian Akula II SSN (nuclear attack submarine) that was supposed to be delivered to India this year, is being delayed by difficulty in completing its sea trials.

The problem is that Russians can't get enough qualified sailors and civilian technicians to serve on the boat. This is because, while undergoing sea trials last November, there was an accidental activation of the fire extinguisher system.

This killed twenty sailors and civilians, and injured more than twenty. There were 208 people aboard the sub at the time, most of them navy and shipyard personnel there to closely monitor all aspects of the sub as it made its first dives and other maneuvers.

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Global Military Bloc: NATO's Drive Into Asia

With the sixtieth anniversary summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to occur jointly in the French city of Strasbourg and and the German one of Kehl on April 3-4, the world should take note of how far from its original area of operations this, history's first, international military bloc has expanded in the interim since its creation in 1949.

At its genesis the Alliance did seem to have chosen an accurate name, as 10 of its 12 founding members - Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and the United States - had coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.

Italy of course didn't and neither did Luxembourg. And Iceland learned the first lesson of the new trans-Atlantic system by being forced into the Alliance against the will of its populace.

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Raytheon Awarded $154 Million for Taiwan Patriot Upgrade

Raytheon Company has received a $154 million Foreign Military Sales contract award to upgrade Taiwan's Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems.

The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., issued the contract that includes upgrade kits for radar and command and control components, a radar refurbishment, and related engineering and technical services.

"Upgrading Patriot fire units from Configuration-2 to Configuration-3 will provide Taiwan with enhanced system capabilities to meet current and emerging threats," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Patriot Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS).

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China expanding African arms sales

Increasing quantities of China-made military equipment have been finding their way to Africa, traded for oil, mineral resources and even fishing rights.

Zambia has used its copper resources to pay China in a number of military deals, for instance, and Kenya has been negotiating with China to trade fishing rights for arms.

Among the most popular Chinese military exports to Africa are the J-7, K-8 and Y-12 aircraft, which are relatively inexpensive and easy to operate.

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Russian deputy PM urges Roscosmos to focus on Bulava ICBM

Russia's federal space agency Roscosmos must take a proactive stand on the testing and production of sea-based Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, a deputy prime minister said on Monday.

The latest unsuccessful submerged test launch on December 23 from the Dmitry Donskoi strategic nuclear-powered submarine in the White Sea, off Russia's northwest coast, was Bulava's fifth failure in ten trials.

The Russian military said that production flaws could be to blame for the unsuccessful test launches.

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Elbit Systems Awarded Israeli Ministry of Defense Contract Valued at $40 Million to Supply Skylark® I LE Mini-UAV

Elbit Systems Ltd. announced, further to its announcement dated December 16, 2008, that it was awarded an approximately $40 million contract by the Israeli Ministry of Defense to supply the Skylark® I LE mini-UAVs for all Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Ground Forces battalions, including training and logistics support.

The project is to be delivered over the next few years, subject to the IDF's requirements and procurement process.

Elbit Systems' Skylark® I LE was selected by the IDF following an extensive evaluation process, including operational ability to comply with the demanding requirements of the IDF, based on its extensive operational experience.

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Russian warship carries out computer-assisted missile drills

The guided missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, has conducted computer-simulated missile attack drills in the Mediterranean, the fleet's spokesman said on Monday.

"The designated targets were a naval ship and coastal facilities. All tasks set for the exercise have been accomplished," the spokesman said.

Moskva is a Slava-class missile cruiser designed as a surface strike ship with some anti-air and ASW capability.

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Boeing Laser Avenger Shoots Down Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in Tests

The Boeing Company has successfully demonstrated that a laser system mounted on an Avenger combat vehicle can shoot down a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) like those that increasingly threaten U.S. troops deployed in war zones.

During tests last month at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., Laser Avenger achieved its principal test objectives by using its advanced targeting system to acquire and track three small UAVs flying against a complex background of mountains and desert.

The laser system also shot down one of the UAVs from an operationally relevant range. These tests mark the first time a combat vehicle has used a laser to shoot down a UAV.

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First Avionics-Equipped F-35 Rolls Out

Lockheed Martin has completed the first F-35 Lightning II equipped with mission systems, a milestone that will lead to the first avionics testing on board an F-35 aircraft.

The short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35 variant left the factory on Wednesday, Jan. 21, and goes to the fuel facility for functional fuel system checks before it is scheduled for delivery to the flight line by the end of January. Its first flight is expected this summer.

Mission systems, or avionics, are the on-board sensors that enable the aircraft to detect, locate, identify, track and target adversaries from long ranges; detect fast-moving incoming threats such as missiles; and receive and transmit large amounts of battle-space information through secure data links. These 5th generation sensors and data links will be integral to providing the warfighter in the air and on the ground a fused picture of the battlespace.

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China tries American 'soft power' with hospital ship

China's military has a new weapon in the country's soft-power arsenal that copies a technique long used by the United States - a 10,000-ton hospital ship to be deployed for humanitarian purposes in Asia and beyond.

The vessel, dubbed Ship 866, is meant to soften China's image overseas and allay concerns among its neighbors over its navy´s growing strength, while at the same time adding to its military capabilities, analysts say.

The ship's arrival coincides with clear signs that the Chinese military is tentatively moving away from its policy of maintaining a low international profile to avoid provoking those who doubt its commitment to a "peaceful rise" doctrine.

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Russian-made fighter successfully passes tests in Indonesia

A Su-30MK2 fighter, brought to Indonesia from Russia on January 17, has smoothly passed flying tests, the Antara news agency reported on Sunday.

According to information, received from commander of the 5th squadron, deployed at the Hasanuddin air base in Makassar (south of Sulawesi Island), Colonel Arif Mustofa, the first flights passed successfully.

Tests were made by Russian pilots Demchenko and Tarakanov in order to check all the plane’s systems whose smooth operation was confirmed during a one-hour flight.

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Iran tests air-to-air missile

Iran's state television says the country has successfully test-fired a heat-seeking air-to-air missile.

The Sunday report quotes air force chief Gen. Hasan Shahsafi as saying the missile has a range of 62 miles, or 100 kilometers. The report did not elaborate.

Iran periodically announces missile tests to demonstrate the self-sufficiency of its defense industries.

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India celebrates 60th Republic Day

Kaleidoscopic images of India's rich cultural diversity and the might of its military were on full display on the magnificent Rajpath at New Delhi on Monday as the nation celebrated its 60th Republic Day amid an unprecedented security cover.

An impressive and colourful parade, a traditional attraction of the national event, marched down the thoroughfare connecting the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the historic India Gate as President Pratibha Patil took the salute from marching contingents.

Armed forces in battle regalia proudly marching before their supreme commander, scintillating show of air power, fascinating tableaux depicting the diverse culture and hundreds of colourfully-dressed dancing school children were part of the parade.

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Taking AESA Radar Abroad

As the competition grows among U.S. firms like Raytheon and Northrop Grumman to sell active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars for fighter jets, Europe's Selex Galileo is quietly carving out a market for slimmed-down versions of AESA radar for maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and UAVs.

Building on the sale of its AESA Seaspray radar to the U.S. Coast Guard for use on C-130s, the unit of Italy's Finmeccanica group has sold the radar to the United Kingdom for use on its Future Lynx helicopters, and to Italy for its new ATR 72 maritime patrol aircraft.

Selex Galileo also is close to concluding its second contract for the Seaspray in South America. A first deal was struck last year with Ecuador to mount the radar on a Navy CN 235 patrol aircraft and a Beechcraft 300, while the firm expects to wrap a contract in coming weeks with a second, as-yet-unnamed Latin American country to equip maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters with the Seaspray 7000 variant.

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Obama ordered drone attack in Waziristan

Fridays's twin missile attacks in Pakistans tribal areas were ordered by US President Barack Obama, the Daily Times reports.

Quoting a report from The Guardian, US commanders had consulted Obama before launching the drone attacks on Waziristan.

Four days after assuming the presidency, he was consulted by US commanders before they launched the two attacks, the Pakistani daily said..

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All the details about LCA Tejas

All the details about LCA Tejas . India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas completed 1000 flight test recently. It was a big occasion for India’s defence programme and an occasion to rejoice. Here we give all the details about LCA Tejas.

India LCA Tejas is a single-seat, single-engine, lightweight, high-agility supersonic fighter aircraft has been undergoing flight trials in preparation for operational clearance, and by mid 2005 had flown over 400 flights up to speeds of Mach 1.4.

The Tejas light combat aircraft design and development programme is being led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Indian Department of Defence with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the prime industrial contractor.

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Gaza: France dispatched a frigate to fight against arms trafficking

France has decided the “immediate” deployment of one of its frigates in international waters off the coast of Gaza, to participate in the efforts against weapons smuggling "in full cooperation with Egypt and Israel", the Elysee announced Friday evening.

This deployment, "requested" by President Nicolas Sarkozy to his ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense Bernard Kouchner and Hervé Morin, is part of "immediate actions to fight against the smuggling of weapons into Gaza," said the presidency in a release.

The Elysee said that the head of the state remained committed to pursue all efforts for peace in conjunction with its partners "after" two trips to the Middle East, which helped to implement a Franco-Egyptian cease-fire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza ".

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No delay in acquiring Russian nuke sub: Indian Navy

The Indian Navy said on Friday there was "no delay" in its acquisition of a Russian nuclear-powered submarine though technical glitches could push the delivery back.

"There is no delay as far as we are concerned (in acquiring an Akula-class submarine).

I don't know where these reports have appeared," Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta told reporters on the sidelines of a defence function here.

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Royal Navy needs Astute submarines

Furness MP and Defence Secretary John Hutton has promised that Barrow will get all seven Astute nuclear submarines it expects despite the recession.

And Mr Hutton has said he is confident that with the Trident missile successor submarines, the shipyard will have work well into the 2020s.

Mr Hutton has been Barrow’s MP for 17 years and has held three big-hitting Secretary of Stateships in employment, business and defence.

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Russian Air Force to receive some 20 new combat aircraft in 2009

The Russian Air Force will receive around 20 modernized Su-25 Frogfoot attack aircraft and new MiG-29SMT Fulcrum fighters in 2009, an Air Force spokesman said on Thursday.

"About 10 modernized Su-25 attack aircraft and over 10 MiG-29SMT fighters will be delivered to the Air Force in 2009", Colonel Vladimir Drik said.

The Su-25 Frogfoot is a single-seat, twin-engine combat aircraft developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau to provide close air support for ground troops.

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Funding the Canadian Forces

If you were really serious about stimulus spending, wouldn’t throwing some cash at Canada’s third-biggest employer be a great place to start?

And yet when Canadians think about projects to shore up the weakening economy, they're unlikely to think first of increasing the Armed Forces budget.

The country's 62,000 military personnel, including 9,000 sailors, 19,500 soldiers, 14,500 air force personnel and administrative and support personnel in communities large and small throughout the country contribute immeasurably to the Canadian economy.

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Green Bay days away from commissioning

The USS Green Bay has been six years in the making at a cost of nearly $1 billion.

But this new state-of-the-art transport ship will serve the Navy for decades.

FOX 11's Mark Leland reports from Long Beach, the ship is just days away now from becoming an active ship.

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Northrop Grumman Successfully Launches Virginia-Class Submarine New Mexico (SSN 779)

Northrop Grumman Corporation reached a milestone today by launching the Virginia-class submarine New Mexico (SSN 779) at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va.

"Launching a ship is always a proud moment for the shipbuilders and crew," said Becky Stewart, vice president of submarine programs for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News.

"Our Virginia-class team has done an excellent job of achieving this milestone and furthering our efforts to deliver New Mexico eight months ahead of schedule."

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U.S. Navy flight-tests Raytheon SM-2 target-detecting device

The U.S. Navy flight-tested Raytheon Company's Standard Missile-2 target detecting device.

The SM-2 Block IIIB flight marks the lowest-altitude intercept to date using the new device, which enhances the SM-2's ability to detect and destroy threats.

The missile was fired from USS STERETT (DDG-104) during combined combat system ship qualification trials.

The test flights included additional SM-2 Block IIIA, SM-2 Block IIIB, and SM-2 Block III missiles.

The missiles engaged multiple targets under stressing conditions representing a variety of threat scenarios.

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Kosovo activates the new army

At 00:01 AM yesterday based on the legal competencies and according to the Law for the Ministry of the Kosovo Security Force (MKSF) and the Law for the Security Force, the Minister of KSF Fehmi Mujota ordered the commander of KSF General-Lieutenant Sylejman Selimi to activate KSF, a lightly armed defense force for the newborn country.

“The activation of the new force marks the new and changed circumstances in Kosovo and the birth of a new era,”- states on a press release issued yesterday from the Public Relations Office of KSF.

KSF is a professional force, politically neutral, multiethnic and lightly armed. KSF is being build according to NATO standards and is monitored from the civil and democratic institutions. This is in accordance with the continuous aspirations of Kosovo for the Euro-Atlantic integrations, reads the statement.

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LCA Tejas crosses 1000 sorties landmark

With a thundering roar the lithe grey Tejas prototype aircraft Serial number KH 2012 took to the air, a sight which the residents of the Bangalore have got well used to now.

But this sortie was different – a landmark in Indian aeronautical history for, on this day the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bangalore built Tejas crossed the 1000 sorties mark.

A thousand sorties is a very significant milestone in an aircraft’s development programme. and is indicative of the level of maturity the aircraft and the systems have achieved.

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Japan to deploy destroyers off Somalia on anti-piracy mission

Prime Minister Taro Aso is set to order the defense minister to prepare to deploy Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyers off Somalia on an anti-piracy mission, government officials said.

MSDF destroyers and personnel will police the seas under the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Law to protect Japanese vessels and foreign vessels carrying Japanese nationals from pirates off Somalia.

A project team comprised of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito adopted a mid-term report on Thursday urging the government to deploy destroyers to the area.

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Russia to rebuild army by 2016

The financial crisis has affected Russia's military reform plan. That became clear after Dmitry Medvedev signed a corresponding decree, now posted on his website.

In contrast to Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov's order issued last year to finalize the army and navy reforms by 2012, the new presidential decree sets the date at January 1, 2016.

It is not the transition from the "district-army-division-regiment" hierarchy to "district-operations command center-brigade" pattern, or the reduction in number of cadre units, reshaping the regiments and divisions into permanent readiness brigades, which is a major challenge in terms of organization and expenditure, that is the main obstacle to Russian military reform.

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Greece launches talks for French frigates, copters

Greece will launch bilateral talks with France to buy six Fremm-type frigates and 15 Super Puma search-and-rescue helicopters, the Greek defence minister said on Thursday.

Vangelis Meimarakis told reporters Greece should also place an order for new fighter jets this year, though he did not specify the size of the order or the possible defence contractors involved.

"The green light has been given for talks between Greece and France for a bilateral agreement to purchase six Fremm-type frigates, made by ... Armaris," Meimarakis told reporters.

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