RAAF KC-30A arrives at RAAF Base Amberley

The first RAAF KC-30A arrives at RAAF Base Amberley

NASSCO gets $744 million contract for MLP ship construction

General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego has received a $744 million modification to its Navy contract for the Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) to fully fund construction of the first two ships of the new ship class.

Construction of the first ship will begin immediately, with delivery to occur by the spring of 2013.

The contract includes an option for the construction of a third MLP which, if exercised, will increase the total contract value to approximately $1.3 billion.

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First batch of Indian Air Force An-32s upgraded in Ukraine leaves for India

Ukraine has sent a first batch of An-32 light transport aircraft to India following their upgrading at facilities of the Ukrainian defense and industrial complex under an order from the Indian Air Force.

Ukrspecexport state-run company told Interfax-Ukraine that first five ungraded planes have left for Kanpur (North India) from India. It is expected that the planes will arrive to India in 5-6 days.

Equipment to develop aircraft repair facilities in India was also shipped along with the aircraft.

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F22 Raptor May Get “Open” Avionics Upgrade

Worried about vendor lock-in? Bought a system and you are afraid that you won’t be able to upgrade it properly? If you think you have problems, then consider the U.S. Air Force’s F22 Raptor. It has proved so difficult to upgrade the avionics they are considering installing a second system into the plane.

The Air Force is considering a more open architecture (not as in open source) to allow an easier (for that read cheaper) upgrade path, reports Defense News.

“This jet has a very highly integrated avionics system. Because of that tight coupling and that highly integrated nature, it makes it very difficult, and we are highly reliant upon [Raptor makers] Lockheed Martin and Boeing to do any kinds of modifications to the jet,” said David Weber, deputy director of the F-22 System Program Office (SPO) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio…

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Europe takes on US to win $16 bln Turkey fighter jet deal

Turkey, with its plan to purchase 100 fighter jets -- for which it was going to shake hands with Lockheed Martin for $16 billion, but later suspended due to the American aerospace company's refusal to share technology with it -- has also received an offer from Europe, one that includes the sharing of the know-how Turkey wants.


Speaking to Today's Zaman on the condition of anonymity, a leading executive from European Eurofighter -- an aerospace consortium of Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom -- said they agree to fulfill Turkey's demands to that end.

“We are ready to share all software codes and critical technologies with Turkey,” the official said.

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India upset over Russia calling off naval exercise

India is likely to lodge a strong protest with Russia for the last-minute cancellation of the latest edition of the bilateral Indra naval combat exercise last month.

The five Indian warships which sailed to the waters off Vladivostok had to make do with just a "port call" before returning home.

With the Indian Navy deeply unhappy at the way the Russian Navy pulled out of the exercise planned months in advance, the defence ministry has taken up the matter with the external affairs ministry.

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Saab 2000 Maritime patrol Aircraft Offered to India

After failing the MMRCA competition, Saab is now aiming at another Indian program Medium range Maritime recce (MRMR).

The company is offering the Saab 2000 platform, equipped with a new phased array maritime search radar and RBS-15 missiles.

The aircraft is currently operational in neighboring Pakistan, where it performs the Airborne early Warning and Control role.

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Russia delivers new batch of five MiG-29 naval fighters to India

Russia's MiG aircraft maker delivered a new batch of five MiG-29K/KUB carrier-based fighters to the Indian Navy in May, the company said.

"A flight training simulator and other technical equipment has also been delivered," MiG said in a statement Monday.

The two countries signed a contract stipulating the supply of 12 single-seat MiG-29Ks and four two-seat MiG-29KUBs to India in January 2004.

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Indonesia’s Anti-ship Missiles: New Development In Naval Capabilities – Analysis

On 20 april 2011, the Indonesian Navy (Tentera Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut or TNI-AL) frigate KRI Oswald Siahaan test-fired a Russian-made Yakhont supersonic anti-ship missile during a naval exercise in the Indian Ocean.

According to TNI-AL, the missile took about six minutes to travel 250 kilometres to score a direct hit on the target.

This test-launch marks yet another significant capability breakthrough amongst Southeast Asian navies.

It comes against the backdrop of unresolved maritime disputes and ongoing regional naval arms competition.

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A new discovery can double submarine speeds

A discovery by Australian scientists could potentially open up ways for sea vessels like submarines to go much faster under water.

A team led by a Swinburne University professor showed that drag (resistance) on hot bodies moving through liquid can be drastically reduced by up to 85 percent, potentially doubling their speed.

In practical terms, this finding could help a submarine and other vessels to virtually double their speed while moving under the sea, the journal Physical Review Letters report.

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Dutch defence organisation shapes its future

Minister of Defence Hans Hillen presented the 19th of may the Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (SKIA) to the House of Representatives today.

With the SKIA, the Defence organisation will enhance its innovative strength and its ability to provide the right response to unexpected events.

It also sets out the Defence organisation’s perception of security and of how to deal with knowledge and innovation, taking into account the planned cutback measures.

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Severnaya Verf starts sea trials of new warship

Severnaya Verf Shipyard begins sea trials of the Project 20380 corvette Soobrazitelniy, the shipbuilder’s press office reported.

The ship ordered by the Defense Ministry for the Russian Navy will undergo tests of its main engines, diesel generators and weapons system.

The Soobrazitelniy much differs from the series lead ship. During construction the corvette was tailored to the customer’s needs, including new solutions of the ship’s armament, communication and control systems, as well as hull structure and superstructure, the company said. Today Severnaya Verf laid another corvette of the series.

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Zelenodolsk Shipyard Sends Gepard 3.9 Class Ship to Vietnam

After successful sea- and acceptance trials, the second Gepard 3.9 class ship built by Zelenodolsk Shipyard was sent to the orderer.

The ship was loaded aboard the special-purpose transport vessel Eide Transporter on May 25 and shipped to Vietnam on May 26. Estimated duration of the cruise is 65 days.

As was earlier reported, all mechanisms, systems, and armament of the ship conform to the contract specifications and technical design.

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France Strikes Deal to Sell Four Mistral Warships to Russia

France reached a deal on the sale to Russia of four helicopter carriers in the first major Russian purchase of military hardware from a NATO country.

“We have reached a final agreement on the contract to acquire Mistral aircraft carriers,” Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said today after talks with his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, at the Group of Eight summit in Deauville, northern France.

Two of the warships are to be built in France and two in Russia, Sarkozy said. “We decided everything: price, technology transfers and the calendar,” he said, adding that the final contract for the command-and-control Mistral-class vessels will be signed next month during a visit to Paris by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

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Vietnam missile self-protection of the territorial sea

Vietnam in recent years have had a strategic partnership nature. Russia was the largest arms supplier in Vietnam.

Vietnam is the first customer to purchase the missiles Coast Bastion maneuver К-300P-P after signing a contract to buy 2 of this system in 2006.

Russia is preparing to support Vietnam's contract manufacturing Yakhont anti-ship missiles. This contract is worth $ 300 million estimate.

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N.Korea's New Hovercraft Base Near Completion

Koampo, Hwanghae Province
North Korea has nearly completed a hovercraft base in Koampo, Hwanghae Province, only some 50 km from South Korea's northwesternmost islands. The North is expected to put it into full operation next month.

A South Korean government source said Sunday the large base in Koampo is "near completion."

"We found out that the North built about 60 hangar-like berths where hovercraft and stealth air-cushion warships can be kept safely," he added.

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F-16s to Islamabad to prevent Indo-Pak N-war?

Contrary to India’s perception, Pakistan did not gain much from the buying F-16 fighter aircraft from United States, US diplomatic cables assessed by WikiLeaks suggest.

The deal, announced in 2005, aimed at allaying Pakistan's fears of an “existential threat it perceived from India”, said an Indian daily citing the diplomatic cables from the US embassy in Islamabad.

According to the despatches, accessed by the daily through WikiLeaks, Washington decided to sell F-16s to Islamabad to turn Pakistan away from using “the nuclear option” and give it “time and space to employ a conventional reaction” in case of any issue with India.

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2d Navy carrier to bear JFK’s name

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced yesterday that the nation’s next aircraft carrier will be named the John F. Kennedy, in memory of the 35th president.

The nuclear-powered ship will be built at the Newport News shipyard in Virginia.

Mabus said the naming of the next Gerald R. Ford-class carrier in Kennedy’s honor pays tribute to the late president’s service in the Navy.

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Costs on subs to rise 36pc, Libs say

The federal opposition is set to grill the government and Defence today over their plans for through-life maintenance of the troubled Collins-class submarine fleet, claiming the boats' costs will rise 36 per cent over the next decade.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith had failed to advance a maintenance support contract recommended more than two years ago by the Auditor-General, the opposition's defence spokesman, David Johnston, said yesterday ahead of Senate estimates hearings.

"The Gillard government is reluctant to face any real scrutiny and no portfolio illustrates this more starkly than the Defence Minister and his department," Mr Johnston told The Australian.

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'More than 2400 faults' in data on $8bn destroyers

The Gillard government has been told more than 2400 faults have been discovered in the data used to build the hulls of the navy's $8 billion air-warfare destroyers.

These are said to include wrong dimensions for the hull shapes, inconsistent assembly instructions, missing measurements and faulty welding guides, which have flummoxed naval shipmakers at Melbourne's Williamstown shipyards.

The problems are so serious the shipyard owner and AWD subcontractor, BAE Systems, plans to set up a team of more than a dozen experts to identify alleged faults in the design and construction data that was sent to BAE by the official shipbuilder for the AWD project, the Adelaide-based Australian Submarine Corporation.

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Anger as US arms dealer takes over running of Scottish nuclear bomb base

Coulport on the Clyde
The running of Britain’s nuclear bomb base at Coulport on the Clyde is to be handed over to a consortium of multinational private firms led by the controversial US arms dealer, Lockheed Martin, the Sunday Herald can reveal.

Defence ministers in Westminster have decided that the highly sensitive job of managing more than 200 Trident nuclear warheads, and arming the Royal Navy’s submarines with them, should be taken over by the group of companies within the next year.

The decision has been condemned by the SNP, trades unionists and disarmament campaigners, who are demanding an urgent rethink. They describe it as a cost-saving, job-cutting “kick in the teeth to the workforce” that will put nuclear safety at risk.

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Northrop Grumman to Supply Radar Upgrades for Swedish Navy Patrol Boats

Northrop Grumman Corporation's Sperry Marine business unit has won a contract to upgrade the navigation radars on five Swedish navy patrol boats.

Under the contract, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine will retrofit each ship with two dual-band interswitched chart radar systems with navalized display features. The systems are based on Sperry Marine's advanced VisionMaster FT™ navigation technology with WideView™ multifunction displays.

The initial contract includes five ships with options for six additional ships, plus a spare system, spare parts, service and maintenance. CA Clase Marinelektronik AB, Sperry Marine's sales and service representative in Sweden, will be responsible for installing, commissioning, testing and technical support for the project.

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West to have 80,000 cruise missiles by 2020

Russian military experts forecast that Western nations will have 80,000 cruise missile by 2020, a deputy commander of the Russian General Staff said on Saturday.

"We expect Western countries to have at least 80,000 cruise missiles by 2020, including about 2,000 of them nuclear-powered," Gen. Igor Sheremet said in an interview with the Ekho Moskvy radio station.

He added these missiles are clearly not simply designed for drilling or intimidation purposes.

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Boeing Awarded PAC-3 Seeker Production Contract

Boeing today announced it has received a $274 million contract from Lockheed Martin to produce more than 300 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile seekers.

The firm fixed price contract is Boeing’s ninth consecutive PAC-3 seeker production award -- following three low-rate initial production buys -- and the largest PAC-3 contract received by Boeing to date.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is the PAC-3 Missile Segment prime contractor, supporting the U.S. Army Lower Tier Project Office.

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Russia, U.S. seal Afghan helicopter deal

The U.S. Army Forces Command and Russian state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport have sealed a contract for the supply of 21 Mi-17V5 multipurpose helicopters to Afghanistan, a spokesman for the Russian Federal Service of Military-Technical Cooperation said on Friday.

The United States and Russia have been in talks for more than a year on the deal to provide the much needed vehicles for the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

General Abdul Wahab Wardak, Chief of Staff of the Air Force in Afghanistan, earlier said the cost of one helicopter had been agreed at $17.5 million.

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Lockheed network hit by major disruption

Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon's No. 1 supplier, is experiencing a major disruption to its computer systems that could be related to a problem with network security, a defense official and two sources familiar with the issue said on Thursday.

Lockheed, the biggest provider of information technology to the U.S. government, is grappling with "major internal computer network problems," said one of the sources who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

A second source, who also asked not to be identified, said the issue was "affecting a lot of people" at Lockheed, maker of the stealthy F-22 and F-35 fighter planes and other critical weapons systems.

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Introducing Kim Jong-il’s best fighter aircraft

The bulk of the Korean People’s Army Air Force’s inventory consists of poorly maintained antiquated aircraft (Mig 17s, Mig 19s or Chinese variants thereof) that would not last long against either American or South Korean adversaries in the event of a conflict.

However, the latest issue of the KPA Journal (PDF) gives details on the MiG 29 Fulcrum, the KPA’s most modern aircraft.

The primary base for the MiG 29 is at Sunchon, one of the North Korean bases that include underground airfields, where they are assigned to the 55th Kumsong Guard Air Regiment. The 55th also flies Su 25K ground attack aircraft.

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Successful launches of two MBDA Aster missiles from the Cavour carrier

MBDA announces two successful launches made on May 18th and 19th to demonstrate the effectiveness of its Aster missiles.

Both launches were from the Italian Navy's Cavour carrier in the Poligono Interforze di Salto di Quirra (PISQ) and were made with the assistance of MBDA.

The launches to test the effectiveness of the SAAM/IT system were carried out: one in “autonomous” (self-controlled) mode and the other in “integrated” mode, controlled by the combat system.

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France halts arms sales to Pakistan

Signalling a temporary freeze on arms sales to India's arch rival in a post-Osama bin Laden development, France on Friday said it is discouraging requests for heavy military equipment from Pakistan.

French defence minister Gerard Longuet, who wrapped up a two-day visit to New Delhi on Friday, claimed his country was only supplying interception equipment to Pakistan for use against terrorists.

This equipment is meant to intercept light communication equipment being used by the terrorists.

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Russian submarine to join NATO exercise for first time

A Russian submarine will take part in the world's biggest submarine rescue exercise with its former Cold War foe NATO next week, the Western military alliance said Friday.

The Russian submarine, the first to participate in any NATO exercise, will drop to the bottom of the Mediterranean along with Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish submarines and will await listless for a rescue mission off the coast of Cartagena, Spain.

Around 2,000 military and non-military personnel as well as ships and aircraft from more than 20 nations will take part in the exercise, dubbed Bold Monarch 11, that will run from May 30 to June 10.

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US Army receives first THAAD missiles

US Army has received the first two Terminal High Altitude Area Defence Missiles from Lockheed Martin, US Army officials announced Thursday.

The THAAD missile is a US Army missile system designed to intercept and destroy short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles.

"Our new mission to receive, store and ship THAADs is a great example of how the team here at ADMC can work with our customers to provide outstanding and unique munitions services to ensure ADMC remains a valuable asset to the war-fighter," ADMC Commander Lt. Col. Randall DeLong said.

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U.S. Senators give go ahead for F-16 for Taipei. New missiles in Guangdong

At least 45 U.S. senators are asking president Barack Obama to speed up the sale of 66 F-16 warplanes to Taiwan.

The request has been waiting for a response for five years. In a signed letter, the 45 senators, Democrat and Republican, argue that without the modernization of its fleet of aircraft, "Taiwan will be dangerously exposed to threats, attacks and provocations of the Chinese army."

Over the past three years there has been a reduction of tensions on the Strait.

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SMX-25 a Ship-Sub Hybrid

The French company DCNS developed an interesting concept ship which is essentially a stealth submarine which operate very close to the surface of the water.

The SMX-25 will be cheaper and easier to build and operate than a conventional submarine but will still have many of the benefits including very low signature, making it hard to detect.

DCNS envision the SMX-25 to be powered by three gas turbines driving three water jets and submersible is designed to achieve a sustained surface speed of 38 knots.

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House vote boosts GE engine program

A top River Works union negotiator said a pro-General Electric vote in Congress this week is proof the company's plan to continue competing for Joint Strike Fighter engine work is paying off.

International Union of Electric Workers 201 Business Agent Ric Casilli said the U.S. House authorization vote keeps alive a plan, proposed by General Electric executives to the Defense Department in April, to allow the firm to continue developing a Joint Strike engine with the research and other work paid for by GE.

"I think Congress saw that and said, 'Hey, they're putting in their own money,'" Casilli said on Friday. He added, "I think they woke up and said, 'This is what competition does.'"

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First Airbus Military A330 MRTT leaves on delivery flight to Australia

The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT new generation tanker/transport for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has left Madrid at 10h00 local time on its ferry flight to Australia.

Designated the KC-30A in RAAF service, the aircraft is scheduled to arrive at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland on Monday 30 May, and to be formally handed over to the customer in the next few days.

On its ferry flight, the A330 MRTT is being flown by Airbus Military and RAAF crews, and will transit via McCarran (Nevada) and Hickam (Hawaii) in the USA.

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Typhoon Century for UK

BAE Systems has celebrated the completion of the 100th Typhoon aircraft which was built in the UK’s final assembly facility at Warton in Lancashire.

Typhoon is the world’s most advanced multi-role combat aircraft and it plays a vital role in sustaining key manufacturing skills in the United Kingdom.

As part of the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium BAE Systems is responsible for the production of key aircraft parts including the front fuselage, foreplanes, windscreen and canopy as well as carrying out the final assembly of all UK Typhoons.

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Dutch military boo Parliament

Thousands of uniformed Dutch military booed outside parliament today as they held a demonstration. Soldiers and defence civilian staff marched on The Hague to protest against a one billion euro-cut in the defence budget and its consequent 12,000 compulsory redundancies.

The harshest criticism went to the Christian Democrats and conservative VVD party. During the protest, VVD MP André Bosman said that concessions were necessary and not much can be done about the cuts.

Chants of "It’s stupid to want this" and "This can’t be" came in response. Getting a particularly poor reception was the statement by Bosman, a former Air Force staff member, that there should be no illusion a career in the military could be lifelong.

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Navy Farewells Faithful Servant

HMAS Manoora, one of the Royal Australian Navy’s Amphibious Troop Transport Ships, was decommissioned today in a ceremony held at Garden Island.

The vessel gave 17 years of distinguished service to the Navy which included deployments to the Solomon Islands, East Timor, and the Middle East.

During the past decade Manoora made a strong contribution to border protection activities in Australia’s Northern waters, and she acted as ‘guard ship’ for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

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France, Russia to sign warship deal before Putin's June visit - Sarkozy

France and Russia should sign a contract on four Mistral class helicopter carriers for Russia before June 21, when Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is to visit France, President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday.

"We have agreed everything with President Medvedev - the price, the timeframe, the transfer of technology, and the construction site," Sarkozy said.

"Contract negotiations are over; it only remains to decide when this contract will be signed: The deadline is June 21 because this is when Prime Minister Putin will come to Paris."

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Raytheon Deploys Miniature Air Launched Decoys From C-130 Cargo Aircraft

Raytheon Company launched two Miniature Air Launched Decoy instrumented shapes from the ramp of a C-130 Hercules equipped with the new Raytheon-funded MALD® Cargo Air Launched System (MCALS).

This test marked the first deployment of a MALD airframe from a cargo aircraft.

MALD is a state-of-the-art, low-cost flight vehicle that is modular, air-launched and programmable. It weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles (about 575 statute miles).

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Lockheed Martin Delivers AH-1Z Cobra Targeting Systems to the U.S. Marine Corps Ahead of Schedule

Lockheed Martin recently began early delivery of Target Sight System (TSS) follow-on
production units for the U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter.

The TSS units feature upgraded software to provide additional targeting capabilities.

TSS is the multi-sensor fire control system for the AH-1Z, integrating state-of-the-art sensors to provide pilots with enhanced capabilities to acquire, track and designate targets.

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45 senators tell Obama: Sell Taiwan some F-16s already!

Unless the United States sells Taiwan some new fighter jets, the military balance between Taiwan and China will continue to spiral out of control to the detriment of both Taiwanese and U.S. security, 45 U.S. senators wrote on Thursday to President Barack Obama.

"Taiwan desperately needs new tactical fighter aircraft," the senators wrote in the May 26 letter, obtained by The Cable.

In light of the fact that China continues to pile up missiles, ships, aircraft, and submarines on its shore opposite Taiwan (which Beijing still considers a breakaway province), the senators want Obama to sell Taiwan 66 new F-16 fighters of the C and D variants.

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Two-month deadline set for Scots RAF base decision

RAF Lossiemouth
Campaigners will learn the fate of Scotland's two remaining air bases in just under two months, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.

Mr Salmond met with Defence Secretary Liam Fox on Wednesday to reiterate the case for retaining both RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth.

He said a decision would be made about the bases by 19 July.

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What's Plan B? - Australia's air combat capability in the balance

In this ASPI Policy Analysis author Andrew Davies says Australia’s long-held plans for the future air combat capability in the form of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are under pressure from rising costs and slipping schedules.

This paper assesses the current situation and concludes that there is still scope for a successful transition later this decade, but that margins are getting tight.

Cost pressures are strongest for the first batch of fourteen aircraft due to arrive from 2014, and must be close to maxing out the approved funding amount.

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Overdue and over budget: $8bn destroyer plan in crisis

Bitter infighting has erupted between government and industry over the nation's largest defence project, the $8 billion plan to build the navy's new air warfare destroyers, which is two years late and hundreds of millions of dollars over budget.

The government was yesterday forced to admit publicly that the flagship project was badly behind schedule after it became aware The Australian had the story and was planning to publish it today.

Insiders say the plan to build three 6500-tonne destroyers is in crisis barely a year after construction of the ships' steel hulls began in Melbourne, Newcastle and Adelaide. They warn that the AWD project threatens to become the biggest defence industry bungle since the Collins Class submarine construction in the 1990s.

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First Cyclone helicopter to be formally delivered to military this summer

The Canadian military is expected to receive its first "fully operational" Cyclone maritime helicopter later this summer after years of delays, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Thursday as he offered the media a brief viewing of an idle test model at an airbase near Halifax.

He said the first "interim" CH-148 Cyclone arrived at 12 Wing Shearwater two weeks ago to help train Canadian Forces aircrew and technicians. But this model is for ground-based training only.

It was supposed to arrive last November, and it wasn't the first Cyclone to fly over Halifax harbour when it arrived. U.S.-based Sikorsky, manufacturer of the Cyclone, first sent test versions of the helicopter to Halifax in the winter of 2009 for sea trials.

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US Raytheon announces missile project worth nearly $4 bln for Turkey

A US team led by Raytheon is hoping to win the international competition for Turkey’s long-range-missile and air-defense systems.

At least $2 billion of the project would be done by Turkish companies locally, says Mike Boots, Turkey Patriot program manager at Raytheon, implying that the price of the US systems could be around $4 billion.

The Turkish defense industry could earn benefits worth over $2 billion from Raytheon Co.'s contracts worldwide if a U.S. group that includes the firm wins a Turkish tender to help provide defense systems to the country.

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US to help Israel buy 4 more Iron Dome interceptors

The Pentagon is planning to help Israel buy four more Iron Dome short-range anti-rocket batteries, the head of the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency said on Wednesday.

"In our budget, we have a proposal to assist with procurement of four more batteries," Army Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly, the agency's director, told the US Senate Appropriations Defense subcommittee.

The batteries consist of a mobile air defense system with a radar-guided interceptor missile launched from a truck-sized firing platform.

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Ingalls Shipbuilding Starts Fabrication on U.S. Navy's 10th USS San Antonio-Class Ship

Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII), announced today that it has begun construction on the U.S. Navy's newest amphibious assault ship, John P. Murtha (LPD 26).

The company was recently awarded a $1.5 billion contract to build the USS San Antonio-class ship at the Pascagoula facility.

"This is a significant milestone for Ingalls Shipbuilding and for the U.S. Navy," said Doug Lounsberry, vice president, LPD program.

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Neglect risk for ageing submarines

New subs to replace the Collins-class fleet may be delayed for years, a Defence think-tank warns.

And more money needed to be spent on maintenance of the current fleet in the interim so they don't fall behind submarines from other Asia-Pacific nations.

The Kokoda Foundation paper warned that the number and capabilities of submarines in the region will grow rapidly over the next decade.

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Russia to begin final sea-trials of submarine Yuri Dolgoruki

Russia will soon begin the final sea trials of the first strategic nuclear-powered fourth generation submarine, the Yuri Dolgoruki, a media report said.

Russian Shipyard Sevmash had already completed the programme of shipyards trials in April 2007. The construction of the Yuri Dolgoruki of Project 955 ‘Borei’ started in 1996.

The fourth generation submarine is planned to put into service together with the new naval-based Bulava missile, which is also under trials.

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Iran plans to build advanced submarines

Commander of Iran's Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the country's naval forces plan to build “modern submarines" for a stronger Iranian presence in international waters.

“The construction of modern submarines is underway according to the needs of the country's naval forces for a stronger presence in international waters,” Sayyari told IRNA on Wednesday.

Sayyari noted that the naval forces are using new military equipments to “defend our country, interests and maritime borders.”

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Navy chief Nirmal Verma wants a fighting-fit fleet

Taking note of the fluid security situation, the Indian Navy wants to develop the capability to deploy its warships, submarines and aircraft at "immediate notice".

Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma on Tuesday reminded his commanders that the top priority for the force was maintaining war-fighting abilities even though it was also handling the entire spectrum of maritime security.

Naval commanders began their bi-annual dialogue in New Delhi just a day after terrorists attacked a Pakistan navy base and destroyed two potent maritime patrol aircraft, P3C Orions. The operation at PNS Mehran became an obvious talking point for Indian naval commanders.

Security of sensitive installations is already high on the agenda of the Indian Navy.

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First aircraft in phase one of Block 40/45 modification completed ahead of schedule

Tinker celebrated a significant "half-time" accomplishment May 17. Phase one of the low-rate initial production of the Block 40/45 modification project was finished on the first AWACS 30 days ahead of schedule.

The Block 40/45 modification is a $2.9-billion initiative to upgrade the computer system, ground systems and infrastructure. Replacing the aircraft's physical computer equipment began in November in conjunction with routine programmed depot maintenance.

Approximately 300 attendees from the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, E-3 System Program Office, Electronic Systems Center and Boeing attended the ceremony, held just west of Bldg. 2136's AWACS PDM hangar.

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Japan to allow U.S. to export new missile

The government has decided to allow the U.S. to export to third countries a jointly developed ballistic missile interceptor, in a politically sensitive move that represents a further easing of Japan's ban on arms exports, sources said Tuesday.

The two countries will discuss each export of the new Block 2A type of the sea-based Standard Missile-3 interceptor to stay in line with Japan's export controls, such as excluding countries under U.N. arms sanctions.

But it is uncertain whether Japan in reality can turn down requests by its closest ally.

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Attack Helos in Libya Mean Deadly Days Ahead – For Everyone

In a bid to break a weeks-long stalemate in Libya, France and the U.K. have simultaneously made a portentous decision. Both countries are deploying tank-busting attack helicopters from their respective amphibious ships, currently sailing off the Libyan coast.

“What we want is to better tailor our ability to strike on the ground with ways that allow more accurate hits,” said French diplomat Alain Juppe.

There are three British Army WAH-64D Apaches embarked on the assault ship HMS Ocean, with up to three more on the way. The choppers were recently re-certified for shipboard use, as a partial replacement for the Royal Navy’s recently-retired aircraft carrier and Harrier jump jets.

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Enterprise Lands 400,000th Aircraft

An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 became the 400,000th aircraft to land on USS Enterprise's (CVN 65) flight deck May 24.

Lt. Matthew L. Enos and Weapon System Officer Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Welsh manned the Super Hornet for the historic landing. Enos said he is honored he was the pilot to put Enterprise on the short list of aircraft carriers with 400,000 landings.

"This is a day I will never forget," said Enos. "This has been a great deployment even without this feat. Being able to do this is just the icing on the cake."

Enterprise is only the fourth Navy aircraft carrier to have more than 400,000 carrier landings, and is the only carrier still in commission to surpass the number.

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Saab Prepares for UK Expansion

Global defence and security company, Saab AB will open new UK headquarters and draw on British engineering expertise in a new Saab Design Centre in London.

With 200 employees already based throughout the UK, Saab is preparing to expand its reach into the British defence industry by opening a central London office to co-ordinate all in-country operations.

The opening of the company’s new UK headquarters will be followed by the opening of an engineering design centre. The facility will capitalise on the UK’s maritime jet engineering expertise and is scheduled to open in the late Summer.

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Russia says a fifth of defense budget stolen

A fifth of Russia's state defence spending is stolen every year by corrupt officials, dishonest generals and crooked contractors, Russia's chief military prosecutor said in an interview published on Tuesday.

President Dmitry Medvedev says endemic corruption is holding back Russia's development, but anti-bribery groups say the problem has become worse since Medvedev was steered into the Kremlin by his mentor Vladimir Putin in 2008.

"Huge money is being stolen - practically every fifth rouble and the troops are still getting poor quality equipment and arms," chief military prosecutor Sergei Fridinsky told Russia's official gazette, Rossiiskaya Gazeta.

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India to boost 'blue-water' warfare punch with two new stealth frigates

The Navy continues to hone its war-fighting capabilities despite being stretched in coastal security and anti-piracy operations.

The force is now on course to soon induct two more deadly stealth frigates to bolster its growing "blue-water" warfare capabilities.

Sources say the 6,200-tonne indigenous stealth frigate INS Satpura is likely to be commissioned in June-July, while the Russian-built 4,900-tonne INS Teg should finally be ready for induction by September-October.

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Trident update seen as weapon against Tories

Nick Harvey, armed forces minister, has said that the Liberal Democrats and Labour could fight the next election promising to scale back or abandon the £25bn Trident nuclear submarine programme.

Mr Harvey has been put in charge of an official government review of whether the Trident upgrade is the best way to provide a British nuclear deterrent in future and plainly believes there are more flexible and cheaper alternatives.

Speaking to the Financial Times, the Lib Dem minister said the question of Britain’s nuclear deterrent would be a bigger issue at the planned 2015 election than “at any time since the 1980s”.

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