North Korean Submarine Threat Overstated, Arms Analysts Say

North Korea remains years away from being able to launch ballistic missiles from a submarine even as its leader Kim Jong Un seeks to expand the fleet’s range and firepower, weapons analysts said.

“If the North decides to pursue such a capability, it is likely to take years to design, develop, manufacture, and deploy an operational submarine-launched ballistic missile force,” Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., chief analytical officer at AllSource Analysis, wrote last week on 38 North, a blog run by the U.S.- Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington.

A North Korean submarine with working missile silos would mark a giant stride in Kim’s ability to threaten distant rivals, including the U.S., as his regime claims it can now make warheads small enough to be deployed on missiles.

Read more

Thales' first Compact FLASH dipping sonar system passed Factory Acceptance Test

Thales announced yesterday at Euronaval 2014 in Paris that its first Compact FLASH dipping sonar system has passed its Factory Acceptance (FAT) Test in Brest, the first test for this new variant of the highly successful FLASH family of dipping sonars.

This important milestone will be followed by a delivery from Brest to AgustaWestland in Yeovil, England, where it will be installed in the Super Lynx 300 naval helicopter.

The FAT was witnessed by a dedicated Project Team from AgustaWestland who have now 'signed-off' the successful test result.

Read more

China Successfully Develops Laser System Able to Shoot Down Drones in Seconds: Reports

China has successfully developed a laser defense system that can shoot down small-scale low flying drones within a two kilometer radius in five seconds, Xinhua news reported.

The laser system with its precision, speed and low noise can shoot down drones at an altitude of 500 meters and a speed of 50 meters per second (180 kilometers per hour or 112 miles per hour), the news agency reported on Sunday evening citing a statement published by the China Academy of Engineering Physics.

The academy’s statement added that the laser system would be installed in vehicles, aimed at providing heightened security at major events.

Read more

Eye-in-the-Sky Blimp Boosts Singapore’s Spying Ability

A missing airplane and a rise in piracy attacks off the coast of Singapore has prompted the city-state to boost surveillance efforts with a radar-equipped blimp over its skyline.

An unmanned helium-filled balloon the length of an Olympic-size pool will be held down by fortified ropes to float 600 meters (2,000 feet) above ground -- more than twice the height of Singapore’s tallest building, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement on its website.

“Both aviation and maritime domains have to be closely monitored in the light of the more recent developments, for instance the MH370,” said Rohan Gunaratna, head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Read more

Damen increases its Landing Ship Transport range by introducing the LST 100

The 24th Euronaval exhibition, world greatest Naval Defence & Maritime Exhibition & Conference, was chosen by Dutch manufacturer Damen Shipyards to officially increase its Landing Ship Transport vessels range by showcasing the new mid-size LST100.

The Damen’s LST vessels range in length from 80m to 120m overall.

All LST family has aft deckhouse, a protected internal cargo deck and flexible, and a helicopter dek aft of the deckhouse.

Read more

J-15 carrier-based fighter modified for catapult launch

A model of China's J-15 carrier-based fighter displayed by an unknown ship design & research institute indicates has revealed that the PLA Navy is modifying the landing gear of the fighter for future aircraft carriers designed with catapults, reports the state-run Global Times.

The landing gear retraction jack of the new J-15 seems to be thicker compared to earlier models, said the report.

The nose gear seems to be designed for catapults and arresting gear.

Read more

Indigenously built N-submarine’s sea trials by year end

In a major boost to indigenisation of defence manufacturing, India’s first nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed submarine ‘INS Arihant’ will head out for sea trials by the year-end.

“INS Arihant’ will be ready for sea trials by the end of this year,” an official aware of the developments relating to the 6,000-tonne submarine said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Once the trials are through and the submarine enters service, India will not only complete its nuclear triad of delivering nuclear weapons from land, sea and air, but also join an elite club of six nations that operate nuclear submarines carrying ballistic missiles.

Read more

Fincantieri reveals its new PPA patrol ship at EURONAVAL 2014

Fincantieri PPA (Pattugliatore Polivalente D’Altura), Offshore Polyvalent Patrol, is first revealed at EURONAVAL 2014.

The vessel can perform a wide range of offshore patrolling missions thanks to its innovative modular sections conception.

PPA have been chosen by Italian Navy for the replacement program of Italian corvettes, patrol vessels and Durand de la Penne destroyers.

Read more

Antique submarines still key to struggling Taiwan fleet

At 70 years old, Taiwan's World War II-era "Hai Pao" submarine would not be out of place in a museum, but the antique vessel is still part of the navy -- a sign of the island's ongoing struggle to strengthen its fleet.

The sub's interior gleams with highly polished copper and is the pride of its crew.

But the fact that the former US warship is still on active duty is testament to Taiwan's decades-long battle to build up its submarine force, with potential suppliers wary of jeopardising relations with China.

Read more

What We Know So Far About The J-20

Ahead of the Zhuhai air show, Aviation Week's International Defense Editor Bill Sweetman talks to Defense Managing Editor Jen DiMascio about the J-20 Chinese fighter.


Source

Navy’s pride HMS Queen Elizabeth ‘will depend on French’

The 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier, Britain’s largest ever warship, was described as a “source of inspiration” by the Queen when she christened the vessel at Rosyth, Scotland in July.

The ship is due to be launched in 2017, although delays are expected.

But for three years while her sister carrier the Prince of Wales is being completed in Rosyth, there will be no dry dock large enough for Queen Elizabeth if she needs underwater repairs.

Read more

J-31 could bring one-two punch to China's air power: expert

China's mysterious fifth-generation J-31 stealth fighter jet, set to make its debut later this month, could form a lethal tandem with the country's existing J-15 carrier-based fighter aircraft, says a Chinese military expert.

The J-31, also known as "Gyrfalcon," or Falcon Hawk by some military enthusiasts, is a twin-engine, mid-size fifth-generation jet fighter currently under development by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation.

The jet, set to make its debut at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition on Nov. 16, has already been seen performing test flights and stunts after arriving at the city of Zhuhai in south China's Guangdong province ahead of the event.

Read more

SA Government proposes ASC privatisation to keep submarine building program in Australia

The South Australian Government has proposed the privatisation of ASC, a naval shipbuilding company based near Port Adelaide.

It made the submission to the Commonwealth's Defence White Paper as "one possible" solution for the Federal Government to consider.

The ASC is owned by the Commonwealth and built the existing Collins Class submarines.

Read more

NATO’s Bold Alligator mission begins off north American coast

NATO has launched Bold Alligator, a major military exercise off the north American coast.

Some 8,000 soldiers and sailors from 19 countries are taking part in the amphibious landing training mission. The aim is to improve combat flexibility amid rising global threat levels.

Dutch Commodore Rob Kramer, Commander of Bold Alligator coalition forces: “It’s clear that we live in a very dynamic world, we have got to be ready for everything. That’s what we are doing here and if need be and called upon, we are ready for it.”

Read more

N. Korea launches ballistic missile submarine: gov't sources

North Korea has launched a new submarine capable of firing ballistic missiles, military and government sources in Seoul said Sunday, raising further concerns over the North's evolving missile and nuclear threats.

The communist country "imported a Soviet-era Golf-class diesel submarine and modified it," a government source said on condition of anonymity. The Soviet vessel was built in 1958 and decommissioned in 1990.

"The new submarine is 67 meters long with a beam of 6.6 meters, and has a dived displacement in the 3,000-ton range," the source said.

Read more

India alarmed over Sri Lanka opening port for Chinese nuclear submarine again

India has taken seriously the reports that Sri Lanka has permitted another Chinese attack submarine to dock at a Lankan port.

According to some media reports, the second docking may soon take place.

The presence of Chinese submarines across Palk Straits has troubled the Indian government which is making another call to Lankan authorities but this time they want to convey strong displeasure. This news came as a shock for the government right after the Chinese submarine docking in Sri Lanka was brought days after the visit of Vietnam PM Nguyen Tan Dung to India. It was in complete disregard to India's message to Lankan defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa earlier this month.

Read more

Russia Test-Fires Topol-M Intercontinental Ballistic Missile: Defense Ministry

The Russian Strategic Missile Forces test-fired on Saturday a Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile from a launch site in northwestern Russia, the country's Defense Ministry said.

"The (MBR) RT-2PM2 ,Topol-M', a silo-based intercontinental ballistic missile, was launched on November 1, at 9:20 a.m. [local time, or 6:20 GMT] from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome," the ministry said in a statement.

The launch was carried out to test Topol-M's technical features. According to the statement, the missile demonstrated its high precision capabilities and overall good performance, hitting a designated target at a test range on Russia's Kamchatka peninsula.

Read more

HAL conducts critical Ground Vibration Test on modified Sukhoi with BrahMos missile

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) conducted the critical Ground Vibration Test (GVT) on a Sukhoi aircraft, which is being integrated with the air version of the BrahMos missile.

Confirming details to OneIndia, HAL Chairman R K Tyagi said that the GVT is an important step towards the modification of the Sukhois, which are set to carry the BrahMos missiles in future.

"The recent GVT was aimed at assessing the dynamic behavior of the modified Sukhoi platform. The tests were carried out for a total of nine configurations," Tyagi said. The GVT was done at HAL's Nasik Division in Maharashtra.

Read more

Russian delivers final US-bought transport helicopter to Afghan army

Russia has delivered the last of 63 Mil Mi-17 transport helicopter purchased by the US Defense Department on behalf of the Afghan National Army.

Russian Helicopters announced in had met the milestone in October. The US Defense Department signed a contract in 2011 with Rosoboronexport, , the Russian state-owned company that brokers the country’s military imports and exports, for the Mil Mi-17 helicopters.

“Helicopters such as Mi-17 scored well when operating in harsh climatic conditions and use in the highlands,” says a statement from Rosoboronexport that was translated from Russian.

Read more

New PACAF commander seeks China air safety dialogue

The U.S. Air Force's new commander in the Pacific said Saturday she's hoping to continue talks with China on avoiding dangerous encounters in the air that have added to regional tensions.

Gen. Lori Robinson said she anticipates a speaking engagement at China's biggest air show later this month will allow her to renew dialogue on the issue.

"The dialogue is beginning. I think that's very, very good for the region," Robinson said in a telephone interview from Hawaii.

Read more

Insitu Announces ScanEagle 2 – the Next Generation of the ScanEagle Platform

From its booth at the Euronaval Exhibition and Conference in Paris, Insitu announced today ScanEagle 2, the next generation of its revolutionary ScanEagle platform.

Leveraging lessons learned from more than 800,000 operational hours, ScanEagle 2 provides increased payload power and expanded payload options, a more robust navigation system, better image quality due to a fully digital video system and a state-of-the-art, purpose-built propulsion system.

The aircraft’s new architecture also maximizes commonality with all Insitu systems, reducing training, hardware and life-cycle costs.

Read more

Airbus DS, DCNS partner to advance unmanned naval helicopter system

Airbus Defense and Space and DCNS are partnering for continued development of a ship-based unmanned tactical helicopter called Tanan.

Tanen has a maximum take-off weight of about 771.6 pounds. It is powered by a diesel engine and equipped with extensive detection and identification capabilities.

Airbus Defense and Space says the aircraft has already demonstrated a capability to fire 68mm rockets.

Read more

Australia refers Poseidon upgrade facilities project to Public Works Committee

The Australian Department of Defence has referred a facilities upgrade project to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, before the arrival of the new P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

The $707.9m facilities required for the maritime patrol aircraft replacement project covers modernisation of facilities for several Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases across the country.

Australian defence minister parliamentary secretary Darren Chester said: "Facilities will be developed at the Main Operating Base at RAAF Base Edinburgh, as well as works at Forward Operating Bases at RAAF Bases Darwin, Pearce and Townsville.

Read more

French Navy's Charles de Gaulle to integrate radar system from Terma

French ship builder DCNS has awarded a contract to Terma for the delivery of two Scanter 6000 naval surveillance radars for integration into the French Navy carrier, Charles de Gaulle (R91).

Commissioned in 2001, Charles de Gaulle is claimed to be the largest Western European warship, and is the tenth French aircraft carrier.

When integrated on the vessel, the Scanter radar systems will serve as a multi-role sensor system and assist the navy in navigation and tactical surface and air surveillance, search and rescue, and helicopter control.

Read more

China's secret submarine caves extend Xi Jinping's naval reach

Beneath the surface of the South China Sea off the tropical Chinese resort island of Hainan, an underwater tunnel guides submarines into a lair reminiscent of a James Bond spy movie.

From this pen the subs can venture in and out of the contested South China Sea hidden from the prying eyes of reconnaissance planes deployed by the United States Navy, which for the past half century has enjoyed almost unfettered access to the waters, say military watchers who cite satellite images of the area.

The fleet of diesel and nuclear-powered submarines reflects President Xi Jinping's efforts to ensure the security of sea lanes vital for feeding the economic growth on which the nation's stability rests. It's also provoked discomfort among neighbours bruised by China's approach to territorial disputes.

Read more