Russia to buy 1,000 helicopters by 2020

Russia's Defense Ministry announced plans on Thursday to buy 100 ships, over 600 aircraft and 1,000 helicopters under a 2011-2020 arms procurement program.

Russia will buy 10 new generation S-500 air defense systems, which will replace the S-400 systems currently entering service with the Russian forces, said First Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin, who is in charge of arms procurement.

Russia plans to purchase more than 100 helicopters this year, including Mi-26 Halo heavy transport helicopters, Mi-28 Night Hunter and Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters.

SU-30MKI Multi-Role Fighter

RAF May Retire Tornados Early to Save Money

The U.K. Ministry of Defence is scrambling to find GBP1 billion ($1.62 billion) in cost savings prior to the end of the current fiscal year on March 31. Adding to the challenge, the cost-cutting options presented represent politically difficult choices that may see Britain transition from Tier 1 military status to Tier 2.

The options include cutting 20,000 troops from the Army from 2015 onward (this would shrink the British Army to its smallest size since the 1820s due to a downsizing at the end of the Napoleonic Wars) and withdrawing more ships from an overextended, under-strength Royal Navy.

First EMB-145 Rolls Out For DRDO AWACS

Embraer presented the first of three EMB-145 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platforms on Feb 21 to representatives of the Indian government at a ceremony held at its headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil. Based on the proven Embraer ERJ 145 regional jet, the aircraft features an in-flight refueling system, SATCOM capability, a significant increase in electrical and cooling capacities, and a comprehensive set of aerodynamic and structural changes. These improvements will allow the installation of the advanced electronic systems currently being developed by DRDO under CABS’ coordination.

Chinese Air Force Employment Concepts in the 21st Century

China's air force is in the midst of a transformation. A decade ago, it was an antiquated service equipped almost exclusively with weapons based on 1950s-era Soviet designs and operated by personnel with questionable training according to outdated employment concepts. Today, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) appears to be on its way to becoming a modern, highly capable air force for the 21st century.

This monograph analyzes publications of the Chinese military, previously published Western studies of China’s air force, and information available in published sources about current and future capabilities of the PLAAF.

DRDO Says Development of Improved Indian Arjun Complete

India's state-owned Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) claims that it has completed upgrades on the Arjun tank, replacing existing German engines and transmission systems with homemade systems.

The Mark-II Arjun will incorporate up to 90 percent of indigenous content, compared with 58 percent in the current model, a DRDO scientist said, and should be ready for induction by 2014.

Arrow Weapon System Intercepts Target During Missile Defense Test

The joint U.S.-Israel Arrow Weapon System successfully intercepted a ballistic target missile during a flight test conducted today. This test is part of the Arrow System Improvement program(ASIP) and was conducted jointly by the Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency at the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division-Pt. Mugu Sea Range.

At 10:30 p.m. local time (Pacific Standard Time), the target missile was launched from a Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) off the coast of California, within the Pt. Mugu test range. The target was representative of potential ballistic missile threats facing Israel.

Russia says S-300 deliveries to Venezuela delayed

Deliveries of S-300 missile defense systems to Venezuela have been delayed, but will go ahead, an official at Rosoboronexport, Russia's state-owned arms export monopoly, said on Tuesday.

In November, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said that Russia had agreed to lend his country over $4 billion to buy weapons.

Chinese Army to Develop New Missile By 2015

A new type of conventional missile being researched by the Chinese Army is set to be weaponised for entry into active service within five years, military sources revealed.

The China News Service has reported that China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) will complete research, production and delivery of the new missile by 2015.

AgustaWestland Debuts AW139M US Military Helicopter

AgustaWestland North America, Inc. today introduced its AW139M military helicopter for the U.S. military market.

AgustaWestland customized the military version of the multi-role, off-the-shelf AW139 medium-twin helicopter, integrated with proven U.S. military technology for the U.S. Air Force's Common Vertical Lift Support Program. The AW139M is being featured at the AFA Air Warfare Symposium, Feb. 17-18, 2011.

Tejas Fighters Will Be Raised In Bangalore

The first squadron of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will be raised in Bangalore.

The Aircraft and System Testing Establishment (ASTE) will conduct a series of tests before the aircraft is inducted into the Indian Air Force.

Commandant of the ASTE, Air Commodore BR Krishna said that two pilots have been identified by the Bangalore-based flight testing establishment for carrying out extensive tests.

Russia’s Renewed Arms Sale to China

Tensions in the arms sales relationship between Russia and China have been visibly on the rise in recent years.  Yet, in November 2010, Moscow and Beijing announced a large new package of arms sales that appear to have turned a new leaf in this relationship. 

Much of the tension stemmed from the Chinese defense industry's practice of reverse engineering Russian weapons technology, indigenizing it and then reselling it in third party markets in competition with Moscow.

Made In Germany For Russia’s Army

Germany is joining a scramble among West-European producers of military equipment for Russian orders. NATO and the United States are silent bystanders to this growing trend, which challenges the Alliance’s defense posture and planning, as well as the US’s hitherto trend-setting role in the Alliance.

Airmen assist in Air Force-wide missile modification

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany: Members of the 86th Munitions Squadron here recently assisted a joint air to surface standoff missile team in a weeklong project of modifying several missiles as part of an Air Force-wide initiative.

Officials from Lockheed Martin Corporation, the developer of the missiles, dispatched a team to work the issue here Jan. 31 to Feb 4.

Bahrain army clamps down after protests crushed

Bahrain's army has deployed across Manama vowing "strict measures" to restore order after a police raid on anti-regime protesters killed three, wounded nearly 200 and enraged the opposition.

Taiwan leader says US jets critical

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou on Thursday renewed his call for the United States to sell fighter jets to the island, arguing its survival was at stake despite his outreach to China.

Taiwan "is a sovereign state; we must have our national defense," Ma, who often plays down suggestions of the island's separate identity, said in an interview with The Washington Post.

"While we negotiate with the mainland, we hope to carry out such talks with sufficient self-defense capabilities and not negotiate out of fear," Ma said.

Special team restores small arms to fighting condition

Every brigade combat team goes through the same Army Force Generation process. The unit trains, deploys, and then, upon redeployment, undergoes RESET.

Many of the events throughout the equipment Reset window are executed by special repair teams, or SRTs, working in coordination with Army Sustainment Command. One of these SRTs is the Small Arms Readiness Evaluation Team often referred to as SARET. Working with ASC's 406th Army Field Support Brigade, SARET recently assisted in resetting the 2nd Brigade Combat Team "Commandos" of the 10th Mountain Division.

IS IAF plans to buy 260 of MMRCA Aircrafts?

It is already known as the world’s biggest defence import deal in a long time. Now, it transpires, it is even bigger than that. The Indian Air Forceis in the market to buy 126 Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) from one of six foreign vendors bidding for the contract. 

Over time, however, the IAF plans to buy 260 of them, Deccan Chronicle has learnt. That means, what has been talked about as a $10-12 billion deal will eventually fetch the winner of the contract close to $25 billion.

While the IAF floated a request for proposal (RFP) for only 126 fighters, sources privy to the armed forces’ Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan said that that document puts the number of medium fighter jets the IAF needs at is 260.Ministry of defence officials, however, refused to confirm that there was any plan beyond the current RFP.

Chinese WZ551/Type 92 IFV in Southern Sudan

WZ551/Type92 IFV seems to be a common sign in Southern Sudan. In addition to serving with the PLA UN Engineering Battalion as part the UNAMID, it is also serving with the Zambians peacekeepers in the same region. 

Norway Buys Rubber Tracks for CV90 Afghan Operations

Two Norwegian Army CV9030 infantry fighting vehicles have been using rubber tracks in northern Afghanistan since December. The 28-tonne BAE Systems vehicles are the heaviest to have used them on operations.

India to Sign Mirage Upgrade Deal

The Indian Airforce today said it was hoping to sign the long-stuck USD 2.1 billion deal to upgrade around 50 Mirage 2000s with France by March this year.

The deal has been awaiting clearance from the government after differences emerged between the two sides over price and legal issues.

Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable Babur cruise missile

Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable Babur cruise missile

Pakistan test fired nuclear-capable Babur (Hatf-7) cruise missile with a range of 600 km that can hit targets in India.

The test of the indigenous-developed missile was “part of a process of validating the system,” said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations. The statement did not mention where the test was conducted.

Russian military justifies purchase of Mistral warships

Russia has decided to buy Mistral ships from France because it would have taken at least 10 years to develop a similar domestic model, Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Nikolai Makarov said Thursday.

"It could take at least 10 years to develop a ship similar to Mistral," Makarov said. "And meanwhile someone will create a better weapon [than Mistral."Makarov said Russia should buy the best of modern weaponry abroad to be built under license in Russia.