US senator demands probe of tanker mix-up

Seven US senators on Thursday called on the Pentagon to formally investigate a document mix-up in the politically-charged contest for a new aerial refueling tanker.

With a decision on the contract expected in February or March, the senators demanded the Defense Department's inspector general probe whether EADS gained an unfair advantage when the Air Force inadvertently sent the company and its rival Boeing each other's data.

Iran to showcase new rockets, satellites

Iran said on Sunday it will showcase what it called a new range of rockets and satellites during annual celebrations marking the 32nd anniversary of the Islamic revolution.

Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Safir 1-B and Kavoshgar 4 rockets and Rasad and Fajr satellites would be unveiled during the 10-day celebrations that start on Tuesday, according to state television website.

Iran will mark on February 11 the 32nd anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution which toppled the US-backed shah. Every year Tehran uses the occasion to tout its scientific and technological achievments.

US troops revamp training for foggy battlefields

As the war in Afghanistan enters its 10th year the US military is shaking up its traditional training regimen to prepare troops for the country's complex battlefields.

At boot camps nowadays soldiers are taught to think on their toes as they prepare for missions that will require them not only to fight shadowy enemies on rough terrain but also protect civilians caught in the crossfire.

"Thirty years ago it was blind obedience. Today we teach them to think," says Command Sergeant Major John Calpena, who honed his skills during a 29-year-long career, including on deployments to Iraq.

MoD Defends Cancelation of Nimrod Program

The Daily Telegraph has published an article about the canceling of the Nimrod MRA4 project. The original contract was let to supply 21 Nimrod MRA4 aircraft at a cost of £2.8bn.

After delays of over nine years and spiraling costs, the number of aircraft was reduced to nine and the projected cost to taxpayers in 2010 increased to £3.65bn.

Chief of the Defense Staff, General Sir David Richards, said: "The decision to cancel the Nimrod MRA4 was not taken lightly by Ministers and Service Chiefs. Severe financial pressures meant we had to address the Department's spending and tough decisions had to be taken.

"This project was delayed and overspent; canceling it will save £2bn over ten years. None of these nine aircraft were operational, only one was built and it had not passed flight tests. Since March last year, well before the SDSR [Strategic Defence and Security Review], the Nimrod MR2 has not flown and we have been mitigating the impact with other military assets and by working with allies and partners where appropriate."

The MOD will ensure the integrity of UK waters by utilizing a range of capabilities such as Type 23 frigates, Merlin anti-submarine warfare helicopters and Hercules C-130 aircraft.

US pledges help for Philippine navy

The United States said Thursday it would help boost the Philippines' capacity to patrol its waters as part of a larger goal of keeping vital Asian sea lanes open amid the rise of China.

The pledge came from US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell on the first day of an inaugural security dialogue between the two allies.

"One of the subjects for discussions tomorrow will be the bilateral steps that (we) can take to increase the Philippines' maritime capacity," Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said.

This would enhance the Philippine navy's capacity to police its waters, he told a joint news conference."We think this is a critical component of our partnership. Much of this work is already underway and we seek to intensify it in the months and years ahead," he said without giving details.

K-15 SLBM To Test On 31 Ja

The DRDO has rescheduled the test-firing of submarine launched ballistic missile ( SLBM) K-15 to January 31. It was supposed to be test-fired from an underwater platform off the Vishakhapatnam coast on January 20.

"The test was first scheduled on January 16, but was postponed to January 20. Now it has again been rescheduled to January 31 due to delay in arrangements. It is a coordinated exercise of both land and Navy personnel," a source said.

"India can join the league of five nations, Russia, US, France, Britain and China, with the successful launch of the K-15 missile. These countries already possess advanced missiles that can be launched from a submarine," sources said.

The indigenously developed K-15 or the B-05 missile are 10 metres in length, one metre in diameter and weighs ten tonnes with a strike range of around 700 km.

This missile uses solid propellant and carries a conventional payload of about 500 kg to one tone and also be fitted with a tactical nuclear warhead. "The missile is ready for the test. But preparation is on for locating the Pontoon (replica of a submarine) inside the sea. The tracking machineries and technical equipment have been shifted from the integrated test range to Vishakhapatnam," the source added.

The K-15 missile has been tested at least six times and is in serial production.The missile was initially test-fired under the name of Sagarika project. While its launching was recorded partial success twice, the rest were claimed as "successful trials" by the DRDO.

The missile, which can be compared with the Tomahawk missile of US, is India's response to Pakistan's Babur missile. The source further said that the Navy has reportedly been insisting for the test of K-15's cruise variant as it is hard to be obstructed and has pinpoint accuracy.

IAF To Induct first C-130 J Hercules Transport Aircraft

Indian Air Force will formally induct its first C-130 J Hercules Transport aircraft on February 5.

The aircraft is likely to arrive in the country by the end of this month and would be formally inducted into the IAF at a ceremony at its home base Hindan air base near here on February 5, IAF officials said here.

The first of the six aircraft procured by India under USD 970 million deal was handed over to IAF in mid-December.

CHINA HQ-9 SAM SYSTEM

Pentagon Spokesman Discusses China, North Korea

The jury is still out on China's apparent fifth-generation J-20 stealth aircraft, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said today.

“The J-20 stories, frankly, that I've seen over the past couple weeks … have been a little over the top,” Morrell said during a Pentagon news conference. He noted that reports of “successful testing” ignore the unknowns of the Chinese aircraft.

“What we know is that a plane that looks different than any other they produced, that they claim to be their J-20, had a short test flight when we were in Beijing,” the press secretary said. “But we don't know, frankly, much about the capabilities of that plane.”

The test flight occurred during Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ visit to China this month.

The J-20’s engine capabilities and degree of stealth capability are among the unknowns, Morrell said, adding that the U.S. current and developing air fleet is more than equal to any possible Chinese challenge.

Boeing Flies First CH-47F for Dutch Air Force

Representatives of Boeing, its suppliers and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence marked the first flight of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) CH-47F (NL) Chinook heavy-lift helicopter in a ceremony Jan. 25 at Summit Aviation in Middletown, Del.

The aircraft made its first flight on Dec. 8 and is scheduled to complete its flight test program in August after approximately 100 flight hours. There are two aircraft in flight test.

The RNLAF has ordered six CH-47F (NL) Chinooks to enhance its current fleet of 11 CH-47D (NL) aircraft. The new Chinooks are equipped with survivability equipment, a forward-looking infrared system, and fast rope positions, which will be used to support Special Forces operations. The engines will include air particle separators for operation in harsh environments. These additions will make the RNLAF CH-47F a versatile, multi-role aircraft for worldwide operations.

Canada to Upgrade Air Force Radar Systems

Today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, announced support for the Air Force’s vital role in the defence of Canada through significant investments in Canada’s aerospace capabilities. The projects announced today include the modernization of radar systems at 4 Wing Cold Lake and 3 Wing Bagotville, as well as the acquisition of new aircraft cargo loaders, and an upgrade to 17 Wing Winnipeg’s sewer system. Together, these investments will create or sustain an estimated total of 133 jobs across Canada.

“Our government’s investments are helping to ensure that our airmen and women have the up-to-date equipment  needed to perform their missions and build on their remarkable successes,” said Minister MacKay. “We continue to demonstrate our commitment to providing the Canadian Forces  the right equipment and facilities to do their jobs effectively.”

Minister MacKay announced a $55.6 million contract awarded to Thales Canada Inc. for the acquisition of two modern deployable, tactical control radars under the TCR modernization project. The contract provides investment in Industrial and Regional Benefits at 100 per cent of the contract value, creating approximately 40 employment opportunities.

China’s Project 022 Fast Attack Craft

The Chinese Navy's Project 022 class is, despite its innovative hull design, a classic missile-armed fast attack craft. It is designed for the sole purpose of delivering eight anti-ship missiles to a specified naval target and has virtually no capability outside that area. Its design makes it unsuitable for patrol duties, while its short operational radius limits its applicability to maritime policing work.

In military roles, it is virtually defenseless against air attack and would have to rely on speed and agility to survive in a hostile environment. Craft in this general category were once in great vogue, but experience has shown that they are not an effective military unit outside very limited and specific areas. However, the Chinese Navy happens to have one of those limited and specific areas as a primary operational requirement. Thus, in its specific geostrategic situation, the Project 022 is a viable and effective craft.

The Chinese Navy has gone to significant lengths to reduce the investment in any single Project 022 class FAC-M to a minimum. This does not just apply to equipment standards, austere though they are, but to manpower. The Project 022 has a crew of 12 to 14 sailors, less than half that of similar craft. At a unit cost of an estimated $50 million each, the Chinese could afford both the financial and manpower commitment needed to operate a very large fleet of these craft. Construction is expected to exceed 100 hulls and may well go beyond that point.

Taiwan calls for US fighter jets

A top Taiwanese official has renewed calls for Washington to sell the island advanced aircraft in the wake of China's s development of its first stealth plane, a report said Wednesday.

Parliamentary speaker Wang Jin-pyng warned that China could upset regional and global order by developing the J-20 jet, the state Central News Agency said.

He urged Washington to provide Taiwan with advanced fighter jets to counter a serious imbalance between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait due to China's rapid military expansion, the report said.

France-Russia sign Mistral warships deal

France on Tuesday inked a lucrative agreement to sell four Mistral warships to Moscow, with two to be built in Russia, in a move bitterly opposed by ex-Soviet states in the Baltics.

The deal for the amphibious assault ships will be the first sale to Russia of such technology by a NATO country.

France's NATO allies -- in particular Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia -- have expressed concern about arming Russia with modern Western weaponry.

South Korean Ship Sinking Stirs New Interest in Coastal Submarines

According to Forecast International’s “The Market for Submarines” analysis, the torpedoing and sinking of the South Korean corvette Cheonan in March 2010 by a North Korean coastal submarine will prompt a surge of interest in small, low-cost submarines.

The corvette was specifically designed for operations in littoral waters and built with full knowledge of the threat spectrum she would face. Yet, she was blown in half by a torpedo she never saw coming. The force multiplier effect was clearly evident here.

Boeing Begins Flight Testing UK Chinook Mk4

The Boeing UK Rotorcraft Support team began flight testing the first Chinook Mk4 helicopter for the Royal Air Force (RAF). First flight took place on 9 December 2010 in Gosport, Hampshire.

“First flight marks an exciting and important event for Project JULIUS. This is a great testament to the industry and MOD team who have worked so hard to achieve this milestone,” said Chris White-Horne, Future Heavy Lift Project Leader for the Ministry of Defence. “JULIUS delivers important new capabilities which will be quickly used on operations in Afghanistan and beyond.”

US Navy to Begin Initial Production of P-8A

The U.S. Navy announced today the award of a $1.6 billion contract to Boeing for P-8A Poseidon aircraft Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of six aircraft.

This first LRIP contract also includes spares, logistics and training devices. Production of the first LRIP aircraft will begin this summer at Boeing’s Renton, Wash. facility.

CHINA WZ-10 Attack Helicopter

The PLA Army Aviation lacks an attack helicopter such as the AH-64 Apache or Mi-28 Havoc. The limited attack helicopter force consists of 30-40 WZ-9s and 8 SA-342L Gazelles, along with 60 Mi-17 Hips with unguided rocket launchers.

The primary mission for the treetop hugging WZ-10 is battlefield interdiction, eliminating the enemy ground fixed and mobile forces, and concurrently certain air combat ability.

Japan concerned over China’s defense build-up

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Thursday voiced fresh concern about China's defence spending and its maritime activities and said Japan should focus on its alliance with the United States.

Kan also pledged to take the lead in setting up rules on regional ocean disputes and boost ties with Tokyo's Asian neighbours to better confront security risks like North Korea's nuclear programme.

"We can't help but have concerns about a certain lack of transparency in (China's) defence build-up and growing maritime activities," Kan said in a foreign policy speech ahead of this year's parliament session, which starts on Monday.